First, Whether there be any thing more directly oppofite to the Doctrine and Practice of Jefus Christ, than to use any kind of Force upon Men, in Matters of Religion? And confequently, whether all thofe that practise it (let them be of what Church or Set they pleafe) ought not justly to be called Antichriftians?

Secondly, Whether there can be any thing more unmanly, more barbarous, or more ridiculous, than to go about to convince a Man's Judgment by any thing but by Reafon? It is fo ridiculous, that Boys at School are whipped for it; who, instead of anfwering an Argument with Reafon, are Loggerheads. enough to go to Cuffs.

And, Thirdly, Whether the Practice of it has not always been ruinous and deftructive to those Countries, where it has been used, either in Monarchies, or Common-wealths? And, whether the contrary Practice has not always been successful to those Countries, where it has been used, either in Monarchies, or Common-wealths?

I shall conclude with giving them this friendly Advice- If they would be thought Men of Reason, or of a good Confcience, let them endeavour by their good Counfel, and good Example, to perfuade others to lead fuch Lives as may fave their Souls; and not be perpetually quarrelling amongst themselves, and cutting one another's Throats, about thofe Things which they all agree are not abfolutely neceffary to Salvation.

A true and exact Relation of the Prince of Orange's publick Entrance into Exeter.

S

INCE the Foundation of Monarchy, Imperial Orations, or the Triumphs of the Cæfars, in the Manner, Grandeur and Magnificence of their most Sumptuous Cavalcades, there was never any that exceeded this of the most illuftrious Hero the Prince of Orange his Entrance into Exeter, which was in Manner and Form following:

I. The Right Honourable the Earl of Macclesfield with Two Hundred Horfe, the most Part of which were English Gentlemen, richly mounted on Flanders Steeds, managed and used to War, in Headpieces, Back and Breast, bright Armour.

II. Two Hundred Blacks brought from the Plantations of the Netherlands in America, with embroider'd Caps lined with white Fur, and Plumes of white Feathers, to attend the Horse.

III. Two Hundred Finlanders, or Laplanders, in Bear-Skins, taken from the wild Beafts they had flain, the common Habit of that cold Climate, with black Armour and broad flaming Swords.

IV. Fifty Gentlemen, and as many Pages to attend and support the Prince's Banner, bearing this Infcription, God and the Proteftant Religion.

V. Fifty Led Horfes, all managed and brought up to the Wars, with Two Grooms to each Horse.

VI. After these rode the Prince on a milk-white Palfrey, armed cap-a-pee, a Plume of white Feathers on his Head, in bright Armour, and Forty-two Footmen running by him.

VII. After his Highness followed likewife on Horfeback Two Hundred Gentlemen and Pages.

VIII. Three Hundred Switzers with Fuzees.

IX. Five Hundred Voluntiers, each two led Horses.

X. His Captain and Guards Six Hundred, armed cap-a-pee.

The rest of the Army in the Rear, his Highness with fome principal Officers enter'd the Town, where they were not only received, but entertained with loud Huzza's, Ringing of Bells, Bonfires, and fuch Acclamations of Joy, as the Convenience of the Place and their Abilities could afford.

Now is the Time: A Scheme for a Common-wealth.

T

HE Thing that offers itself in this great Conjuncture is, to have a Grand Committee of Lords and Commons (Forty at leaft from each House) to be as a Privy Council, or Council of State, or governing Senate.

It were to be wished, that Twenty of each Forty might be for Life; and the other Twenty Biennial, Ten going off every Year. Or Half might be changed annually.

Fach Senator or Counsellor to have for his Salary Maintainance one thousand Pounds a Year. This would be fuch an Advancement to the Nobility and Gentry, as England never faw. And the Charge is a Trifle. There is more spent in fome Monarchies upon Hawks, Hounds, and Whores.

The Prince to prefide in this Council or Senate (or fuch Perfon as he fhall appoint in his Stead) and to have Ten Votes at least. He must also be General and Admiral; and must have such further Powers, and fuch a Maintainance or Revenue, as his infinite Merits require; but withall, fuch as are confiftent with the Government he defigns for us. The Prince's Maintainance fhould equal, or exceed, that of all the Senators put together.

All that are of this Council, and all that hope to be (that is, all the confiderable Men of the Nation) will by this Means be firm to the Prince. And fo will thofe others who have the great Privilege of chufing them, whereby they may have Confidence in their Adminiftration. And this one Thing will give the Frince fo ftrong an Intereft, that he needs fear no Pretenfion that can be against him. It will be better than a Standing Army: The Neceffity whereof nothing can prevent, but iuch a Standing Council.

The Parliament to be chofen Triennially, and to meet Annually.

It is believed that fuch a Conftitution as this would effectually fecure us (according to the Prince's good Intentions) from Popery and Tyranny. And the Prince will be the glorious Author of the Britannick Liberty, as his as his great Grandfather was of the Belgick. The Genoefe to this Day adore the Memory of Andrew Doria, who chofe rather to make them a Free State, than to be their

Prince.

Prince. Barely to change our Mafter, would but revive the Feuds of York and Lancaster, and involve us in the like Calamities.

These Things to continue but during the Life of the King, and not to prejudice a Proteftant Succeffor.

A True LIST of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, fummoned by the Letter of his Highness the Prince of Orange, to meet at Westminster the 22d Day of January, 1688-9.

His Highness the Prince of Orange's Letter to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, aflembled at Westminster in this present Convention, January the 22d, 1688-9.

I

My Lords,

Have endeavoured, to the utmost of my Power, to perform what was defired from me, in order to the publick Peace and Safety; and I do not know that any thing hath been omitted which might tend to the Prefervation of them, fince the Adminiftration of Affairs was put into my Hands: It now lieth upon you to lay the Foundations of a firm Security for your Religion, your Laws, and your Liberties.

I do not doubt but that by fuch a full and free Representative of the Nation as is now met, the Ends of my Declaration will be attained: And fince it hath pleafed God hitherto to blefs my good Intentions with fo great Succefs, I trust in him that he will complete his own Work, by fending a Spirit of Peace and Union to influence your Counfels, that no Interruption may be given to an happy and lasting Settlement.

The dangerous Condition of the Proteftant Interest in Ireland requiring a large and speedy Succour, and the prefent State of Things abroad, oblige me to tell you, That next to the Danger of unfeasonable Divifions amongst yourselves, nothing can be fo fatal as too great Delay in your Confultations: The States, by whom I have been enabled to refcue this Nation, may fuddenly feel the ill Effects of it, both by being too long deprived of the Service of their Troops which are now here, and of your early Affiftance against a powerful Enemy who hath declared War against them: And as England is by Treaty already engaged to help them upon any fuch Exigencies, fo I am confident that their chearful Concurrence to preferve this Kingdom, with fo much Hazard to themfelves, will meet with all the Returns of Friendship and Affiftance which may be expected from you as Proteftants and Englishmen, whenever their Condition fhall require it.

Given at St. James's this 22d Day of January, 1688-9.

To the Lords Spiritual and

Temporal, affembled at

Westminster in this

prefent Convention.

Will. H. P. d'Orange...

The