The Discoverer Part 2, Text

The Discoverer Part 2 · Text

p. 1The Diſcoverer. Being an Anſwer to a BOOKE, ENTITULED, ENGLANDS New Chaines, The Second Part. Wherein is ſhewed in what part the ſayd BOOKE is Falſe, Scandalous, and Reproachfull; in what, Deſtructive to the preſent Government; in what particulars it tends to Diviſion and Mutiny in the Army, and the raiſing of a new Warre in the Common wealth; and wherein, to hinder the Reliefe of Ireland, and continuing of Free-Quarter. THE SECOND PART.

WEE ſee men are more curious what they put into a new Veſſell, then into a Veſſell well ſeaſoned; and what mould they lay about a young plant, then about a plant corroborate: If ſome men were not foreign, without underſtanding, without naturall affection, unmercifull; they would not manifeſt ſuch p. 2outrage and violent oppoſition againſt our preſent State, conſidering the ſame as yet, is new, tender, not thorowly and faſt ſet and ſetled.

But where the Building is greene and not dry, things are the ſooner put out of order, ſo many people doe purpoſly waite for the opportunitie; that is, while things are ſetling in the Common wealth, take the advantage of the time to obſtruct the work. And as former Ages yeeld usaaPeſſimus quiſque in occaſionem praeduram, Vulgus, ut mos eſt cujuſque motus novi cupidum. Tacit. Hiſt. l. 1. p. 370. many examples this way, ſo we have at this time ſad and ſenſible experience among our ſelves, by the dayly practice of ſundry reſtleſſe people, whoſe continuall ſtudy and endeavour is to hinder our Builders, to the generall prejudice and hurt of the whole Nation: Something we have already**We much deſire, whoſoever hath not ſeen the Firſt part, that he inquire after it, becauſe by reading it, he ſhall the better underſtand many things in this Second part. publiſhed to undeceive the people, touching the reall plots and ſtratagems of theſe men, and the ſeverall ſeditious wayes and miles a long time practiſed by them, to accompliſh and effect the ſame: And at this time wee ſhall (by the good hand of God aſſiſting us) make a further Diſcovery, that ſo we may performe our former promiſe, and ſatisfie the Readers expectation.

For the method, we are here beholding to Mr. VValwin in writing thus,bbThe Fountaine of ſlaunder diſcovered. p. 18. I wiſhed with all my heart, the Parliament had beene pleaſed for the ſatisfaction of all thoſe their ccforeign. Ariſt. apud Laert. Amicus non ſubito eſt publicè objurgandus, donec ex turbatione recenti adbuc eſt inquietior, aeger. Pet. Bleſen. in libello de amacnis.faithfull Friends who are concerned in it, and of the whole Nation in generall, to have expreſly applyed each part of the Booke to each cenſure upon it, as to have ſhewed in what part it was f…lſ…, ſcandalous, and reproachfull, in what deſtructive to the preſent Government; alſo to have ſhewed what part, ſentence, or matter, therein, tended to Diviſion and Mutiny in the Army, and the raiſing of a new VVarre in the Common p. 3wealth, or wherein to hinder the reliefe of Ireland, and continuing of Free Quarter.

Now howſoever wee know it is their worke to prove the Charge, neither ſhould they have ſet downe any accuſation (eſpecially notddSimler. on Exod. 22.2…. hath theſe words. There is here no puniſhment ſet down for him that ſhould rayle on the Magiſtrate; but ſeeing he that rayled on his Father and Mother w… to dye for it, Exod. 21.17. Much more worthy of death was he which ſhould curſe the Fathers of the Countrey.Exod 22:2Exod 21:17 reviled the Rulers of the people) without producing at the ſame time moſt pregnant and cleare teſtimony for it; Nevertheleſſe ſeeing it is not their uſe to prove any thing they ſay, but to ſay any thing they pleaſe (beſides having wrapt themſelves together in the guilt of falſhood and ſlander, their teſtimony (as theeeParticipes criminis … ſ… id…i … in preh…d… crimin… C. …. de teſtibus. l. 6. & C. 1. de Confeſſ. Law ſaith) is invalid) we ſhall ſpeak to each particular, and ſo helpe Mr. Walwin to his wiſh and hearts deſire: And firſt of the things which are falſe, ſcandalous, and reproachfull in the Book.

Firſt, It is there ſayd, thatffE…ds … Chaine, Second part. p. 8. All who have manifeſted any ſenſe of Common right, have beene ſtyled Levellers.

Anſw. But what c… be ſpoken more untrue: For firſt, there are many thouſands in the Land, who have not only manifeſted a ſenſe of Common right, but have cordially acted theſe many yeares for the publique good, and clearly ſhewed themſelves ſelfdenying men, never received any thing for their ſervice from the Sta…e, but have cheerfully contributed beyond their abilities, as occaſion hath been, and yet never ſtyled L…vellers. Secondly, What a Leveller is, we have deſcribed in ourggThe Diſcoverer, pag. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. former Book; neither is the Name ordinarily given unto any, except they are ſuch as hold dangerous and deſtructive Principles, tending to the ruine of Church and Common-wealth. Thirdly, No man hath been ſtyled a Leveller, for any ſenſe of Common right, but becauſe p. 4under this colour and cloak, they have carryed on pernicious Plots and Deſignes, to the great detriment and dammage of the Nation. Plato ſeeing Diogenes with a Coat of holes, ſayd, he could ſee his Pride thorow the holes of his Coat. Howſoever Treaſon and Sedition doe uſe to cloath themſelves with the habits of Common right, hhAuctor tumultus, T. Curtifius quondam Pretoriae cohortis Miles. Primo caetibus clandeſtinis, apud Brundiſium & circumjecta opida; moae, poſitis propalam libellis, & libertatem vocabat agreſtia per longinquos ſaltus & ferocia ſervitia. Et erat ijſdem regionibus, Curtius Lupus Queſtor, cui provincia vetere ex more Cales evenerat. Is diſpoſita cluſſiariorum copia, captantem tum maxime conjurationem diſjecit. Tacit. Annal. l. 4. p. 125.Liberty, Safety, that under thoſe Liveries they may get countenance, and finde the more acceſſe in the World; yet the movings thereof are not ſo covert and hid, but judicious and diſcerning men can eaſily obſerve the ſame.

Secondly, It is no leſſe falſe, in charging the Councell of Warre withiiEnglands new Chaine, p. 7. as much arbitrarineſſe as ever was in the world, ſentencing ſome to death, others to diſgracefull puniſhments, reſtraining and releaſing at pleaſure. &c.

Anſw. 1. What, as ever was in the World? Never worſe done by Jew nor Gentile before? Reader, it is worth thy obſervation, how their accuſations are alwayes framed thus, either our Magiſtrates are matched with the vileſt Tyrants that ever**The Diſcoverer, p. 5. were, or the greateſt Oppreſſours on Earth are not halfe as bad as they.

But ſecondly, How tender the Ruling part of the Army hath beene in taking away life by Martiall Law, is evident by that true Report whichkkThe Juſtice of the Army, p. 1. one hath lately given thereof, there having beene not above ſeven or eight executed, ſince the Generall had bis Commiſsion: llQui vult amari, languida regnet manu. Senec. Tragic. Non quidquid Nocens. reus pati mereretur id egregio ſub principe. Tac. l. 14. Annal. p. 275.an unparallel'd example. Phillip King p. 5of Macedon was wont to ſay, That the reproaches and injuries of the Athenian Orators cauſed him to order his words and deeds ſo, that themſelves ſhould be proved Lyars: The moderation and clemency of his Excellency and Councell of VVarre, hath been ſuch, as their Enemies have been found falſe accuſers in all their ſeditious Papers and Pamphlets againſt them.

Thirdly, For the perſons there mentioned, and the cauſe wherefore cenſured, we ſhall ſpeake thereof in another place; here we ſhall onelyonly acquaint the Reader, how it hath been ordinarily the practice of Conſpirators, when they have ſought to deſtroy the preſent Government, and thereby to advance themſelves, to aſperſe the Officers and Commanders of the Army, with pride, tyranny, dominion, luſt, &c. as a weapon of meer advantage, the better to effect their ſelfe-ſeeking ends.

3. The Book tels us, thatmmEngland new Ch… p. 3. their Generall Councels according to their engagements, ought to conſiſt onelyonly of two ſelect Commiſsion Officers, and two private Souldiers choſen by every Regiment with ſuch Generall Officers as aſſented to the Engagement, and no other.

Anſw. The diſſolution of the Agitators is much complained of, and made one main ground of great diviſion and mutiny in the Army, but the truth in, thatnnSee Mr. H… D… Booke called, The Levellers Deſigne, p. 4, 5. where th… thing a l…gly hand…d. ſame power by which they had their conſtitution, made a diſſolution and nul thereof: And this was done by a Petition to the Generall, from moſt of the Regiments of Horſe and Foot, wherein they humbly deſired that their Agitators might be ſent back to their reſpective Regiments, and that p. 6they would have the Councell of Warre to be in the ſame manner it was before, profeſſing their ſubjection and obedience thereunto; and according to their Petition (by a mutuall and joynt conſent of all parties publiquely declared) the Councell of Agitators was diſſolved: So that it is falſe, that the Generall Councell ſhould conſiſt of any Commiſsion Ofcers, or private Souldiers, choſen by every Regiment: Neither can the Ruling part of the Armie be charged with Violation of that Engagement, nor doth there remaine any obligation on them to have revived, or continued any ſuch Councell, much leſſe is it warrantable in the Souldiery of the Army, to aſſume any ſuch power, as to act thereby.

4. It is an accuſation grounded upon a lye, to ſay that thoſeooEnglands new Chaine, p. 3. Officers and Souldiers were ſleighted and diſcountenanced, who firſt engaged againſt the deſtructive Votes of Parliament, and ſtood firme to their engagement at New Market, and Triploe-heath: For firſt, ſuch men are not onelyonly ſtill in place, and matters of the greateſt truſt repoſed in them, but alſo have ever ſhewed their diſlike againſt the Levelling Faction: Secondly, if any Officers or Souldiers have been checked and controuled, it was**If a Servant run away from his Maſter, will not hee ſpeake evill of the Family? Who will admire when men are puniſhed for ſedition, to heare them complaine afterwards againſt their Judges? for ſome apparent miſcarriages, and not for well-doing.

And here wee ſhall Diſcover unto the Reader, a prety deviſe of theſe men; which is, to relate how ſome of their Party have been ſleighted, diſcountenanced, ſentenced, &c. and withall report what good ſervices they have done; concealing in the meane time the juſtppNote, Thou ſhalt never finde in any of their Papers, the reaſon truely ſet downe wherefore any of their Faction have ſuffered, onelyonly their manner is to name the ſufferers, and what they ſuffered, and where; but the cauſe they durſt never ſpeake of: Judge therefore the Tree by the fruits. cauſe, wherefore they ſuffered, to the end ignorant and ſimple people may thinke, they were puniſhed unjuſtly: To omit many examples, p. 7there is one VVilliam Thomſon, often mentioned in their Bookes, now who in reading their fad Repreſentation of him, would imagine? that a man ſo cryed up, and ſtyled by Mr. Lilburne, qqThe peoples Prerogative. p. 42.the honeſt Nounſubſtantive Souldier, was firſt queſtioned at a Court-Marſhall, for his prophane and ſcandalous life: Namely, for drunkenneſſe, gameing,rrThe Juſtice of the Army, p. 7, 8, 9. quarrelling, for breaking up a mans Houſe in the dead of the night, where he wounded three or four perſons, layd fellony to the charge of the Miſtreſſe of the houſe, for robbing him of twenty pound of Gold and Silver, and afterwards confeſſed, hee had loſt none; much more of the like wicked and baſe doings were proved againſt him; whereupon he wasſſMr. Lilburne ſaith, he was a Corporall in Colonell Wh… leys Regiment, and was caſhiered at the head thereof, but he is very carefull not to ſhew wherefore it was, for that would have ſpoyl'd the Levelling Faction The peoples Prerogative, p. 44. juſtly Caſhiered by the Councell of warre, and afterward to revenge himſelfe, ſought to make diviſion in the Army, and by histtThis Treaſon and Sedition Mr. Lilburne cals, the honeſty of the Man, ibid. ſeditious and trayterous practices, became a chiefe man, and a Ringleader among the Levellers.

5. They ſay,uuEnglands new Chaine, p. 13. They blaſt us with all the ſcandals and falſe reports, their wit or malice could invent againſt us; and ſo monſtrouſly wicked have they been in this particular, that they have pry'd into all our actions, made uſe of all our acquaintances and friendly intimacie, and in concluſion have onelyonly produced ſuch ſcandals, when ſtand and examined, containe both contrariety in themſelves, and have not the leaſt ground of truthes concerning us.

Anſw. But is there any truth here? For firſt, have their acquaintances and friendly intimacies ever told them ſo? What all? Not one exempted? Againe, 'tis much that the Gentlemen at VVeſtminſter ſhould know all their acquaintances, and had ſuch p. 8leaſure, and ſo little to doe as to pry into all their actions: Thirdly, we had not thought the Authors and Promoters of this Booke had beene ſuch conſiderable men, as that the Parliament, Councell of State, or the Chiefe Commanders of the Army, would have fallen ſo farre below themſelves, as to have acted any thing in ſuch a way: Fourthly, if all their actions have been pry'd into, it is much that no more is publiſhed; for there are things concerning ſome of them, which are moſt baſe and ſcandalous, and wee know them to be true, but being perſonall, doe purpoſely conceale them: But fifthly, that their names are blaſted, and that they have lo…t the hearts of good men every where, we beleeve it: For the Lord uſually puniſheth men in the ſame kinde and way wherein they have offended: It hath been their ſtudy and practice a long time, to blaſt ſome precious men with all the ſcandals and falſe reports, that their wit or malice could invent againſt them; and behold herexxIt is indeed very remarkable, as they would have done, ſo God hath requited them; For to what other purpoſe is their Englands New Chaine, both parts, but to blaſt ſome precious men, a meere thirſting after their blood: Thus like ſome ſuttle Fiſh, whiles they are laying Gins and ſnares for other Fiſh, themſelves are taken. Gods righteous adminiſtration:yyPro. 11.8.Prov 11:8 The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked commeth in his ſtead: As he that moves the weik of a burning Candle with his finger, blacks it, and burnes it, and cauſeth the light to burne more cleare; ſo theaaPro. 21.18.Prov 21:18 wicked ſhall bee a ranſome for the righteous, and the tranſgreſſor for the upright: bbPro. 26.27.Prov 26:27Who ſo diggeth a pit ſhall fall therein. Like the Witch that had the diſeaſe paſſe into her, that had bewitched another: Thus the Lyes and falſe reports which Daniels enemies rayſed againſt him, and ſo the calumniations and ſlanders malitiouſly deviſed by Haman againſt the Jewes, fell like ſharpe Arrowes upon their owne head, and by ſuch wicked doings, they had their p. 9faces covered with ſhame: Whereas Daniel and the Jewes came to greater honor and advancement, the Lord doing them good for the others curſing.

Sixthly, For theccIf the Reader deſire to informe himſelfe touching thoſe ſcandals let him inquire for a Book entituled Walwins Wyles. ſcandals which they ſpeak of, containing contrarieties, and have not the leaſt ground of truth; As we know not what they meane, ſo we ſhall not inquire after it: our Diſcoverer tends onelyonly to what is publique and generall, and here wee can certainly ſay, without contrarieties, and upon a ground of truth, that in their Booke, are few paſſages, but what are either falſe, ſcandalous, or ſeditious.

6. A little after they ſay, They have already loſt the affections of all people, and are onelyonly ſupported by their preſent ſtrength, but when once thoſe good men that hold them up ſhall perceive how inſtrumentall they are made, contrary to their intentions, in advancing a few lofty and imperious mens deſignes, &c. they will lament that they have been ſo long out of the way, &c.

Anſw. Here are as many lyes as lines, and thus we prove it: Firſt, how ſoever it wereddPejor eſt detractio in ma… ni nominis viris quam in plebeii… Aug. lib. 3. Cont. Peril. no wonder if a good mans Name and Honour ſhould be mucheePro. 16.28. Ziba by his falſhood cauſed David to have an ill opinion of honeſt Mephiboſheth, 2. Sam. 16.34. Nulli aque mores Deo exocrabiles ſunt, ac ſannigerratoris qui ex obſcuro vulnus inſligit, ignaviſſimus enim quum ſit maxima infert mala. Syneſ. Epiſt. 44.Prov 16:282 Sam 16:34 empaired by ſuch falſe and ſlanderous tongues, yet the truth is, as Nazianzen ſpeakes of a Plant being cut it flouriſheth, lives by dying; ſo the Lord in the way of his providence diſpoſeth, that by their calumniations and vile aſperſions, the others are the better thought of, and the more precious in the eyes of the godly: And thus, as a man that caſteth an empty hand having neither ſtick nor ſtone to ſting, or like an Arrow which being wrong levelled, falleth wydeſt, when ſhot in the ſtrongeſt Bow; ſo their lying lipps and deceitfull tongues effect nothing, p. 10but whatſoever they ſay or doe, the ſame preſently vaniſheth away like ſmoake: But ſecondly, wherefore is this wordffDifficile eſt peccati …nſuetudin…m vin…ere; p…avus uſus vi… aboletur: aſſidua …nſuetudo vitium in natu…a… conver… Animus ſ…eribus a…t… ctus, vix ab eis …i…ll… pote…ſt. Iſid. lib. 1. S…uio…m. ALL ſo often uſed? doth it not alwayes argue an impudent lying? For what knowledge have they of the affections of all People? They thinke ſuchggThere is nothing but empty words in what they ſay, as for reaſon and proofe, it is not the manner to mention ſuch things. big words will ſerve to further their ſeditious deſignes; but judicious and knowing men meeting with ſuch palpable and notorious falſe expreſſions, will ſoon perceive that there is neither Honeſtie nor Conſcience in the ſpeakers.

3. Was there ever heard before ſo groſſe a contradiction, that with one breath it ſhould be ſayd, They have loſt the affections of all people, and yet preſently, Good men hold them up; if they are held up by good men, then they have not loſt the affections of all people, and ſo much in the words following is plainely expreſſed. Walwyn ſaith,hhThe Fountaine of ſlander diſcovered, pag. 25. As their Father is ſayd not to be able to hide his cloven foot, ſo neither can theſe hide their double dealing, doe but never ſo little watch them, and you ſhall finde they are made up of contradiction: The Law ſaith,iiConfeſſio ſupera…omne probationis genus, Bar. in L. ſi Confeſſus de C…ſt. reorum. Confeſsion is beyond all other kinde of proofe: Now of whom he ſpeakes we know not, but this we know (and have in our former Booke largely ſhewed) that to ſay and unſay, is their uſuall practice, neither needs there much watching to find them out this way.

4. For the adviſe which they give here, to thoſe good men, not to be inſtruments to advance a few lofty and imperious mens deſignes, but to convert their abilityes and power, to better and more Common ends: As no man better knowes their meaning then themſelves, ſo they have ſince told us what their meaning is, namely,kkPicture of the Councell of State, p. 14. A Declaration of the Free Commoners of England. Souldiers as well as others to ryſe up againſt p. 11the Parliament, as ſo many profeſſed Traytors, Theeves, Robbers, and high way men, and to apprehend, ſecure, and bring them to juſtice in a new Repreſentative; this they call, A comming into the way, and ſetting themſelves with the utmoſt courage and reſolution to fr… their diſtreſſed Country from the feares and captivity it now groanes under. And that the way may be cleare for this worke, they have already declared, that the Parliament is no Parliament; but a dead ſtinking Carkaſſe; a factious company of men treacherouſly combined together, to ſubdue the Lawes, Liberty, and Freedome of England. So that all their votes, orders, ordinances, and acts, or that hereafter they ſhall paſſe, are not binding to the People. And the like they ſay, of the Councell of State, and the Councell of War, both unlawfull, illegall, and they know them not: So that there is nothing now to doe but that thoſe good men will act the Treaſon which theſe Conſpirators have plotted againſt the Common-wealth.

But we hope all good men hereafter, will take heed how they make any tumult or mutiny, having ſeene an example ſo late of Gods revenging hand uponllObſerve what the ſad and heavy hearted Priſoners ſay in their Petition to his Excellency, ſubſcribed by 340. Your Petitioners are very ſenſible of the odiouſneſſe of their fact, how lyable it renders them to the wrath and diſpleaſure of God, how deſtructive the ſame might have beene to the Being of the Nation, and the good and welfare of the other two, and therefore cannot but acknowledge the ſentence of death pas'd upon by your Excellency and the Councell of Warre, very juſt and equall. And a little after, It will very much magnifie your Excellencies, Chriſtian temper, in receiving ſuch deteſtable Offenders to mercy. Incendiaries.

— Raro antecendentem ſcel…ſtum

deſeruit pede paena Claudo.

Seldome Revenge, though ſlow of pace,

Leaves ill foregoing men to trace.

7. It is alſo falſe, when they ſay, Theſe knowne truths which yet ring in every mans eares through the Land. For firſt, their accuſations and charges are to many people of the Land as yet unknowne. Secondly, p. 12many men of their owne knowledge, know their whole relation to be falſe, and upon all occaſions declare ſo much. Thirdly, unleſſe they are men of their owne faction, the judicious and peaceable every where doe obſerve them, becauſe they ſee they are things maliciouſly deviſed, and tending only to diviſion and further blood-ſhed. Fourthly, They ring indeed, and not onelyonly through the Land, but alſo in other Kingdomes; for themmIn France the Cavileirs ſpeake great things of the Levellers, and take them for their chiefe Friends, and the conſiderableſt party they have in this Land: When they heard the Souldiers revolted, there was great tryumph amongſt them, but when newes was brought them, that they were ſuppreſt, it made them all to hang downe the head. Malignants abroad, rejoyce at their doings, and have great hope to effect their deſignes by the trayterous actings of theſe men; ſo that the boaſting and tryumph in Forraine parts, is now beyond meaſure, that they have ſuch notable inſtruments here at home to blow up the Coales of ſedition and Rebellion amongſt our ſelves. Fifthly, howſoever it be true, ſome are nnAd accipienda credendaque omnia …va cum triſtia ſunt. Tacit. Hiſt. l. 1. p. 342.ready to admit and beleeve all newes, when they are evill: Nevertheleſſe as the ſame Author ſaith,ooVeritos viſu & mora, falſa, feſtinatione & incertis valeſcunt. Tacit. Annal. l. 2. p. 57. Time and the eye tryed out truth, and falſhood winneth credit on a ſudden and by uncertainties: So that we are confident, the Reader ſhall find here in our Diſcoverer ſo much cleareneſſe of truth, force of reaſon, and fulneſſe of proofe, as he will eaſily ſee their lyes and falſhoods, unleſſe he purpoſely ſhut his eyes, and chooſe rather to be deceived: and thus much for the firſt particular, now we come to what is ſcandalous in the Book.

And firſt of the matter in relation toppEnglands new Chaine, p. 10. 11. Colonell Rains borough; here we may ſay in their own words, So monſtrouſly wicked have they been in this particular, as they have heap'd up many ſcandals together: For firſt, he was not withdrawne from the Army, for oppoſing the proceedings of any, but partly for his fitnes p. 13for Sea ſervice; and partly through his owne deſire, the Office being more honourable andqqThe place was better then two Colonel ſhips on Land. profitable then the place wherein he was before: Secondly, The ſtraitneſſe of his Commiſsion, was not occaſioned by any Officer in the Army, but it is a baſe and ſcandalous aſperſion of their owne framing: Neither thirdly, was hee put upon that dangerous and unhappy ſervice before Pomfret, becauſe the Ruling Officers found him inflexible to their ends, but this is another moſt vile and malicious ſlander: Fourthly, that he went thither with reluctancy and diſcontent, we canrrWhat wee here affirme we have good proofe for, and they are ready to teſtifie it whenſoever there is a juſt occaſion manifeſt to the contrary: For being met on the way by another Colonell, who perſwaded him not to goe, and gave him ſome reaſons for it, he would not by any meanes alter his reſolution, but manifeſted a great deſire, willingneſſe, and chearfulneſſe unto that ſervice.

5. It is no leſſe ſcandalouſly and trayterouſly ſpoken, that hisſſWe could ſpeake much more to this particular, if it were needfull, to ſhew that they care not what they ſay, ſo they may ſcandalize other men. brother ſhould receive no furtherance, but rather diſcouragement, in ſearching after, and proſecuting the cauſers of that ſo bloody and inhumane a butchery, for he had all the aſſiſtance that hee ever deſired, and of himſelfe without any diſcouragement from the Ruling Officers, gave the thing over. Laſtly, whereas they ſpeake of giving cauſe of griefe and ſuſpect to his friends; here lyes the maine of the ſcandall, namely,ttIt is reported of one Perinnis, that he ſought by falſe report to have many wealthy and Noble Citizens put to death, that he might have their goods. a cloſe and home accuſation againſt the Ruling Officers, as to be acceſſary to that horrid and cruell murder: And indeed, the whole relation tends onelyonly to this, that for oppoſing their unjuſt proceedings, they ſecretly made him away.

Now the Law of God, ſpeaking of a falſe witneſſe, p. 14ſaith,nnDeut. 19.1….Deut 19:1 You ſhall doe unto him as he had thought to have done unto his brother. The Hebrews explaine it thus, xxMaim…ny, Treat… of witneſſ. Chap. 18. Sect. 1. 2. 5If they have teſtified falſly of a tranſgreſion, for which men are guilty of ſtoning to death, they are all to be ſtoned: If of burning, they are to be burnt; and ſo for yyNote, They who are falſe witneſſes in other things beſide murder; as they thought to have done to others, ſo it muſt be done to them, if they have falſly accuſed others of Treaſon, they muſt ſuffer then as Traytors, if of tyranny, opp…eſſion, &c. ſuffer accordingly.other deaths. And if they teſtifie of crimes worthy beating, every one of them is to be beaten.

2. In their Relation about the Lilburns, there are ſundry ſcandalous things: Firſt, Leivetenant Colonell Henry Lilburn was never ſolicited, by the great men in the the Army, to aſperſe his brother John, but whatſoever he ſpake concerning an intent to murd… the Ling, it was without being wrought by any one of them ſo to doe, neither knew they the carriages and paſſages between them two, but what was abroad and commonly reported: Secondly, It is alſo a ſlander to ſay, that the Officers would never ſuffer th… aſperſer to be brought forth to the proofe, for they never did any thing in way of oppoſition, but left the thing wholly to themſelves, and their Friends, to do therein what they would: Thirdly, That he ſhould be advanced to the Government of Tinmouth Caſtle for that perfidious ſervice, it is as falſe a thing as ever mouth uttered: We could declare if need were the reaſon and cauſe wherefore he was appointed to that place, but it is ſufficient, the Reader take notice that what they report is not true, ſuch a thing was never thought nor ſpoken, neither have they any proofe or Author for it, but maliciouſly forged it out of their owne heads.

4. What forehead would not bluſh to ſay, the aaAs they charged the Ruling Officers before, with murder ſo here with Treaſon.General Officers inclined him to this revolt themſelves, as well by their example as by countenancing him in the p. 15beginning thereof: HerebbCaute …ſi non caſte: Afranij ſimulans. Cic. pro Sextio. Machiavel, or a Jeſuite would ſmile at ſo uncovert and naked a Lye; for any thing rather, and with more probability and likelyhood might be charged upon the Generall Officers, then that they ſhould give an example or countenance to Treaſon againſt the Common wealth: Never have they to this day betrayd their truſt, or given up any Fort or Caſtle to the Enemie: As Blaeſus ſayd,ccMea potius caede imbuite manus; leviore flagitio legatum interficietis quam a Reipub. deſciſcitis, Tacit. Annal. lib. 1 pag. 11. In my blood rather imbrue your hands, for it is a leſſer offence to ſlay the Le…vtenant, then fall from the obedience of the State: So much fidelity, truth, and conſtancy have they alwayes ſhewed to the Nation, that they have all along preferred the welfare and ſafety thereof, before their owne lives: Fifthly whereas they ſay, His Father and kindred have beene aſperſed with the fact, by the Officers and their Aſſociats; this alſo is a ſlander, according to the beſt intelligence we have, howſoever the thing is of no publique concernment: Here … a fit place to remember Mr. Walwins ddThe fountain of ſlander diſcovered, p. 3.words, If all ſtories (ſaith he) be ſcarcht into, it will be found, that unjuſt, cruell, covetous, or ambitious men, ſuch as were ingaged in corrupt intereſt, or in ſome wicked deſigne, were ever the aſperſers, and honeſt, juſt, and publique ſpirited men aſperſed. Is this witneſſe true? One of themſelves, even aeeIf Walwyn be here a true Prophet, the Authors and Promoters of that Booke, are unjuſt, cruell, &c. the aſperſers, honeſt, juſt, &c. for if all ſtories be ſearche into it will, be found that in two ſheets of paper are more falſe, ſcandalous, and ſeditions aſperſions, then moſt I… lip volumes doe containe, let them chooſe what one Booke they will. Prophet of their own:ffJob. 15.6.Job 15:6 Then thine owne mouth condemneth thee and not I; yea, thine owne lips teſtifie againſt thee.

3. Now what next;ggEnglands new Chaine, p. 5. Then they fall to worke again about the Ki…g, and ſend the Propoſitions of Newcaſtle to him, which they knew, and were agreed he ſhould not ſigne.

Anſw. When the Spider hath emptied even her p. 16very bowels to make one ſlender Web, one puffe of winde blowes all away; ſo it is here with theſe men, having vented all the rancour and poyſon of their hearts, one word is ſufficient to refute whatſoever they have ſayd: But that we purpoſly forbeare a large diſcourſe, otherwiſe we could in many particulars ſhew their monſtrous baſeneſſe here, that the ſenders of thoſe Propoſitions knew before they ſent, and had agreed among themſelves, that the King ſhould not ſigne them, it is another deviſe of their owne head, and they might faſten the ſcandall and ſlander as well, and with as much reaſon and truth, upon any other men, as upon the Ruling Officers; for they neither knew what the King would doe, nor mov'd him to any refuſall, neither agreed before hand that he ſhould not ſigne what they ſent him, neither to ſpeake directly to the thing, did the Army Officers ſend the Propoſitions to him.hhPro. 12 19.Prov 12:19 The lip of truth ſhall he eſtabliſhed for ever; but a lying tongue is but for iiAccording to the common ſaying among the Je… … Menda… dibut …a ſunt, Lyes have their feet cut off, ſo that they cannot ſtand.a moment.

4. Now to that which they ſpeake concerningkkEnglands new Chaine, pag. 9.10. a ſerious repentance, the whole matter as they have ſet it downe is a ſcandall and a lye: For firſt, It was never acknowledged with the greateſt expreſsions of ſorrow (nor yet expreſſed at all) that they had walked by corrupt politick Principles: No ſuch words were then ſpoken by thellReader, take notice, wee have relation here to what was done publikely by the Generall Officers, ſo that if any thing hath been privately whiſpered by any particular man it nothing concerns this matter. Ruling Officers, but they have deviſed them of their owne head: Secondly, Neither was it ſayd, If ever the Nation be happy, it muſt be by a conjunction in the Levellers Principles. For is it probable or poſſible, that they ſhould ſo ſpeak, who know the Levellers Principles (properly ſo cal'd) are moſt deſtructive and dangerous, as tending to the ſubverſion p. 17of Church and State; as for other Principles bottomed upon Religion, Law, Reaſon, they never tooke them for Levellers Principles, much leſſe ever ſtil'd them by that name: Thirdly, It is alſo falſe, that it ſhould be acknowledged, that they had diſcountenanced honeſt men, and ſet up a party; What was acknowledged then, it was only in relation to the King, as ſome overſight or miſcarriage that way; ſo that the truth is, what was ſaid at the ſame timemmIt was not without ſome cr…ft, that they forbore to relate what was confeſſed for had they done ſo, they could not ſo handſomely have reported many things which they have done concerning the King, howbeit not as …ely in any one, as wee ſhall ſhew in its place. they have left out, and brought in other things, which were never ſpoken nor thought of.

5. They ſay,nnEnglands new Chaine, pag. 15. It hath been by their procurement that the Judges, their creatures, have a thouſand pound a yeare allowed to every one of them, above the ordinarie Fees, which were ever eſteemed a heavy oppreſsion in themſelves.

Anſw. ooSenex tardus eſt ad audiendum, vel…x ad loquendum, vituperat modernos, commendat praeterita, quia omnia membra in ſene deficiunt, exceptâ linguâ, qua nunquam in ipſo quieſcit. Wolfang. Franzius. hiſt. Animal. tract. 4. Cap. 2. p. 726. 727.The Aſpe in her old age hath all her members to decay, onelyonly her tongue is as bad as ever: We ſhall find in thoſe men no abatement of ſcandall and reproach, their tongues are ſtill their owne, although Reaſon and Proofe for what they ſay, they never produce any. But to anſwer, Firſt, To call the reverend Judges of the Land, their creatures, is not onelyonly a diſgracefull aſperſion put upon them, but a diſhonour and blot on the Parliament: Secondly, whatſoever hath been done this way, the Army Officers procur'd it not, neither have they ſpoken any thing therein, but as their place and calling gave occaſion to deliver their own opinion: Thirdly, there is nothing procured for them but what hath been allowed unto Judges formerlie, and well known to be fit and neceſſary, and therefore the ſcandall is the greater, to publiſh to the World as if p. 18the Parliament brought in ſome new burden and charge upon the Land: Fourthly, That their ordinary Fees are eſteemed a heavy oppreſsion in themſelves, it may be ſo to ſome, for ſuch as would have**Diſcoverer, p. 12.14. no Termes or Lawes, no Judge or Juſtice of Peace, no Mayors, Bayliffs, Aldermen, Common-Councell men, no Corporations, Patents, Charters, Records, no buying nor ſelling, nor any civill trading at all; no man to call any thing his, nor any man to be put to death for murder, or any unrighteous crime whatſoever; (as theppIt is not likely, the Ruling Officers ſhould ſay, That if ever the Nation be happy, it muſt be by a conjunction in the Levellers Principles. Levellers Principles are:) No marvaile if they complaine againſt ſuch Fees, and eſteeme them a heavy oppreſsion. But for others who hold the Principles of Reaſon a…d Juſtice, never thought them ſo; for they know their ordinary Fees amount not to ſo much, as they got by their practice, before they were Judges; Even a Foole when hee holdeth his peace is counted wiſe.

6. They complaine againſt the Councell of Warre for qqEnglands new Chaine, p. 8.ſentencing Maſter William Thomſon to deat… at Whitehall.

Of this man we have ſpoken ſomething already, but becauſe he was a None ſuch among that party, we ſhall give the Reader ſome further account of him, and ſo wipe off their reproach and ſcandall from the Army: After hee had received ſeverall Orders to depart the Quarters for his lewd and vicious life; he in a peremptory manner refuſed to ſubmit; whereupon there was a new charge exhibited againſt him, for mutinous words, and delivering ſeditious Papers to the Souldiers, ſome in writing, others Printe…, unto which he preſſed them to ſubſcribe, and laboured what he could to make diviſion p. 19between the Officers and the Souldiers; this and much more being proved againſt him, he was apprehended, and brought Priſoner to Windſor, from whence (contrary to his promiſe) he made an eſcape, and being afterward apprehended at Weſtminſter, and ſent Priſoner to VVhite Hall, he there made an eſcape therrNote, that before this ſecond eſcape, he had the ſentence of death pronounced againſt him, & that according to Law: But the Generall was pleaſed to ſhew him mercy, and reprieved him from the preſent execution, yet ſo as to continue in Priſon ce…: Sd Book entituled, The Juſtice of the Army, p. 8, 9. ſecond time; and within a while after**Without any Order, or Commiſſion. gathered a company of men in armes, whom he Quartered upon the Countrey, calling them his Troop, and they him Captaine; with theſe he marched to a Gentlemans houſe in Eſſex, who had a Suit depending in Law with another about a Title of Land, whom he by force and violence diſpoſſeſt, taking his Tenants and Servants priſoners, driving them before him in the night, through mire and dirt, and pricking them forward with his Swords point in a moſt inhumane and barbarous††He was for this brought Priſoner to White Hall, and by the Court Marſhall ſent to the Civill Magiſtrate, who for his appearance at the Aſſiſes, tooke bayl. manner.

After this he ſtab'd one Maſter Heyden with his Dagger, without any cauſe or provocation, of which wound he is ſince dead; and within a few dayes after this, was againessHe was at this time likewiſe brought Priſoner to White Hall, and from thence ſent againe to the Civill Magiſtrate, but bayled by Leivtenant Colonell John Lilburne. taken on the Road, with other men whom he had drawne to his wicked courſes, and there was found about him, a great black Periwig, and a falſe Beard; for the reſt of his actions, and histtAs a Traytor he dyed in his blood; Thus the wicked ſhall fall by his owne wickedneſſe, Prov. 11.5.Prov 11:5 end, the ſame are ſo notorious, as the memory of him is hatefull, and his name rots: As for ſuch as turne aſide to their crooked wayes, the Lord ſhall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: Loe this i… the man that made not God his ſtrength.

p. 207. To goe on:uuEnglands new Chaine, p. 8. Their next worke was to new mould the City, and make it theirs, for which purpoſe they brought, &c.

Anſw. As the grating of a Saw ſets the teeth an edge, ſo their calumniations are irkeſome and diſtaſtfull to us; here are heapes upon heapes: But firſt, It is not true, that the Ruling Officers brought Souldiers to white hall and the Mews, to the and they might make the Cittie theirs: for they had no ſuch purpoſe nor thought; but what they did was by the appointment and order of the Parliament; and there was great reaſon and cauſe it ſhould be ſo; both for the preſervation of the Houſe, yyWhen the Prentiſes roſe and expected the Watermen to joyne with them, honeſt men then would have ſuffered not a little, had not the Souldiers ſeaſonably come into the City and ſuppreſt them.and toxxWitneſſe the comming of many to the houſe from Eſſex, Surrey, &c. with Petitions, had not the Souldiers been there, it is probable the Parliament would have been abuſed. prevent ſeverall inconveniences: Secondly, To the extreme diſcontent of the Cittie, ſay they; the which alſo is falſe: unleſſe by Cittie they mean Malignants and Incendiaries, for to our knowledge, the wel-affected every where were exceedingly glad thereof, and indeed well they might, for they were a wall unto them both by day and night, and under God, a meanes of their ſafety and preſervation. Thirdly, Would not the Commanders of the Army admit the Lord Maior and the Aldermen to a legall triall ſo they ſay; but to uſe their owne words, what notorious diſsimulation is this? for they know otherwiſe, that they moved often that the things charged againſt them might be proſecuted to the full: Fourthly, Was there ever any thing ſpoken more falſely, then to impute their releaſment without any tryall to the Officers aaIt is ſtoried of Cardinall Wolſies Foole, that whoſoever did the fault, he would alwayes beat Will: Sommers for it; juſt ſo do theſe men uſe the Army.who never conſented to it, but alwayes manifeſted a great diſlike thereof.

5. That their end was not the terrour of the Cittie, is manifeſt by the carriage and behaviour of the Soldiers p. 21which was ſo inoffenſive and harmleſſe as they were lov'd and not fear'd.

6. Whereas they ſpeake of changing the Magiſtrates, thereby to flatter the Malignants and to creep into their favour: it is to be obſerved that none were more violent this way then they: Note it well, to have the Lord Maior and Aldermen diſplaced, the buſieſt and forwardſt men that acted for it were that partie, heare what M^r Lilburne ſaithbbThe Juglers diſcovered, pag. 11. Therefore ſay I, immediately preſſe vigorouſly for the totall purging the Houſe of all that ſate with M^r Pellam, that ſo there may be way made for the exemplarie puniſhing of the Lord Maier of London, and all the cheife ring-leaders, actors in the late deſperate and traiterous ingagement, this he ſpeaks to the private Souldiers, and calls it hisccIf the Lord Maior and the reſt have acted ſo deſperately and trayterouſly, why was not this thing expreſſed in their Sad Repreſentation, and Juſtice required, is this to bee Semper idem. Advice; But ſee how they wheel about, to ſcandalize the Army and to comply with Cavaleirs, they complain againſt the changing of the Magiſtrates, ſaying it was to ſerve there deſignes: as if they would ſay, there was no juſt cauſe of their Impriſonment, but done onelyonly for ſome baſe and by end, not regarding in the meane time what they themſelves have ſpoken againſt the ſame perſons, as to be cheif ring-leaders actors in the late deſperate and trayterous ingagement, and to have exemplary puniſhment for it, if they ſhould finde but halfe ſuch flattery, diſſimulation, contradiction, apoſtacie, in other men, they would make Bookes of it, and ſet over head, THE JUGLERS DISCOVERED: HOCUS POCUS: but ſome People are like Lamia in the Poet, who put on her eyes when ſhe went abroad, but layd them aſide when ſhee came home, or like a fooliſh man that p. 22runs to quench another mans houſe whiles his owne flames about his eares.

7. Pliny ſaith of theddSi quis aleſt audu… luſ…iniae pius animus quam cantus deficiet, l. 10. c. 29. Nightingale if any will give her the hearing, ſhe will ſooner ſing her ſelfe out of breath then out of tune, we are reſolved to hear them out, yet ſo, as takeing no delight at all either in their tune or ſong… many reproachfull and ſcandalous paſſages they have of ſome powerfull and …ver ruling influences in the Army. eeEnglands new Chaine, pag 4.As Firſt, That they labour by all poſſible meanes to convert the honeſt indeavours of good men in the Army and elſewhere and the happy ſucceſſe God had bleſſed them withall to the advantage of their luſts, pride and domination.

Anſ. M^r Walwin tels usffThe Fountaine of ſlander diſcovered, pag. 2. when Art and ſophiſtry will not ſeem to vaniſh truth and reaſon, aſpertion generally wil do the deed; howſoever in ſome caſes there is nothing like to this ſpeaking by experience, yet here it will not doe the deed: for bothggCalumniatores fratrum & detractores infaines cenſentur: Cauſ. 6. Qu. 1. C. Infames. the Law,hhPro. 25.23. Pſal. 101.5, 7.Prov 25:23Ps 101:5Ps 101:7 and commandement of God forbid us to receive the teſtimonie of ſlanderous tongues. As for that which they ſpeake, they have quite miſtooke the thing, for they ſhould have ſayd they have converted the honeſt indeavours of good men, &c. (leaving out …ſts pride domination) to the ſuppreſſing of Incencidiaries, and therby preſeru'd the nation from ruine and deſtruction, and ſpeaking ſo, they had ſayd the truth, as is well known, and we bleſſe God for it.

Againe, for ſuch as areiiAmbitioſi aliquot homines qui privatim degeneres, in publicum exitioſi, per diſcordias habent. Lipſ. Polit. l. 6. c. 4 p. 266. ambitious and would be great (being otherwiſe obſcure and of no worth) to aſperce well deſerving men, and ſuch as have ſerved the State beſt, and are in authority, thinking by falſe reports to worke themſelves into the affection and favour of the people; is an**Machiavels diſcourſes, l. 1. c. 8. old ſtratagem and ſo p. 23well knowne now to us, as it will neverkkDetractor & libens auditor, uter que diabolū in portat lingua: Si pauper es, vilem & abjectum te reputat: Si dives ambitioſum, avarum & cupidum: Si affabilis, diſſolutum: ſi praedicator vel doctor, honoris & humani favoris quaſitorem: ſi tacens inutilem: ſi Jejunus hypocritam, ſi comedens voratorem, Ber. in Ser. doe the deed.

8. But what followes; As time came on, it more and more appeared, that they intended meerly the eſtabliſhment of themſelves in power and greatnes, without any regard to the performance of their promiſes and engagements, or any reſpect to the faith and credit of the Army, or to the peace or proſperity of the common-wealth, and that they walked by no rules or principles either of honeſty or conſcience.

Anſw. There is a kinde of Serpent, the nature of whoſe venome is ſuch, that if it enter into the body, it provokes to vomit, and cauſeth the perſon to bring up whatſoever is in the ſtomack, in thick and filthy fleame; The Serpents ſting being entred into theſe mens toungs no marvaile they vomit; but Firſt, we finde not any where in their papers of any juſt and lawfull promiſe from which they are departed but ſtand to it, and doe indeavour to performe the ſame ſo farre as it is in their power. But if there have beene any promiſes or engagements formerly made, which in themſelves werellVota inconſiderate ſuſcepta, non modo nihil obligant, ſed neceſſario ſunt reſcindenda. Calv. Inſt. l. 4. c. 13. Sect. 20. unlawfull, or not in the engagere mmTyrannicum eſt ad res improſſibiles alior adſtringere. Pareus Comment. in Gen. 24. ver. 8. Si factum ſit juramentum de Rebus quae non ſunt noſtrae poteſtatis nullam priſus habet vim obligandi. Aſted. Theolog. Caſ. Cap. 15. pag. 288.Gen 24:8power to performe, or which cannot afterward be perform'd but to thennNon eſt ſervandum juramentum cujus executio cum ſalute publica, &c. Pugnafet. Rivet. Ex. licat. Decalog. 3. Prae. pag. 90. publick damage and prejudice of the Nation, in this cauſe ſuch promiſes and engagements are not binding, neyther may they be kept, but broken. And the conſideration of this thing, would be uſefull many times, when promiſes and engagements (without diſtinction) p. 22duplicate page duplicate page p. 24are hotly preſt: to examine then whether they were juſtlie made, whether in the promiſ…s power to performe them: and whether the proſecuting of ſuch engagements would not be againſt the welfare, ſafety and peace of the common wealth.

2. For the credit of the Army: here we cannot ſpeake without greife: how honourable they have ever been in the eyes of otherooViros naios militiae, factis magnos, ad verborū linguaeque …rtamina, Liv. 9. Nations, belov'd of freinds, admired of enemies, not onelyonly for the good ſucceſſe God hath bleſt them withall, but for there juſtneſſe, piety, obedience, patience, &c. till of late through the conſpiraces and ſedition of ſome bad Inſtruments, a part was occaſioned to make an unhappy and ſcandalous revoult. As for the General Officers the Fountaine of ſlander can not blaſt theirppVirtutes imperatoris praecip…ae, labor in negorijs, fortitudo in periculis, induſtria in agendo, celeritos in conficiendo, concilium in providendo, Cic. proleg. Manil. reputation and name, the Lord hath made them ſo eminent for worth, parts, and excellencie as they are the Crowne and Ornament of the ſouldirie.

3. To let paſſe that expreſſion without qqTheir accuſations are like the ruins of Babel which a farre off ſeem high and great, but neere by appeare otherwiſe, ſo theirs upon examination will be found onelyonly rude and vanity.ANY regard at all, what regard they have had to the peace and proſperity of the common-wealth their owne workes praiſe them in the gates: And at this time their love and watchfulneſſe is largely ſhewed in taking care to prevent the deſtructive and dangerous deſignes of thoſe men: It is true, they cannot effect that good they would, and deſire to doe for the Nation, becauſe this party (with others joyning with them) hath been and ſtill is, a barre and let in their way.

4. Whereas they ſay, They walked by no Rules or Principles, either of honeſty or conſcience; here is a defect, or want of words, and to be ſupplyed thus, They walked by no levelling Principles; that is, the one p. 25(to wit the Generall Officers of the Army) will have Order and Government in the Land, the other an Anarchy and confuſion; the one are for a ſetling of Religion, and to advance the glory of God in the practice of Goſpell-worſhip, the other for letting in all blaſphemy, hereſie, atheiſme; the one will have Law, Courts, Freedome, peace, propriety, the other not; walking by no ſuch Rules or Principles of honeſty or conſcience.

3. It followes, But ſſMeere Potitians, and wayting upo Providence are inconſiſtent.as meer Polititians were governed altogether by occaſion, and as they ſaw a poſsibility of making progreſſe to their deſignes, which courſe of theirs they ttBe ſure to make good meaſure, preſſed down, and running away.ever tearmed, a waiting upon Providence, that with colour of Religion they might deceive the more ſecurely.

Anſw. Firſt, if we take notice of their accuſations all along, we ſhall find, that the deſignes here ſpoken againſt, are ſuch, as have tended to publique good, and whereby their ſeditious deſignes have been broken, to the great ſafety of the Common wealth: Secondly, howſoever waiting upon Providence be not their Principle, and therefore the practice is here jeer'd at: nevertheleſſe good men will obſerve it, as knowing it is the way to have their actionsuuforeign. Niceph. Greg. lib. 7. bleſt, when the other ſhall find themxxAs haſty and forward Children get many knocks and falls, ſo raſh and heady men attempting things before a fit opportunity is offered, bring ſhame and diſhonour on their owne heads. Temeritas, praterquam quod ſtulta eſt, etiam infelix, hoſtibus iquidem opportum, n…ia vero maxinne amicis, Liv. 22. curſt under their hands: Thirdly, for deceiving with colour of R…ligion, it is a fault (we confeſſe) which they are not guilty of, and therfore they may the more freely apply it home to others, as knowing the like cannot p. 26be returned back upon their heads, or layd to their charge: And thus much of the ſecond particular, from what is falſe and ſcandalous; we come now to things reproachfull.

Firſt, We ſhall take notice how they ſay,yyEnglands new Chaine, p. 1. What was more incredible then that a Parliament truſted by the people, to deliver them from all kinds of oppresſion, and who made ſo liberall effuſion of their blood, and waſte of their eſtates (upon pretenſe of doing thereof) which yet as ſoon as they were in power, oppreſſe with the ſame kind of oppreſſions.

Anſw. Firſt, howſoever in their Pamphlet they uſually aſperſe a Faction of Officers, and hope that the Parliament will conſcionably performe that ſupreme truſt, which is really and eſſentially reſiding in them, and free the betrayed and enſlaved Common-wealth, &c. Yet here, not the Officers, but the Parliament it ſelfe is charged with the Crimes and Abuſes; the which is not onelyonly a Reproach, but groſſe diſſimulation, as one while to inſinuate, as if ſome few, and onelyonly a party, were the Tyrants, Traytors, Oppreſſors, &c. and at another time to take off the aſperſion from thoſe few andaaH… ever …; would …ke diviſion between the Parliament & A…y, by …aiſing falſe rep…, againſt th… Generall Officers, yet i… it be well obſ…ved, they doe as much aſperſe the Parliament as the others, & ſeeke alike, …o ruine both. lay it upon the whole Parliament.

2. That the Parliament hath been ſo liberall in ſhedding blood, it is a moſt reproachful expreſſion: a practice indeed more beſeeming Canibals then Chriſtians, yea beaſts rather then men: & to ſay the truth, there is nobbIn all Hiſtories where Tyrants are deſcribed, this is ſet downe as a ſpeciall Character of one, namely, Liberall effuſ…n of b…: See S Walter Hal…ighs of Hen. 8. in his …ill. p. …1. fairer marke of a Tyranous, unrighteous and cruel State, then to make liberall effuſion of blood: but the falſehood of this reproach and ſlander is well knowne; to wit, that the Parliament hath not beene liberall but ſparing this way, and we challenge all nations, and hiſtories, to ſhew the like care, tenderneſſe p. 27compaſſion, wiſdome, patience, prevention, &c. as our Magiſtrates and Generall Officers have done, and to this end, that there mightccThat Colcheſter was not ſooner taken, it was to ſpare blood. not be made a liberall effuſion of blood. Falſe witneſſes did riſe up, they layd to my charge things that I know not.

3. It will not ſatiſfie theſe men, to reproach the Parliament with a liberall effuſion of blood, but to give good meaſure, they ſay, this ſo liberall effuſion of blood hath beene upon pretence of doing good. Thus the matter is blood, the manner blood, and ſo blood toucheth blood. To be liberall is great cruelty, a crying ſin, but to be liberall in effuſsion of blood upon pretence of doing good and no otherwiſe, (as theſe affirme) is the very quinteſſence of the greateſt Tyrants & oppreſſours: No marvaile they ſay the Parliament are ddDij odere viros omne nefas animo moventes, Hor. l. 3. Od. 4. God hates with juſt diſpleaſure ſuch as ſtrive, in cankred hearts black miſchiefe to contrive.the greateſt traytors that ever were in this nation, greater Tyrants then ever the King was, or that cruell Tyrant Duke D. Alva; and that bloody Queen Marie was a Saint in compariſon to them: For if theſe things were true which they report, they are as bad if not worſe: But their actions have ſhew'd the contrarie, for they have already delivered the People from many kindes of oppreſſions, and we queſtion not their care and faithfulneſſe, but they will effect…ally doe the reſteeMany things which remain and are burdens, cannot yet be taken away, as our preſent condition is; there may be no fault in the Phyſick, nor Phyſitian, and yet the Patient longer ſick, then he deſires to be. for the Nation, with what ſpeed they can.

4. What oppreſſions ſoever at preſent lye on the people, they are not the ſame kinds of oppreſſions which were in the time of Hollis, Stapleton, the King, and Biſhops: But this is another reproach and calumniation; for there are none now perſecuted for the truths ſake, as caſt into Priſon, forced into Forrain Countries, hindred from the free exerciſe of Religion; p. 28the which thing heretofore, hath been thought the greateſt, ſoreſt, and deepeſt oppreſſion, as for Purſe ſuffering, the godly have ever held it nothing (comparatively) to that of the conſcience.

2. If followes ſome few lines after, But it is now evident, that it is poſſible for our Phyſitians to bring us into a more dangerous condition then they found us.

Anſw. The blind Bayard ruſheth into the Battle, which way he ſhould goe he ſees not, he c…tes not, ſave onelyonly his Rider ſpurreth him: So it is with thoſe men, they regard not what they ſpeake, not how, nor of whom, but as their malice and paſſion deads them.

Obſerve, …. This again is ſpoken of the Parliament, and howſoever not in words, yet in effect, is the ſ…me which they ſpeak,ffPicture of the Councell …f State, ſec… …dition, p…g 1…. 1…. elſe where; as to be Traytors, Tyrants, Oppreſſors, &c. Phyſitians of no value: But ſecondly, What worſe then before? Worſe then whenggJug… … …red Thoſe grand Trayterous fellowes and Tyrants were at Weſtminſter, whom Mr. Lilburne without feare or dread, or any ſcruple of conſcience, could have deſtroyed with his owne hand, as ſo many VVeaſels and Poulcats: What worſe then we were then? So theyhhThe Maligna… ſay to … ſay. But 3. ſuppoſe it wereiiNot …hat it i… ſo, for … thing d…y … was …. It is r… … …f the M…n…, that at …ſt it w… ſweet a…d very delight…e, b…t aft…ward, through the unthankfulnes and murmuring of the people, it either had no ſa…our, or it was bitter in taſte: Even ſo if our preſent publique mercies be …ot ſweet to ſome mens taſte, it is juſt upon them in regard of their ingratitude and diſcontent. ſo, that our condition is worſe, how doth it appeare, that this Parliament hath brought us into a more dangerous condition then they found us? Here againe is one thing ſet downe for another, Ille for Ego; For wheras our condition is no better, we may thank them, in ſeeking to make diviſion between the Parliament and the people, the Officers and the Souldiers, the Generall and the Officers, the Parliament and the Army, betweene Souldier and Souldier, applying themſelves (as we p. 29have**Diſcover. from p. 16. to 25. elſewhere proved) to all parties in attempting to raiſe ſedition, and fill all places with uproar and commotion.

After Nero had occaſioned much miſchiefe and miſery to the Common-wealth, he wrote to thekkAd Senatum literas miſit, de caede Syllae Plautique hand confeſſus: verum utriuſque turbidum ingenium eſſe, & ſibi incolumitatem Reip. magna cura haberi: Imo canctas ſibi curas amore patriae leviores dictitans, …adiſſe Civium maeſtos vultus. audire ſecretas querimonias. T. cit. Annal. l. 14. p. 280. l. 15. 298. Senate (as theſe men did to the Parliament) accuſing ſome perſons whom he had murdered, to be turbulent and factious men, and that he had a marvellous care for the peoples ſafety; yea, all the cares were nothing in regard of his love to the Countrey, and that he had ſeen the ſad countenances of the Citizens, heard their ſecret complaints, &c. The like is the practice of theſe men, having with their falſe tongues ſlaine ſome perſons of worth, they write to our Senate what ambitious and dangerous men they are, making a ſad Repreſentation of their love and care to their Countrey, how deeply affected they are with the ſad countenances of the people, and their ſecret complaints, concealing in the meane time (as he did) the murder of Sylla and Plautus, and that by their meanes the Nation ſuffers extreamly.

3. Neither can there be a more reproachful ſpeech,llEnglands new Chaine, pag. 14. and indeede no leſſe ſeditious, then when they ſay††Englands new Chaine, pag. 16. As for the proſperity of the Nation, what one thing hath been done that tendeth to it? Nay, hath any thing been done ſince they were in power? But what increaſeth the rancor, hatred, and malice which our late unhappy differences have begotten amongſt us, as if they had placed their happineſſe and ſecurity in the totall diviſion of the people, nothing being offered by them that hath any face of reconcilement in it, nothing of cheerfulneſſe or generall ſatisfaction, the mother of Trade and Plenty, that might take away the private remembrances and diſtinction p. 30of parties; nothing indeed but what tende… to implacable bitterneſſe of ſpirit, the mother of confuſion, penury, and beggery: So much wee have from them at once.

Anſw. Thoſe who are accuſtomed to take poyſon in ſmall quantities, doe inable their ſtomacks to diſgeſt more, till by long cuſtome and increaſing the quantitie by degrees, it becometh ſo familiar to their ſtomacks that inſtead of poyſoning them, they aremmSo Galen writes of a Mayd called Napella, that poyſon did her no harm, but turned to her nouriſhment. nouriſhed thereby. The poyſon of Aſps under thoſe mens tongus: it weakens them not, but through cuſtoming themſelves to it; they are ſtrenghthened in the courſe of ſlander.

1. Beſides liberty of conſcience, freedome of the Goſpell, a generall peace through the Land, withnnWe are not like Children, who being denyed of ſome things they would have, caſt away in rage whatſoever is in their hands; though we have not, every thing we wiſh for, yet we deſire to make a comfortable uſe of what we have. many other publick and private bleſſings which the Lord by them asooAnd for thoſe very men whom they moſt accuſe hath the Lord made ſpecial inſtruments for the good of this Nation. Quidam quo plus debent magis oderunt, Sen. Epiſt. 48. Inſtruments and meanes hath brought over to us: this is one, tending to the proſperity of the Nation, namely, that they have often ſuppreſſed ſeverall conſpiracies, plotted by the Levelling partie againſt the wellfare and ſafetie of the Common-wealth. Secondly, That evill men wax worſe and worſe, and that their rancor, hatred and malice ſhould encreaſe, it is no marvaile, it hath alwayes been ſo, even when the beſt, wiſeſt and ableſt men have governed; and yet were not the Governours then in fault, nor any way the cauſer… thereof. Thirdly, It is no new thing to heare men, (ppTac. Hiſt. lib. 12. pag. 395. ſuum quiſque flagitium aliis objectantes) to lay their own faultsqqSo Ahab charged Elias to be the Trouble of Iſrael, whereas the Prophet was innocent, and it was he and his Fathers houſe had done that thing. upon others: to cry ſtop the theife p. 31ſtop the theife, being in the meane time the onelyonly robbers. There is not any thing which with leſſe colour or ſhew of truth, can be charged upon the Officers of the Army, then the diviſion of the People; no ſuch thing this way hath ever been noted or ſuſpected of them: whereas the practice of the other, is notorious, and as eaſie may the Blackmore waſh himſelfe white as they wipe of the ſtaine and ſpot thereof.

4. For the matter of reconcilement, here they are likerr1 Sam. 11.1, 2.1 Sam 11:11 Sam 11:2 Nahaſh the Ammonite, who would not make a covenant with Jabeſh Giliad, but on this condition, that he might thruſt out all their right eyes: Even ſo, unleſſe we will agree that they ſhall pluck out the right eyes of our Nation, asſſBy moving Souldiers as well as others to riſe up againſt the Parliament men, and to apprehend, ſecure, and bring them, as ſo many profeſſed Traytors, Thieves, Robbers, &c. to Juſtice in a new Repreſentative. Picture of the Councell of State, pag. 14. break the Parliament, ttEnglands new Chaine, firſt part, pag. 12.diſſolve this preſent Councell of State, uuIbid.take away the law Marſhall from the Army, and xxThe ſame Book, pag. 11.perſons in the higheſt Command of Military power, there is nothing offered (as they ſay) that hath any face of reconcilement in it, nothing of cheerfulneſſe, &c. But as (we uſe to ſay) A man may buy Gold too …ear, even ſo, howſoever wee ſhould deſire peace with all men, notwithſtanding (provided alwayes) as it may ſtand with theyyPax ea fit, non pax ſervitutis Cic. Phil. 12. Pax vera eſt, concordiam habere cum moribus probis & litigare cum vitijs C…ſſ. ſuper Pſal. proſperity and ſafety of the Common wealth; and ſo farre a reconcilement hath been offered ſtill, to all parties without diſtinction.

5. That any thing is offered, tending to implacable bitterneſſe of ſpirit, it is the Fountaine of ſlander that ſpeakes it; for it is neither ſo nor ſo: But we perceive well enough where they are, and the worke they are doing; it is to provoke the people to more diſcontent againſt the Parliament; here they would perſwade men to thinke that our Governours are p. 32Pharoahs, keep them forceably in bondage, and lay burdens upon them purpoſely to make their live… bitter; and is there not ſo much in their very word…, for if there be nothing offered the people, but what tends to bitterneſſe of ſpirit, to confuſion, penury, beggery, What worſe could Pharoah doe? Nay by their aggravating it, nothing indeed; they make them worſe then he: And it is worth the obſerving, how this (Nothing) is over and over repeated: Nothing that hath any face of reconcilement, &c. Nothing of cheerfulneſſe, &c. Nothing but what tendeth to bitterneſſe of ſpirit, &c. An accuſation of the higheſt Tyranny and oppreſſion that was ever charged upon Magiſtrates; theaaWe deſire the Reader to obſerve, that there are burdens and grievances upon the people, it is not denyed, but whether they may (ſpecially many of them) be taken off as yet, that is to be conſidered; and indeed, if things were duely conſidered, at the preſent it is not poſſible; and therefore we ſhould beware that we make not the remedies worſe then the diſeaſe. falſhood whereof is ſuch, as the expreſſion is conviction ſufficient; Thou loveſt all devouring words, O thou deceitfull tongue.

4. Now what elſe? Againſt all thoſe deluſions and perfidious ſtratagems layd by thoſe men to betray and enſlave the Common wealth to their owne Pride. Ambition, Luſts, Coveteouſneſſe, and Dominion, if not Dukeſhip, or Kingſhip; their Creatures diſcourſing of late that the power muſt be reduced to one, what their meaning is, time (if not hindered) will manifeſt.

Amongſt the Virginians, they uſe to dye themſelves with the juice of diverſe Hearbs, and he is held the gallanteſt man, that is moſt monſtrous to behold: No doubt theſe men doe take themſelves (and ſo others of that party) to be gallant men in uſing their tongues to ſuch falſe, ſcandalous, and reproachfull ſpeeches; howſoever in the eyes of all ſober, judiciall, and rationall people, the practice makes them moſt monſtrous and hatefull.

For anſwer, Firſt, what they call deluſions and perfidious p. 33ſtratagems are accuſations without proofe;bbAnd the Reader ſhall obſerve many of this kind: things wherein they never acted nor had any relation unto. ſome things wherein theſe men are not concerned, others, in themſelvesccSo here, they uſually condemne that for a crime, which was in it ſelfe very good; onelyonly it was not according to their Principle. lawfull and juſt, and ſoddWe dare avouch it, and ſhall make it good, that there is not in the Booke, one thing true as they have ſet it downe. none true as they report them: Secondly. So farre have they been from enſlaving or betraying the Commonwealth, &c. as by the bleſſing of God upon their endeavours, they have been the men whereby the Common wealth is freed from the bondage and ſlavery they ſpeake of; which ſhewes their malice, unthankfulneſſe, and blindneſſe, to be the greater. Becauſe Ageſilau, was beloved of the Citizens for his good life, and the great ſervice he had done them, the Ephori would fine him for it; So theſe men would have ſome to be fin'd and worſe too, becauſe they have won the hearts and love of the people by their valour and ſufferings for them;eePro. 17.13.Prov 17:13 Who ſo rewardeth evill for good, ffReſpurt datorem, qui datum deſerit, negat ben…cium qui beneficium non honorat. Tertull. Paeuleen. c. 5.evill ſhall not depart from his houſe.

3. To let paſſe the tearme (Creature) being the uſuall language of men diſaffected to the State; that there ſhould be any ſuch diſcourſe they ſpeake of, we are confident it is falſe, a meere deviſe of their owne head: But howſoever, as they here have brought it in, moſt reproachfull: to inſinuate a thing of ſuch a high nature againſt any man in authority, from other mens diſcourſe.

4. For that Parentheſis (if they be not hindered) there is ſomething in it though nothing for what it is brought. Treaſon indeed ſhould be hindered; there is all the reaſon in the World for it, yea andggInitio ſedicionum, quamprimū apparueri… compr…mantur, Clem. Templ. Polit. lib. 4. c. 7. p 424. timely to, whiles it is in the Cradle hatching like the Cockatrice Egges, that it may not breake forth. And it is the wiſedome of all States to be carefull p. 34herein, for as one well ſayth,hhIndulgentia & lenitas Magiſtratus nimia, ſeditionis anſam praebet; quia dum quieſcere Magiſtratus officia plebs videt, milliſque legum ſe coercere repagulis animadvertit, ipſa ſibi rapere gubernacula & quidvis andere incipit, contempto Magiſtratu vel impunitatis concepta, Frid. Wendellin. Inſtit. Polit. l. 3. c. 2. p. 492. The too much indulgence and lenity of the Magiſtrate gives occaſion many times of ſedition: for whiles the common ſ…rt ſee him iiTherefore one ſays well, A Magiſtrate who hath diſcovered a Conſpiracy, and ſeemes fearefull to remedy it is an faulty as the Conſpirator himſelfe.quiet and not to ſuppreſſe it at firſt, they take boldneſſe thereupon and ſo out of contempt of the Magiſtrate, and hope of impunity ſeeke at laſt to wring the Government and ſword out of his hand.

5. From the ſame poyſoned Fountain iſſues this bitter water.**Englands new Chaine, pag. 9. Thus the moſt hopefull opportunity that ever England had for recovery of our Freedome was ſpent and conſumed in ſuch their uncertaine ſtaggering motions, and arbitrary irrationall proceedings; whereby all parties become extreamely exaſperated, as people that had been meerely mockt and cheated by fair promiſes and under the moſt religious pretences &c.

For anſwer to this and the reſt following firſt, A bold affirmation is nokkThe Law ſaith, Probationes debent eſſe hace clariores, L. Sciant. c. proofe, and with the more reaſon to be rejected when it comes (as this doth) from a malicious enimy. Alexander of Hales a Schoolman, is called Irrefragabilis, that is the Doctor ungain-ſaying. it ſeemes theſe men had ſome ſuch opinion of themſelves, that if they ſhould let it downe thus, their uncertaine, ſtaggering, arbitrary, irrationall, &c. whoſoever reading it, would beleeve it, and ſollIt was the Principle of a certaine Atheiſt, that if a man had an … he ſhould aſperſe him; for though all would not beleeve it, yet ſome would. no matter, what they ſayd whether true or falſe. Secondly, It is a reproach and a lye to ſay thatmmIt is much, men ſhould be ſo audacious as to affirme that which they know they cannot prove. all parties were exaſperated in reference to the proceedings of the Generall Officers; for the honeſt and well affected party, who ſtill cloſe p. 35with them, did ever take them to be reall and ſincere, and knew they would have done more for the Nation had not many things unhappily fallen out in their way. Neither to ſay the truth were there any parties exaſperated againſt them, ſaving ſuch men as would not have the preſent Government eſtabliſhed.

3. To say the people were 1. mockt and cheated and 2. by fair promiſes 3. under moſt religious pr… tences, theſe are chips of the old block all falſehoods and ſlanders: fornnThey have not any where ſhewed wherin the Commanders are departed from any lawfull promiſe, or wherein they doe not performe a juſt promiſe formerly made, being now in their power to performe it. whatſoever was promiſed they have continually endeavoured to performe, neither have they given us any cauſe to doubt but what further they can doe for the good of the Nation, the ſame likewiſe they will effect, by improving all the intereſts and relations they have: As in a houſe of ſmoake, a man ſhall ſooner be ſtifled and blinded, then warmed: ſo their reports tend meerelie to abuſe and deceive the Reader, and not at all to give him any true or right informations of things.

4. That the Army ſhould be made a by-word, a hiſſing and reproach to the ooNo…e ſtill how they cannot avoyd to ſpe…e that which they know is falſe.whole Nation, and ready to be ſtoned in ppMarke their words.all places where they come, and by thoſe who loved them before, &c. This is another knowne untruth and ſlander: Neither have thoſe (if there be any ſuch) who thought nothing too precious for them in hope of their large good promiſes and proteſts in their Declarations, declined in their affections for any unfaithfulneſſe, or unjuſt actings of the Commanders. Siba by his falſe and ſcandalous tongue, may occaſion honeſt David to fall off in his affection from harmeleſſe Mephiboſheth, but it is an offence taken, and not given: ſo it is poſſible through the calumniation p. 36of ſuch men, th…t wel-meaning people mayqqI have read ſomewhere of an Appari…or, h…ving given out a falſe accuſation ag…inſt two honeſt perſons, and others reporting it after him, came within a little while and ſummoned them to their Court, for a Fame, the which he himſelf had onelyonly rayſed. Much like to this is their practice, firſt, they deviſe things, and then others ſpeake them after them; then afterward they come about againe (like the Summoner) & aſperſe the Commanders and Army for lying under ſuch Reproaches, which they before had invented. not thinke ſo honourably of the Officers as they have done, and yet not for any juſt cauſe which they have given them; but becauſe Whiſperers have ſeparated chiefe Friends.

5. The generall Riſing and Revolt is imputed to theſe men, to their unjuſt, partiall, and perfidious dealings, as the proper iſſue of ſuch horrid deluſions. As for big words wee are not Children to be frighted with ſcare-crowes: If they ſhould tell us that Zedekiah rebelled againſt Nebuchadnezzar, as moved thereto by Jeremiah, howſoever the Prophet admoniſhed him to the contrary, would we receive it for a truth? As little reaſon or ground have they for the other. That ſome might be provoked to Riſe by the diſtemper which that faction had made in the Army, it is poſſible; but that the Commanders ſhould give any occaſion, or encouragement that way, it ſhewes that their malice is riſen from the heart into their eyes, and blinds them: to raiſe a Reproach ſo clearely againſt all reaſon, and the moſt certaine knowledge and experience which generally men have of the contrary: And this ſhall ſuffice for what is Falſe, Scandalous, and Reproachfull.

Now we come, In what deſtructive to the preſent Government: Firſt they ſay,**Englands new Chaine, pag. 13. Their onelyonly rrSeditious men are alwayes rather ſeated then loved: Caeſar more feared Brutus Treaſon, then Pompeys Valour. Non virtute ſed proditione victum fremebat. Tac. Hiſt. lib. 2. pag. 325.feares remaine upon our diſcoveries, to prevent which, they uſe meanes that either we might not have opportunities to p. 37lay open their Treacheries and Hypocriſies, or ſſEaſie credulity is plaine ſimplicity: we live not now in ſuch an age, of which it is ſayd, A Deo ſanctae erat illis temporibus fides, ut fallere aliquos poſſe non crederetur. Ambroſ. de offic. l. 3. c. 10. For now, Plures ſaepe magnum no…en falſis vulgi opinionibus abſtulerunt. Boët. 3. de Conſolatione.not beleeved if we did it: In order to the firſt, they ſtrictly ſtop the Preſſe.

Anſw. 1. The Camelion having taken in the ayre, afterwards his belly ſwels; if theſe men were not ful of winde and vanity, ſuch ſelfe-boaſting would not be expreſſed.

But ſecondly, ſee their craft; they have the State at ſuch an advantage, as they thinke now it muſt be broken one way or other; for if they are ſuffered to ſpeake and write what they pleaſe, they make no queſtion, but under the colour, of diſcovering Treacheries, and Hypocriſies, the Magiſtrates by their Tongues and Pens ſhall be made ſo odious, as the people no where will obey them. Againe, if hindered by ſtopping the Preſſe, as much danger then this way, becauſe the diſcontents of their patty will be ſuch as they will not beare it; thus we are ma…e faſt, and no door open to eſcape.

3. Neither doe theſe ſtep aſide from the way of former Incenaiaries; but as they carry on the ſame deſigne, ſo in practice are alike: Mortimer a Kentiſh Rebell (falſly naming himſelfe Jack Cade)ttWilliam Martin his H ſtory of England, Henr. 6. pag. 197. by Meſſengers informed the King, that he intended not any hurt againſt his Royall Perſon, but would diſplace, and puniſh ſome of his evill Counſellours, who were his Flatterers, and partiall to their owne Friends, bitter to their enemies, enrichers of themſelves, oppreſſours of the Common people, greedy of too much Honour, and who for rewards corruptly ordered (or rather diſordered) all things as they pleaſed: So theſe men (ſpeaking the ſame, even word for word) pretend they intend not any hurt againſt the Common wealth: but becauſe a p. 38Faction of Officers have betrayed and …ſlaved the Nation, therefore they ſeeke to raiſe up the Souldiers and people in all places, to an inſurrection and revolt: and the ſame pretext had theuuNec deſtituerint de Magiſtratibus tyrannide paratragaeliare, & inculcare plebi, omnia natura libera eſſe & Communia: ex…tiendum eſſe principum aque ac Pontificis Romani Ju…um; & quia illi blandis monitis haud quaquam cedent ſed bona & capita ſubditorum libidini ſuae vectigalia eſſe velint, juſtiſſimis armis id omnibus vindi…andum eſſe, quod omnium eſſe Deus volucrit. Munſt… Revellers, neither indeed have any former Conſpirators (for the moſt part) gon to wor…e any other way.

4. How deſtructive to the preſent government their words here are, may appeare in this, in calling ſuch things Treacheries and hypocryſies which in a ſpeciall manner tend to the ſafetie and wellfare of the People. Is not the errecting of the Councell of State, the late proceedings against the King and Lords, the peace of the Army, the ſuppreſsing of mutin… among the Souldiers, the continuing of Exceſe, marſhall Law, and perſons in the higheſt command of a military power, the prohibiting of falſe and ſcandalous Bookes, takeing away ſedition in all places &c. for the upholding of the preſent Government? or can it poſiblie ſtand, if ſuch things were not ſo? nevertheleſſe (and note it well good Reader) againſt all theſe in particular doe they object, aſperſing them, as the Treacheries and Hypocriſies of ſome men.

2. They ſay,xxEnglands new Chaine, pag. 5. which advice proceeded as well from our reſpect; to the Citty and neighb…ur-places, as upon feares of what we know to be the practice of yyHaud ignarus ſumma ſcelera incipi cum periculo, perigi cum praemio. Tac. Annal. l. 12. p. 224.other Tyrants, (and therefore doubted would be exerciſed by thoſe) namelie the garriſoning of great Towns, thereby to keepe the People as well in povertie as in continuall aw and ſubjection.

Anſw, 1. Can any thing be ſpoken more deſtructive to the preſent Government, then to call ſuch men p. 39aaBy the Statute Law, if any have conſpired to deſtroy any Lord, Councellour, or great Officer, and be found guilty by confeſſion, or otherwiſe, that the ſayd offence be judged Felony; and they to have judgement and execution as Felons attainted ought to have by the Common Law. 3. Henr. 7.14. C…oke li. pl. fol. 482. Qu. If certain pe…ſons accu…e a man falſly of Tr… ſon, whether it be not a conſpiring to kill him.Tyrants as are in authoritie, and for no other r… ſon but becauſe they yeild ſpeciall ayd and aſſiſtance to the ſtate. Secondly, Here were enough (if beleeved) to rayſe up the people in all places againſt the Army, and not to ſuffer them in the leaſt to come among them; for if their intent be (as theſe men inſinuate) to enſlave them and make them poore, by Garriſons: who would not oppoſe and reſiſt their entrance in ſuch a caſe? Thirdly, The treacherie of theſe men is the more ſeen and intollerable, in that the whole Army (ſpecially the Generall Officers) have given from time to time ſuch reall proofe and large experience to the Nation of their fidelity, love, care; ſo that there was not any cauſe at all of ſuch a ſuſpition or doubt; but clearlie the contrarie: and therefore the feare which they mention in relation to the practice of other Tyrant…, was onelyonly brought in as a ſtratagem of purpoſe to beget a Jealouſie in the People, whereas they knew there was no reaſon for it.

4. The ground or matter from whence they take occaſion to match the Commanders, with former Tyrants, and to ſet the People againſt the Souldiers ads much to the evill of it. It was (propoſed (ſay they) by the Agitators friends of London, Southwarke, and the places adjacent, that the Tower, Citty and Burough might be ſecured by the well-affected inhabitants and not by Souldiers. It is true ſome thing to this purpoſe was ſpoken at Kingſtons; and upon debate, it was found no way fit, and many reaſons were given to ſhew how unſafe dangerous and inconvenient it was to have it ſo, whereupon ſome of the propoſers yeelded, and were ſatiſfyed in the thing: p. 40wee could ſet downe the reaſons here what they were, if it were uſefull and no doubt every rationall man (if he heard them) would ſay they were forceable and ſtrong and neceſſary to be followed.

Now let the Reader judge, if theſe men had not juſt cauſe, to call the Commanders Tyrants, and to publiſh to the World ſuch horrid and perfidious things: For thus it was in regard of many deſperate plots and deſignes known then to be working againſt the State, and the unfitneſſe of the Inhabitants, having there Trades and other things to looke after, and the capacitie the Souldiers were in, to mannage the thing better, it was ordered for the preſent that the keeping of ſome places ſhould be by Souldiers, for the more ſafetie and ſecurity thereof: And this is all thebbNo…e, that it is falſe which they ſpeake of diſmiſſing the Propoſers with Reproaches; ſome were blamed for medling too much in things, which as it little concerned them, ſo they underſtood them leſſe; and withall for being intemperate in their ſpeeches. matter, for which ſo much faction and treachery is expreſt. The law of Retaliation is wel known, both theccExod. 21.24. Levit. 24.20. Deu…. 29 11.Exod 21:24Lev 24:20 Scriptures, andddCic. Pro. Caec. Juſtin. Inſtit. l. 4. Tit. 4 pag. 364. Humane Writers mention it, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth; but to take away a mans goodeeHere is more then taking a good Name away; it is to take the life away, that they conſpire about. name and reputation, is more then the loſſe of an eye, or tooth, and therefore ſuch wrongfull doers deſerve the greater puniſhment.

3. We come now to a more large diſcourſe, and thus it begins, And as before, upon their firſt great ſucceſſe againſt the City, when now againe it juſtly was expected they ſhould have made uſe of ſo notable and unexpected bleſſings, to the benefit and advantage of the Common wealth (as their late repentances, promiſes and pretences gave men cauſe to hope) the event proved they intended another uſe thereof, for (having now ſubdued all their enemies) they proceed with greater confidence to their former purpoſes of making themſelves abſolute Maſters of the Common wealth.

p. 41It is the wiſedome of Souldiers, to learne with what weapon and ſtrength their enemies will come againſt them, and accordingly to provide themſelve… we are by this time wel acquainted with theſe mens Weapons: reaſons and proofe they bring none, neither is the ſame to be expected from them, they having none: ſo that if we provide our ſelves againſt their ſpears and arrows of a falſ tongue it isffNote, that there is one who ſtiles himſelfe Lapis a State, or rather a Black. the ſimplician undertakes to diſcover the Diſcoverer; but ſpeakes never a word to the matter, nor underſtands it: For whereas the Levelling faction hath aſperſed the Parliament, Councell of State, and Councell of Warre: the Diſcoverer denies the things layd to their change. Now … ſt…d of proving them, whi…h hee ſhould have done, undert…ing the juſtification of them, the …ck ſpeakes a parcell of nonſ…ce, but for their a…uſſations he meddles not withall, although, had he not beene as ſenſleſſe as a Stone, hee might have ſoon it was the …e thing he had … doe. ſuffi…ent; and we ſhall doe well enough.

It was not without cauſe that the Parliament voted their Booke ſeditious and deſtructive to the preſent Government; for what can be more? For firſt, So farre are our Governours from being abſolute Maſters as that the Common-wealth never enjoyed the likeggW…n had Gods people, in this Land the like freedome to ſerve God, as now they have? Had our Fore-fathers lived … …ch Magiſtrates, they would not have thought them Tyrants, abſolute Maſters, &c. But as he ſayth, foreign, Hom. Odyſſ ſ…. libertie theſ… many hundred Yeares: As for taxes and rates, they are not with as any point of bondage, but rather as a preſervative and meanes to keepe us from it, and to uphold the juſt freedome and rights of the Nation. Secondly, For the late repentances and promiſes they ſpeake of: what they report we know is untrue, but what is true, we know the accompliſhment of them, by them to be dayly made good: neither can it be juſtly imputed unto them, that other things are not likewiſe performed.

3. Concerning the agreement of the People, a ſhort anſwer will ſerve to their many words: firſt, It is falſe that they employed their Agents to get me…tings and Treaties, thereby to keepe quiet the buſie p. 42watchfull partie, whilſt they went on with other peices of their worke: For herein they can appeale to God who is the ſearcher of all hearts, as they ſpake of Union and reconciliation: ſo they would gladly have ſeen it, and doe ſtill deſirouſlie deſire anhhPax optima rerum Quas homini noviſſe, datum eſt: pax una triumphis innumeris potior pax cuſtodite ſalutem, & cives aequare potens, Silius Italic. lib. 11. Be… Pun. Agreement, not onelyonly with this buſie partie, but with all other parties: provided it may not be prejudiciall and hurtfull to the Nation: Secondly, we take notice of their words (buſie watchfull party) now in truth, as fitlie ſpoken, and well applied as a thing could be; ſome write of a ſtone called Siderites, if it be brought amongſt a people already at variance, it will occaſion a continuance and increaſe of contention, and ſtrife between them: ſo did this buſie partie, by their unſeaſonable, prepoſtorous, raſh and heady proceedings (asiiOr, the fire Fly that leaps and skips in the fire. flys in the ſore) they made the wound worſe, and the difference wider and greater then before: How doth it appeare that the thing before they left it, was ſo obſcurd and perplext in the ſence, ſo ſhort of what was intended, and ſo corrupted &c. that kkIt would be inquired, who are meant by Thoſe we ſuppoſe none but the Buſie party.thoſe moſt loathed it that moſt deſired it. It ſeems this muſt be true becauſe they ſay it, but others of better judgement ſay otherwiſe; and we could eaſily make itllSee a Booke entituled, The Agreement of the people, not that ſubſcribed by the four Priſoners, but another. ſo appear: but not being proper to this place, we let it paſſe; onelyonly, whereas they turne againe to their former vomit of falſe accuſing, ſaying, whilſt they had fixt good mens eyes and thoughts upon that worke, they ſecretly and ſwiftly proſecute their other deſignes: We anſwer, As we know of no deſigne proſecuted ſince by them either ſwiftly or ſlowly, but what hath been honourable, juſt, lawfull; ſo, for the particular things which themſelves ſet p. 43downe a little after, as to bee their mmThe Ictericks, who have the Jaundeſſe in their eyes, ſee nothing which ſeemeth not to carry the ſame colour; ſo theſe men, ſuch things which others doe (though in themſelves very good) are deſignes and plots againſt the Land, becauſe their eyes and hearts are filled therewith.deſigne, wee are ſure tended to the welfare and good of the Nation.

4. Their next is, Of thoſe extraordinary ſudden, and violent courſes lately taken: And here to ſhew how wel affected they are to the preſent Government, or rather hownnAt Sampſon meant when he took hold of the two middle pillars that the houſe ſhould fall, and the Lords and people theron be deſtroyed: So what leſſe can they intend by their ſeeking to pull downe the Parliament & Councell of State, but to deſtroy this preſent Government, and ſuch as are upheld by it. trcacherouſly they conſpire to deſtroy it: They complaine forooEnglands new Chaine, pag. 12.13.17. bringing the Army to the City, breaking the Houſe in Peices, removing the King by ſuch an extra-judiciall proceedings and Court of Juſtice, as done for no other end but to make way for their owne abſolute domination: And further, The taking away the Houſe of Lords, the erecting the Councell of State, the voting of the people the Supreame power, and this Houſe the Supreame Authority; all theſe particulars, &c. as they have managed them, are of ſole conducement to their ends and intents, either by removing ſuch as ſtand in the way betweene them and the power, wealth, or command of the Common wealth, or by actually poſſeſſing and inveſting them in the ſame.

A man ſhooting at appIf by Statute Lawes, ſuch as did kill the Kings Deere, were grievouſly to be puniſhed, 9. Hen. 3.10. 1 Edw. 3.8. Stat. 1. Hen. 7.7. what puniſhment doe they deſerve who ſhoot the arrows of Treaſon againſt the State, thereby to deſtroy it. Deare to kill her out of hand, will not ayme at the leggs or feet, but at the heart, knowing if he hit her there, ſhe falls, and is his own; hitherto for the moſt part, they have ſhot their Arrowes of bitter words, at the leggs and feet of the State; but ſeeing there followed no ſucceſſe that way, now they Levell (as right Levellers indeed) at the Heart, where if they hitt home, there is no doubt butqqPundamento deficiente omnia ruunt. downe comes the preſent Government as p. 44a prey (or Veniſon) for their teeth.

For anſwer, Firſt, whatſoever hath been done in thoſe particulars; as in bringing the Army to the City, purging the Houſe, removing the King, the ſame hath been**…ee M. J…n … B…ks, Right and might well …, and his Answer to M. Gea…ce. Alſo, Juſtice advanced: The Tenure of Kings. The Caſe of King Charles. proved Lawfull, and therefore it ſhews their greater preſumption, that knowing the things which they ſpeak againſt, are juſtified by Scripture, Law, and Reaſon, without either anſwering others, or proving any thing themſelves, they ſhould dare ſo ſpeake; for doe they think the Engliſh Nation to be ſuch Simplicians, as to prefer what they barely ſay, before what isſſIn dubijs ſunt attendenda ea quae conveniunt naturae negotij & verijutilia. C. licet cauſam, de proba: & L. Ob. Carnem §. fi. A. Teſt. facit. proved and made as cleare as the Sun at the Noon day by others?

2. To ſhoot through the heart of the State, our preſent Governours, are not onelyonly accuſed in thoſe particulars; but alſo (and marke it well) as done for no other end but to make way for their abſolute damination. What?ttBut howſoever it be thus ſayd, yet the perſons accuſed may in the words of their Accuſers ſay, We ſhall take no h…me at all by their malice, but make them lick up the poyſon they have vomited; and that all men ſhall ſee their ſnare broken, & the harmeleſſe birds eſcaped. The ſilken Independents Snare broken, pag. 2. FOR NO OTHER END? And FOR THEIR OWNE ABSOLUTE DOMINATION? Not halfe and halfe a parting of ſtakes? ſome think for the publick good, and ſome think for private ends: at leaſt a little for their Countrey, and a great deale for themſelves: Not ſo, but all reſpect of common good is caſt aſide: and this is, for Abſolute Domination: not only to be Lords & Maſters, butuuLa… le… like thinkes us ſo contem…tible and meane bred, or ſuch ſenſleſſe ſtones (as himſelfe) that we cannot decline Treaſon: yes, and could ha…e found out ſenſe too in his Book, if there had been any: It will be the beſt wit the Block hath, if he have the wit to conceale his Name. ABSOLUTE: None to Reigne and beare Rule but themſelves only, as for all the reſt, of what name or title ſoever, to be ſubordinate and under their power and command.

p. 45It is no marvell they ſay, We ſhall not doubt (though the Parliament xxQui peccantur coram omnibus, corā omnibus corripienda ſ…s, ut …mnes tim…ni Auguſt. de verbis Domini.ſayle us) but that what wee have here preſented and publiſhed, will open the eyes and rayſe the hearts of ſo conſiderable a number of the Souldiery and People in all places, and make them ſo ſenſible of the bondage and danger threatned, as that theſe men, this faction of Officers ſhall never be able to goe through with their wicked intentions: For how could they thinke leſſe, having poſſeſſed the people that they had broken the Parliament, unjuſtly proceeded againſt the King and others, illegally erected high Courts of Juſtice; and withall done all this for no other end, but to become Tyrants, and the people made ſlaves; but the Souldiery and people in all places would riſe up againſt them.

It is reported of Timotheus, Alexanders Harper, when his Maſter was at a Banquet, he played an Alarum or Aſſault, ſo to the life, as the King was occaſioned, to riſe from the Table and take his Armour, ſo that his ſpirits remaining vanquiſhed and overcome, was conſtrained to obey the harmony that proceeded from the Inſtrument: What eare ever heard anyyHeare what L…is ſaith, Th… Syc…ho… hath invented wicked thoughts which never entred their guiltleſſe ſoules. Poore heares, Lai qu… to la v…, el Diablo e… Capill…. Alarm… more moving to Rebellion, it is no wonder that ſome people have their ſpirits overcome, and are in a manner up, and taking their Weapons; alas! what cannot ſuch Har… and Inſtruments doe in this caſe, ſpecially where …re isaaSuch is one Lapis appeare to be: Ne… boni intellectus, neque moli cura ſed increede alu…tur, miniſtri ſ…eleribus, Tac. An. l. 16. pag. 171. Pronus ad … vas res, ſcelere in ſuper Nymphidij Sahani, praefecti imperium ſibi in lientis agituntur, Tac. H ſt. l. 1. p 335. a weake ſpirit and a buſie head to worke on: But

bbHor. Opod. 7.Quò, quò Sceloſti ruit i…? aut cur dexteris

Aptantur enſes condita?

Parumne Campis, atque Neptono ſuper,

Fuſum eſt Britanni ſanguinis?

p. 46Ah wretches! Whither haſt you, to what end,

Doe your right hands to ſheathed Swords deſcend?

Is there ſo little, yet of Engliſh blood,

Powr'd on the Champian fields, or Ocean flood?

ccNever was there an accuſation of higher injuſtice & greater Tyranny charged upon any State. Geeſe, if they chance to catch hold of any root with their bill, they will bite and pull ſo hard, to have it, that many times they breake their owne necks withall, before they leave their hold.3. Neither is it leſſe deſtructive to the preſent Government to ſay that the Erecting their Councel of State, the voting the People the ſupreame power, and this Houſe the ſupreame Authority, all theſe particulars are SOLE Conducements to their ends and intents &c. Can the heart deviſe, or mouth ſpeake more Trayterouſly againſt the preſent Government? A thing in it ſelfe unlawful, may be done with a good intention, and to a wel meaning end, & ſo in part excuſable: but to do a thing in it ſelfe evill, and to an evill end, it is the fulneſſe of evill, and further in wickedneſſe men cannot go. Again howſoever they would ſeem ſomtimes, to ſpare the Parliament and let the ſcourge of their tongue fall only upon a faction of Officers, yet herein theirddCuſtome & uſe make thoſe faſhions which at fi…ſt ſeemed very ugly, and abominable, to to be in account very good and commendable hypocriſie often breaks out: ſo here, for who have erected the Councell of ſtate, voted the people &c. not the Generall Officers, but the Parliament, nevertheleſſe theſe things are ſayd to be done, to as evill an end and bad intent as can be imagined.eePro. 18.6. Sermones univerſi vecordis non niſi verbis contentioſis & jurgiis conſtant. Rab. Salom. in hunc Verſ.Prov 18:6 A Fools lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for ſtroakes.

5. Neither have they yet done, but as deſtructive to the preſent Government are theſe words,ffEnglands new Chaine, pag. 18. and for the ggforeign. Theophr.truth of our Judgements herein: we ſhould with gladneſſe ſubmit to the determination of this Honourable p. 47Houſe, were not their hhYet their tongue is higher, Ʋt n…ctua aves ina…ſp…cata noctu gementes (nam hac illis vox eſt) mortalium invident quieti: ita virulentia lingua ſemper aliquid ſpargit, quo concordiam hominum diſturbet. Plin. l. 11. c. 25.high hand as yet held over you. And therefore we are enforced to appeale to a new repreſentative, equally choſen as is expreſt in our ſerious apprehenſions lately preſented unto you.

Anſw. The ſtreame and violence of Rivers is much more ſwift and violent neere the Ocean then hard by the Fountaine: every naturall motion is ſwifter in the end, then in the begining, becauſe the neerer it comes to its proper place where it muſt reſt the more it deſireth the place in which it may reſt: that thoſe men are here ſo firce and high in termes it ſhewes that they are come now nere theiiforeign. Euripid. end, and therefore no wonder if ſomewhat violenter then before. But firſt, Are not theſe men ingenuous that after ſo much falſehood, ſcandal, reprocah conſpiracie &c. uttered: will not ſubmitt unto the determination of the Parliament: for who would ſuffer for his faultkkPublicam utilitatem privatorū commodis praeferendam, Authent. resquae C. Commu. de Legat. l. Paria delicta mutuo Compenſari. if he could eſcape it? But Secondly, There hath been a late example of one more conſiderable then they all: he likewiſe refuſed to ſubmit &c. and appealed elſewhere; but yet wasllViro in fi. Solut. Matr. proceeded againſt, according to the crimes and evidence they had againſt him. Thirdly, we know no ſuch high hand as they ſpeake of, but have ammWhen the King and Lords were part of the Parliament, the Houſe of Commons had not the liberty and freedome to Act as now they have. freer Parliament then ever, and in a capacity to doe more good for the Land then heretofore: But we know their meaning, the Parliament not being now for theirnnThis High hand they would well like if it were a helping hand for them. turne, they would have it broken, and to bring this to paſſe, aſperſe it, as unfree, under the power of the Sword, &c. A ſtratagem cunningly deviſed, for they know the Malignants theſe many p. 48yeares have ſayd as much, and therefore taking …p their Principle, the others cannot doe leſſe in po…a… of civility then to take them into their, Qua…, and ſo to be no more two, butooTheeves have private differences yet all agree together to rob and ſteal. one party.

4. To Appeale, what is that? It is as much to ſay, there is noppO that I were made Judge in the Land. expectation of juſtice or right … this preſent Government; the Parliament is as if …o Parliament, the Supreame Authority, hath no Authority, and ſo rather a croſſe, a curſe to the N…ion, then a bleſſing; hence they cry out,qqHarken to the Harpat. Mo…e…e & quatere qu… quid uſquam egrum foret aggreditur. A Declaration of the F…ee Commoners of England. Ob wretched England, that ſeeth and yet ſuffereth ſuch intollerable Maſters: as if they ſhould ſay, wherefore takeſt thou not an example from us to appeale from tha… and to make no more addreſſes to them? Why do… thou not declare and proteſt (asrrIf Lapis have ſpit out that ſinck of filth, which lyes in his mouth, p. 9. and wip'd it, he will be able to ſpeake ſomething here about Wee. we have done) that all their Votes, Orders, Ordinances, Declarations, and Acts, and that hereafter they ſhall paſſe, are not binding to the people? For doing thus, and following our ſteps, this preſent Government would be broken. Howſoever Abſolom by diſgracing his Fathers Government, ſought to draw away the hearts of the people from the King, yet he had not this … teach them to Appeale, for howſoever the deſigne heſſAut Caeſar, aut nullus. deſperate, yet if itttIf not foreign. Incidit extremam in noxam vox improba tandem. take, there is nothing like it for to ruine and deſtroy the State.

5. Neither doe they Appeale to a new Repreſentative, but ſuch a one, as is ^u expreſt in their ſer… apprehenſions, lately preſented to the Houſe: Now is not this to betray and enſlave the Common-wealth to their owne Pride, Ambition, Luſts, Covetouſneſſe, Domination: For wherefore to be choſen in ſuch like manner as they preſcribe it, who put them in authority to demand any ſuch thing; much leſſe to lay it downe p. 49as a Rule for the Nation: Are not we Engliſh men, comming forth about their M…del and Pali… of Government, and what a …bel they would make, but indeed a Bab… of clo… is enough to pleaſe Children.and ſo in a legall capacity to claime the utmoſt P…titie, benefit, and priviledge, that the Lawes and liberties of England will allow to any man in the whole Nation. Why thou muſt it be as a few factions inconſiderable, and buſie headed men doe expreſſe? But the truth is, here we ſee their inſide, they would be the**Ma… vale ſer cabeca de R… ton, … …la, de La…. Lords and Maſters, lay downe Models, platforme…, and agreements for the People, and becauſe their way and courſe is juſtlyxxIn A… phels hanging of himſelfe, a man may ſee what a vexation … Conſpirator when his ſedition Counſell is rejected. rejected, they make all the diſturbance and trouble they can in the Commonwealth: And this hath been the conſtant practice of former Conſpirators (as Hiſtoric… are full of examples) when they could not attaine their ambitious ends, out of hatred then to the preſent Government, and envying theyyMac…r… invidia, … illum eſſe p… tentem, illum aſpectari, cl…r… qui incedit honore; Ipſi intenebris volus c… no…ue … tur Lucre…. Governours, by diſturbing the one, and aſperſing the other, to ſeeke the overthrow and ruine of both: And this ſhall ſerve in what deſtructive to the preſent Government.

Now we come to the particulars tending to Mutiny and diviſion in the Army: Whiles the River rune entire withall his wa…er in one bed, his o…ent is the ſwifter, and his force the greater, and dau…teth the moſt hardy to adventure paſſage; but being divided into ſeverall ſtreames, it proves ſo ſlow and ſhallow as it may with ſafety and eaſe be waded over: This party is not ignorant how much the agreement of the Souldiary, and their faſtneſſe together, is for the ſafety of the Land; neither have they any hope to ſee their deſignes effected, unleſſe there be a diſjuncture and breach among them; the which thing (beſides ſeverall other ſeditious wayes**Here L…is mores like himſelfe; in p. 6. he repeats ſome words of the Diſcoverer, Viz. How they have been buſie to rayſe Sedition and Mutiny amongſt the Souldiers, and ſpeakes not a wiſe word to it: But that the young man might not be diſcouraged, other wiſe, we would aske him, whether hee were not entiſed to ſtep in between us and the Levellers, through reading the Story, how the Aſſe tooke upon him to judge betweene the Cuckow and the Nightingale, now of all others the Aſſe might worſe doe it. ſhewed elſewhere) they have ſtrangely attempted by rayſing p. 50many falſe and ſcandalous reports againſt the Generall, Officers, and Councell of War.

As 1.aaEnglands new Chaine. pag. 8. Upon pretence of eaſing the charge of the common-wealth the lifeguard muſt be diſbanded; becauſe conſiſting of diſcerning men, faithfull to their Countrey, and former promiſes, and many others of like principles were bbforeign. Philemon.pickt out of every Regiment, the deſigne being by weeding the choiſeſt and beſt reſolved men to make the Ar…y ccIn the words of Lapis; Now Reader, recollect thy thoughts, and ſeriouſly conſider, whether they who are ſo vaine, ſo falſe in their tongue, and ſo notorious make bates may be heard, and not anſwered, reproved, pag. 20. But he will ſay, if hee keep his Logick, We have not proved this.wholly mercinary and ſlaviſh and the Executioners of a few mens luſts and lawleſſe pleaſures.

Anſw. 1, It was no pretenſe, but a thing truely meant and done; wherein the Generall ſhewed the largeneſſe of his love and affection to the Land, and how farre he could deny himſelfe in point of honour and other reſpects for the peoplesddWe could give the Reader many other reaſons wherefore the Life-Guard was Disbanded. eaſe and accommodation. Secondly, It is not true that either they, or any others were diſbanded becauſe faithfull to their Countrey &c. For it is well knowne it hath beene their care and practice from the begining to this day, to promote ſuch upon all occaſions, and commit matters of greateſt truſt to them.

3. It is likewiſe falſe, that there were any pickt out of every Regiment, for eyther they were diſmis'd upon their owne deſire, or what elſe was don, it was in ſuch an impartiall way; as there was no cauſe given at any time for ſuch a baſe aſperſion. Fourthly, No leſſe is it a falſehood and ſlander to ſay, it was done, to make the Army wholly mercinary, &c. the conditioneeQuae tanta inſonia cives? creditis avectos hoſteis? aut ulla putatis dona carere doli… Danaum? ſic notus Ʋliſſes? Virg. Aeneld. l. 12. p. 51and behaviour of the Army ever ſince, is ſufficient to prove their accuſation to be moſt falſ. But Fifthly, we know their meaning well enough, diſceraing men, faithfull to their Countrey, and many others of like Principles: that is,ffPellicalam veterem retinens, & fron… politus, eſtutam v…id… ſervans ſu… pectore vulpem. Per…us. Satyr. 5. buſie ſeditious, and mutinous as they are t…emſelves. The Turkes call their converts from Chriſtianity,ggThere is more of Chriſt and righteouſneſſe in the Turks Alcoran then in the Levellers Creed. muſul manem ſervati, as if they were fav'd then & not before even …o, unleſſe the Souldiers turn Levellers, reſiſt authoritie, rayſe mutine in the Army, reproach the Officers: they are wholly mercinary, ſlaviſh, and the executioners of a few mens luſts and lawleſſe pleaſures. hhGregarius miles, procan lingua, like Thomſon.But let them T…rne Turkes, Muſulmanim, then they are deſerving men, honeſt and worthy Souldiers, the good men in the Army, iiNam etiam tum Legato à centurionibus, & optimo q…oque manipularium parebatur. Tac. Annal. l. 1. p. 12.men moſt conſcientious and cordially acting for common good &c. But as one ſaith of the rebellion cauſed by Percennius amongſt the Souldiers in Pannony, even then the Centurions, and the better ſort of the Souldiers, were obedient to the Lievtenant. kkDucis in concilio, poſita eſt virtus mi…itum, Valer. Max. lib. 4.So it hath ever been with us.

2. To make diviſion in the Army, they ſay; At the firſt Randezvous neere Ware, they ſhot a Souldier to death, for llLondon Printed in the grand yeare of hypocriticall and abominable diſſimulation. It very wel fits as to that Book where the words are, ſo, with their Englands New Chaine.purſuing the ends of the engagement at New-market, and for inſiſting upon the agreement of the People: unworthily abuſed Maior Skott a Member of this Houſe, ſent him up a Priſoner, and accuſed him and Col. Rainſborough for appearing in behalfe of the agreement, and therewithall ſent Col. Ayres, Major Cobbat, Captaine Bray and many others after Priſoners, to Windſor.

Mr, Lilburne in a Booke lately publiſhed ſpeaking ofmmThe Legall fundamentall Liberties of the people of England, pag. 74. the firſt and ſecond part of Englands New p. 52Chains diſcovered, ſaith; the truth of every line of which (for all its declared treaſonable) I will ſeale with my heart blood. But (good Sir) doe you not know, it is not the ſuffering but th… nn1 Pet. 2.20. and 4.15.1 Pet 2:201 Pet 4:15cauſe of the ſuffering that makesooThe Jeſuits doctrine is, that he dyes a Martyr that dyes for his Conſpiracie and Treaſon againſt the State. a Martyr: now as in the reſt, ſo here what is reported is moſt …ntrue. We find in their writings the ſhooting of the Souldier to death as Ware, is much ſpoken of, as an act of greatppThus did one Vibulenus cauſe a mutiny among the Souldi…s, by accuſing falſly the Lievtenant that he had murdered his Brother, and ſought to murder him. Nulhem ob ſcelus, ſed quia utilitati legi…num confidebamus. Tacit. Annal. lib. 1. p. 13. cruelty & injuſtice, but have never mentioned the cauſe truly why he ſuffered: and therefore to wipe of their falſehood and ſlander from the Army, we ſhall give the Reader here a true account how it was.

The Souldier who was ſhot to death at the R…ndevouze neere Hartford was named Arnold, of whoſe miſcariages and outrages (with ſome others at the ſame time) Captaine Bray in a writing delivered to the Generall and Councell of War (ſubſcribed by him) hath thus reported.

The Regiment being ordered to march to New-Caſtle, when they came at S^t Albanes, had there read unto them, the paper called,qqIt is no marvaile that in all Common-wealths great care hath been taken to ſuppreſſe ſeditious Books, conſidering how dangerous they are. The caſe of the Army ſtated: whereupon they reſolved unanimouſly not to march; and howſoever according to the orders he had received, the next day cauſed the Drums to beat, yet few or none appeared, butrrDictator ſigniferum cunctantem ſignum ut juſſus erat inferre, occidit. Liv. 4. ſeized upon the Collours and ſet them in the waggons, placeing a ſtrong guard about them: and this they did allthough he had uſed all the arguments of perſwaſion he could to the contrarie.

So at a Councell of warre held at Hockley, having given his vote for their marching as a thing fit and p. 53ſſWe might ſhew that as it was, reaſonable, they ſhould obey the …ll; ſo there was at that time great cauſe wherefore the Generall gave them order to march thither.reaſonable, and being returned from the Councell to them, uſed againe many perſwaſive arguments, but all in vaine, for their combination and murmuring much increaſed inſomuch that they ca… into his quarters the ſame night after, and demanded the Colours of him, the which he refuſing and giving many reaſons for it, they went into his Chamber and carried them away, telling him they could not beleeve any of their Officers, nay that they could not beleeve any of their owne fathers.

Being come to Olney he againe commanded the Drums to beat, and intended to goe forward according to his orders, but they came together and reſolved not to march, and when he had propounded unto them all the arguments of obedience and reaſon he could, profeſſing withall to be an enemie to**Cannot Lapis ſee this to be Regular? irregularity, howſoever a freind to all juſt deſires, reſolutions, and mutuall ingagements, they began to be ſuſpitious of him. About the ſame time there being come more Collours from Northamptonſhire, they grew higher, and more refractorie, and as he was preſſing them to their duty, attIt was no doubt, a malignant deſign to diſtemper the Army, thereby to put the Kingdome into a new fl…me. Cavalier affronted him, and ſwore by God, they muſt not beleeve any of their Officers, but ſhould fight now againſt the Independents.

Upon this they marched back according to their determinations to Dunſtable, with many of the Horſe, full of the like diſtemper: and their received a Letter, the ſubſtance whereof was, that they ſhould ſtand to theiruuDecipios ali… verbis vultuqu… benig…: Nam mihi jam no… diſſim…lator eris, Martial. … 4. Epigram. honeſt ingagements &c. and the Party that brought the Letter told them, that the Generall and Le…tenant Generall xxAn uſual practice amongſt them to rayſe up falſe reports of what encouragements they have, thereby to more the credulous and ſ mple the ſooner to rebel…ion. See a Declaration of his Excellency, concerning the revolted Souldiers, pag. 16,would not oppoſe p. 54them, the which report made the Souldiers more and more Exorable.

Much more in that Narration is ſhewed of their inſolencies, and high diſobedience; notwithſtanding he mentionethyyBeing very much ſuſpected to be an a better, or at leaſt a favourer of the Mutiny. not their barbarous and moſt inhumane carriage to their Officers and the Countrey, which was ſo vile and horribly wicked, that all the Felons which have ſuffered at Tyburne theſe twelve months, were not, wee are confident, guilty of ſo manyaaFor this they are called, Honeſt and worthy Souldiers, the go…d men in the Army, men moſt conſciencious & cordially acting for common good. horrid outrages as they committed: Not any of their Officers, except Captain Bray, the Quartermaſter, and one more, durſt co…le neer them; ſome theybbFollowing Walwyns Doctrine, To fre themſelves out of the hands of Tyrants: The bloody Project. p. 14. purſued many miles, and ſwore as they followed them, they would be revenged on them; and in this purſuit of their Officers,ccHere the Craftsmans craft wil hardly finde ſo much craft, as to clear them of theft. theeviſhly tooke away many Horſes in the Countrey, pretending their Officers were run away with their money, whereas they were forc't to flie, or otherwiſe had been cruelly murdered by their owne Souldiers: Neither were their Officers thus baſely abuſed, but their rage and cruelty was as much exerciſed on others; and not againſt Malignants, but their manner was, where ever they came in their march, to inquire if there were anyddHoneſt and w…rthy Souldiers, cordially acting for common good Lapis hath one ſtone left yet to fling at the Diſcoverer, for finding fault with them for this. Round heads in the Towne, and where they found ſuch, they would be ſure to abuſe them the more. Inſomuch that many honeſt men have ſince complained that the Cavaliers never dealt ſo cruelly with them, and had not Bray and the Quarter-maſter beene with them, they had been certainely Plundered o… all, If noteeHave they not ſufficiently prov'd the Parliament m…n to be Trayt…s and England in Chains; in regard when the five cordiall Citizens required Juſtice for the … of the Souldier that was ſh…t at Ware, they could not be heard. O Cromwel, O Fairfax, O Iret…, O Haſletig, &c. But peace John, a new Repreſentative will do the deed. murdered.

p. 55In this inſolent diſtemper they come to the Ra… dezvouz, where the General, and Officers, inquiring who had been the principall Leaders and Actors of this mutiny, eight or nine were ſingled out, and being all found at a Court Marſhall guilty of many notorious facts in this buſineſſe, were adjudged by the Lawes and Ordinances of Warre to dye: Nevertheleſſe afterward all pardoned butffHee that knowes what belongs to the Government and diſcipline of all Army, and conſiders their miſcarriages and outrages, would rather wonder that every tenth man of them had not ſuffered then aſperſe the Councell with cruelty and unjuſtice. one, and this referred to a Lot, which fell upon Arnold; one who had been (as ſome Officers of that Regiment report) more notoriouſly guilty then any other in that wicked Conſpiracy.

We have ſpoken the more largely of this particular, to ſhew the diſſimulation and treachery of thoſe men: For who would thinke to heare them ſay, We doe in the behalfe of our ſelves, and all well minded people, here before this honourable Houſe, as in the preſence of Almighty God, proteſt againſt the ſhooting of the Souldier to death at Ware; and bow five cordiall Citizens ggWee have ſeen their Petition, but there was not one word in it, of purſuing their Officers, ſtealing Horſes, plundering &c. It was cordially done, and ſo not Libellus famoſus, as Lapis, no contemptible mean bred decayed Parſon, learnedly Latins it.required juſtice for his blood: that he ſuffered for ſuch horrible and vile miſdemeanours: Could any Machiavillian or Jeſuite hide Mutiny, Theft, Murder, Cruelty, and the very height of Rebellion (like a dunghill under Snow) ſo handſomely? The Romans in Warre had an Engine which they nam'd Muſculus, the nature of it was to hide their Souldiers, ſo that they could (unſeene) come to the Walls of a City and undermine it; thishhHere wee ſh…l leave Lapis a while, and take notice of H. B. who ſeemes to have ſome ſenſe: Now if he will ſhew his Craft let him not ſpend ſo much time about that which is not in queſtion; but if he can ſhew us, that rebellion, theft, murder oppreſſion. &c Is juſtifiable, if m…n ſay it is for …mmon good, he ſhall be reputed to have the Crafts mans Craft. Engine they uſe oft, under a colour of purſuing the ends of engagements, and acting for common good, approach the p. 56walls of our State, and unſeen ſat leaſt as they th… there work the ruine and overthrow thereof.

2. For others whom they name, what the Co… cell of Warre did to them, there was reaſon a… cauſe for it, the diſtemper among the Souldiers … ing ſo great, and many ill-affected people now wa… ing an opportunity, through a breach and diviſion … the Army, to deſtroy both Army and Kingdome, it was neceſſary, that ſuch as appeared to countenance ſo dangerous a deſigne (though happily intending no evill) ſhould be prevented, the which could not be, without removing them as they did, and ſecuring their perſons.

llHor. l. 2. Od. 13.Quid quiſque vitet nunquam homine ſatis Cautum eſt.

What daily by us ſhould avoyded be,

We cannot with ſufficient heed foreſee.

3. They aſke,††Englands new Chaine, pag. 14. what freedome is their left where kkQuid verba au…m, cum facta videam. Cic. 3. Tuſ.honeſt and worthy Souldiers are ſentenc'd and enforc'd to ride the Horſe with their faces reverſt, and their ſwords broken over their heads, for but Petitioning and preſenting a letter in juſtification of their liberty therein; if this be not a new way of breaking the ſpirits of the engliſh which Strafford and Canterburie never dreame of; … know no difference of things.

Anſw. 1. It is a falſe concluſion and ſeditiouſly applied, to inſinuate, that there is no freedome left … when honeſt and worthy &c. as if all our libertie and ſafetie conſiſted in the actings of foure or five mean Souldiers, and becauſe they rode the Horſe, it is now quite loſt and we in Chaines.

But 2. That which they call Juſtification of their Liberty, was a thing moſt ſcandalous to the Parliament, p. 57Councell of State, Court of Juſtice and tending to breed mutinie in the Army, and ſo much was then ſhewed and proved to them: In ſome fe…ny Countries where People are troubled with Gnats, they uſe to hang up dung in the mid'ſt of the roome, as a bait for the Gnats to fly to, and ſo catch them, as being a net or ſnare provided for the purpoſe; there is no ſnare (and this partiellJohn Lilburne knowes, the Malignants would …ot give a farthing for his Booke, nor read it, if it were not for his rayſing at the preſent Government; it is not his non-ſence about the lawes, nor his vaporings, that they regard, but the dung of his foule mouth they flye at. knowes it well) like the dung of Sedition: hang up a Pamphlet or Libel ſtuft with falſehoods and raylings againſt Mageſtrates and Goverment, let it be ſayd,mmThe legall fundamentall Liberties, &c. pag. 74. O perfidious Cruell Tyrants O Apoſtatiz'd Tyrants, a company of bloody and inhumane butcherers of man, The moſt perjurd, perfidious, falſe faith and truſt-breakers, and Tyrants that ever lived in the World. nnIbid. …5.a pack of diſſembling jugling knaves: ooIbid. 38.Corah, Dathan and Abiram were never ppThe Bird Taurus is very little, yet hath a voice like a Bull: John hath a roaring Bulls voyce, its well his hornes are little.ſuch Rebels againſt Authority as the Generall and his Councell are, nor the Anabaptiſts at Munſter with qqYou might have forborne your Name-ſake.John of Leyden and N…per Dullion, were never more contemners of Authoritie; nor rrTurpe eſt doctori cum culpa redarguit ipſum.Jack Straw, nor W…t Tiler, nor all thoſe famous men mentioned with a black pen in our hiſtories, and called Rebels and Traytors can never be put in any ſcale of equal ballance, for all manner of rebellions and Treaſons againſt all ſorts and kinds of Magiſtracie, with the Generall and his Councell: Let this be the Dung for the Trapp andſſJohn, may a man (and not he rayl'd at) whiſper a word in your eare: You ſpeake much agai ſt ſo… men of carrying on deſignes, and their owne Intereſt: Now in this thing many take notice of you, how by ſlandering the Government, and rayling at good men, you cunningly drive on your own Intereſt; that is, gull the ſimple people out of their mea…e, for had you followed your firſt trade which was honeſt, you had not gotten ſo mu…, as by this latter, which is baſe; namely, Rayling. Lilburne can ſpeake by experience, there ſhall not bettQuilibet natura fertur ad ſ…i ſ…ile…. Aſtnus Aſino pulcherimus, ſus vero ſui, Equi equis ſimiles, boves vero bobus. a Gnat, not a ſecret p. 58conſpirator, a falſe hearted traytor, a cloſe mutineer, and one that ſeekes to Levell Church and State but he will ſticke at it. And to the end the ſtinck may not choake them, they ſhall ſee it written in great Capital-letters the uuMr. Lilbu…nes Title of his laſt Book.legall fundamentall LIBERTIES of the People of England Revived aſſerted and vindicated, or as here, in juſtification of their liberty.

3. There may be ſome truth here pickt out a new way which Strafford and Canterburie never dreampt of, it was ſo indeed, they never went this way to worke, for their manner was to breake the ſpirits of the peaceable, and people be…t affected to the commonwealth: whereas the Councell of Warre on the contrarie hath ſtill endeavoured to ſuppreſſe the unquiet, reſtleſſe, ſeditious, as all know and will acknowledge; except men of the ſame diſtemper and faction.

4. They have another ſtorie, as thus:xxEnglands new Chaine, pag. 10. No ſooner had they (through Gods bleſsing and the aſſiſtance of their reconciled freinds) finiſhed their worke at Colcheſter, but preſently they cald to Queſtion certaine perſons that bad, appeared at St. Albans in the behalfe of Captaine Reynalds, chuſing rather to forſake the ſervice then to be commanded by Captains that had been violent againſt them, that had drunke the Kings health upon their knees, and profeſt they could rather fight againſt the Levellers then Cavaliers, and theſe (according to their old wont) they ſentenc'd to death and ſoon after releaſt them, as finding or ſuppoſeing this kind of diſcipline moſt eſſentiall to the breaking and debaſing the ſpirits of the Engliſh.

Anſw. A man that hath falſe ware to put off, cares p. 59not how bad the light is: the matter which they here ſo darkely and covertlie report, was indeed a worke of darkeneſſe. As for the cauſe of that ſentence it is not at allyyHere Reader thou are deſired to take notice of their falſhoods in relation of things, and to give thee a further inſtance, whereas Lilburne reports of large proffers he had from Mr. Hunt; the man hath profeſſed ſince to us, that what hee ſpake to him was of himſelfe, not procured thereunto by any one, and it was upon his Complaints, whereupon he as a friend adviſed him to moderation, and a peaceable carriage, which he told him would gaine the love of men, which he would never doe by bitter and invective ſpeeches, and no doubt the adviſe of Mr. Holland, and Mr. Rigby was the like, though he baſely abuſe them for their good Counſell. related, but ſome other things which before were never heard of. For 1. That there ſhould be Captaines which dranke the Kings health, or any ſuch words ſpoken as they report, they are things as yet not onelyonly to proove, but pretences which themſelves in their owne defence uſed not. But 2. Had ſuch a thing been done, or the words ſpoken, yet would not this excuſe their horrid and vile diſobedience: for they made no complaint thereof before they mutined, where they might have had redreſſe if any fault had been committed. 3. But that theſe Libels are Printed in the grand Yeare of hypocriticall and abominable diſſimulation, otherwiſe it were impoſſible that they ſhould thus ſtill conceale the truth: The matter here is in effect the ſame with Arnolds: they having order to march North-ward with many reproachfull ſpeeches refuſed ſo to doe, and thereby cauſed a great diviſion in the companie, yea their inſolencies and outrages were ſuch that unleſſe the ſame had been ſeasonably prevented, much danger to the Kingdome would certainly have followed: for it did evidently appeare, that their plot was to make a Generall diſturbance and hurliburlie through the Land, as making full account that others, in other parts, by their ſeditious example would doe the like, and ſo the Malignants taking the opportunity (as a door opened by them) might deſtroy the honeſt partie, and p. 60the eaſier effect their deſignes.

4. For the diſtinction betweene Leveller and Cavaleer it is now byaaLike Cornelius Fuſcus, having by his ſed…cious cariage made himſelfe uncapable of the Princes favor and pardon Is inclementer in Vitellium invehi ſolitus, nihil ſpei ſibi inter adverſa reliquerat. Tac. Hiſt. lib. 3. pag. 423. Lilburne taken off, and Jack hath ventured his neck to make LEVELLING CAVALEER one perſon; but it would vex his fowle heart to heare, what Malignants ſay, that he is a bbHowſoever he cals other men Apoſtates, nevertheleſſe a greater then h…mſelfe is not knowne, as his owne Writings manifeſt.Turn-Coat knave and howſoever they are content to make uſe of Incendiaries and Traytors, yet they thinke hanging is a reward too good for him, that holds ſometime with one party, otherwhile with another, and all to deſtroy and ruin the Nation. ccPro. 14.14.Prov 14:14The backſlider in heart ſhall be filled with his owne wayes: and ddJob 8.13.Job 8:13the hypocrites hope ſhall periſh.

5. That they were afterward releaſed, and ſoon too, it ſhewed the great clemencie and favour of the General; which Teſtimoney from their own mouth, is ſufficient to prove the greateſt part of their Booke to be moſt falſe. But obſerve theeeSaepe ſumma ingenia in occulio latent. Plautus in Captivis. wit of theſe men,ffQui en malen …na, ſacalos pane… tuerios. who can from an act of large merciemercy conclude Tyrany and oppreſſion againſt the doer.

6. They make a large narration of ſome proceedings in the North, the reading whereof gives us an occaſion to minde Sollomons words ggEccl. 10 13. He that would take p…ines and have the patience to read over Lilburnes laſt Book, ſhould find this ſaying fulfilled.Eccl 10:13The begining of the words of his mouth is fooliſhneſſe, and the end of his talk miſcheivous madneſſe. But 1. That the Levellers were taken into the boſome, and the neceſsities being over, fell into greater odium and contempt then ever, it is denyed: for honeſt and deſerving men have alwayes been countenanced, and ſtill are, and if any have fallen into diſgrace, it hath been through their owne miſcariages, or otherwiſe if they have ſuffered any thing it hath not been any way occaſioned p. 61by thehhThat many honeſt men, Souldiers …nd others, have been ſufferers In the Countrey, we beleeve, but that this thing is of the Army-Officers, thorow their Tyranny, and oppreſſion (as theſe aſperſe them) that we deny. Generall Officers. Is it not poſſible for the ſonne or ſervant to doe amiſſe, and yet the Father or Maſter to be blamleſſe?

2. It is alſo falſe, that diverſe Souldiers were rated and threatned to have their skuls broken, &c. for Petitioning in the behalfe of Major Reinolds: For whatſoever was ſpoken or done herein, it was not foriiThere is a Story of one who having kild his neighbour, and being preſently apprehended, to excuſe, himſelf, ſhewed them a little ſpright had in his hand, which could not doe any hurt; but ſpake not a word of the bloody knife that was in his ſleeve: Obſerve it well, and you ſhall finde the carriage of theſe men alwayes ſo; they tell us of Petitioning, but never ſhe… the bloody Knife, ſpeake not one word of the treachery and ſedi…ion contained in their Petitions; neither of the mutiny and diviſion which they ſought to make in the Army under the colour of Petitioning. Petitioning, but for their incivilities and high miſcarriages, as no way becomming Souldiers. Such among the Turks are in high veneration, as have loſt their wits, and are become Idiots; there is little reaſon why theſe men ſhould expect admiration from others, unleſſe it be for their ſottiſhneſſe and abſurdity, for every underſtanding Reader muſt needs perceive the froth and emptineſſe of their talke; but you ſhall ſeldome ſee mallice and matter together.

3. For Major Cobit and Major White, that the Generall was pleaſed to conferre ſuch places upon others which ſome deſired they might have had, we know nothing unjuſt that he did therein, but this we know to bee a ſlander and reproach that Major VVhite was refuſed the Leivtenant Col…onelſhip, becauſe a conſtant man to his promiſes. The Law ſayth,kkC l. 3. Com. de pr…. & L. ob Car. F. de Teſt. Teſtibus deponentibus veriſ…ailiora magis creditur: And there is reaſon for it, for who knowes a mans thoughts, words, and actions, better then himſelfe, and therefore his Excellency denying it, is rather to be beleived then they. He that drinkes much of the p. 62juice of Coriander ſeed, they ſay is either dumbe afterward, or if he ſpeake it will be naughtily; theſe men have taken in ſome ſuch liquor; for there is hardly o…e thing which they ſpeake, but isllNihil eſt Antiph…, Quin in the na… …ſit deprav… …. Tu quod … eſt exce…pis … …u…d ma… eſt. Terent. in Phorm falſe, and tending to ſedition.

5. They ſay further, And this was the uſage not onelyonly to theſe Gentlemen, but to all others, whether Officers or ſouldiers in North, or South (for their Counſels were one in both) that did retaine a ſenſe and reſolution to proſecute thoſe good things intimated in their former ingagemen….

Tame Foxes if they break looſe, and turne wild, will doe ten times more miſchiefe then thoſe which were wild from t…e beginning: Experience ſhewes it in theſe men, when Independents turne Malignants, Parliamenteers, Cavaliers, Royaliſts, and of freinds, become foes to the Goſpell, they proove themmThe Jew… w…te that Rabſhek…h was an Apoſta…e from their Church, and by his rayling it ſeemes it was ſo: Now let any prudentiall man read Lilbur… laſt Book, and he cannot but conclude (though ignoran… of his Ap…ſtacy) that it was an Ap…tates w…k for the tone and dia…ect is proper to one that is Apoſta…ed from Church and State. ſoreſt and greateſt enemies that the Church and State ever had. To this ſlander we have given already a full anſwer, In concluſion therefore of this particular, we ſhall deſire the Reader from the premiſes to obſ…rve, the ſeverall wayes and wyles which they have uſed to make diviſion and mutiny in the A…my.

1. As they know the Army cannot be without ſome diſtemper, ſo they are diligent whether in the North or South, to makennThey have had their ſp… and E… y…at…es in ſevera…l parts, to take knowledge of diſtempers, and accordingly applyed themſelves to highten and blow them up. inquirie after it, that they may by caſting Oyle into the fire increaſe and continue the ſame. 2. That the Officers may be unſerviceable, and the Souldiers thereby occaſioned to revolt, they ſeeke byooWitneſſe this Booke. falſehood and p. 63ſlander, to make them odious. 3. Whenſoever any mutiny or diviſion is rayſed in the Army, their manner alwayes is toppMr. Lilburne ſaith, that Rich. Arnold, was wilfully and of ſet malice murdered. But John, when you write next, be more ſober, and let us …ave more reaſon and leſſe rayling from you. juſtifie the Conſpirators, thereby to harden them in their wickedneſſe, and provoke others to the like ſedition. 4. Such things as are good in themſelves, and done upon juſt ground, they will ſcandalouſlyqqThe Law ſaith, In re dubia benigniorem ſemper fieri interpretationem, L. Prox. 4. C. de his quae inteſt de…. interpret, as done to a bad intention. 5. They aſperſe the Souldiers as to be mercinary and ſlaviſh, and why? but becauſe they ſhould either leave the ſervice, or refuſe duty. 6. That no private Souldier may yeeld aſſiſtance to his Commander, in puniſhing his fellow Souldier (be the cauſe never ſo juſt) they are told if they doe ſo, that they are the rrBut the Souldier better knowes h…s duty: Mancipii unius audacia, immature ſubventum f…ret, diſcordiis, armiſque civilibus Remp. perculiſſet. Tac. An. l. 2. p. 57.Executioners of a few mens luſts, and lawleſſe pleaſures. 7. They poſſeſſe the Souldiers, that it is of their Officers that many Taxes and burdens are not taken away, and things better ſetled; although they are not in fault, neither can they helpe it. 8. To enrage the Souldiers, they cry out againſt their Commanders, for breaking their Covenants, Proteſtations, Engagements, howſoever in the meane time, there is no promiſe which formerly they haveſſWe could wiſh that there might be ſome thing conſidered about the juſtneſſe of promiſes, as preſſing the keeping, howſoever made. juſtly made, and can performe, but they are willing and carefull to keep the ſame. 9. Their Officers are ſuchttThey who are hungry, ſeeing others eate, are thereby provoked to the greater appetite: Men that hunger and thirſt after greatneſſe, ſeeing others poſſeſſe it, are the more greedy of it, and by calling them Tyrants (as Lilburne uſes to doe) make account to have them outed, and come the ſooner into …he… places. Tyrants, as that the better the Souldiers are, and the more faithfull, the worſe they will uſe them. 10. The uſe which the Generall Commanders make of the Souldiers, is (uuInnocent eſſe nemo poterit ſi accuſaſſe ſufficiet. they ſay) p. 64onelyonly this, namely to betray and enſlave the Common wealth, and enrich themſelves: and ſo much of this point.

It followes next in that particulars it tends to the rayſing of a new warre in …e Common-wealth. ſay they for peace, whilst the ſupream Officers of the Army are ſupreame in your Houſe, in the Councell of State, and all in all, in the generall councel of the Army, when the martiall power is indee… ſupreame to the civill authority, what peace can be expected? we profeſſe we xxBlind men are mutinous and cholerick.ſee no counſells tending to it, but hereof mighty and vaſt ſums of money to be taxed upon the People per menſem; as if W… were become the o…ely Trade, or as if People were bound to maintaine Armyes, whether they have Trade or no, yea whether they have bread or no.

Anſw, The Wolfe by tickling the Aſſe and rubbing him ſoftlie about the Neck and under the belly, brings the Aſſe aſleepe and then preſentlie devours him, Such Aſſes they would make the People, byaaFor there is no faithfulneſſe in their mouth, their inward part is very wickedneſſe, the… throat is an open Sepulchre, ther flatter with th…ir tongues. Pſal. 9.5.Ps 9:5 flattery and fair pretenſes perſwade them they deſire peace, and ſeeke to have greviances and burdens remooved, whereas the truth is (and ſo much we ſhall here further demonſtrate) like the Wolfe this tickling and ſoft rubbing, is but a Levelling deſigne, of meer advantage to deſtroy them.

We know not of any ſuperioritie that one perſon takes above another either in Parliament or Councell of State, but as equals in reſpect of place, ſo are their actings all alike in point of power. 2. For Marſhall power it never tooke any thing from the Civil, nor h…th it at any time beene exerciſed, but in matters proper and peculiar thereunto. 3. That they doe not ſee any counſells tending to peace, it may p. 65well be ſo: for a man that is blinde or ſhuts his eyes: ſees not the brightneſſe and beautie of the ſun ſhining at noone day. Nicomachus in Plutarch very fitlie anſwered an Jdeot that could ſee no beautie in the famous Helena Painted by Zeuxis: take my eyes ſayd Nichomachus and you ſhall thinke her to be a Goddeſſe. If this partie had the eyes of ſober, diſcreete, peaceable, honeſt and wel affected people, they would ſee in our high Court and great Councell, ſomet…ing don every day tending to peace, but beeingbbProtinus invidia nigra ſ…alentia tabo tecta perit, domus eſt imis in vallibus antri abdita, ſole carens non ulli pervia vento, triſtis & ignavi pleniſſima frigoris, & quae igne vacet ſemper, caligine ſemper abundet. Ovid. lib. 2. Metamorph. blinded through mallice, pride, prejudice ſelfe-ſeeking &c. no wonder like Batts or Owles they ſee nothing in the light. 4. to inſinuate as if the ſupreame Officers of the Army would make Warr their trade, is a baſe aſperſion, their former actions have ever teſtifyed the contrarie. But obſerve the craft of theſe men, they would make the people beleeve that the Officers continue the War, whereas themſelves, by trayterous deſignes andccMany have thought, long agone, that Lilburn would at laſt ſhew himſelfe a profeſſed Malignant; which is now come to paſſe: ſo that how his pretences of freedome and liberty will deceive honeſt people no more; and truly we muſt acknowledge it as a ſingular mercy of God, that ſo dangerous a Perſon to the Common wealth ſhould with his owne mouth diſcover himſelfe as he hath done. cloſing with the greateſt enymies that the Nation hath, are ſtill ſeeking toddOf ſuch perſons the Law ſaith, Reus eſt laeſae majeſtatis, qui ſeditionem in Rep. concitat, eam hoſtibus patriave Religionem aut Reſp. hoſtibus nomen dat, aut aliud quidvis ad Reip. ſtatum evertendum molitur, L. 1. 10. 11. Hic L. 5. eod. vult Althuſ. D. locis Vid. Damhoud. C. 63. diſſ aliqui per. l. 25. §. 1. de Cap. & Poſtl. And how Conſpirators againſt the publique p…ace, ought to be puniſhed, the Law likewiſe ſets it downe. Frequentius vivi ſectione in partes eminentioribus locis ſuſpendendus. Glar. d. Num 8. Damhoud C. 62. Againe, Transfugas etiam & proditores, perduellium inſtar a quovis impune occidi poſſe. Argum. l. 234. de V. 5. l. 3. §. ult. ad L. Corn. de ſiccar. Gothoſt ad l. 7. hic Clar. d. loc. in fin. Cujar. Obſerv. 33.Num 8 rayſe commotions, and ſo neceſſarilie conſtraine the State to keep up their forces, for to ſuppreſſe their conſpiracies.

2. We finde them propounding many Queſtions to which wee ſhall breifly anſwer. 1. Touching p. 66their charge againſt the excluded Members, there hath ſomething already been done herein, and what is further to doe, as there ſhalbe opportunity and a fit occaſion for it, ſo they will proceede. 2. For Offices conferred upon their creatures and relations, whatſoever hath been done this way, there was juſt cauſe for it, and no more but according to the merits of the receivers. 3. It will be time enough to diſcountenance thoſe who have betrayed the truſt of feofees for Biſhops and delinquents lands; or have unjuſtly purchaſed it themſelves when the offence is known and prov'd. 4. That the Lord chiefe Juſtice and Lord cheife Barron ſhould keepe their places, conferd upon them, it was fit and requiſite, being men of great worth and well deſerving, and continually faithfull to the common-wealth. 5. When thoſe perfidious perſons that have made no conſcience of breaking the ſelfe-denying Ordinance, are found out, and known to be ſuch, there wil be that done no doubt, which ſhall be juſt and ſatisfactorie: But to what end are thoſe demands? you ſhal know in the words following.

Oh wretched England, that ſeeth and yet ſuffereth ſuch intollerable Maſters? what can be expected from ſuch Officers who frequently manifeſt a thirſt after the blood of the People and Souldiers, as are moſt active for the common freedome peace and proſperity of the commonwealth, and againſt whom they have nothing elſe to object? or what can be expected from ſuch a councell in the Army as ſhall eeLilburne reports that he had gotten diverſe thouſands of hands to this Pamphlet. Legall fundamentall, &c. pag. 74. If this be true (but we much queſtion it for we know his vapouring) obſerve what a generation of men thoſe were, to ſet their hands to ſuch things, as they know not what they were, was it not a ſin and a ſhame to them, to owne that under their hands, of which they were altogether ignorant. Theſe were like his Tenants who would ſay, What is it Maſter? Say, and we will ſweare it.agree that the ſupreame authoritie ſhould be moved to make a law that the councell of Officers may have power to put to death all ſuch perſons though not of the Army as they ſhould judg were diſturbers of the Army.

There are certaine Idolators in India when they p. 67ſacrifice to their Zemes, or Idol, that their Offring may be the more acceptable, thruſt a ſtick into their throat, even to their weaſel, and ſo bring up whatſoever lieth in their ſtomack: Theſe men have taken ſome paines here and ſtreined hard to bring all this up at once, if Satan therefore like it not, what will he have? as for ſedition, treaſon, falſehood, what more can be uttered, vomitted?

But 1. Are yee in earneſt, would yee not have the people remaine any longer under the preſent Government, but raiſe a new warr? we beleeve you: you mean as you ſpeake, thoſe Maſters yee would willinglie have out, and be your ſelves theffNec decrant qui crederent, utramque ſèditionem fraude Antonii captum ut ſolus bello frueretur. Tac. Hiſt. l. 3. p. 4…7 tyrants which ſo often you ſpeake of: and then we ſhould have cauſe enough to ſay Oh wretched England.

ggHor. Epod. 16.Barbarus beu cineres inſiſtit victor et urbem

Eques ſonante verberabit ungula.

The victor rude upon our Grave doth tread,

Our Cittie is with trampling Horſe or'e layd

2. In ſpeaking ſo often that thehhAs true as that, 1 Sam. 22.8.1 Sam 22:8 Officers thirſt after ſuch people and Souldiers blood as are moſt active for common good &c. Herein you ſhew your ſelves to be like the Serpent called Porphirius, which is ful of poyſon, but being toothleſſe, hurteth none but himſelfe: your mallice and venome is ſo groſſe and notoriouſly falſe, as it kills onelyonly your ſelves, whilesllThat Lapis may not take exception at this No body, it looking ſo like himſelfe, we doe therefore here ex…mpt him. no body will receive it from you. As for the peace freedome and proſperity you mention, Lilburne hath now declard what it is, And howſoever ſome have thought heretofore better of you, then yee deſerved, p. 68yet finding him now to plead for thekkHis words are theſe, Prin…e Charles heir apparent to his Fathers Crowne and Throne. The moſt hee ſpeaks in this page are words put into his mouth, and he ſpeaks them as did the Aſſe, not underſtanding what hee ſpeakes. But J…hn, let us tell you this, To be a free people there can be no heir to Crownes and Thrones; pure reaſon which you ſometimes talke of, admits of no heir to a Crowne: A Crowne title is contrary to the principles of reaſon and nature. But indeed we never tooke you or a man to …ave the Principles of reaſon; onelyonly a ſmattering in ſome old duſty Statutes, the Cob…ebs whereof are ſo gotten into your eyes, as what is pure reaſon you ſee not. Princes Title, and condemning the Parliaments proceeding againſt the King, and Lords, with much other baſe malignitie, they are ſatiſfied, and hope the Parliament will be carefull to prevent the miſcheife which he manifeſteth againſt the Common good, peace, and proſperity of the common wealth.

3. Where ſhall we finde a lye told with leſſe collour of truth then here: The councell in the Army mov'd to have power to put to death al ſuch perſons though not of the Army as they ſhould judge were diſturbers of the Army. We appeale to any man that hath ſence, whether ſuch a thing be probable, or poſſible? what no other courſe but death? and all to death? and for every deſturbance of the Army? here we may (changing the names) ſay O Lilburne, O Wal…yn, O Prince, O Overton, will ye Seale the truth of every Line with your hearts blood? truelie that which you ſpeake in this place is not onelyonly falſe in it ſelfe, but ſollThe …w ſaith, Abſurdum intellectum ab omni diſpoſitione rejiciendum: L. Nam abſurdum Debon. …ertor l. 1. §. unde quaritur de publica. abſurd and groundleſſe, as no rationall man can poſſiblie beleive it.

But further, it is alſo anmmHow needfull therefore is that Counſell, Nihil edendo que omnia cavendo. Cic. Orat. Poſt. redit. in Sen. untruth that the Councell of the Army did moue the ſupreame authoritie in any ſuch thing at all. For whatſoever was ſpoken, it was onelyonly an occaſionall ſpeech of one particular perſon (or two at moſt) not mov'd by the Councell, nor any agreement made by them in the leaſt, Yea more, for putting to death, nnQuum quiſque peſſime fecit, …n maxime tutus eſt. Saluſt.it was not inſiſted upon, p. 69but what was ſayd in effect was onelyonly thus, thatooProviſa minus la…t: And the Law ſaith, Contra vim atque injuriam licitam eſſe defenſionem. l. ut vim de juſt. & jur l. ſcientiam §. qui cum ad l. Aquil. ſeeing there were ſundrie ſeditious people, who ſought to make diviſion and mutinee in the Army, there might be ſome courſe taken with the Parliament, to impower the Councell of Warre, whereby to preſerve both Officers and Souldiers from their dangerous and deſtructive deſignes.

3. They ſay, certainely theſe things cannot but manifeſt unto you their very hearts, their inward purpoſes and intentions repreſenting viſibly before you and all the World the moſt dangerous condition that ever yet this Nation hath been in.

Anſw, 1. So much you have manifeſted here and in other papers and actings, of your inward purpoſes and intentions to the Parliament, Councell of State, Councell of Warre, the Army and whole Nation, as by this time theyppEx ungue Leonem. And as a corrupt Tree is knowne by corrupt fruit. know you well; that is, know you to be theqqBut being now knowne to be ſuch, there is hope they will doe the leſſe hurt. moſt dangerous and trayterous enemies the Land hath, being indeed the ſpeciall Inſtruments and Agents of our Enemies, both at home and abroad, to carry forth the black and bloody worke for them, they being not able nor ſo fit to appeare themſelves in ſuch a way, nor can ſo notably diſſemble, and ſo artificially deceive the people, under a cloak of Liberty, Peace, Freedome, asrrQuicquid hoſtis facit, jure belli agit ac ſuſcipit, & liceb turpiter ſaepe facit quod ſit hoſtis, tamen cum hoſtis ſit turpiter non bellum gerit. Arg. l. 4. S. ſed quod D de Con. obrump. Cauſ. Theſe men till of late, have acknowledged our preſent Government, and ſo no profeſt enemies to the State; yet the worſt enemies that the State hath, …ecauſe under a pretence of Friends, have ſought the overthrow of it. you can doe.

And to the end the Nation may clearely underſtand what for perſons you are, we ſhall here truly relate ſome paſſages in a Letter ſent from one William Bennet, and found with Needam, who hath a long time ſtil'd himſelfe Pragmaticus, the Libeller, p. 70dated at Antwerpe, June 1. After ſome Salutation and account given of their affaires beyond the Seas, he expreſſeth his great ſorrow to heare that the Iavellers were ſubdued, and deſires kindly to be unmembred unto M^r. Lilburne, M^r. Overton, and the reſt, being his antient Friends, and great acquaintance, and what helpe he and others are willing to afford them, expecting the like from them, according to their power, and as occaſion ſhall be offered.

Here we ſhall deſire the Reader to obſerve, firſt, that this Benet is not onelyonly a profeſt enemy to our State, but as by the Letter appeares, a notable Spy, and one that gives intelligence of things unto ſuch perſons as are imployed in ſpeciall deſignes againſt the ſafety of this Common wealth; and this man hath beene one of their Intimacies and familiar Friends. Secondly, The riſing lately of the Souldiers was an action well lik'd of, and in regard it proſpered not, the Cavaliers every where, are much grieved for it. Thirdly, That Pragg: muſt be the man, and the meſſenger of the ſalutations and kindneſſe, what ſhould this meane? unleſſe there be an accord between them, and an intercourſe of writing each to other. Fourthly, Howſoever we cannot directly ſay what aſſiſtance it is, that Royalliſts would willingly afford them, yet what they expect from the other is well knowne, even a proſecuting of the worke begun; that is, to aſperſe the preſent Government, make diviſion in the Army, hinder the releife of Ireland, &c.

2. Will not people move for a new Warre, to heare them ſay, The moſt dangerous condition that ever p. 71yet this Nation hath been in: And in another place, The vileſt and baſeſt bondage that ever Engliſh men groaned under: Doth not this Trumpet of Rebellion ſound loud enough? Thou ſeeſt Reader, the people are not cloſly or tacitiy ſtir'd up to mutiny, but Viva voce, boldly, openly, and becauſe they doe not**But let people in all places take heed leſt they be ſerved as an Impoſtor of Creet did the Jewes in the Reigne of Theodoſius the Emperour, who perſwaded them he was Moſes ſent to lead them into their own Countrey through the Sea, whereupon he brought them unto a rock, commanded themſelves to leap into the Sea, warranting them ſafety againſt all danger, and ſuch as did ſo were drown'd immediately: So thoſe Impoſtors, in moving men to an inſurrection, pretending it is for their deliverance from bondage, will certainly occaſion the rui… of as many as ſhall follow their pernicious Counſell. ſo, it is, Oh wretched England, that ſeeth and yet ſuffereth ſuch intollerable Maſters.

And howſoever their good Friends which ſet them at worke, make full account (by their treachery, and the peoples credulity) to eſtabliſh Monarchy and Tyranny againe; erect Altars, Courts, Canons, Maſſe, Mattens, &c. Nevertheleſſe here the Leveller muſt be ſilent, and play the cunning Pirats part, having changes of colours to bring in the honeſt man and his goods, hang out a falſe one, namely, the Colour of LIBERTY, a thing eaſily done by thoſe men, it being their Genius, and proper to their Trade.

3. As we have in other places noted their impudence and horrid boldneſſe, ſo here the ſame againe appeares, If there be any conſcience towards God or man to be found amongſt you, &c. it is impoſsible but it muſt worke upon all amongſt you that are not Co partners with them in their deſignes.

Anſw. 1. You meaſure it ſeemes, other mens conſciences by your owne, and therefore think, becauſe your ſelves make no conſcience of lying, ſedition, treaſon, rayling, &c. that others will countenance ſuch things, and ſo make as little conſcience of their wayes, as you of yours. But ſecondly, you might well ſay, It is impoſsible but it muſt work upon all amongſt you: For poyſon is operative and working; p. 72and you knew, more deadly poyſon could not be deviſed, then what you had preſented, and for the quantitie, enough to poyſon three Nations. Thirdly,aaSane lentus in ſuo dolore e…ſet: Reip injurias ne largiretur. Tacit. An…al. l. 3. p. 1…9. For this working amongſt the Parliament men, it is fitt and neceſſarie that your ſad repreſentation ſhould be minded: far as one well ſayth, Howſoever the Magiſtrate may be as ſloe as he pleaſeth in puniſhing injuries committed againſt his owne perſon, yet he ought not to pardon ſuch as are done againſt the common wealth.

The Children of Allexandria in the dayes of Ptolemeus Philopater, when the huge and great Ancor of the Ship Thalmegos was layd out upon the ſhore, the Children did ride upon the ſtalke, and crept through the ring of the Ancor, as if it had been made for the paſtime of Children: but wiſe Ship-men knew it was appointed for a better uſe, namely to ſtable and make ſure that great Veſſel in great and tempeſtuous ſtormes. Juſt ſo, doe ſome men ſerve the Law, if the execution thereof lies ſtill, they are ready to ride upon it, and run thorow it, as if it were made onelyonly for ſport: But wiſe Statesmen know it was appointed for better uſe, namely, when incendiaries and conſpirators rayſe commotions and hurliburlies in the common-wealth to preſerve then in ſuch a ſtorme, the great Veſſel, by a due and carefull proceeding againſt them. Se the**Fooliſh birds frighted a little at firſt with the huſbandmans Scar-crow, & after a while obſerving that it ſtirs not, are bold to fit upon it, and defile it: So Libellers and Raylers at the State, ſeeing nothing put in execution are bold to write any thing. note in the margin.

Our next particular is to ſhew wherein it hinders the releife of Ireland; now thus we prove it.

1. They ſay, we did forbeare to interpoſe our Judgements, or to oppoſe thoſe mens deſignes untill they had made a large progreſſe toward our bondage and endeavoured p. 73to graſp the power of the Army into their hands thereby to enforce their tyranny upon us.

Anſw. 1. What their forbearance hath been is well knowne, and we have ſhewed it in our former Diſcoverie, they have forborne indeed, but what? to walke according to Rules, of Charitie, Truth, Peace, Juſtice, but not practice the contrarie; ſuch a forbearance is againſt their Genius and ſpirit. 2. What they mean by a large progreſſe, may be plainly gathered by their ſeverall falſehoods and ſcandals alreadie ſpoken unto: The proſperitie of the Army over the common enemies, and breaking ſtill the ſnares which they have layd in the way to hinder the worke is a progreſſe towards our bondage. But what is their drift here? it is thus, they would not have either Parliament or People, yeeld any ayd & aſſiſtance to the Generall Officers, for thebbThey have in ſome Books counſelled the Souldiers not to engage for Ireland. releife of Ireland or any other neceſſarie ſervice whatſoever. 3. What ſeditious head can rayſe a more pernitious deſigne then to aſperſe ſuch men, who under God are employed in the greateſt truſt and ſervice for the State, that they graſp the power of the Army into their hands thereby to enforce their tyrany upon us. ccIt is worth the Readers obſerving, that the perſons whom they oppoſe are ſuch, as under God, are our ſpeciall protectors; ſo that they know, if they could remove them; not onelyonly Ireland were quite loſt, but a paſſage and way open for their Friend Be…t and his company to come hither.ſhould this be received, (as their trayterous hands have publiſhed) not onelyonly would Ireland be loſt but this common-wealth likewiſe be endangered, if not undone.

2. For the matter which they mention in relation to the King, howſoever it be like a dead body, ſubject to putrefaction, though it ſhould be touch'd of none, yet of it ſelfe would come to nothing; nevertheleſſe that it was their intent in the publiſhing of it, to diſable the Army from all further ſervice, p. 74and thereby to carry on the enemies deſigne, it is apparent and thus to prove it.

1. Seeing theyddWe have not ſeene a piece of ſlander more artificially contrived; for as they know not any perſon guilty of the things here ſet down ſo they doe not name any particular perſon; and therefore who can bring an action of ſlander againſt them. know not the perſons upon whom to faſten their accuſations, therefore their aſperſions are ſtill generall: and ſo to bring a diſhonour and blot upon all the Officers, a notable trick, for thereby at once, they thinke to make the whole Army unſerviceable. Beſides no particular perſon beeing mentioned, it is the more difficult to detect their Treachery and Falſehood, and ſo making uſe and advantage of time, they can the eaſier effect their wicked intentions. Secondly, In their whole diſcourſe you ſhall not finde one word of theeeThe Army in ſome of their Remonſtrances, and Declarations, had ſpoken ſo much about the King, as if conſidered, would juſtifie their complyance with him. reaſons and grounds which moved the Officers to act as they did; neither the cauſes of their changeable proceedings, and herein they were wiſe in their Generation: for they knew wel enough, if this had been done, and a true relation given, the Commanders had been quitted, at leaſt there had been no pretence or colour for them, to reproach them as they have done. Thirdly, In the buſineſſe about the King, this in ſhort may be gathered from their proceedings firſt and laſt compar'd together, that when the Officers ſeemd to be any way for him they were againſt him, and when they did otherwiſe, therein they oppoſ'd them likewiſe: ſo that it is cleare, their deſire hath not been for peace andffRiſus abeſt, niſi quem viſi movere dolores. Succeſſus hominum, carpitque & carpitur una: Suppliciumque ſuum eſt. Ovid. Metam. lib. 2. ſettlement, but to have all ſides wearied and waſted, thereby at laſt to come to their owne deſignes. Fourthly, It is very remarkeable, that were the things true as they relate (which are not) yet would they not prove their aſperſions; which ſhews though they wanted matter, yet not mallice, from p. 75their accuſations they thus conclude.

And ſo vaniſht away all their glorious flattery of the King and his partie, and their notorious diſſimulation appeared, abuſing thereby the faith of the Army, and making it cleare to all diſcerning men, that ſuch as could breake with one ſort of men will make no conſcience of keeping faith with another, And a little after, by all which tis evident that according to the Maximes of politians they Judge themſelves looſe where other men are bound: and all obligations are to them tranſitorie and ceremoniall, and that indeed every thing is good and juſt onelyonly as it is conducing to their corrupt and ambitious intereſts

For their proof, we ſhal preſently examine it, only by the way take notice that it is not poſſible for men to be worſe or viler then the Officers are here ſet forth: for if they make no conſcience of keeping faith with any, they are not fit for Church or common-wealth: much leſſe to beggThey ſerve the Officers, as the Prieſts did the Hugono…s in France, who reported they were Monſters, had Lyons heads, Beares feet, &c. The vulgar people hearing them to ſay ſo, would cry out Oh for the Love of God, kill them, kill them, ſo ſaith this party, the Commanders make no conſcience, &c. they are Lyons, Beares, Tyrants, &c. Now ſuch people as heare this, & know them not, will ſurely (they thinke) cry out, kill them, kill them. truſted, either with civil or militarie things. Againe they doe not ſay they may breake their promiſe with others but WIL MAKE NO CONSCIENCE; &c. poſſitively concluding, that there muſt be no confiding in them either for Ireland or any other place, but preſently removed and no further uſe and triall made of them. But what have they done?

The firſt is for ſome civilities towards the King, as to Court him, kiſſe his Hand, viſiting him themſelves, and permitting thouſands of the people dayly to viſit &c.

Anſw. We read of one. Aglataidus, that he was never better pleaſed then when he diſpleaſed others nor ever reliſhed any diſh better, then what was p. 76diſtaſted by others: In this there is nothing but anhhThere is a people neere China, whoſe manner is, to Salute by taking off their Shooes, becauſe others doe it with the Hat; there be ſome men take delight in croſneſſe; and will be againſt the things which others doe (be they never ſo honeſt and commendab…e) becauſe they doe them. Iſhmaels croſneſſe, which ſhewes they delight in War and to be wronging and contending, whether there be any cauſe or matter or no.iiProv. 20.3.Prov 20:3 It is an honour for a man to ceaſe from ſtrife, but every Foole will be medling.

2. Were it true which they ſay (but cannot prove it) that their Propoſals were not onelyonly received but corrected and amended by the King, before they were ſent to the Houſe: Nevertheleſſe this will not conclude any glorious flattery, kkIt is their conſtant practice to conclude thus; If there be a fault committed as they imagine: to infer (without conſidering the nature and quality of the fact) that it is notorious, no conſcience, &c.notorious diſsimulation, making no conſcience of keeping faith with any: For a man doing a thing conſcientiouſly, and according to his preſent apprehenſion, lawfull; if afterward ſeeing himſelfe miſtaken in it, leave it and doe otherwiſe, there is no diſhonour or blot will be imputed to him, by ſuch as are wiſe and fearing God, knowing how common a thing it is for the beſt men ſo to doe.

3. If likewiſe that were true (which is not, and we deſire the reader to note it as another falſhood) that they were moved to impatience towards any that ſpake a word againſt their traffique and entercourſe with him, and concluded an agreement with the oppoſing Citizens of London, without ſo much as calling the Agitators to adviſe thereupon: Here is nothing in all this but what they might well doe. For firſt, being perſwaded, the matter which they had in hand was juſt and good, they had reaſon (as being true, to their principle) to prevent all obſtructions. 2. If the Agitators were not cald, no marvaile, for they were not concern'd in the thing, and therefore whatſoever was done, it was duely done by ſuch p. 77as had a full Authoritie and power to doe it.

4. When the Houſe complyed not with their purpoſes in all haſt it was to be purged, &c.

Anſw, 1. Whatſoever the Army hath either deſired or done this way, it hath been upon neceſſarie and juſt grounds, and prov'd ſtill to bellNo men have more juſtified the Army in purging the Houſe then theſe, nor any more urged and pre…t for it. lawfull in point of law and conſcience. 2. Whereas they ſay but the Houſe complying &c. They make nothing of their former reſolution whats this for a thing? ſhould not the Army reſt being ſatiſfyed? It ſeems this courſe is againſt their Principle, though they ſhould be complyed with, yet not reſt, but proſecute their formermmHowſoever Lilburn makes a large diſcourſe about the Agreement, yet ſo farre were they complyed with, that had not their Reſolution been to continue troubles amongſt us, they would have reſted. Reſolutions, let come on the common-wealth what miſcheife and ruine ſoever. 3. That the Houſe was no whit changed in reſpect of its corruption and yet complyed with the Army, it ſeemes to bennWe had almoſt forgotten Lapis, here is a worke fits his Genius its to find out a Contradiction. a contradiction. But 4. To let that paſſe, note here their glorious flattery and notorious diſſimulation, becauſe the Officers went not forward with their reſolution to purge the Houſe, they are reproached for that: and when they doe purge the Houſe from its corruptions, they ſhalbe likewiſe rayld on for that: ſo that whether they doe the thing, or not, all is one, the ſcourge of their tongue cannot be avoyded.

5. They ſo wrought the King by deep promiſes and hopes of reſtauration, as that he inclined much to countenance the Army, &c. In lieu thereof the great ones of the Army endeavoured the revivall of a Treaty, &c.

Anſw 1. But is this brought in, as a reproach? Wherefore then have they perſwaded the chiefe Officers in the Army to doe this very thing: Lilburne in a Letter toooWhom he ſtiles in that paper The man whom God hath honoured, and wil honour, &c. Neither will the Lord the leſſe honour him now, becauſe he aſperſeth him. Leivtenant Generall Cromwell, writes thus,ppJonahs cry out of the Whales belly, pag. 8. If I were with you, upon my life I durſt p. 78diſpute againſt you all, that as things ſtand, both in point of policy, honeſty, and conſcience, you muſt apply to the King, without which, the peace of the Kingdome can never be ſetled: Would any man be ſo impudent as to write thus? and afterwardqqThe Emperour of Ruſſia provoked his ch ef Officers to pill and ranſack the the Common ſort of people but to no other end, but that he himſelfe might afterward, when he ſaw good, call them into queſtion for it: So they ſerve the Commanders, counſell them to apply unto the King, but it ſeemes for no other end, but that afterward when they ſhould have an occaſion, they might reproach and ſlander them for it. revile the perſons, becauſe they had done according to his owne counſel and adviſe. But as we ſayd juſt now, the reproach of their mouth is not to be avoyded.

2. For the Perſonall Treaty and addreſſes, &c. that ſome have had variable thoughts therein, it is no marvell, neither did the alteration of their minds, denote any ill affection to the Common wealth. And therefore to aſperfe men, becauſe they were for the Treaty, and afterward upon better conſideration changed their opinion, it ſhewes by what ſpirit ſuch people are led; for rather then they will forbeare calumniation, they will caſt off the rule of love, wiſedome, juſtice, yea, humanity, and reaſon it ſelfe.

But thirdly, here they make account their Charge is proud, The farre greater number of Officers would not by any meanes indure to heare of the Armies complyance with the King, &c. An Agreement of the people is produced, &c. The great Officers very much oppoſe it a while, &c. But ſeeing the ſame takes with the Army, profeſſe though at the preſent their judgements could not ſo farre cloſe with it, as to act for it, yet they would never oppoſe it.

Anſw. rrEcc. 10.8, 9.Eccl 10:8Eccl 10:9His miſchiefe ſhall returne upon his owne head, and his violent dealing ſhall come upon his ow…e pate. Firſt, they hereſſThe Hulke which the Flemins filled with ſagots, pitch, roſin, ſalt-peter, brimſtone, and oyle, having ſet it on fire, let it floate with the tide, that it might fall among the French and Hollanders ſhips, but the wind turning, was carryed back in midſt of their owne; So the thing which they have h…ve fr…med againſt the Offi ers hurts them not, but falls upon their owne head. acquit the Officers, both of p. 79flattery and diſsimulation; for if they oppoſed it (as 'tis confeſt) they did as much as lay in their power, and more they could not doe.. 2. It ſhewed an excellent temper and great moderation in the Commanders, that howbeit they could not act ttIn alio poſitum non alia ſapere, di…cile eſt. Bern. in Epiſt.yet they would not make any diſturbance. It was ſome addition to Davids victorie over the Philiſtim that he cut off his head with his owne Sword. If their words here be well obſerved they are clearlie againſt themſelves: for to this effect they ſay. The Officers having given the King hopes of reſtauration, would willingly had it ſo, & did what they could that it might be ſo: but meeting with too ſtrong a partie it could not be: nevertheleſſe they ſignified their diſlike, and gave their reaſons for it, and having thus diſcharged their owne dutie and conſcience, concerning all promiſes and engagements in behalfe of the King, they reſted, as being unwilling to make diſturbance in the Army or elſewhere. Now where is thisuuAll that they can make of it, is this, they complyed with the King and promiſed him their aſſiſtance, the which they made good ſo farre as they were able, and tended to the ſafety of the Nation. glorious flatterie and notorious diſsimulation, even our enemyes themſelves beeing Judges. We come now to the laſt Generall head, namely, continuing of free Quarter.

They ſay,xxEnglands new Chaine, pag 17. it being an infinite ſhame that they ſhould be yySuch firebrands were Alorns and Sacrovir, and to move the people to rebellion, ſpake to the ſame purpoſe. Igitur per conciliabula & caetus ſeditioſa diſſerebant, de continuatione tributorum, gravitate fenoris, ſaevitia ac ſuperbia praeſidentium & egregium reſu mendae libertati tempus. Tacit. Annal. lib. 3. pag 97.ſuffered to proceed ſo farr therein as they have done there having beene no partie hitherto ſo inexcuſable, &c. So that the intentions and ind…avours of theſe men to enſlave the common-wealth or their continuing of burdens without any remorſe at the deareneſſe of food and the utter loſſe of trade exceeds in the nature and p. 80meaſure of it all the wickedneſſe of both other parties p…t together.

Anſw. 1. This is ſpoken (as may be gathered from the foregoing matter) in ſpeciall to the people of the Land, as being to blame that they contribute towards the maintainance of the Army, but rather riſe and reſiſt to increaſe and continue their burdens and taxes: and 2. That they may ſet forward the ſooner in rebellion, they are told that the King and Hollis were not ſo bad, nor exerciſed the oppreſſion and tiranny put both together that theſe men doe. 3. They will make bold with Gods prerogative,bbLa coz de la yegua no haze mal al potro ſearch the heart affirming their aaThough Lapis writes nonſence, and Lilburne Treaſon, yet it may be a queſtion whether their intentions were to doe ſo.intentions are to enſlave the Commonwealth: And laſtlie ſo farr are our Governours from compaſſion or fellow-feeling, as they regard not what miſery, hardneſſe, or hardſhip others ſuffer. The Countrey People at Charons Cave near Naples, for ſports ſake, pu… their Doggs into a hole, where they are choake, with the ſulpherous vapours comming forth. Into ſuch a hole theſe men would gladly bring the People, choake them with treaſon: But we hope they will be better advis'd and beare ſome things which for the preſent cannot be remedied, rather then become the ſport and merriment of a few Incendiari… by undo…ing themſelves.

Thus we have done with our Second Part: Other things the Reader may expect from us ſpeedily, as in Anſwer to their Agreement of the people, M^r.ccMr. Lilburne promiſeth to ſhew the falſeneſſe and malignity of our former Diſcoverer, in fathering upon him the errours of the Diggers; now we beleeve he can better ſhift that off then the treaſon and ſedition contained in his Englands new Chaine, though he ſayth he will Seale the truth of every line with his heart blood. Lilburnes laſt Book, &c.

FINIS.

End of the text · John Canne, The Discoverer Part 2 (1649)