How great a hand this treacherous and bloody generation amongst us, have long had in the miseries of other Reformed Churches, in the destruction of the Palatinate; and in the betraying and, loss of Rochelle, and how, by seeming overtures of Ambassies and Treaties for their relief, they have fomented, continued, and increased their calamities; are so fully known by you all, and miserably felt by some of your selves, that we need not speak any thing of them. And we suppose their inveterate hatred against you all, is sufficiently manifested, in that multitudes of them have refused to acknowledge any of you for Churches of Christ, because you are not Prelatical, and thereby (as they conceive) want ⟨p. 3⟩a lawful Vocation of Ministers. Sure we are, that amongst our selves in all these three Kingdoms, they have prevailed so far in advancing Popery, and depressing Religion, that it would require a Volume, rather than a Letter, to relate all the particulars. Scarce one thing can be thought upon, which may be supposed to be an argument of any intent to set up Popery, and even extirpate the true Reformed Religion, but we could give you abundant instances, that they have not only attempted, but in great measure prevailed for the putting thereof in execution. All the good and just Laws of this Kingdom against Papists, (concerning their lives, liberties, and goods) suspended; Judges prohibited to proceed against condemned Priests; and even Jesuits set free: Houses of Superstition in Ireland and England set up, and not discountenanced: (beside the seldom or never questioned transportation of many young persons to Seminaries in foreign parts) Notorious Papists, contrary to known Laws, permitted to come to Court, to reside there, and enjoy the favour and preferment of it: Multitudes of them released from legal Penalties for time past, and time to come; Prosecutors of them checked and discountenanced; Agents sent from hence into Italy; Nuncios and Agents from Rome received and treated with; such as warped that way, cherished and advanced; the most zealous Ministers & Professors of Religion bitterly persecuted.
How great a hand this treacherous and bloody generation amongst us, have long had in the miseries of other Reformed Churches, in the destruction of the Palatinate; and in the betraying and, losse of Rochell, and how, by seeming overtures of Ambassies and Treaties for their reliefe, they have fomented, continued, and encreased their calamities; are so fully known by you all, and miserably felt by some of your selves, that we need not speak any thing of them. And we suppose their inveterate hatred against you all, is sufficiently manifested, in that multitudes of them have refused to acknowledge any of you for Churches of Christ, because you are not Prelaticall, and thereby (as they conceive) want ⟨p. 3⟩a lawfull Vocation of Ministers. Sure wee are, that amongst our selves in all these three Kingdomes, they have prevailed so farre in advancing Popery, and depressing Religion, that it would require a Volume, rather than a Letter, to relate all the particulars. Scarce one thing can bee thought upon, which may bee supposed to bee an argument of any intent to set up Popery, and even extirpate the true Reformed Religion, but wee could give you abundant instances, that they have not onely attempted, but in great measure prevailed for the putting thereof in execution. All the good and just Laws of this Kingdome against Papists, (concerning their lives, liberties, and goods) suspended; Judges prohibited to proceed against condemned Priests; and even Jesuites set free: Houses of Superstition in Ireland and England set up, and not discountenanced: (beside the seldome or never questioned transportation of many young persons to Seminaries in foraine parts) Notorious Papists, contrary to known Laws, permitted to come to Court, to reside there, and enjoy the favour and preferment of it: Multitudes of them released from legall Penalties for time past, and time to come; Prosecuters of them checked and discountenanced; Agents sent from hence into Italy; Nuntioes and Agents from Rome received and treated with; such as warped that way, cherished and advanced; the most zealous Ministers & Professors of Religion bitterly persecuted.
