Now to shew ye that I gave good heed to your Discourse, I'le run over the Heads of it as you deliver'd them. First, for _Committees_, and _Grand Committees_, what are they compounded of, but _Republicans_, and _Separatists_, a Medly of People disaffected both to _Church_ and _State_? This you cannot deny; and that they would not suffer any man otherwise affected, to mingle with them. Now beside the _scandal_, and _Ill Example_ of such _Irregular Conventions_, whoever considers their _Principles_, may reasonably conclude upon their _Designs_: For they are wiser, I hope, then to lay their Heads together to destroy themselves. _Citt._ But it is hard, if _Protestants_ may not meet as well as Other People. _True._ Yes, _Protestants_ may meet, but not in the quality of _Conspirators_, no more then _Conspirators_, may meet under the _Cloak_, and _colour_ of _Protestants_. The intent of the _Meeting_ is matter of _State_, and you turn it off, to a point of _Religion_. _Citt._ But is it not matter of _Religion_ to joyn in a _Petition_ for the meeting of a _Parliament_, to bring _Malefactors_ to a _Tryall_, and to _extirpate Popery_? What Petitions warrantable and what not. _True._ Such a Petition as you Instance in, is in the appearance of it, not only _Lawfull_, but _Commendable_; But then it must be promoted by _Lawfull means_, and under _Decent Circumstances_. 'Tis a good thing to _Preach_, or C_atechize_, but it is not for a _Lay-man_ presently to pluck the _Parson_ out of the _Desk_, or _Pulpit_, that he himself may do the Office. It is a Good thing to execute _Justice_, but yet _a private man_ must not invade the _Judgment-Seat_, though it were to passe even the most _Righteous Sentence_. _Citt._ The King may chuse whether he'l _Grant_ or no; So that without invading _His Right_ we only claim the _Liberty_ of _Presenting_ the _Request_. No Petition to be press'd after Prohibition. _True._ That may be well enough at _First_; but still, after _One Refusal_, and That with a _Publick Interdict_ on the Neck on't, forbidding the pursuance of it; such a _Petition_ is not by any means to be _Repeated_. _First_, out of _Respect_ to _Regal Authority_: _Secondly_, as the _King_ is the _Sole Judge_ of the matter: _Thirdly_, upon the _Importunity_, it is not so properly _Desiring_ of a thing, as _Tugging_ for it. _Fourthly_, It tends many ways to the Diminution of his Majesties _Honour_, in case it be Obtain'd: For it implys, either _Levity_, or _Fear_; or (to make the best on't) the _King_ confers the _Obligation_, and the _Heads of the Petition_ receive the _Thanks_. Now adde to all this, the _suborning_ of _Subscriptions_, and the _Inflaming_ of _Parties_, what can be more _Undutifull_ or _Dangerous_? _Citt._ But do not you find many _Honest_ and _Considerable men_ concern'd in these _Petitions_? The Nation poyson'd with False Principles. The Injustice of our Common Wealthsmen.