Monday , the 29th . of April , 1678 , these following Reasons were agreed to be used at a Conference with the LORDS , concerning the Dangers the Nation is in by the Growth of Popery .

THE House of Commons taking into serious Consideration the Dangers arising to this Kingdom from the restless Endeavours of Priests and Jesuites , and other Popish Recusants , to subvert the True Religion planted amongst us , and to reduce us again under the Bondage of Roman Superstition and Idolatry , and finding how great boldness they have assumed to themselves from the great remissness and connivance of his Majesty's Officers and Ministers of Justice , both Civil and Ecclesiastical , whereby so many good and necessary Laws , heretofore made against them , have not , of late times , been put in any Effectual Execution :

They do therefore think it requisite to apply some Remedy to this growing Evil , especially at this time wherein the Unity of Affections and the mutual Confidence between his Majesty and his People , doth so much conduce to the Preservation of the whole Kingdom . And because they have found by Experience that all those Applycati●ledge●ns they have formerly made upon this Subject , have not produced ny Effects answerable to their Expectations , they have endeavoured 〈◇〉 discover the Causes and Grounds thereof , which they conceive are ●rincipally these .

1. The difficulty of convincing a Romish Priest by proving their Ordinations by Authority derived from the Sea of Rome , which makes them more confident to appear in Publick , and perform their Offices and Functions without fear of punishment .

2. That Justices of the Peace are discouraged , because several of those that have been forward in executing the Laws against Papists , in such Countries where they do most abound , have been turned out of Commission , without any apparent Cause , whilst others who have been Popishly inclined , have been continued in Commission , or , put in de Novo .

3. That in several Countries many Protestant Discenters have been Indicted under the Notion of Popish Recusants , and the Penalties of the Laws levyed upon such Protestant Discenters , when the Papists there have been either totally , or for the most part discharged .

4. That the Papists do evade the Penalties of the Laws , by making over their Estates by secret Trusts and fraudulent Conveyances , yet receiving the Profits of them to their own Use and Benefit , whereas in former times considerable Sums of Money were raised by the Forfitures of Popish Recusants ; That now , by the Remissness of some and Discouragements of others of his Majesties Officers and Ministers of Justice , little or nothing is levied upon them , or likely to be levyed hereafter , unless the care thereof be committed to persons Commissionated in the several Countries , and the Money arising thereof applyed to some Publick Use , for the Advancement of the Protestant Religion , which may encourage persons to see it Executed .

5. That Persons are not discouraged to bring up their Children , or suffer them to be bred up in the Popish Religion , because they are as capable of Inheriting the Estates of their Parents or Relations , as any other of his Majesties Subjects .

The Commons do therefere most earnestly desire your Lordships to consider the Danger and sad Consequences that may befall this Kingdom by the Spreading of that Religion amongst us , and seriously and cordially to joyn with them in removing these and all other Impediments which obstruct the Course of Justice and the due Execution of the Laws , either by Expediting those Remedies , which have been offered by them to your Lordships , or by proposing such others as may be more Effectual , and that this may be done with all Expeditio●● because the Commons cannot think it suitable to their Trust for them 〈◇〉 consent to lay any further Charge upon the People , how urgent soe●●● the Occasions may be that require it , till their minds be satisfied 〈◇〉 all Care and Dilligence is used to secure the Kingdom , and prevent 〈◇〉 dangers that may arise from the prevalency and countenance that is given to that Party , by some more effectual Course than hath been provided .

Examinatur per me , Will . Goldesbrough , Cler . Dom . Com .

Saturday , May the 4th . 1678 , The House of Commons passed these Votes following .

Resolved , That the League Offensive and Defensive with the States General of the United Provinces , with the Articles thereunto , are not pursuant to the Adresses of this House , nor consistent with the Good and Safety of the Kingdom .

Resolved , That it is the Opinion of this House , that his Majesty be humbly Advised and Desired forthwith to enter into the present Alliances and Confederations with the Emperor , King of Spain , and States General of the United Provinces for the Vigorous carrying on of a War against the French , and for the Good and Safety of his Majesty and his Kingdoms . Particularly that all Endeavours be used for continuing the States General of the United Provinces in the said Confederacy , and that it be agreed by all the said Parties Confederated , to prohibit all Trade between the Subjects , Countries and Dominions of the French King ; That no Commodities of France or Dominions of the French King be Imported into their Countries from any place whatsoever . And also that all other Endeavours be used to Invite all other Princes and States into the said Confederation ; And that no Truce or Peace be made with the French King by his Majesty , or any of the Confederates without the common consent of All the said Parties .

This Seasonable Advice being by Order of the House presented to his Majesty that Evening , produced this Answer following on Monday Morning .