trary to their excellent laws, rendered their execution intolerable? And was not Hannibal's army a prey to their own idleness and pleasure; which, by effeminating their natures, conquered them, when the whole power of Rome could not do it? What else betrayed Rome to Cæsar's ambition, and made way for the after-rents and divisions of the empire; the merit, as well as conquest and inheritance, of a well-governed people for several ages, as long as their manners lasted? The Jews likewise were prosperous, while they kept “ the judgments and statutes of their God;” but when they became rebellious and diffolute, the Almighty either visited them from heaven, or exposed them to the fury of their neighbours. Nothing else sent Zedekiah to Babylon, and gave him and the people a victim to Nebuchadnezzar and his army.

Neglect of laws, and diffolute living,', Andrew Horne, who lived in the time of Edward the First, as before cited, tells us, was the cause of the miserable (thraldom and defolation the Britons sustained by in• vaders and conquerors.' And pray, what else hath been the English of our sweeping pestilence, dreadful fires, and outrageous factions of late years? Hundreds of examples might be brought in this cafe; but their frequency shall excuse me.

Thus have I honestly and plainly cleared my conscience for my country; and answered, I hope, modestly, and though briefly, yet fully, the import of the question propounded, with honour to the inagistrate, and safety to the people, by an happy conjunction of their interests. I shall conclude,

That as greater honour and wisdom cannot well be attributed to any sort of men, than for our superiors, under their circumstances, to be fought to by all perfuafions, confided in by all persuasions, and obeyed by all persuasions, and to make those persuasions know that it is their interest so to do, as well as that it is the interest of our superiors they should, and to which the expedients proposed naturally tend ; so, for a farther inducement to embrace it, let them be constantly

R 4

remembered, that the interest of our English governors is like to stand longer upon the legs of the English people than of the English church; since the one takes in the strength of all interests, and the other leaves out all but her own: and it may happen that the English church may fail, or go travel again; but it is not probable that the English people should do either ; especially while property is preserved, a balance kept, general religion propagated, and the world continues.

May all this prevail with our superiors to make the best use of their little time: remembering, in the midst of all their power and grandeur, that they carry mortality about them, and are equally liable to the scrutiny and judgment of the last day, with the poorest peasant; and that they have a great stewardship to account for: so that moderation and virtue being their course, they, for the future, shall steer, after having faithfully discharged that great trust reposed in them, by God and this free people, they may, with comfort to their souls, and honour to their names and actions, safely anchor in the haven of eternal blessed. ness: so prays, with much sincerity,

An English Christian man,

And their true friend,

WILLIAM PENN,

A COROL

HAT the people are under a great dissatisfac

tion: that the way to quiet differences, and render contrary interests subservient to the interest of the government, is,

1

First, To maintain inviolably the rights of it, viz, liberty and property, legislation and juries, without neglect. That nighting and infringing them hath been the injury of prince and people, and early or late the ruin of the contrivers of so ill designs; and when all has been done, the only expedient has been, to come back again to English law. This takes in all, pleases all, because it fecures and profits all. Sacrificing privileges for the sake of conformity, makes a breach upon the civil government, alienates the people's affections from their prince, lodges property in the church, so as none can come at it, but through obedience to her rites, for she at this rate has the keeping of it; a thing unknown, as well as unsafe, to the ancient English government.

2dly, That the prince govern himself upon a balance towards all religious interests: that this best poizes parties to his security, renders him master of an universal affection, and makes him truly and safely prince of all his country: but the contrary course narrows his justice and mercy, makes the government to shine bưt upon one part of the kingdom; to be just but to one party, and disinherit the rest from their birthright: that this course ends in great disadvantage to the peace, plenty, and safety of prince and people.

3dly, and lastly, Instead of being uncharitable, severe and cruel for modifications, let the debate about them seep, and general and practical religion be promoted, that which receives an amen in every man's conscience, from the principle of divine life (as the

lord keeper well called it) in every breast; that all agree in the most weighty doctrines; and that nothing will sooner sweeten mens blood, and mollify their natures, than employing that time and pains they bestow on fruitless contests, in living up to what they both know, believe, and accord in: that this leaves men to keep company with their own comments, and makes the text only sacred, and holy living necessary, not only to heavenly but earthly places, I mean preferinents : whence virtue becomes the door to favour, and conscience (now fmothered in the croud of sinister interests) the noble rule of living.

God Almighty, if it please him, beget noble resolutions in the hearts of our superiors to use these plain and safe expedients; that charity may supplant cruelty, contest yield to good life, and present distances meet in a just and kind neighbourhood.

Great and honourable is that prince, and free and happy that people, where these things take place.

WILLIAM PENN.

A LETTER

A

L Ε Τ Τ Ε R

TO THE

PRINCESS and COUNTESS,*

AT

HERTFORD in GERMANY.

Published in the Year 1676.

ESUS be with your spirits; the immaculate Lamb

of God, and glorious light of the world, his pure Spirit redeem you from the evil and ignorance that are in it, and replenish you with his everlasting righteousness, whose end is peace and assurance for ever

more.

Noble of this world, but more noble for your enquiry after the truth, and love to it, the fame whereof hath founded to the ears of some of us in this island, whom God hath made both his certain witneffes and messengers, through many and great tribulations, eternal, heavenly praises to his holy and powerful name, who lives and reigns over all principalities, and powers, and thrones, and dominions for ever.

I have had you, worthy women, often in my remembrance, with that honour which is not of this world ;

• Princess Elizabeth of the Rhine, and Anna Maria de Hornes, countess of Hornes,