A letter to a member of the convention
         Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707.
      
       
         
           1688
        
      
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         A59826
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         ESTC R30640
         11379656
         ocm 11379656
         47662
         
           
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             A letter to a member of the convention
             Sherlock, William, 1641?-1707.
          
           4 p.
           
             s.n.,
             [London? :
             1688?]
          
           
             Caption title.
             Attributed to Sherlock by Wing and NUC pre-1956 imprints.
             Imprint suggested by Wing.
             Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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         eng
      
       
         
           Great Britain -- History -- Revolution of 1688.
           Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1660-1714
        
      
    
     
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           A
           LETTER
           TO
           A
           Member
           of
           the
           Convention
           .
        
         
           
             SIR
             ,
          
        
         
           I
           Hear
           you
           are
           elected
           a
           Member
           of
           this
           next
           Convention
           ,
           and
           therefore
           expect
           to
           see
           you
           very
           suddenly
           in
           Town
           ,
           but
           I
           can
           tell
           you
           my
           mind
           more
           freely
           in
           Writing
           ,
           and
           you
           may
           think
           better
           of
           it
           when
           you
           see
           it
           before
           you
           ,
           and
           therefore
           I
           have
           rather
           chose
           to
           give
           you
           the
           trouble
           of
           this
           Paper
           ,
           than
           to
           leave
           all
           to
           a
           personal
           Conference
           at
           our
           next
           meeting
           .
        
         
           I
           will
           not
           dispute
           with
           you
           about
           what
           is
           past
           or
           what
           is
           to
           come
           ;
           it
           is
           too
           late
           to
           do
           the
           first
           ,
           and
           as
           for
           the
           second
           ,
           whatever
           becomes
           of
           other
           Arguments
           ,
           Interest
           is
           most
           apt
           to
           prevail
           ,
           and
           therefore
           all
           that
           I
           beg
           of
           you
           ,
           is
           to
           take
           care
           that
           you
           do
           not
           mistake
           your
           own
           and
           the
           Nations
           Interest
           in
           a
           matter
           of
           such
           high
           Concernment
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           no
           less
           Affair
           before
           you
           than
           the
           Fate
           of
           Princes
           ,
           and
           of
           three
           Kingdoms
           ,
           which
           requires
           the
           most
           calm
           ,
           mature
           ,
           and
           deliberate
           Advice
           ;
           and
           yet
           when
           you
           come
           to
           
             London
             ,
          
           you
           will
           find
           such
           Distractions
           and
           Divisions
           in
           Mens
           Counsels
           ,
           that
           all
           the
           threatning
           Dangers
           of
           
             Popery
          
           were
           not
           a
           more
           formidable
           prospect
           to
           considering
           Men
           ,
           all
           old
           Animosities
           are
           revived
           ,
           and
           new
           ones
           fomented
           every
           day
           ;
           some
           are
           visibly
           acted
           by
           Ambition
           ,
           others
           by
           Revenge
           ;
           the
           
             Dissenter
          
           is
           very
           busie
           to
           undermine
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           the
           
             Common-wealths
             Man
          
           to
           subvert
           Monarchy
           ,
           and
           
             the
             Lord
             have
             Mercy
             upon
             us
             all
             .
          
           I
           doubt
           not
           ,
           but
           you
           will
           readily
           confess
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           the
           common
           Interest
           to
           have
           things
           setled
           upon
           such
           a
           bottom
           ,
           as
           is
           most
           like
           to
           last
           ,
           and
           then
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           you
           must
           consult
           both
           Law
           and
           Conscience
           in
           the
           matter
           ,
           and
           keep
           to
           your
           old
           establishment
           as
           near
           as
           you
           can
           ;
           for
           when
           there
           are
           so
           many
           Distempers
           in
           Mens
           Minds
           ,
           and
           such
           contrary
           Interests
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           time
           to
           innovate
           ,
           it
           is
           no
           time
           to
           lay
           new
           Foundations
           ,
           when
           there
           are
           frequent
           Earthquakes
           ,
           which
           will
           not
           give
           them
           time
           to
           settle
           :
           The
           Revolutions
           of
           State
           have
           been
           so
           quick
           and
           sudden
           of
           late
           ,
           that
           all
           prudent
           Men
           will
           be
           cautious
           how
           they
           try
           Experiments
           ,
           which
           are
           commonly
           dangerous
           and
           uncertain
           ,
           but
           especially
           in
           matters
           of
           Government
           ,
           which
           depend
           on
           the
           good
           liking
           of
           free
           and
           moral
           Agents
           ,
           and
           when
           se
           many
           Hundred
           Thousand
           are
           to
           be
           satisfied
           ,
           you
           can
           never
           guess
           at
           the
           prevailing
           Opinion
           ,
           by
           the
           major
           Vote
           of
           a
           Convention
           .
        
         
           Let
           us
           then
           consider
           ,
           what
           is
           most
           likely
           to
           give
           the
           most
           general
           satisfaction
           to
           the
           Nation
           ,
           for
           that
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           is
           most
           likely
           to
           be
           lasting
           ,
           and
           because
           you
           may
           be
           a
           Stranger
           to
           these
           matters
           yet
           ,
           I
           will
           give
           you
           an
           Account
           of
           the
           different
           Projects
           now
           on
           foot
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           I
           can
           learn
           them
           .
        
         
           Some
           are
           for
           sending
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           treating
           with
           him
           to
           return
           to
           his
           Government
           ,
           under
           such
           legal
           restraints
           ,
           as
           shall
           give
           security
           to
           the
           most
           jealous
           Persons
           ,
           for
           the
           preservation
           of
           their
           Liberties
           ,
           Laws
           ,
           and
           Religion
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           will
           not
           consent
           to
           this
           ,
           to
           make
           the
           next
           Heir
           Regent
           :
           Others
           are
           for
           declaring
           the
           Crown
           forfeited
           or
           demised
           ,
           and
           proclaiming
           the
           
             Princess
          
           of
           
             Orange
             :
          
           Others
           will
           have
           the
           Government
           dissolved
           ,
           and
           begin
           all
           
             de
             novo
             ,
          
           and
           make
           the
           
             Prince
          
           of
           
             Orange
          
           King
           ,
           or
           crown
           him
           and
           the
           
             Princess
          
           together
           ,
           and
           
             Postpone
          
           the
           Title
           of
           
           the
           
             Princess
             Anne
             ,
          
           till
           after
           the
           
           Prince's
           Death
           ,
           if
           he
           survive
           the
           
             Princess
             .
          
           I
           shall
           not
           pretend
           to
           tell
           you
           ,
           which
           of
           these
           I
           should
           prefer
           ,
           were
           it
           
             res
             integra
             ;
          
           for
           the
           question
           is
           not
           ,
           which
           you
           and
           I
           should
           like
           best
           ,
           but
           which
           will
           be
           the
           firmest
           Foundation
           for
           the
           Peace
           and
           Settlement
           of
           these
           Kingdoms
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           As
           for
           the
           first
           ,
           though
           it
           be
           horribly
           decried
           ,
           and
           such
           Men
           foolishly
           exposed
           as
           Friends
           to
           
             Popery
          
           and
           Arbitrary
           Power
           ;
           yet
           I
           could
           never
           meet
           with
           any
           Man
           yet
           ,
           who
           had
           the
           face
           to
           reject
           all
           Treaty
           with
           the
           King
           upon
           any
           other
           pretence
           ,
           but
           that
           it
           was
           in
           vain
           ,
           that
           it
           is
           impossible
           he
           should
           give
           any
           Security
           to
           the
           Nation
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           govern
           by
           Law
           ;
           which
           is
           so
           ridiculous
           a
           pretence
           ,
           that
           it
           will
           satisfie
           no
           body
           ,
           but
           those
           who
           are
           resolved
           ,
           that
           he
           shall
           never
           return
           .
           For
           ,
           as
           little
           as
           I
           am
           versed
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           I
           could
           frame
           such
           Laws
           ,
           as
           should
           put
           it
           utterly
           out
           of
           the
           King's
           power
           to
           invade
           our
           Liberties
           or
           Religion
           :
           However
           ,
           I
           am
           sure
           ,
           we
           should
           have
           thought
           our selves
           very
           secure
           ,
           would
           the
           King
           have
           called
           a
           
             Free
             Parliament
             ,
          
           and
           given
           them
           liberty
           to
           have
           made
           what
           Laws
           they
           Pleased
           ,
           and
           that
           which
           would
           have
           given
           such
           general
           satisfaction
           before
           ,
           had
           it
           been
           granted
           ,
           I
           suspect
           ,
           should
           it
           be
           now
           granted
           ,
           and
           refused
           ,
           that
           would
           give
           as
           general
           dissatisfaction
           ;
           nay
           the
           very
           refusal
           to
           treat
           ,
           will
           be
           thought
           such
           a
           scandalous
           neglect
           of
           our
           Duty
           to
           a
           Sovereign
           Prince
           ,
           and
           give
           such
           Jealousies
           to
           People
           ,
           that
           those
           who
           oppose
           it
           ,
           are
           only
           afraid
           ,
           that
           the
           King
           should
           comply
           ,
           as
           will
           be
           the
           foundation
           of
           universal
           Discontents
           ,
           which
           will
           shew
           themselves
           upon
           the
           first
           occasion
           .
           It
           is
           certain
           ,
           would
           the
           
             Convention
          
           treat
           with
           the
           King
           ,
           either
           they
           would
           agree
           ,
           or
           they
           would
           not
           agree
           ;
           if
           they
           could
           not
           agree
           upon
           the
           proposal
           of
           reasonable
           Securities
           ;
           this
           would
           satisfie
           multitudes
           of
           People
           ,
           that
           they
           had
           tried
           if
           they
           did
           agree
           ,
           this
           would
           give
           universal
           satisfaction
           ,
           and
           there
           were
           an
           happy
           end
           of
           all
           our
           Troubles
           .
        
         
           But
           now
           let
           us
           suppose
           ,
           that
           Part
           of
           the
           
             Convention
          
           should
           prevail
           ,
           which
           is
           against
           treating
           with
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           for
           deposing
           or
           setting
           him
           aside
           without
           more
           ado
           ;
           let
           us
           consider
           what
           is
           like
           to
           be
           the
           most
           probable
           consequence
           of
           this
           .
        
         
           It
           is
           certain
           ,
           this
           fundamental
           Change
           in
           the
           Government
           cannot
           be
           made
           by
           any
           legal
           Authority
           ;
           for
           the
           
             Convention
          
           will
           not
           pretend
           to
           any
           such
           legal
           Power
           ,
           and
           there
           can
           be
           no
           Parliament
           without
           a
           King
           ;
           and
           a
           King
           ,
           whose
           whole
           Authority
           depends
           upon
           a
           
             Convention
             ,
          
           that
           has
           no
           such
           Authority
           ,
           is
           but
           in
           a
           weak
           state
           ,
           as
           to
           Civil
           Right
           :
           No
           Man
           will
           think
           himself
           bound
           in
           Conscience
           to
           obey
           him
           ,
           and
           when
           every
           Mans
           Conscience
           is
           free
           ,
           let
           such
           a
           Prince
           beware
           of
           Epidemical
           Discontents
           .
           And
           let
           you
           and
           I
           calmly
           consider
           ,
           what
           Discontents
           may
           probably
           arise
           upon
           such
           a
           juncture
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           First
           then
           ,
           all
           those
           who
           think
           themselves
           bound
           by
           their
           Oath
           of
           Allegiance
           to
           defend
           the
           Kings
           Person
           ,
           his
           Crown
           ,
           and
           Dignity
           ,
           who
           wonder
           at
           Men
           of
           Law
           ,
           who
           talk
           of
           a
           Forfeiture
           or
           Demise
           of
           the
           Crown
           ,
           while
           the
           King
           lives
           ,
           and
           flies
           out
           of
           his
           Kingdoms
           ,
           only
           for
           the
           safety
           of
           his
           Person
           ,
           and
           because
           he
           will
           not
           trust
           himself
           in
           the
           power
           of
           his
           Enemies
           ;
           I
           say
           ,
           all
           such
           Persons
           will
           be
           greatly
           discontented
           at
           deposing
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           will
           never
           own
           any
           other
           King
           ,
           while
           their
           own
           King
           ,
           to
           whom
           they
           have
           sworn
           Allegiance
           ,
           lives
           ;
           and
           tho
           you
           should
           suppose
           such
           conscientious
           Men
           to
           be
           very
           few
           ,
           yet
           if
           these
           few
           should
           happen
           to
           be
           Persons
           of
           Character
           ,
           of
           known
           Prudence
           and
           Abilities
           ,
           Integrity
           and
           Honesty
           ,
           in
           Church
           or
           State
           ,
           their
           Examples
           ,
           would
           give
           a
           terrible
           shock
           to
           such
           a
           new
           tottering
           Government
           ,
           tho
           they
           were
           never
           so
           tame
           and
           peaceable
           ,
           void
           of
           Faction
           and
           Sedition
           themselves
           .
        
         
           And
           yet
           let
           me
           tell
           you
           ,
           you
           must
           not
           judg
           of
           the
           Numbers
           of
           these
           Men
           by
           the
           late
           general
           defection
           .
           The
           whole
           Nation
           ,
           I
           confess
           ,
           was
           very
           unanimous
           for
           the
           
             Prince
             ,
          
           great
           numbers
           of
           Gentlemen
           ,
           nay
           of
           the
           Kings
           own
           Soldiers
           ,
           went
           over
           to
           him
           ,
           very
           few
           ,
           but
           Papists
           offered
           their
           Service
           to
           the
           King
           ;
           but
           the
           reason
           of
           this
           was
           very
           evident
           ,
           not
           that
           they
           were
           willing
           to
           part
           with
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           set
           up
           another
           in
           his
           room
           ,
           but
           because
           they
           were
           horribly
           afraid
           of
           Popery
           ,
           and
           very
           desirous
           to
           see
           the
           Laws
           and
           Religion
           of
           the
           Nation
           setled
           upon
           the
           old
           Foundations
           by
           a
           
             Free
             Parliament
             ,
          
           which
           was
           all
           the
           Prince
           declared
           for
           ;
           but
           many
           who
           were
           well-wishers
           to
           this
           Design
           ,
           will
           not
           renounce
           their
           Allegiance
           to
           their
           King
           ;
           and
           now
           they
           see
           what
           is
           like
           to
           come
           of
           it
           ,
           are
           ashamed
           of
           what
           they
           have
           done
           ,
           and
           ask
           God's
           Pardon
           for
           it
           ,
           and
           are
           ready
           to
           undo
           it
           as
           far
           as
           they
           can
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Besides
           a
           thousand
           occasions
           of
           Discontent
           which
           may
           happen
           in
           such
           a
           Change
           of
           Government
           as
           this
           ,
           which
           no
           body
           can
           possibly
           foresee
           ,
           and
           yet
           may
           have
           very
           fatal
           Consequences
           ,
           there
           are
           some
           very
           visible
           occasions
           for
           it
           besides
           the
           sense
           of
           Loyalty
           and
           Conscience
           .
        
         
         
           How
           many
           Discontents
           ,
           think
           you
           ,
           may
           arise
           between
           the
           Nobility
           and
           Gentry
           ,
           who
           attend
           the
           new
           Court
           ?
           Every
           Man
           will
           think
           he
           has
           some
           Merit
           ,
           and
           expect
           some
           marks
           of
           Favor
           ,
           to
           have
           his
           share
           of
           Honor
           ,
           and
           Power
           ,
           and
           Profit
           ,
           and
           yet
           a
           great
           many
           more
           must
           miss
           ,
           than
           those
           who
           speed
           ,
           and
           many
           of
           those
           ,
           who
           are
           rewarded
           ,
           may
           think
           they
           ha'n't
           their
           Deserts
           ,
           and
           be
           discontented
           to
           see
           others
           preferred
           before
           them
           ;
           and
           those
           whose
           expectations
           are
           disappointed
           ,
           are
           disobliged
           too
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           a
           dangerous
           thing
           ,
           when
           there
           is
           another
           ,
           and
           a
           rightful
           King
           to
           oblige
           ;
           for
           Duty
           and
           Discontent
           together
           ,
           to
           be
           revenged
           if
           a
           new
           King
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           reconciled
           to
           an
           old
           One
           ,
           will
           shake
           a
           Throne
           which
           has
           so
           sandy
           a
           Foundation
           ;
           the
           like
           may
           be
           said
           of
           the
           Soldiery
           ,
           who
           are
           generally
           Men
           of
           Honor
           and
           Resentment
           ,
           and
           have
           the
           greater
           and
           sharper
           Resentments
           now
           ,
           because
           they
           are
           sensible
           of
           their
           mistake
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           too
           late
           ;
           yet
           as
           they
           ought
           not
           to
           have
           fought
           for
           Popery
           ,
           nor
           against
           the
           Laws
           and
           Liberties
           of
           their
           Country
           ,
           so
           neither
           ought
           they
           to
           have
           deserted
           the
           defence
           of
           the
           King's
           Person
           and
           Crown
           ,
           but
           have
           brought
           the
           Prince
           to
           Terms
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           the
           King.
           
        
         
           Thus
           you
           easily
           foresee
           ,
           what
           a
           heavy
           Tax
           must
           be
           laid
           upon
           the
           Nation
           ,
           to
           defray
           the
           Charge
           of
           this
           Expedition
           ,
           and
           I
           believe
           the
           Country
           would
           have
           paid
           it
           very
           chearfully
           and
           thankfully
           ,
           had
           the
           Prince
           restored
           to
           them
           their
           Laws
           ,
           and
           Liberties
           ,
           and
           Religion
           ,
           together
           with
           their
           King
           ;
           but
           you
           know
           Men
           are
           apt
           to
           complain
           of
           every
           thing
           ,
           when
           Mony
           is
           to
           be
           paid
           ,
           and
           it
           may
           be
           it
           will
           be
           thought
           hard
           to
           lose
           their
           King
           ,
           and
           to
           pay
           so
           dear
           for
           it
           too
           :
           And
           tho
           what
           the
           
             Convention
          
           does
           is
           none
           of
           the
           Prince's
           fault
           ,
           no
           more
           than
           it
           was
           his
           design
           ,
           yet
           angry
           People
           don't
           use
           to
           distinguish
           so
           nicely
           .
        
         
           But
           there
           is
           a
           greater
           difficulty
           still
           than
           all
           this
           :
           There
           are
           no
           Contentions
           so
           fierce
           as
           those
           about
           Religion
           ;
           this
           gave
           Life
           and
           Spirit
           to
           the
           Prince's
           Design
           ,
           and
           had
           the
           main
           stroke
           in
           this
           late
           Revolution
           :
           And
           though
           Popery
           were
           a
           hated
           Religion
           ,
           yet
           most
           Men
           are
           as
           zealous
           for
           their
           own
           Religion
           ,
           as
           they
           are
           against
           Popery
           .
           Those
           of
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
          
           are
           very
           glad
           to
           get
           rid
           of
           Popery
           ,
           but
           they
           will
           not
           be
           contented
           to
           part
           with
           their
           Church
           into
           the
           bargain
           ,
           for
           this
           would
           be
           as
           bad
           ,
           as
           they
           could
           have
           suffered
           under
           Popery
           .
           The
           several
           Sects
           of
           Dissenters
           are
           glad
           to
           get
           rid
           of
           Popery
           also
           ;
           but
           now
           they
           expect
           glorious
           days
           for
           themselves
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           expect
           God
           Almighty
           knows
           ,
           for
           I
           am
           confident
           they
           don't
           know
           themselves
           .
           Now
           consider
           how
           difficult
           it
           will
           be
           ,
           for
           any
           Prince
           ,
           who
           has
           but
           a
           crazy
           Title
           to
           the
           immediate
           possession
           of
           the
           Crown
           ,
           to
           adjust
           this
           matter
           so
           ,
           as
           neither
           to
           disgust
           the
           Church
           of
           
             England
             ,
          
           nor
           the
           Dissenters
           ,
           and
           if
           either
           of
           them
           be
           disobliged
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           formidable
           Party
           made
           against
           them
           .
        
         
           This
           being
           the
           Case
           ,
           should
           the
           King
           be
           deposed
           ,
           and
           any
           other
           ascend
           the
           Throne
           ,
           it
           will
           be
           necessary
           for
           them
           to
           keep
           up
           a
           standing
           Army
           to
           quell
           such
           Discontents
           ;
           for
           where
           there
           are
           and
           will
           be
           Discontents
           without
           any
           tye
           of
           Conscience
           to
           restrain
           Men
           ,
           there
           can
           be
           no
           defence
           but
           only
           in
           Power
           ;
           and
           this
           will
           raise
           and
           encrease
           new
           Discontents
           ;
           for
           it
           alters
           the
           frame
           of
           our
           Constitution
           ,
           from
           a
           Civil
           to
           a
           Military
           Government
           ,
           which
           is
           one
           of
           the
           great
           Grievances
           we
           have
           complained
           of
           ,
           and
           I
           believe
           
             English
          
           People
           will
           not
           be
           better
           pleased
           with
           
             Dutch
             ,
          
           or
           
             German
             ,
          
           or
           any
           foreign
           Soldiers
           ,
           than
           they
           were
           with
           their
           own
           Country-Men
           ;
           and
           I
           believe
           
             English
          
           Soldiers
           will
           not
           be
           extremely
           pleased
           to
           see
           themselves
           disbanded
           ,
           or
           sent
           into
           other
           Countries
           to
           hazard
           their
           Lives
           ,
           while
           their
           Places
           are
           taken
           up
           by
           Foreigners
           ,
           who
           live
           in
           ease
           ,
           plenty
           ,
           and
           safety
           :
           And
           when
           things
           are
           come
           to
           this
           pass
           ,
           which
           is
           so
           likely
           ,
           that
           I
           cannot
           see
           how
           all
           the
           Wit
           of
           Man
           can
           prevent
           it
           ;
           I
           will
           suppose
           but
           one
           thing
           more
           ,
           which
           you
           will
           say
           is
           not
           unlikely
           ,
           that
           the
           King
           return
           with
           a
           foreign
           Force
           to
           recover
           his
           Kingdoms
           ,
           how
           ready
           will
           the
           Men
           of
           Conscience
           ,
           and
           the
           Men
           of
           Discontent
           be
           to
           joyn
           him
           ,
           nay
           to
           invite
           him
           home
           again
           ;
           and
           if
           he
           returns
           as
           a
           Conqueror
           ,
           you
           will
           wish
           ,
           when
           it
           is
           too
           late
           ,
           that
           you
           had
           treated
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           brought
           him
           back
           upon
           safe
           and
           honorable
           Terms
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           Let
           us
           suppose
           now
           ,
           that
           all
           this
           should
           be
           over-voted
           (
           for
           I
           am
           sure
           it
           can
           never
           be
           answered
           )
           and
           the
           Convention
           should
           resolve
           to
           proclaim
           the
           next
           Heir
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           You
           must
           be
           sure
           to
           examin
           well
           who
           is
           the
           next
           Heir
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           you
           must
           throughly
           examin
           the
           Pretences
           of
           the
           Prince
           of
           
             Wales
             ;
          
           and
           yet
           if
           you
           have
           not
           good
           Proofs
           of
           the
           Imposture
           ,
           you
           had
           better
           let
           it
           alone
           .
           For
           tho
           the
           Nation
           has
           had
           general
           presumptions
           of
           it
           ,
           yet
           a
           Male
           Heir
           of
           the
           Crown
           is
           mightily
           desired
           ,
           and
           People
           would
           be
           very
           fond
           of
           him
           ,
           if
           they
           had
           one
           ,
           and
           seem
           to
           expect
           some
           better
           Proofs
           than
           mere
           Presumptions
           against
           him
           ,
           because
           common
           Fame
           has
           promised
           a
           great
           deal
           more
           ,
           and
           if
           you
           should
           either
           say
           nothing
           to
           it
           ,
           or
           not
           what
           is
           expected
           ,
           it
           would
           be
           a
           very
           plausible
           pretence
           for
           discontented
           People
           ●o
           quarrel
           .
        
         
         
           2.
           
           Suppose
           the
           Princess
           of
           
             Orange
          
           should
           appear
           to
           be
           the
           next
           Heir
           ,
           what
           if
           a
           Lady
           of
           her
           eminent
           Virtue
           should
           scruple
           to
           sit
           upon
           her
           Father's
           Throne
           ,
           while
           he
           lives
           ?
           Or
           what
           if
           she
           should
           scruple
           it
           hereafter
           ,
           and
           place
           her
           Father
           in
           his
           Throne
           again
           ?
           This
           is
           not
           impossible
           ,
           for
           Virtue
           is
           greater
           than
           a
           Throne
           .
           For
           my
           part
           ,
           I
           think
           you
           will
           put
           a
           very
           hard
           thing
           upon
           so
           excellent
           a
           Lady
           ,
           and
           I
           pray
           God
           give
           her
           Grace
           to
           resist
           the
           Temptation
           .
           A
           Regency
           is
           more
           tolerable
           ,
           because
           a
           Nation
           must
           be
           governed
           ,
           and
           none
           so
           proper
           to
           govern
           it
           as
           the
           next
           Heir
           ;
           but
           I
           should
           think
           ,
           none
           who
           expect
           to
           wear
           a
           Crown
           ,
           should
           countenance
           Subjects
           in
           deposing
           their
           King
           ,
           nor
           accept
           of
           a
           Crown
           upon
           such
           Terms
           ,
           as
           to
           take
           it
           off
           of
           a
           Fathers
           Head
           :
           It
           is
           a
           dangerous
           thing
           for
           a
           Prince
           who
           has
           a
           Title
           to
           the
           Crown
           ,
           to
           own
           that
           the
           Crown
           may
           be
           forfeited
           or
           demised
           by
           such
           a
           withdrawing
           ;
           if
           this
           be
           not
           so
           ,
           the
           Princess
           has
           no
           Right
           to
           the
           possession
           of
           the
           Crown
           yet
           ,
           and
           if
           it
           be
           so
           ,
           her
           Crown
           is
           worth
           a
           great
           deal
           less
           than
           formerly
           it
           was
           ,
           especially
           if
           she
           own
           this
           Secret
           by
           accepting
           the
           Crown
           ,
           which
           her
           Ancestors
           always
           concealed
           ,
           and
           which
           the
           best
           Subjects
           of
           
             England
          
           would
           not
           believe
           before
           ;
           what
           they
           may
           do
           after
           this
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           next
           Design
           (
           I
           verily
           believe
           without
           the
           knowledg
           or
           thought
           of
           the
           Prince
           ,
           who
           has
           too
           great
           a
           mind
           to
           think
           of
           any
           thing
           ,
           which
           in
           the
           opinion
           of
           any
           wise
           Man
           could
           stain
           and
           fully
           his
           Glory
           )
           is
           to
           give
           the
           Crown
           to
           the
           Prince
           of
           
             Orange
             ,
          
           for
           it
           must
           be
           a
           Gift
           ,
           if
           any
           thing
           ;
           for
           he
           has
           no
           immediate
           Title
           to
           it
           ,
           that
           I
           know
           of
           :
           This
           is
           upon
           a
           pretence
           ,
           that
           the
           Government
           is
           dissolved
           ,
           and
           therefore
           we
           must
           begin
           
             de
             novo
             ,
          
           which
           is
           very
           ridiculous
           ,
           when
           the
           King
           is
           still
           alive
           ,
           and
           the
           Laws
           in
           as
           full
           force
           as
           ever
           ,
           only
           the
           Regular
           Administration
           of
           Government
           at
           present
           interrupted
           by
           the
           King's
           absence
           ;
           but
           this
           is
           not
           the
           worst
           of
           it
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           a
           dangerous
           pretence
           too
           ,
           especially
           to
           Men
           of
           Quality
           and
           Estates
           ,
           as
           you
           are
           ;
           for
           if
           the
           Government
           be
           dissolved
           ,
           our
           Laws
           are
           dissolved
           ,
           and
           Honor
           and
           Property
           dissolved
           with
           them
           ,
           and
           then
           I
           doubt
           the
           Mobile
           will
           come
           in
           for
           their
           share
           in
           the
           new
           Division
           of
           the
           Lands
           ,
           and
           set
           up
           for
           Men
           of
           as
           good
           Quality
           as
           any
           ;
           for
           if
           our
           Laws
           are
           gone
           ,
           we
           return
           to
           a
           state
           of
           Nature
           ,
           in
           which
           all
           Men
           are
           equal
           ,
           and
           all
           things
           common
           ;
           this
           I
           believe
           you
           will
           not
           be
           for
           ,
           for
           the
           Reason
           above-mentioned
           .
        
         
           If
           then
           the
           Laws
           continue
           ,
           the
           Government
           is
           not
           dissolved
           ,
           and
           the
           Crown
           is
           not
           a
           Gift
           ,
           but
           an
           Inheritance
           still
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           your
           Estate
           is
           ;
           and
           then
           the
           Prince
           of
           
             Orange
          
           cannot
           have
           it
           in
           his
           own
           Right
           ,
           because
           his
           own
           Princess
           ,
           and
           the
           Princess
           
             Anne
          
           are
           befoe
           him
           ;
           consider
           then
           what
           the
           consequence
           of
           this
           Pro●ect
           would
           be
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           This
           alters
           the
           essential
           Constitution
           of
           the
           
             English
          
           Government
           ,
           by
           changing
           an
           Hereditary
           into
           an
           Elective
           Monarchy
           ,
           a
           thing
           which
           I
           know
           some
           Men
           are
           very
           fond
           of
           :
           for
           then
           the
           next
           occasion
           they
           can
           find
           to
           quarrel
           with
           their
           Prince
           ,
           they
           may
           with
           as
           much
           ease
           turn
           it
           into
           a
           Common-Wealth
           ;
           for
           when
           the
           Crown
           is
           at
           the
           Peoples
           disposal
           ,
           they
           may
           if
           they
           please
           keep
           it
           to
           themselves
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           This
           will
           entangle
           all
           Men
           of
           Conscience
           in
           new
           Difficulties
           ;
           for
           the
           Oath
           of
           Allegiance
           does
           not
           only
           bind
           us
           to
           the
           King
           ,
           but
           to
           his
           Heirs
           and
           Successors
           ,
           which
           must
           be
           understood
           of
           the
           next
           lineal
           Heir
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           no
           Authority
           to
           alter
           it
           ;
           and
           whatever
           a
           Parliament
           may
           be
           thought
           to
           have
           with
           the
           Authority
           and
           Consent
           of
           the
           King
           ,
           no
           Man
           pretends
           ,
           that
           a
           Convention
           of
           the
           Estates
           has
           any
           Legal
           Authority
           to
           do
           it
           .
           I
           should
           be
           as
           heartily
           glad
           as
           any
           Man
           ,
           to
           see
           the
           Prince
           of
           
             Orange
          
           legally
           seated
           on
           the
           
             English
          
           Throne
           ;
           but
           these
           are
           Difficulties
           I
           cannot
           break
           through
           .
           Thus
           I
           have
           given
           you
           my
           hasty
           Thoughts
           ,
           and
           pray
           God
           to
           direct
           you
           .
        
         
           
             I
             am
             Yours
             .
          
        
      
       
         
           POSTSCRIPT
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           one
           thing
           more
           ,
           I
           would
           beg
           of
           you
           ,
           that
           the
           Story
           of
           the
           
             French
             League
             to
             cut
             Protestants
             Throats
             in
          
           England
           ,
           may
           be
           well
           examined
           ;
           for
           this
           did
           more
           to
           drive
           the
           King
           out
           of
           the
           Nation
           ,
           than
           the
           Prince's
           Army
           ;
           and
           if
           this
           should
           prove
           a
           Sham
           ,
           as
           some
           ,
           who
           pretend
           to
           know
           ,
           say
           it
           is
           ,
           it
           seems
           at
           least
           to
           be
           half
           an
           Argument
           to
           invite
           the
           King
           back
           again
           .
           In
           short
           ,
           remember
           you
           are
           a
           Convention
           not
           a
           Parliament
           ,
           and
           therefore
           nothing
           can
           give
           Authority
           to
           what
           you
           do
           ,
           but
           the
           good
           liking
           of
           the
           People
           ;
           and
           as
           Necessity
           only
           can
           justifie
           your
           meeting
           without
           the
           King's
           Writs
           ,
           so
           I
           hope
           you
           will
           take
           care
           to
           do
           nothing
           but
           what
           will
           justifie
           it self
           to
           God
           ,
           the
           King
           ,
           and
           your
           Country
           .