TRuly Neighbour Whig, I have al­ways had a very good Esteeme of you, and I think in my Conscience a great many of you called Whigs, are very honest well-meaning People, but that you are so thought­ful and uneasie in matters of Government: which in my opinion very ill becomes a good man, or a true Christian.

I thank you Neighbour Tory, for your kindness. But what mean you by saying that we are uneasie in matters of Government; you know that I have always been as well satified with and as much admired our Government; both in Church and State, as any man whatsoever: and were I to have my wish. I would only desire that the Eccle­siastical Courts might be a little better Regulated and the Dessenters (whether Scrupulous, or Stub­born) a little more mildely dealt with; and the many good Laws we have, more strictly put in ex­ecution against the Papists, that so we might be ef­fectually secured from the cruel designs and villa­nous practises of those Blood-sucking Monsters.

Why Neighbour, you cannot forbear dis­covering your discontent immediately, you are now for conniving at the Fanaticks, and abating the Rigour of the Law against them, and for Prosecut­ing the Papists with the greatest extremity: where­as you see that some of our admired Ministers of Justice Act quite contrary.

Whatever the Ministers of Justice do, you know it was the Opinion of the four last Par­liaments, after their most deliberate Considera­tion, that the Dissenters should not be so Vio­lently prosecuted on the Penal Laws: And they were for repealing some of the most harsh Laws against them because they were not willing it should be in the Power of every malicious, troublesome fellow, to prosecute them thereupon, to their utter Ruine; as we have seen it in many parts of the Nation. Besides they thought that the Prosecuting them so furiously at this Juncture. was a means of giving the Papists the greater Opportunities of Effecting their Villanous Disigns. And of escaping the Pu­nishment which the Laws most Justly pronounce a­gainst them.

Oh Neighbour will you be so great a Whig as to Rely upon the Actions, and Opinions of the late Parliaments, The Extravigancy and unreaso­nableness of whose Intentions, his Majesty hath suf­ficiently made known to the world in his Decla­ration. And the Nation in general by their Ad­dresses, and Abhorrencyes have fully Declar'd their detestation of their Proceeding.

Neighbour, the Parliament being Com­posed (or should be) a number of men, Generally of the Estates, and greatest Prudence, and dis­cretion in their several Countreys; whilst their Actions tend to the Conservation of our Laws, and the Maintenance of the Kings Royal Authority, and our Established Religion, I know not on whom I may better Rely. And if they did Vote any thing that may seem extraordinary, I think we ought to impute it to the Exigency of the Times, and Ne­cessity of affairs as they then stood; for they ( I sup­pose) well enough saw that whilst the Popish, and Arbitrary Counsels were so prevalent, they were only Deluded, and should not be suffered to do any thing that might effectually secure the Nati­on against the Papists and their Designs. And for the Addresses, and those kind of things you speak of, we believe in most Towns they were Proposed, and carried on either by Persons Popishlike affected, or else by those who by their interest were bound and obliged to such; and they procured some, of the same Inclinations with them, and some of the Ig­norant Vulgar, to subscribe them; and then called it an Address from such a Town, or County whereas we belive there were very few Subscribers of Qua­lity, and Sobriety amongst them. Not but that all good men will be ready to Address, or do any just thing, that may be acceptable to his Majesty; but they thought they could not justly endeavour to Reflect, or cast an Odium, upon the late Parliaments, who were so Sollicitous and concerned for his Ma­jesties and Nations good. But let us return to our Dissenters and I protest Neighbour did they preach such abominable and Hellish Doctrines, or Patro­nise and Justifie those Horrid Villanies, Butcheries, and Murders, that the Papists (as is manifestly known to all the world) to, I should then be al­tegether as Zealous for prosecuting them, as I am now for Prosecuting the Papists.

Have you them forgot that Bloody War, that was begun by them, even in our memory, and that most abominable Nefarious deed, the Murther­ing the late King. Sure when you look back on what was then done by them you will have very little to say in their excuse.

As for the Original of that Unnatural War, we cannot lay the blame of it only on the Dissenters: if you examine the true History of those Times, you may find that there were great Distem­pers growing in the State many Years before the breaking out of that War. And perhaps many that were no Dissenters from our Church, may as justly been tilled to the Original of it as the presbiteri­ans themselves: and for that most execrable, and most horrid deed, the Murther of his late Majesty; [Page 2]we believe it was perpretated by a number of men, that af­ter a most bloody. War had gotten the sole power of affairs into their own hands; and thought it Impossible for them­selves to be safe, without committing that abhorred Villa­ny for which we have seen most of those of them that were taken Recieve their most just demerits, and we know that many of the Dissenters were as much Concerned for the com­mission of that Fact, and Declared as great an abhorrency of it, as any. And I think they of late have Sufficiently De­monstrated to the World, that they have no Inclination to Rebellion, or disloyalty when as they being supposed in many places the Superior Number, have taken so patient­ly, those Notorius abuses from their Inveterate Enemies; & have plaineough understood their Malicious Designe of Ren­dering all those you call Whigs, Odious to the World. How have Papists and their Secret Friends, continually endeavour'd to throw of the Guilt of their accursed Plot, from themselves upon many of his Majesties good Subjects, whom no indiffe­rent Person upon du con ideation can possibly believe guilty of those things whereof they are accused they have so impu­dently, and incessantly followed these Methods, that amongst most of those you call Loyal, and well Effected to the Crown the Popish Plot is almost exploded, and Laught at; and some of the Witnesses (whom never could Disprove, I think in a­ny one thing they Testified) Villified, and reproached as the Worst of men; to the great Scandal and Disgrace (in my Opinion) of the Government.

Come Neighbour, do not be over cofident of any mans Innocency: Time you know is the Mother of Truth, and she may perhaps shortly produce those things that may satisfie you of the Guilt of some persons; which you cannot I percieve get credit, Notwithstanding those notorious things that have been by so many Witnesses testified agrinst them.

Were there any Circumstances Concurring with their Evidence, I should not be so unbeliving: but since after so long a Time of Preparation, they could make the mat­ter appear no better on their parts than it did; I cannot do any person that wrong as to believe him Guilty of such a­bominable and impracticable Designs, in the mean time that any Mans Life, Honour, Estate, and the Good of his Posteri­ty, should upon false or frivolous Suggestions, be brought into that apparent hazard of being Forfieted, and Lost, I think is nor one of the least of injuries.

Prithe Neighbour Whig, since you and I differ so much in our Judgments about these things, let us not talk more of it. But I am of Opinion, that if you, and others of your Inclination, did but give more heed, and credit to some of our Learned, Divines you would not so sollicitously trou­ble your heads about Popery. for they most piously tell us, that we ought to commit the Event of those things to the Almighty, who will undoubtedly take care of his own Truth That Prayers and Tears to God, are the only Lawful means we have to Defend us from Popery, and that if it pleases God, as a Punishment for our sins, to suffer it to be Established over us, all our Endeavours against it shall be Ineffectual: and that if a false Worship should be set over us, we ought to shew our Faith and Love to the Truth, in suffering for it under their Power, but not in Resisting, or Endeavouring Forcibly to maintain the Truth.

Methinks they might allow us to petition and, sue to our earthly Prince also, as well as to God Almighty, to be delivered from that Intollerable Bondage of Popery, and other dangers that threaten us. But therein they think we are too presumtuous and tho they find none but such mild wayes, Opposeing Popery, they have other Weapons than Pray­ers, and Tears, (viz) severe Laws, to use against the Dis­senting Protestants: and should they ever engage in half the Villanie the Papists do; (which God forbid, and I hope ther's no fear they should) they would find Axes, and Halters e­nough to use against them and they inveigh against them, and Revile them so bitterly, as if they already thought the use of those Impliments too long forborne; altho' our Laws Provide no such Punishment against thein; but against all those that acknowledg a forreign Jurisdiction, or take orders from the Sea of Rome, they do. And I protest Neighbour no thing in the World is to me a greater Mistery, than to fee and consider, how strangly many of our Divines (whom I ought in Charity to believe far enough from Popery) behave themselves in this Point.

Well Whig; Prithe tell me now Ingeniously, what Methods thou wouldest have taken, to prevent Popery.

I'le tell thee Tory, as well as I can, my full desires in it. And first of all, since the Papists after, all the Connivence, and favour that hath been shewn them, L. Scrogs Speech at Coal­mans Tryal. by a too mercyful King, have so ungratefully, and monstrously, Plotted against the Government, and the Protestants of England, aud conti­nue still to do it; I would have the Laws put in severe Exe­cution against them. I would have a time given them to quit the Realm, and if those that are by Law Guilty of Death, would not go, I would have them brought to Tryal, and Execution. And if those severe Courses were for a while ta­ken, we might hope to be rid of those Pestilent vermine, with whom we are now so much Troubled. And fince we that are True Loyal Subjects by our Oathes of Allegance and Supre­macy are Sowrn to defend and maintain the Protestant Reli­gion, and to suppress Popery; I think it becomes all good men, in their several Stations, and capacities, what in them lies, to be Concurring with them to the same ends. And tru­ly Neighbour Tory, I think we are Highly accountable to Almighty God, for our Neglect if we all do not colour ut­most, to defend the Protestant Religion as it is now establish­ed in England, and to Oppose Popery, for how can we expect Pardon at the hands of God, if we tamely suffer his Truth to be rooted out from among us, and somthing introduc'd in the place of it, that shall bear the name of the Doctrine of of the Gospel of Christ, but patronise under that fair, and glorious name, the Worst of Villanies, and abominable crimes that either Pagans, or Mahometans, would blush to heare of. And tho the Papists may impudently deny this, yet it's easie enough to prove it out of the W. N. things of many of their eminent men by their Cannons, Bulls, Decretals, &c. And, their Constant Practise. I am sorry to say this of them for there are many of them I know fine Gentlemen, and men of an extraordinary Sweetness, and pleasantness of humour. but if we look on these men in their Religious Capacity, and as they are set on by their Priests; tho they are of so sweet amicable, and friendly Temper, yet would they cut mine, and a thousand Hereticks Throats, to advance the Holy Ro­man Catholique Cause; so that they must Degenerate from being men and become Barbarous, savage, and Inhuman that so they may be True Christians.

You are very Violent Neighbour, against the Pa­pists, and I hope you believe worse of them then indeed they are. But have a care of talking as you do of Opposeing po­pery, for if a Popish Prince Should ever come to Feigne over us, can you believe he would Establish the Protestant Religi­on as it is now Enacted by Law, which is a Crime so black, and Odious, that every Papist that hath the least spark of Re­ligion, or Honesty, will be very careful to Avoid.

I doubt not Neighbour, but that I have always be­hav'd my self with as much I Loyalty, as you, or any other Tory in England; and have as deep a Sense of nay Allegiance, and Duty to my natural and Lawful Prince, as the Loyal­lest Subject of you all. I own it to be a thing most wicked, and Dishonest, to Oppose or Rebel against my Lawful Prince And I believe the Subjects ought by all Lawful ways, and means to look after the Conversation of their Laws and Pri­viledges. And as for Popery; I protest Neighbour, I think you and I, and all True English men, ought to Oppose it to our utmost power, and to adventure our lives, and fortunes against it, at any time, whosoever they are that openly, and forciebly endeavour to introduce it upon us. For my part I declare, I had rather be cut in pieces in the Field if fighting against it, that to be brought to the Stake at any Time, under it's power. And I think I acquit my duty to God, and my Country best in so doing. But if it pleases God, after we have done what we can to prevent it, to suffer it to be Established over us, then is the time (I think) for us to shew our faith, in suffering under it.

Neighbour, I cannot be satisfied in my Judgment that I may Lawfully, Oppose Popery. For there is no crime. I would more Cautiously Shun than Rebellon. And since the Nation stands in so Hazardous condition, let us all pray that God will be pleased long to preserve his present Majesty to Reign over us, Dureing whose time we may expect Peace, and Tranquillity, to be continued amongst us.

I Heartily beseech God to grant him many and happy days, and that not only because our happyness and security Depends upon his Life, but because he is my na­tural and Lawful Prince, and as he is so we ought to pray for & endeavour, his happiness, & posterity cut of that natural Love and allegiance that we ought to bear to him. And of this mind are many thousands reproach fully called Whigs

In this we agree in our Love to our Prince tho as some have ordered the matter, tis a very hard thing to be­lieve you honest notwithstanding all your Oathes and pro­testations but of this Enough.

Time wall discover it, and so farwel Neighbour Tory.