A true looking-glass for all the oppressed free-born people of England wherein they may behold and see how to chuse the next and all future Parliaments if ever they intend to be free indeed : with a catalogue and character of the enemies of their liberty and freedom that so they may be avoided / by John North. North, John. 1654 Approx. 35 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 10 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2011-12 (EEBO-TCP Phase 2). A52448 Wing N1288 ESTC R28733 10750000 ocm 10750000 45642

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Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A52448) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 45642) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 1407:18) A true looking-glass for all the oppressed free-born people of England wherein they may behold and see how to chuse the next and all future Parliaments if ever they intend to be free indeed : with a catalogue and character of the enemies of their liberty and freedom that so they may be avoided / by John North. North, John. 16 p. [s.n.], At London : 1654. Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library.

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eng England and Wales. -- Parliament -- Elections. Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1642-1660. 2020-09-21 Content of 'availability' element changed when EEBO Phase 2 texts came into the public domain 2010-07 Assigned for keying and markup 2010-07 Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2011-02 Sampled and proofread 2011-02 Text and markup reviewed and edited 2011-06 Batch review (QC) and XML conversion

A True Looking-Glaſs FOR All the Oppreſſed Free-born People OF ENGLAND. Wherein they may behold and ſee, How to chuſe the next, and all future PARLIAMENTS, If ever they intend to be free indeed.

WITH A CATALOGUE and CHARACTER OF THE Enemies of their Liberty and Freedom, that ſo they may be avoided.

By John North.

Printed at London, 1654.

A true LOOKING-GLASS for all the oppreſſed free-born people of England, &c.

1. YOu are to remember, that our old Parliament declared the late King to be a tyrannical Pharaoh (for which (you know) he ſince has paid his utmoſt farthing) and that all the people of this Nation, in times of Kingſhip, were in an Egyptian ſtate. And are not we ſo ſtill?

But the Lord of hoſts never delivered the Heads and Elders of a people, (Hampdens or rich men) from a tyrannical Pharaoh, (that we read of) but he delivered the Jacobs or common people from their cruel oppreſſing Taskmaſters alſo. Exod. 3. 7. So that this is one Cheat.

2. That they declared us to be all free-born, and the yeer 1649. the firſt yeer of Englands freedom.

Were not theſe ſweet words? Jer. 6. 13, 14, 15. but where are their deeds? This is the ſecond Cheat.

Now to prevent the like Cheats for time to come, obſerve theſe Directions following.

1. Let all thoſe that have any ways aſſiſted the Parliament againſt the late King and his party, appear perſonally, both in Cities and Country, at the next Election, and challenge their free Votes unanimouſly, equal with any other, as freeborn men: and ſee who will deny us it.

And howbeit there is now riſen up a new King among us, which knows not Joſeph, Exod. 1. 8, 9, 10. (for if he did, he would be grieved for the affliction of Joſeph, Amos 6. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.) who hath ſaid unto his Councel, Come on, let us deal wiſely with them, (as they know the former Pharaohs of this Nation, and their Councels did with our predec ſſors) left they chuſe ſome Moſes's, which have looked upon their burdens, Exod. 2. 11. or ſome godly valiant Nehemiahs, Neh. 5. which will deliver them from their Taskmaſters and Oppreſſors, and ſo we ſhall have none to be our ſervants and ſlaves, to work and make brick, or fight for us; but (perhaps) rather fight againſt us: Exod. 9, 10, 11.

Therefore, they have put forth a late Ordinance (not to ſet Taskmaſters over us, becauſe they know that is done to their hands already; but) that none ſhall have a free Vote in the next, or any other election of Parliaments, except every one of us have 10 l. per an. in lands, or 200 l. in perſonal eſtate: which not one of a hundred of us hath, or is ever like to have, as they deal with us.

But let them remember, that howbeit they would chuſe Parliaments without us, and have divided Traitors and Delinquents eſtates amongſt them without us, yet they did not nor could not have conquered them without us. And if they pleaſe to forget this, we ſhall remember it againſt the next time they ſtand in need of us.

2. Remember, that Authority ought to be given to ſuch as care leaſt for it, and kept from them that preſs faſteſt towards it; (which you know has been the common and conſtant practice of all our late Parliament-men, by making friends, and ſending to their tenants to chuſe them: a baſe abuſe, and a corrupt practice:) for he that deſireth it, would have it for his onely commodity and honour; he that looketh not for it, conſidereth that he is choſen for others neceſſity: therefore how diverſe is their adminiſtration, where both happeneth? Beware of ſuch men.

3. That to all future Parliaments in this Nation, may be added others to be elected by you, which may officiate as did the Tribunes among the Romanes, termed Sacro-ſancti, if thought fit.

4. That there may be a months ſpace, or more, if need be, between their deſignation unto their Office, and their entry into it; to enquire whether there were no indirect and unlawful means uſed about their ſaid Election, and to be examined in the reſpective Cities and Counties: and if any ſuch ſhall be proved, that then all ſuch Elections may be null; and that ſome conſiderable Fine may be impoſed on every one, for ſuch corrupt practices.

5. That ſome determined period of time (not exceeding one whole yeer) may be ſet, for continuance of the next and all future Parliaments, and Tribunes as aforeſaid, beyond which none to continue, upon penalty of Treaſon, and upon which new Writs of courſe may iſſue out, and new Elections ſucceſſively may take place, according to the Bill for Triennial Parliaments: And that all members of the next and future Parliaments, and Tribunes (if any ſuch ſhall be) and all others to be employed or intruſted under them, may give a ſtrict Engagement to the people, (as by their Electors ſhall be thought fit) for the true and faithful diſcharge of that great and ſupreme truſt repoſed in them for publike good, before they or any of them ſhall preſume or be allowed to exerciſe any power or authority (by vertue of any ſuch Election to be made as aforeſaid) over our perſons or eſtates: conſidering, and alſo remembring, that our obſolete (but true) Adage, That none are deceived, but where they trust.

6. That at the ſitting down of the next Parliament to be choſen as aforeſaid, all the Officers of the Army may reſigne and deliver up unto the ſaid Parliament all their Commiſſions and powers received, together with all the Ships, Gariſons, Horſe, Arms, and Ammunition, belonging to this Commonwealth.

7. Beware of chuſing any of theſe perſons in general terms hereafter mentioned and expreſſed: for they are uſeleſs and dangerous, as to the common peoples intereſt, as by ſad experience we have found too true. That is to ſay,

Great Landlords, (by what other names or titles ſoever they be called;) Dives's, or rich men; Uſurers, Tythe-mongers, improvers of Commons (for their own private benefit and advantage) churliſh Nabals, Ingroſſers, Judges, (ſuch as have been ſilent St. Johns in the poor mens caſe and cauſe) Lawyers, (of all ſorts, Commiſſioners for the conſtant monthly Aſſeſments, nor any of their Collectors or ſub-Collectors, Commiſſioners for raiſing the Militia-Forces, Commiſſioners for taking and ſubſcribing that late new (but needleſs) Engagement; Sir John Goalers, (nor any of their Maſtiffs, Beardogs, or Blood-hounds) Exciſe-men, nor Cuſtom-takers, nor any belonging to them) Juſtices of the Peace or Quorum, our late Truſtees, Keepers of our Liberties, nor any of their cloſe Committees; rebellious Sauls, nor mercenary Souldiers.

Brethren in evil, ſtand together, & hearken to your Charge.

Landlords.

Theſe are they, that (notwithſtanding all our ſufferings and loſſes ſuſtained by Free-quarter, and Plunder of our horſes and other goods, in theſe ſad times of War) for payment of their Fines for Delinquencie, and recruiting of their loſſes otherwiſe, (voluntarily contracted and occaſioned by themſelves, not us) by Fines, Loans, together with one moyety, or one third part at the leaſt, of all Aſſeſments paid to the Souldiery, exacted from us, over and above our ancient Rackrents, have beaten us to pieces, and do grinde our faces; contrary to the expreſs minde of the Lord, even the Lord of hoſts, Iſai. 3. 15. wherein they deal worſe with us, then Egyptian Pharaoh did with the oppreſſed Iſraelites: for they have increaſed the tale of our bricks or rents which we paid in times paſt, yet give us no more land or ſtraw, but by themſelves or oſficers, bid us, Go, get more land or ſtraw where we can finde it: for we be idle, therefore we cry, ſaying, Let us go free. Exod. 5. 6, 8, 9.

Theſe are they that lay more work upon us, that we may labour therein, to maintain their pomp, pride, and idleneſs, which were the ſins of Sodom; ſaying, Let them not regard their late Parliaments Declarations, which declared them to be free-born; and the yeer 1649. the firſt year of Englands freedom; for thoſe were but vain words, Exod. 5. 9. like that Proclamation or Declaration which King Zedekiah in his time made to the Jews. Read Jer. 34. from verſ. 8. to the end.

Theſe are they, that ſtill joyn houſe to houſe, and Lay field to field, as mad as ever: the wo long ſince pronounced againſt ſuch by the Lord of hoſts, not at all regarding. But the wo in time may overtake them. In mine ears ſaid the Lord of hoſts, Of a truth, many houſes ſhall be deſolate, even great and fair without inhabitant, Iſai. 5. 8, 9. And I will ſmite the winter-houſe, with the ſummer-houſe; and the houſes of ivory ſhall periſh, and the great houſes ſhall have an end, ſaith the Lord, Amos 3. 15.

And have we not ſeen this fulfilled upon many of them, in all the three Nations, ſince theſe Wars? (though under ſome other notion) and aſſuredly, their fellows muſt follow, and dance after them, except their great Maſters repent; which we ſee ſmall hopes of. But muſt White-hall (think you) be ſpoiled, now after ſo much coſt ſpent about tricking and trimming it, at the Commonwealths charge? (that would be pity.) Yea: we do not finde it excepted, no more then Theobalds and the reſt: And why ſo? what is the matter or cauſe? Their great Maſters have eaten up the vineyard; the ſpoil of the poor is in their houſes, Iſai. 3. 14.

But ſome perhaps will be ready to ſay, This is but a poor cauſe that is ſhewed, therefore we will not believe it. Who can help it?

Theſe are they, that Saul-like take our ſons, and appoint ſome to ear their ground, and reap their harveſt; others to drive their Coaches; and ſome to run before their Coaches; and others to be their Poſtilions; which is a trick of ſtate more then Saul had, that we read of, 1 Sam. 8. 11, 12. and they take our daughters, and appoint ſome to be their Cooks, Bakers, and Brewers; others to empty their Foiſting-curs and Monkeys. (Yet our fleſh is as the fleſh of our brethren, and our children as theirs, Neh. 5. 5.)

Theſe are they, whoſe bond-ſlaves we are in times of peace, and vaſſals in times of war; and for whom we muſt fight, and adventure our lives, limbs, and blood, at our perils of being turn'd out of our houſes under old hedges, in caſe of refuſal, let the Cauſe be right or wrong: ſo verifying our Adage, They muſt needs go, that the devil drives: and if we be maimed and lamed, then we may go beg for our ſelves and families; which is all they care for us. But ſure we ſhall grow older and wiſer, when days grow longer.

Shall they not riſe up ſuddenly that ſhall bite them, and awake that ſhall vex them? And they ſhall be for booties unto them, Hab. 2. 7. and ſerve them as they have ſerved others, Iſa. 14. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Look to it, Tyrants and Oppreſſors.

Dives's, or rich men.

Theſe are they that are clothed in purple and fine linen, not knowing what new French cut or French faſhion to put on; and fare deliciouſly every day, not knowing what to eat or put in; whilſt poor Lazarus lies in the ſtreets, (for they will not (now) let him lie at their gates) the dogs ſhewing more compaſſion towards him, then their Maſters. But Dives, thou ſhalt be tormented, and Lazarus one day be comforted. Luke 16. from verſ. 19. to the end. For if Princes and Kings children be puniſhed, for wearing ſtrange apparel, Zeph. 1. 8. do ye think to eſcape? No, I'll warrant you.

Theſe are they that deſpiſe the poor. Do not the rich men oppreſs us, and draw us before the judgement-ſeats? James 2. 6.

Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl, for your miſeries that ſhall come upon you: your riches are corrupted, and your garments moth-eaten. Your gold and ſilver is cankered, and the ruſt of them ſhall be a witneſs againſt you, and ſhall eat your fleſh as it were fire. Ye have heaped up treaſure together for the laſt days. Can ye believe this? Ye have lived in pleaſure on the earth, and been wanton: ye have nouriſhed your hearts as in a day of ſlaughter. James 5. 1, 2, 3, 5. Can ye deny this? Zeph. 1. 18.

Uſurers.

Theſe are they that oppreſs us by uſury, vantage and increaſe, for money, meat, clothes, corn, cattel, and everything we ſtand in need of: poſitive Laws of God to the contrary, notwithſtanding, nor at all regarding. Levit. 25. 36, 37.

Theſe are they that have taken uſury and the increaſe, and have greedily gained of their brethren and neighbours, and have forgotten me, ſaith the Lord, Ezek. 18. 8, 12, 13, 16, 17. But the Lord will remember you for it, doubt not.

Legal Prieſts, and Tythe-mongers.

Theſe are they, that walk in ſheeps clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Theſe are they, that devour not widows houſes onely, but now, even all poor mens houſes alſo; inforcing us by humane Laws to pay Tythes of all things which we poſſeſs, yea Offerings for bread and wine, provided at our own proper coſt and charges; with Harth-peny, and Garth-peny, and Eggs at Eaſter; and for a pretence, make long whining hypocritical prayers, and Legal Sermons, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men: therefore they ſhall receive the greater damnation.

Theſe are they, that appear righteous outwardly unto men, but within they are full of all hypocriſie and iniquity.

Theſe are blinde guides, leaders of the blinde, which are always teaching both ſilly men and ſilly women, but never able to bring them to the knowledge of the truth, 2 Tim. 3. 7. Can they teach that to others, which they are ignorant of themſelves?

Theſe are they that teach for hire; and if a man put not into their mouthes, they even prepare war againſt him.

Pybald Impropriators.

Theſe are dumb dogs, that bite, but bark not at all; greedy dogs, that can never have enough; creatures never heard nor read of in Scripture: yet theſe muſt have Tythes alſo, or treble damages in caſe of non-payment; when by the Levitical Law the poor ſhould receive Tythes of them rather, Deut. 14. 28, 29.

Theſe are they that take the tenth of our Corn, the tenth of our hay, the tenth of our cattel, and of our ſheep, or treble damages in caſe of non-payment, without any colour of right, more then a thief hath to a ſtoln horſe; when thouſands of poor people, for far leſs offences, are hang'd ſtill like dogs; but theſe ſteal (cum privilegio) by authority.

Improvers of Commons.

Theſe are they that in compaſſing the earth are worſe then the devil: for it is written, He did but walk to and fro in it; he did not ditch it, hedge it, and incloſe it to himſelf, as our Common-improvers have done, not leaving Chriſt in us, where to reſt his head.

Theſe are the fat bulls and kine of Baſhan, which encompaſs us on every ſide, both on high-lands and low-lands, which oppreſs the poor, and deſtroy the needy, and ſay to their Maſters, Bring, and let us drink, Amos 4. 1.

Theſe are they whoſe teeth are as ſwords, and their jaws as knives, to eat up the afflicted out of the earth, and the poor from among men. Prov. 30. 14.

Churliſh Nabals.

Theſe are they that anſwer us in our need roughly, ſaying, Shall I then take my bread, and my drink, and my victuals, that I have provided for my ſelf and ſervants, and give it unto men whom I know not whence they be? Such ſons of Belial are they, that we dare not ſpeak to them, for any juſtice.

For the weapons of the Churl are wicked; he deviſeth wicked counſel to deſtroy the poor with lying words, and to make empty the hungry ſoul, and cauſeth the drink of the thirſty to fail, and to ſpeak againſt the needy in judgement.

Ingroſſers.

Theſe are they that firſt catch up all the incloſed grounds in a Pariſh, to feed and graze upon, and then with their great herds of young beaſts, and flocks of ſheep, eat and devour up all the Common grounds from us alſo, that we can ſcarce keep a Cow alive to give our children milk; and yet nevertheleſs, they cauſe us to do as much, nay more, at every Common-days work, then they do.

Theſe are they that ſay, When will the New-moon be gone, that we may ſell corn? and the Sabbath, that we may ſet forth wheat? making the ephah ſmall, and the ſhekel great, and falſifying the balance by deceit: denying the poor a Peck of corn at home, for their money, unleſs they give them more for it then the market will afford.

Theſe are merchants: the balance of deceit is in their hands, and they love to oppreſs.

Hear this, O ye that ſwallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail. Amos 8. 4, 5.

Judges.

Theſe are they, whoſe mouthes and tongues the Hampdens and rich mens golden key could open and unty, to ſpeak on their behalf, againſt the late King and their predeceſſors, in the Caſe of Ship-money, and other illegal proceedings then complained of; which was the cauſe of their preferment: but, then their preferment ſtruck them dumb in the poor mens Caſe and Cauſe concerning conſtant monthly Aſſeſments, polling money, Engagement-money, and Exciſe, impoſed by the Parliament and others upon the poor; beſides the illegal impriſonment of many: againſt which, no juſtice can be obtained from them. Do not they now deſerve the ſame ſentence of a Hurdle and a Halter, which they threatned their predeceſſors withal?

Theſe are they, that when they do their office in delivering ſome of our poor brethren out of the tyrannical Norman Gaols, as much as in them lieth, endeavour conſtantly to hang them all, many of which had been inſtruments to preſerve them, and their quondam great Maſters, from the block, or gallows, in caſe their late dread Soveraign, or his ſon (now call'd Charles Stuart) had prevail'd. But the fear of God is more to be ſeen in Egyptian Pharaoh's Midwives, (though Heathens, and Women) then in our old Men-Midwives, which deliver us indeed of both ſexes, (without reſpect either to youth or age) but it's to their Officers, to be hang'd like dogs, till we have paid our utmoſt farthing: contrary to any poſitive Law of God, Humanity, or Chriſtianity.

Theſe are they, that judge for reward and hire: they are evening-wolves, they gnaw not the bones till the morrow: they abhor judgement, and pervert all equity. Yet will they lean upon the Lord (as their great Maſters do) and ſay, Is not the Lord among us? none evil can come upon us. Micah 3. 9, 10, 11.

Therefore the law is ſlacked, and judgement doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compaſs about the righteous; therefore wrong judgement proceedeth. Hab. 1. 12, 13.

Lawyers.

Theſe are they that lade men with heavie burdens grievous to be born, and they themſelves touch not the burdens with one of their fingers.

Theſe are they that have violently oppreſſed by ſpoiling and robbing, and have vexed the poor and needy; yea, they afflict the juſt, they take reward, and oppreſs the poor in the gate.

Wo unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievous things which they have preſcribed, to turn aſide the needy from judgement, and to take away the right from the poor of my people; that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherleſs.

As a cage is full of birds, ſo are their Offices full of deceit: thereby they are become great, and waxen rich. Jer. 5. 27.

Commiſſioners for the Monthly Aſſeſments, with their Collectors and ſub-Collectors.

Theſe are they, that when for want of money we fail at any time to pay our own or our great Landlords Aſſeſments, (for they make us pay them, long before any rent be due) then by their commands we have our Cows driven away, or our clothes taken from our backs and beds, with great violence, by their Collectors or ſub-Collectors, and either ſold for half or a third part of their worth, or otherwiſe forced to pay moſt grievous exactions for diſtraining, over and above our Aſſeſments; and ſome mens goods carried quite away, worth 20 l. when the Aſſeſment was under 4 l. without giving any account at all for the ſame. Thus we are pill'd and poll'd on all ſides moſt intolerably, and no law or juſtice can be had or obtained againſt them.

Theſe are they that obſtruct the regulated courſe of juſtice, ſo much heretofore complained of in times of Kingſhip, as unlawful then; but now all things muſt be lawful, agreeable with their arbitrary wills and pleaſures.

Theſe are they that cauſe us to go naked, without clothing: they have riſen up as an enemy; they pull off the robe with the garment, from them hat paſs by ſecurely, as a man averſe from war. Mic. 3. 8.

Commiſſioners for the Militia.

Theſe are they, that, for ſaving their own and fellows eſtates, have impoſed a great part of the charge thereof, by way of a general Aſſeſment, upon every Pariſh; whereby, even the pooreſt, which had but a Cow, were forced to contribute towards the ſame, contrary to all equity and conſcience.

Commiſſioners for taking and ſubſcribing the late new needleſs Engagement.

Theſe are they, that by themſelves or Clerks have exacted many thouſands of pounds from us, for cheating Certificates about the ſame, ſold at 6 d. if not 12 d. apiece: which would not be allowed of, when we had them.

Exciſe-men, and Cuſtom-takers.

Theſe are they that have their Spaniels and Beagles hunting in Packs and Grayn-tubs.

Theſe are they that make us drink our water for money, Lam. 5. 4. and enflame the reckoning for all things we ſtand in need of; Exciſe being a common name for all Monopolies (ſo much heretofore alſo complained of) as homo is a common name to all men. Beſides, who is able to number up the many thouſands of pounds that have been exacted from us by them and their agents, upon that account? And yet no juſtice can be had againſt them for it.

Our necks are under perſecution: we labour and have no reſt, by reaſon of theſe tyrants our oppreſſors. Lam. 5. 5.

Servants have ruled over us: there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand. Lam. 5. 6.

Sir John Gaolers.

Theſe are they that like Cannibals live upon mans fleſh and blood. Oh the tyranny, cruelty, violence, and villany, that hath been (and, for ought we know, ſtill is) committed upon poor priſoners (if not inhumane murthers) ſo much complained of, even in print, and yet no juſtice can be had againſt them for it! Men groan out of the City and Country, and the ſoul of the wounded crieth out; yet they paſs unpuniſhed.

Juſtices of the Peace and Quorum.

Theſe are they that ſtill put in due execution all the tyrannical Laws, and Roguiſh Statutes heretofore made againſt the Poor by the late King Pharaohs of this Nation, and their great Councels of Taskmaſters.

Theſe (and their great Maſters) are they, that hate the Traytors, but love the Treaſon. For, are not all the ſtatutes of Omri kept in force againſt us at this day? Mica. 6. 16.

Our late Truſtees.

Theſe are they that we long looked up at, as the brazen Serpent, which would have healed all our grievances: when alas! they were more ready, by far, to hang us, then heal us of the biting of theſe fiery Scorpions our Oppreſſors. For, did not theſe wicked men lay wait, as he that ſetteth ſnares? They ſet a trap to catch poor complaining men: witneſs their ſeveral Ordinances and Acts of Treaſon made for that purpoſe. But the pit they digged for others, they may come to fall into it themſelves.

Theſe are they, that (like the falſe Rulers of the Jews) healed our hurt ſlightly, with ſweet words, ſaying and declaring us to be all free-born, and the yeer 1649. the firſt yeer of Englands freedom: Jer. 6. 14. when there is no freedom to us, other then what ſhews faces without bluſhing, like that freedom which perfictious King Zedekiah alſo in his time promiſed and proclaimed to the Jews then. Read Jer. 34. 8. and there you ſhall ſee what that was, and what judgements the Lord pronounced againſt him and his Great ones for the ſame; which afterwards came to paſs, and were executed upon Zedekiah and his Princes, as you may read in the 39 Chapter of Jeremiah. And do theſe falſe perfidious men of our times think to eſcape, becauſe they have ſtopt the Officers mouthes? No, we'll warrant them.

Theſe are they, that are waxen fat and ſhining, they overpaſs the deeds of the wicked: they executed no judgement, no, not the judgement of the fatherleſs. Yet they proſper'd, though they executed no judgement for the poor.

Shall I not viſit for theſe things, ſaith the Lord? ſhall not my ſoul be avenged on ſuch a nation as this? Jer. 5. 26, 27, 28, 29.

Theſe are they that deviſed wicked counſel in this city, which ſaid, It is not near: let us build houſes, (beſides many built to their hand:) this city is the caldron, and we be the fleſh. But let them take a little pains to read the 11 Chapter of Ezekiel, from the beginning to verſ. 13. and then tell us what they think of it.

Theſe are they that kept their hypocritical monthly Mockfaſts, as did the falſe Jews aforeſaid, (whoſe ſteps they have trod in, as one would trace a Hare in ſnow. Read Ezek. 7. 5. to the end of that Chapter; and tell us alſo what you think of it. But that true faſt which the Lord of hoſts hath choſen, Iſai. 58. 6, 7. they could not like of: they were deaf to that faſt; and ſo are their ſucceſſors.

Theſe are they that ſate guarded with Souldiers at the Commonwealths charge; whereas in truth, and of right, they ought to have had no other Guards allowed them but Juſtice and Righteouſneſs, which would have been a Safeguard, a Robe and a Crown unto them, as it was to upright Job, if they had acted accordingly. Therefore Tyrants and Oppreſſors have need of ſtrong Guards, they know.

Theſe are they that by their own arbitrary wills, without the free conſent of the people firſt had and obtained, Reſolved upon the Queſtion, and made an Act to ſit three yeers longer; which in all would have been Fourteen yeers; and by the ſame Law, would not no doubt have reſolved further upon the Queſtion to have ſitten three hundred yeers longer, if they had lived, and the world continued ſo long. Wot ye not the reaſon why? But their Servants took an order with them: but who may now ſay unto them, What do ye? Theſe Rehoboams little fingers have been heavier upon us then the late Kings loyns.

Keepers of our Liberties.

Theſe were they, that, under a pretence of keeping our Liberties for us, kept them from us: and when we ſpake againſt them for it, then did they commit us to one Prerogative-priſon or other, till they pack'd Juries, and pick'd Judges to hang us all: And when the honeſt Juries could finde no juſt cauſe to condemn us, then by their arbitrary wills endeavoured to murther us, by perpetual impriſonment, (which is worſe then death.) And is not this in faſhion ſtill?

Innumerable Cloſe Committees.

Theſe were they, that, under a pretence of redreſſing our grievances, aggravated them above meaſure, by tedious delays, and endleſs attendance upon them, with charges and expences inſupportable: which many honeſt men can witneſs. Ask but the inhabitants of the Iſle of Axholm, and they ſhall tell you as ſad a ſtory as any as in England: nor yet can finde juſtice from any other.

Rebellious Sauls, and mercenary Officers of the Army.

Theſe are they, that, inſtead of obeying the commandment of the Lord of hoſts, have turned to the prey, and ſought Kingly Houſes, Mannors, Lands, and large Poſſeſſions, with high Titles of Honour for themſelves; wholly neglecting the honour of Jeſus Chriſt, and the good of his oppreſſed people; and ſuffered the old Parliament to cheat the poor common Souldiers with deſperate Debenters, which they were ſince forced to ſell for 2 s. per li. to thoſe that knew the Plot, and lay upon the lurch and catch.

Theſe are they that ſold our poor brethren the Scots (if not Engliſh) for ſilver, (and the needy for a pair of ſhooes, for ſlaves) at 6 d. or 8 d. a man; elſe there's lyers. Amos 2. 6. We wiſh them read 2 Chron. 28. 8, 9, 10, 11. and conſider it.

O Lord, thou haſt ordained them for judgement; and O mighty God, thou haſt eſtabliſhed them for correction: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherouſly? and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous then he? Hab. 1. 12, 13. The beſt of them is as a bryer, and the moſt upright ſharper then a thorne-hedge, Mic. 7. 4.

Theſe are they, joyntly and ſeverally, that eat our fleſh, and fley our skin from off us, and they break our bones, and chop them to peices, as for the pot, and as fleſh within the Cauldron, Mic. 3. 1, 2, 3.

Theſe are they, that Simeon and Levi-like, are all brethren in evil, inſtruments of cruelty are in their habitations. Curſed be their wrath, for it is cruel: the Lord divide them in Jacob, and ſcatter them in Iſrael. Amen. Gen. 49. 5, 6.

What will ye do in the day of viſitation, and in the deſolation which ſhall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory? Iſa. 10. 3. Ye ſhall have no more of our help, we promiſe you.

And now we ſhall hear the Great ones and Rich men whet their tongues at this, and ſay, It would be a wiſe Parliament, that ſhould conſiſt of none but Farmers, Shepherds, Herds-men, Labourers in the field, Brick-makers, Mechanicks, and ſuch-like fellows and fools, that underſtand nothing of ſuch matters.

The rich man (ſaith Solomon) is wiſe in his own conceit, but the poor (which they account fools) that hath underſtanding could ſearch out the Ks. might they have liberty to do it, Prov. 28. 11. And this is the cauſe why they uſe all their craft to keep us out of ſuch elections.

Had theſe men lived in thoſe daies, (no doubt) they would have condemned the wiſdom of God, in chuſing Moſes and David, which were Shepherds, for ſuch imployments; and the Prophets which were Herds-men, and inferiour men in reſpect of the Grandees of thoſe times: and the wiſdom of Chriſt, for chuſing ſuch for poor fiſher-men, and deſpiſed ones, to preach the Goſpel, before the great Rabbies and Doctors of thoſe dayes.

But let them remember, that not many wiſe men after the fleſh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called.

For God hath choſen the fooliſh things of the world, to confound the wiſe; and God hath choſen the weak things of the world, to confound the things which are mighty; and baſe things of the world, and things which are deſpiſed, hath God choſen; yea, and things that are not, to bring to nought things that are.

That no fleſh ſhould glory in his preſence: that according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. 1 Cor. 1. 26, 27, 28, 29, 31.

Therefore ye deſpiſed ones, ſtand faſt to your tackling, for ſetting up the kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, and delivering the oppreſſed from the hand of all their oppreſſors, Jer. 21. 11, 12.

Then ſhall there be no more leading into captivity, nor ſuch complaining in our ſtreets: but our ſorrows have

An End.