WE are glad our brethren are so well recovered out of their Lethargie, as to be able to informe us, that they are growne sensible of their miseries. Wee confesse, our selves lay stupified in a too unhappy dreame or tamenesse, till this Alarm did awaken us; and now besides the sympathie and compassion that we have of the afflictions of our neighbours, the sense of our owne suffer­ings is so sharpe, that wee are forced to circumflect the sad accents of their just Complaint. More neede not be added to that Relation by way of supplement, to perfect the horrible Anatomy of our miseries: Yet we conceive it will not be in vaine to discover who they were that (pretending to reforme even our happinesse, and then to secure that happinesse by such impregnable fortifications, as God never yet vouchsafed to de­fence in temporall blessings withall) did at the same time no­thing else but make that interruption and breach of our sweet rest, which betrayed us unto all these distempers which have succeeded; and how our repose, which should be prevalent to restore us, is now discontinued, as it was at first disturbed, by the very same men against our wills.

Under the pretence of the worke of God these distractions crept in upon us and what ever the designe be (we shall ex­amine that anon) Gods title is made so strong to it, aswell by States men as Divines, that they thinke his omnipotency as deeply ingaged, as their owne deare interests, or seduced con­sciences to goe through with it. But we must professe, that what that great worke of God is, which their actions aime at, hath never beene sufficiently, can never be unanimously (by themselves) declared. God hath many workes, and some that are fit to goe thorow none, but those accursed hands of Judas; and if they would prevaile with us for our patience and sub­mission, they must produce some prophecie; that infallibly makes them the ruine of their King and Countrey. But yet we should take leave to tell them, that it is not such a comfor­table employment to be made the rod of Gods anger, because though his wisedome useth, his goodnesse loveth not the in­strument of his childrens correction: The rod is alwayes burnt for doing malicious execution.

Was the worke to chastise the pride of the King (as some have intimated) with a greater; or as some thought and ex­prest freely, to root out Episcopacy, Deanes, and Chapters, that they might establish their owne preaching Ministry, or them­selves in their Revenues? This would have beene a glorious Reformation of those grand errours of their fore-fathers chari­ty, when that true Devotion that had expatiated their hearts, opened their treasures to, and made them too lavish in their expences upon Gods worship. Now the effects of that zeale which burneth in our Worthies, are to bring downe the price of our Religion, to serve God at a cheaper rate, and to offer Sa­crifice of that which cost them nothing. What ever the worke was we see what worke it hath made amongst us; and if we observe the stepes by which it hath ascended, we shall easily perceive▪ the Authors thought it could not succeed otherwise then by violence. What ever the modell be, the structure was not likely to be set up as the holy Temple was, without any sound of Axe o [...] H [...]er but with confused noise, and garments rolled in bloud. The truth is, desparing of Gods speed, we have [Page 3] cause to beleeve they resolved to take the Devils. Hence were those Tumults raised, Riots justified, some whereof were of that disperate nature, that the Ring-leaders of them made it the emphasis of their enraged passion, to cry out, The King is the Traytor: The King is not fit to live: The Prince would go­verne better. Those that heard these things, and are ready to make proofe of them, have good reason to thinke His Majestie was driven from London, and not much misled by those evill Counse [...]lours that advertised him of the danger.

Thus was the King and many of His Subjects little better entertained in the streets: And did His Majesties friends finde any better wellcome in both Houses? were not those Houses made a Sanctuary to the most desperate Delinquents, if they had learned to tune their Votes to the prevailing, because vio­lent partly; whilest gallant sober gentlemen, who preferred solid reason and their owne conscience, before any popular Ar­guments, were posted up and banish't from them? For exam­ples of the former. I need adde no more to the Instances in the Complaint, then Master Griffith, who being guilty of a barba­rous attempt upon the Lady Sidlyes chastity, and complai­ned of for the same, yet the House was so farre from suffe­ring it selfe to be purged of this able Member▪ that they were pleased to advance him to an honourable office (if any office may be stiled honourable) in their Holy Army: And this is the man that was lately sent out in so much pompe with his silver Trumpets.

On the other side, because some worthy Members of both Houses were privy to more of their designes, then they could with a cleare heart assent unto; 'tis probable (though for no other reason) if this violent party could have construed their actions (by any rules or exceptions) into Treason, they should have lost their heads to secure their memories from betraying Close-Committee secrets. Thus many Gentlemen of knowne integrity were deprived of those priviledges wherewith they were invested aswell by the Authority of the King, as the suf­frage of their Countrey; and exposed to the rage of a rude multitude, causelesly incensed: and yet if they fled after their [Page 4] Soveraigne, to seeke that security at a distance, which (retain­ing a good conscience) they could not promise themselves un­der the influence of both Houses, they were presently declared Delinquents, as if they could not be friends to themselves, nor loyall to their King, without perill to the Kingdome: and after the power of the Countrey refused to bring them up, (finding no just ground for it) an Army is voted to be levied to appre­hend [...]hem; and then all their miscarriages (possibly but of hu­man [...] [...]ailty) being summ'd up together, if the totall would have amounted (a [...] [...] easily might have done) to a constructive Treason, their lifes had beene rendred a prey to a Legislative, that is [...]an unlimited power, as blind as a man's selfe-will or malice, and their fortunes an oblation to these mens ambi­tion.

T [...]us having cast out the great ones, who were not like to fall into▪ or continue in their owne hands and cunningly shuf­fled with the rest; they soone packt their Cardes so, as the die should never be carried (in any matter of consequence, for in triviall things they could differ upon designe) against them. The violent course they tooke made a strong side quickly▪ and indeed the streame grew too violent to be interrupted; and whatsoever was done by the wisedome of His Majestie to turne the Torrent, that it might not bring this Inundation, which it hath now brought upon His Royall Government; such was the power and reputation that these men had pur­chased amongst the people, not by their owne merit, but His Majesties Acts of grace conveighed through their hands to them, that it was easily made use of to His Majesties disad­vantage.

His Majesty upon a timely discovery of the first rising of this proud malignant tumour, applied nothing but the gentle lenitives of his favour to asswage and allay it: At last after the emptying of a whole treasury of acts of grace unto his people, finding them ineffectuall to stop the current of their blind fury, and desirous to prevent those inconveniences, which we now by that meanes groane under (justice being denyed to his Mi­nisters on this behalfe) was drawne into a necessity of going [Page 8] into the House of Commons in his owne person, ro demand the principall Engineers (as His Majesty had then good reason to conceive, and all men now to suspect) of this destructive stratagem. And seeing what we now see, and feeling what we now feele, we might have had a just occasion to have given that mistake the Title of an happy errour, as being a likely meanes, if it had taken effect, to have prevented these distem­pers that have insued, and settled our peace and truth to the generall contentment of the whole Kingdome, and all this without any prejudice to those mens reputation, if that charge had not beene proved against them. But this errour was a weapon they have made much use of in all their Remonstrances and Declarations, and indeed the onely one that hath beene with any colour alleadged to their advantage. As for the bringing up of the English Army, that was but a leaden Dag­ger that never wounded the Kings honour amongst them that understood it truly. But this errour in His Majesty was reckon­ed a crime of a greater magnitude, then the Treason it selfe whereof the Members were accused, and His Majesty is en­dighted for it in every pamphlet before the barre of every vulgar Judgement, where usually the charge is not sooner read, then the sentence of condemnation pronounced.

After they had raised their greatnesse to this height upon those prejudices, which they had laid against His Majesty (e­speciall upon this mistake for which he hath d [...]ne pennance so often in their foule sheets) they resolved either to settle what their fond ambition had designed, or else to sacrifice the peace and happine [...]se of the Kingdome to their owne fury. And ha­ving failed (God be praised) of successe hitherto, they conti­nue as far distant in heart from any inclinations to our redresse, as the meanes is which they have propounded to effect it.

When they seized upon the Kings Militia▪ they made fast addresses to our Ruine. And since we know by a sad, a very sad experience what a long and effectuall progresse they have made in it. It cannot but seeme strange that they should presume with so much confidence to derive a power of taking Armes to themselves, and ground it upon the fundamentall lawes of the [Page 6] Kingdome, and yet (haveing set up as strict an inquisition for presidents as for Del [...]nquents) now after so many monethes e­lucubrations, not one fragment of Law produced to that pur­pose. Nay, if our owne skill and the opinion of learned and honest Judges, (who must not be consulted with in this con­troversie) deceive us not▪ it is an attempt which the Law pro­vides against under no lower Title then high treason. And yet a circulation of reports had so charmed us, and breathed so many cold feares and jealousies upon us, and these so prest by the weight of that Authority, which (whiles it moved upon its own Center) we highly reverenced, that growing deafe to our owne duty at home, we userpt the office of our Soveraigne, for our protection against pretended forraigne dangers. But after a little succession of time had undeceived us, we perceived no other dangers threatning us, then such as were now a casting in that very mould, which (we were told) was made for our security.

The hedge of our Government (because some Weeds acci­dentally sprung up in it, or else for that it had many thornes, as all good fences should have, to afflict transgressors that run o­ver it) was cried quite downe, and pul'd as low as libertinisme could lay it, so that our faire and fruitfull inclosure was laid into a wild and waste Common. Indeed they had very provedently designed a new paile, but the chife workemen could not agree in what fashion to saw it out.

And in the interim most men (as they were engaged or in­couraged) had quitted those Trenches, which Almighty God had digg'd for them in his holy Ordinances, and waited to take Sanctuary in the Fortifications of their projecting. Now to raise these (because they ware to encounter with many diffi­cuties) they must have the Sword as well as the [...]rewell, that (if need were) they might build and fight together. To this end (the Scots who had beene kept long upon this designe, be­ing dismist) they attempted to wrest the sword out of the hand of the King, the proper owner. A fatall attempt that presaged perill to the assailants; for he that (thus) takes the sword (against that authority that hath the sole power of it) shall perish [Page 7] by the sword. And truly God hath miraculously made it evi­dent, that his Vicegerent beareth not the sword in vaine. Not that His Majesty delights to unsheath the sword of Justice, more then for exemplary punishment, though he hath lately met with such extreme provocations, as were enough to exa­sperate the softest nature into fury. We find a sweet straine of grace and mercy run through the whole Tragedy of his suffer­ings, and doubtlesse had there been a suitable correspondence in the inclinations of others, the Kingdome had not at this day been stained in so deep a die of blood. How much of his un­doubted rights did His Majesty freely sacrifice for the satis­faction of his people? If we should reckon up all his acts of grace (as well those which have beene abused to our disadvantage, as those whereof we are in hope to reape the fruit hereafter) they will abundantly recompence all those pressures which evill coun­sellours had formerly brought upon us. And (as if he could deny his people nothing whilst they suffered him to keepe any thing for himselfe) he graciously offered to commit to hands of their owne choosing▪ so large a share of the Militia, as might have rendred them secure, if security (in a just and legall way) had beene all they sought for. But some of them having got­ten too great an interest▪ as well in the faith▪ as in the affections of the people, (who could not prevaile with themselves to be perswaded, they aimed lesse at His Majesties Honour, then at the publike good) in confidence of their strength came roundly to the businesse, and seized upon that by force, which (their ve­ry petitions can witnesse, for these were not petitions of right) was not due unto them. And now the King hath as much reason to exhibite a petition of right for the securing of his property, as ever the Subject had. His Forts and Townes are kept by vio­lence, his goods arrested, and his owne Armes taken up to resist him to his face, and these will not be restorid, till he conde­scend to a composition. Nineteen propositions are sent downe to him, that His Majesty would be content with a twentieth part, whilest the rest of the Crowne is shared betweene both Houses. These seemed to be very strange propositions, in the opinion of [...]oyall Subjects, who wisht their King as much glo­ry, [Page 8] as these men had promised him. Yet these were so far from altering His Majesties desires of peace, that he vouchsafed to an­swer them; and to give either the thing demanded, or a reason of his deniall which was better; and yet so farre from satisfacti­on, that wise men did equally admire the Kings grace, and their unthankefulnesse.

What should His Majesty doe? It was high time (after so many threatning votes, and hostility actually exercised at Hull against His Royall Person) to provide for the defence of Him­selfe, and His good Subjects that attended Him, lest their loyalty should betray them to inevitable destruction. Hence a guard was raised for the safety of His Majesties Royall Person, and that consisted of the chiefe Gentry, that could not reasonably be presumed to contribute assistance to the enslaving of themselves & their posterity. And yet this small guard is presently declared to be raised for the subversion of Parliament & in that of all our native liberties. His Majesty was not so happy in His meanes of undeceiving His good people, (as He hath been since) the re­putation of His Royall Word being blasted (to gaine credit to themselves) by their black-mouth'd Remonstrances. And yet all these reports (though their credit was much improved by the Authority of both Houses) had a very ample and sufficient confutation by severall messages of peace sent from Nottingham. Now if we looke to the reception, it was nothing suitable to the errand; which (if we may conclude from the entertainment) was so farre from finding a complyance of inclinations, that it met with very little Civility or good nature amongst them. For interpreting all these Acts of grace but instances of his weaknesse, they were more desperately bent, and urged by new votes, that their Army might advance to make a speedy assault upon them. Where by the way let me hint thus much: If those severall messages proceed out of weakenesse, we may take notice of a speciall Providence, that so suddenly encreas'd His Majesties Forces even to admiration. But if the said propo­sals were the genuine offspring of a gracious Prince then they were extremely unthankfull to slight the noble messengers, and so scornfully to cast so many offers of a peace behind them. As [Page 9] weake as His Majesty was, Almighty God preserved him from their fury, and was his safe convoy to Edge-hill; where (having been formerly advertised of a petition) he might very well have expected some handsome addresse before an alarum from them. 'Tis true, they say a very humble Petition (subscribed with a deale of Ceremony by both Houses) was committed to the hands of the Generall (the Earle of Essex,) but it seems it was ordered (if they conceived it for their advantage, which they supposed they had then gotten) to be delivered and made report of by the mouth of a Cannon. Well, these men, who were too mighty to imbrace an offered peace (as Gods provi­dence would have it) were so discomfited (if we may have leave to speak the truth) that by that time His Majesty was advanced to Colebrooks, their weaknesse had inclined them (and in good time be it spoken, it was the first step they set) to an Accommodation. And His Majesty (not triumphing in the ruine of His worst subjects, being a losing Conquerour in so sad a victory, nor desirous to improve the use of His sword, beyond the recovering of His just rights; and settling that law by which He holds them) met them with a gracious and ready cheerfulnesse to accomplish it. But in the interim, whilest the Messengers are making their addresses to His Majesty, the souldiers pursuing their sad though just and necessary imploy­ment, advanced to Brainceford, and because they put the Red Regiment and some others (as is conceived) to the worst, they are accused of treachery. Nay the King Himselfe must be slan­dered, though (if the matter be well examined) they had no reason to complaine, but that the day went against them: For can a souldier expect quarter before he askes it? Or an Army imagine to be at truce in the view of the enemy before a truce be moved? In other places upon Treaties of this nature, Courts of Guard are doubled; and were they so unacquainted with the customes of warre, as not to provide against all advantages of the enemy? I know not what they expected from His Majesty, but I am sure His Majesty never found more faire play from them, (though His subjects) nor so much as he might have done from a forraigne Enemy. Admit they did upon second [Page 10] thoughts send a Messenger to desire a Cessation from all hostile acts; we know the businesse was put in execution before the Messengers arrivall, nay, it stopt him in the midst of his journey. If they had beene desirous to prevent all further effusion of bloud, the motion should have been made more seasonably (as it might have been by their first Messengers) to His Maje­sty. What Revelations other men may goe upon, we know not; but we are sure His Majesty doth not pretend to be ac­quainted with their desires by inspiration. And His Majesties forces had great reason to use all meanes to frustrate the advan­tage which their enemies had taken. Wee know how their Souldiers had almost on all sides invironed him, and new forces raised in London, advanced with speed towards them, and why might not his Majesty advance forward, as well as His Adver­saries? If they say, their Generall did but pursue their order, which was given the night before their Messengers set forth, they doe but tell us in effect, that they had laid the designe so cunningly, that themselves might take any advantage freely; but if the King did the like, it was predestinated to be called Treachery.

We could tell of gracious Letters directed to the House at that time, but intercepted by their Army, and committed close prisoners to the Earle of Essex pockets, for no other crime then bringing peaceable intimations. The truth is, the mannagery of this Warre was committed to such hands as were glad of any occasion, colourably to decline the way of peace: For what did they say; His Majesty is yet too strong to bee dealt withall by a Treaty; which implieth, they must endeavour to secure His Royall Person by the ruine of those whose loyalty hath raised them up to guard it, that they may the better sub­vert his Government before their owne designe could bee ef­fected.

Whilst all their preparations are for battaile, His Majesty labours still for peace; to which He once againe invites them by a Message sent from Reading: But they are now growne deafe on both eares to Propositions of that nature; and the ve­ry name of Accommodation (for we know the man that said [Page 11] he hated it) is become odious and malignant. They breath forth nothing but challenge and defiance against His Majesty; and these men that could cheerfully entertaine suitors of any condition, or any mans procuring: whilst their Courtship was taught to wooe them not to embrace what was fit or profitable for the Kingdome, but what their own affections had made choice of, in order to the satisfying of their ambition. Now they grow coy, and frowne upon all such as sollicite them in the name of peace; as if she were so farre from being an in­gredient in it, that she were the onely obstacle to our happi­nesse.

First, the bleeding miseries of the Kingdome of Ireland (which must wholly be laid upon the score, who have obstru­cted their reliefe through these distempers of their owne rai­sing) spurr'd them on to frame their sad Complaints into Sup­plications, to which his Majesty lent a gracious eare, and offe­red to contribute assistance in any way that could be propoun­ded to Him: but the two Houses (who were formerly very angry, that they might not have all the honour of reducing that wretched Kingdome) afforded little pity, lesse aid unto them; many bitter discontented spirits raising scruples and mur­murings at the Petition, instead of applying themselves to the reliefe of their distresses for the present, or to make a peace with His Majesty, (as was desired) whereby they might bee enabled to assist them for the future.

Then the many prodigious tokens of our ruine here at home began to awaken us, and make us sollicitous for our owne safe­ty. The most substantiall Citizens meeting together in no other ominous or formidable posture, then with gloves on their hands to move a Petition for peace; and they are accused for committing a riot, and imprisoned, whilst forces sent to assault and murder them, are interpreted (by their great Doctors of the Law) to keep the peace of the Kingdome.

These men that have so long beguiled the people with false Alarmes, and never more then by pretending to have bent all their endeavours to work a good understanding and reconci­liation with His Majesty, have been so farre from giving [Page 12] countenance to Petitions of that nature, that all their endea­vours have been (and sometimes by Messengers directed on purpose) to strangle them; and such Gentlemen as have been imployed in their Countrey on such errands, have for that ser­vice-sake been plundered, their Horses taken from them, (as our neighbours of Essex are able to depose;) and the authority of the Houses by which they were taken, either cannot or will not be effectually exercised to recover them, but an appeale must be made from them unto the close-Committee.

But what! is there no excuse to be alleadged to take off the blemish of this action? Truly, their web is not of so plain a spinning, but they have many pretty coloured threds runne thorow it. They'le tell us, 'Tis no more needfull for the people to spurre them on to their duty, then lawfull to direct them in it; such Petitions are sawcy breaches of their Priviledges: They have the sole power to judge of sense and reason, and the dangers of the Kingdome. Indeed they have most reason to be acquain­ted with the nature of those dangers, that were first premedita­ted, and since of their owne actuall forging. Certainly, as these men have laboured to thrust out both our eyes, that we might not see; so they would extinguish our memories, that we might remember nothing. They should engage some of their instru­ments to teach us an Art of forgetfulnesse, in behalfe of ma­ny Acts in the time of their owne reigne, as well as an Art of memory, in behalfe of some sufferings under the reigne of our Soveraignes at least, they shall have voted an oblivion, that their owne late practices of encouraging Petitioners of another straine, as bold and directory, might not rise up to their con­demnation.

But why should it be reputed a breach of good manners for Petitioners to suggest the meanes of their owne redresse? Every man knowes best where his owne shooe pinches. Ne­cessity stands not upon Ceremonies, and doubtless Beggars may be choosers, when the choice is, Whetherthey will submit to their owne ruine against Law and Equity, or maintaine those Rights wherewith they are legally invested, under the Prote­ction of a gracious Soveraigne, against the spoile and rapine of an Arbitrary power.

Well! if men that have lived under the dominion of Mars and Sol, (being taught by their effects to put a difference be­twixt them) finding the first to be incomparably most malig­nant begin to desire to be look't upon with a more propitious influence. If it be imputed for a crime to these men to Peti­tion, that the storm (without doubt raised by spirits, in whom the Prince of the ayre worketh, who worketh in all the chil­dren of disobedience) might be calmed, that they might enjoy their old comfortable Sun-shine: Yet me-thinks a motion for Peace (which no State till our dayes condemned for an ill Mi­nister) made by one of their owne Members, might have past without exception. That grand Assertor of the publike liber­ty, who in civility gave the King the title of a Soveraigne, when he kept the Authority to himselfe, and confounded the undoubted Rights of the Crowne, with the never-heard-of Priviledges of Parliament, we meane Sir Iohn Hotham, (who out of a remorse of conscience, that he had been the prime in­strument of this combustion, or out of an apprehension of an unlikelihood of prevailing, cursed himselfe) moved no lesse then three main wheeles at once, to set forward the work of an Accommodation. (Those Letters of his to the Earles of Nor­thumberland and Holland, and to the Speaker of the House of Commons, had been as well worth the peoples reading (if they had had a purpose to let the people see any thing tending to their peace and happinesse) as those from the Earle of Stam­ford, of the totall defeat which he had given Sir Ralph Hopton; (of the truth of which the Houses have since been sufficiently informed:) Or those other of the Lord Fairefax, interlined with an ordinary glosse, and so printed for the benefit of the set­ters forth. But these from Sir Iohn Hotham did not speak to the sense of the Lords and Commons, that use to sit in Merchant Taylors Hall at midnight, and therefore were not fit to be com­municated. And if we enquire how they were accepted, we shall find that they had but little better welcome then the Peti­tions of peace had to both Houses. Such a jealousie is presently raised against him, that though he had committed Treason a­gainst his King, to become their faithfull servant, he begins to [Page 14] feare he shall be suffered to play Rex no longer, and complains of it: and many think if they had not more feared their owne then his perishing by water, they had cast him out of his Arke, for bringing this Olive branch to them.

As they were averse to motions of peace themselves, so were they strangely opposite to the tendring of such supplica­tions to His Majesty. Indeed they had reason; for (wanting competent evidence to speak for them) they had often com­mended their own endeavours for peace, and made us believe that their frequent suits found His Majesties eare inexorable. They were loth this device (which they had improv'd to some advantage amongst the ordinary and lesse knowing sort of people, where most of their game lies) should be discovered by any Petitioners personall attendance upon His Majesty. Hence the Messengers that carried the Petition of Westmin­ster, &c. (though they had obtained a warrant from the House for their free and safe passage) were surprised in the way; and upon search made, some scandalous Pamphlets (as they called them for speaking the truth) which in all probability had been committed to the Coachman, by that setting-Dogge that dis­covered them; for the businesse was a deep mystery, and a very riddle to the Gentlemen: these were quickly found, (the searchers being pre-instructed in the plot) and so the Messengers were brought back againe, that they might not present their prayers to His Majesty.

But His Majesties Grace, as it invited all, so it found suppli­cants from other parts of the Kingdome, whose distance from them was their best, if not their onely priviledge from inter­ruption and imprisonment: (We say nothing of the usage of the Hartfordshire Petitioners.) And after these men perceived that no art or industry could prevent it, but the Court would be frequented with sollicitations of this nature, as long as it had a gracious eare, that took so much pleasure to entertaine them; they directed a contrivall of a plausible Petition to be carried to the King in the name of the Common-Councell. His Majesty (never wanting to any thing that might repaire our unhappy breaches) vouchsafed a gratious answer; and such as (if it had [Page 15] been duely followed) had led us the way to very just, and no lesse easie termes of Accommodation. But observe how care­full these men are to worke a good understanding between the King and His Subjects: They breake through all the Liberties and Priviledges of the City (when we see the Rights of the Crowne trampled on, we cannot expect that any Priviledge should stand before that of committing Treason.) And the people must not reade the Kings pleasure, unlesse they will put on Spectacles of Master Pyms making; nor heare His Majesty speake to them, unlesse His authentick Text be first corrupted by false Comments.

Was any County willing to be dis-ingaged, desirous (be­cause they could not avoid it) to be sad Spectators, rather then wild Actors in this bloudy Tragedy. Why such a neutrality is voted to be malignant, such a peace destructive? Though Articles be concluded, and ratified by their subscriptions, the mutuall pledges of their faith, yet this must not atone those neighbours, that knew not why, nor wherein they differed. These men can finde Principles in the Schooles of Jesuites, (and such as are no where else to be found) that Faith is not to be kept with Hereticks, with Malignants, and men Popishly af­fected; (they runne parallel with them a great deale further) and hereupon they use those new Parliamentary Keyes of their owne making, to reverse all the bolts of these engagements, as if they had the same power to dispense with consciences, which they pretend to have in dispense with Lawes of the Kingdome. Thus those two Counties of Yorke and Che­shire, when they had set their hands to the happy bonds of peace, and might have sate quietly under their owne vines, were by Votes, (and nothing else) provoked (like creatures without reason) to worry one another. These men that have so much of the publike faith, how little would they have of publike charity?

Have many Gentlemen put themselves into a posture of Warre, and obtained their Commission onely to stalke by them, that they might the better furnish themselves for His Majesties service, which they aimed at? Have others, not a few, (and [Page 16] some of their nearest and dearest creatures) out of a late sense of the weaknesse of their cause, or party, or both, plaid the Souldi­ers indeed, and turned faces about, with a resolution and zeale to recompence His Majesty by their good service, for the op­position which they had too long, but ignorantly made against him? Have others (who by the losse of a good fore-game, are taught to play an after-one) delivered up those Commissions, that inabled them to fight against their owne honour, and spill all their noble bloud? These, though they may prove dang [...]rous fore-runners of a grand Apostasie from the good worke, yet we must be pe [...]swaded th [...]y doe mo [...]e animate unto the cause, then discourage them. The worke is look't upon, as if God himselfe had actually cut it out, and appointed a select company, (though never so few, if desperately enough seditious) by an especiall and immediate designation to finish it.

Hence those Propositions for Accommodation, which most part of the Kingdome had sued for; and themselves (finding a necessity in it, to take off that dislike that began generally to fall upon them) had promised should be prepa [...]ed, were delay­ed ten or twelve weekes together; and before they are carried, are taught to speake such a language as doth but begge their just deniall. To answer these, His Majesty is allowed but ten dayes, and (willing to cut the sufferings of His people as short as He could) He graciously dispatched an answer almost in as few houres. He offers Propositions that a modest Conquerour would have accounted reasonable, and yet submits them toge­ther with their owne, and a cessation to a Treaty. These are brought to the Lords House, and the violent party there not able to hinder it by Votes, endeavour to intangle it by intricacies. The hint is given to the leading men of the House of Commons; and instead of voting a Cessation in order to the Treaty, they require an absolute disbanding of all Forces, and yet no termes of peace concluded on: so that the result of all would be but this, the King must quit His Martiall attendants, and re­signe Himselfe up once againe into the hands of seditious Tu­mults; (for those must not be spoken against) & then they shall be prepared for their Treaty. Some were so taken with this [Page 17] piece of Sophistry, that they openly boasted; They had plaid their game too cunningly for His Ma [...]esty: Truly a master-piece of his Policie, whose designes (if they be not made fru­strate by a higher power) can finde no period but in utter ruine. Some 14 dayes were spent upon this plot, and yet it was not [...]ipened for His Majestie, which occasioned another gracious Message to prevent all mistakes, (for His Majesty must be very punctuall, or else He is sure to be Declared Traytor) touching the limits of the Cessation; (which, as His Majestie was informed, they had at last voted.) What fruit all this seede will bring forth, perhaps the Spring may shew us; in the meane-while we are in a longing expectation, and must needs wonder, that having confined their King to so short a time, (which His Majestie in compassion of the miseries of His peo­ple made nine parts shorter too) themselves should not be asha­med to spin out their debates, when it lies in them onely (if they were not wanting to their duty, both to King and people) to put a present end to our calamities. At last (whiles we are penning these Observations) newes is brought of their conde­scention to a Treaty, and (to shew what reall affections they have to peace or what a plentifull number they have all this while had against it) one of the two appointed by the Lords must needs be the Lord Say, whose long-practised principles of Schisme h [...]ve led him so far in the advancement of Sedition, that he is deservedly proscribed a Traytor by His Majesty, so that (not able to doe more to obstruct the way to our peace and happinesse) they have brought the businesse to this Dilemma; His Majesty must either treat (and that face to face too) with a grand Rebell, (in all probability imployed on purpose to give a defeat to the whole Treaty) or else must expect to have the Odium of refusing peace cast upon Him.

Well! to draw a conclusion from these, but too true and too sad premises: If neither the gracious Messages and Invitati­ons of His Majesty; nor the sorrowfull prayers and supplicati­ons of the distressed, as well in England as Ireland, nor the earnest perswasions of their owne discouraged, or relenting party; nor the frequent returnes unto their alleagiance, of such [Page 16] [...] [Page 17] [...] [Page 18] as are daily undeceived amongst them, If neither the bleeding miseries actually ruinating in two Kingdomes at home, nor the invied dangers threatning from abroad, If none of these can, or if all these, with our Religion, Lawes, Lives and Fortunes, likely to be buried in the ashes of this imminent destruction, cannot prevaile one whit upon these fierce spirits, to soften their hard and (hitherto) unrelenting hearts, and incline them to thoughts of Peace and Accommodation; what can the inference amount unto lesse, then what we promised to make good in the beginning? viz. That the firebrands of this pesti­lent faction are in a desperate travaile for the birth of some monstrous designe, which cannot be ushered into the world but by confusion. We all know whose expression it was, I hate the name of Accommodation; and the spirit of contradi­ction and dissention was not raised in them, as they raised it in the people, by the conjuration of Plots and Conspiracies, (un­der-ground workes, which no body could discover but their owne Artists, that invented them to imbitter the minds of men against His Majesty.) But all this was the fruit of that Spi­rit of contention, which they first brought with them to the service (though it had proved the disservice) of the King­dome; witnesse that prodigious Omen that long agoe presaged ourapproaching ruine. When that potent Gentleman put Moderation into the Catlogue of his vices, he left us to expect nothing else but those bitter fruits of violence, which we have since too sufficiently tasted.

Now the said accounts of Warre have taught the people the price of Peace; what, doe they oppose to stop the current of their solicitations? 1. They make speeches in the House, in disgrace of Peace; and from that common sense, a sense must be derived unto the whole Kingdome. Till they have spilt all the blood of the ungodly, or malignant, (as they tearme them) they plead an impossibility of enjoying peace with her due in­vestitures, as if (because they have begun such a Warre) they could not conclude any other Peace, but what is a stranger unto truth and righteousnesse. The Lord Brookes and others have made great use of their talents this way, to their great honour [Page 19] amongst the bretheren of the Separation. When these prevai­led to thrust peace out of the Houses, there was anot her plot to cut the throat of it in the Citie. A multitude (as they had found by long experience) is good at a dead lift; and if they be set upon't, to have all matters tryed by club law, there is no appealing from them. Well! such forces must be levied as of­fer up their prayers unto both Houses by an implicite faith in a language they understand not thinking any thing a blessing that [...]uch a heavenly man as Doctor Burgesse invites them to petition for, and so poore fooles are earnest suitors to be wed­ded to the miseries of a civill warre, from which other Nations long to be redeemed. If shame or discretion, or conscience makes men backward to this hellish designe then the Pulpit must be turn'd into a Mount Ebal, from whence the Emissaries of the House of Commons curse them. Lest sedition should not thrive fast enough, they suborne these Preachers, and ob­trude them upon (almost) every Parish, to sow the seeds thick­er; and these men▪ though not of so long a standing, have im­proved their stocke of impudence beyond the Devill himselfe. He came whiles the servants slept, but these disperse their tares in the field whiles they looke upon them. These are the Bellowes to this fire, the Trumpets to this warre, that boggle nor at blasphemy, to perswade the people that God is ingaged in their conspiracy against his Anointed; and to this end their prayers are of a more saguine complexion, then Esaus pottage, These are they that have taken this advantage of stirring up the people to spoile and rapine, that they may (this way) root out a regular Ministry, and be planted in their places: Inso­much as one of them tells us in his Plaine English, He hath a great deale of reason to be confident, that scarce any considerable man (he speakes of the Clergy) who hath beene engaged in this quarrell on the Parliament part, if he retaines his integryty, (he should have changed that word for sedition) dares abide the issue of a present Accommodation. Certainly there can be no­thing but their owne guilt that should move them to distrust the protection of that Law which they have beene bred and borne to. These men can have no fishing but in troubled wa­ters, [Page 20] and therefore when they have done sweating in the per­secution of Peace in the Pulpet, they assault her in the Presse; and in both they have a great advantage: for they wrestle at liberty, whiles the Champions of Peace have their hands tyed behind them. They speake plaine English, whiles the other have their tongues clipt; or if they speake out, are imprisoned: So that Peace is first awed into silence, and then by these men prest to death, because she doth not plead to her endightment. These are the instruments so destructive to our peace, so indu­strious in fomenting this execrable Warre. These are the very Becons, that (being set on fire themselves) with their prodigi­ous blazes have raised so many Countries in Armes, to their owne ruine, These are the grand Projectors to raise men and money, making their Ministry but a Pander to Rebellion. Their stratagemes have beene to awaken them by sounding this Alarm in their eares: That Gods cause, the Protestant Religion, Lawes, Liberties, Properties, Priviledges of Parliament, yea their lives, with the lives of their deare wives and children, ly all at the stake. They went a step higher in the begin­ning, perswading them they were to fight for the defence of the Kings Rights, and to rescue His Sacred Person from the hands of the Cavaliers; (so in a disgrace they termed His Majesties Illustrious Nephewes, with the chiefe Nobility and Gentry of the Kingdome) who (as they said) had sur­prized Him.

When they were supplied with men, (animated by these devices) what course did they leave unattempted to raise mo­ney to maintaine them? Under the name of the publike faith (a chest that is bottomelesse and insatiable) they have erected a new lotterie; (to cheat our faith, and begger the publike.) From hence the adventurers were sure to carry away nothing but blankes, the prizes being designed for themselves, and the Officers that were neere them; some of which are not ashamed to sound the Trumpet for it. When the free Contributions were exhausted from Voluntiers, men came to be prest to these prodigall expences. After they had lent some, they were justly paid the use by having the rest taken from them. Men were [Page 21] not onely forced to part with their own, but to disburse others money also, or committed to prison for their refusali. This was I angherne and Vivians case, who were committed to Colche­ster Goale, for denying to pay 2000l, which was due to the Prince from them, and yet the Receiver plundred of the mo­ney. These men are no lesse carefull for the maintenance of the Kings children then of his Majestie, provided it may be done by taking away their Revenues; and thus all the Rights as well of King as People, have beene secured by an Antiphrasis of Parliament. When the Merchants were in dispute about the la [...]ing of the Ship called Sancta Clara, these charitable men (that love no strife betweene brethren) umpir'd in the busi­nesse, and to reconcile the difference, seized upon the goods, which must not be redeemed to the use of the right owner, under the loane of 20000l. I pray God they have not this trick to comprimise all the differences of the Kingdome. To raise m [...]ney they have robbed both the Church and the Spittle, six thousand pounds being collected for the repairing of S, An­drewes Holborne, were fetcht away by the Earle of Manchester and others, in the night. If this Church fall, they have inga­ged themselves to build God a new house in bloud. We reade of Hezekiah that he gave all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord to make his peace with a forreigne and ido­latrous King: but for subjects to take Gods money to wage Warre against a pious Prince, we beleeve this may be made one of the first precedents; They have not beene more favou­rable to the mysticall then to the materiall Temples of God. A great collection was made for the reliefe of the poore Pro­testants in London Derry, and (besides those vast summes raised by Subsidie for the Armies there) this was all converted to the use of this bloudy War, whilest those our miserable brethren are ready to perish (as many that went before them) in their distres­ses. To recompence them from this wrong, they have imployed their Preachers to advance another collection for them; which comming into the same hands, we suspect will be con­veighed the same way. They tooke like care for the disposall of that collection made for Brainceford, for the poore of the [Page 22] Parish have not beene a farthing the better for it hitherto, and we beleeve the Spring will have so well recovered them, that their Physitians will thinke it needlesse to administer what was so long agoe provided for them. Whether these men, that would have no summe passe by their owne bagge, care more to relieve the poore then Judus did, may appeare by diverse in­stances: amongst the rest they brake into the Hospitall at Gil­ford in Surrey, and tooke 400l, from them: and a fine device, was lately set on foot to raise another summe. There is a pre­tence for poore children to be sent over to get good breeding in New-England, a collection must be made for them, and this must be committed to the hands of their trusty and well-beloved Alderman Pennington, which is like to be imployed to the use for which it was pretended, as faithfully as those summes ga­thered for London Derry and Branceford were.

Now, lest the peoples zeale should wast with their purses, they keepe them warme by a continuall breathing of reports upon them. If Letters come that speake but upon heare-say, they first expunge so much of the relation as might tend to the discouraging of their party, and then publish them as the Hi­story of some great defeat; and (if need be, as there is need enough) they have their Observatour to write Commentaries upon them, lest the people should mistake the rare passages of Gods providence on their side. Another while they declaime against the Kings Army as Popish, (forgetting that their good wroke is supported by men of any Nation or Religion; and that the Lord Say and the Lord Brookes, two leading Cards of that faction, have often protested they would dispence with all sorts of Religions, (though now they make an exception of the true Protestant) so they might exercise their owne freely; and that such a generall Toleration ought to be granted is their a­vowed opinion; and indeed, their independency cannot consist otherwise, for if I be accountable to none, I will use what Religion I please, without controule.) It hath been well ob­served, that when there hath beene any businesse of conse­quence to be debated in the Houses, they have still had the good fortune to be encouraged by the newes of some strange [Page 23] successe, or exasperated by some great provocation, suggested by such as made the discovery for advantage: But they have beene so provident as to lay reports of this nature at a consi­derable distance, that they might not be confuted before the present turne were served. Thus wee were made beleeve, whilest His Majesties Army was in Yorkeshore, and in those re­mote parts, that they consisted of none but Papists and Delin­quents; but this mist cast before the peoples eyes to blind them, was soone dispelled by the rayes of our Soveraignes pie­ty, as He drew neare us. And however the Earle of New­castles Forces lie all under the same scandall now, yet as great a cloud as this hath vanish'd into nothing; and 'tis possible they may draw so neare us, that (notwithstanding their duty and alleagiance have brought some Papists into that Army) we may distinctly understand, that the Masse, which they say is so commonly used, will prove no other then the Booke of Common-Prayer.

With these jugling and slight-of-hand trickes wee have beene long amazed, but they bave beene plaid so often over that every man who is not wilfully blinde discovers them; and now they serve for no use but for wise men to lament, and boyes to laugh at; we may justly wonder what springs they move by, that drive them on so furiously against the stteame of truth, law, and reason: and yet we may cease to wonder, for we have beene sufficiently informed, that some of this vio­lent party are spurr'd on by the law of their owne necessities, A Captaines pay per annum is. More money then five of their prime Instruments were ever owners of. The Honest Letter hath told us on which side the beggerly Lords and Gentlemen are of; and 'tis easily conclude [...] [...] consider who they are that take the present pay out of a publike stocke, whilest their Cure is served by their under-officers, and who they are that serve in their owne persons; and besides the hazard of their residence raise and maintaines Forces at their owne charges. Others we know pursue this designe out of an inveterate ma­lice unto Majestie. It was an expression of but little loyaltie, (and not the further from truth because uttered in a Taverne) [Page 24] that They would make the King as poore as Job, unlesse he did comply with them. That Champion that wrestled to stoutly with his Soveraigne at Law, in the case of Ship-money. might have come off with honour, if he had staid there: But seeing him (after satisfaction) one of the first in the field desperately provoking His Majesty to the sharpe, we suspect malice, though we hope he will be deceived in the length of the Kings weapon, and so perish by it. Others know and have protested the King cannot in honour pardon them; and if they should submit to the Law, they are too sure that would prove a killing letter to them, and therefore they dare not abide the issue of an Accommodation. Others having transformed themselves into Angels of light, possest the people, that they were of a nearer communion, even of the Cabinet-Councell with God himselfe, and broached their illustions for divine Revelations. These men could see, that God had plainly chalked out a way in his holy Word, which our fore-fathers for 1500 yeeres together could never see: That Jesus Christ had sate all this while besides his Throne, and they must dispossesse Antichrist (whose spirit and manner of working by lying wonders &c, they are very well acquainted with) before our Saviours government can be esta­blished. These men being canoniz'd for Saints by the ignorant multitude, (that understand not the depth of Satans delusions) thinke it too great a disgrace to be stigmatized with an igno­minious death for Sedition, which they know they are by Law guilty of.

Those men that began the Warre upon such unwarrantable grounds, and have purused it to the murdering of so many thousands, will undoubtedly [...]ive it (if it be possible) to the last pinch: For although migh [...] [...]ope they shall never compri­mise differences to their owne personall safety and preferment, and our irrevocable slavery, as one of their Clerkes (in his fri­volous paper) saith they may doe; yet they will drive it on as long as they have any hopes to get so great a pawne into their hands as shall inable them to make their owne conditions. If this faile, having shipt away so much of the Treasury of the Kingdome as may make them considerable and welcome guests [Page 25] to New-England, or such other places, they care not how mise­rable they make this Land before they leave it. And her [...] by the way we could wish, that our own mony (that was ordered to be transported in Trunkes without searching) might not be brought backe to buy our goods withall; for our stocke being plundered by them, if they may have the liberty (as they take liberty to doe any thing) to prize it for themselves, we may pre­sume they will afford good penny-worths, and never leave us till they have removed both the Exchanges, with the Kings Exchequer and the Chamber of London, into the Earle of War­wickes new Liberties. 'Tis time to look about us, for we are to play our game with the greatest Cheaters in Christendome, who think they have as good a Warrant to spoile such as they have call'd Mal [...]gnant, (for no other reason then their loyalty) as e­ver Israel had to spoile the Egyptians.

Let us no longer suffer our selves to be abused, and mis-led by those false lights which they have hung out to deceive us. Doe not all their practices runne counter to their pretences? Doe we not perceive them look one way, and steere the contrary? Let us learne to know their aimes, not by their words, but by their actions. If we trace them through all their proceedings, we shall find they have given the lie to every particular pre­tence, though never so speciously alledged for their justifica­on in this warre.

Who was more cryed up then the defence of the true Pro­testant Religion? This was the very shield and buckler of their Army. This is made the Generalismo of all their Arguments, and marcheth in the front of all the battaile. If this were not at the stake, most men conclude the warre absolutely unlaw­full. But how a quarrell can be justly made to defend a Reli­gion, that condemnes such a quarrell and such a defence, (as the true Protestant Religion doth) I professe I understand not. If our Religion did runne an aparent hazard, I am confident this scandalous and offensive defence cannot be justified, but by such Iefuitidall principles, as all the Schooles of Protestants (except the Scots, and not all of them neither, for the Ministers of Aberden have declared themselves clearly and solidly of this [Page 26] opinion in their Duplies) have unanimously exploded. But we have sufficient grounds of suspition, that the Religion which is so barbarously militant in a Buffe-coat, is not the same Religion which was peaceably obedient in a Surplice. Wee reade in Plaine English of hopes they have, not onely of refor­ming, that is, rooting out our Discipline, but also of purging our Doctrine: notwithstanding they have bound themselves by a solemne Protestation, (if any such thing can binde them, for they have done as much for the Kings Person, Rights and Dignity) to maintaine it. We had thought they would have made their new experiments onely upon our old Government; but it seemes that wise Colledge of State-Physicians think it fit to make the Doctrine of our Church their Patient, and we are afraid they will let too much bloud there too; and their purge, if they be suffered to administer, will be strong enough to overthrow it. Well! whether the maintenance of the true Pro­testant Religion be the Argument of this sword-dispute, may be decided by a speedy tryall: Let them reduce the Fabricke of our Religion according to the Model of Queen Elisabeths time, in which those foundations were laid, which made the Church of England the most eminent and glorious of all Pro­testant Churches: If His Majesty consents not to all this, and to something more (upon the advice of a grave and learned Sy­nod) for the satisfaction of tender consciences, but recedeth from His many free and gracious offers to that purpose, then let those bitter and scandalous imputations of inclining unto Popery be never washt away from Him. But if this be one of the maine Arguments of His Majesties taking up just, ne­cessary, and defensive Armes against Anabaptists, Brow­nists, and Sectaries, who have already throwne downe the hedge, and now fall to pillaging of the grapes of the Lords Vineyard, and that with countenance and encouragement from a party in both Houses; then we may conclude we approach very fast unto Atheisme and Prophanenesse, and are fallen into those times which Sir Walter Raleigh speakes of in his Histo­rie of the Word, B. 2. Chapt. 5. sect. 1. speaking of the care that Moses had of all things that concerned the worship and ser­vice [Page 27] of God; which care of his all ages have in some degree imitated: Yet (sayes he, and we may say so more truly) it is now so forgotton, and cast away in this super fine age, by those of the family; By the Anabaptists, Brownists, and other Sectaries, as all cost and care bestowed and had of the Church, wherein God is to he served and worshipped, is accounted a kind of Popery, and as proceeding from an Idolatrous disposition; insomuch as time would soone bring to passe (if it were not resisted) that God would be turned out of Churches into Barnes, and from thence againe into the Fields and Mountaines, and under the Hedges; and the offices of the Ministers (robb'd of all dignity and respect) be as contemptible, as these places: All Order, Discipline, and Church-Government, left to newnesse of opinion, and mens fan­cies: yea, and soone after, as many kindes of Religion would spring up, as their are Parish Churches within England: Every contentious and ignorant person clothing his fancy with the Spi­rit of God, and his imagination with the gift of Revelation; in­somuch, as when the Truth, which is but one, shall appeare to the simple multitude, no lesse variable then contrary to it selfe, the faith of men will soone after die away by degrees, and alll Religi­on held in scorne and contempt. Doth not this directly hit the temper of our times, wherein the conformable ministry is gene­rally discountenanced, ignorant and seditious persons, men of all qualities and professions, set up like Jeroboams Calves to out-face them? Wherein all sorts of Conventicles (forbidden by Law) are tolerated and frequented by those that ought to punish them: wherein men will take upon them to be Magi­strates, and declaime against the publike worship and service of God, as it hath stood ever since the Reformation in the Church of England, and shut up the doores of the Mother-Church, (if it bee lawfull to use any name of reverence and authority, besides the name of a Parliament) that the solemne service of God may not be administred, as it hath been, for a president to other Churches: wherein men are imprisoned and cannot be inlarged, unlesse they will promise to forbeare the use of the Common-Prayer, the Crosse in Baptisme, and kneeling at the holy Communion; wherein the holy Apostles of our Saviour [Page 28] are unsainted, as if we now doubted of their salvation: all this, and more then this, can be proved against Alderman Penning­ton, If wee look into the House, lest their Members should not bee infected fast enough with this pestilent disease, the Preachers of their choosing were for the most part notorious, schismaticall Separtists. And for the Synod (of their owne settting forth, after a new translation) for feare the Clergy should have sent men that were too orthodoxall, they depri­ved them of their rights, (forgetting their Protestation, or ta­king them to be not the Subjects intended in it) and made choice of as many men as they could get, under no remarkable character, but for their ignorant novelty, and factious singula­rity of opinion. If we look upon the men they most confide in, we shall find them of the same stampe, or else their prisoners must not be committed to them. Doctor Leyton an old Scot­tish Preacher, stigmatized long since for Sedition, Gaoler at Lambeth House. Dillingham a notorious Brownist, with his wife and family, Goaler at London-House. Devenish the Kee­per, and Randall the Porter, both Conventicle-Preachers, at Winchester-House: and the Porter at Ely-House can deliver as much extemporary Sedition as the best of them. If we look into their Army, wee shall find their intemperate zeale (not without encouragement from some great ones) hath transpor­ted them, not onely to the prophanation of Churches, defacing of Monuments, tearing of holy Books, and decent Vest ments, but even to the murdering of the true sonnes of the Church for [...]oyning in her devotions, as the late example at Lambeth evi­denceth.

Wee see then what is done for the defence of the true Pro­testant Religion, as it stands reformed and establisht in the Church of England. This Religion is pretended, but another is practiced; and in order to this new one, (for the old hath consisted with the old government) Episcopacy must be rooted out: and to this end, they have used the most Reverend Bishops, (for no other crime then for being of that function) as whi­lome the enemies of the Gospell did the holy Martyrs of Jesus Christ, when they clothed them in the skins of wilde beasts, [Page 29] to animate the dogges to teare them: so the Fathers of the Church have been set forth under the most scandalous and ig­nominious character, to inrage the people against them. And although they are as farre from discovering, as from agreeing what they would have in the roome of it, yet this must downe, that's concluded; and though a Synod be desired, as the most competent Judge of such Controversies, yet this is to be con­vened onely for colour fake; the work must be done, or rather undone, before they be consulted with, or assembled. We may expostulate, though they will not allow their Votes, how un­reasonable soever, to be disputed. How came Episcopacy, that hath stood so long a piller in the house of God, to grow so dia­metrically opposite to the truth or peace of the Gospell? Was not our Religion reformed under that Government, and hath not our Church and State flourish't (to the envy of our neigh­bours) under it? If some tares have sprung up under it, have they not sprung up much faster, and spread further under other formes of Government beyond the Seas? If inconveniences have crept in through that wall, which, if not of Christs own, is doubtlesse of his Apostles building: much more through those low hedges of their setting up, who hhve no grounds be­sides their owne fancies to plant them on. There is a necessity of emerging offences, and tares will grow amongst the Wheat untill the Ha [...]vest, or else our Saviour hath deceived us. His wisdome sees, that the very chaffe may contribute something to the benefit of the good graine in this life, and therefore hath reserved the thorow-purging of his floore till his owne comming unto Judgement. A little breaking in of the salt wa­ters makes our helds more fruitfull: Our chief care must be to keep out Inundations, and the way to doe that is to keep the bankes up and to keepe them sound, not to levell them.

The Houses did once thinke it convenient to declare by Votes (which we see religiously observ'd in other things) that they intended the abolishing, neither of the Liturgy, nor of the Church-Goverument: And truely if wee perceive Votes (which have presum'd [...]o challenge so much respect and ve­neration from us) created onely to serve turnes upon occasion, [Page 30] and carried Pro and Con, as emergent advantages are admini­stred, they will presently lose their reputation (amongst us) of being infallible, and gives us hopes, that upon the more ma­ture deliberation of second thoughts, at least all groundlesse Votes, apparently and experimentally d [...]structive to the King­dome, shall bee recalled. And for the Government of the Church (being purg'd of some abuses) wee professe wee like the Preachers advice so well, and have found their principles so pestilent, that we would not willingly meddle with them that are given to change, unlesse we can see better Arguments produced (though this last of the sword hath been the stron­gest) to move us. We are of their opinion, that having dranke old Wine, cannot desire new, for they know the old is better. And it is not an idle observation, that since they fell from pru­ning to rooting up, their endeavours have been almost miracu­lously blasted, by an immediate and remarkeable curse upon them.

If there be any that thinks this order in the Church is not worth the strife about it, and that our Religion may consist without it, let them with a sad and serious heart ponder these Considerations. 1. That instead of these, by the independent way, a Pope, and however, a Bishop will be set up in every Parish. 2. That there was no other Government (though perhaps some other qualifications in it) heard of in the Church of God, till about 100 yeares since, insomuch as some (of no small note for learning and piety) stand in great doubt, whe­ther there can be any lawfull Ordination, and consequently any lawfull Ministry without it. These (who make up a farre more considerable party in this Church, then those who have already separated, and therefore ought in the first place by all the rules of Christian charity, to have their scruples satisfied) upon the rooting out of this Ancient Government, must needs abandon our Communion. 3. That the true Protestant Reli­gion establisht in the Church of England, was never so much undermin'd and blemisht whilest some of the Bishops slept; and others were too active, as it hath been by new sprung up Sects, and monstrous opinions, since their office was suspended. [Page 31] 4. That the next Orders like to be quarrel'd at (if it be not too evident they are quarrel'd at already) will be the Nobility and the Gentry; and if we should allow the argument against the Order of Bishops, that the Protestant Religion, and the generall safety of the Kingdome may consist without them: may not the same argument with as good reason be taken up against the o­ther by the meaner sort of people (who shall have hopes to share their estates amongst them) till all degrees be levelled? Lastly, That the argument of the dispute is not so much, whe­ther Bishops, or no Bishops; as whether a King, or no King: for we must hold the negative, if Subjects may be allowed by force of Armes, when they cannot get the Kings consent, to pull downe any piece of his settled Government.

With the Fathers they pretend to thrust out the Children and those are commonly deciphered under the notion of scan­dalous Ministers. The truth is, it were well for the Church of God, if all that were such were thrust out of her bosome: But they have stretcht the Word to such a latitude, that if they should goe on, there would scarce be found an Orthodox man in the Kingdome out of this Catalogue. For there are a com­pany of scorners and terrible ones, That watch for iniquitie, that make a man an offender for a word, and lay a snare for him that reproveth in the gate, and turne aside the just for a thing of nought, Isa. 29. 20, 21. Is hee loyall according to the obliga­tion of divers oaths sundry times repeated by him? He is a scandalous Minister. Is he a man well affected to the present Government, &c. or to peace? he is a dangerous man, and scandalous. In the interim they set up their railing Rabsha­chaes, that blaspheme God, and slander the footsteps of his Annointed in such sort, as their Prayers and Preaching are a ve­ry scandall, (except enmities, seditions, reviling of Gods Ordi­nances and Ministers, when practised by them, with the coun­tenance of a party in both Houses cease to be workes of the flesh.) If we should forme comparisons, wee should find moates in some mens eyes, made greater by the multiplying­glasse of malice, (which they make too much use of) then the [...]eames, that are most conspicuous in the eyes of others. In [Page 32] some men they persecute their humane frailties and indiscreti­ons, whilst they protect others, whose offences are died in graine. Master Pigott (amongst other such like Articles) was accused by some few seditious men of the Parish of S. Sepul­chres, for drinking a Beere glasse of White-wine, with a Lem­mon and Sugar: and though vindicated by the testimony of 600 of the ablest men, had his reputation blasted (with no cre­dit to his witnesses) by Master Corbet, who sate then in the chaire of Examinations,? I had like to have called it the seat of the scornfull) and gave his hand afterwards that he was un­worthy to exercise his Ministry, by which meanes he hath since been put by two Lectures, at Alhallowes Berking, and Broad-street. I make no question they have met with some scandalous enough: I doe not excuse them. But others they have prosecuted, whom they might with much more honour have acquitted, and given a checke to their too officious and troublesome neighbours. Look we upon such as are in most favour and esteem with them, we shall find they have trode their shooes awry, aswell as others. We may set Doctor Burgesse in the front, and because he was so busie to pick holes in the coates of his brethren, and rackt up, the very ashes of the dead to discover their corruptions, we shall be the bolder to remember him, not only of a man that was a Pluralist, but of one that the High-Commission looked upon for Adultery; And of one that with continuall suites of Law vext two Parishes and must have been calculated in the Black-bill, if he had not taken himselfe off by his good service against Bishops. Doctor Downing a reputed weathercock, that turns which way so­ever the wind of his owne humour, or ambition blowes him; sometimes a great suitor to be the Earle of Straffords Chaplaine, thinking that the readiest way to a Bishoprick; and whilst he had hopes of the preferment, writ stoutly in justification of that calling, Master Calamy, another great Evangelist of the new way, sometimes complyed with Bishop Wren, preached frequently in his surplice and Hood, read Prayers at the Railes, bowed at the name of Iesus, and undertook to satisfie and to reduce such as scupled at these Ceremonies, insomuch as [Page 33] the Earle of Warwicke said, He would be lost if he were not taken off, and so removed him to a living in Essex. This was all the Physick that was given him, to purge him from that which he now stiles Superstition, though it was never so before he left it. Master Harding another great Apostle for that way, if he had not secured himselfe by complying with that faction, had been complained of for his vicious life, being a notori­ous fornicatour, often taken by the Watch in a disguise with Harlots; and since hee ingaged himselfe for the good work, attempted a rape upon a Vintners wife in Southwarke; yet he hath made up all these breaches in his life, by making a greater in the Church. Master Bridge of Norwich being called to an account by the Bishop (as we are credibly informed) for keep­ing another mans wife, left his Cure, and then pretended he was driven away, because he would not submit to Innovations. Master Goodwin of Coleman-street in great esteem amongst some of them, yet (let him spin his opinion into never so fine a thred) a Socinian. Master John Sedgewicke of London-wall, a simoniacke and perjur'd, both upon Record. And every one hath heard of that light and prophane speech of M. Evans, that hee did breake the poore womens hearts with preaching of damnation, and carried the pieces in his pocket. And (if wee may touch the apple of their eye) we have heard (for our eyes are not every where to see them) that Master Marshall hath a powerfull faculty of perswasion with the weaker sex, (and all seducers after their old master goe that way) to draw the affections, and then the estates from brothers children unto his owne. By these instances it is evident, that notwithstan­ding their zeale for a thorow reformation, they can dispense with offences, aswell in the Clergy as in the Laity, if they will become serviceable unto the present designe.

Another thing pretended to be reformed in the Church, was Pluralities and Non-residence; and this was not so much, be­cause they thought these things unlawfull, as to make roome for their owne Emissaries. Who would think that men, who have voted it a thing unlawfull and unconscionable to hold two Livings, or but one and not reside upon it, should practice [Page 34] it themselves. Nothing hath been cry'd downe more by di­vers Lords and Commons, since the sitting of this Parliament, and yet we find many late examples of their owne making. Master Goodricke of little Houghton hath been taken from his residence at his Cure, and made Lecturer at Tottenham, by the meanes of Sir Edward Barkeham and Master Stroude. Master Theodor Graves Parson of great Linford, in the County of Bucks, made non-resident by an Order of Parliament. Master George Horiford of Stutsbury, in the Diocesse of Peterborough, made Vicar of Banbury by the Lord Say; it seems his Lord­ship can dispense with a double Benefice in his own Chaplains. Doctor Wincop (whose new preferment hath made him forget some of his old principles) though he had the fleece of a good flock before, the House of Commons hath given him Institu­tion and Induction into Doctor Brayes living, S. Martines in the fields; but whether they can vote him into the profits, as they have done into the paines, is doubtfull. Many other Plu­ralists have been made this Parliament, (and some since the Bill was drawne up against them.) Master Henry Trewman, Rector of Cornwall and Newarke, by the Earle of Clare. Ma­ster Tho: Caril of Slindon and Harting, by the Lord Saint-Iohns. Master Iohn Dixon of Glenfold and Baynes, by the Lord Hastings. Who can think that these men were in ear­nest, and not rather upon designe, when they cry'd out so bit­terly against Pluralities? We would faine know what gift of Ʋbiquity hath been voted into Master Marshall, that he should be able to officiate at S. Margaret Westminster, Windsor, or any where, and yet not neglect his Cure at Finchinfield in Essex. Master Case officiates at London, and leaves his Cure in Cheshire to be supply'd by Rawbone an illiterate Lay-man.

Another thing pretended for the advancement of Religion, was the establishing of a Preaching Ministry throughout the Kingdome. Certainly a very pious work, if Orthodox men be planted in all Parishes: But if such be rooted out as are of a­blest parts to instruct, and men of desperate principles and facti­ous spirits thrust into their places; this (as by too wofull an experience is now made evident) will prove destructive both [Page 35] to Church and Common-wealth. Yet this is the great work for which way must be made (saith the Authour of Plaine En­glish) by displacing idle, scandalous, superstitious, ignorant per­sons: And how must these be displaced? Why saith he, If this ad­vantage against them of stirring up the people to spoile and rapine were taken, it were a good likely meanes (very warrantable and honest meanes surely, according to Wat Tylers and Iacke Strawes Doctrine) of rooting out them who had shuffled their Cards so cunningly, as to be out of the reach of the Law in other respects. This puts me in mind of that which Colonell Crom­well said to Master Gatford at Cambridge, (when he took a­way his book out of the Presse, for speaking for obedience un­to Magistrates, against the Anabaptists:) He told him he had been a great opposer of the Archbishops Innovations, but car­ried himselfe so cunningly, that the Law could not lay hold up­on him, and so (he told him) he had behaved himselfe now; (in opposition to the Anabaptists) but though the Law could not lay hold upon him, they had a power could reach him; and this was the power of the Dragooneers, which brought him up a Prisoner forthwith to Ely-House. The truth is, what ever they say, their aime is not so much at the idle and ignorant, for the one winkes at all their false and odious principles, and the other concurre with them in the practice of them. Their chiefe envy is at the most learned and most painfull Preachers (if they keep not silence at their faction.) Why is the Lord Primate of Ireland, Bishop Morton, Bishop Hall, Bishop Prideaux, Bishop Brownrigg, Doctor Hildsworth, Doctor Featly, Master Shute, and others of singular learning and piety, under a cloud with them, and some of them ordered to be imprisoned? Why are so many Prisons full of men that are Preachers, as well by their Examples as their Sermons? Master Squire, Master Stone, Master Swadlin, that are scarce allowed straw to lie on, (whilest His Majesty is exclaim'd against, when he affords Re­bels better usage.) Master Reading of Dover, Master Griffith of London, Master Ingoldsby of Watton in Hartfordshire, Master Wilcocks of Goudhurst in Kent. These, and many others, ha­ving done nothing worthy of death, or of bonds, are inserted [Page 36] into the black bill of scandalous and superstitious Ministers, for preaching nothing but obedience to Soveraigne Authority, and points consonant to the Holy Scriptures, and the Doctrine of the Church of England, as it stands established by Act of Par­liament. I confesse Master Ingoldsby aggravated his crime of preaching for obedience, by setting forth the Doctrine of our Church (in six Homilies established by Parliament, for the use of every Parish) against Rebellion, and the oathes of Suprema­cy and Allegeance, with the Protestation, and an Epistle prefixt to light the people unto their duty; for which he was sent for up (the second time) with a Troope of Horse: but escaping from them, he came of his owne accord to his prison, desirous to make his answer, which they find no leisure yet to hearken to. Nay, they will not permit that holy man Master Thrush-crosse, to teach White-Hall to continue loyall, and Protestant. He seem'd to taske the Justice of this bloudy Warre, with re­flection upon this new designe, and presently an inquisition is made after him, and the Sunday following a Guard is set upon every Gate, (if not for other malicious ends likewise) to fright him from the Pulpit. This is their account of scandalous Ministers, whom they would have, either rooted out, or silenced.

Another project to advance Religion was, the taking the Clergy off from Temporall imployments; and this is stretcht so farre, that they are reputed Excentrickes, as moving out of the sphere of their calling, if they study to preach downe Rebellion and disobedience. And yet all the world knowes, their owne Clergy have been as active instruments here, as M ^r Henderson in the State affaires of Scotland. Doctor Burgesse (we find him at every turne) and M ^r Iohn Sedgewicke, must be made Mem­bers of a Sub-Committee, for advancement of monies. Nay, the Doctsr (who hath obtained the Title of a Colonell this Mi­litary Commencement, for riding to encourage the work, with his case of Pistols) was so officious as to assist Plundering at the Globe Taverne in Holborne. And there is not a designe, but these men have a finger in it, and of their tongues more then their share.

Wee have seen how faithfull they have fought for the [Page 37] Church: they promised and protested they did as much (and they have done no lesse) for the King and Kingdome. That this warre was for the defence of the Kings Person is such a pre­tence as honest men are ashamed of, and all men laugh at, un­lesse you can perswade them, you teach your bullets to distin­guish as nicely as your selves, between the Kings Personall com­mands, and his Person. Those that have heard it delivered for sound doctrine (and without controll) that the King might have been killed in the crowd with a good Conscience, and have seen what Regiments and Troops were most aimed at (ac­cording to Captaine Blagues directions) at Keinton battell, and heard the bullets sing about His Majesties eares, cannot believe you did more then complement, when you stiled His royall person Sacred; unlesse you can change the property of Sacred Persons, as well as of Sacred things, which you goe a­bout (though all men account it Sacriledge) to alienate. And how should wee believe you would fight for the defence of His Person, when you seize upon all His provision, that if you cannot do it by the sword, you may murder him by famine? But admit they fight not for the defence of his royall person, yet they may fight for his Crowne and Dignity: this hath been much pretended to, and that they did so in some sence, may very well be believed. But in earnest, how can we be perswa­ded they tender the Honour of the Crowne, when they imploy their Rabbies to satisfie (if it were possible) mens consciences in a wilfull and groundlesse disobedience, by returning ill lan­guages to sober and solid arguments against it? How doe they maintaine Prerogative, when they pretend to a power Coordi­nate with their Soveraigne, and set up men to cleare the Title for them, though they have no evidence, but such as was never seen by our wise Ancestours? The very name of Monarch implies a soleship of Government, to them that understand it. If the Monarchy be mixt, 'tis not so, as if the Soveraignty were shared amongst diverse, for that were a meer Bull: But this mixture consists of these two ingredients, viz. setled law, and (where a law is not setled) the discretion and prudence of the Governour. In making lawes (wherein their chiefe power [Page 38] consisteth) they may propound and consent, but it lies still in the Kings power to refuse, or ratifie. If the power of the three Estates be Coordinate, and the rule hold (as the Fuller answer will have it) Coordinata se invicem supplent, Coordinates sup­ply one another, he presently brings the three Estates into the House of Commons (and they delegate the power to a close Committee) and so makes them a Court of Record to give oath, commit, and sentence at their pleasure (as they have done too many) and every Vote of theirs (though the King and the Lords dissent from it) by vertue of this power of Supplying in­herent in them, shall be made an Act of Parliament. And if the King be brought thus low, shall he stand there? shall he not from Coordinate be brought a step lower, and be made sub­ordinate? why, yes, that is another Doctrine, He is Ʋniversis minor, a Subject to all his Subjects; and those mistakes, which were so often condemned as breaches of their priviledge, were nothing else but so many acts of His Majesties disobedience. And His people being greater then hee, and above him, may take his owne Forts and Armes, to reduce and compell him. Was there ever any Iesuite out-went them in defending the rights of Kings? Some are so tender of His Majesties Crowne, that they are not ashamed to say, the oath of Alleagiance was ne­ver made to bind the Protestants, but the Papists onely.

If they fight not for the rights of the Crowne, perhaps they fight for the rights of Parliament. That hath been preten­ded too, yet who ever broke the Priviledges thereof more, then tumults of their own countenancing and raising? The carriages which themselves onely have managed, have brought Parlia­ments under so much prejudice and disparagement, that the ce­remony of a due reverence, will be as much denyed unto them as unto any thing else, till some other course be taken to restore them to their Ancient reputation.

Their Plea for the Lawes of the Land is no lesse vaine: for if they had any Law for their proceedings, there should bee no need of so many strange wilde, and never-before-heard of Ordinances. Insomuch as the Contra-Replicant confes­sesseth on their behalfe, in this manner. Nothing has done us [Page 39] more harme of late, then this opinion of adhering to law onely for our preservation. It would be good to adde more (arbitrary) power to the Earle of Essex for (saith hee) till I see him look't upon and served as a temporary Dictator, and the bounds of his Commission to be onely thus; Ne quid detrimenti capiat Respub­lica cavere: I shall never think the Parliaments safety sufficiently provided for. The Law then is not the thing you fight for, for you fight against it: And the Judges sit in the House for Ciphers, as the Clergy in the Convocation.

Doe you fight to maintain the Liberty of the Subject? Indeed you stand deeply ingaged to doe your best for that; for it was never so infringed since the Conquest, as it hath been by your selves since you have taken the charge of the Militia. If we cal­culate the number of Prisoners, who have been committed this yeare, we shall find hundreds restrained of their liberty most unjustly; for Master Pym told us in the name, and as the sence of both Houses (in that speech at Guild-Hall) That it is against the rules of justice, that any men should be imprisoned upon a ge­nerall charge, when no particulars are proved against them; and yet we know no particulars were proved or alleaged against the Lord of Middlesex, the Lord of Portland, &c. How many men petitioning for inlargement, when no charge could bee brought against them, have notwithstanding been detained in prison, because they had not contributed to the maintenance of the warre? And if it be so farre from truth, that any particu­lars have been proved, that not so much as a generall charge hath been produced, then either Master Pym in the name of the House abuses the sence of the House, or else thir impri­sonment is against the rules of justice. But perhaps these rules of justice are made in favour of Isaas Pennington, and his three fellow-Citizens, Kimbolton, and the five members. Such men as these, that are members of the House, or engaged in their service, these men may not be imprisoned upon a generall charge, though it be a charge of High Treason. And yet I must tell you, if this be a true maxime of State, it is the greatest Soloecisme that can be imagined, and I am sure, contrary to the practice of all Indiciall proceedings upon criminall causes; [Page 40] For if there should be no imprisonment upon a generall charge before particulars are proved, then there can be no Commit­ment before some kind of tryall, and a Constable could not ap­prehend a felon, (though he had a warrant for it) without of­fending against the rules of Justice; for his apprehension is an imprisonment, and yet no particulars proved; which sayes M ^r Pym, speaking the sence of both Houses) is against the rules of Justice. Well! if such an imprisonment be against the rules of Justice, we are taught from the prisons, the way to the un­justest Court extant. And if those rules had been as well observed on the behalfe of all His Majesties good sub­jects, as they have been soundly preached to some of them, there had not been that need (as wee see there is) of a Month­ly consecration of new prisons. But perhaps the sence of the House is, that the King cannot commit to prison upon a generall charge, when no particulars are proved (His Majesties power hath been cut very short of late.) But the Houses being more indulgent to their owne priviledges, may Carve themselves a power of a greater latitude (and they have carved themselves very freely of the prerogative of the Crowne) and as occasion serve declare and use it. They may commit upon a due infor­mation, without any proofe of particulars. (and this is a new created priviledge of the House of Commons, which hereto­fore could commit none but their owne Members) Master Pym in his said speech declares the practice of the House, That they never have committed any man, but such men as by due in­formation (and perhaps not so due neither) they conceived to be seditious persons, and like to trouble the peace of the State. What I against the rules of Justice to imprison any men upon a generall charge (though of high treason) when no particulars are pro­ved, and in his next observation but one, men committed upon Informations and conceipts? what is become of the rules of justice now? or what is become of the Gentlemans memory? If he hath forgot his owne rules of Justice so suddenly, we may cease to wonder, that he hath forgot the rule of our law, which he so much magnified in his speech upon the Attainder of the Earle of Strafford. But what! have they committed no man [Page 41] but such as by due information they conceived seditious? I be­leeve none but such as they conceived seditious. Conceit doth much: and if they conceive a man so, they never travaile long, before their Sergeant playes the Midwife, and assists them to bring him forth such as they had conceived him to be. But we much doubt, whether this were alwaies by due informati­on; for we know some, that after three weeks imprisonment (and no hearing) put in baile, and within a forthnight returned out of the Countrey, continued in prison a good while longer; and at last, the information was found so undue, that they were dismissed. And we have seen an Order under Master Lawrence Whitakers hand, that such Gentlemen should be moved to bring in the accusation against such prisoners; and if none could be found, that then they might be discharged. When the high Sheriffe of Essex pleaded, he had done nothing; (knowing in­nocence was wont to be a faire excuse) the Speaker told him, They did commit him for prevention. Where is the due infor­mation now, upon which prisoners are committed? Nay, these great Assertors of the subjects liberty, have restrained the gray haires to their great hazard. Alderman Backhouse, not so rich as honest. And Archdeacon Hilliar, though above 80. yeares of age, and so infirme, that he had been a long time bed-rid, for re­fusing to pay down 800. ^l. was carried five miles from Exceter to be shipt away, to the endangering of his life. And Sir George Whitmore, very aged, was shipt away for Yarmouth, and could not have the liberty of a Coach for his health, though he promi­sed to be at the charge of any guard they should think fit to send down with him. Have not some Parliament men come upon the Bench, and forbad the Judges granting of Habeas Corpus­ses? Can we then think these to be the practices of men, that stand for the liberty of the Subject?

If they have forborne us in the libertie of our Persons, they have paid us in the property of our Goods. Since they have applyed the sword, we are so farre from recovery, that the In­cision they have made renders our cure worse then ever our dis­ease was. Our property received a little scratch by the point of prerogative before, but now by the priviledge of Parliament [Page 42] the point of the sword hath made the wound desperate. When we read this question propounded by one of their great Clerkes (in his answer to the frivolous paper, for so he is plea­sed to stile the Petition for Peace:) Have they (the two Hou­ses) not us as at such advantage, that they may undoe us every houre? Truly, till we had found they had made so ample proofe of their ability that way, we had thought it had been but a Paradox, or at most but an Article of their State-Creed; We never dream't it would have been made a piece of their Com­mandements. We must confesse you sweetned the cup before you gave us our bane in it. Our restraint is mollified by the fine terme of securing our persons, (we pray this securing may not be extended to cutting of our throats.) And for our estates, you are too mercifull to destroy them at one blow; you will have but a twentieth part at once, that they may consume and bleed to death gently. What comes freely from us you accept of kind­ly, and we had thought you had given us the publike faith for an Acquittance, (till we see you come now againe) that we might not have been couzened to pay the same score twice o­ver. But we must tell you, when we are come to our ruine, it will be all one to us, whether we were led by the backe staires with Ceremony, or thrown down headlong to it. And we take it more unkindly to be led downe by those we put in trust, then if we had been maliciously precipitated by others. And if you have forgotten the Antidote you gave us, we meane the Pro­testation, it workes too much upon us to be forgotten, and by vertue of that we shall joyne our selves to repell that violence, which hath been too long offered to the property of our estates, and liberty of our persons.

Having taken this strict view of so many particular preten­ces, and finding them but colourably alledged, what aires can we imagine, they should heare so pleasing in the sound of the Drum and Trumpet, ▪ bewitch them to continue this most un­naturall and most bloudy Warre? And what advantage will accrue to the whole Kingdome (for we would not be engaged further in the quarrell for particular mens ends and benefit) to countervaile the charge of our expences? Is it the Militia [Page 43] that we fight for, and will nothing make you forbeare the use of the sword, till you have gotten the full power of it? then we must professe His Majesty hath not given so much as a co­lourable ground for this quarrell; unlesse it be thought ground enough for his subjects to quarrell on, that His Majesty does not as unreasonably resigne up all his just rights, as you demand them of Him. If His Majesty delights in Peace, and to see His Subjects flourish under it, (as the long experience of His gracious disposition sheweth) what use have you for a Mili­tia? I pray God restore us to that happinesse which we enjoy­ed, when the sword and sheath too were both in the Kings own keeping. Is a Warre the way to conquer the Kings affections? and doe wee thinke to force Acts of grace from Him? Your sword is like to be the way which God hath appointed for you to make Him glorious; but remember you may have need e­nough to find Him gracious, and therfore provoke His Majesty no further unto a just severity.

Is the quarrell continued for Delinquents? then you should have done well to have set the King a precedent, in delivering Alderman Pennington and the rest to a legall tryall. That would have been a faire invitation to His Majesty to have re­signed up those that are about Him, to the proofe of their in­nocency. And whatever the Authour of Plaine English, and other seditious and schismaticall Clergy-men, (that cannot be preferred for their merit, and therefore seeke it by faction) what ever these men are affraid of, if you have retained the in­tegrity of honest men, and worthy Patriots, you may dare to a­bide the issue of a present Accommodation. And let me tell you, if those about His Majesty laying downe their relation to the House of Parliament, (the priviledges whereof, if any were to this purpose, are as common and beneficiall to them, as to your selves) offer to submit to a legall tryall (as Subjects should doe) when the Government and knowne Lawes may have their free course; and you being under as high a charge, can plead nothing but priviledge of Parliament for your justification, and in the interim refuse to submit to the like legall tryall, you must needs be reputed Delinquents indeed, whilest they are cleared [Page 44] by the verdict of every impartiall Judgement. And if you have gone so farre beyond and against the Law, that you are growne affraid to be try'd by it, what shall we conclude from hence but this, that you have undertaken this Warre in the prosecution of some new designe, and not (as hath been all this while pretended) for the security of our old Protestant Religi­on, Rights, and Liberties?

That this designe was the subversion of the ancient Govern­ment of the Church and Kingdome, is upon these grounds more then probable.

That a change was aim'd at in the Church, no man can deny; and it is made evident, 1. By the suspending of all Ecclesiasti­call Lawes and Censures, (according to ancient Constitutions) insomuch as Incest, Rapes, and all Vices have gone unpunished: and this Jubilee of Indulgence hath drawne all offenders to com­ply with them. 2. By setting the people a-worke (for some Close-Committee was the first wheele that moved this busi­nesse) to petition against the present Government and Service of the Church. 3. By the Bill long debated, and since conclu­ded on, for the abolishing of that Government. 4. By the chiefe persons countenanced and imploy'd in the businesse, who were Brownists, Anabaptists, and all sorts of Sectaries and Schismaticks.

The Patrimony of the Church was to be alienated under a pre­tence of establishing a preaching Minister throughout the King­dome: but the truth is, if their zeale had been but in a seventh degree so hot for that good work, as it was for fighting for a bad one, they might have finisht it for a twentieth part of that charge, which they have in a desperate fury put the Kingdome to. Now we beleeve, if the Revenue of the Church were at their disposall, they would change those colours, (which they have worne so long for fashion-sake) and make the religious charity of their Ancestors for the advancement of Gods wor­ship, under a learned Ministry, serve onely to dis-ingage their publike faith, which is not like to be a saving faith other­wise.

When the Government of the Church had been subverted, [Page 45] the designe then was to be put in execution upon Monarchy: This is not a groundlesse conjecture, if we consider these evi­dences.

1. That Declaration upon the Earle of Straffords suffering, with this caution, that it might not be drawne into example for the future. Certainly this was with an eye to that subver­sion of Government which themselves (I mean the Projectors of this designe) intended; that being more guilty of the same crime, by vertue of such a Declaration, they might be secured from the punishment.

2. The pulling downe of so many Courts of Justice, (which were thought to be of very good use, in the time of our wise Ancestors; and if there be no way of Reformation left, when exorbitances are crept into Courts and Callings, but their extir­pation, as their practice hath been of late, what will the doome be of the Supreme Court, and the severall callings of the Kingdome?) with a notable blow at the Councell-Table. These may relieve a part of the Subjects from some pressures; but if something be not setled in their roome, may encourage others in licenciousnesse, and prove the Prodromes (as we see by these beginnings) to the ruine of our Monarchy.

3. The nineteen Propositions, whereby the King was de­manded to lay downe His Crowne, to compound for His Peace with them.

4. That expression (so little understood, and so much talk't of in many of their papers) of a power of resuming the trust, which is falsly pretended to be derived unto His Majestie by the meere humane pactions and agreements of the politique body of the people. And,

5. According to this Doctrine, their pretending to, and usurping of the power of the Militia, both by Sea and Land.

6. Their actuall exercising of this power in disposing of offi­ces, having made their Speaker Master of the Rolls.

Lastly, that expression of the Gentlemen to Sir Edward Deering, (when he was privie to some of their Cabinet consul­tations) That if they could bring downe the Lords to the House [Page 46] of Commons, and make the King as one of the Lords, the worke were done. It seemes they intended to reserve the honour of the Chaire for His Majestie, when they had taken downe His Throne; and it might have been His good fortune to have had a casting voice, though he is now denied His negative one amongst them. This plot was laid, and this designe in agitati­on (though it be a night-piece, which few have hitherto disco­ver'd fully) before the Warre commenced; and in order to this worke, without doubt the Militia was first exercised, and the Scots a second time invited. (But we hope their Commis­sioners that tasted so much of the late feast, will not encourage their brethren to the fray.)

When wee consider these things, adding to them those bloudy Treasons uttered publikely (without checke) as well against the whole Line of the Bloud Royall, as against the sa­cred Person of our Soveraigne, and those sev [...]rall assaults made upon them; our haire begins to stand upright on our heads, and our consciences often reflect upon our oathes of Allegeance and Supremacie, together with our late Protestation; whereby we stand obliged, to our utmost power, to maintaine His Majesties Royall Person, Crowne and Dignity, against all treacherous pra­ctices, that may ruine, dishonour, or impaire them, and so by Gods help we will doe. And finding His Majesties late Pro­positions (as His Messages formerly) so just and reasonable, as nothing can be more, and yet so little listened after for our peace: We advise all our Knights and Burgesses to vote no more against our gracious Soveraigne, or the peace of the King­dome, that they make no fu [...]ther use of our owne trust to mur­der us; for 'tis not our s [...]nse that they should proceed to shed the bloud of the ungodly, (as they terme them) when they meane all such as dissent from their wilde opinions. And as we doe protest against such Ordinances as are made against the King, or without His consent, so shall we withdraw our trust and power of representation from such as shall goe on to abuse it. And finding no possibility of peace, till the packe (that contrived this new designe, and this Warre in order to the ef­fecting [Page 47] of it) be new shuffled, we shall joyntly labour to shuffle that packe, and dissolve that knot wherein we see our miseries are tryed; and (after due election of new Members into their places) resolve to call them to a strict account for betray­ing our trust, interrupting our peace, and violating all our ancient liberties, and shall not doubt of the assistance of all good men to effect it.