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A Letter from a Person of Quality.

to the bill; and then, in their opinion, the exception to the oath for thiscause was perfectly removed. But on the other fide it was offered, that apositive absolute oath being taken, a proviso in the act could not dispensewith it, without some reference in the body of the oath unto that proviso.But this also was utterly denied, until the next day, the debate going onupon other matters; the lord-treasurer, whose authority easily obtainedwith the major vote, re-‘assumed what was mentioned in the debates of thepreceding days, and allowed a reference to the proviso; so that it thenpassed in these words :

“ I A. B. do swear, that I will not endeavour to alter the protestant" religion now by law established in the church of England; nor" the government of this kingdom in church or state, as it is now" by law established; and I do take this oath according to the" meaning of this act, and the proviso contained in the same. So" help me God.”

There was a passage of the greatest observation in the whole- debate,and which with most clearness shewed what the great men and bishopsaimed at; and should in order have come in before, but that it deservedso particular a consideration, that I thought best to place it here by it-self ; which was, that upon passing of the proviso for preserving therights and privileges of parliaments, made out of the previous votes, itwas excellently observed by the earl of Bolingbroke, a man of great abi-lity and learning in the laws of the land, and perfectly stedfast in allgood English principles; that though that proviso did preserve the free-dom of debates and votes in parliaments, yet the oath remained, not-withstanding that proviso, upon all men, that shall take it as a prohibi-tion, either by speech or writing, or address, to " endeavour any altera-" tion in religion, church, or state nay, also upon the members ofboth houses otherwise than as they speak and vote in open parliaments orcommittees. For this oath takes away all private converse upon any suchaffairs even one with another. This was seconded by the lord De La Mer,whose name is well known, as also his worth, piety, and learning; Ishould mention his merits too, but I know not whether that be lawful,they lying yet unrewarded.

The lord Shaftsoury presently drew up some words for preservingthe same rights, privileges, and freedoms, which men now enjoy by thelaws established; so that by a side-wind we might not be deprived of thegreat liberty we enjoy as Englishmen ; and desired those words might beinserted in that proviso before it passed. This was seconded by many ofthe fore-mentioned lords; and pressed upon those terms, that they desired.not to countenance, or make in the least degree any thing lawful, that wasnot already so; but that they might not be deprived, by this dark way ofproceeding, of that liberty, which was necessary to them as men, and with-out which parliaments would be rendered useless.

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