A LETTER FROM AN EJECTED MEMBER OF THE HOUSE of COMMONS, TO Sir JO: EVELYN: SHEWING, The Constitution of that Councell, and the Influence it hath had on the pre­sent Times, with a judgement of future Events.

Printed in the yeare, 1648.

A LETTER TO Sir JOHN EVELYN, from an ejected MEMBER of the Commons House.

Sir,

I Am sorry I am not in a capacity of retur­ning one civility for another, being bound up by the unfortunate aspect of my Na­tivity to receive benefits rather then to give. Only I can say, I have committed your obligations to a faithfull memory and a gratefull heart, who will at all times discharge their Offices I am sure, in paying you all just and due respects. But for your last discourse, wherein you en­deavoured to have me accept the proceedings of the House of Commons for my Ejection, and acknowledge the right of my successors place; I desire to be excused, till I am convinced by the Reason of Arguments, and not fortune of the Times.

I must confesse I doe not envie him his cushion, nor the State, Dignity, & Degree of Membership: which if I mistake not, begins to want something both of the intrin­sique and extrinsique value. And if my Arithmetick be good, the Houses had no sooner disordered their whole Number, but they have ever since beene busied in Fractions.

But I need not read Lectures to the wise; you re­member as well as I, and are a witnesse to all the truth I know or can speak; How the things of this present age, were begun with most exorbitant Opinion and Pride, carryed on with proportionable Injustice and Oppression, and are like to end with equall Shame and Folly to the first Attempters.

With what an aire of popularity was every man lifted up at the very first meeting? Flattering himself in the honour of being a publique Champion for the almost captiv'd liberty and interest of England: and of being a Member of that Parliament, which the People (who measure all things, not by what is fit and just, but by what themselves desire) already had in adoration. So that these men that could not govern themselves by their particular vertue, no sooner came to live in the hot aire of vulgar acclamations, but they grew half mad.

An absolute Calenture had seized on the head of the Body politique, which made them believe, they could do no businesse but by precipices.

The Speaker was so giddy with his vertiginous Office, that after a whole day spent in hearing and doing pub­lique Affaires, he could seldome give account, you know, of what was said or done. Which, I suppose, proceeded from the various qualifications and tempers [Page 3]of the Members: whereof some were wise men, but seemed not so, being superseded with acute prejudices and passions: Some seemed so and were not, seeking Fame rather then deserving it: Others neither were nor seemed so, and yet had publique Faculty to use their incorrigible confidence of troubling the House when they pleased.

And though no man came to the Parliament but whom the Writ supposed both wise and valiant; yet that was to be understood favourably, for it appeared at last, that passions and feares had taken away the reputation of both.

'Tis certain that these humours quite overthrew the State, Rule, and Order of a wise Councell. Doe you not remember how the Mornings were used to be passed away in long-winded declamations, brought thither elaborately compos'd, and read out of a hat perhaps, or behind a friend? And for the second Scene, How about Noone (for so the match was made) came some Petiti­on, from a County, City, Corporation, Mystery, or Oc­cupation, and made humble desires to have the same things done, which the Speech-makers had all the mor­ning been debating of. Which also did not a little set forth the speculative prospect, and high wisdome of the said Members in publique Affaires. And it may be, after all this, the same Members receive Letters (of their own procuring) from their Country, City or Burrough, to give the thankes of their Trustees to them, and to ac­knowledge their unwearied paines for the publique ser­vice. So that by this time, the Gentlemen, swelling with opinion above the bounds of all shame or fear, sent all their Orations to be Printed: whence came forth at any one time eight Speeches of Sir John Wray; and [Page 4]soon after, nine Speeches more of Sir John Wray: all penn'd without wit and understanding; (and they must needs be so, for the Knight had none, and, where there is nothing to be had, the King loses his right:) spoken without intelligible pronunciation and accent; and heard without attention; and yet sent abroad to busie the people with popular theames, and feed them with expectations of great effects. Whereas the wiser sort of men, thought it a great dishonour to Parliaments, that these and other Speeches should ever have been dis­covered to the world, to give Strangers & other Nations occasion to think, what opinion they were to have of the great Assembly of Wise men in England.

You must needs agree with me, that this liberty of Speech-making was Remora, if not the overthrow of all Parliamentary results; and made us many times more like persons conveened in a Cock-pit, then a Councell: which caused a high resentment in some temperate old Members: Among whom, (quoth one, striking his hand on his brest, in our sight and hearing) I have been of all Parliaments since Duodecimo Jac. and never saw such doings.

Another cries out, that he had seen all the Parlia­ments of King Charles, and that of Oxford, where they were called Hornets, after they had been adjourned from Westminster where they were but waspes, all which were nothing to this. For whether it were the intemperate de­sire of fame, or private opinion of parties, which often deceives men, and never more then at this time, or tem­porall interests, or irregular zeal, or engagement in Faction and Designe, certain it is, that all concurred to use a liberty could be denyed to none of them: and they that held themselves before almost undone for [Page 5]want of liberty, were now about to be undone with too much. The truth is, much talking is troublesome in all companies, and in Councells dangerous; where all matters are to be handled with gravity and weight. But you remember well enough, that our long debates, which sometimes held from morning till night, and then almost from night till morning agen, looked little better then great brawles: and when the people suppo­sed their Gallant wise Members were very busie, and took great paines, to sit up late anights, making them good Lawes, they were then altogether by the ears per­haps, and drawing Swords, about the Candles. 'Tis as observable, how matters are not much mended, and that publique Affaires move still by the like wild and preposterous consultations: For, as when the rest of the people lived in full peace, they were only then fighting and quarrelling in the House of Commons; so now, when the Kingdome was put into open Warre, and dif­ferent parties were every where acting Tragedies, on each other; when like wise patriots they should be quen­ching the flames of publique discord, they are spending their time like young novices in Religion, and getting by heart a Catechisme, which they have newly received from their reversed Tutor the Synod.

But popularity that bewitches all natures, not migh­tily supported with virtue and wisdome, soon taught wise men, that there was no stop to be given to this careere of Speech-making, unlesse the King should dis­solve the Parliament: which as the King had not done formerly without great temptation; so now to prevent it, the temptation being greater then ever, you know the arts were used; with all the desired successe that could be. And notwithstanding His Majesties great [Page 6]alscrity in so important a matter, to consent to the perpe­tuity of this Parliament, yet this security was so far from working off the clamour of the Members, that it raised the key higher, and from generall discourses they descen­ded every day more and more to particulars.

Happy was he that found out a Subject would tickle the attention of the Houses, and could set it forth pathe­tically. Doe you not remember how Cromwell speak­ing for Layton out of the Gallery, dropt teares downe with his words? and did not Lilburne, Burton, Prin, and Bastwick, find the like passionate Orators? and yet what effect did their glorious enlargements produce, but to let the world see the turbulent spirit of these men was habituall and not imputed; and justifie the proceedings of the late governours against them? And that 'twas no wonder they fell out with the King, His Privy Councell, and the Bishops; when now being all at liberty, they could not agree among themselves. For Prin was be­come a State-Presbyter, and Bastwick an Ecclesiasticall; Burton an Independent, and Lylburne a Leveller; and all of them acording to the interest of their severall causes, did not only write and raile at one another, and at seve­rall Members of the Houses and the Army, but at the whole Army and Parliament it self.

It was strange to see the cheapnesse of your Juris­diction, and what a facile ear was given to all Accusa­tions and Calumnies; as if the Parliament had been called only to hear Informations, or receive Intelligen­ces, I passe by the Triumph was made over many great Personages in their loud Impeachments of High Trea­son, & the great labour was had to prove them. Some of which were sold afterwards for money, and others to this day lie by the walls unregarded, and forgotten. [Page 7]And those that did perish by their Accusations, suffered more, I doubt, to satisfie the pride and greatnesse of the Accusers then the merit of their Accusations. And when the wits and understandings of men failed, their revenge & malice bore up the undertaking; for when the whole House was gravell'd, & knew not how to proceed in the Tryall of the Earl of Strafford, M. Pym, you know, was fain to call up that stupendious Oracle of all Learning, SELDEN the Great, to help the infirmities of the Mem­bers, and declare (to the forme of proceeding what had been the practice of former Ages in the like Impeach­ments. The matter rested in the hearts of the Accusers, and needed no assistances. As appeared sufficiently upon the closing up the evidence at the Bar by M. Glyn, who ranging all his matter to the best order and advan­tage he could to charge the Prisoner; seconded with a reserve of his own aggravations, made such a tedious, unsatisfactory, impertinent clamour, that of those Lords who should have heard him, some fell asleep, others lay along tired, all found out some diversion for their tor­mented thoughts, representing to them, the fatality of that great Peer's life before them; which they could not save, because they saw the Commons would not.

You must needs remember upon all occasions, how nice & tender they were ever of their Orders and Privi­ledges; holding them superiour to all Laws and Rules whatsoever. It was a State sacriledge to invade either of them. Whence it came to passe, that their own, and their servants persons were free from all Legall pro­cesse in all causes and Courts. And one Benson a York­shire man, thought the vertue of Member-ship so great, [Page 8]that he extended it to protect fourscore persons, none of his servants, at one time, for which also he received 20s. a piece: and I beleeve, the first example that ever was, of protecting a Rape by Priviledge of Parliament, was, in the person of that godly and faithfull Member to the Cause, whom they called Prince Griffith. I know there hath been something done of late to remit protecti­ons, and humble the power of Parliaments; which signifies no more but this, that in a time, when peoples mindes were in a tumultuary discrasie, ready to break the reines of Government, and some temper was fit to be administred; nothing was thought more popular nor apt to court the People into their Obedience, then to offer them to lay down this Spell of Priviledge, which, while they were about them, no creditor could do them hurt.

What opinion the House of Commons had of the Lords was seen every day, for it appeared all along they were made servile to the designes of the Com­mons.

And in truth, it were too much trouble to put you in minde how often, and how tamely they have suffered themselves to be baffled out of as much right and reason, as would have served for noble advantages to have raised their lost honours to their Ancient greatnesse and splen­dour. And in case (as of late it hath happened) that Pe­titions and Addresses were made to the Houses, which exactly suited not with the sence and successe of their present designes: Doe but observe what the different receptions of them were; with how much more secret State and Dignity the answers were delivered from the Lower House; who, when they dare, will be sure to reprehend; and when they dare not, their answers shall [Page 9]be made up of such supercilious sentences, as shall signifie nothing; or some cold opinion of the action, and leave the Petitioners rather to study out their own duty, then expect redresse.

'Tis an athletick labour to put you in minde of every thing: But you may suppose, that when so many were got together, that could think themselves, any thing: that there was no Power, nor Jurisdiction, nor Rule, but they were that: it was no hard matter for them to make a transition from the power to the execution, and fall to acting any thing.

Hence it came to passe, that Treason against the King, and Sacriledge against the Church were become popular Topicks. The first was upheld under the pretences of restoring the Crown to a stability of Greatnesse and So­veraignty; and the other covered with the title of Refor­mation. But these appearing at last with their disguises off, discovered only the power of some active & subtle Members working out different designes through the borrowed resemblances of Justice and vertue.

You need not be remembred with what notorious partiality and favour those Causes were received, which belonged to persons of Parliamentary affections; and how the others were either put off with terrour, or so long tired with delaies, (for which there were a hundred known tricks among Committee-men, and after a while grew no more to be any of the secrets of their Courts) that they were undone with hoping to be relieved; and had nothing left them but the memory of their innocen­cy and right; which was now referred over to the day of Judgement for a hearing: where no art of a Chair­man, or power of a worthy Member, can forestall the action, or pervert the just judgement.

It well beseemed indeed the wisdome of the House, wandring in a wildernesse of various matters without end or order, to take care that all Committees concer­ning private matters should be nulled: and yet when fourscore Committees were reduced at one time, M. Hollis had the favour to have that Committee continued, which concerned a suit of his own in the Court of Wards, (as I remember) because he was then a leading Member: which was noted at that time a grosse partiality. But this, you know, was the common use of all Parliamen­tary references; for no Committee was so soon made, as it was immediately converted to serve the revenge, envie, avarice, or other corrupt humours and passions of the Authors: So that to commit a businesse signi­fied no more, for the most part, but to give the Members advantages of working their own, or their friends busi­nesse and designes with successe.

But your partiality to friends was not more conspicu­ous, then to your reputed enemies was your indistinct ri­gour & impartiality: for, as if you had stoically held all men to be equall sinners, you did indeed make them all equal in oppression; the King, with his meanest Subjects. For you have oppressed all alike in their consciences, un­derstandings, honours, dignities & fames: in their wives, children, kindred, friends and servants: in their lives, liberties, persons, goods, and properties. Notwithstan­ding that both of us have often heard some of these things called Tyranny in the King and others: and oc­casion thence taken to punish the Actors with the acts. Which kind of Justice how you will avoid, your selves having been Judges in the case already, I cannot see. 'Twill be no plea to say, you were fooles or knaves, though all the world think you are both. The best you [Page 11]can say for your selves is, that you were mad; & that you may prove perhaps, by some of your late actions. For what else was the voting of your Members, in and out so often? Your Voting men into Prison for High Trea­son, and Voting them out agen for you know not what. Your Voting there shall be no more Addresses to the King, and then Voting that there shall. A temper something like to that of Hen. 8. who advanced men in a good hu­mour he knew not why, and ruined them agen presently in another he knew not for what. But these resolutions of yours, are answered abroad with the like discourses: Some saying that you are, and other that you are not a Free Parliament: Some saying that many of you are, and others that you are not Members duly elected. Which, how true it is I examine not, but I have heard, that the vertue of the Army hath been at severall elections, to keep the peace, as they call it: to say no more.

Many there are, who think you a mad company, in sensu composito, as well as diviso: You have two Speakers, a white Speaker & a Black Speaker: But the white Speaker like the white witch, soon unravelled all the spels of the black Speaker, when he once appeared with his Familiar in both Houses. Which was also, such a deep dissembled ceremony, that no man but saw through it; and did beleeve with reason, that the Members brought his Excellency to the Parliament, and not he them. I am sorry to hear, that you were one that ran upon this Errand: though I know many Presbyterians did it, whom temporall respects prevailed with, to be of the sure side. Yet, who would have thought that any worldly profit or preferment, could have moved old Rous, a man in matters of Religion and Conscience, [Page 12]alwayes esteemed severe and resolute; now in his old age when he can keep nothing long, to runne away from his imbibed Principles and perswasions, to be continued yet a little longer Provost of Eaton.

Oh, Sir, God will have an account of these things; and will let you see, that all those calamities that attend great alterations in States, are better prevented with wisdome, then punished with justice; and the day will come when the memory of your own Votes shall tor­ment you more then a thousand deaths.

For, if whatsoever comfort shall remaine of our elap­sed humane life, will consist in the charity which we exercised living, and in that Piety, Justice, and firme Faith, for which it pleased the infinite mercy of God in Christ to accept of us and receive us; what shall we think of you, whose actions have tended to banish all Charity quite out of Christian Churches & Societies; to dissolve in all families and neerest relations, the Bonds of naturall Piety; to supersede in all Courts the execution of Com­mon Justice; and to frustrate the vertue and power of all Religion towards God and Man, under pretences of higher perfection?

A state as dangerous as that of the old Pharisees, whose strictnesse far exceeded yours; and yet, because they justified themselves in their sins, and busying themselves in small popular duties, omitted the weightier matters of the Law, Judgement, Mercy, and Faith, what woes unchangeable and eternall doth our Saviour Christ fulminate against their affected hypocri­cie?

Now, if you are not guilty 'tis well. But, how you have kept your Faith with Heaven in your Protestations, Vowes, and Covenants?

How you have kept your Faith the with King, in your Oathes of Allegeance, and your many Declarations to make him glorious and great?

How you have kept your Faith with the Church in matters of Reformation? After you had declared, die Sabbati, 9 Aprilis 1642. That you intend a due and ne­cessary Reformation of the Government, and Lyturgie of the Church, & to take away nothing in the one or the other, but what shall be evill, and justly offensive, or at least unnecessary and burdensome. — And to establish Learned and Prea­ching Ministers, with a good and sufficient maintenance throughout the whole Kingdome, wherein many dark corners are miserably destitute of the meanes of Salvation, and many poore Ministers want necessary provision. As if to take away nothing in the one and the other, but what shall be evill, and justly offensive, signified, to take quite away, both the one and the other: and to establish learned Ministers with good maintenance in dark corners, signifi­ed, to put out Learned Ministers, and put in young confi­ding dunces; divert the Church profits to your owne uses, and make tenne dark corners for one that was before.

How you have kept your Faith with the Scots in your Treaties, (made when you were in adversity, and broke when you were out of it) and in the Solemne League and Covenant?

How you have kept your Faith with the people, in securing to them, their known Laws and Liber­ties? And

How you will keep your Faith with them in paying them all their monies agen? God knowes. And our own sad experience in humane Affaires hath told us [Page 14]now sufficiently, that, Nulla fides pietasque viris qui castra sequuntur.

For I look upon you now as Souldiers, and your mercenaries wear not more iron then you doe about your hearts; where no precepts of vertue or Religion can make impression. Which made you so great ene­mies to peace and innocence, that you have not been satisfied with breaking your own Faith and Obligati­ons, but have made others break theirs too. As in the North & West parts of England, in the infancy of these troubles, when the Counties there, had agreed upon Articles between them, and thereto engaged their Faith to remaine Neutralls; you held it an odious resolution, and caused those of your Faction to break it, against the Lawes of Justice and Honour. All which, with too ma­ny more of your Actions, have made the times so tra­gicall and disastrous, that the prudence of those former Councellors of State seemes fully vindicated, who (mistaken by the vulgar sense to have done dis-service to the Common wealth) well judging of the temper of late Parliaments; put a stop to their dangerous effects by dissolving them. And however it sounds to the ear to wish for no Parliaments; yet it is hard to wish, what we are all bound to doe I think, that God would have removed far off from us this day of affliction, and not also to wish we had had no Parliament.

By this time, you will believe, I have not argued my selfe into a desire of being amongst you agen, or think my selfe, or any of my expulsed companions cove­tous of the Honour of being of a Parliament, which is neither just, free, nor compos mentis; (though it have somtimes lucida intervalla, which happens when some moderate men are onely left in the House:) And what­soever [Page 15]scandall you labour'd to raise upon us for deser­ting our Trust, as you call'd it, (when we fled from the guilt of your designes, and left you going about by fine arts and force to raise the Ball of dissention betwixt the KING and His People) we know very well, that Game, if it began with Pym, Hampden, &c. and was handed over to Hollis, Stapleton, &c. is caught up now at last by Cromwell, Ireton, and their Complices: and whither it may be carried, God knows. But through all these al­ternative designes and variable interests, it cannot be said, I hope, that nothing hath been done, but what the people at first entrusted you to doe. When it is notori­ously known, that even at this time, the people every where dislike what you are now a doing: and are ready to pull you off those Benches, did not the Army you keep up restrain them. And though it be a long time since you branded all those who concurred not with you in your actions and designes, with the malevolent note of Malignants, yet now that all England is about to turn Malignant, with what pretences and arguments you will support your undertakings we daily expect. If that of Salus Populi have any truth or reason in it; as your controversal Writers for the cause have taken most exact paines to prove by discourse, you must now prove it by your example, and yeild your selves a sacrifice to the common good; that the Kingdome may be restored to the peace it groans after, and is only obstructed by your obstinacy and malice: for as long as you sit together at Westminster, the people can neither be safe nor quiet. And truly, I have alwaies esteemed it, a notable effect of Gods divine anger upon you, designing you to that just destruction God hath prepared for you, that, as the case stands, you did not all, before this time rise & run away.

Whence the generall hate and detestation of your very Names and Persons proceeds, you need not much won­der, if you call to mind; First, that imprudent and irra­tionall demeanour of yours, towards all those whom you had the fortune to reduce to your obedience. For among them who came in upon overtures of favour and candour, held forth in your Declarations (as many did, upon that Declaration of both Kingdomes of Jan. 30. 1643.) how were they received with neglect? looked on with contempt and scorne enough? and the favour sig­nified, delusively denied or detained; till your distracted Proselites gnashed their teeth at their supine errour and folly of giving credit to your words and promises. And were not all those that made Conditions upon Surren­der of Townes and Castles, like to have found little use and benefit of them, if the Honour of the Generall had not interposed to make them good, against the impla­cable and vindicative spirit of some amongst you, whom no Reason nor Religion could rule against the swinge of their own violent wills? Contrary to the justice of all Contracts, humanity of fellow-subjects, and policy of all conquering Parties, and your own Interests; whom it concerned alwaies not to dis-oblige, Country-men, friends, neighbours, and allies: but rather by love and mercy to work them over to receive with willingnesse your dominion. For it is a sure maxime, that Patestas humana radicatur in voluntatibus hominum. Where is then your power among a people that generally hate you? of whose affections while you are never sure, so consequently never of your own peace and safety. It is said of Caesar, Quâ vicit, v [...]o [...]os protegit ille man [...]. And by that means the infortunity of the Roman Conquests became sweetned with the prorection and security the [Page 17]Provinces received from the Roman Laws. For without question, the greatnesse of that Empire did owe as much to the heads of the Conscript Fathers, as to the hearts of the Praetorian Souldiers. It being the manner alwaies of the Roman State after a new Conquest, to release unto their new Subjects, half of that Tribute they had been wont to pay to their former Lords: which wrought so much upon their affections, that 'twas no mervail that Petellia a City of the Brutians in Italy chose rather to en­dure all extremities of War, then forsake the Romans: and that too, after the Romans themselves had confes­sed they were unable to relieve them, and wish'd them to provide for their own safety, having been faithfull to the uttermost. And as this liberty of Rome, made her a most indulgent Mother to all her Citizens; so was it exhibi­ted to other Cities, to let them have a tast of her excel­lent Government; and in time became extended to those far off, even to Tarsus in Cilicia, where Saint Paul was born, whence it was, that he claimed the priviledge of a Roman, Acts 22. Which examples have been so ill followed by you, that in stead thereof, you have injur'd all men; triumphing over your vanquished foes with savage ferity, and over your Confederates, with fals­hood, fraud, and treachery. For you may call to mind, if you please, your signall ingratitude to the Scots; to whom you owe first the very Being, and after that the Wel-being, nor onely of the Parliament, but of your selves, your Wifes, and Children: who in all humane reason had inevitably fallen under the power of the King's justice, had you not been rescued from it by the assistance of your Brethren of Scotland, when you had with most pitiful moans and Messages called upon them for it. Then, your ingratitude to the City of London, [Page 18]who was your Judas to carry the purse for you; with­out carrying the Parallel any further, unlesse I should say, that ye may perhaps in one thing be like our Savi­our Christ too; that as he was crucified, so ye may be all hanged.

These acts of high persecution of your Enemies, and shamelesse ingratitude and falshood to your Friends, ren­ders you equally hatefull to both. And if that of Clau­dian be true —ne (que) enim libertas tutior ulla est, Quam domino servire bono: then are we become the greatest Slaves in the world, because we serve the worst Masters; whose arts have not been very admirable neither, since it did not require any great reach to carry on designes with that rule, of making great Engagements and Promises, and of never keeping any.

But Ile be brief with you, and tell you; That there was a time when the name of Parliament was used to in­timidate Kings and Princes, and the Great men of the earth; so now the time is comming, and is at the very dore, when the Name of a KING, (a Name in which there is power, saies Salomon) shall, by the revolution of Divine justice, intimidate all the lofty Titles of Mem­bers, Chair-men, Committee-men, and whatsoever other Offices and Dignities are thereunto belonging.

I know very well, the religious refuge you make to your famous Mother Shipton; from whose Oracles you think your selves ordain'd to depose, not only the King, but the Throne it self, in the succession of the Royall Line; because she hath said, there shall be no more Kings and Queens of England: which is a truth the Devil hath told you enigmatically, to make you more sure his own. For I am ready to believe as well as you, that there will be no more Kings nor Queens of England; and yet I doe [Page 19]believe too, this Monarchy was never at that height it is now about to arrive to; by the blessing of God, on the present undertakings of men.

For the union of the 2 Crowns of England and Scot­land, so prudently fore-laid by Hen: 7. in the Marriage of His Daughter Margaret to James 4. King of Scotland, had no sooner received the wisht-for successe in the Per­son of our late Soveraigne King James; But both King­domes entred into a Treaty of rendring the Peace and union between them inviolable. And the wisdome of the Commissioners of the Kingdome of Scotland then em­ployed to the Parliament of England for establishing that union, considering that to advance the same, it would be profitable to remove all memorials of the dis­union and separation, endeavoured also that the com­mon name of Great Britaine might be reciprocally taken up by both Nations. Which though it produced no other effect at that time then a Proclamation from K. James (as I remember) yet that shewed a true under­standing that wise Nation had, in improving the union to the utmost, both in name and interest: And to this day the same hath been prosecuted in the transactions be­tween the Parliaments of both Kingdoms: and was in­timated by the Lord Lowden in a Speech at a Confe­rence of both Houses: and will no doubt have its just and reasonable effect upon the setling of that Peace, both Kingdomes are now fighting for, against a generation of Vipers would eat out the Bowels of their Native Coun­try, with a malicious and obstinate endlesse Warre; to maintain the variable revolutions of their fancies, hu­mours, and passions, which they call their Conscience; and support the necessity of their fortunes, which they call the Liberty and Property of all the Subjects of Eng­land. [Page 20]I say, that you and I shall in a short time live to see this Riddle of your Prophetesse made good, against all the malice and power of your wicked sense and a­ctions: and these two Nations united into one common name of Great Britaine. And His Majesties residence being drawn into the middle part of this hopefull Em­pire, (which the world will then grow jealous of) may perhaps give a further issue to your reverend Sibylls Pro­phecies, that Yorke shall be. Where His Majesty and His Posterity, no more using the stile of Kings and Queens of England, shall be saluted Kings and Queens of Great Britaine, to the worlds end: which God grant.

Is it not time then, Sir, for you to look about you? and in stead of wishing me the Honour of being a Mem­ber, wish your self the happinesse of being none. Give me seriously in one breath, the just account of those vast sums you would willingly give, to have lived these last fix years at my little private Tusculanum, reaping the joyes of innocent and peacefull houres: free from the disorder and affranation of Tumults, prejudice of Fa­ctions, and injuries of Warre. And tell me freely, or rather tell your own heart, what course of life you would not rather undertake, were you to begin again, then the unprosperous profession of a Souldier: For beside the envy and rage of men; the spo [...]les, rapes, famines, slaugh­ter of the innocent, wastings, and burnings, and other mi­series laid on the labouring man by you, have been so great, that were not the merc [...]es of God infinite, it were in vain for any of you to hope for any portion of them, seeing the cruelties by you perm tied and committed have also been infinite. Your Votes for a Personall Treaty, can give us small assurance of your affections to Peace, since you seem to be necessitated to them, by the [Page 21]importunate desires of the people; whom it was neces­sary to suspend, by giving them a crust, or something to baite upon; while your selves acted all the while ar­tificially and cunningly to render your own Councells ineffectuall: for to that purpose tended the neglect of your own Votes after they were made: your clogging them with preparatory Bills: your receiving Petitions, praying you to proceed in your own way: your dis­countenancing others desiring a Treaty; not to say, taking occasion from thence perhaps, to murder and destroy the Petitioners themselves: your limiting the place of Treaty to an Island, which is it self but a larger Prison: your attending the businesse, with men of war; which invades the freedome of it. So that what you were ashamed to deny in words, you professe not to like in actions; and so long as Treaties and reconciliations are made up of the same ingredients as the late Warre, Feares and Jealousies; 'tis not like that any other fruit should be expected, no more then we can expect grapes from thornes. And whatsoever the pretences of some be, 'tis notoriously known, that those who are esteemed stars of the first magnitude in your Faction, by whose influence you act and move, have openly declared their Antipathy to all Treaties, and tenacious resolutions to have the right of all controverted interests ended by the Sword; because they very well know, the dissolution their principles bring with them upon the present state of England, and the novelty upon the whole world, will render them hopelesse of an establishment by delibera­tion and Counsell. And if the worst should come to passe, the successe of your designes I mean, which God forbid, I doubt whether any acquisitions could give rest to the turbulent activity of some of your minds; or [Page 22]whether there be any Kings under the Sun, whose means are answerable to some of your desires.

But to me it would seem a great wonder; did not the consideration of the fraile state and continuall fluctua­tion of all sublunary things, hinder; from whence, I see the present state of the war quite altered from the prin­ciples of the first undertakings, because the worser sort of men perhaps by the variable succession of time and accidents, are grown worse then they intended to be; That about five years since, the Committee appointed to manage the Treaty at Oxford in March, 1642. should be tied up to Treat onely with the KING, when He was free, and had many Noblemen and Privy Counsellours about Him, to have employed in that businesse; And at this time, when He is a Prisoner and denied the accesse of His Servants and Friends, it should be held so piam­lous, and perilous and undertaking to Treat with Him alone, when there is no body else to doe it for Him.

If the thing were unreasonable, or disadvantageous to you, yet many wonder, you should run into a worse hazard, by chusing of two evils much the greater; in displeasing one whole Kingdome; and probably the much greater part of another; in which, you yet pre­sume to sit and rule like Tyrants; thereby preparing the hearts of others to use you, just as you were using them so long as you had power to doe it. For all men are now grown full of hope, that the Hornes of your strength and power are much shorter: and as you grow lesse able to offend, so much the more will your majesti­call offers of mercy and indemnity be contemned and derided. That Indemnity you sent to the County of Es­sex shewed the weak and shallow state of your Autho­rity: For after a few Gentlemen had raised the County [Page 23]into Armes against you, you held forth your golden Scepter of Indemnity; which the Gentlemen for them­selves accepted of, but not being able to lay down the Armes they had raised, went home to live in Peace, lea­ving the Country to fight it out with the Parliament; which they have done to some purpose: whereby you are gull'd of your mercy and your honour both at once. To the incomparable merit of that gallant old Peere the Earle of NORWICH, who went out of SUSSEX into KENT to embarque himselfe amongst Strangers in the cause of Loyalty; where he assum'd the conduct of a businesse as full of hazards, as the Sea is full of waves: and when the successe of that undertaking fail'd, put over into another County at the Isle of Dogs; where he was received by a currish generation of men, making such effectuall opposition, with the advantages they had, that Sir William Compton was forced to ar­ticle for the Souldiers, that at such a place within a miles march, they should all surrender their Armes: whither being come, and finding their condition desperate, they resolutely refused to part with their Armes, and, in case they were denied, would force a passage: which having effected, the march'd to Bow Bridge; where they plac'd a Guard; while their painfull old Generall, sent to Chelmsford, and next day rode thither himself alone, to understand the result of the Rendevouz there: who by the example of their newly arrived neighbours and friends, past so many hazards to come to them, and the encouragement of their gallant Country-man Sr Charls Lucas, resolved to joyn Bodies; and so march'd to Col­chester.

So that if Kent have not done the work alone, yet it hath given fire to the train, which is like to run through [Page 24]all England: and hath begun a work, will end in the greatest happinesse this Kingdome could ever expect, viz. To unsettle this Parliamentary Army which is, to settle Religion, Laws, and Liberties.

And in spight of all your confidence in the arme of flesh, you will find, your glory is setting; and the for­tune of your Armes changing; the Lord Fairfax being about to lose, together with his 50001. per annum, all the honour Sir Thomas Fairfax won; and the Predictions of your own Saint Mr Saltmarsh to be fulfilling upon you, who before he died declared his revelations of your ap­proaching ruine. And therefore, as Lot said to his Sons-in-Law, so say I to you, Up and get you out of this place, for the Lord will destroy this City, Gen. 19.14.

Your condition seeming to me very desperate; for as you have ordered the matter, what confederate States have you abroad to help you, and receive you? as once you had of the Scots, in the like necessity. Or if you had, what Ships have you to carry you thither? Are you not in a pound? and will not every Petty Constable be hel­ping to catch you when you run away? your very faces will betray you, being complexionall Traytors, and Re­bels by elementall constitution: for who can look upon Corbet, Gourdon, Say, Scot, Armyne, Cromwell, Rainsbo­rough, Heyman, Ireton, Holland, Westrowe, Boys, Vane's, Father and Son, Morley, Weaver, Martin (that rapsody of all villany, and legislative Priapus, who was sent for from fortifying of Reading, without impeachment of High Treason; because though he be not for the Parlia­ment in all things, yet if he be against the King in all things, he is an instrument, par negotiis) Wentworth, Hill, Bond, Ashe, Rous, Hoyle, Pury, Strickland, Blakeston, Wal­singham, Allen, Harvy, Walton, Skippon, Ven, Livesey, [Page 25]Luke's, Father and Son, Vassell, Love, Prideaux, and the rest of the Saturnine crew, and not presently see strange apparitions in their very Phisnomy, of Churches over­thrown, Towns flaming, Houses plundring, Widowes crying out for their Husbands and Children, and Or­phans for their Moneys. I must tell you, Sir, your very face, though it be one of the best in the company, looks strangely when you come abroad amongst honest men.

Some believe, God hath suffered this defection a­mongst you, to produce some great good to this King­dome: For this state, being to suffer a totall abolition of the Government Ecclesiasticall so long exercised in it; and to admit the erection of another, with many altera­tions and qualifications in matters Civill; upon which depended the good estate and happinesse of great num­bers of men and families; besides, the questions in Divi­nity set on foot and maintained plausibly by very lear­ned and pious Doctors and Preachers, would probably have had no rest, so long as all those persons whose de­pendances and relations were also great, should remain unsatisfied either in interest or conscience. Which work how to effect, it seemed impossible in the eyes of man: and therefore Almighty God, by raising up a third sort of people, teaching principles and doctrines destructive of all the politique forms maintained by the other two, hath begot an union betwixt the Royalist and Presby­terian: and engaged the Scots upon such good and ac­ceptable offices to the King and His loyall Subjects, that whereas all the world, expected with hopes, a great con­test betwixt the two Nations about setling of their Church discipline in England: it is now like to be re­ceived, aequo & grato animo, and all matters candidly carried, to a lasting good understanding between both [Page 26]Nations: which God of his good mercy grant.

That at last we may see an end of this devouring Fa­ction, whereof you are the Head, and is directed by your Councels, and maintained over us by your commands and authority: whose ends, are without end; and vary according to the liberty they take of thinking. A com­pany of men that agree in one only resolution, of undo­ing of King and Kingdome: and are made up of as many different opinions among themselves, as must certainly ruine them, when they have ruin'd every body else. Such as God hath suffered to get together, that being now known, and cast out of the Common-wealth, the King­dome may hereafter be secure, and the Government flourish. In order to which, we see every day strange be­ginnings, which in a short time will evidence, I hope, to the setled world; That as Saul, travelling long and far, with little successe, seeking Asses found a Kingdome: So you, to invert the Simile, having seven long years given chace to a King, and lifted up your selves in the high con­fidence and assurance you had of obtaining a Kingdome, found at last you were your selves but Asses. And so I rest,

Sir,
(Not of the House of Commons I thanke God, and therefore the more likely to be) Your faithful and humble Servant, G. S.
FINIS.

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