n there is a manifest necessity of breaking rules, which
here there was not. Otherwise the Commons may make Spaniels of the
Lords, throw them a man, and bid them go judge, as we command a Dog to
fetch and carry. But neither the Lords Reasons, nor the King first
having possession of the Prisoner, signifie any thing with our Author.
He will tell you the reason of the Impeachment was to bring out the
Popish Plot. If _Fitz-Harris_ really know any thing but what relates to
his own Treason, he chuses a fine time of day to discover it now, when
'tis manifestly to save his Neck, that he is forc'd to make himself a
greater Villain; and to charge himself with new Crimes to avoid the
punishment of the old. Had he not the benefit of so many Proclamations,
to have come in before, if he then knew any thing worth discovery? And
was not his fortune necessitous enough at all times, to catch at an
impunity, which was baited with Rewards to bribe him? 'tis not for
nothing that Party has been all along so favourable to him: they are
conscious to themselves of some other matters than a Popish Plot. Let
him first be tryed for what he was first accus'd: if he be acquitted,
his Party will be satisfied, and their strength increas'd by the known
honesty of another Evidence: but if he be condemn'd, let us see what
truth will come out of him, when he has _Tyburn_ and another World
before his Eyes. Then, if he confess any thing which makes against the
Cause, their Excuse is ready; he died a Papist, and had a dispensation
from the Pope to lie. But if they can bring him silent to the Gallows,
all their favour will be, to wish him dispatch'd out of his pain, as
soon as possibly he may. And in that Case they have already promis'd
they will be good to his Wife, and provide for her, which would be a
strong encouragement, for many a woman, to perswade her Husband to
digest the Halter. This remembers me of a certain Spanish Duke, who
commanding a Sea-Port-Town, set an Officer of his, underhand to rob the
Merchants. His Grace you may be confident was to have the Booty, and the
Fellow was assur'd if he were taken to be protected. It fell out, after
some time, that he was apprehended: His Master, according to Articles,
brought him off. The Rogue went again to his vocation, was the second
time taken, delivered again, and so the third. At last the matter grew
so notorious, that the Duke found, it would be both scandalous and
difficult to protect him any longer; B