A Plea for the Public-Faith, Text

A Plea for the Public-Faith · Text

p. 1FIDES-ANGLICANA. OR, A PLEA by way of Remonſtrance, for the Publick-Faith of theſe Brittiſh Nations, humbly offered to all in Power and Authority, joyntly and individually, by whatſoever Title or Name they are lawfully active; and to whom a care of preſerving the Peace and Honour of theſe Kingdoms doth appertain.

Pſalm 82. v. 1, 2, 3, 4, &c.

GOD ſtandeth in the Congregation of the mighty, he judgeth among the Gods: How long will ye judge unjuſtly, and accept the perſons of the wicked? Defend the poor and fatherleſs, do juſtice to the afflicted, preſerve the poor and needy out of the hands of the ungodly, &c.

WHereas in the Hopes entertained rationally by this Remonſtrant and others, upon his Majeſties late voluntary and gracious condeſcentions (without any care taken for our Indempnity, at his Reſtauration, by the Truſtees of theſe Nations) they reſted thankfully therewith contented; being much p. 2comforted in the Kings prudent and tender reſpect vouchſafed to their ſad condition; and have ever ſince, (though it be now about eight or nine Moneths) waited in a patient expectation of ſome timely ſettlement, according to his Royal Declaration, Speeches, References and Commiſſion; notwithſtanding many of them have in the mean time been almoſt quite deſtroyed in their eſtates and credits, and ſome utterly ruined by the impatience of their Creditors; by the violence of untimely Intruders upon their poſſeſsions; by vexatious ſuits commenced againſt them; and by paying great taxes and other duties, for thoſe Lands by them purchaſed, which are intruded upon contrary to an Order of Parliament, and other Prohibitions; as alſo, becauſe ſome of the ſaid Purchaſers have been ſo impoveriſhed by former Oppreſſions, that (to the Publick damage, as well as to their own) much of the ſaid Lands lyeth waſte, in regard they have neither wherewith to ſtock thoſe which came lately into poſſeſsion, nor means to demiſe them to Tenants, whileſt their Titles are diſparaged. Which with other deſtructive grievances daily multiplying, have conſtrained this Remonſtrant (who in his own perſon, is made ſenſible of other mens afflictions, well near in every kind) both for preventing the utter undoing of himſelf with his Relations, and of many thouſands more, together with their Creditors and Relations, humbly to Remonſtrate as follows.

That the long delayed, and juſtly expected Relief of the ſaid Purchaſers and Lenders (of which this Remonſtrant is one) ſeems to him prolonged by the ſiniſter endeavours or neglects of ſome from whom they hoped better things, occaſioning no leſs diſhonour and hazard to the King and Nation, then injury to their patience, p. 3whoſe dammages are multiplyed thereby: For inſtead of what was rationally hoped for, this Remonſtrant and many more, are among other frequent upbraidings and provocations, jeered with this untimely and unſavoury caution, Caveat emptor; which hath obliquely, a worſe reflection upon Venders then Buyers in their condition; implying rather Caveant Venditores, in regard it is a Caveat to be given before-hand; and to thoſe only, who contract with perſons juſtly ſuſpected to be either Cheaters or Beggars, and ought not to be applyed to them who were Purchaſers from States or Parliaments, who have engaged the Publick Faith of a whole Nation to confirm their Sales and Securities: For they ſhould with reverence be confided in, by all under their Authority, leſt ſuch become guilty of expoſing it to contempt; and therefore, the ſaid Purchaſers and Lenders, were not (till really damnified) to ſuſpect or queſtion, Whether the Grants and Securities to them offered, would be valid or invalid; or Whether the Eſtates expoſed to ſale by the Parliament, were juſtly or unjuſtly bargained and ſold; becauſe it was to be preſumed that States and Parliaments, are not only at all times able to make good their Bargains and Securities, or to give full recompence to thoſe who ſhall be thereby damnified, if it prove otherwiſe; but that (being thereto obliged both in honour and juſtice) they will alſo punctually perform the one or the other, without receding from their Bargains, or hagling like broken debtors: And therefore by one of theſe wayes, the ſaid Purchaſers and Lenders preſume they ſhall accordingly be ſaved harmleſs.

And, it is their humble deſire, it may be timely and effectually done, in reſpect of thoſe deſtructive neceſſities afore-mentioned, whereinto many of them are p. 4plunged; and that they may not be liſtened unto, who ſeek to perſwade thoſe who ſhould relieve them, that (as affairs now ſtand) there is no obligation upon the Supream Power, or upon the Repreſentatives of this Nation, to take cognizance of thoſe engagements; For, whatſoever they think, the Publick Peace, and the honour of the whole Nation, together with their Kings and Parliaments, will therein be much concerned, whether their Power who granted thoſe Eſtates and Securities, were juſtly or unjuſtly conſtituted, or exerciſed; conſidering it was then the ſole viſible Power in being, aſſented and ſubmitted unto as an authentick Authority, by the greateſt number of the people of every degree and qualification, in theſe three Nations, without any open contradiction (which implies an univerſall aſſent, or what is ſo equivalent thereto, that a factious or rebellious combination could not be juſtly thereto imputed.) It was acknowledged to be then the Supream Power, not only by popular voices in the air, but by voluntary ſubſcriptions alſo, under the hands of well near all the Magiſtrates, Knights, Citizens and Burgers of all Counties, Cities and Corporations in theſe Dominions, without any open proteſt made againſt it; and, de non apparentibus & non exiſtentibus eadem eſt ratio: Thoſe things, which when they ſhould appear, appear not, reputed are, among the things that are not. Moreover, it was actually owned and obeyed by the Nobility, as the Supream Authority, and by the reverend Judges of our Land in every Court of Record; by the Paſtors of Parochial Churches, and Congregations of each ſeveral judgement, to be by divine Precepts, and the examplary practiſe of Chriſt and his Apoſtles, that Power (being then the Power which had ſole viſible being) whereto obedience was due: Such p. 5alſo it was generally reputed and acknowledged by the Publick Miniſters of all neighbouring Nations, Kings, Princes, and Republicks; wiſer then whom, it could not be expected, that this Remonſtrant, or any of the ſaid Purchaſers and Lenders ſhould have been. Therefore, if they were deceived, the examples of ſuch conſiderable perſons, and ſo much Reaſon deceived them, that no man living can be certain, wherein he is not deceived; or that he may not be as much deceived now, or hereafter, as he, and others were heretofore.

But, without queſtion, the Powers in being, whether by Gods Grace or permiſſion, all Power being given by him, (even that which Pontius Pilate had to crucifie his Son) are to be the object of our obedience while they continue, whatſoever they ſeem; and no man can be juſtly blamed for ſubmitting actively thereunto in meer civil things, or with a paſsive obedience, in matters relating to GOD and Conſcience; nor can this Principle be diſadvantagious to the Power for the time being, but will be a great ſtrengthening and ſecurity thereunto, if well underſtood: Even as a man, whether he were lawfully or unlawfully begotten, is truly and eſſentially a man, and ſo reputed, as long as the Soul and Body continue together, (howſoever he ſhall be diſmembred by others, or by his own default.) So, that Power and Parliament, by which the ſaid Securities and Sales were given and made, were a valid Power, and a true Parliament, to all intents and purpoſes, ſo long as they retained that which was eſſential to ſupream Powers and Parliaments, how ſurreptiouſly ſoever that Power was acquired, or whatſoever was but accidentally defective: Or elſe perhaps, the lawfulneſs of moſt Powers and Parliaments, (yea, and of moſt humane Authorities and Conſtitutions) would be otherwiſe found defective p. 6enough to be queſtioned, and to have all their tranſactions rendred invalid: And ſo likewiſe, they may de facto (how juſt ſoever they be de jure) when a Power ſhall be permitted to raign, which is ſtrong enough to make WILL and PLEASURE the Supream Law: For (to ſpeak truth in plain Engliſh, which this Remonſtrant heartily loves to do, when juſt occaſion is offered) a prevailing Power, in the hands of Tyrants, (howſoever acquired) is while it hath being, paramount to all Laws and rational Arguments; and will be obeyed in every thing as it pleaſeth, right or wrong; or elſe break or deſtroy all that oppoſeth it, till GOD extraordinarily reſtrains it, or breaks it into pieces.

Bleſſed be his name for it, we are not yet ſubjected to ſuch a Tyrannie as our ſins have deſerved; but, to a King from whom we have received an Earneſt, making us hopeful that Juſtice and Mercy will equally flow from the Throne, either when he ſhall be fully and rightly informed of ſuch particulars as are pertinent to his cognizance and care; or when GOD's time is come: And therefore, this Remonſtrant, doth in order thereunto, hereby ſignifie on behalf of himſelf and ſuch other Purchaſers and Lenders as aforeſaid; that, when they engaged with and for the the ſaid Parliament (lent their moneys, and purchaſed the forementioned eſtates) they did it not upon any factious Principle; nor meerly to get ſatisfaction for what they had disburſed, or to have recompence for ſervices formerly done; but, for ſupply alſo of Publick neceſſities, and to diſ-engage the ſaid Parliament and Nation from thoſe debts, which were originally contracted for the ſervice of the late King; by which debts, other engagements were (in part at leaſt) occaſioned; and p. 7for diſcharge whereof, that Parliament was impowered to continue undiſſolved, till the ſaid debts and engagements were paid and diſcharged: And this Remonſtrant then believed, and ſtill believes, that the ſaid Parliament was fully authoriſed, both to raiſe money by what lawfull means they could, to ſupply publick wants, and to make ſuch Sales and Securities as they propoſed, to repay and ſatisfie for what was lent, bought, or acted by their commands, for the Publick honour or ſafety: And he ſo believes, becauſe Parliaments were that Supream Council of the Kingdom, to whoſe Orders, Acts, and Ordinances, the people had ever heretofore been obedient, without ſcruple or blame; yea, whereto no leſs obedience was required, then to the Kings perſonal commands; nay, much more, as it was then thought, when Empſon and Dudley, two eminent perſons, (and as this Remonſtrant remembers) of the Kings privy Council, were condemned by Judgement in Parliament, and executed for their officious obedience, in executing the Kings illegal Commiſsion under the great Seal of England; which was more obliging, then his perſonal mandates. A Popular Supream Power, whileſt it is actually in being, cannot be properly impeached of Treaſon, nor any who acts by the commands or authority thereof: Becauſe, it was then our duty to be obedient thereto. And though a ſingle perſon, or few, or many, yea though Cities, Counties, Provinces, and whole Armies may be Traytors, it is not reaſonably ſuppoſed the Repreſentatives of whole Nations can ſo be, and if poſſibly they might, there is no competent Judge thereof but GOD himſelf, who uſually determineth ſuch differences (as he is LORD of Hoſts) by the ſword, as he did lately upon a joynt appeal, and afterward, by reverſing again that Judgement for the p. 8ſins of theſe Nations, hath righteouſly executed his dooms on both parties, for their mutual failings in their reciprocal Relations; and which dooms were reciprocally inflicted on both the ſaid parties for their treaſons againſt his divine Majeſty, for their groſs hypocriſies, apoſtaſies, prophaneneſs, unmercifulneſs and injuſtice, in which many imitate each other to this day. For even many of thoſe actions which ought not to have been done, lay obligations upon their actors and their ſuccſſors, when they are done. Children ſhould not be unlawfully begotten; yet when miſ-begotten, the parents are obliged in all duties by them to be performed to their children. The Iſraelites were not to have made a league with the Gibeonites; but when it was made, they were bound to obſerve it; and for the breach thereof, the whole Nation was puniſhed many years after, and ſeven of their Kings ſons hanged alſo for that tranſgreſſion.

Moreover, it is further conſiderable, that the Parliament which made the ſaid Sales, and granted the ſaid Securities, were both the Kings and Peoples Truſtees, ſummoned by the late Kings Writ, to conſult about the moſt weighty affairs of the Kingdom, and delegated by a popular Election, to diſpoſe of the Peoples Intereſt, as they ſhould find cauſe, for the Common good. And thereupon, this Remonſtrant conceived, he might reaſonably have confided as much in that Parliament, as in this now ſitting; and doth ſuppoſe, that they who make queſtion of the former, may as rationally be doubtful, both of this, and of all future Parliaments; eſpecially, if the ſucceſſors of that Power and Parliament ſhall not, (or ought not in equity) to confirm their Sales and Securities, nor give recompence to thoſe who are damnified, out of the eſtates of thoſe who truſted them p. 9with the Publick Faith, whoſe eſtates, as long as they ſhall be a people, will in conſcience, be liable thereunto. And, it ſeems to this Remonſtrant, by matter of Fact, ſince the ſitting of this preſent Parliament, that even in their judgement, the Sales and Securities, granted and given by the long Parliament, ſhould be made good according to their intention. For, they cauſed or ordered payment to be made of very great ſumms to the now Lord Maior of London, and to Major General Maſſey; perſons who heretofore were of the ſame judgement with other men, now called Phanatiques; and who then oppoſed the Kings armed power, both in Field and Garriſon, as vigorouſly as any, in the beginning of the late war; and were inſtrumental in that, which enabled others to proſecute him to death: Theſe had no other, but the very ſame Security, which the Remonſtrant, and the reſt afore-mentioned, had for money lent, lands bought, and ſervices done by the commands of that Repreſentative of this Nation, and which to make good the ſaid Securities, was by a peculiar poſitive Law, to have been continued as aforeſaid, to that purpoſe, till they were diſſolved by an Act of Parliament, with their own conſent. The loſs of which Power, whether occaſioned by their own default, or other mens, or by GOD's immediate juſtice upon them, is no bar in equity, to the Purchaſes claimed, Securities or Debts aforeſaid; in regard the Nation in whoſe name they were made and contracted, to whoſe uſe the ſaid money was raiſed, by the ſaid Sales, Loans, and Condeſcentions; (and upon whoſe credit alſo they were granted by their own Acts, perſonated by their Truſtees) is the ſame Nation by whom all this was tranſacted, and to whom the injuſtice and dishonour of violating thoſe Securities will be imputed: And if the p. 10Repreſentative thereof now in being, or ſome other hereafter impowered, provide not an expedient whereby to diſoblige it from the ſaid Securities, it will be a blot upon it (yea worſe) whileſt it is a Nation. For, it will be liable to the Judgements which are due to ſuch a failing, in what ought to be performed. Alſo, if thoſe Securities be rendred void, (for whoſe confirmation ſuch extraordinary proviſion was made) nothing will hereafter be reputed a good Security, which can be thereby given: For, in probability, States and Parliaments will ſo loſe their credit, that they will not only be reputed the greateſt cheaters in the world; and the moſt cruel and moſt fooliſh deſtroyers of their own honour and relations; but alſo, in whatſoever neceſſity they ſhall be, will never more be confided in, notwithſtanding all their ſpecious pretences, plauſible Speeches, Declarations, Proteſtations, and Engagements; and then their Magiſterial ſlighting, contemning, and condemning, juſt and reaſonable Propoſals, Cautions, and humble requeſts of oppreſſed Supplicants, will have evil Conſequents, though they may ſerve their ends for a while. The Remonſtrant fears this Reſult, and that there are ſome endeavouring to make invalid the ſaid Securities, together with the Kings gracious condeſcentions, if it be poſſible, both to the Remonſtrant and others, who can hardly walk the ſtreets without abuſive affronts and provocations; in which conſiderations it is preſumed he is allowed by the Law of Nature, (and ſhall be permitted by your humanity) to plead and inſinuate in a peaceable manner, ſuch Motives as reaſonably tend to their timely relief; eſpecially, when they are made almoſt careleſs of their lives by being totally deprived of that, whereupon life dependeth, through their neglect of Juſtice to whom they conſcientiouſly adhered.

p. 11But much more weight may be laid upon the Argument drawn from that tender reſpect, that ought to be had to the honour of the King and his Parliament, which this Remonſtrant cannot chuſe but frequently touch upon, as being of very high concernment. A Gentleman of the loweſt rank, who hath any ſenſe of his true honour, is no leſs careful to keep his word and promiſe, then to perform what he is obliged unto by an Inſtrument confirmed with hand and ſeal; yea more, becauſe he to whom he ſtands engaged by the latter, confided leſs in him, and hath a legal ſecurity, whereby he may probably be ſaved harmleſs, howſoever he be inclined to make performance, who gave him credit. And it ought to be remembred, that by his Majeſties Declaration from Breda, concerning Sales; by a Declaration made in this Parliament the 8. of May laſt; by his Majeſties Proclamation the 6. of June laſt; by an Order in Parliament laſt Auguſt, reſtraining Eccleſiaſticks from granting Leaſes of any of the ſaid lands by them claimed; by his Majeſties Speech at the end of the firſt Seſſion of this Parliament; and by the L. Chancellours Speech ſeconding the ſame; (which gave hope that ſom good proceed ſhould be made toward the relief promiſed, before the Members of this Parliament were arrived at their Countrey-Houſes.) It ſeemed to be the intent both of the King, and of this Parliament, that the ſaid Purchaſes ſhould, and ought, to have been confirmed to the late Purchaſers; and that in the mean time, their poſſeſsions ſhould be quieted, and their Rents and Arrears paid unto them by their Tenants: Nevertheleſs, to the diſhonour both of the King and Parliament, the Prelates not only ſlight the Orders and Acts of the Commons alone, and the Ordinances of the Lords and Commons joyntly, with that which was declared p. 12by the King, as aforeſaid; but, do many other wayes, act ſo violently and arbitrarily repugnant to theſe condeſcentions, as if they would make the People believe, that they knew the King and this Parliament intended not what they declared, except only in things relating to the benefit of them the ſaid Prelates: For, the firſt Votes of this Houſe of Commons, for reſtoring them to their Manſion-Houſes, and the Votes of the Grand Committee, excluding perſons, under ſeveral Qualifications, (not excepted in the Act of Oblivion) from the benefit of the intended Act for confirmation of Sales, they obſerve, and impoſe as Laws upon the People; but, on the contrary, the Votes of the ſame Houſe, for prohibiting them the ſaid Eccleſiaſticks to grant any Leaſes, until the intended Act of Sales was paſſed; as alſo, for the Augmentation of Vicaredges, and the Votes of the ſaid Grand Committee, for ſatisfying the Purchaſers their money and Intereſt, before they did part with their poſſeſsions, they reject as of no force, the Parliament being diſſolved; and regard the ſaid Ordinances of the Lords and Commons, and the ſaid Acts and Orders of the Commons alone, much leſs. Moreover, if in any thing his Majeſties Commiſſioners encline to give the leaſt ſatiſfaction to any Purchaſer, the ſaid Eccleſiaſticks cry out againſt it as an Arbitrary Prerogative Commiſsion; though in caſes relating to their advantage, they cry up the Prerogative againſt the Laws. Alſo upon Petitions of ſome of the Purchaſers (as the Remonſtrant is informed) Orders are made, ſeeming to enable them to receive all Arrears due before the 24. of June laſt; when it is well known (perhaps to themſelves) that by the Act of Oblivion, Arrears to that day are generally pardoned, and that the Tenants who ought to have paid them, lay hold on that Act, and diſobey thoſe p. 13Orders; by which means, Officers are only benefited, and the ſuiters more damnified by expences, inſtead of getting relief; So that, whereas Purchaſers are invited to bring in their deeds to be cancelled, upon promiſing that they ſhould receive all Rents due at and before Michaelmas laſt, it would be plainer dealing to tell them, they ſhould have a Quarters Rent, to relinquiſh their purchaſes; for in truth it amounts to no more, from June 24 to Michaelmas next following. Furthermore, there being nothing promiſed by King or Parliament, as aforeſaid, in their Declarations, in relation to the Old Tenants of Prelates Lands, (the ſaid Tenants having had pre-emption before all other, when the ſaid Lands were ſold; enjoying alſo their full term without interruption, during their reſpective Leaſes; and being no otherwiſe diſplaced, then they uſually were formerly when the ſaid Prelates pleaſed by Concurrent Leaſes or otherwiſe, to take theſe Farms into their own hands, or for the benefit of their children and relations, at the expiration of their Terms) it had been more candid uſage, to have abſolutely ſignified to the Purchaſers, that the ſaid Old Tenants ſhould be preferred before them, rather then to permit the ſaid Purchaſers (deluded by a vain hope) to conſume money and time in ſeeking for a Compoſition, and to ſuffer the ſaid Prelates in the mean time, to receive their whole Rents, to eject the Purchaſers by force, when they had paid all Taxes, with other duties, not without great expence beſtowed in fencing, ſoyling, plowing and ſowing the ſaid Lands; and alſo to grant Leaſes, as they have done, to the vacating of all the coſt and labour of the ſaid Purchaſers, in purſuing what ſeemed graciouſly intended both by King and Parliament on their behalf. Theſe and many other paſſages, which this Remonſtrant hath obſerved, p. 14makes it appear unto him, that there is not that care yet taken to preſerve the honour of the King and of this Parliament, in giving ſatisfaction to Purchaſers, as might be wiſhed; and that there is not that reſpect had to Juſtice and good Conſcience, in ſatisfying them, as hath been heretofore vouchſafed by Princes, States, and Parliaments in the like Caſes.

In true Reaſon, (which diſtinguiſheth Men from Beaſts, as Juſtice and Mercy differences them from Devils) this Remonſtrant conceives, that the whole matter in Fact and Judgement, concerning the ſaid Sales and Securities, muſt unavoidably be brought to this Dilemma; (to wit) either the Long Parliament had Power to make ſuch Sales, and grant ſuch Securities as aforeſaid, or elſe they had not: If they had ſuch a Power, then their Sales and Securities muſt be allowed and confirmed; or, at leaſt, (if in Law or Equity, reſtitution of what was by them ſold, ought to be made to the former poſſeſſors) then recompence muſt be given another way; elſe injuſtice is commited, GOD, and the Nation are diſhonoured, and many thouſand Families and innocent perſons will be unmercifully expoſed to ruine; and that ſeverity and want of compaſsion, for which they were viſited in wrath, who laſt abuſed their Power, will be more then doubled. GOD is the ſame he was; and if private men, for not performing their Covenants made to and with each other, (though to their own hindrance) ſhall be excluded from his Tabernacle; doubtleſs an equivalent Judgement will be extended to States and Parliaments, or thoſe whom they repreſent. Then, on the other part it … ſhould be granted that the foreſaid Parliament …, and exerciſed wilfully a Power, not thereto belonging, to the damnifying of thoſe who confided p. 15in them; that Parliaments ſucceſſors ought then in Juſtice, to award ſatisfaction out of their eſtates, who arrogated ſuch an unwarrantable Power, as far as they will extend, if they can be diſtinguiſhed from thoſe among them, who were guiltleſs: And if that diſtinction cannot be made, or, the damages exceed their abilities; then, condign ſatisfaction ſhould be made out of their Common purſe, who intruſted thoſe with the Publick-Faith: For, the greateſt part of the People have often been too careleſs upon whom they impoſe that confidence, and perhaps, will be more wary, when they have well paid for it, what perſons they chuſe; and be ſo wiſe, as to conſider, that they who have not wit enough to govern their private eſtates, or they who conſume many thouſands of pounds, in Ale houſes, Inns and Taverns, (whoſe reckonings, as this Remonſtrant hears, are not yet paid) to procure themſelves to be Elected by Feaſtings and Drunkenneſs, had probably ſome worſe ends in being ſo prodigal, then a ſincere intention, to ſerve GOD, the King, and their Countrey.

Yet, neither this Remonſtrant, nor as he believeth, many of the ſaid Purchaſers and Lenders, do expect ſatisfaction ſhould be made them at full for all their damages, (though in juſtice it ought ſo to be) but conſidering the Publick wants, and other private mens neceſſities, as well as their own; with how much it may tend at this time to the ſettlement of Peace and Amity, that every man ſhould enjoy a comfortable ſubſiſtence, they would reſt contented with ſo much only toward a repair, as might diſcharge them from their engagements occaſioned by the ſaid Loans and Purchaſes, to the redeeming the loſs of their liberties, and to preſerve a competency proportionable to their ſeveral p. 16degrees, and the condition of their neareſt relations; which might be raiſed without overburthening any, if ſuch Expedients might be ſpeedily taken into conſideration, and vigorouſly proſecuted, as may be hereafter propoſed; whereas the courſe which is yet purſued, will neither be a means of relieving many, nor of ſo reconciling diſagreeing Parties, but that the Breaches will daily grow wider, and encreaſe Animoſities till they become irreconcileable; and kindle ſuch an univerſal flame by private fewds and vexatious ſuits, that it will never perhaps be quenched, whileſt ought is left unconſumed, or whileſt any conſiderable number of them, or of their Poſterities, are living, who were unhappily engaged againſt each other in the late war: And for prevention whereof, there will be no poſſibility in nature, but by a general Forgiveneſs on all ſides, mediated by a moderate courſe, to preſerve in ſome indifferent meaſure, that Intereſt by which each man may be comfortably maintained: For, until that be ſincerely endeavoured, proſecuting the rigour of the Laws, by impriſoning, ſuing, hanging, beheading and quartering will terriſie few of thoſe who have neither eſtates to loſe, nor an outward condition of life worth preſerveing: Nor in ſuch caſes will preaching the principles of morality, or Evangelical Precepts prevail much, but with men, naturally meek, (or perhaps cowardly) or ſuch as are of ſo true a Chriſtian and ſanctified a temper, that, according to the doctrine and example of Chriſt, they can freely forgive their enemies, and ſubmit to any thing, wherewith it ſhall pleaſe GOD to permit the Supream Power to exerciſe their Faith and Patience; which number is ſo ſmall in reſpect of the reſt of thoſe who are at this time exaſperated, in relation to their Eſtates, Credits and Conſciences, (as p. 17they will pretend at leaſt) that the Publick charge, which the preſent Government may be conſtrained yearly to continue, will amount to more, then that which would ſuffice to calm their ſpirits, by a repair of their deſtructive damages: And yet their ſuppreſſion by violence, may paradventure alſo, be prolonged, until ſome advantage be gotten by the changeableneſs of humane affairs, to let their fury break forth in ſuch a time as may deſtroy or endanger that peace, which they deſire to preſerve: For, an Army is a ſecurity which hath in it, neither certainty nor ſafety. It being therefore this Remonſtrants principle, not only to ſeek the preſervation of that viſible Power whereto God ſubjects him, out of prudence and moral gratitude, becauſe it protects him; but even for conſcience ſake alſo, (though it ſhould oppreſs him, as the laſt did) he thinks it his duty to give a Caveat, whereby they whom it ſhall concern, may take it into conſideration, whether both Parties which have oppoſed each other, are not in ſome reſpect ſo equally guilty of the ſins occaſioning the Judgements under which they have lain together, or by turns; and whether it will not be their next and ſafeſt way to a general peace, to divide the burthen which now lies deſtructively upon many, to be born by the whole Nation, and to make it as eaſie, as Juſtice and Prudence will permit, by an impartial reſpect to the intereſt of all Parties concerned: To which end, ſomewhat ſhall be propoſed before the concluſion of this Remonſtrance; not Magiſterially, to be ſtrictly ſo or ſo proſecuted; but rather, to be a hint of ſomething to that purpoſe, to be deliberately determined by wiſer men.

It will be pertinent to common peace, to take notice how many hundred thouſands are at this time exaſperated, p. 18by being nigh totally deſtroy'd or much impoveriſhed by the loſs of their livelihoods & liberties, with little hope of remedy: Some, by impriſonment upon malicious ſuggeſtions only, without any cauſe of offence given; ſome by being deprived of their monies exacted, lent or contributed upon the Publick Faith, to that Power whereto they heretofore ſubmitted conſcientiouſly, or by compulſion; ſome by being ejected forcibly out of Lands, Offices, or other Eſtates by them Purchaſed, and formerly belonging to the King, Queen, Prince, Prelates, and ſuch as were then reputed Delinquents; ſome by taking up, on valuable conſiderations, thoſe Lands or Offices from the firſt or ſecond Purchaſers and Poſſeſſors, in ſatisfaction, or in relation to debts, jointures, childrens portions, or other collateral Contracts, Securities, or Engagements; and ſome by great ſumms expended in buildings or other improvements, borrowed from many who are quite undone by their diſability to repay it; occaſioning ſuits and quarrels no leſs deſtructive to them, then to the original Purchaſers and Lenders. And not a few thouſands are as much diſcontented upon other civil and conſcientious accounts, whom to provoke altogether, may be of dangerous conſequence, though the Kings Indulgence hath much qualified and ſettled the minds and eſtates of ſome: For little advantaged will they be by a pardon for life, who needed it, or for ought elſe criminal, who are put into a worſe condition by living, then to be executed ten times by the hang-man. The natural temper of this Nation, is for theſe reſpects much to be regarded, and they are accordingly to be dealt withall; as it was prudently counſelled by King Henry the fourth, upon his death-bed to his Son, whoſe words I will here inſert as not impertinent. I charge thee p. 19(ſaid he) before God, to miniſter the Law indifferently to all, to eaſe the oppreſſed, to beware of flatterers, not to deferr Juſtice, nor yet to be ſparing of mercy; puniſh the oppreſſors of thy people, ſo ſhalt thou obtain favour of God, and love and fear of thy Subjects, who whileſt they have wealth, ſo long ſhalt thou have their obedience; but, made poor by oppreſsions, will be ready to make Inſurrections; Rejoyce not ſo much in the glory of thy Crown, as meditate on the burthenous care which accompanies it. Mingle Love with Fear; ſo thou, as the heart, ſhalt be defended in the midſt of the body; but know, that neither the heart without the members, nor King without the Subjects help, is of any force. Speed, pag. 763.

This Remonſtrant conceives, he might have procured many thouſand hands ſubſcribed to atteſt the reaſonableneſs of this Caution, and of what elſe is in this Remonſtrance expreſſed or deſired; but he endeavoured it not, becauſe, he thinks it will be needleſs to wiſe men, who very well know, that common cheat ſignifies little or nothing, as hands are uſually procured. When Reaſon prevails not more then Voices, there is ſmall hope of Juſtice. And, as it was ſaid to Dives, They who will not believe Moſes and the Prophets, will not believe one ſent from the dead. So, may this Remonſtrant ſay, They, who will not be moved to do conſcionable and righteous things, for the ſake of Juſtice and Mercy, will little regard Remonſtrances or Petitions, ſubſcribed with many thouſand hands, till they feel them about their ears; or, until the vengeance of GOD ſeizes on them, as it lately did on thoſe who neglected good Cautions, until they had not power to put them in execution. Miſconſter not this, as a ſecret threat to any in Authority; for it is humbly and ſoberly intended, to be only a Memorandum, uſeful at this time, wherein all have not the patience of p. 20Saints, who are grieved or oppreſſed. That, which hath been, may be again hereafter; and there be among thoſe who are now depreſſed, ſome of thoſe Anointed-ones of the LORD, whom he will not permit to be harmfully touched without Vengeance: For, he hath other Anointed-ones beſide Kings, whom he often reproves for their ſakes; and verily he will not forget the poor for ever, though to humble them for their tranſgreſſions, he hideth his face from them for a ſeaſon; at leaſt, his Everlaſting Mercies, he will not take from them. God preſerve us from ſeditious and mutinous repinings; and give us all grace, from the loweſt to the higheſt, joyntly and ſeverally, to endeavour that which prevents deſperate Activities, and take away every occaſion of temptations thereunto: For, though meek and conſcientious men, will, as they ought to do, wait patiently upon GOD in all their ſufferings; yet meer natural men, (of which ſort, the greateſt number of thoſe many thouſands conſiſt, who are made almoſt deſperately careleſs of their lives) will not eaſily conform to Evangelical principles, (as is before implyed) but, perhaps, when their perſonal wants are aggravated with the importunings and upbraidings of Creditors, the neglects of friends, and the ſcorn of enemies, the jears of neighbours, and the cries of periſhing wives and children, it may ſo provoke them, that in ſuch extremities, they will have as a little regard to Reaſon, Religion and Civil duties, as they had to their ſad Petitions from whom they expected Juſtice or Compaſſion; and then like provoked Engliſh Maſtives, (the true Hieroglyphicks of Engliſh mens temper) fly upon Bulls, Bears or Lyons, without fear of their inequality in ſtrength and number, or into any dangerous attempts. Take it not therefore offenſively, that you are p. 21in this extraordinary manner forewarned thereof. Many things have been this year permitted by way of premonition, more then at other times. The Waters, which are the Peoples Hieroglyphick, have had ſeveral prodigeous motions; the Air, not a few portentuous impreſſions; yea, the Fire and Earth alſo; and many other of GOD's creatures have contributed ſymptoms pertinent to our inſtruction, which ought to be well heeded; and are no ſuch Non ſignificants, as they would ſeem to think them, who do what they can to becloud them.

It may be, the late Inſurrection of thoſe few, called Fifth-Monarchy-men, hath ſomewhat in it which tends to premonition: For, GOD and Nature never act or permit any thing in vain (no not the falling of a ſparrow to the ground, or the numbring of hairs) and, this Remonſtrant, therefore, conceiving himſelf obliged to declare his ſenſe thereupon, will make bold here to inſert it, that it may not be altogether fruitleſs. He truly profeſſeth he knew not one of thoſe perſons, ſo much as by name, and is as far from juſtifying that, or any ſuch attempt, as they who either martially or legally proſecuted them to their deſtruction in the fleſh. For, though Moſes ſlew the Aegyptian which oppreſſed an Iſraelite, being then but a private perſon, Rahab confederated with forraign ſpies, to the deſtruction of her native City; Jael infringed both a League and the Law of Hoſpitality, in killing Siſera; and Ehud, under colour of preſenting a Gift, and of being a Meſſenger from GOD, ſlew King Eglon, to whom he was a tributary Subject; and theſe had no doubt, ſecret warrants from GOD for thoſe irregular Actings, by a divine impulſe upon their ſpirits, making them content to hazard the deſtruction of their bodies to a p. 22temporal condemnation in thoſe ſervices; but no ſuch ſecret ever entred into the ſoul of this Remonſtrant, nor doth he find his heart enclinable to act any thing not warrantable by the revealed will of GOD; becauſe, he finds, as well by what hath within his own experience befaln to ſome, as by the example of Simeon and Levi, that, men may be ſo deluded, by their own fancies and corruptions, as to think the moſt barbarous cruelties are acts of Juſtice. Therefore he leaves the judgement of thoſe perſons, and of ſuch attempts, to thoſe unto whom they appertain, and to God, who only knows their hearts, their purpoſes and warrants, if they had any; and whoſe Mercies being infinite, and his Judgements paſt ſearching out, doth ſometime permit external Judgements to ſeize upon a few, to make way for many to eſcape them; and otherwhile expoſeth men to temporal cruelties, without mercy here, that an everlaſting mercy may be enjoyed hereafter. But, whatever thoſe perſons were in themſelves; or whatſoever that attempt was in its own nature; this Remonſtrant is very certain that it was a Providential permiſſion, for their ſins and ours, hinting unto this Generation, things very pertinent thereto; and foreſhewing ſomewhat to come, (if not prevented by Repentance and Amendment) which it will concern us to ſearch after, with as much diligence as we can. What it particularly points at, he hath a dark view by a contemplative Viſion, like an imperfect Apparition in the Air, which is not viſible enough to be aſcertained in words to other men; yet ſufficient he thereby diſcovereth to make it evident to himſelf, that ſuch previous conſiderations as theſe that follow, will be very needfull.

Firſt, foraſmuch (as aforeſaid) GOD and Nature p. 23act or permit nothing in vain; It is to be conſidered, that the ſuddain riſing and deſperate attempt before-mentioned, tends to more then ſuch a vanity ſeems to be in it ſelf; and that the Circumſtances of the Fact, and the Qualifications of the perſons, may have much in them tending to the diſquiſition of what Providence intended.

Secondly, It is to be conſidered, That if Moral and Religious men, being left to themſelves, may be tranſported into ſuch dangerous extravagancies, what they may poſſibly be hurried into, who have neither honeſty nor Religion to reſtrain them, if GOD ſhould be then provoaked, to give way to their corruptions, when they are tempted by their Luſts, or exaſperated by Sufferings, which they conceive injuriouſly inflicted.

Thirdly, If upon a miſtaken Principle, a few perſons, ſeduced to take up carnal weapons to proſecute a ſpiritual warfare, might be ſo encouraged, and elevated in their ſpirits, as to out-dare the whole Power of one of the greateſt and moſt populous Cities in the world; even when her Citizens were in Arms, in readineſs upon their guards, and the Militia of the whole Kingdom without her walls, in a defenſive and an offenſive poſture, to aſſiſt if need were: It is very conſiderable, what the effect thereof might be, if the whole Body of GOD's Elect in theſe Nations, ſpirited by an unqueſtionable belief, grounded upon his promiſes, ſhould engage all together as one man in his Cauſe, armed with all the ſpiritual weapons offenſive and defenſive.

Fourthly, It is obſervable, that thoſe Impulſes which are termed Phanaticall, and thoſe perſons who are agitated by them, are neither to be ſlighted, nor inconſiderately treated withall: Becauſe, if they be moved p. 24by divine Inſtinct, (which may be diſcernable) as Jonathan and his Armour-bearer were, two of them will be able to rout a whole Garriſon, ten to chaſe an hundred, and an hundred to put a thouſand to flight. If they be ſtirred up, but by a meer Phanatique deluſion, they may accidentally, be ſufficiently ſpirited, thereby to vanquiſh a Power, much ſuperiour to themſelves in ſtrength and number, as it hath often happened, when unequal Armies have joyned battle, and the ſuperſtitious vulgar were prepoſſeſſed by ſome ominous conceit or preſage divulged among them: As for inſtance, at the battle of Agencourt, (if the Remonſtrants remembrance fails him not) when the Engliſh, over-powered by their numerous Adverſaries, ten (nay twenty to one) as ſome writers affirm, (when their ſtrength was ſpent, by ſickneſs and wearineſs, and they quite ſurrounded, and ſeeming without hope of eſcaping an utter defeat) a prediction being divulged among them, which had long before preſaged, that the ſtones of the field ſhould riſe up for them againſt the French: GOD, who is the giver of Victories, permitted that deſpicable means, to be inſtrumental thereto; for, weapons failing, and the Engliſh thereby encouraged, took up ſtones, and obtained the moſt ſignal Victory, that ever was gotten in theſe parts of the world. And the moſt famous Captains among the Antients, made uſe of Auguries, Predictions, and ſuch like mediums, to ſtir in their ſouldiery ſuch impulſes, as we call Phanatique, and very frequently thereby prevailed.

Fifthly, If a handful of men (as it were) upon a conſcientious account only, built upon a falſe ground, without being moved with reſpect to their perſonal damages or intereſts, could be ſo deſperately and obſtinately reſolved: It is conſiderable, what the deſperation p. 25of ſo many hundred thouſands may amount unto; who are or may be exaſperated through unſufferable inſolencies and oppreſſions, making them careleſs of their lives, by defect of all things pertinent to a comfortable life; they having therewith no ſenſe of Morality, Piety, or Conſcience to reſtrain them, propoſed nothing but vengeance; and GOD ſhould then alſo, therewith let looſe the fury of others, whoſe malevolence and diſcontents are not yet much heeded, to make them inſtrumental for the deliverance of thoſe from Oppreſsion, have meekly ſubmitted their Cauſe to him only. For know, that they who are eminent for nothing ſo much, as for their prodigality, whoreing, roaring, drinking or ſwearing; and valiant only in Baudy-houſes and Taverns, will run away like ſheep before reſolute aſſaylants, made deſperate as aforeſaid.

Know alſo, that the LORD of Hoſts, who is the GOD of Nature, as well as of Grace, is General of a two-fold Militia, furniſhed with diſtinct weapons according to the ſeveral ſervices whereby they are to glorifie him; the one Natural, and the other Spiritual; and that he makes uſe of both to correct his Children, and deſtroy the Enemies of his Kingdom, as occaſion is given. The firſt he employeth in ſhedding the blood of his malicious oppoſers, or of incorrigible ſervants, ſometime, with hazzard or loſs of their own; and the other, (if need be) he engageth in ſufferings, and by contributing their own blood alſo in his Cauſe; managing to that end, thoſe offenſive and defenſive weapons only, which are proper to a ſpiritual warfare. Theſe laſt, are thoſe followers of the Lamb whither ſoever he goeth, who are Saints and Souldiers, in the moſt ſuper-eminent degree; to whom the other uſually make way by the violence of natural Faculties and Paſſions, p. 26to thoſe Conqueſts over Prophaneneſs and Injuſtice, which muſt be compleated by Patience, Meekneſs, Love, conſtancy in Faith and Prayer. And many of the former may be Saints alſo, who when their natural corruptions have been ſoaked in their own blood, or ſufferings, and the ſtains waſhed out, by being rinſed in the blood of the Lamb, ſhall have a ſhare both in his Victories and Triumphs.

Permit, I pray you, this Remonſtrant, with patience and candor, to purſue this plain-dealing a little further, and to add ſomewhat for vindication of himſelf, from thoſe miſ-interpretations which may be made of his honeſt and peaceable intentions, in theſe free expreſſions: For, when he calls to mind, that Chriſt and his Apoſtles were charged with ſedition, for innocently Preaching the peaceable glad-tidings of the Goſpel, for their ſafety to whom they preached them; and that ſome of the Prophets were impriſoned and perſecuted as ſeditious perſons, when they declared GOD's Judgements, and what ought to have been performed for preſervation of their Common ſafety; he thinks it not unlikely, in this froward Generation, that ſome Objections of that kind may be made againſt him, by their Pride, Malice, or Ignorance, who proſecute their ſelfends; And he being neither inſenſible, nor totally careleſs of thoſe diſadvantages which may befall thereby, nor ignorant how eaſie it is to find wherewith to beat a dog; will now (leſt he may be reſtrained from that liberty hereafter) preoccupate as much as he can, whileſt he may, to prevent prejudicacy (if it be poſſible) by giving reaſons for his Remonſtrating to the purpoſes afore-mentioned, and in this unuſual mode.

He knows how far the juſt bounds of a free expreſſion p. 27extends by the Laws of GOD and Nature; and though his body may be enſlaved, and kept from the exerciſe thereof by the cruelty of others, his mind cannot be inthralled, but by his own baſeneſs or puſillanity; and if he muſt periſh, he is reſolved to periſh like a man, not like a beaſt, or like one who cuts his own throat for fear of death. He will not whine like a curdog, or ſnarl at him, when he is beaten or kickt by his Maſter; nor cry like a Swine, when he is to be ſlain by the Butcher, or ringed for his rooting; nor doth he think himſelf obliged at this time, to be as dumb before his ſhearers, as CHRIST was; nor until a time comes (as it did to him) wherein words will either be wholly in vain, or may tend to prevent that ſuffering, whereunto he ſhall believe he was pre-ordained by Providence, for his Maſters glory, or for the welfare of other men; and then he will leave ſcribling, and bear his Croſs in ſilence. But it is yet, ſeaſonable for him to write and ſpeak, and if he now do it not, he may for ever hereafter hold his Peace; for it will be to no purpoſe. He writes and ſpeaks, with the more boldneſs, becauſe it is not for his own Intereſt; but as it lies wrapt up with the Publick Honour, Peace, and Welfare, and is preſervable, without injury to other private perſons. He acknowledgeth himſelf ſubject to the natural deſires, fears, frailties and infirmities of the weakeſt men; yet, GOD, by his Grace, hath (as he hopeth) ſo habituated him to the Principles, which will preſerve him in a warrantable ſobriety, that he ſhall dread nothing, but GOD and himſelf; or leſt by ignorance he may offend againſt his own Conſcience; in which caſe he is one of the verieſt Cowards in the world. He neither doth nor can willingly intend hereby the juſt offence of any: For he hates nothing, that GOD p. 28hath made, loves him above all things; his neighbour as himſelf; and his Countrey (if his heart deceive him not) much better. He honours the King, and is, and will be, as faithful unto him, as he was to thoſe who lately exerciſed Supream Authority; to whom, he was conſcientiouſly faithful to the laſt hour, wherein GOD permitted them to retain it; never diſſembling, jugling, or halting between two Parties; yea, though he was neglected and oppreſſed by thoſe to whom he was obedient. He that hath no ſelf-love, is as blameable, as he which hath too much, becauſe he wants that rule whereby he ought to regulate a Love to his neighbour; and he who to his power, provides not for his Family, is worſe then an Infidel. Therefore, no malevolent repining or diſcontent, but a Chriſtian regard to his duty, and to thoſe many who are oppreſſed (which is enough to make a dumb man ſpeak) hath extracted this Remonſtrance, quickned with a little more Salt, Sulphur, and Mercury, then uſual, that (if he ſhould live ſo long) he might not ſolicit in vain for Juſtice twenty years longer, but have a ſpeedy diſpatch one way or other. For, Qui rogat timidè, docet negare, he, who ſneakingly demands Juſtice, as if he were begging an Alms, encourages his oppreſſors the more impudently to oppreſs him. And yet, perhaps, he had not adventured to expreſs himſelf in this mode, if an unreſiſtible impulſe had not made impreſſions on his heart, more for the ſakes of others, then for his own.

For, though this Remonſtrant hath had many provocations thereunto, by the loſs of his moſt precious time, with the ruine of his eſtate and credit; thouſands perhaps, have ſuffered as much as he that way, whom patience, fear, or ſtupidity have kept ſilent; and it would be a ſhame to him not to ſuffer as mutely as p. 29other men; alſo he is reduced to a ſubſiſtence by Charity; but, that hath brought with it ſuch experimental evidences, of Gods merciful ſupplying a competency from day to day hitherto, that the damage is not only made thereby ſupportable, but comfortable alſo: and in this kind, he hath ſuffered no more then the King, and many perſons of honour have been exerciſed withal. This Remonſtrant hath likewiſe been made the ſcorn and deriſion of his enemies, neighbours and acquaintance, and is frequently perſecuted with uncivil upbraidings; but, he can paſs them over with as little regard, as the barkings of dogs, when he conſiders what Shimeies they are, who ſet them on, why, and to what purpoſe: That, which above all this afflicts him, are the ſufferings which have ſuddenly befaln to ſome of his needy Creditors, and moſt near and beloved Relations; who, not accuſtomed to the want of food, rayment, and ſuch other neceſſaries or conveniencies as they formerly enjoyed, look otherwhile ſo ſadly upon him, that it makes his bowels yern: Yet, it may be, neither had that been moving enough to embolden him hereunto: But, when to all theſe inducements, there ſeemed to be added, in his apprehenſion, a likelihood of multiplying thoſe Confuſions, Oppreſſions, and Innovations, which will be a diſhonour to God, the King, and theſe Nations; (and as well hazzardous to the Common peace, as deſtructive to him and others in their private capacities) this Remonſtrant thought it better to adventure the tranquility of one man, then to let ſo many be in danger of periſhing, by continuing ſheepiſhly ſilent: And he confeſſes there is ſomewhat of ſelfneſs, even in that alſo; becauſe, he is afraid his own Conſcience would accuſe him for neglect of his duty, and bring greater diſtempers upon him, for his p. 30being ſilent at ſuch a time, then thoſe evils which he might hope thereby to eſcape: For, GOD having carried him, a long time through many viciſſitudes and dangers, giving him frequent experiments what the events of his own and other mens tranſactions were, and will be, (with an ability in ſome meaſure more then ordinary, to illuſtrate to vulgar capacities, thoſe things which are conſiderable) he dares not preſume to diſpleaſe and inrage his Conſcience, to avoid the diſpleaſure of men, whatſoever outward diſadvantages may happen. Theſe things conſidered, with thoſe Priviledges which are due by the Law of Nature, he conceives neither any digreſsion or expreſsion herein contained is needleſs, or can be juſtly queſtionable; and that, he is not obliged (his preſent condition being weighed) to make anſwer unto ought objected, which may tend to the accuſing of himſelf, though he were as blameable as he is innocent. For, he intends nothing to the iniury of Publick or private Intereſts; nor ſeeks for ought but his own according to Juſtice, that he may do Juſtice to his Creditors and Relations.

They who live at eaſe in plenty; becauſe, they ſee ſome appearances of a progreſs toward the relief of this Remonſtrant and other ſufferers, do condemn them as over haſty, and more importunate then they need to be: Yea, are pleaſed to ſay, that much more is done for them already, then they deſerve; and that whatſoever ſhall be done for them, they will never be contented; which Aſſeverations are better evidences of their diſ-affection to the ſufferers, and of their want of true Charity, then of the truth of that which they affirm: And, it is the very ſame which was imputed to this Remonſtrant, at ſeveral times, during his almoſt twenty years ſolicitation, by ſome who were formerly in Power, p. 31when he Petitioned to be relieved for his ſufferings in their ſervice; and how juſtly they did it, may be collected from the literal ſenſe, of this metaphorical illuſtration thereof: He complained of a conſuming fire, whereinto they permitted him to be thrown by their neglects; and after he had long complained, they for a remedy, toſt him into a boyling Caldron; that, not contenting him, they threw him into a Frying-pan; therewith he being no more eaſed, renewed his complaint, and then, they laid him upon a Gridiron; that being as painful, they turned him upon his other ſide; that, proving as uneaſie, he Petitioned again, and was only baſted with a few Oylie words, or had Orders pin'd on him, like papers to keep roaſt-beef from burning; he then once again, made an humble addreſs for more effectual means of relief; whereto ſome of them angrily replyed, Nothing will ſatisfie this fellow: and ſeeing none of the former condeſcentions, would give ſatisfaction, they at laſt caſt him into a freezing Lake, wherein he yet remains; and, but that the Charity of others, did otherwhile a little thaw him, he ere this time had been frozen to death, and laid where ſuch Remonſtrances as theſe are needleſs. Theſe are the Favours which this Remonſtrant obtained, from thoſe whom he ſerved faithfully and conſcientiouſly heretofore, though he were perſonally known well near to all of them, and though moſt of them were his familiar acquaintance, and ſome of them his profeſſed friends: Which when he ſeriouſly conſiders, and how he hath nevertheleſs been from time to time, ſo many years together, neglected and abuſed; he can hardly diſcern whether hath been more injurious unto him, neighbours, or ſtrangers; hypocrites, or prophane perſons; ſeeming friends, or open enemies; his Countrey-men, or ſome of his own kindred. p. 32But, now he hopes better; for, worſe they cannot uſe him, whom he oppoſed for their ſakes, when they were in Power. And, if that obedience which he now profeſſeth unfeignedly to his Majeſtie, ſhall procure ſo much reſpect to his preſent condition, as to allow out of what he thought his own, wherewith to diſ-engage him from his Creditors, and redeem his Family from that poverty, which now oppreſſeth it, he ſhall not only be therewith contented, but thankfully acknowledge alſo, to the honour of the King and State, that he finds them, whom he had made his enemies, to be much more juſt and merciful unto him, then his profeſſed friends, of whom he had beſt deſerved: And it may be poſſible, that their Generoſitie, whatſoever he hath heretofore done (or here, or elſewhere expreſſed) will make them as confident of his Allegiance, as they are of the moſt faithful of thoſe, who profeſs obedience and conformity to the Government, and in the moſt uſual mode.

Let it not ſeem unſavoury to any Reader, that this Remonſtrant, inſiſts ſo much upon his perſonal ſad condition and grievances: For, by them he became ſenſible of other mens Oppreſſions: By the reality of his own wrongs, he perceived what juſt cauſe others might have to complain: Alſo, without particularizing his ſufferings, they could not probably be redreſſed; and no reaſonable or conſcientious man, will grudge him the liberty of inſerting a leaf or two into that diſcourſe, which was for the relief of many, together with himſelf; compoſed ſolely at his coſt and labour, without the leaſt contribution thereunto vouchſafed, either by them or any other: For he may ſay on his own behalf, as Uliſſes did, when he pleaded for the armour of Achilles before the Grecians.

p. 33—meaque haec facundia ſiqua eſt

Quae nunc pro domino, pro vobis ſaepe locuta eſt,

Invidia careat, bona nec ſua quiſque recuſet.

—Do not envy my pen,

Which often for the weal of other men

Hath been employed, if that otherwhile,

I, make uſe of it for mine own availe.

But, the means hitherto provided for the relief of this Remonſtrant, and other Purchaſers and Lenders, doth not yet appear likely to have that gracious effect, which was by them expected, and intended by his Majeſty. Therefore, he prayes it may not be offenſively taken, if he declares plainly, what the effects thereof hitherto are, and may probably be hereafter, according to his underſtanding: For, his purpoſe being to expreſs nothing but in order to the preſervation of himſelf and others from deſtruction, (nor to be more bold in language, then the heedleſneſs of this Generation ſhall conſtrain) it cannot be juſtly conceived that he would wilfully inſert any word or clauſe, which might by giving juſt offence, deprive him of that benefit which he deſireth to attain; unleſs it be thought his Oppreſsions have made him mad; (as many wiſer men have been, who ſuffered leſs) and if ſo, he is rather an Object of pitty, then of diſpleaſure. He is thankful to his Majeſtie, for not taking thoſe advantages at large, which were providentially put into his hands; and gratefully acknowledgeth the Indulgence vouchſafed to Purchaſers by his Commiſsion, for mediating on their behalf, manifeſt his compaſsion to be more then their own Truſtees have expreſſed; eſpecially his often haſtening the Act of General pardon, and deſiring the Parliament p. 34to make the Plaiſter as large as the ſoares; nevertheleſs, the Inſtrument drawn up to thoſe purpoſes, ſeems not to have paſſed through their hands, who are ſo ſenſible of his Peoples Grievances, as he himſelf was, nor is it poſſible that he can in ſo ſhort a time have that full cognizance, which he may have hereafter, of the true ſtate of thoſe many differing Cauſes, which are to come under conſideration, in relation to Purchaſers; and therefore the means by him intended may be ſo defective without his default, that many will be more damnified, then relieved thereby. This is found and felt by experience already. The work impoſed is too heavy for ſo few work-men, in regard the Commiſsioners are perſons of honour, who have other weighty affairs which will divert them, and take up ſo much time, that not a few being already quite ruined by delay; many more will be deſtroyed before their Cauſes can be heard and determined. Some of them have ſo little whereby to ſubſiſt, that they cannot ſpare out of it, ſo much as the charge of Solicitation will require. And it is feared, moſt of thoſe who are yet able, will be wheeled round in ſuch perpetual motions, as they were at Worceſter and Drury-houſes, to their impoveriſhing alſo, by the long conteſts which will ariſe from ſeveral interfering Securities, Intereſts, and Claims, ſtill multiplying debates and expences; when ſo many thouſands as are engaged by Original Purchaſes and Subcontracts, ſhall from all parts betwixt Saint Michaels-mount and Barwick (ſome of them two or three hundred miles from their habitations) flock together, with witneſſes, Counſel and Sollicitours, to their great coſt here, and neglect of their buſineſſes at home. Such a multitude cannot but ſo obſtruct each others proceedings, that many who are beſt able to bear the p. 35burthen, may be ſore ſtraitened and depreſſed, by loſſes in one place, and expences in another; by ſeeing Officers and making Friends, for that which will amount to little or nothing at the laſt: For, of much of thoſe Lands which were Purchaſed, as aforeſaid, the Prelates have not power to make Leaſes for longer term, then during their own lives; and there being no Rule ſetled by Parliament, whereby final Agreements may be made (in that, and ſome other Caſes, without diſpute) the Purchaſers will have as queſtionable Titles hereafter, as they have now; and be perhaps all dead or beggared, before any ſatisfaction ſhall be enjoyed.

As for the Lands claimed by the Prelates, there is little hope the late Purchaſers will have any conſiderable redreſs in lieu of them, if the ſaid Prelates be permitted to proceed as they begin; for (except two or three of them only, as this Remonſtrant hath heard, who perhaps deſire the Epiſcopal Function ſhould be reduced to the Priſtine Conſtitution) ſo ambitious are they of Preheminence, and ſo greedily hunt after immoderate Riches in their old age, that regarding neither the tears of the oppreſſed, nor Orders of Parliament, nor the Kings gracious condeſcentions publiſhed on the behalf of Purchaſers; they following the dictates of their own Avarice, take up the whole Rents, make forcible Entries, grant Leaſes to them who will give moſt, and Arbitrarily ſeize the eſtates of the Purchaſers, before the times limited are expired, or the Kings Commiſsioners can have time to take their Cauſes into conſideration; and before many can have means to preſent them, or be in a capacity to treat. This Remonſtrant in particular, having now loſt about eight years 300. l. per an. in a Purchaſe of their Lands who were hererofore called Delinquents, which Lands coſt p. 36him as good as almoſt twenty years Purchaſe in ready money. Alſo 1681. l. 15. s. 8. d. charged by Ordinance upon the Exciſe in Courſe, which, with the Intereſt thereof, hath been eighteen years almoſt, unpaid. And now he is in danger to loſe totally between five and ſix hundred pounds per. an. more, in Prelates Lands, in Poſſeſſion and Reverſion; part whereof coming into poſſeſſion the laſt year, being unſtockt, and not demiſable, by reaſon the Title is diſparaged, hath coſt him in Taxes, with other duties and neceſſary disburſments therein diſpended, more then twice ſo much as he could raiſe out of them, by occaſion of the ſaid Prelates forcible Intruſions: The remainder of this Remonſtrants ſtock and goods, were by Attachments out of the ſaid Prelates own Court, (without arreſt, or any cauſe formerly made known, according to equity, or the Common-Law of this Land) illegally (and ſome of them, as he thinks, feloniouſly) taken in the night, and carried away, by the ſaid Prelates Officers or Agents, being ſtrangers, without any known lawful Officer. And, the ſaid Remonſtrant neither being at home, nor having the liberty of his perſon, or any other means left to defend himſelf againſt ſuch outrages, or to maintain his family, but by charity, is by this uſage, and that which hath been thereby occaſioned, deprived of as much of his eſtate, as being ſold to the value, and proportionably diſtributed, might have ſatisfied moſt of his perſonal debts, had it not been ſo torn from him by ſome unconſcionable Creditors, and the ſaid Officers maliciouſly confederating together, to the taking away, at the third part of the value, the remainder of his houſhold-ſtuff, wearing apparrel, victuals, and the beds whereon his wife, children, and ſervants lay; as alſo the wood in his yard, without any other Authority, but p. 37Will and Pleaſure; for the uſe of the Prelates now Tenant, who being reputed (perhaps becauſe a Papiſt) a true Son of the Church, is now ſeated upon that Farm, which he hath forcibly ſeized; ſome of his ſaid Agents being ſo ſhameleſs, as to make anſwer, when the illegality of their proceedings was objected, that this Remonſtrant ſhould not be left able to proſecute his remedy at Law, or words to that effect, which they have made good: Inſomuch, that this Remonſtrant, is compelled in his old age, to ſhut up himſelf in a lone room, without a ſervant, night and day, both in ſickneſs and health; his wife neceſſitated, above fifty miles diſtant, to keep poſſeſſion, with her maide in a naked houſe, ſtanding far from neighbours, (and much farther from honeſt men) and his children and ſervants being ſcattered, to ſeek harbour and livelihood where they can get it. This, and much worſe, is the Remonſtrants preſent outward condition; by delay of the Relief hoped for, and by his being thereby diſabled to proſecute means of redreſſing his grievances any further: In the like condition (as he believeth) many thouſands are at this day among the ſaid Purchaſers, Lenders, and ſuch as fall under them, by the ruine of thoſe who are impoveriſhed by their wants.

For, the hopes which they had eight or nine Moneths paſt, of a timely ſettlement, hath had ſo ſlow a progreſs, that many who had fair expectations, and beſt means to improve them, begin to be afraid, it may ſucceed at laſt, as in an old Tale, it is ſaid, befell to him, who brought a large piece of cloth to his Taylor, to make him ſuch garments as it would extend unto; who at firſt, told him, it would make a very good ſute, cloak, and coat; but after it had been in his cuſtody awhile, he ſaid to his cuſtomer, it would make but a ſute and p. 38a cloak; after that, it would make but a cloak; being kept a little longer, he could make but a ſute of it; after a few dayes more, but a ſhort coat only; and at laſt, no more but a very fair Cloth-button: And perhaps, with ſuch a Reſult ſome of the Purchaſers may button up their baggs of Papers and Evidences (if the King take not their Cauſes into his ſpecial Conſideration) and go home three times more damnified, then by loſing all at firſt, without more coſt and trouble: For, when they have ſummed up the money, paid for their Purchaſes at firſt; for paſſing their Conveyances and Concomitant charges; Intereſt and Brockage for money borrowed; expences in ſuites at Common Law and Chancery thereby occaſioned; as alſo in Conteſts many years before Committees and Commiſsioners for removing Obſtructions; and thereto added what it will coſt now, before there will be a final ſettlement, it may poſſibly amount to ſo much, that the recompence will be leſs worthy of thanks, then a peremptory denyal would have been at the beginning; as this Remonſtrant hath found by experience; who verily believeth, that after his Demands and Receipts had been ſtated by the Committee of Accounts for the Kingdom, examined again by the Committee of the Navy; Re-examined by a ſelect Committee of Parliament, and upon that three-fold Examination, had 3950. l. reported to be due unto him, and payment then ordered; if he had totally quitted the ſaid debt, and hoped no more for it, he had been at leaſt 5000. l. richer, then he is at this day: For, if delayes occaſioning expences with the loſs of eighteen years time, and the money miſpent, and ſo long forborn, had been avoided, and other wayes employed, he might in that ſpace have turned it to more conſiderable profit. The Proverb ſaith, He that p. 39gives quickly, gives twice. A benefit vouchſafed ſpeedily, and ſeaſonably, may be doubled, yea tripled thereby, (as Opportunities may occur) whereas, by being long delayed, Suites, Forfeitures, Intereſt, or ſuch like, may ſo augment damages, that twice ſo much afterward, will not be ſo beneficial, as a quarter thereof might have been at the firſt; and to deſtroy men under a colour of doing Juſtice, and ſhewing Mercy, is like the Cats playing with the Mouſe, (a making ſport at other mens miſeries) and one of the greateſt cruelties in the world. In brief, by what is afore-expreſſed, this Remonſtrant hath neither the liberty of his perſon to attend the Commiſsioners, nor wherewith, but by Charity, to ſubſiſt, much leſs to bear the charge of proſecution, ſo long as his cauſe may poſſibly be undetermined; yea, it will be little better then putting him all that while upon the Rack, yet peradventure be no more available at laſt, then meat ſet before a dead man.

But, all this Remonſtrating is to little purpoſe, except ſomewhat may be propoſed, out of which an Expedient ſhall be raiſed, whereby the Publick-Faith may be redeemed, and the Grants and Securities afore-mentioned be made good, or elſe a ſatisfaction given in ſuch manner, that particular Animoſities may be allayed, without overburthening, or enſeebling the whole Body-Politick; which this Remonſtrant thinking poſſible, will contribute his conceptions thereunto, though perhaps he may have little or no thanks, (but a jear) for his labour. And, though he be ſo broken in his eſtate, and overcharged with muſings in his mind, that he can hardly compoſe himſelf for ſuch a ſerious contrivement, yet he may ſtammer out ſuch notions, that wiſer men leſs diſturbed, may either make more practicall, p. 40or at leaſt, thereby take hints to diſcover and proſecute a better Expedient of their own: For, the moſt prudent men ſometimes overſee, what a Fool takes notice of. The only way to ſettle an univerſal Peace and Concord, is to ſatisfie all Intereſts, as much as may be; eſpecially in things neceſſary to a competent ſubſiſtence, even to the anſwering of their expectations, who are moſt carnal, ſo far forth as they are juſt; in regard they are likely to be moſt troubleſom. Venter non habet aures, and there are now ſo many laying claim to that Intereſt, as will make it dangerous, to exaſperate them all at once; and will be injuſtice to leave any of them unſatisfied, as touching reaſonable demands. They whoſe Grievances are moſt conſiderable, are ſuch as have Lent or Contributed upon the Publick-Faith; Souldiers, who adventured their lives in the ſervice of the Parliament; Purchaſers of Lands or eſtates belonging to the King, Queen, Prince, Prelates, or thoſe who heretofore adhered to the King againſt the Parliament, and ſuch as had either Grants of Eſtates, or Parliamentary Securities, for payment of debts declared to be due unto them. It cannot be now expected, that the Lands of the King, Queen, Prince, or ſuch as were heretofore reputed Delinquents, ſhould be enjoyed by the ſaid Purchaſers, except ſo far forth only, as in conſideration of Improvements, the former Owners will freely, of their own nobleneſs, give way thereunto, if we look for a perfect concord on their part. And then, how the Purchaſers of thoſe Lands, and the Parliaments other Creditors may be ſatisfied, a courſe muſt be other wayes provided; which will be the more eaſily effected, and the leſs burthenſom, if the Purchaſers of Prelates eſtates, may have ſatisfaction out of the ſame Lands; as this Remonſtrant conceives, in equity p. 41and prudence, they ought to have, and alſo may have, to their reaſonable contentment, with an addition of honour and advantage, both to the King and Nation, without wrong to the Epiſcopal Function, being conſtituted and confirmed according to Primitive Ordination, derived from the Canon of GOD's Word; ſuch an Epiſcopacy never being intended (as this Remonſtrant believeth) to be exploded out of the Church of England by the Solemn League and Covenant; or to be barred out of Scotland, if the perſons were regulated and qualified, as they are charactered by Saint Paul.

Thoſe Temporalities which they claim as Prelates, belonged not to them by divine right as Biſhops: but, were conferred in time of Popery, to ſupport them as Barons, when they were authorized to ſit in Parliament: which Priviledge, being taken away by Act of Parliament, aſſented unto by the late King, that work is at an end: and work and wages being Relatives, ceaſe both together. Temporal and Spiritual Lords in a Parliament, reſemble plowing with Oxen and Aſſes in one teeme, and by weaving (as it were) Linnen and Wollen together, may make that Linſey-woolſey, both in Civil and Spiritual things, as will be pleaſing neither to GOD nor men. The ſervices whereto the Biſhops were chiefly ordained, may be beſt performed, (and with leaſt obſtruction to civil tranſactions) in Synods, or National Councils and Conventions, where no Lordly titles or uſurpations are to be claimed or allowed: nor any Precedencies, but for Orders ſake only, leſt Precedencies, and temporal Dignities, may overawe their fellow-members, and diſadvantage the Truth. Biſhops being regulated, as aforeſaid, and exerciſing only a Primacy of Order, as Speakers in Parliaments, Prolocutors in Synods, and Preſidents in Councils, ought p. 42to be reſtored; and a competent and an honourable maintenance might be provided for them out of thoſe legal perquiſites, which heretofore belonged unto them quatenus Biſhops, (and conſiſt with an Evangelical Diſcipline) none of which are ſold from them: and out of thoſe Impropriations, which they formerly Leaſed for Fines and yearly Rents, giving a Plow-mans wages to their poor Curates. Theſe Impropriations, if they might be timely reſerved from being again ſo miſdiſpoſed of by their Avarice, would amount to a ſufficiency: yea, and to a far larger Revenue, then many Biſhops formerly had, if they were prudently diſtributed; and would be likewiſe a quieter ſubſiſtance, and ſomewhat more proper to their Calling; becauſe a maintenance ſettled upon the Miniſtry by the Laws of the Land. Moreover, to enlarge that maintenance, convenient places of reſidence, with Demeaſnes and annual Rents enabling them to be hoſpitable, and incouragers of others to Piety and Vertue, might and would be afforded, by the ſaid Purchaſers, out of what was ſold unto them. And ſuch a Portion, being ſettled on them, and their ſucceſſors, by King and Parliament, as the Donations of Nurſing Fathers of the Church, (and not derived from heatheniſh or other ſuperſtitious beginnings diſhonourable to God, and ſcandalous to Religion) would redound more to their honour, then their Baronies and Lordſhips; be more comfortable to their Conſciences, when they muſt reſign their Biſhopricks; make their Miniſtry more effectual to their particular Flocks, and to the preſerving of Unity in Fundamentals, between thoſe Congregations which are of differing judgements; render their poſterities more proſperous, and their perſons more beloved both of GOD and men. The worſt this Remonſtrant wiſheth, p. 43even to thoſe Prelates, who do but pretend to be the Biſhops of Chriſt, is, that they truly were ſo; and that they had humility enough to accept of ſuch an offer, on condition he wholly left his hope of repoſſeſſing his ſaid Purchaſe, though he thinks it more poſſible for him to be reſtored thereto, then for them long to enjoy that wherewith they ſeem abſolutely inveſted. Let this be well conſidered; for though the Prelates and their Favourers, term him a Scribling Fool; The tatlings of Children and Fools, are ſometimes to be liſtned unto by wiſe and grave men, who know they often ſpeak Truth, when others either will not, or dare not.

When the King ſhall by experience know, how uſeleſs the Prelacy is, both to him, and to the Church of GOD; and how ſerviceable ſuch as are called Biſhops may be, when reduced to the Canon of the Word, it is hoped, he may perſwade them to ſubmit thereto, and that ſome of them, will be ſo convinced in Conſcience, as to perceive it will be more honour to GOD and them, then diſparagement to their perſons, to evidence the power of Truth upon themſelves in an humble conformity, and reſtrain them from unmercifully ſeeking to enrich themſelves by the deſtruction of ſo many Families as are now in danger of periſhing by their immoderate Avarice. As for the reſt of the Hierarchie, this Remonſtrant cannot imagine to what good end they may be continued, which will be equivalent to the preventing the thouſandth part of that miſchief, which will enſue the diſpoſſeſſing of thoſe who have Purchaſed their eſtates. Deans and Chapters, with their Appendants, are a Whimſey of a late invention, as now conſtituted, which the Primitive Ages neither knew, nor perhaps thought of: A Plant which our Heavenly Father p. 44never planted in his Church; nor are they neceſſarily pertinent to the ſervice of GOD, or to the edifying of mankind in Piety or Morality; but rather burthenſom and ſcandalous. Moſt of thoſe vaſt Revenues which they claim as ſacred, (if not all) are no more worthy to be reputed Holy things then the price of dogs, or wages of Strumpets, as I have elſewhere ſaid, in regard much of them were obtained by merchandizing for the ſouls of men, and were Sacrifices to the Devil, worſe then Sacriledge, given (or exacted) by their cunning Brokers, in derogation from Chriſts meritorious Paſsion, for expiating of Adulteries, Murthers, and other hainous crimes: Which if they could make evident to be ſacred Offerings, and accepted of God as truly ſuch, they might hope ere long to make men believe, that their houſes of Office, their very dunghills, yea, their ſins, or any thing they pleaſed ſo to term, were alſo ſacred. But, what reaſonable man can imagine, why ſuch an impertinency ſhould be preſerved, when the State is ſo neceſſitated, though it were ſome way uſeful, and when ſo many thouſands of ſerviceable and innocent perſons may be deſtroyed by the readmiſſion thereof? Whereto are they neceſſary? If you ſuppoſe it be to elect Biſhops, when they ſhall be reduced to what they Originally were and ought to be; that Conſtitution, will admit of no ſuch Election: Such as now are, may be as well choſen by the King himſelf, as by vertue of his Letters directed to the Deans and Chapters; or more properly, by his Conge deſlere to the Paſtors of the reſpective Dioceſſes; which Presbyters may likewiſe officiate, (if need be) at their Cathedrals by turns (having proviſion made for them at ſuch times) more to the edifying of the People then heretofore: And their Cathedrals which, (to ſpeak truth) p. 45are more pertinent to the Civil honour and magnificence of the Nation, then eſſential to the Worſhip of GOD; (and being built, ought rather to be upheld, for decency and conveniency, then wholly neglected) and may ſo be, without any great burthen to the Purchaſers, by contributing toward their Repair a yearly Rent to that purpoſe, if the old Fabrick Lands be not ſufficient, and unſold: Theſe may alſo, be of uſe for pious exerciſes and devout meetings, more to the glory of GOD, and the edifying of his People, then at preſent they are, by thoſe irreverent perſons, who ſerve their own ſelves only, under a pretence of ſerving GOD, with empty ounds, Tautologies, vain Repetitions, and loud vociferations, mingled with abominable prophaneneſs: For, this Remonſtrant heard it lately credibly averred, that one of thoſe, who is to overſee and direct thoſe who ſing in the Quire, hearing a diſcord in their Muſick, was ſo ſerious in his Muſicall Devotion, that moved to indignation, he paſſionately ſwore aloud in theſe words, By God, a ſnarle: And that another, angrily calling upon the Boyes to raiſe their Voices higher, curſed them with four ſeveral great Curſes within a little ſpace, whileſt they were chanting out their Divine Service, (as they call it) becauſe they anſwered not his expectation. Oh! abominable zeal.

But, ſhould it be granted, that GOD required their Will-Worſhip, that, they were conſcientiouſly devout therein; that, their Prelaticall Conſtitution, at leaſt were not ſcandalous, & that their large poſſeſſions were the real charitable Donatives of truely devout Benefactors, irrevocably ſet apart from common uſe (not one of which particulars can be proved) yet, little or nothing conſiderable, is or ever was performed, to ſuch pious p. 46uſes as are pretended, or were intended. For, by their own Canons (or, by ſuch as they approve of, and will be conformable unto, when it may be for their perſonal advantages) there is but a third part of their yearly Profits due to them. One third is by thoſe Canons to be employed in maintaining their Cathedral-Churches and dwelling-Houſes, with the ſervices and neceſſaries to them belonging: Another third, is to be for relief of the Poor and Strangers; and a charitable Biſhop of York, (as the Remonſtrant remembers) was ſo far from the mind of our Prelates in theſe dayes, that to relieve the Poor in a time of Famine, he ſold away moſt part of the Utenſils and Ornaments of the Churches in his Dioceſs. A third part only, of the Revenues of the Cathedrals and Prelates, was to have been made uſe of for themſelves and their Families, which hath nigh quite ſwallowed up the other two parts: For, it is well enough remembred, how ruinous many of their Edifices were, before the beginning of the late war, and how ſlovenly kept in ſome places: It is alſo well known, that the Poor were uſually relieved with little more then the ſcraps of their ſuperfluities; and that the Strangers by them entertained, during the dayes of their Reſidency, were but their fellow Prebends, their kindred, their familiars, and now and then a bold Gueſt, who had no need of their Hoſpitality; and why ſhould many honeſt men, more ſerviceable then they, be ſtarved or beggared, by being deprived of what they bought of the Nations Repreſentative; that ſuch large Revenues might be ſhared by a few, and conſumed to ſo little purpoſe? With what confuſion of face, will theſe pretenders to Piety and Hoſpitality appear, when Chriſt Jeſus, perſonated in this life by their Conſcience; or, when he ſhall hereafter in his own perſon, p. 47ſay unto ſuch, Depart from me ye workers of iniquity: For, having large Patrimonies intruſted with you, to ſupply the wants of the members of his myſtical body, they neither fed him, when he was hungry, except with ſtones and Scorpions, inſtead of bread and fiſh; nor gave him drink when thirſty, except mingled with Vinegar and Gall; nor cloathed him when naked, but only with ſuperſtitious raggs, or elſe Robes impurpled with his own blood; Nor houſed him when harbourleſs, except in a priſon, becauſe he approved not of their Vanities, Avarice and Ambition.

This Remonſtrant, is not ſo cruel to Beaſts nouriſhed out of curioſity, and for mens pleaſures only, as to ſtarve them when they are bred; much leſs that men unprofitably employed at the Publick coſt, ſhould be left deſtitute of a competent ſubſiſtence, when that abuſe is reformed; nor ought ſuch in his judgement to enjoy more then a juſt competency, much leſs ten times more then better deſerving perſons. All the whole Hierarchy of this Nation (as this Remonſtrant is informed) doth not conſiſt of a much greater number, then thoſe Prophets of whom Jezebel fed four hundred every day from her table; if ſo many of thoſe now in being, ſhall enjoy a plurality of Prebendaries, Parſonages, Vicaridges and Spiritual promotions, as did heretofore: For, ſome had two or three Dignitaries, ſome more; and it the Hexameter of this well known Diſtich be a true memorial of it, one of them had five beſide his Income by Uſury; (For the Pentameter concerned him not.)

Uſury, St. Dunſtans, Pauls, Windſor, Salsbury, Chriſt-Church,

Briſtol, Weſtcheſter, Banbury, Bangor, Aſaph.

p. 48The Impropriations only, formerly belonging to the Prelates, (which are all nigh out of Leaſe) are worth yearly (as this Remonſtrant is credibly informed) an hundred forty and two thouſand pounds. The Parſonages and Vicaridges, which beſide their Cathedral Dignitaries, the Deans, Prebends, Archdeacons, and ſome of the Biſhops had in Commendam, being no Parſonages or Vicaridges of the leaſt value, (if they have pluralities as formerly) may be worth to each individual perſon, between two and three hundred pounds per an. at leaſt, one with another; to which being added the Profits of their Spirtual Functions and Juriſdictions, and their Temporalities now repoſſeſſed with vaſt improvements, will probably amount to above a thouſand pound yearly, for every individual Prelate. And what a barbarous cruelty were it, under colour of a Mock-Piety, to deſtroy many Families, for the ſuperfluous enriching of every one of theſe? To ſtarve a whole Hive of Bees, to feed a ſingle Drone? and peradventure, to the occaſioning of that, which may draw after it a worſe conſequent. For, theſe (as the Remonſtrant believeth) are one kind of thoſe Locuſts which came out of the ſmoak of the Bottomleſs Pit, and were in part driven hence about the end of the laſt hundredth year, as a noyſom peſt. Therefore, this Remonſtrant hopes, that you whom it concerns, will conſider how imprudent an Act it will be thought by unbyaſſed men, in this and future generations, needleſly to hazzard the confuſions, deſpairations, exaſperations, and deſtruction of ſo many thouſands of Families as may be impoveriſhed, to the impoveriſhing of as many thouſands more by their poverty, if the ſale of Cathedral Lands ſhould be made void to the ſaid Purchaſers, for the ſuperfluous enriching of an inconſiderable number of uſeleſs perſons; p. 49and for the pleaſing of a few, whoſe Claim and Intereſt dies with their perſons, to the diſcontent of many whoſe right will never die, but ſtill revive, and continue for ever in their heirs; yea, and to do it contrary to Laws and Preſidents, for confirmation of the like ſales, judged agreeable to Juſtice and Equity, by Princes, Parliaments, and other grave Councils, upon mature deliberation: And it is hoped alſo, if (as report goes) the Prelates intend out of their vaſt Fines and Rents, to raiſe and maintain two Regiments of Horſe in the Kings ſervice, to be continued by his favour in that which they repoſſeſs; it will be perceived, that they would but ſtick him down a feather, in lieu of the Gooſe which they have gotten: For, the Incomes of two of their Cathedral Revenues, will yearly defray that expence, and leave thoſe Proprietors of them, more then ever they heretofore poſſeſſed: And perhaps the King will take notice alſo, that (if it tend not to the beginning of another Prelatical war) it is at beſt offered but to make ſuch a diverſion for the preſent, as antiently ſucceeded, when to prevent the intention that former Parliaments had to take away their large Poſſeſſions for Publick Uſe; they then offered to their Kings a contribution, toward the recovering their right in France, or toward regaining of the Holy-Land, (as they called it) which tended only to their own advantage, though reſpect to them was thereby pretended.

This Remonſtrant could alleadge much more, which is of Publick concernment, both in reference to what is laſt mentioned, and to the Publick-Faith; but, the times will not bear it: much Reaſon, as well as much Learning, would make ſome to grow mad; and it were imprudence to expreſs more then can be born, to the p. 50rendring of that leſs effectual which is expreſſed. He had lived 36. years, when the laſt great Peſtilence broke in, whereof he was a Remembrance to this Nation; and having ſurvived ſince that time 36. years more, hath ſeen enough to give him cauſe to fear, that a worſe infection is beginning; which if GOD's extraordinary mercy prevents it not (by ſhortning thoſe dayes for his Elects ſake) may continue at leaſt 36. years together; even a Spiritual Peſtilence, intermixed with many natural Plagues and Diſtempers: For, ſome have begun to make way for it, by endeavouring how they may divert us, from heeding the True Antichriſt, and to draw this Generation, to look after a new Antichriſt, by ridiculouſly confining him, and the two witneſſes, to perſons, fraternities and places, which neither conſiſt with thoſe Terms, Qualifications, Tranſactions, Powers, civil Death and Reviving, which do manifeſt them, according to what is revealed in GOD's Word; nor with that univerſal Relation which they have to the Catholick Church, and to the overthrow of the enemies thereof; as will appear when that impudence is more evident; and when to ſee her deluſions, and to hate and proſecute the WHORE, GOD ſhall put it into the heart of that King, with whom the tenth part of the myſterious Babylon ſhall fall from her.

As for that ſcare-crow of a pretended Sacriledge, wherewith fools only are affrighted, and with which the Prelates ignorantly (if not impudently) charged as well many preceding Kings, Parliamenes, and perſons of Honour and Integrity, as the late Purchaſers of Cathedral Lands, it will ſhortly appear ſo ridiculous a Bug-bear, that the Publiſhers of that fancy, will be aſhamed (if they have any ſhame) to hope they ſhall be able to perſwade his Majeſty, and this Nation, that p. 51alienating of their Prelatical poſſeſſions from the Church (as they call their Corporations) is the ſin of Sacriledge. For, this Remonſtrant is ſo confident on his part, of the contrary, that if the Prelate who claims that which he hath Purchaſed, will thereupon hazzard but half the value in other lands, and allow him but as competent and wiſe Judges in the Caſe, as the Parliament of England, and the Pope of Rome were in Queen Maries dayes (when the like Sales were queſtioned) the ſaid Remonſtrant, if judgement paſs againſt him, will reſign all that he hath Purchaſed of the ſaid Lands for a farthing: Or if that all the Prelates be able to prove his ſaid Purchaſe Sacriledge; or if he be not able to prove that many Prelates who now or heretofore poſſeſſed ſuch Lands, as aforeſaid, by colour of a divine Right, did not more ſacrilegiouſly get them, enjoy them, and diſpoſe of them, then the late Purchaſers, (to wit) when they alienated them for 99. years, to bribe themſelves into a Deanary or Biſhoprick, or when they conferred them in Fee, or by Leaſe to their Kindred, Minions or Concubines. Much more might be added to evidence theſe things, and to vindicate thoſe from aſperſion, who have bought the ſaid Prelates Lands, or alienated them by Publick Authority; but ſince I had written that which precedes, I had view of a Printed ſheet, compoſed by a learned and judicious Author, and entituled, An Apology for Purchaſers of Lands, late of Biſhops, Deans and Chapters, wherein ſo much is alleadged to juſtifie the alienation of Sales, and Purchaſes of Lands belonging to Eccleſiaſtical perſons, and that eſtates granted by Parliament, as aforeſaid, ought by Reaſon, Law and Preſidents to be made valid: that I might have ſpared this Remonſtrance, if I had not known by long experience, that men who are ſleepy, p. 52(or very buſie in ſerious proſecutions tending to their own profit or pleaſure) will ſeldom heed or hear Reaſon, until awakened by ſome unuſual noiſe.

It appears then by the Premiſes, that the Purchaſers of Lands belonging heretofore to the Prelates, may have a ſatisfactory proportion of the ſaid Lands, and yet leave enough to be an honourable maintenance for Biſhops, regulated according to their Primitive Inſtitution: and that they who had debts ſecured by Ordinances or Orders of Parliament upon the Publick-Faith, and ſuch as Purchaſed the eſtates of the King, Queen, Prince, or of them whoſe eſtates were ſold to pay Publick debts, for adhering to the King, muſt be ſatisfied by ſome other Expedient, to prevent thoſe miſchiefs which may elſe befall to the diſturbance of Common Peace, by diſcontenting the one Party or the other: For indeed, till there be a mutual forgiveneſs, as aforeſaid, and ſuch a contrivement, that every man may poſſeſs his own, we in vain ſhall otherwiſe endeavour, for a ſettled peace.

Now, to compleat the ſatisfaction deſired, there are many hundred thouſand Acres in this Kingdom, in Forreſts, Chaſes, and other waſte grounds, which being divided betwixt Lords and Tenants, reſerving a portion out of their proportions, would amount (with a little contribution out of their eſtates, who have no Intereſt in thoſe Lands, that all might help to bear the burthen) not only ſufficiently to diſcharge all Publick debts aforementioned, and to give a competent allowance to the remaining Purchaſers; but advance ſuch an improvement alſo, in corn, graſs, cattle, wood, and timber, for fireing, building of Ships, and houſes, in time to come, (as proviſion may be made in Parliament) that might yearly feed a million more of people, encreaſe Trade, p. 53ſupply other defects, produce many conveniencies, and prevent not a few miſchiefs: For, that Land which is not worth ſix-pence by the acre yearly, would be improved to five ſhillings per annum, that of five ſhillings to ten, that of ten to twenty, and ſome to much more; and, by that means, likewiſe, one of thoſe previous ſigns of that righteous Government, ſpecified in the Remonſtrants BRITAINS-GENIUS long ſince publiſhed, might perhaps be thereby eminently fulfilled (to wit) that,

—Oxen of the largeſt Northern breed

Should fatted be, where Sheep now ſcarcely feed.

This Expedient would be juſtly offenſive to none (as our caſe now ſtands) but, to men of corrupt principles, and ſuch as neither know nor underſtand the true Intereſt which Publick or private perſons have in ſuch lands; or, who are not willing to loſe thoſe opportunities, which they have by the near ſcituation of their dwellings, to take wholly to their own uſe, what belongs in a larger meaſure to other men, living at a farther diſtance: Or, it may be ſome poor people unlawfully intruding upon thoſe waſtes, having erected Cottages upon them, to the wrong of their neighbours, will complain thereof: But, it will be without juſt cauſe, ſince they may be better provided for by ſuch a diviſion, both for their own and the Publick wellfare, out of thoſe Lands. For, the moſt part of thoſe poor people who have ſo intrenched upon the right of other men, to the impoveriſhing of many Pariſhes, are very wicked and diſſolute perſons, living upon pillfering and ſtealing, or keeping unlicenſed Ale-houſes in blind corners, wherein is more idleneſs, drunkenneſs, and p. 54prophaneneſs, by night and by day, (eſpecially on the Lords day) then can be imagined by thoſe who have not ſeen it. Alſo, a ſmall ſtarvling breed of Jades, and of other unſerviceable and improveable cattle, eats up yearly many large Commons, without any advantage comparatively conſiderable, with that which might be raiſed by their improvement. The making of Barren Lands fruitful is a temporal bleſsing, which may be preparatory for a Spiritual Mercy, and a cure of that Curſe which is impoſed, by making a fruitful Land barren, for the ſins of the people that dwell therein. The Forreſts and Chaſes, (though many have now almoſt forgotten it) were heretofore one of the greateſt Oppreſſions in this Kingdom; and being ſettled, either by Laws, or by Cuſtoms equivalent to Law, may quickly be revived. Beaſts and Beaſtlike men (ſuch as profeſſed Hunters, Falkners and Keepers have been for the moſt part) had well near the ſole benefit of thoſe Forreſts and Chaſes, which were repleniſhed with game. The King received no profit by them, and not much pleaſure for which he paid not yearly, more then it was worth; and his Subjects were ſo miſuſed and tyrannized over by his Officers, that many Gentlemen and others were inforced to forſake their habitations in and about thoſe Forreſts and Chaſes, to prevent undoing, or avoid their unſufferable inſolencies: And it would be a double mercy, if by now ſacrificing them to Juſtice, occaſion of the like tyrannie for the future might be taken away, and the Publick-Faith vindicated from ſcandall and violation, by ſatisfying for the remainder of lands ſold as aforeſaid, & for thoſe debts whereunto this Nation is liable both in Juſtice and Conſcience. And the Remonſtrant humbly prayeth, that by your mediation who are in authority, it may ſpeedily be endeavoured, p. 55unleſs the Wiſdom of this Generation can find out a better Expedient: For, as it was ſaid heretofore, Jerem. 21. v. 12. to the houſe of the King of Judah, ſo, ſaith this Remonſtrant, Hear the Word of the LORD, Oh King and People of England, Thus ſaith the LORD, Execute Judgement in the morning, (that is, aſſoon as the cry of oppreſſion comes to your ears, and power into your hands) and deliver him that is ſpoyled out of the hand of the Oppreſſor, leſt my fury go out like fire, and burn that none can quench it, becauſe of the evil of your doings. Do Juſtice, that you may find Mercy, and do not fruſtrate the prayers of diſtreſſed Suppliants, as did they whom GOD hath made exemplary for their failings; nor let all the fore-warnings of your Remembrancer be ſtill in vain, but give ear Oh regardleſs Generation, to what is timely hereby expreſſed relating to your welfare.

This Remonſtrant, will now add for a Corollary, to what hath been hereby offered to conſideration, two exemplary executions of GOD's Judgements, for Oppreſſion and Injuſtice; and one pattern of righteouſneſs in an Ethnick Prince in times of old, with two or three preſidents out of antiquity, warranting that freedom which he hath aſſumed to expreſs his mind ſo plainly at this time, and then conclude. One of thoſe monitory examples, ſhall be that prodigious Judgement recorded in holy Scripture, to have been executed upon Sodom and Gomorrah, whoſe ſins were Pride, Idleneſs, fulneſs of bread, and not ſtrengthening the hand of the needy, for which God having viſited them with a war, as theſe Nations have been, and delivered them by the hand of Abraham for Lots ſake, whom he providentially ſent to dwell among them, to be both by his counſel and life, a means to bring them to repentance: p. 56They neglecting to improve thoſe mercies, and continuing in their ſins, GOD in a fair Sun-ſhining morning, after they had ſpent the preceding night in proſecuting their abominable Luſts, ſuddenly deſtroyed them by a moſt prodigious ſulphurous fire deſcending from heaven, to be an everlaſting memorial of his wrath againſt obſtinate impenitent ſinners; which is ſo well known, that it needs no further illuſtration. The other ſhall be an example no leſs prodigious, commemorated in Ethnick Hiſtory, which the Author declared in words to this effect.

In the year of Rome, 720. and in the 43. year of the age of Marcus Aurelius, upon the twentieth day of Auguſt, about Sun-ſet, at Palermo a Sea-Port in the Iſle of Sicily, there chanced a thing perilous to them who then ſaw it, and no leſs dreadful to thoſe who heard of it afterward. Whileſt they of Palermo were celebrating a great Feaſt with much joy, for the great ſpoyls which they had taken at Sea from the Numidians, & which the Pirates purpoſed to divide among them, they were partly prevented by the Magiſtrates and partly by the ſaid accident: For, when the people were returned to their houſes, there appeared in the City a dreadful monſter in this form; he ſeemed to be of the length of three cubits, his head was bald, ſo that his skull did appear; he had no ears, but two holes in his neck, whereby it was ſuppoſed, he heard; he had two wreathen horns like a Goat, his right arm was longer then his left, and his hands were like the hoofs of horſes, his ſhoulders and his head were both of one height, his ſhoulders ſhined like the ſcales of a fiſh, his breaſt was hairie, his face in all things like unto a man, ſave that he had but one eye in the midſt of his fore-head, and but one noſtril; From the middle downward, nothing could be ſeen, becauſe he ſate in a Chariot which concealed it; the p. 57Chariot was in faſhion like other Chariots then uſed, and drawn with four beaſts; two Lions before, and two Bears behinde. Within the Chariot ſtood a great Caldron with ears, wherein this monſter ſate: It wandred a great ſpace through the City, from one gate to another, caſting out ſparks of fire; which cauſed ſo great a fear throughout the City, that women with child miſcarried, and ſome died out-right with fear: Men and women, great and ſmall, ran to the Temples of Jupiter, Mars, and Februa, makeing importunate prayers, with ſad cries. At the ſame time the Pirates were in the Governours Palace, whoſe name was Solyno, born at Copua, and in that Palace the ſpoyls being kept, thither the Monſter came, after it had wandred through the City, and cutting off one of the Lyons ears, wrote with the blood thereof, upon the Palace gate, theſe Letters, R. A. S. V. P. I. P. P. Theſe Letters were diverſly interpreted, ſo that the Interpretations were more then the Letters. But in the end, a Propheteſs greatly eſteemed for her ſcience, opened the true meaning of the Letters, ſaying, R. ſignifieth Reddite, A. aliena, S. ſi, V. vultis, P. propria, I. in, P. pace, P. poſſidere, which words altogether, make up this ſenſe, Reddite aliena ſi vultis propria poſſidere in pace Render to other men that which belongs to them, if you will poſſeſs in peace that which is your own. The Pirates were wonderfully afraid of this command, and the woman highly commended for her expoſition (but the injunction was not obeyed.) The Monſter went the ſame night out of the City, unto an high hill named Jamicia, and there continued three dayes within ſight of the City, the Lions and Bears terribly roaring, and the Monſter caſting forth flames; during all which time, there was neither bird ſeen in the air, nor beaſt in the field near that place, and the people offered great ſacrifices to the gods, p. 58yea their own blood, to appeaſe their wrath. Three dayes being paſſed, there appeared in the Element a marvellous dark cloud, ſeeming to darken the whole earth, and then it began to thunder and lighten ſo terribly, that many men died, and divers houſes fell to the ground; and at laſt there came ſuch a flame of fire from the Monſter, that it burnt both the Palace where the Pirates were, and all that was therein, conſuming the very ſtones thereof; yea the tempeſt was ſo great, that there fell above two thouſand houſes, and more then ten thouſand perſons died in the Tempeſt. In that place where the Monſter ſtood upon the ſaid hill, the Emperour built a ſumptuous Temple to Jupiter in memorial thereof, of which Temple Alexander the Emperour made afterward a ſtrong Caſtle. This is taken out of the Epiſtles of Marcus Aurelius the Emperour.

Thus you have an evidence of two witneſſes, one of divine credit, and the other recorded by one of greateſt fame among heathen Philoſophers and Emperours, to ſhew how dangerous it is to neglect Juſtice, and not to render unto every man his own, when God requires it to be done.

Alſo, how honourable it is for Kings and States to do righteous things, and how neceſſary and warrantable it is, both for men oppreſſed, and others thereto conſcientiouſly moved, in ſuch times and caſes as many are in at this preſent, to ſpeak truth plainly and boldly, even to the higheſt Powers on earth, this that follows may illuſtrate. A teſtimonial of the firſt, tending to ſtir up Princes and States to be ambitious of the like glorious vertues, is taken out of an Epiſtle of the ſame Emperour, written to Antigonus.

In the twentieth year of my age, I lay (ſaith he) during the Winter ſeaſon, in the Iſle of Cheten, which p. 59now is called Cyprus, where in former time lived a King, greatly renowned for Clemency and other Heroick vertues, and who lay there buried under four Pillars within a Tomb, whereon was engraven in Greek Letters, without the addition of his name, (which indeed (ſaith my Author) I could not learn from any one) an Epitaph to this effect,

Whileſt, by the permiſſion of the gods, I here lived and reigned, my endeavour was to nouriſh Peace, and prevent Diſcord. I deſired nothing, but what might be vertuouſly obtained, without any vitious practiſes, and what I could acquire by a peaceable means, I never ſought to obtain by war and force; or to procure that by rigour, which might poſſibly be gotten by mildneſs: I never openly reprooved any man, before I had firſt admoniſhed him in ſecret; neither delighted in flatterers, but hated and abhorred lying, both in my ſelf and others: I coveted nothing that was another mans; but, was content with what was juſtly mine own; ſpent not prodigally, nor ſpared nigardly; nor ever deſerted any friend in his Adverſity. I delighted more to forgive, then to revenge; and puniſhed not the greateſt offendors, but with compaſsion, and much ſorrow in mine own heart. Being born of a woman, I was to be ſubject to the condition of mortals, and dying, was laid here, to be meat for worms as other men are; and having endeavoured to live a vertuous life, did willingly reſign my Soveraignty to Death, and my Spirit to the Gods who gave it.

How thinkeſt thou Antigonus? (ſaid the Author) What p. 60an Epitaph was this? How glorious was his life, how eternall deſerves his memory to be? I ſwear unto thee by the Law of a good man, and as the gods may proſper me, I took not ſo much pleaſure in Pompey with his Jeruſalem, in Semeramis with her India, in King Cyrus with his Babylon, in Cajus Caeſar with his Gaules, nor in Scipio with his Africa, as I do with this King of Cyprus in his grave: For more glory bath that King there in that ſharp Mountain being dead, then all theſe, and all thoſe in proud Rome, who are now alive.

Now, out of many approved preſidents juſtifying, by the acceptation they had, the juſt freedom which men oppreſſed may challenge, in plainly and boldly declaring their grievances and oppreſſions to the greateſt Potentates of the world, I have choſen two, the firſt of a Jew, and the other of a German, both which came to Rome, to complain unto the Senate there, on the behalf of themſelves and Country-men, oppreſſed by the Romans. Their ſpeeches being long, I will here Epitomize; and firſt, that of the Jew, ſpoken to the Roman Senate, the third year after Pompey ſacked Jeruſalem, and whileſt Valerius Gracchus governed Judea.

Fathers Conſcript, Your good fortune permitting it, or to ſay better, we for ſaking God, Jeruſalem which was Lady of all the Cities in Aſia, and Mother of all the Hebrews in Paleſtine▪ is now ſervant and tributary to Rome: whereat we Jews need not to marvel, nor ye Romans to be proud thereof; for the higheſt trees are ſooneſt blown down by violent winds. Great were thoſe Armies whereby Pompey vanquiſhed us, but greater have our offences been, for which we were forſaken of GOD. I would have you to hear by words, but rather to know it by experience, that we have a merciful God, who can do p. 61more alone, then all your Gods together, and who ſheweth compaſsion, though among fifty thouſand there be but ten good men: They are our great offences only, which have made you to be Lords over us; and not your Power or Vertues. For, whileſt we agreed in the Unity of Faith in one only God, he proſpered us; and ſo long as the wrath of God is upon us for our ſins, ſo long ſhall you be Lords over us, and no longer. Then ſhall we recover what we have loſt, and ye ſhall loſe what you have won: And as we are now Commanded, ſo ſhall we be then Obeyed; but at preſent, and whileſt we are ſwayed one way, and ye another, neither can you encline me to the worſhip of your Gods, neither ſhall I be able to draw you to believe only in in that one God, the Creator of all things, to whom I refer the diſpoſing of all things. Touching that which I have chiefly to ſay, Know you, that in times paſt, Rome had peace with Judea, and Judea with Rome; and being friends, preſerved each other in peace; but now it is otherwiſe, and whileſt we ſigh for peace, we ſee, you make preparations for war; whereas, if you would expell thoſe who bear us evil will, and we could know and take heed of them who provoke us to rebell, neither ſhould Rome ſo much oppreſs Judea, nor Judea hate Rome. Friendſhip is loſt, not ſo much for the intereſt of the one or other, as by their indiſcretion who pretend to be Mediators; for if they who take upon them that office, be greater enemies then thoſe between whom a war is begun, they do but caſt wood into that fire, which they ſhould quench with water. Since the baniſhment of Archelaus from Judea, in whoſe place you ſent unto us, Pomponius, Marcus, Rufus, and Valerius, we have had four Plagues, the leaſt wherof was ſufficient to poyſon all Rome. What greater calamity could happen unto us, then to have Judges ſent from Rome, who took up all the evil, cuſtoms of wicked men, p. 62and were themſelves Inventors of new Vices? And when they, who ought to puniſh the lightneſs of youth, are the Ringleaders of Levity? It is openly ſaid in Aſia, that the Thieves of Rome, do hang the Thieves of Jewry: and I muſt plainly tell you, we fear not the Thieves which rob us in the woods, ſo much as thoſe Judges who spoyl us in our houſes. We dread not Robbers on the high-way, nor thoſe who make open war upon us, nor the Plague of Peſtilence half ſo much, as your corrupt Judges. To that, which is here heard in the Senate, and not ſeen with us, you give more credit, though reported by one who hath been but three Moneths in the Province, then to that which is reported by many who have governed thirty years. Conſider ye Senators, that if ye were advanced to this dignity becauſe you were the wiſeſt, the moſt honeſt, and moderate among the people, it would appear in your being ſo juſt and vertuous, as not to believe all you hear ſince you have to do with many of divers Nations, whoſe ends and intentions are variable. I speak the truth unto you, your Judges have done ſo much injuſtice, and ſhown ſuch ill examples, that they have taught the youth of Judea, thoſe vices which our Fathers never heard of, nor we ever ſaw or read of before: And ye being mighty, and reputed noble, diſdain to take counſel of men that be poor, as if to know much, and to have little wealth or eſteem, were never found together. As ye have given counſel to us, ſo be pleaſed to take counſel from us, and know, that though your Captains have won many Realms by ſhedding blood, the way to keep them, is by clemency and mildneſs, without bloodſhed; and therefore pray and adviſe your Judges, whom ye ſend to govern ſtrange Provinces, that they be more diligent to preſerve the Common peace, then to employ themſelves in taking Fines and Forfeitures, leſt elſe, they ſlander you who ſend them, and deſtroy thoſe whom they p. 63ſhould govern and protect: for the reaſon, why they are not juſtly obeyed, is, becauſe they command unjuſt things: Righteous impoſitions and juſt commands make men humble and obedient, whereas unrighteous commands, make meek and humble men obſtinate and froward; and the more evil things are commanded, the leſs good things are obeyed, when ſuch perſons enjoyn them. Believe this, Oh ye Romans, that from the levity of thoſe in Authority, ſprings the ſhameleſneſs and diſobedience of the People. The Prince, who impoſeth Government upon thoſe whom he knoweth not to be qualified for ſuch a truſt, intendeth not ſo much that they ſhould do Juſtice to his People, as that they ſhould increaſe his treaſure and ſerve his luſts; but let him be well aſſured, that when he leaſt thinketh of it, his honour and credit will be turned into infamy, his treaſure conſumed, and ſome notable vengeance fall upon him or his poſterity. I having other matters to ſpeak of in ſecret, will here conclude, with this advice, that ye keep us and our Countrey in ſafety; (for which you have hazzarded your ſelves) and that ye do Juſtice impartially, for then we ſhall reverence your commands. Be mercifull, and we ſhall be meek; be not cruel in puniſhing our weakneſs, and we ſhall willingly obey your juſt commands; Command not with proud ſeverity, and you ſhall find in us the Love which Fathers may expect from children, and not that treaſon, which oppreſſive Lords uſually find in their ſervants.

Theſe words, though bold and ſharp, were (as the Author ſaith) heard with admiration and approbation of all the Roman Senate.

The other ſpeech which I will here make uſe of, was reported by Marcus Aurelius to have been ſpoken in the Senate of Rome, in the firſt year of his Conſulſhip, by a poor Countrey-man, living near the River Danubius, p. 64who came to ask Juſtice of the ſaid Senate, againſt a Cenſor who ſorely oppreſſed the Germans: This Ruſtick was in outward appearance, in ſome reſpects, more contemptible then this Remonſtrant: For, he is deſcribed to have been a man who had a ſmall face, great lips, hollow eyes, of a Sun-burnt complexion, having curled hair on his head, and a long thick beard; his rayment and coat was of beaſts skins, his ſhooes of Porcupine-leather, his girdle of Bull-ruſhes, his head bare, and a club in his hand: In this equippage he entred the Senate, whereon though many perſons were there attending to have their affairs diſpatched, this poor man was admitted before all others, and ſpake in this manner.

Oh Fathers conſcript, I Mileno a Plow-man, dwelling near the River Danubius, ſalute you worthy Senators of Rome, beſeeching the immortal Gods ſo to govern my tongue this day, that I may speak that which may be for the welfare of my Countrey, and encline you to do that which may be for the Publick honour of this Empire, for without the help of GOD, we can neither obtain that which is good, nor avoid what is evil. By divine permiſſion, and our wrathful GOD's forſaking us, ſuch was our evil, and your good hap, that your proud Captains of Rome, took our Countrey of Germany by force of Arms; of which ye had been prevented, if we had timely appeaſed the wrath of God. Great is the glory you have atchieved by your Conqueſts; but greater will be your Infamy, by the Cruelties which you have committed: For you ſhall know, (if you know it not) that when the wicked Victors went before the triumphant Chariots crying, Live, Live, invincible Rome; the poor Captives walked after, ſaying in their hearts, Juſtice, Juſtice. Give me leave to speak plainly, your covetouſneſs, Oh ye Romans, in taking p. 65away other mens goods, hath been ſo extream, and your commands in ſtrange Countries have been ſo extravagant, that neither the depths of the Seas can ſuffice you, nor the wideneſs of the earth ſecure us; and there is no other conſolation left us in our troubles, but our hope that the Gods who are juſt, will execute Juſtice on thoſe who are unjuſt; which aſſurance being wanting, we ſhould with our own hands deſtroy our ſelves, to avoid the inhumanity of our enemies: But, I hope in the juſt Gods, that you, who without juſt cauſe, have caſt us out of our houſes and poſſeſſions, ſhall by them be caſt out, both of Italy and Rome. In my Country, we take it for an infallible Rule, That he who taketh from another man his right, ought in reaſon to loſe his own; and I truſt, that what we have for a Proverb in Germany, you ſhall have here by experience. By my blunt language, and by the homely apparrel that I wear, you may well imagine me ſome rude and barbarous Groom: Yet, I want not reaſon to know who is righteous in keeping his own, and who a tyrant in poſſeſsing what is another mans: For though we plain Country-men cannot ſpeak eloquently, we are not ignorant of the difference between good and evil, or that the Gods will take away in one hour, what Tyrants have been gathering many dayes, and reſtore in one minute, that which good men have loſt many years. Believe me, Ob Romans, Goods unlawfully gotten by the Fathers, are the undoing of their Children; and it is impoſsible, that a wiſe man ſhould find any contentment, in that which is gained unlawfully, and with an ill conſcience. I wonder how he that keepeth another mans goods, can ſleep or reſt one hour, knowing he hath done injury to the Gods, ſcandalized his neighbour, pleaſed his enemies, loſt his friends, and put his perſon in peril, by endamaging thoſe whom he hath robbed. He that taketh away my goods unjuſtly, will the ſame day take away p. 66my life if he can. I ſay and affirm (not caring whether he be Greek, Barbarian, Roman, preſent or abſent, who ſhall be offended thereat) that he is and ſhall be accurſed of the Gods, and hated of men; who will turn a good fame to an infamy, Juſtice into Wrong, Rule into Tyrannie, Truth into Lyes, certainties into things doubtful, and deſtory his own happineſs, by depriving other men of their contentment. You Romans are naturally proud, and your pride blinds you, or elſe you would perceive, that being Lords of great Provinces, you are ſlaves to your own Riches; and that they both deprive you of your honour, contentment and reſt. Hearken to what I ſhall ſay, and I beſeech the Gods to make you ſo underſtand it, that I loſe not my labour. I hear all the world exclaim againſt Pride, and yet none embrace Humility; every man condemns Adultery, yet I ſee few who live Chaſtly; moſt men curſe Exceſs, yet I perceive not any who is Temprate; all men praiſe Patience, yet none will patiently ſuffer; They blame ſloth, yet ſpend their time in idleneſs; All exclaim againſt Avarice, nevertheleſs every one robbeth his neighbour; and I ſpeak it here openly in the Senate, not without grief, every mans tongue extolleth Vertue, yet they enſlave all their members to Vice; and this I object not againſt thoſe Romans which are in Iliria alone, but againſt thoſe alſo which I ſee here in this Senate. In your Houſes, and about your Arms, you have this Motto, Romanorum eſt debellare ſuperbos, & parcere ſubjectis; but, you might more truly have written, Romanorum eſt ſpoliare Innocentes, & reddere ſubjectos.

What juſt occaſion brought you from the banks of Tiber, to invade us who lived peaceably nigh the River of Danuby? Were we friends to your foes, or enemies to you? Did we go to conquer other Counrites, or were diſobedient p. 67to our own Lords? Did we either deſpiſe your friendſhip, or defy you as Adverſaries? Did any of our deceaſed Princes bequeath our Lands unto you as their heirs, thereby entituling you to a rightful claiming us for your ſubjects? Have we deſtroyed your Armies, waſted your Fields, ſpoyled your People, or done any outrage or injury, which might provoke you to revenge? Of a truth, none of theſe, or of any ſuch occurences have happened, as uſually give occaſion of controverſies betwixt neighbours; but meer Covetouſneſs and Ambition were ſole cauſes of your intruſions: For, in Germany, we felt your Tyrannie, as ſoon as we heard of your Fame. If you be offended with what I have ſaid; be pleaſed with what I will ſay; which is this, that the Name of Romans, and the Cruelties of Tyrants, arrived together in one day upon our People. They who have much, do oppreſs them who have little; Covetouſneſs produceth Malice, and Malice makes way to open Robbery. I conjure you Romans, by the immortal Gods, to heed what I ſay, and conſider what you have done: For either the words of the Gods are not true, or elſe men with their oppreſſions, and the world, muſt come to an end: Fortune muſt fix a Pin in her wheel, or elſe that which you have gotten in eight years, will poſsibly be loſt in eight dayes; ſince nothing is more juſt, then that the Gods ſhould make you ſlaves, who have made your ſelves Tyrants. Do not think, though you have ſubdued Germany, and are Lords thereof, that it was by your warlike proweſs: For, you are no more warlike, nor more couragious, nor more able to endure hardſhip, then we Germans: But, we, as is aforeſaid, provoked the Gods to wrath, and they to puniſh our ſins, have ordained that you ſhould be a ſcourge to our perſons. You are not ſo ſtrong, nor we ſo weak, that you had enjoyed the ſpoyl of our Country, if the Gods had favoured us as much as they p. 68did you: Therefore you obtained not the Victories by the weapons which you brought from Rome, but by the Vices you found in Germany: We were not over-run for being cowards, but for being wicked; and when your Vices are at full, and the Gods as angry with you, as they are now with us, things will ſucceed better on our behalf. Think not to be the more proſperous or victorious by your great Armies or vaſt Treaſures, or for that you have more potent Gods to aſsiſt you, or becauſe you build greater Temples, or offer larger Sacrifices: For know, if you know it not, that none are more favoured of the Gods, then they who execute Juſtice and ſhew Mercy. The triumphs of Conquerours are not atchieved by politick Generals, experienced Captains, valiant Souldiers, and numerous Armies: For we have found by experience, that with all theſe concurring, they can but begin a battle, and that then, the Gods themſelves diſpoſe of the Victory: And if I am not deceived, the wrath of the Gods towards us, is ſo much appeaſed ſince our ſufferings, and ſo incenſed againſt you for your cruelties to us, and your unthankfulneſs to them; that, you who now eſteem us to be your ſlaves, may poſsibly hereafter acknowledge us to be your Lords.

In my travails hither, I have ſeen high Mountains, large Provinces, ſeveral Nations, and barbarous People; and finding Rome to be ſo many miles diſtant from Germany, I wonder what fond toy came into your heads, to ſend to conquer it. If it were for deſire of Treaſure, I believe, ye ſpent more in ſubduing it, then the Revenue of all our Country will amount to in many years, and yet may perhaps alſo loſe it, before you re-imburſe what it coſt. If it were glory, that you aimed at, great is your vanity; for, little honour is it to have Forts and Towns, where you have not the hearts of the People. If you did it to enlarge p. 69your bounds; it became neither wiſe nor valiant men, to enlarge their dominions, and diminiſh their honour. If you ſay, it was done, that we ſhould not be barbarous, but civilized according to your mode, I ſhould be therewith well contented: But, how can you give good Laws to ſtrangers, who neglect and break the beſt Laws made by your own Predeceſſors? With what credit can they correct others, who deſerve as much correction? How can the blind lead the Lame? Why ſhould the proud Romans ſubdue the innocent Germans? And ſince every man is ſo corrupt, and ſo alienated from the love of God and Goodneſs, that each taketh what he can, and killeth whom he liſteth, what remedy is like to ſucceed, when neither they who govern will endeavour it, nor they who are oppreſſed dare complain? Rulers are ſo hard to be entreated, and ſo little regard poor mens grievances, that it is not more grievous to endure their oppreſsions at home, then to come and exhibit their complaints here; becauſe, in their own Country, they have but one Perſecutor, and in this place very many; they being rich, and the Complainants poor. Rome, if ſhe be the Miſtreſs of Germany, ought in equity to preſerve us in peace by her Juſtice; Whereas they who go from hence thither, deſpoyl us of our eſtates there, and they who are here, rob us of our Good name, ſaying, we are a People without laws, without Reaſon, without a King, and may as Barbarians be made your ſlaves: But, in theſe ſlanders you are injurious, ſince we being as we are, and as the Gods created us, remain peaceably in our own Countries, without deſiring to invade others, might more juſtly and rationally ſay, that you are men without Law or Reaſon, in that not being contented with the ſweetneſs and fertility of Italy, you ſeek to conquer all the world by bloodſhed. If you ſay, we deſerve to be ſlaves, becauſe we have no Prince to command us, nor Senate to govern p. 70us, nor Army to defend us; I thereto anſwer, that having no Enemies, we need no Armies; that, being contented with our Lots, we wanted not a proud Senate to govern us; and being all equals, had no neceſſity to be ſubjected to the humours of a Prince, whoſe office duly executed, being to ſuppreſs Tyrants, and maintain the People in Peace, we wanted not a perſon to be kept among us to either of theſe ends; and, if you therefore ſay, we have in our Country no Common-wealth nor Politie, but live as brute beaſts in the Mountains; therein alſo you ſlander as: For, in our Country, we ſuffer no Liers, nor Rebels, nor Thieves, nor ſeditious perſons, nor men who bring us fantaſtical apparrel, or ſtrange Cuſtoms from other Clymates: But, are modeſt in our Rayment, temperate in our meats and feeding, and needed no better behaviour then our own. Though we have not the Merchandizes of Carthage, nor Oyls of Mauritania, nor wares of Tire, nor ſteel of Calabria, nor Odours of Aſia, nor the Gold of Spain, nor the ſilver of Britan, Amber of Sydonia, ſilk of Damaſcus, corn of Sicilia, wine of Candy, or purple of Arabia: Yet, we have a Common-wealth, and are not brutiſh: For, theſe, and ſuch like things, yield more provocations to vice, then helps toward a vertuous life. Bleſſed is that Common-wealth and Nation, not where riches abound, but where Vertues are commanded, practiſed, and improved; not where light, proud, and froward perſons inhabit and domineer, but where ſober, ſerious, prudent, and meek men reſide; and therefore you may have cauſe to envy our Poverty, and we to pity your condition in being Rich. Would God, you were as well contented with your wealth, as we could have been with our Poverty before your invaſions; for then you had not robbed our Country, nor had we been forced hither to complain, where our tears and complaints are not ſo much regarded, as to effect a diminiſhment p. 71either of your pleaſures, or of our grievances.

You may think perhaps, I have no more to ſay; but it is not ſo; there yet remains that to be spoken, which may aſtoniſh you; and I will not be afraid to ſpeak it, though you have not been aſhamed to do it; for, open offences, merit not ſecret reproofs. I marvail, Romans, what ye mean, to ſend over unto us ſuch ignorant Governours, who (I ſwear by the immortal Gods) neither ſeem to know your Laws, nor to underſtand ours! Ye ſend not thoſe who are beſt able to defend us by executing Juſtice, but, thoſe who are beſt befriended in Rome; as perhaps, you give to thoſe of the Senate the office of Cenſors, more for favour or importunity, then for deſert. I can ſay little here, in reſpect of what they do with us. What you authorize them to do, I know not, but what they do, is too well known unto me. All bribes that are brought unto them, they take openly, and ſhare and poll us all in ſecret, to the utmoſt of their power. They puniſh the faults of poor men, and connive at rich mens tranſgreſsions, that they may take occaſion and encouragement to commit greater; and whereas they ſhould uſe means to diminiſh reproach and ſlanders, they encreaſe them. To demand Juſtice without a bribe, is the certain courſe not to obtain it. Will your Tyrannie and Avarice never have an end? Though you wrong us in words, oppreſs us not alſo in deeds. Our bodies are able to bear thoſe irons with which you load us; but the Tributes and Taxes which you impoſe, are greater then we can ſuſtain. If nothing will content you, but all that we have in Germany, go thither and take it, for we affect not, as you do, to live poorly, that we may die rich, and to deprive our ſelves of contentment during life, that others may ſquander away our ſuperfluities when we are dead. If our ſervice content you not, ſtrike off our heads: for your ſwords are not ſo dreadful to our eyes, as your p. 72tyrannies are abominable to our hearts. Do ye know, Oh Romans, what you have done? if not, I will tell you: Verily, you have cauſed many of us to ſwear, that we will forbear to cohabit with our wives, and ſlay our children as ſoon as born, rather then leave them in the hands of ſuch wicked and inhumane Tyrants as ye are: Yea, we determine as deſperate men, to reſiſt the natural motions of the fleſh all our life time, rather then get our wives with child: thinking it better to reſtrain our luſting twenty or thirty years, then to leave our poſterity to be your perpetual ſlaves. But, to what end is this complaining? Perhaps you will ſometimes hear us, as now you hear me; but when you have heard us, you will be ſtill ſlow in relieving. I will tell you ſome of thoſe things which I have obſerved, that you may reform them. If a poor man come to complain and demand Juſtice, if he hath no money to give, nor Wine or Oyl to promiſe, nor a Revenue to maintain his expences nor Friends to mediate for him; then after he hath declared his grievances; you, for awhile, give him fair words, ſeem to pity his ſufferings, and promiſe him ſpeedy relief. But in the mean time make him totally ſpend that little which he had, and waſt the beſt part of his life in vain hopes and tedious proſecutions, without any effect at all to his profit: Yea, on the contrary, they who at firſt promiſed him favours, do at laſt joyn hands with his oppreſſors, and quite undo him. Moſt ſay in the beginning, his cauſe is good, yet though upon his tryal they find it ſo proved, they give ſentence againſt him at the laſt; ſo that he who came at firſt hither to complain againſt one, returns home complaining againſt many, yea againſt all, and crying out to the immortal Gods for vengeance.

I will declare unto you my life, Oh Romans, that ye may underſtand, how we now live and ſubſiſt in my Country: I get my livelihood by gathering Acorns in the p. 73Winter, by Fruits in the Summer, and reaping Corn: Sometimes I fiſh, both for pleaſure, and to ſupply neceſſaries, ſpending moſt part of my time alone in Woods, Fields and Mountains, becauſe I would not behold the outrages which are perpetrated by your Officers in our Country; whoſe oppreſſions, if I could fully declare them, would appear ſo many and ſo hainous, that either they would be deprived of their Employments, or my puniſhment would certainly enſue. But what good ſucceſs can I hope for? When I conſider the things which I have ſeen within theſe fifteen dayes now paſſed away ſince my arrival in Rome; where ſuch things have been committed, that if they had been done in Germany, the Gallows and Gibbets had worthily hung as thick with malefactors, as Vines with cluſters of Grapes? For, I have obſerved, (beſide other things obſervable) ſuch immodeſty in apparrel, ſuch intemperance in your feeding, and ſuch diſorder in your lives and affairs, that having beheld as much as I deſired: and my heart being at reſt, by ſpitting out that poyſon which was in it, I am ready to make recompence for it with my head, if I have offended, &c.

This, and ſomewhat more, which for brevity ſake I omitted, was ſpoken in this bold manner, by a perſon as contemptible as this Remonſtrant (to a greater and a more abſolute Power then we live under) on the behalf of himſelf and Country-men, who were thereby oppreſſed, and, who, though reputed the greateſt Tyrants of the world, were not ſo Tyrannous, as to be enraged by his upbraidings & bold expreſſions, whom oppreſſion had exaſperated: For, we find it atteſted by that famous Emperour, who occaſionally related this Speech, that it was highly approved, both by the whole Senate and by him, as well becoming the Speaker, in ſuch a caſe; yea, notwithſtanding the tartneſs thereof. His teſtimoniall p. 74after he had ſaid much in praiſe of this Oration, to thoſe unto whom he declared it, was delivered in words to this effect: By the faith of a good man (ſaid he) I ſaw this German ſtand boldly on his feet, and undiſmayed a whole hour, whileſt all we in the Senate ſate beholding the earth with ſhame, not able to anſwer him one word; becauſe indeed he had aſtoniſhed us, to ſee the little regard he had of his life. But, the Senate agreed altogether, (ſaid he) the next day to ſend new Governours and Judges into Germany; commanded him to deliver unto us in writing all that he had ſaid, to be regiſtred among the good ſayings of ſtrangers; made him a Free-man of Rome; choſe him to be a Senator, and appointed him a maintenance out of the common Treaſury. By this, it appears, that there is a way, whereby a prudent Senate, or Supream Authority, may advance their honour, if they pleaſe, by hearing with patience and good acceptation, thoſe bold and free ſpeakings, tending to the execution of Juſtice, which Fools miſ-interpret as ſcandalous, and tending to their diſhonour or diſadvantage. And the Remonſtrant hath made uſe of theſe Ethnick precedents and teſtimonies, that they who profeſs Chriſtianity, may be the more aſhamed, to hear that Heathens and meer natural men ſhould ſurpaſs them in generouſneſs, in zeal to Juſtice, and in compaſſionately permitting grieved Supplicants boldly, plainly and openly, to ſignifie their grievances, and particularize their Oppreſſors, if need be, not only without blame, but alſo, with Approbation, Remedy and Reward.

Here, this Remonſtrant, purpoſed to conclude: But, as many times, he knows neither when he ſhall begin to write, nor what he ſhall write untill he hath begun: So, be knows not ſometimes when he ſhall make an end, untill p. 75he hath done. Whileſt he was tranſcribing what is laſt added, Providence offered to his view an Epiſtle written by Marcus Aurelius, then Cenſor, to his friend Catullus, concerning the news which was at that time in Rome: Which comprehendeth ſo many particulars pertinent to our conſideration at this preſent, & which have ſuch reſemblances to occurrences in this our generation, that he could not omit it: Therefore, it is here epitomized in theſe words, preſerving the true genuine ſenſe of that Epiſtle.

Marcus the new Cenſor, to Catullus now aged, ſendeth greeting. Ten dayes paſt I received thy Letter in the Temple of Janus, whom I take to witneſs, that I had rather have ſeen thy perſon. Thou deſireſt my Letters may be long, but ſhortneſs of time, compells me to make them ſhorter then I would. To anſwer thy expectation of knowing what news is now here, I ſhall not be ſo able as I could have been, if thou hadſt deſired to be informed, Whether any thing that was good and old, is yet remaining here amongst us in Rome or Italy: For, by our evil deſtiny, all that was good and old is ended, and new things which are evil, do now begin to abound. The Emperour, the Conſuls, the Tribunes, the Senators, the Aediles, the Flamins, the Praetors, the Centurions, and almoſt all things are new ſave the Vertues, which are grown obſolet. We paſs the time in making new Officers, in deviſing new Projects and Counſels, in raiſing new Taxes, with ſuch like; and there have been more novelties within four years, then in four hundred heretofore. We now aſſemble three hundred to counſel in the Capitol, and there we brag and boaſt, ſwear and promiſe, that we will extoll the Vertuous, ſubdue the Vitious, favour the Right, not wink at wrongs, puniſh the evil, reward the good, repair the old, edifie new, pluck Vices up by the roots, plant Vertues, p. 76follow that which is good, reprove Tyrants, and relieve the poor and oppreſſed: But, when we are gone from thence, they who ſpeak the beſt words, commit the worſt deeds. The Senators paſs away their time in ſaying, We will do, We will do; but, every man ſeeks his own profit, and forgets both private mens injuries, and the Weal-Publick. I often hear in the Senate, much eloquence in words, fair ſhews of zeal to Juſtice, and much ſpoken by many in juſtification of themſelves; and when I come abroad, am aſhamed to ſee their evil works, with their cruel extortions, and find it to be very frequent for them who commit the greateſt crimes, to be moſt ſevere in giving ſentence againſt others for the ſame offences. We behold our own faults in mirrours which make them ſeem leſs, and other mens in multiplying-glaſſes, making them appear greater. Oh! how many have I ſeen condemned by the Senate for one fault committed but once in all their life-time, when they themſelves commit the ſame fault, or worſe, every hour! I read, that in the time of Alexander the great, there was a famous Pirate called Dionides, who robbing all Ships he could meet withall, Alexander ſet forth a great Navy to apprehend him, which having taken him, and preſented him to Alexander, that King ſaid unto him, Why Dionides, doſt thou ſpoyl ſo on the Seas, that no Ship can ſale in ſafety for thee? The Pirate anſwered, If I ſpoyl by Sea, why doſt thou ſpoyl both by Sea and Land? Oh Alexander, becauſe I fight with one ſingle Ship at Sea, I am called a Pirate, and becauſe thou robbeſt with two hundred Ships at Sea, and troubleſt all the world with two hundred thouſand men by Land, thou art called an Emperour. I ſwear unto thee Alexander, if the Gods were ſo favourable to me, as they are to thee, and ſo adverſe to thee, as now they are to me, and would give me thine Empire, and beſtow on p. 77thee my little Ship, peradventure I ſhould be a better Emperour then thou art, and thou wouldſt be a worſe Pirate then I. This bold ſpeech pleaſed Alexander ſo well, that he made him General of a great Army; and he became more vertuous by Land, then he was vicious by Sea. Now, in Italy, they who rob openly, are called LORDS, and they who rob privately, are called Thieves.

I read in the Annals of Livy, that there came an Embaſſador from Spain to Rome, to treat of a Peace with the Romans, which Embaſſador proved before the Senate, that he had been robbed ten times of his goods, whileſt he was at Rome, and that he had ſeen one of thoſe who robbed him, hang another who defended him; and that ſeeing ſo wicked a deed, he took a coal, and wrote upon the Gibbet theſe words. Oh Gibbet, thou art planted among thieves, art made by thieves, and hanged full of innocents. The whole hiſtory wherein theſe words are found, was written with black ink, and theſe words in Vermilion Letters.

I cannot tell what other news to ſend thee; but every thing here is ſo new and tender, and joyned with ſuch ill Cement, that I fear all will ſhortly fall ſuddenly in pieces. Some, are ſo haſtily and ſo highly promoted, that I dare aſſure thee rather of their Fall, then of their lives and firm ſtanding. We have already ſeen many, at whoſe riſing we wondered, and as much marvelled at their ſudden fall. We have ſeen Cincius Fulvius, in one year made Conſul, his children Tribunes, his wife Matron to the Virgins, as alſo Keepreſs of the Capitol, and after that, not in one year, but the ſame day, ſaw Cincius beheaded in the place, his children drowned in Tiber, his wife baniſhed, his houſe raſed to the ground, and all his goods confiſcate to the Common Treaſury; and this rigorous example we p. 78have not read of in a Book, but ſeen with our eyes, that we might the better mind it. Sith I have begun, and thou art in a ſtrange Country, I will write all the news which is here. This year, the 25. of May, an Embaſſador came out of Aſia, who conſidering it would be dangerous ſayling home in Winter; and ſeeing after long ſtay his buſineſs was not diſpatched, (being a man of a good courage, and zealous of his Countries affairs) coming one day to the Senate, and ſeeing the Senators enter the Capitol unarmed, as the cuſtom is, laying aſide their Arms, he spake thus, in preſence of all the Senators. FATHERS CONSCRIPT, I am come to Rome from a far Country, & have found Rome without Rome. The fame of the place brought me not hither, but the renown of them who govern it. I came not to ſee that Exchequer wherein the wealth of all Realms is treaſured up, but the Sacred Senate, out of which ſhould iſſue counſel for all men: I came not to ſee you, becauſe you were Conquerors of other Nations, but, becauſe I thought you were more vertuous then all other. But, I dare ſay, except the Gods have made me blind, or taken away my underſtanding, either you are not Romans of Rome, or this is not Rome of the Romans your predeceſſors. We have heard that the Kingdoms conquered by their valour, were conſerved by the wiſdom of this Senate; but methinks you are more likely to loſe, then to keep what your Fathers got; For their exerciſe was in realities, and you conſume your time in complements and vain ceremonies: I have almoſt killed my ſelf with laughing at you, to ſee with what punctualities you leave off thoſe Arms at the Senate gate, with which your Anceſtors defended the Empire. What profit is it to your Suppliants, that you lay off thoſe Arms which may hurt one, and put on thoſe which deſtroy p. 79all the world? What avails it us, that you enter the Senate without ſword or dagger, whileſt you are armed with malice in your hearts? Know, ye Romans, we dread you not, as armed Captains, but, as malitious Senators; we fear not your ſwords and d…ggers, but your hearts and tongues. It were leſs injury, if going armed into the Senate, you took away our lives, then to ſuffer Innocents to be deſtroyed, by not diſpatching their affairs. I neither underſtand what ye intend, nor can ſuffer with patience what I ſee you do. In my Country we diſarm Fools: Now, whether your Arms be taken from you as Fools or Mad-men, I know not: If it be done becauſe ye are Fools; ſurely it is not the Law of the Gods, that three hundred Fools ſhould govern three hundred thouſand wiſe men. I have tarried here for my anſwer a long ſeaſon, and by your delayes, I am further from a diſpatch, then I was the firſt day. We bring you hither, Hony, Oyl, Saffron, Wood, Salt, Silver, and you ſend us away to ſeek Juſtice elſewhere. You have one Law whereby to gather your Tributes, and another whereby to determine Juſtice: For, we muſt pay our Tributes in one day, but you will not diſcharge our Arrands in a whole year. Either take away our lives, that our buſineſſes may have an end, or hear our complaints, that we may live to ſerve you. If you think my words extravagant, and find them offenſive, ſo you will do Juſtice to my Country, take my life; and ſo I make an end.

Theſe were his words, Catullus, which I got in writing, and may now ſay, that the ſame boldneſs and high ſpirit, which Romans exerciſed heretofore in other Countries, Strangers now dare to expreſs in Rome. For this Speech ſome would have had him puniſhed; but God forbid that any man ſhould ſuffer for ſaying Truth in my preſence; p. 80ſeeing that is more then enough which men ſuffer, though we then perſecute them not, when they boldly inform us of their grievances. The ſheep cannot be preſerved from wolves, if the Shepherds dogs bark not; and there is no Law of Gods or mans which awardeth puniſhment for Liars, that will permit any one ſhould be puniſhed for ſpeaking Truth: Yet now, men are chaſtiſed more for murmuring againſt one Senator, then for blaſpheming all the Gods at once. We need not ſeek to the Gods in our Temples: For, the Senators take upon them to be Gods; but there is great difference betwixt them: For, the Gods do nothing that is evil, and the Senators nothing that is good: The Gods never lie, and the Senators never speak truth: The Gods pardon often, and they never forgive: The Gods are content to be honoured five times in a year, and the Senators would be honoured ten times in a day: The Gods are conſtant in every thing, and fail in nothing, the Senators are ſtedfaſt in nothing, and fail in all things; and when they intend not to amend their faults, they cannot endure their Suppliants ſhould inform them of the Truth. But, be it as it may be; this I am ſure of, that it is impoſſible for them to be juſt, or ſincerely to apply themſelves to any vertue, who withdraw their ears from liſtning to the Truth: And no mortal man, be he Orator, or Conſul, or Cenſor, or Emperour, how well ſoever he takes heed to his wayes, and orders his deſires, but he ſhall other while have need of ſome Reproof and Counſel.

Now I have written concerning others, I will inform thee of ſomewhat concerning my ſelf, becauſe thou deſireſt it. Know that in the Kalends of January, I was made Cenſor in the Senate, which I neither deſired nor deſerve. No wiſe man will ſpontaneouſly take upon himſelf the burthen and charge of looking to other mens affairs; for it is an hard task to pleaſe every man in ſuch an office; and p. 81he who undertakes it, muſt often make ſhew in countenance, of that which is not in his heart. Good men only ought to be put into office, and in the eighth Table of our antient Laws, it is enjoyned, That charge of Juſtice be never given to him who ſeeks or deſires it, but that men be choſen to ſuch places with great deliberation, becauſe few men are ſo vertuous and loving to their Country, as to take offices upon themſelves, ſo much for the benefit of other men, as for their own utility. Unhappy is Rome, if I be one of thoſe who beſt deſerveth ſuch an office. I had no need of it, but accepted thereof to fulfill the command of Antonius my Grandfather, and to be obedient to the Senate, who had thereto elected me of their own accord, &c.

This Remonſtrant leaves it to your grave wiſdoms, who are in Authoriry, and to all other prudent Readers, to make that Uſe and Application of theſe preceding Fragments of Antiquity, as they ſhall find cauſe; and to conſider whether theſe be not Exemplary Precedents, which may excuſe at leaſt (if not juſtifie) thoſe plain and free expreſſions, which both his private neceſſities, and the conſtitution of Publick Affairs do require at this preſent, in relation to the Common Peace, to the preſervation of Publick Honour, and to himſelf. Howſoever, he will now conclude, adding only an humble Prayer to all you who are in Power, and one reaſonable requeſt to them, on whoſe behalf he was chiefly induced and emboldened, to draw up this Pleading. His Prayer to you in Authority, is, that by your mediation and endeavours in your ſeveral capacities, means may be proſecuted, whereby, to the honour of GOD, thoſe Covenants, Contracts and Securities, made and granted by this Nations Repreſentative, may be preſerved without infringement, according to the Tenour of his Divine Law; That the Honour and Priviledges of the Humane p. 82Nature, may be duely tendred, by acting according to the Law of Reaſon; and that the credit of the Engliſh Nation may be kept from being violated and diſparaged, by making good what their elected Repreſentative engaged to perform, either in Specie, or, by a Recompence nobly and generouſly vouchſafed; and not by that irrational way of Diſcount, which is by ſome propoſed: For it is not only impoſſible, after ſo many years, and ſo many tranſactions, of which no memorials were kept, in expectation of a future accompt; but it will be very injurious alſo, unleſs the ſaid Purchaſers and Lenders may be allowed to demand and receive ſatisfaction upon Account and Diſcount, for all their loſſes, their hindrances by expences in time, and their ſuits, ſolicitations, and forbearances occaſioned (without their default) by thoſe engagements which neceſſitated them to be Purchaſers or Lenders; as alſo, for all improvements, by them made at their proper coſt, together with the charges of proſecuting a Compoſition before the Commiſsioners lately authoriſed to mediate the ſame; and for dammages ſuſtained by Intereſt of money, and loſs of the profits of thoſe Lands, which are intruded upon, and left unoccupied the mean while. Theſe particulars being omitted, it will be as unconſcionable a Propoſition, as it would be to Merchant-Adventurers, (who muſt ballance their loſſes at one time, with what they gain at another) to compell them to make ſale of their Wares, brought home at their laſt Voyage, according to the Disburſments only at that Return, without any reſpect had, to what they loſt formerly, or may poſſibly loſe hereafter. Nay, it is far more unconſcionable, in regard that whereas Merchants do uſually gain ſufficiently, at one time or other, to make them both ſavers and gainers, toward p. 83the advance of their eſtates; many of the ſaid Purchaſers and Lenders, have been by caſualities, by having that which was due unto them detained many years, and otherwiſe by groſs injuſtice, very great loſers, (without their own default) in every Purchaſe, Loan and Contract, made to and with them, who were intruſted with Publick Concernments, and exerciſed the Supream Power, without contradiction; and whereto, being conſcientiouſly obedient, they ought in equity to have their obedience rewarded, as it was ſaid, their Piety and Charity ſhould be, who adminiſtred to his neceſſities as a Diſciple of Chriſts, who came in the name of his Diſciple, though peradventure he was an Impoſtor. And it is more then probable, that many of the ſaid Purchaſers and Lenders, if they have gotten ought, or been ſavers by the ſaid Parliaments Grants in one particular, have loſt more then the whole Intereſt and Principal of their Disburſments in the reſt of their Contracts, Expences and Debts, pretended to have been ſecured unto them by the ſaid Parliament, as it hath happened unto this Remonſtrant in his own particular.

His ſingle requeſt, before-mentioned, to his Fellow-Purchaſers and Lenders, ſhall be but this, that, they would be more juſt and reſpective unto him, then ſome of them have been (as he hears) in their Cenſures paſſed upon this Remonſtrance, when it was peruſed in private: For, though it were voluntarily by him compoſed, with as much regard unto their good, as unto his own oppreſſive ſufferings, without putting them to any coſt or pains, (though alſo, none or few of them had more juſt cauſe to complain; though he is more certain of the reality of his own oppreſſions, then of all theirs, and though the Common Grievances may p. 84thereby be more illuſtrated, then by many of their ſufferings.) They, nevertheleſs, not conſidering (as uſually they do in their own caſes) that Egomet mihi proximus, do grudge this Remonſtrant the mentioning his perſonal wrongs; and (as if they who ſuffered moſt, had leaſt right to complain) miſconſter his inſiſting upon his own Oppreſſions, as not comely in their judgement, or elſe, as likely to make his Arguments the leſs effectual on their behalf; which want of Prudence, Juſtice and Charity, he cannot well approve of; and therefore deſires them to be more thankful to their friends, leſt they diſcourage every man from Apologizing for them, when they cannot, or dare not ſpeak for themſelves. Though this Remonſtrant intends well to all, he hath no ſuch ill meaning to himſelf, as in the proſecution of the Common Intereſt, ſottiſhly to neglect his own well being, when it is therewith involved. He might have inſerted much more in relation both to the Puhlick Intereſt, and to his own, but he confeſſeth he hath omitted in prudence, not a few Arguments of more ſtrength then any yet alleadged; becauſe, he knows they may at this time, be more miſchievous to him, then available to that Cauſe for which he pleadeth; and that it would have been rather madneſs then diſcretion, to produce them out of ſeaſon. That, which he hath offered to conſideration, is expreſſed with a good Conſcience toward GOD, his Prince, his Countrey, and to each individual perſon therein: and he deſires no otherwiſe to proſper in this world, then as he is an enemy to no mans perſon, whatſoever his judgement be, but only to his Errours and Vices; and as he unfeignedly deſires rather their converſion, then their impoveriſhment, ſhame and confuſion. He doth but hereby endeavour, (as he p. 85hath often done heretofore) to diſcharge the Office of a Remembrancer to theſe Nations, & in barking like a true Engliſh Maſtive, when he thinks his Maſters Houſe or Flocks are endangered by Thieves or Wolves; and therefore, though his name be herein already Aenigmatically inſcribed, and was thought by him at firſt, to have been a ſufficient atteſtation hereof: he doth now upon more deliberation, openly ſubſcribe what he hath Remonſtrated with this name

George Wither.