4. The wayes of obstruction and opposition, by which that Progresse hath been interrupted.
5. The courses to be taken for the removing those obstacles, and for the accomplishing of our most dutifull and faithfull intentions, and endeavors, of restoring and establishing the ancient Honour, Greatnesse, and Security of this Crown and Nation. The root of all this mischief We finde to be a malignant and pernitious designe of subverting the Fundamentall Lawes, and principles of Government; upon which the Religion, and Justice of this Kingdom are firmly establisht. The Actors and Promoters hereof have been,
1. The Jesuited Papists who hate the Laws, as the Obstacles of that change and Subversion of Religion, which they so much long for.
2. The Bishops, and the corrupt part of the Clergie, who cherish formality and superstition, as the naturall effects, and more probable supports of their own Ecclesiasticall Tyranny, and Usurpation.
3. Such Councellors and Courtiers, as for private ends have engaged themselves to further the intrests of some forraign Princes or States, to the prejudice of His Majesty, and the state at home.
The common Principles by which they moulded and governed all their particular Councells and actions were these.
First, To maintain continuall differences and discontents betwixt the King and the People, upon questions and Prerogative, and liberty, that so they might have the advantage of sideing with him, and under the Notions of Men addicted to his service, gain to themselves and their parties, the places of greatest trust and power in the Kingdom.
A Second, To suppresse the purity and power of Religion, and such persons as were best affected to it; as being contrary to their own ends, and the greatest impediment to that change, which they thought to introduce.
A Third, To conjoyn those parties of the Kingdom, which were most propitious to their own ends, and to divide those who were most opposite, which consisted in many particular observations to cherish the Arminian part in those points, wherein they agree with the Papists, to multiply and enlarge the differences betwixt the common Protestants, and those whom they call Puritans, to introduce and countenance such opinions and Ceremonies as are fittest for accommodation with Popery, to encrease and maintain ignorance, loosenesse, and prophanenesse in the people: That of those three parties, Papists, Arminians and Libertines, they might compose a body fit to act such Counsells and resolutions, as were most conducible to their own ends.