A Letter of Advice from a PROTESTANT OUT OF IRELAND TO THE Masters of Apprentices In the CITIES of London and Westminster.
We have had the Advice to the Apprentices, we hope you will Concur with them in this Honourable Undertaking, seeing it is You, your Families and Estates, that is struck at, by your and their Enemies. Methinks we should hear you Masters saying, We would be glad our Apprentices would appear in this Honourable Work, which will be so Honourable for them, in being so Couragious for the Protestant Cause, which so much of the World approve.
Secondly, It will be much for our Honour in this, that we have not only allowed this Liberty, but we have Encouraged them, and sent them out like Men. Gentlemen, this will be for your Honour, and will raise a Monument of Praise to your never to be forgotten Name, in after Ages, of Loyalty and Stedfastness to so good a King and Queen, as God hath by his good Hand of Providence brought to the Royal Thorne: Besides, how kindly the King will take it, if you be found in this Honourable Undertaking, especially in this juncture of time, when on all Hands there is so much occasion. Do as you would be done by, consider how many poor Distressed Protestants here are Ireland, that is drove from Post to Pillar, have no House to go to, no Bed to lie on; in short, no Relief: Now suppose it was your Case (as you know not how soon it may be) what would you desire from your Brethren but Relief; and would you not think it unkind if they should not send it to you? And if Scotland also, as well as we, should stand in need of your Assistance, would not this be a sad thing? and what may you expect, but if a Blow do fall, it will come on you at last, either upon Body, or deep in the Purse: And we believe for the Trade you now have, there may be several Thousands of Apprentices spared, and no lack of them. Consider also, how much of a Disloyal Spirit it will show to be in you, if you do not Incourage these your Servants, who are willing to venter theit Lives, for the safety of your selves and Families; and also if you do not Incourage this, and the Enemy do come upon you on one hand or the other, may you not have just cause to Retort upon your selves with these Reflections, you might have had opportunity of using the means that hath been effectual in former Ages, but you would not Incourage it; perhaps some of you may say, That it will be time enough to send out my Servant when the King calls for the Auxiliaries; Good Sir, that will be no Point of Honour to go when forc'd to it; for that's as much as to say, We will let our Lives and Liberties, and all go till they be at the last gasp, before we design to do any thing to save them, and give Relief to them; and in the mean time, where is your Love to your King and Country, Religion and Liberty? Consider on these things and every one that would be counted a Loyal Man, let him Incourage the Work, and help to Cure the Wound before it be too late; we believe you had rather have their go then your selves; so leave you to consider on it.
Lycensed according to Order.
London, Printed for Robert Smith in the Year, 1689.