The Ground of his Accusation.
Look, ye here, 'tis pag. 18. in L'Estrange's Impression, and 'tis pag. 15. in this; and here's the Point [Their Loyalty and Good service paid to the King (says the Appealer speaking of the Papists) was meerly in their own Defence.] Now see L'Estrange's Reply upon it, If it lies (says he) as a Reproach upon them that they did then not serve the King out of Loyalty; that which they did, was yet better then not serving him at all; and better in a Higher degree still, then Fighting against him. And a little after. It is worth the Observation, that not a man drew his Sword in the opposite Cause who was not a Known Separatist; and that on the Other side, not one Schismatick ever struck stroke in the Kings Quarrell.
And now for your Notes upon his Answer, they are so silly, that it were Ridiculous to Reply upon 'um [who knows (says he) but the Regicides were Papists in disguise, pag. 19.] And a deal of such senselesse stuff; enough to turn a bodies Stomach. And if you'd inform your self of his Malice; look ye here pag. 4. p. 9. and p. 33 how he Palliates, if not Justifies, the Late Rebellion, the Murther of the Arch-Bishop of St. Andrews, and the drawing of the Sword against the King.
Briefly, 'tis an Insipid Bawling piece of Foolery, from One end to the Other. And it is not but that I highly approve of your Zeal for the Discovery of the Plot, and Suppressing of Popery, but we are not yet to Trample upon Laws, and Publique Orders, for the attaining even of those Glorious ends.
But now I think on't; deal freely with me; did you really go to the Registers ye spake of, to furnish Names for your Subscriptions?
Citt. No; That was but a Flourish: but all the Rest we Literally did.
A gross Cheat upon the Nation.
True. Are not you Conscious to your selves of your Iniquities? who made You a Commissioner for the Town, or You for the Country? But we are like to have a fine business of it, when the Dreggs of the People set up for the Representatives of the Nation; to the Dishonour of the most Considerable, and Sober part of the Kingdome. Pre'thee Bumpkin, with thy Poles, and Baltiques, how shouldst thou come to understand the Ballance of Empires? who are Delinquents, and who not? the Right of Bishops Votes? And You (forsooth) are to Teach the King when to call a Parliament, and when to let it alone. And are not you a fine Fool i'the mean time, to Drudg for the Faction that Sets ye on, to be afterwards made a slave for your pains?
Lewd Practises of the Faction.
And then for You, Citt, with your Mouldy Records, your Coordinate Estates, and your Sovereign Power of the People. Do not I know all your Fallacies, your Shifts, and Hiding-holes? There's not one step you set, but I can trace you in't: You have your Spies upon all Libraries, as well as Conversations; your Agents for the procuring of old Manuscripts, and Records, and for the Falsifying of New ones, to make them look like Old Ones. Nay, the Papers of State themselves had much ado to scape ye. Those that assert the Just Rights of the Crown, you either Bury or Conceal; only Publishing the Presidents of Seditious Times, in Vindication of such Principles.