( iv )
The PREFACE.
and are not asham'd to pervert the Sence of Holy Scriptures to serve their End, as if the Laws of every Country were not the Measure of the Obedience of the Subject and that they were obliged to fetch them from the Antediluvian Times, or deduce them from the Sence they have been pleased to put on some Passages in the Holy Writings.
The Clergy of Catalonia seem to understand the Scriptures much better than these pretended Divines, at least with respect to the Submission due to the Soveraign; and being convinced that King Philip resolved to suppress Liberties, Laws and Privileges, of which his refusal to Confirm them was a sufficient Demonstration, they thought themselves obliged to join with the Laity for the Defence of their Rights, and die with them, rather than be made Slaves.
A worthy Resolution which ought to raise the Emulation of all other Nations in the World. The French King, in his Letter to the Cardinal de Noailles has this Expression, Seldom has there been seen an Example of Resistance so obstinate as that of the Inhabitants of Barcelona, and there was need of all the Valour of my Troops, added to those of Spain, to subdue them. But in all his Engagements with them, he never abandoned them when they assisted him against the King of Spain; nor did he ever give up his Power of treating, till he had made the most honourable Conditions for them; tho' they are now stiled Rebels by him.
