My Defence.

THat of any Crime, My Defence. I ne­ver thought Treason would be laid to my charge, who still ran in a contrary career, as not a few about the King himself well knew. That I was not a little satisfi'd, (since 'twas my Fate to be accus'd) that my two Adversaries, (as had been shown) were persons well known to his Majesty and his Illustrious Council; the one in old Mr. Parker's Case, to say no more of it; and the other a Forger of Treasonable [Page 83]Letters to entrap the Innocent, as Dan­gerfield's Oct 79. Dang. Nar. p. 49. Commitment (by the Board) to Newgate, upon Col. Mansel's account, tells the World in express terms. That (in the 1st. place) as for Mr. Oates, who pretends to have been such a Negotiator in Spain and Flanders, where he perus'd and read my Letters, (and who makes himself al­so so necessary an Instrument, and Ma­nager here in England, that few, if any, conceal'd their Treason from him) it has been prov'd by his very School-fellows, that he was but an ordinary Scholar, both at Valladolid and St. Omers, going all that while to School as the rest did, and continuing so to the day of his depar­ture. That at his return to London, (tho' it were in the heat of the Plot, and prin­cipal time of the Transactions in questi­on) he is found to have been in the most lamentable and contemptible con­dition that could be imagin'd; as tran­scribing of common Papers towards a Livelihood; as getting Mr. Fenwick out of charity to pay sometimes for his poor Lodging; as begging Alms at the Savoy in these his great and visible necessities; [Page 84]and as being so little esteeem'd and valu'd by the Jesuits, that they thought a Butler 's place a sufficient preferment for him; Nay the Witnesses were very many, that could prove this wretched Poverty of his, and he himself has confess'd it; a thing very strange, supposing him only a Confede­rate with ordinary men in an ordinary matter; but yet more wonderful, had he had (as he tells us) the Lives and Fortunes of the chiefest Catholicks thus hanging on his Lips. That as for Mr. Berry, if he were ever distemper'd in his Brain, it was not of late, I mean, since the Bishop gave him the Cure of Souls, and leave to preach, as he presently did upon his Recantation, (which was not long after the Discovery of the Plot) and yet then, he the said Mr. Berry acquainted the King and his prime Ministers, with most of the present Particulars; After which Mr. Oates was pleas'd to be very kind to him both in money and fair words. That it was very improbable, that at the first dash, and at the bare Recommendation of a Jesuit, I should, without any necessity, communicate the highest Treason to a Stranger, who knew [Page 85]not me, and with whom I never had any acquaintance, either before or after, as he himself acknowledg'd; and this also to one of no Garb, of no seeming extra­ordinary parts, and so mean also in his rank and condition, that I sent him (as he himself says) to the general Post-house in London with a Letter: Nor is this Letter pretended to have Treason in it; for he tells us, that he only saw its Su­perscription; and yet had it been of that nature, any Servant, any Footman of mine, or even any known Porter, might have been as well trusted with it as a fel­low-Plotter, the main danger being at the Post-house, where Letters lye at six and sevens, and are also often open'd in suspitious times by Authority. That it was hardly credible for him not to re­member (as he now swears) that he said he had seen my Divorce, since he pub­lickly accus'd me of it four times; to wit, before the Commons; before the Justices of Westminster, who by an Or­der of that House first committed me; be­fore the Judges of this Court, and before the King in Councel, even to my very face. That as to his coming over with [Page 86]Mr. Hildesley in April 78. Mr. Hildesley not only denies it, but Mr. Osborn ac­knowledges, that he told him so in that very month, even when there could be no possible end or design in Hildesley to lye; and Mr. Osborn is so far from a ca­pacity of being suborn'd, that there are even Protestant Witnesses of quality, to vouch his Evidence That it was very unlikely, that I should inveigh in a Let­ter of mine against the Seculars, since most of the Catholicks in Town, and seve­ral Protestants in Court will testifie, that none ever belong'd to me but a Secular; nor was the whole Body of the Clergie otherwise than very kind to me both at home and abroad. That I call God to witness, that instead of Mr. Langworth's recommending of Mr. Oates to me, or my speaking Treason in his hearing, I ne­ver heard his Name mention'd, (that I know of) till after the Discovery of the Plot; nor ever saw his face, till I met him in this Court, even after my first Im­prisonment. That I hope my word (ha­ving always liv'd with repute among my Acquaintance) shall be sooner taken, than a man's who has already (as ap­pears [Page 87]by the Accusation of young Parker) been censur'd and disbeliev'd even by Juries themselves, where he was their Minister; and this upon account of evil practices, as I have shown, and as Mr. Parker wou'd have fully prov'd; nor should I have fail'd of convicting him long ago of Perjury, had I not been hin­der'd in it as aforesaid. That Mr. Oates's Falshood, and consequently my Acquit­tal, reflects no more on the Votes of the two precedent Parliaments concerning the Plot, than it does on the Integrity of the Grand Jury, which found the pre­sent Bill; for as they could lawfully (upon Oath made) declare it Billa ve­ra, and therefore that the Party accus'd ought to be try'd for his life, so the Par­liament upon like Information might justly put the People upon their guard, and securing the suspected, call whom they pleas'd to the Bar of Justice, which was the intent and scope of that Vote. Neither could a Discovery or Detection of his ill Practices now, any ways ar­raign the Courts, that sentenc'd Mr. Cole­man and the rest, since Courts can do no more than hear, and afterwards judge, [Page 88]as verily they think and believe. That Mr. Oates has most evidently ^* contra­dicted himself even in this Tryal, in say­ing, Pag. 22 That he saw Letters of mine in Spain; for upon another question, the P. 12. first he had seen, were (as near as he can remember) at St. Omers; and yet he went not thither, according to his own confession, in P. 16. several weeks after his Return from Spain. Besides, the words, As near as I can re­member, confirm further the Abuse, showing us the whole Mystery, and how the false-Step happen'd; viz. That the question about the St. Omer Letters be­ing casual, and he having forgotten the Account given of his Spanish Intrigues, the Affirmation Yes, occurr'd next to his thoughts, adding to it only his usual phrase, As near as I can remember; for 'tis seldom or never that he is positive in any Answer, especially if he be strictly [Page 89]press'd and put to it. In the next place, (after that notorious Shuffle, of his not remembring, that he said he had seen my Divorce) he mends the business with swearing, that part of our Discourse at P. 25. Wild-house, was about that matter; as also, that he heard my Lord Castlemain say there, That he had been at great charge to carry on the business of the Divorce; and yet twice before he positively affirms, That he P. 23. knew me not at Wild-house. Again, To evade (if he could) Mr. Armstrong's material Evidence of his (the said Oates's) being but an ordi­nary Scholar at Valladolid; for he went to the same School with him and the rest, and lived as the others did, without distincti­on; nay Mr. Berry also, (by Mr. Oates's own Letters) witness'd the same thing: I say, to avoid this, he would have it, That, by the desires, forsooth, of the Fa­thers, he went only twice or thrice to show them the way to School; which is so wild an Invention, that it equals any contra­diction whatsoever; for how can a man imagine, that the Fathers should send a Stranger, and one also that came to treat [Page 90]and consult about Affairs of State, and things of the highest consequence, to show young Scholars the Logick School, when as the meanest wretch in the House could do it as well, and better; nor was the employment fit for any other. And as one stumble still occasions more, so this puts Mr. Oates upon averring, that He taught the Youths their Philosophical Dictates: a most excellent and apposite Office for an Extraordinary Envoy, and more especially when every body that knows him, knows what a Philosopher and Clerk he is.

To conclude then with him; That I do again and again recommend to my Jury's Consideration his Procedure a­gainst the Parkers, as a thing which History can never pass by, and which must most evidently show them what a man he is; for if a Witness has already in a criminal Charge been found by a Ju­ry of his Neighbours and Acquaintance to be of a malicious humour, to alledge Particulars that several of known Inte­grity have disprov'd, and consequently that he was not to be believ'd, what Jury that is convinc'd of the said Procedure, [Page 91]can afterwards depend on his bare Testi­mony in an Accusation of the like na­ture, especially when it is as apparent as the day, how far his Interest as well as Malice is thereby gratify'd.

Now for Dangerfield he is so noto­rious and scandalous, that there is no man perchance in England against whom there have been more recorded Villanies; produced; so that if the Law stops not his mouth, yet his many nefarious crimes have taken all Credit from him; That (among his great and sundry Transgressions) he has already been con­victed and punish'd for falsly accusing Col. Mansel of Treason, and if he has been once thus faulty, why not again, especially since there is nothing but his own prostituted word to make good his Accusation? That I had no manner of ac­quaintance with him, but as he was sent on Ordinary Errands by Mrs. Cellier, viz. for the weekly Allowance to the poor Prisoners, for the boarding of my Witnesses, who lay at her House, and the like. That finding that he went to the Earl of Powis and others at the Tower in my name, about Printing the Jesuits [Page 92]Speeches, I fell out with Mrs. Cellier, and told her, That if ever he came again to my House I would have him kickt; That this great displeasure of mine was not only confess'd by Dangerfield, when I was examin'd by the King and Councel, but is proved now both by Mrs. Cellier and Mr. Duddel, whom He (the said Dangerfield) complain'd of it to; That 'tis incredible that I should presently talk Treason, to one whom I had so severely treated; and 'tis yet more incredible, that I should be thus open to him, and then terrifie him with my words and ge­stures so, as to make him (as he swears) run down Stairs, and to be gone for good and all. That it is a falshood, and con­tradiction too, to say, He was taken out of Newgate by the Lords in the Tower to kill the King, since his first admittance to them was long after, and this also by a trick, viz. a pretended message in my name, which made me so angry with him that I threatned to have him kickt (as aforesaid) if ever he came near me more. Besides how ridiculous it is, to say, that the Lords (were they the greatest Traytors in the World) would propose to [Page 93]an unknown Fellow such a Design, who was sure of a better reward by discove­ring it, than they could give for doing it. That it is a prodigious and unpa­rallel'd Impudence, and of a sad conse­quence also, to have a Witness thus mince and inlarge his Evidence at pleasure; for at the Councel when I was Commit­ted, he only charg'd me with being angry with him for not doing what the Lords proposed, but never said, I express'd what the Proposal was; whereas he ac­cuses me at present of absolutely confes­sing it to be the killing of his Majesty, tho it be non-sence and incredible, as has been shown; and that his former Accusation was only thus, I appeal not only to his vid. Dang. Nar. p. 23. Narrative, but to the King himself and all the Lords that attended him there in Coun­cel. That 'tis evident that Dangerfield calls for Counter-Witnesses only to con­found and to perplex (if he could) the buisiness, for Woodman was sent (we see) by Mrs. Cellier or her Daughter; and the 3 l. brought by him was not for Dan­gerfield, but the Prisoners. Turner also knows not the time when he saw him at [Page 94]my House; for 'tis sometimes in June, sometimes in July; which is nothing to August, the month when Dangerfield swear's to have heard this Treason. Nei­ther does Turner say, he saw me and Dangerfield together, but that he was ex­pecting below; and who can tell had this been as late as July but he might come to speak with one of my Foot-boys? That it is false he ever carri'd Letters from me to the Countess of Powis, and she her self denies it, a Lady even more eminent for her known Probity and Virtue, than for her great Quality and Birth.

That lastly, it is a most apparent Ʋn­truth, that I did teach the St. Omer Youths, what they were to witness; for Pro­testants in Court can testifie, that being sent to St. Omers about Christmas 78. to know whether Mr. Oates had been there all April and May, as was asserted in Mr. Ireland's Tryal, they found it confirm'd by the whole Colledge, and saw fourteen of the chief Scholars (among which was Gifford) make Oath before the City Magistrates, That the said Oates never lay out of the Colledge from the 10th of Dec. 77. to the 23 of June following, [Page 95]but one night at Watten; for that he the said Oates sitting at a distinct Table in the Refectory, and reading every Sunday and Holiday all April, May, and part of June in the Sodality, could not possibly be absent, (as he pretended) without every bodies ta­king notice of it. Nor can this Testimony be invented by me to serve a present Turn, since the then Certificate of the Premisses (under the very Seal of that City) is not only here in Court, but prin­ted in the Compendium before ever I was accus'd by Dangerfield; Nay, which is more, in the Letter from Mons, a Pam­phlet of a much longer standing (as da­ted Febr. 19.78. old stile) and publick several weeks here in Town, before ever the said Dangerfield was so much as ta­ken out of Prison; for that happen'd not till April, as appears by his own Pag. 2. Narrative. All which evi­dently proves, that had those Youths (who were most of them also Lads of the upper Forms) been really taught what they had affirm'd at the Old Baily, they had their Lesson beyond Sea, and not from me.

This was the effect of my De­fence, My further Witnesses. and truly tho' I had pro­vided Witnesses to clear my self in every small particular, yet I found such trou­ble, at least towards the latter end of the Tryal, (when any pretence of tedi­ousness, or impertinence could be obje­cted) that I thought it also fit to omit the calling of them, notwithstanding they were legally summon'd, and ready in the Hall or Court, as my Sollicitors inform'd me. For first, I had subpoena'd Sir John Nicholas, who was present at my Exa­mination before the King and Council, and could have consequently confirm'd (had it been needful) Mrs. Celliers and Mr. Duddels Testimony; for Danger­field had acknowledg'd at the Board, That I had forbidden him my House at his going to the Tower in my name, as I formerly mention'd; and Sir John could not but know also, that Oates had sworn there, the seeing of my Divorce, &c. Secondly, Mr. Cellier was cited; for he could testifie, that being by when I chid his Wife, I had forbidden her from ever sending Dangerfield to me more. 3ly. Mr. Gadbury, who could witness, that he [Page 97]never had any discourse with Danger­field about me, and thereby I should have shewn how falsly he had averr'd in his Vid. Dang. first Nar. p. 25. Narrative, That the said Mr. Gadbury was angry with him because he had displeased (by his ti­midity) the Lords in the Tower, and espe­cially me, who had design'd to advance him, and help to make his Fortune. 4ly. I had sent to Mr. Nevil (whom Danger­field calls my true Second, and one from whom I had Papers) to attest, That I never receiv'd Paper from him in his life, nor sent him any; as also that I ne­ver consulted with him about, or spoke to him of any Affidavits, nor of any other matters that related to Lane or Knox, tho' Dangerfield had accus'd me of it in their Tryal. 5ly. Justice Foster to prove (as I heard he had done before the Councel) a Forgery committed by Dangerfield, since his very Pardon and his being one of the Kings Witnesses; for he had it seems shewn one Hill an Affidavit to swear to, and then present­ly enterlining it with some matters con­cerning the Duke, brought the said Hill to take his Oath before this Magistrate, [Page 98]who like a worthy man, reading first the Paper to him, discover'd the Villany. I intended also to have had Mr. Hill him­self in Court, had he not then been in Execution in the Fleet.

The Verdict being thus given in, Mr. Cheek's Pretences. as I have said, I desir'd a Re­lation of mine to go to the Gentlemen of the Jury, and to acquaint them from me, that being extremely sensible how tired they must needs be, I should take it as a very particular Obligation, if they would let him attend them to some Ta­vern, till I could come my self and wait upon them. This he did, and in the mean while I staid at the Bar, expecting my Discharge; which going to be pro­nounc'd, Mr. Cheek rose up and told the Court, that I had not yet paid my Fees: Whereupon the Judges saying, that was a necessary Duty, I answer'd, I had al­ready perform'd it. Mr. Cheek or his Counsel reply'd, That what I had paid to Sir John Robinson, was nothing to him. My Lords, (said I) No Prisoner is to pay but once; nor have I been any more than once so; for I was only upon Bail, and therefore never discharg'd since [Page 99]my first going to the Tower. The Judges upon this, stopt a little, and after a mo­ments speaking together, Mr. Justice Dolben told me, that I was twice commit­ted, and for that reason I must pay my Fee again. Pray my Lord, said I, let my Counsel argue the Point, and besides, what is the Fee I must pay, if it be due? We know not that, (reply'd Mr. Justice Dolben) but this we must tell you, you cannot be discharg'd till your Fees are paid; and so they rose, leaving Mr. Lieu­tenant and me in dispute; for he told me, that he would carry me to the Tower again, unless he were satisfy'd: and my answer was, Let him do it at his peril. In short, after some words on both sides, he commanded the Gentleman-Jayler, and the Warders that attended, to bring me back on pain of their Suspension; and then going out of the Court, I went from the Bar directly to the Fleece, where I understood my Jury were.

When I came up, I saluted them, and then spoke to this effect: That tho' I were not to thank them for their Justice, which notwithstanding I should never forget, yet I was to acknowledge the [Page 100]present favonr which brought me thus acquainted with so many extraordinary Persons, whom I had never so much as once seen before. Their return was like themselves, and as obliging as could be imagin'd; but nothing pleas'd me more, than that they seem'd unanimously to own me not only a free man, but an ho­nest man also. I desir'd Mr. Johnson too in particular, to believe that it was not out of any Dislike or ill Opinion of him, that I made some little hesitation and stop at his being called to the Book; for that I had (I assured him) as great a value for him, as any of his Friends and Servants could have. He answer'd, that he was exceedingly satisfy'd with my carriage, and was consident also that the two other Gentlemen (whom I had accidentally pass'd by) were of the same sentiment. Not long after, and when we had all seated our selves, a Gentleman of quali­ty (who was a friend both to Mr. Cheek and me) came to us, and desiring some few words aside, he told me, that to a void noise, this difference must be ac­commodated. I answer'd him, That the time of doing it was past, it being [Page 101]already as publick as it could be; and therefore I should now see what the Law said in the Case, for if any thing were due to him, he should have it to the utmost Farthing, if not, his bringing me to the Tower (a place I had no aversion to for a night, and especially when it was to try an Experiment) might be a greater inconvenience to him than he was aware of. When he had done, I told the Company, since they were the prime men of the County, (and that therefore most business came before them) I should again, I believ'd, trou­ble them with some Concerns of mine; and then gave an Account of the parti­culars of this Affair. They answer'd, that certainly the Lieutenant was ill advis'd, for that I had been (as they yet con­ceiv'd) but once a Prisoner, so that there could be but one Fee due.

In short, after an agreeable Conversa­tion of several hours with these worthy Patriots, (for their Discourse still tended to the interest and advantage of Eng­land) we parted, and then I sent for the Gentleman-Jaylor and the Warders, tel­ling them that I would go to the Tower, [Page 102]if they durst carry me. They answer'd, that they hop'd I would not be offended with them, seeing what they did was in Obedience to their Superior's commands. I reply'd, That every Command of a Su­perior was not to be obey'd; I return'd to the Tower. and then calling for my Coach, and taking the Gentleman-Jaylor with me (the rest following in others) they brought me to my Lodging, but put no Sentinel in the Night-time at the door as formerly. In the morning I sent to Mr. Cheek to know if my present Imprison­ment were by his Orders. He answe­ring Yes, I resolv'd to stay all that day, and by accident I did so the next also; for he was gone, before I was up, to Windsor, and return'd not till it was very late.

The day following (being Saturday the 26 of June) I went after Dinner to his House, and told him, I was come to bid him Adieu, not doubting also but he would excuse me, if out of Curiosity I askt why he had thus detain'd me a Pri­soner? He answer'd, because I had not paid him my Fees, and that the Judges themselves had (as I saw) declar'd they [Page 103]could not discharge me till this were done. I reply'd, that he well knew (I suppos'd) the reason of my Refusal; to wit, because I had paid them before; that the Judges thought not fit to hear my Councel argue the matter, nor to tell me what these Fees were; that if his procee­dure were justifiable, it was well; and that (as for my own part) having done what I thought very convenient, I had no more to say, but to ask, what he de­manded of me? He answer'd, that being a Peer there was 100 l. due to him; 10 l. to the Gentleman Porter, and 5 l. to the Gentleman Jaylor. I said, that by my Tryal he found I was no Peer in Law; and that, tho' few ever refus'd to be kind to the Gentleman Jaylor, yet a Fee for him I believ'd was never exacted be­fore. He reply'd, that I was a Peer; that my Lord Aston had paid 100 l. and that what he demanded for the Gentleman Jaylor was his due; I told him that I was so far from disputing his demands, that if he requir'd yet more, it should be paid him, and that I would take my own time to examine the Legality. Then desiring him to order some body (as he [Page 104]did) to receive those sums of my Steward at my Lodging, we parted; and so I went to take my leave of the Lords, whilst the money was telling. Within some little time after (when I thought all was done) my Secretary came to me, and said that Mr. Cheek refus'd to sign an Acquittance, which had caus'd my Steward to take back the money: I de­sir'd him to go to my Councel forthwith, and know what should be further done; who sent me word, that tho' every body look'd upon one as a strange Man that refus'd so reasonable a thing as an Ac­quittance, yet the Law obliged none to it, therefore Witnesses would be as good as his hand. Hearing this, I sent him back to Mr. Cheek to tell him, he might have the money, since my Councel had in­form'd me, that Witnesses were as much to my purpose, as what was before re­quir'd. He answer'd, that so he had his dues, I might have as many as I pleas'd; upon which the money was paid him, and presently I took Coach and went home. This is the account of what pass'd between the Lieutenant and me; and since it was a very publick business, and [Page 105]one also that may again come upon the Stage, I thought it not amiss to inform the Reader with all the particulars that relate to it.

Having thus far put an end to the troubles which Oates and Dangerfield created me, I continu'd a while in Lon­don about my private Affairs, and then went down to my Brother's near Wind­sor; where I determin'd to stay till Christmass, or thereabouts, 1680. as the quietest and best time in Winter to pass the Seas. But the Parliament (assembling in October) sat not long, be­fore I heard of Turbervile's odd Charge against me, specified soon after to this effect, in his printed Narratives: First Nar. p. 10. That he and several Priests were at Consults with me at Powis Castle; Ibid. p. 12. That being with my Lord Powis in Verestreet, he heard me (about May 78.) say Mass; and 2d. Nar. p. 12. That he had also been at Confession with me. Con­sidering therefore, that the Term was al­ready begun; that Papist it self was no good name; that Priest was a worse; and that should I chance to be confin'd [Page 106]on this Information, I must necessarily continue so, to the end of Hilary Term, I thought it best to begin my intended Journey, and so with what convenient haste I could, I came over.

This then is Mr. Turber­vile's Accusation, Mr. Turbervile's Falshood about my being at Pewis Castle. but how weak and idle, is evident by the very first part of it; to wit, his Allegation, That I was at Con­sults with him at Powis Castle, and yet I have not been so much as within those Walls, since the great Plague in 65. which is seven years before his admit­tance into that Family; for he came not there till 2d. Nar. p. 2. 72. even according to his second Oath and Recol­lection, which he call'd 73. in the First Nar. p. 5. first Depositions. Now that what I affirm is true, appears by my Lord Powis's Daughter the Lady Mary, (on whom he waited) who can depose, that she neither saw me, nor believes me to have been there, since the time afore­said. In the like manner by my Lady Frances, and my Lady Anne, her two Sisters; by Sir John Gifford, who liv'd there a great while, and by all my Lords [Page 107]Gentlemen, and the principal Officers of his Family; by the Steward of my own Estate in that County, who dwells near, and very often comes there; and lastly, by my Friends and Relations at London, that still knew from time to time where I was. I will also appeal to all the Gen­tlemen of Montgomeryshire, (most of whom I have the happiness to be known to, and to some nearly related) whether ever they saw me in those parts since the before-mentioned year. I will also ap­peal to the Magistrates, and chief Inha­bitants of Pool, a place not only in, and about which my Estate lies, and my Te­nants live, but so near the Castle, that it joyns in a manner to the Park Pale; so that a Stranger, that comes to my Lord's, is as much seen and talk'd of by them, as if he lodg'd in the Town it self. Nor can any body (tho' he considers as little as Mr. Turbervile) pretend that I was there privately intriguing; for no mad man would draw a certain suspicion on him­self by a discovery, (which must neces­sarily happen in a vast Family, and in a Country where I was well known) when my publick appearing could raise [Page 108]in no Creature the least jealousie, having Concerns there to look after, and a Kins­man and Friend to visit. Besides, I can positively prove by several of Note and Credit, where I was any particular week these many years; for my being almost always out of England makes it easie, and beyond the reach of Dispute or Difference.

'Tis true, that coming to Paris about Christmass 71. and receiving there Let­ters from a great Nobleman, about a bu­siness, (publick enough afterwards) I stept over to London to wait upon him; but as I was again returning, (and had taken even leave of my Friends in gene­ral) there befel my Brother Sir Philip Palmer some Troubles, which (as ma­ny worthy men of the Long Robe well know) forc'd me to a very tedious stay, before I could compose them; nor did I during my whole abode in England, (which was somewhat above a twelve-month) lye two nights together out of Town, (as not a few can witness) ex­cept in October 72. when I went with some Relations to my said Brother's House, and there I also stay'd less than a [Page 109]week. Nay so far was I from going into Wales, that my Steward brought me up my Accounts at the end of that year, and several of my Montgomeryshire Acquain­tance were pleas'd to come and see me, and among others my late Lord Herbert of Cherbury; so that had I been near him, I should not have fail'd in what I was always wont to do, viz. of visiting his Lordship when I came into the Coun­trey. But the Mystery of Mr. Turber­vill's Story is, (for all Fables have their Mythologie) that a Brother of mine was a great part of the year 73. at Powis-Castle, as the Gentlemen of that County can attest. I speak not this as if Mr. Tur­berville mistook the one for the other, but to show what gave the hints to his fancy; and certainly had I been there, I could not be such a fool, (tho' Papists be the weakest men alive, if we judge by what is said of them) as to deny it thus positively, when so many Prote­stants of repute and quality (whom I call upon) must needs rise in judgment against me; and when the thing in it self, even with Mr. Turbervill's Comment to it, cannot affect or prejudice me, who [Page 110]have been try'd and acquitted of all Trea­sons relating to the Plot.

As for my being a Priest, Of my being a Priest. (which at one time or other must be known, if I be one) I do not only positively deny it, but lay the Lye on the Tenets of my Religion, which doubtless I would not do, when Catho­licks (they say) are so concern'd for its honour and interest, that they will die with an Untruth in their mouths, tho' it be (as we all confess and declare) a damnable act, and a sin equal to that against the Holy Ghost.

In the next place, Of my say­ing Mass. Whereas Mr. Turberville will have it, That I said Mass to my Lord Powis at his Lodging in Vere-street, I will be bound, that not only my Lord, my Lady, their Children, their chiefest Attendants, and Mr. Percy, (the Master of the House in Vere-street) but any five, ten, or twenty, of the prime Catholicks of Quality in England shall attest, that they have been so far from hearing my Mass, that they verily believe (for several weighty Reasons) that I am not in Orders. Now that I should impart this Secret to such a [Page 111]man as Turberville, who confesses upon Oath, First Narrat. p. 7. That he made his Fscape out of the Monastery he had entred into, which shows how slight and unsteady a person he was, and con­sequently how little zeal he had for his Religion in general: I say, that I should impart this Secret to such a man, and not to my best Friends and Acquaintance, is an Imagination that becomes such a Witness.

But to come yet closer to the business, Mr. Turberville and I have been so far from this wonderful intimacy and dear­ness, That I protest I never saw him to my knowledge. And because the Gentle­man, and others in his present Post and Station, have often in reserve some poor forlorn wretch, (for I'le cast my self up­on the Oath of any man of Repute and Estate) to vouch a by-Circumstance, which they know will be deni'd. I shall now prove this my Assertion, not only by the afore-named Testimony of my Lord Powis, my Lady, their Children, and those of the best Note in their Fami­ly, but by all my own Servants also; nay by two of Mr. Turberville's Brothers, [Page 112]and by several of Credit that know me and him, with the manner of his Life and Actions. For all these can and will testifie, that they never saw, heard, nor yet believe, that he had the least Con­verse or Acquaintance with me; where­as if his Tale were in any degree true, 'twould be impossible that they should be all ignorant of it, especially, having been (as he swears) together at Powis-Castle; and seeing also that my own Domesticks must take notice (either sooner or later) of those that have any thing to do with me. Nor is it to be pretended even by Mr. Turberville him­self, (notwithstanding the great quick­ness of his Invention) that still he came incognito, and by stealth to me; for how weak and silly must it appear to any child to hear it said, that we (forsooth) were thus cautious, and made so many grimaçes, and good morrows, when those who are at present most charged with plotting, conversed always as open­ly together, as Friends, Neighbours, and Correspondents usually do. There­fore, super totam materiam, to speak in a Schoolman's phrase, (and by the Orders [Page 113]given me, he has made me a piece of one) does not this his Evidence qua­drate and agree with his former solemn Deposition; First Nar. p. 7. That his Po­pish Enemies (by reason of his leaving his Monastery) got at last his Brother (who also serv'd my Lord Powis) to disinherit him; whenas not only his said Brother (as a bare Borderer on for­ty) may have Children enough before his death; but he himself, (I mean, Mr. Turberville our Witness) is only a fifth Brother, and which is less, a third by a second Venter; so that a Lawyer of an ordinary size may tell us, what an Heir at Law he is (according to the custom of England) to this Estate, had none of the intermediate Brothers any Chil­dren.

Nay let the whole World judge, even the most partial men breathing, whe­ther Mr. Turberville, that ran away from his Monastery, that had no zeal for his Religion, that liv'd sharking ever since, that has turn'd Protestant, at least pre­sently after Mr. Oates's Discovery, (for he was then actually sent down to Glamor­ganshire to catch Priests) would not­withstanding [Page 114]all Encouragements from the Parliaments, from the King's reite­rated Proclamations, and from the whole people in general, suffer me, who was imprison'd from the beginning, and at last try'd for my life, to be legally and publickly acquitted, if his present Charge had been then thought of.

But tho' not one Judge perchance in Westminster-Hall could, (bating the con­tempt which people might justly have of the Charge) prove himself no Priest, if a Villain would point blanck swear it, yet I can by God's Providence, (besides what has already been alledg'd) make, à priori, the falshood of this Accusation evident; and thus I should have done long ago, had it been grateful at my Tryal, to show Mr. Oates's small mistake about the Divorce; for the Circumstan­ces that demonstrate the untruth of the one, would have done the same to the other; and then Mr. Turberville had had a Buoy or Light-house to guide him from this Shallow, on which he has at last so strangely and childishly stranded. The Grounds of the Fancy.

Now that the Reader may also understand the Grounds [Page 115]of this Fancy, and how it had its Rise, he is to know, that resolving with my self, (some 7 years since) not to marry again, should it be never so much in my power; and considering too, that it was the best time to settle my Brother, (or Heir at Law) in the World, if I inten­ded him any real and solid advantage, by what might at length fall unto him, I thought fit to give him, and some others of my Relations, the greatest part of my Estate in present, with the rest in Rever­sion, and then married him to his, and my own satisfaction. This being look'd upon by many as an unusual Action, and some reflecting, that I (who took so much pleasure in travelling) was now retired, and diverted my self in turning over Books, and the like; as also that my Lady Cleveland had withdrawn her self some few years after into a Monaste­ry, (which is the common method of married people in the Church of Rome, that intend to change their state of life) it presently became bruited, that I was, or shortly would be in Orders. No won­der then if Mr. Oates made this a part of his Accusation; and by the way I must [Page 116]tell him, (that in my poor judgment) 'tis not only the chief flower of his Gar­den, to wit, the best grounded Charge, that ever yet came from him, but also manag'd with the most caution and wis­dom, qualities (as many think) not ve­ry natural to him; for he has here only sworn, (as I show'd before) That he saw Letters (forsooth) signifying my say­ing Mass, and therefore could not be ea­sily disproved, were he never so much the Inventer of the Story. But if Mr. Turberville has been more bold and da­ring, and thereby run himself, (as I said) on ground, he may yet urge this for him­self; That (being engag'd, perhaps, by the prevalent Entreaty of special Friends to accuse me) He was necessitated to this poor Topick of a Priest, seeing the Law had already acquitted me of the Plot; for otherwise we should have had, (I warrant you) wonderful Particulars in Print from some or other, not only of late Consults at Powis-Castle, (tho' I have not been there, as I mention'd, these 15 years) but of a constant correspondency with him in his Noviceship at Doway, in his French Expedition, and in all his other Adventures also.

To end then with this Gen­tleman, Several Lay­men sworn to be Priests. I do here again pro­test and declare, that his Ac­cusation against me, is false, both in part and in the whole; and yet it is not to be wondred at as strange, seeing Priesthood has of late been sworn against other Lay­men as well as my self; for upon this Ac­count, and Oates's Oath, Mr. Preston (as every body knows) was dragged from his very Wife into Prison, where he lay above 18 months; and old Mr. Ga­wen (who had been but few years a Widower, and never out of England) was by such a Deposition solemnly ar­raign'd and tryed; and besides, Sir Tho­mas Gascoign would perhaps have run the same risque, had he not absconded as soon as he got out of the Tower. I am sure my being in Orders has no relation to the Plot, and puts not the least grain into the Balance, since it will be no man­ner of way plainer than before, should I be deemed not only a Priest, but a Bishop. Nor would I (certainly) be asham'd of a Function (were I of it) of which, men as great in Quality, as emi­nent in Learning, and as famous for San­ctity [Page 118]as History can show, have been. Nay from the same fountain, and no other, the Church of England her self derives her Ordination. Let me then say thus much to Mr. Turbervile with my last Adieu; That should God ever make me capable of this State of life, and in­cline me to it (for 'tis no ill action, even in Law to be a Catholick Priest, and stop there) if the Ceremony should be per­form'd in the most open and publick man­ner that can be thought of, that solem­nity will be a perpetual Record against him, and consequently an Evidence of the Injury he has done the Kingdom, to the manifesting of his monstrous folly and weakness in so gross an accusation.

So much then for Mr. Turberville; and here I should have ended were I not obliged to say something, to what Sir William Jones thought fit to mention of me in my Lord Staffords Tryal. vid. p. 177. He doubts there of Mr. Lytcott's being Fellow of Kings Colledge, because such places are bestow'd (he hopes) on more deserving and less suspi­cious men, than he appears to be, that owns himself not only the Secretary, and [Page 119]continual Companion of one so famous in the Popish Party as my Lord Castle­main is, but to have gone also and taken Notes at several Tryals, for his Lord's service, who was concern'd in the Ac­cusation.

First for Mr. Lytcott's being Fellow of Kings Colledge, it will be acknowledg'd by the whole Body; and upon this ac­count it was he became my Secretary; for having my self had the satisfaction and honour to be a Fellow-Commoner of that Royal Foundation, and conse­quently acquainted with very worthy and excellent men, I knew not (till some better occasion offer'd it self) how to express the great sence I had of their Fa­vours and Civilities, but by having ever since my departure one of theirs still with me. Mr. Lytcott had, 'tis true, some other accidental Recommendati­ons, as related to several persons of very considerable fashion and quality, whom I esteem'd; Nor do I by any means deny the giving him order to take Notes at Tryals; nay this, or the equivalent, I de­sir'd of others also, till I freed my self from the calumny of the Plot. But had [Page 120]I known it a Crime against any Law ei­ther human or divine (and till I do, I cannot repent me of the Action) I should not have sent him, neither would he (I dare say) have gone; for his Colledge, and Friends cannot but own as well his great Probity, as his constant zeal for the Government. And as he (who very well knew it) attested, being summon'd to my Lord Staffords Tryal, that I was not at Powis Castle in the years 72 nor 73, so, by what I have here already shown, the whole matter has been prov'd and made good beyond the possibility of the least doubt or scruple.

In the next place, as to my being so famous in the Popish Party, as Sir William says I am, I do not know (I confess) what he means. Certainly that man is a very weak one, who (considering the hardships we struggle with, the Obloquy we lie under, and the mis-interpretation of all our actions) hopes to geat Fame by being a Papist; but if this Gentleman puts Fame in the worst sence, (for the word has opposite significations) and so in­timates, as if I were become to the World Infamous, by my Religion and Practice, [Page 121]I shall here in a few words give him a true and short account of both.

That I am a Catholick, I shall always acknowledge, as often as I am ask'd; but tho' my Religion were erronious, yet to me it must be a true and saving one, according to the Principles of our lear­nedst Adversaries; for I have often, and diligently searcht the Scriptures, which they own to be the Rule of Faith; I have earnestly pray'd to God (as they require) for his Illumination; I have argu'd with learned men, a thing too enjoyn'd by them; I have always been ready to give a Reason of my Belief, to whomsoever should ask it of me, according to the Apostle's advice, and theirs; and lastly, I have read not only as much Controversie, as, per­chance, most men of my age in England, but twenty Protestant Books (I dare say) for one Catholick, and yet still I am the same. Nor will any body (I hope) pre­tend partiality or prepossession in the case, seeing that must have much rather enclin'd me to the contrary side; for had I been of a Religion not obnoxious to the Laws, I might as well (it may be) have advanc'd my Fortunes as others, wanting [Page 122](I thank God) neither Relations, Friends, nor Estate to give me a Rise or begin­ning. Nay so great a propensity have I still for the Religion of all Governments, and particularly my own, that I thus far declare with Mr. Hobbs, (who thought every body bound to be of his Prince's Faith) that it is a great fault not to com­ply with the establish'd Practice in every particular, that is not truly sinful in my Judgment.

'Tis Conscience then, that makes me a Dissenter, and therefore I may be pitied, but not blam'd; for should any Turk or Jew profess the Gospel, and yet in his heart think it false, he would be damn'd notwithstanding the verity of it. Hu­mane Reason can demand nothing of one (as eminent Protestants tell us) but a sincere Conviction; nor does the pro­foundest among them propose more. And if that shocking Article to flesh and bloud, and reckon'd also by our Ene­mies as our most dangerous Tenet, (I mean the real and substantial presence of Christ in the Sacrament) blots not a Lu­theran out of the Book of Life, why should it me? 'Tis true, we differ in the [Page 123] Mode or Manner of his being there, but not in the Reality; so that as great hard­ships, and as seeming contradictions arise to man's capacity from the one, as from the other opinion.

To confirm further also, those who might otherwise doubt of my being in the way of Salvation, as to Faith; I un­feignedly believe all those very Points, which Protestant Divines call the grand Fundamentals of Christianity; for I be­lieve the Incarnation; I believe the Tri­nity; things as incomprehensible and op­posite to our finite Nature, as can be thought of; nor could any Doctrine be more stifly deny'd and rejected, than this has been by several Christians; nay I de­clare as the Church of England does, when she reads the Creed of St. Athana­sius, That whosoever will be saved must ne­cessarily hold what is there express'd. I be­lieve also in the Merits, Mediation, and Satisfaction of Christ, so that no Action of ours can possibly please but through his Merits; no Mediation of any Crea­ture can have the least force or weight, without the virtue of his Mediation; and no Satisfaction of ours can be valid, [Page 124]but as it is grounded on, and perfected by the All-sufficiency of his Satisfaction. I further believe, that Faith and Good Works must joyntly help in the great bu­siness of Salvation; that both are God's gifts, and that we are not able so much as to think one good thought, or do the least good Action, without his free Grace and Assistance. Lastly, I believe that the Holy Scriptures are the Word of God; that the Reading of them is profitable; that it is lawful to have them in the Vul­gar Tongue; but I believe (and the like perchance do all Christian Churches) that there are some things 2 Pet. 3.16. hard in them, which the unlearned and unstable may wrest to their own destructi­on; and that they are not of a 1 Pet. 1.20. private Interpretation. Now should any judge otherwise, viz. That every body truly interprets, who sincerely considers them, yet I am still in the right; for then as a private man I think (and this with all sincerity) that the hardness before express'd, and the other words of St. Peter, (which intimate they are not of a private interpretation) ought to be un­derstood in the plain and obvious sence.

If then by agreeing thus with Prote­stants, in what they call the chief Funda­mentals of Christianity; and if also by the consent of their great and famous Au­thors, several persons (that have lived and died in our Religion) are in Heaven; for they stile them Saints, they admire their Actions, they propose them as Examples, and the like; I say, if then by reason of these things, I may rationally be assur'd that this Interior part of my Belief (to wit, that which principally relates to my self) cannot damn me, I will now very strictly examine the Exterior, or what touches others, and consequent­ly the matters that concern the Govern­ment.

First, As to Government in general, I believe Monarchy (from my heart) to be the best; and I think far the better of it, as often as I consider our late Miseries and Disorders; yet had I been born in a lawful Commonwealth, Aristocracy, or Elective Kingdom, I should look upon my self bound in conscience to defend the Establishment, as I found it, (let it be which of these it will) against all pre­tences to the contrary, tho' they suited [Page 126]never so much with my own inclinations and Judgment.

In the next place, I believe our pre­sent Soveraign Charles the 2d. to be the true, sole and undoubted King of Eng­land, and that no Monarch in Christen­dom has a more indisputable Title to his Crown than He; which I look upon to be a great Blessing to his Subjects, being all oblig'd to obey, not only for wrath, but for conscience sake also.

Thirdly, I have been so far from hear­ing (till Mr. Oates and others of the same stamp mention'd it) of any Excom­munication, or Declaration of Heresie issu'd out against the King by his Holi­ness, or any of that Church, that I am as much assur'd, that it is false, as that he never Christen'd or Confirm'd his said Majesty; for I have been twice my self at Rome, and know that the Popes have still spoken of him with great Honour and Respect: And besides, there was ne­ver yet any Prence (always born and bred out of the Romish Communion) that underwent this Censure.

Lastly, were our King excommunicated and declared a Heretick, yet I do un­feignedly [Page 127]believe, that it would be a horrible Treason and Sin in any Subject to Plot against, maim or hurt, and much more to kill him; and I do further de­clare, that every English, Scotch, or Irish man is in conscience bound to prevent such a mischief, tho' it be with never so great a danger to his own life.

As for the Doctrine of Vid. further the Rep. to Answer of Ca­thol. Apol. as also The Comp. de­posing Kings, I never knew nor heard of any Religion, in which there were not some that have held it; nay not only Luther, Calvin, Zuinglius, Beza, and all the prime Leaders of the Refor­mation, have in express terms declared the same, and practis'd it; but Pamphlets have been lately cry'd about the Streets, which boast, that there is no Reform'd Church from the Waldenses to this day, that has not deem'd the procedure lawful. Now Papists are so far from holding it a piece of Faith, that Bellarmine (the Pope's great Champion) shows the con­trary; and Cardinal Perron (no small Friend to his Holiness's power) calls it explicitely and plainly a Problematical Opinion. Nor has it only been written [Page 128]against, by several and several zealous Papists, but publickly and solemnly con­demn'd in Popish Countries, in Popish Ʋniversities, and by Popish Ecclesiasticks themselves.

As for the Oath of Allegiance, I am ab­solutely for the binding part of it, as to my Duty, tho' there may appear some difficulty as to the wording of it; inso­much that I shall most willingly take this very Oath, if (I say) a word or two were chang'd, or the strictest that ever was propos'd by Catholick Princes to their People; and truly I do sincerely believe, that they are as careful of their safety and interest, and are as much Ma­sters of both, as any Governours upon the face of the whole Earth.

As for the Oath of Supremacy, all Catholicks in the World agree in a Spiri­tual Dependency on Rome; so that even those few that take this very Oath, do it, I suppose, upon a supposition or fan­cy, (as they have it in their Books) That the Explanatory Act (in the 5th. of the Queen) declares, That she pre­tends to no Supremacy in spiritual matters; and thus the Pope's Power is again (they [Page 129]think) restored, and the whole made there­by a bare Oath of Allegiance; but I make some doubt whether this was ever thought of by any Protestants, and doubtless they are the best Interpreters of their own pe­nal Laws. In short, I design not to dis­pute any Point, but with all Modesty and Candor to hint, why I cannot in Conscience comply with these Oaths; neither do I in­tend any way to lessen the Regalia, or Tem­poral Power of our Kings; for I will ever defend it with my Life and Fortune against all Persons whatsoever; nor can Protestant Princes (I think) be enslaved or subjuga­ted by our Opinion, since we find the Catho­lick ones to have been, and to be still the freest and mightiest Potentates, that we read of in the Christian Commonwealth.

As for the Constitution and Frame of the Government of England, by King, Lords and Commons, I do admire it as the best that ever was, and beseech God it may con­tinue so to the end of the World; nor does any thing more plainly demonstrate to me, that the Principles of Popery tend not to a Tyrannick and Arbitrary Sway, than that the Laws which preserve our Liberty and Property, were propos'd in the flourishing [Page 130]Times of that Religion by Popish Peers, were approved by Popish Commons, were put in execution by Popish Judges, and lastly were deem'd so good and holy by the Popish Clergie, that they solemnly desir'd God's Vengeance and Wrath to fall on the Infrin­gers of them.

As for Dispensations to Lye, Kill, For­swear, and the like, I do not only abhor them, and protest that I never heard from any Papist, that they are or were grantable; but I also declare, that I verily believe, That neither the Pope by himself, nor with a Council, can give me leave to commit such Sin or Sins, or any Act now forbidden by God, or the Law of Nature; and this I mean in the ordinary sence, as every Pro­testant understands it in the reading. Nor do I believe, that either the Church Colle­ctive, (and much less a single man) can re­mit a Sin, à parte ante, that is to say, before it be committed; and when it is commit­ted, that it cannot be forgiven even by God himself, without hearty sorrow in the Offender, and a resolution never to do the like again; so that I look upon all Dissem­blers or Church-Papists, (as they are term'd) in a far worse condition than an Infidel. [Page 131]This also I must beg leave to add here, that whereas many fancy and cry, that our Ghostly Fathers have a marvellous Autho­rity among us, I do declare, that I verily believe, that there are no Priests among the Eastern Sects abroad, nor Ministers a­mong our Dissenters at home, nor in short any Clergie among any separate Christians, but have forty times more interest in their respective Congregations, than the Popish have had here, these many and many years. That some particular man has had, per­chance, power with his Patron, I do not deny, and the same I have known happen to a Valet de Chambre, to a House-keeper, and it may be to Servants of an inferior degree; but so averse generally are the English Ca­tholicks, I can say, (at least since my time) to take the Directions of their Confessarius, in any thing that has a tendency to tempo­ral Affairs, that the best way oftentimes to perswade some to a business, was to tell them, That the Priest did advise against it. What I here alledge, I am very confident is true; and for the further proof of it, I ap­peal to any Protestant of repute, that has ever been of our Communion.

The Premisses then being the Credenda, [Page 132]or sum of my Religion and Belief in Specu­lation, there remains now a line or two of the Practice; and here also I shall show my self (to the dissatisfaction of my Ene­mies) a zealous Lover of my Countrey; for truly I ever thought that this, and a sincere devotion to the lawful establish'd Govern­ment, were Synonimous words, and differ'd only in sound.

I had not (I confess) by reason of my years, an immediate share in the misfor­tunes of the late Times, but I am sure after­wards I felt great effects of them; for all my near Relations were not wanting, (be­sides their personal Attendance) in helping the then King with Men, Money, Plate, &c. So that They of the Protestant Religion un­derwent for this Loyalty, Plunderings, Compositions, Decimations, Imprisonments, and the like, and Those of the Catholick, the Confiscation, and sale of all they had. As for my self, as soon as I came to Age and my Estate, I was no ways behind-hand in my actual Duty; for I sent his present Ma­jesty a very considerable Sum beyond Seas, and was ready also, Anno 59. (as not a few about him know) with Men, Horses and Arms, to further his Restauration; for which [Page 133](within a while after) I was imprison'd, and had run the Fate of several of his other faithful Subjects, had not the Times alter'd as they did; then being chosen of the Free-Parliament, I had the satisfaction of voting his Return, and was ever as forward as any in expressing the Zeal and Service I had for him. Nor fail'd I also, (happening then to be in England) to hazard my life in the Dutch War; and when I return'd again into Foreign Parts, I did what I could (by the French Account I printed there) to ob­viate the Lyes which tended to the disho­nour of the Nation.

'Tis not by way of Exprobration, that I offer this Memorial, but 'tis to remember the Reader, that a long series of Loyal Actions, indicates a Loyal Heart, and that Habits are not lost on a sudden. I do also appeal to any man of Quality, I know in England, and to all I have been free with abroad, whether ever they heard me pro­pose or defend Paradoxes in State-affairs, or found by any by-word a mutinous Ten­dency; for I may safely aver, that there was never yet a Treason gradually carry'd on, where the Associates (how wary soever they were in the main) have not endea­vour'd [Page 134]at some time or other, to raise Dis­contents, to aggravate matters of Fact, and to alienate the minds of their Acquaintance from the Prince. But these were still Actions so averse to my nature, that I always steer'd a quite opposite course; nor did this hap­pen, I must say, (and I think every body is sufficiently satisfy'd of it) in hopes of pre­ferment at Court, but it was in obedience and pursuance of those just Principles, which the Laws of God and Man oblige a Subject to; and therefore I can call God to witness, that I never heard of any thing that tended to the temporal prosperity of the Kingdom, which did not elate and transport me; or if the contrary happen'd, that created me not an extraordinary trou­ble and affliction.

As for my private Transactions, I mean those between man and man; whose Ox, whose Ass have I taken; or to whom have I omitted the doing of a kindness, when I was oblig'd to it either out of Gratitude or Civility? I must confess, with St. Paul, as to my Religion, I ever wisht, and still do, that all men were such as I am except these Bonds; and I think every Perswasion does the like. I do also with him declare, That [Page 135]Evil cannot be done, that Good may come of it; so that I vow by all that is Holy, (since I hope that that Divine Grace, which in­structs, will also strengthen) That I would not commit a premeditated sin to convert the whole World; for God will be serv'd his own way, and when we do otherwise, 'tis ex­tremely far from a Service. Religion there­fore never made me yet neglect a Friend, or postpone a Relation; and so constant I have still been in this, that there are none of all my Protestant Kindred, but will acknow­ledge that my Affection has been as great, and my Zeal in their Concerns as intense, as if we had been of the same Faith. For my part, I always keep my Opinions to my self, unless when I am ask'd the reason of them by some, or told Magisterially by others, that nothing can possibly be said to such a Point: And if I chance to Write, it is in re­ference to my own Defence; nor can I think it a crime to Reply, when a man of Parts and Worth attacks me, for otherwise I ne­ver did, nor ever shall do it I am sure. 'Tis not my profession to make Converts; and truely when I accidentally met any, the usual Encouragement from me was, what several of them experimentally have found [Page 136]and heard in Catholick Countries, where they now seek Relief, That Heaven was the only Gain to be expected by their Change; for Papists (I must say) are not so over-liberal as some think. Heaven (I thank God) was the only thing which I did, or could pro­pose to my self; 'tis this also which assures me, if my Religion were true in mild wea­ther, it must needs be so in a Storm; and lastly, 'tis this which made me always Loyal, and passionately to wish, That England might surpass both in Glory and Plenty, all the happy Nations that surround it.

Thus having given Sir William an ac­count of my Principles both in Theory and Practice (and if the Church of Rome obliges me to any one contrary Tenet, I absolutely deny and reject it, which no body can do and be a Catholick.) I say, having given him this account, I hope for the future he will be so kind, as to believe I am greedy of no other Fame in the World, but to be deem'd (as I am) a true and faithful Englishman, and therefore when I make the least step or deviation out of the Road of Loyalty, I de­sire that this present Record under my own hand may rise in Judgment to my eternal Reproach and Infamy.

Amiens, Mar. 7. 1681.