The Discoverer, Title page – Preface
The Diſcoverer, VVHEREIN IS SET FORTH (to undeceive the Nation) the reall Plots and Stratagems of Lievt. Col. John Lilburn, Mr. William Walwyn, Mr. Thomas Prince, Mr. Richard Overton, and that partie. And their ſeverall ſeditious wayes and wiles a long time practiſed by them to accompliſh and effect the ſame.
Namely, Under the pretence and colour of LIBERTIE, and to take off the Burdens and Grievances of the People, a moſt dangerous and deſtructive deſigne is carried on to deprive the Nation of their Religion, Rights, Liberties, Proprieties, Lawes, Government, &c. and to bring a totall and univerſall ruine upon the Land. And ſo much is here clearely proved.
Rom. 16.17, 18. Marke them which cauſe diviſions and offences contrary to the doctrine which yee have learned, and avoyd them: For they that are ſuch, ſerve not the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, but their own belly, and by good words and faire ſpeeches deceive the hearts of the ſimple.
The Firſt Part.
Compoſed and digeſted by ſome private perſons, well-wiſhers to the juſt and honourable proceedings of the Parliament and Councell of State.
Publiſhed by Authoritie.
LONDON; Printed by Matthew Simmons, 1649.
THE AUTHORS To all the well-affected People of this NATION.
AS no Nation hath met with more dangerous enemies, and againſt whom, greater, ſorer, and deeper deſignes and plots have been attempted for the ruine and deſtruction thereof, then againſt this Common wealth: ſo (all things duly conſidered) there is no people under Heaven unto whom the Lord hath vouchſafed greater deliverances: And a… we thankfully obſerve the good hand of the Lord going alwayes along with us, ſo we are perſwaded from the feeling experience of former mercies, that he will never leave us untill he ha…h perfected his good worke, marv…ilouſly begun in the Land.
And howſoever, we know the Almightie God without men or meanes, is ſufficient to carry on his own worke, and to effect the ſame, when, and how, as it ſeemeth good in his fight: Nevertheleſſe, we take our ſelves bound, in obedience to him, and of tender-reſpect to the Nation, both to foreſee the danger, and to provide all ſeaſonable and lawfull helpes for the timely prevention thereof.
Now whereas among other Artifices and cunning courſes, whereby this Generation of men (going under the name of Levellers) have corrupted and deceived the minds of people, and drawn them to diſaffect the preſent Government, and to make Commotions and hurliburlies in the Land. One main and ſpeciall way hath been, by ſpreading ſeditious and ſcandalous Bookes, wherein are many faire pretences of Libertie, freedome, ſafetie, &c. with much regret, tenderneſſe, and fellow-feeling of the Oppreſſions, Burdens, and Taxes of the People.
This being ſo, and a thing well knowne to us, wee have thought it neceſſary (whilſt the Parliament and Councell of State are imployed with the great and weighty affaires of the Nation) to doe ſomething in the like way of writing, thereby to undeceive the People, by a …, plaine, and full diſcovery of the deceits and falſhoods of theſe man: and that it may moſt evidently appeare to all judicious and rationall People, that whereſoever in their Papers and Pamphlets, they moſt ſhew themſelves to be lovers of their Countrey, and profeſſe greateſt deſire to have all things well ſetled, even there under Good words they meerely deceive the ſimple, and carry on a trayterous deſigne, againſt the peace, freedome, and ſafetie of the Nation.
And wee have the more hope that this worke will doe much good in the Land, becauſe there is nothing here produced upon hear-ſay, or taken up as a report from others (howſoever much could be ſpoken this way, and for their proofe it is little elſe) but all out of their own Bookes, which are extant, and in many mens hands, ſo that what conſpiracie, ſedition, treaſon, or other miſchiefes are here diſcovered and charged upon them: themſelves are brought in, (even their own mouths and hands) as witneſſes.
For the reſt which is to follow, (as we have promiſed it, ſo) we ſhall further the expedition what we can. For the ſearcher of all hearts doth know our ſenſe, our ſighs and deepe apprehenſions, that any honeſt and ſimple hearted ſhould be miſ-led and enſnared by ſuch pernicious men: But as for ſuch, as are thus ſingle and ſincere, we make no queſtion but by comparing things with things, they will now ſee a great deale of ſeditious plotting and conſpiring againſt our Religion, Lawes, Libertie, &c. which before they ſaw not, becauſe covered with the ſpecious pretence of ſeeking to ſettle the Common-wealth upon Ground of peace, freedom, and ſafetie.