THE tyrannicall usurpation of the Bi­shops, and their Ecclesiasticall insultati­ons hath beene generally acknowledged to be the prime cause of these Discords, and pro­miscuous distractions among the people at this time. They have been kindling the fire of dissen­tion a long time in this kingdome, and now [Page] they have almost brought the spark of their ma­licious minds to a full flame. But I hope God will still divert their wicked intents, and as here­tofore all their usurping tyrannie, and nefarious machinations in famum evanuerunt, have come to nothing, so still their conspiracies shall be confounded. They have alwayes envied the pro­speritie of good and painfull Ministers of the Gospell, and as they saw them flourish the more in the truth of the holy Scripture, gaining the affections of the people, so still the more did they alwayes emulate them. But the Parliament having judiciously perceived their intents, did not think them fit members of the House, and therefore have placed them in an other house more meet for them, I mean the Tower, which they have most deserved. Where being com­mitted, they studied with all diligence, and se­dulity to subvert either the intents of those, who should oppose them, and were the Authors of their imprisonment. Having thus molded their resolution, they privately made seven Articles against Mr. Pym, and four other worthie Parlia­ment men, wherein they were all arraigned of High Treason. And when they had obscurely composed, they sent it to be presented to the Kings Majestie, and that he would vouchsafe to give his Assent thereunto, and proclaim them Traitors. Thus we may perceive their malicious minds, who, when they saw men glorious in the kingdome, and that stood for the safety, peace [Page] and prosperitie of the Realm, did studie to sup­plant those Noble Members, being the next way to supplant the whole Kingdome besides. Thus we may understand their diligence to set the Ci­tie, and Kingdome together by the ears: thus we may see their intents to alienate the Vpper House of Parliament from the Lower house, and the King from both; yet being somewhat frustra­ted of their expectation of imprisonment of those Members, whom they impeached: their malice would not stop there, but entended farther. And now being crost in their former stratagem, they proceeded unto a second: wherein they privatly againe, and obscurely composed Articles against M. Calamie, M. Burton, M. Martiall, &c. with di­vers other famous Divines, striving to suppresse the laborious and painfull Ministers of the Word and Gospell; for because they could not bring the Parliament into dissension and discord a­mong themselves, labouring to eject the chiefest Members thereof: they strived to reduce the Church to Heresie, [...]nd promiscuous distracti­ons, intending to suspend the chiefest pillars thereof,

But I hope that their envie and emulation will shortly be dissipated, and although they ex­pect these men with themselves in the tower, yet J beleeve they may stay long enough for them.

If the parliament would bee pleased to call these [Page] Bishops to their triall, it would be great honour to themselves, greater safety to the Kingdome, and especially greatest honour to God and the propagation of his holy Gospell. For they dai­ly concurre together in machinations, either how they may depopulate the Realm, or else how they themselves might obscurely escape from the Tower: Once they had concluded to shave themselves, put on perriwigs, and gray clothes, and so they thought to have escaped from thence, but their treacherie was discovered, and notice given to the Parliament therof. Who did immediately thereupon send for some of the Guard, and gave stricter charge of their fidelity: who very faithfully promised the same.

But the City of London being in such extreame pe­rill, and danger, did induce many to stand in their own defence; for they knew not what Treachery, the Bi­shops and other popish Recusants might conspire a­gainst them.

Therefore the Trained [...]nds doe both day and night wai [...]e in London and Westminster to defend themselves from the wicked Conspiracies of their tre­cherous enemies. But one great abuse done unto the City I cannot omit; when as last Thursday night some Company had bin drinking very late in the night, and were resolved to do some exploit, that should be heard of in the City: and one of them immediatly replyed, that they would cry about the streets, that the Papists were arising, and every man should presently stand on his owne safeguard. It was concluded on, and crying thus in the City, and calling for every man to come in his owne defence for feare hee should bee burnt in his [Page] bed, for the Papists were risen. There was immediatly many thousand Citizens came incontinently with their Muskers charged all with bullets, some with Hal­berts, others with pikes, some with swords and the like weapons, Common-garden was immediatly filled with souldiers, in Cheap-side there were many thou­sands stood in their Guard, and in St. Georges Field in Southwarke there was an infinite number of men in Armes. But if these roguish disturbers of the city could be apprehended, I doubt not but that they should re­ceive condigne punishment according to their deme­rits.