Cain and Abel malignity that is, enmity to serious godliness, that is, to an…

And I fear not to add, that were the Papists in my power (as I never did) I never would use any inhumanity or cruelty towards them; yea, I would use no Offensive, but only Defensive force against them; nor hurt one of them, further than they made it necessary for the Defence of the Land, or those whom they would hurt.

I knew not till a Book called The Liberties of England lately told me, how many very severe Laws are against them. I am no Judge of the times that they were made in, nor of their occasions: But I think that of late they have done more hurt than good: For 1. Some of them seem too severe. 2. Some I cannot prove to be justifiable; viz. Those which would compel them to come to our Sacramental Communion, when many a good Minister would not receive them if they came: And that which excommunicateth them that never were of our Communion: And that which layeth the Excommunicate as such in prison, &c. 3. It greatly tendeth to misinform Foreigners, who seeing these Laws, think they are all put in Execution; and so believe those that tell them, that the Catholics here are under constant Cruelties, and frequent Martyrdoms; whenas I never in all my life knew of one Papist that suffered so much for his Religion, as I have done my self, within these few years past, though my sufferings ⟨p. 63⟩are so small as to be no meet matter of very great complaint. 4. These Laws being a continual danger to them (should there be Governors that would execute them) doth put them on continual plotting and striving against them. Sufferings, or great dangers, put men by fear upon self-defence, and the utmost endeavours for deliverance, who would be more quiet if they found themselves in safety; and though their Clergy would be still plotting the recovery of the Papal power, to subject King and Kingdom to the Sacred King of Rome, yet the Laity would be less against the common Peace, when they found that it was their own Peace.

I knew not till a Book called The Liberties of England lately told me, how many very severe Laws are against them. I am no Judge of the times that they were made in, nor of their occasions: But I think that of late they have done more hurt than good: For 1. Some of them seem too severe. 2. Some I cannot prove to be justifiable; viz. Those which would compel them to come to our Sacramental Communion, when many a good Minister would not receive them if they came: And that which excommunicateth them that never were of our Communion: And that which layeth the Excommunicate as such in prison, &c. 3. It greatly tendeth to misinform Forreigners, who seeing these Laws, think they are all put in Execution; and so believe those that tell them, that the Catholicks here are under constant Cruelties, and frequent Martyrdoms; whenas I never in all my life knew of one Papist that suffered so much for his Religion, as I have done my self, within these few years past, though my sufferings