it is expressed first in generall terms in the Declaration at the giving the Commission to the Earl of Essex then more particularly in the Covenant This sheweth the forgetfulnesse of him who in a solemn Assembly was so unmindfull of the Truth as to aver that Religion was not the ground of the quarrell betwixt us and the Common Enemy at the first abusing the simpler ones and making use of the connivence of others yea he was put at work by some to say so at least he was applauded by them as the story runs This quarrell here in England hath cost the Scots a great deal of pains First In the Counsell both of Church and State Then In the Fields with the losse of many a gallant brave man which they think all well spent bestowed since God hath been pleased to make use of their endeavours to put forward in some measure his good Work in both Church and State and to represse the domineering of the Common Enemy who ever since the conjunction of the Scots with the State of England hath been declining if the thing be well considered with judgement although now and then he hath had some lucida intervalla as we have all seen As the Scots think their pains labours expences charges c. well bestowed so they complain not of the manifold reproaches and lyes that have been said and spred against them what by the open Enemy what by the false Friends nor of the hardship their Army hath endured to this day in the Field no more then of the small content of their Commissioners in the Counsell which all they passe and lay aside not as insensible and leprous men who have no feeling for in any other thing they are touchy enough but as being resolved to do all what they can and suffer what they are able for the Cause of God and of his people with grief of mind to see those whom at first they conceived certainly to be right and round in this businesse to have corners and by-wayes wherein they must acknowledge the shortnesse of their own judgement and confesse the infirmity of man But their great grief is at least should be that their Army hath not been timely nor duly furnish'd with conveniencies and necessaries to make it go on with action in the Field yea to see them kept back from doing as if it were plotted of purpose Then that their counsells in Church and State have not onely not prevailed but have been hid yea opposed and so hindered to yeeld their due fruit unto the Cause in hand as they intended Besides all these things in joyning with the Parliament in action and Counsell and coming in when it was below a stand they have not onely exposed themselves and their poor native Countrey to all kinde of perills and inconveniency but have drawn evil upon it More They have gone in the highest degree of contradiction to the King for they have not onely in down-right terms declared themselves opposite to his designe but have quite spoiled it which as he told them he would easily compasse in this Kingdom if they would be quiet and indeed he had brought his businesse to a pretty passe before the Scots came in Then their coming in into England and their going before into Ireland did empty their native Countrey much of men of Counsell and action So for England they left their own Countrey as if it were to be a prey unto the Malignants there who since not being kept under by the good party by reason of its weaknesse shew themselves to be in great number Next The indifferent and neutrals whereof there be but too many everywhere most men looking more to their convenience here upon Earth then to the Glory of God or to his Kingdom who had sided formerly with the good party bearing the sway but since seeing them absent for the most part helping their Friends and weakest at home begin to have other thoughts and fall in with the Malignants All this being perceived by the King who hath his thoughts full of revenge against the Covenanted Scots with England bethinks himself of all means possible to oppresse and destroy that poor Countrey of Scotland and in the first place the Danes are invited to invade it unto whom are promised the Isles of Orkades for their pains their old pretension But as the Danes were preparing to come hither God sends them another work to do at home which was to defend themselves from their invaders to wit the Swedish with whom after a great strugling by Sea and by Land they have been constrained to make their peace almost upon any terms Yet we hear they are now making again themselves ready for War and against us as we are informed to try perhaps if they can make up their losses in some measure in one way or other upon us Again The King seeing the Scots siding with the Parliam of England sets afoot Plot upon Plot in the South part of Scotland but by Gods blessing they all fail being no sooner discovered but repressed and thrown in the dust More By Pyrates and men of War having Commission from the King the Scots Ships with goods and men are taken yea divers men are thrown overboord Their onely quarrell is the conjunction of the Scots with the Parliament of England in the Service of this Common Cause The losses the Scots have suffered by Sea since their sideing with the Parliament do exceed far the monethly allowance agreed upon for their Army although it were well and fully payed which they are far short of for since these eight moneths they have had but one moneths pay to wit about Thirty thousand pounds and these from the City of London Last of all The King bethinks himself since he is pleased to own all the undertakings of the Juncto although he be not alwayes one of the number it taking its authority from the Pope and the Roman-Catholike Princes abroad more then from him although he hath the name of all to send over out of Ireland some of those desperate Villains who at their first rising in Rebellion in Ireland did offer all kindnesse unto the Scots saying that they would not stir against them who take a fit opportunity of the good party of the Scots being absent out of their Countrey for the most part and they enter into Scotland by the Isles and the Hills finding a party of Malignants some whereof and the chief Traitors had been sent from the Court to manage the businesse who not only privatly do favour openly do side with them but make a number of disguised Villains betray the trust they had from the Countrey in places of power and command yea some in the time of action in the Field either slakly acting against the Enemy or flying from before him or running over to him at divers places and times So the Enemy increaseth his party in Scotland spoileth and destroyeth divers places of the Countrey
this time come to a great hight had been in little consideration and they whose valour and wisdom are so much questioned at this time surely in their own businesse they did shew themselves to have both to the admiration of their Neighbours and their valour and wisdom were never questioned till they were joyned with England and although they have shewn do shew daily both as much as men can do for the carrying on the Work wherein they are ingaged unto the content of all impartiall men although not to the mind of self-conceited phantasticall and by-ended ones who gave out That the Scots will destroy them and themselves Surely I am perswaded had the Scots framed their courses according to the desires altogether of some men they had long ere now both been destroyed and had they not so far complied with the humours of some men the Publike Service had been in a better estate in all probability In this I blame the wisdom of the Scots for otherwise they had not suffered their own Countrey thus to be spoiled in compliance to some when they might have helped it in time As for their means Although in the eyes of the superabondants they be not so considerable yet they were such that they lived well upon them and they could wish with all their hearts to have no more then they had when they joyned with England for the Service of this Common Cause And if they reproach the barrennesse of the soile in Scotland It is the fault of the Climate which lieth so Northerly and not of the people and the soile if it be not so fertile of fruits as hotter grounds yet it abounds in men of valour and wisdom as much as any Countrey whatsoever of its compasse And these despicable ones of old and of late have obtained Victories against great and considerable Enemies by valour Perhaps if the Scots were more enclined to husbandry or improving their ground and other things which nature affords them by the goodnesse of God they would be in a kinde more plentifull of conveniencies for the life of man then they are As to the Garison-Towns which the Scots have rescued from the Enemy for the good of this Church and State with hazard hardship and losse of divers brave men and which are still in the Scots hands for the publike Service it hath ministred one convenient occasion unto those factious ones to make a great deal ado yea to strive to bring things to a breach betwixt the two Kingdoms if it were possible and they have proceeded so far as to cause the Towns and Places to be demanded from the Scots betwixt such and such a day without any consideration unto equity Whether or no it is just that the Scots have some places of retreat so long as they are in the Service of the Common Cause wherein they are obliged by Common Interest and bound by Treaty to continue till the full setling of things in Church and State Next Without consideration if it be or not for the benefit of the Service now in hand that these Garison-Places should be left by the Scots since we have seen by divers passages and occurrences of affaires that it hath proved very usefull for the said Service that those places were in their hands for a time namely in the enterprise of Digby with his associates towards Scotland Then When we cast our eyes upon those who have an aim particularly at the having of those places we shall finde it to be fit for the Service of the Cause which we fight for that those Garison-Towns should remain with those who now have them for a time who are both constant and trusty to their true principles of the Covenant and the others altogether against the good of the said Service Yea It is most prejudiciable to the Cause we have now in hand to put those places in the hands of those who either side with the Common Enemy still in their affections as they have been serving him openly by their actions formerly or of those who underhand with cunning stop the setling of things amongst us as we are sworn to by the Covenant and so frustrate so far as in them lies the intention of it Further Those men who are so little faithfull to the Covenant cannot from their heart mind the good of the State or people more then they do the welfar of the Church As the Scots took Arms for the publike Service they neither pretended nor did intend to hold the places they have taken any longer then the said Service shall require for the setling of the ends of the Common Cause expressed in the Covenant no more then they did formerly witnesse their returning so quietly home and their refusall of those Seigneuries Towns and Counties adjacent from the King to joyn with him against the Parliament and that more then once Me thinks that after all this all rationall and unprejudiciall men should speak clearly for the Scots fair and honest intentions since they are entred into so solemn a League and Covenant for which they have undergone and do to this day undergo so much hardship hazards and losses Men may talk and babble yea devise tricks and fancies for a time but it is honesty and truth that holds out to the end and it stands with Gods Justice to make lyes and double dealings fall to the ground Before I conclude I will adde this short ensuing discourse First There hath been a great busling raised by those factious men who trouble both State and Church about the publishing of some papers given in to the Houses of Parliament by the Scots Commissioners Those men had prevailed so far with some of their Friends in authority as to make an exact scrutinie by whom these papers were first printed and by whose order as for the second impression they had nothing to say which the Commissioners caused to be made upon a nicety for some faults of the Printer committed in the first impression thinking themselves wronged namely because it was not corrected according to their mind and the thing to have been done without their expresse order but since it was done it could not be ret called Next Those factious men moved their Friends in authority to draw up a Declaration against the Scots for those papers with very tart expressions as we are informed but after riper deliberation the fume of anger being setled the thing was left off a time for they did clearly perceive that no Declaration satisfactory to the people could be made against the Scots or their papers since it could not be demonstrated that full satisfaction in reason had been given to the Scots upon their severall papers from time to time given in Now Let the Scots Commissioners confesse that they have failed by their silence in not making known unto the world from time to time the papers of greatest concernment which they have given in to the Houses and what satisfaction they have received upon
we are all sworn to but they continue and maintain divers kinde of errours and heresies yea they move to have their pernicious Tenents set up by Authority both at home and abroad Further They study to make a rent betwixt the two Nations against the good of both yea against the Covenant What more Have they not in their wisdom raised up great factions both in the City and Countrey by their cunning devices under pretence of piety and devotion Yea which is worst of all Are they not busie to make the Parliament and the City clash and divide if it were possible if not to inslave the City First By underhand-dealing to stop the City to present unto the Parliament with due respect their just desires for the long expected setling of the Church according to the Covenant Next When at another time that the City did send the second Petition unto the Parliament for the same purpose with the former the Independents made their Favourers snuffe at it and struggle to reject it But the wiser part did accept of it and did promise to give due content namely the Earl of Essex did expresse himself worthily upon the point and told the Company of the House Besides the justnesse of the Cities desire the Parliament must not neglect nor forget the Cities stedfast kindnesse to it namely in its greatest need and to the Cause witnesse among other things Their refusall of assisting the Court against the Scots Their keeping close to the Parliament notwithstanding all the workings of the Court-Parasites and the offers made unto it by the Court Their rescuing the Parliament from violence when with strong hand some Members should have been taken from it Their free and unparallelled plentifull furnishing both men and moneys from the beginning of these unhappy Wars And their constant supplying upon all occasions of both to this present namely in the remarkable needs as at Brainford businesse and at the businesse of Glocester where the Earl of Essex did so bravely relieve that Town so courageously kept by gallant Massey and thereafter did beat the Enemy Many such instances may any judicious man give of the Independents wisdom so much cried up by themselves and by their hyrelings which consists in plotting for their interest of ambition and avarice under the cloke of piety and devotion without regard to the glory of God or to the good of man for if they had any respect to these two they would not drive on such factions against the setling of the Church and consequently of the State Now having seen how the Independents have furthered the Cause with their wisdom let us see what they do with their purses Are they not noted to be the most needy craving and scraping wretches that are Have any of them heartily and willingly given any thing out of their hands too When God knows in lieu of giving any thing of their own that they are deep sharers in the moneys they can lay hold on Are they not the nimblest to hearken after moneys And for this end have they thrust themselves everywhere where any benefit is to be had and where the fingring of money is Have they not received vast sums of moneys and neither have nor will yea perhaps neither can give an account Witnesse some of them who refused to give an account in the usuall way unto the Committee of accounts established by the Parliament And thereafter the same men after their refusall of giving account have obtained by the favour of the factious Fraternity a free discharge without giving any account It is constantly and generally reported That they have sent immense sums of moneys beyond Seas Many stirring Blades and sticklers of their Faction of late had neither credit nor means yea hardly whole clothes who now are great men companions to Lords Yea It is told of some of them that they should say They hoped to see the day wherein they should not see this distinction of men and so to be Independents as well in the State as in the Church Is there any one of their Fraternity that hath not enriched himself since these troubles have begun by the foolery and simplicity of others as Rooks and Charlatans in all professions do And so they have increased their number If one should take in hand to set down in writing all the cunnings devices artifices deceits and crafts known to many with which these men use to catch moneys and give no account of it would make a great Volume They have gotten the fingring of the moneys of State by gathering it and they distribute it for the most part among themselves So they give out That all is theirs which passeth through their hands But let us see their valour It is known they have drawn some men of heart and courage among them But give me leave to say That their own courage doth not so much as yet appear unto the World as other mens valour doth although they have used all the means which they could bethink themselves of to be cried up for valour for Have they not caused their names to be recorded in Pamphlets and read in Churches If the meanest of their Faction had appeared the least in action he was highly named as the most valiant in the Army Yea Is it not a strange thing to see that gallant Sir Thomas Fairfax to be so little mentioned although he be Generall and notwithstanding that he constantly in all actions doth carry himself as bravely as any man can do How gallant his carriage was at the Battel of Naseby it is well known to all yet he was little spoken of and the Independents must have the glory of the day but it is an easie way of these men to raise themselves and to gain esteem and credit with small merits of their own by the help of good Neighbours and Friends In Gods Name let every one have his due without taking any from others But such is the weaknesse of many infirm men who think they cannot be well thought or spoken of to their mind unlesse they keep under and balk other mens just praise where there is occasion enough of praise to every one who doth well in the War as in any other course In all this Discourse I name no person but to his praise yet I tell the errours and faults of a Faction which is as dangerous unto us as that of Barnevelts in the Netherlands But we hope that the same God who broke that Faction there will do the same here as he hath done the Prelats Faction here amongst us and will stop it to go on any further for the dishonour done to his Name and the mischief done to his People by those ambitious coveteous and self-conceited men against all Divine and human Law without shame provided they serve their insatiable and phantasticall desires caring neither for God nor for his People as appear clearly by the whole tenour of their carriage FINIS
namely the Lands of those who were most deeply ingaged with England above all the high Lands of the Marquesse of Argyle which they have totally depopulated and burnt as the Lands of his Friends some other parts they have so depauperate and wasted that in one County they have put many scores of good Families to meer mendicity What did most then grieve good men was to see not onely the good Work of Reformation at a stand and not likely to go on as they looked to it with carnall eyes but also the former abominations set up again and also to see the poor well-meaning people for fear abandoning the Truth and imputing unto the profession thereof the cause of their sufferings as many men do when they suffer for the Gospel Now albeit the losses be great and excessive which the Scots have had by Sea in regard to the extent of their Countrey yet their losses and damages by Land are a hundred times greater and more Further God suffered the wicked Enemy by the miscarriage of the chief Leaders and Directors of businesses to give a great overthrow to the good party of Scotland at which as the good party was much dejected the Enemy in his pride was highly puft up and he thought to carry all things before him mastering all but in a short time it pleased God to abate his pride by a great Victory against him God making use of David Lesley for that Service More As Digby and his associates going to the wicked Enemy in Scotland had first a good blow in his way thither and then was totally defeated at the second time when he thought himself as it was at his joyning with the Enemy in Scotland So doubtlesse under Gods Mercy ere it be long we shall hear that the wicked Enemy there having had already this great blow will have next his fatall and totall destruction Here let it be noted that among the papers taken from the Enemy when he had this great blow given him by David Lesley there were found instructions for the holding of a Parliament wherein all things setled in Church and State since the yeer 1639 were to be changed and altered the Covenant broken with the English Rebels so were they pleased to call all those who stand for the Parliament those who had been active for the Covenant to be furnished and deprived of aâ—l benefit and priviledge of a Patriote or native according to their severall ranks and stations All the sufferings and undergoings of the Scots for their joyning with the Parliam are so far neglected that not onely in their distresse they are not helped nor assisted as generosity had required after so much undergone for Friends at home and abroad making other mens quarrel their own and drawing evil upon themselves for their sake but divers who have received benefit in a high measure by their joyning and incoming have been glad heartily at their sufferings expressing now and then It was well they were beaten and when they were droven to the greatest pinch of necessity what by the prevailing Enemy what by the fault of their Leaders which lies heavily upon some at last having kept off to trouble or disquiet their Friends going constantly on with the Work so far as they were inabled and could do they required some help of Arms and of Money due unto them but what comfort they received more then a solemn Fast and private condolance of some Friends let them tell if they can Yea when they were thus low then they were most neglected and vilipended by some Was it not said by some of your prudentiall men That the Scots would undo both themselves and this Kingdom yet their wisdom and valour blessed with successe in their own affaires were not questioned before they were joyned with England in the businesse and if they had not come in England was undone at least a good part thereof Was is not said That they had buried their honour at Hereford Yet they have shewn since that they had both heart and hand to gain and to maintain honour Was it not told openly That they should be sent home as being troublesome to the Countrey and if they would not go with good will they must be killed by half-dozens Are not their Garisons and Places of retreat so long as they are in the Service of the Publike which they have reduced and brought into obedience with a great deal of pain losse and hazard demanded from them and spoken to be put in the hands of those who are not thought to be faithfull to the Cause we have all fought for to this day If this smell of piety and generosity let God and all the World judge Here I forbear to give answer to this onely I say It is done and let it undergo the censure of understanding and indifferent men without exception onely we shall see how this stands with the Publike Service and with the Treaty to deal so with Brethren and Friends who have put their breast betwixt their Brethren and the stroak of the Enemy and who did stand first in the gap against the Enemies Plot to teach their Brethren to be upon their guard and timely prevent the Enemies assault yea who under God have put their Brethren in posture of defence by occasioning the Assembly of Parliament and in protecting it by their stay here for a time lastly by rescuing it as it were from the jaws of Death and from the brink of perdition Now by neglecting vilifying crossing and opposing to dishearten Brethren who have been and are to this day so usefull unto the Service of the Common Cause cannot be but much prejudiciall to the happy end intended by us all to wit the setling of a true Reformation in Church and State If the Scots went not upon higher principles then those of human interest of phanaticall opinions of self-conceit and the like this usage of such Brethren could not but produce so bad effects as the hinderance of the end intended with the losse of all whatsoever hath been done employed and undergone thereabouts and the destruction of both Nations at last But blessed be God who hath given them wisdom and longanimity not to be so disturbed with the forenamed occasions of miscontent as either to be weary of the Work or to leave it off And to uphold them therein God yeelds the Scots the good will and assistance of divers well-affected men maugre all malice and malignity with the earnest desires and wishes of the people for compassing the first purposed and pursued end which is in few words the Glory of God and the safety of his people Now let us see how this carriage towards the Scots stands with the Treaty and Covenant made with them at their incoming Are not the Brethren of England with their Ships bound by the Treaty to guard the Coasts of Scotland by Sea to save it from forrain invasion and to secure the Scots in their trading by Sea But how
slakely this duty hath been performed the great losses and wofull sufferings of that poor Countrey can now tell of which inconveniencies and evils they had been free at least to this present if they had not joyned with their Friends in England I know it will be said When the Enemy had done with England his designe was with all his power to go into Scotland But human reason tells you That it is wisdom to put off an evil if we can for a time for he that hath time hath life as it is commonly said and the mean while God will provide some means or other to return the evil from his people And so human Policy would have taught the Scots to look to themselves and be quiet but their zeal to the Cause of God could not suffer them and for it they have undergone all this hardship who can and will deliver them in his appointed time And if those for whom they undergo this Service do not requite faithfully their kindnesse God will by some means or others not forget but recompense them according to the sincerity of their intentions But if any of the Scots as I doubt not but there be some who had or have some by-ends in this Work God will punish them for it and shew their vanity for mixing their own interest with his Service who requires the whole of man which is so known to the Enemy of God and of his people that he cares not what good a man do providing he can nourish in him any little evil being sure to catch him at last if he do continue in it Then the Brethren of England are bound not onely by reason to make the Scots no worse then they have found them that is then they were before their late conjunction for it stands against the Laws of all human Society and partnership that one party being preserved from totall ruine and reaping a seen benefit by the Society through the hazard and great losses of the other party not to make the party at least in the same condition he was before the Society far more is it against Justice to see the party undone and perish for us above all if we can afford him help or comfort least of all to rejoyce and make our own advantages of his losses who hath lost himself for us If the thing be so among particular Societies of men Why not so betwixt State and State who are nothing else but a Congregation of lesser Societies And if Justice is to be done by the lesser Why is not the greater far more tyed to it For the most part particular men are either punished or cried out upon as cheaters if they cozen or deceive their fellows And shall States escape free not onely from censure but be thought wise and prudent men for their deceits And shall circumvening in publike affaires be not onely not thought evil but esteemed as a vertue Hence cunning deceitfull man is called Politick and deceit is called Policy To such hight of wickednesse are we now come that vice must go under the name of vertue for Policy is the honest just and prudent carriage of publike affaires and not deceit and guile in them If it were onely to give sin a term lessening the shame of the crime it were to be born withall as for example to call stealing robbing and spoiling plundering as now adayes we do But to call vice vertue is intolerable Next We may see if this stands with the Treaty by this sole instance which is here inserted as it is in the first article And in case that notwithstanding the monethly sum of Thirty thousand pounds payed as aforesaid the States of Scotland shall have just cause to demand further satisfaction of their Brethren of England when the Peace of both Kingdoms is setled for their pains hazards and charges they have undergone they shall have due recompense made unto them by the Kingdom of England Now if the Scots for their pains hazards and charges be not payed of their monethly allowance How is the Treaty observed But the necessity of the times may excuse if there be not a full payment when there is willingnesse to perform if there were capacity But to give reproaches and injuries with threatning and to send men home with shame and without satisfaction who have done and undergone so much for thy good and to save thee from perdition is doubtlesse far from gratitude I pray thee What is it and how far is it from recompense Not to allow men to run home and quench the fire in their own house left having devoured the one it should destroy the other which it would do if it were not quenched in time Yea so long as the fire was but burning in one end of the house in respect of the ingagement it was in a manner little regarded but when it came to shake the very foundations of the building and deface it quite then it was full time to look to it And yet it cannot be approved by some because forsooth There was not a formall warning given as in decency was fit yet it was done with such order as could be expected upon such a nick of time But here it may be said What needs all this to speak of the Treaty Hath ever been any Treaty made betwixt two Nations or States but each have made their best advantage of it and ordinarily the Southern Nation hath been too cunning for the Northern as may be seen in all the Treaties betwixt Spaine and France Spaine hath outcunning'd France and so in the Treaties betwixt France and England France hath over-reached England and so of such others for the most part But as the Southern Nation hath over-reached the Northern by slight and cunning so the Northern oftentimes hath surpast by Field-action the other The reason of this is from the constitution of the body in the Northern people vile domineerers whereby they are inclined to do things rather by a strong hand then otherwise In the Southern people melancholy reigneth whereby they are inclined unto devises to compasse things with lesse force and hazard for where there is most wisdom there is least hazard The more North or South that a people be the more or lesse they have the one of the other But since the Treaty betwixt the Parliament of England and the State of Scotland runs upon other principles to wit of Religion this human over-reaching cunning or surprising is not and ought not to have any place but all is to be guided by conscience according to equity before God and as weare sworn to in our Covenant Wherefore now let us see how this agrees with the Covenant whereby we are all solemnly sworn to promote and advance the setling of a through Reformation in the Church according to the Word of God and the example of the best Reformed Neighbour Churches and if these reproaches injuries and hard usage of the Scots who have contribute so much to bring
against God so generally and so long a time now these five yeers since the Reformation is in hand As for the pressing of Peace by the Scots Is it not full time after so much blood shed devastation of the Countreys and such a deal of all kinde of wickednesse committed in the War to seek after a firm Peace lay hold upon any occasion to help us to it First Because it is the end we make War for not having intention to make a Trade of it Then If we beg for Peace at God Why should we not seek earnestly after it from man by all honest means Otherwise God will not grant our demands and will tell us that we are but hypocrites having a thing in our lips when our hearts are far from it As for standing for the King It is true we stand for him and respect him as we do on the other part stand for the Parliament the great Counsell of the Land as those whom God hath been pleased to set over us not fondly and feignedly idolizing worshipping them as gods on Earth impeccable one day as Parasites and Sycophants do and another day vilifying and rejecting them when our turn is not served by them but sincerly with reason for as we avouch him to be our Soveraign Magistrate so we acknowledge him all those of the Counsel to be but infirm and weak men him misled miscarried for the most part by those who are about him deceiving him to his own and the peoples ruine and them also subject to mistake and errour So as we pray God for him to save and protect him from doing evil from receiving evil we freely admonish him both from Church and State of his errours and faults both before God and man This we do both in private and publike as the cause requires or occasion will permit and when necessity drives us to it we take Arms to oppose the evil courses he is insnared in and represse them alwayes with respect to his Office and Person which we acknowledge to be lawfull and him lawfull possessor thereof and no further we go then to stop him from doing evil if we cannot gain him to do good Then for faults although they be great we must not change till we see that we can do better We have abolished the Prelacy not so much for the abuses thereof as for the unlawfulnesse of it although of long continuance it being against the intention of God expressed in his Word howsoever wrested by the Prelats but for Royalty it is approved and ordained by God hath so continued with us that we can hardly leave it besides we find already such inconveniencies by not keeping it up in its due right and authority that we smart hugely for it and if it were altogether cast off we should be far worse witnesse the infinite disorders now adayes Now let the English ingenuously confesse That â—â—ey never have told the tenth part of the truth of things unto the King which he hath heard of from the Scots Hath the Parliament and Church of England spoke so home and acquainted him so freely with his errours as the Scots have done or would they have so withstood the evil courses he is cast in had the Scots not shewn them the way Then we must not cast off a good accustomed and lawfull office for the faults of a man who bears it yea in the exercise of it and that about main businesses for lawfull things are not to be rejected for the abuses but the abuses to be taken away and a reformation to be made otherwayes the most things and most necessary should be cast off for we offend almost in all things and abuse many things But it is said The King hath spoiled the three Kingdoms and endeavoured to overthrow the Liberties and Religion It is true but if he had not found Peers and Commons in the three Kingdoms to second the evil counsels suggested unto him he would never have attempted it for they caused him to set the work afoot and they laid down the wayes to go on with it and have served him in it Although that other kindes of government may be fit for other people sure I am Monarchie is best for us being regulated according to the Law of God and right reason with the Prerogative and the Priviledge subservient to the good of the people Then It is reproached unto the Scots That they are a poor weak people and not considerable Truely They do not hold themselves either potent or considerable in regard of greater Nations but such as they are God hath made them very helpfull to other Nations which think themselves very considerable For example Did they not turn the ballance in the affairs of France under Charles the seventh when things were very low with the French for at their going to help that King they found him so distressed and so under the power of his Enemy that he was constrained to keep himself at Bourges in Berry Hence he was called in derision King of Bourges But in a very short time they helped him so that he repossessed himself of his whole Dominions and repulsed the Enemy Now Have they not done more unto their Brethren of England Have they not made their quarrell their own exposing their lives and all that is dear unto men for them And by their help are not their Brethren come to have the face of affaires changed unto the better so far that not onely they are come to equall terms with the Enemy but they have brought him so low that in likelyhood he will not rise again so hastily Howsoever the Scots be inconsiderable in the eyes of some men yet God in his goodnesse hath considered them so far as to make them usefull instruments in this his great Work of opposing the Enemies of his Truth both open and declared and secret and undermining And ye see both parties of open and secret Enemies to the Truth of God have considered the Scots so far that each of them hath by all cunning pressed to have the Scots for and with them but the Enemies seeing they could not prevaile they have made their earnest study by devises and Plots underhand and by open violence and force to wit by an absolute and declared War as far as they can to destroy the good party in Scotland as the onely obstacle of hindering the one and the other Enemy to compasse their designes and to set up their by-ends Hence the good party in England considereth the Scots as their onely helpers for without their assistance they had all been undone before now and howsoever they are strong in appearence for the present if the Scots should retire and leave them it is conceived upon just grounds that they were to begin the play again As for despicability Howsoever the Scots be despised by some now adayes I am sure had it not been for these despised men many here who are at
as wherein Justice is denied there Answer to the seventh Proposition That for the complaints that are or may be made of the Scottish Army to the Parliament the Committee do conceive it just That the complaints should be communicated to the Scots Commissioners as is desired And for the preventing of such complaints to the Parliament for the future That the Committee of both Kingdoms residing with the Scots Army endeavour the redresse of them if possible upon the place After all this upon complaints made on purpose The Scots must be sent back in all haste without any more ado without regard to what they have done what they are doing and what they may do for the publike Cause now in hand and without respect to the Treaty made betwixt the two Nations and to their mutuall ingagements And this went on so far by the artifice of the Independents that it was moved in publike by a great stickler of that Faction and a Venter of their Plots Thereafter The Independents have another thought which is to have the Garrisons taken in by the Scots from the Enemy in their possession namely Carlile and New-castle as places fit for their plantations from the one they do think to spread their seed into Scotland and send it over to Ireland with facility and from the other to have easie commerce with London Amsterdam c. and this is because the Scots hinder their Plots But let the World judge whether or no it is reasonable that the Scots return presently back into their Countrey and give over those Garrisons before the Work be ended that is Religion and Peace setled for which they have done and suffered so much abroad and at home in their zeal to the Cause and kindnesse to their Friends and leave all to the adversaries of the Covenant and whether or no they should have any place of retreat in case of need so long as they are about the Service And Is it to be thought that the Scots should return home re infecta they came hither for when they are constantly willing and in capacity to go usefully on with the Service to say nothing of the just thanks due unto them for what they have suffered and done in their love to the Cause and affection to their Friends What Must the Scots abandon the Garisons to the adversaries of the Reformation who have already some sticklers in New-castle who begin to broile and to trouble the People with their errours and phantasticall dreams leading to Faction and division Last The factious Independents in what truth we shall see it presently give out That it is by their wisdom purses and valour that things are brought to so good a passe and unto the happy condition we see them in for the ending of these troubles To this I answer Let no man sacrifice unto his own worth merit or action for it is a great sacriledge to take away from God his due who is all in all since in him we are and move not having either being or motion but by him originally and by his continued upholdig and assistance of us Then It is Idolatry to put any thing whatsoever in the lieu of God But let this passe for this time As for the wisdom purses and valour of the Independents Where were they before the Scots coming in Yea Where were they before the raising of the Siege of Oxford And to begin at their wisdom By a great deal of cunning they have stopped the setling of the Church to this day and consequently the setling of the Common-wealth The Church being as it were the soul and the State as the body of the Common-wealth except the Church that is the soul be in a good posture the Common-wealth cannot be well And for the State or politike part of the Common-wealth They are the cause of all the jarres jealousies and mistakes betwixt men of both Nations and betwixt divers in this one Nation yea betwixt City and Parliament Next By craft from the very beginning of this War the Independents have scrued themselves in imployment and got in to have a main hand in all businesses But by their wisdom they had brought things to such a passe that not onely they did lose their credit but they durst hardly appear in the streets for a time so odious were they become unto the People The incoming of the Scots did put life in them again for the People seeing that they were so earnest for the Scots whose successe and dexterity was known to all with their fidelity and honesty could not but give occasion to think better of the Independents then they had done formerly by reason of the miscarriage of things But these sweet Birds ingrate to their restaurators and unthankful to the People fall to their old tricks again to raise up their Faction against Church and State As the Scots by their assistance gave the Independents life when they were dead as it were and raised them from the dust unto consideration by their seasonable help so the late miscarriage of busine; sses by some then in power did furnish unto the Independents some means to thrust in businesses favour among the People All this while the Independents are getting themselves in all Committees and Counsells namely where money is a handling So by degrees they get benefit and power into their hands and then pleasure some whom they do affect and put nack others whom they do dislike By this means divers of all ranks to get their desires either of benefit or employment do side with them or to have their turn served for the present do cog in with them for a time As the Independents do dispose all things almost according to their mind in the Southern Forces by putting out those they do dislike and taking in those whom they think fit for their ends or at least who do not oppose them nor do take any notice of their tricks and devises So They do study in the North to keep the Scots idle being not fitted with accommodations for the Service yet earnest they are to call them Southward yea to make the weight of the main Service to lie upon them and then cry out against them That they do not go on as they were desired and that to irritate both Parliament and People Then As the new moulded Army was a setling many good occasions of doing businesses are let passe by the faults of the Independents whereunto advice was given namely by the Scots Commissioners and by other judicious men upon good intelligence for the easie compassing of things At last There must be a Siege at Oxford at such a time and in such a way How that Siege was undertaken according to the rules of wisdom the judicious understanding and indifferent men both at home and abroad can tell All this time the Independents in their wisdom are not onely busie to stop the setling of the Church in a true and through Reformation as by the Covenant