A Letter from a Jesuit in Paris to his correspondent in London showing the most effectual way to ruin the government and the Protestant Religion. 1679. On March 21st, 1678/9, it was ordered by the House of Commons that Jonathan Edwyn, living at the Three Roses, in Redcross Street, be immediately sent for to give the House an account by what authority he published this and the preceding pamphlet. The next day, on Mr. Hills being called in, he informed the House that he printed them by order of the Lord Treasurer; and a Committee was appointed to consider of these two pamphlets, and to report their opinions to the House. On the 26th, the House was informed that Doctor John Nelson was the author of the Letter from a Jesuit in Paris; he was therefore ordered to be sent for.[201] 242. The long Parliament dissolved. For publishing this book, one J. Brown was brought to trial, and sentenced to pay a fine of 1000 marks, bound to good behaviour for seven years, and his name struck out of the roll of attorneys, without any offence alleged in his said vocation. Not being able to pay this fine, he lay in prison for three years till he was pardoned and restored to his place of attorney by royal warrant dated 15th December, 1679. The information does not appear to be entered on the Judgment Rolls, but Howell[202] extracts from the book the following words upon which the prosecution was founded:-- _Nor let any man think it strange, that we account it treason for you to sit and act contrary to our laws; for if in the first parliament of Richard II, Grimes and Weston, for lack of courage only were adjudged guilty of high treason for surrendering the places committed to their trust; how much more you, if you turn renegadoes to the people that entrusted you, and as much as in you lie surrender not a little pitiful castle or two, but all the legal defence the people of England have for their lives, liberties, and properties at once! Neither let the vain persuasion delude you, that no precedent can be found, that one English Parliament hath hanged up another; though peradventure even that may be proved a mistake; for an unprecedented crime calls for an unprecedented punishment; and if you shall be so wicked to do the one, or rather endeavour to do, (for now you are no longer a parliament) what ground of confidence you can have that none will be found so worthy to do the other, we cannot understand: and do faithfully promise if your unworthines provoke us to it, that we will use our honest and utmost endeavours (whenever a new parliament shall be called) to chuse such as may convince you of your mistake: The old and infallible observation, That Parliaments are the Pulse of the People, shall lose its esteem; or you will find, that this your presumption was over-fond; however, it argues but a bad mind to sin, because it is believed it shall not be punished._ 243.