Mr. Speaker ,

SIR , seeing by God's Providence , and His Majesties Favour , we are here assembled , to consult and advise about the great Affairs of the Kingdom , I humbly conceive it will become us to begin first with that which is of most consequence to our King and Country , and to take into consideration how to save the main , before we spend any time about particulars . Sir , I am of opinion that the Life of our King , the Safety of our Country and Protestant Religion , are in great danger from Popery , and that either this Parliament must suppress the Power and Growth of Popery , or else that Popery will soon destroy not only Parliaments , but all that is near and dear to us . And therefore I humbly move , That we may resolve to take into our Consideration in the first place , How to suppress Popery , and prevent a Popish Successor ; without which all our endeavours about other matters will not signifie any thing , and therefore this justly challengeth the precedency .

Mr. Speaker ,

Sir , I stand up to second that Motion , and to give some Reasons , with your permission , why I agree in it , not doubting but other persons will be of the same Opinion , if they have the same sentiments what influence the Popish Party have had in the management of most of our Affairs both at home and abroad for many years last past : And how that Party hath increased and been incouraged , Sir , I remember that after his Majesties happy Restoration , it was thought convenient that an Act of Uniformity should pass as the best Law that could be invented to secure the Church from the danger of Popery and Fanaticism , and accordingly it did pass in the year 1662 , but in the year 1663 some that then managed the great Affairs of State , or at least had great interest with his Majesty , were of another opinion : For they had prevailed with him to grant a Toleration and Indulgence , and to make a Declaration to that purpose . The Parliament assembling soon after , thought it very strange , that in one year an Act of Uniformity should be the best way to preserve the Church , and that in the next year a Toleration and Indulgence ; therefore after a serious debate about it , in February 1603 , they made an Address to his Majesty , humbly representing how it would reflect upon the Wisdom of that Parliament , to have such an alteration made so soon , and that such Proceedings for ought they could foresee would end in Popery . Upon which his Majesty , out of his great goodness , stopt the issuing out of the said Toleration , hearkning rather to the advice of his Parliament than to any private Counsellours . Sir , I cannot inform you who it was that gave that Advice to his Majesty , nor certainly affirm they were Popishly affected , but if I may take the liberty to judge of a tree by its Fruit , I have some reason to think so ; because I find by Coleman's Letters , and other Discoveries , that a Toleration and Indulgenee should be one of the great Engines they intended to use for the establishing of Popery in this Nation . But the project thus failing at this time , they were forced to wait with patience until they could have another opportunity ; employing in the mean time their diabolical Counsels in weakning the Protestant Interest ( in order to a general destruction of it ) by ingaging us in a War with Holland . In which the French acted the same part in the behalf of the Dutch , as they did afterwards in our behalf against them , 1672 , very fairly looking on both times , while we poor Protestants with great fury destroyed one the other . But this was not so strange nor so plain as the dividing of our Fleet under the Command of Prince Rupert and General Monk , and the design of destroying them as well as their Ships , and the rest of our Navy Royal at Chattam . And as they thus acted their part at Sea , so they did not forget to do their best ashoar ; in April 1666 some persons that were then hanged , fairly confest they had been treated with , and had treated with others , to burn the City of London in September following , of which Confession we then took as little notice as we have of other Discoveries against Papists since ; however accordingly in September , thirteen thousand Houses of the City of London were burnt . And those that were taken in carrying on that Work , generously discharged without any Tryal ; and one Papist that confest , that himself and others did set the City on fire , was in great haste hanged , and so the business was husht up , as compleatly as the late great Plot is like to be now , branding Hubert , that then made that confession , with Madness ; as now these last Witnesses with Perjury , Sodomy , and what not . However these businesses were not so carried , but his Majesty discerned some of the Intrigues of them , which made him alter his Councils , and contrary to the Endeavours of that Party enter into new Alliances , by making up that excellent League , usually called the Tripple League . Which put a stop to these mens Designs as to Affairs abroad , but not to their Designs here at home . For having obtained the Oxford Act , and some others against the Dissenters , great endeavours were used to have them executed severely , in expectation that the Dissenters would so be made weary of living quietly under them , and in the end be glad of a Toleration ; but the Dissenters deceived them , and submitted to the Laws , insomuch that in 1670 to 1671 there was hardly a Conventicle to be heard of in England . And might never have been more , if that Party had not been afraid of a great disappointment thereby , wherefore to revive our Divisions , and to bring in ( as they hoped ) their own Religion , they imployed all their force again to get a Toleration . I say they did it , because it cannot be imagin'd it could be from any Protestant Interest , both Church-men and Dissenters Publickly declaring their detestation of it . And in 1672 it was obtained , Printed , and Published . After we had , in order to the carrying it on , broke that never to be forgotten Tripple League , sacrificed our Honour to the French , not only by making a strong Alliance with them , but by seizing the Dutch Smyrna Fleet , and then afterwards proclaiming War with them . Which War was continued in order to ruine us both ; for the French proved but lookers on at Sea ( as they had done when ingaged with the Dutch in 1665. ) though great Conquerours at Land , especially of the Protestants in Germany and Holland . And as this Toleration was accompanied with these great alterations in Affairs abroad , so it was backt , 1. With a great Minister of State at the Helm at home , who was so confident of the re-fixing Popery here , that he could not forbear to declare himself to be of that Religion , I mean my Lord Treasurer Clifford ; as also , 2. With a great Army at Black-Heath ready upon all Occasions ; and , 3. With the greatest violation on the Property of the Subject , that ever hapned in this Nation , the seizing of One Million and half , or thereabout , in the Exchequer . All which indeed made our condition desperate , and as many thought past retrieve . But , Mr. Speaker , here again the Goodness and Wisdom of his Majesty saved us , refusing to follow such pernicious Counsels ; upon which Clifford not only lost his place , but his life too , breaking his heart ( as is by most believed ) to see himself so disappointed in this great Design . And here as we can never too much detest my Lord Clifford , and such others , who contrived our ruine , so we can never sufficiently admire his Majesties Royal Care in working out our security , by refusing to follow any Advice that tended to those ends . And therefore to the great disappointment of that Party , at the Request of the House of Commons at their next Meeting , He recalled the said Toleration , disbanded the Army , and in convenient time made a Peace with Holland . But though this Party were thus defeated of their Design , yet not so discouraged as to give it over . They changed their Measures , but not their Principles , and although they desisted from further aiming at a Toleration , yet they no ways neglected pursuing a Reformation , but in order thereto prosecuted a Correspondence formerly begun for that purpose with the French King , and by promising him considerable Supplies to carry on the War he was then engaged in , secured themselves as they thought of his assistance for setling of Popery here . Accordingly it is not unknown , what a Party of Men , and what quantity of Amunition and other Necessaries for War , were sent to the French King , during the War he was then engaged in , and then it was done contrary to the advice of the Parliament , and the Solicitations of most of the Princes of Europe , and true Interest of England , to the astonishment of all good men ; especially because it was contrary to his Majesties own Proclamation , and when the French had declared they made that War for Religion , endeavouring to force the Dutch to allow of Popish Churches . However such was the strength of this Party , that this Assistance was continued until the French King was willing to make a Peace , and then who more instrumental than our Ministers to effect it . Several Embassadors , and Plenipotentiaries too , being sent as well to the Court of Spain , as Germany and Holland for that purpose . And at last , the Dutch being weary , and consumed with the War , they were perswaded to be willing of a Peace , and accordingly the 10th . of January 1677 , entered into a Treaty with us for a general peace to be accomplished by such ways and means as are therein prescribed . Which League was kept private for some time , and instead of any Discovery thereof , about the end of February following ( the Parliament being then soon after to Assemble ) a great noise was made of entring into a war with France , it being concluded that nothing like that would incline the Parliament to give money , nor the People freely to part with it , because it was the only way to extinguish those fears they lay under , by reason of the growing greatness of France . At the meeting of the Parliament , the Project was set on foot with all the art and industry imaginable , and so far were the major part of the Members perswaded of the reality thereof , that they were inclinable to give a great sum of money for the carrying on of the War ; but while they were in Consultation about it , the League formerly mention'd , agreed at the Hague , was unluckily made ( in some measure ) publick , and occasion'd a great jealousie of the reality of the pretended War . And the greater , because upon an inquiry , they could not find there were any Alliances made to that purpose . And yet notwithstanding this , and the great endeavours of some worthy Members of that Parliament ( now of this , ) an Army of thirty thousand men was raised , and a Tax of above 1200000 pound was given . And then , instead of a War , a general Peace according to that Treaty agreed with Holland , was presently made . By which that Party thought they had secured not only the power of France , but the men and money here raised at home , to be made serviceable for their ends ; there wanting nothing but a Popish King to perfect all these Designs . For which we have great reason to believe they had made all necessary preparation , as well by imploying men and money to find out wicked Instruments to take away the King's Life , as by providing one Claypool to be a Sacrifice , to make an attonement for the Act , and to cast the wickedness thereof on the Phanaticks . To which purpose the said Claypool was really imprison'd some time before in the Tower , upon the Evidence of two Witnesses , that he should say , that he and two hundred more had ingaged to kill the King the next time he went to New-Market . For which in all probability he had as really been hanged , if the breaking out of the Plot had not prevented their designs . Then was Claypool the next Term after publickly cleared at the King's Bench-Bar , the Witnesses appearing no more against him . Thus were we again reduced to a miserable condition , but it pleased God by the Discovery of the Plot by Dr. Oates once more to save us ; whose Evidence ( he being but one Witness ) they thought at first to have out-braved , but some of them being so infatuated as to kill Justice Godfrey , and Coleman so unfortunate as to leave some of his important Papers in his House , notwithstanding the time he had to convey them away , it wrought so great a fermentation in the People , as that there was no remedy , but that the further pursuit of the Plot must be again laid aside , and a fair face put upon things . And so accordingly there was for a few Months , but how after Wakeman's Tryal things turn'd again , what endeavours have been since used to ridicule the Plot , to disparage the old Witnesses , to discourage new ones , to set up Presbyterian Plots , and to increase our Divisions , I suppose , must be fresh in every Man's memory here , and therefore I shall not offer to trouble you therewith .

But , Sir , I cannot conclude without begging your patience , while I observe how things have been carried on in Scotland and Ireland , answerable to what was done here .

In Ireland the Papists are at least five to one in number for the Protestants , and may probably derive from their Cradle an inclination to massacre them again ; at least the Protestants have no Security , but by having the Militia Arms , and the command of Towns and Forts in their hands . But about the same time or a little before that the Tolleration came out here in 1672 , an Order went from hence , which after a long Preamble of the Loyalty and affection of the Papists to his Majesty , required the Lord Lieutenant and Council to dispence with the Papists wearing of Arms , and living in Corporations , and a great many other things in their favour ; of which they have made such use , as that the Plot there was in as good readiness as that here ; but how carried on , and how endeavours were there also used to stifle it , will appear , when your leisure may permit you to examine those Witnesses .

In Scotland , the Government is quite alter'd , the use of Parliaments in a manner abolished , and the Power of that Government lodged in a Commissioner and Council , a standing Army of Twenty two thousand men setled , all endeavours used to divide the Protestant Interest , and to incourage the Papists . By which we may conclude , that the same interest hath had a great hand in the management of affairs there also .

And , Sir , may we not as well believe , that the World was at first made of Atoms , or by chance , without the help of an Omnipotent hand , as that these affairs in this our little World have been thus carried on , so many years together , so contrary to our true interest , without some great Original Cause , by which the Popish interest hath so far got the ascendant of the Protestant interest , that notwithstanding all his Majesties endeavours , things have been strangely over-ruled in favour of that Party ; how and which way , his Majesties Declaration made in April 1679 , is to me a great Manifestation .

Sir , I hope the weight of the Matter I have discourst on , will plead my pardon with the House for having troubled you so long , I submit what I have said to your judgment , humbly desiring a favourable construction ; and although I have said some things that are very strange , and other things grounded only on Conjectures , yet I believe that no man will have just reason to doubt the probability of the truth , if they will but consider , what a potent Friend the Papists have had of James Duke of York ; and how imboldened by the hopes of having him for King . And as it is not to be doubted but that they have had his Assistance , so they have had the French Ambassadors too , who by his frequency at the Palace , hath seemed rather one of the Family and King's Household , than a Foreign Ambassador , and by his egress and regress to and from his Majesty , rather a prime Minister of State of this Kingdom than a Councellor to another Prince . And the truth of all hath been so confirm'd by Coleman's Letters , making the Duke's interest , the French interest , and the Papists interest , so much one , and by the many Witnesses that have come in about the Plot , that I think we may rather be at a loss for our Remedy , than in doubt of our Disease . And therefore though I know the difficulties I may bring my self under , by having thus laid open some mens Designs , yet seeing my King and Country have called me to this Service , I am resolved that as my Father lost his Life for King Charles the First , so I will not be afraid to adventure mine for King Charles the Second , and that makes me expose my self in his Service in this place .

Mr. Speaker ,

Sir , the Popish Party have not only had a great influence on the management of our Affairs , both Foreign and Domestick , while they could do it under a disguise , but notwithstanding the discovery of their whole Plot , have ever since gone on triumphant , as if they were not afraid of any opposition that can be made against them . Although the most part of Doctor Oates his Discovery was no news to most Men ; and the great Correspondence which Coleman had held with Foreign parts , had been generally observed for some years ; yet what difficulties were there raised against believing of Oates his Testimony , and against apprehending of Coleman's Person , and seizing of his Papers , by which he had opportunity to carry away the most part , and by that means prevented a great deal of Evidence , which we should otherwise have had against that Party ; though by chance he left enough to hang himself . And as their Power , or the Respect which was born them , appeared in this ; so their great Confidence in the never to be forgotten Death of Sir Edmondbury Godfrey , which doubtless they accomplished , as to conceal Evidence , so to intimidate Justices and others , from doing their duty , with great assurance , that those who did it should never have been brought to Justice . And I must confess , we took a strange unheard of way , either to do that , or prevent the going on of the Plot : For in October after the Plot broke out , no less than Fifty seven Commissions were discover'd for raising of Souldiers , granted to several Popish Recusants , with Warrants to Muster without taking the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy , or Test ; Counter-Signed by the then Secretary of State . Of which the Parliament takeing notice , they were soon after dissolved in the midst of the Examination of the Plot . And the next that was called , though compos'd of true English Gentlemen , as soon as they fell severe upon Popery , had no better Success ; certainly , Sir , not by the prevalency or Advice of any true English Protestants ; and who then may be presumed to have given such Advice , I leave to your judgment . These two Parliaments being thus Dissolved , a third was Summoned , but was not permitted to sit , but on the contrary , put off by several Prorogations . At which the People being discontented , their Fears and Jealousies arising from the Papists increasing , from which they knew they could not be effectually secured but by a Parliament ; several Counties and Cities joyned in Petitioning his Majesty for a Parliament . But it being foreseen that every thing that tended to make way for the meeting of Parliaments , was dangerous , such was the influence of that Party , as that they obtained a Proclamation , penned I think by Coleman himself , or by some body that had no more love for the Protestant Religion than he , forbidding Petitioning as Seditious and Tumultuous . And that nothing should be wanting to shew their power , at length by the endeavours of some great men , some credulous and ambitious men were drawn in to be Abhorrers . Good God! where were these Mens Sences , that in a time when the Nation was in such imminent danger , there should be any good Protestant that should abhor Petitioning for a Parliament ? But I hope this House will have a time to speak with those Gentlemen , and Mark them with the Brand they deserve . And now that it may be found that there were a good easie sort of credulous people that might be wrought upon , it was thought high time to have a Counter Plot , that might swallow up that of the Papists , and restore them to their former Credit . How far this was carried on by good men and bad , I am loath to particularise ; but I cannot but observe , that Dangerfield had more Money and Encouragement given him while he was carrying on of that Plot , than I could ever hear he hath had since the discovery of it . But though it be not strange , that the Papists should be so wicked , as to contrive such a design , for the casting of the Plot upon the Protestants , though with the loss of so many honest mens lives , as was intended ; yet it is strange to see how willing many Protestants , especially of those who have reason to think themselves of the best sort , were to believe it , and how little pleased with Dangerfield , for the great service he did in discovering that wicked Plot . So powerful and so lucky are the Popish Party , in infusing of animosities amongst us , tending to divide us , and so willing are we to entertain them to our destruction . And as the Popish Party have been very industrious in the contriving of Reports and Plots to remove the ill Reports they lie under , and have had a great influence in managing of Parliamentary Affairs , so we may presume they have of late had in the dispensing of Justice , as may appear by considering what hath been done by our Judges of late .

At Wakeman's Tryal , those Persons who at former Tryals had been treated with that respect that is due to the King's Evidence , and whose Credit and Reputation had stood clear without exception in all other Tryals , were now not only browbeaten , but their Evidence represented to the Jury , as doubtful , and not to be depended on , and so at all other Tryals of Papists from that time forward . By which many of the greatest Offenders were quitted and cleared as to the Plot , and those that were brought for defaming the King's Evidence , and suborning Witnesses , in order thereto , very kindly treated , and discharged with easie Sentences , especially if Papists ; but if Protestants , though only for Printing or Vending some Unlicensed Book , were imprison'd and largely fined . But I beg leave to particularise in the case of one Care , who was indicted for Printing a weekly Intelligence ▪ called , The Packet of Advice from Rome , or , The History of Popery . This man had a strange knack of writing extraordinary well upon that Subject , and the Paper was by most Persons thought not only very ingenious , but also very useful at this time for the information of the people , because it laid open very intelligibly , the Errours and Cheats of that Church . However upon an Information given to the Court of Kings-Bench against this Care , this Rule was made ,

I think it amounts to little less than a total prohibition of Printing any thing against Popery .

The true English Protestants being thus prevented of having Parliaments to redress their grievances , and secure them against the fears of Popery , as also of Petitioning for Parliaments , or writing for the Protestant Religion , they had recourse to their old way of presenting Grievances by Juries . But advice being given that some great Papists were concern'd in the Presentment , particularly the Duke of York , the Jury was dismist in an extrajudicial manner , and so no remedy in the world allowed for poor Protestants What an Unhappy Star were we born under , that things should be thus carried against us , in the whole course of our Government , whilst we have a wise Protestant King over us ? What may not be expected under a Popish King , if it should be our misfortune to have any ? And therefore I think , Sir , we ought to endeavour to prevent it , by consulting in the first place how to suppress Popery , and prevent a Popish Successor , which is my humble Motion .

Mr. Speaker ,

Sir , you have heard what an influence the Popish Party hath had in the management of all our Affairs of greatest importance , almost ever since his Majesties happy Restauration , how the making of Peace , or War , and foreign Alliances , hath been overruled by that Party , to the great danger of the Nation , and Protestant Religion both at home and abroad . Insomuch as it may be justly feared , that there is a general design to root out that Religion from the face of the Earth , which may not be difficult to be done , if by establishing Popery here , assistance to the Protestants abroad may be prevented , or by destroying the Protestants abroad ( which are so many bulwarks to us ) we should be left to resist alone . You have also heard how that Party hath influenced the Resolutions made touching Parliaments and Affairs here at home . The truth is , Sir , that Interest is crept into our Court , and hath a great power in our Councils , it is crept into our Courts of Justice , and hath a great Command in our Army , our Navy , our Forts , and our Castles , and into all places upon which our security depends . And it is impossible it should be otherwise , as long as we have a Popish Successor , and that party the hopes of a Popish King . And I humbly conceive , that it is very obvions , that as long as that Party hath such a power , not only our Religion , but the life of his Majesty and the whole Government is in danger . And therefore I think we cannot better comply with our duty to our King and Country , than in resolving to use our utmost endeavours to extirpate Popery , and prevent a Popish Successor , and therefore I would desire you would be pleased to put the Question .