CHAP. I.

NOW, we have begun to Parley, I see some blooming hopes of a Peace betwixt us, at least a Truce!

Never, never, I am against all Peace with Whigs, Trimmers, or Dissenters; and am only for Obs. 269. Jan. 10. 1682. Execution, Execution—with a firm, hardy, and unalterable determination.

Are you not capable of any mitigation, nor moderation?

No; no; speak not a word on't; I have (indeed, long ago) hung out the White-flag, (then was then, and now is now; then was your time of Treaty;) but, now like Tamberlain, I hang out nothing but the Blood-red Flag.

Notwithstanding which, I am (still) of opinion that your rage might be mortifi'd, and by my hand too; at least moderated, or mitigated.

What? Dost thou think that my Ring-worm Observation's inveterated now to a Tettor, can be corrected with a little gall-less Ink, and a blunt Pen?

It is not impossible, if a man could think it worth his while: or, if it were proper to be grave with a Buffoon.

Then you take the Observator (on whose vigilance, and strenuous sedulity de­pends the publick Peace) to be but a Mimick in your esteem.

I think it is as needless as ridiculous to talk seriously to an Ape; and he that does it, is the greater Ape of the two; and yet, to suffer the mischievous Ape, to play his Gambols uncorrected, what patience or wisdom can endure it? For so noysome and offensive are some Animals to humane kind, that it concerns all mankind to get quit of the Annoyance, with as speedy a riddance and dispatch as may be, by any lawful means, how great soever be the drudgery.

Then why do you undertake such a drudgery?

I confess there is no credit in the Rancounter, where the victory deserves par­don (only;) no Triumph.

Then you doubt not the victory be like.

Victory? I attempt none over thee, more then (a Scavinger does) over the Kennel; it is an employment more easy, and necessary, then creditable; and he that (for publick-good) stoops to it, cannot possibly do it without dirtying his fingers, be he never so warily cleanly. Besides, there is in an Observator, such a concurrence of odd and sinister qualities, that it is some difficulty to treat him suitably, and yet effectually.

Why so? Am I a man of such Cross-purposes?

Let the Company judge, for, treat a Monky seriously, and correct him never so effectually, and he'le only stear at you; and on the other hand, treat him suitably (that is) Apishly, and the By-standers will laugh at both; the best way is to put a chain about the loins of the wanton Baboon, and tie him up from further harm.

And in the interim, you will shew a good reason for it.

As good reason (at least) as you shew for execution, execution of all Trim­mers, and Dissenters, men of as good conscience, and merit (surely) as your good Worship. For God and Nature, Justice and Reason, Self-preservation, and the com­mon-law of mankind have given every Man a License to smite a Viper, or a Mad-Dog, that foams out nothing but rage, and ruine to all he can snap at, biting (like mad) all that comes in his way, as long, and as far as his feeble Legs, and old Teeth will permit him; and when they fail still the howls out, Execution, Execution— will any man in his wits stop that charitable hand, that will maul the old Cur?

You make a very Beast of me; the worst of Beasts? Viper? Mad old Cur? You begin to be good Company; but is not this too reflecting, rude and Personal?

It is Just and Personal; Obs. 273. for he that unmans himself by losing all sense of hu­manity, spitting fire, vomiting Daggers and Knives, disgorging Halters, as fast as a Jugler does Ribbons, and breathing flames, and Execution, Execution, with a firm, har­dy, and unalterable determination, howling against all moderation, mitigation, &c. makes a Beast of himself, and by his Barbarity turns Salvage.

Have you any Commission to use me thus?

Yes; the Commission is made in nature, and given to all; is it not lawful to wipe off the dirt, that rude hands shall throw at any mans face? at least, more lawful then to asperse and calumniate? That man that turns Satyr, discovers thereby (like the Devil, who also like a Satyr is pourtrayed with) his Cloven-feet; every man bles­ses himself from him: And therefore a Satyr is also painted with wrinkled Horns; that as he gores every man, so every man thinks it lawful to have a sling at him? A Commission (quoth he?) to chastise an old Apish mischievously mad Observator, that like a Salvage-Indian, runs a muck, killing all he can come at, till some lucky hand knock the desperate villain down, and so prevent Execution, Execution, with which he plagued mankind, with a firm, hardy, and unalterable determination. Surely the Law and Justice that permits you to asperse men with your false Colours, and dirt of your own invention, and scraping up against me a Trimmer, and all Trimmers for my sake, in your weekly and dayly Pamphlets, cannot in Equity or Justice keep two scales, and two measures, one to buy by, and another to sell by; one Winchester-measure, another Rumford; one for savour, and affection, another for disaffection; one for an Observator, another for a Trimmer, one for a Tory—non—con— another for a Whig—non— con— one for an erroneous Conscience, another for him that has none at all. Justice should be blind, as well as keep just weights and measures; Justice, true Justice have no respect of Persons, know not their own Sons (ay, marry, (Sirs!) who does?) nor yet their own Masters, nor friends in Judgment; for they that have but one Ear open deserve to be cropt, and to lose both, They should not be like the Scotch-Prophet, who undertook certainly to Divine, and foretel at any time in any Law-Suit, which side would be worsted, long before tryal; but the Fawse Loune took aim (like crafty Astrologers) from answers to some previous questions, which alwaies guided, and di­rected his Divination, wherein he seldom or never did err: enquiring first, (thus) Ken ye wha is the Whig and wha is the Tory? And accordingly gave Judgment for Plain­tiff or Defendant, as the Judges (he knew) were inclined; Judge Hales is dedd.

Ay, long ago, but his place is not empty.

Such places seldom stand long empty, may they for ever be well-fill'd, & then Justice will not be severe against a necessary Apology, and yet connive at an Observator that bespatters Trimmers with all the blood shed in Eng. Scot. and Irel ascribing it ('tis Strange) to the moderating, mitigating, abating &c. Councils of Trimmers.

What shameless villain could have so little modesty, or so little sense to ascribe such dismal events to be the effects of moderation, and mitigation; 'tis too much nonsense for so ingenuous an Observator to be guilty of it.

I cannot help that, but if I should take notice of all your escapes, I should be more voluminous then Varro; besides, since your weekly, and sometimes dayly Obser­vations has replenisht the world, they need no more Bumfodder this seven years, I'le maintain it. Therefore I'le neither offend my self, nor my Reader, with turning my head further back (to look upon such nasty Excrements of your Brain) then from [Page 3] January 10. 1682 Obs. N. 269. where you ascribe not only all the Blood shed for 40 long years, and upwards, to the moderating and mitigating Councils of Trimmers, but particu­larly also the death of the Earl of Strafford, and the murther of the late King is filed to the same account.

I remember no such matter.

A man of your talent needs a better memory, but you did say so.

Where?

I have told you, in Obs. n. 269. What was it but trimming Councils that ruined the late King, &c.

Go on.

Ay, that would be wise work, to reprint your Observator, when any man may have them at the upper end of Holborn for two pence a Bushel: Do you not say, How was all this brought about? By moderating (you answer) mitigating, qualifying, abating, promi­sing, undertaking, flattering, distinguishing, insinuating, expostulating, importuning, supplicating, whining, deploring, desponding, &c. in cases where there was no way left to preserve the Publick but Execution, Execution, with a firm, hardy, and unalterable determination.

Nay, If I have said it, I'le stand to it, my Pen never undertook any thing but it carried it.

The wrong way, commonly. Will you promise not to laugh at me, if I be a little serious with such a Scarramuchio?

Speak your pleasure with the same liberty that I have taken.

If I should say, Let your moderation be known unto all men, I should too gravely refel your Boffoonry; but prethee tel me soberly, (if thou canst be sober) Did ever Christ, or his blessed Apostles breath nothing but Execution, Execution? Did they not conquer the salvage World with meekness, moderation and mitigation, mildly teaching the nearest way to Heaven, and to Temperance, Sobriety, Meekness, Piety, the only way thither; and the only way to Peace and Happiness in this World, as well as in another World?

I cannot deny it.

Then (prethee) why dost thou pretend to be more concerned for mens temporal and eternal welfare than they are themselves?

I would but guide them; and if they will not follow, they know what follows, and let them take what follows.

Ay, ay, so let them; Execution, let them have it, firmly and malterably, till the Hang-men be tir'd and gorg'd till they vomit blood again; and spue like a Horseleech, or like that horrid French King, (that great persecutor of the Protestants) that died bloody all over; his blood could not by any Art be stop'd, but gusht out at Mouth, Eyes, Nose, Ears, and all the other holes in his Body; after his Parisian Massacre. And yet Atheists and Persecutors attribute this to chance, when the finger of God was so visible, (so did Iannes and Iambres, till at last, to their confusion, they were convinced.) This was the end of that Charles the 9th of France, who viewing the dead Carkasses of his Protestant Subjects, that lay unburied after the Parisian Massacre, and amongst the rest, the dead Body of the Admiral of France. Oh! (said he) quam sudviter olet cadaver inimici? How pleasant is the smell of an Enemies corps? So the Queen Mother of Scotland beholding the dead Bo­dies of her Protestant Subjects, (whom she had slain in battle) said, she never saw a finer piece of Tapestry in her Life. But these Horse [...]eeches lived by blood, and by blood they died.

Ay, but we are not for blood, for killing Men for Religion.

A good reason why, you cannot, because the Writ de Haeretico comburendo is null and void: But was there not ways to bring a Granmer to death for pretence of Treason, when Heresie could not do it? And will any man that makes no Conscience to take my purse, scruple to knock me in the head, if he have opportunity. All Persecutors, like all Dogs, are all of a kind, though some are of loss growth and strength than others; a peevish curst Gurr would tend and tear like a Mastiff, or an Irish-Greybound, if it had the power, which makes me think of Sir Genge Blage, one of King Henry the 8th's Bed-chamber, and in whom the King took great complacence and delight; for Sir George was most pleasantly fa­cetious, and Company for a Prince, but he was a true Protestant in the very heart of him, and consequently did no very good Offices to the King (the Bishops thought) in reference to them and their Ecclesiastical ways; but to be revenged (an Execution, that they seldom ad­journed longer than till the Gallows was set up, and the Master and Hang-men ready, good Men!) they got Sr. George into their Spiritual Courts, and condemned him forthwith for Here­sie, (hoping to dispatch him before the King should have notice) and just as they had turned [Page 4]him over to the secular Power, only to burn him a little to ashes, (tender hearts) unluckily came the Kings Pardon, and spoiled the sport, when Sir George coming to thank the King for his grace, Ah, my Pig! (quoth the King, for so he used to call him) yea, saith Sir George, but if your Majesty had not been better to me than the Bishops, your Pig had been roasted before this time. And if the Governours had followed the Execution, Execution, to which (like a Malepert Incendiary) you tutor them, our business had been done by this time, either roasted or raw. Thus you are become the Publick Bellows, daily kindling and blow­ing up the Coals of Dissention keeping up Differences, and Parties, and Animosities, that would lie dead if Hodge had bread.

CHAP. II.

WHy am I thus neglected then? no preferment stirring a days?

Preferment? Yes, for want whereof, you have under my name, and upon my back, like a discontented Pedant, whipt and slasht men in place and Power (these two months) as men that are so ignorant as to be so stupid, as to be so dull, as not to see your merit, and how well you have deserved of the publick.

Such men (as you speak of) like your self, are crept up into High places and Pre­ferments, and not only so, but (as if you were also the very Pimps to preferment,) hold the door, shutting it against better Men than your selves, Men that have been always Loyal, al­ways constant; 'tis these Trimmers that know my merit and Loyalty so well, that their knowledg of it has undone me;Obs. n. 272. they know I am too honest for some Courts, and too plain a dealer, which (as I told you lately) has undone me.

Thou Loyal and constant? yes, thou wast always loyal to White-hall; and very complacent to old Oliver, to humour and oblige him, with the only talent you can glory in, or Oliver took delight in, namely, your Fiddle-sticks; thou art loyal and constant to White-hall, whoever is the occupant, and in possession, right or wrong.

Did not I give you a List (the other day) of those Names Obs. n. 268. that have been always loyal, always constant; tri'd men, and never deceived a trust, never warp'd from their duty, never doubled nor faltred in the worst times?

Yes, you did, I remember by this token, that your own dear self was the Fore­man impanelled in the Inquest, with an Asterism, or hand in the margent overagainst it, and underneath these words (which I suppose you stole out of the Ring Mrs. Betty gave you) when this you see, remember me; sure you live amongst bad neighbours, that you are glad (thus) to be your own Trumpet, Mr. Nobs—

Trimmer, thou never spok'st a truer word in thy Life; a company of dull Rogues, they see not the dimensions and goodly size of a man of parts; somtimes even at Sam's Coffee-house the dull-Crapes will make a half-grin, when they meet with a good jeast and witty in my Observations, whilest others laugh at them for laughing at that which (they say) is neither witty nor a jeast; and when I break as good a jeast as any in the Three Kingdoms, Ay dad, they say it is no more worth the laughing at, than if I had broke wind, (saving your presence) calling me but the very Crackf—of the Nation.

They abuse their own wit that suspect yours.

Ay dad, Trimmer, I begin to love thee now for that very word, and if all the men in Place and Power, whom I have persecuted so long under your vizzard, had but your Brains and Eyes in their Skulls, I had not thus long been neglected, and forc'd to write for Bread, my daily Bread somtimes; and dad I have deserved better of the publick.

And no doubt but you will be advanced in good time, according to your de­serts.

So I have hoped long, indeed, but I have lived upon hopes till I am almost starved.

Why do you not chastise the Government for being such a negligent blind Govern­ment, as not to discern the pregnancy of your parts, the constancy of your Loyalty, and the great use and need they have of you?

Is that (now) to do? sure thou dost not read, at least, not heed my Observa­tions; have I not rendred the great ones therefore (this 2 or 3 months) a sort of hollow-friends to the Government, calling them Trimmers; ay dad, I have paid them Obs. n. 260.off, and have charg'd them with no less then the murther of the late King, the death of the Earl of Strafford, the Massacre in Ireland, nay, the only cause of all the blood and ruine in the three Kingdoms for above these forty years? I have mauld them E dad, and reveng'd my self upon them sufficiently, (I think,) inconsiderate men; they might have consider'd me sooner; E dad, I trounc't them, for their moderating, and mitigating councils, Obs. n. 269. that ruin'd all, when nothing but bold, and hardy Execution, Execution can save us; and a firm, hardy, and unalterable determination.

And for which you must endure my severer lash by and by; why?Obs. Jan. 10. n. 269. Thou more then Bedlamer! was ever moderation, mercy or mitigation, or Councils compounded of such Ingredients, guilty of so much blood and ruine? I thought it had been the bloody Irish, and Papists, that were the cause of the bloody Massacre in Ireland, and also the Instruments thereof.

The Trimmers, E dad; I have said it;

Yes, you have said it, and printed it too; Obs. n. 269. and if it had not been to undeceive you (for I suppose there is not a man in the world believes it, except your dear self, and per­haps not your self neither) I had not vouchsaf't to humble my self so much to censure, as to be seen in such company; but now, that my hand is in, i'le make you come on the publick-stage, (now that I have got you on to my own ground) as often as I list, (just as you have used me (these 2 months) and all Trimmers for my sake, slashing us in Publick, in spight of our teeth, and under the name of Trimmers, have exposed men in Place and Power, to Coffee-house-chat, and laughter, most sawcily (all the Kingdom over,) in revenge of their slighting you, and your sullied Petitions for Preferment; for which I will chastise you Nobs—before I have done; indeed, I must, I will; come, Hot-cockles! you must (now) lie down in your Turn.

Hold, Sir, hold! E dad, I do not like you at first, you seem to have dogged, hard Vulcan's hand, this must not be suffered, nor will the Government suffer a man of my Loy­alty to be smitten in earnest, upon pretence of Hot-cockles sport, or a Christmas-game:

Why! Does the Government think themselves so much concern'd in you, and for you, as not to suffer more true Loyalty, then any Tories heart or head was ever capable of to wipe off that blood & guilt, which (it has quietly suffer'd you (without check or rebuke) to throw upon all that has neglected, or discontented you, or that stands in your way, only because you are hungry, or angry.

It is not the Government that can be an Enemy to Nobs—it knows it's own interest too well; neglect Nobs, and neglect its self.

Who (then) has nanger'd thee? dear heart!

The Trimmers, hollow friends to the Government, and hollow hearts that yet are got too near the head, 'tis these that I have so publickly chastiz'd, and whipt them for their pains, on the publick-stage, 'tis these on whom I can never be sufficiently re­veng'd; for they know if I were in play, they must sit out, and be by-standers; I am so loyal, and have been so faithful all along, and sincere, E dad, this plain-dealing has un­done me; 'tis cogging, lying, flattering Sycophants that carry it too often, Ay dad, I know where.

Nay, you do not stick to tell us where, you know the place where you woo'd the Ʋsurper with your only Talent, that you knew he lik't, your Fiddle.

This is old, and should not be again ript up: it has kept me under all along, and has been oft dung in my Teeth.

Ay, and will be, when impudent men, (such as you Nobs,) will run away with all the great Loyalty and constancy, the Neighbourhood are up, and presently in pur­suit, (as after a man that runs away with a great bundle under his Cloaths) apt to cry, stop Thief, thinking themselves rob'd, and therefore will make bold to search him, and enquire whether he came honestly by it.

CHAP. III.

CAn any man deny my Loyalty, when I have told them so often (in Print) that I had like to have been hanged for being loyal, at Lynn Regis, in the late Wars.

For being loyal say you? was it not for being an Observator?

It was for being taken as a spy (or Observator) in the Parliaments Garrison.

A spye (that comes under colour of a friend to betray) is always hang'd up (by all sides, by the Law of Arms.) Men give fair quarter to a fair and open Enemy, but seldom or never spare an Observator, or (to use your own word) a Spye: But if you had swung for it, what cause would all mankind have had to bemoan the loss of such an harmonious Fidler? As cruel Nero apprehended his death would therefore be lamented, whilest all man­kind joyed in the deserved death of the bloody and treacherous Monster of Men, who took de­light in nothing so much as in Execution, Execution, with a firm, hardy and unalterable de­termination.

But I was a spye on the right side.

We'le talk of that anon. In the interim, What kind of Preferment would you have?

Any place of Honour, Command, Authority, and Profit, especially this last, for my Age requires Ease, and my merits ought to be paid: The State is much in my debt.

I hope, your Arrears will all be paid to a farthing at last.

In the interim, here I sigh, and here for bread I write, and E dad the wits do but jear me for my pains;Obs. n. 265. nay, a considerable Lady (a She-trimmer) could say that I scribble for Bread, but E dad I paid her off, and hit her home, E dad, into the very belly of her, E dad, saying, have me recommended to her, we are so alike, for both of us (like other Monkies) show tricks, and play tricks, and provide for the Belly; E dad, I think it was a good jeast; and yet the Rogues say, I grow dull.

Let such feel the acuteness of your wit, and make them smart for it, if they que­stion the sharpness of your pen and stile.

Ay, Ay, but my very acquaintance also begin to give it out that I am dull; now I am the furthest from it in the whole World, E dad, but only they think so, because I can say nothing.

To the purpose.

E dad, let a man write never so well, there are now a days a sort of persons they call Criticks, that E dad have no more wit in them than so many Hobby-Horses; but they'le laugh you (Sir,) and find fault, and censure things that, E dad, I am sure they are not able to do themselves. A sort of envious persons, that emulate the glories of Persons of parts, and think to build their fame by calumniating of persons that, ay dad, to my know­ledge of all persons in the world, are in Nature the persons that do as much despise all that as—

Hold, hold! enough! I know this has been your language and almost your very words (these two months) against the persons that have despised and neglected you, and indeed you are but a Plagyary for your pains: They are the very words of Mr. Bayes in the Rehearsal.

I cannot tell that; they are my own sentiments, and natural; good wits may jump; but whether Bayes stole it from me, or I from him, what's this in excuse of the Hollow-Trimmers, that have neglected and despised my Loyalty and Constancy, so long (hitherto) unrewarded?

You were made Overseer of the Press.

Pish, what's to be got by that?

A good job (you know) somtimes,

Trimmer, No more of that, if thou lovest me.

What is it (then) you would have me get for you?

A place, a place, an Office! get me some place of Worship, and Authority, however Profit.

For what cause?

For my old Loyalty, and for my watchings and toils; daily and nightly watchings and wardings (together with Honest Nat: Irish Nat. Loyal Nat.) how have we watcht and warded ne Respublica detrimentum capiat, and all for nothing?

Yes; you have already got a Prison, Poverty, or a Pillory for your pains.

E dad, 'tis true: the world is an ungrateful world, a blind world, they neither discern Men of worth, nor pay them to their value.

Yes, Nat. was paid off.

Pish! now you jear; he was indeed paid poor Nat. poor wretch, poor Tory, poor Irish-tory, poor Curr.

That is the worst of Tories.

No, your Irish Tory is the truest Tory.

And the great Grandsire of Tories, and the Godfather of all true English Tories, and gave them their name; but how shall we know an Irish or English Tory from a Whigg?

A great many ways, for they are almost as contrary as Heaven and Hell, Light and Darkness.

Your Whigg never swears, or if he does, 'tis some dwindling Oath, (as) by my truly; whereas your true Tory-Boy lets fly no mouth Granado's, but such as fills the bore, damme, sink me, Hell and Damnation, God bless the King, he swears, and the Duke of York, and dam the Whiggs and the D. of M. still interchanging Huzza's and Curses till his drink make him quiet, (that is) asleep.

What else?

Your true Tory gets more by cursing, than the other by praying, yet both preferred, one to Command, the other to a Gaol.

This is not for praying to God, but for praying to God without the good leave and license of the Act of Uniformity.

E dad, we'le uniform you all, and make you all alike, before we have done; give me bold and hardy Execution, and hang up the mitigating and moderating Councils, and all-heal, or compounding, mollifying Trimmers,Obs. n. 269. abating, supplicating, whining, deploring, de­sponding Trimmers.

But how shall we know a Trimmer, a hollow-hearted Trimmer, that loves the Government but only from the teeth outwards?

Trimmer thou shouldst not need to ask any such needless Questions; I have pub­lisht lately the only true Rule, and infallible, the very test of true and constant Loyalty.

I have forgot it, repeat it.

Mark me Trimmer, wouldst thou see thine own Face in my Glass? then look you, Trimmer, see but that leering look of thine when thou lookest at me with such scorn and neglect: That's my Rule, despise the Observator, and you despise the Government; despise the true, loyal, and always constant Friends of the Government, and you are Trimmers in the heart of you, despise honest Hodg, and honest Nat. and E dad despise all the World; that has any worth in it, and Learning, and a Man good at any thing, at every thing.

A very Kich-shaw of all Learning, the very Oleo Podrido of Arts, and yet no body minds thee, nor heeds thee.

No, E dad, not to reward me, the Rogues will buy up my Observations, take Po­litick-notes, and Divinity-notes too out of them, E dad; Divine and Politick Observations to save the Kingdom and Souls also, and worth a million, and all this for a Penny, a whole sheet full of Loyalty for a Penny: too cheap in all Conscience, if it were not to friends, and that the safety of the Nation depends upon these fingers, and these Eagle-sighted-Eyes in a poor, old, and neglected Observator.

A Nation too that must perish, and come to naught, if the Gout should cramp those as it has done your Toes.

CHAP. IV.

Then you would make us believe that it was not the old Trimmers mitigating, mode­rating Councils that ruin'd all; but quite contrary, rash, heady, and precipitate Councils for putting into bold and hardy Execution, the Ceremonies and inventions of some Churchmen that would make the Scots conform to them, or they won [...]d venture, and run the hazard of having the old Women of Edinborough, and Boys throw stools and stones at them; and so the War first begun; that ended not so easily, and from that Church Hell (first) broke loose.

I would not make you, nor any body else believe any thing, but what woful ex­perience will (however) in time teach you, that God is the King of Consciences, that to invade Gods Jurisdiction is as unsafe as sinful; that Hair-brain'd-spitfires are the Nest of the Kingdom, and by their sanguinary, and precipitate Councils, in maintenance of their own little fopperies, let the King or Kingdom sink or swim, on they would, at all adven­tures, till they could go no further; and then they sung another tune, and so will you (Mr. Observator!) in time, when you have got your Belly full of Preferments, and also your heart full of Curses, Anathema's, Fines, and Imprisonments, ruine and desola­tion, and of the tears of Widows and Orphans, which have a cry.

And I must tell you (Trimmer!) if it had not been for such bold, and hardy Exe­cutions, as I have advis'd and observ'd, things had not been in so fair a way as they are.

Prethee instruct me (then!) for I do not see such a fair way as things are in, (at least) nothing to bring on, least of all from your endeavours.

Why? Are not the Conventicles rooted? fin'd, ransom'd; and Prisons fill'd with the wretches?

And that you call your fair way.

I think things go towardly on, and are in a hopeful posture; ay dad, these mode­rating, mitigating Councils of Trimmers had like to have spoil'd all again; Execution, Execution; I cry.

Have you alwaies cri'd so?

Yes, ever since I understood the world, and the true seat of interest.

Was that your cry at Lynn-Regis?

Ay dad, I am glad you put me in mind of it again, for that piece of Loyalty I was condemn'd to be hang'd by a Court marshal (as I have told the world in Print,) and yet, ay dad, here is the man that is (this day) unrewarded (as yet) for that service.

Oh! you were condemn'd for being an Observator, taken as a spy, in the Enemies Garrison.

Who knows not that?

And after Condemnation, you cri'd out, Execution, Execution, a bold, and hardy Execution.

Ay dad, but (though I will not give you the lie) I say you tell a Whisker.

Then Execution, Execution has not alwaies been the Word.

No, I confess there I was mistaken; but though I would have Sinners, and Transgressours of the Law Executed, I would not have men hang'd up that are Inno­cent and Loyal.

I do not say but you might perhaps be (on that occasion) both Innocent and Loyal, though a man may be Loyal, and yet not Innocent in some cases; as if a Loyal man happen to act against the Law of Nature, or Law of Arms, or Law of God, or his Oath in pursuance of Loyalty.

There is no Promise, nor Oath, nor Faith to be kept with Hereticks.

So indeed the Council of Constance held, and so do the Jesuites now. But in all Wars, one side is alwaies the wrong side, yet there is such a thing as a Law of Arms, and a Law of Honour, which both the right, and the wrong side hold Sacred, for fear (at least) the wrong side (as it hapned in your case) get sometimes the longest Sword: and it has been thought no dishonour to take Quarter, no more then to give Quarter, when the long Sword (though the wrong Sword) keeps the Field.

A dad, I do not like this giving of Quarter to an enemy.

No, I see you attribute the Wars, and Blood shed to these mitigating, quali­fying, compounding, and moderating Councils; it is giving of Quarter, clearly.

Ay dad, I do, and I will (to my dying day) oppose mitigation, and moderation.

You do not know that; for you may be against Execution, bold and hardy Execution, yet (once more) before you die.

Never, never: since my Councils and Observations were the Charts we steer'd by, we have got the weather-gage, ay dad, and right afore it.

Plume not your self on that score; for nothing is so changeable as the wind.

I tell thee, (Trimmer!) my steady Councils are firm as a Rock.

So Dionysius said, that his Party was ti'd to him with Chains of Adamant; you do not know the world (so much as you boast of,) if you know not that its af­fections are more inconstant then those of Women, its glories fading as beauty, youth or strength; nothing constant but unconstancy on this side the Moon; not, that I do not pray against all change, nor will I meddle with them that are given to it; but that single instance at Lynn-Regis, may alone make you in love with moderating, and mitigating Councils, as long as you live.

You could not honour me, nor my memory more then in that single instance, the only convincing Evidence of my Loyalty; ay dad, I 'scap't fair; I cannot but trem­ble to think on't yet.

They were of the wrong side that condemn'd you indeed, but you were condemn'd by their Law of Arms; I do not say justly, but would think the contrary; yet Loyalty is one thing, and Treachery is another; does not all posterity commend the Roman General that sent bound a treacherous villain to Pyrrhus, (whom the wretch promised to slay) scorning to be reveng'd of his Enemy by foul play; or if he lov'd the Treason, he hated the Traytor? We must not do evil, that good may come thereof.

Dare you say it is evil to ruine Rebels?

Not by fair War; but Observators, or Spies (that come under colour of Friendship into an Enemies Camp, have by all Nations been abhor'd, as contrary to the Laws of Arms, and hang'd up immediately.

And for that cause you think my Loyalty is well enough rewarded, if it com­pound for the Treachery.

I say, as all men say, I love valour in an Enemy, and I hate Treachery in a Friend; for he is not my Friend that consults not honour; nor can Loyalty be meritori­ous, if accompanied with baseness, and treachery; who (but a needy wretch) will be a Spy, or Observator?

Ay dad, I shall admire my Sagacity the better as long as I live for this Trick; have I not prophecied right (all along) who it is that smote me? Ay dad, I see plainly (now) even to demonstration true it is, that the reason why I have not been prefer'd, and advanc't according to my merits, is the whispers, and sly insinuations of such Trimmers suggestions, (as this is) which has put a spoke in my Ladder, ay dad, that has kept me down, from rising, thus long; a man of my sufficiencies, usefulness, and abilities.

You may be mounted yet before you die.

I do not know that; but I know what you mean; And I fear no Colours, I scap't narrowly once (though) ay dad; but my learning has been so beneficial to the Clergy, that ay dad, they are ingrateful that deny me the benefit of the Clergy, let the worst come to the worst.

But you that have been so near the Gallows (already) for being a busy Observa­tor, or Spy, should (by this time) have learn to be so wise for your self, as not alwaies to be spitting nothing but fire out of your mouth, breathing vengeance, and howling out, Execution, Execution.

Ay dad, I do not know but it may be well enough yet; is Loyalty but a name and a word? Is there no such thing?

Yes, sure there is such a thing, and one of the best things in the world, next to Obedience to Heaven; but, (my friend!) is legality but a word neither? Is Law, Justice, and mercy but meer words neither? Is there no such things (think you) in na­ture? Is all the world rul'd with precipitate, hasty, Heady-Councils, hardy Execution, Passion, Violence, Force, and Revenge? You know that we (in England) are not so rul'd, nor ever were (long) so rul'd: your Predecessor (the Observator) Tacitus Tacit. in vi­ta Julii A­gricolae. (above 1600 years ago) observ'd that Brittany bred men that would obey, and be good Sub­jects, but were vilely loath to be slaves; they would pay legal Taxes, but could not en­dure [Page 10]to be opprest; Britannis dilectum ac Tributa & injuncta Imperii munera impigrè o­beunt, si injuria absint; has aegrè tolerant, jam domiti ut pareant, nondum ut serviant: The Roman-valour had tam'd them to Obedience, but could not enslave them for the hearts of them, do what they could.

CHAP. V.

AY dad, but some of your Friends (in New-England) were glad to fly for it, as some do now, to the Salvage Indians, and the Torrid Zone.

As the more temperate, and hospitable clime of the two, when Pillories, and Ana­thema's, and Fines, and Jayls, and the High-Commission-Court made old England too hot for them; and this is your Council now.

Yes.

But what were the events of these Councils in those days?

Ay dad, good lusty fines, &c. and almost beggar'd the Rogues.

And enrich't the King and Kingdom?

No, I cannot say that; it was thought the contrary, and to make such a damp of Trade, and the Kings Customs so extenuated, and the People generally so discontented, that the Parliament Mens-Pockets (that should have fill'd the Kings empty Exchequer, and paid his vast debts) were fill'd rather with grievances, grievances, the loud groans of the People, and cries and lamentations all the Kingdom over. But I am the man that has (now) discover'd another way to the wood; would it not be brave to have all Parliament-Men chosen by the King and Court?

No, It would be so far from brave, that it would quite unhinge the Govern­ment, and lift it up from its old fundamentals, and foundation, and by seeming to advance it higher, shake it, and endanger it, and ruine that, which has been a happy shelter to the Kings, and Subjects of England, more than any other Kingdom under Heaven.

There spoke a Trimmer, and yet you love the King, you pretend.

Let him perish that loves him not better then thou dost.

What, better then a Tri'd man that never warpt, &c.

Never (but once) when all the Kingdom warpt.

Well; no more of that, I know what you mean, but enough, enough of it.

Be it so; nor had your fawning Sycophantry, and complacence to any thing that is uppermost (now) been lain in your dish, but that you (and such as you) whose guilt and sins makes you tremble to think of a Parliament, an English-Parliament, chosen by the People (not by the Court) makes some seem to think of altering the antient Law, and rights of the three Estates of this Realm, the very attempt whereof has al­waies been accounted Treason, but over Boots, over Shooes; He that knows he must be hang'd, cares not which way he mounts the Ladder: if Corporations shall have no Offi­cers, nor any to Elect Parliament-men, or to make returns, when they are Elected, but only whom the Court shall approve, nominate, or at least confirm; then the third estate, and great estate of this Realm, in the Money business especially, shall not (nay) can­not be called longer the House of Commons, but House of Courtiers.

E dad, Trimmer, you are a perillous Trimmer I see, and would hinder the Loyal­ty of Corporations from surrendring their old Charters for new ones, and better, with only this addition, they shall hold their Freedoms and Liberties, quamdiu se benè gesse­rint, as long as they are good Boys, and chuse none but whom the Court does approve.

We have a good and gracious King God grant he may overlive all the Men (now) in England, and from the Policy and bounty of Kings, and time out of mind of man to the contrary, Liberties and Freedoms have been granted to Corporations, and particularly that of chusing Burgesses in Burroughs, so that no History can trace its origi­nal and beginning more than the head of Nile; and all English-mens rights are so con­firm'd by Magna Charta, and many other Statutes, that it has alwaies been accounted Treason to endeavour the alteration of the fundamental Laws; and no doubt but Justice will in time find men out, if they endeavour it, lurk where they will, short-sighted Projecters are they that would pull down Foundations, and Corner-stones, in hopes to save their own heads, when it is the nearest way, and shortest way (they could take) to Tyburn, if they should run for a Wager.

Why? Who endeavours to take away Foundations?

All they that (by any means whatsoever) endeavour to make the House of Com­mons the House of Courtiers.

Why does his sacred Majesty (of blessed memory) so commend the constitution of our well-pois'd Government, above all the nations of the world? saying, That to prevent Anarchy we have a King and House of Lords, to poise and ballance the House of Commons; to prevent Arbitrary Power and Tyranny, we have a House of Lords and House of Commons; and to pre­vent the worst of Tyrannies (Aristocracy) we have a King and House of Commons: which if turned to a House of Courtiers, where's the poise, where's the Ballance?

But we have a just and gracious King, that will wrong no man.

And long may he live and reign; but the King cannot see with his own Eyes eve­ry where, but the Law is omniscient and omnipresent in England, or should be so, to decide all Causes, and shelter good Subjects and punish the bad.

Why? Can any man be a bad Subject that is for the King, or a good Subject that is against him?

No; It is impossible that a good man can be against the King, or a Rebel; and also impossible that a bad man can be for the King.

Why, Are not all these Debauchees, Whore-masters, Cursers, Drunkards, Swearers, and Blasphemers, whom we call true Tory-Boys, are not they, I say, for the King?

No, no; they are the worst Enemies that the Crown of England can possibly have, not only by being open Enemies to God, and consequently pulling down his Wrath, Judgments, and Indignation upon the Kingdom, (no small piece of Treachery) but to gratifie their Lusts and Revenge, are always with their hasty, heady, rash, precipitate and sanguinary Councils, disobliging Mankind, as well as God, Humanity as well as Divinity, with their firm, hardy, and unalterable Determination of Execution, Execution.

Oh! Your humble Servant, Trimmer, you are not for putting the Laws in Execu­tion against Nonconformists to Uniformity, the Act for Uniformity.

No; not except it be put in Execution against Tory-Nonconformists, equally, im­partially, indifferently and as severely as against Whigg-Nonconformists.

E dad, it is all one to me; for I am for the Church of England,Obs. n. 271. Jan. 13.83.and am not a Pa­pist of the Church of Rome, nor do I side with that Religion, or so much as meddle with it.

We'll do with you herein as with great Travellers, when they tell things scarcely cre­dible, better believe it than go to see; it is not worth the Privy-search; though of the two, it would be for your honour rather to be of the worst Religion, than of none at all; and ra­ther ridicule all sober sense, and the fundamental Laws,Obs. n. 265. Decemb. 30. 1682. as a well-meaning Papist and Zealot,than (if as a base Hireling) only to provide for your Belly, as you confess.

E dad, I am for Uniformity.

I do not concern my self, nor does any wise or sober man concern himself, who or what thou art for, further than to be glad thou art not for his side; for such as you only discredit the cause you would promote, be it never so good.

I am not for the good old Cause, every body knows that.

All the better, or rather, more is the pity.

Why so?

Because thou wouldst then be a Promoter.

I hate, and scorn the Office, so inconsistent with a Gentleman, and a Man of Ho­nour.

I say, thou art a Promoter.

Bear witness, I wish I had honest Nat. here, or some of his Country-men to bear witness.

Call whom thou wilt, I say again, thou art a Promoter.

Of what? You mean Roguishly; do you mean I am a Promoter of close assignations, to bring things and things together, (Anglicè) a Pimp? But, E dad, a Pimp is ten times a better Trade, and a safer Trade, as well as an honester Trade (you think) than a Spy or Ob­servator; no man is hang'd for pimping, but preferred many times (the right way,) and ad­vanc'd; whereas (commonly) the Gallows takes the last view of a Spy or Observator. A Promoter? I scorn it.

I say again, Thou art a Promoter.

Of what?

Of the good Old Cause.

I gave thee the Lye just now, after another great example in Print; and E dad again, God forgive me, I was just going to swear you lye.

By my truly, you could not promote the good Old cause more (if you would hang [Page 12]your self, than by appearing against it, though the favour merits no thanks from the Non­con's, nor blame from the Con's, because you meant it not. Do men gather Grapes of Thorns? Nor can they expect any good from an old weather-beaten Weather-cock, an old any thing, an old every thing but what is vertuous, an old goatish, and therefore goutish, Ob­servator? That (as you say) Dec. 30. 1682.Obs. n. 265. ‘'Because the Observator has got the Pox in his Bones, therefore the Devil is in the Trimmers,’ (or the good old Cause, you might have added,) why, thou canst not live without teasing somthing or other: And every Twinge in your Toe breeds a Maggot in your Head: 'Tis the very humour of the damn'd to re­venge the fire in their own Tails, upon any thing that's next them.

Those are my own words, I taught you Satyr.

I durst not otherwise, Nay I would not however otherwise have made so bold, as to judg and censure what might be the cause of your Gout, for I do not think the Poet a true Prophet when he said,

CHAP. VI.

WEl, then come on Trimmer, since you are so bold as, of your own mettal and accord, thus to come into the Ring, and into the Lists with me, why dost thou not answer my Challenge?

You have made so many Challenges, and sent them to the Trimmers publickly, weekly, and somtimes daily, throwing down your Gage in every Coffee-House, that I know not which of them I should first take up.

I mean, then, my last bold Challenge to thee, sent out, Jan. 13. 1682.Obs. n. 271. Answer me before we part; What's become of all the Actions against the late Lord Mayor, for usurping upon the Rights of the City? And how goes it with the new Sheriffs? Did those of the last year quietly give up possession? Did the Prisoners refuse to plead or no? How were things carried upon the Scrutiny? What became of Kid's Action against Capt. Broomer, and the Jesuited Janizaries that beat up the Conventicle in Exchange-Alley? And how came Coll. Quiney's business off?

Would you have distinct Answers to each?

No, that's needless, answer them by lump, for they are all of a lump, and therefore I have bound them up together—

And in gross, gross enough.

But what hast thou to say to them Trimmer, or what darest thou say to them?

This is your way, first to challenge a man, but then (to make all sure) tye up his hands; shall I have equal Liberty, and fair play?

God forbid else; Justice and Honour pleads for you, that you should have as much liberty to answer my Questions, as I to propound them.

Then you will not first challenge me to a dispute, and to make all sure of your side, gagg me.

I scorn it, I am more a Gentleman, and a Scholar.

Still for all this, I am a little jealous of thee, and fearful, For thou hast got the weather-gage, and therefore you insult so, huff, challenge, and vapour, knowing whoever encounters thee to Lee-ward, his own Powder and smoak flashes in his face.

I'le wave the odds, come on boldly.

It is not in your Power to stemm the Tide, nor change the Wind, nor to make it blow indifferent, and with a side-wind, equal to both sides, and therefore I'le only say, what an awfe art thou to put the question? How came the late Lord Mayor, the new She­riffs, the Scrutiny, Broomer, the Jesuitical Janizaries, and Quiney, how came they off? saist thou, most insultingly; when it is well known that their great Cause never yet came on, never hitherto has been under legal consideration, much less legal determination, and sentence: what rewards or punishments they merit, concerns not a busie Observator; and for my part, I am bred to more modesty, than to meddle with so matchless and stupenduous a [Page 13]matter that no English History can parallel it in times of Peace. Prethee therefore let us leave it and them, to legal Tryal, and the Decision of the Laws.

And since you are so bold to ask questions, give me leave to ask thee some.

With all my heart, it is but just and equal.

Then what deserve they that by confederacy commit a Rape upon a Virgin, a Sacred Virgin, a Vestal?

An Halter; every Mothers Son of them, there's a wise question, who knows not that? 'Tis like the wit of a Trimmer.

What deserve they that commit a rape, or attempt to commit a Rape upon a Widdow?

Oh! ho! I begin to understumble you, E dad, I will not tell you.

Neither tell I thee what they deserve that commit a Rape upon the Sacred Laws, that Ravish mens rights, and civil liberties with the Sword, and offer violence to the Law.

Why? Who did? If I knew of any such Monsters, I would say, hanging is too good for them; for, as the Romans (who had made no Provision in Law against Parri­cide) were at a loss for an equal punishment, when a Villain (once) kill'd his Father, the Author of his own life and being, perswading themselves that the world could never droduce a Monster of such a Ghastly, and unnatural size, such a Prodigy, and By-blow in nature; even so, to violate the Sacred Laws with force, and a long Sword in time of Peace, without declaring Hostility against the Laws, from whom we have our life, our beings, our well-beings, liberties, protection, estates and birthrights continued and derived to us, is so prodigious a Crime, that no punishment in this world can pos­sibly equal it; that a few men should by force (which yet is most easy in quiet times) cut the banks and boundaries of Laws and Societies, is more prodigious from its cause and effects, then from the Act it self; any Boy, any Erostratus may burn the Sa­cred Temple, (as he did that of Diana) a goodly fabrick, as any in the world, the wonder is (first) in the cause, (that ever so much villany should enter into mortal breast, and upon what temptation,) and (secondly) that so weak, and contemptible a Creature could produce such dismal effects; but what Erostratus's do you mean? How do you apply this discourse?

It needs no application, for I am only speaking of punishments due to those that commit a Rape upon Widdows, or the Sacred Laws.

Why? Who did?

Who saies who? Does your Conscience, or any mans Conscience accuse him?

Not in the least.

Then sit you merry.

You cannot mean it of me, or Quiney, &c.

Why should you or any man else that is innocent ask such a frivilous questi­on? If I say, he that commits a Rape, deserves to be hang'd, will you be offended?

No; I am not concern'd.

Then how impertinent art thou to say, do you mean me, or Quiney? Especi­ally since (quite contrary) instead of punishment for any Crime, the late Lord Mayor, new Sheriffs, Broomer, Jesuited Janizaries (none but a friend durst have call'd them so, Jesuited Janizaries?) and Quiney have had thanks for their pains.

By some that were as deep in the dirt as they in the mire; you would say.

What? You do lie upon the catch, do you? If you do; all the Company can testify, that I never said that any body else gave them thanks, or that they (that did give them thanks) had not cause to do so.

For, (even) Asses know when they are overloaded unconscionably, and more then they are able to bear, and therefore beat them, till your hearts ake, and your Cudgels break, they'le not stir a foot, when overburthen'd out of all reason, and measure.

I tell thee Trimmer, since you seem shy, and wary, chary, and fearful to dis­course of that great business of the late Lord Mayor, new Sheriffs, Jesuited Janizaries, — and Quiney; yet it was a business (then which) nothing is more discours'd of (mutteringly) at this day; and, (indeed) which more sticks on some mens stomachs! Indeed it was a great business, but E dad, it was necessary, there was no other way to bring things to so fair a pass as now they are; it was the very hinge of affairs, when things stood tottering in equal Ballance, and whether for a Penny, then came Quiney with his Hand and Sword (which weigh'd just a pound) and turn'd the Scales.

It was boldly done.

E dad it was, and most couragiously, the slaves never durst mutter since, nor scarce say muff; and have we not carried it ever since in Courts, in Sheriffs, in Juries, in every thing, ay and in Execution, Execution.

And so you win, because you bowl alone.

E dad, we carry the Goal, We got the Ball, took it, and run shear away with it.

Nay, you have lost your old wont else (Tory;) for ever since I first knew you, all the world can witness that you were as good (or better) at your Heels than your Hands: But away with your provocations to this discourse, I am sick on't; Therefore, to put you out of it, prethee tell me, how does thy Feet, Heels, and Toes?

Ay dad, like my self, worse and worse this cold weather and hard times. But away with this discourse, I like it not.

It is of your own raising, I will make no occasions, it is you that first mentioned Quincy's business.

E dad, That business has done some peoples business for evermore.

And a day longer.

It was an Heroick Act: Alexander cut the sacred Gordian-knot with his Sword, which none but sacred Hands did tie, nor could unloose.

Quincy's Act was a matchless Act, no story can parallel it; for Alexander did it in time of War.

Time of War, or time of Peace: Tell not me; it was a necessary business, necessary to the Cities Peace, and Kingdoms Peace, and to prevent Riots and Tumults, by way of pre­vention, E dad, and preoccupation.

Do you think that the best way to prevent tumults in Westminster-Hall is to fill it with Souldiers, and awe the Judges, and do them violence?

I do not know what to say to that.

Rash men in a storm leap into the Sea for fear of drowning, notable policy! Thus Gond [...]m [...]r (the Spanish Ambassadour) most politically would have persuaded King James to cut off Sir Walter Rawleigh's Head, (a Head that would have become the best Shoulders in Spain) by way of Prevention and timely foresight, before he went to Guiana, proving the justice of the Policy from a story of a Woman, that whipt her Daughter before­hand, lest she should break the Pitcher. Oh rich! Do but you hang up the first man you meet, for fear he should steal your Horse, by way of prevention, and I'le secure you he shall never steal him. It is the very policy of Herod, who was so circumspectly provident, that he killed all the male Children of Bethlehem to secure himself from a King of Gods ma­king.

Trimmer, Trimmer, Necessity has no Law.

Nobs, Nobs, This was the old Plea for Ship-Money, and other illegal Taxes and Oppressions, afterwards condemned by King Charles the First, and his Parliament; because (quoth some) the Crown could not want them, it was so poor and necessitous; which ag­gravated their Crimes, that by their buzzing at Court kept off Parliaments Twelve long years, thereby keeping up a mis-understanding and bad Intelligence, for want of that due and usual Correspondence betwixt the King and his People in the old fundamental way of Par­liaments, whereby the Exchequer was brought into str [...]n and necessities, borrowing (I have cause to say) what was never paid to this day. And to expiate such Crimes, they brought Mr. Necessity (a Son of their own begetting, and the spurious Issue of their Lusts) to vouch them; and what was the Issue? Did it not at length aggravate their punishments as well as their Crimes, if you mark the end on't?

That was in the late Intestine Wars: Those days are done.

And I trust in God they will never return; and that they may never return, the surest way (as well as the best way) is to get out of the dirty and fatal Road (as fast as may be) which leads to such dismal Ends and Ruines, abstaining from all violation of the sacred Laws, and illegal Rapes, which (like that of the chaste Lucrece) occasioned the Civil-Wars at Rome, to the Ruine of the Kingdom. He that uses a Sword in a Court of Justice, must throw away the Scabbard; for Hell breaks loose (many times) like the Sea (when the banks are cut,) (an easie matter to perform in times of quiet by a few hands;) the bounda­ries which the Laws have set are easily violated, but then, all Hands together are scarce able to stop the Breach, and prevent an universal Deluge.

But what's all this to my Question, how Quiney and the rest came off?

I told thee before I would not meddle with them, and therefore I have nothing at all to say to them, but what you said to Madam Trimmer, Have me recommended to them, and tell them we all Provide for the Belly.

I (amongst others) am greedy enough of the Bait, but (you advise me to) have a care of the hook.

There is no Remedy: The word is gone out from me: Ipse dixi: ( [...]) The Sentence is past. There is no other way left but EXECUTION, EXE­CUTION, WITH A FIRM, HARDY, AND UNALTERABLE DE­TERMINATION.

And lest so portentous a sentence Obs. n. 269. should escape admiration, you print it in great (you should not need) Capital Letters: Let it be writ upon your Tomb.

For as you live in the ready Road from Newgate to Tyburn, so also if your Tomb hap­pen to be within a mile of the Gallows, no Epitaph can be more proper for you, nor more immortallize your name to Posterity, than EXECUTION, EXECUTION, WITH A FIRM, HARDY, AND UNALTERABLE DETER­MINATION.

It is the very Quintessence of Devilry; for no Mortal in his own confidence, could have said it; he must be more than man that could be so far divested of all Humanity; or was the Devil in you?

If you had lived 1600 years agoe, what a happy Tutor might you have been (Mr. Nobs,) to the Roman Government, as well as now to ours! what an Observator has Nero and Cali­gula lost (dull Truants in Execution,) they might have gone to School to thee, Nobs: For they also scorned all moderation, mitigation, qualifications, abatements, promises, undertakings, importunings, relentings, repentings, supplications, prayers or tears, whinings and deplorings, scorning also all diminutive and Retail-Executions, and lest their humanity should have time to wamble in their bowels, wishing that Rome had but one common Neck, that one blow might dispatch the Execution, Execution, with a firm, hardy, and unalterable determination. If Lions, Bears, Vultures, Serpents, Dogs, Towzers, Foxes, Cats, Tygers, Asses, Bulls or Wolves, had never been seen on earth, yet that there are such Beasts might easily be gather­ed from their brutish natures so visible and apparent in beastly men, roaring, rending, tearing, hissing, biting barking, snapping, clawing, devouring, braying, bellowing, and howling in brutish men, their counter part: And if we had no other Arguments that there are Devils, yet are their natures (even to demonstration) evident, their Devilry being so visible in de­vilish men, their true counterfeit and Charter-part. Which made Cicero (though a Hea­then) say to a prodigious Wretch, a very monster of a man, for mischief and Execution, with a firm, hardy, and unalterable determination,

Much of thy wickedness comes from thine own villanous heart (saith Cicero) but much also the Devil taught thee; Execution, Execution (quoth he) with a firm, hardy, and unaltera­ble determination. This Wisdom comes not from above, but is earthy, sensual, devilish; a few more such Phaetons, such Erostratusses, such Spitfires are enough to anticipate Dooms-day, by setting the world on fire, and to ruine themselves too in the common Flame.