HEE That goes about to end a Controversie , must consider the originall , lest like a bad Physitian , he hurts where he might heale . This disease that now spreads it selfe over all the kingdome , nay , over two kingdomes ( and mist the third but narrowly ) hath been growing a long time , indeed so long , and hath now got such strength in the whole Body , that the prime Doctors in the kingdome are pussled in the cure .

We have been here in England ( of old ) almost generally Papists , Hinc illae lacrimae , this is the roote of all : it is a pleasant Religion , and nothing in the world so hard to part with as pleasure , though we finde it hurtfull to us , but when it comes countenanced with the highest authority , when protected with the awfull name of Religion , no wonder though it be highly affected , and hardly avoided .

Now the kingdome in hope of a cure , hath taken the potion , which workes with such vehemencie , that without some sudden help from heaven , there is small hope of recoverie .

The Protestant and Papist are at this difference , the Papist will be a Protestant , but the Protestant will be no Papist ; now if they would but joyne and make a medlie , the businesse were ended .

But the quarrell ( as absolute as ancient ) growes strong and terrible , the Protestant pleads Law , the Papist Antiquity : the first goes a faire way to worke , not transcending the bounds of Justice and Conscience , the other bends all his endeavours by close plots and policies to undermine and blow up all opposition , for the re-establishing of their ancient ( as you call it ) Idolatry , and the utter ruine and confusion of the other ; but failing so long , notwithstanding so many damnable conspiracies , and projects , they have now brought it to an open War , and how they have handled their hammers in the businesse , may easily appeare by the fashion of their worke .

Scotland miraculously shifting the stroke of their malice , they presently sent the devill their agent into Ireland , where he hath since bestirred himselfe , so that all men may guesse what house he came of . And lest England should rescue the Protestants there , and so mar their market , they have used the matter so , that we are hardly able to defend our selves at home ; nay ▪ they are so void , aswell of shame as grace , that they openly exclaime against all that doe not approve of their practise , by suffering their throats to be cut without opposition : Neither is this all , they have conjured a multitude of deboised and igno●●nt spirits with the words of Roundhead and Puritan , to side with them in the action , and so together they endeavour by pulling downe the whole building , to cause a generall ruine .

But alas , what 's all this ? This we know is done , but how have they done this ? Or how doe they hope to maintaine it ? O now I must be silent , and yet I cannot ; In Ireland they plead an unpattern'd Authority , for their unparalel'd villany , the Kings broad Seale to kill by ; but suppose that be counterfeit ; here they have both his Seale and himselfe , they fight under his owne Colours and countenance , and had his Standard too , if they could have kept it .

Thus they run raging through the Countries with authority in their mouthes , and cruelty in their hearts , robbing and pillaging according to Law ( for that they have too , as well as conscience and honesty ) and where they overcome , all that oppose them in protection of their Estates , are railed at and upbraided as Traytors , for fighting against their King ; thus they make it Treason for honest men to keep themselves from robbing : And still in this order they lay all their Villanies upon that name that ought to stand a bar betwixt bad men and their actions , and are not ashamed to make him a party in that that wee are ashamed to speake of : But lest I should seeme to know more then I doe , I le speak lesse then I ought . The name of a King alters the course of our discourse , and turnes the current of conference .

Thus you see into what State these Romish Renegadoes have brought us , and by it may perceive what they further intend to doe if they be suffered ; no doubt they resolve this their last businesse , they have set up their rest , put their hopes and feares in the Scale , and will either be all , or nothing .

Now though they have pillaged many of us of our goods , if they have not utterly robbed the rest of us of our braines and judgements , let us not suffer them to run on in those base courses , but rather chuse to change lives with them then Religions . O but they fight for the Protestant Religion ; Yes , as theeves upon the high way fight for a Purse , to take it from us ; this is the true sense of their fighting for the Protestant Religion : we still remember how this Religion was fought for at the I le of Ree , and Rochell by our innocent Countrymen , where above 30000. poor Protestants were cousoned of their lives , a pretty peece of service ; But this was done abroad and concerned another Nation ; the action did indeed , but the plot reacht to London , and hath still an influence upon these actions ; for if the same Religion were aimed at , what neede any fighting , why should men kill one another without cause or quarrell ? But since we know their hearts , since their plots are now so apparant , their malice so open , and their mischiefe so fell , how can we be silent , why should we be patient ? This were the way to make us guilty of our owne ruines , and render them lesse odious ; thus we should lose our fames with our lives , and leave the living in worse case then the dead . No , mischiefe must not be met with mildnesse ; let us not die slaves , that were borne free men , let us according to Law and Conscience leave that to our children that was left us by our fathers , and if men love Truth , the Gospell , our Lawes , our Fames , and Freedomes , let 's shew it by our actions . But our Opposites are great and many ; why should we be frighted , either with their names or numbers , we ought not to consider how many , but how just they are , for might consists not in multitude , they have the greatest strength that have the ebst cause . On then brave Countrimen , take up such weapons as you have , if yee have not such as yee would , and suffer not your selves to bee co opt up in your owne Townes and houses , least the insulting enemy devoure your foode before your faces , whilst you look on and starve ; leave then your habitations to your wives and smalest children , if you wish their safeties , and like an inundation runne upon the Rebell ; in the meane time , least you should feare a backe blow , a private robbery , let me tell you , there can be no danger that way , for the Popish Armies have gleaned up all the Theeves in the Countrie . By ventring your lives thus , there will be hope to preserve them , and spending part of your meanes , the rest will be out of danger . But why should you be intreated to secure that yee love dearest , your lives , why to defend that that preserves your lives , your estates ; why , to keepe that maintaines you , your estates , your freedomes , for in the losse of one ye lose all ; besides , if you betray your selves , ye betray your wives , children , and families , your kindred , friends and neighbours , and not be resolute in defence of all is to betray all ; and how will your fames come off , when it shall in the Chronicle of , this preposterous age be published , that such a Country , such and such men fell off , cried craven , and turned cowards , to the dammage and danger of the whole , in such a cause as this ? Is it not better that you meete death with honour , then with infamy , and to have it reported to our posterity that ye died bravely in the cause of God , and your Countrie , then cowards and betraiers ? Besides , consider your strength , you have Truth and Religion on your sides , the Lawes and liberties , and Parliament on your sides , all good and honest men on your sides , the hope of preserving your lives and liberties , your estates , wives and families , and fames to all eternitie ; and doubt not but you shall have God and a good conscience to attend you to the houre of death .