I Did determine in resignation to the will of the Lord, not to write unto your House any more; but the Lord doth make it free, to make you the more inexcusable, and also with this peradventure in my own reason, That God may change your spirits; and sithence, I have intelligence, as if there were an Act stiled, Grace coming forth from your House, unto the Levellers and Prisoners; therefore, now I am free beyond my own expectations from you, and intentions in my self.

It is said in Scripture, Isaiah 14.20 That the seed of evil doers shall never be re­nowned; the good people of the Land had certainly reason to expect, That you that have destroyed, and dishonored others for injustice, should walk in the path of renown your selves; whether you have done so, let the whole world judg; yea, whether you have done so since you have cut off the King, let the world judg.

I have read, That there was a Temple of Honor among the Romans, and before it a stately Porch, dedicated to Vertue; to notifie, That in that Common-wealth, there was no hope of Dignity, but to tread in the path of desert. And Aristotle discoursing of Honor, makes four parts thereof; the first of Rich [...]s, the second of Blood, the third of Learning, the fourth of Vertue; and to the two last, he doth describe the first place of true Gentry, and one speaking thereof, saith, Because Boors may be rich, and Rake­bels may be of ancient blood; but Vertue and Knowledg cannot harbor, but where God and Nature hath left their Noble endowments; but you would have the world think you are Chri­stians, which is a name, that hath its denomination from that unction of the Spirit, and yet you walk beneath the Law of Nature: Are you honorable then?

And Aristotle discoursing of Temperance and Fortitude, saith, That Temperance is a Vertue whereby a man governs himself according to Law, and that Fortitude is a Ver­tue by which a man carries himself honorably, and according to the Laws in time of danger.

And I remember that the Parliament alwayes told the King, that if h [...] would subscribe to the L [...]ws and Liberties of the peoples peace and safety, they would make him a most glorious King by which I do infer, there is no true honor but in that way, yet what oc­casion do you give to the Kings party to say, would these have been faithful [...]o the King, that are perfidious to their own friends, and destroy them in their Liberties contrary to the Laws of God, Nature, and the Nation? the King had ground to suspect them, they will say.

Magistracie when they act by the rules of th ir own wills, they do not act as Magistrates but as Tyrants so King James his Speech to the Parliament at White H [...]ll 1609 and the first part of the [...]arliaments Declarations, 150. And Dr. Stoughton in his Bo [...]k of Ser­mons Preached before King James, speaking of wicked Magistrates, saies, Th [...]y [...]ill by Autho [...]ity, and y [...]t ask [...] the peoples money for th [...]ir pains.

God never constituted Au [...]hority, but gave precepts and bounds to that authority, I [...]a. 30 18. Is [...]. 6 [...] 8. Psal. 82.61. Exod. 18.21. and 23 26.8. Deut. 1.16.17. and 16 19. & 25.1. 2 Chron. 19.6.7. I [...]a. 1.23, 24. J [...]r 5.28, 29 & 22.16, 17, 18. Amos 5 12. & 6.12, 14 M [...]ca. 3.9.11 Z [...]c. 8.16, 17. as I declared to you in my Letter, D [...]ut. 16 17. and in nine other places of Scripture there recited, but they that care not for one, will not care for nine; b [...]sid [...]s, there a [...]e many more that I could recite; Personal Authority or Magistra­cie are [...]sp [...]cially bounded by just Laws, and they are to do unto others, as they would have others to do unto them, fo [...] this is the Law and the Prophets, as Christ saith not to deal unjustly, as they would not be dealt unjustly with; not to commit murder, as they themselves would not be murdered: Adomb [...]z k found the righte­teous God, a just executioner of the Law of like for like upon him, th [...]eescore and t [...]n Kings having their thumbs and great to [...]s cut off, ga [...]hered their meat und r my table; As I hav [...] done, so God (saith the Pag [...]n) hath requited me, and Jam. 2 13.

And Mr. Solicitor St. John said in Parliament, (of King, Lords, and Commons) against the Earl of Strafford, That an Arbitrary man is an Achan, a miserable accursed thing, &c. And my Lords, saith he, Frustra legis auxilium inv [...]cat qui in leg [...]m committit; [...]or he that will not suffer others to have Law, why shou'd he have any hims [...]lf? why should not that be done to him that h [...] would have done to others, and calls Arbitrary men V [...]mine, Polcats, Foxes, Wolves, B [...]asts of Prey; (Personal Gov rnment is to k [...]ep Vermine, Polcats, Foxes, Wolves, Lyons, &c. f [...]om d [...]vouring, but not to b [...] such th [...]ms [...]lves) and, saith he, it was never accounted cruelty or foule play to knock Foxes and Wolves on th [...] head as th y may be found, because, saith he, they be beasts of pr [...]y: O Lord, what a thundring zealous Common wealths man was this then to preserve the people from spoil?

Mr. Pym said against the Earl of Straffo [...]d, Th [...]re A [...]bit [...]ary and unlimited power is let up, a way is open f [...]r th [...] security, adv [...]ncem [...]nt, and encourag [...]ment of evil, and those that will be instrument [...] of any unjust commands, and that those that make a conscience of the Laws and Li­berties of the p [...]ople are unpassible for imploy [...]nt and subj [...]ct to much jealousie and danger.

And the Army in their Declarations and Grandees, peculiarly when they [...]end and ear a Parliament to peeces, th [...]y bring Justice and Righteousness in the mou [...]h, page 10. complained, That the friends to the Nation and them, were dragged to Goales, [but now a Goal, and an illegal one too, is my por [...]ion] That the Commanders that did not stand fast [Page 5] in their integrity should be marked with a brand of infamy for ever, as traytors to their Coun­try, and enemies to the Army [but now they have the power, no Traitors] June 9 p. 14. The, glorious administration of Justic [...]; without Justice no comfort of life [or so much as life it self but according unto the pleasure of some men, ruling meerly according to will and power, but now power in them used worse, is not the same] Pag. 39 40.41.42 That Justice and Righteousness then was one of the witnesses of God [then it is now the same] That they were no Emissary A [...]my, h [...]red to serve any Arbitrary power of State [but their Arbitrary power of State] That th [...]y were sensible of complaints, Arbitrariness, Oppressions, and Injustice [but now a man cannot have Justice from these they have left in the House [for them] That they would not have an absolute or Arbitrary power f [...]und in any] could not wish to have it in any whom they most confided in, or who should appear most of their opinion and Princi­ples [is this truth?] That they were for Parliamentary authority rightly constituted [when wil it be performed, when they please, or when the people please?] [...]nd that they should not be during pleasure, or hav [...] an unlimited power, and so an advantage to perpetuate injustice without end or remedy [but now the party they left, must] Pag. 61. that a liberty of d [...]ss [...]nt [...] should be in the House of Commons, that the people might see who was fa [...]th [...]ul [I wish we had the Grandees Speeches Printed to the Nation since they made such a purge [...] that the Priv­ledges of Parliament should not be extended to private wrong, or publique ras [...]h [...] [but their power and priviledg may extend to private and publique wrong without controul] be­cause Parliament Priviledges as well as r [...]yall Prerogative may be perverted and [...]bused [but theirs not] Charged severall Memb rs, that they inv [...]ded, infring [...]d, and indeavour [...]d to over­throw the rights of the people, and obstructed Justice, to the damage of many Commoners [if so then, is it not much more now?] And their last Remonstrance from St A [...]bans, pag. 10. Cried out the people w [...]re mad [...] to depend main [...]y upon the King for all [and are not the people made to depend upon them for all, whether Justice or no Justice] that his Interest was made necessary to all, that other pretences were but made use of to serve his ends, end to make an easie way to set up him and his Interest above all [let rational m [...]n judg whether their practise is not so.] Page 16 17. That no Common C [...]un [...] l or Parliaments should check him; [Dare the Parliament check him when I cannot have a hearing against him?] that all or­bitrary powers might be exercised at pleasure by himself, and such as he pleased to d r [...]v [...] the same unto [do not the Grandees tread in the same steps aboundingly?] that snares and chains were laid upon conscienci [...]us and z [...]alous men to countenanc [...] blinde reverence of per­sons sit for Popery and Slav [...]ry [is not the Generals &c. end the same according to his works?] p. 21. rend ing it a b [...]and of d [...]shonor and infamy in him, to pr [...]f [...]r such a [...] had a mix­ture of ambition and v [...]in g [...]o [...]y, [...]ndring them fit to [...] a [...]d greatn [...]ss for the injoying some share t [...]erein to th [...]mselv [...]s [are not such m n [...]hei [...] only d [...]rling [...] ▪ witness their actions;] for me to spe [...]k to these more then golden wo ds, is but A [...]ram in [...]o ma [...] are.

Oh then [...]igh and mighty God and Judge! Judge thou the cause of thy people, re­member the blood that hath been spilt for our Laws and Liberties to purchase our peace and safety And [...]ir. Solicitor [...]eok, your Orator, in his bo [...]k st lled K [...]g Charls his Case, which will be an everlasting monument against you, if you continue to walk unjustly, p [...]g▪ 3 [...] saith he, the King deported himself as a God, and saith he, innocent blood will aff ight more then twelve legions of Devils, (do not they deport them­selves as Gods when they act as living above Law?) Do you do justice that you might live unjustly? did you cut him off to send him to be accountable to God, that would not be accountable unto man, that you might live here in the same principle and pra­ctice as unaccountable unto men? would it not be just with God if you tread in the same pathes, to inflame and raise up the spirits of your brethren the Commoners, to [Page 6] make you accountable unto God also, Are not the Lords wayes past finding out, and is not he just in all his Judgments? pag 38. that an accursed principle of Tyranny lodged with­in him (viz.) to be accountable to none but to God, which have turned our waters of LAW into blood; have not the fruits of the same principles (though they have pretended other principles, as the King did, (viz.) (That his Monarchy was not an absolute, but a well bounded Monarchy, by Law) been actually seen in them? and are not they in a leading way to turn water of Law into blood and blood, pag. 38. that he had been of Coun­sell against felons and prisoners, but that he never moved the Court to Judgment a­gainst any felon, or to keep any man in prison, but he trembled at it in his thoughts, as thinking it would be easier to give an account of mercy and indulgence, then of any thing that might look like rigour: but now my spirits saith he, are of another temper; but you imp [...]ison the innocent against Law, Reason, Christian Principles, your own De­clarations, the Vowes, Covenants, Ingagements, and imprecations of [...]arliament, and you have proceeded higher then any to ingage you to Iustice: viz. the blood of the King to b [...]ot, page 42. that sentence was not only against one Tyrant, but tyranny it self; therefore saith he, if any of them shall turn Tyrants, or consent to set up any kinde of Tyranny by a Law, or suffer any unmercifull domineering over the persons, Consciences, or estates of the free people of this Land, They have pronounced sentence against them­selves; But do not they endeavor to secure themselves against the Laws of heaven and nature; and to act by unreasonableness, meer power and force? by which accursed principle the Lord Jesus, and all Christians have been murthered formerly by corrupt Authority.

Oh Lord arise, and judge, and behold, how they make v [...]yd the blood of thy people, and what is their declared zeal, and impartiall Justice upon the blood of the King come unto.

You have imprecated the wrath and vengeance of Heaven and Earth to light upon you, if you did not maintain the Fundamentall Laws and Liberties of the people, and call upon the people to say AMEN; and that you had no aimes at your selves, but wholly at the publique; see and compare together the first part of the book, Dec. pag. 17. 18. 214. 264. 266. 267 400. 462. 464. 466. 673. 588. 666 573. 692. Is not God just? I am troubled at your condition, though I rejoyce in my own.

Again, you have revoked one Fast day, and made another; and declared that there was much guilt in taking Gods name in vain; And that there was a proneness to relapse into the former condition of Tyranny and superstition; But I hope you did not resolve it when you said you were prone to it; And you desire that God would heal the division of your Land; But do you goe the way of God? And do not you divide, if you deal unjustly? The Kings Fast was on a Friday, and he dealt unjustly; the Parliaments Fast on a Wednesday; and now you have changed the Fast a day neerer to the Kings; If your injustice be the same, what materiall difference between a Thursday, and a Fri­day Fast? Doth not Arbitrariness and injustice cause division? The Psalmist saith, Ps. 85.10. Righteousness and Peace doth kiss each other; and not Tyranny and peace, or policy and peace, Z [...]ch. 8 16, 17, 19 Execute ye the Judgment of truth and peace, love the truth and peace, Isay 58 4, 5, 6. Zach. 7 5, 6. When ye fasted and mourned the fifth and s v [...]n [...]h mon [...]th even those s [...]venty years, did yee at all fast unto me? and when ye d [...]d [...]at, and wh [...]n y [...] did d [...]ink, d [...]d you not eat for your selves, and drink to your selves? Oh Lord arise, and judge between thy people and the Grandees of the peoples Army and Parliament, and oh Lord convert them if it be thy will; and let them not be any lon­ger as if th [...]y were supream to Iustice and Freedome, and let them be that in deed which they have been often in word.

Sir, Let me tell you, I have observed your Ordinance for observation of the Sabbath also, but this is also delusive to the people; if you do not rest from wickedness, arbitra­riness and cruelty, according to the constitution and end of authority, both by God and the people; for the Sabbath signifies a rest to the people of God; What is a Magistrates keeping a Fast or a Sabbath once a moneth, or a seventh day of a week, if he acts arbit [...]ari­ness illegally and cruelly, contrary to the Laws of God, Nature, and the Land, six of the seven?

Those three Students, and only three that I have read of Trinity Colledg in Cambridge that writ in your justification of your proceedings against the King, say, That when any man, or men, through depraved principles of tyranny usurp over Conscience, naturall or civill Rights, he loseth the notion of a Magistrate, because he goes contrary to the end of Go­vernment, of the fundamentall Laws of safety to the people; and when Res Publica comes to be Res Privata, it ceaseth to be a Commonwealth, and is then tyranny.

Again, I desire you to consider that the part of the Solemn Oath and Covenant, which you have taken which relates to the Rights, Freedoms, and Laws of the people, is just, unanswerable, irrevokable, essentiall, substantiall, and binding; though the per­son of the King and Lords be taken away by you: do you intend to King it, and Lord it over our Laws and Liberties? Psal. 15.1.4. Lord who shall abide in thy Tabernacl [...]? he that swoareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.

But you have sworn the good (and not hurt) of the people, and your own good (and not hurt) in it, but if you leave the good of the people, and consequently your own true honor and good, and act Arbitrarily and unfaithfully, you leave peace of conscience to your selves, and peace and satisfaction to the people. I should be glad for the peoples sakes and your sakes if you can be free from the guilt of Perjury in the sight of the Lord and the people that are impartial; Good Iosiah rent his cloaths when the Book of the Law was found, and when the Ordinances were not kept; and it was the Wisdom, Justice, and Honor of the Parliament, in their Primitive constitutions, for which they had the incomparable love of the people, before they did divide, and subdivide into faction and parties, to inquire into the just Laws of the Nation, and into the highest Reason for in­largement of our freedoms, and complained against the King for exceeding the just li­mits of Honor and Law: but how shall the people be assured of the perfection of Free­dom by these men, when those just and righteous Laws of God and Nature, and the Nation formerly and already made as Laws, and wrung from Polititians, Tyrants, Conquerors, Vsurpers, and contended for this eight or nine years unto precious blood, are so much violated?

Truly Mr. Speaker, let me tell you, we shall never have peace untill Authority come to lay down Interest, and to act as Magistracie, as Authority; What do Interests tend to, and meer power, but to murder and destruction, and to make a Nation miserable, though one man great, full of war, and to make a second Germany of England? Interests tend to nothing but to this (viz.) Suppose an Independent, it may be murdered to day, or un­justly dealt withall to his ruine, and the Inquisition for the Innocent blood may be is se­cured by an Interest; A Presbyterian, it may be murdered to morrow, and the murder it may be secured by an Interest; had an Episcopal also, who though he hath, it may be just­ly paid his Fine and Composition for his Delinquencie, and is in Law and Reason ex­cluded as to matter of Power, according to the Judgments of Parliaments, and a just Agreement of the people, because he hath used it against the peoples Laws and Liberties, yet he cannot have personal Justice in futurity according to Law and Reason, because of Interests, and so a Nation is in the rode way to destruction; and then every Interest it [Page 8] may be endevors (being enraged) to revenge the murder and injustice, because they can­not have legal or judicial Judgment, and so all Interests are slaves to one Interest; and all are engaged against one (as well as may be) one against another; if any such thing is up, called Interest, and act above, contrary unto, and without LAW.

And truly Mr Speak [...]r, let me tell you▪ as I have already proved, and shall prove by Law, Reason▪ and Ch [...]istianity, Those fourty Gentlemen in the House, or thereabouts, have committed me illegally, partially, and interessedly, contrary to CAPITAL Obligations of God to man, man to God, and mankinde, common, undeniable, in­disput [...]ble, and binding Principles of NATURE, LAW, REASON, SCRIPTU [...]ES, DECLARATIONS upon DECLARATI­ONS, IMPRECATIONS, OATHS, COVENANTS, CONSCIENCE, INGAGEMENTS, VICTORIES, VICTORIES, AGREEMENTS, FASTS, HONOR, the very name of PARLIAMENTS Sabbaths, Magistrates, Gov [...]nment, Wounds, Bloodshed., BLOOD, BLOOD, both of friends and enemies; rendring a PARLIAMENT out of zeal for Justice. The blood of the KING declared to stand in the way of the peoples RIGHTS, FREEDOM, JƲSTICE, MERCY.

Just Laws are made to batter down all the walls of unmercifulness, arbitrariness, and cruelty, and to justifie Freedom; and the force of a Nation should be to maintain the just Laws and Liberties of the people; the contrary is Cruelty and Murther.

You have made the late KING a notable spectacle amongst the rarest examples of worldly fragility; and this was declared and pretended to be, for acting contrary to the R [...]ghts of the people, which engaged him unto abundance of blood for his own safety, though his extravagancies in Government and Arbitrariness amongst the people, might have been composed certainly, if his end had not been to carry on an absolute domina­tion over the peoples Laws, Liberties, and persons: And the corruptions of his heart, and Government, and of his evil Councellors, caused jealousies and fear of his own life and honor; whereas he might have had both, if he would have stooped to the Laws, and Liberties of the people, and the peoples Representatives, and free Parliament; but his heart was hardened, as Pharaohs, for judgment. It is a sad thing, when a man hath committed injustice, or murther, contrary to the plain inbred Light of Nature, and the Laws of Scripture, and Nations, and goes on to commit more and more murther, and injustice, for his personal safety; whereas, a Christian had rather die in his innocency, then commit murther, or out of design, to do injustice.

The Law of England is said to be extream tender, and favorable of a mans liberty and freedom. See Sir Edward Cooks 29. Chapter of Magna Charta, 2 part. Instit. sol. 42. also 189 515. Because the Gaol in the eye of the Law, is a bad or hard mansion or dwel­ing, 4 Edw. 3. cap. 3. They that will unjustly and arbitrarily imprison, they are in a forward way to adde to their impiety, and to commit murder upon the people. Injustice is a Tyrants rode way to murder, and the harbenger of Tyrants in all ages: And I shall desire you for your own sakes, to avoyd that Rock of Injustice and Oppression, for there are many eyes upon you, besides the eyes of the eternal Majesty of God.

And the sin of blood is of a Skarlet Dye, and of a crying Nature, Gen 49.6, 7. O my soul, joyn not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honor, be not thou united; for in their anger they slew a man, and in their self will th [...]y digged down a wall. Cursed be their anger, for it was since; and their wrath, for it was cruel. I will divide them in Jacob, [Page 9] and scatter them in Israel: Though Davids wound was healed by remission, yet the blemish remained; that blood should never depart from his house, for the blood of one Ʋriah. Num 35.31, 33▪ Moreover, ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, that is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death. Blood defileth the Land; and the Land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. 1 Kings 2.5, 6. Moreover, thou knowest what Joab the son of Zerviah did to me, and what he did to the two Captain, of the Hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he sl w, and sh [...]d the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loyns, and in his shooes that were on his feet. Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoary head go to the grave in peace. Exod. 21.14. If a man come presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die. And Doctor Stoughton, or Doctor Sibbs, as I partly remember I have read, speaking of it, saith, How sweet is life to those that have been prod [...]gal of the blood of others! No subject, saith he, had murdered more then Joab. When Proclamation was made in Israel. That who ever should smite the Jebusites first▪ should be the chief, and Captain, Joab was the man; no man was more constant to the Weal of Israel; non so successful in victories; yet he was called to reckon for his old sins, and must repay blood to Amasa and Abner. Murder in Authority, is the greatest murder; and the violation of Laws and Liberties, by Authority, is the greatest violation.

But concerning the Act of Grace and Favor. Forgiveness and favor is good in its due place; and in truth, is acceptable to God and men; but out of its place, its a delusion of Antichrist and a lie. An Act of favor and grace, is indeed shewn, when a man is an offender in the eye of the Law, Reason, and Christianity; but surely, a man is not an offender in the same thing, wherein he is offended, and destroyed in his Liberty, or Right, contrary to Law, Reason, or Christianity; when he is denied the benefit of Justice, a Hearing or Tryal, as I have been: and how destructive this is to the Rights of the Nation, let the world Judg. If a Law had been made to that end, it had been un­just in it self, and voyd; but no Law being made, its supersuperlatively Tyrannical, con­trary to Law and Scripture, Deut. 11.3, 8 Numb 15 30. Rom. 4.15. and contrary to the pretended Agreement of the General, and General Councel of Officers, pag. 23. in four or five particulars by the Law of England, The faith and repu­tation of the General is violated that I have not Justice. any Act or Agreement against the Laws of God, or Nature, is a meer nullity. Master Solicitor Cook in King Charls his Case, citing also E. L [...]ci [...]sters Case, Page 23. and 1 part of the Book D [...]clarations, pag. 207, 690. Those things that are evil in their own nature, cannot be the subject of any command, or order any obligation of obedi­ence upon them, by any Authority whatsoever. When you should do a man Justice, you wrong him; and to hinder Justice, and hide the wrong in the peoples eyes, you pretend a Politique Act of Grace and Favor. Is not this Politique Tyranny in grain?

Mercy and Justice are two glorious attributes of God, and they ought to be truely imitated and resembled by men that are true Governors (or pretended ones.) And the not walking up to it, makes a man guilty of prophaning the attributes of God, and his Ministrations to men; and for a man to have an Act of favor or grace, before he is legally and judicially convicted of a crime; If I were an offender indeed, yet unless I was an offender in Law and Reason, it would be but Injustice to grant an Act of Par­don; for an offender must die in Law and Judgment, before he can be said to be cap­able of Mercy. But I am in Law a freeman, as I have shewed you, though I am by force [Page 10] and arbitrariness a prisoner; and I am a prisoner, in walking in an undeniable, Chri­stian, warrantable, legal, and fundamental Right of the people, and of just Govern­ment. How improper is it, and contrary to the Nature of just Iudgment and Reason? And how contrary to the nature, trust, and very name of a Parliament; which very name doth hold forth, That it ought to do things according to the rational, unbiassed, and de­liberative discourse of the Minde, without fear, favor, or affection. Fabritius and Cato would not swa [...]ve from the Rules of Iustice and Vertue. You profess your selves Christian Common-wealths men.

But as for the Act of Favor and Mercy, I wish those had it that stand in need of it: And let me tell you, in my oppression, Honor would t [...]uly be seen in that. But indeed, there is no honor but dishonor, in falsly stiling the glorious attributes of God, viz. Justice and Mercy; both which Ministrations amongst men, are the foundations of Peace, and not Tyranny and Policy. If the two last kiss each other, (contrary to the Ordinances, and Scripture of God, and good will and peace amongst men, with Laws and Liberti [...]s of a Nation) they commonly fall together.

But as for the Act of Favor and Mercy; Do you think it good to have the National Fundamental Right of the People strangled, in claiming of Iustice against any person or persons, and to be unjustly unreasonably, and un [...]Christianlike imprisoned, and then cover injustice with an Act of Grace, Favor, or Mercy? Are the attributes of God, given unto men, for no other use, but to be abused and converted into such sinister and politique ends?

It is indeed an honor to have the conduct of an Army of 20000. men, to obey the Commands of Iustice, to defend the Innocent; but the contrary is most ignonimious. It is more honorable to have an Army to preserve the blood of one innocent from cruelty and arbitrariness, then to destroy many nocents; though indeed, the principle of the great Infidel Turk is to destroy twenty innocents, rather then one nocent; there­by thinking to terrifie the people, th ugh he oftentimes misses his aym thereby. The Scripture doth manifest the attributes of Gods favor and mercy to sinners, above the attributes of justice to offenders. How much more, should you care for the liberty, and blood of the innocent of a Nation, especially seeing so many capital obligations do lie upon you?

Contrary to the second part of the Lord Cooks Instit. fol. 52. 53. 315. 318 391. 615. 616. 1 Part of the Book Declar. of Parl. 38. 37. 201. 845. And the Votes upon the Impeachment of the ten Members, The Petition of Right, the third of King Charls, The Act that abolished the Star Chamber, The de­liberate and resolved opinion of all the Judges of England, the third yeer of Kings James, in answer to the twenty and two Objections of Archbishop Bancroft, and the whole Clergy.But Sir, I am imprisoned contra [...]y to the Laws of God, Nature, and the Land, and the legal Birth-right of the people, and sent unto the Military Jurisdiction of him that I have ap­pealed against; c [...]ntrary to Reason or Christia­nity. Generals are no crimes in Law; the War­rant by which I am committed, is in General terms.

Vers. 14.29. Cap. of Magna Charta, and the Exposition upon them. The se­cond part of Inst. fol. 29. 46. & Rot. Parl. 5. R. 2. n. 45. & Rot. Parl. 1. H. 4. n. 14, 79. & 5. H 4. cap 6. & 11. H. 6 c. 11. and 15. & 4. H. 8. c. 8. & 1. & 2. Ph. & Ma. c. 10. & 4. part. Instit. fol. 25. & 1. part. Book. Declar. p. 48. 278.Again Sir, Law-makers are not to be Law-executors, because the benefit of all Appeals, [Page 11] would be then destroyed, and the people left without all remedy; which the Law of Love, Justice, and safety abhor (though they ought to question the male Administrators of Ju­stice or corrupters thereof) which is my Case, and therefore they are not to male-admi­nister, as the Apostle saith, Thou that teachest another, teachest thou not thy self? all power judiciall is committed to divers Courts; in the judgment of Gascoign▪ Chief Justice, and therefore the King could not command but by matter of Record according unto Law; Sir Edw. Cook upon the 3. Ed. 1. cap 15. but especially upon these words or commandment of the King; and saith, Mr. St. John against the Earl of Strafford, it is of higher jurisdi­ction dare leges, then to judg by them, and it is beneath the glory and honor of Legislators to be executors of the Law.

And now I shal declare unto your House more ful [...]y then I have yet done in my Appeal; the Reasons why I did Appeal against the Generall, as also his injustice towards me: First, that I might give some stops to the cu [...]rant of Injustice to the people; and second­ly, that I might have redress of my own wrongs and insupportable injuries, but you shall see how the General hath walked and acted against me, (viz) When I was committed at Ware R [...]nd [...]zvous, and when my Adversaries could not produce any thing materiall a­gainst me, as Mr. S xb [...]y told me was confessed by Commis. General I [...]eton, he having viewed the Charge against me, and my Answer, but there being nothing against me, the det [...]rmination was it should seem, to make a composure with the p [...]isoners, and to make a unity under the notion of a Fast: the next day after the Fast, the prisoners were sent for, and a [...] the time there was a seeming contending▪ be­twixt Li [...]u [...]. Gen. Cromwel, and Commis. General I [...]ton, who should speak to us, Of Ware Randezvous at that time there was a report by Lieute­nant Colonel Henry Lil­burn, that the Levell [...]rs in­t [...]nded to murder the King; which blemish seemingly l [...]y upon u [...] that were Prisoners, chiefly because we were wel-named so, and Colonel Eyers, my self, and others, petitioned the General, that Lieut. Gen. Henry Lilburn might dis­cover the person that used these words, such princi­ples being an abomimina­tion to our spirits, and we should rejoyce to have such a one known, but it was never done; Our Petition was Printed in Lieut. Col. John Lilburns Book, but this report was only to g [...]t the CAVALRIE to joyn to destroy the Level­lers so called, by whomsoeever it was designed, the Lord knows and judges. though Master Quarterm [...]n afterwards told me (though I wished he had told me before) that Commis. General had polickly predetermined to speak, and what to say; but the words he used with much demureness, solemness of countenance (the Emblem of a Saint or Hypo­crite) as many can witness, were these (viz) That God did incline the hearts of the General, and General Counsel to desire a union & embracing one another in love with many circumlocutions according to his politique intentions: but the sum and substance of my Answer was, that I wa [...] confi­dent in my cause, yet I would not deny unity, if God had wrought the spirit of condiscending in them, for I told them, I looked upon the condiscending to be of their party, I would be glad that the glory of love might be reciprocal; but yet I spake a little in justification of my self as to my principles a­gainst the common enemy (which did endeavor to Court the Regiment) the Engagements and Declarations of the Army, and the agreement of the people, and the just authority of the General, at which Lieut. Ge [...]eral smote his h [...]nd to his heart, which should demonstrate the Christianity, Sincerity, and unfraudulency of a man, and professed that he believed that I was a godly man, and that I was iustinable; I told him I wondered that there had been such Calumniating Pa­pers Printed concerning me: he made it strange, and could have had something drawn up to my vindication [Page 12] against Calumny in Print, and would have had me drawn it my self there, I told him, for my part, I did not so much value Calumny, or unjust aspersions, and so I was ap­pointed my Command; whereupon I pr [...]sently determined to go to New-Castle, and had Lieut. Colonel Cromwels Letter: Wherein I did desire him to certifie the loving composure at the head quarters, and also to write to Lieut. Col. Hen. Lilburn to deliver me some moneys that he owed me, and my couzen in a friendly maner to avoid conten­tion, he having in the busin [...]ss of war, appeared a very impl [...]cable enemy of mine, and broken open my trunk, and took my Commission out and st [...]uck m [...] out of the Musters Role whilst I was a prisoner, before hearing or Iudgment of my Cause, and so I went to New-Castle, and when I came there, I was presently suspended my [...]ommand; I did desire him to let Lieu [...]. Gen. Cromwels Letter be seen before the Governor, and that I might have my Commission, but he refused it me; then I writ unto the General divers times concerning it, that he might certifie the Governor as the Lieut. General had cer­tified; but in stead of that, a Commission (after some few weeks suspension) c [...]me from the General to another to enter upon my Command, without any cause in the world shewed, so that I was in the midst of my Enemies, as it were: I had rid two hundred and ten miles in as great a Frost as ever I saw, lost a horse by the way besides my charges, I was fain to return to London again, for it was to no purpose for me to stay there, for power and subtilty was master over me and my unjealous spirit: when I came from New-Castle to London to m [...]ke it up four hundred and twenty miles, which was no small trouble to me for their sakes as well as my own; I made my appeal, directed to the General and his Councel of War for Justice, which I delivered him, but I could not get so much Justice of him; I offered to refer it to some Parliament men, that would not be granted; I offered to refer it to some consciencious Officers of the Army, that would not be granted neither: Wh [...]t could be more Arbitrary and more absolute? pray Sir re­turn back and view their Declarations: I should sc [...]rce have used the General so as he hath used the Generals faithful servant.

Then I had drawn up an Appeal in Parliament against the General, and told Colonel Fleetwood thereof, and I took his perswasion for p [...]ace sake and did not proceed in it; and when Lieut. General Cromwel told me that he heard I intended to appeal in Parlia­ment for revenge; I told him I was not of th [...]t spirit, but indeed I had drawn up an ap­peal in Parliament for Justice, which I could not see might be intitled Revenge, but Temperance and Moderation, but I did stop my intentions, and was resolved to pass it by, and to see whether they would change, and be more just in time to come; to which purpose I told you, being Speaker, at the Bar, a little before my commitment: and not­withstanding all my discouragements on the on hand, and subtil endeavours to incou­rage me on the other hand to oppose the Grandees, and to shake hands with the common Enemy, yet the Lord kept me firm in my affections to this House, and Army, in ex­pectation of righteous principles of Iustice at last to the people, as in my Appeal is ex­pressed, and neither Honor nor Revenge I praise the Lord could take place in my thoughts, though Lieut. Colonel Henry Lilburn (my implacable enemy had influence in the General by himself and his creatures against me) that pretended much zeal to the General and his authority, plaid the traytor to the Nation in betraying Tinmouth; but ingaged against the new and horrid Insurrections, and had a command of a Troope of horse in Kent under Sir Michael Lovisey, and after our dismission it being just at the time of the Treaty between the King and Parliament, Major Reynolds spake to me to ingage my Troope to march them into some other County, and told me he had order from Commissary General Ireton, unto whom the General had left the disposall of things to [Page 13] quarter in the County, in order to the Treaty betwixt the King and Parliament, and told me that the Commissary General was resolved to oppose the Treaty, supposing, as Maior Reynolds said, that King, Parliament, City and Scots would ioyn against the Army, and that then he was promised an Establishment in the Army, and that then there would be fighting enough; and used these words to me, viz. That if men of such prin­ciples left him now, he would never trust men again; and that th [...]y intended to declare for justice, as to the Souldiers, and people. And truly, for my part, it was an abomination to my thoughts, to think that there should be any intention, to destroy the Army, and my fellow Souldiers that had fought for the peoples rights, with whom I was resolved to live or perish, though now I am in the high way to pe [...]ish, by the highest friends, and pretenders to God, and Righteousness. And Major Reynolds told one Captain Chaplain, as he declared unto me, That Commissary General Ireton, was as right, as any man in the world, for all those principles of righteousness, and freedom, that were contended for; though it doth since appear, That Reynolds had no other design, but by our blood, and ruine, to exalt himself, and wring the Regiment out of Sir Michael Leviseyes hands, and to make himself a Colonel. And indeed, the Gentleman hath performed what he said, whilest he was a prisoner formerly, for the Rights of the people, as it was reported unto me, by a Captain of this Garrison, in the presence of Master Bacon, viz. That he would set them together by the ears, that he might come in, and have the plunder. And Major R [...]ynolds also told me, That he had a private hint from Lieutenant General C [...]omwel what to do; and I had an order from Sir Michael L [...]visey to ma [...]ch, viz.

Another Letter I had in Kent from Major Reynolds to go for Orders for quarters, be­cause his Troop was not ready to march, and he read the same unto me, a Copy whereof I after took viz.

And accordingly I had orders by a Souldier of my Troop (that I sent to Saint Albans) from Quarter Master General Gravener, for I rid to Windsor my self, to speak [Page 14] with the Commissary General, and mist of him. Not long after, Major Reynolds his Troop came up, and then we had orders to march further North from Major R [...]yno [...]ds; and at length having kept up my Troop, neer half a yeer, at length the Army had seized upon the King, by order from the General, Lieutenant General, and Commissary Ge­neral (as I was informed, by a very good hand) and the King being at Hurst, I was commanded by the Authority of the Army from Commissary General I [...]eton, to Major Reynolds to Hurst Castle, for the security of the King, and had the gua [...]d of him two nights my self, with part of my Troop, not longer after that, the King was commanded by order from our Regiment, and we resigned up our Guard of him, according to command and order, unto Colonel Harrison. After that, we were designed to quarter in Hampshire, and then after in Worcest [...]rshir [...], and the Regiment of Col [...]n [...]l R [...]ynolds was voted to be of the establishment of the Army by the house. And the Officers and the Souldiers of the three Troops that were together, desired me to carry an assurance in writing to the General, That in order to righteousness, freedom, and justice, and the establishment thereof to the people; our blood should not be precious in our eyes; but we would adventure it under his conduct against all Tyrants whatsoev [...]r. I know not what (one stiled a Christian General) could desire more: I s [...]e no re [...]s [...]n, bu [...] t [...]at he should eminently desire that, as his glory and honor; and soon after discoursing wi h some, and they telling me, That it was the principles of some, to cu [...] off the King out of meer policy. I had an exceeding great astonishment in my spirit, and wond [...]red what this would tend unto; for I look upon meer policy, to be a des uctive principle, and a great dependency upon a mans own wit, and which is more agreeable to the principles of the unnatural, and unholy Turks, (then of Christians) who destroy one another out of meer power and policy, and to exalt themselves above those capital Obligations be­fore expressed; and I looked, that Righteousness and Justice should be pe [...]formed out of sincerity, and purity of principles, according to Law, Scripture, Reason, and Chri­stianity: Next of all, I looked, That the Laws, Freedoms, and Rights of the people, so much spoken of in the Declarations of the Army, did ov [...]r-ballance the blood of the King, because that was the occasion of the late War, and would always occasion misery and blood, both of innocent and nocent, in the defect thereof; and so I had much affliction upon my spirit: And next of all▪ I looked upon many consciencious men, as to the Rights of the people, as Master Sprig. Mr. B [...]con, &c. were for the preservation of his person, though they were for the life, blood, and condemnation of him in Law, Christianity, and Reason (as guilty of the River of blood in the Nation) which was most suitable to my particular judgment, (mercy exalting it self over iudgment) but being onely my particular iudgment, I would not discover it to many, because I would not be an occasion of division: I having heard, that the resolution of the Grandees was to cut off the King, (before they did go through with the eminent Freedoms and Rights of the people) and that the King stood in the way of them: And next of all I c [...]nsider­ed. That the blood of his person could not be compared or recompense the river of blood that hath been shed for the Laws and Liberties of the people. And I looked upon the Rights of the people, to be that which would most of all satisfie all Interests, in Peace, in Law, Love, Freedom, Honor, and Justice. I do not speak this neither to in­courage any to a personal revenge, nor yet against the execution of the King; for I do abhor it, no more, th [...]n I indeed can speak against the Iustice of the Lord, executed by J [...]hu, upon the blood of Ahab, and J [...]zebels family, for the blood of Naboth; but I would have a better use made of the declared execution of the King, as guilty of the pre­ [...]ious blood and violation of the Freedoms of the people, viz. In the supremacy of the [Page 15] Rights of the people, and in the ministration of the Laws of Love, Iustice, and Free­dom, and then your blood should be as precious as my own, in any contest against such spirits; and the Laws of Freedom and Iustice, was the onely declared substance of the Remonstrance from Saint Albans, against the King and House, which was most pa [...]t thereof penned (as I was informed by an Officer) by Commissary General Ireton.

Not long after the death of the King, I went to London, out of Worcestershire, and was willing to take a view of things impartially▪ and being soon after at a general Coun­cell one day, where there was a Letter delivered to the Generall, and it being read in the Councell, it was so disliked, that it was presently put to the question, whether it should be owned at all, or no? Many said that they did abominate it, others said, that they did disown, detest, and abhor it; some others said, they did own the good was in it, but b [...]cause there were many expressions in it that tended to offence and division, they did disown it; At length it came to my Vote, and the Generall looking upon me stedfastly, I told him I was against the expressions in the Letter that gave offence, as much as any man; but I did perceive that by the Letter there was a complaint, as if they had reason to be offended, and that it related to the right of Petitioning, which they conceived themselves abridged and molested in, in a [...]etition that was presented in Parliament, and I so owned the Letter, and desired that they might be called in: I do not know what I c uld have said more or l [...]sse, if I had respect to my own conscience not to offend it, as well as unwillingnesse in my spirit, n [...]t to give any just occasion of offence to them; and I am not s [...]nsible that I gave any just occasion at all to Christians, rationall, or in­cor [...]upt men in the least punctilio, and moreover, it was my judgment and opinion, delivered in Councell: but suddenly aft [...]r that Col R [...]ynolds was [...]elling me, that there was a Civill impl [...]yment in the Common wealth provided for me, in lieu of my Troop; To whom I answered, That I thought I had liberty to act according to my own freedom, and no man hath power to dispose of my person as he please, contrary to Reason, Law, Justice and R [...]ght. By that I saw the conspiracy; not long after that I was turned out of the Councell, and was not so much as admitted liberty to speak (only this very little af­ter expressed) though I did desire it often (which barbarous, and unchristian dealing, Inhumanity, and Incivility, I was much offended at) for what could be done more by a Star Ch [...]mb [...]r-Councell, and High Commission-Court of Prelates and Lords, against the rights of [...]he People, and a harmlesse, and undenyable liberty of conscience, unlesse humane society, as we [...]l as pure Religion be subverted? and in the Councell, before I was turned out, the Generall told me I was none of the Army, because I had no new Commission; to whom I answered, as I remember, to this purpose, That I was of the Army as much as Col Reynolds▪ that t [...]ld you in the C [...]uncell, b [...]fore all, that he h [...]d no new Commission, yet he gave his Vote; and also that I was of the Army, according to Common Ingagement, speciall ingagements, Christianity and reason: Next of all, I wondred that my Vote was then demanded in Counsell if not of the Army: Next of all, by the Vote of the House, for the establishment of the Regiment then in being, and not for Col. Reynolds to raise a Regiment; next of all, my employment for the guard of the King, by the authority of the Army, and my faithfulness, charges, and troubles, as to the publike, but out I must, per fas nefasque: I profess Sir, I could see no safety at all in their Laws, and Liberties; and I saw that the conscientious Officers and Souldiers of the Army, were ready to be destroyed in their Liberties, Freedoms, and persons at pleasure, by such practises, which they eminently condemned in the King. I saw also, that it might extend to those Members, that are left in Parliament, to make them absolute [Page 16] slaves to such particular Interested, parties, and designes, and to make them to act timo­rously, dishonorably, and guiltily, contrary to those capital Obligations that I have recited in capital Letters in my Books, and that they might serve them also, as they had served me, when they had served their ends. I saw also, that it might extend to the embasing of future Representatives and Parliaments, and to make them to act ignobly, dishonorably, illegally, and unconscionably to the dishonor of the Lord, and ruine of humane society; and according to the rules of some men, that have corrupted their ways, and walked contrary to Law, Reason, and Christianity, and that divine anointment, that doth give the name, and a describe a Christian. And I saw also, that if I did not speak, I should encourage the General and Grandees, in evil practice against their own bodies and souls, as well as against the peoples liberties, and safety; though the sweetness, and the delici­ousness of their then present power, and their extream, and abundant causeless enmity, and prejudice towards me, and private insinuations, and influence upon the General, for their own advantage, to the peoples, as well as my ruine; which cou [...]se and practice is extream prejudicial to Common-wealths, and destructive to humane society, and Chri­stian principles, would not permit them to consider. And truly Sir, let me tell you, and let me appeal to the Lord, and the people, that are rational, godly, and conscientious, whether I could have done less, then I did.

Truly Sir, I may say, Si crimen erat, crimen amoris erat; but I have committed no c ime at all, and you may keep your favor and grace, I will not accept of any such thing (falsely called favor) tending to the betraying of the rights of my native Countrey, and to justifie you in those things that you must answer for before the Lord and the people; and also seeing I am perswaded in my own conscience, that neither the greater friend or enemy to the Nation can blemish me in my proceedings herein, for before I did walk in an undeni­able and, peaceable Parliamentary Appeal against the General; I went unto his Quarters, because I had an order from Colonel R [...]ynolds to waite upon him, expressing an order as from the General Counsel, and so I told him (as I remember) I was come to wai [...]e upon his Excellency to know his pleasure; he told me he wondered that the General Councel did not secure me for speaking tending to division: I answered That they might have done it if they had pleased, and that I thought it would have been very harsh, and that I did not know who could question my fidelity, and that what I had said was just, and spoken in temperance, moderation and conscience as might be spoken without of­fence to any godly and consciencious man, told him I was for unity in righteousness as much as any man (but if I had spoken of unity, and left out righteousness it would it may be have been more pleasing) and that by my conversation, it should appear, and that I had been strangely dealt with as to my former business, as that though I was justifiable and declared so to be by Lieut. General Cromwel, yet I was deluded under the notion of a Fast, yet I ingaged against the Insurrection when courted to far greater honor on the o­ther hand, which Hen [...]y Li [...]bu [...]n that traytor that had influence upon him (to my preju­dice) did embrace to the Nations prejudice and danger; and since I told him I had been at neer two hundred pound charges and damages in my last cause, as to the keeping up of my Troop neer half a year, and to be dealt with so twice together, I thought it not just, he told me I might make my charges appear in private and have satisfaction; I an­swered, that was nothing as to the nature of Right or Justice; he told me that a civill imployment in the Commonwealth would be more advantagious for me and wherein I might do the Commonwealth more service; I told him I was not free to accept of any such place, or so to imploy my self untill the Nation was more setled, and in a way of enjoyment of their Rights, and I could not in my conscience be satisfied, that I could [Page 17] do the Nation more service then in that way, and therefore I did desire him to suspend the giving out of any Commission unto another, untill the business was determined in Parliament; he asked me whether I would offer to trouble the Parliament with it; I told him I did not think the Parliament would account Justice a trouble to them, that had manifested to the world as if they had so much zeal for Justice; and for my part I did intend to bring both businesses upon the Stage, because in my conscience I did look upon it to be a business of a publique Nature: so I did desire his Excellency again to suspend the giving out of any Commission till the business was determined in Parlia­ment; he told me he had given out a Commission already: I answered he might better recall or suspend it then give away anothers right (as Mr. Soliciter Cook saith in King Charls his Case, pag 21 Possession is a vain plea when the matter of Right is in Question) for right can never die.

And so, Mr. Speak [...]r, I have discharged my conscience to the people, to your selves, and the Army, and I have a cruel Goal for it, contrary to those capital principles and ob­ligations upon the House and Army that are written in Capitall Letters in this my Testimony; and having been damnified by the Genenal in my two Causes, to the value of three hundred pound, besides the violent and unreasonable taking away of my Troope, and my unnatural imp [...]isonment, and having been almost seven years in the Service of th [...] Common-wealth with much love, affection, and losse beyond my own ability, yet I have not had any allowance from you since my arbitrary, unnatural and unholy Commitment, from the nineteenth of March last, nor any part of my own Arrears sent me, nor admi [...]ted a hearing of my Cause, which Pagans have acted up unto; contrary to those capitall obligations, by which the Officers and Souldiers of the Army, and other the good people of the Nation, may see how their condition may be as well as mine. Mr. Speaker, my principle is, (and I would not willingly offend against my principles) to suffer much hurt, rather then to do any, and to do good rather then receive (though I am under hideous and lothsome tyranny) as to that, and cannot; which is more blessed, as the Apostle saith, and to do good for evil, and not to discover the infirmities of my neighbour, unlesse I see it is his design to act to a Nations preiudice, as I have perceived in the transactions of things, by the Gene [...]all, by that evill and private influ­ence I am not Iudg of, but the Lord: and as for any evil or preiudice that I shall do un­to my neighbour, whether willingly or unwillingly, through my own weaknesse or cor­ruption, I desire to be accountable by just Laws Nationall, which is the badge of our freedom, and the way to our peace, and the only way that my reason can present unto me, and unto you, is by way of an Agreement of the People, presented by the Nations friends in the Tower, and by an actuall walking up to the iust Laws of a Nation, tend­ing to the beginning of, cherishing and nourishing of peace, and good will amongst men; and as to the other part of my Appeal, in relation to my self, as a member of the Com­mon-wealth, I could willingly (for the obligement of righteousnesse and peace, and that these two might be inseparable companions according to the Scriptures) Forgive, or grant an act of Pardon to you, and the Generall, under hand and seal, if I thought you and he were unable, and could not give me satisfaction, and if I were not unwilling to have such a dishonour and ignominie fastened upon you; and also if I did no [...] think he and you would scorn it in words, though he hath acted, and yet acts by you, in unlawfull and un­christian deeds, so as that it might be truly stiled something of that name from me; but seeing he and you have such vast summes and Lands of the Common-wealths (as well as many of you great Estates of your own) as witnesse your giving the Generall ten thou­sand pound, and four thousand pound a year, and therefore I shall expect satisfaction for my wrongs, according to Honor, Conscience and Law, and those Capital Obliga­tions, in Capital Letters recited; but if I cannot have Justice of you, and if the Gene­ral, [Page 18] and you continue to deal unjustly with me, or to murder me, for you have gone the ready way; for I had been inhumanely murdered and starved long since (I refer it to all the Souldiers and people of the Nation, that are for Righteousness and Freedom) if I had not had a little of my own left, for my support in my barbarous, illegal, and inhumane prison; and if I had not had some Christian friends to manifest affection to my cause and person; which kindness, I did refuse, (for some time) because I would wait and see, whether you would walk justly and honorably. But I considered with my self (after many fruitless Addresses to you) That though my principle was to do good, rather then receive, and my imperfection and sin, not to do good when I am able, yet I was not in a capacity so to do, being under the hand of TYRANNY: And also, I considered it was Ten thousand times more righteous, unblameable, honorable, and just, for me to receive the manifestations of my friends affections; then it may for you to force the Nations riches, and persons, to inrich your selves, and act against their Laws and Liberties, contrary to the capital obligations before recited; and also I con­sidered, That it did evidently appear to me by your actions, and the will and pleasure of the Grandees, that it might be your designe to force me to necessities, which is very un-Christian, Cruel, Ravenous, Tyrannous, and insatiable; thereby thinking to make me stab my precious Conscience (which I hope the strength of the most high, will still keep me in) and deny my precious Cause, which is the cause of the Officers and Souldiers of the Army, and the people of the Nation. And you, or the Steermen, and Grandees for you, thought that necessity might make me to do, that which you do out of unholy fear of them (for whilest my Appeal was in the House, a Letter came from the General, or other Grandees to some Member or Members, which was con­demned, and abhorred in the King, as a pe [...]verting of Justice, as in my Appeal is re­lated out of King Charls his Case; or else out of manifest, unwarrantable love unto your self, viz. To the denying of all those obligations of God, Law, Nature, and Justice for the glories of the world; which un [...]ust kinde of actings, have wilfully de­stroyed persons, Families, and Nations, and is the ground of the consumption of civil Wars, as Master Pym said in Parliament, against the Earl of Strafford. And therefore Sir, let me tell you in my [...]yrannical, Illegal, and Injurious imprisonment, That all those capital Obligations, are injuriously perverted, and abused, to the dishonor of the Nation and your selves; and instead of the Just, viz. Principles of NATURE, I must put Acting up to Principles of UNNATURALNES, Jude 10. But what things they know (and have declared) naturally, as bruit Beasts, in those things they do corrupt them­selves, Ver. 19. Separating themselves (from other Members of Parliament) as if they were holier, and juster then they; whereas you are more unjust, because you have more obli­gations upon you to justice, viz. The blood of the King, and Lords, instead of Law, I must put LAWLESSNESS; instead of Reason, I must put UNREA­SONABLENESS; instead of Acting up to the Commands. In plain, and un­deniable Scriptures, I must put ANTISCRIPTURISTS, not in words, but in oppressing power, and conversation; instead of Declarations upon Declarations, I must put VIOLATION of them; instead of Imprecations, I must put PERFIDIOUSNESS to Conscience, and people; and the judgments of God hovering over your heads, according to your solemn desires, that the people might say Amen: Instead of Acting up to the nature of Oaths, I must put UNFAITH­NESS; instead of Acting up to Covenants, I must put TRUCE-BREAK­INGS; instead of Acting up to principles of Conscience, I must put UNCON­SCIONABLENESS; instead of principles of serious Engagement, I must put walking up to principles of DISHONESTY; instead of VICTORIES, and POWER to do good, I must put walking, as if you had no power at all, and [Page 19] so denying the glory of God; instead of walking up to principles of Agreement of the people, I must put DELUSION and VARIANCE; instead of walk­ing up to principles of a true Fast, I must put OPPRESSION and CRUELTY; instead of walking up to principles of true honor, I must put DISHONOR; instead of acting up to the name of Parliaments, I must put acting up like Corrupt minded men; instead of acting up to principles of observation of a Sabbath, I must put case and rest in wickedness, and prophaneness of the Lords holiness; instead of Magistracy, I must put as God and Nature, K. James and your selves have said, Tyranny; instead of Goverment, according to the institution of God, and the uncor­rupt order of Nature, I must say according to principles of DISORDER; in­stead of walking up to a conscientious respect of the wounds of the Nation, I must put walking unjustly, causing more wounds, inflamations, and distempers, both of friends and enemies, and so to lay foundation for blood and cruelty; instead of your rending a Parliament, out of declared zeal for Justice, I must put your rending a Parliament, to carry on your own corrupt, ambitious Interest, tending to exalt your selves, above the per­sons of your Brethren the Laws of God and Nature, the Scriptures, and all the Capital Ob­ligations of Justice and Mercy; instead of your true declared Nature of doing justice upon the King, I must put, you have cut him off to make your selves Kings and Lords over the peoples Laws and Liberties, though not Titularly so; instead of principles of Freedom, I must put SLAVERY; instead of Justice, I put INJUSTICE; instead of Mercy, I must put UNMERCIFULNESS. Hear O Heavens, and judg O Earth! O Lord hear, and have mercy upon thy people; and if it be thy will, change the hearts of those that pretend to Righteousness, and act contrary to as high Obligations, as ever have been expressed by thy Self in Scriptu [...], by thy Saints and Servants.

And therefore, Master Speaker, Let me desire your House in all seriousness and sin­cerity of Conscience, to consider and weigh, and turn from your iniquities, and be a president to the Nation, of Judgment and Justice, and look upon the cruelty exercised towards me, from first to last, contrary to the Freedoms of the Nation (and i [...] may be any mans case as well as mine.) And that it doth exhaust such Language from me, contrary to my own temper, and disposition of spirit. And truly Sir, though the Gene­ral, Lieutenant General, and Commissary General (they being men whom I have formerly honored much, in subordination unto my God, and the Freedoms of my Coun­trey) may, it may be, thirst after my blood (which is the Nations blood) (as Mr. St. John said against the Earl of Strafford, A Nation is to be accounted unto for the loss of the meanest member) as the Hart thirsts after the Riv [...]rs of waters; though it were a more worthy thirst after the performance of those glorious Obligations in themselves and o­thers; which would cause peace of Conscience to themselves, and joy, peace, and unity to all the wel-affected in the Nation. But truly, as for my life or blood, I know that is the most they can take away; and if the Lord should give them so much power, I can use the former part of Christs prayer, viz. Father, forgive them; but not the latter, viz. For t [...]ey know not what they do. For their glorious splendid Declarations de­clare their knowledg; and if it were not my Fathers will, or the Ordinance of the Eternal GOD, That innocent blood, under the Altar, should cry out, I should desire. That there might be no Vengeance taken for me, for it shall suffice me that I go unto God, and shall cease in imperfection and sin, and be out of the race of the new, glorious, ambitious tyranny, and perfideousness of the Earth; the tyranny of Death is but short, and I hope the Lord will m [...]ke it sweet unto me, to give testimony to himself for the land of my nativity; And to add unto the former Tyrannies, and bondages exercised towards me: A pretty while after my first coming, I was denied the free and just access of many of my friends unto me (to [Page 20] give me a visite) by the Tyrannical Governor Whitchcock, contrary to Law, Reason, or Christianity, for which thing he had no Warrant at all from the House, but your Arbri­trariness made him also (to ingratiate himself, for it is well known he is but a friend to the Army and you for his own ends) stretch beyond the bounds that indeed you had set him, and so he hath acted as if he were Lord and Master of you, as well as of our supream Laws, Liberties, and safeties, and for ought I know, he intends to be the Janizary to murder me under his illegal jurisdiction; and indeed I heard that L.G Cromwel himself should call him a Sot, or some such like name, whereas he is made a Justice of the Peace and Qu [...]rum: and furthermore, I could not have so much leave of him to have the Christian society of Mr. Bacon here in the Castle, but I must be fain to hear their Priests here in the Castle or none, concerning whom I hear abundance of hypocrisie and dissimulation; and also though Lieut. General Cromwel gave order to Whitchcock the Go­vernor to use Mr. Bacon with all civility and respect; and though he is also convinced in his conscience, as he hath declared to some, that I will not stir, yet he maliciously, and unrighteously, hath not given me that liberty and freedom that he might, though he hath given many of the late Kings party far greater (viz.) Parol [...], &c.

But Sir let me tell you, if I had never so much liberty and freedom▪ I would not for millions of the gold of Ophir betray the Cause of my Country, so as to flinch; and indeed you may imprison and destroy my body, but my spirit you cannot, and the lively ap­pearance of my blood may rise in others when you think it may be forgotten; if I am mur­dered, butchered, massacred starved, or poysoned, or what not, by the enemies of the Lord and my Countries just Laws▪ Libertie and safeties (for they may do one as well as any thing else they have done) and if you mean by liberty of Conscience to take such large liberty of conscience to your selves, farwel all maner of Justice and Peace; and the dealings with me, are contrary to the prime undeniable Laws of Nature and capitall obligations of mankinde, and which Presbyterians, Episcopals, Independents, &c. that have had any unbiased reason in them, have granted before the blood of War, and by such actions as these, all the blood that hath been shed (which is also of ten thousand times and unexpressibly of more value then all the treasure that hath been spent) is not worth a farthing: and truly Sir, as one saith, writing against the cruelty of the Spaniards to the Native people of Mercico (as I remember, calling themselves Christians as you do) That it is not good to measure the God of the Christians by the actions of those that are called his servants. If there be any sparks of God, or humanity in you, it may be you may consider a bleeding Nation.

Sir, I pray read this to the House; and [...] further desire, That the names of those men may be certified to the Nation, that committed me contrary to those capital Obligations, in capital Letters; that the Nation may know their Friends, and that the Christians, and good Common-wealths-men in the House, may clear themselves to the Nation, from such abominable Facts, tending to the total subversion of humane society, and conse­quently, all Ch [...]istianity, if they please; for I beleeve the hearts of true Christians will be truly pierced with such usage. When Paul reasoned of Temperance and Judg­ment to come, Felix trembled. And I have read as I remember, when Tully pleaded for Liggurius, Caesar trembled, and the Bills of Accusation sell out of his hands. And Master Solicitor Cook saith in King Charls his Case, page 38. There are but two things desirable to make a dumb man eloquent, namely, a good Cause, and good Judges, (the former I have sufficiently, and the later I want:) The first procures justice of Heaven; the se­cond justice upon Earth: So in great haste I remain,