The political mischiefs of popery, or, Arguments demonstrating I. that the romish religion ruines all those countries where 'tis establish'd II. that it occasions the loss of above 200 millions of livres ... to France in particular, III. that if popery were abolished in France, that kingdom would become incomparably more rich and populous ..., IV. that it is impossible that France should ever be re-established whilst popery is their national religion / by a person of quality.

THE PREFACE TO THE READER.

ABout a Year ago, I published a Treatise, for the Ser∣vice of this Nation, upon the present State of France, Entituled, The Desolation of France Demon∣strated: And there, in short, I made it evident, That Popery was the principal Cause of all the Misery and Ruin that hath befall'n that Kingdom. The Book was pleasing to this Nation in general; but some were apt to think I had aggravated Matters, and that the Condition of France was not so bad as I had represented it. Amongst others, a certain Gentleman of great Parts, was pleased to write a Manuscript upon that Subject, full of Wit, and diametrically opposite to what I had advanced, but did not think fit to publish it. The Events that happened since, have confirmed, in part, what I then said; whereupon that Ingenious Person hath acknow∣ledged, in a curious piece lately published, That I had Reason on my side, for what I had writ in general, as to the Con∣dition of France. But diverse other Persons of Worth, having wished that I would justifie the Proposition which I had advan∣ced, in the same Book, viz. That Popery occasions the loss of 200 Millions per An. to France; which to them

seem'd a Paradox, I thought my self obliged to sa•…•…isfie their desire.

To this end I publish'd what I had writ upon that Subject sometime ago in French, that by the Iudgment which others gave upon it, I might be the better enabled to conjecture what was proper to be Added or Corrected in the English Edition, which I n•…•…w present to the Publick, with several Additions; and had done it sooner, but for some Reasons not fit to be here related. But I supposed besides, that People will have more Inclination to Read such Pieces now the War is over, during which they lov'd to hear of nothing but bloody Battles, and Princes De∣thron'd, according to the humour of the Romans in Horace his time, as he expresseth it in the following Lines,

—Pugnas & exactos Tyrannos Densum humeris bibit aure vulgus.

I doubt not but some people will say, That I write with too much heat against Popery: To which I reply,

1. That those Persons don't know Popery well enough, nor have they ever examined it throughly. They are misled by some com∣mon Prejudices, and judge of that Religion not according to its essential Principles, and constant Practise, but only by the external Behaviour of some that profess it, as Laicks who are s•…•…metimes as well Polished, Civilized, Learned and Honest in outward appearance, as Protestants, and here those People stop with•…•…ut consulting the Scripture, or considering that the D•…•…ctrine, Morals and Tyranny of the Romish Clergy, are more becoming Devils than Men. I confess, that they are Men and Women, as well as others, and that there are People morally Honest among them, as there are among Pagans, Iews and Mahumetans; and even among the Romish Clergy, there are sone who are honester as to the matter of Society, than their Religi•…•…n obliges them to be. But those Gentlemen I speak of, think there's no hurt in their Idolatry, nor don't consider the Mischiefs their Religion does to ail Mankind in general, because they think it never did them any; so that according to this Maxim of theirs, all Religions should be alike, for there are Rational and Moral People of all Perswasions.

2. I may Reply, That there was never any Protestant that had more Reason than my self, to write sharply against Popery, there having been no Man hitherto, who hath studied that

Point so thoroughly as I have done, in Regard of the infinite Mischiefs, which it occasions to States; as wi•…•…l appear by the following Treatise.

3. No Man can exceed bounds in expressing his Abhorrence of Popery, provided he forbear reflecting upon innocent Persons, as I have carefully done, for certainly the Malignity of t•…•…e Romish Religion and Clergy, goes beyond all Expression or Idea; and if I have Reason on my side, as it appears I have, all honest Papists will think the•…•…selves obliged to me▪ fo•…•… disabusing them, and if they can convict me of a Mistake, I am wi•…•…ling to bear the reproach of it.

The Wits of this Age will perhaps find fault with my Stile and manner of Expression, and complain that it is dull and not genteel, for most People now a days look for a fine Stile in Books. But besides, that my Matter will not admit of a fl•…•…uri∣shing Stile nor sallies of Fancy, I freely own, that I am none of those who are fond, of the Title of a fine Wit, an Orator or Polite Writer: I am concent if I can discover, in my rude Method, such things as are of the highest Importance, and Use to Men and Christians, which no body else hath taken notice of. And I hope that those who love Solid and Important Discoveries, and the Order and Good of the Commonwealth, will do me Iustice. Those that have finer Pens t•…•…an I, may perhaps Handle this Subject better after me, Correct my Faults, Sup∣ply my Defects, and Add to my Discoveries, it being a Maxim as true •…•…s common, Facile est inventis addere.

For my own part, I must confess that I expect more from Works of this na•…•…ure, towards the Destruction of Popery, than from all the Books of Controversies that shall be writ hence∣forward. Great Men never Read them, and for the most part, they govern themselves meerly by sensible Reasons and Visible Interest. Those that I propose here are Uncontrovertible, beyond all Exception, and Intelligible to People of the meanest Capacities, if they have but patience to hear them; so that all that remains to be Controverted, is the degree of the Mischief occasioned by Popery, and whether it be so great, as Ihave represented it or not.

I have chosen to insist on the Instance of France, to prove the infinite Malignity of the Romish Religion, rather than on that of any other Popish State, because that Country is best known to me, and that last year I undertook to make it appear that

the Ruin of France proceeded mostly from Popery; so that •…•…is Treatise is an Appendix of that.

I am forced contrary to my inclination, to represent the Mis∣chiefs of the Government of France, but what I say is the Truth, and with no design to offend any Man, my intention being only to display the desperate Malignity of Popery. I own that those who Govern in France, are endowed with many grea•…•… and rare Qualities, but Popery striveth continually either to Stiste them, or to Employ t•…•…em to base and pernicions Ends. There is nothing more certain than that all would do well there, were it not for the Popish Clergy, and especially the Iesuites, wh•…•… carry the chief Sway in that Nation.

I propose •…•…o other end to my self in this, but to serve the Church of God, and my present Country the Kingdom of Eng∣land, in which I have hitherto found some Bread, and where I hope I shall not be suffered to starve in time to come: Whereas on the contrary, I have been robb'd of all in France, for serving Go•…•… according to my own Conscience; and it's probable that if I and others •…•…ad slaid there till now, we should not only have been d•…•…riev'd of our Lives, but had the same endeavours us'd to ruine our Souls, that have been made use of to ruine those of others.

And moreover, it may be easily evinced, that all I say might be of infinite advantage to France, if she knew how to make use of it, seeing she might thereby become ab•…•…ndantly mo•…•… Rich, Po•…•…ent and Happy, than ever she was; So that in t•…•… respect I discover a thousand times more Love for France, than those do who Govern her, or than ind•…•…d she discovers for her self.