An appeal from the country to the city, for the preservation of His Majesties person, liberty, property, and the Protestant religion Blount, Charles, 1654-1693. 1679 Approx. 50 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 16 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2004-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A28432 Wing B3300 ESTC R228069 11899042 ocm 11899042 50574 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A28432) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 50574) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 55:11) An appeal from the country to the city, for the preservation of His Majesties person, liberty, property, and the Protestant religion Blount, Charles, 1654-1693. [2], 29 p. [s.n.], London : 1679. Reproduction of original in Union Theological Seminary Library, New York. Written by C. Blount. Cf. Halkett & Laing (2nd ed.). Signed: Junius Brutus [pseud.]. Erroneously attributed to Robert Ferguson. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Popish Plot, 1678. 2003-04 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2003-05 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2004-01 Judith Siefring Sampled and proofread 2004-01 Judith Siefring Text and markup reviewed and edited 2004-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion AN APPEAL From the COUNTRY To the CITY , For the Preservation of His Majesties Person , Liberty , Property , and the Protestant Religion . Salus Populi , Suprema Lex . LAOPOLIS . LONDON , Printed in the Year MDCLXXIX . AN APPEAL From the COUNTRY to the CITY . Most brave and noble Citizens , As the City of London is the great Metropolis and Soul of our once flourishing and glorious Kingdom , so is it no small honour to you the Inhabitants thereof , to be Citizens of so brave a City . Wherefore 't is the hopes of the whole Nation , that you have Spirits and Courage to act according to the Character you bear , that upon all necessary occasions you may vindicate the just Concerns of your City : In them we are all involv'd ; with you we stand , and with you we fall ; your example directs our conduct , and they who desire to lay you in ashes , are the only persons who would subvert our Religion and Property ; for when you are once ruined , the next thing will be , Vp Ahab , and take possession . Now Gentlemen , before we represent to you the estate of our misery , and ground of our jealousies and fears , 't is our humble request , that those who have most Power amongst you , would so far trouble themselves , as to go to the top of your new rais'd Pyramid , and from thence take a Survey of that magnificent Pile of Building , whereof you are yet Masters : In which posture , to animate you with true English Spirits , be pleas'd to fancy to your selves these following Objects , which you will infallibly see come to pass , when ever Popery prevails . First , Imagine you see the whole Town in a flame , occasioned this second time , by the same Popish malice which set it on fire before . At the same instant fancy , that amongst the distracted Crowd , you behold Troops of Papists , ravishing your Wives and your Daughters , dashing your little Childrens brains out against the walls , plundering your Houses , and cutting your own throats , by the Name of Heretick Dogs : Then represent to your selves the Tower playing off its Cannon , and battering down your Houses about your Ears . Also casting your eye towards Smithfield , imagine you see your Father , or your Mother , or some of your nearest and dearest Relations , tyed to a Stake in the midst of flames , when with hands and eyes lifted up to Heaven , they scream and cry out to that God for whose Cause they die ; which was a frequent spectacle the last time Popery reign'd amongst us . Fancy you behold those beautiful Churches erected for the true Worship of God , abused and turn'd into idolatrous Temples , to the dishonour of Christ , and scandal of Religion ; the Ministers of God's holy Word torn in pieces before your eyes , and their very best Friends not daring even to speak in their behalf ; Your Trading's bad , and in a manner lost already , but then the only Commodity will be Fire and Sword ; the only object , Women running with their hair about their ears , Men cover'd with blood , Children sprawling under Horses feet , and only the walls of Houses left standing : When those that survive this fatal day , may sigh and cry , Here once stood my House , there my Friend 's , and here my Kinsman 's ; But alas that time is past ! The only noise will then be , O my Wife , O my Husband , O my dearest Children ! In fine , what the Devil himself would do , were he here upon Earth , will in his absence infallibly be acted by his Agents the Papists ; those who had so much ingratitude and baseness to attempt the Life of a Prince so indulgent to them , will hardly be less cruel to any of his Protestant Subjects . Wake drowsie Subjects , and prevent your doom , Let England not be twice enslav'd by Rome . If the approaching ruine of the Father could open the dumb Son's mouth , then all that are either true Protestants , good English-men , or well-wishers to the Interest of this Nation , have now the same reason to speak and complain , when without a miracle our apparent ruine is at hand , the Sword already hangs over our heads , and seems to the supported by no stronger force than that of one single hair , his Majesties Life . We in the Country have done our parts , in choosing for the generality good Members to serve in Parliament ; but if ( as our two last Parliaments were ) they must be dissolv'd or prorogu'd , when ever they come to redress the Grievances of the Subject , we may be pitied , but not blam'd . If the Plot takes effect , ( as in all probability it will ) our Parliaments are not then to be condemn'd , for that their not being suffer'd to fit occasion'd it . The Plot is now got so far out of our Enemies reach , that no subtil evasion or trick can ever hope to extinguish it ; wherefore they must either suffer all to come out , or begin by force to justifie it , which we see they are going to do , by their endeavouring to get those worthy and brave Commanders banish'd , who ( as they think ) are the most likely persons to conduct and lead us up against any Popish Army ; the Wolf hath nothing more to do , but to destroy the Shepherd , and then fall upon the naked Sheep . But Gentlemen , be not dismaid , the Lord of Hosts will be of your sides ; for so long as you fight his Cause , he will fight your Battels ; and if God be for you , who dares be against you ? Fear nothing , but as your Interests are united , so let your Resolutions be the same ; and the first hour wherein you hear of the King 's untimely end , let no other noise be heard among you but that of Arm , Arm , to revenge your Soveraign's Death , both upon his Murtherers , and their whole Party , for that there is no such thing as an English Papist who is not in the Plot , at least in his good wishes . Let not fear of losing part by your action , make you lose the whole by your patience : Think not to fare better than the rest , by medling less , for that Conquerours promises are never kept , especially coming from that sort of people , whose Maxim it is , never to keep their words with Hereticks . Wherefore if ever a Popish Successor comes amongst you , let his promises of keeping your Religion and Laws , or of his Conversion , be never so plausible , credit 'em not ; for if you do , you will infallibly be deceiv'd , and in time find them to be but like the Bait to a Mouse-trap . Or if you think to bind and fetter him by Laws , that will be no better than the wise men of Gotham's hedging in the Cuckow ; for when he ( as all other Popish Kings do governs by an Army , what will all your Laws signifie ? You will not then have Parliaments to appeal to ; He and his Council will levy his arbitrary Taxes , and his Army shall gather them for him : Therefore you may much easier prevent the Distemper at first , than remedy it when it has once got a head . Now Gentlemen , lest any amongst you should be ignorant either of your Enemies , or their Designs both against the King and Kingdom , be pleas'd to consider what follows , and then think how to prevent it . I. First then , That you may know who are your Enemies at this time : They are young beggarly Officers , Courtiers , over-hot Church-men , and Papists . The young Officer or Souldier his Interest makes him wish for a standing Army , not considering any further than his own Pay and Plunder , and so helps to ruine you that way . The Courtier endeavours to advance Taxes , oppress the people by vast and illegal Impositions , when looking upon his Prince but as his Ox , he fattens him upon his Neighbours Pasture , only for his own eating . Over-hot Church-men are bribed to wish well to Popery , by the hopes ( if not of a Cardinal's Cap ) yet at least of a Command over some Abbey , Priory , or other Ecclesiastick preferment , whereof the Roman Church hath so great plenty . These are the men who exclaim against our Parliaments Proceedings , in relation to the Plot , as too violent , calling these Times by no other Name but that of 40 or 41. when to amuse as well his Sacred Majesty as his good People , they again threaten us with another 48. and all this is done to vindicate under-hand the Catholick Party , by throwing a suspicion on the Fanaticks . These are the Gentlemen , who so magnifie the Principles of Bishop Land , and so much extol the Writings of the late same spirited Prelate Dr. Heylin , who hath made more Papists by his Books , than Christians by his Sermons . These are those Episcopal Tantivies , who make even the very Scriptures Pimp for the Court , who out of Vrim and Thummim can extort a Sermon , to prove the not paying of Tithes and Taxes to be the Sin against the holy Ghost , and had rather see the Kingdom run down with blood , than part with the least hem of a consecrated Frock , which they themselves made holy . These are the persons who commend Oates and Bedlow , but yet find fault with their Evidence , when by crediting some part of the Plot , and suspecting the rest , by speaking three words for it , and two against it , they cunningly endeavour to invalidate the whole . Lastly , The chief and most dangerous of your Enemies are Papists , who to make sure of their own Game , allure all the three fore-mention'd Parties to their side , by the Arguments aforesaid . Their design is to bring in Popery , which they can no ways effect , but either by a Popish Successor , or by the French Arms : The first of these we may our selves prevent ; and for the latter , if they conquer , they will undoubtedly conquer for themselves , and not for him that brought them in . And if we ever should be reduced to that extremity , either to submit to the French , or to our own Popish Successor , every man that hath any brains or generosity , will soon find it his interest of the two , rather to submit to a foreign Power , who hath not violated the Laws of Nature , in fighting against his own Subjects , and who will also be less revengeful , and more likely to let us enjoy our own Religion and Liberties , than any Popish Successor will : Besides , 't is natural for every noble Spirit , to bear a Cudgelling from another man's Servant with less regret , than from his own ; however , God deliver us from both . II. In the next place , to discover to you how long this Plot hath been on foot ; I must acknowledge , that there is some coherence between the beginning of the late Civil Wars , and this our present Age ; for as well then , as now , the ambitious Popish and Trench Faction were the chief , nay the only Incendiaries which set us all in a Flame ; the Catholick Cause , like the Chesnut in the Fable , hath ever since Queen Maries Reign been in the Fire : wherefore as the Fox made use of the Ape 's , so both then and now the Papists make use of the Episcopal and Court-Parties claw , to take it out ; the first of these they allure to their assistance , by the fright of Presbytery ; the latter , by the apprehension of a Republick : although nothing is less design'd , or more improbable . Secretary Windebank's many Orders ( which stand recorded at this day ) to secure the Roman Catholicks from the execution of all Penal Laws against them , in the late King's time , are a sufficient evidence , that they then received no less countenance , than now : and for that vain pretence of their Loyalty to the late King , nothing will appear more ridiculous , if we consider , I. That they had no other Party to expect any advantage from , for that no Government but Monarchy , can in England ever support or favour that Religion ; neither ( notwithstanding their many offers ) could they ever be entertain'd or received by the Parliament-Party , unless 't was under a disguise , which many for that purpose made use of : So as their Loyalty and good Service paid to the King , was merely in their own defence , well knowing , that the foundation of those Commotions , was only in opposition to their Party : who as well then , as now , had a desire to run the hazard of a War. 2ly . and lastly , Their Fidelity to their Soveraign appear'd in its true colours , when they were so earnest with Oliver to accept of the Crown ; which shew'd , that since nothing but a Crown'd Head could do good to the Popish Religion , they did not care who wore it , so long as it was but worn . Now in acquainting you herewith , I do in effect shew you what is at this time acting amongst them , for 't is the same Play , though an old one newly revived : and as that which the Papists then acted , was laid upon the Fanaticks , so was the like to have been done in this present . Plot ; in order whereunto , just before the discovery of the same , they had seiz'd upon , and imprison'd one Mr. Claypole , for having ( as they pretended ) a design to murder His Sacred Majesty ; thinking , when it was once reported abroad , that he andthe Old Oliverian Party had a conspiracy to take away the King's Life , then in the mean while the Papists themselves might safely do it , ( as we see they had at that time , viz. August 1678 , resolv'd upon ) and that then it would all have gone upon the Non-Conformists score ; for however there was never any person living more generous and obliging to the King 's whole Party , than this very man the Lord Claypole was , when he bore that Honour ; yet he having married Oliver Cromwell's Daughter , rendred him a sit subject to put this tick upon : which by Dr. Oates's discovery of the Plot , came to light , the Evidence against him vanish'd , and the poor Gentleman releas'd . Much such another design was that of the Papists in Scotland , who first by their Counsels procured the poor Inhabitants to be oppressed , and then sending their disguis'd Priests and Emissaries amongst them , encouraged the poor silly Natives to Mutiny against those oppressions , hoping yet by this second Stratagem to cast the Plot upon the Presbyterians : for not only Dr. Oates mentions this in his Evidence , but we all know the Papists themselves were so well assur'd of this Rising , before it happen'd , that at the disbanding of this late Popish Army , many of the Officers and Souldiers had secret orders not to sell their Horses , but to be in a readines , for that they should have occasion to use them again within a fortnight ; and so it happen'd , for within less than a fortnight after the disbanding , the Rebellion broke out in Scotland : So well acquainted were the Authors of this mischief , with the time when it would happen . Now this Insurrection was in two respects advantageous to the Catholick Party ; for first , among Foreigners and Strangers who were not acquainted with the depth of their Intrigues , it seem'd to cast the Plot upon the Non-Conformists ; and 2ly . being beaten by the King's Forces , ( whereof no other was to be expected ) it might make both them and us less apt to rise upon any account whatsoever . But here give me leave to present you with one observation , which is , that if this had been a Fanatical Plot , the same Party would certainly have risen in England , at the same time when their Brethren of Scotland were in Arms , the encouraging of one another being of more consequence to both , than the expectation of the others success . III. After the Catholicks had thus brought the Father's Head to the Block , and sent the young Princes into Exile , let us reflect upon their usage of them in France , and see whether the kindness that the French Catholicks then paid to our King , was sufficient to bring us into that Misery wherein we are immers'd , by so entirely espousing the French and Papists Cause , even almost to the destruction of the Protestant Religion , and ruine of all Christendom besides . Did their banishing of His Majesty , and slighting of him whilst he was amongst them , deserve this kindness at our hands ? What charitable Christians are we grown , thus to return good for evil ? I must confess they did ever treat his R. H. with some Respect , as finding him to retain more favourable inclinations both towards their Religion and Government , than His gracious Majesty did ; whose understanding and wit , as it made him contemn their Superstitious Idolatry and Fopperies ; so did his lenity and good nature , render their Tyranny altogether odious in his sight : besides , if His Majesty had then discover'd in himself the least inclinations to Popery , it might in all probability have rendred the Crown of England unaccessible . However , I cannot but ascribe great part of our present Calamities , to his Highnesses Education in that Arbitrary and Popish Government : With what eagerness have we assisted them in their Conquests , even to the defamation of our own Honour , and violation of our publick Faith with all the rest of Christendom ? We first made Them an Idol , and now we worshipt it ; we first taught them the Art of Navigation , and now are ready to strike Sail to them our selves . Not any new invention that is of use either in building Ships , or making Ordnance , can be discover'd here , but immediately we charitable English ( for fear we should be too strong for them ) must communicate it to our dear Brethren the French. Nor have we been altogether unkind to the rest of our Neighbours , when by procuring a general Peace , we have pluck'd the Thorns out of their feet , to put 'em in our own ; made a Peace for them , in order to bring a War upon our selves . I confess , when I think how faithful we have been to the French in all these late Wars , as also how much Service our English Cannon ( whereof we have too great plenty ) did them at their Siege of Valenciennes , I cannot but call to mind Commines relation of King Lewis the Eleventh's bribing our English Councel , paying at that time yearly Pensions to the Lord Chancellor , Master of the Rolls , Hastings Lord High Chamberlain , Lord Howard , and all other persons who had any power or Interest with their Master King Edward ; for is something of this nature did not prevail amongst us , His Majesty would never have adher'd to any but the Dutch , whose perpetual Interest it is to keep the Crown upon his Head , for that nothing would so much advantage France , and ruine Holland , as to have England become a Commonwealth ; when like Rome and Carthage , being continually clashing together , the French might in time ruine both . IV. Having but now mentioned Commines , give me leave to insert another Story of his , which may be very much to our purpose , to shew you that when God designs the destruction of a King or People , he makes them deaf to all discoveries , be they never so obvious . This account is concerning the Duke of Burgundy , who being at War with Lewis the XI . of France , entertain'd as his chief Minister and Favourite the Earl of Campobache , upon whom he bestow'd great Gifts , committing to his care his whole concerns : But this Earl having no sense either of Honour or Gratitude , took the advantage of his Masters the Dukes troubles , and set up a resolution to destroy him . For which end and purpose , he began under-hand to treat both with the Duke of Lorrain , and with divers of the Kings Officers that were Quarter'd in Champaigne , near to the Dukes Camp. Now to the Duke of Lorrain he promised so to order the marter , that this Siege of his Masters ( the Duke of Burgundy ) against Nancy , should take no effect ; for he would take care that such things as were necessary either for the Siege or Battery , should be wanting : which promise he was able to perform , for that the principal charge thereof was committed to him , neither had any man so great Authority as he , in the Army under the Duke of Burgundy . But to the Kings Officers he promis'd either to kill his Master , or take him Prisoner , demanding for his recompence thereof , the charge of those 400 Lances which he had then in keeping , with 20000 Crowns in ready money , and some good Earldom in France . Now whilst the Earl of Campobache was plotting these Treasons , one Cifron a Gentleman belonging to the Duke , and that was acquainted with this Earl's Conspiracy , happen'd ( in attempting to relieve the Town of Nancy ) to be taken Prisoner by the Duke of Burgundy , who was set down before it : Whereupon this Cifron being condemn'd to die , in hopes of a Pardon , offer'd that if the Duke would give him Audience , he would reveal a secret to him which concern'd his Life ; whereof certain Gentlemen ( to whom Cifron had told this ) went to advertise the Duke ; with whom at their arrival they found this Earl of Campobache , come thither ( as was suppos'd ) on purpose to be always ready , fearing left Cifron , to save his own Life , should have any such intent to reveal the Conspiracy . The Duke return'd this Answer to the Gentlemen , who brought him the Message , That the Prisoner used this delay only to respite his own Death , and commanded them that he should discover what he knew to them ; which way the Earl of Campobache well approv'd of . Upon this Cifron reply'd , That he would communicate it to no man but the Duke of Burgundy himself : So that he was again by the Duke 's special command led out to Execution ; but in his way thither , he desired divers Gentlemen once more to acquaint their Master from him , that it was such a Secret that the Duke would not for a Dutchy but know . Many hearing this , went again to intreat the Duke to vouchsafe him a hearing , but this treacherous Earl , keeping the Duke's Chamber door , would not permit these Gentlemen to enter , saying ; That the Duke had resolv'd to hear no further from him ; wherefore he dispatch'd away new Messengers to the Provost , to hasten his Execution . Thus was this Cifron hang'd , to the utter ruine of the Duke of Burgundy , his House , and his Dominions ; so infatuated was his understanding . After this our wicked Earl began to put in practice his Treachery , for the which purpose he agreed first with a French Wakeman or Physician dwelling in Lyons , call'd Mr. Simon of Pavia ; and afterwards with the Kings Embassador in Savoy : neither of which ways succeeding , he offer'd to flee with all his Forces from his Master to King Lewis ; but the King detesting such . Treasons of a Servant against his Master , sent by the Lord Conté to acquaint the Duke of Burgundy with it : But the Duke ( as if he had been himself in the Plot against his own Life ) was so sottish and stupid a Prince , that he receiv'd this second warning with no more sence than the former , saying , That if this discovery were true , the King ( being his Enemy ) would never have advertised him thereof ; wherefore he ever after that loved the Earl rather better than before . But this folly of his was justly rewarded ; for in a short time after , when the Duke of Burgundy and the Duke of Lorrain were engaged , this Earl of Campobache , with many of his Forces , revolted to the Enemy , whereby the Duke of Burgundy's Forces were routed , and he himself actually slain . Never did Prince fall more unpityed than this Duke did ; nor did his people know which most to blame of the two , either he who began this Conspiracy , by his wickedness , or the Duke himself , who gave it success , by his folly : The application of which Story , I shall leave for you to make . V. There are four several Arguments , which many times prevail with Princes , to be incredulous of all pretended Conspiracies against themselves . The first is drawn from their being in , or made privy themselves to part of the Plot , but not the whole . The second , From their own good nature and clemency . The third , From the nature of the Evidence . And the fourth , From the Nature and Interest of the pretended Conspirations . To begin then with the first : When the Prince hath been made acquainted with the Design of introducing a new Government , or new Religion , but not with the Design of taking away his own Life , this sometimes hath prevail'd with him not to believe , that the same Party with whom he himself is in a Conspiracy , should have any such other Plot against his Life , But this I hope is not our case , for that no Religion or Government can be so much for his Majesties advantage , as that which is establish'd amongst us : Since in Popery , although his Majesty would be made absolute over his Subjects , yet his slavery to the Pope would be so great , that as well his Liberty as his Revenues would be much less than now . For besides the vast sums of Money that would then go from the Exchequer to the Church , I dare boldly affirm , that had his Majesty been never so absolute , he could not in this time have squeez'd more money from the Subject , than he hath already received in Taxes since his coming in ; and that must have been done by a standing Army , which would make him odious , and eat up half his profit . 'T is policy in the Prince not to take away all at one , but to leave a Nest-Egg , if he designs they should lay again ; but for the Church of Rome , who ever reads our Chronicles will find , that no School-boys have been greater slaves to their Masters , than many of our English Kings were to the Pope ; and those who were above his discipline , the Romish Church ever found some way or other to cut him off , either by setting his own people against him , as they did by King Iohn , or by some infallible Catholick Poyson , or by some bloody Godfrey Dagger . King Edgar for his Incontinency was enjoyn'd by Dunstan Abbot of Glassenbury , not to wear his Crown for seven years , to which he was forced to submit . King Henry II. to expiate the Murder of Thomas Becket , ( committed by his Countries ) was forced to walk bare-footed three miles to visit his Shrine , and then to receive fourscore lashes upon his bare back from the Monks . King Iohn for opposing Pope Innocent III. was ( after interdicting the Realm for six years and three months ) forced to render his Crown to Pandulphus the Pope's Legat , and take it again in Fee-farm at the Rent of a thousand Marks yearly ; nor did this satisfie the Popish malice , for he was at last poyson'd in Swinsted . Abbey by one Simon a Monk. Furthermore to let you see , that in the time of Popery Princes lived not so peaceably as now , be pleas'd to observe , that betwixt the Conquest and our Reformation , seven of our English Kings were murther'd , viz. King Iohn , Richard I. Edward II. Richard II. Edward V. Henry VI. and Richard III. ( not to mention the Emperor Henry VII . who was poyson'd in the Eucharist by one Bernard a Monk , nor Henry III. of France , stabb'd by Clement the Monk , nor Henry IV. of France , stabb'd by Raviliac , or those many hundred Examples of this nature , which I could produce out of other Chronicles . ) So that what ever Prince considers these things aright , I think he can have no Interest to introduce Popery , unless he desires either to be whipp'd by a Monk , or stabb'd or poyson'd by a Jesuit ; for in such a case , 't is the Jesuits that govern , and not the King. VI. The second Motive which may incline a Prince to disbelieve the report of a Plot , is from his own good nature and clemency , which makes him not expect any ill from those to whom he has been so kind . But this is a fallacious way of arguing ; for a Prince who would preserve himself against Conspiracy , is to have an eye rather upon those he has oblig'd , than those he has offended , for those that are offended , have not such frequent opportunities , nor such easie accesses to him as the other have ; and for their disposition , it is much alike , the desire of dominion being as great if not greater than the desire of revenge . We see therefore , that where any great Conspiracy has been made , it has been most commonly begun by such as were most familiar with the Prince , and most in his favour ; for so it was in the Conspiracy of Perennius against Commodus , Plautianus against Severus , Sejanus against Tiberius ; all which were Favourites , and highly oblig'd by their several Emperors . So that what ever Prince trusts too much to the friendship of his dearest Favourites , nay to his own Brother , may sometimes find himself deceiv'd . The Earl of Campobache ( whom I mention'd before ) had received Favours , sufficient to have oblig'd him more faithfully to his Master the Duke , than he afterwards proved . Brutus was as dear , and ( many think ) as nearly related to Caesar , as any Brother , but yet we see he had a hand in his Murther . The nearer a Friend is , the nearer is he to be my Heir , therefore the more likely to wish my death . Friends are oftentimes as dear to us as our Relations , therefore the Laws of Kindred may as well be violated as the Laws of Friendship , than which , nothing is more usual . Who betrays you in your Bed ? Your Friend ; for your Enemy is not admitted to your House . Who betrays you in your Estate ? Your Friend , for your Enemy is not made your Trustee : So that nothing is more dangerous than a blind Friendship . The Turks well know , how much more prevalent Interest is amongst Brothers than Affection , which makes the Laws of their Empire , take so severe a course with the Grand Seigneur's younger Brothers . How many Princes have been ruin'd by their next impatient Heirs , nay even sometimes by their own Sons ! That most prodigious Empire which Tamberlain the Great had acquired , how was it torn in pieces , and destroy'd by a division betwixt his two Sons ? Did not Cain kill Abel ? And was not Ioseph sold into Egypt by his Brethren ? Had not Agrippina her Wakeman , wherewith the poyson'd her own Husband the Emperor Claudius ? And was not she her self afterwards kill'd by her own Son Nero ? If ( as we often see ) little petty Interests make one Brother wish the other's death , how much more prevalent will the Interest of a Crown be ? nay of two Crowns , viz. one here , and another hereafter in Heaven , promis'd him by an old Fellow with a bald Pate , and a spade Beard : Si violandum est jus , violandum est Regnandi gratià . And besides all this , when a Successor observes , that the Life of one single Person , not only keeps him from three Kingdoms , but also makes him , his Family , and whole Party , be banish'd and persecuted , you must needs acknowledge , that he lyes under a great temptation to violate the sixth Commandment : Which things being consider'd , together with that Law which wipes off all Attainders , whether of Treason or Murder , by the descent of the Crown , I cannot but think , that a Prince's good Nature , renders him secure only in his own conceit , and not in reality . We all know , that his R. H. hath held correspondence with Cardinal Norfolk , and other the Pope's Nuncio's , about introducing Popery ; and we are likewise inform'd , that Popery was to be introduced by the King's Death : So how a man could be privy to the Effect , without being acquainted with the Means , seems very prodigious . VII . Thirdly , Most Princes believe or disbelieve the Information which is given them of a Plot , according to the nature of the Evidence , and credit of the Informants . First , For the nature of the Evidence , what is it ? That they had a Design to murther the King , and introduce Popery . What is there improbable in all this ? Was there never any Prince murther'd before by a Conspiracy ? Was there never any Attempt before , to introduce into a Countrey a new Religion ? Why then have we so many Laws made to prevent such a thing , if it seems so improbable ever to be done ? When the Romans forbore to make any Law against Parricide , it was out of a presumption that it would never be acted : But we all know , that these are things which the Papists have several times before attempted amongst us ; witness the Gunpowder-Treason , the Invasion of the Spaniards in 88. and their many Attempts both against Queen Elizabeth's and King Iames's Persons . So that I cannot apprehend any thing strange in their Relation : The only miracle that appears to me is , that any one ( but those that are in the Plot ) should question the truth of it ; especially when they consider the wonderful manner of its discovery , wherein the Providence of God appear'd most remarkable , that still as one man's Evidence has been censured , a fresh Witness hath risen up to supply and strengthen the former . Had this Plot been a forged Contrivance of their own ; they would at the very first discovery of it , have had half a dozen or half a score crafty Fellows , ready to have attested all the same thing ; whereas on the contrary , ( notwithstanding we are now on a burning scent ) we were fain till here of a late to pick out by little and little all upon a cold scent , and that stained too by the tricks and malice of our Enemies : So that had we not had some such good Huntsmen as the right Noble Earl of Shaftsbury , and our late Secret Committee , to manage the Chase for us , our Hounds must needs have been baffled , and the Game lost . In my whole life-time , of all the Histories I have ever read or heard of , I do not remember to have met with any action more bold or gallant , than was that of Dr. Oates's Discovery ; for one single man ( as he did ) to flie in the face of so prevailing a Party as they were , without any second to back him ; to persist and justifie his Evidence , after the many discountenances were at first shew'd him ; to accuse persons of that high quality , power and revenge , when Everard had before been denied the benefit of the Sun , and kept close prisoner in a Dungeon four years together , only for coming over to discover , that the Papists beyond Sea had a design to bring in Popery here : When Justice Godfrey had been murder'd , only for acquainting the Council with what he told him ; and yet for him to adhere to his Information , certainly nothing could be more bold or brave . How many and how great discouragements hath this Discovery met with : First , When the Lord of Danby was so long acquianted with it , and conceal'd it time enough for the Plotters to convey away both their Persons and Papers . Secondly , The Visit of her R. H. to see the Princess in Flanders , at the first breaking out of the Plot , in which Voyage many Priests , Jesuits and Plotters , made their escape . Thirdly , The conveying away all Coleman's Letters , which treated of these two last years . Fourthly , The getting France to recede three several times backward and forward from his own Evidence . Fifthly , The suffering Priests to have access to tamper with the condemn'd Plotters in Newgate , to make them deny all , and with a Lye in their mouths die as innocent as the Child unborn . Sixthly , These frequent Dissolutions and Prorogations of Parliaments , to prevent the Tryal of the Lords . Seventhly , Suffering Sir Philip Floyd , Clerk of the Council , at the Tryal of Wakeman , to come and testifie against the King , in behalf of the Prisoner , what he heard at the Council-Table , a place where all things that are done , ought to be kept secret , and so had this , had it not been in favour of Wakeman . Eightly , The freeing Wakeman , and questioning the truth of that very same Evidence , whereon the same Judge had hang'd so many before : But however my Lord Chief Justice and the Jury had so good an opinion of his Innocence , yet Sir George himself had not so , as appears by his flying away beyond Sea , so soon as ever his Tryal was over . These and innumerable other Discouragements hath the Plot met with , which being observ'd , together with the due circumstance of the Evidence , I think no man that is not in the whole or part of the Plot himself , can doubt the verity of it . Indeed at the first many thought to cast a suspicion upon what Oates and Bedlow inform'd , as being two persons of an idle life and conversation ; but how ridiculous is this ? As if such Rogues would trust such a Villany with honest men , or any but those that had been as bad as themselves ; you might as well expect a Highway-man should go and acquiant my Lord Chief Justice , or my Lord of Canterbury , when he meant to commit the next Robbery ; but a bad shift is better than none at all . So that from the nature of the Evidence , or credit of the Informants , no man can take exception against the Information either of Dr. Oates , Mr. Bedlow , or any of the rest , to whom Mr. Iennison hath lately given no small credit , in discovering the four Villains , that ( as Mr. Oates had said ) were to have assassinated his Majesty at Windsor . VIII . The fourth and last Argument ( which may sometimes prevail with the Prince to disbelieve any report of a Conspiracy ) is taken from the Nature and Interest of the pretended Conspirators : but neither of these motives can pretend to influence our Prince into a disbelief of this Popish Plot : for first , as to their Nature and Principles , we all know that in one of their own Councils , viz. the Lateran , were introduced those two Hellish Tenents of murthering Kings , and eating their God : But the Papists will tell you , that they do not murther Kings , for the Pope he first deposes them at Rome , and then if they kill him , they kill but a private person : We all likewise know , that 't is held an act of Merit amongst them , to murder an Heretick , witness their Massacre of the poor Protestants at Paris : and to murder a Husband , a Brother , or any such near Relation that is an Heretick , the greater is the Merit , by reason of the self-denial and injury done to our selves , in the loss of so near a Friend ; but to murder an Heretick King , ( especially where there is a Popist Successor ) they hold to be the greatest of all merits , even sufficient to canonize him for a Saint , by reason of the vast advantage will thereby accrew to the Popish Religion , not doubting but that the rest of the Kingdom will , Regis ad exemplum , soon after turn Papists . Having thus therefore shew'd them to be prepar'd with Principles , sufficient to undertake any such Villany , let us in the next place examine their Interest , as it stands at this time , where we shall find , that their Interest does unavoidably excite them to murder his Sacred Majesty : For first , They know he cannot long subsist without a considerable sum of Money , which he must receive either from their Party , or from the Parliament : Now for them to supply him with so vast a sum , is a Charge , that ( you may well imagine ) they would desire to get rid of , if they could , though by the King's Death : On the other side , for the Parliament to supply him with Money , that they know cannot be done , but by taking off the Heads of their Faction , excluding their Succession , and consenting to such Laws as must of necessity ruine them : Besides , his Majesty hath already permitted the executing so many of their Party , as they never can or will forgive it . All which put together , with the great expectation they have from a Popish Successor , will make them vigorously and speedily attempt the King's Ruine , unless he suddenly prevents it , by adhering to his Parliament , and ruining them first . If his Majesty would be pleas'd for one Month to think himself Henry VIII . and we his Subjects for the same time ( forgetting we are Protestants ) do by the Papists , as they would do by us , were they in our condition , what would become of Portugal and Brussels ? even Rome it self would tremble at us . Something must speedily be done ; and if we will not begin with them , they will begin with us : for all the favour His Majesty can shew them , will not satisfie that greater expectation which they have from a declared Popish King. So that nothing does more justifie the Plot , than their corrupt Principles , and present Interest ; which will make them ( being sure to have the succeeding King on their side ) rather venture to push for it now , and run the hazard of the Peoples revenge , than suffer any longer the inconvenience of an English Parliament , or danger of the next Successor being a Protestant . IX . Having thus therefore shew'd you the danger wherein His Majesties Person now is ; give me leave in the next place , to inform you Gentlemen , wherein is your greatest danger , both in relation to your City , and your selves : First then , as to your City , the chiefest danger whereunto it is obnoxious , is that of Fire ; for wheresoever the Iesuits Interest prevails , they will above all things desire the Burning of London : first , because it is the only united Force able to withstand Arbitrary Government ; and without that , Popery can never prevail . Secondly , it is the only place where by reason of their excellent Preaching , and daily Instruction in the Protestant Religion , the people have a lively sense thereof , and doubtless will not part with it to pleasure a Prince ; but perhaps rather lose their Lives by the Sword in the Wars , than by the Faggots in Smithfield . Thirdly , it is too powerful for any Prince , that governs not by the Love of his People , which no Popish Successor can expect to do . We read in our English Chronicles , that Henry the 3d. of England threatened to burn the City of London , for their taking part with the Parliament and Barons , who at that time made War upon the King , for his too great countenancing of Foreigners . Also in our great Fire of London in 66. ( if you will believe either Mr. Bedlow's Relation , or the Account which was then given in to the Committee of Parliament appointed for that purpose ) many were actually taken a Firing it , and brought to Authority ; but all let slip away , and none hang'd for it , but one poor Frenchman , who contrary to the Judge's perswasion , would violently accuse himself . There is one most eminent great Papist , who in the time of that Fire pretended to secure many of the Incendiaries , but secretly suffer'd them all to escape : who this person was , is already mentioned by Mr. Bedlow : for a Popish King , or a Popish Successor , cannot but rejoyce in the Flames of such a too powerful City . Secondly , the greatest danger accruing to your Persons , as well as to the whole Kingdom , upon the King 's untimely death , will proceed from a confusion and want of some eminent and interessed person , whom you may trust to Lead you up against a French and Popish Army : for which purpose no person is fitter than his Grace the Duke of Monmouth , as well for quality , courage and conduct , as for that his Life and Fortune depends upon the same bottom with yours : he will stand by you , therefore ought you to stand by him . And remember , the old Rule is , He who hath the worst Title , ever makes the best King ; as being constrain'd by a gracious Government , to supply what he wants in Title ; that instead of God and my Right , his Motto may be , God and my People . Upon the death of Alexander the Great , when there was so great a confusion amonst the Officers about choosing a Successor to the Empire , no other expedient could be found out to pacifie the uproar of the Multitude , but the choosing of King Philip's illegitimate Son Aridaeus , who nothwithstanding he was a man but of reasonable parts himself , might ( as they thought ) perform that Office well enough , by the help of his wife Protector Perdiccas . I confess upon the News of his Grace's Banishment , the Countries were much surprized , and the more , for that we all knew they could have no Interest or advantage by his absence , till His Majesty was near his end . Which puts me in mind of the Story that Iosephus relates concerning Herod ; viz. that Antipater ( to secure to himself the Crown ) having by his treachery and false accusations prevail'd with Herod to banish his two innocent Sons Alexander and Aristobulus , as also in his life-time to declare Antipater for his Successor , did after that , the better to confirm his Title , exasperate Herod to put them both to death ; which was no sooner done , and Antipater freed from the Jealousie of their Succession , but he begins to think Herod himself had lived too long : wherefore entring into a Conspiracy with Herod's own Wife , as well as with Pharoas and many others , he decreed to poyson him : yet not being willing to be present himself at the execution of it , ( for fear of some popular Tumult ) he absented himself and went to Rome . But providence discovering this Plot to Herod , it soon after cost Antipater his Life ; and may all such Traytors succeed accordingly . These things ( most worthy Citizens ) I have presumed to offer to your perusal , in respect that upon the death of any King , your Lord Mayor ( then in being is the only Magistrate in the Kingdom that retains any Office of power capable of serving the Subject : You are the persons who must revenge our Soveraigns violent death ; which if ever it should happen , the Countries one and all would be ready to assist you : But Heaven defend us from the occasion ; God preserve the King , and send your City to prosper : which is the constant and hearty Prayer of , Your Friend and Servant , Iunius Brutus Postscript . AS well to justifie part of my preceding Discourse , as to acquaint you with the pernicious Tenents of the Church of Rome , how dangerous they are both to Prince and People , I have here inserted some few of their Canons , which all Papists are oblig'd to believe and submit to . Canons which the Romish Church holds , to the Ruine and Dishonour of Princes , are these which follow . 1. The Emperor is the Bishop of Rome's Subject , and the Bishop of Rome may revoke the Emperor's Sentence in Temporal Causes . 2. Princes Laws , if they be against the Canons and Decrees of the Bishop of Rome , be of no force nor strength . 3. All Kings , Bishops , and Noblemen , that believe or suffer the Bishop of Rome's Decrees in any thing to be violate , be accursed , and for ever culpable before God , as Transgressors of the Catholick Faith. 4. The Bishop of Rome may Excommunicate Emperors and Princes , depose them from their States , and dis-ingage their Subjects from the Oaths and Obedience to them , and so constrain them to Rebellion . These and many more there are to the same purpose ; wherefore that Prince , who thinks himself so weak as to need a Governour , who thinks himself too Rich , or desires to be a Slave to an old Bardasso , let him turn Papist . More Romish Canons , fitting to be consider'd by all Abby-Landed men . 1. The Goods of the Church may in no wise be alienated , but whoseever receiveth or buyeth them , is bound to restitution , and if the Church have any Ground that is little or nothing worth , yet it shall not be given to the Prince ; and if the Prince will needs buy it , the sale shall be void and of no strength . 2. It is not lawful for the Bishop of Rome to alienate or mortgage any Lands of the Church , for any cause whatsoever ; except it be Houses in Cities , which be very chargeable to support and maintain . So that if any men ( who have Estates in Abby-Lands ) desire to beg their Bread , and relinquish their Habitations and Fortunes to some old greasie bald-pated Abbot , Monk , or Friar , then let him Vote for a Popish Successor and Popery ; for when once that Religion is established amongst us , these Canons will all come in play ; and the Pope will then tell you , ( whatsoeuer he may pretend at first ) that his Predecessor had no Right to give away what belong'd to the Church . And this Mr. Coleman well knew , when he promised himself no less than to be once Master of the Earl of Bedford's Estate : but unluckily the Gallows prevented it , in making him a Saint before his time . He that desires to be further satisfied about these Canons , let him look into Dr. Burnet's late excellent History of the Reformation , and there he shall find the Original and Authentick Quotations , which were too tedious here to insert . FINIS . Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A28432-e80 Phil. Com. l. 6. c. 2. Phil. Com. l. 5. c. 6.8 .