IN respect the grounds of my en­suing words, concern the safe­ty of a County: J thought good to present to these riper capacities, and more perspi­cuous understandings. Which although being but a suspicion, or fear of ensuing danger, by and through the too many apparations of Pa­pisticall treacheries. This amongst the rest be­ing more to be feared, as it is more eminent, and apparent to the view of the world; as this Subsequent Declaration of mine shall really testifie.

[Page] Mr. Speaker, what I speak, is not for any vain-glory, or desire of [...]lating my betters, but out of the care and indulgent commisera­tion of the County, in whose behalf I sit here, I mean the County of Dorset, who now are de­pendending, betwixt fear and hope, never in so much danger as now, never so dejected, nor e­ver so oppressed as at this present time, your honours were pleased upon the discovery of the treacherous confederacy betwixt the Lord Digby and Lunsford, to grant out a warrant for their apprehension, which although put in ex­ecution, failed of that auspicious sequel, which we did so earnestly and assiduously desire to our sorrow, and the greater terror of the poor County of Dorset, that which makes us so fearful, and to apprehend the dangeriwith such vehemency, is the greatnesse of his authoritie with us, his larg revenues and multiplicity of tenants, who are for the most part Recusants, and impetuous resisters of the Protestant re­ligion: and not only so, but also by their mul­tiplicity of Armor, muskets, and other ammu­nition every particular man exceeding, having greater and larger store, then any neighboring Protestant thereunto adjoyning, their being within ten miles distance of the said Lord Digbies house, at Sherborn, Evill, Brunswicke, Bedminster, and other villages within the com­pendium of his Lordships demeans; above se­venty housholds of Roman Catholicks, well [Page] provided to make resistance against any that shall oppose them, I do not say that they do but it is to be feared that they will, having a man so pernicious as Lunsford and his confe­deracies to join with them in their wicked enterprises, that may be either by him or them devised.

Mr. Speaker, these and many other considerations, force me this day to speak so much of this matter, viz. the fear of the people, the strength of the enemy, and the former trayte­rous and treacherous designs intended (al­though by the divine providence of Almigh­ty God, frustrated and made void) which if not timely looked into, may being patrocina­ted and ushered in by such able and notorious Delinquents, prove the utter ruine of the County and a meanes to introduce civill wars within this Kingdome. What security, what safety, what liberty; nay what hopes can any true Subject there inhabiting have, when as their obnoxious, and abrogating enemy so nigh a neighbor, nay rather involved within their bowels, one whom they know conspires Plots, and promiscuously intends their Over­throw. Let no man think to direct us from the persuit of Justice, by poysoning the clear streams of our intellect with zealous expecta­tion of truth, and reality from them, whom we have found such invective persons, agd invete­rate polititians, against both church and state.

[Page] The happy assurance of your grace and fa­vour towards others, makes us to have an in­expressible hope, that our loyalty wil win you to tender the safety of the people: and cer­tainly all our pressures well weighed, these many years, and now more dangerous and con­taminous then ever: it will be found the pas­sive loyalty of this suffering County, hath un­done the active duty of all times, and stories; and as the Poet hath it, Fortiter ille facit, qui miser esse potest, J may as properly, and signifi­cantly say, fideliter fecimus, we have done loy­ally, to suffer so patiently.

The root of all the evils already come upon us, the frustrous labour of this industrious Par­liament, the continuall fears, the obstupifying Plots, and late hell-nourished Conspiracies, and what else you may call pernitious to Par­liamentary proceedings, and necessary affairs, for setling a reall peace in this Kingdome, spring all from one current, shoot out from one root, viz. Papisticall heresie.

And is it not high time then to grub up that root that produces such fruit? He that intends to correct an evill tree, shall begin at the ma­ster bough, and so crop downward, is in danger to fall himself, e're the tree fall. The safer and more speedier way is to begin at the root, and there (with submission to better judgment) would I lay to the Axe.

I have endeavoured, and as much as in mee [Page] lyeth, to lay open before your honours the sudden and almost apparent danger, the said County of Dorset may fall into: unlesse those that are suspected to be enemies, be disarmed of their store of pernicious provision, & that thosew, hich are suspicious persons, may have their houses searched, for fear of conspiracie: and in so doing, your honours shall cleer a doubt of consequence, strengthen the Prote­stants, and find out such inauspicious designs, as shall be intended against them: and upon a Report thereof, to draw up a Charge against the guilty: and then, Currat Lex, fiat Iusticia.