Selected quad for the lemma: friend_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
friend_n	army_n	enemy_n	king_n	932	5	3.5183	3	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A84942	Fruitfull England like to become a barren wilderness through the wickednes of the inhabitants; and the Army rebels & traitors once more for not disbanding, and accordingly punished, as some of them have been already at sessions, assizes and otherwise, notwithstanding all their wonderfull victories, faithfull and matchles services. If the lawfull remedies (for prevention) here justly advised, be not discreetly and timely used.		1648 (1648)	Wing F2252; Thomason E467_36; ESTC R202173	11,482	16

fortitude to act smite and prosecute howsoever they at present lye lurking like a Lyon in his Den untill they see their own opportunity to catch their prey prevent them and laugh them to scorn for though guilty men may blesse and make peace yea and forgive one another like Newgate birds now after they have received destroyed and murthered the just yea protected assisted and justified the wicked as being most abominable acts in Gods sight yea and although hand joyn in hand yet they shall not escape unpunished in his due time Now the great matters of state now in present difference being under this simile discribed as the Prophet Nathan did Davids fault they are both so plain and evident in our daily sight and hearing yea palpable also by out feeling the smart thereof that they need little or no interpretation were it not for the plainer sort of people who love that such needfull and remarkable matters in these distracted times should be expressed in plain tearms having too much wofull experience how dangerous it is to be deluded and blind-folded either with whispering in the eare or with dark or Court-like phrases and vain Complements The party who gave those grievous wounds is the King and his Confederates even the Papists rude multitude the party who received them is this whole distressed Nation chiefly the most free minded and best principled thereof and the Surgeons who undertook and promised to cure these bloody wounds is the Parliament and the Guard which the Nation chused is the Army unto which party whereof instead of any further illustration ye may easily joyn their own part in what hath been briefly spoken Only for their cause who delight more in plain English then either in doubtful or mysticall speeches it is to be considered that the King and his Consederates have given many cruell and grievous wounds to this bleeding Nation not only by multitudes of oppressions enormities persecutions taxations monopolies alwayes grinding the faces of the poor grieving the Consciences of the wel-affected before this Parliament but infinitely by more mortall cruel bloody and destructive Warres fire and Sword throughout all these three bleeding Nations ever since whereof the particulars would fill many Volums to expresse but they are briefly comprehended in that little book called The Scots Mist lately come forth The Parliament though both chosen and trusted by this bleeding Nation to cure their wounds and redresse their grievances having received infinite treasures and unspeakable riches for these just and necessary ends upon their manifold faithfull undertakings promises vowes imprecation Oaths Protestations and Declarations yet have not in any competent nor correspondent measure discharged that great and publike trust reposed by the whole Commons of England in them but were more earnest carefull to advance themselves on the peoples ruines then as they ought to perform their promise or discharge their duties according to the end of their election trust and vocation And the Army though they have been very valiant constant couragious victorious in all their practices against all the open enemies abroad yet both themselves we have felt that they have been negligent in taking some happy and speedy course both with those treacherous malignants and deceitfull friends when they were quiet at home so that by their lenity negligence pittifull delayes loosing many faire occasions and precious opportunities the last year even when none in England durst presume to stir nor beat a Drum they might have been worthy instruments both having the Sword still in their hands and as many more in number then now they are to have seen justice without respect of persons executed the publike treasures accounted wicked Lawes abolished good Lawes established and the peoples freedoms restored But through the Armies failing herein though we should much more rejoyce in their conversion then any wise in their confusion and also by their declyning from their faithfull Engagement at New market as was most apparant at their Randevou● near Ware all these late insurrections have come to passe these inviterate enemies still intending and by all possible means seeking to have swallowed up both the Army and all the honest party according to that part of the Nationall Covenant howsoever they differ from the rest and that by the craft and stratagems of the Armies deceitfull friends in Parliament who although they failled in their malicious plot of disbanding them wholly yet they prevailled afterwards in getting the half both ingratefully and untimely carshired and that by detaining from them their just wages and Arrears that they might be necessitated to be burthensome to the Countrey by taking free quarter when no enemy durst any more appear By which deceitfull means those subtle enemies of all goodnesse proved just like their Master Sathar first by devising a temptation next by using indirect means to bring honest hearted people under the power of that temptation and last in accusing the parties whom they had thus tempted and snared to those who have any power to punish them even for not preventing overcoming that snare and temptation though the devising begining proceeding and ending came all by those false accusers own means and procurement But since the Army hath not declared what they intend now after these their last viotories this year as they did after their first victories the last year and although they did in regard they were not so punctuall in the pursuance of their Engagement nor in prosecution of the eleven Members as they pretended and was expected they would hardly be trusted in words without some reall performance in deeds even besides their Martiall affaires wherein by divine providence they are victorious seeing most of all in any authority have been so deceitfull during all these troubles that scarce any more such trust will be given in haste to any condition of men in this age untill they bring forth more reall and ripe fruits as well as leaves and blossomes Thus the enslaved people of this Nation are in a more desperate as well as desolate condition every way now after this eight years Parliament then they were 20. years agoe when it was adjudged lesse then Treason in the highest degree to mention the very word Parliament so that the cure is become worse then the disease and the last errour worse then the first And moreover by means and occasion of their corrupt deceitfull and underhand dealing in not going through with the work for which they were chosen divers others also are by their example and permission become great oppressors and underminers of this Common-Wealth wherefore it wil be needfull here to expres some of the speciall particulars wherein at present each one of them bendeth their chiefest endeavours for self interests and no wise for advancing but altogether for destroying the publike cause which tendeth to the peace safety liberty property and tranquility of the people And so by a mutuall harmony as brethren in

their Excise of flesh there after the Butchers had both burned down the first house and would pay no more Excise to their Officers notwithstanding all their high Orders Ordinances threatnings and penalties but rather pay themselves when they saw convenient time as they and many Thousands of others also were in as good postuae even to pay the Parl. mens pates as they were to knock fat Oxen on the heads And it is no wonder that the Parl. of England were so fearfull of the Butchers of London because they had good reason so to be for is there any sort degree or condition of men yea Souldiers themselves who are esteemed most expert in killing more desperate bloody aed dangerous then Butchers are their hands being for the most part in blood whereas Souldiers will rest many weeks and months without shedding of blood and besides Butchers do surpasse Souldiers in these other most remarkable things for as they are most perfect in knocking down and beating out the brains and letting of blood so they are most skilfull in driving all away cleaving a sunder hanging up quartering drawing sleaing off the skin and so in disposing of every thing in its own due order time and season as it becommeth wise able and discreet men So in all the oppressions and desolations that this rich Parl. have made since they left both selling of Lands in Ireland and by cunning adulation and affectation even faire flattering speeches obtained both the multitudes of Plate and Contributions and began to force and squize out more and more by foul actions they never met with their match in the way of ressistance untill they began to vex the Butchers of London because the Butchers scorned to be enslaved extorted or have the gain of their toylsome labours taken from them by the idle Parl. but as they were moved and occasioned so they powerfully and couragiously stood in their own defence against the Parl. so that neither the Lord Mayor Sheriffs nor trained bands of London could appease them untill they had both burned the Excise house terrified the Parl. and fought themselves free like brave fellowes from paying any more Excise Only the Army are to be excepted in this and many other things who at that time had engaged but had not declared when the Butchers had thus opposed and began most excellently both to refuse disbanding contrary to all high Votes and Ordinances and to purge the Parl. untill they saw some difficulties in the way which now they have past over and doubtlesse if they be either wise punctuall or provident will accomplish their work both for their own safety and the freedom of this Nation according to their Engagements Proposalls and Declarations Now the reason wherefore the Parl. did adjourn for 4. dayes at the receiving of the aforesaid Petition may be easily discerned even to be the great remarkable tryall they were put to at unawares considering their rottering condition being so hated of the people for their unjust dealing and therefore they were necessitated to take 4. dayes having 4 as speciall matters to debate and resolve upon in that limited space as they have had these 8. years except in 4. of their great and golden dayes when they were in the greatest hate of parting and disposing the peoples Treasures Plate Taxes Sequestrations and Estates amongst themselves their friends and relations so that they wisely proportioned the number of the dayes according to the number of their most urgent private affaires what ever should become of the publick The first day how they might proceed wisely and warily with the Treaty personally though neither really nor actually at the Bar of Justice but how the King may acquite them and they him and so deceive and enslave the poor between them The second day how to preserve their own lives apprehending their own guiltiness and how far short their practices came of the scope of that Petition which tends to the just freedom of the people for which mayn end they were chosen trusted maintained and defended against all whom they made us think were their deadly enemies but it seemes will be their friends when they both please to enslave the people The third day how to secure their ill gotten Estates whether to adventure their late received monies beyond the Seas with the former or to put it in hazard with their lives at home they being in danger every day to be questioned called to account and tryed even by those whom they esteem their Servants but may happily and speedily appear as they are indeed their Ma●●●●… And the fourth day whether to give a satisfactory or delatery answer to the Petitioners knowing by experience their ingenuity and importunity to be such that no congratulatory nor complementary yea nor usuall Parliamentary answer would be acceptable to them and therefore doubtlesse these grave Senators handsomely considered that it was better to give them no answer but keep them in hope of an answer untill they have finished their personall treachery with the King then certainly they would not spare to tell them another thing Object It may be objected according to the Parl. own declared tenent to the same Petitioners the last year in answer to one of the burned Petitions which are all contained in that little book intituled Gold tryed in the fire that all the people are to rest satisfyed in the Parliaments determination sentence sence or answer in what matters soever or to this effect Answ And it s also answered that these men told the Parl. withall convenient speed by another Petition that they would not rest satisfyed in what the Parl. pleaseth to determine any further then their determination sentence sence or answer shall be right and just according to the true end intent and meaning of their election vocation and trust chiefly the peoples freedom and safety and so alwayes for their weale but never for their woe for otherwise why should they be either chosen called trusted or assembled except it were only to be dissembled as their deeds witnesse against them Quest But could not some Parl. men like some of those who were accused by the Army the last year kick threat beat and imprison some of those Petitioners now as they did then even for presenting the like Petition yea and both vote and order the Hangman to burn their Petition too Answ No indeed for at that time the Army had not yet engaged nor declared unanimously to stand or fall together for the just freedom of this Nation but at that time were taking these and the like unjust practices of Parl. into consideration preparing themselves to take the best and speediest course both for their own and all their friends preservation not being fully perswaded before that the whole house should so suddenly vote them Rebels and Traytors without either consideration or cōmemoration of all their former victories faithfull and remarkable services for not presently disbanding but that their only enemies

had bin the King and his party whom they had so lately powerfully subdued conquered and imprisoned So that the Parliament were but then in hopes that the Army would disband so soone as they were commanded but now having undoubted proof and experience of the contrary they dare not presume to meddle any more with any who are or seeme to be of the Armies principles lest they own both them and their cause as well now as they did then yea and revenge their quarrell too not only by more strict accusing those 11 Members but the most part of the house if not the whole house and so put them all to the flight for they are too lap-winged they having sitten 7 yeares too long to advance themselves and impoverish the Nation that they may be more capable to be slaves to them as both the same Parliament-men and the rest of the people have ben to the King For had these Representatives been as faithfull reall and cordiall to their representers as they seemed and pretended to be at the first when they relieved prisoners abolished Bishops and divers unjust Courts and Monopolies brought home the Banished and made many element Speeches to gain the peoples affections that they might obtain their rich oblations persons and estates to defend them in these wars they might have abolished more wicked laws and established more good laws yea and prevented or at least shortned these bloudy distructive wars unspeakable both losses expences to the Common wealth punished evill doers and rewarded them that do well more in one year then they have done in all these greivous 8 years And therefore seeing there is no grapes to be expected on thornes nor figgs on thistles it is high time that the Army who through God have done so valiantly is the present and apparent safeguard of all the honest party in this distressed Nation would make a more wise happy and speedy use of this worthy opportunity which God is pleased once more again to grant them then they did the last year for he hath made them his happy instruments of as great victories as ever he hath made any others before them since the daies of Gidion who only by 300 destroy'd many thousands of the Midianites or of Ioshuah who by the sound of Rams horns threw down the wals of Isrech and before whom both the inhabitants of Canaan and the Kings of the Nations ●●●dering about whom God hath ordained to destruction were but as stubble before the fire or dust before the wind Therefore in consideration of the present case of this distressed Nation the Armies best easiest and speediest course saving better advise is to use that power which God in much mercy hath put and reserved into their hands 1. After they have declared their just reasons desires and resolutions to the whole Nation concerning their duties in all publike affaires as the case now stands even to dissolve this present Parl. lest to be free from present tryall themselves of all their unjust and double dealings they involve both you and us all in a greater gulf of misery and slavery then ever you or any other Army after you can either comfort us in or deliver us from whiles the world stands can it be justly denyed but that they at present having the Sword may upon far better grounds of the peoples safety being the chief of all Lawes dissolve this deceitfull Parl. who have been 8 years surfetted glutted and fatned with all the best things that this Nation could afford either without giving any account of the peoples treasures or acting any thing towards their freedoms then he or his Father had to break up many good Parliaments meerly for their own prerogatives ambitious and covetous ends to the ruine misery and slavery of the people 2. According to the Armies Proposalls there may be not only a set time appointed for the begining and ending of Parliaments every year of their own accord after the peoples election with certain limitations therein for avoiding of Malignants as in Parl. there be too many at this time but forthwith to call a just Parl. to a strict account of all the oceans of the peoples blood and multitudes of their treasures that have been spilt and spent in all these long cruell and destructive VVarres as both many thousands of faithfull witnesses and many ten thousands of pittifull complaints will be produced from all places That justice now at last without respect either of persons or states being administred the cruel sting of Norman bondage removed an exact account of all the blood treasures estates revenues assesments oblations alienations contributions sequest rations compositions and taxations made then the publict debts may be paid all kind of Taxes discharged the Army and all publict charges by subsidues maintained the peoples freedoms restored wicked Lawes abolished and good lawes established Otherwise as the Parl. accused the King of many odious and haynous crimes did not prosecute their charge though the Army accused the 11 members of divers treacherous acts did not prosecute their charge though Lieut. Gen. Cromwell accused Manchester for many treacherous acts and did not prosecute his charge though Mr. Lenthall the Speaker of the House and his brother Sir Iohn were accused for haynous crimes against the Common-wealth and their charge not prosecuted but as it seemes all did forbear one another for ends best known to God and their own Consciences yet it is neither feared nor doubted but God knoweth very well how to reach both the height and deepnesse of mens policies treacheries and confederacies and how to catch them in the midst of their sins when they are ripe for his judgments but we hope better things of the Army though little of the chief Officers FINIS