As to some of the Protestants _Design of old to exclude King ~James~ from
inheriting the Crown_, as is here mentioned; The _Bill of Exclusion_, as
it was the result of the Counsels of those who saw no other way at that
time to save _Us_ from Popery and Slavery; so it’s a question, Whether
it had not been better for that Prince that that Bill had taken effect.
For it seems to me, a far greater misfortune, to be once upon a Throne,
and to put a necessity on the Nation to dethrone him, than never to have
been suffer’d once to sit down upon it; And I believe that unhappy Prince
thinks so himself, by this time. So that the Papists have no great reason
to blame the Protestants upon that head.
As to the Treacherous Plots and Designs contriv’d by some of the
Protestants to _take away the life King ~James~, and of his Royal
Brother_, Alas! We all know where this Plot was coyn’d; who they were
that brought it upon the Stage; and to what end.
This Protestant Plot here hinted at, was thought upon by the Popish Party
then at Court, as the only proper means to stifle for good and all the
_Popish one_; And what _Villanies, Perjuries, Subornations, Lyes and
Murthers_, were put in practice at that time, none in _England_ can be
ignorant. It could be wish’d, That for the honour of the Nation, and
for the honour both of the _Bar_, and of the _Bench_, these things were
buried in perpetual oblivion.
The Insinuation at the end of this Paragraph, That _if those Protestants
shall help King ~James~ to regain his Crowns, it will proceed only from a
motive of temporal Interest_; I believe may be very true in some sense.
For certainly nothing but a _false shew of temporal Interest_ can ever
prevail with a Protestant to bring back King _James_; since he must make
account to lose thereby all _spiritual Interests_, viz. those of his own
Religion, Conscience and immortal Soul; And these he must necessarily
resolve to part with at the very moment he brings back that Prince to
the _English_ Throne. But yet it’s but a false shew of temporal Interest
at the best; For not only the Ruine of his Religion, but that of his
_Property and Liberty_ must attend King _James_ his Return. It’s then
we must submit our selves either to a _French Yoak_, or a _Yoak after a
French Model_; And then farewell for ever the Liberties and Properties of
the Subjects of _England_.
That these Protestants (who the Memorial confesses from a temporal
Interest only would help King _James_ to regain his Crown) _should have
no regard to any Establishment He should make in ~Ireland~ in favour of
the Roman-Catholick Religion and Clergy_: I hope it’s not true of them.
And if it be so, They are the unhappiest and most hateful Wretches upon
Earth, as being willing for their trifling Interests to sacrifice a whole
Kingdom to _Rome_.