Prynne the Member Reconciled to Prynne the Barrister, Title page – To the reader

Prynne the Member Reconciled to Prynne the Barrister · Title page – To the reader

PRYNNE The MEMBER reconciled to PRYNNE The BARRESTER. OR An Anſwer to a Scandalous Pamphlet, Intituled, PRYNNE againſt PRYNNE. Wherein is a cleare demonſtration, That William Prynne, Vtter Barreſter of Lincolnes Inne, in his Soveraigne Power of Parliaments and Kingdomes, is of the ſame Judgement with, and no wayes contradictory to William Prynne Eſquire, A Member of the Houſe of Commons in his MEMENTO. Wherein the unlawfullneſſe of the Proceedings againſt the King, and altering the preſent Government is manifeſted out of his former writings and all cavils and calumnies of this ſcandalous Pamphleteer fully Anſwered.

By William Prynne Eſquire, Barreſter at Law, and a Member of the Houſe of Commons.

Tit. 1. 12. 13.

One of themſelves, even a Prophet of their owne, ſaid; The Cretians ARE ALWAYES LYARS, evill beasts, ſlow Bellies: This witneſſe is true: wherefore rebuke them ſharply, that they may be ſound in the faith.

LONDON Printed Anno Dom. 1649.

To the Reader.

Curteous Reader,

MEeting this morning with a printed Pamphlet intituled Prynne againſt Prynne; Or the anſweer of William Prynne, Vtter-Barreſter of Lincolnes Inne; to a pamphlet, lately publiſhed by william Prynne Eſq; a Member of the Houſe of Commons, intituled, a breif Memento to the preſent unparliamentary I unto; touching their preſent intentions and proceedings to Depoſe and Execute CHALES STEVVARD, their lawfull Soveraigne: with an Imprimatur of Theodore Iennings, Jan. 25. 1648. prefixed to it: written (as I am credibly informed) by a Colonell, a Member of the Commons Houſe, and one of his Majeſties preſent Judges, to repreſent and render me an Apoſtate, and turne-coate to the world (like himſelfe) and to gaine ſome colour for this unjuſt and illegall proceedings, (if poſsible) from my writings, who ever from my Soule abominated and declared againſt them as Jeſuiticall and Treaſonable in all my writings; I held it my duty to returne this ſhort and ſpeedy Anſwer thereunto; both to vindicate my wounded reputation, againſt all imputations of inconſtancy, and mutability in my principles, or actions, which have been alwayes loyall, uniform, ayming onelyonly at the Common-good, not vertiginous, mutable; perfidious, and ſelfiſh, as his and his Confederates appeare to all men. It is Gods owne glory to be,aaMal. 3. 6.Mal 3:6 unchangeable, bbIam, 1. 17.unvariable, and without ſhadow of turning: ccHeb. 13. 8.Heb 13:8yeſterday, to day, and the ſame for ever. ddCamdens, Elizabeth, Speed, & Hollinſhed.SEMPER EADEM, was Qu…een Elizabeths Motto: and Semper idem, ſhall be (through Gods aſsiſſtance) mine: who as I am commanded by God himſelfe, to be ee1 Cor 15. 58.1 Cor 15:58alwayes ſtedfaſt, unmoveable, andffProv. 24▪ 21.Prov 24:21 not to meddle (or confederate) with thoſe who are given to change; So, I trust, to manifeſt my ſelfe in this enſuing Tract, (in deſpite of calumny) to be still the ſame I was heretofore, both to the Kings and Kingdomes true and reall intereſt, which now lye both at Stake, likely to be ſpeedily and irrecoverably loſt by ſome falſe rooking Gameſters, who play badly for themſelves. Which is the feare and apprehenſion of their and his poore Countries freind, and wel-wiſher, (for which he is once more like to become a Martyr.)

January 29 …648. William Prynne

p. 5PRYNNE the Member, reconciled to PRYNNE the BARRESTER.

HAd the Compi…er of the late abſurd Pamphlet, intituled Prynne againſt Prynne, as many guts in his Braines as he hath in his Belly or as much Honeſty & Sincerity in his Head & Heart, as he hath diſloyalty & inſincerity in both, he could …ot have been ſo irrationall or diſhoneſt, as to have publiſhed ſuch a peece of Folly and Non-ſence as this, inſtead of anſwering the Memento; which (though a Right worſhipfull Colonell and a Member too) yet he dares not encounter; his braines being all ſunke into his guts; & his Pen as blunt as his ſword, that never yet ſlew nor wounded one Cavalier, though he hath gained and received ſome thouſand of pounds for his Grand Services in theſe late Warres. When this Great Champion dare op…nly appeare in the field againſt any thing I have written, with his name thereto affixed, (of which it ſeemes he is aſhamed) I dare aſſure him, William Prynne, the Barreſter, or William Prynne the Member; will hand to hand encounter. W. P. the Colonel, or W. P. the Burgeſſe of W. though a Gyant in bulke, but a Pigmy in moſt things elſe. But to come briefly to the matter.

It is very true, which he relates, pag. 1. That William Prynne Eſquire a Member of the Houſe of Commons, did in his Briefe Memento endeavour to diſwade the reſt of the Members ſitting in Parliament from acting or proceeding againſt the King. And had they been ſo provident, wiſe and loyall, as to have given an eare to his ſeaſonable & timely adviſe, they had never plunged themſelves & the Kingdome into ſuch difficulties and confuſions as now they have done by their unjuſt and illegall tryall and condemnation of the King, to p. 6have His head ſevered from his ſhoulders, by a New erected high Court of Iuſtice; without authority, law, juſtice, or any legall or judiciall proceedings: for which they found no warrant nor preſident in William Prynne the Barreſter his Soverain Power of Parliaments & Kingdomes; but many arguments againſt and dehortations from it.

Firſt, The very Title of his Booke (had the purblinde Pamphleter peruſed it) might have deterred him and his fellow-members from ſuch a …eſuiticall and popiſh proceeding, to the eternall infamy and ſcandall of our Religion: it is this. The treachery and diſloyalty of Papiſts to their Soveraignes in Doctrine and Practiſe, together with the firſt part of the Soveraigne power of Parliaments and Kingdomes. Wherein the Traiterous Antimonarchicall Doctrines, practiſes and attempts of Papiſts upon the Perſons, Crowns Prerogatives of their Soveraignes: with the dangerous deſignes, affests and conſequences, of their preſent illegal arming, and acceſſe to the Kings perſon, by meanes of evil Councellors, are briefly diſcovered. The Iuriſdiction, Power, priviledges claimed, exerciſed by our popiſh Parliaments, Prelates, Lords and Commons, in former ages, exactly paralleld with thoſe now claimed by the Lords and Com…mons in this preſent Parliament: which are manifeſted to be far more loyall, dutifull, moderate; more conſiſtant with, leſſe invaſive …, and destructive to the pretended Soveraigne power and Prerogative of the King, then thoſe in former ages. And the High Court of Parliament proved by pregnant Reaſons and Authorities; to be the moſ… ſoveraigne power of all other in this Kingdome, &c. By William Prynne, Utter-Barreſter of Lincolnes Inne, with this Licenſe of the Commons Houſe affixed to it. It is this ſecond day of May 1643. Ordered by the Committee of the Houſe of Commons in Parliament for printing: that this Booke intituled the Treachery and diſloyal…y of papiſts to their Soveraigns &c. be printed, by Michael Sparke Seino…, Iohn White: Whence the Argument ſtands thus.

Maſter Prynne the Barreſter, though he mainteined the High Court of Parliament to be the moſt Soveraigne Power of all others in this Kingdome; in his Soveraigne Power of Parliaments: yet he and the Committee of the Commons Houſe which authotized it, doth in the very Title of that Booke, in expreſſe termes condemne the Papiſts and popiſh Parliaments, of Treachery and Diſloyalty to their Soveraignes, both in Doctrine and practiſe, and of Trayterous Antimonarchiall …ractiſes and attempts upon the Perſons, Crownes▪ p. 7and Prerogatives of their Kings, in depoſing and murdering them. And manifeſts the Iuriſdiction, Power and priviledges claimed b… the Lords and Commons (not the Commons alone without the Lords, or the tenth part of the Commons under the Armies force, whiles the reſt are impriſoned and ſecluded by them) to be farre more loyall, dutifull and moderate then thoſe claimed and exerciſed by our popi… Parliaments, Prelates, Lords and Commons: Ergo, he refu…es William, Prynne a Member of the Houſe of Commons: in his breife Memento to the preſent unparliamentary Iunto, wherein he diſwades them from their preſent diſlo…all proceedings to depoſe and execute Charles Stewad their lawfull King; as being a Ieſuiticall and popiſh practiſe, contrary to the practiſe and principles of all proteſtant Parliaments; and the manifold Petitions, Remonſtrances, Declarations, Proteſtations, Solemne Leagues, Covenants and Engagement of this preſent Parliament. Whether Prynne be againſt Prynne in this, and whether Prynne the Barreſter & Member, be not both unanimous againſt their proceedings herein, let the world, & this ignorant miſtaken Pamphleter now judge.

Secondly, Mr. Prynne the Barreſter, in the foure firſt Pages of the firſt Part of his Soveraigne Power of Parliaments, in as poſitive and earneſt manner as can be, condemnes and cenſures the Ieſ…its and Papiſts doctrines and practiſes, in depoſing and murdering Kings and Princes, as treaſonable, damnable, wicked and hereticall: and particularly, chargeth them for attempting to deſtroy and murder Hi… Majesty and … …oſterity, as well as Queene Elizabeth, and King Iames, alleaging many proteſtant Writers of our owne Church, as Doctour Iohn Whi… … Biſhop Iewel, Biſhop Bilſon, and others, condemning them for this their doctrine and practiſe, which can stand neither with peace nor piety. Ergo, Mr. Prynne the Member, who doth the very ſame in his Memento; are both accorded, and not againſt one another, but both againſt this Pamphleters, and his Confederares, Ieſuiticall, popiſh Aſſertions, and practiſe.

Adde hereunto, that Mr. Prynne the Barreſtet, not onelyonly in his Truth triumphing over falſhood, antiquity over novelty, printed by Order of the Commons Houſe 1644. and in his ſword of Chriſtian Magiſtracy ſupported Anno 1646. hath aſſerted the Power and Prerogative of Chriſtian Princes and Kings, as much as any man in Eccleſiaſticall matters; but in his third part of the Soveraign power of Parliaments and Kingdomes, p. 62▪ 63 determines thus. Thirdly, p. 8Neither is this any parcell of the Controverſy (between the King and Parliament.) Whether Subjects may lay violent hands upon the perſons of their Princes; wittingly or willingly, To deprive them, of their Lives, or Liberties: eſpecially In cold blood, when they do not actually, nor perſonally aſſault their lives or chaſtityes, or for any publike miſdemeanours, without a precedent ſentence of impriſonment or death againſt them given judicially by the whole State or Realme, As in ſ…me elections and Heathen Kingdome, in … times.* where they have ſuch authority to araigne or condemne them, for all unan…mouſly diſclaime, yea abominate ſuch trayterous practiſes, and Ieſuiticall poſitions, as execrable and unchriſtian. Fourthly, Neither is this the thing in difference, as moſt miſtake it: Whether the Parliament may lawfully raiſe an Army, to goe immediately and directly againſt the perſon of the King, to apprehend, or offer violence to Him, much leſſe intentionally to deſtroy Him, or to reſist his owne Perſonall attempts against them, even to the hazard of his life. For**S… … Collection of all Remonſtrances. &c▪ the Parliament and their Army too, have in ſundry Remonſtrances, Declarations, Proteſtations, and petitions renounced any ſuch intention or deſigne at all▪ for which there is no colour to charge them: when neither the Parliament nor their forces in this their resiſtance, have the leaſt thought at all to offer any violence to the Kings owne perſon, or to oppoſe his legall juſt ſoveraigne authority. The very words and languages of Mr. Prynne the Member in his Memento, who is ſtill conſonant to himſelfe in both: And p. 92. to 98. he addes, … proves,**Cook. 7. Report. … caſe of f. 11▪ P…il…. A…ch. de … Vinda…i. c. 17…. That hereditary Kings are Kings before their … coronation, which is but a ceremony: That it is falſe and … to affirme, that Heredit…ry Kings before their Coronations, ti… they are anoynted, are not ſacred, nor exempt from violence. That Saules perſon was ſacred, exempt from his Subjects violence, not becauſe he was anointed, as if that onelyonly did priviledge him: but becauſe he was a King appoynted by the Lord himſelfe▪ That theſe texts and ſpeeches of David, 1 Sam. 24. 6. 10. c. 26 v. 21. 23. 2 Sam. 1. 12. 16. The Lord forbid that I ſhould doe this thing unto my Maſter the Lords anointed, to ſtretch forth my hand againſt him, ſeeing he is the Lords anointed. I will not put forth my hand againſt my Lord, for he is the Lords anointed; And David ſaid to Abiſhai, (when he would have ſlaine Saul) Deſtroy him not, for who can ſtretch forth his hand againſt the Lords anointed, and be guiltleſſe? The Lord forbid, that I ſhould p. 9ſtretch forth my hand againſt the Lords anointed. For waſt thou not afraid to ſtretch forth thy hand againſt the Lords anointed? Thy blood ſhall be upon thy head, for thy mouth hath teſtified, that thou haſt ſl…ine the Lords anointed, &c. Prove, That Subiects ought not wilfully or purpoſely to murder or offer violence to the Perſon of their Kings, eſpecially in cold blood, when they doe not actually aſſault them. That David and his men might not with ſafe conſcience, ſtretch forth their hands, nor riſe up against their Soveraigne King Saul, to aſſault or kill him thus in cold blood, without any aſſault or preſent provocaetion: which had been treachery and unpiety in a Sonne in Law, a ſervant, a ſubiect, a ſucceſſor, who ſlew the Amalekite, that came and brought him tidings of Sauls death, (together with his Crown and bracelet) inſtead of giving him a reward, (a… he likewiſe**… put Baanah and Richab to death as Traytors, who having murdered King Iſhboſheth, though his enemy, and corrivall inſtead of rewarding them, and hanged up their hands and feet) becauſe he reported himſelfe had ſlaine him, to gain a reward from David: which concludes that it was not lawfull for any of Sauls own men to ſlay him, (no not in an exigent) by his owne command. Aud he concludes. That the evaſion of Doctor Ferne: That Davids dem…nor &c. was extraordinary, derogating exceedingly from the perſonall ſafety of Princes; yea, and expoſing them to ſuch perils, as they have cauſe to con the Doctor ſmall thankes for ſuch a bad invention, I ſhall reiect it▪ as the extraordinary fancy of the Doctour and other Lo…aliſts (or Jeſuiſts) void both of truth and loyalty▪ Now what Mr. Prynne the Member could have written more in point of law and conſcience poſitively and directly againſt the unlawfulnes and diſloyalty of the Junctoes, and their High Courts arraigning and putting the King to death, and that in cold blood (contrary to their faith, Oaths, Engagements, even after the Treaty, and above two yeares after his firſt impriſonment) then what he hath thus written and printed as a Barreſter, (by the Houſe of Commons own Order and approbation, dated May the 8. 1643. prefixed to the third part,) or whether theſe paſſages doe not moſt fully and punctually concurre with what he hath publiſhed and aſſerted in his MEMENTO, to the eternall reproach and ſhame of this malitions Impoſtor and perverter of his words and opinion, let all ſober and unb…aſſed men reſolve. And if theſe paſſages be not ſufficient, p. 10his Hiſtriomaſtix printed Anno 1633. p. 516, to 520. 825. 826. 943. with his anſwer to the Bill concerning it, in the Star-Chamber, wherein he did upon his oath, condemne and abhor from his heart, the popiſh Doctrine and practiſe, of murdering and depoſing Kings, as contrary to the Oathes of Supremacy and Allegiance, which he had taken as a Barrester. His Epiſtle before his Quench-coal Publiſhed. Anno 1638. wherein he interminis condemnes this Popiſh and Jeſuiticall doctrine and practiſe, as faction, rebellion and treaſon. His pleaſant Purge for a Romane Catholick, p. 104. to 112. printed 1642. where (as an Vtter-Barreſter) he particularly refutes and cenſures the Popes and Jeſuits doctrine and practiſe of killing or dep… ſing Kings, and abſolving Subjects from their Oathes and Allegiance, anſwering all their arguments and texts to prove it. And the Antipathy of the Engliſh Lordly Prelacy, both to Regall verity and Civil unity: or, an hiſtoricall Collection of the ſeverall execrable Treaſons. Conſpiracies, Rebellions, ſeditions, State ſchiſmes, Contuma…ies, Oppreſſions, and Antimonarchicall practiſes, of our Engliſh, Britiſh, French, Scottiſh and Iriſh Lordly Prelates againſt our Kings, Kingdomes &c. publiſhed by him as an Utter-Barreſter, and dedicated to the Parliament, Anno 1641. will abundantly abſolve him from this ſcandalous ſcriblers miſrepreſentation of his loyalty, and falſe ſurmiſes contrariety of his writings, as a Barreſter and Member, which have been alwayes loyall and harmonious againſt killing or depoſing of Kings, ayming at nothing but the Honor, peace and happi…eſſe both of the King, Kingdome, Parliament, Church, without any private or ſiniſter ends whatſoever, as all impartiall PERVSERS of them cannot but acknowledge.

Thirdly, Mr. Prynne the Barreſter, in the ſame firſt Part, page 7 aſſerts and proves. That popiſh Parliaments, Peeres and Prelates, have heretofore challenged and exerciſed a greater Iuriſdiction over their Kings, then this Parliament, or any other ſince the embracing of the Proteſtant Religion ever claimed, and doe in a great meaſure diſclaime. For proofe whereof he ſhewed, That they had challenged a juſt and legall Power, (as they deemed it) to depoſe their Kings: produceth preſidents to prove it, and among others the preſidents of King Edward the 2d. and Richard the 2d. who were firſt enforced to reſigne their Crownes, and after that, (not arraigned and condemned p. 11to loſe their heads, in a High Court of Iuſtice, as now) had a ſe…tence of depoſition drawne up againſt them, but were to be honourably treated and maintained all their lives, page 7. 8. 78. to 80. and p. 9. he writes. That our popiſh Parliaments, Peeres and Prelates have oft tranſlated the Crowne from the right Heires, and ſetled it on others who had no right nor title to it, producing examples to prove it: In the cloſe whereof he writes thus. Such a tranſcendent power and juriſdiction as this, to diſinherit the right Heire, and to transferre the Crowne to whom they thought meeteſt, Neither this preſent, nor any other proteſtant Parliaments, Peeres or Subiects ever exerciſed, though popiſh Parliaments, Lords & Commons have thus frequently done it. And p. 86. he addes. True it is, Our proteſtant Parliaments never challenged nor exerciſed ſuch Juriſdiction, and I preſume they will not do it. And good reaſon had he thus to write, becauſe the **E…act C…llection. p. 657▪ 658.Lords and Commons in Parliament, in their Anſwer to his Majeſties Declaration, after his late victory againſt the Rebels on Sunday the 23. of October 1642. had but a few moneths before made this Proteſtation to all the world concerning the allegations, That the Army raiſed by the Parliament, is to murder and depoſe the King. We hoped the contrivers of that Declaration, or any that profeſſed the name of a Chriſtian could not have ſo little charity, as to raiſe ſuch a ſcandall: eſpecially, when they muſt needs know the Proteſtation taken by every Member of both Houſes, whereby they promiſe in the preſence of Almighty God to defend his Maieſties Perſon. The promiſe and proteſtation made by the Members of both Houſes upon the nomination of the Earle of Eſſex to be Generall, and to live and dye with him, wherein is expreſſed: That this Army was raiſed for Defence of the Kings perſon, our often earneſt and humble addreſſes to his Majeſty to leave that deſperate and dangerous Army, wherewith he is now encompaſſed, raiſed and upheld to the hazard if his owne, and the Kingdomes ruine. And to come in perſon to his Parliament, where he ſhould be ſure to remaine in honour and ſafety. And our humble Petition directed to be preſented to him by the hands of the Earle of Eſſex, before any blow given, to remove his Royall Perſon from that Army, a requeſt inconſiſtant with any purpoſe to offer the leaſt violence to his perſon, which hath and ever ſhall be deare unto us. And concerning the Imputation laid to our charge, of our raiſing this p. 12Army to alter the frame of Government, and establiſh the Lawes of the Land, we ſhall need to give it no further anſwer then this. That if to raiſe an Army in our juſt defence, when another is marching towards us, to deſtroy us and our lawes, be to alter the frame of Government, then is that ARMY raiſed for that purpoſe, otherwiſe it is for our owne, and the lawes neceſſary preſervation.

And not long after, the **Ex…ct Coll…ct on p. 695. …6▪Lords and Commons in their Remonstrance Novemb. 2. 1642. in anſwer to his Majeſties Declaration the 26 of May 1642. concerning the Commiſſion of Array, hath theſe notable Paſſages; But moſt injuriouſly, moſt maliciouſly it is affirmed by the contrivers of this Anſwer, That we told the King that we might without want of modeſty and duty depoſe him. Did we ſo much as once name that word, the ſignification whereof we profeſſed, that we did not ſuffer it ſo much as to enter into our thoughts? Did we ſay, that with duty and modoſty we might depoſe the King, becauſe we ſaid, we never ſuffered it to enter into our thoughts? Or doe not they rather ſay it, that will needs make Preſidents to be rules and patternes? Sure when we ſaid, That ſome Preſidents were ſuch, as that they ought not to be rules for us to follow, we might by any ingenious Reader, with much more probability beene thought to have intended thoſe of depoſing Kings, then to have ſaid that with duty and modeſty Kings might be diſpoſed, becauſe we affirmed that we had not ſuffered ſuch things to enter into our thoughts.

And although they would perſwade his Majeſty that there is little confidence to be placed in our Modeſty and duty, yet as God is witnes of our thoughts, ſo ſhall our actions witneſſe to all the world, that to the honour of our Religion, and of thoſe that are moſt zealous in it, (ſo much ſtrucken at by the Contrivers of that Declaration under odious names) we ſhall ſuffer more from and for our Soveraign, then we hope God will ever permit the mallice of wicked Councellors to put us to, and though the happines of this and all Kingdomes dependeth cheifly upon God, yet we acknowledge that it doth ſo mainly depend upon his Maj. and the Royall Branches of that Root, That as we have heretofore▪ ſo we ſhall hereafter esteem no hazard too great, no… reproach too vile, but that we shall willingly go through the one, and undergo the other. That we and the whole Kingdome may enjoy that p. 13happineſſe, which we cannot in an orderly way of providence expect from any other fountain or Streams, then thoſe from whence (were the …oyſon of evill counſels once removed from about them) wee doubt not, but we and the whole Kingdom ſhould be ſatisfied moſt abundantly.

Therefore Mr. Prynne the Barreſter as well as M. Prynne the Member, and both Houſes of Parliament too, are point blanke againſt the preſent arraigning, depoſing and executing of the King, condemning it as a Popiſh and Ieſuiticall Practiſe, never owned, but diſclaimed by every Proteſtant Parliament, and by this Parliament in two expreſſe Declarations, two ſolemne Proteſtations, and in the ſolemne League and Covenant ſince; all which this Pamphleter tooke, and aſſented to, as readily as any other Members; and therefore cannot excuſe himſelfe from moſt deteſtable prevarication and perjury, in violating theſe his ſolemne Proteſtations. League and Covenant, with his Oathes of Supreamacy and Allegiance to boot, which he hath oft times taken, the guilt and infamy whereof muſt reſt upon his conſcience, and eternally cry for vengeance againſt him, unleſſe he expiate it by timely and deep repentance.

Fourthly, Mr. Prynne the Barreſter in his Epiſtle to the Reader before his fourth Part, thus expreſſeth himſelfe. For my own pa…e as I have alwayes been, and euer ſhall be an Honour, a Defender of Kings and Monarchy, (the beſt of Government. whiles it keeps within the bounds which law and conſcience have preſcribed) ſo I ſhall never ſo far degenerate below the duty of a man, a Lawyer, a Scholler, a Chriſtian, as to miſinforme or flatter either, nor yet (out of any popular vaine-glory) court either Parliaments or people to the prejudice of KINGS IVST ROYALTIES, but carry ſuch an equall hand between them, as ſhall doe right to both, Injury to neither, to preſerve, and ſupport their juſt and legall Soveraigntyes, juriſdictions, Rights, within their proper limits without tyrannicall invaſions, or ſeditions incroachments one upon another, This is Mr: Prynne the Barreſters ſence.

And in the third Part of his Soveraign Power of Parliaments and Kingdomes: page 147. he concludes thus. Let Gods curſe and mens for ever reſt upon all thoſe, who are in love with any warre, p. 14eſpecially a civill, within their own deareſt Countries bowells; Or Dure abuſe my loyull ſyncere Lucubrations, to any diſloyall ſiniſter deſignes to the preiudice of their Soveraignes, or the States wherein they live; which he never publiſhed, to countenance or encourage any tumultuous, REBELLIOUS factions, ambitions, Trayterous Spirits, to mutiny or Rebell againſt their Soveraigns: but only out of a cordiall deſire to effect ſuch a ſpeedy, honourable, ſafe, religious, ſempeternall Peace between King and Parliament, as all true Chriſtian Engliſh hearts, both cordially pray, long for, & endeavour. Ergo Mr. Prynne the Member, and Barreſter, is ſtill one and the ſame man, an aſſertor of Monarchy and Loyalty, and no wayes contradictory to himſelfe in any of his writings; and Gods curſe and mans muſt reſt upon this unpurified Pamphleter, for his malicious perverting of his words, againſt their ſcope and purpoſe, to juſtifie the depoſing and murthering of the King; and altering of our Monarchy.

5ly. Mr. Prynne the Barreſter, neither in his 4. Part of the Soveraigne Power of Parliaments, nor in his Appendix to them, hath produced any one Preſident (no not of any one Popiſh Parliament or Kingdome) that ever judicially condemned or executed their lawfull King, were he never ſo Tyrannicall, impious or flagitious; much leſſe any Proteſtant Parliament or Realme, who condemne and abhor both the Doctrine and Practiſe of murthering or deſtroying their Kings, as Jeſuiticall, Papall, impious, Heriticall and damnable; abjured by the very Oath of Allegiance; as he proves expreſly. Part. 1. p. 1. 2. 3. 4. Therefore Mr. Prynne the Member, in his Memento, is of the ſelfe ſame Judgement, as he was in his Soveraigne power of Parliaments: in both which this Pamphleter (a Member of the high Court of Iuſtice, who condemned the King to death) may read his Neck-Verſe, and fatall deſtiny if he repent not.

All other Paſſages truly quoted out of Mr. Prynne the Barreſter, to prove the Soveraigne Power of Parliaments and Kingdoms, (not of a Peece of a Parliament, or Kingdome, much leſſe of a ninth part of a Commons Houſe ſitting under a force, who are neither a Parliament nor Kingdome) Mr. Prynne the Member ſtill averres, in this and his owne genuine ſence, as they are printed in his Books, not as they are mangled, and miſapplied by this idle Scribler, to thoſe few Commons now ſitting, p. 5. 6. &c,

2dly Whereas he alleageth p. 7. 8. 9. 10. That William Prynne the p. 15Member his first Argument againſt the Iunto is: That their proceedings againſt the King is an Offence within the Statute of 25. E. 3. concerning Treaſon. I William Prynne the Barreſter doe remember, that in the beginning of this late Warre the Cavaliers uſed the ſame Argument againſt the Parliaments raiſing Armes, and I then made this Anſwer to it, p. 107. of my ſaid firſt Part: That The Parliament and Whole Kingdome, being the Higheſt Power, cannot by any publike Acts or Votes of theirs conſented to in Parliament become Traytors or guilty of High Treaſon againſt the King, either by the Common Law, or the Statute of 25. E. 3. c. 2. of Treaſons; which extends, not to the whole Kingdom, or Court of Parliament repreſenting it (of which no Treaſon was ever yet preſumed) &c. William Prynne the Barreſter and Member is ſtill of the ſame opinion, and not repugnant to him ſelfe; who ſpeaks there, of a WHOLE KINGDOME, AND COVRT OF PARLIAMENT (as this **Page. 5 6 8 9.Pamphletter relates his words, and the Titles of all his 4. Parts manifeſt) conſiſting of Lords and Commons, and that in a condition of freedom and ſafety, ſitting in a full and free Parliament: But he never meant nor intended it, of the Houſe of Commons alone, acting and voting without and againſt the Houſe of Lords; nor of a Houſe of Commons ſitting & acting under a horrid Arme… force, as now much leſſe of a remnant of a Commons-Houſe ſitting and Voting when near nine parts or ten of their fellow-members are by a mutinous Army impriſoned, ſecluded and driven away from the Houſe: or of 40. or 50 Commons ſitting under a force and uſurping to themſelves without and againſt the conſent of their ſecluded Fellow Members, the ſupreame Authority of the Kingdom, making Acts of Parliament, and erecting a New High Court of Juſtice without the Lords or their Fellow Nembers conſents, to indite, arraigne, condemne and execute the King as a Traytor, and without the whole Kingdomes, or Scotlands and Irelands joynt conſents, of which he is likewiſe King. Such a Parliament, as this conſiſting of ſome 50. or 60 Commons only without King, Lords, or the reſt of their Fellow Commoners, he never heard nor read of in any age, and ſo could never intend it: and therefore in his Memento, might very well mind them of committing Treaſon, within this Law; whatever they Vote, order, or ordain, or Enact in ſuch a thin Houſe under a force, whiles the other Members are ſecluded, being by Mr. Speakers p. 16owne Declaration of July 30. 1647. and the Ordinance of both Houſes Auguſt 20. 1647. declared to be meerly null and void to all intents even at the time of its Voting Ordering, Ordaining enacting, & ever after: and ſo no prea at all … juſtifie ſuch Members in the caſe they be indicted, a…d arraigned of High Treaſon for it.

3 Whereas this Pamphletter, p. 11 ſuggeſteth. That Wil… Prynne the Member in the rehearſal of the Statute of 25. E. 3. hath foulely miſcarried and falſified the words of it (in his Mement…) For where as the Statute mentions nothing at all touching depoſing the King; he urgeth the Statute thus. That it is no leſſe then High Treaſon for any man by overt act to compaſs or imagin the depoſition or death of the King: Adding the word depoſition; which is no where found in the whole Statute.

To this Mr. Prynne the Member anſwers. 1. That this Ignoramus, hath foulely miſ-recited and falſifyed his words, by omitting part of them: which are theſe. Firſt, I ſhall minde them, that by the Common Law of the Realme, (which he omits) the Statute of 25. E. 3. and all other Acts concerning Treaſons (omitted likewiſe by this Scribler) it is no leſſe than High-Treaſon for any man, by overt Act to compaſſe or imagine the depoſition or death of the King: quoting Cook and Stamford in the margin: and 21. R 2. Plac. Cor. num. 4. 6. 7. in the Text.

Now though the word depoſing, be not in the Statute of 25. E. 3. yet it is in the Lawbooks which he cites, and in the Parliament Roll of 21. R. 2. which this Dulman never read.

Therefore this abſurd obſervation and cenſure of his might well have been ſpared. Secondly To compaſſe the depoſing (or impriſoning) of the King is in expreſſe Words declared to be Treaſon by the Statutes of 26 H. 8. c. 13. 1. E. 6. c. 12. 1. Eliz c. 6. 13. E. c. 1. and is no leſſe then High Treaſon within the meaning and intention of 25 E 3; c. 2. though not within the Letter, as our**Cook 3. inſtit. ch. … p. 5. 6. 12 13. and 7. Rep. 10, 11 Law-books and all the Judges of England have reſolved. Therefore Mr. Prynne the Member ſtands rectus in Curia, againſt this ignorant falſe aſperſion.

4ly, What Mr. Prynne the Barreſter writ concerning the Oath of Supremacy, quoted p. 11 12: he doth ſtill averre as to the firſt branch of it, (which is diſtinct from the latter) as applyed to the whole Parliament, not to the Houſe of Commons alone, or thoſe few p. 17Members now ſitting in it, under a force; of which he never intended that paſſage, to whom it is here miſapplyed: Only he muſt inform; this Gentleman; that the latter clauſe of this Oath; And do promiſe that from henceforth, I ſhall bear true allegiance to the Kings Highne, his heirs and lawful ſucceſsors; and to my power ſhall aſſiſt and defend all Iuriſdictions, Priviledges, and Preheminences granted or belonging to the Kings Highneſſe, his Heirs and Succeſſors on, united and anexed to the Imperiall Crowne of this Realme: So help me God. &c. Is a diſtinct clauſe from the former; which hee and his Confederates in their late proceedings have quite forgotten: and ſhall one day anſwer for ſuch wilfull perjury, in this or the world to come, if they repent not of it.

5thly. Whereas he addes p. 13. That the Oath of Allegiance relates only to the Popes unlawfull exerciſe of Authority and Iuriſdiction within the Kingdome: And that William Prynne the Member in his rehearſall makes the Oath to run thus.

That the Pope neither of himſelfe, nor by any Authority of the Church of Rome, or by any other means, nor any other hath power, &c. and ſo inſtead of the words with any other, implying the Authority of the Pope joyned with others, he makes it a diſtinct clauſe, nor any other, and ſo upon this forgery including the Parliament within thoſe words, nor any other, he would make this proceeding againſt the King to be contrary to the Oath of Allegiance.

Mr. Prynn… the Member anſwers; Firſt, that though this Oath doth principally relate to the Popes unlawfull exerciſe of Authority and Jurisdiction within this Realme; yet it relates not only and ſolely to it, as he pretends. The whole ſcope of this Oath is; To ſecure our Kings from being depoſed, or murdered by their Subjects, or any other: The greateſt danger the Parliament then feared, as to thoſe two Treaſons and Miſchiefs, was principally from the Pope and his Popiſh Inſtruments, who maintained and averred, the lawfullneſſe of depoſing and murthering Christian Princes excommunicated or deprived by the Pope, by their Subjects, or any other. Againſt which miſchife this Oath and Statute principally provides; it being contrary to the Doctrine and Practiſe of all Proteſtant Churches and Subjects. But can any man argue. This Oath provides againſt the depoſing and murthering of our Kings by the Pope or Popiſh Subjects or Parliaments, by any influence or authority from the Pope. Ergo it is lawfull p. 18for Proteſtant Subjects and Parliaments to depoſe and murther their Kings without infringing this Oath? Doth not that Law and Oath which provides againſt the greateſt and moſt likelyeſt Aſſaſsinates and Depoſers of our Kings provide likwiſe againſt the leſſer and more unuſuall? and is not a Proteſtants depoſing and murthering of his Prince as treaſonable, as unlawfull as a Papiſts, yea and farre worſe in this reſpect, becauſe it hardens and juſtifies them therin, ſcandalizeth and croſſeth the very practiſe and principles of the proteſtant Religion? If ſo, then both are alike within the intent and meaning of this Law and Oath, though the Pope and his inſtruments be pincipally intended.

2dly. Theſe clauſes in the Oath: That the Pope neither by himſelfe▪ nor with any other hath any power or authority to depoſe the King &c. That I will bear true Allegiance to his Maieſty, his Heirs and Succeſſors, and him and them will defend to the utter moſt of my power, againſt all attempts whatſoever, (a univerſall affirmative from or by the Pope or any others) which ſhall be made against his or their perſons, their Crown, and Dignity, by reaſon or colour of any ſuch ſentence or Declaration, or otherwiſe: Which laſt words in the diſ-junctive coupled with the former generall ones: and compared with the following clauſe: And that neither the Pope nor any perſon whatſoever, hath power to abſolve me from this Oath, or any part thereof &c. and with the firſt branch of it. I do truly and ſincerely acknowledge, profeſſe, teſtify, and declare in my Conſcience, before God and the world, that our Soveraigne Lord King Charles, is lawfull and rightful King of this Realme, and of all his Majeſties Dominions and Countries: with this addition, that all Proteſtant Subjects are enjoyned to take this Oath, as well as Papiſts, and more eſpecially every member of the Commons houſe of Parl. without taking whereof he is utterly diſabled to be a Member, Doe infalliby evidence, that this Law and Oaths related not only, though principally, to the Popes Uſurpations in this Realm, but to all other Subjects uſurpations to depoſe or murther the King by any uſurped or pretended Authority, or High Court of Juſtice whatſoever.

But that which clears it unanſwerably is this; That this very Act provides, That every Gentleman or perſon of higher degree, or any perſon or perſons, which hath born or ſhall bear any Office or place of Captain, Leiutenant, or any other place, charge or Office in Camp army, p. 19or Company of Soldiers, or Conducters of Soldiers, shall goe or paſſe voluntarily out of this Realme, to ſerve any forreign Prince, State, or Potentate (be it Proteſtant or Popiſh,) before that he shall become bound by obligation with two ſuch ſuertyes as shall be alowed of by the Officers therein limited to take the ſame Bond, unto our Sovereign Lord the Kings Majeſty, HIS HEIRES and SUCCESS…R; in the ſum of …wenty pounds of currant Engliſh money at the leaſt, with condition to the effect following, shall be a Felon. The Tenour …f which condition followeth: viz. That if the within bounden shal not at any time thereafter be reconciled to the Pope, or Sea of Rome, nor Shall enter into or conſent unto any practiſe, plot or conſpiracy whatſoever againſt the Kings maieſty his heirs and Succeſsors: or any of his or their Eſtate or Eſtates, Realmes or Dominions: but shall within convenient time after knowledg thereof had, reveal and diſcloſe to the Kings maieſty his heirs and Succeſſors, or ſome of the Lords of his or their Honourable Privy Councell all ſuch practiſes, plots and conſpiracyes, that then the ſaid Obligation be voyd. Which condition being generall, extending to any Plot, practiſe or conſpiracy whatſoever, againſt the King, His Heirs and Succeſſors or any of his or their Eſtate or eſtates, Realms or Dominions; without any limitation to the Pope, or other ſorraigne Prince, State or Potentate, or to popiſh Recuſants only; and reaching as well to plots, practiſes and conſpiracies by any Subjects whatſoever, as well within the Realme as without; be they proteſtants, papiſt, or whatſoever Sect or Religion: fully clears and proves the Oath of Allegiance to extend though principally to the pope and forraign Princes and States, and their Treaſons and Conſpiracies, yet only unto them; but likewiſe to the Treaſons, Plots, Practiſes & conſpiracies by any ſubjects whatſoever within the realm, & to the preſert diſloyal votes, acting & Ieſuitical proceedings of the members now ſitting.

Thirdly, For the pretended perverting of the words of this oath by Mr. Prynne, viz: Nor any other; for, nor with any other, It is but the Printers overſight & omiſſion, Nor doth it alter the ſence in ſubſtance, For if the Pope cannot joining with any other, (ſuppoſe the Members now ſitting in the Commons houſe or the high Court of Iuſtice) lawfully depoſe nor murther the King, then certainly thoſe Any other, cannot lawfully depoſe, nor murther him without the Pope; within the true meaning of this Oath, under pain of deepeſt p. 20perjury and Treaſon to boot: which I deſire this Pamphletter now ſeriouſly to conſider, if he hath any honeſty or conſcience leſt within him.

6thly. What is objected out of Mr. Prynnes Appendix p. 14 is already ſufficiently anſwered and cleared in the firſt and ſecond ſection; and there is nothing in it, which can juſtifie the late triall, arraignment and condemnation of the King in the leaſt degree, triable by no law of God or man by ſuch an uſurped and illegall Iuriſdiction, amounting to Tyranny in the ſuperlative Degree. And for the condemnation and beheading of Mary Queen of Scotts; it was not by her own Parliament and Subjects in her own Kingdom, for any Treaſon againſt them; but for Treaſon committed in England againſt Queen Elizabeth, where ſhe was a Subject and no Queen at all; and that by a ſurpriſe, as ſome relate.

7thly. To that objected, p. 15 Touching the name and Title which WILLIAM PRYNNE the Member is pleaſed to give to the Parliament (he meanes the 45 Commons; who are no Parliament) now ſitting, calling it, A preſent unparliamentary Iunto. I William Prynne the Barreſter do call to mind, that when the King and divers of the Lords and Commons in the beginning of our late Troubles had deſerted the Parliament, I did then in my ſaid firſt Part of the Soveraigne Power of Parliaments p: 43, 44 maintaine and prove; That the remaining part was a Parliament, notwithſtanding the perſonall abſence of the reſt; and that, as long as thoſe abſent are Members of the Parliament, they ſhall ſtill be legally preſent, whether they will or no.

To this Mr. Prynne the Member anſwers. Firſt, That what he hath written as a Barreſter in theſe two Pages of his Firſt Part, will prove fatall to this Pamphletter and his Junto now ſitting, if well conſidered, and truly recited. For firſt, he there proves; That there can be no Parliament without the King, who ought to be alwayes perſonally preſent, in or neare his Parliament: which he hath more fully manifeſted as a Barreſter, in his Plea for the Lords, p. 7. to 13. by many Authorities and Records. The 45. Commons therefore now ſitting without the Lords and their Fellow Members concurrence, and againſt their Votes, having illegally and trayterouſly condemned the King to looſe his Head; and acting as an intire Parliament, without the King, Lords or their Fellow Members, can be no Parliament at all, but a meer unparliamentary p. 21J…nto, by Mr. Prynne the Barreſters Reſolution, to which this Scribler refers. And ſo much the rather, becauſe they will quite diſſolve this Parliament, by putting the King to death. For the Parliament being but the Kings Parliament and great Councell, and an Authority not an Intereſt, originally called and authoriſed to ſit by the Kings Writ alone, which abates and expires by his death; and enables not to conſult without, but only with the King of buſineſſes concerning The King and His Kingdome; as theſe clauſes of the Writ import. Carolus &c. cum NOS de adviſemento et conſenſu Conſillij NOSTRI pro quibuſdam arduis et urgentibus negotijs NOS, Statum & defenſionem Regni NOSTRI ANGLIAE concernent: quoddam PARLIAMENTVM NOSTRVM &c. tenere ordinavimus: Et ibidem vobiſcum &c. Regni NOSTRI COLLOQVIVM HABERE &c. Quod perſonaliter interſitis NOBISCVM &c. ſuper DICTIS NEGOTIIS tractaiur. Et ad faciendum et conſentiendum his quaenunc et. ibidem, de Communi Conſilio dicti Regni NOSTRI contegerit ordinari ſuper NEGOTIIS ANTEDICTIS &c. The King therefore being put to death, the Parliament muſt of neceſſity be diſſolved by it, ſince it can be no more his Parliament, his Councell, nor conferre with HIM about HIS and HIS Kingdomes affaires for which they were called, and elected to treat of as the Peoples Attorneys or Truſtees: the King being both the Head, the beginning, end and foundation of the Parliament (which cannot ſubſiſt without him, no more then a naturall body without an head, or an houſe without a foundation) as our**Modus … Parliamentum Cook 4. I…ſtit. c. p. 1. 2. &c. Cromptons Iuriſdiction of Courts. f. 1. 2. So my Ple… for L…ds p. 7. to 12. Law books reſolve: and ſo was it expreſly adjudged and agreed 1. H. 4. rot. Parl. n. 1. 14. H. 4. Cook 4. Inſtit. p. 46. & 4. E. 44. 44. b. That by the death of the King the Parliament is ipſo facto diſſolved, as all other Courts held only by his Writ or Commiſſion are. Neither will the Act made this Parliament in the 17. year of this King, To prevent Inconveniences which may happen by the untimely adjourning, Proroguing or Diſſolving of this preſent Parliament, which enacted: That this PRESENT PARLIAMENT now aſſembled ſhall not be DISOLVED, prorogued, or adjourned unleſſe it be by Act of Parliament to be paſſed for that purpoſe: continue this Parliament in being after the Kings death, for theſe reaſons. Firſt, becauſe the ſcope & intent of this Act (made before our late Warres) was only to diſable the King to adjourne p. 22prorogue, or diſſolve this Parl. by any Proclamation or Royall Act of his, without the conſent of both houſes; as the very title, prologue and cloſe of it reſolve: But never to continue it ſtill a Parliament in caſe of the King death, againſt which it never intended to provide, it being a legall and abſolute diſſolution of it by the very fundamentall conſtitution of Parliaments, and the Common Law of the Realme.

Secondly, Becauſe the King is the head and principall Member of this preſent Parliament; and the firſt perſon in the enacting Parl. Be it declared and enacted BY THE KING &c. and therefore when he ceaſeth to be and is cut off, the Parliament muſt of ne… ceſſity ceaſe to be, as well as if the Lords and Commons had all bin dead or murdered by the Army, in which caſe the Parliament had bin ended notwithſtanding this Act, which cannot make a thing in being which is actually deſtroyed, no more then a dead man to be alive, Becauſe it was never the intention of the King, Lords and Commons who were all parties to this act, to ſet up a new kinde of Parliament without either King or Lords, or the Majority of the Commons houſe or to veſt the Name, power and authority of the Parliament in an eight or ninth part of the Commons houſe alone, (as now) when the King, Lords and reſidue of the Commons were cut off and forced away by the Armies violence.

Such a thought as this never once entred into their heads. Therefore the murthering of the King, the laying aſide the Lords houſe, & ſecluding of moſt of the Commons, muſt of neceſſity diſſolve this preſent Parliament notwithſtanding this Act, as Maſter Prynne the Barreſter, proved long ſince, before he was a Member, in his Plea, for the Lords. p. 14 15. and ſo much the rather, becauſe without them, no Act of Parliament can poſsibly be made this Parliament, to diſſolve it, within the words or meaning of this Act. The Commons therefore now ſitting, having by their late exorbitant proceedings and cutting off the Kings and Lords too in Mr. Prynne the Barreſters judgement diſolved this preſent Parliament, and thereby conſequently diſſolved all Parliament Comittees in City and countrey, together with all Ordinances of Parliament, and all**Cook 7. Rep. f. 29. 30. 31. Dyer 165. 4. E. 4. 44. 1. E. 5. …. a. 1. H. 7. 2 1. E. 3. 6, 7. Commiſſions, of the Commiſsioners of the Great Seale, Iudges of the Kings Courts, Iustices of the Peace, Sheriffes, and the like, and the Generalls p. 23and all other Officers of the Armies Commiſsions likewiſe, and put the Kingdome and Army into a miſerable confuſion

Maſter Prynne the Member conceives he could then and now give them, no other Title, but that, in his Memento, which he fears the preſent age and poſterity will have juſt cauſe to give them, for the miſeries they have brought, and are like to bring upon them▪ by their Vn-parliamentary and violent proceedings, which he doubts wil end in their own ruine.

Secondly, Maſter Prynne the Barrester in thoſe very Pages proves,

That not only the KING, but all the Lords and Commons ought to be preſent at the Parliament, and fined if they abſent themſelves without juſt cauſe; and that all things ought to be acted in Parliament by the Kings, Lords and Commons joynt concurrence; only he addes, That if any of the Lords or Commons when ſummoned, ſhall wilfully abſent themſelves, that the reſt may ſit and proceed without them, and by the Kings conſent make wholſome Lawes for the Common wealth. But he neither there nor any where elſe affirmed that the Lords and Commons could make binding Lawes or Ordinances of Parliament without the King; or that the Commons alone could make Acts of Parliament without the Lords; as a few of them now they preſume; or that the eight or ninth part only of the commons houſe ſitting under a force, when the reſt of the Members are impriſoned, ſecluded and driven away thence by the Armyes violence, were a compleat Parliament, or Houſe of commons to vote, order or act any thing (except only to adjourne, and take Order to remove the force) or that what they voted or acted under a force, was valid and binding to their fellow MEMBERS, or any others: but he expreſſely affirmes the contrary: that whatever is voted or enacted whiles the Parl is under a force is void & null Part: 2. p. 86: And that no proceedings ought to be in Parliament when moſt of the Members are abſent or driven away from it. Part. 2. p. 7: which he proves more largely whiles a Barreſter and be fore he was a Member; In his Levellers Levelled: and his Plea for the Lords.

Therefore this Pamphletter hath much abuſed Maſter Prynne in this his miſquotation and miſapplication of his words

p. 243dly. Mr. Prynne the Barreſter in the firſt part of his Soveraigne power of Parliaments, which this Scribler quotes p. 28. cites and cenſures, the unwarrantable Practiſe of King Richard the 2d (for which he was articled againſt in the Parliament of 1H. 4. when he was depoſed**Gr…fton p 329. Mr. Saint Iohns Speech. 1640. p: 33. 1. H4 n 21. 22. 48.) That in the 21 years of his Reigne, he unduly packed a Parliament, and by his extradordinary armed Guard of 4000: Cheſhire Archers over-awed and forced it to Repeal the Parliaments of 10 &. 11 Ri…h. 2. and to attaint and condemne the Duke of Gloceſter, Earle of Warwick, and Earle of Arundell (then likewiſe executed) of High Treaſon: After which adjourning the Parliament to Shrewsbury, **… 2…. R. 2. c. 12. 16. 1. H. 4. c. 3. Walſingham Hiſt. Angliae p. 394. Gra…ton Holinſhedhe there ſubtilly procured an Act to paſſe by common conſent. That the power of the Parliament ſhould remaine in ſome few perſons, who (AFTER THE PARLIAMENT DISSOLVED) ſhould determine certaine petitions delivered, but not anſwered therein. By colour whereof, theſe Committees proceeded to other things generally touching the Parliament, and that by the Kings appointment in derogation of the ſtate of the Parliament, and diſcommodity and pe…nicious example of the whole Realme. And by colour and authority thereof, he cauſed the Parliament Rolls to be altered, againſt the effect of the foreſaid grant For which cauſe the ſaid Parliament and all Acts and proceedings therein were nulled and declared void in 1. H. 4. c. 2. 3. This very preſident Mr-Prynne the Member cites in his Memento, p. 9▪ 10. as the neareſt p…tterne he could meet with, parallell to the preſent ſitting Iunto. Who without any Act of Parliament, being not above the 9th. or 10th. part at moſt of the Commons Houſe, and ſitting under an Armed force, have taken upon them, not only the name and power of the whole Parliament, to alter, null, repeal Votes, Orders and Ordinances made in a full and free Houſe, Vote out their fellow Members, and lay aſide the Lords Houſe, but likewiſe preſumed to repeal old, and make new Acts of Parliament, to erect a new High Court of Iuſtice to try, condemne and execute the King himſelfe without any witneſſes legally and publikely produced againſt him; to adjourn and put off the Terme it ſelfe to the great obſtruction and delay of Juſtice, to order a new Great Seale of England, to be made without the Kings Effigies or Motto: to alter all the ancient Writs, formes and proceedings at the Common Law in the Kings name and Stile, to enact Commiſſions of Judges, Sheriffs p. 25and Juſtices of Peace and the like to continue after the Kings death, which are abſolutely**Cook 7. Rep. 30. 31. Dyer 165. a. null and expired by it: to enact and proclaine it to be High Treaſon for any man to proclaime Prince Charles, King of England after his Fathers death (who is King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland immediatly after his Fathers execution, as is adjudged by all the Judges of England in Calums caſe Cook 7. f. 10. 11. and Cook 3. Inſtit. p. 7. 1. …ac. ch. 1.) though bound thereto by the Common Law, the Oathes of Supremacy and Allegiance, the ſolemne League and Covenant, and the Statute of 1. Jacobi ch. 1. Wherein the Lords and Commons in full Parliament where All the whoſe body of the Realme and every Particular Member thereof, were either by perſon or repreſentative by the Lawes of the Realme deemed to be preſent, did with all poſſible publike joy and acclamation, as A memoriall ſo all poſterities, among the Records of the High Court of Parliament for ever to endure of their Loyalty, obedience and hearty and humble … ▪ publiſh, declare and ENACT; That they being boun…en there unto both by the laws of God and Man did recognize and acknowledge; that the Imperiall Crowne of the Realme of England, and of all the Kingdomes, Dominions and Rights belonging to the ſame, did immediatly by inherent birth-right, and lawfull and undoubted Succeſſion diſcend and come to his …oſt excellent Maieſty … being Lineally, Juſtly and lawfully ne…t and ſole Heire of the blood Royall of this Realme. And that by the goodneſſe of Almighty God and lawfull right of Diſcent, his Majeſty was of the Realmes and Kingdomes of England, Scotland France and Ireland the moſt mighty and potent King: and thereunto they did moſt humbly and faithfully ſubmit, NOTE.and oblige themſelves, their News and Poſterities for ever, until the laſt drop of their bloods be ſpent: Beſeeching his Maj…ſty to accept of the ſame, as the firſt fruits in that High Court of Parliament, of their loyalty and faith to his Maieſty and his royal progeny and poſterity for ever. And to Vote and declare High Treaſon, to be no Treaſon; and Loyalty and Allegiance it ſelfe, to be High Treaſon (contrary to all rules of Law, Juſtice, Honeſty, Religion, Reaſon, Conſcience and**1. H. 4. c. 10 1. …. 6. c. 1…. … 1 Ma…iae c. 1. Cook. 3. Inſt…t. p. 2. 21. 22. 23. expreſſe Acts of Parliament) to terrifie and ſcare poore ignorant people from their Loyalty and duties: when as all wiſe men admire, decide, ſcorne ſuch pittifull exorbitant Bulls and Bugbeares; which will affright themſelves moſt at laſt when p. 26Scelera, ſceleribus …enda, Licentia ſcelerum eſt quae regna inviſa tuetur; and armed violence be grown out of date; as they will (no doubt) ere long. And then this Iuncto, will wiſh with all their ſouls (but over late) they had harkned better to Mr. Prynnes timely M… mento, which will then riſe up in judgement againſt them, and this Pamphletter, to condemne and leave them without the leaſt excuſe.

Upon the whole matter then, it will appear to all the world. That Mr. Prynne, both as a Barreſter and Member is ſemper idem, and no Changling, turn-coat, or Apoſtate from his firſt principles and Engagements, as this perjured Pamphetter is; to whom he wiſheth more Grace, Truth, Honeſty, and leſſe Deceit, Falſhood and Hypocriſy in his heart, and next Impreſſions, wherein he expects he will anſwer the principal Conſiderations in his Memento, with the Declarations, Remonſtrances, Proteſtations, Petitions, Promiſes of both Houſes, and the Solemn League and Covenant, therein recited, to which he hath not in this Pamphlet attempted to return the laſt ſhadow of an Anſwer, ſuch a worthy Champion hath he ſhewed himſelf, and ſo unable to encounter his Antagoniſt, Mr. Prynne, either as a Barreſter or Member of the Commons Houſe, Who having written more then any man in def…nce of the Soveraigne Power of Parliaments and Kingdoms, conſidered only as they are rightly conſtituted and qualified; is thereby engaged more then any man, to oppoſe the abuſes extravagances, & unparliamentary, diſloyall Proceedings, of any, who ſhall preſume to wreſt, abuſe and pervert his Loyall Orthodox writings contrary to his ſence and meaning to juſtifie their unwarrantable, illegall, Tyrannicall and Treaſonable Actions, as this Pamphletter, and ſome others of late have done.

POSTSCRIPT.

COl. P. is credibly reported, to be the Author of Prynne against Prynne, by divers; yet others report, that his Sonne in Law Mr Abb…t (a Member) is the Author, and the Col. only the ſurperviſer of it at the preſſe… however it is agreed by all that one of them is the Author; and the Col. owning it at the preſſe, I muſt repute him the Father of this ſpurious birth.

FINIS.

End of the text · William Prynne, Prynne the Member Reconciled to Prynne the Barrister (1649)