directed to elude the Iustice and Necessity of their great Patrons Dissolution I shall not much insist upon the businesse beyond the Obligation of a Formal Answer but I shall take such heed to That as to leave little place for a Return and in the rest make the old saying good that One Fool may ask more Questions than Tâ—enty Wise men can Answer His Quaere's are as follows 1. Whether this be not the Parliament and these the Persons who began the War with the late King And if so whether it doth not highly and neerly concern them even for their own sakes to be the Parliamenâ— that shall take up and Cloze the Quarrel and not leave it to others especially if as the general voice goes the Kings Son must be brought in ANSWER THis is not the Original Parliament That was compos'd of Three Estates King Lords and Commons Further These very Persons now sitting Declar'd the King a Party with them in the Quarrel beginning the War in the Kings Name For Him not With that is as it lies here Against Him If Thus the House must be Divided as well now in the Question as formerly it was so in the War The Parliament even in the Querists sense were those that suitably to their Duties and Engagements Voted a Peace in order to the Preservation of his Majesty but there was a Faction too that contrary to Honour Faith and Conscience did forcibly seclude their Honester Fellows by much the Major Part and Prosecute and put to Death the King Those that have been Honest are Safe nay and so should those be too that will at last be so by my Consent but I Demand What Equity or Reason is there that those Persons who Murthered the Father and are still professed Enemies to the Son should have an Equal Benefit with Others that were Affronted for their Loyalty to the Former and are at present upbraided as if 't were Criminal for their Affection to the Latter If the Kings Son must be brought in whether they will or no what have we to do further with those people that Declare they 'll keep him Out if they Can 2. Whether this Parliaments first undertaking and prosecuting the War with the Late King werâ— Iust and upon good and Warrantable Grounds If it were as no doubt it was and God having by his Providence after a long Interruption of some of them and a longer Seclusion of the rest restored them to their trust whether they ought not now to stand to their first Good principles maintain their first Good Cause and secure all the good people that have been engaged with them and by them ANSWER THe War was Iust in that part of the Parliament which Declared for the King and Acted accordingly but Unjust in thâ—se that Swore to Preserve him and Intended to Murther him That the Parliament ought to stand to their first Good Principles we are Agreed In so doing they are to bring to condigne punishment the Infringers of their Privileges the Introducers of Arbitrary power the Obstructors of Successive Parliaments The Murtherers of the late King the Subverters of the Establish'd Government c. I grant you further that they are obliged to secure all the good people that engaged With them and by them but not consequently all those that acted violently Against and Without them now my Question How is it possible for those that Began upon Principles of Contradiction as the Saving and Destroying of the King c. to stand to their First principles 3. Whether this be not that Parliament and these the very persons who by the good esteem they had among the people of their Integrity Faithfulnesse and Constancy whether I say this be not the Parliament who by these and other means engaged the Honest and well Affected of the Land in the aforesaid War And if so whether this Parliament having now power in their hands are not obliged in Duty and Good Conscience to secure all the said Honest and well affected people for this their Engaging and Acting under them and not leave them as a prey to their professed enemies nor their terms of pece to be made by they know not whom Another Parliament which there is too great cause to fear will be too much made up of such as neither have been nor are friends to the Parliaments cause nor to those that engaged in it ANSWER 'T is not the Gaining of a good Esteem but 't is the practice of Integrity that recommends a Worthy person I may believe well of a Cheat and ha' my pocket pick'd But after that I should deserve a Yellow Coat ever to trust that fellow Again though he should plead he had my good opinion formerly Some I confesse are yet in Being of those whose Interest raised the War but these are not the men our Quaerist means and beside the most considerable of that number are in their Graves For the rest to wave this Argument from Power to Conscience Those people that dare not abide the test of a Free Legal Parliament must not presume to aâ—t themselves as an Authority without Law or Limit In fine If this be the Same Parliament that first engaged then Why should the Secluders and their Adherents Those which by Force of arms Baffled this very Parliament in 48. 'scape better then the Cavaliers that fought against it in 42 4. Whether this be not the Parliament who by many Declarations and Remonstrances by Protestation and Vow by Solemn League and Covenant have declared and engaged themselves before God Angels and Men and have thereby drawen in and therewith engaged all Honest people to assert and defend their just undertaking and one another therein Whether as things now stand when this just Cause which through Gods assistance could not be won from us in the field is in great danger to be stoln from us by the dark contrivances of its and our adversaries if this Parliament should dissolve at such a time as this and leave all both Cause and all engaged by them in it to another Parliament the greatest part whereof may be no friends but enemies or at least strangers or but little concerned in the first undertaking whether this would not be exceeding contrary to all those Former Declarations Remonstrances Protestation Vow and Solemn League and Covenant ANSWER I Do allow the Members of this present Session are those persons that stand engaged by Oath and Covenant and to that OATH and COVENANT we appeal For Granted they stand bound to protect all the HONEST people they have engaged but not the KNAVES the Covenant-Breakers I desire only this Whether or Not are they that took the Covenant bound to protect the Violaters of it Nay can they purge themselves of manifest Perjury and Complication should they not prosecute the obstinate Opposers of it 5. Whether it be not more then sufficiently manifest what will â—e the carriage of these Enemies to the Parliaments Cause and its Adherenâ—s when they get
an Intollerable Slavery Imposed Those quitted when they saw thâ—ir error These for that very Reason proceed There is in fine This difference One side would Destroy the King the Other would Preserve him These would Govern Without Law and the Other would be governed by Law After all this peremptory rudeness at large he bethinks himself at last of an Apology to the General and now the Pageant moves WE urge not these things with an intent to make the least reflection upon your Excellencie and our Brethern the Officers under your Command as if we suspected your sincerity and constancy after so many plain and positive Declarations against returning to our old Bondage under that Family which God so wonderfully cast out before us and wherein we are confident he for his own name and peoples sake will never more take pleasure but in regard the Old Adversaries behave themselves insolently and proudly and publickly give out the time is coming wherein they shall satisfy their lusts upon us we thought it convenient to whet your Spirits with a repetition of these things as we have done our own that the world may see we yet own our Cause and do believe that what we have done as Instruments in driving out that Family we have done in judgment and Conscience and that you take a convenient time to let men understand plainly that you also will continue of the same perswasion with uâ— for as much as there are none of the particulars charged upon the late King in the following Declaration which would not with many more have been proved to his face by a Cloud of witnesses if he would have put himself upon tryal when he was called to aâ—swer for his actions ALas good Gentleman you suspect the General No body can have such a Thought sure you do but mind him of his Duty now and then Refresh his Memory and whet his Spirits He has declared himself against returning to our old BONDAGE under that Family which God so wonderfully cast out before you but not against the Liberty and Title of that Person whom God may no lâ—sse wonderfully bring in before you and I suppose my confidence is better grounded that the people will never more take pleasure in you then yours is thaâ— God will take no pleasure in Him the Nation will as little endure the Rump as you the King But all this while you Beg the Question How comes the King to be mentioned The Young man as your gravity descends to call him he 's poor his Friends Beggâ—rly You have the Ballance of Propriety on your side too my Masters you 're safe enough then I would advise you now to wait and not prejudge Authority You 're to Obey not to impose a Government If you proceed to Murmure and shew your Teeth when you cannot Bite 't will be the worse for you Indeed your Good old Patriots will be the Minor Vote again of the nâ—xt Parliament if you behave not your selves more modestly the people will suspect you for Mutinous Servants prove but Untoward Masters Monopolies and some misgovernments were the True Cause that engaged the well meaning people in the quarrel not extirpation of both Laws and Governours But if your Adversaries do as you say grow proud and insolent in such a case you may be allowed to whet your Spirits as you express your selves any thing but your knives you were at that sport once your judgment and your conscience we are satisfyed in alas the difference betwixt yours and ours is but a Trifle What we take to be slavery you call Freedom A Rebell in our Judgment is a Patriot in yours Murther a Sacrifice Robbâ—ng of Churches in your soft Opinion is but unclothing of the Whore a thing the Rump's a little given to we term that Sacriledge One frailty I must needs take notice of among you for all you talk of Providence I finde the Arme of Flesh strikes a great stroke in your spiritual coflicts and when y' are worsted you 'l take eggs for your money and acquiesce as well as your neighbours This I obseâ—ve to be one Article of your Faith you argue from Divine Omnipotency that providence is ever on the stronger side Suppose the Gentlemen of the Back-side should look on for a fit now the Royall Family you say God cast out before us Who casts out these But to make all sure you prâ—sse the General and his Officers to Declare that they 'l continue of the same perswasion with you This perseverance I confess is a main point you should do well to leave a note where they may find you for you 're a little variable and they 're a little shy of medling with those that are given to change You 're possibly this day resolved for a Republick the next for a Protector by and by a Counsell of Officers and then a Committee of Safety Come come Gentlemen the General will be just without your Counsels and steady in despight of all your Arguments Speak on GIve us leave we beseech you to add one thing more which we had almost forgotten to shew the madness of those men that cancelled the votes of Non-Address and would have brought back the late King by the Isle of Wight-Treaty and would now if they might have their wills bring in his Son by the like viz. that at the very time when that Treaty was on foot though this young man who was then at Sea in the revolted Ships declared all to be null which should be agreed on by his Father yet hand over head in they would have had him as others would now restore the Son upon the very same termes which he so positively declared himself an enemy to in his Fathers dayes Good God! what a spirit of slumber hath seized such men who were once deeply engaged with us in the Common Cause As for your Excellencie far be it from us to entertain any suspition concerning you supposing you must needs have upon your heart the true interest of Religion and your Own too and how much it is concerned in keeping Out of that Family whose restitution we believe God will not now permit unto any designers seeing he hath from time to time so signally blasted all former undertakings As to what concerns Religion you know what hath been their Education and Dependency abroad should they returne 't is Obvious all Other parties would be put upon their Guard to defend themselves against him and his Clergy at home and so all sorts of Religious Parties being constrained to combine for mutuall preservation and liberty the War will soon be renewed upon the point where it at first began WHat pitty 't would have been this Gentleman should have forgot a thing that never was the King indeed sent an express to the City the coppy whereof was carried to the House by the Sheriffs and some of the Common-Counsell 3. Aug. 1647. But not a syllable of what he mentions in it nor any thing
that way tending yet was it eagerly debated in Terminis that the Prince should be declared a Rebell and a Traytor Among Other Reasons why it was laid by One was the Covenant a Second was This It would not do well to vote the Prince a Traytour the same day that Messengers were sent to invite The King his Father to a Treaty The clamorous puppy might bethink himself of better Language especially Addressing to an Eminent Person The madness of those men he calls it that cancell'd the votes of non-Addresses and would have sav'd the King c. If all were mad that would have sav'd That King or that love This we should not find many sober Persons in the Kingdom This Fellow keeps so much stir to cleer his Party of any jealousie upon his Excellency that he most evidently creates and discovers one How comes Religon now To trouble our Atheistique Saints These Reprobates have violently taken the Father's Life and thrown the Son out of his Right and Dominions exposing him to the charity of Forreign Princes for a subsistence and after this his Education abroad is made an Argument by this Brute against his Return where will he be next now AS to your own interest in the station where God hath placed you 't is well known what the private sence and opinion of that Party is concerning your Excellency because you have been an Instrument in keeping Scotland many years with so great a vigilance and prudence free from the attempts of that irreconcileable Enemy Admit such a thing were possible which some fancy that you should be the man that would put the Crownagain upon the head of that Family is it not plain what fate setting aside all other Considerations you might expect from a seeming reconciled Enemy and a King too It being the guise of Kings as the Historians from enumerable Examples do Observe ever to recompence with hate their most meritorious Servants making no difference to returne betwixt the highest Obligation and the greaâ—est Injury The examples are so frequent in our own Chronicles as well as forreign that he who runs may read it and 't is not proper here to recite them INdâ—ed he 's hard put to 't to make the danger out from the King to the Generall in case he should restore him If there were nothing else in 't 't were enough to make him Dear to the King and to his party that he Hates you Do not deceive your selves He 'll be a scourge to the Phanatiques and every soul that loves either Piety or Peace will assist him Do not mistake me neither God forbid that all such as have either been misled by cunning practises or else transported by necessities to seek a livelyhood by unlawsull means God forbid I say that all without distinction should be marked with that Infamous Brand No I intend it only of that Frantique crew that preclude mercy by despising it and persecute the Truth with a Determinate Malevolence and spite But Note the man begins to soften ALas Sirs 't is not an Army that shall secure you nor the power of the Militia that can secure our Antient Senators if any who have been engaged can be so fond as to think of security for let the Young man come in with freedom to encounter both Army and Militia with the bare title of King and aâ—tuall possession of the Throne the eyes of Army and Militia will soon be dazeled with the splendour of that Gay Thing and fall down and worship at the sight and hope of the Kingdomes of this world and the glory of them and then all Bonds of agreement if any be will prove but Rushes Oh for God and his peoples sake yea and for the City of Londons sake whom Charles the Father branded in his papers with the Charaâ—ter of Disloyal and Rebellious City though at that time most renowned in her aâ—â—ings set an end to the expectations of malicious enemies and sâ—aggering Friends by clearing up your selves that we may see you in the light vigorously asserting the good Cause of these Nations yea for tâ—e sake of Parliaments we ask it and we doubt it not at your hand seeing the people are not like to be brought to contend any more for Parliaments iâ— after so long a contest he should gain an Opportunity of improving a possessiâ—n of the Crown to an usurpation over the Priviledges of Parliaments THis Thing I 'll lay my life belongs to the Rump it is so much concerned in the behalf of our Antient Senators Truly I 'm half oâ— his minde in what he sayes last That is I do believe his Majâ—sty wâ—uld be made welcome But for Faithlesse nothing but an Abjuring Perjur'd Villain would suspect him See how the Supple slave is come about now how Arrantly the Rogue Beggs Oh! â—or God and his Peoples sake and for the City of 〈◊〉 sâ—ke I am in â—arnest I must laugh before I can wrâ—te on Might not this fellow be laid hold of upon the statute against sturdy Beggars and Lash'd He has absolutely turn'd a piece of one of the Rump-Ballads into Prose Nay my Lord cries the Brewers Clerk good my Lord for the love of God Consider your self Vs this poor Nation and that Tyrant Abroad Don't leave us but George gives him a Shurg instead of a Nod. Come hang your self Beg right here 's your true methâ—d of begging Oh for Tom Scot's sake for Haslerig's for Robinson Holland Mildmay Mounson Corbet Aâ—kins Vane Livesey Skippon Milton Tichbourn Ireton Gourden Lechmore Blagrave Barebones Nedham's sake and to conclude for all the rest of our Impenitent Brethrens sakes Help a company of poor Rebellious Devils that only for murthering their Prince destroying three glorious Nations breaking the bonds of Faith both with God and Men trampling upon Religion and Laws exercising an absolute Tyranny over thâ—ir fellow-Subjects Endeavouring yet once more to engage their native Countrey in Bloud to alienate the honest Soldiery from their Obedience and in fine for playing the Devil in Gods Name are now in danger to Lose the Reward of all their Vertues The Possessions which they have acquired by violence by a Malignant and desperate design of Peace and Settlement This is the State of your Condition and this should be the form of your Application Once more and he bids you farewel BVt my Lord and Gentlemen leaving these things which touch only upon your worldly Interests and Concernments we are bold to say though the jealousies of weaker Brethren be great and many we believe our selves to be sure of you because we have your Souls as well as your personal Interests at pawn for your fidelity to the Publick We remember your Declaration sent from Scotland to the Churches and other Declarations at the same time We might minde you if it were needfull how you have called God to witness That the ground of your lâ—te undertaking in Scotland was The Vindication os the Liberties of the People with the protection
L'ESTRANGE HIS APOLOGY WITH A Short View of some Late and Remarkable Transactions Leading to the happy Settlement of these Nations under the Government of our Lawfull and Gracious SOVERAIGN CHARLS the II. whom GOD Preserve By R. L. S. Qui aliquid statuit parte inauditâ alterâ AEquum licèt statuerit Iniquus est Iudex LONDON Printed for Henry Brome at the Gun in Ivy-Lane 1660. The PREFACE IF it were possible to please all Humours I would by all fair means endeavour it for I perceive that Knaves and Fools have Honester and Wiser men much at their Mercy Opinion is the Common people's Idol they Make it first and then they Worship it Nor matters it â—ow Frivolous and Weak the Ground is so the Report be strong for Rumour is not allwaies founded upon Truth and Reason but like a Pestilence it Rises from a Vapour Spreads it self and One soul Breath suffices to Defame the cleerest Soul in Nature As it is Vain to strive against the stream of Popular Affections so Providence hath renderâ—d it Unnecessary too by making the meer Conscience of a Noble Action a large Requital of it Nor is it Virtue but Design or Vanity that looks beyond its proper self either for Profit or Applause Briefly the worst that Calumny and Malice can Throw upon a Private Person is but a Tast of the same Cup whereof our Lord and Mâ—ster hath Drank a Deep and Bitter Draught before us All this consider'd our Religion or Philosophy serves us to Little purpose if we Murmur Shrink or Transport our selves under a Fate so Hard to be Avoided so Easily Born and so Glorious to Overcome Let me not be Mistaken As I think nothing more Ridiculous than to appear Disturb'd for a Pretence-less and Malitious Scandal while it regards only the Voluntary and Trivial Contrivers of it So do I think nothing more Reasonable when such an Errour shall have wrought it self into a Credit among Sobâ—r Persons than by an Open Calm and Clear Defence for him that 's Injur'd to Acquit himself Nor am I Ignorant what Censure waites upon Discourses of this Quality nor to deal Freely much Concern'd upon this Principle that I am Certain not to Disoblige any One Person that I care to Please I reckon that I have to deal with Three sorts of People The First Consists of such as have no hand at all in my Dishonor Perhaps no Knowledge neither of my Cause nor Person These I desire by any means not to bestow their Time or Monâ—y upon This Pamphlet as having no share in the Intention of it If tâ—ey will needs be Medaling 't is their Own fault not Mine the mis employment of that Hour they Cast away upon it It is One weakness to Write Vain Discourses and 't is Another to Read them Beside My Business is a kind of Privacy and it is scarce Good Manners in a Stranger to Hearken after it In sober Earnest did I but know to whose Ear properly I might Direct the Sense of what I Suffer I should not have Committed it to Paper But as the Case stands I cannot Avoid it for nothing but a Publique Defence can wipe off a Publique Scandall and That way too 't is but to save One Blot and set another Hazzarding my Discretion to secure my Honour It is with Books just as it is with Meats Some are disposed for Luxe and Gust Others for Health and some again for pure Necessity I have provided nothing here for Peevish Palates nor in Effect for any other Persons than such as I would make my Friends and Those I Love to Treat with Liberty and Plainnesse In Fine hee 's a Rude Guest that Pressing to a Table Un-invited disparages his Entertainment and hee 's a Partial Iudge that blames Another for Writing that upon Necessity which he himself may Read or let alone at pleasure The Second sort is a Mistaken Party such as have either been Mis-led out of an Fasinesse to Credit loose Reports or by the Current of a Common Vote Induc'd to an Assent to what they could not Contradict and to take Probabilities for Truths wanting the means to Discern One from the Other These aâ—e the Onely Persons I consider as properly the Subjects of my Care and Trouble I would not have my Suppos'd Faults become Really Theirs Nor is it less Their Interest to Know the Truth than Mine to Tell it My Reputation lyes at stake Their Justice and the same Act that Frees me from a Misfortune Delivers Them too from an Errour It is to These then that I Dedicate this Demonstration of my Innocence not doubting but that such as have made this Apology Necessaâ—y will likewise think it Pardonable To suit the Method of it to the Obligation It is the Surest and the Safest Cure of all Disorders both of Body and Mind to Apply to the Root and Causes of them and not by a Direct and Passionate Opposition to dash one Weakness against Another Some people Erre out of Facility and Heedlesnesse I shall bestow a Little Counsel upon them But then there is a Serious Party that is not mov'd but by fair Likelihoods and Strong Appearances of Reason and Those I shall endeavour to prevaile upon by Evidences of Fact First In the matter of Counâ—el Every man should do well to conform all his Actions to the rules of Conscience Honour Prudence and Convenience by these means Reconciling as much as possible Duty and Interest Not to Range over the whole Field of Christian Dutyes c. I shall confine my self to my Subject and onely in Few Words Observe how Contrary to all these Obligations That Humour is to say no worse of taking up Evil Reports upon Trust and Venting them for Truths I do accompt that Babbling Levity to Malice but what Chance-Medly is to Murther perhaps no harm Intended but a man 's Kill'd with Fooling beside the Breach of Charity and the Violation of Sociable Justice This as to Conscience Consider next in point of Honour how Ignoble 't is to Wound a man behind his Back nay in his Sleep that neither Knows his Enemy nor Feels the Wound till he is Lost beyond all possibility of Defence or Resistance Can any thing be Meaner than for no Provocation Given and for no Benefit Expected to ruine an Unknown and perhaps Guiltlesse person past all power of Reparation Nor is the Humour more Discreet than Noble It is a Weaknesse that Proclaimes it self and Prints a Marque and Character of Folly upon whoever uses it Is any man esteemed the Wiser for telling All he Knowes or the Honester for speaking More In Fine His Virtues are soon Compted that spends his time in Reckoning up his Neighbours Faulâ—s To come now to the point of Interest There 's nothing more Destâ—uctive to all Great and Beneficial purposes tâ—an this same Credulous and over flowing Vein of Tattling It speaks a man too Weak for Counâ—el or Conduct too Open for Friendship too Impertinent for Society
Changes are Slow and Dangerous God and Truth are Invariable We were Well till We shifted and never since having tried all other Postures in vain were it not better to attempt That once again than thus expose our selves to be Restlesse for ever My Lord the Author of this is very much Your EXCELLENCIE'S Servant Feb. 4. 1659. THe City of London having of late behav'd themselves a little Crosse disturb'd the self-created Representative exceedingly The Common-Counsel was too Stout and Honest for their purpose The Aldermen but an Unâ—oward Mixture yet those among them that were Right were Eminently so and there were not a few that were so A very Worthy and Particular Instrument in the Frank carriage of the Businesse was the Recorder But Equall to them All was the brave General The Rump was now come to a Forc'd Put. Monies must be Rays'd and the City Subdu'd or the Good Old Cause is Lost. In Order to Both Out comes the Long look'd for 100000. Tax upon Tuesday Feb. 7. which was Follow'd with a Negative Resolve of Common Counsel upon Wednesday but Thursday was the Bloody Day Design'd both to his Excellence and to the Town witnesse the Resolves it pâ—oduced as to the City and the Orders Imposed upon the General His Excellence having drawn his Forces into the City so far Comply'd with his respects even to the least Image of Authority as to Secure diverse Persons by virtue of an Order to that express purpose But to Destroy Their Gates and Portcullices he was very Loth and signifi'd as much to the Members in a Letter from Guild-Hall to which he received in Answer only a more peremptory Command to Proceed which accordingly he Executed the day following and so returned to his Quarters The Resolves of Feb. 9. I must not Omit for they deserve to be Transmitted to Posterity Thursday 9 Feb. THe House received a Report from the Council of State of some Resolutions taken by the Council in relation to the City of London Resolved That the Parliament doth approve of what the Council of State hath done in ordering That the Commissioners for Government of the Army do appoint Forces to be and continue in the City of London for preserving the Peace thereof and of the Commonwealth and for Reducing of the City to the obedience of the Parliament Resolved That the Parliament doth approve of what the Council of State have done in ordering that the Commissioners for the Army do take order that the Posts and Chains in the City of London be taken away Resolved That the Gates of the City of London and the Portcullices there be forth with destroyed Resolved That the Parliament doth approve of what the Council of State and Commissioners of the Army have done in Seizing and Apprehending of Mr. Vincent Merchant in Bishopsgate-Street And Thomas Brown Grocer in Wood-Street Daniel Spencer in Friday Street Laurence Brompfield in Tower-Street Major Chamberlain Mr. Bludworth and Richard Ford in Seething-Lane Major Cox at the Swan in Dowgate Mr. Penning in Faâ—church Street and Lieutenant Colonel Iackson Resolved That the present Common-Council of the City of London Elected for this Year be discontinued and be and are hereby declared to be Null and Void and that the Lord Mayor of London have notice hereof Ordered That it be referred to a Committee to bring in a Bill for the Choice of another Common-Counsel with such Qualifications as the Parliament shall think fit with ordet to meet at 8. of the Clock in the Speakers Chamber to morrow morning The House likewise read the Bill for setling the Militia of the City of London and the Liberties thereof the first time and referred it to the Council of State to present names of Commissioners for the Militia of the City of London to the House to moâ—row morning The Parliament taking Notice of the discreet carriage of the Lord Mayor of the City of Londoâ— in the Late transactions of the Common Council Ordâ—red That the Lord Mayor have the thanks of this House and that Alderman Atkins do give him the thanks of the Parliament accordingly THis day produced likewise a remarkable Petition Presented by Praise-God Barebones Pressing that no man might be Admitted into any plâ—ce of Trust except such as should ABjURE A SINGLE PERSON and further Praying that it might be Enacted HIGH TREASON for any man to MOVE OFFER or PROPOUND in PARLIAMENT COUNSEL COURT or PUBLIQUE MEETING any thing in order to CHARLES STEVVART c. and that afâ—er such a LAVV ENACTED it might be deemed HIGH TREASON for any man to move or Propose the REVOCATION of it A man would have thought these people should have had enough already of the Oath of ABjURATION for nothing did more expose them than the eagernesse they had formerly used in the promoting of it which served only to Eurage the Opposâ—rs and to set up for a Marque the Infamous Abetters of it But all this was not sâ—fficient to divert the Gratious Members from a most Particular Order of Thanks to the Petitioners Upon Sâ—turdâ—y â—hâ— memorable 11th of Fâ—b the G neral â—inding himself a little more at Liberty Removed his Quarters inâ—o the Ciâ—y and there Declared himselâ— to the Universal Satisfaction of the Nation Desiring Particularly by Letter the men â—f Westminster to bethink themselves of their Dissolution In the transaction of this Affair there were â—o many untoward Circumstances that to Prevent Mistakes I dispersed Sâ—veral Copies of this ensuing Narrative IN Octob. last when Lambert scattered the Committee of Westminster his Unluckie Excellency thought it then a fit time to set up for himself and in the Head of a Phanatique Party to bid Defiance to all the Sober Interests and Iudgements of the Nation His Principal assistant in the work was Sir Henry Vane the Prophet of that Inspired Rabble The Faction was grown Bold and Formidable when to divert the Course or meet the Fury of it the General was Invited to draw a Force from Scotland into the North and In he came but to a Nobler purpose than ever they Intended They Called him in to save Themselves he Came to save the Nation Upon the first notice of his Advance Lambert was sent with a considerable Army to meet him and London left almost without a Publique Guard such was the Confidence they had in the Anabaptistique Party which was privately Armed and Listed in and about the town In fine after diverse Affronts upon and Tumults in the City the Souldiery Revolted the Fugitive Members Returned Lambert's Army Mouldered away and his Excellency vanished Thus far without a Blow but the more difficult part was still behind for Treacherous friends are much more dangerous than professed Enemies The General resolves next for London and makes it his design both in his Passage and after his Arrive by all means possible to avoid blood-shed His March speaks him a Souldier and a Gentleman for it was Regular and Inoffensâ—ve The Country courted him upon the way
gathered up one by one whereas your SEASONABLE UNION MAKES ALL SURE As your Intentions are Honorable so let your Actions be How far the Law extends in case of Brutish and Illegal cruelty see St. Iohns Argument against the Earl of Strafford and with That I conclude He that would not have had others to have Law why should he have any himself Why should not that be done to him that himself would have done to others It is true we give Law to Hares and Deers because they be Beasts of Chase it was never accounted either cruelty or fowl play to Knock Foxes and Wolves on the head as they can be found because thesâ— be Beasts of Prey The Warrener sets traps for Powlcats and other Vermin for Preservation of the VVarren Feb. 18. 1659. ABout This time the Schismatiques had all their Instruments at work to disappoint the Generall Design and Hope of a Free Parliament The Bolder and the more Ingenious sort of Honest men were Gather'd up by Flying Troops that they had every where Diâ—pers'd to hinder a Conjunction nay they were come to That Degree of Impudence to threaten Banishment and Sequestration to the whole Party of Declarâ—rs Nor did they Act these Outrages upon the Gentry without a due regard of Popular and specious Application to the Vulgar The House should be Immediately Fill'd The Form of the VVrit was already Published The Qualifications Agreed upon and in Fine They would Instantly proceed to a Settlement of Church and State what would they more In the mean while The Presses are at Work by Libells against the King By Arguments of Interest and by False Intelligence to Corrupt and Deceive the People No Stone is left unturn'd The Common-wealtbmen They 're a Birding too and Tell their Little Tales of Rome and Venice Nor does the Generall himself escape their wild Attempts either upon his Honesty by Large and Insignificant Donations or else by Plots against his Person The Party had their Friends too in the City either by Tedious Speeches From the Point to make their Meetings Fruitlesse or upon Frivolous Pretenses to Delay the very Calling of a Counsell Retarding the Militia by that means to the great Hazzard of the whole Affair This was the Face of Things when the Brave Generall Cleer'd the way for the Return of the Secluded Members who being Entred Feb. 21. fell Instantly upon the Nulling of those Sputious Orders which Related to their First Seclusion in Dec. 1648. Proceeding Thence to the Enlarging and Confirming of the Generall 's Commission and the disabling of the Rump's Commissioners for the Government of the Army The Discharging of Prisoners Illegally Committed and the Appointment of a new Convention Apr. 25. 1660. In Fine they had enough to doe for one while to Vacate the mis doings of their Predeeessors which thing it self they did with all convenient Modesty and Tendernesse As their Businesse was onely to Settle the Nation without Perpetuating Themselves so did they make all Haste was Possible to Finish it The Militia's they Placed in Good Hands and Empowred a Counsell of State to Govern in the next Intervall which being done and Provision made for a New Election March 16. they Dissolved Themselves The Independent Gang were strugling now for Life and Laboured by a Thousand Shifts and Cheats to make a Party in the new Militia During That Transaction I caused this Following Paper to be Published A Seasonable Word I Do not write out of an itch of Scribling or to support a Faction my Duty bids me write Nor do I love Hard words or Many Plain and Few suit all Capacities and Leisures I would be Read by all and Understood by all for my Business extends to all Not to spend time in Complement or Apology The Readers Wisdome or the Authors Weakness is not the Question The Nation is in Distress and every Englishman must lend his hand to save it Nay That must be done Quickly too and Vigorously Delay is Mortal Can any thing be more Ridiculous then to stand Formalizing in a Case where 't is impossible to be too early or too zealous The event of things takes up our thoughts more then the Reason of them what Newes more than what Remedy As if it concerned us rather to know whose Fools and Slaves we shall be next then to be such no longer That which completes the Wonder and the Oversight is That the Miseries we suffer were before hand as easily to be Fore-seen and Prevented as they are now to be Felâ— and we are only to look Backward to take a perfect measure of the Future so obvious and formal is the Method that leads to our destruction If we are not in love with Beggery and Bondage let us at last bethink our selves of Freedom and from a due inquiry into the Rise and Growth and present State of our Calamities learn to be wise and Happy for the time to come It may be observed that since Church-men dabled in Politiques and States-men in Divinity Law and Religion have been still subjected to the Sword and in â—ffâ—ct those same Excursions and Adulterate mixtures are but the workings of a Party already in motion toward that End He that designes a Change of Government must begin by imposing a Delusion upon the People and whatsoever is Necessary to his Purpose must be Accomodate to their Humour The Pulpet by false glosses and Puzzling distinctions under the Doctrine of Conditionate Obedience suggesâ—ing Liberty cousens the Multitude into a Rebellion Oaths and Covenants are but like Iugglers knots Fast or Loose as the Priest pleases The Weaker sort being thus prepared and poyson'd by a Seditious Clergy 't is then the Statesman's part to push those Mutinous Inclinations into Action and to divide the Cause betwixt Conscience and Property the better to involve all Interests in the Quarrel Under the Masque of Piety and Publiqueness of Spirit of Holy men and Patriots the Crafty cheat the Simple engaging by those specious pretenses the Rash mis-judging People with good Intentions but wanting Care and Skill in Sacrilege and Treason This was the very Root and this hath been the Process of our Evills Under the notion of Gods glory the Safety and the Honour of the King the Fundamentall Lawes and Freedomes of the People the Priviledge of Parliaments c. the Kingdome was gulled into a Complyance with an Ambitiouâ— and Schismaticall Faction The main Pretense was the Assertion of the Subjects Legall Rights against the grand Prerogative and That directed only to the Limitation of an Intended Arbitrary Power the Regulation of such and such Mis-Governments c. and all this Saving their Allegeance to His Sacred Majesty whose Person Crown and Dignity they had so often and so deeply sworn to maintain This was a Bait so Popular it could not fail of drawing in a Party and That produced a War The Formal Story of the Quarrel is little to my purpose the Logique of it Less How by the same Authority
the Humour of the People Yet I 'll be civil to you I speak my Soul I do believe the Irish Catholiques in that Rebellion which you point at took flame at the Severity they apprehended from some extraordinary Declarations against them here previous to their Rebellion This I must add further the King for'tis at Him our Author's malice strikes at his return from Scotland did earnestly and particularly recommend the care of Ireland to both Houses in his speech Dec 2d 1641. upon the 14th he pressed them once again to the same purpose Adding the great Necessity of Dispatch the daily Cries and Importunites of the Irish Protestants and offering all his Power and Interest toward their Relief in these very Terms See the exact Collections the 1. and 2. Speeches in the book That nothing may be omitted on my part I must here take notice of the Bill for pressing of Souldiers now depending among you my Lords concerning which I here declare that in case it come so to me as it may not infringe or diminish my Prerogative I will pass it And further seeing there is a Dispute raised I being little beholding to him whosoever at this time began it concerning the bounds of this antient and undoubted Prerogative to avoid further debate at this time I offer that the Bill may pass with a Salvo jure both for King and People leaving such Debates to a time that may better bear it c. To conclude I conjure you by all that is or can be dear to you or me that laying away all Disputes you go on chearfully and speedily for the reducing of Ireland By whom Ireland was tumulted I do not know but that it was not by his Majesty is most evident Nor is there any Question but the Massacres there committed must lye upon the score both of the Actors and Promoters of those cruelties who they are when I know I 'll tell you WOuld you know who it was that interposed betwixt the Parliament and the Duke of Buckingham and would not permit the proofs to be made against him concerning the death of his own Father THis I shall satisfie you in A Letter was presented to the house from Thomas Haslerigg Brother to Sir Arthur which was read to this purpâ—se That there was one Mr. Smalling a Committeeman of Leicester shire who had been a Deputy-examiner in the star-Chamber and affirmed that above twenty years since there being a sute in star-Chamber between the Eaâ—l of Bristol Complainant and the Duke of Buckingham Defendant Concerning Physick presumptuously administred by the said Duke to King James the said Smalling took many Depositions therein and was further proceeding in the Examinations untill a Warrant signed by the King was brought him Commanding him to surcease and to send him the Depositions already taken which Smalling did yet kept notes by him of the principal passages doubting what further proceedings might be hereafter in a business of such importance Sir Henry Mildmay moved that Smalling be sent for and examined upon Oath by the COMMITTEE that penned the said Declaration but upon motion of the Presbyterians he was ordered to be examined at the COMMONS-BAR Smalling came produced the Warrant but no notes so this Chimera vanished Tertio Caroli this business had been ventilated and examined against the Duke and no mention made of Poysoning or Killing King Iames It was then only called an Act of high Presumption and Dangerous Consequence in the Duke nor was there the least Reflection upon KING CHARLES See the History of Independency par 1. p. 74. WOuld you hear who it was that made so light of Parliaments killing them as soon as born and making them a scorn by dissolution at pleasure and at length designed and in fine drew sword against the very Parliamentary Constitution after he had by imprisonments destroyed several eminent Patriots for their freedom of speech in the Parliament on the behalf of the Publick and in particular touching the death of his Fa her NO it needs not I can tell you that 'T was Cromwell and the secluding Members The RUMP That drew Sword against the very Parliamentary Constitution They clap'd up Sir Robert Pye and Major Fincher for but desiring a Free-Parliament on the â—ehalf of the Publique sending their troops abroad to seize and Threatning themselves to sequesâ—er all the Declarâ—rs That wâ—iâ—h concerns his Majestie 's Father is spoken to already WOuld the Scots know who it was that designed them to be the first Subjects of Slavery in spirituals and Civils who hated their very Naâ—ion though the Land of his Nativity who made a Pacification with them with a treacherous intent to â—reak every Article and manifested it as sâ—on as he returned from Edinburg to London giving special command to burn the said Articles by the hand of a Common Hâ—ngman and it was publickly done I'â—l â—ell you that too 'T was the old Arglye But hold you Sir Touching the Treacherous intent did he tell you his mind But I confâ—sse you are quick-sighted you could not see things else that have no Being as your own Piety and publique Tenderness You have approv'd your selves Searchers of Hearts indeed witness your Sacrifices to your MOLOCH the good old cause your Butcheries by Quartering and Embowelling poor Wretches only upon Frivolous and Incongruous Circumstances senselesly patch'd together by your Ridiculous and Suborned sons of Belial Because that your own Party did resolve at first to break all Oaths and has been only True in a fidelity to Hell and Wickedness you make no difficulty to measure others by your Impious sâ—lves you Talk and Act at such a Rate as if the Word of God were a Delusion Divinity an old wive's Tale and seriously not half so much Respâ—ct is paid to the Two Tables of the Decalogue as to the Orders of your Coffe-house I shall not ravel the Transaction sequent upon the Pacification you speak of But to your next WOuld you hear the Cryes of the blood of Rochel and of his own people sacrificed in that Expedition to a Forreign interest and of all the Protestants in France for his Barbarous betraying of them THe Rochel Expedition I 'm a stranger to so I suppose are you that make the Challenge But if you had told me of â—amaica or the Sound I should have understood you WOuld you cast your eye on past miseries and recollect the manisold intollerable Oppressions of People both in matter of Estate and Conscience and compare them with the indulgencies at thâ— same time toward Papists yea and the designs laid to make use of Papists to destroy both Parliaments and godly people together NOw you say something surely The manifold intollerable oppression of People in matter of Estate and Conscience c. This I remember perfectly Your Major-General-Archy was an admirable Form of Govâ—rnment So was your Rump-archy Clap a man up and never let him know his crime nor his Accuser declare a Man uncapable of serving in
and encouragement of the Godly and the Faithfull therein c. and that you have no intention or purposes to return to our old Bondage but that the providence of God having made us free at the cost of so much bloud you will never be found so unfaithfull to God and his People as to lose so glorious a Cause but to resolve with God's assistance to endeavour a maintaining of our dear-purchased Liberties both Spiritual and Civil But seeing these Declarations made before God Angels and Men as your selves have said do so much concern your Souls in the observation of them that they cannot but be much upon your hearts therefore we mention them not as doubting you or endeavouring to perswade you but to ease our own mindes and to comfort the hearts of our Brethren who have need to be comforted and do wait for a good time when your Excellency shall break forth and more visibly appear through all the Clouds of Fear and Iealousie a Defence and Protection through the goodness of God to all his people that fear him in these Nations and so their hearts universally will return unto you in assurance whereof and that you will be very much confirmed and encouraged after the reading of the Declaration We remain My LORD Your Excellencies most faithfull Friends and Servants in the Common Cause March 22. 1659. STill I perceive you 're sure and yet for your weak Brethrens sake you minde His Excellency of a Pawn he has engag'd for his Fidelity to the Publick only his Soul in a Declaration before God Angels and Men that he hath no intent to return to his old Bondage Why you Impudent Sots does a Confederacy with a Pedling Little Sniv'ling Faction that would subvert Order and Government amount to a Fidelity to the Publick or does the avoiding the Old Bondage you keep such a Coil with Imply the setting up a New and more Tyrannical Imposition In sine the mention of the King proceeds from your own Guilt and Fears that have so much abused him The General meddles not at all to impose upon us but only stands betwixt Authority and Violence His Excellency refers all to the Appoâ—ntment of such Persons as the People shall chuse to Act in their behalf and cannot in Honour side with a Party of Juglers that only call themselvâ—s our Representatives and we disclaim This is enough said to convince you and the World where the Abuse lies Now having eased your mindes in your own Language you may go ease your bodies too for I dismisse you and all 's but giving of the Rump a Purge Cursed is he that removeth his Neighbours Land-mark April 2. 1660. UPon this pinch of Time the Good Old Cause was hard put to 't as appears by their more than ordinary earnestnesse toward all Parties but chiefly they solicited the Army in an Audacious Pamphlet Entituled An ALARVM to the ARMIES of ENGLAND SCOTLAND and IRELAND the substance whereof may be collected from this ensuing Answer to it THis last Week has brought to light two Pamphlets so exquisitely impious as if they had been fram'd in Hell by OLIVER and BRADSHAW They speak the Language of the Damned Horrour Despairs and Desolation These goodly pieces are Christen'd PLAIN ENGLISH and AN ALARUM I suppose they are Twins the Issue of the same Brain as they are related to the same main End I had nigh finish'd a Reply upon the â—â—â—mer when the latter came to my hand comparing which with the other I â—inde they correspond so aptly and so universally to the same seditious Purpose that there 's not any Interest 'scapes their Malice and Attempt They advance their Dispute and March together that what they cannot gain by force of Argument they may be ready to Essay by dint of Sword PLAIN ENGLISH is a reasoning of the case first with the General claiming from his Engaging for the Publick Liberty a title to his aid in favor of a private and enslaving Faction It labours then to puzzle the Presbyterian into a jealousie of the Kings faith and honour and consequently into a doubt of his own safety should His Majesty be restored Nay not content to blaspheme the Kings Integrity by a bold censure of his secret thoughts the shameless Beast the Author of it proceeds to charge the secluded Members with the guilt of the Kings bloud upon a senceless inference drawn from the Declaration of both Houses in 1647 touching the Reasons of the Votes for non-Address His aim is here to perswade them to accuse themselves How those Votes were obtained I have shewed at large in answer to PLAIN ENGLISH and it suffices the whole Nation knows that though the Plague was in both Houses then yet All were not infected the Rumpers only had the Tokens nor all these neither so that at last the seclusion of so many as opposed the Capital prosecution of the King amounts to a clear Act of discrimination a separation of the clean from the unclean Having there set the Presbyterians at work upon the Question of Interest and safety and after many a lame complement to his Excellency he cuts out worse employment for the Phanatick Souldiery and at the same time breathing Hot and Cold Reason and Mutiny he solicites the General into a Complyance and the Army into a Tumult To disabuse the multitude if any should be mad enough to be deluded by so gross a cheat I 'll lay the juggle open in as few and familiar words as posssible The Title speaks the business of the Pamphlet 'T is AN ALARUM and the Application To the OFFICERS and SOLDIERY c. the malice there 's Treason in the very Face on 't If the first two words cost not the Nation a hundred thousand lives 't is not the Authors fault His second page places the Legislative power in the Army challenging their promise That before they would SVFFER themselves to be disbanded or divided they would see the Government of these Nations establisht upon the just and secure fundamentals and constitutions of Freedome and Safety to the People in relation as Men and Christians and that in the way of a Common-wealth or Free-state-Government without a King single Person or House of Lords These Gentlemen I see resolve to be their own Carvers not SVFFER themselves to be disbanded This RUMP would be a perpetuall ARMY as well as a perpetual PARLIAMENT Let the Nation observe now the Quality of this suggestion First By the Law of Arms 't is Death that which these Fellows would engage the Army in that mutiny against their General for they give him for lost Next 'T is TREASON by the Law of the Land the VSVRPATION Thirdly 'T is MVRTHER Murther intentional in the bare conception of it and actual sure enough so soon as that intention is but known Now let us weigh the Benefits it brings against the Crimes and dangers that attend it FREEDOME and SAFETY to the People both as MEN and CHRISTIANS there 's the
power into their hands since they are so forward already in their discourses to charge the Parliament with Treason and Rebellion in their first Undertaking the War and lock on all their Friends as Rebels and Traytors for assisting them in the prosecuâ—ion of it and who are now in all places contriving and promoting the electing of such into the New Parliament as are Enemies to the present Parliament their Friends and Cause wherein if they prevail as ' tiâ— too likely their work is done How absolutely necessary is it then for the present Parliament to continue their Session for prevention of these Mischiefs which otherwise will ensue Upon these and many other very weighty considerations it can by no means be accounted either honourable or just or safe or prudent for the present Parliament to dissolve themselves till first they have fully asserted and vindicated their own just Undertaking and the faithful adherents to it and them and not to leave both themselves and their Friends to the Malice and Revenge of a vanquisht Enemy If this should be we may bid adieu to the Honour and Renown of English Parliaments and to all future hopes of assistance from the People whatever the Necessity may be And let English men bid farewell both to their Civill and Religious Liberties if after so high a Conflict for them with the expence of so much Blood and Treasure and having by Gods blessing subdued their Opposers yet after all to be exposed to a farr worse Condition then before which O God forbid We hope for better things from our present Parliament All that we add is only this If the King must come none so fit to bring him as our present Parliament ANSWER 'T Is not the Parliament is charged with Treason but that Rebellious Faction that by an Insolence praevious to the Murtherof his Sacred Majestie threw out the Major Party of their Fellow-Members which interposed to save him and 't is in their behalfs this pittifull half-witted Pamphleter engages Should these Gentlemen sit till they found a Free Parliament their Friends they 'd hardly Rise betwixt This and the Day of Iudgment and that 's all they desire Alas a Trifle The care they take of our Religion and Civill Rights in truth is a great favour from them that never understood their Own If the more sober conscientious Persons at the Helm think not fit to dissolve so soon the IONASSES however must be thrown over-board to save the Vessel He that dissents let him produce his Reasons and in Particulars but shew what Good they 've either Done or Meant us to Ballance the Calamities they have ingaged us in I should be Glad to see these Men Repent Hardly to see them Govern These Folks are Ruined if they doe not Rule the Nation if they doe The Question then is but Whether is more prudential by saving of some half a score Secluders that We should Perish or by their SPEEDY DISSOLUTION that we should save our selves A Free Course of Successe against the Rump had put the People upon a Iollier Pin Their Humour was quite chang'd They thought the Danger Over and it was now bâ—come a Thing Unseasonable to be Serioâ—s Accounting it expedient however through all Forms to Follow them and Fool for Compâ—ny I was content to play the Mimique as you may see in that which follows Entit'led No Fool to the Old Fool. HEark ye my Masters for one half quarter of an hour now let 's be as Wise as Woodcocks and talk a little Treason Why should not We thrive in the World as well as our Neighbours Had not other people Heads and Souls to lose as well as We If men will be Damn'd they had better Damn Rich than Poor as Bradshaw and the Attorney General Damn'd Believe me three or fourscore thousand pound is a convenient Plaster for a Broken Head there 's something to bear Charges yet Beside There 's Power and Plenty They Cousen whom they please Hang and Draw at Will they keep their Lacquays and their Whores and at the last they go to Hell in Triumph They have their Blacks Elegies and leave the State to pay the Draper and the Poet. T would make a man be-pisse himself to see the soft and tender-hearted Needham weeping like Niobe till he turns Stone over the Tomb of Bradshaw to see him Cry with one Eye and laugh with the other and yet the Tragi-comical Puppy keep his Countenance The Tears of such a Saint cannot but fall like Drops of Lambeth Ale upon the Tongue of Dives how great a Consolation was it think ye to the late Protector to finde himself placed at the right hand of God by Sterry that Blasphemous bold Phanatique of whose Condition Charity it self can scarce admit a comfortable thought For after a long Course of Treason Murther Sacrilege Perjury Rapine c. he finish'd his accursed Life in Agony and Fury and without any mark of true Repentance You 'll say he was the Brâ—ver Villain for 't Crimes of this large Extent have indeed something that 's Masculine to allay them But to be Damn'd for Sneaking To purchase Hell at the price of all that is pleasant Here to contract Sin and Beggery in the same Act and Moment This is the most Imprudent and Ridiculous wickednesse that may be He that Indents with the Devil has a merry Bargain compar'd with Us There 's Time and Pleasure Here the Vengeance treads upon the Hâ—e's of the Offence and the Punishment of our Misdoings is the next immediate Effect of thâ—m In Paying Taxes to an Usurped Power There 's a Defection from the Right and a Complyance with the Wrong which renders us doubly Criminal and in this case we do but Buy our Chains and the next Consequent of our Disobedience is Slavery It comes all to a Point in what concerns Subjection to Unlawfull Powers Under a Force is a Brutish Argument Vice is the Obliquity of the Will That 's Free The same Plea lies in the Case of Martyrdom and by the same Rule we may renounce our Maker If Wicked we 're Resolv'd to be Lets go a nobler way to work let 's get a matter of Half a Dozen Crafty Knaves together take in some Thirty or Forty silly Rascals into the Gang and call our selves a Parliament Why Gentlemen This is no impossible thing Our Title is as good as Theirs that ha' done the same thing before us but then be sure of the Proportion Seven parts of Eight must have neither Wit nor Honesty yet Look as wise as Iudges and in the very middle of their Pater-Nosters pick their Neighbours pockets These are to be directed by the Rooks and by them Both the Nation which would be over-stocked with Cheats were any more admitted into the Grand Conspiracy against the People To Personall abuses the rest are likewise Qualified They may Imprison When Where and Whom they please without Cause shewed their Will is a sufficient Warrant for the Well-affected
In fine they are the Peoples voice and Thaâ—'s the voice of Heaven Why now should we despair of the same Events from the same Means considering what a Drowsie Patient and Phlegmatick people we have to deal with Shall 's Fool a Little Le ts Vote down Magna Charta and the Petition of Right Settle a Preaching Militia and a Fighting Ministry Out with our Whinyards and off with the Names instead of the Heads of the Kings Tryers as Okey did upon the Change Take away Monk's Commission Petition the Souldiery to Petition Us to declare our selves Perpetual Bind up the Nation under Limitations for the next Session and exclude all but our own party from the Choise No matter for the Law or Conscience of the business ARTICLES OF SURRENDER and Publick ACTS of INDEMNIâ—Y amount to nothing OATHS and COVENANTS are but occasionall Submissions to Conâ—eniency not Binding any man that in the very act of Taking thâ—m resolves to Break them Let things come to the Worst when we have Overturned the Government Polluted the very Atlaâ— with our MASTERS BLOOD Cheated the Puâ—lick c. 'T is but to Whine and Snivel to the People tell thâ—m we wâ—râ— mis-led by Cardinall Appetites cloath all our Rogueries in Scripture-Phrase Humble our selves before the Lord But not a Sillable concerning Restitution and they 'l Forgive us Nay perhaps Trust us too Think us their Friends For doing them no more than all the Harme we could 'T is a gooâ— natur'd sort of Beast the Common-People if it be Pleased and 't is the Easiest thing in nature for Fools and Knaves to Please it They have not been gull'd half long enough yet what will you say now to a New-Parliament made of an Did one As Ther 's no Fool to the Old one so there 's no Knave to the Old one What do ye think of your Episcopal Cole-marchant Sir Arthur for Durham and let him bring in his Fellow-Labourer Sir Harry Vane for Newcastle In the City of London you cannot choose amiss provided that Ireton or Titchburn be One and that he choose his Fellows For Kent no Man like Sir Michael Livesy For Norfolk there 's Miles Corbet and if the House does not like him they may send him to the Red-Bull for he personates a Fool or a Devill without the Charge either of a Habit or a Vizâ—r If the Nation be so Charitably disposed as to erect an Hospitall in favour of the Lame the Rotten and the Blind let 'um take in Limping Lykâ— Robinsoâ— Rheumatique Mounson Bobtail'd Scot and the Blinking â—obler But why do I pretend to direct in Particular Among the Kings Tryers Excise-men Sequestrators Clâ—se-Committee-men â—ajor-Generalls Buyers and Sellers of tâ—e Crown and Church-Lands c. they may wiâ—k and chuse Alas they 're all Converted I 'm sâ—re he 's Right cryes one he Told me so Dull Sotts let Us be Right our Selâ—es and then what nâ—ed we care who 's Wrong I 'll put a Case to you suppose upon the Dissolution of this Sâ—ssion six or seven thousand of the Phanatique Souldjery that knowes a Settlement destroyes their Trade should try a Blow for 't yet and by the help of some of their Confederates yet in appearance of Authority should put a Force upon the Honest Party 'T is but to suppose what many of that Gang are bold enough in Publique to declare I have a Phansy you 'l loâ—k on still and betake your selves to your Old senseless Plea They have the Power Which iâ— you do No no you cannot be so Tame and witlesse ☞ Be carefull whom you Trust either in your Militâ—a or Couâ—sels Chuse Persons of Estates Honestly gotten Sâ—ch â—hom the Law Preserves â—ill Preserve the Law Whereas If you chuse such as have an interest of their Own that th'warts the Publique you 're yery Charitaâ—le to believe that those people who all this while have Cheaâ—e You to benefit them Selves should at the last adventure All to preserve You. March 16. 1659. UPon the Dissolution of the House the Phanatick party betook themselves to their wonted Insolence Declaring publickly divers of them that they were not Dissolved Offering to sit again and protesting against the Choice of the next Convention They tamper'd the Army into a Combination and proceeded to that point of Boldnesse that the Common-Counsel found it proper to entreat the Counsel of State and the General to retire into the City during that Interval of Parliament for their greater Security March 19. Observing the Leud Practises of the Faction and desirous to give the world some notice of Particulars in Order to the better Knowledge of them I printed this ensuing Paper THat this Nation hath been long miserable under the power of a violent and Restless Faction is clear to all such as are endued with Memory and Reason nor is it more superfluous to reflect upon their pass'd Miscariages than Necessary to take some notice of their Later Cheats and Insolencies Their Design was to fix themselves in a Perpetual Câ—unsel conâ—rary to Oaâ—h and Law and to cut off successive Parliaments To carry on which Project they had Armed all sorts of Liâ—ertines throughout the Nation particularly threatning London with Fire and Sword if they should not comply Their barbarous purposes weâ—e Disappointed by the General 's Re-introduction of the Secluded Members Together with the united rage of the People against them In this hopeless and Deserted condition what they could not effect by open Force they attempted by Treachery and Corruption They used all Art and Diligence during the Session both to gain Opportunities and to Emprove them but being over-voted in the Main They fell upon a more direct and shameless method of Villany They falsified the Lists of the Militia sollicited Petitions from the City for their Continuance Iuggled the Army-Officers into a Tumult Employed their Instruments to Destroy the General Mutinyed the Army and the City and Finally they engaged a great part of the Souldjery to Remonstrate against the rest of the Nation But all too little to prevent their Dissolution or to Disturb our Hopes of Settlement The General hath approved himself in the calm steady menage of this wild Affair a Person worthy of all the Honour we can give him These Brutish Libertines finding all their Plots Bubbled thâ—ir Mines venâ—ed their Party Weak and Heartless themselves Friendless Abroad and Comfortless at Home as Guilty and as Desperate as Cain after the sad despair of any the least Benefit to themselves they are yet pleased in the Contrivance of our Mischief They 're not Dissolved they tell us and attempt to meet again That 's in vain and now they come to their last shifts These Senselesse Cox-combs offer the Honest Generall the Instrument of Government as if that Noble Generous Soul were to be wrought upon to prostitute his Honour and his safety and all this to preserve a Kâ—â—nel of such Reproâ—aâ—ed and Ridiculous Puppies I wonder seriously how these Pimps and Knighâ—s o'