There has not been any point, perhaps, in the whole Tract of _English Story_, either so dangerous to be mistaken in, or so difficult, and yet so necessary to be understood, as the Mystery of this detestable _Plot_ now in Agitation. (A Judgement for our Sins, augmented by our Follies,) But the world is so miserably divided betwixt some that will believe every thing, and others nothing that not only _Truth_, but _Christianity_ it self is almost lost between them; and no place left for Sobriety and Moderation. We are come to govern our selves by Dreams and Imaginations; We make every _Coffee-house Tale_ an Article of our Faith; and from Incredible Fables we raise Invincible Arguments. A man must be fierce and violent to get the Reputation of being _Well-affected_; as if the calling of one another _Damned Heretique_, and _Popish Dog_, were the whole Sum of the Controversie. And what's all this, but the effect of a Popular Licence and Appeal? When every Mercenary Scribler shall take upon him to handle matters of Faith, and State; give Laws to Princes; and every Mechanique sit Judge upon the Government! Were not these the very Circumstances of the late _Times_? When the Religious Jugglers from all Quarters fell in with the Rabble, and managed them, as it were, by a certain sleight of hand: The _Rods_ were turned into _Serpents_ on both sides, and the Multitude not able to say, which was _Aaron_, and which the _Enchanter_. Let us have a Care of the same Incantation over again, Are we not under the protection of a Lawfull Authority? Nor was there ever any thing more narrowly Sifted, or more vigorously discouraged, then this _Conspiracy_. _Reformation_ is the proper business of _Government_ and _Council_, but when it comes to work once at the wrong End, there is nothing to be expected from it, but _Tumult_ and _Convulsion_. A Legal and Effectual provision against the Danger of _Romish Practices_ and _Errours_, will never serve Their Turn, whose Quarrel is barely to the _Name_ of _Popery_, without understanding the Thing it self. And if there were not a _Roman Catholick_ left in the three Kingdoms, they would be never the better satisfied, for where they cannot find Popery, they will make it: nay and be troubled too that they could not _find_ it. It is no new thing for a Popular Outcry, in the matter of _Religion_, to have a _State-Faction_ in the belly of it. The first late Clamour was against _Downright Popery_; and then came on _Popishly Affected_; (_That_ sweeps all.) The _Order of Bishops_, _and the Discipline of the Church_ took their Turns next; and the next blow was at the _Crown_ it self; when every Man was made a _Papist_ that would not play the Knave and the Fool, for Company, with the Common People.