A collection of several treatises concerning the reasons and occasions of the penal laws

PREFACE.

I Expect Censures and Clamours as loud as can be against me, of uncharitable, uncatho∣lick, unchristian, &c. for seeming to lay load upon the already oppressed, and contri∣bute to, and even provoke a persecution a∣gainst our Fellow Catholicks. I think I have said my worst against my self: let me see how I can ju∣stifie my action. Premising therefore that the case of you Jesuits is apprehended by your selves, and your Abettors already desperate, and your Exclu∣sion remediless, and so cannot be said to spring from this paper of mine; I address to my Defence, and offer my Motives why I publish this little Treatise against you.

My first is, To wipe off the aspersion laid upon Gods Church by some Tenets of yours; and strong∣ly fastened on it by your haughty calling only your selves the Catholick Church, and all dissenters from your Tenets, Hereticks.

My second, Because I understand you are about to make the Common good stoop to the Particular one of your Order: as is your constant practice; contrary to the Law of Nature, and Principles of Christianity. For I have been informed that you in a boasting manner affirm, the Parliament will proceed no farther about taking away the Sanguinary Laws:

and that some friends of yours endeavour to make it believed that it is not for his Majesties interest to make good his solemn promise from Breda, of having regard to tender Consciences.

My third is, Your stomachful frustrating my ex∣pectation. For I was really glad when I heard you had published Apologetical Reasons why you should not be excepted; hoping you would sincerely re∣nounce the criminal Doctrines and Actions of your Predecessors, and free Religion from scandal. But finding no such thing, per verba de praesenti, but on the contrary, a comparing and preferring your selves before others: I thought my self obliged to do right to the Common Cause.

My fourth, To oblige you to repentance, and a hearty retractation of your unlawful Tenets and Practices; that so you may deserve and have as much favour as others; which is the worst I wish you: and not to wrong your own Credits and Con∣sciences, and fool others with dissembling shews of loyalty, which every one may see to be mere hypo∣crisie.

My fifth, Because I owe that duty to the Civil Magistrate, whose hearty Subject I am, to resent a mockery put upon him (as this your paper will ap∣pear to be) under colour of offering satisfaction: Every true hearted Subject owing his best endeavour to his King and Country, that none lurk among them, unless their faltring Principles of Aequivoca∣tion and disloyalty be purged out.

My sixth, To offer even your selves an advan∣tage, if your courage and cause will stretch to im∣prove it. For the following Doubts are, many of

them, such as Protestants themselves urge against your Reasons: and are communicated here to you, partly on purpose that you may provide better sa∣tisfaction.

My last (to satisfie even the passionate too) is, Because your unchristian spirit of Calumny is still as unquiet as ever; having, of late, most unjustly aspersed Principal Persons of almost every Body but your own; which comportment of yours makes it but fit, if Truth and the Common Good favour you not, neither should I. To think and declare thus much satisfies me; if it do not others, I cannot help it. Only I wish your favourers to beware of doing any thing that may be interpreted an abetment of you, till you approve your selves heartily loyal; lest they discover themselves too deeply tainted with your Principles and temper.