Discovery of Free-State Tyranny, Appendix

Discovery of Free-State Tyranny · Appendix

p. 65A Uſefull Seaſonable Corollary to and from the Premiſes.

WHen I ſeriouſly contemplate with deepoſt greife of Heart and confuſion of Spirit, how my late Impriſoners, with other of their Confederates (who made the greateſt Profeſſion of tranſcendent Piety, Juſtice, Uprightnes, Clemency, Humility, Selfe-deniall; cordiall affection, & tranſcendent Zeal to the Fundamentall Lawes, Liberties, Franchiſes, Priviledges, Eaſe, Weal, Eſtabliſhment of their Native Country; publiſhed ſo many large **See An Exact Col…ction of them, in quar to and another in Folio, with an other of their new Knacks ſince, and their Declarations of Febr. 10. and April. 17. 1648.Declarations, Remonſtrances to the world, in print, aſſerting the ſame, and declaring their utter deteſtation and totall extirpation of all arbitrary Government, Tyrany, Injuſtice, Oppreſſion, Violence, illegall Proceedings, Impriſonments, Reſtraints, Seiſures of Papers, ranſacking of Houſes, Executions, Taxes, Exciſes, Impoſts, Arrayes exerciſed by the late King, Strafford, Canterbury (whom they impeached, condemned, beheaded as the p. 66Greateſt Tyrants) and by the old Councell Table, Star-chamber, High Commiſſion, and Houſe of Lord…, which they totally ſuppreſſed as intollerable Greivances to the people; No ſooner ingroſſed into their owne hands (by force and fraud) the Supream Power over their fellow-brethren, and our Realmes, but they preſently degenerated by degrees in to more abſolute Tyrants, greater Oppreſſors, Self-ſeekers, Invaders, underminers, Subverters of the Lawes, Liberties, Properties of the Subject, the Rights, priviledges, freedome of Parliaments, then the very worſt of their condemned Predeceſſo…s, tranſcending them in all kindes of unrighteous Exorbitances, and act… of Injuſtice, Cruelty, Oppreſſion; and that not only towards their declared common Enemies, but fellow-members, and moſt indeared, beſt reſpected, meritorious Chriſtian freinds; notwithſtanding all ſacred Oaths, Proteſtations, Vows, Leagues, Covenants, Chriſtian & civill Obligations to the contrary: and that only for their conſtant Loyal…y, Fidelity, and adheſion to their firſt Principles, Oathes, Proteſtations, Covenants, Truſts, Duties; without the leaſt Apoſtacy; for which they deſerved their higheſt reſpects; and for oppoſing them in, diſſwading them from thoſe violent unrighteous Proceedings, and deſtructive publique Changes which have occaſioned ſo much effuſion of Chriſtian bloud, ſuch vaſt expences of Treaſure, and produced ſo many ſad calamities to our 3 whole Nations, only as yet to make them more unſetled, more enthralled to all ſorts of illegall Preſſures then ever heretofore. It experimentally inſtructs both me and all others capable of any good inſtructions.

Firſt, of the infallible verity of theſe ſacred Oracles Jer. 17. 9. The heart (of man) is deceitfull above all things, and deſperately wicked; who can know it? & Pſ. 62. 9. Surely, men of Low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lye, to be layd in the ballance, they are altogether lighter then vanity.

Secondly, of the ſad, tragicall, dangerous fruites of p. 67ambitious affectations of Soveraignty, greatnes; which inſtigates men oft times, to violate all Oaths, Laws, Truſts, Obligations, Relations, naturall, civill, ſacred, publike, private, transforming them into ſavage▪beaſts, yea Saints themſelves in external ſhew, into incarnate Divels, and monſters of iniquity, treachery, cruelty. Witneſſe. Judg. 9. 5. to. 57. 1 Kings 15. 27, 28, 29. c. 16. 9. 11, 12. to 21. 2 Kings. 8▪ 13. 15. c. 10. 1. to. 15. c. 11. 1. c. 15. 10. 13, 14. 25. 30, The **Quintus Curtius Hiſt. l. 10. Juſtin. H…ſt l. 12. 13. 14. 15 16. 17. 18. Arrianus Hiſt▪ Alexandri. Jacobus uſſerius Annales ve…eris Teſtamenti, Plutarchi Caſſander, Eum… nes, Diodorus Siculus, and others.Barbarus trechery, cruelty, ingratitude of Caſſander and other Captaines to Alexander the great: who notwithſtanding all their oathes, obligations▪ and pretended affections towards him, as their ſoveraign, generall, advancer, firſt trayterouſly deſtroyed him with a poyſoned potion, then murdred his own Mother, Wives, Children, Brother, Kindred, interfectis etiam omnibus, quicunque Alexandrum etiam longinqua cognation…, &c the better to ſecure his dominions and treaſures to themſelves, which they devideth between them. After which they falling out between themſelves, Warred upon and betrayed each other, till they were all ſlaine and deſtroyed by one another. With ſundry other forraign and domeſtick preſidents, recorded in hiſtories; many▪ whereof are collected by Sr. Walter Rawleigh in his Preface to the Hiſtory of the wor…d; and Dr. Beard in his Theatre of Gods judgments. Booke. 2. c. 3, 4, 5, 10. 17. 41. where all who are guilty of this ſinne, or really dete…t it, may profitably peruſe-them at their leiſure: with this obſervation of Juſtin. Hiſt. …. 16. touching Gods retaliation upon ſuch perfidious traitors and their families. Atque ita univerſa Caſſandri domus Alexandro magno, ſeu necis ipſius, ſeu ſtirpis extinctae paenas, partim caede, partim ſupplicio luit. Sufficiently refuting that received Parodox of the Tragaedian, **Seneca.**Pſal. 73. 6. to 12. … Iſay. 14. 5. to. 18Ps 73:6–12Isa 14:5–18Imperia quolibet precio conſtant benè.

Thirdly, of the extraodinary dangerous, ſinful, poyſonful leaven, uſually attending grand powers, offices, p. 68Preferments, whcih frequently transforme not onelyonly proud ambitiōs carnal perſons, but even the moſt humble, mortified, meeke, juſt, upright, pious, ſelf-denying Saints, and greateſt Patrons of Religion, ▪Laws, juſtice, publique liberty, (without Gods extraordinary reſtraining grace) into the very worſt of tyrants, oppreſſors, Extortioners, eſpecially when ſodainly advanced by unlawfull meanes or from an inferiour condition to the higheſt pinnacle of ſoveraignty or Empire. This **In …utropium l. r. See Roger Houeden, Annal. pars poſterior. p. 680.Claudian a heathen Poet, long ſince obſerved, and thus elegantly expreſſeth.

Aſperius humili nihil eſt cum ſurgit in Altum.

Cuncta ferit, dum cuncta timet; deſaevit in omnes

Ut ſe poſſe putent; nec Bellua tetrior ulla,

Quam ſervi rabies in libera colla furentis.

Yea ſuch a ſtrange corrupting transforming venom uſually is there in Soveraign powers and dignities, (which ought really to make men **2. Sam. 23. 3. 4. 2, Chr…n. 9▪ 8. c. 10. 5. 6. Iſay. 32. 1. 2. Rom. 13. 3. 4. 6. Pſal. 78.. 71. 72. 2. Sam. 5. 12. c. …. 15.2 Sam 23:32 Sam 23:42 Sam 23:2Isa 32:1Isa 32:2Rom 13:3Rom 13:4Rom 13:6Ps 782 Sam 5:12Like to God himſelfe, whoſe Deputies, Miniſters, all lawfull Kings and Magiſtrates are) in juſtice, righteouſneſſe, Clemency, Goodneſſe, and zeale for their ſubjects wellfare) that they frequently produce ſuch ſtrange alterations in mens mindes, actions, and ſo wonderfully metamorphiſe them from what they formerly were, and thought themſelves to be, that if God himſelfe by a ſpecial Prophet from Heaven, ſhould predict ſuch a mutation to and in them, they would not believe him. Of which we have a memorable Scripture preſident. 2. Kings 8. 11, 12, 13. Hazael a Servant to the King of Syria being ſent to Eliſha by the Ki…g, to enquire, whether he ſhould recover of his diſeaſe? the Prophet ſetting his countenance on him till he was aſhamed, Wept. Whereupon Hazael ſaid; Why weepeth my Lord? and he anſwered; Becauſe I know the evill that thou wilt do unto the children of Iſrael: their ſtrong holds wilt thou ſet on fire, and their young men wilt thou ſlay with the ſword; and wilt daſh their Children againſt the ſtones, and rip up their p. 69Women with child, & Hazael ſaid; BUT WHAT IS THY SERVANT A DOG▪ THAT HE SHOULD DO THIS GREAT (or ſtrang cruel) THING? And Eliſha anſwered (only this) The Lord hath ſhewed me, THAT THOU SHALT BE KING OVER SYRIA. Intimating that his unexpected advancement to and aſpiring after the ſoveraign Power, ſhould worke ſuch an incredible alteration as this in him. And ſo it did. For preſently after, he ſmothered and murdered his owne ſick Soveraign in his bed, then invaded his Crown and reigned in his ſtead. v. 15. and not long after he invaded the Iſraelites with an army, ſlaying, & cuting them ſhort, burning their Cities, oppreſſing & tyrannizing over them (as Eliſha predicted) in all the coaſts of Iſrael. 2 Kings. 10. 32, 33. …. 13. 3. 22. 25. Should Eliſha himſelfe have riſen again from the dead, and foretold to Mr. Bradſhaw and his confederates at Whitehall, Weſtminſter and in the Army, but three or four yeares before their advancements to their New ſelf created Supream Powers; that they ſhould ſo farre degenerate from their firſt Principles, profeſſions, Practiſes within few yeares ſpace, by unexpected advancements and Su…ceſ…es, that contrary to all their former Oaths, Proteſtations, Vows, covenants, Leagues, Declarations, Remonſtrances, Commiſſions, Truſts, Obligations, Relations, Judgements, Reſolutions, and all bonds o… Loyalty, Duty, Friendſhip, Law, Juſtice, they ſhould forcibly undermine, ſubvert the Fundamentals of the Kingdom, the Rights, Priviledges, Freedome (yea being) of parliaments and their members, more avowedly and deſperately then ever beheaded Strafford, Canterbury or others had done in any former age. That they ſhould engage the parliaments own Officers and Army againſt the Houſes, Members, Priviledges, and conſtitution of Parliaments themſelves; forcibly ſecure, ſeclude, aſperſe in print, impriſon, cloſe impriſon not only ſundry Noble Lords, but my ſelf, with many of the ſincereſt, Eminenteſt members p. 70of the Commons Houſe, whom they then moſt honored for their Piety, Ability, Fidelity to the publique Intereſt: impeach, condemne, behead their Lawfull Proteſtant King, diſinherit his Poſterity; Sec…ude th… greateſt part of their fellow Commoners, vote downe the whole houſe of Lords, create 50. or. 60. of themſelves A Parliament of England, without King, Lords, or their ſecluded Aſſociates. Arraignes, execute, the King, Nobles, Peers, Knights and other Engliſh Freemen in a New miſintituled High Court of Juſtice (created by themſelves alone) without any Lawfull Triall by their Peers: alter the ancient Hereditary Monarchicall Government of our three Kingdomes into a pretended Free State, Common Wealth, and other New-modles; erect New formes of Parliaments, ſ…als, Coynes, Writs, Courts, Legall Procedings; create New Treaſons diametrically contrary to old ones: Suppreſſe the Presbyterian Government and party for which they were then ſo Zealous: cut off the head of a Presbyterian Eminent Miniſter of their owne party; impriſon, ſequeſter divers other godly Miniſters whom they then moſt countenanced▪ preferred. Suſpent all Penall Lawes againſt Heretickes, S…hiſmatickes, Blaſphemers, Prieſts, Jeſuites: Sell all the ancient Church Revenues formerly devoted by their Anceſters and voted by themſelves for the better maintenance of the Miniſtry, and propagation of the goſpel; With the ancient Crowne Revenues which ſhould defray the Ordinary expences of the government. Repeal the Oathes of Supremacy and Allegiance, which themſelves had taken as Members, together with the Solemne Proteſtation, Vow, League, Covenant, made and preſcribed by themſelves under ſtrict penalties; and ſet up a New Engagement, point blank againſt them (by which they were all abjured) under ſuch diſabilities, forf…itures, paines, as they inflicted on ſuch who out of conſcience and deteſtation of Perjury could not ſubmit thereto: impoſe ſtrange illegall, oppreſſing unceſſant p. 71oft-condemned Exciſes, Impoſts, Tonnage, Poundage, Monthly Contributions, Shipmony, Arrayes, Militiaes, and publique Charges on the whole Nation without grant or conſent in any free or Lawfull Engliſh Parliament, as no former times can parallel▪ and themſelves ſo frequently voted, declared, and paſſed particular Acts and Judgements againſt at the beginning of the Parliament; together with forcible Preſſes of Souldiers, Mariners, Seamen, from time to time againſt ſundry New Acts and Declarations to which themſelves were parties: and that only to keep up a conſtant ſtanding Army in the three Kingdomes, to enforce theſe Illegall Taxes from them, and keep them under perpetuall Bondage to their arbitrary new illegall ſelfe created Powers. That they ſhould hoſtily invade their neareſt, deareſt Proteſtant Chriſtian brethren of Scotland with an Army, againſt the Act of Oblivion, Solemne League, Covenant, and all their late Obligations to them for their Brotherly aſſiſtance; aſſault, beſeige, pillage all their Cities, Caſtles, ſtrong Holds, and burne ſome of them with …re; ſlay many thouſands of their braveſt Soldiers who aſſiſted them, and …heir ſtouteſt young men with the ſword, (yea hack, wound, maime thouſands more of them in a barbarous manner) **2▪ Chr…n. 28. 9.with a rage reaching up to heaven; ſlay ſome, perſecute, impriſon others of their eminenteſt Proteſtant Miniſters, Nobles, Gentry, in remoteſt Caſtles; ſell many of them for Bondſlaves to remote Plantations; forrage, Waſt, de…troy much of their Country with fire and ſword, kill many of them with famine; keep all their whole Nation (like Bondſlaves) under conſtant Garriſons, and Tributes; ſubvert their old Civill and Eccleſiaſticall Laws, Parliaments, Government, impoſing New upon them by the ſword; and be ſo far from repenting, or being greived, humbled for theſe unchriſtian Cruelties towards them (upon no other knowne accompt, but their Loyalty to their lawfull King, and conſcientious adhering p. 72to their former Government, Lawfull Oathes, Covenants;) that though ſome of them appointed General day of humiliation throughout the land by an **Exact Collection. P. 927. 928.Ordinance of the 15. Febr. 1642. For the cruel and crying Sin of bloud ſhed, eſpecially of the Proteſtants in Queen Maries time, and before, amounting but to ſome hundreds: yet they ſhould after preſcribe days of publikethankſgiving for the bloudy ſlaughters of many thouſands of their godly Proteſtant Brethren & victories over them, & hang up all their Captivated Enſignes in triumph in Weſtminſter Hall, for a perpetual teſtimony of this their unproteſtant, unbrotherly carriage towards them, contrary to the **Judg. 21. 1. to. 18. 2. Sam. 1. 12. to. 20. 2. 2. Chron. 28. 5. 1. John. 3. 10. 11. 12. 1. Cor. 12. 25. 26.Judg 21:1–182 Sam 1:12–202 Sam 1:22 Chr 28:51 John 3:101 John 3:111 John 3:121 Cor 12:251 Cor 12:26Practiſe of all godly people in former ages, and many **Judg. 21. 1. to. 18. 2. Sam. 1. 12. to. 20. 2. 2. Chron. 28. 5. 1. John. 3. 10. 11. 12. 1. Cor. 12. 25. 26.Judg 21:1–182 Sam 1:12–202 Sam 1:22 Chr 28:51 John 3:101 John 3:111 John 3:121 Cor 12:251 Cor 12:26Goſple Precepts. That after this they ſhould picke a quarrell with our old Proteſtant Friends and Confederates of the united Provinces by putting New reſtraints upon their Trading, beyond all former preſidents, ſeiſing their Ships, Merchandize as conſiſcate, and then ingage them in a moſt bloudy warre and fights againſt them by Sea, to the deſtruction of many thouſand Merchants, Mariners and their Families, the impoveriſhing of both Nations, the great decay, obſtruction of Trade, and grand advantage, rejoycing of our Spaniſh and other Popiſh Enemies. That they ſhould pull down the Kings Armes by ſpeciall Order out of all Churches, Courts and other publique places, yet ſet up the bloudy Croſſe (as the only Coat of England for the future, as it hath ſince been and is ſtill like to be) in its place; though they formerly pulled downe, demoliſhed all Croſſes in ſuch places by ſpecial Orders, as Superſtitious, and ſtill permit the Kings Armes and Images too upon his coyn, where they yet paſſe currant. That whereas Chriſt himſelf in his Goſpel commands all Chriſtians; not only to **1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. Math. 5. 43 to the end Rom 12. 20. 21.1 Tim 2:11 Tim 2:2Matt 5:43Rom 12:20Rom 12:21make Prayers, Supplications and Interceſſions for all men in general, and for KINGS and their very enemies in particular; but alſo not to hate, but love their Enemies, to do good to them that hate p. 73them, and pray for thoſe who diſpitefully uſe and perſecute them; That they may be the Children of their father which is in heaven: For he maketh his Sun to riſe upon the evill and the good, and ſendeth raine both on the juſt and the unjuſt. Backing it with this reaſon. For if you love them that love you, what reward have you? do not even the Publicans the ſame? Be you therefore perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect; Therefore if thine Enemy hunger feed him, if he thurſt, give him drink. Be not overcome with evill, but overcome evill with goodneſſe. In purſuance of which Precepts our King **Receptus erg… Edgarus et magno donativo donatus eſt, plureſque annos in Caria mancus; liber am. A genti quotidie in ſtipendi… accepi…bat. Will. Malmeſburienſis De G…ſtis Regum Angliae l. 3. …. 103. Math. Paris Hiſt: Angl. p 6. Speeds Hiſtory. p. 442 Hiero. de Knyeth…on. de Eventibus: Angliae. l. 2. c. 3 col. 2350.William the I. (though now branded for an inhumane tyrant by many) was ſo chriſtianly Charitable, Noble, Heroicke toward Edgar Athelirig (after he gained the Crowne of England from the perjured uſurper Harold by the ſword) that although he was right heire, and his only Competitor to the Crowne of England, twice ſet up in Armes againſt him by the Engliſh Nobility and King of Scots to force him from the Thron; yet after all his Forces broken, when he was quite deſerted by his friends, upon his addreſſes to him in Normandy; he courteouſly received him into his favour, entertained him for ſundry yeares together even in his owne Court; Allowed him an Honourable penſion of one pound of Silver every day, beſides a large Donation. After which Edgar going to the holy warres into Apulia with many Ships and Souldiers, he was in returne from thence, courteouſly entertained and had many benefits beſtowed on him by the Emperors of Greece and Germany, who diſired to retain him in their Courts; Which Courteſie he refuſing out of love to his Native Country, returned again into England where he lived quietly all his Reigne. And although **Simcon Dunelmenſis Hiſt. An 1086. 1091 1097. Col. 213 216. 223. Chro…, Joannis Bromton. Col. 973.William Rufus his Sonne, upon ſome differences ariſing between them (amounting to a competition to the Crowne) baniſhed him into Scotland for a time; p. 74Yet at l…ſt he received him both into his favour and Court too; and in the 7. year of his reign, ſent him Cheife Commander with an Army into Scotland, to eſtabliſh his Coſen Edgar Son of King Malcombe, King in the Throne, and to expell his Uncle Dufenald, who had uſurped it by violence. (Such was the Nobleneſſe of theſe ſucceſſive Kings to this-right Heire to their Crowns) That yet …hey notwithſtanding ſhould contrary to theſe Goſpel Precepts, and this domeſtick memorable preſident; contrary to the reſolution of a very Heathen; **Seneca de Ira. l. 2. c. 3 4.Nihil eſt iniquius quam aliquem Heredem paterni odii Fieri: To Gods own reſolution, Ezec. 18. 17 2 Chron. 21. 6. 7. c. 28. 27. c. 33. 20. &c. and of our Engliſh Nobles and Nation, in the caſe of K. Hen. 3. whom they crowned for their K. notwithſtanding his Father K. Johns faults; Quia propria patris iniquitas ut CUNCTIS VIDEBATUR, Filio non debuit imputari: be ſo unchriſtian, uncharitable towards their beheaded Kings Royall Poſterity, and Right Heire to the Crown, though Proteſtants; as not only to prohibit all publique Prayers unto God for them, under pain of High Treaſon and ſevereſt Penalties; to baniſh them out of all their Realmes and Dominious, to which they were **See 1 Jac. c. 1. 2.Jas 1:2borne Heires, under pain of High Treaſon and death it ſelfe, if ever they ſet footing in them, not to allow any of them, the leaſt breathing place therein; nor the leaſt ſtanding Penſion for their neceſſary ſupport in other Climates, out of their owne Hereditary large Revenues which they have ſeiſed on; to prohibit any other within their Territories, publiquely or ſecretly to ayde or relieve them under paine of High Treaſon, loſſe of Liberty, Life, Eſtate: But likewiſe to treat with other forraign Proteſtant States and Princes, to baniſh both them and their Proteſtant Adherents out of their Territories; thereby to neceſſitate them (…o the intollerable Scandall of our Religion and Nation) to live upon the meer Almes of Popiſh Princes, and For…aig, ners, like diſtreſſed Exiles, to the great peril of their p. 75Soules, and apparent hazards of their ſeduction from our Religion, by expoſing them to ſo manifold temptations provocations to renounce it. Of which the **S… Militiere his Victory of Truth.Jeſuits and Papiſts make great advantage to draw others from us to their Romiſh Superſtitions: And not content herewith, to treat with thoſe Popiſh Princes, Stats, where now they are entertained, to remove them out of their Dominions, and withdraw all Charitable Supplies for their relief, that ſo they may inevitably periſh, and have neither being nor ſubſiſtance in this world, nor place to r…ſt their heads in. Which tranſcendent unparalleld Proceedings (as many intelligent Proteſtants conceive) have been the principle inpulſive cauſe and argument the Jeſuites have made uſe of, to incite the Emperor of Germany to **As ſeveral… printed Diurnals. &c. An▪ 1653. 1654. 165…. relate, & Merchants Letters thence.baniſh all the Proteſtants by ſevereſt Edicts out of Bohemia Auſtria, Styria, and other his Hereditary Dominions? and incenſed the Duke of Savoy by ſevere Proclamation, and by a bloody Army of Iriſh and other Papiſts, to maſſacre many thouſands of them, and endeavour their utter extirpation out of his Territories, and will probably inſtigate all Popiſh Princes, States of Chriſtendome to unite their forces together, to extirpate us and all other Proteſtants out of the world, for theſe premiſed unchriſtian Exorbitances, which **In his Victory of Truth.Militiere and other Papiſts in late printed Bookes impute to the Principles of the Reformed Religion. Should Eliſha himſelfe, I ſay, have predicted all or any of theſe particulars to them before they were acted by them? and that they ſhould publikely juſtifie them before all …he World in many Printed Papers, and moſt Chriſtian, Righteous, Juſt, Heroicall Actions, without the leaſt remo…ſe or ſhame (as they have done) I appeal to their owne conſciences; whether they would not have bin as incredulous therof, nay more diſcontented with the Prophet for medling in them, as Hazael was, and would not have returned him the ſelf ſame Anſwer as he did? or a worſe; What are thy Servants Dogs, n…y Devils incarnate, and the Monſters of men, that we p. 76ſhould do all theſe great, ſtrange incredible things; And yet ſince they have acted them all over and purſued them with eagernes inſtead of repenting of them; and eſteem all ſuch their Capitall Enemies, yea little leſſe then greateſt Tratyors to them and their New Republike, who out of cordiall Love to their Soules, meere Conſcience towards God, and duty to their Native Country, ſhall dare preſume to diſſwade them from, reprehend them for, oppoſe them in, or move them to ſincere repentance for the ſame: Which I beſeech them now in the fear of God, ſeriouſly to reveiw, retract, reform, if ever they expect grace or pardon before any Tribunal of God or Men, where they muſt ſooner or latter be **2. Cor. 5. 10. 11. Rev. 6. 15. 16. 17. c. 20. 12. 13. 14.2 Cor 5:102 Cor 5:11Rev 6:15Rev 6:16Rev 6:17called to accompt for them, notwithſtanding all their preſent Power or armed forces to ſecure them from humane Juſtice; unable to reſiſt divine.

From this perillous corrupting, transforming leaven uſually accompanying Empire and great Honors, the very Heathen Philoſophers and others deduced theſe three Proverbs **See Eraſmi Adagia.Honores mutant Mores: Magiſtratus virum indicat; vis noſſe virum, committee imperium: And **De Vera …t falſa Religio ne cap. De Magiſtratu.Huldricus Zuinglius renders this reaſon of it. Adeo late vaſt…t hominum mentes rei gloriaeque …upid…, tametſi interim pulchre celet omnia, & non alia res eſt quae latentes cupiditates magis exulcerat, QƲAM IMPERIƲM: tunc enim occaſionem ſe invenire arbitrantur, qua maxime graſſari poſſunt. Caeterum ubi jam via patet, nemo retrahere poteſt ut vel moderate videantur concupiviſſe, &c. He inſtanceth in two examples to prove what ſtrange alterations, Empire and power, operate in mens minds and manners. Firſt in King Saul; next in Pythagoras the Phyloſopher: **See Plutarch Diogenes Laertius, Diodorus Si…ulus, and others in his Life.who although whiles a private perſon, he was ſuch an extraordinary, humble, meek, pittifull, mortified, ſelf denying, and cynical a perſon, that he would neither kill, nor eat any living creature whatſoever, nor any pulſe or thing that had red ſpots or colour of bloud upon it; renounced all worldly honours▪ pleaſures, profits, pompe, pride; would ſeldome converſe with men, or utter any word in any company, injoyning almoſt perpetuall ſilence to himſelf and five p. 77years taciturnity to all his Schollers ere they ſhould preſume to ſpeak in publike; yet no ſooner was he made a King by the people, for his tranſcendent vertues ſeemingly againſt his will; but he became a tranſcendent bloody Tyrant: OMNIƲM ingurgitavit & haud aliter at que ii qui vino adobruuntur ebrius eſſet, & IN INNOXIOS FƲRERET, &c. Ʋnde PERICƲ LOSSISSIMA RES EST QƲIQƲAM COMMITTERE IMPERIƲM. To pretermit all other forraign preſidents of like nature, enough to fill whole Volumes; I ſhall inſtance only in one domeſtick one, not unſeaſonable for, and very parallel to our times; related by ſundry of our Hiſtorians.

**Math. Paris Hiſt. Angliae. p. 151 155. 156. 160 161. Gul. Nubrigenſis. Rerum Angl. Hiſt. l. 4. c. 14. to. 19. Roger Hoveden. pars poſterior. p. 687 700. to 708. 718▪ 719. 720. 735 &c. Fox Acts and Monuments. p. 114 123. 124. Holinſhed. p. 121. 129. 130. 131. 132. Godwins Catalogue of Biſhops p. 247. to. 261. Speeds Hiſtory. p. 531. and My Antipathy of the Engliſh Lordly Prelacy to Regall Monarchy and Civil unity p. 202 to 211.William Langchamp being advanced from an inferiour condition by King Richard the firſt, to be Biſhop of Ely, Popes Legate, Lord Chancellor, Chiefe Juſtice and Protector of England (the firſt who enjoyed that title to my remembrance) during the Kings abſence in the holy Wars, Ann. 1191, &c. Was ſo ſtrangely infatuated, intoxicated, metamorphoſed by theſe his new honours and powers, that he acted many things, not onelyonly indiſcreetly and untowardly, but alſo moſt arrogantly, inſolently tyranically, unconſcionably covetuouſly and cruelly; tyrannizing beyond all meaſure over his Fellow▪Commiſſioners the Kings own Brethren, all the Nobility, Clergy, Gentry and Commonalty of the R…a…me whom he perpetually greived, oppreſſed with manifold continual and needleſſe illegal exactions, preſſures, proud inſolent Speeches and behaviour, purveyances, proling Officers, Troopers, Guards, Garriſons, who by ſome means or other got all the wealth of the kingdome into his and their hands; by placing, diſplacing all Officers, and diſpoſing all Offices, preferments in the Realme at his pleaſure, by impriſoning, cruſhing, trampling under feet all ſuch who durſt oppoſe, or appeal againſt his Tyrannicall Exactions, Procedings, Uſurpations againſt their ancient Liberties, Priviledges, Rights, Laws, AS GUILTY OF HIGH TREASON OR SEDITION. And to keep the Nobility, Clergy, p. 78People in this ſervile condition under him, he kept a perpetuall Guard of Frenchmen and Flemings about him, never riding abroad with leſſe then 1500. Horſe to guard him, and commanded all the Nobility and their Sonnes to attend upon him, and matched his Neeces and kinſwomen to them, the better to ſecure and ſtrengthen himſelf: Yea, he diſplaced all the Officers appointed by the King, and under pretext of ſuppreſſing Thieves and tumults, placed garriſons of his own creatures, rather to deſtroy then govern it; who kept great troops of cruel and barbarous Souldiers, which rode about armed in every place to terrifie the people, and be the moſt wicked executioners of his Violence, rapine, coveteouſnes, Exactions; ſparing neither Clergy man, Monke, nor Layman, and committing many outrages, and cruelties in all places without puniſhment. And not contented herewith (being ſenſible of the Nobilities, Clergies and peoples indignation againſt him for theſe his Exorbitances and Oppreſſions) he ſent for div…rs forraigne forces of his Friends and Confederates, placing them in the Caſtles and Garriſons of the Kingdome for his greater ſecurity. By which Tyranicall courſes, Multis Terrorem incuſſit, Siluit▪Regnum Angliae à facie ejus, nec fuit, qui obmurmuraret …um ſibi in Anglia nihil ad ex…vgnandum reſtaret, writes Mathew Paris. In briefe Nu…rigenſts records, That the Laity o… England experimentally found him MORE THEN A KING; And the Clergie MORE THEN A POPE, but both of them AN INTOLLERABLE TYRANT. Solis complicibus et copri… toribus ſuis innoxius: caeteris indifferentur, non tantum PECƲNIARƲM AMBITƲ, verum etiam DOMINANDI VOLƲPTATE ERAT INFESTƲS, For by reaſon of HIS DOƲBLE POWER (or rather treble, civill, Eccleſiaſtical & Military) he uſurping the Militia into his own hands alone) HE PUT ON THE PERSON OF A DOUBLE TYRANT moſt arrog…ntly domineering both over the Clergie and people, making uſe of both his powers, the more eaſily to accompliſh p. 79his deſignes, and cruſhiug thoſe with his Military and royall power, whom he could not ſubdue with his Eccleſiaſticall Authority. Non erat qui ſe abſoonderet à calore ejus cum & ſecularis in eo virgam vel GLADIƲM Apoſtolicae poteſtatis timeret: His pompe and pride was more then royall almoſt in all things; Yet, ſuch was his ſecret **Neceſſe eſt ut multos timeat, quem multi timent. It a natu… ra conſtituit, ut quod al…en… m…tu magnum eſt, à ſuo non vacet. Quicquid terret, et trepidat. Seneca de Ira▪ l. 2. c. 11.fear in the midſt of his greatneſs: That Clericorum ſtipatus Catervis MILITƲMQƲE VALLATƲS AGMINI… ƲS, Orientalium more Regum TANQƲAM IN EXPEDITIONE JƲGITER POSITƲS ARMATORƲM CIRCA CƲBICƲLƲM SƲ ƲM HABERE EXCƲBIAS VOLƲIT; keeping great armed guards about him day and night; whereſoever he was, or went.

Hereupon the Nobility and People unable to ſuffer his intollerable inſolencies and oppreſſions any longer, complained moſt greivouſly of them …o the King; who thereupon writ to ſome Nobles to examine and redreſſe theſe Greivances; And upon the inſtigation of Earl John the Kings Brother, the Nobles of England rayſing great forces, to ſuppreſſe and eject this Tyrant, met in a kinde of Parliament the Saturday after Michaelmas, Anno. 1191. at L…don Bridge between Reading and Windſ…r; and after that in Pauls Church, and on the Eaſt part of the Tower of London, where all the Archbiſhops, Biſhops, Earls and Barons there aſſembled agreed, and reſolved the unanimous conſcent of all; Ʋt talis de caetero in Regno Angliae non dominaretur, per quem Eccleſia Dei ad ignominiam, et POPƲ … ƲS AD INOPIAM TRAHEBA… ƲR. Ipſe enim Cancellarius et ſatellit…s ejus, OMNES REGNI DIVITIAS IT A EXHAƲSERANT, Ʋt nec viri Baltheum argento redimitum, ne faeminae monile, nec viri nobili annulum, vel Judaeo relinquerent the ſaurum, vel quidlibet precio…i. The ſaurū quo que domini regis adeo evacua▪verant▪ ut in ſcriniis au… …lit…llis, Nihil praeter c…aves et vaſa vacua poſſent de elapſa Biennio inveniri. Proviſum eſt etiam. Ʋt o…ia caſtella, quae pro libitu ſuo idem cancellarius cu…todiae ſatellitum ſuorum p. 80commiſſerat, redderentur, & in primis Ipſa turris Londinenſis. This inſolent Oppreſſor now finding himſelfe unable to reſiſt the nobles (moſt of his Freinds, rebellious forces deſerting him in his diſtreſſes) fled to the Tower of London, refuſing to appear before the Lords, for fear of violence, notwithſtanding ſecurity tendered to him; but at laſt being neceſſitated thereunto, he ſware to perform whatſoever the Lords had Decreed, giving ſureties to ſurrender up all the Caſtles to them, and to depart the Realm. Whereupon laying down his Offices and Legates Croſſe, he came to Dover; thinking in a clandeſtine manner to paſſe the Seas: and the better to deceive the Marriners eyes, he diſguiſed himſelf in womens apparel; virum in faeminum convertit, dum veſtem Sacerdotis in meretricis habitum commutavit; tunica virida faeminea indutus. But being caſually diſcovered by a Mariner to be a man, (who deſired to make uſe of him as his ſtrumpet) and that hatefull Chancellour whom ſo many had curſed and feared, a company of women and vulgar people in great deſpite, threw him to the ground, ſpit upon and beat him very ſorely, dragged him by the heeles along the Sands, and would (no doubt) have torn him in pieces, had not ſome of the Burgeſſes of the Town reſcued him out of their hands, and thruſt him into a Seller, where he was detained priſoner till they knew the Lords pleaſure concerning him. **Se… Godwin in his Life.Thus he who but a few moneths before was honoured and feared by all men like a demy-god, attended with ſo many Officers, Nobles, Guards, and pretended Friends being once down and ſtanding in need of his Friends help, had no man to defend or ſpeak for him, no man that moved a tongue or finger to rid him out of his preſent calamity, lying long in this ſad pickle, till at laſt being ſet at liberty by ſome Biſhops means, he paſſed with ſcorn and contempt into Normandy, his native Country. Let thoſe who now imitate him in his Tyrannies, Oppreſſions, Inſolencies, Rapines, and p. 73impoſing armed Guards and Garriſons on the Nation to enſlave them, take heed they follow him not in his ſudain ſhamefull downfall.

From theſe and infinite other Preſidents of mens ſtrange Degeneracies & Tranſmutations by their high Honours, Powers, in all ages, we may well cry out with godly **De vera et falſa Religione. cap. De Magiſtratu.Zuinglius Quis nunc tuto cuiquam committat Imperium, cum ſimpliciſſimos & ſapientiſſimos videamus imperio immutatos eſſe? And let all conſciencious Chriſtians truly fearing God, learne theſe profitable Inſtructions from the ſerious contemplation of them.

1. Not over ſeverely to aggravate, cenſure the Exorbitances of our late or former Kings, or their Officers, Counſellors, Courts; ſince other late Reformers who have moſt eagerly declaimed againſt, cenſured, condemned and totally ſuppreſſed them as the greateſt Grievances and Tyrants, have farre tranſcended them ever ſince in their very worſt Exorbitances, and degenerated into more abſolute Tyrants, Oppreſſors, Grievances in moſt kinds then they were hertofore, as their late Acts, Edicts, Actions and Speeches proclaim to all the world.

2. Not greedily or ambitiouſly to ſeek after Empire, Soveraignty, Power, Magiſtracy, great Offices, or Preferments (**Gal. 6. 1. 2.Gal 6:1Gal 6:2 **Miſerimam ergo neceſſe eſt non tantum breviſſimam vit am eorum eſſe, qui magno parant labore, quod majore poſſideant; operoſe aſſequuntur quae volunt anxij tenent quae aſſcutâ ſunt maximae quaeque, boxae ſollicite ſunt, neculli fortunae minus bene quam optimae creditur, Aliae faelicitate ad tuendam faelicitatemopus eſt et pro ipſis quae ſucceſſarunt votis, vota facienda ſunt. Seneca De Brevitate vitae c. 17.being ſo full of perils, cares, feares) eſpecially, by violent, fraudulent, corrupt, unlawfull meane…, but rather modeſtly and carefully to decline them, for fear of being depraved, altered, and brought if not to temporall, yet to eternall ruine by them, as thouſands have been.

Thirdly in caſe they be lawfully called, urged, and in a manner enforced againſt their wils, without their ſolicitation to any places of great Power, Truſt, or Honor, to be very cautious how they undertake them, to examine their owne abilities faithfully to diſcharge them, with the ſtrength of their Chriſtian graces to reſiſt, conquer, thoſe manifold temptations unto ſinne, p. 74and groſſe Corruptions, which uſually att…nd them; and earneſtly to ſeeke to God by prayer for ſpeciall direction in the acceptance or rejection of them.

Fourthly, If God and their own Conſciences upon warrantable grounds encline them to embrace ſuch Powers or preferments, then to make it their earneſt prayer to God (as **2 chro…. 1. 8. 9.Solomon did) to beſtow upon them an extraordinary meaſure of Grace, Wiſdom, Knowledg, Courage, Diligence and ſincerity, to mannage them rightly to Gods glory, the peoples weal, happineſſe; and to avoid all thoſe corruptions, temptations to Oppr…ſſion, Injuſtice, Pride, Violence, &c. which uſually attend them.

Fif…hly, To engrave theſe ſacred ſcriptures alwaye… in their hearts and memories: 2 Sam. 23. 3, 4. He that ruleth over men muſt be juſt, ruling in the fear of God: with 2 Chron. 19. 6, 7. Rom. 13. 3, 4. 2 Chron. 9. 8. Jer. 7. 5. 8. c. 23. 5, 6. Zech. 7. 9, 10. Execute true Judgment throughly, for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is with you in the judgment: take heed what you do; and ſhew mercy and compaſſion every man to his Brother. And oppreſſe not the widdow nor fatherleſſe, the ſtranger nor the poor, and let none of you imagine evill againſt his brother in his heart. Matth. 7. 12. All things whatſoever you would that men ſhould do unto you, do yee even ſo to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. As likewiſe Rom. 11. 21. Be not high minded, but fear: For if God ſpared not the natural branches, take heed left he alſo ſpare not thee: 1 Cor. 10. 12. Wherefore let him that thinketh he ſtandeth, take heed leſt he fall. And withall to imitate our pious Saxon King Edelwolf, of whom Abbot **De Gene… logia Regum Anglorum. Col. 351.Ethelred gives this Encomium, Hi… in Regno terreno ſemper meditabatur c…leſte; ut manifeſte daretur intelligi, eum non victum cupiditate, ſed charitate provocatum, alienae neceſſitati regnando conſulere, non ſuae voluntati dominando ſatisfacer….

p. 75Sixthly, To beware how they give the leaſt way, to any unjuſt or unrighteons Project, Judgment, Commitment, Impoſition, action, **See. 2. E. 3. c 8▪ 20. E▪ 3. c. 1. 2 and 18▪ E. 3 Oath of the Juſt…ces.contrary to the known Laws of God or the Land, to the prejudice of any private Perſon, or the whole Nation, upon any pretended Neceſſity, Extremity, Conveniency, publique advantage, or to ſatisfie the unjuſt deſires, or commands of an… Powers or Perſons whatſoever: leaſt it prove an inlet, and leading preſident to far more, worſe, greater Exorbitances, Injuries, Oppreſſions, Sins, and neceſſitate them at laſt to defend one wickedneſſe or act of Injuſtice, by another, till they plung themſelves over head and ears, beyond recovery in ſin and damnation, to their temporal and eternal ruine. **Ovid. De R…medio Am… ris.Principiis obſta: is the beſt reſolution in ſuch caſes.

Seventhly, Diligently to examine by the rules of law conſcience and right Reaſon, every Action, Project, Deſigne propoſed to, or impoſed on them, by theſe three notable Interrogatories of Saint **De Conſideration…. lib▪ 1.Bernard: Whether it be Lawfull? Decent? Expedient? And if upon due confideration, it faile in any of theſe three circumſtances, then peremptorily to reject it, proceed no further in the execution; but rather willingly to quit their Offices, Honors, Powers, then their Juſtice, Honeſty Conſciences in ſuch caſes; according to our Saviours advice, Matt. 16. 26. and the Apoſtles reſolution, Acts 4. 19, 20. and c. 5. 29. We ought to obey God (and the Laws too) rather then men.

Eighthly, To **Pſal. 141. 5. 6. Prov. 19. 20. 25. c. 9. 8. 1 Sam. 25. 18. to 36.Ps 141:5Ps 141:6Prov 19:20Prov 19:251 Sam 25:18–36liſten with a willing ear and thankfull heart to the informations, admonitions, oppoſitions, reprehenſions of their realleſt Chriſtian friends, and eminenteſt ſincereſt Patrons of their Countries Laws, Rights, Liberties, in all caſes of publick concernment; rather then to meer creatures &▪ dependents of their own, or to the ſuggeſtions of projecting ſelf-ſeekers. And when they are oppoſed by ſuch in any of their deſignes, to conſider that excellent ſaying of Seneca, which will not only mitigate their anger againſt ſuch, but reclaim them from ſuch injurious p. 76proſecutions and deſignes. **De Jra. l. 3. c. 28. 29.Quidam verò non tantū JUSTAS CAUSAS ſtandi contra nos, ſed etiam Honeſtas habent. Alius Patrem, alius Fratrem, alius Patruum alius amicum: (alius Patriam) His tamen non ignoſcimus id facientibus, quod niſi facerent, improbaremus. Immo, quod eſt incredibil…. Saepe de facto bene exiſtimamus, de faciente male. At me hircule vir magnus & juſtus fortiſſimum quemque ex hoſtibus' ſuis. Et pro libertate ac ſalute Patriae pertinaciſſimum ſuſpicit: & Talem ſibi civem, talem militem contingere optat turpe eſt odiſſe quem laudes, &c. Which had my injurious impriſoners duly conſidered before they committed me cloſe priſoner, they would have been more aſhamed to commit me, then now they are aſhamed of my long injurious impriſonment, without any legall ground or cauſe.

If any in preſent or future Power, contemning theſe Chriſtian Inſtructions, and all Laws of God and Man, ſhall think to ſupport themſelves in any Arbitrary, violent, illegall, oppreſſive wayes to the generall oppreſſion of the people, by the power of armed Forces. Let them remember that of Pſalm 33. 16. There is no King ſaved by the multitude of an Hoſt: a mighty man is not delivered by much ſtrength. And know that all the Hoſts, Guards under Heaven can neither ſave nor ſecure any unrighteous violent Tyrants or, Oppreſſors from the Juſtice of that Omnipotent God, who hath decreed, Pſal. 140. 11. Evill ſhall hunt the man of violence to his overthrow: that bloody, violent and deceitfull men ſhall not live out half their dayes, be brought down by him into the pit of deſtruction. Pſal. 55. 23. And that all thoſe who take the Sword, ſhall periſh by the ſword. Mat. 26. 42. Which the Hiſtories of all ages, places, Zach. 9. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Iſay. …4. 10. to 20. worthy their ſaddeſt peruſall with the forecited preſident of William Lanchamp ſufficiently confi…me; their very Armies, Guards themſelves becoming many times their Executioners, as Seneca de Clementia l. 1. c. 25, 26. moſt elegantly records. Yea ſometimes p. 77the moſt victorious Generals, Armys, when they prove treacherous too, and mutinous againſt their Soveraign Lords and Maſters, contrary to their Oathes, Truſts, become mutually treac…erous and deſtructive to each other in concluſion: Of which I ſhal give you only one memorable example. When Alexander the great, his Captaines had after all his Conqueſts poyſoned him, murdered his Mother, Wives, Sonnes, and all his Kindred, and divided his Kingdomes, Dominions and Conqueſts between them, by divine Juſtice for his unjuſt, ambitious invaſions of others Crowns, and Territories; their own ambition & covetouſneſſe, preſently armed them againſt each other, till they and their old victorious conquering Army with thouſands more were totally ſlaine and deſtroyed one by another. Amongſt the reſt **See Juſtin, Hiſt. l. 12. to 18 Qu. Curtius. Hiſt. l. 10. Plutar…hi. Alexander, Antigonus, Eumenes, Dr. Ʋſher Annales veteris Teſtamenti. pars. 1.Eumenes (the greateſt Polititian of them all, and inferior to none of them in valour) to whom Cappadocia and Paphagonia were aſigned; having gained two victories againſt his Oppoſites; and routed Antigonus and his Army in a third Battle with part of his forces; The Arggraſpides (Alexanders old invincible Army, by whom he obtained all his Conqueſts) growing mutinous and contemning his commands, becauſe ſome of Antigonus forces in that battle had taken their Wives & Children, Priſoners, with all the ſpoyles and rewards of their long warfare. Thereupon they refuſed to fight any more to regain their Wives, children, plunder and openly reviled **Plutarch. in his Life. Juſtin Hiſt. l. 12. 12 14.Eumenes as the cauſe of this great loſſe of all they had gained in the former warres, by engaging them in new wars in their old age, with vaine deceitfull promiſes. And preſently (without their Captains knowledge) ſen… ſecret Meſſengers to Antigonus, petitioning him, to reſtore their Wives, Children and plunder to them; who promiſed to reſtore them, if they would deliver up Eumenes to him. Whereupon they forthwith ſeiſed upon Eumenes, as he was endeavouring to eſcape their hands, and bound him in p. 78chains to carry him captive to Antigonus: Upon which craving leave to ſpeak to the Army, which was granted: He uſed theſe expreſſions to them, ſhewing them the chaines they had treacherouſly laid upon him againſt their Oaths. *Cernite Milites habitum atque ornamentum Ducis veſtri; quae non hoſtium quiſquam impoſuit: nam hoc etiam ſolatio foret▪ VOS ME EX VICTORE VICTƲM, ƲOS ME EX IMPERATORE CAPTIVƲM FECISTIS: QƲATER INTRA HƲNC ANNƲMIN mea VERBA JƲREJƲRANDO OBSTRIATI ESTIS: & iſta mitto. Verum oro: ſi propoſitorum Antigoni in meo capite ſumma conſiſtit, inter vos me velitis mori: Nam neque illius intereſt, quemadmodum aut ubi eudam, & ego fuero ignominia mortis liberatus. Hoc ſi impetro, ſoluo v…s Jurejurando, quo toties vos Sacramento▪mihi devoviſtis. Aut ſi ipſos pudet roganti vim adhibere, ferrum huc date, & permittite quod vos facturos pro Imperatore juraſtis, Imperatorem pro vobis ſine religione juramenti facere. When they would neither ſlay him themſelves, nor permit him to kill himſelf, upon this his patheticall requeſt, turning his intreaties into imprecations againſt them, for their perjuries, treacheries to him, and their other Generals, he ſaid. At vos devota capita, reſpiciant Dii perjuriorum vindices, taleſque vobis exitus dent, quales vos ducibus veſtris dediſtis. Nempe vos iidem paulò ante, & Perdi…ae ſanguine eſtis aſperſi, & in Antipatrum eadem moli…i. Ipſum denique Alexandrum, ſi fas fuiſſet eum mortali manu cadere, Interempturi; quod …aximum erat, ſeditionibus agitaſtis. Ʋltima nunc ego perfidorum victima: …as vobis diras atque inferias dico, ut inopes, extorreſque omne …vum in hoc caſtrenſi exilio agatis, devorent que vos arma veſtra quibus…plures veſtros quam hoſtium Duces abſump…iſtis. After which commanding his Keepers to go before with him to Antigonus his Tents; The whole Army followed their General whom they thus betraied, who being himſelf a Captive, led the triumph of himſelf and his army likewiſe into the Tents of his conquered Enemy, delivering up all the fortunes, ſucceſſes of p. 79King Alexander; all the palms and Lawrels of ſo many wars and victories, together with themſelves into Antigonus his hands; together with the Elephants and Eaſtern Auxiliaries following them, that nothing might be wanting to the triumph. Antigonus overjoyed with this unexpected ſucceſſe, more glorious to him then all Alexanders victories, in that he had thus overcome thoſe by whom Alexander had Conquered the World; divided theſe Conquerours of the World, through out his Army; reſtoring what was taken from them, according to his promiſe. But in a few dayes after **Plutarchi Eumenes.Ibricius by his command, put all theſe mutinous Argyraſpides Conquerours and Plunderers of the World to the ſword, deſtroying every man of them, not ſo much as one eſcaping; & prohibiting Eumenes to come into his preſence, verecundia prioris amicitiae, committed him to cuſtody, and ſoon after cauſed him to be ſlain; being not long after ſlain himſelf in a battle by his former fellow Captains under Alexander, who deſtroyed each other by the ſword. This was the tragicall end of Alexander himſelf, and of all his victorious old Conquering, Plundering, Treacherous Officers and whole Army too; which our conquering, domineering Army, Officers, Souldiers now, with all depending on their ſupport, may do very well adviſedly to conſider, upon this information of their late long cauſeleſſe Priſoner, under their ſtricteſt guards; who ſhall cloſe up all with Solomons words, (which he hopes to finde experimentally verified, for this his impartiall Diſcovery): Prov. 28. 23. He that rebuketh a man, afterwards ſhall finde more favour, then he that flattereth with the tongue: and Prov. 9. 8, 9. Rebuke a wiſe man, and he will love thee, Give inſtruction to a wiſe man and he will yet be wiſer; teach a juſt man, and he will increaſe in learning.

FINIS.