The Discoverer, Text

The Discoverer · Text

p. 1The Diſcoverer. Wherein is ſet forth (to un-deceive the Nation) the real plots and Stratagems of Lievt. Col. John Lilburn, M^r. William Walwyn, M^r. Thomas Prince, M^r. Richard Overton, and that Partie: And the ſeverall ſeditious wayes and wyles 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 Common-wealth, a moſt deſtructive deſigne is carried on, to deprive the people of their Religion, Rights, Proprieties, Freedome, Lawes, Government, &c. and to bring a totall and univerſall ruine upon the Land. And ſo much is here clearly demonſtrated, by reaſon and proofe abundantly. The Firſt Part.

AS all vices uſe to clothe themſelves with the habits of vertues, that under thoſe Liveries they may get countenance, and find the more acceſſe in the w…rld: ſo eſpecially in a Common wealth Treaſon and Sedition doe commonly preſent themſelves under this colour and cloake; taking up the Politick pretence of Native birth right, common freedome and ſafety, as a weapon of meer advantage, whereby ambitious, diſcontented, and ſelf-conceited men, uſe to make Commotions, and Mutinies, and to diſturbe (if not deſtroy) the preſent Government.

p. 2And this is well knowne unto all men, who have any knowledge in Hiſtorie, whether humane or divine, ancient or modern, forrein or domeſtick; that under the plauſible, ſweet, and much taking name ofaaPalam ſpecioſa praet…xunt nomina & … ber… a…m p…ae ſe ſ…nt. …urum, e & inv… um… v. tutis …ugum deteſtantis. Frid. Wendelli… …rtir. Pol…. l. …. 2.2. The. 8. p. …94 LIBERTY, with crying out againſt Tyranny, A…bitrary power, Taxes, Oppreſſions, &c. Many pernicious plots have been c…rried on, to the great hurt and prejudice of the whole Nation: yea, and unawares many honeſt and well-meaning people, have been brought into a ſnare and pit…. Like thou who followed Abſolom in that unnaturall conſpiracy againſt his father,bb2 Sam 1….11.2 Sam 1:11 in their ſimplicitie, and they knew not any thing.

Thus the Pazzians at Florence to draw the people to their Conſpiracy,ccHiſto y of Flor: and Ven. Cryed out in the Market-place, Libertie, Libertie, although indeed it was to b…ing them from freedome to very ſl very. So Munzier ſeeking the ruine of Germanie, and to raiſe himſelfe a…d his Confederates out of the duſt and aſhes thereof, laid this down as his principle;ddS e den C…mmen…. l…b. 5. Free Commoners, an equall and juſt G vernment, and every man a like in reſpect of libertie, freedome, and ſafetie. And this pleaſed the multitude ſo well, that they followed him in rebellion and treaſon againſt the State, till at laſt falling under the hand of Juſtice, came to ſee and acknowledge their great wickedneſſe.

We ſhall not mention any thing now out of our own Stories, but come to the Sowers of diſcord and ſedition amongſt us. That theſe men c…mplaine againſt tyranny, oppreſſion, ſlavery, Juriſdiction of he ſword, &c. andeeThe picture of the Councell of State, ſecond E i… on, …ag. 14. call on people in …ll places to joyne with them gainſt Robbers, Theeves, Rebels, Murderers, ffA Decl…ration of the free C…mmoners of England.for the Settlement of this Common wealth, upon the foundations of an equall and juſt Governm nt. It is w…ll k…own, and ſo much their papers and writings doe declare. So that the worke which we have here taken in hand, is to Repreſent (in way of A DISCOVERY) to the Nation, what miſchiefe and miſery lies hid (as a dunghill under ſnow, or a hooke covered with a ba…) and is daily acted and cun…ingly carried on, under a fal…e pretence of ſe…king th… publique good: and this we ſhall doe (by the good hand of G…d aſſiſting us) in a temperate and ſober way, leaving opprobrious and bitter ſpeeches to ſuch men who having a bad cauſe cannot otherwiſe uphold the ſame.

But before we come to particulars, we ſhall obſerve ſome few p. 3generall things, as giving much light to our preſent Diſcoverie.

1. Prudentiall and wiſe Statiſts and Polititians have well obſerved, that a conſpiracy or ſedition lies hatching a while like the Cockatrice eggs, and uſually before it breakes forth, it diſcovers it ſelfe by certain ſymptomes or ſignes: and theſe ten are noted as moſt eſpeciall and un-fallable.ggIn lotibulil ſuis indagenda haec fera, quae plerum que antequàm er ū …at, al…quibus ſe p…o lit indiciu: n…mpe el…ndeſt… …uentibus, call…s, que elis, prof ſs…e od… praeſentu ſtatus faſsidio & cōtēptu minu, contradictionibus, mutationibus à m… g ſtratu imminentis ex…ggeratio e… obſtaecu…is lepū execution… poſitis, & turba met… vulg. Frid. Wendellin: Inſtit. Pol. l. 3. c 2 p. 494. 1. Private Conventicles. 2. Calumniations and vile aſpertions. 3. Complaints. 4. A profeſſed hatred againſt ſome men in authoritie. 5. A diſlike and contempt of the preſent Government. 6 Threatnings. 7. Contradictions. 8. Diſcontent at the change of Magiſtrates. 9. Putting obſtructions to the ex…cution of the Law. 10. Troubling and diſquieting the minds of the vulgar ſort. That theſe, even all of them, a… in thoſe m…n, and not a little, but as clea…ly to be ſeen, as wa… Gehazr's Leproſie on the forehead, we ſhall manifeſt in this following Treatiſe, and doe d…ſire the Reader to take good notice of it; for doing ſo, he ſhall the better know the tree by the f uit.

2. That they may bring th…mſel…es into the eſteem and favour of the people, they pretend and make an outward ſhew, as if no men in the Land w…re ſo tender and ſenſible as they, of the heavie burdens of the Nation, and ſe…ke to have the people diſ-affict…d towards the preſent Government and G…vernour…, by falſe and ſl…nderous inſinuations, as if the P…rliament m…gh… and could eaſe them, of Tithes, Exciſe, Free Q…rter, and o…her Taxes and grievances, and will not. But this is no new thing; for A…ſ…lom did the like long agoe;hh2 Sam. 15.4.2 Sam 15:4 Oh that I were made Judge in the Land: Good ſoule, how he pitties the people, and grieves to thinke that there are no better men in place; and were he on his Fathe…s throne, the Kingdome ſhould be ſetled upon the grounds of Common Right, Freedome, and Safetie. But for an…wer to their accuſation, which is both falſe and treacherous.

Falſe; for 1. Not onelyonly hath the Parliament declared at ſundry times, that there ſhall he upon the people no burden which they poſſibly can remove: but likewiſe it is their worke and daily ſtudy, to improve all lawfull wayes and meanes, to the utm…ſt of their power, for the ſettlement and conſtitution of this Common wealth, in ſafety, peace, and freedome.

p. 42. For the things which they complaine of, as the Oppreſſions and Burdens of the people; If the particulars be rightly underſtood, as Taxes, Tithes, Exciſe, and the reſt; truly more for the preſent cannot be done: and if men would but confi… in what condition wee are, and how matters ſtand with us, both at home and abroad, they would not blame the Parliament for this grievance, or that burden, which as yet cannot be otherwiſe, nor remedied: Theſe are Rules and Maximes in Law, Reaſon and Nature.iiAd impoſsibile neminem obl…g…s. l. ſi quia ut gravia Syll…. No man can be bound to an impoſſibiliti…. Likewiſe,kkRationes naturales pro …eg bas amplectendas. L. Cum Ratio de …o… da…. Naturall Reaſons are to be received for Lawes. So againe,llIn neceſsitatibus leges non ſervari. l. ut gradatim, ſect. 1. de Man. & honor. In neceſſitie the Law lawfully may be broken. AndmmOmne incō modum aliquo commodo compenſandum. l. 1. ſect. fin. de aqua pluu. there is no diſcomm…ditie, but hath amends made with ſome commoditie. All which holds true here, and rightly may be applyed.

3. And let it be well obſerved, how their practice here for all the world, is as if a man ſhould binde another, hand and foots, and afterward beat him, becauſe he doth not goe. Who but th…ſe men are the chiefe obſtructors of Reformation, and the ſettlement of the Common-wealth, and by their conſpiracies and treacherous deſignes, increaſe the Grievances and Burden of the people: and then ſtrike the Governours, becauſe the work is not done. It can be prov'd, if need be, that the Land is put to an hundred thouſand pounds yearly charge by their me…, beſides much prejudice and ſufferings otherwayes: and therefore the free Commoners of England have juſt cauſe to declare and pronounce againſt this Faction, for oppreſſion and crueltie exerciſed upon their fellow-brethren; and that Exciſe, Seſments, Free-Quarter, &c. are the longer continued, and things tending to publick good not don, becauſe of them.

It is a notable ſhift ſometimes practiſed by an old thiefe, being purſued with hue and cry, to cry out, Stop the thiefe, ſtop the thiefe; thinking that no body ſurely will ſuſpect him to be the man, whilſt they heare him to cry out thus after another. Theſe men have learnt ſuch a trick; Lord, what a noyſe they make againſt Tyranny, Oppreſſion, Crueltie, &c. Charging others therewithall; ſuppoſing, no doubt, that no man will imagine that they are the THIEVES, the Tyrants, Oppreſſours, Murderers: howſoever the truth is, the Robberie is committed by themſelves.

p. 52. Treacherous, to conſpire againſt the Supreame Authoritie of England, and to ſtirre up the people,nnPicture of the Councell of State, pag. 14. to declare and proteſt againſt the ſame; yea, to moveooA Declaration of the free Commoners of England. Souldiers as well as others to riſe up againſt the Parliament men, as ſo many profeſſed traytors, theeves, robbers, and high-way-men, and to apprehend, ſecure, and bring them to Juſtice in a new Repreſentative: And all this, for no other cauſe, but becauſe ſuch things are not don, which at the preſent they cannot doe, yea more for ſuch burdens and ſufferings which by their occaſion and meanes are neceſſarily increaſed and continued in the Land.

3. Whoſoever ſhall peruſe their Pamphlets, ſhall ſee that they alwayes ſpeake h…gh words, and give out the reproachfulſt termes, and vileſt expreſſions that ever mouth uttered: Even as the ſwine ſpareth not his mouth from any filthy and uncleane thing; ſo they ſpare none, whatſoever their worth, place, or deſervings be, if they ſtand in oppoſition to their deſigne: they are Tyrants, Nimrods, Beaſts, Beares, Wolves, a pack of fawning and dawbing knaves: The Parliament for ſeeking to ſuppreſſe their treacherous and dangerous plots, are ſaid to beppPicture of the Councell of State, ſecond Edition. p. 14. 17. the greateſt Traytors that ever were in this Nation, a dead and ſtinking carkaſſe; a factious company of men, treacherouſly combined together, to ſubdue the Lawes, libertie, and freedome of England: Greater Tyrants then ever the King was, or that cruell Tyrant Duke D Alua: bloudy Queene Mary (in compariſon) was a Saint to theſe men. qqA Declaration of the free Commoners of England.. All their Votes, Orders, Ordinances, Declarations, and Acts, or that hereafter they ſhall paſſe; they declare and proteſt againſt, as not binding to the people.

It is farre from our purpoſe to render evill for evill, or rayling for rayling: to undeceive the people by a plaine and true Diſcoverie of them, Is the thing we onelyonly ayme at. And for this end we deſire it may be here obſerved.

1. It hath been the common practice of ſuch men formerly, wanting Reaſon, to uſe Rayling: as froward men in ſuits of Law when their caſe fails, endeavour to piece it up with rage and paſſion: Or like Cocks feeding upon garlick, overcome others with rankneſſe of breath, not with ſtreng…h of body.

2. Although there have been in all ages ſome who have deſpiſed dominion, and ſpake evill of dignities: yet we may affirme it p. 6with all confidence, that there is no preſident or example of any who have been formerly ſo immoderate, and ſuch exceſſive raylers againſt the higheſt and ſupreame Authoritie of a Nation as theſe men are. When people are ſincere, and are indeed againſt all tyranny and oppreſſion, and for Common-right, freedome, and ſafetie, God is with their mouth, and gives them what they ſhall ſpeake, and it is …ot his manner to leave …hem to ſuch a ſinfull and moſt abhorred courſe. There is a Beaſt called D…ron, being purſued, and ſeeing no way to eſcape, by a naturall craft caſteth forth her dung againſt the hunters following her, and ſo hinders them from com ne neer, by reaſon of the corrupt ſmell and ſtink: thereof. It would be a pretty deviſe, if theſe men againſt whom the Parliament is now proceeding, cou…d by caſting forth reproaches and vile ſlanders, eſcape out of their hands.

3. Howſoever their accuſa ions are heavie and many, yet their pro…fes a…e ſtill light and few: uſu…lly …t isrrJ…ſtin. Inſti. l. 1. Tit. 10. Dom ſticum T…ſtimonium, or heareſay, or their own ſupp…ſing grounded upon no likelihood or probable Reaſon at all: or whatſoever is produced for proof…, relates not to the matter for which it was brought: and whoſoever reads ouer their papers ſhall finde their d…ng to be thus every where. Theſe men pretend much skill in the L…w, now the L…w ſaith,ſſPro…at ones deb… eſſe luce cla…or… L. Sciant C. Proofes ought to be cl…rer then the noonday ttT…ſtes ſingular…t non prob…nt.: Single teſtimonie… prove nothing: uuTeſtis deponens de auditis non p …b t.I witneſſe d p…ſing upon heareſay is no proofe: xx…eſtis debet deponere per corporis ſenſum, & non jud c…um intellectus. l. T…ſt …. & l. qu Te… …. ſect. A…. F. d… T….not what a man thi…kes, but knows, ſtands good in Law. It is a true ſaying,yyN…c…ns eſſe …e…o pa e…t ſi …uſaſſe ſ…ff …et. None ſhould be innocent, if it be enough, to accuſe. How weak, uncertaine, improbable, yea moſt untrue their proofes are, wee ſhall ſhew hereafter to the full.

But 4. this reviling men in authoritie, and to ca…l them tyrants, traytors, theeves, murderers, &c. is an old State-deſtroying Strat…gem. Mutineers and Incendiaries have made much uſe of it, and had great advantage by it. Machiavel himſelfe hath it, and for ex…mple inſta…ceth one M…lius Capatolinus, who being overcome with envie, and not able to endure the honour and renown given by the Citizens of Rome to Furius C…melus for his valour and good ſervice, addreſſeth him elſe to the Common people, as well knowing their temper,aaM…ic pa…e v…eus prorū ad ſuſp t…es. Tac. Hiſt. 11. Prone to ſuſpition, p. 7bbVulgus cujuſ que motus novi Cupidum. Tac. 1. hiſt.deſirous of every new motion, ccNon dilectu aut ſapientia ducitur od jud…candum, ſed impetu e… quadam …tiam teme…ita…e. Cic. pro. planc.and to judge things headily and raſhly: and amongſt them gives out many ſlanders and falſhoods, againſt ſome eminent and chiefe men, as to be Traytors, Tyrants, The…ves, &c. Whereupon the people run together, make head, and fill all places with tumults, and uproares, and no d…ubt gre…t m…ſchiefe would have followed, had not the Senate created a Dictator, who by examination ſound the treacherou… conſpiracie of Manlius!

So againe ſpeaking of Florence (his own Citie)**M…ch…ls Diſcourſes. li. 1. c. 8. Such men (ſaith he) as had ſerved the State beſt, and been imployed in the greateſt affaires, were moſt ſlandered: of one they ſaid he had robd the Common treaſure; of another that he had not performed his truſt in the Armie; of another that through covetouſneſſe and ambition ſought his own Intereſt: hence grew hatred, thereupon diviſion, from diviſion to faction, from faction to ruine. And a little …fter, And this courſe (ſaith he) namely, to raiſe up falſe reports againſt men in authoritie, is a ready way whereby many doe ſerve themſelves, as ſteps and helpes to their ambitious end…: For being to encounter with p…werfull men, they make the people their friends, by telling them they will take their part againſt the Tyrannicall Ʋſurpation and Incroachment of Great ones, and procure their Rig…ts and Freedome out of their hands. If we compare time with time, and things with things, we ſhall finde, that ſaying moſt true; There is nothing new under the Sun; as the plots, conſpiracies, and treaſon of men now, are the very ſame with what formerly hath been, ſo the very way and courſe whereby former I…cendiari…s and Conſpirators have uſed to effect the ſame, is at th…s day, and by this partie practiſed to a hair.

4. In the laſt place, we ſhall obſerve what they ſay;ddManif…ſtation, pag. 8. Could we have had any …ſſurance that what is d ſired, ſhould have otherwiſe or by any have been don, and had not had ſome …aſte of the relinquiſhment of many good things what were propoſed, we ſhould not have been ſo earneſt for the doing thereof. To which we anſwer.

1. Howſoever the Parliament hath ſate long, and not ſo much don for publ ck good as hath been expected: neve…theleſſe, this cannot be juſtly cha…g d upon the preſent Houſe of Commons: for it is well known, the freedome and power, which now they have, it hath been but a little while in their hands: neither have p. 8they been long in that capacitie as now they are to manage and ſettle the affaires of the Common-wealth: whoſoever therefore ſhall duly conſider, the ſhortneſſe of the time, the many oppoſitions, obſtructions, and diſcouragements, which the Lord hath brought them through, and in what diſorder and confuſion things lately were, what diviſions in the Land, and the many ſtrong parties againſt them; and laſtly, the many good things which they have don, he ſhall ſee more cauſe to bleſſe God for his goodneſſe and mercy towards us, in preſerving us from the ſnare and pit, then to murmure or complaine againſt men, b… cauſe this, or that, is not alſo don. There may be no fault either in the Phyſick, or Phyſician, and yet the patient remaine longer ſi…k, then he deſires to be.

2. For the many good things which they ſpeake of, we ſhall ſhew by and by what they are, as the diſſolving of the Councell of State, breaking of the Army, neglecting and looſing Ireland, opening the Preſſe to all ſcandalous and ſeditious Libels, and turning the Land into a wilderneſſe. For other things which truly tend to the freedome and ſafetie of the Common-wealth, the Parliament hath not Relinquiſhed, nor any one of them, nor ever will: but daily endeavoureth, to free all men from all burdens and oppreſſions, and no doubt (as was ſaid) the Peoples Enlargement and Comfort this way, would be much the ſooner, were it not for the conſpiracy and ſedition of thoſe men.

3. As delayes are dangerous; ſo ſometimes haſt makes waſt: Feſtina lente, was Auguſtus Emblem. Great ſtones are not laid in the building without ſome time and great labour, becauſe of their weight, but once placed remaine long. Charles King of Naples was ſurnamed C…nctator, Delayer, becauſe he ſtayed till opportunitie was paſt: But Fabius the ſhield of Rome, was ſo called, becauſe he onelyonly ſtayed, till opportunitie was come.

From Generals, we come now to a more particular Dij veri…. Till we ſaw their Manifeſtation, we could not well tell, nor hardly gueſſe, what for men in many things they would have the world thinke them to be. There indeed theyeeManif…ſtation, pag. 6. profeſſe that they beleeve there is one eternall and omnipotent God, the …ther and preſerver of all things in the world: And denie to be either Atheiſts or Antiſcripturiſts. But what Athieiſt for advantage and to ſerve p. 9his own turne, will not profeſſe as much, and more too?ffValerius Max. l. 9. Demoſthenes being asked what in ſpeech was moſt effectuall, anſwered, foreign, hypocriſie, and being demanded the ſecond and third time, gave the ſame anſwer. Whether there be not hypocriſie here in their ſpeech; Let theſe things be noted.

1. It is aſſerted by them, thatggNew Law of Righteouſnes, pag. 64. Truth lifting up his head above ſcandals, pag. 2. Reaſon is God, and out of this Reaſon came the whole Creation.

2. ThehhSee Overiös booke concerning this thing. immortalitie of the ſoule they flatly deny, and ſcoff as ſuch people as beleeve the ſoules immortalitie.

3. In the Levellers Creed, there is no Jeſus Chriſt, no conception, birth, life, death, buriall, reſurrection, or exaltation of ſuch a one; llNew Law of righteouſnes, p. 98, 99. 1…1No heaven nor hell, No Angel, good nor had; No reſurrection of the fl…ſh; for to take it ſo in the letter (they ſay) is a dreame of our Preachers.

4.kkNew Law, &c. p. 97. All that we call the hiſtory of the Scripture is an idol; for there is no other Adam, or Chriſt, Cain or Abel, Abraham, Iſaac, Jacob, Moſes, Canaanites, Amalekites, Philiſtims: but what is ſeen and felt within every man. Hence they ſay,llNew Law, &c. p. 78. the publick Preachers have cheated the whole world, by telling us of a ſingle man, called Adam, that killed us by eating a ſingle fruit.

5. By their Principles men muſt leave off,mmNew Law, pag. 112. all teaching and inſtructing each other. nnIbid. p. 115.There is no uſe of Sermons, Sacraments, or prayer, ooIbid. 82.Preachers are the curſe, and the ſpreaders of the curſe, ſtanding ponds of ſtinking water; yea ppIb d. 135. 138, 139. 141, 142.the zealous Preachers, are no other then Scribes, Phariſees, Judas, Traytors, Witches, Sorcerers, Deceivers: qqIbid. 115.They and the people joyning together in publick worſhip is an ab…mination. rrIbid. 121. 138Gathering Congregations, Church-fellowſhip, and all outward formes this (ſay the Levellers) is to betray Chriſt into the hands of fleſh, a deceit of the Devill, the Government of the Beaſt, Antichriſtian captivitie, and tis to be under the tyrant fl…ſh, a new bondage, a wrapping men in confuſion, the myſtery of iniquitie, and onelyonly to hinder Chriſt the great Prophet from riſing.

It hath formerly been held, thatſſProſpera …ueniunt colentibus deos, adverſa ſpernentibus, Liv. lib. 5. Religion, and the true worſhip of God, is much for the ſafetie and proſperitie of a Common-wealth, and mensttRel gio neglecta aut pro…apſa, traxit ſemper r…m…: ſecū, & trabit. Lipſius Polit. notae. in c. 3. pag. 4. departure from the practice thereof, and falling to hereticall, atheiſticall, and blaſphemous w…yes, brings Gods curſe and plagues upon a Nation: and indeed the Heathens thought ſo too.uuDom. l…a negle … dederu…t heſp riae maia …uctuoſae. Ho…at. When God is neglected, the Land is p. 10corrected. Into what pernicious and damnable errours theſe men are fallen, and daily ſeek to draw others, what heart without breaking almoſt can thinke thereof? and ſo much the more, becauſe God is highly diſhonoured, and exceedingly provoked to wrath, and the whole Nation, for it ſuffers bitter things.

There is a Citie called Zaiton in India, where they bring hot meats to their Idols, feeding their dumb-gods with the ſmoake, and eating the meat themſelves. Whatſoever theſe men profeſſe concerning one eternall and omnipotent God, yet they ſerve him juſt as the Heathens do their idols, give him no meat, no worſhip, ſervice, or religious dutie, all that he hath from them is onelyonly ſmoake, and fitly may it be named ſmoake, for in truth their principles are nothing elſe but the ſmoake of the bottomleſſe pit.

6. That they are Atheiſts and Antiſcripturiſts, or little better: Men who regard not God, neither the Scriptures, nor any religion; it may be clearly ſeene by the Agreement of the People, which they call,aaManifeſtation, p. 7. the ſtandard and ultimate ſcope of their deſignes. Amongſt all their Propoſals and Articles (which are thirty a… leaſt) there is not one thing propoſed, for the holding forth and furtherance of Gods publick worſhip and ſervice. Now who knowes not and beleeves (except an Atheiſt) thatbbRel gio & timo… …ei ſolut eſt, qui cuſtodit h…minum i…er ſe ſocieta…m. Lactan. d i… ap. 13. Religion and the feare of God preſerues the ſocietie of men among themſelves. It is the ſpeech of the Philoſopher in hi… Politiques, when he giveth a rule of Policie:ccforeign. Ariſt. 7. Pol. c. 8. Firſt, there muſt be a care of di…ina things, and that is the beſt Policie. For ddforeign. Ariſt. …h…. ad Al….God loves ſuch m ſt, who are carefull to ſerve him beſt.

Neither ſhall we finde any where (ſaving among this generation of men) of a modell and platforme of Government (though drawn up by Heathen) where Religion was not looke after, and had not the preheminence and fi…ſt place.eeSee Jewel defence of the Apol…gie, 6 part cap 1 … p…g. 644. 64… Reade the li… of King Inas, Elfrede, Edward, Eibelſtane, Edmund, Edgar, C… nute, they did not uſe to treat of ma ters touching the Common State, before they had concluded what they thought fi… ab…ut Religion. Thence grew that cuſtome to ſay, Jam ſeq… tu… Inſtitutio legu…rs Sacul…rium. Now fol…oweth an order for Temporall lawes.

They will have tithes taken away: it is well, but marke, whil… they doe a good works of …aſing the people of …, p. 11they will do… ſomething that ſhall deprive them of the knowledge of the truth. And this is apparent; For they will not have it in the power of the Parliament to impoſe Miniſters upon any of the Reſpective Pariſhes, but ſhall give free libertie to the Pariſhioners of every Pariſh to chooſe ſuch …s themſelves ſhall approve. Here (Anguis latet ſub herba) is an artificiall deviſe to fill all places with Atheiſts, hereticks, blaſphemers, &c. and there is no remedie: For in caſe the people of ſome Pariſhes will not chooſe any one to inſtruct them in the knowledge of Chriſt, but will rather chooſe to live without Chriſt and inſtruction (as no doubt many would doe ſo in this caſe) or ſuppoſe they will chooſe one that ſhall inſtruct them in the Turkes Alcoran, or the Jewes Talmud, or which is as bad (if not worſe) teach them the Leaven of Levellers; That there is no ſaving Chriſt, no heaven or hell, no Angel or Devill, no reſurrection of the body, and much more to this purpoſe (of which we ſhall ſpeake preſently) now ſuppoſe all this, yet the Magiſtrate muſt not ſtirre, though it be in a publick way to hinder the ſpreading of any damnable hereſies, or to promote the truth.

And this is one of the good things for which they complaine againſt the Parliament, as to relinquiſh: To grant men libertie of Conſcience is not enough, but they muſt not intermeddle at all in matters of Religion; but leave things unſetled in the publick, that ſo the people every where may turne Atheiſts, or become Hereticks.

Ne…ther is this practice of theirs without example, the Munſter Levellers did the**Nec enim id vertiginoſis hominibus & ad tu …as & res nova…d…s crectis ſatis videbatur, Libertatē conſcientia… ſibi ſu ſqus impetraſſe, qui… potius ad … nimo… omnia pro …rbitrio regend…, …erſ…nd… que lu… tiam …. ſame. Libertie of Conſcience granted them will not ſerve their turne, but delighting in noveltie and mutinie, and being ambitious, they muſt govern and diſpoſe of all things, and ſet down what rules and Lawes they judge fit.

What they are for Religion you have heard; wee are next to conſider how they doe expreſſe themſelves concerning Levelling. ffN ſ…u reg… …e, qu… neſ…t d ſ…la…e.We proſeſſe (ſay they) that we never had is in our thoughts to levell mens eſtates, is being the uttermoſt of our ayme, that the Common wealth be reduced to ſuch a p…ſſe, that every man may with as much ſecuritie as may he enjoy his proprietie. Before wee come to diſcover what this Levelling is, we d ſire it may be noted, that theſe ſ…e men doe grant the thing lawfull in it ſelfe; for having p. 8duplicate page p. 9duplicate page p. 10duplicate page p. 11duplicate page p. 12ſet down what they underſtand by Levelling, Namely, an equalling of mens eſtates, and taking away the Right and Title that … man hath to what is his own: They ſay to attempt an ind…ing t… ſame is moſt injurious, unleſſe there did precede an univerſall aſſent thereunto from all and every one of the people. As if they ſhould ſay, the thing is good, onelyonly wanting meanes and power at preſent it muſt be left till there be a fitter opportunitie to doe it.

It is one of Machiavels Principles, thatggDiſcourſes, l. 3. c. 6. in a Conſpiracy againſt the State, the Complotters thereof muſt not paſſe the number of thr… or foure. That there is a L…velling deſigne carrying on, dangerous to the Common-wealth, it is too apparent, and howbeit, bu… few are acquainted with the bottome of the worke, yet many are, much uſe of women as well as men: ſome to dig, others to dreame, ſome to raiſe ſedition and hurliburlies in Citie, Town… and Countrey, others to cry out againſt tyrannie, and for libertie. And all this is to effect one thing, which is, as they ſay themſelves, thus.

1. They will hhNew Law of righteouſnes, pag. 65.58.have no man to call any thing his: For it is tyrannie that a man ſhould have **Omnia n…tura C…a eſſe & communia. Tho. Muntzers Princip.any proper Land; particular proprietie … deviliſh, the myſtery of Aegyptian bondage, a deſtroying of the Creation, a lifter up of the proud covetous fl…ſh; a bringer in of the curſe againe, a mortall enemie to the Spirit, and that which hath brought in all miſery upon the creature.

Here they ſhew what their mea…ing is, when they ſay,llA Declaration of the free Commoners of England. Wee declare and proteſt againſt all Incloſure of Fennes, Forreſts, Fields, Moores, Heaths, Woods, Parks, Chaſes, which have been taken from the poore of this Land: Wee are reſolved to doe our utmoſt to reſtore them againe for the good and benefit of the poore. That is, ſeeing no man may chalenge either houſe or land as his own, they will be ay…i…g and aſſiſting each to other, and to all and every man that ſhall j yn with and aſſiſt them in this their Engagement, to thruſt every one …u… of his proper and lawfull poſſeſſion, and take the ſame for the good and benefit of themſelves.

2kkThe true Levellers Standard. pag. 18. Labourers and ſuch as are called poore people, they ought not to worke for any Land-lord, or for any that is lifted up above others. llThe new law of righteouſn…ſſe, p. 63. 64He that workes for another, either for wages or to pay his rent, workes unrighteouſly, and ſtill lifts up the curſe, and by his labours holds the Creation under bondage, and the hand of the Lord ſhall be againſt p. 13ſuch labourers. Againe, they ſay, it is mmA Declaration of the free Commoners of England.a tyrannicall uſurpation, and Incroachment of Lords of Mannors, to lay Fines and other ſervices upon their Tenants. When as by right they are as free as themſelves.

3. Levellers doe not allow, neither will they havennLight ſhining in Backpor. 1. p. 3. any buying or ſelling, no Markets or Faires to be kept, nor any Civill trading at all: for to doe ſo, it is to take the Beaſts Marke: ooNew Law of righteouſnes. pag. 47.When a man hath need of any Corne or Cattle, he is to take the ſame from the next ſtore-houſe be meets with.

4. It is another doctrine of theirs, contrary to the Law of God, of Nature, and Nations, that**New Law of righteouſnes, pag 60. 61. 69. no man is to be put to death for murder, or any unrighteous crime whatſoever: nor to be impriſoned or puniſhed any way; onelyonly ſuch are to worke and eate their own bread; and be or they that ſhall inflict any other puniſhment upon fellow-creatures, is an unrighteous actor in the Creation: for it is a mightie diſhonour to our Maker, that one part of the Creation ſhould deſtroy another. Againe;ppThe true Levellers Standard. pag. 9. He that will rule over, impriſon, oppreſſe, and hill his fellow-creatures under whatſoever pretence, is a deſtroyer of the Creation, and an actor of the curſe, and walkes contrary to the rule of righteouſneſſe.

5. If their deſigne hold, they will ſo Levell the Nation, that there ſhall be noqqLight ſhining in Buck. 1 par. p. 10, 11. Corporations, Pattents, Charters throughout the Realme, in any Citie or Town, as ſome to be free, others not: There ſhall not be Mayors, Bayliffes, Aldermen, Common. Councell-men, nor any Judge or Juſtice of Peace left amongſt us. Theſe as the reliques of conqueſt and tyrannie, they will plucke up by the roote.

6. For our Termes and Lawyers (whom they terme the rrA Declaration of the free Commoners of England.Vermin and Caterpillers of this Common-wealth:) Heare what they ſay;ssLight ſhining in Buck. par. 2. p. 14. Would it not be a notable bootie for the Souldiers, when ſo many cheating Lawyers are together at the Terme, to d…ive them out, or elſe ſhip their long taild gownes over their eares: O Souldiers, you could never doe a better piece of ſervice, then to put down all the Lawyers, and all their Courts, with all Patents, Grants, Records, &c. and ſuffer not one Terme more; and we in the Countrey will aſſiſt you with what power we can: ſo that let us acquit our ſelves like men, and be no more ſlaves: this were **Proſperum ac fal x ſet his, virtus vocatur. Sence. Herc. Fur.an excellent worke indeed.

Thus they intend we ſhall have the uſage which Travailers ſound at the hands of Seyron and Procreſtes, famous Robbers in p. 14Attica, who by cutting ſhorter the taller, and ſtretching … leſſer, brought all to one even length with their bed of … It is true, theſe things in the eyes of all ſober and judic… people, are moſt vile and deteſtable: Nevertheleſſe, th… A… phali, headleſſe hereticks doe uſe ſeverall crafty wiles and w… that this Common-wealth may be tohu …ib…, without other or forme, even an unfaſhioned maſſe or lump.

1. By ſpreading abroad certain viſions and voyces heard … a trance: As among others; 1.ttThe true Levellers Standard. pag. 17, 18. The New law of Righteouſneſſe, p. 57. Worke together, eat together, …d declare this abroad. 2. Iſrael ſhall neither take hyre, nor give …. 3. Whoſoever labours the Earth for any perſon or perſons, that … up to rule over others, and doth not looke upon himſelfe as … to others in the Creation, the hand of the Lord ſhall be upon … … bourer: I the Lord have ſpoken it, and I will doe it. Now ho… ver it be a righteous thing with God, to puniſh the hypoc… and apoſtacie of men by ſuch deluſions, and to give them … to lyer, and to their own luſts, becauſe they received nor … love of the truth; Nevertheleſſe, many corrupt and falſe. … people are hereby drawn in to helpe forward the conſp… againſt the State: neither are the Grand Incendiaries ignor… howuuEt cum inſcripto dei verbo nullum erroribus & turbis à ſe concitatis praſidium reperirent, ad novas ſe & ſurores ſuos …uendi artes confug…unt, Enthuſiaſmos & inſpira…iones ſecretas f…ctant. Spanhem. others, (ſeditious as themſelves) have formerly … like; by which meanes their faction and treaſon hath glo… the ſtronger.

2. That this Levelling may goe forward, and ſo the … ruined: they addreſſe themſelves for the moſt part to the … gar and poorer ſort, and to ſtirre up ſuch men unto … and ſedition; obſerve what great things are preſented to th… as, Fennes, Forreſts, Fields, Heathes, Woods, Parkes, Choſel, … Commons of all ſorts: To which is now lately added, the Kings Revenues, Biſhops, Deanes, and Chapters Lands. All this the … labourer ſhall have, and ſuch as are become poore through … neſſe, ſuretiſhip, riot, or what elſe. It is a Maxime amongſt the Jeſuites, and they obſerve it when they chooſe a perſon or p… ſons for treaſon, and to make a conſpiracie againſt the Common-wealth.xxQui ſperat nihi… deſperat nihil. He that hath nothing, feares not to doe any things For ſuch kinde of men,yyInopes boris invide…r, vetera odere, nova expetunt, odio ſuarum rerum m…t…re o…nia ſtudent. Salluſt. Rebus turbatis alacres, & per inc…r…a tutiſſimi. Tacit. envie the rich, hate old things, and … of a diſlike of their preſent condition, deſire to alter all things.

To theſe therefore are their Emiſſaries ſpecially ſent; to … p. 15the ſervant againſt the Maſter; the Tenant againſt his Landlord; the buyer againſt the ſeller, the borrower againſt the lander, the poore againſt the rich, and for encouragement Every beggar ſhall be ſet on horſebacke.

And this was no other but what thezzEquibus non minima fuit publicatio dogmatis de communione honorum quod pronis auribus & animis exceptū fuit a promiſcua hominum call…vi…, eut res p…va domi, & omnibus i… alie…o ſpes erat. Germane Levellers did, and by publiſhing ſo much, ſuch as had little meanes of their own, and all their hope was upon others, moſt readily received it.

But you heare them ſay, they approve not of this L…velling, unleſſe there did precede an aſſent from all the people: Here is a cloake ſo thinne, that a man may ſee thorow it; As if theſe men did not know and love Figures, though they are ignorant of other learning, and generally hate it. All muſt be underſtood reſtrictively, that is the**So ſaid the Levellers in Germinie; Se ad ege…s potiſsimu… & abjecter fortis homines ſubmiſſes profiteri. Spanhem. diſp…. poore Commoner; for rich man, and ſuch as have Lands, and Eſtates, and claime a proprietie in things, they doe declare and proteſt againſt; for having … raiſed tyrannie, oppreſſion, and crueltie upon their fellow-brethren, and free Commoners of this Nation. Now who makes queſtion but this ALL, will aſſent to an equalling of …ns eſtates, and taking away the right and title that every man hath to what is his own. And then as the Law ſaith; Fundamente deficitate omnia ru…t. And England may ſay with theaaVenit ſumma dies: & in eluctabile tempus dardaniae: ſuimus Troes: fuit Ilium, & ingens gloriae Tenerorum. Ferus omnia Jupiter Argos tranſtulit; incenſa danai dominantur in u…be. Virgil. Aeneid. l. 2. Poet;

Englands fearfull fate is come, this day's our loſt;

We once were Engliſh, and faire this Iland was;

But Englands glory now, her joy and bliſſe i… go…,

Our Countrey ruin'd by Levellers, all's undon.

In our Diſcovery, we ſhall now in the next place take notice, what theſe men ſay of themſelves, for their peaceableneſſe, as to reconcile differences, and to heale all breaches on all ſides.bbAn Agreement of the People. p. 1. Wee bleſſe God (ſay they) our Conſciences are cleare from adding affliction to affliction, having ever laboured from the beginning of our publique diſtractions to compaſe and reconcile them, and ſhould eſteeme it as the crowne of all our temporall felicitie, that yet we might be inſtruments in procuring the peace and proſperitie of the Common-wealth, the Land of our nativitie. Beſides their Agreement in rendred as a Peace-offering; and this Scripture eſpecially they aſſume to themſelves, p. 16and apply it to their practice; Bleſſed are the … makers.

I… this be ſo, what meaneth then this bleating of the … our ears, and the lowing of the oxen which we hear… … comes it to paſſe, that all Countries are full w…th their … racier, and their worke hath ſtill been to make diviſion betw… partie and partie, which cannot be denied, for then … prove it.

1. To ſtirre up the people every where againſt the …, they ſay, thatccPicture of the Councell of State, ſecond Edition. p. 13. the faction of a treacherous partie of Officers of … Armie, hath twice rebelled againſt the Parliament, and broken … to pieces. Now here let it be obſerved, that none in the … did more violently preſſe and urge the Armie to what they … this way then themſelves: and after it was done, they ſh… great diſcontent, that they wereddA plea for Common Right and Freedom, pag. 2. condemned in their … endeavours for purging the Houſe of theſe corrupt Members that … ted the King to London, and denounced warre againſt you. For … Contradiction here, we let it paſſe (as but a more in their …) their treacherous and ſeditious deſigne we ſhall onelyonly to … Firſt, that the Army may engage, they ſhew the neceſſitie of … thing, thateeThe Juglers diſcovered, pag. 10, 11. M^r. Pellams Juncto blades, are uſurpers of Par… power, a factious, treacherous Juncto, traytors, and enemies to … Countrey, and the truſt repoſ…d in them, by whoſe illegall, pretended, and unbinding votes, a new warre was de facto raiſed and … the Kingdome, to the viſible hazard of the raine and utter deſtr… on there: fit to be ſeverely puniſhed, and not fit to be contin… … longer as Judges in the Kingdome, or their own cauſe. Hereup… adviſe them to preſſe vigorouſly for the totall purging of the H…ſe, and not to let the Parliament-men goe free without puniſhment (… it would be the greateſt injuſtice that could be acted in the world) that ſo there may be way made for the exemplary puniſhing of the … Mayor of London, and all the chiefe Ring-leaders, actors in the … deſperate and treacherous ingagement.

This being don according to their own deſire, they afterward reproach i…, and terme the very ſame thing the faction of a … terous partie of Officers of the Armie rebelling againſt the Parliament, &c. of pu…poſe to flatter the Malignants and Cavallier… and by collouging with them to move them to ſedition. W… p. 17ſhall not call this a Machiavillian or Jeſuiticall plot, for its too groſſe, onelyonly it ſhewes how deſperate they are, as not caring what they ſay or unſay, ſo it he for advantage, and to ſerve their own turne.

2. How buſie they have been in the Army to raiſe ſedition and mutinie amongſt the Souldiers, it is well known, neither hath there been any remarkable diſtraction or diviſion therein, but by their meanes: and ſurely had not the p…ovidence of God wonderfully appeared, they had …re this time broken and ſcattered the Army by their falſhoods and vile aſperſions: they have acted by that Principle, Make diviſion and get Dominion. If a ſtreams be divided, it is weakened, and it will not be …avigable when it is cut into many rivers. We could give many Inſtances of their trayterous working to cut the Army into many parts, and that conſtantly, and in all places through the Land. Beſides their Pamphlets and Libels diſperſed amongſt the Souldiers, ſpeaking thus.

ffJ… … covered, pag. 1….Thoſe proud hypocriticall Officers that are amongst you, that are againſt **That is, againſt the … v…lling, mentioned before.Freedome, and would doe the worke of the Lord by ba…es, put them off, and chooſe honeſter in their roomes **This is ſpoken to the private Souldiers that they riſe againſt their Officers., and the onelyonly way is to take downe their great pay, let them ſerve as you doe. Againe,ggEngliſh Souldiers, St…nd…rd, pag. 9. Suffer this, and ſuffer any thing, experience ſhewes, he that takes one box on the eare, invites another; and when Souldiers that ſhould be … in all things, ſtand ſtill, and ſuffer their fellow Souldiers to be thus abuſed by a pack of Officers, no marvaile if their Officers turne Tyrants, preſume to doe any thing to any man. And a little after; If you be wiſe, march not out of London, nor undertake for Ireland, or any other ſ…vice, till there be ſet up a new Repreſentative of the Army.

Theſe are the men that would be Inſtruments, ſo procuring the peace and proſperitie of this Common-wealth, and call themſelves Peace-makers. Whereas no Malignant can ſhew ſelfe good will to the Land, or doe more trayterouſly to bring ruine and miſery upon it. Neither is M^r Walwyn be…nde-hand in this worke▪ He likewiſe calls upon the Sould…ers to mutinie▪ for he knoweshhConcordia minima res creſcunt, diſcordia maxima d…tuntur Gloſſ. in Eccleſ. …1.Eccl 1 by con…d the leaſt things en…, by diſcord the greateſt …ome to nothing; and that a Kingdome divided …. iiThe bloudy Proje…, pag. 1….Let not the covetous (ſaith he) the proud, the bloud thirſty m… p. 18ſway amongst you, feare not their high lookes, give no part is … charmes, their promiſes or teares, they have no ſtrength with… … forſake them, and yee will be ſtrong for **Levelling he means.good; adhere to them and … will be ſtrong to evill.

This needs no explanation, 'tis in plain Engliſh; Sould…rs rebell, and caſt off your Commanders. Reader, thou muſt know … for freedome he ſpeakes thus, and the Nations ſafetie: …ſt … the Germane-Levellers, their Conſpiracy went underkkLibertatis inſtaurationē & vindicias ſubdicorum à jugo & tyrannid… profiteri auſus eſt. the … ring of Libertie, and to ſet the people free from their y… and … rannie.

3. Having raiſed a mutinie in the Army, by ſetting the So… diers againſt their Cōmanders; their next worke is, how to … tinue and encreaſe it, and this they doe by ſeverall … wayes.

1. By commending and juſtifying the ſeditious S… calling themllEngliſh new Chaine ſecond part, pag. 14. honeſt and worthy Souldiers, the good men in the … mie, mmThe Peoples Prerogative, pag. 42. Engliſh new Chaine, pag. 9.the honeſt Ne… ſubſtantives, men moſt conſ… … … dially acting for common good, and reſolved to ſtand for true … tie. So that how trayterous and dangerous ſoever their … are, they ſhall be yet handſomely covered over: they are Captaine Mend-all, Souldiers. Thus if a man will … and give eare to their report; for bread, he ſhall have a … for fiſh, a Serpent.

2. Their manner is, when any private Souldiers are … puniſhed for mutinie don by their occaſion, to urge and … gate their fellow-Souldiers to take revenge upon their C… manders for it.nnThe Engl…ſh Souldiers Standard. pag. 8. It is not a ſhame (ſay they) that your fe…-Souldiers ſhould undergoe, ſo ſlaviſh, ſo ſevere, and painfull p… ment, as to ride the Woodden horſe, or to run the G…untlet, … whipt for ſmall particular offences: and that you ſhould ſuffer … mean time your Officers and Commanders to turne Tyrants, and … ver puniſh them as all for it. Is this to take up Armes, when one … being your Commander, may (at the Proverb ſaith) … a …rſ… and you will hang a private Souldier for looking over the … For what compariſon in there between a private Souldiers … and an officers turning a Beare, a Wolfe, a Tyrant?

Now can there be a plot more dangerous and deſtructiv… then this to the Army and Nation? What open and prof… p. 19enemy can ſay worſe, or move in a way more trayterous? And that the Common Souldiers may be the more …ſperated and deſperate, they tell them, that their Chiefe Commanders are ooThe Peoples Prerogative, p. 45. 4….new Tyrants, Turkiſh J…ſ…ies, ppEngliſh now Chai…e, pag. 4.euen that walke by no rules … principles, either of honeſtie or conſ…; ſub… of … and Liberties; qqThe hunting of the Fox, pag. 4.ſ…ters up of the higheſt c…tie, villany, ſlavery, that can be imagined, even tyranny as the highe. rrThe bloudy Project. pag. 15.Inſu…ing oppreſſors, ſſPag. 14.bloud-thirſty-men. ttPeoples Soon…, …. pag. 4.The very Jeſuits ſeeme but … to them; Traytors, Theeves, Murderers, the ſonne, riſſe r…ſſe, and traſh of the earth. As Nero when he hurled the Chriſtians to dogs, ſeeing the Maſti…es would not touch them, he …ad them in Beares-skine, …o kindle the fury of the dogs, that they might …ake them to be beaſts, and not men: So doe theſe, to ſet the Souldiers (like dogs) on their Officers, for … and devour them; they firſt cover them with B…are-skins of their ſland…o… and falſ… …:uuThe hunting of the Foxes, pag. …4. All Engliſh Souldiers (ſay they) that have the l…ſt ſpark of true love to themſelves, and their Countries freedome, are … … ver to unite themſelves againſt theſe (…rke how they clad them in the B…are-skins) Apoſtolies, thoſe Jeſuits and T… to the pup…: Thoſe are the …: for what have they …? There is no truſt or … any more to be bad in …hem: for they have broken their f… with all parties, &c.

Neither doe the ſeditious Souldiers depart a whit from what i… taught themThe … … ration of Go… … and … ſary … Regiments be a R…ndezvous at old … M…y 11. 1649. they … doctors, that the …nd of their Conſpiracy and Inſurrection as to f…e themſelves … of the …d of Tyrants: all their endeavour is the …ling of this poore Nation, and the reſti…er of their ſha…ing freedome: they are …or…d (poore hearts) to deny obediences to … tyra…call Officers, whoſe …ſufferable proceedings, tend manifeſtly to the obſtruction of their **… eſt repu…, … ſub ejus … l…icet Bellum. Cl…, Philip. 12.P…, the hin… … of the re…ſe … of the conſuming Nation. And howſoever they ſhall be burden… …, and perſons for … yet that may be well blowe with all, ſeeing (by ra…ing a new warre, and making a Com…on in the Land) they ſeeke the peoples **…olt… … Virgil. 11.caſe, and their freedom from thoſe intolerable bur…ens … their ſhoulders, whereof they are …y ſenſible.

Here Reader, with thy patience we ſhall make a little diſcovery.

p. 201. Doth not thy minde give thee, that thoſe …uld…, … ſo Lilburn, Overton, &c. are very ſenſible of the, burdens and grievances of the people, as, Tithes, …, Free Quarter, … conſidering they never felt them, but (as fiſhing … troubled … te…) from the diſtractions and calamities of the …, have …d their maintenance and livelihood, and got… ſom… whereas before they were poore and had little or nothing.

2. Canſt thou not beleeve them, that they are deeply … with Irelands condition, and would willingly …ther the … ving of it? ſeeing not onelyonly they refuſe to goe thither th… ſelves, but diſcourage all others from going what they can, …d by their ſedition and rebellion hinder the State in the … … faires.

3. How blind are people as not to ſee, that it is for theſe … and to be free from burdens, when private Souldiers … from their Commanders, make a mutinie and Commotion in the Land, for hereby the Countrey and places whereſoever th… come, muſt needs be impoveriſhed and undoe, and the Common-wealth put to more expence and greater charge, … ſcattering and ſuppreſſing of ſuch Inundiaries.

4. There is nothing ſaid by theſe men, but whatyyN…c deſt…tit de mag…ſt…atus …y anuide pa…gaediare, …ncultare pleb…, Omnia na…ura libera eſſe & Comm…d: ex… tiendum eſſe princip… aque ac pontificis Romani Jug…, & quia illi b…ndis monitis baud quaquam ceda…, ſe… b… no & cupita ſubditorum libidini ſua vect…galia eſſe velut, juſtiſsimis armis id omnibus vindicondum eſſe, quod … eſſe deus voluerit. … and deſtroyers of States have alwayes ſaid: They have p… ſed as in the preſence of Almighty God, that all their en… vours ſhould be, for Religion, freedome, peace, and proſ… of the people, by removing tyrannie, oppreſſion, cruel… … yeaaaMuntza…is aperte profiteri capi…, ſe divino mandato excitum tum magiſtratibus impi… … dis, tum mutando regimini politico. given out as if in a ſpeciall manner they were called … to ſuch a worke, but their hypocriſie and treachery hath … diſcovered, and the Lord laid a ſenſible and viſible judg… upon them for it.

And 3. That the fire which they have kindled in the A… may burne till all be conſumed, they have now lately found … a notable deviſe; namely, to keepe away the water whereby i… might be quenched: No otherwiſe then as a Thiefe, who ma… ing with a traveller well arm'd, and perceiving himſelfe t… weake for him, would perſwade him, that his weapons are … lawfull, and therefore ſhould lay them down; and this he doth purpoſely to rob and kill the honeſt man. So theſe men would perſwade the Army, thatbbThe Peoples Prerogatives, pag. 53, 54, 55. &c. The hunting of the Foxes, pag. 18. there is now no Marſhall Law; but … p. 21is abſolute murder in the Generall and Councell of Warre, to put any Souldier to death for any crime or offence whatſoever; ccA Letter written to the General from Lieyt: Col. John Lil…urn, M…. Rich. O… ton, April 27. 1649.and th… Souldiers onelyonly are puniſhable in the Courts of Juſtice, and according to the Lawes and Statutes of the Kingdome: ſo that the Co…cell of Wor… hath no more right to inflict Juſtice, then a thiefe or robber hath to a purſe which be takes upon the high way.

But wherefore is all this? but for this end, viz. when they have wrought ſedition and treaſon in the Army, there may be no meanes, courſe, or way ſound out, for to ſtop the b…ch, till all be loſt, ſcattered, and deſtroyed.

Here we ſhall againe paſſe over theirddIn a Booke Entituled, A plea for Common Right, preſented to his Excellency Decemb. 28. 1648. pag. 5. There they approve of the Commiſſion Officers and Marſhall Law, onelyonly deſire ſomething to be amended. groſſe Contradiction, as ſaying, and unſaying; one while juſtifying, another while condemning the ſame thing for advantage, and to ſerve their own turne. Neither is it worth the while to mention theireeAt no mercinary Souldiers, and yet take pay: no States Army: ye… …an Army; Ergo; it muſt have Law Marſhal. 2. Raiſed by the Parliament, and for the Parliament. Peoples Prerogative, pag. 57, 58, 59. Non-ſe…ie, at obſurdities and childiſh paſſages concerning this thing. There is enough ſaid by themſelves, even where they ſpeake moſt againſt Marſhall Law, to juſtifie the Armies proceeding by Marſhall Law, and out of their own mouth to condemn themſelves, of ignorance, or malice, or both. For obſerve, every Reader that hath ſenſe; Their … and grand Objection is, Thus no perſon ought to be judged by Law Marſhall, except in times of Warre: When there is no burli-burlie in the Kingdome, no profeſſed or declared enemy againſt the peace thereof, ready to deſtroy it with fire and ſworn, but all things are pe…ble and quiet, &c. Marſhall Law is not lawfull.

Hence we gather (not as Petitio principii, but argumentatio exconceſſ…, as they uſe to ſay) the lawfulneſſe of Marſhall Law by their own Grant. For ſeeing they make burli-burlies in the Common-wealth, and declare themſelves enemies unto peace, are In…ndlar… and Mutiners every where, ſeeking by fire and ſword to ruine all things, of neceſſitie there muſt be Marſhall Law; their ſeditious acting is enough to warrantie: and had we no other apparent enemies …ut They, it would ſufficiently prove, that there is no Act or Statute which doth prohibit the ſame in this very caſe. All that they ſay, may be framed thus: If Marſhall Law at ſometimes, and as the condition of a Kingdome maybe, is not to be exec…ted: …hen is not Marſhall Law at any time lawfull, in what condition … eaſe ſoever the Kingdome be: ſuch reaſoning, and theirs is all one.

p. 22Beſides, it …oſt evident, that they underſtand … Marſhall Law is; for if they did, they would not ſp…ke … …o…ntly of**Note, that there is no Statute which prohibits Marſhal Law to an A…mie that hath been in ſervice and once uſed it, ſo long as the State hath upheld it, and ſtood an Army formaliter. S…tutes prohibiting the …ſ… …her…f: con… Marſhall Law is grounded upon pure reaſon, a princi… … ture, and common to all Nations; it … …ſſentiall …o an … hath its proper riſe and reſidence there, and ſo cannot … away as long as it remaines a formall Army; and … execution ſhould be hindered, yet the right and power of … ſhall Law an Army alwayes hath. Now the Law ſaith;ffN… …juria ſ…, qui jure ſuo … tur. L …roralus L. fluminum de damn: infect. … jurious to none, who makes uſe of his own power and right.

4. Howſoever, hitherto they have acknowledged the P… ment to beggEnglands new Cha…, pag. 1. The hunting of the Foxes, pag. 25. the ſupreame Authoritie of England, yet now … they deny it, and title them,hhThe Picture of State: Second Edit. pag. 14. The Gentlemen ſitting at W… ſter. And becauſe they perceive there are many in the Land … mies to the Parliaments proceedings, to …nco… … ſuch in their malignancy, and to helpe forward … and trayterous plots they have in hand againſt the p… … ſafetie of the Land, they joyn with them hand in hand, … … clare themſelves to be the chiefe Incondiarius, and the … of conſpiracy, perſwading others as one … to ri… … Parliament, and as ſo many profeſſed traytors, … high-way men, to apprehend, ſ…ure, and bring them to Ju… … new Repreſentative.

The… iiJohn Lilburn ſemper idem.Contradictions we ſtill let paſſe, we ſhall onelyonly … ver to the Nation the Reaſon o… cauſe wherefore it is, … Parliament, which is called by them the ſupreme … England, and ſay, We own this honourable Houſe (… of right … true Guardians of our Liberties and Freedomes. **Lievt. Col. Jo. Lilburne ſpeech at the end of Englands new Chaine.In a … is ſaid to be abſolutely deg…ated into pure tyranny, and thereby … loſt the eſſence and ſoule of authoritie, and are … … ing carkaſſe, and all their commands to be cont… … illegall in themſelves. Take noti…, they were p… …pon this of … ceſſitie: For conſidering what they had trayterouſly … acted againſt the Parliament, to acknowledge th… (is they … before) the ſupream Authoritie of England, the R…p… of … people in Parliament aſſembled, they became by their … a…kno… ledgement, actuall Traytors and Rebels againſt … State… and therefore perceiving ſo much, they doe recall it, as not having p. 23don any thing againſt lawfull Magiſtrates, but to Beares and Wolves, and the greateſt Traytors that ever were in this Nation.

It is reported of one Theodorius, that having ſpoken reproachfully of Chriſt, to excuſe himſelfe he taught, that Chriſt was meer man, and not God: So theſe men, having notoriouſly abuſed the Parliament, to defend themſelves, ſay that they have not ſpoken againſt authority, but thoſe Gentlemen ſtiring as Weſtminſter, who have forfe…d their truſt, and ſo the people diſabled from all obedience and ſubjection to them. And here is Ma…vels Maxime followed:ll… Diſcourſes, … Thoſe that mean to effect great matters, muſt not make reckoning of their words, and know by their craft how to turne and wind about at all times. And the Jeſuits doemm… allow lying, if it be for ſafetie, profit, and advantage. They doe ſet open a Schoole for deceit, in which they teach an are of lying,nn… beneficio, qui ad nor… … perjurii aut … Abbot A…. log. adv. … Joana c. … by the helpe whereof he that can lye and forſweare by the Rule, ſhall be free either from lying or periurie.

5. It would aske too much time, to mention all part…; for where hath not this party b…, and earneſtly att…pted to raiſe ſedition, and to fill all places with op…oated and Commotion. They have ſought by falſe ſuggeſtions and ſcandalous Writings, to ſet ſtrife and diviſion between his Lu…ll…, and the chiefe**Oder… th… ment … Commanders of the Army, in publiſhing to the world, thatooThe Picture of the Councell of S… ſe… … pag. 14. the Generall is but their ſtalking horſe, and a Cypher: andppThe Peoples Prerogative. pag. 15, 56. …ut whom they lead hood … it the pits brink of his out … and deſtruction: Their furlorn, unjuſt, and illegall proceedings, in ſhedding innocent bloud is don by vertue of his authority, which lies very deepe upon him, and in concluſion m…y c…ſt him deare, yea the head upon his ſhoulders.

What can be ſpoken more ſeditiouſly, and more diſcovering a malicious and malignant ſpirit? and did not the Generall well know their treachery, and the conſcientiouſneſſe of h… Officers, it were enough to produce a ſad conſequence. The ſpokes of a wheel muſt be all united into one na…, or it will never ſerve for motion: ſo long as there is an accord and harmony, betwixt the head and other parts, the whole body … ſweetly, ſucceſsfully, proſperouſly. But they being grieved and vexed at this,qqPa…rſus … ore fue potus ſo…d … in la… … Cypr. Ep…. 55. prope fin. Pro. 16.28.Prov 16:28 have by falſhood and ſlander don what they could, to ſeparate and cut aſunder.

p. 24Againe, they have ſought to make diſcord between the P… liament and the Councell of Warre, by a ſubtile and dangerous Stratagem, namely, thatrrEnglands new Chaine, pag. 6. the Parliament ſhould app… a C… mittee of their own Members, to heare, examine, and … Controverſies between Officers and Officers, and between Officers and Souldiers. Whoſoever obſerves the thing well, ſhall plainly … that their main deſigne here, was to ſet the Parliament and Army at ſtrife, to the prejudice of both, and the whole Na… It is ſaid of C…te, that he would cloſely make contention amo… his ſervants, and keepe them ſo, becauſe he thought the…r agr… ing together would be ſome hurt and damage to him. This … tie apprehends well …ough, thatſſAfflicts ſides eſt in pace, ſu…t que rebus turbatis alecres & per … cert… inteſs…m…. T…c…eti…. pea… is a le… to their deſig… it muſt be by diviſions, ſeditions, and breaking the … powers, if ever their deſtroying plots be effected. And this … been the practice of **Ambitioſi aliqu… homne…, qui privati… degene…ed, in publicum exitioſi… nih…l ſpei… niſ… per diſcordias haben…. Lipſ. Polit. l. 6. c. 4. p. 266.many ambitious men (being privately haſ… … of no worth) to be mutinous and ſeditious in the Common-wealth, a having no hope but by diviſions and diſcord to raiſe themſelves.

We might mention likewiſe, the ſtirre and tumults wh… have been lately made, byttWherein you ſhall find high termes, and trayterous inſinuatiōs, Iſta quide…u…s eſt. Petitions brought to the P… ment, by Women, Prentiſes, and ou… of ſome Coun… … a meere deviſe to carry on the project, and to prepare and … pen the people for an inſurrection, whenſoever an opport… ſerves.

Laſt of all, and which may ſerve as a proofe for all: th… as much publiſhed by this partie, as we doe here rel…e even RebellionuuSee their Declaration of the free Comm…ners of England, touching their Engagement. proteſted and declared, and when they have gather… hands and are a conſiderable number, thexxUtinam Po…: R…: unā cirvicem h…beret. C. Suecon C. Coeſ. Caligal. Gentlemen the… ſitt… as Weſtminſter ſhall be apprehended for the preſent uſurpation and ſurprizall of the Name, ſtampe, and authoritie of Parliament, and they will take all power and rule into their own hands, and order the affaires of the Common-wealth as they thinke good.

By this which hath been ſpoken, the Reader may perceive, whatyyImpi… ſub dulci …elle …enena latent. Orid, lib. 2. Eleg. Peace-makers they are, and how they have laboured from the beginning of our publick diſtractions, to compoſe and reconcile them. No otherwiſe then like a Mountebank, who gives a poyſon ſo… potion to a poore ſick man, whereby his ſickneſſe is ſtrengthen… and increaſed, and the ſtate of his body growes worſe & wor…, and at laſt kills him out of hand.

p. 25Before we come to a new diſcovery, there is one thing here obſervable: They have publiſhed (and as they thinke) greatly to the diſhonour of Lievtenant Generall Cromwell, a ſpeech of his ſpoken at the Councell-Table, and as they ſet it down, it ſhould be to this effect.aaBona eſt miſericordia ſed non quum eſt contra judicium. Auguſt. qu. 88. in Ho. Pro. 18.6, 7. & 22.10.Prov 18:6Prov 18:7Prov 22:10 I tell you Sir, you have no other way to deale with theſe men, but to bbThe Picture of the Councell of State, ſecond Edit. pag. 12.beate them in pieces: Sir, let me tell you that which is true, if you doe not breake them, they will breake you; yea, and ccHe might well ſay ſo, knowing them to be a generation whoſe teeth are as ſwords & their jaw-teeth as knives.being all the guilt of the bloud and treaſure ſhed and ſpent in this Kingdome, upon your heads and ſhoulders; and ddSee before their Principles touching Religion and Civill Government; and Wahryns wiles, pag. 9, 10, 11.fruſtrate and make voyde all that worke that with ſo many yeares induſtrie, toile, and paine, you have done, and ſo render you to all rationall men, as the moſt contemptible generation of ſilly low-ſpirited men in the earth, to be broken and routed by ſuch deſpiſeable contemptible generation of men as they are: and therefore, Sir, I tell you againe, you are neceſſitated to breake them.

Now be it ſo, that thus he hath ſpoken: What ha…h he don? Was there not a cauſe? Is not the thing true, and very neceſſary it ſhould be don? Is there any thing in the ſpeech, but what Religion, Reaſon and Law allow, and ſtrictly call for it? If Sheba blow a Trumpet of rebellion, Joab juſtly may require his head, and it is fit he ſhould die for it. It is an undoubted Rule of Divinity and Policy, that it iseeJohn 11.50. & 18.14.John 11:50John 18:14 more expedient that one man die, yea, ten, an hundred, a thouſand, then the whole Nation ſhould periſh.ffMelius eſt ut pereat unus quàm pereat unitas. Auguſt. Better one, then out-neſſe. ggƲ …e, ſeca u… memb…o…ion potiús ali…d, quàm t…tum corpus intereat. Cic. Philip. 12.Better one corrupt and putrefied member be cut off, then the whole body thereby ſhould be infected and deſtroyed. It is a remarkeable ſaying,hhPunian… a te, ne tu …o…t. is p…niaris Cyp… de …d pa. … te…. Let the Magiſtrate puniſh malefactors (as Incendiaries, and Traytors to the Commonwealth) leaſt they for them be juſtly puniſhed.

Whoſoever they are that ſtand for ſuch a generation of men, are like Tiberius, who would have Caligula to reigne, that be might deſtroy the people. It is true, If men be ill affected to their Countrey, and would have all ſetled Formes of Government overthrowne, Chriſtian Religion extirpated, all humane ſocieties deſtroyed, and men deprived of their lawfull Liberties, Rights, and Eſtates, they cannot deſire or wiſh for fitter Inſtrument…, and for men that will ſurer or ſooner bring ſuch miſchiefe and miſery upon a Nation.

Having anſwered to ſuch things as they ſpeake of themſelves: p. 24duplicate page p. 25duplicate page p. 26duplicate page p. 27duplicate page p. 28duplicate page p. 29duplicate page p. 26Our next worke ſhall be to obſerve what they ſay of others; and here we purpoſe to take an exact and full view of all theiriiTanto falſi teſtes pe…o…es ſunt, quanto p…pinquare ve…tati per calumniam v…lunt. Auguſt. de Feſto Sancti Steph. Hom. 9. Papers, Pamphlets, Petitions, &c. which they have publiſhed to the world, and wherein they lay grievous things to the Parliament, the Councell of State, and the Councell of Warre, with high charges, and accuſations, againſt ſeverall perſons: and this we will doe the more fully, diſtinctly, and in order, to the end the Innocent may be quitted and cleared, their calumniation, falſhood, and trayterous deſignes diſcovered, and honeſt-minded people no longer deceived, through the hypocriſie and deceit of ſuch men.

Two things are extant, Entituled, Englands New Chaines diſcovered, the firſt and ſecond part: A title importing great oppreſſion impoſed upon them by the preſent ſupreame Authoritie of this Nation: but wherein they felt or ſuffered any ſuch thing, as yet they have not ſhewed, neither doth their ſerious apprehenſions, or ſad Repreſentation manifeſt ſo much. Some children will teare and ſcratch their Mother in the face, and then cry out as if they had been beaten or abuſed; whereas there is nothing don to them, but onelyonly they wronged their Mother. Many wrongs and injuries have they offered unto ſeverall men, and afterward have cryed out and complained, as if they were the ſufferers; WhereaskkWitneſſe L. General Cromwell, who hath patiently born Lilburnes reproaches and ſcandalous ſpeeches, and d…n him good for evill: as he acknowledgeth himſelfe thus: I muſt acknowledge you took compaſſion of me in my bonds and chaines, even when I was at deaths do…e, and was principally inſtrumentall in delivering me from the very gates of death, in An. 1640. And ſetting me free from the long and heavy Tyranny of the Biſhops and Star-chamber, even at that time when I was almoſt ſpent: and many particular reſpects ſince then, and one large token you ſent me ſince I came, &c. J…nahs cry out of the Whales belly, pag. 2. nothing by the others was don to them, but a patient paſſing by of all th…ir inſolencies and abuſes; and making good that Maxime, much agreeable to wiſdome, that juſt deeds are the beſt anſwer to injurious words.

We ſhall ſpeake firſt, to the firſt part of their New Chaine: Omitting nothing, ſaving their vaine repetitions, calumniations, idle, frothy, and impertinent paſſages. Firſt, they complaine againſt erecting a high Court of Juſtice for tryall of criminall cauſes. To which we anſwer.

1. Were th…y not bent to ſedition, they would not mention a thing which by the Parliaments power may lawfully be don (andllTheſe will n… allow of tha… Rule; Auth…tiatem ma…um etiam in illicius exc…ſa…e. C. Dixit 14 q. 5. they know it too) and for no other end, but to ſooth and p. 27flatter Malignants, and to provoke them to greater rage and wrath againſt the Parliament, and High Court of Juſtice, for their late juſt proceedings againſt capitall offendours.

2. Whereas they ſpeake of perſons pick… and choſen as a uſuall policie to introduce by ſuch meanes all uſurpations. Herein they diſcover great uncharitableneſſe, and extreme malice, and walke contrary to Scripture and Law: The word of God teacheth us when ſpeeches or actions doubtfull in themſelves, and may be taken either well or ill, we are to interpret them in themm1 Cor. 13.7. Deut. 22.25, 26, 27.1 Cor 13:7Deut 22:25Deut 22:26Deut 22:27 beſt part. So ſaith the Law;nnDubium in meliorem partem accipiendum L. cum creditor. de furtis. A doubtfull action is to be taken in the better part. ooIn re dubia benigniorem ſemper fieri interpretationem. L. proxime C. de his quae inteſt. del.Againe; In a doubtfull thing, the fairer interpretation muſt be made: So againe;ppNobiliores praeſumptiones ſemper in dubiis eligendas: L. merito pro ſocio. In doubts the nobler preſumptions are to be choſen. But theſe Rules are never followed by Conſpirators againſt the Common-wealth: but on the other hand, actions howſoever in themſelves very good, (as was this high Court of Juſtice) and cordially don, ſhall be depraved by malicious inſinuations, as if by-ends and ſelf-intereſt were intended, or ſome publick detriment would follow: and this hath been practiſed formerly byqq2 Sam. 10.3, 4. & 15.3, 4.2 Sam 10:32 Sam 10:42 Sam 15:32 Sam 15:4 Incendiaries, proudrrMat. 9.34.Matt 9:34 hypocrites, and by thessJob 1.10. Rev. 18.10.Job 1:10Rev 18:10 Devill (foreign) the falſe accuſer or make-bate taught them. Beſides it is well to be noted, how in all the things ſet forth by this partie, there is little ſaid, ſavingttInſerunt querelas, & ambiguos de Magiſtratu ſermones, quae que alia turbulenta vulgi. Tac: hiſt. 1. forged inſinuations againſt the Parliament, the Councell of State, and the Armie, as if they would doe this, and that, to oppreſſe the people, whereas nothing was ever ſo intended, neither had they any ground or cauſe for ſuch jealouſies and aſperſions, but have given them forth, of purpoſe to diſturbe, unquiet, and trouble the Nation.

3. Theſe men doe ſeeuuEnglands new Chaine, pag. 3. the way of tryall by twelve men to be a Conſtitution ſo equall and juſt, as that they conceive it ought to remaine unalterable.

But firſt, What if there ſhould be thirteen or thirty, or more or leſſe, were it not as well and juſt: Rationall men can diſtinguiſh between ſubſtance andxxDe minimis conſiderationem non habendam. L. ſcio de integ. reſtit. circumſtance, between what is neceſſary and eſſentiall to a thing, what indifferent, and ſo may be don or not don (without danger) as occaſion is. 2. In other Countreys for tryall of criminall cauſes, their proceeding is not p. 28by aaQuere, If the Judge onelyonly ſhould examine the witneſſes, and therupon proceed: whether it would not be for the profit and eaſe of the people: b…ſ…neſſ… ſoo …er … p…ched, and p…obably more juſt and legall tryals.twelve ſworn men, but otherwiſe, and yet equall and juſt in it ſelfe. And howſoever we ſhall not ſpeake againſt this way, yet this we affirme, it is to be reckoned among the**Error in ſylla…a n…n vit…at actum. L… qui habebat: A le Manu teſt: doc. adiaphorme… or Ceremonies of the Law, a thing ſo indifferent, whether the number be twelve or twenty, that the Magiſtrate may ſalely either continue it, or change it as he ſees cauſe. But 3. was it ever known before, that men ſhould be blamed, for their ſtudy, care, and wiſdome, to doe a thing well. If their objection here againſt the high Court of Juſtice be duly weighed, it will appeare as evident as the Sun at noon day, that bec…uſe the Parliament made choice of, able, judicious, and conſcientious men, and called many ſuch together, to the end they might proceed legally, impartially, as of ſincerity, as of God, in the ſight of God, therefore they ſpeake evill of them. Things looked on under water, howbeit ſtreight, ſmooth and faire, yet ſtanding ſo, appeare as if they were crooked, rough, deformed: So this Generation of men, looking upon the actions of the Parliament, the Councell of State, and Army, with an envious eye, they turne (like Spiders) the beſt and moſt wholeſome things into poyſon: For what the one doth faithfully, uprightly, and for publick good; the other cals it hypocriſie, tyranny, ſelf-ſeeking, New Chaines, &c.bbPro. 27.4. …r felle ama…um per lingu e …mentum …ge…e n…t a…ara non poteſt. Bernard.Prov 27:4 But who is able to ſtand before envie?

2. They complaine for cenſuring a Member of the Houſe for declaring his judgement in a point of Religion.

Anſw. 1. Here we may ſee, that ſaying to be moſt true;ccFact…tus da… … …nem, … ſuper…. It is eaſier to finde fault, then to give a reaſon for it. What the Parliament did in this thing, it was upon that ground, and Maxime i… Law, thatddD…l…o…iarum … penitus remnē las. l ae …uiſſimum … uſu fruct. l. … pater ſect. … ſimis de l. … 2. all occaſions of diſcord ought altogether to be taken away. The ſpeech was neither uſefull, nor ſeaſonable, no way tending to the publick good, but diſhonourable to the Houſe, ſcandalous to our profeſſion, and Religion, obſtructive to the preſent worke of Reformation, andeeRom. 16.17.Rom 16:17 cauſing diviſions and offences. 2. For the Reſerve in the Agreement concerning Religion: If they mean that the Parliament hath agreed that any blaſphemous and hereticall doctrine ſhall be propounded and defended in the Houſe, weffNaturalis ete…n & jus gen…n dictat ac …ſ…it, ut religio nobis curae ſit, & omnia quae ad eam promovendam ac conſervandam ſpectant pro virili procuremus. J…ach…m: Shō huſi de Blaſphem. l. 3. c. 35 p. 426. know of no ſuch thing: neither doe we know what Reaſon that Member had, to ſpeake there what he did, untill the Houſe had declared that it ſhould be free for p. 29every Member to propound in Parliament points of that nature. 3. Here we deſire that all people in all places, will take notice, what Englands new Chaine is, and what the burden and oppreſſion is, which they ſo much ſpeake of: Becauſe the Parliament will not countenance blaſphemy and hereſie, ſuffer it to be juſt fi…d in the Houſe, and taught publickly cum privilegio, they cry out, Tyrants, Murderers, Theeves: Indeed this is the great and grand buſineſſe, Religion and Orthodox Doctrines are not (as they deſire and ſeeke for) caſt off and utterly rejected.

A third thing which hath brought England into new Chaines, it, the Act for preſſing of Sea-men, directly contrary to the Agreement of the Officers.

Anſw. 1. There is ggNulla tam ſancta lex eſt, quam non oporteat, ſi ſalus populi poſtulet, urgeat que neceſſitas mutare. Bod. de Repub. l. 4. Herman: Ki…chner. Reſpub diſput 6. Theſ. 6. p 87.no Law ſo firmely made (much leſſe an Agreement of Officers) but when the peoples ſafetie, and neceſſitie require, may lawfully be changed. hhDecret. 4.Quod non eſt licitum in lege, neceſſitas facit licitum. Beſides, in the Statutes which they themſelves have (iiThe Peoples Prerogative, pag. 8. ſ…me where) cited; it is expreſly ſaid, that where nec…ſſitie requires, men may be compelled to arme themſelves and goe to warre. It is true, ſuch as are fit and ſerviceable, whether for. Sea or Land,kkOpera militaria debentur quoque Magiſtratus, ut per et defendatur Reſpubl: et connetur tranquillitas civium. Frid: Wendelin: Inſt. Polit. lib. 2. c. 17. pag. 242. ſhould ſerve the State willingly, whereby the Common-wealth might be defended, and peace preſerved: N…vertheleſſe, in caſe of refuſall, they may be preſt and compeld, Reaſon and Religion ſay as much, if neceſſity and the preſent ſafety of the Land call for it. But this was the Parliaments caſe, and the reaſon of that Act, namely,llSt. 15. Ed. 3. 7. St. 4. Hen. 4. 13. 25. Ed. 3 8 For the defence of the Realme, and ſudden coming of ſtrange enemies into it.

But 2. As in other things, ſo in this, their conſpiracy and treaſon againſt the Common-wealth, notably appeares, in ſeeking the deſtruction of it both by Land and Sea: For howſoever (as we ſaid) the ſafety of the people requir'd this Act, neither was there any other way or meanes viſibly to prevent eminent and ſudden danger. Nevertheleſſe, they ſpeake againſt it, cry ou…, New Chaines, Tyranny, Bondage, Oppreſſion, &c. And why all this? But to make the Sea-men mutinous and ſeditious, as they have don the Souldiers: by falſhood and trayterous inſinuation to have them beleeve, that it is indeed oppreſſion and tyranny for the Supream Authority of the people, to preſſe men upon any occaſion, and by this means cauſe the Sailers to turne againſt p. 30the Parliament, as againſt Tyrants and Oppreſſours, and not obey them as their right and lawfull Rulers: and this is their work all along. And therefore high time it ſhould be lookt into; for as one truly ſaith,mmUnhappie Proſperitie, firſt Hiſtorie, pag. 180. Indulgentia & lenet de Magiſtratus …min ſed tionis anſa praebit: quia dum quicſc…re magiſtratus officia plebs vid…t, nulliſ que legumſe coercere r…p…gulis animadvertit, ipſa ſb… rapere gubernacula & quidvis audere incipit, contempto magiſtratu, vel ſpe impunitatis concepta Frid. Wendellin: Inſtit. Polit. l. 3. c. 2. p 492. A Magiſtrate who hath diſcovered a Conſpiracie, and ſeemes fearfull to remedy it, is as faultie as the Conſpirator himſelfe.

4. They tells us, theynnEnglands new Chaine ſecond part, pag. 14. want freedome, and are in Chaines, becauſe the Parliament ſtops their mouths from printing.

Anſw. 1. Here we may uſe their own words, That it is a ſure and radicall Maxime in Law, Nihil quod eſt contra rationem eſt licitum: Nothing which is againſt reaſon is lawfull. To which may be added;ppL…vim de ſuſt. & ſur l. ſcientiam §. cur ad A quid. Againſt force and injury it is lawfull to uſe defence: Likewiſe, Licet vim vi repellere. When Demoſthenes would ſet forth the improvidence and incircumſpection of the Athenians, preſented to them an innocent Foole, who being ſmitten on the cheek, laid his hand on the place where he had received the blow; and being ſtricken on the other cheek, did the like, never uſing any of his hands to defend himſelfe from further blowes. Such Idiots and Silly-bodies they would have the State to be, ſtand ſtill, and ſuffer them, with their ſeditious and ſcandalous Libels to ſtrike them as often as they pleaſe, and through their ſides to wound and deſtroy the Common-wealth. But obſerve what they ſay in their own caſe;qqOvertōt Appeale, pag. 3, 4. It is a firme Law and radicall principle in nature, ingraven in the Tables of the heart by the finger of God in the Creation, for every living moving thing, wherein it the breath of life, ooOvertōs Appeale, pag. 3.to preſerve, award, and deliver it ſelfe from all hurtfull things, deſtructive and obnoxious thereto, to the uttermoſt of his power. If this be true, ſurely then, the Parliament ſhould not follow a radicall principle in nature, to ſuffer them to publiſh their trayterous and licentious Pamphlets, ſeeing there is nothing more hurtfull, deſtructive, and obnoxious to the peoples ſafetie then the ſame.

2. Such as preſcribe Remedies againſt Conſpiracies, give this as the firſt and principall, namely,rrPetrus Gregorius, lib. 23. de Remp. To prevent and cut off (if poſſible) the occaſion, that it may not breake forth. ſſClem. Templ. Polit. lib. 4. cap. 7. pag. 424.Initia ſeditionum, quamprimum apparuerint, comprimantur. Where the burning of a houſe is ſeated, there the ſmalleſt ſparkles of fire are quenched: to whomſoever ſtormes and tempeſts are dreadfull, the firſt and p. 31leaſt ſignes thereof are obſerved by them. Now they are very ignorant in State-affaires, who**Quicquid id eſt, …m… Danaos & dona ſerentes. Sic notus ul…ſſes? Vir. Aeneid: 2. ſee not that Books and Papers, containing calumniations and falſhood againſt Authoritie (under what colour or pretence ſoever, as for libertie, and to have taxes and burdens removed) are fire, even wild-fire in a Common-wealth, a ſtorme and whirle-wind indeed, enough (if not prevented) to burne and throw down all things: and to prove this, we need not goe further, then the preſent example of theſettAs the firefly leapes and dances in the fire: ſo it is their rejoycing to ſee cō motions and ſtirres in the Land. unhappy men.

3. Men who have acted by the Principles of Reaſon and Nature, (knowing praeviſa minus laedunt, things foreſeen doe leſſe hurt;) have alwayes been carefull to ſtop the publiſhing of ſeditious bookes: HenceuuPlato l. 10. de Republ. Plato, xxPlutarch. lib. de Civils adminiſtrat. o…e.Plutarch, and the wiſeſt of the Gentiles, in their Models and Platformes of Civill Government, have evermore given order, thatyyFamoſi libelli convitia, contumelia, detractiones publicae ſunt a magiſtratu coercendae, ut pax inter cives maneat. Plato. l. 11. de legibus. infamous Writings ſhould not be permitted, ſuch as contained calumniations and reproaches, and tended to mutinie and diviſion; but the Authours and Promoters thereof puniſhed. Neither are there any Chriſtian**Libellos famoſos, ſive paſquillos magiſtratus ſpargi prohibeat, eorum que authores & diſſeminatores graviter coerceat. Keckerm. Syſtem: Polit. l. 1 c. 22. p. 358. Stateſmen, but in their Republicks and Polities doe ſay as much: And ſo much hath been ever practiſed by all States. And in ſome of our own Statutes it is declared, thataa5. Ed. 6.11. Whoſoever by Writing ſhall affirme the King to be a Tyrant, an Ʋſurper, &c. it is high Treaſon. Againe;bbPhilip and Mar. 3. 1 Eliz. 6.Mark 3:1 If any by Bookes, Rymes, Ballads, Letters, or Writing, ſhall publiſh falſe, ſeditious, and ſlanderous things againſt the King or Queen, his right hand is to be ſtricken off for it; and if he doe ſo againe, to ſuffer impriſonment during his life.

And here we may Reaſon from the leſſe to the greater; if for Writing falſly or ſeditiouſly againſt the King, it be a crime deſerving the cutting off the right hand, or perpetuall impriſonment; and to call him Tyrant or Uſurper, be high Treaſon by Law, it muſt needs then in our underſtanding neceſſarily follow, that to write the like againſt the ſupream Authoritie of the people, whoſe power is greater then the Kings, and their place above him; is as high and capitall a crime, y… and by the ſame Statute deſerves the like puniſhment. The tru…h is, it is beyond our apprehenſion, how for words wri… againſt theccSo have the Kings of England been ſervants, Stewards, and Miniſters to the people. ſervant, the Writer by ſuch a Statute ſhall commit high treaſon, and p. 32yet the ſame words written againſt theddSo is the Parliament being the Repreſentatours of the whole Kingdome. Maſter not found ſo by that Statute. If Law be reaſon (as it muſt be, or elſe 'tis no Law,) then thus ſpeakes Law with Reaſon.**Si id quod minus veriſimile eſt, verum eſt, & id etiam erit, quod magis veriſimile videt…r. Pet. Fonſec. Inſtit. dialect. lib. 7. c. 29. If that which is leſſe likely be true, then will that be alſo, which appeares more likely. That Statute which finds a man guiltie of high treaſon, and juſtly condemns him for it, for words againſt the infectour and leſſer power: that ſame Statute will finde a man alſo, guiltie of high treaſon, and juſtly condemn him for it, for the like words againſt the ſuperiour and greater power.

4. Whereas they would helpe themſelves by mentioning Stapleton, Hollis, the Prelates &c. This is not tali modo, but a Sophiſme, foreign ad illud quod dictum eſt foreign. Becauſe Pilate did not well in condem…ing Chriſt: therefore he did ill to condemn the theeves. But here we cannot but ſmile, to obſerve wherefore they would have the Preſſe open to them; namely becauſe, ſo they would diſcover all treacherous and tyrannicall deſignes. And is there not probability for this? Will not Satan caſt out Satan? Hath not the Parliament reaſon to beleeve, that they who call them Theeves, Tyrants, Murderers, &c. declare and proteſt againſt all their Votes, Orders, O…dinances, Declarations, and Acts, as not binding to the people: Provoke the Souldiers and Commoners every where to inſu rection and rebellion: If they had more liberty to print their Conſpiracies and Falſhoods againſt the Parliament, Councell of State, and the Armie, and to ſpread them all the Counties and Countrey over, they would doe the State leſſe hurt, and better ſervice.

5. We ſuppoſe they will now object no more againſt the Parliament for imploying thateeEnglands new Chaine, part ſecond, pag. 14. Apoſtate Judas (as they call him) at an Ex…cutioner to ſearch after unlicenſed Bookes: beingffOne M^r. Haide… whom the Levellers have lately ſecretly murdered; and Thomſon the Arch-traytor was a chiefe actor in it. themſelves have don execution upon him; murdered him in a moſt barbarous and cruell manner: and therein ſhewed to the Nation what the Native birth right is, the Common-Freedome and ſafetie they talke of: If th y get power into the… hands, to ſtab and kill whoſoever oppoſeth them: and why not? ſeeing (according to thei… Beliefe) there is no Heaven nor hell, no puniſhment or ſuffering after this life, for murder, or any wickedneſſe whatſoever. And ſo much appeares by that Atheiſticall and helliſh Counſell ſuggeſted by Walwyn to a Woman lying under a ſore p. 33and heavy temptation.ggWalwyns Wile pag. 12. Note, that the poore woman did as the wretched man perſwaded her, ſtrangled her ſelfe. That it was …b…ſe and ignoble thing for any one to lie under ſuch trouble, anguiſh, and perplexitie, as could not well be endured, having ſo eaſie and ſpeedy a way of riddance out of it, as is before every man, and that it was an honourable and valiant thing, for a man in ſuch a caſe to put an end to his life, by laying violent hands upon himſelfe, being a farre ſhorter w…y of eaſe, then any other way.

We hope thehhAnd ſo for the reſt following take notice how we ſhal ſhew thee their conſpiracy againſt the State in every particular, one after another. Reader doth all along take notice, that there is not one thing which they doe take up againſt the Parliament, as pretending it to be a new Chaine, oppreſſion, tyrannie, &c. But it is clearly to be ſeen, that thereby ſome great miſchiefe and trayterous deſigne is intended to the Land: There is nothing of late more complained of, then this, about ſtopping the Preſſe: But how juſtly we have ſhewed, and ſhall onelyonly adde, that theſe men, who by their ſeditious Writings, and other treacherous wayes, have already made Commotions and hutli-burlies amongſt us, and have ſought from time to time to deſtroy this Common-wealth, are ſo farre from being ſuffered to doe ſo againe, as that they ought to ſuffer death for what they have don already: and ſo ſaith theiiReus eſt laeſae Majeſtatis, qui ſed tionem in Remp: cōcitat, eam hoſtibus, patriaeve religionē aut Reip: hoſtibus nomen dat aut aliud quid vis ad Reip: ſtatum evertendum molitur. l. 1. 10, 11. hic. l. 5. cod. vult. Althuſ. D locis vid. Damhoud. c. 63. diſſ. aliqui per l. 21. §. 1. de cap & poſtl. Law: yea, and further ſaith, that Conſpirators againſt the publick Peace, are to be kkFrequeatius vivi ſectione in partes eminentioribus locis ſuſpendendas Clar: d: num. 8. Damhoud. c. 62.out aſunder alive; and the parts of their bodie to be hanged up in the moſt noted and ſpeciall places of the Land. And likewiſe ſaith,llArgum. l. 234. de V.S. l. 3. §. ult ad l Corn de ſicar Gothoſt ad l. 7. hic Clar. d. loc. in fin. Cuiac 15. Obſerv. 33. Transfugas etiam & proditores, perduellium inſtar, à quovis impuné occidi poſſe; Meaning as Juriſts Comment, Si de facti notorietate conſtet.

5. But the great buſineſſe is about the Councell of State; at this they are extreamly offended: and no marvaile, for they who ſeek to have all Lawes, and old Courts of Juſtice Levelled and put down, cannot take it well, that any new ſhould be erected, eſpecially ſuch a one, as they ſee is a main obſtacle and let to their Conſpiracy and Treaſon, and a Court which they feare will be (Jachin and Boaz) as two Pillars for the eſtabliſhment and ſtrength of the Nation.

But let us now ſee their Reaſons, wherefore they would havemmEnglands new Chaine, pag. 12. this preſent Councell of State diſſolved.

p. 34nnIbid. pag. 2.1. Becauſe as the cauſe now ſtands they MAY deſigne to perpetuate their power, and keepe off Parliaments for ever.

Anſw. 1. Howſoever the Wolfe ſometimes keepes in, and ſhewes not his cruelty and rapine by his bloudy mouth, yet long he cannot diſſemble, but what is within will appeare: We have before given a hint of their ſlanderous inſinuations: Where things are right, and very good, and no juſt exception can be made againſt them (as in this caſe here touching the Councell of State) then they ſeeke to poſſeſſe the people with jealouſies and feares, as what MAY BE. The plot indeed is too ſh…llow, too abſurd and foo…iſh, wher…by any judicious and knowing men ſhould be deceived. It being no more then thus; A man ſhould throw away his meat, money, armour, &c. becauſe ſuch things may doe him harme: the expreſſion whereof is conviction ſufficient.

But 2. were not theſe men, either blinded with prejudice, or thought that the people would take every thing from them without any conſideration, it could not be, that ſo groundleſſe, ir…ationall and ſenceleſſe an objection would have been made: For what can the Councell of State doe in relation to the Parliament, as either to keepe off Parliaments, or to keepe them on. The truth is, they might as well have**They a…e againſt all Courts and Magiſt…ates, as againſt the Councell of State; onelyonly they perceive the…e is no need to meddle with ſuch things; for if they can break the Parliament, Councell of State, and Armie, all the Courts & Magiſtrates of the Nation muſt fall and be diſſolved therewith. Petitioned the Houſe, to diſſolve the preſent Courts of the Chancerie, Exchequer, and put down all the Judges, Juſtices, Mayors, and Conſtables in the Land, for the C…uncell of State can no more hinder or keepe the Parliament from ſitting then they: nay, if divers circumſtances be weighed, they are leſſe able to doe the thing here ſuggeſted then the others can doe; eſpecially ſome of them.

Thus not onelyonly doe they declare a malicious heart, to make concluſions in the worſt part before they know any thing; but alſo ſhew themſelves deſperately ſeditious, as not to regard how improbable and impoſſible the thing is, ſo it may make diſturbance, and raiſe up the ſpirits of the people againſt their Rulers. But enough of this; we will leave them to the cenſure of thatnnCalum …tores f…at…m & d t…a…lo…ts Infam…s c…nſe…t…r. Cauſ. 6. Qu. 1. C. Infames. Law, who being calumniators and detractors, ſet Burne Markes on their forehead for infamous people.

2. They doe object againſt the Councell of State, becauſe they areooEngland n…w Cha…e, pag. 7. p…ſſeſſed with power to order and diſpoſe all the Forces appertaining p. 35to England, by Sea or Land, to diſpoſe of the publick treaſure, to command any perſon whatſoever before them, to give oath for the diſcovering of truth, to impriſon any that ſhall diſobey their commands, and ſuch as they ſhall judge contumatious.

There is nothing in this which requires an anſwer,ppWould it be a good argument to prove M^r. Lilburn a Coward or tray…or to the Army, becauſe he was choſen Lievt. Col. or rather becauſe he was choſen to ſuch a place it argues he was thought then valiant, faithfull, &c. for the greater the matters are which are referred to the Councell, it argues the abilitie and faithfulneſſe of the men to be the more, and the Parliament knowing ſo much, hath committed ſuch great things to their truſt.

But 1. Were not theſe men ignorant of Maximes in Law and Reaſon, they would obſerve, that**Cui Juriſdictio data eſt, ci quoque conceſſa eſſe videntur ſine quibus Juriſdictio expl…cari non potuit. Digeſt. Juriſdict. Tit. 1.Titus 1 to whom a Juriſdiction is given, unto it ſuch things are neceſſarily granted, without which nothing can be don. When a man is Conſtituted, a Judge, Juſtice of Peace, or Mayor, it muſt be preſuppoſed, that he hath power given him, to officiate and act ſuch things as appertaine to that function or calling. But obſerve the abſurditie, and ſtupiditie of theſe men; they doe not deny (qqThat which is don by the Parliament is called firſt ſtable and ſanctum, and is taken for Law. Sm…th: Common-wealth of E…gland. l. 2. Ch 2. neither indeed can they) but the Parliament l…wfully may erect ſuch a Councell, onelyonly they finde fault, becauſe they have power to act the things which properly belong to ſuch a State.

2. It ſeemes there is no way to eſcape the ſcourge of theſe mens tongues; Becauſe the manifold preſſures and ſorrowe… of the people are not removed, peace, libertie, freedome eſtabliſhed; the Parliament for this, is every where reproached by them. Againe, Whereas the Parliament endeavoureth (and for that end, is this Councell of State erected) to take away the burdens, oppreſſions, and miſeries of this Nation, and to ſettle the Common-wealth of England upon Principles of Righteouſneſſe, freedome, and ſafetie, according to their ſeverall Expreſſes and Declarations: for this alſo doth the ſame partie ſpeake evill of them. This ſhewes they are men of ſome par…s, that they can as handſomely put a reproach and ſcandall upon the Magiſtrates, for doing well, as for doing nothing. But in the meane time, their hypocriſie and baſeneſſe is the more obvious and manifeſt to all unbiaſſed and impartiall people: for who, unleſſe men moſt impudent, would pretend a deſire, to have burdens removed, Ireland relieved, our Forces by Land and Sea well looke unto, and provided for, the publick treaſure carefully diſpoſed p. 36of, and when they ſee all this is don, to ſpeake evill of the State, and for no other reaſon, but becauſe the ſame is don as they deſired, or at leaſt pretended ſo.

And to the end their malice and miſchiefe to the Land may the more appeare in reproaching the Parliament for erecting this Councell of State, Let it be conſidered: 1. Whatrrforeign. Zenop: 8. Poed. neceſſitie (as …ur preſent condition is) there was of ſuch a Councell. 2.ſſBrach… Da laſſae potius pendend… n… tan…, Nec p… geat m…to ſuppoſu ſſe manum. Ovid. l. 2 de Pont. The many, great, and weighty affaires, which cannot poſſibly be well effected and don, but in ſuch a way. 3. How conſonant and agreeable this thing is to the conſtant practice of all well governed Republicks, paſt, and preſent. And 4. no other, but what is agreeable tottMagn… negoti… magnis ad tutoribus egere. Vell…ius l. 11. Hominum natura, & ipſa aequitas, leges & reipub: formam excudit & invenit. Plat. l. 3. de Leg. Reaſon anduuPublicam utilitatem privato…um commod… praeferendam. Authent: res quae C. Com: de Legat. Law, yea, altogether bottomed upon ſuch Grounds. And laſtly, according to the Principles and Maximes ſet down by all judicious and learned Politicians in the world. Theſe particulars we could enlarge, but it needs not; for envie it ſelfe can finde nothing here, whereby to oppoſe, or to raiſe any contradiction, or objection againſt theſe Aſſertions.

But 3. Their objection ſeemes to lie chiefly againſt the perſons, that is, ſome particular Members of the Councell of State, and this is more then likely, even certaine; and gives us an occaſion to remember a pretty fable of Demoſthenes, how the Wolves made a league of peace with the Sheep, ſo that the dogs might be removed; but when the dogs were put away, the ſheep were worried. There are in the Parliament, Councell of State, and Armie, ſome men whom they perceive are ſpeciall barres and lets to their pernicious deſignes: theſe they would willingly have removed, to the end they might eaſily devour the poor ſheep of this Nation; their ſafety, freedome, lawes; and ſo their Eſtates become a prey to them.

But let us ſee who they are that the Wolves would have removed.

1.**Englands n…w Ch…ne, p…g. 8. The chiefe of the Armie: And this we verily beleeve: for as none have had more experience of their conſpiracies and ſed…tions from time to time then theſe, ſo hath the Lord alwayes made them chiefe Inſtruments to preſerve this Land from their horrid, inhumane, and bloudy wiles and workings againſt it. John of Leiden, …nd thexxSenatores pleri que urbe excedunt, x authoritate rel…qui, urbis f…cies innovatur, C…nſu… novi Creantur a prophetis & inter …as Be…nhardus C…pperdell ng, Homo novandi v…us ma…u promptus & ad turbas factus. Spa…hem. diſput. Antianabap: Prim. Gen Theſ. 18. Munſter Levellers with him, did the p. 37ſame thing, which they here deſire, (and no doubt would doe had they power) diſplaced all ſuch Officers as ſtood in their way, and ſet others in their room, whom they thought would help forward their deſigne, to ruine and deſtroy the Common-wealth.

2. The Judges of the Law. Here likewiſe we know their meaning: Its confuſion they would have, this Land,yyJob. 10.22.Job 10:22 a land of darkneſſe, as darkneſſe it ſelfe, and as the ſhadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkneſſe: neither are they ignorant of the ready way and means how to bring it in, and make it ſo: take the light away, and darkneſſe muſt needs follow: Remove men skilfull and expert in the Law, and there will be no need to bring in abſurdities, non ſence, fooleries; for theſe things of themſelves will flow faſt enough, and over-flow the Nation. Againe, that men ſhould be excepted againſt, as uncapable to be members of any Civill Court, or Councell of State, becauſe Judges of the Law; it is an objection we are confident, never before heard of, or propounded by any one. What may be objected in regard of perſonall unfitneſſe, is one thing: butaaDomus Juriſ-conſulti, eſt totus Oraculum civitatis. Cic. 1. de Orat. foreign. Ad ſalutem civium, civitū que incolumitatē, vitam que hominum & quietem & beata, conditae ſunt leges. Cic. 1. de leg. in reference to his profeſſion, Quatenus, as a Judge of the Law, and therefore unfit, it is the moſt ſenceleſſe thing that ever was uttered. It is no otherwiſe then to make a man unfit to take the charge of a Ship, or to be appointed the Pilate, or Maſter, becauſe he is a skillfull and experienced Sea-man.

3. Treaſurers of money: And why not? It will be time enough to give a farther anſwer when we know the cauſe and ground wherefore ſuch are excepted againſt. In the mean while, we entreat the Reader to obſerve one thing uſuall with theſe men, which is to mention many things, but not at all to the purpoſe for which they bring them. OnelyOnly amongſt thebb…t is a Cannon amongſt the Papiſts, De judicio ſummi Pontificis diſputare non licet. Gratian: decret: pars 2. cauſ. 17. Queſt. 4. cap. ſi quis & nomini. If ſome people did not walke by ſuch a blind rule, they would ſee ſuch froth and vanitie in theſe men, W…ll…ngs as they would reject them for ſhame. ignorant, whom they ſeeke to beguile, they thinke it is enough if any thing be ſpoken, becauſe they will …ot, or cannot conſider the impertinencies, flaſhes, and nothings, which they finde in their Papers.

Their fourth Exception is againſt Members of the Lords Houſe, and ſome of th… Houſe of Commons, …orward men in the Treatie, and decliners of the laſt proceeding, concerning the King and Lords.

To wh…ch we anſwer.

p. 381. Theſe give occaſion here, of verifying that Proverb; a …er hath need of a good memory. The Parliaments proceeding with the K…g, is one thing againſt which they doe ccEnglands n…w Ch…i…e, ſ…cond part, …g. 17, 18.proteſt; and yet in this place d…e blame others for decli…ing it: thus the thing which in themſelves is a vertue and good, the very ſame in another is a vice, and a fault: So that they are not in practice like a Ship in the midſt of the Sea, but rather run like Cart-wheels, eaſily to be followed by the f…ule tracts of**Note, none called more upon the Parliament for Juſtice againſt the Earle of Cambri…ge, the Earle of Holland, the Lord C…p…ll, then this partie, and acted more ſtrongly for the accompliſhment: and when it wa… don, to compl…e with the Malignants, and to imbitter their ſpirits, they ſay, it was d…n for no o…her end, but to make way for t…eir a…ſolute Dominion. Englands new Chaine, ſe…ond part, …g. 17. contradiction, falſhood, and hyp…criſie.

2. They are here at their old game, to make diviſion between the Parliament, and the Councell of State: you have heard before, how they have been every where elſe, and ſomething they muſt doe likewiſe here; for nothing is more grievous to them, then to ſee an accord and union between our Rulers. Nei…her doe they regard to play the hypocrites before the world, ſo they m…y th…re…y raiſe contention. But the truth is, their wiles and way…s now are ſo palpably gr…ſſe, as there is little feare that any hereafter will be deceived by them, unleſſe it be ſome of their own faction, or**We meane the Cavaliers. ſuch as ſeeke to take advantage by their treachery to b…ing to paſſe their own deſignes.

But 3. there are …one …f the Lords Houſe, neither of the Houſe of Commons, Members of the Councell of State, which did any thing in rel…tion to the Treatie, or declined that laſt proceeding, but doe reſt ſatisfied in what is don, are reall, cordiall, and true to the Land, and cl…ze unanimouſly with the reſt for common good: and therefore t…eir ſcrupling formerly of ſome things, doth no way diſ…bl… them from the preſent ſervice of the State; eſpecially having been approved men, knowne to be faithfull, and of right and good Principl…s. Indeed had they been Levellers, reſtleſſe and treacherous, and ſowers of ſedition, there had been juſt cauſe of excepti…n againſt them: but being men altogether of an…ther ſpirit, peaceable, and Peace-makers, it was well they were choſen; for n… doubt (through Gods bleſſing on their labour) mu…h pr…fit and comfort will follow.

5. They except againſt ſuch as were Judges in the Star-chamb…r, and approvers of the bloudy and tyrannicall ſentences iſſuing from thence.

Anſw. We ſhewed juſt now, that it isddIf the Reader deſire to ſee this to the life, let him obſerve their Booke, entituled, The picture of the Councell of State; Wherein they have blotted foure ſheets, & publiſhed two Editions, and not one word from firſt to laſt which comes neere the matter to which they ſhould have ſpoken: and ſo much we ſhall manifeſt preſen ly. all one to theſe men, p. 39whether there be ſomething, or nothing in their Writings: for to a ſimplician, a ſuperficious and ſhallow Reader, there is no d…ff…rence or diſtinction made: ſenſe or non-ſenſe, reaſon or rayling, all is alike. Can there be imagined, an exception, more light, irrationall, groundleſſe: For what if a man had been a member of the High Commiſſion Court, or of the Popes Conclave, this could not be any juſt barre, whereby he ſhould be diſabled from any future office, place, or imployment, if nothing elſe did appeare, and the perſon otherwiſe in every reſpect fitted and qualifi…d for the worke.

Thus we have anſwered their Exceptions, and vindicated the Councell from their Calumniati…ns. One thing yet remaines, which concernes their Booke, Entituled, The Picture of the Councell of State. Here is a fit place to diſcover the vanitie and folly of it, eſpecially ſo farre as the Councell of State is any way concerned in it.

And here in the firſt place we ſhall deſire the Reader to take notice, of the originall and moving cauſe, wherefore t…e State apprehended them.

Not onelyonly had theſe men a long time, to the certain kn…wledge of th… Councell of Warre, attempte… eeWe h…ve formerly in p…rt manifeſt…d ſo much, to w^th ſhortly a mo e full and large Di…v…ry ſhall be a…ded of their trayterous d…ſignes to b…ake the Armie.by ſeverall wayes to make diviſi…n in the Armie, …nd likewiſe by the Parliam nt were look'd upon (and that for many reaſons) to b… g…e…t I…c…diaries, men moſt d…ngerous and ſeditious: but withall had m…de a trayterous Booke, and ſpread it abroad, and ſought to draw others into the Conſpiracy with them; clearly tending to the loſſe of Ireland, and the utter ruine of this Nation by a n…w warre. This being known, and the gre…t perill and miſchiefe apprehended, the Parliament thereupon (anffPe…arū irrogatio tam …t c…nſ…vandae R…p: …e…eſſari…, …uam eſt co…a…ibus Chiru…g…i ſ…tio & initio qu… utilitas m…xima, cum pl… m… ſine ad …x…um p…r…in…t. …li à fa…ri…is d… … rea…r. Reck Po…l. 1. fit they ſhould, and high time it was) gave Comm…ſſion and Order u…to the Councell of State for the apprehending and ſecuring of theſe mutineers. The Councell accordingly appointed ſome Officers of the Armie to ſee the Parliaments command ex…cuted: and b…cauſe it was well known, that there were ſome ſe…i…us people in a…d about the Citie, confederates with them, and ready to make any hurli-burlie and commotion: it was thought the beſt and ſafeſt way to prevent tumult, and other i… c…nv…ce, to apprehen… them in the night; the which being done, and the … p. 40brought before the Councell, it was there ſhewed them by the Lord Preſident, by what Authoritie th…y were ſent for, and the reaſon why: Unto which their Anſw…r was required: And thus much in briefe for the occaſion.

Now for their Anſwer, if it be obſe…ved, either what they ſpake to the Councell, or is contained in their additions ſince, with the many quotations of Statures and marginall notes; it amounts to juſt nothing; for fi…ſt i… pag. 3, 4. there is onelyonly a frivolous relation, as when, and how they were apprehended, and by whom, from pag. 5. to 17. Whatſoever carries any ſhew of ſomething, it is thus, and nothing elſe: Wee are Engliſhmen, and ſo in a legall capacitie to claim the utmoſt punctilio, benefit, and priviledge, that the Lawes and liberties of England will afford to any man in the whole Nation. Wee know not what to make more of you, then a company of private men, being neither able to own you for ggIt is publiſhed by themſelves, that the L. Preſidet did not aske them any queſtion, as in way of tryal, ſo as to proceed in Judgment, but to report it to the Houſe: In which words (howbeit, but few) there was enough ſaid to juſtifie the Councell, and to ſhew their igno…āce, that they ſhould not obſerve them, as to ſpeake ſomething thereto.a Court of Juſtice, becauſe the Law ſpeakes nothing of you. Againe, The people of this Nation have not betruſted the Parliament with a Law-executing power.

This is the moſt, and all, in all their tedious and long Diſcourſ…, w…ich lookes like ſomething, the reſt is either rayling at others, or boaſting of themſelves. But is there one word in all this to the cauſe in hand? Is it not Ignorantia Elenchi? and as the Proverb is,hhEgo de alliis loquor, tu reſpondes de cep…. One askes for Garlick, and the other ſpeakes of Onions.

For 1. Let it be granted, they are Engliſhmen, and ſo may claim the liberties and priviledges of the Law: yet it doth not follow, but for Conſpiracy and Treaſon againſt the State, they lawfully may be apprehended. Againe, ſay the Parliament be not intruſted with a Law-executing power: yet no man will deny, but the ſupreame Authoritie of this Nation, are intruſted with a Law-making power; that is, they may**Note, that th…re was nothing don by the Councell of State againſt thoſe mē, intefe…ēce to their own juriſdiction & power, but as they were the Parliaments Commiſſioners, and had command & order from them to act ſo and ſo: and therefore that which the Councell did herein was no more but what any other men in the like caſe might & ought to have done. For the Parliament, without diſpute, can impower and authorize any man or men to apprehend and examine traytors, and finding cauſe, by the ſaid delegated power to commit them, that they may be tryed afterwards according to Law. deſigne and appoint whomſoever they thinke beſt and fitteſt to apprehend ſuch men whom they underſtand to be making ſedition and raiſing warre in the Land, to the end they may be brought forth to tryall, according to the known Law provided in that caſe. But here they are ſilent, and no wonder, for indeed a plaine relation of the thing as it ſtood, had been enough to prove their apprehenſion, examination, and commitment, all to be legall: But their manner is, what is cleare, to darken with a heap of confuſed p. 41words, or omitting the matter unto which they ſhould directly ſpeak, to run away with ſome impertinent and bything.

There is no other thing that we know charged upon the Councell of State, as for the ſlanders, falſhoods and treaſon ſet forth in that book, we ſhall very ſhortly come to the diſcoverie thereof: with the reſt of their conſpiracies and ſeditions in their other Papers. At this time it ſhall ſuffice that we have wip'd off all their calumniations and reproaches againſt the Honorable and great Councell of this Nation.

The next place unto which they bring us, is the Councell of Warre: and here we finde their main bodie, and the great ordnances planted, of untruth, treacherie, contradiction, ſedition, and what not? In the firſt part of their new chain there is very little, comparatively, to what is publiſhed in the ſecond part. We purpoſe (if God will) in our Diſcoverie, to go thorow both, that ſo the Nation may the better ſee and judge what a generation of men they are.

Firſt then of the Councell of War, this they ſay: by their meansiiEnglands new Chaine, pag. 9. after theſe fair bloſſ…mes of hopefull liberty, breaks forth this bitter fruit of the vileſt and baſeſt bondage, that ever Engliſh-men groaned under.

Anſw: 1. We may ſee in theſe men whatkkVincere conſuetudinem, dura eſt pugna. Aug: ſuper Pſal. 30.Ps 30 an hard thing it is, to leave a bad cuſtome: when it is to plead for mutinous Souldiers, and to encourage them in their refractorie and ſeditious courſes, then we ſhall hear them ſpeak of good dayes,llIn their Letter to his Excellencie, April 27. 1649. Times of peace, all Courts of Juſtice are open. But if it be to reproach the Army, they can make their tongues to ſay quite contrary, nothing then but bondage; yea, the vileſt and baſeſt that ever Engliſh-men groaned under: not regarding what hypocriſie they ſhew by their groſſe contradiction, ſo they may do ſome miſchief one way or other.

2. There is a Letter extant of Lilburnes, wherein he expreſſeth himſelf to his Excellencie thus:**Juglers diſcovered. Truly (Sir) give me leave to tell you without fear or dread, had I come, and could have got ſo many to have followed me, as would have enabled me with my ſword in my hand, to have done juſtice and execution, upon thoſe grand treacherous fellows, and tyrants at Weſtminſter, that have not onelyonly p. 42tyrannized over me, but the whole Nation; I ſhould have made no more ſcruple of conſcience with my own hand to have deſtroyed them, then to have deſtroyed ſo many weaſels or poulcats.

If he would then have knockt down the Parliament-men like weaſels and poulcats, what would he now do? ſeeing the Nation was never in the like bondage: neithermmThe picture of the Councell of State. p 17. was the cruell Tyrant Duke D'Alva, or bloodie Queen Mary ſo bad as our Leaders: yea thennEnglands new Chaine, ſecond part pag. 17. King is much more excuſable then they, ſo Hollis, and that partie. Without queſtion had he aſſiſtance enough, he would make no more ſcruple to deſtroy the Parliament, Councell of State, and the Councell of Warre, then if they were ſo many R…ts or Mice: and having ſo done, the people could do no leſſe then give him that Title which he hath in Print taken alreadie to himſelf,ooAn Alarum to the H…ſe of Lords in the T…tle p…ge he ſtiles himſelfe ſo. John Lilburne DEFENDER OF THE FAITH: and withall there might be added, John of Leidens Title,**Qu: Seeing he will aſſume ſome kingly Title to himſelfe, whether there be not more reaſon that he ſhould t…e it from John of Leiden then from the Pope. Johannes Rex N…vae Hieroſolymae, Rex Juſtitiae ſuper univerſum orbem. John King of the new Jeruſalem, King of Righteouſneſſe over the whole world.

But wherein are we brought to the vileſt and baſeſt bondage that ever Engliſhmen groan'd under? Here we ſhall do them all the right we can, leave nothing out, which they have produced, and ſet down to prove the ſame.aaEnglands new Chaine, p 8, 9. At a meeting of **No…e how they ſay not a Generall Councell of Warre, but a meeting of Officers: So that there are three Courts w^th they deny, and ſay they are unlawfull, viz. th… Parliament, Councell of State, and the Councell of Warre.Officers, on Feb. 22. laſt at White-Hall, where after expreſſions of much bitterneſſe againſt the m…oſt ††They meane ſuch as take their part in conſpiracie againſt the Cō mon wealth.conſciencious part of the Souldiery and others, it was inſiſted upon (as we are from credible hands certainly informed) that a motion ſhould be made to this Houſe for the procurement of a law enabling them to put to death all ſuch as they ſhould judge by Petitions or otherwiſe to diſturbe the preſent proceedings; and upon urging that the Civill Magiſtrate ſhould do it, it was anſwered, That they could hang twenty ere the Magiſtrate one. It was likewiſe urged, that Orders might be given to ſeize upon the Petitioners, Souldiers, or others, at their meetings. A Proclamation was likewiſe appointed, forbidding Souldiers to petition you, or any but their Officers, prohibiting their correſpondencies: And private Orders to be given out for ſeizing upon Citizens and Souldiers at their meetings.

Anſw: 1. Seeing theſe things were brought to them but by report, it is beyond our apprehenſion how ſuch a bondage p. 43can be ſufficiently proved by hear-ſay. 2. At moſt (take their own relation which is falſe) the things were but onelyonly inſiſted upon, and will that conclude the vileſt and baſeſt bondage that ever? &c. But 3. for reaſoning ſake, let it be granted, that ſuch things were not onelyonly inſiſted upon, but by the Parliament had been granted, and afterward put in execution; yet all this would not have amounted to the vileſt and baſeſt bondage: for the Engliſh, ſ…nce they were a Nation, have many times groan'd under a greater bondage. But we need not follow them ſo exactly, for the truth is, they ſo much minde ſedition and calumniation, as they mind not what abſurdities, contradictions and falſhoods may every where be obſerved, and noted in their words and writings.

But more particularly: here many things forged and falſe are heapd together: neither is there any one thing truly related by them. For, 1. It is an accuſation grounded upon a lye, that any thing ſhould be ſpoken about putting to death and no leſſe abbReader, we have made a ſtrict enquiry about this thing, and it is avowed, that there was not any ſuch ſpeech: what might be in ſecret they know not: but openly in the Court it is utterly denyed. ſlander that any man ſhould ſay, they could hang twenty ere the Magiſtrate one. We ſhall give the Reader here a juſt account of the thing as it was. Upon many complaints made by ſome Souldiers of ſeverall wrongs done them in the Countrey, it was propounded, whether it were not expedient that ſome courſe might be thought of, for to prevent ſuch miſcarriages, ſpecially ſeeing they had not means to follow the Law, neither could they do it, by reaſon of continuall dutie, and marching from place to place: beſides, ſeeing the Souldier either made ſatisfaction, or was puniſhed, if he offended: why ſhould not the Souldier in ſome like ſpeedie way be relieved? This was the whole buſineſſe which they by the Rule of multiplication, call putting to death.

2. For ſuch which they ſpeak of, not of the Army, they are carefull to conceal both what was ſaid, and why: In brief therefore thus: The Officers obſerving this partie to be continually labouring by their Adjutators to cauſe more diviſion in the Army, beſides the many former breaches which they had made, conceived it was neceſſarie that ſome ſpeedie courſe and way ſhould be taken, that themſelves, the Army, and the whole Nation might not be undone, through p. 44the conſpiracie and ſedition of a few reſtleſſe and unquiet people, this they call bondage, and probablie to them it ſeems no leſſe. For as a ſore eye looks not without pain and grief on the Sun: ſo no doubt to them it is a**Quem me…uunt oderunt: quem … … dit, pe…ſe expetit. Cic. de offic: 11. ſore, a plague, a torment, an hell upon each to look on the Councell of War (we may adde the Parliament, and Councell of State) in the condition of ſafetie, peace, and honour, as then it was, and through Gods merciemercy is ſo ſtill.

3. Touching ſeizing upon Citizens at their meetings, andccThe Engliſh Souldiers Stā dard, pag. 5. for a Law to have power in themſelves to put to death any perſon not of the Army as ſhall hold any diſcourſe with Souldiers about their own and the peoples juſt Rights and Liberties. To this there needs no further anſwer: onelyonly this we ſhall adde, if the inſolencies and bold attempts of ſome ſpeciall Incendiaries, had been in time more lookt too, and ſuppreſt, much miſerie and miſchief, which hath ſince fallen out, would have been prevented.

It is true the Commanders of the Army have not been without their fear: for they have fore-ſeen this riſing in ſeditious and treacherous plots from time to time; but obſerve the notable craft of the Levelling party, whenſoever they began to move in a way to ſuppreſſe ſuch things, they preſently put an aſperſion and odium upon them, as that the Army would rule all, take all power into their hands, hang up, and put to death all perſons, &c. by which deviſe they went the ſurer and faſter on with their wicked intentions, till it broke forth into this flame.

4. Forbidding Souldiers to petition: this alſo is falſe as they report it. The Proclamation is extant: wherein they are not prohibited, onelyonly required whatſoever they do this way, to do it peaceably, and in order; that ſo whatſoever is juſt and honorable may be the ſooner obtained, and all tumults and diviſions amongſt themſelves the better avoided. Thus we have heard their Charge, and ſeen their proof: For judgement we ſhall leave that to the diſcreet Reader.

Another cauſe of their Complaint is, thatddNew chaine, firſt part, p. 7. ſuch Petitioners as have mov'd in the behalf of the people, have had their Petitions burnt by the common Hang-man. LikewiſeeeNew chaine, ſecond part, pag. 4. for paſſing an Ordinance p. 45for Tithes upon treble Damages.

Anſw: It would ſeem ſomething ſtrange to hear a man charge the blood of Naboth upon Eliah, who was ſo far from committing the fact, as that he ſharply rebuked Ahab for it. Where ſhall it be found, unleſſe in theſe mens Papers, that an action never done by a man, nor conſented to, ſhall nevertheleſſe be put upon his reckoning, and others quitted? For the perſons whom they do**Note how to make diviſion in the Parliament, and to have our preſent Governours deſpiſeable in the eyes of the Nation, they alwayes accuſe ſome particular men, as if the reſt were onelyonly their creatures, and had neither judgement, honeſtie, or conſcience. accuſe all along, naming a prevailing power of the Army, Lords and maſters both of Parliament and people, ſuch as have the higheſt Commands of Military Power, a faction of Officers, &c. they have not had an hand in the things whereof they accuſe them: but as the burning of Rome was by Nero layed on the Chriſtians, and the Gunpowder pl…t upon the Puritans by the Jeſuites; ſo, and for the ſame end, that is, to have the guiltneſſe condemned, they have ſpread abroad this horrible falſhood: But in the mean time is not that rule uſefull in reading their Papers?aaNihil credendo, atque omnia cavendo. Cic. Orat. Poſt. redit. in ſen. Nothing beleeving, all heeding. We have read ſomewherebbLicere Viro. bono Reipub: Cauſa, Mentiri. Plato. of allowance given to lying, for the good of the Common-wealth: but theſe men uſe it another way, even thereby to deſtroy the Common-wealth, if poſſibly they can.

And howſoever we are ſure, that things of this nature, will find little acceptance any where among people well affected; nevertheleſſe whoſoever ſhall peruſe, and well obſerve all their writings over, ſhall find little elſe therein, but falſe aſperſions raiſed up, without any ground or colour of truth; ſo that we may more truly ſay then the Vindicator of Walwyns Wyles, ccThe charitie of Churchmen, pag. 5.They have indeed too exactly learnt Machiavels rule, to ſpare not, to ſcandalize and tradu…e their adverſaries; for that though ſome of the dirt he wiped off, yet part of it will ſtick, and they ſhall be ſure not altogether to looſe their labours.

And for proof hereof, let theſe particulars (amongſt many others the like, which might be mentioned) bear witnes, where the aforeſaid prevailing power of the Army are charged with the intollerable burthens of cuſtome, conferring Offices upon their creatures and relations: donation of hundreds and thouſands per Annum, betrayed their truſt of Feofees for Biſhops and Delinquents Lands, purchaſed themſelves great Eſtates, thirſt after the p. 46blood of ſuch Souldiers and people as are of action for common freedome and ſafetie, enſlaved the Common-wealth to their am ition, luſt, covetouſneſſe, and domination, diſcourſe that the power muſt be reduced to one, are without any remorſe at the dearneſſe of food and utter l…ſſe of Trade; brought a new and dangerous Warre upon the Nation; taken away mens lives f r no other end but to make way for an a…ſolute domination; brought the Land into a more dangerous condition then they found it. All which things are known not onelyonly to be falſe, but mat…ers for the moſt part wherein they never had to do; and for the re…t, ſuch things as they altogether and every way have acted to the contrary.

And no leſſe untrue is the thing (as by them reported) concerning ſome paſſages in relation to the King: ſo likewiſe for Coll: Rainsb…rough, Coll: Ayred, Major Cob…et, Captain Bray, William Thomſon, Lieu: Coll: Hen: Lilburne, &c. they are all falſe and forged things as they relate them. When it is their own caſe to be accuſed by others, and their Accuſers ſay they have credible people that heard the ſame, and will atteſt it, note their way of clearing: of what credit, pray, is the teſtimony of an Enemie, in matters of obl…quy a…d reproach, tending to the diſparagement of another. Mr. Edwards had witneſſes for atteſtation of many ſtrange matters he reported of pious and honeſt people, and yet how deſervedly were his ſlanders ſlighted, upon this ground, that men of different ſpirits d… very familia…ly hear with too open ears, and report with ſuch additions as their ſp…een and diſ-affection ſuggeſts againſt him they maligne: And as Mr. Goodwin well expreſſes himſelf in his Anſwer to Mr. Edwards Gangreen. There is no reaſonable man but will abate and deduct, and that to a good proportion, from ſuch reckoning… and …e un… which are drawn up, and given in to him by the hand of envie. Is this a**In this little there is enough ſaid to …ind …a…e L: Gen. C…omwell f…om all …ilbu…nes Aſperſious firſt and laſt: for ſuppoſe there had been credible people and witneſſes for atteſtation, yet it is evident the things were drawn up by the hand of envie, & ſo by their own rule deſervedly to be ſleighted: But ſeeing it is not onelyonly done by a malicious enemy, but he brings no credible people, or witneſſes for atteſtation: Our enemies then being Judges of what credit i… his teſtimony in matters of obloquy & reproach, tend ng to the d…ſparagemēt o… a…other? reaſonable Plea, to vindicate a man againſt whom accuſations can be proved by credible people, and there are witneſſes for atteſtation? it will then much more hold good here, where the accuſations are not onelyonly from enemies, and men moſt malicious, but alſo no credible people, no witneſſes for atteſtations, but ſuch things as their ſpleen and diſ-affection ſuggeſts againſt thoſe they maligne.

There are many other accuſations of this nature, brought p. 47againſt the Councell of War, and Commanders of the Army; of all which we ſhall ſpeak in our next Diſcoverie, and about Promiſes and Engagements made at New Market, Triploe beath with the **It is well obſerved by M^r. Hen. Den, that ſeeing moſt of the Regiments of horſe and foot did Petitiō his Excellency to ſend back their Agitators to their reſpective Regiments, and according to their Petitions the Councell of Agitators was diſſolved: that his Excellency cannot be charged with violation of that Engagement: neither doth there remaine any obligation on his Excellency to have continued or revived any ſuch Councel. Much leſſe is it warrantable in the Sould…ery of the Army to aſſume that power to thē ſelves, ſeeing they ſuffered a diſſolution by the ſame power, by which they had their conſtitution. The Levellers deſig…e, p 4, 5.Agitators, a thing much ſpoken of: At this time we ſhall onelyonly touch one thing more, which is, that they would have the Parliament conſider how dangerous it is for one and the ſame perſons to be continued long in the higheſt Commands of Military po… eſpecially acting ſo long, diſtinct, and of themſelves, as thoſe n…w in being h…ve d…ne, and ſuch extraordinary wayes, whe…eunto the… have a…uſtomed themſelves, which was the originall of m…ſt R…galities and Ty…annies in the world.

Anſw: 1. How oft ſoever in other things they contradict themſelves, yet in theſe particulars we never find them changlings: As, 1. in making diviſion, and ſeeking to ſet difference and ſtrife between the Parliament and the chief Commanders of the Army. 2. In raiſing iealouſies, and to have ſuch ſuſpected whom they would have taken out of the way, as that they will degenerate into Tyrants, &c. when there is no ground at all for any ſuch inſinuation. 3. In every thing which they ſpeak of, and would have to be done, there is ſome miſchief ſtill intended againſt the ſafetie and good of the Nation, let it fall under what pretence ſoever of juſtneſſe, fitneſſe, providence, &c.

But 2ly, was not the motion reaſonable and conſiderable, yea and very ſeaſonable for them to have had it ſo? For the wicked plot of this preſent Rebellion was then in conſultation, and they could not but ſee how dangerous it was for one and the ſame perſons to be continued long in the higheſt Commands of a Military Power: But wherefore dangerous? becauſe having ripened and heightned the Souldiers to revolt from their obedience, there were none ſo likely to break this deſigne, and under God to preſerve the Nation from that bloodie and cruell faction. And therefore they might well ſay, how dangerous is it for ſuch perſons to …e continued long? &c.

Now for concluſion, and to their glorying and boaſting that their cauſe and principles get ground: ſo that where there was one, twelve months ſince, that owned their principles, they beleeve there are now hundreds. Howſoever we take not this for a p. 48truth, but to be another device of theirs, to blowe up the ſparkles of Rebellion, (and for example we refer the Reader to the**When they had laid ſuch a foundation of lyes and falſhood (wherein they have not been inferior, if not beyond thoſe enemies we had laſt to deal with) and had thereby occaſioned ſo many of Commiſſary Generall Iretons and Col. Scrcops Regiments to revolt, and caſt off their Officers (an Act not to be paralleld) and that their buſineſſe began to grow to a head, they ſent their Emiſſaries and Agitators to all parts (as we have good intelligence) pretending from one Regiment to another, that each Regiment had declared, that ſo by that Artifice they might draw each to declare. To the forces in Wales and the Weſt they gave aſſurances that the forces about London would revolt, and to thoſe about London, that thoſe in Wales and the Weſt would do the ſame. And to the forces in the North uſed they the like arguments, and nouriſhed alſo the diſtemper of the forces in the South. A Declaration of the proceedings of his Excellencie, pag 6. margin:) nevertheleſſe it were no marvell though many (otherwiſe well-minded people) ſhould be deceived by ſuch evill workers, who have carried on the moſt dangerous and deſtructive deſignes againſt this Nation that ever were known, and under the vizard and cloak of ſetting the Common-wealth upon juſt grounds of freedome, liberty, and ſafetie. But we are confident whereſoever this DISCOVERER ſhall come, with the reſt following, that the number in all places will abate, and the honeſt minded every where will ſee their error, and miſtake; and bleſſe God that the ſnare is broken, and their ſouls like birds are eſcaped.

The end of the firſt part.

FINIS.

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