I Have learned, that, he who, judges a matter before he hears it, is culpable of that Folly, which makes him liable to shame: Therefore, when you lately demanded my Judgement concerning the Armies dissolving the Parliament, on Thursday last was sennight, and what Consequences I thought would probably ensue, I told you, That I would not answer to those Questions, until I heard what Reasons they themselves allea­ged for their Justification, and what prosecutions they thereupon in­tended; neither of which, being to me known, I am not warranted to declare my opinion in relation to those Demands; nor have I so high a conceit of my own Judgment, as to think I shall then be able to give a satisfactory answer: For, though I rightly pre-conjectured of many things heretofore, upon foregoing symptomes, which made it easie enough for any rational man to discern their Consequences, without an extraordinary Revelation; yet my fore-sight, at this time, is very dimme, as to conjecturing what that Action will produce; and, it will require a Metaphysical Apocalypsis.

Nevertheless, lest, before that shall be divulged by the Army, whereon rational Conjectures and Conclusions may be grounded (for, I pretend no higher) the Common-peace, or your private [Page 2]Tranquillity may be disturbed, by things feared or prosecuted, the mean while; I will hereby, give you an Accompt, upon what considerations I keep my own heart quiet, and from rendring those things worse, by prejudicacy, which I cannot make better by censuring what is acted or purposed beyond my sphere, how irregular or unwarrantable soever they do appear. This mode­ration, I think my duty binds me unto, until I know certainly upon what Principles, or upon what Necessities, they are voluntarily executed, or unwillingly constrained; especially when they are done by persons, who have considerable Interests to hazard, and a repute of being conscientious, rational, moral, pious and prudent men; and more especially, in such prevaricating times as these, wherein the sincerity of some, and the Hypocrisies and Apostacies of others, do, as it were, compel GOD and Men to dispense with their ordinary Laws; and when ancient Foundations, are made de­structive to those ends for which they were first ordained; even to be hinderances to the injoyment of humane society, to the true worship of GOD, and to the safety of the people, through the petulancy, or arrogance, of some in power, who, by their adding of unsound Principles, or perverting of those which are sound, for a wrong use; or, by disguising their Form, with unbeseeming dawbings, or by raising upon them burdensome Superstructures; do employ themselves for their private advan­tage, in patching, pulling down, and re-building, as their self-interests incline them, though it be to the overthrowing or endangering, of their well and safe being, for whose sakes onely, those Founda­tions were laid.

What induced them thereto, who were Actors in the late Innovation; or what they now designe to prosecute, and by what Rules or Means they hope to accomplish it, we shall know when GOD and they please, if it be known to themselves, whereof I am somewhat doubtful: But, whether they have done rashly or advisedly, warrantably or unwarrantably, the evident hazards wherein the Commonwealth is at this present, being made greater then they were, as well by the distractions which that Breach hath unhappily occasioned, as by those preceding it, (to the encouraging of Domestick and Forraign Adversaries) obligeth every Lover of his Country to apply himself, rather to those endeavourings which are healing, and may probably secure it from their malicious in­tendments, who unquestionably seek the total destruction thereof, then to contribute to those mischievous Designes, by weakning our selves, through dividing our Power, and wasting it in op­posing those who have been approved Friends to the same Cause which we own; and I hope will so continue, though they have wheeled about into an Extravagancy. For, it may be they have discovered some Stratagems, or Ambuscadoes (not appearing to us) which may destroy them, and the peoples interest also, if not speedily prevented; and thereupon conceived themselves necessi­tated to that diversion, and to prosecute a defence and settlement of the Common Cause, in another manner then heretofore, upon justifiable Considerations. If this be their Judgement in since­rity (as the experience I have had of some of them, inclines me to hope) they are, at least, excu­sable, if not altogether Blameless: and, as our Affairs now stand, I think it safer to keep our Friends by palliating their failings, then to make them our enemies by Exasperations; though we have another way, whereby we may be safe, notwithstanding the Army should quite desert us; as I shall demonstrate unto you hereafter: But I will first expostulate, and offer to consideration, some things concerning Them and us, which their late attempt hath occasioned me to weigh in my own heart.

If it shall be objected, that they have heretofore been changeable, and do now again proceeed both contary to Order, and to their own Engagements, Declarations, Votes, Professions and Resolutions, thereby rendring many (even of their best Friends) to be jealous & doubtful of their sincerity and constancy to that Cause which they have heretofore owned and vindicated; (which is true enough) An Answer in part, to that Objection, may be implyed toward the Extenuation thereof, by asking, what other Party, or Persons impowred to serve the Publick in Place and Affairs of high Trust, hath not as much failed in like manner, and receded from former Votes and Resolutions with connivence, when either they who should have called them to an accompt for it, were as much guilty? or, when it could not be done without hazarding the Common Peace, in regard of the Delinquents power? Whether also it be not more agreeable to Justice, and a good Consci­ence, to vary our Purposes, or counter-act to our former Engagements, then to prosecute them, when [Page 3]we find they will destroy that end, for which we first engaged? And whether we have not more cause to confide in those without suspect, who are changeable upon that score, then in them who foolishly think it a point of honour, wilfully to persevere in what they have promised, (right or wrong) though it be destructive to them unto whom their promises were made; yea, and to the Popular safety, against which no Promise or Engagement is obliging? What persons intrusted have not been sometimes inforced to mutability, either by emergent accidents, or by disagreement among themselves; or by the counter-actings, of those to whom they were subordinate, or with whom they were co-ordinate, or by some other distinct power? But, though neither their Judg­ment, nor their Conscience, nor a real necessity inclined the Officers of the Army, to what hath been lately done; but, that a Souldier-like Indignation, onely provoked by the apprehension of some undeserved affront or disrespect, had rashly transported them; yet, their and the publick interest are so complicated, that they being considered as men in whom humane infirmities are to be expe­cted; and then, at this time, as (Causa sine qua non) the persons who have now the most visible power of this Commonwealth in their hands; it would, at such a Juncture of Affairs, evidence more madness (in my judgment) then prudence, not to comply with them in an amicable manner, to secure that which IS, rather then to destroy it, by quarrelling about that which IS NOT; and which was likely enough (as in effect it did) to have destroyed it Self, the Army, and many other, if it had much longer continued.

I will not defend any mans arregular actings, of whose Irregularities I know not the Motives; nor will I absolutely condemn them: For, though it be my Principle, not wilfully to act con­trary to Rule, because, I never had Motive internally, nor warrant externally so to do by any compulsive necessity, or otherwise: Nevertheless, I know there have been heretofore, and that possibly there may be now and hereafter, (when the people of GOD are in extraordinary streights) such impulses of spirit inducing other men at some times, to extraordinary Executions, that I dare not judge them to be performed with an evil conscience, or without Divine approbation; be­cause I am not privy to the secret passages which are or may be betwixt GOD and the Prosecutors; and because also, I finde, that the Holy-Ghost hath justified many in undertakings of that nature; as Phineas, Rahab, Jael, and others remembred in Holy Scripture; who were active, so repugnantly to common Rules of just proceeding, and to the literal sence of Laws morally and ordinarily obliging; that, I should have thought them worthy to have been condemned for Murther, Trea­son, Truce-breaking, and barbarously infringing the Law of Hospitality, if the Spirit of GOD had not by Sacred Writ, informed me, that those Prosecutions, were effects of their Faith. The example which many do take from these aforenamed, to precipitate themselves into the like actings, by a deluding Spirit working upon their Corruptions, who read the Scriptures with an unsanctified heart, is nevertheless to be carefully heeded and a voyded; and there are many Symptomes and concemitant Circumstances observable (some of which I have enumerated in one of my private Ad­dresses, heretofore made to Oliver late Protector upon occasion offered) whereby, every man may discern infallibly, whether a good or an evil Spirit hath inclined him to such undertakings: and I do believe, that there have been in these latter days, as well as heretofore, good causes why GOD should vouchsafe extraordinary dispensations.

For, I have been an Eye-witness, (and according to my understanding, a diligent Observer of what GOD and Men have done in these latter times) by being constrained to reside most part of my life, where Affairs of publick Concernment were managed; and was bound to that atten­dance, which gave opportunity to be assured of what I have heard and seen; as also, to be there­upon moved to publish Remembrances, bearing witness (for this, and for future Ages, as I believe) touching the Controversies which GOD had with these Islands, during the Reigns of King Charles and his Father; with Memorials of the Prevarications that then were; of the Interchanges of Judgements and Mercies, whereby GOD visited them; with timely Fore-warnings, of what hath since befallen that Family and these Nations, in many particulars, wherein GOD's Justice is evi­dent, with what mind soever it was prosecuted by the Executioners thereof. I have likewise, for the most part, been continually Resident, ever since the beginning of the Parliament last sitting, and lately dissolved, where I might and did, take notice of their most signal Transactions, (not [Page 4]without being made sensible of some of them.) I was personally known to the greatest num­ber of them (as likewise to very many of the following (onventions called Parliaments) and had so many occasions to know them, that few private persons of my degree hath had experimentally a more perfect cognizance, of what they were, or of what they did: And, I do profess, in the fear of GOD, that I conceived, the few right-principled and conscientions men among them, were a­ble to do so little good, and the rest to act so much evil, that (as I have sometimes publickly in­timated) I expected nothing from them, but an encrease of Confusions, likely to produce inevi­table Destruction; until the late Restoration of the first Parliament: on whom, I for a while hoped GOD's extraordinary Mercy to them vouchsafed, might have so wrought, that it would have produced extraordinary good effects.

But, that miraculous Restoration, was forgotten so quickly, by too many of them, that it pro­duced little of that fruit which was expected; though just prosecutions were (as I believe) seri­ously intented and endeavoured by some among them. Their needless neglect of common Justice to distressed Suppliants ready to perish, and their gross partiality was so apparent; their time so wasted by impertinencies; their proceedings otherwhile so slow, and another while so rash; the Notions of some so metaphysical, and of othersome so meerly carnal; their Results so wavering or contradictory; interferings so frequent, and their puzlings so many, to the dayly enerease of private and publick Grievances, with small redress of any; and the people so gene­rally discontented to see their burthens multiplyed, without any regard of making good their Securities and Engagements: that observing all this, and seeing six moneths consumed with­out effecting any thing considerable, in a time threatning so many dangers, and necessitating their endeavour to preserve the good affection of their old Servants: I was confident (as ap­pears by my Epistle at Randome, published six weeks before their dissolution) that another Change would shortly follow, if they did not speedily better improve their time, and season their endea­vours for the Publick, with Justice and more works of private Mercy. And I feared a worse thing would have happened, though, that which is come to pass, will be bad enough, if GOD be not more merciful then we deserve.

And I am perswaded, that a principal Cause of their late dissolving, was their continual neg­lect of mingling some Acts of private Justice and Mercy, with their endeavour for the Publick, according to their Engagements made to those, by whom they had been preserved in their great­est need and danger; which duty they slunk from, under a pretended Zeal to settle those Affairs which required speedy prosecution: whereas, it was well enough perceived, that they could finde many days and opportunities, to take into Consideration many Petitions, which concerned Themselves, their Relations and Favourites, who were not destructively grieved, even when the Commonwealths Pressures were most considerable; not caring how those sores which pained the meanest Members of the Body, whom they represented, might possibly Gangrene at last, to the destroying of the Vital parts thereof. For, the Commonwealth consists of Individuals; which being neglected one by one, brings on by degrees an unheeded Consumption, and dismembring of the whole. A Body Politick having no affections, cannot have Cognizance of its own, or other mens wants and hazards, but by the natural Faculties and Aff [...]ctions of the single Members there­of: And doubtless, when GOD, who hath care of every private mans Oppressions, observed, that (notwithstanding his late exemplary Mercy to them vouchsafed) no sad Remonstrances of poor men, destructively grieved and wronged by them and others, though often exhibited, and prosecu­ted, with no less importunities, then those which prevailed with that unrighteous Judge, who neither feared GOD, nor cared for men, could move them to more consideration then hereto­fore; but, that as formerly, private Petitions were still excluded from week to week, and from moneth to moneth many years together, till great numbers of oppressed Petitioners were dead and undone: this, so provoked Divine Wrath (aggravated by the many pre-caveats which they had) that, when they shewed more diligence and resolution, to secure themselves, and the com­mon Interests, then in ten times so many days formerly, GOD permitted what was then done, to be an occasion of removing themselves once again, out of the Throne; that, it may appear how invalid and unacceptable mens best endeavours are, when Justice and Mercy are grosly negle­cted [Page 5]Their vain excuse by some of them alleaged, of wanting Time and Treasure, to settle the Government, and supply the Commonwealths necessities, made them not excusable: For, GOD, and I, and many other men, know, that much time, and great sums of money were spent, which might have been better bestowed, to preserve some of them from ruine, to whom they had long owed it: And, they were put in minde, that the poor Widow, who made a Cake for the Prophet in his necessity, before she provided one for her self and her hungry Child (when there was scarce e­nough left to make another) had a miraculous supply of Oyl and Meal, for a reward: and so should they have had, if their Faith and Charity had been but half so much as hers.

Of what would be the Event upon those Failings, I fore-warned some of them, both in pri­vate, and publick, if not amended: which I now mention, rather to glorifie GOD's Justice, then to aggravate their Shame. And I do not thus plainly express what I know of their former acting, because I think you will keep it private (for I am content you communicate this Epistle to whom you please;) nor have I done it, because I think their power is so annihilated that it will never be visible again: For, I will not recant this, though they should be restored; which (though unlikely) is not impossible: For, as well the Mercies as Judgements of GOD; are unsear­chable, and His Mind no less difficult to be found out in the one, then in the other. His ways are not as mans ways, nor his thoughts as ours. If, as I believe (and know in my own particu­lar he hath done) He restores to Grace lost, many single persons, several times, why may I not hope, He will be as merciful to the Repr sentative of three whole Nations, in vouchsafing a third Probation? If he would have spared five wicked Cities for the sakes of ten rightcous men, why may I not believe, that he will restore a Parliament for the sakes of ten righteous persons, or a pro­portionable number thereto, if there be but so many among all the Members of that parliament, or in the Counties, Cities and Towns whom they represented? And why should not I have the same belief concerning the Army, though they have now prevaricated, and many times hereto­fore? Verily I believe there are and were many righteous men Members of the late Parliament, and of this Army, who would have prosecuted the peoples Cause, in another manner, and to better effect, if the self-mindedness of some other, had not obstructed them; and I believe also, that the greatest part of the Officers of the Army, whether that which they have lately done be altogether of GOD or not (or whether there be in it a Traiterous Designe against the Parliament contrived by some of their Chiefs) had a good intent;and as once many of the Israelites being called by Absolom, under colour of a Vow to GOD, when he rebelled against his Father, did joyn unto the rest in simplicity of heart, not conscious of ought mis-intended: so perhaps did they. If it indeed be so, their Seducers will speed like Absolom; and they who were seduced, will return obedience to them, unto whom their obedience is due, as the Israelites did to David; & our great hazard thereby occasioned, will become a means of our greater safety; that which hath been obstructed, will be carried on with less interruption; our Governours will better heed, what GOD's purpose was in that which he hath done for these Nations, and how they ought to have proceeded heretofore: which I heartily beseech his Almighty Majesty they may timely perform, that further effusion of blood in a hostile way, may be prevented, and that he would be so merciful to every Party a­mong us, now disagreeing and divided from each other, that we may be made happy in a timely Reconciliation to Him, and to each other.

A main Cause of our Wandrings as it were in a Wilderness, (wherein we have been like so many Beasts and Serpents to each other) and of GOD's bringing us as it were back again toward E­gypt, when we were well onward in our way to the Land of Rest, was the not understanding, or not regarding to observe and prosecute, what he intended; and our adhering to humane policy, rather then to Divine Indictions, like Jeroboam and Jehu, who when GOD gave unto them their Masters Kingdomes, (with conditional promises, to settle them upon their posterities) lost them with dishonour for their disobedience and unthankfulness. And as those two Kings trusted to their own Policy, so did our Parliaments and Protectors, though they were told upon what conditions the Kingdoms of their Masters were conferred upon them: and they have added this to the rest of their sins, that they have endeavoured to improve GOD's Donations, another way and to another end, then was providentially intended, by that Decree of GOD, which was written in Red Letters at a Trial in his Martial Court, with points of Swords.

For, when that great Controversie, which had depended many Ages betwixt this people and their Kings, concerning the usurped Prerogatives of the One, and the Spiritual and Temporal Freedoms of the Other, which (last mentioned) are Rights so due to the People by the Laws of GOD and Nature, (though long usurped) that none, there of make question, but Tyrants and their Parasites, or persons of a bruitish, sensual and slavish Qualification: when (I say) those Claims had been after several days of hearing (as it were) argued in the high places of the field, between the late King and that part of the People, who thought it more noble to be Free-men, then to have badges of their servility clapt upon them as Titles of Honour; when they had upon a joynt Appeal and a Trial by the Sword, according to the known Common Law of England, and the Law in force throughout all Nations, a Verdict at a Court from whence there is no further Appeal, (and when likewise, that Trial was past, and quiet possession thereupon given to the Conquerors) Reason requi­red prosecutions of another Nature then those which were afterward begun and pretended, there­by to settle the people in a future enjoyment of their Liberties and ancient Rights: For, they should immediately have repealed or altered all those Laws, which had relation to a Tyrannical Government, and laid a new Foundation proper to the Popular Interest; yea (as the Gentiles heretofore, in like Case, used to consult with their Apollo) they should have consulted the Oracle of GOD, and searched after such Directions as He commanded his people the Israeiites, to fol­low, when he made them Conquerors of Canaan: which, would rightly have instructed them what course they ought to take. Among which Directions, those that I remember as most considerable in our case, are to this effect: They were neither to serve their GODS, nor to observe their LAWS; nor make peace with those among them, who should adhere to their former Idolatries, and heathenish Cu­stomes; nor spare so many of them, (for politick ends, or through foolish pity) as might endanger their own safety; nor root them out all at once; nor permit any of their own Tribes to enjoy an inheritance there, who had not assisted their Brethren in the Conquest; with such like: which, if our Governours had heeded, and made use of so much of those Cautions and Precepts as were pertinent to our ob­servation and practice, doubtless our troubles had been ended long ago; or, at least we should not have had so many thorns in our sides, as at this day we have.

Somewhat of this Nature, and to the like purpose, I offered to their consideration, whom it con­cerned to take notice thereof, but with little or no regard; for, not remembring that but a while since, some of themselves, then in power, were as inconsiderable persons as I am, they were so elevated, that they thought it a disparagement to take advice in such matters, from so obscure a person: yet, knowing my self concerned in the Publick Welfare, I persisted in endeavouring what I thought pertinent thereto: And when Oliver Cromwel late Lord Protector had taken upon himself the Supreme Authority, (thereto providentially admitted both for his own Probation and our) I submitted (according to my Principle grounded upon Divine Precepts) to that Power which was in being, and complyed with him in things tending to preservation of the Common­wealth, in hope to insinuate thereby, somewhat into his Consideration, for Publick Advantage: And, because, I had not such a measure of the Spirit which rested upon Elias, as might warrant me to say unto my Soveraign Prince, in plain terms, Thou art wicked, (when I saw him prevari­cate from what he had professed) yet I endeavoured, as Paul did to work upon King Agrippa, first, by publishing somewhat whereby I might preserve and encrease a good opinion, without any sor did flattery, (though some who misunder stood my Poems, have conceived otherwise) and then I sought by private Addresses, to screw into him a serious Consideration of his Duty, in many particulars relating to GOD, to the People, and to Himself; declaring boldly and plainly (not a little to my personal disadvantage) that the power conferred upon him was not vouchsafed for his own sake; but, that he might thereby glorifie GOD, and settle upon his People those Rights, which were so anciently and naturally their due, that no Prescription could be a just bar to their Claim. And though perhaps he surreptitiously and unjustly hastned to get possession of that power which GOD had designed him, (as Hazael did, after the Prophet of GOD had foretold him he should be King) yet I perceiving, by his honourable new Title, and by other Circumstances, that GOD had permitted a more absolute Arbitrary Power to be devolved upon him, then any of our Kings ever had, because without such a Power, it was impossible for him to bring us to a [Page 7]perfect Settlement, (being so unsettled and divided as we then were, and yet are) I presumed both to declare unto him, to what intent that exorbitant Power was permitted; how long he was to enjoy it; in what manner he should thereby proceed; and what would follow if he employed it to any other end.

But, (before I had presumed so far, or declared any thing, to the making ineffectual my good Intents, by ought which might be distastful) I then perceiving he took as little notice as the Par­liament had done before their first Interruption, of that course which I tought pertinent to the introducing of a Righteous Government; and that he probably intended rather to establish it for his own and his Posterities advantage, then for the Peoples Accommodation, (or else, that he might trifle away the Opportunities then given, by prosecuting his own Designes until they were lost.) I signified unto him in a Discourse prepared in form of a Declaration to these Nations, how he might settle a Righteous Government (as I believed) with safety and honour, if he would en­gage himself to the People, by publishing a Remonstrance to that effect for their satisfaction. This Overture being made at a time wherein his fears and hazards were very great: Though that Discourse was very large, he with much seeming Contentment, heard me read it over to the last word; and then protested, according to his usual manner, that it answered to his heart, as the shadow of his face in the Glass (then hanging before him in the room) answered to his face; and pretended he would publish that Declaration, and act accordingly, assoon as he with one in whose discretion he much confided, had considered what alteration it might need, (or words to that effect) and then received it of me, promising to return it with his final resolution, within a week.

At the weeks end, or thereabout, he, or Mr. Thurloe then Secretary, (who seemed also to ap­prove thereof) delivered back unto me my Papers; and the Protectors Answer, which then was, That he himself, together with the said Secretary and my Self, would within a few days, examine it over, to see what verbally, might require alteration, or what addition would be necessary; and that being done, he would then without fail, take order for Publication thereof. But, afterward he apostatiz'd from that Resolution, to his own dis-advantage, and to the occasion of what hath since befallen to the Publick Detriment; yet, pretended many moneths together, a firm adhe­rence to what he had seemingly resolved on, keeping me all that time in attendance; gave me the Key of his Closet at the end of the Sheild Gallery in White-hall, (wherein his Books and his Papers lay) to retite unto when I came thither; carried me often to his own Table; frequently discoursed with me concerning my Proposal; and appointed many set days wherein to review the said Papers, but failed always in performance; wherewith I being a little discontented, told him, I thought his mind was changed; and giving him back the Key of his Closet, purposed never to wait again upon him, in relation to that business. He then, with very respective words to me, excusing his clays, assured me that at six of the Clock next morning, he would send for his Secretary, and dispatch that which he intended, before he would admit any other person into his presence. I came before the appointed hour, but was then also put off, until a little past three in the afternoon, at which time [...]attended till past four; and then, hearing that He, and his Secretary, were gone forth in a Coach to take the Air, I purposed to depart, and loose no more time on that occasion: and as I was leaving the room, one informed me, that about the same hour, in which I was appointed to attend Him and his Secretary, their necks were both in hazard to be broken, by the Protectors usurping the Office of his Coach-man; and that they were both brought in so hurt, that their lives were in danger. Of that imprudent, if not disgraceful at­tempt mis-befeeming his person, I endeavored to prevent as much of the dishonor, as I might, by a little Poem, as I thought it my duty, in regard he executed the Supreme Office at that time. Af­ter this, he called on me again, a [...] if his mind had not been wholly changed, and referred the said Papers to his Privy-Council, who referred them to a Sub-Committee, of which Sir Gilbert Pickering being one, gave it a high approbation, and was pleased to say he did not flatter me; but from that time forward, I heard no more of it. Another service I did, which much [...]n [...]ed to His and the Publick Safety, whereto Sir Gilbert Pickering is privy likewise; an [...] in consideration of the fore-mentioned services, the said Protector having, without my asking that, or any thing else, (oct [Page 8]to be relieved according to Justice from my oppressions, which I could not obtain) gave me the Statute-Office, and afterward made it little worth unto me, because (as I conceive) I exprest my thankfulness for it, in declaring unto him those Truths, which he was not willing to hear of. Pardon this digression, for it is somewhat pertinent.

Thus, both the said Protector and the late Parliament, either through over-sight, wilfulness, or misunderstanding the state of the Peoples Cause, (or how far forth for the Commonwealths best advantage, they ought to have prosecuted the execution of that Sentence which GOD gave on her behalf) acted not onely repugnantly to the Welfare thereof, but also, by endeavouring a means impossible to be effected. For, to say the truth, they were nor, nor now are, nor ever can be, in a capacity to have an orderly proceeding toward a Peaceable Government, much less an esta­blishment thereof, in a Parliameatary mode, according to the old constitution of Parliaments: yea, I will confidently affirm (though it will seem a great presumption) that, as Affairs now stand, the People cannot by any ordinary means be reduced to such a posture, as may bring them to a­gree upon, or admit of, any settled Government whatsoever agreeable to the Laws now extant, or otherwise, by reason of the irreconcileable differing Judgements, Factions, Divisions and malignant Disaffections, which are begot and fomented more and more among them, by the habit of licenti­ousness, which they have now gotten. Nor will their turbulent Animosities be ever calmed, un­til there shall be some Foundations first laid, by an unresistable Arbitrary Power, deposited for a while, in one or more persons, whereby an orderly proceeding toward settling a just Government, may unresistably take place. This constrained the Roman Senate to constitute otherwhile, in such cases, a Dictator, who had such an absolute Power, for a time. This is the natural Cause (if violent motions may properly be called natural) why the Determinations and Beginnings of most Governments, Monarchical and Popular, in all times and places, were derived from the Sword; which (how displeasing soever it be to those whom it may concern) is the remedy to which we, and all Nations in out condition, must submit, before they can have a lasting Peace. The Sword of War is the onely Umpire in all such extreams, and it must be endured until we are brought to such a temper as will make us governable by the Civil Sword; and that it may preserve us, in the mean time, from Dom stick Insurrections, and Forraign Invasions. And indeed, there is no such cause to fear it, as we pretend; for, it is not the corruption, violence, and want of sincerity, which is usual in Armies, that endangers us half so much as our sins in general: For, whilst they are unrepented & encrease, even the best Government, & most Righteous Governours on earth, shall not secure us: and when we are as we ought to be, the worst shall not be able to harm us. The LORD of HOSTS, who is our GOD, is Generalissimo of all the Armies in the World; nothing is acted for, or against any People, but by his command or permission; and if we displease Him, who shall protect us? If our Ways and Designes be such as He approves, who can hurt us? He is our Supreme, yea, sole Judge in all causes triable by Combate, and by the Sword of war, in a peculiar manner; and none who love Righteousness, need be affraid of his doom.

This will be a sweet comfortable Cordial, to those innocent and honest men, who through hu­mane infirmity, are frighted by the Distractions of these times, and dread what our Army may do; if their professions should be hypocritical; or if they, who are yet sincere, should fall from their uprightness: and this being well considered, will terrifie them, who trust in an armed power, and hoped that would protect them in all their Falshoods, Oppressions and Wicked Designes. This will also be unpleasing to them, who would by their own power, their own way, and to their own ends, establish a Government at this time among us; and no less disgust them, who ascribe Divi­nity to Kings, or make Idols of Parliaments, as many have done, and some yet do among us; and of which superstition, I my self (being educated under a Tyranny, which kept me ignorant of what I was born to) have hitherto been guilty, as may appear by many staggering and dubious Ex­pressions, scattered here and there in my Writings, which I am content should remain upon Re­cord, to testifie that I think not my self infallible; and that I do not impose my Assertions Ma­gisterially, with expectation that they should be subscribed unto, without due examination. Nevertheless, let not that which will 'bide the Test, be rejected.

As there are many among us, who cry out for Kings again, thinking them to be more then of [Page 9]humane Extract or Institution: because they neither know that they were the Peoples Creatures, made originally but to be their principal Servants, to see those Laws duly executed which they themselves made; nor take notice, how by degrees, they have made them who were their Ma­sters, to become their Slaves; nor do remember; how they have oppressed them; nor consider how much more they intend to oppress them, nor how they will again oppress them, if they be re-admitted; nor that they were the cause of all those Burthens, which at this time lye upon them, and for which they clamour against those who would remove them: In like manner, many do as inconsiderately cry out for Parliaments; which if they be not well constitute, may be more destructive then their Kings. But, they would have Free Parliaments; and such they call Free, as should be formed of the wisest and honestest men among us, as near as is possible, made Members thereof, at the choyce of all persons who have a considerable interest in the Commonwealth, freely admitted to elect; which would be such a Parliament as may possibly be hereafter, when a Foun­dation whereon to fix it, and an orderly Medium for such Elections is provided: but such a Parlia­ment was never yet in being (if before my remembrance Knights, Citizens and Burgesses in Parlia­ment were elected, as they have been in many places, within the time of my knowledge) and it is the great Mercy of GOD, considering how many were brought in by the Court-Faction for their ends, and how many screw'd in themselves for their own ends, that so much of our Spiritual and Temporal Freedoms is yet left.

That which is now interrupted, and against whose imperfection and unlawfulness, so many have lately clamoured, was as good and legal a Parliament, all things considered, (even when it was at worst) as any heretofore, to all intents and purposes, whilst it had being and power; and every Act thereof, till it be repealed by its own or by another absolute Power, is as binding as the Acts of any other Partiaments: For, a powerful being in the Members thereof, gives it Essentia­lity according to the nature of that being for which it was ordained, as truly as the reasonable Soul in a Body of flesh gives being to a man, who, whether he be lawfully or unlawfully begotten, or born with too many or with too few Members, or whether he be maimed by others or by his own de­fault, is nevertheless a Man whilst the Soul and Body continue together. Whilst, power (which is the Soul of a Parliament, or at least, that by which a Soul is know to be in it) remained in that which was lately interrupted, if not totally destroyed, it might have performed what would have been necessary for the present, to supply those defects, which may else destroy the Body whom they represent; and during the time vouchsafed by GOD for their second Probation, it might (if not again interrupted) have been a help to prepare a more perfect Medium toward establishing a Government, then yet we have any, and which might have given unto future Parliaments a Con­stitution more likely to preserve it, then ever they had heretofore: For, all our Parliaments for­merly convened, were constituted by Tyrants, or Princes little better. They were their Creatures, and not the Peoples: They were called, prorogued and dissolved at their pleasure: were made up of such Persons, and of such a Number as they listed: were chosen by, and for such places, and out of such orders of men, as they priviledged to that purpose; and were originally ordained, for no other intent, but to preserve the Peace of other men so long and so far forth onely, as it might uphold their Grandeur, and make the people Instruments to enslave themselves thereunto: though, through GOD's Mercy, the People have by degrees, acquired means in Parliaments to recover some part of their lost Liberties, much against the wills of their Kings and Creators: But their Liberties will never perfectly be recovered, until a Foundation be laid by the Power of the Peoples own Sword, in the hands of faithful Trustees, whereupon a just Government may be ere­cted, with out-works to defend it from Innovators; and whereby Parliaments may be so regu­lated, that the peoples Civil, Natural and Spiritual Proprieties and Freedoms, may be preserved without violation, as much as possible.

What would be the effects of giving Liberty at this present (as it is by the greatest number de­sired) for any man to chuse, or to be chosen a Member of Parliament, but the destroying of Pro­priety, Morality and Piety, together with all the just Liberties of the people, which they have so dearly paid for, and were likely to recover when almost quite lost? For the worst men are most numerous, and the greater part of them consisting of those, who by conniving at, or complying [Page 10]with Tyrants and Oppressours (under whom they shall enjoy most Licentiousness) were the chief Causers and Continuers of our late and present Troubles; and these having, still their hearts wholly inclined to renew them, how easie will it be, for them, by indirect means, to bring into a Parliament, Members like themselves, more then enough; yea, doubly, to over-vote those who are elected by that part of the People, who ought to have chief Benefit of that Conquest which GOD lately gave them? For do we pursue and apprehend Theeves and Murderers, who have robbed and slain honest men, to make them and their Abettors, sharers in the goods they cat­ried away, when they are again recovered? Or, do we make them keepers, or disposers of our persons or estates? Did Gideon make them to be partakers of his Victory, when he overcame Zeba and Zalmunna, who, when he was in pursuit of them, derided him instead of relieving his fainting Army with bread? Verily, they ought to be rewarded like them, who have opposed the Common Cause, by their hands, tongues or pens; and even they also, who have not therein assisted their brethren, rather then to be vouchsafed partnership in their Freedoms: And it would not only manifest these Nations to be very imprudent, if without good assurance, of their being better affe­cted to their just Cause then heretofore, they do admit them both to an equal enjoyment of that and all other Freedomes with themselves, and to a capacity, upon their imprudent claim thereof, to be their Lawgivers, the Keepers of their Liberties, and Disposers of their Estates and Persons; But, it would imply also, a high contempt of GOD's late Dispensations, to com­municate the benefit of them to his Opposers. The right of chusing, and of being chosen Members of Parliament, is now in those onely, who have gotten it by Conquest; the Law of Conquest is paramount to all their humane Laws; it is nor onely Municipal, but Catholick, and gives just Li­berty to the Conquering Party, to make new Laws as they please, and to continue, suspend, abrogate, or reform all other humane Laws within their own Territories, as they conceive them to be help­ful, or a hinderance to their Common Welfare. It is that Law by which the LORD of HOSTS hath decided our Cause, as I said before: it is that by which all the most famous Monarchies of the world in all Ages, were first constituted and settled, before they could safely lay the Sword aside, to be governed by other Laws; and they who are dissatisfied with that settlement, are not to be regarded.

That, therefore, which the Parliament should have done, (in my judgement) when the power of the Sword was in their hands; and that which their late Successours ought to have prosecuted, when for the Parliaments failings the same power was translated to them, was not to employ their Authority, and the Revenues of the Commonwealth thereby grasped, that they might advance themselves; build up what GOD hath broken down, trifle away precious opportunities, and con­sume the publick Treasure in making an Image of the BEAST formerly adored; or in patching up that which was useless, and not possibly repairable, and would more encrease then diminish the Peoples Grievances: They ought not under a pretended Zeal to the Common Welsare, instead of contriving a Government, whereby Justice might be indifferently and impartially administred to all, (and every man been thereby equally made capable of honour and profit, according to his merit, for an encouragement to Vertue) to have plotted how to model it so, as, that Employ­ments and Dignities, whereby the publick Honour and Safety, may be most advanced or hazarded, should be continued to themselves, conferred on their nearest Relations, and derived to their Posterity: But, on the contrary, they should have improved GOD's appearing for us, and the power thereby acquired, like magnanimous Conquerers, to settle in despight of opposition, such a Govern­ment as GOD would have given them a pattern of, had they sought it; and, whereby Justice and Mercy should have been duly administred. They should have exercised that power in making (as it were) a new Heaven, and a new Earth, by establishing the Superior Orbs in motions tending to Pious and Righteous Dispensations; and by confining every part of their inferiour Globe, to such Rules of obedience to their Governours, and to such Agreements among themselves, that good Influences might reciprocally descend and ascend to preserve the honour and well-being of both; Which by prudent men, having courage, fearing GOD, and hating covetousness, might have been effected by the power which they had once, yea, oftentimes, in their hands; and made up these three Nations into one well-tempered Body, though consisting of many thousands [Page 11]disagreeing in Judgements, Manners, and Affections, (some good, some evil, some indifferent) so that they might have peaceably been made serviceable to GOD, and to each other, as a skilful Apothe­cary makes a wholsome confection, by mixing many Simples of contrary qualities; even of Vipers, Serpents, and some Drugs poysonous in their own nature, which in Composition, make the best Ingre­dients the more vertuous. To this end, was an Arbitrary Power put into their hands, by the Sword, which if they had known how they should have used it, would have been a comfort to good men, and a terrour to the wicked partial self-seekers onely, to whom it hath been hitherto most advantageous.

We fought to preserve our Freedoms which were left, and to recover those we had lost; yea, we fought for our Laws; but, not for those which were imposed upon us, by their prevailings, who had corrupted, or over-voted our Trustees by a Party of their own, and established wickedness for a Law; by which means our Laws that are magnified by some, as if it were more haynous then Sacrilege, to seek to have any of them reformed, are become (in their execution at least) more op­pressive then the Sword: For, I am confident, that the needless expences, thereby yearly occasi­oned, do amount to much more, then all that which is yearly charged to maintain the States Fleets and Armies; and that as many, if not more, are impoverished thereby every year, as were in any one year by plundering, during the late War. It would fill a Volume to enumerate the Practises and Formalities, occasioning the vast expence and intolerable Vexations, whereto, men plunged into that misery, are liable, especially such as are compelled to travel above 200 miles, four or five times in a year from their habitations. Yea, even our Trials by Juries (which is ap­plauded as one of these most equal ways of determining Controversies) is no less injurious then any, by reason of the Ignorance and Corruption of Juries, packt by as corrupt Officers; as also, by the shortness of the time whereto a great number of Causes at times of trial, are limited, both at London and Westminster, as also, at the Assizes in the Counties; where, by the straightness of the place otherwhile, and by other considerable defects, Trials are frequently, so superficially and ha­stily slubber'd over; Parties, and Witnesses, (on whose Testimony the whole Livelyhood of Per­sons and Families depend) so thronged, interrupted, discountenanced, or negligently heard and examined, that a Cast at Dice would have given a cheaper and a more righteous Ver­dict, then is passed in some Causes. But this is beside my Text, and not added out of any disaffe­ction to our Laws or Lawyers; for I honour the Laws, and the Professors thereof, who are unre­proveable.

It may be for these, and other Oppressions of that kind, (whose removal some grand Gown-men are thought to obstruct) GOD hath stirred up the Sword-men to take notice of that Grievance; and seeing it more likely to be enlarged then removed, or made less, one sin shall be punished by another. Or, the Officers of the Army, fearing perhaps that the disbanding or disablement of their Brigades and Regiments, was intended by some in Parliament, for their better carrying on of De­signes advantageous to their own Persons or Factions, to the publick detriment (in which practice it is thought some of them can hardly be over-gone) or peradventure, they perceive that timely provision to secure this Republick from the Common Enemy was neglected; and, that not onely their Estates, Families and Persons might therewith be ruined, but that the dishonour likewise, of all the evil Consequences thereof, would at last be imputed to them, & upon these, or on some other Considerations have resolved to assume the management of the peoples Cause, into their own hands for the future, and so to proceed in the Course hitherto neglected, that they may clear their be­sported Reputations, by using the Military Sword to establish the Civil (as others at first should have done) and then to sheath it up again, and lay it aside; which I pray GOD may be the worst part of their Designe; and that whatsoever be designed by them, he will be pleased graci­ously to make use of it for the good of these Nations, and pardon what was well intended, though irregularly acted.

For, I hope, whether their former proceedings have been justifiable or not, they are not persons of so little Conscience and Humanity, that they will persevere in what is amiss done, when they are convinced of their errour, and that the Power which the people by their Representative, first gave them; which is yet maintained at their cost; and which GOD hath, at this time, permitted to [Page 12]reside in them onely, (and is no where else visible) shall not be wilfully employed to the de­struction of those who trusted them, though it be a while exercised contrary to order, and their good liking from whom they received it: For, such an Ingratitude, will be answerably avenged, and they would thereby become the most infamous Army that ever was in the world; because, they have pretended to more Piety and Justice, then ever any Army did heretofore. The Falshood and Perfidiousness of other Armies, was but the Falshood and Perfidiousness of Heathens, Turks, or de baunched Christians, and it made them infamous as meer carnal men onely: But, this being an Army consisting of persons not onely professing Christianity, but, having the repute of Saints also, their perfidiousness will render them as abominable as Devils; and even they who to their own advantage make use of their persons, will hate them in their hearts; be always distrustful of them; and not onely scatter them assoon as possibly they can, but expose them also to such a condition, as may disable them to be further mischievous hereafter, and to be justly abhorred of all men wheresoever they live. But, as that experience afore-mentioned which I have of some in this Army, makes me presume they will not wilfully deceive our hopes of them: So their Knowledge of the many occasions which have been given to make Them and Others justly jea­lous of the Common Safety, inclines me to think it possible, that what they have lately and here­tofore done, contrary to order, may (as to some of them) deserve more then an excuse: For, when I consider GOD's Dispensations of old, with such undertakings as have been prosecuted, when his honour and the safety of his people required them; and how the one is blasphemed, and the other endangered at this time, I conceive that it may proceed partly from a Divine Impulse; whereof (though I cannot be so assured) they who have been Leading Actors therein, may be ascertained by what Spirit they were moved.

Whilst I was writing this, I cast mine eyes upon a Copy of those Papers aforementioned, (then lying before me) which I presented to the first Protector, and wherein are expressed those Concomitant Circumstances, which be requisite to warrantize an irregular Act: Therefore, I will here insert them, word for word, as they are there) because, perhaps it may come to the knowledge of some who will now need those Cautions, as much as the Protector did heretofore. They are these ten.

Now whether that which was acted enormously by the Officers of the Army, was accompanied with the fore-mentioned Circumstances, or not, it will more concern them then us, to be assu­red of: We can have no certainty of it, because it is a Transaction between GOD and their Consciences onely; but of this we may be certain, to preserve in us a charitable hope of them, that there may be sometime extraordinary actings contrary to ordinary standing Laws and Orders, agree­able to the well-pleased Will of GOD, both internally and externally warranted: For Phineas up­on his single knowledge of a transgression committed, executed Justice upon the Offenders with­out an ordinary Commission, yet he was highly honoured and rewarded for it; and Jehu slew the King his Master, which by Our Law made him guilty of a double Treason, and High Treason it was questionlesly accounted by the Jewish Law; yet GOD recompenced it with a Kingdom; which his Posterity should have inherited for that service, if he and they had but performed those conditions whereupon it might have been confirmed. If it be alledged, He was visibly anointed to that purpose by a Prophet; I may answer, That of little force his anointing had been, if there had not been also, a spiritual anointing, much more effectual, poured out in visibly, upon him, and his Companions: for Jehu in himself, was considerable for nothing (that we know of) but his furious march: and his Companions (as their own words imply) judged the Pro­phet who anointed him, to be a mad fellow, by his deportment: and (for ought I perceive) the Jews, for the most part, in those and future times, had no better opinion of their Prophets, then men have in these dayes of the Quakers, and of some other among us, because many of their actings, whereby they were made signes, to that Generation, appeared to them as ridiculous, as those which are perhaps permitted at this time, to be signal to us. And what would then the visible pouring forth of Oyl have effected, without a spiritual anointing, which like the white stone, mentioned in the Revelation, is onely known to him that hath it? This consideration, with such-like, makes me think fitter, to look to my own Actions, and Warranties for them, then to judge of other mens proceedings, whose Warrants I cannot know.

This I well know, That we are in an exceeding desperate condition; and like the Frogs and Mice preparing to a Battel, which if not prevented, will expose us to the Kite; nay, we are in a far greater hazard, according to my apprehension of it: for, we appear to my Fancie, not unfit to be resembled (in what may probably befal us) to a great number of Bulls and Lyons; Bears and Dogs; Men and Horses; Tygers and Goats; Wolves and Sheep; Foxes and Lambs; Swine and Leopards; Women and Children; Innocents and Malefactors; armed and unarmed; Princes and Peasants; Pastors and their Flocks; Old and Young; Poor and Rich; thrust and throng­ed all together promiscuously into the Cirque of a Theater, to be torn and to tear each other to pieces: whilst our Neighbours, Foes and Friends, (if we have any) sit Spectators on seats round [Page 14]about, to behold that horrible Spectacle, till we being destroyed, or wearied with destroying each other, they may come down without danger to themselves, and divide the spoil of that which is left, possess our Estates, and make slaves of our persons: yet, that Herd of Beasts, which we call the common People, is so stupid and insensible of what is likely to come upon them, that like natural Fools, they sit grinning on each other, in those meeting places, where they recreate them­selves by hearing and repeating those things, which are beginnings of their own destruction; run together with a brutish delight, to be Spectators of their own miseries and massacres to ensue, if an over-ruling Providence prevent it not; and like mad-men, rejoyce when they think it begun. Of this I my self have often took notice, and particularly upon that day whereon the Parliament was last interrupted. For, when by the Vollies of Shot, it was in London supposed that the Parliaments Guards, and the Armies Forces were engaged, the people who then flocked into the Temple, to look toward Vestminster, where they hoped that Engagament was begun, did in my sight and hearing, express their barbarous joy, with so much disaffection to both Parties, and with such unchristian Language, and unmanly Gesticulations, that being filled with grief, and transported with indignation, I could not withhold from openly reproving them. O GOD! By what ordinary course is such a Frenzie curable? whose power can calm the rage of such Waters, but thine onely, who commandest the storming Winds, and art obeyed? and when thou sayest to the Seas, Proceed no further?

The Vessel of this Commonwealth, now weather-beaten and torn, is in more danger then that, wherein jonas would have fled to Tarsus; for, though we have cast forth a great part of our Goods to secure it, our danger still continues, and increaseth; and we are not so sensible of it, nor so much think upon GOD, or on our sins, which are the cause of it, as the Heathen Mariners then did. Moreover, that Ship, had but one Delinquent which occasioned the Storm; and his be­ing thrown into the Sea, brought immediate safety: They had many Skilful Sea-men to guide it; but all our Pilots are cast over-board, and none left in appearance, but guilty Passengers: This, might make me despair; yet my Hope is greater then my Fear, by contemplating GOD's mercy to Jonas: For, though he were a Delinquent, who had knowingly offended, as it were in a contempt of GOD; though, he were cast out into the Sea, far from Lan [...], where was no hope of escaping; though it was when that Sea was so extraordinarily enraged by a Storm, that it made safety less hopeful; and though he was then swallowed by a Whale, which was as it were conveying of him down quick to Hell, (as he himself apprehended it) from whence there is no redemption; yet he was preferved by that which was naturally, irrecoverably of it self, destru­ctive; and vouchsafed also so much Grace, as to be imployed again in the service of him, and by him, against whom he had been rebellious. Oh GOD! how infinite are thy Mercies! and how exceeding merciful are the severest of thy Judgements!

Yet, because GOD expects, that, in all emergencies and extremities, we should use the rea­son and grace that he hath given us, as the Mariners and Passengers then did, toward our preser­vation, and not as Jonas, retire into our private Cabins, nor into the Holds, and there sleep out this Storm; I have kept my self waking, whilst other men slept; to look upward, inward, and round about me, every way from whence means of Salvation may come, (or, whereby, an en­crease of danger may be prevented) that I may stir up my self and others to meet GOD, who is alway ready to provide it, and come along with it, if he be sought for in time. I have consider­ed what some might have done, but now cannot; what some, other may yet do, but will not: what many intend, and will do, if they can, to undo us; and what we should and may do, if we lose not opportunities yet offered, by pride, partiality, self-seeking, and consuming that strength which is left, in opposing each other, and them who perhaps, by an irregularity providentially permitted, are brought into a straight, for the present, that we might be thereby inlarged for ever after; and be better secured by a Storm and a Whale, then by the Ship in which we were stee­ring a wrong course; yea, peradventure by this Breach (which makes our Enemies cry, Aha! so we would have it!) that shall be occasioned, which will cement the Hearts of our Governours, of our Armies, and of the people, more strongly, and more affectionately then ever heretofore. It is not now a season wherein to pursue Vengeance: When Shimei cursed his King, and Joah [Page 15]would have taken off his head for it; David thought it possible that GOD might commission him to curse; and whether it were so or not, he prudentially judged it unseasonable to avenge an injury done to him, and punish a fault in another, when he lay under a Chastisement for his own, greater transgressions against a greater King then himself. GOD, hath winked at so many of our failings, and that so often, that we are obliged to wink at each others escapes. Our Princes, Parliaments, People and Armies, have complained of each other; but, the truth is, we are all become so guilty, and have so many ways given occasions of provoking each other, as well as of displeasing GOD; and of increasing both our sins and punishments; that, if there be not a more Christian Forbearance, more Unity, Love and Reformation among us, (then yet I see) and a speedy endeavouring joyntly and singly toward an unfeigned agreement, in Civil Concernments; then, as first the Regal, and then the Parliamentary power was destroyed; so, shall first the Army, and then the People, be deprived of their Power; and this perhaps to let in another Party as wick­ed as themselves, or worse, to be plagued and rooted out among them, to make room for a more pious and Righteous Generation, if we be not in time warned by other mens examples.

A Question somewhat like one of those which you propounded to me, was proposed by David, when he said, When the Foundations are overthrown, what shall the righteous do? but he himself thereto implies an Answer, in the words next following; for there he sheweth, what GOD will do, and what will at such times be the portion both of those who have righteously or unrighte­ously acted: GOD give us Grace to consider it. To prevent, what I feared, would come upon us, I have added my spoonfull of Water, from time to time (as occasion was offered) toward quen­ching of the Flames which I saw kindling, and have sent abroad many Remembrances and Cave­ats, which have been as ineffectual, as if I had written to the mad men in Bedlam to perswade them to be sober; and yet I am still moved by somewhat, which will not let me be quiet (notwith­standing my late resolution to the contrary) to adventure my Notions toward their cure, some­times in private, as I do at this present to you: And, since the late Rupture, have looked seriously toward those four Winds, kept by four Angels, who are commanded to let them breathe, or restrain them, as GOD shall permit them to be active, together or apart, either according to their own natural power, or as he shall please, by his extraordinary complyance, to make them a furtherance or an obstruction to our Settlement. And, now, in regard many men depending much upon meer natural Causes, have raised expectations from them, according to their several hopes and affecti­ons; I will inform you, what upon inquiry into their self-sufficiency, may probably come or not come from them respectively, (leaving GOD's unrevealed determinations to his own good Plea­sure) there are, I say, four Mountains, from whence mens Windy Hopes issue, and they are these: 1. Charles Stuart, and his Party: 2. The Parliamentary Authority, which was, and seems in a possibility of reviving again: 3. The Body of the People, whom they represented: And lastly, the Armies now in being: of which Four, I will discourse in order, and declare what I perceive probable to proceed from them, according to my understanding; and leave it to be considered, and censured, as you and they shall please, to whose view it shall come.

The coming in of Charles Stuart, is much desired and wished for, by those who aim at their present, quiet and personal, or worldly advantages onely, because they neither understand nor care for that which will be most for GOD's Glory, or the publick Welfare hereafter, so they may have a speedy Settlement upon any terms, which will put quickest end to our present Troubles. But, his coming with such a consequence as they dream of, will neither be so speedy, nor the Se­quel so satisfactory as they imagine; for though the late Breach should make the way easier then it was; Yet if he come by force, he will find a rugged passage, and long and dangerous marches before he arrive at White-hall; and may be staid a while also, to see some playing at Duck and Drake, upon the great waters in his way hitherward, and what Wagers will be tride about diving and swimming before he comes on shore. The Pond over which he must pass, is so great, that he will hardly finde means to waft himself and all the Beggers and Baggages that must be brought along with him, unless our good Friends the Hollanders help him; who, we hope, will either be more honest, or at least so politick, as to consider, that if Spain and France, (as the report goes) will assist him, upon a designe to propagate their Religion, and uphold Monarchy, as well their Com­monwealth [Page 16]and Religion, will be in danger, as ours; and that if they of France and Spain, or either of them, prevail to settle an obliged Friend to their Cause on this side of them, to hold the Dutch play upon the Water, they will hew out a passage well enough on the other side by Land, to the Spanish Kings old Inheritance, to which no Prescription is a bar, by a Royal Maxime: But, though France & Spain, the Dutch, Dane, and Devil to boot, should assist him, yet he may come short; and I believe, most of those who long for his coming, will loose much of their present enjoy­ments, and of their fairest future hopes also, before Charles Stuart arriveth here in peace; and perhaps speed worse then so, before he be settled: For, they, who have paid dearly for what they conquered from his Father, will sell it at a rate much dearer, before they forgo their interest: And it is infallibly evident to every man of understanding, that if he comes in by force, it cannot be without their Forraign Ayd, which over and above those many thousands of disconten­ted, debauched and beggerly Scots, Irish and English-men (which wait for such a time) will spue out after them into these Islands, all the Bandetti, Thieves, Rogues, needy Persons, and un­useful Souldiers which over-burthen their Countries already; so that this place will then be an Epitomy of Hell, where all shall be tormented by those Furies and Devils incarnate, which will be brought in thereby: For, it will be impossible then, to make distinction between Friends and Foes to the Commonwealth, who have not Swords in their hands; neither will it be regar­ded, if they have any thing to loose; and if he prevail at last by a Forraign Ayd, the best that can be expected by the greatest part of the Natives, is to be enslaved under all manner of Servi­titudes, both Spiritual and Temporal; the apprehension of which, will make all those who have either Religion, Honesty, or Love to their Country, or to Themselves, fight it out to the last man: and these things considered, there will be no probability of a happy or speedy Settlement, if Charles Stuart come in by force.

But, it is hoped by some few, that he will come in by compact and consent, upon such terms as will render his coming acceptable. Well, admit this, and also grant that his Afflictions had prepared his heart, to offer or accept of such conditions as may preserve the Temporal and Spiri­tual Freedoms, due to the people by the Laws of GOD and Nature; and that he would covenant to secure us in a future enjoyment of our Estates and Consciences under a Righteous Govern­ment; in such manner, that he and we by GOD's Blessing, may be happy in each other. Grant also, there were a willingness and a reciprocal Condescention on both sides, without Fraud, to all reasonable Propositions; and that his Party now in exile, would be contented with such a rea­sonable allowance, as might not be over-burthensome to the Commonwealth, whereto the neces­sities of some, and the generosity of others, may possibly incline them to accord: Yet how should such an Agreement be begun, prosecuted or secured? I know no safe Medium whereby this may be made feisible. Stones and Sand will never make a Building without Lime, or some other gluti­nous matter. If the Dutch should interpose, they might perhaps mediate more for their own advantage then for his or ours: so probably would the French and Spaniard also, whose Designes would be more advanced, by our continuing disagreements, then by our reconciliation: and we shall find a pad of mischief in the straw, if they have any hand in it; and receive, it may be, a Snake into our bosome, if he should be admitted by their mediation: for it may rationally be suspected, that they will not appear for him either in an amicable or hostile manner, without hedg­ing in some concealed Engagement of his to them, or to one of them, which may be hereafter disadvantageous to our Spiritual or Temporal Freedoms, or both: and if he should be secretly reconciled to the Church of Rome, during his abode, among them, by those opportunities which they have had to work upon him, and then come over, seasoned with this Principle of theirs, That no Faith or Contract, is to be kept with Hereticks, (and we then appear to be such in his e­steem) what security shall we have, whereupon we can safely depend?

Moreover, it is considerable, that to make an honourable and lasting reconciliation, he must not onely come in with the love and assent of that part of the people who will insist upon the preser­vation of their just Freedoms claimed; but he must also first renounce that pretended Right which he claims as due from his Progenitors: for, if he still think that to be a right inherent in himself, as many absurdly do, (because they neither understand right Reason or Law) and if the [Page 17]people shall receive him without abjuration of that Claim, they do thereby make voyd the Sen­tence which GOD hath given on their part, at the Trial by Combat; & give away for ever, that which they recovered by Conquest: and so, by our Atonement, we shall but prorogue our Troubles at best, till he or his posterity have acquired power to renew the old quarrel upon this false Maxime, Nul­lum Tempus occurrit Regi; thoug the truth is, Nullum Tempus occurrit populo, no time or Prescri­ption, is a just bar to the Peoples Right; for whose sake, Kings (being but their servants) were at first ordained. Though I have shewed it before, yet I will here again briefly touch upon the state of our Cause, because it is not well enough heeded.

This people lately claimed their natural Freedoms, which the King had usurped: the King claimed, likewise, his long usurped Prerogatives: after a tedious contest on both sides, they at length joyntly appealed to GOD, to give sentence according to Justice, upon a Tryal by Com­bate, as it is manifested by the Words, for Distinction, given out by both Parties, when they joyned Battel: GOD, by making the Peoples Champions Conquerers, gave Judgment on their behalf: Thereupon the King and his Party quitted the three Kingdoms, and left the Conquerors in quiet and absolute possession; and all the Kings and Commonwealths of Christendome taking notice both of the process and success, witnessed that Restauration of their just Rights, by making Addresses to them as the Soveraign Power: all which undeniably demonstrate, a Conquest, whereby all the pretended right of Charles Stuart and his heirs, was as peremptorily cut off, as ever the like Claim was heretofore from any Family or Person, at the translation of any Government from one person or Family to another, in any Kingdome or Empire, since the World began. And, whatsoe­ver can be alleaged to the contrary, or, whosoever murmurs against this Verdict, or shall assist him (if he be of this Commonwealth) to possess his pretended Claim to these Islands, is a Traytor to his Country, and a Resister of GOD's doom; and none but presumptuous, ignorant, debauched or slavish-minded persons, will persevere after all this evidence, and finall Decree in GOD's Court-Martial, (from whence (as I said) there is no appeal) to oppose the Conquerors Title, or reproach them as Rebels and Traytors, as yet some impudently do. This is briefly, the true state of that Cause, which is in decision termed by our Adversaries, (and scornfully by some Cox-combs) who are Enemies to themselves) The Good Old Cause: and this being duly considered, Charles Stuart hath, in my understanding, no more Legal Right to these Islands, then I have to France and Spain.

He cannot justly be admitted hither, but on such terms as may preserve the Peoples Interest, unless GOD in wrath admit him, for a punishment of our sins, and to be a plague to those who desire it in contempt of his dispensations; which otherwise, neither our present divisions, or the power of all his Confederates beyond the Seas, would be able to effect, notwithstanding the Su­perlative sottishness of some among us, who seem fit to be governed by none but a Tyrant; and by whom Charles Stuart himself would be sufficiently plagued, whether he be tyrannically incli­ned or not, if the Government of them should be on him imposed: For, though some desire his coming, it is not in love for his own sake; but, in hope to enjoy under him, a licentious Free­dom; and upon the least failing of their expectations in that hope, they would cry Crucifie him, the next day after they cryed Hosanna; and wish for those again, whom they now revile: For, many of them, are the same persons who opposed, reviled, and pursued his Father even to his death; and against him, who should rule over them piously and righteously, they would be much more exasperated. This is not a rash censure, founded upon passion or conjectures; but, a probable conclusion, on that long experience which I have had of the giddiness, malice, and bruitish condition of that inconsiderate Rabble, which makes the loudest Clamours, and who are transported with the greatest madness.

No private interest makes me a verse to Charles Stuarts admittance, neither have I any dis­affection to his person; for, I never received in jury by him: But my averseness, is meerly in re­lation to my Country, which, in my understanding, cannot enjoy a happy Peace, together with his person, as affairs now stand, in relation to Him, to his Confederates, and to this Commonwealth. I desire nothing, by endeavouring to bar him, or any other, from that which he, or they ought in Justice to possess; and, though I may suspect that my Actings against him for preservation of [Page 18]the Common Liberties, will render me liable to his fury, and to the rage of his Party, I shall be no more afraid of him, though re-admitted to morrow, then he is now of me, though he should come, both with an unrestrained Power, and a revengeful Mind; because, I have discharged a good Conscience, even in doing that which may most offend him. Nay, upon Considerations of another nature, I shall have no cause to fear him, or to think I shall be more cruelly dealt, with­al by him, then I have been by those in power, among whom I now live, though he should take a­way my Life: For, though I have served the late Powers faithfully, with my Estate, Person and Credit; yet, by their long neglect of Justice, in some things, and by their actual Injustice, in some other things, they have so exposed me to contempt, and so nigh ruined me, both in my Estate, and Credit, without which Life is little worth; that, Charles Stuart, cannot be so unmerciful to me as they have been, except, when I am quite deprived of my Livelyhood and Reputation, he should suffer me to live, until I saw likewise, the destruction of my Family and the Commonwealth, whose welfare is to me more precious then Life; though, for all my Contributions and Services, (to the endangering of my Life, Estate and Credit) I could not obtain so much favor, toward the relief of my Oppressions, as to have one Petition read in her Grand Assemblies during above nine years continual Sollicitations. In brief; as in relation to my self, I have no reason to respect any one of the former Powers more then the other; for, as the Porter said, Whosoever were King, he should be but a Porter; so, I may say, if they who shall come hereafter, be not more righteous then they who ruled heretofore, I am sure to have but little Favour, and much Mischief: and as for Charles Stuart in particular, if he comes hither by that passage, which we are likely to make for him at this time, and shall walk in ways no better then his Progenitors, and our late Governours have trod, I cannot have so much cause to dread him, as he will have to be afraid of himself; and I shall do him better service, perhaps, (if I live to see him here in power) then any one of them, who most desire his coming: For, as I did to his Father, and his Successours, I will make bold (though with as little thanks or belief) to tell him plainly and truly, what will befal him and his Posterity; and then, I think, my work will be at an end, and I shall leave the Stage.

Now, I have done with Charles Stuart, unless GOD's indignation sends him thither; and then I must endure the Storm, (as well as GOD shall enable me) which will issue from that Moun­tain (and I verily believe, that will be well enough, because (though I affect them not) I am usu­ally safest in Storms; and thrive best, by GOD's mercy, when my greatest Enemies, think they shall irrecoverably undo me.) I perceive, that neither such peaceable Gales, as many expect, are likely to proceed thence, nor such dreadful Tempests as are by some feared, if we make them not great by our own defaults: and therefore, I will turn toward the next Mountain (the late dissol­ved Parliament) if I know where to finde it; which will he a very hard matter; for, the Father of it is dead; the Mother upon which it was begotten, knows not whither it is departed; and in the place where it was born, lived and acted, I find here and there a Limb; but, of so many uni­ted, as may make them a Parliament, I cannot hear any news; no nor so much as a Paper from any one Member, laying claim to their lost power. All I hear, of it, is but Ecchoes, which signifie little; or, some raging sounds, implying that wrathful indignation, which will never accomplish the will of GOD; or, else scurrilous Invectives, scattered by we know not whom, without names; and raised perhaps from private Suppositions, conducing onely to an inlargement of the late Breach, as if designed by the Common Adversary to that end; and by such as are accessary to that endeavour GOD, who raised up Lazarus, when he was dead, buried, & stunk, may (if he please) once again restore it; and what he will do, no man knows; but, in common Reason, we can have lit­tle hope of it, or, of having any Deliverance from our hazards, by that, whereto we can make no Address, and which had not power enough to save it self, when it had a visible Authority. The Horses, which drew their Chariot, like those in the Fable of Hippolitus, being frighted, hath over­thrown it, dasht it into pieces; and so scattered their Members, that should Aesculapius undertake the cure, he could not set them together again. When they were in being, and had Authority de Facto, (though some think not de jure) we were obliged to be obedient whilst that Being lasted, because there was no other visible power, to preserve the Comon Peace. We had then some hope [Page 19]they might (though made lawful by necessity onely, have been a means of constituting a bet­ter Parliament, then they themselves were: but, what can we now hope for from them? Or what subjection owe we to that, which if it had some being, can give us no protection in our obedience? Or unto whose use ought those Fragments and Fractions of the Power, which was delegated and in­trusted by them into particular hands, be now imployed, but, to their use, and for their safety, by whom that now-invisible Representative, was intrusted? Let us not then, deceive our selves with Shadows, and run after Voyces in the dark, which come we neither know whence, or from whence, lest we fall into a bottomless Pit.

That Mountain is now quite breathless; there breathes no Wind from it, nor can, unless GOD extraordinarily breathe again into it; and therefore we are to address our selves to that visible Power, which GOD hath permitted to rise up in the stead thereof, by what means soever it was advanced: for, though perhaps it was treasonably acquired, that which ought not to have been done, being done, is of force; and it was justly permitted of GOD, though unjustly acted by men; and the Act was of GOD, though the obliquity of the Act, was their who perpetrated the same; as the rending of Ten Tribes from the house of Solomon, was of GOD, though it was treasonably prosecu­ted by Jeroboam: and they who armed themselves to reduce them to their former subjection, (as perhaps we now intend to do) were so told, and thereupon desisted from their purpose. This considered, they who at this present, exercise the supreme power over these Nations; and they al­so, who received heretofore power by Commissions from the late Representative whilst it was in be­ing, must (as well for the safety of the whole Commonwealth, as for their own security) preserve that Power, as intire as they can, for their safe-guard, whose safety was thereby primarily inten­ded; and ought not to sacrifice it, either to Revenge, or to the Ghost of that Body, whereto they have now no Obligation; and essentially violate their Trust to the People, under colour of preserving fidelity to the shadow of their Invisible Representative, lest they finde at last, they were deluded by their own Corruption, or by a deceitful Spirit: And they in particular, who have assumed the Soveraign Power, instead of that which is abolished, or suspended, ought not to deal severely with such as not out of wilfulness, but rather in Conscience, and through want of due in­formation, shall not comply therewith, until they have means to be fully informed, what in honour and justice, they are obliged unto, in so extraordinary an Emergency. In the whole, I could dis­cover no likelyhood of help, in our present necessities, from that Mountain; and, perhaps, GOD hath buried it, as he did the Body of Moses, no man knows where, lest they who trusted over­much in it, might commit Idolatry again therewith, and think he could no way else deliver them from their Oppressours, but by that Parliament.

The third Mountain, which with the Wind from thence blowing, will be next considerable, is the Grand Body of the people, whom they represented, whose Limbs, are now scattered. From this Mountain, I hear as it were the sound of a mighty Wind, but can perceive no product likely to be answerable to the noise it makes, nor any birth at present more considerable then a Mouse. It is expected perhaps, that the people will be avenged upon those who have destroyed their Image, and offered violence to their late Representative; but Cui bono, to what purpose, if it were of GOD? They will raise up a Power, some think, to prosecute also their Cause. That's a dream, (if not an impossibility) likely to produce such an event, as the rage of the men of Ophra had a­gainst Gideon, when he brake down the Image of Baal; and we may as well endeavour to gather all the drops of a Showre into one Bucker, & assoon imbody therewith the sparklings of Char-coa [...]s, and the sprinklings of Dew lying upon the grass tops, into an Electuary: For, the Members of that Body, are so many, so scattered, and so divided into Factions, by their differing Judgments, Asserti­ons and Interests, that, without an over-ruling Power, they will never be brought to agree upon any Medium to preserve themselves; much less to vindicate that Parliament, which the greatest part of them, would not acknowledge to be their lawful Representative, whilst it continued in Power: For, many of them sought the ruine thereof, when it was in being; rejoyced when it was destroyed, (as they think it to be) and were sorry for nothing, so much, as that the Army was not also therewith annihilated. Yea, not a few of those who faithfully served that Parliament, and conscientiously did their best endeavour to preserve it, were so dissatisfied with their partial and [Page 20]unjust proceeding in some things; with their neglect in other matters, and with the dubi­ousness of their Authority, that they adhered thereto, for no respect so much, as because they had thereto engaged themselves, and knew no other visible means under GOD, so likely to pre­vent a general and destructive Confusion; or, else, for that they thought them impowered at first by GOD's permission, and graciously restored after their long Interruption, (for that purpose which they themselves have pretended) until this people should be prepared (by those Changes where­with he will further prove them) for such a Government, as will be most for His Glory, and their good. In expectation of this Mercy, they, who were their Friends, now wait upon GOD, and think themselves not obliged to endeavour an avengement upon those, who have done GOD's Work, for ought they know to the contrary; and, most of that part of the People who disaffected the late Parliament, will not engage against the Infringers of it, in hope to see their own malitious De­signe against the Commonwealth, to take place by the removal thereof, by the distractions, or miscarriages, of the Army. Upon these, and such like Considerations, I concluded, that, from this Mountain, (until it were put into a better capacity) nothing could be expected answerable to a rational Expectation; but, some mad Combinations, in several parts of the Commonwealth, for and against reviving the late Parliament, which is doubtless designed, and will be fomented by the Common Adversary, to make him an Inlet, and bring at last to his side, one part of their dissen­ting Forces.

Then, I lifted mine eyes toward that other Hill, from whence many men look for help: to wit, the Army; for, though I expect salvation from that Hill onely, which over-tops all Mountains, I considered that also; and, at the first fixing of mine eyes upon it, I saw many doubtful and ter­rible Appearances, which did a little affright me. It resembled, me thought, a Hill with three tops, seemingly divided, with some slashes of fire, and smoakes breathing and issuing out from between them, which portended such mischiefs as many feared would ensue their dissolving of the Parlia­ment: For, this is the Hill which justled aside that Mountain, and I was jealous it might rather prove to be Mount Ebal, whence Curses were pronounced, then Mount Gerazim, from whence Bles­sings could be expected; and it may possibly be unto us as GADS-HILL, which hath been a Hill of Robbors, as well as GODS-HILL, notwithstanding any thing, that I can absolutely warrant to the contrary. But, I hope better: for, as the sins of the Israelites, made GOD incline Davids heart to discover the pride which was in it, by numbring the people; and then for a punishment of that offence, brought him into such a streight, that he himself was to chuse whether his Penance should be the Sword, Pestilence or Famine; and upon his resigning himself with penitence, to GOD's good pleasure, had a Correction, vouchsated in mercy, which gave occasion of purchasing that piece of ground, whereon the Temple was afterward erected: So, perhaps the Army, or the Officers thereof, having in some special manner sinned against GOD; and, they, and these Nations being mutually occasions of transgressions in each other, which have provoked GOD against both, we are brought into the like streights; which, if they produce true Repentance, with an unfeigned Resignation of our selves to GOD, he will not onely correct us in mercy, but, make this Breach likewise, an occasion of erecting such a Government, as will together with advance of our Wel­fare, make some preparation for that Kingdome, which will glorifie him throughout all Na­tions.

Upon these, and such musings, that Mountain, which before appeared to me as contemptible as a Mole-hill, and to send forth discomfortable blasts, seemed to have a more venerable Aspect: yea, to have much Holy Ground in it, and to breathe forth refreshing Gales. It then appeared to me, like that Mountain, in some respects, on which the Israelites beheld Clouds, Flames and Smoke; from which they heard a Trumpet and Thunders, and which the People were enjoyned not to touch, on penalty of being stoned. Methought also, I saw appearances of GOD upon it, and the Popular Mountain last mentioned, to move gradatim toward the same, & therewith incorporating into one strong Hill, which if our sins hinder not, will be joyntly active and passive, according to my appre­hension, in the profecution of that Expedient which is most heroick, and which will produce many future Experiments, teaching us better to know GOD's, our own, and other mens intentions, and the way to both our settlement, & to that Kingdom which hath no end This Course, if the Army, and [Page 21]they who have pretended to GOD's glory, and the common welfare, have resolution and faithful­ness enough to pursue as they yet may; they shall thereby wipe off, all former and present A­spersions, with everlasting honour: the upbraidings and reproaches of their Malignant Detra­ctors and Oppressors, shall effect no more against them, then the barkings and bawlings of Dogs against the Moon: their former failings, will be means of prevailings hereafter: every Stum­ble, shall set them two steps forwarder: though they were more disabled then yet they are, the u­nited powers, of all their mighty Adversaries abroad and at home, shall be to them, but as a Field of stubble before a Flame; and their over-powering them with multitudes, shall be but like hea­ping up straw and dry brambles, to cover a strong Fire: For, GOD shall return into their Camps with invincible Auxiliacies, lodge in their Head-quarters, and rejoyce in protecting and enabling them as heretofore, to the producing of miraculous effects, and to the reterting on their Ad­versaries (who are puffed up with vain hopes by their Divisions) that scorn and confusion which they expected should befall these Islands are long: and I have here averred no more then GOD will perform on his part, if the Armies, and they who pretend for the common Interest, shall not a­postatize from what is to be performed on their parts.

Let them take heed to this: for, it is the effect of those promises, which are made conditionally to all men throughout all Generations, and recorded to be transferred and applyed particularly and universally as occasion is offered: and, that which is contrary to what is here averred, will befal them, who falsifie their trust, or engagements for GOD's or their Countries Cause, even to their own inexpressible shame and destruction. For, as when the ways of men please GOD, he makes troubles to be their advantage, and their greatest Enemies to be their Friends: so, when they wilfully displease him, he makes their best Friends to be their Enemies, their strength to weaken them; their wisdome, to befool them; their prevailings to overthrow them; and that, wherein they take most delight, to be their greatest vexation: yea, if they persevere in their wickedness, he will make them at last, to be their own destroyers, as were the Jews, whose destruction, GOD said, Was of themselves. So, is our desolation likely to be: for, we are as like them, in all things, as if we had been patterned out by them; yea, as well in other particulars as in our man­ners, as appears by what follows.

There is a distinct being among us, resembling that of Judah and Israel; and we are both sepa­rated and mixt, as they were, in relation to Temporal and Spiritual Concernments: our Friends and Enemies round about us, were in every respect typified, by their Friends, Adversaries and Confede­rates: we are as obstinate as they, in prosecuting our carnal Designes: we dote as much upon our own Customs and Traditions, as ever they did: like them, we deride and prosecute, those who are stirred up by GOD, to declare his Will, to reprove our sins, and to forewarn us of his Judgments: like them, we prefer our present profit, and a temporal Kingdom, before a Spiritual: as many Facti­ons, we have among us, as they had, a little before, and at the time wherein Jerusalem was destroy­ed: and if Christ were in the flesh among us, as he was with them, we are as likely to prefer a Murderer before him, and to crucifie him. VVe deserve therefore to be rejected as they were; nay, far greater Judgements then fell upon them, because, what they did, and what thereon en­sued, is recorded for our instruction and forewarnings. But, no Examples, of ancient times, nor those which we have seen in our days, will work upon us, or move us to any considerable amend­ment; rather, on the contrary, we delight in lies, and take pleasure in deriding the most sacred things, yea, in abusing each other, and in hearing each other abused, by scurrilous Invectives: and methinks I see, with what ridiculous Gesticulations, and vain rejoycings, our Adversaries beyond the Seas, peruse our scurrilities. These, we can finde time enough to read or hear: but what may tend to edification, reconciliation or performance of our duties, we have neither money to buy, nor leasure to peruse, nor will to take notice of, though it be put gratis, into our hands: but, we keep them in our pockets, as Caesar did that Letter, which might have prevented his death, till the mischief whereof we are forewarned, comes upon us. OH LORD! Deliver us from all our Enemies in this time of our hazard; especially deliver us from our selves, without whose prevarications, no other enemies could hurt us.

One thing, comes now suddenly to mind, not impertinent, which I will here insert, lest it be [Page 22]forgotten; and it will concern you, (whom I believe to be one of GOD's Elect in this City of London) to put other men in mind to be be heedful thereof: I have observed so many wicked Spirits, to be lately conjur'd up, and let loose among you, and now possessing the greatest number, as well of the richer sort, as of poor Artificers Tradesmen, Apprentices, Clerks, and other debauch­ed, despicable, and giddy-headed persons, whose hearts are filled with malice, and their mouths overflow with hellish Curses, direful Imprecations, and scandalous Language against their Su­periors, and those things which they understand not, manifesting in them, a proneness to desperate Mutinies and Insurrections, when occasion shall be offered, that it is GOD's great mercy, this great City hath not been in a Flame long since: and, I am perswaded that a great Judgement hangs over it, which had ere now descended, if a considerable number of righteous men, had not stood in the Gap to divert it; and for whose sakes, GOD, hath hitherto spared it. There seemed to me, a Forewarning Symptome thereof exhibited on or about the 23 day of June last, at which time a Prodigious Meteor (the like not heard of by me heretofore) was seen by the effect, which ought to have been more heeded then it was. A Flame descending in a Whirle-wind, about two Furlongs West-ward from the Suburbs of your City, consumed to the roots, the stumps of the Sun-scor­ched Grass on the ground, many poles every way (which I saw, and have mentioned in another occasional Discourse) not without observing GOD's mercy to the City, in restraining it from passing a little further East-ward, where was combustible matter enough, which by feeding it, might, as the Wind then sate, have made it a more dreadful, and a more observable Fore­warning.

But, that which last precedeth, hath brought another Mountain to my consideration, from whence there may possibly, issue such Winds, as will be of more consequence, toward the settling or unsettling the Common peace, then from any one of the four afore-mentioned, considering the posture we are in. It lies neither East, West, North or Southward; but, is that Hill, even that great City, wherein you are. I dare not express, what I either hope or fear, as in relation thereunto, lest it may be more offensive then profitable: and therefore, smothering my thoughts, I will onely pray to GOD, so to qualifie their spirits, who are distempered, and so to direct them, who are peaceably minded among you; that, in the great Tryal of their prudence, which is now at hand, they may prosecute what will be most expedient for their own and the publick safety, seasonably, faithfully, and with courage: for, the turning of the Balance to the wrong or right side, will now (next under GOD) be in their Power; and the greatest future honour or shame, will accor­dingly be their portion.

From that, which I have here hastily scribled, out of those many Notions which lay confusedly in my heart; (and which like an Olla podredae, will afford some Refection, though the whole dish be not for every mans diet) you may pick out thus much at least, that, I hope GOD, who makes light spring out of darkness, and produceth good effects from evil, will be pleased so to dispose of what shall issue from these Mountains, or from that which some of the Army have irregularly done, (whatsoever they intended) that it shall advantage us at the last; and that he will in the mean time restrain both the City and Commonwealths Forces from that Engagement against each other (which our Friends fear, and our Enemies hope for) by making them consider what sad effects may else follow, to the ruine of their Country, and to their own shame and distraction; that he will give them grace, to preserve that Power intire, which was at first put into their hands, for the safe-guard of the People and their Rep esontative, (and since they have assumed a Supreme Pow­er, instead of what was intended to be subordinate) to make that use of it, whereto they are obli­ged in Gratitude, Conscience and Justice, even to preserve the Common Peace, and to strengthen their hands, whom GOD shall stir up, and endow with such a portion of his Spirit, as may enable them, to settle a Righteous Government, by reducing those things into order, with a strong hand, which are not otherwise reducible by humane wisdom; and then resigne again the Military Sword, to be returned into the Scabberd, and continue in quiet subjection to the Civil Sword, as in times past, when the Peoples Representative had it at command.

If this you think to be my hope, as indeed it is, you may then ask me, how it shall be effected: if you do, all I can tell you, is onely of another branch of that hope, which, is, that the Common­wealths [Page 23]Armies, who have now the visible Power in their hands, will become of one minde, and being lovingly and firmly united, will either speedily restore, (if it be needful and possible) those whom they have scattered, or, resigne it cordially to such as GOD shall providentially call together, and fitly qualifie for so great a work; and from whom the said Armies (having so delivered up that supreme Power) may receive back a subordinate Authority, to be faithfully and obediently assistant according to their commands in their several places of trust for the future: for, though it may seem absurd or improper for them, who once had the greatest power, to make others greater then themselves, and then to receive back a less power; yet, that, is but such a denial of themselves as is just; and no new, or strange thing, seeing the People in whom is vir­tually the Soveraign Power, do constitute their Representative to be the supreme active power, of the Commonwealth; and then are again in several Parties, and distinct Capacities, re-impowered thereby, as their various occasions and services require it.

You may then ask me, likewise, whether some of the chief Officers of the Armies, may not have a secret intention of advancing themselves to the publick wrong, and by having an influence up­on the common Souldiery, render them to be more serviceable to themselves, and their purposes, then to the Republick, as it hath happened otherwhile heretofore. I hereto answer, that, GOD, hath a more prevailing influence upon Armies, then their Officers can have; and he being the LORD of HOSTS, can turn the hearts of their Officers and Souldiers (if any be depraved) or make the Souldiery, by their Officers late example, to cast off their obedience to them, as they did cast off their obedience to the late Parliament, and perhaps with as good or a better Conscience, then some of them have so done, though they were thereto really necessitated: For, if the Soul­diery shall be jealous of any self-ends, in their Officers from whence the late Innovation might spring; or are not convinced in their Consciences, that the late defection was warranted by GOD, and by an unquestionable necessity apparent to them; and shall withal, perceive that it will plunge them into a Bloody Engagemem against each other, both to the destroying of them­selves, and to the endangering of their Country, as probably it will: I hope, they will consider, by whom they are paid their Wages; for whose defence and service, they are imbodied; that, they are a part of the same Body which is to be secured, & which is exposed at this time to hazard; and that they are not obliged to obey those who abuse their trust, contrary to that end for which they had it conferred upon them; and that then they will deliver up their Delinquent Officers, and not make themselves guilty of other mens crimes, lest they hazard the whole Army, as the Benjamites did their whole Tribe, by not delivering up the Delinquents of Gibea, who did abuse to death, the Levites Concubine.

But, if the Parliament cannot be restored; or if (though they may) the said Parliament can­not confide in the Army; or, if the Army being reconciled, shall be perswaded in Conscience, that the late Parliament was not capable of making a firm Settlement; and that their Officers, ha­ving with good warrant, done that which they did, and knowingly intend such a course, as will more conduce to an Establishment of the Peoples just Liberties, and safety, then that which the Parliament prosecuted; and that it will be also more speedy and more honourable both to these Nations and to them: what must we then do? Doubtless, we must then submit to the present necessity, and to that expedient which they will prosecute; and those men of understanding, courage, honesty and piety, who believe it to be so, and rake notice what a hazardous and desperate condition this Commonwealth is visibly and unquestionably in, at this time, (being called together, and impowered by those on whom the supreme Power is now devolved) must act for our preservation so far forth as they are able, notwithstanding any Law heretofore made to dis­courage them; and leave the event to GOD: for, no man that acts for common safety, when the Sword hath absolute power, and shall also command it, can justly be questioned afterward, for acting contrary to any former Law, which could be binding no longer then during that time wherein the Civil Sword had Soveraignty. Indeed, if during that time he acts contrary to such Laws as were made for a Legal Government, and to the destroying thereof; or, shall not conform again to those Laws, when a Military Jurisdiction is to be laid aside: he is a Traytor, is lyable to condign punishment, and not for acting that which necessity required, when the Sword superseded the Law formerly in force.

But, who hath Authority to levy money, for payment of the Souldiers, and to defray other con­tingent expences, that a proceed may be made toward settling a Government; and that Plunder, Free quarter, and the common Enemies attempts may be prevented the mean while? I will imply an Answer to these Questions, by asking who is not authorized to do it in such a case as we are in, or may be in, if he be actually in Arms, and sufficiently strengthned so to do? especially if com­missioned by those who have the most visible supreme Authority, to secure the Publike Interest? Or, who, though not commissioned by any, is not warranted, if he be enabled, (and shall do it sincerely) to endeavour preservation of the Common safety and interest, by an Arbitrary Proceeding, in a time of universal danger, and when it cannot be done in a legal manner? May any man come without blame, and with thanks, to help save a single City, endangered by a raging Fire, and take Instruments useful thereto out of any mans possession? Yea, enter into his house, and pull it down if need be; or, burn the Suburbs of a City, whereby an Enemy may be advan­taged in laying a Siege thereunto, and the said City be lost? And, shall it not be allowable for any man to do as much for preservation of the whole Commonwealth, consisting of many Cities, Counties, Towns and Villages, yea, of three populous Nations, when they are in danger to be de­stroyed, or (which is worse) to be inslaved? Are not all the Goods, and Lands, yea, and the Per­sons also, within a Commonwealth, her Goods and Lands, and Persons; whose soever they are, or in whose occupation, propriety or possession soever they be? This cannot be denyed: and may she not then take her own to secure her self, wheresoever she findes it? Verily it may lawfully be taken by the Law of Nature, and Salus Populi, which is the Supreme Law whereto all other hu­mane Laws are subservient: and cursed is he, above all other Transgressors of humane Laws, who either abuseth this Law by neglecting to put it in execution, so far as he is able, when need requires it; or who shall pretend to a necessity, when there is none; or make it seem greater then it is, to advantage his private Designes to the oppressing of other men: and wicked and un­just is that Commonwealth o [...] Ciyt, which, when the danger is past, doth not contribute out of the Common Purse a reasonable repair of their particular damages, whose goods were seized or spoiled to prevent a general detriment, by an Arbitrary or irregular Act.

One Objection more may be yet made, which is implyed in this Verse of the Poet:

Armies, are as dangerous and unstable, as the Seas; ebbing, flowing, calmed, inraged, turning and returning, as Windes and Tydes move them. They are but an Arm of Flesh, you will say, and we can have no assurance of their constancy, whereby we may be confident thereof; and, our Army, may set up, one of their own Officers, or call in Charles Stuart, or make some other use of their power at last, for their own advantage, to the destroying of the Peoples interest; and, what shall we then do? Truly, we must then do as, I hope, you and I do now, and ever shall do, in prosperity, and adversity. We must do as the Israelites did when they were oppressed. It is recorded, that, when for their sins, they were (as we now are) at such and such a time, so, and so oppressed, they cryed unto GOD, and obtained deliverance. They cryed, and were delivered; and sinned again, and cryed again, and were again and again delivered; as we have often been. Yea, though their hearts were not right, and their cries proceeded more form a sense of their Op­pressions, then of their sins; yea, though they cryed and prayed, but as Ahab once did, and as (I fear) most of us have often done; yet, they had temporary deliverances; and they returning to their sins, the punishments again returned, increasing from seven years bondage, to seventy years captivity: and, we starting aside as they did like a warped Bow, are in danger of the like Chastisements: For, our verbal profession of trusting in GOD; our loud vocal Prayers, and sometimes a days abstinence from food, prevails very little, except there comes therewith, a still [Page 25]voyce from the heart, which cries for mercy, as Abels blood cryed out of the earth for vengeance. To tell the greatest part of men, that they must trust in God, is in their apprehension (though they seemingly receive it as good counsel) as if they were plainly told that there is no hope of their deliverance: For, they feel their hearts cannot trust in him, except we shew them some o­ther thing left wherein they might trust, if GOD should fail their expectation, as they fear he will, when he looks into their hearts, and sees that they trust him no longer, then those outward things continue whereon they placed their confidence. If we cannot trust GOD with our Army, who is the LORD of Armies, except we may be assured our Armies will prove trusty, or, unless we see some other earthly reserve to rely upon if that should be false; we must then suffer for our unfaithfulness, without remedy; and may be likened to a foolish man, who having an excellent stout Horse able to bear him to the Lands end, is afraid he may miscarry in a Journey of ten miles, unless he hath also, a wooden Hobby-horse to be a Reserve. He, that could cast down the VValls of a strong City, with the sound of Rams-horns, can save us without an Army, and in de­spight of the most puissant Armies in the world; and, he hath deserved better of these Nations, then to be distrusted by them.

For, what People under Heaven, hath had more Experiments of GOD's timely assistance in all extremities, then hath been vouchsafed by him unto us both in times past, and within our remembrance? Nay, what Histories record a Mercy vouchsafed to any Nation since the begin­ning of the world, like that which we enjoy at this present amidst our Confusions? We are a living active Body without a Head: A burning Bush that is not consumed: A People without a Govern­ment, yet not embrewed with each others blood; which I believe (though few of us heed that mer­cy) is a wonderment to all our Neighbours round about us; and is a token undubitable that GOD is yet in the Bush, and will gather us together as Chickens under a Hen, to be brooded by him, if we were not wilful: for, if I should enumerate (beside our three late signal Changes without Bloodshed) those other late mercies, which but I my self have taken heed of in my time, have been so extraordinarily linked to each other, that we had been utterly destroyed, if any one of those Links had been broken off, it would amount to a large Volumn; or, if I should commemorate, how many of those outward trusts have failed us, whereon we relyed, it would appear, that all other Dependencies are empty vanities. I will particularize a few of them, that we may be more mindful how we have been deceived by those other helps wherein we trusted, and learn henceforward, to think GOD's Protection is all-sufficient.

We had a King of whom we had great hopes, as appeared by our mourning, for his long ab­sence in Spain, when he was Prince; and by our extravagant rejoycings at his return; and ma­ny had an extraordinary confidence in him when he first assumed the Regal Authority: yet, he became our Oppressour soon after; and much was designed, which might have more opprest us. We had afterward a Parliament, on which we so much depended, that we made an Idol of it, and were no less oppressed thereby. We had many eminent Persons among us, whom we thought such true Patriots, that we almost deifi'd them; and supposed they should have been our Deli­verers, from the servitude which we groaned under; but, many of them, apostatized from our Cause, and other some were taken away by death, whom we thought most sincere; and both failed in our greatest need. We had a Protector, whom some did compare unto (nay, prefer before) Moses and Joshua; and he made such fair shews of Piety, that we much trusted in him, and thought it impossible he should deceive us; yet, in him alse, there was no trust. Then the Par­liament being restored, we again reposed our confidence therein, and were again deceived: ma­ny have trusted in themselves, in their power, in their estates, in their own piety, in their policy; and all those things vanish away also like Smoke: some other at this present trust in our Armies, in the strength of men and horses, in Forts and Fleets, with such like; and now begin to distrust them, feeling not onely our late hopes of them to be shaken, but our Fears likewise to be by them in creased: and what should all this teach us, but to relic on him onely, who is immutable? He hath Wisdome enough to know what is best for us; Power enough, to effect it for us; Love e­nough, to vouchsafe it; Faithfulness enough, to perform his promises; and Ubiquity and Eternity, to be present with us at all times, in all places, and in all extremities: yea, he hath freely engaged [Page 26]by his Word and Promises, to do all this for us, if we have but Faith enough to believe him; and will also give us that Faith, if we heartily ask it. If we think not this a sufficient Reserve to se­cure us, though our Armies, and all things else in the world, should be false and helpless, we are worthy to be deserted; and can have no security, until we search out the Cause of our diffi­dence, and then endeavour to remove it: which Cause, is our many great unrepented sins; and in special, our hypocrisie, our gross partiality, our self-seekings, and remissness in doing Justice, and in mercifully relieving the oppressed, the Widows, the Fatherless and the Friendless; which sins, were the principal causes of the Desolation of all Kingdoms, and Republicks, heretofore de­stroyed, in former Ages.

Our Sins, have been the sole Cause, that our Kings, our Parliaments, our Protectors, our Armies, our Navies, our Counsels, our Cost, our Conquests, and that we our selves, have been destructive to our selves, to each other, and to a happy progression toward the settlement which we have long ex­pected: Therefore, until these sins are more truly repented, all the wisdom and power upon earth, shall not avail us; but every day will encrease our troubles, until there be a final extir­pation of all that which now hinders GOD's work: For, if our Armies reconcile to each other, an unarmed power, shall break them in pieces: If, by their Union with the People, who are well­affected to their own Cause, we could secure these Islands from Forreign Invasions, and Domestick Insurrections, until our own wisdom had contrived and settled such a Government as we most de­sire; yet, if our sins remain unrepented, GOD, may make us miserable by Famine, which would consume us with a lingring death. If our Industry, were able to prevent or mitigate a Famine; he hath Pestilences and other Sicknesses at command, to make a quicker dispatch; and if we had cures for these, he can rain down Fire and Sulpher from Heaven, as he did on Sodom and Gomor­rha. GOD, is a sure Refuge against all these, and against evils more to be feared then all these; and if we reconcile our selves to him in Faith and Repentance, we shall not need to seek for safety in the Reeds of Aegypt, or, by climing Rocks, or creeping into Dens; or by fawning upon Ty­rants, Dogs, Devils, and despicable Deliverers, who cannot save themselves. We shall then, neither fear ill News, or Mid-day, or Mid-night-mischiess; not the roaring of Lyons, nor the hissing of Ser­pents, nor the murmurings of the People, nor their Fury, how horribly soever they rage; nor the failing of our Corn or wine, nor the increase of our Troubles, or of our Enemies, though they in­close us with Armies; nor suspect our own Armies, nor dread the malice of the Devil, nor our own Sins, which are more dangerous then all the rest aforementioned: For, nothing shall then harm us; but, even those things which are most mischievous in their own nature, shall be made our advantage and security. Moreover, when we do not trust in any outward means of safety, but value them onely as tokens of GOD's love for the Givers sake, and make use of them as Auxili­aries from him, he will multiply and continue even those outward Accommodations which our frailty desireth; that, they may help support our fleshly part, when Faith must employ the Fa­culties of our minds and bodies in working out with him, both our Temporal and Spiritual Sal­vation.

I speak this experimentally: for, I being subject to such infirmities as all other men are, when I am buffered by Satan for my sins past, by GOD's permission, (or to prevent sins where­into I had else fallen) do, oftentimes, (like men in danger of drowning, catching hold of a Rush) entertain such vain hopes, as may keep my flesh quiet, and the less burthensome to my Spirit; that, thereby pleasing her self a while, till she be a little enured to the Affliction which lies upon us, it may be the more tolerable: and I am thankful to GOD, even for such vain hopes, as come to nothing; and for that ease which I had by them, whilst they lasted: But, I placed no trust in them; for, GOD is my onely trust, whom I so well know by those manifesta­tions which he hath made of himself, that I cannot despair (though I tremble) when I contem­plate the severest of his Judgements; and am so assured he is merciful, that I cannot but trust in his mercies, how long soever delayed, or, how far off soever they seem removed: And, when in such distractions, troubles, and doubtful consequences, as those wherewithal I am now exercised, (and which these Changes threaten to make greater) I feel my heart distempered; then, I make use of such Cordials as David hath left in his Book of approved Experiments; and, I thus expostulate with my heart in his words: Why art thou so dejected, Oh my Soul? Why art thou [Page 27]so disquieted within me? Hope thou in GOD; for, I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my coun­tenance, and my GOD.

If, we get but this Reserve, we are safe enough, though the Army should fail us, and though neither that, nor any other earthly hope, took effect: we should not then, destroy the comforts of the day present, so often as we do, by an impertinent vexatious caring for to morrow. GOD, should then keep our Armies trusty, and so far forth fortifie and strengthen them, that they would restrain their old distempers, and be a terrour to those onely, who wickedly or foolishly seek to hinder the settlement both of our Peace, and of their own. He would then prepare the hearts of all the People, to be desirous of, and conformable to, what must be done for their well­being: He would qualifie and impower persons to prosecute it for his glory, & for the consolation of those who are faithful and peaceable in our Israel; yea, he would then so clear the eye of Reason and of Faith, which sin hath clouded, that many thousands of those, who can yet see no possibility of modelling any safe, just, or lasting Government, save according to the old mode, and by re-admitting all that hath been exploded and rejected, shall perceive that to be feisible which they despaired; cheerfully submit thereto, when it is compleated; and contribute wil­lingly, to the means of compleating it: and, I am perswaded that in the Mountain of Contemplati­on, I have had a little glimpse of that compleat model which will take place, when the date of that Mole or Moon-Calf, is expired, which is mentioned in my Britains Genius.

I cannot express what I saw; but, I do believe (by the little glimpse aforesaid, which I had of it) that to make a Government perfect and durable, there are some Foundations to be laid, which must be everlasting, (as in respect to that everlastingness, which belongs to things of that nature) and that those Foundations must be guarded with Pedestals deeply laid, and barred about, that none may undermine, deface or shake, much less remove them, in any length of time, to the en­dangering of the whole Edifice. That, also, the contriving of those Foundations, and of some of the first Superstructures, must proceed from righteous unbyassed persons, who are in unity in Spirit; or else it must be begotten by one and the same Father; that there may be a natural sympathy in the whole Structure; that, all the parts thereof may be made homogeneous and adequate one to the other, to prevent oppugnancie; and that such additions as must be raised and pulled down in future time, and perhaps raised and pulled down again as occasions will require, may neither deform or weaken the principal Members of the Fabrick. They, likewise, who shall be intrusted to modellize our Government, to make it such as it ought to be, must so frame it, that it may correspond with, and be subservient unto the Kingdom of Christ, by considering what is morally, le­gally, or Evangelically pertinent to all Nations and Ages; and what is but Ceremonial or Judici­al, and belonging peculiarly to the Jews onely in their own Country, and during the time where­in their Law was in force; lest, they form a Jewish Commonwealth instead of a Christian Govern­ment, and bring us back again by degrees to a Legal Bondage, instead of an Evangelical Freedom. I, contemplatively apprehended also, that these following Particulars, with some other of that na­ture, were to be unchangeable Constitutions in the said Government. 1. That all persons whosoever, pretending right to a Supremacy over these Nations, were to be for ever excluded. 2. That no other single person, or number of men, great or small, should have a Perpetual Soveraignly, but be sometimes reducible to a condition of Subjection. 3. That none should govern Arbitrarily, but by positive Laws, except in extraordinary emergent necessities, so long time onely as the neces­sity should require it, by their Judgement and Assent who are competent Judges of that necessity. 4. That no mans Propriety should be infringed, but in the like necessity; and that, recompence should be made out of the Publick Purse, as soon as may be after the necessity is removed, to every one then damnified thereby. 5. That the Peoples Trustees, may have election of all Publick Of­ficers, and GOD have his choyce by lot, out of those Elections. 6. That GOD's Throne in the Consciences of men, may be usurped by no humane Power; and that no man or men impowered, under pretence of Conscience, or otherwise, may enjoy any Liberty or Priviledge, contrary to the Moral Laws of GOD; or the Law of Nature; or destructive to humane society; or to the gi­ving any Forraign Power, or Person, a Jurisdiction, within this Commonwealth; or to the obstru­cting of Common Right and Justice. 7. That whosoever, will not submit and subscribe to those [Page 28]Fundamentals (when it is required) shall be as an excommunicated person, having no benefit of the Laws, or Protection by the said Government; and suffer as a Traytor, if by act or word he wil­fully infringe them.

Such Contemplations as these relating to our future Government, I long since had, and here and there hinted them in Publick and Private expressions, to some in Authority; and though they were then little regarded, I hear that some of them are lately taken into Consideration: and I might have added more perhaps, as considerable as those, if I had not perceived that my O­vertures had been sleighted by them, who saw they obstructed what was designed for their private advantages.

But, why this Generation (which pretendeth much to the gifts of the Spirit that shall be vouch­safed to his Children in the last Ages of the world) should be so averse from those Cautions, Forewarnings, Tenders and Expedients by me exhibited, I conceive not, unless it be out of Self-wil, and Pride of Heart. Why may not GOD, if he so please, save this Commonwealth, by a poor mans Expedient, that is not very wise, as well, as he did heretofore save a City by a poor wise man that was as little regarded? Some indeed have been pleased to ask my Advice, with seeming seri­ousness, as if they thought it might be pertinent to their well-being, as the Jews did some of their approved Prophets, pretending Conformity therein; but, when they perceived it was not consi­stent with their own D [...]signes and Self-ends, they wholly waved it, as those did. If to have Evi­dences of my being rightly informed, by a measure of Divine Grace, and by what hath succeeded on my Pre-conjectures; there have been some such evidences on my part. If Education may be a means of informing me, I was educated in our Universities, and Inns of Court. If to be a Souldier may ought qualifie me, I was a Commander in our first Army, so conformable to the Precept given to Souldiers by John Baptist, in resting content with my pay, that I have not been malevolently dis­contented though nigh 1700 l. made due to me by an Ordinance of Parliament, hath been kept from me almost 17 years, without receiving either the Principal or Interest, though 700 l. thereof was money lent, and for which I have paid interest ever since; and though I may possibly be kept without it 17 years longer, longer. If Manifestations of my good Affection to the Common Safety and Welfare may make my offers considerable, I have contributed without compulsion, the ad­venturing of my Estate and Life. If my Religion, be of any concernment, I am a Christian and a Protestant. If my Conversation be pertinent; who can object ought against it, or lay any thing to my charge? If a competency of Estate be requisite to gain esteem, I wanted not that, until I was deprived thereof, by Oppression, and by the want of Justice and Mercy in other men. If to have conversed with Books, and to have observed long time the manners of men, and to have heeded the Constitution of our present times and Affairs, may be any thing helpful to inform me what may be now expedient; I have had those helps also. Nay, if to be poor, ignorant, con­temn'd, meanly gifted, and of a low and obscure condition, are such qualifications, as make men in these days most capable of illumination, and of that knowledge whereby they may best serve their Country in giving good advice; I am in all these respects as likely to be that way serviceable, as any of those Huntsmen, Falconers, Taylors, Tinkers, Coblers, Plow-men, Brewers or Dray men, which are now, or have been heretofore, Officers of the Army, Members of Parliament, of Committees of Safety, or Counsellors of State. And if I had the volubility of tongue, which is in some; Ignorance enough to make me confidently speak Non-sence, and many words to little purpose; the shame­lessness of a Whore; the Conscience of an Hypocrite; and the valour of an English Mastiff, to flye upon any dangerous attempt without fear or wit; and but that advantage which two or three Officers of the Army have at this present: I should not think it a hard matter, if GOD (as one of the Royal Party once said, stood neuter, and as our Affairs now stand) to make my self a King, or a Protector, or something equivalent, either before next March, or else before Spain and France, had complemented themselves into a firm and lasting Reconcilement, as near to a conclusion as they now think it to be.

Though I have hitherto publickly contributed my endeavours in vain, yet I will privately, as I do now, employ my Talent to preserve the Common Peace, in hope to bring in (by a more ac­ceptable hand) those things which I conceive pertinent to consideration; and which will be a [Page 29]means to stir abler Instruments, to become active toward establishing such a Righteous Govern­ment, as is yet possible; or at least to prevent some of those mischiefs which Anarchy threatens: For, if all the Premises were duly considered by those whom they concern, and what Results may rationally be deduced from them, they would discover an Expedient, (and the onely Expedient now loft) if they be capable of any wherein they themselves may be active; by which, these Nations, Charles Stuart, our Governours that are or may be, and all the Princes of Europe, may be happy; make all their Subjects and Neighbours partakers of the same happiness; and escape that Doom, which they are in danger to undergo with that Scarlet Whore, by whose Cup of Forni­cations, they have been made drunk. I will declare without respect of persons, what that Expedi­ont is; though I know it will be derided, if communicated in publick. But, he, who pretends to assist men that are in an intricate Labyrinth under ground in the dark, where are many crooked turnings and returnings, and gives him directions in a Paper only, leaving them no light where­to they may accustome their eyes a while, nor whereby they may see how to read what is given, (or, what Passages they must avoid or take) may justly be thought to mock them: Therefore, before I shew my Expedient, I will endeavour to remove some Prejudicacies, relating to my self, and other men, by declaring what it is, which will hinder every Party afore-mentioned, from putting it into practise; and that is included in this brief sentence, Non videmus id manticae quod in tergo est; which applying to my self in the first place, I thus English in the singular num­ber:

I confess, I feel it very heavy, and do more then guess what is in it: Some of my Neighbors, who know not so well as I, what I carry, take upon them, as if they knew those things to be therein, which my Conscience assures me are not. [...]f they think otherwise, let them search it, and discover what they finde offensive to GOD, to them, or to my self, so it be with as much Charity, and to as good purpose, as I have told some of them, what is in their Budgets; and I will take them to be my Friends, and thank them. It is too true, that by humane frailty I have in my best endeavours more inclined to self-ends, then I ought; and by seeking to pre­serve my Estate and Credit in the world, neglected sometimes to perform my duty so as I should have done to GOD and to my Country; and that also, I should not have so far forth dischar­ged it, as I have imperfectly done, if I had not been pursu'd with Storms heretofore, and cast as it were into a Whales Belly as now I am: however, GOD's grace is sufficient for me; and therefore, though I have many failings of mine own (hoping they shall not make my endeavors altogether ineffectual) I will proceed to declare what the chief cause of obstruction is, which must be taken away, before my Expedient can be put in practise, by those Parties whom it will concern: and that is, the not duely examining the true state of those Causes which they prose­cute; and their looking so much after each others failings, that they heed not their own Preva­rications. They are very sensible of wrongs done unto themselves, but not sensible in the least degree of those injuries which they themselves do to other men: and I having been an Ob­servant by-stander, above threescore years, without any prejudice or partial respect to any Party, think it my duty, to declare in part, what I have observed in relation to them, and their respe­ctive Causes now in controversie, since my remembrance; and by what means I became infor­med of those Quarrels and Proceedings on both sides, which occasioned the sad Consequences that have ensued.

I having (as is before intimated) no cause to prejudice either of those Parties, out of hope any way to advantage my self thereby, or for any sinister respect to either of them, (but loving and wishing them well, joyntly and apart) took such special notice, (as is aforesaid) both in the times of King James and King Charles, how the Peoples Liberties were encroached upon, and what farther Slaveries were likely to ensue, that I am well assured, the Peace and Plenty, which is by many magnified as effects of their good Government, was acquired by GOD's blessing upon the Peoples Industry in Queen Elizabeths raign, and during the time wherein those forena­med [Page 30] Kings, made use of those blessings to get settlement of power upon themselves, rather then by their just and prudent Government: For, I saw them wast and consume in vanities, so much of the Publick Lands and Treasures, to accomplish their ends, and fulfil their lusts, as might (if em­ployed as it ought) have made this one of the most happy and renowned Empires in the world. I observed how they conferred their Titles of honour, and part of the Publick Revenues, with vast sums extorted out of private mens Estates (by Monopolies, unlawful and base Projects) upon persons of ignoble extract, and debauched manners, to make them instrumental in their de­signes; and perhaps it might be ma [...]e probable (if not evident) that if a stop had not been put to their proceedings, here might have been ere this, as horrible a Massacre of Protestants, as was in Ireland. I perceived, (as miscrable as we are now made) that, things were plotted, and in part executed, which in likelyhood would have brought us to a more miserable condition in pro­cess of time, then we are now in; and into which we are plunged by their occasioning that which we were lately enforced unto, for prevention of their increasing Oppressions and Incroach­ments: and, though our present sufferings have caused most of them, who lived before the late Wars, to forget what was then imposed, attempted and purposed; I, and many other have not forgotten it. Though likewise, King Charles deceased, is both by his own Party, and by those a­mong us, who are depraved (or, else were born too late to know what he was) impudently mag­nified as a Martyr for Religion, and an Assertor of the Peoples Freedoms; yet, they, and I, to whom the series of his transactions and endeavours, is well known, cannot be deluded, by Fictions and Impostures, as many now are, and as more may perhaps be hereafter, by those Books of Devotion compiled by his flattering Clergie, and fathered upon him: though other of the Royalists compile Volumns to deceive after-Ages, stuft with Vanities; and scatter seditious Pamphlets, and scurri­lous Invectives (which, coming abroad without names, no wise man regards) thereby to render those odious, who have most faithfully endeavoured to vindicate the Peoples Rights, and to make ignorant persons esteem them Rebels, Traitors, Barbarous Murthere [...]s of their King, and wilful O­verthrowers of Government both in Church and Commonwealth: which imputations, many are apt to believe, in regard of ill successes, occasioned both by the Common Enemies default, and by those among our selves, who were under-hand their Abettors; yet, un [...]yassed men, do plainly enough see their falsifications, & whereto they tend: Moreover, though the Adversaries of Common Welfare, do scandalize the Parliament, as perfidious Breakers of their Promises, Protestations and Engage­ments; and particularly for taking away his Life, whom they pretended to make a glorious King, and in changing the Government; Nevertheless, I conceive (though some individual persons among them may be premeditately guilty of all this) that the Parliament is not justly lyable to these mis-imputations: For, upon good grounds, I do verily believe, that the Parliament un­feignedly intended what they professed in that kind, and would accordingly have performed their Engagements, if the King would have accepted of those terms whereby he might have been a King and not a Tyrant; and would have raigned in Righteousness, as by the Laws of GOD and Nature, he was obliged to do: For, it cannot be reasonably imagined, but that those were the implicite conditions of all their Protestations and Engagements. But, he so obstinately persevered in his wilfulness, even when there was a Treaty for Reconcilement, that he disobliged them from all their promises, and compelled the prosecution of that which afterward ensued, and was not at first intended: And, I do here to the Glory of GOD aver (though I know it may be to my personal disadvantage) that GOD's doom was justly executed upon him for his own sins, and the sins of his Fathers house, with what intent soever, and with what juglings soever it was prosecuted by men; and, that, the Peoples Cause, was, and is a Righteous Cause, though it was not so prudently and righteously managed, as it might and ought to have been: and I believe it is too evident, that some of both Parties, by seeking to screw in personal advantages to themselves, at the Treaty, and at other times, were the Causers of all that mis-befel both to the King and to the People.

I may rationally believe this, because I had opportunities to discover much of their sinister actings on both sides, tending to the trapanning of each other, (if I am not mis-informed) which justly provoked GOD, and occasioned Confusions, to the insnaring of many well-meaning men, [Page 31]to the involving them in guiltiness, troubles and hazards, from which they will not easily be delivered. I many times adventured (not without danger to my self) to inform the King what I had observed; and when he was Prisoner in the Isle of Wight, signified by what means he might then unquestionably have made his peace both with GOD and Men, (as I have done without re­gard to his Successours) but, he adhered still to his evil Counsellours; or rather, to his own wilful­ness (which was enough to have depraved them, if they had been good) and instead of complying with his Parliament, so endeavoured even when he was their Prisoner, by corrupting the Scots, and a great number of the Parliaments Members, with large Promises, that he was likely, by plowing with their Oxen, either to have cheated them, of all the Peoples Freedoms, or to have plunged the three Nations, into a new War: and this caused the Armies first extraordinary at­tempt, at which the Royal Party and their Confederates have so much railed, as a high breach of the Parliaments Priviledges, and of the Peoples Freedoms; whereas, they could not at that time have been any other way preserved in humane understanding: And therefore, then, and not before, that part of the Parliament, which was true to the trust reposed in them by the People, did with the Assistance of their Army, seeing (as I conceive) no way else but removing him out of the world, to prevent the treacheries of their corrupt Members, and the Kings Destructive Designes, carried on by their complyance; they out-witted him at his own game; and (Stratagems being as lawful against an Enemy, as Force) got possession of his person; brought him to a Legal Tryal, and condemned him to death A Legal Tryal was it? (you will say perhaps) by what Law, or by what Authority? Truly, I was heartily sorry for him, when he was condemned; and so far from having any hand therein, or assenting thereto, that I drew a Petition to the Parliament to forbear from executing the sentence of the Court, by reason the rarity of such an Act, made me then abhor it: but no Member daring to present it; and I having thereby opportunity to consider better of my intention, was satisfied in my Conscience, that he was Legally condemned by that Law, which makes it Treason for a Servant to seek the destruction of his Master who had trusted him; that he was no more but a principal Servant to the People, justly questionable for breach of his Trust; and that by the same Authority, whereby the People might raise any one from among themselves, to be their Supreme Officer, they might for his ingratitude, and violation of the trust reposed in him, judge, depose or condemn him to death, as his Crime, and the necessity of preserving the Common Peace or Safety, should require: and the Son of him whose Predecessours had for many Generations been Steward of a Princes Family, and who was executed for his Treason thereto, may as justly claim, that he and his Posterity should be still Stewards thereof, because his said Predecessours had been injurious and false unto it, for many Ages together, as Charles Stuart, may claim to be King by inheritance over these Nations.

Upon these Considerations, it seemeth to me, and may appear to others, that the Peoples Cause hath been unjustly scandalized; and that a false opinion derived unto the late King from his Progenitors, settled in him by long Usurpation, and confirmed by the Flatteries of his Courtiers, Chaplains, and other Parasites, made him believe that GOD had given him a right to all that which he claimed: though it were contrary to the positive Law, whereby he had commanded Kings to be regulated; and repugnant also to that Law which was written in his heart, until he had blotted it out: For, none but they, who are more worthy to be made Beasts then Men, can imagine that our ever-wise, just, and most merciful GOD (except by permission, when a Nation depraved by their own vanity, foolishness and slavish mind, desires it) would have constitu­ted such a destructive Monster as an unlimited Governour, and advance a few men in every Genera­tion (yea, and sometimes the vilest out of the vilest among them) to subject all the rest to his lust and ambition upon a just Title; as if all the residue of man-kind had been created for the sake of Tyrants, Doubtless, no reasonable Creature can imagine this; or think it impossible (as in appearance many do) that, they cannot be well governed without such a gay Bable, as they usually make of it; or that it is displeasing to GOD, that, when he hath given them power and opportunity so to do, a People should endeavour to shake off their Fetters, and establish such a Government, as may preserve their Temporal Rights and Freedoms, without admitting such Di­sturbers of humane society, for the time to come. These, and such things as these, must be well [Page 32]considered by Charles Stuart, to prepare his heart, before my Expedient will be pertinent and profi­table unto him.

As, I had means to be rightly informed of the Kings Cause, so I had of the Parliaments also, by being thereby called to a Military Command in their first Army; to the execution of Civil Ma­gistracy in the Commonwealth, and by being inforced to attend almost 18 years at the latter end of my life, in hope to obtain Justice from them or their Interruptors: For, by these means I knew the greatest part of them so far forth as Trees are known by their Fruits, which may acci­dentally be made better or worse: Those three Employments, gave me opportunity to observe how our Parliaments, our Protectors, our Councils, our Armies, our Committees, our Ministers, and the People behaved themselves toward GOD and each other in the management of their Cause. And to speak truth, without lying for them, or against them; if I had been a stranger to their Cause and the Kings, and must have judged whether had been most righteous, by the manners and actings of the men, I should have given judgement against the Peoples Cause: For, the Roy­al Party, whom we call Cavaliers, prosecuted their Evil Cause like men, and like such men as they made shew to be: But the Parliament Party, (some few excepted, whose burthens and vex­ations were the greater, and makes them worthy to be the more pitied and honoured) managed their Good Cause like—like—like—(to tell you truly) like I know not what; for I can devise nothing under heaven, and above ground, whereto I may liken them: and it is no wonder that so many thousands fall off dayly from them, and that our Enemies judge of our Cause, and of Us, as I hear they do. I should not have thought it possible, that men professing and pretend­ing so much good, should have been so evil, if GOD had permitted me to have lived so obscure­ly in a Country Village, as I much desired, where I should have known no more of the one Par­ty, or of the other, then common Fame had informed, to whose rumours I give little credit. And knowing me so well as many of those men do, if they had not been infatuated, they would have done me Justice (though not for Justice sake) to have sent me thither, (being resolved to do as they have done) where I should not have had means to be a witness against them for that inju­stice and partiality which I have observed. I engaged for the Parliament out of conscience, else I might have had as good means to know experimentally, the manners of the Kings Party, where­of I am informed, but by report onely: For, being by some of them, thought more considerable, then I am by those to whom I voluntarily adhered, I was invited to that side by two Letters from the Lord Butler (which I think are yet among my papers) who thereby engaged to settle imme­diately upon me half his Estate, and that it should be but an earnest of a far greater gratitude in future from the King, if I would come unto him then at Oxford: yet I constantly adhered to the Parliament, and do not repent it in this day of our confusion, though in requital of my faithfulness in adventuring my Life, Credit, and all my Estate for it, they have exposed me and my Family to scorn and poverty, as well by other injuries done, as by neglect of Justice, and by not making good their Securities, and Engagements, which occasioned my Engagements to other men.

I mention these things, that being some way brought to their Consideration, it may prepare them to be capable of another extraordinary Mercy, in this their greatest need; and not out of revenge: For, I know Vengeance belongs to GOD, and that I shall but burn my own Fingers, by endeavouring to pull down hot Coals upon the heads of mine Oppressours: Therefore, my smitings are but friendly blows, and my corroding Expressions applyed but to eat out the dead flesh which may hinder the operation of a healing Balsame: and, it is very needful: for by all those Parties afore particularized, and even by us who pretend to the best Cause, many things have been acted or connived at, which were so imprudent, so unjust, so unmerciful, and indeed so barbarous, that we are a plague to each other, and a laughing-stock to all our Neighbours round about us: and, instead of repenting, and endeavouring to amend what is amiss, in a rational and possible way, we behave our selves like Whores in a City-Alley: They first fall to scolding, railing, belying, impeaching and abusing each other by all opprobrious words; then, to tear and scratch, and at last to grow so mad, that they set each others houses on fire, to the undoing of themselves and their neighbours. We, and our Enemies, instead of looking to our own ways, [Page 33]and prosecuting that which might deliver us out of those confusions and streights, whereinto our sins and follies have brought us, do spend much of our time in sowing seeds of discord, and in scandalous Imputations, as if that justified our several Causes. It is written, that Michael the Arch-Angel when he contended with the Devil, (as bad as the Devil was) durst not bring a rai­ling Accusation against him; but said onely, The LORD rebuke thee. Such Accusations, I con­fess, were even these of mine, as were not allowable, if they were untrue; and no better, though they be true, if I intended them maliciously to bring any one to destruction or shame, and not in true Charity to save men from shame and destruction by repentance. We on both sides cannot be contented to object matter of Fact, so far as we know or believe it to be true, in justification of our Causes, but endeavour also to make it seem good by doing that which is evil, and affirming that which is untrue, or so doubtful that it ought not to be peremptorily averred: yea, we some­times make bold to intrude into GOD's secret Judgements to disparage our Adversaries Cause, or to justifie our own thereby; and often-abusively mis-apply GOD's Word to our own wicked purpose.

Our Antagonists, think to justifie their Cause by an Argument drawn from our unstableness, boasting that they have not been so fickle and disobedient to their Governour or Government, as we have been to ours; but that, they have in all his, and in their own dangers and troubles con­tinued constant both to their first Principles and to their King: which is partly true, to our shame, but not much to their honour, and no whit to the justifying of their Cause: For, mans corruption makes him to adhere more firmly to that which is evil, then to that which is good. And, it is not so much their vertue, as their necessity, perhaps, which keeps them constant. They, have no other means of safety and subsistence for the most part, else (as many of them have done, who had ano­ther Resuge) they, it may be, who brag of their Constancy, would have deserted him also, ere this day: Moreover, many of them are the persons whose evil Counsels was the undoing of their King and of his Father, and of themselves. They had gotten thereby great Estates and Titles of honour, which they could not else have obtained; and which being now lost, cannot be re-posses­sed but by adherence unto him, until his condition grows desperate, or until they can be better provided for: so their faithfulness and perseverance doth probably proceed rather from self-re­spects, then from love to their King, or from the justness of his Cause. But, indeed, the greatest stumbling-block, and stone of offence, which will obstruct my Expedient in taking good effect a­mong the Common People, are those Events which have ensued upon mis-understanding our Cause, and upon our mis-proceeding therein; and those obstructive Objections, are cast in, and raised partly by the Royalists, and partly by some ignorant and malevolent persons among our selves, who perceive not from whence those Events do more naturally proceed.

To make the Peoples Cause appear unjust, and therefore their prosecutions thereof unpleasing to GOD, and to make the vulgar sort think the Kings claim to be righteous, they object that there­fore we can settle upon no Government without him, and that we have no good and lawful Foun­dation to build upon; and that therefore, GOD blasteth all our endeavours from time to time: whereas that issues not from the evilness of our Cause, but from the imprudence or self-minded­ness of the Prosecutors. To fright ignorant persons into a belief or suspition of the goodness or lawfulness of our Claim, they tell them of one Parliament-man that hanged himself; how these and these, came to such and such Tragical ends, and what befel to some other eminent per­sons who were Patrons thereof; as if that proved the Cause which they owned, to be unquestio­nably evil; all which are but Childish Bug-bears, and Fanatick Hob-Goblins, which are easily charmed into nothing. What a ridiculous Argument is it to prove the unjustness of a Cause, to alledge that one of the Prosecutors thereof hanged himself! There were but twelve Apostles, and one of them hanged himself; doth that any whit disparage the Apostolick Faith? perhaps as these do, the malitious Jews made use of it to the like purpose, though by his own confession, they knew that Judgement fell upon Judas, not because he was one of Christs Followers, but for that he was a Traitor to his Master, and had betrayed an Innocent into their hands. There were above 400 Parliament-men, of which but one made away himself; and we knowing not upon what se­cret Motive, what can be thereupon inferred? Indeed, if all the 400, or so many of them as owned [Page 34]the peoples Cause, had banged themselves, except one, we might have concluded as our Adversa­ries do. The Conjurers up of those delusive Apparations, do not remember, that those 18 per­sons upon whom the Tower fell, and they whose blood-Pilat mingled with their Sacrifices, were no greater sinners then other men; and that they who conceived hardly of them, should also perish unless they repented: nor do they take notice, that the like ends have happened to as many, or to more of their own party; and that it would be as valid an Argument against their Cause, as against ours. Nor, do they know, (or else will not know) as we do, who have observed their actings & deportments, that most, if not all of them, on our side, who have been particulari­zed as men pursued by Divine Vengeance, suffered not by the hand of Common Justice, or by a secret Judgment, in outward probability, for their deserting the Kings Cause, or for being instrumental in removing him; but, for that they were Traytors to them by whom they were trusted, and false to the peoples Cause, which they seemingly owned; and either betrayed it, or would have betrayed it, if they had not been timely cut off. And, whereas the many extravagancies relating both to Religion and the depravation of Manners in these times are objected, as effects of our evil Cause; it is to be considered, that those are the usual products in times of War, of that licentiousness which is in men of corrupt minds and principles, who then discover that pravity which lay hid in them formerly; and not from the Cause in Controversie.

For my part, I am not a whit out of heart, by the present distractions; by the scandalizing of our Cause; by the Obstructions it hath met withal; by the hazards it is now in; by the mul­titude of powerful Adversaries; or, by the failings of those that manage it: Nor do I judge the goodness of any mans Cause, to be more or less by Events, whether prosperous, or unprospe­rous, at the first, lest as David said, I may condemn the Generation of the Righteous, or justifie the Wicked: nor do I judge of any thing, by the outward pomp, or base aspect, which it hath in the eye of the world; nor by the continuance which it can plead by Prescription: For, Tyranny, hath been ever since Nimrods raign. The Mahumetans Impostures, (which is an usurped Antichristian power without the Pale of the Church) hath tyrannized almost a thousand years. The Roman Hierarchy, which is the Antichrist, in the visible Church of Christ, hath persecuted above six hun­dred years: our Norman bondage hath continued above five hundred. The Children of Israel, when they were brought out of Aegypt, where they had been enslaved above three hundred years, and then advanced in hope to be made Possessors of a Country inhabited by powerful Nations, were doubtless as much derided for that Attempt, as we are by our Neighbours, and by some among our selves, who in derision and scorn call our, The Good Old Cause. They, had as many longings and lookings back toward Aegypt, as the greatest part of this people hath at this day to return to their old Task-masters, to their Garlick, Onyons, Flesh-pots, and such other Carnal Accommoda­tions, as those which we prefer before our Birth-rights, and value less then a Mess of Porrage. They tempted GOD, and provoked him by their Idolatries, Fornications, Murmurings, Rebellions, Avarice, Backslidings, and Self-seekings, as we do: So, they mutined against their Superiors; so, they discouraged each other, by mis-reporting that Good Land, to which GOD was carrying them; by representing formidably the strength of the high-walled Cities, and the mighty Giants who were therein; and those discouragements proceeded from some of the most eminent persons a­mong them, even from no less then six to one of those who were chosen to spy out the Land: so, also, were they for their unfaithfulness, and other sins, wasted and delayed as we have been, even forty years in the Desarts, as we have been almost twenty years already, as it were in a Wilderness of Confusions, for our prevarications and mis-belief: and our Faith and Patience, is at this present exercised with many Fears, Doubts, Wants, Troubles, and Powerful Adversaries in the Pas­sage toward the recovery of our long-lost Freedoms; and yet (as theirs was) our Cause is never­theless that Good Old Cause, of which we should neither be ashamed or distrustful.

If we may censure the Righteousness of a Cause, by the mean beginning, by the outward despi­cableness, by the tedious and difficult progressions, by the contemptibleness of the Prosecutors, or by the unprosperous successes during many years; no Cause in the world, might be so [...]lyable to mis censure, as our Christian profession, which for many Ages together, was the scorn not of the base and foolish, but also of the noblest and wisest persons in the Worlds esteem. The Professors of it, [Page 35]were no better thought of then as Fanatick Dreamers, at best, and as Vagabonds, hunted through all Nations and Countries, by ten signal bloody Persecutions, many hundreds of years, dispoiled every where, of Livelyhood, Liberty and Life, And, our Cause, being in the principal scope thereof to be prosecuted for a Preparatory toward establishing that Kingdome of CHRIST, for which the Saints have now waited in patience above six hundred fifty and eight years, and ar­rived (as I believe) within forty years of compleating that six hundred sixty and six years, which numbers out the time limiting the Kingdom of the Beast; it is no wonder that it meets with so much delay, hardship and oppression, whilst the Souldiers of the LAMB are but raw, un­disciplined, not fully trained, listed, sealed, or formed into such a well-ordered Body, as must fight his Battels. But, though our sufferings, and the time of our warfare seems long, it is very short, considering the perp [...]tuity of the Kingdome which we shall at last conquer, and wherein, we shall individually reign with the Supreme Soveraign thereof: For, whereas all the Kingdoms of the world have not lasted six thousand years; that Kingdom is everlasting without end, and communicated not to a few, (making the rest Slaves) but to every follower of the LAMB in that Expedition; who will make them that overcome, Pillars in his house, never to be removed; yea, they shall be Kings and Priests to GOD, sitting with him upon his Throne, subjecting the Nations, and raigning with him for ever and ever.

Since I have mentioned that Kingdom whereto our Cause relates, and of which I hope our fu­ture Government shall be an appurtenant, I would gladly, without offence, though it seem a di­gression, hint somewhat in this place, since it now comes into my mind, as not impertinent, to those who call themselves (or are called by others) Fifth Monarchy Men, who I think call that Kingdom the Fisth Monarchy, lest in some things they may be destructive thereunto, in prosecuting the settlement of our Government. For, though I believe there are many of those, and of o­ther congregated Churches, who are truly zealous of advancing the Kingdom of CHRIST, and that a Government should be modelized that might be subservient thereunto; and whereby car­nal men might be reduced to order as well under a Spiritual, as under a Natural Government: yet, (if I have not been mis-informed concerning the Judgments and Opinions of some among them) there are not a few who having a Zeal without Knowledge, do fancy such a Kingdome, as neither consists with the Divinity of CHRIST, nor with the Humanity of men; and that possibly some other (as in all Dispensations it hath happened) who are stirred up by the Devil, or by their own self-mindedness, to hinder the coming of this Kingdom, by pretending in their m [...]de to advance it; and who, to exercise the Faith and Patience of the Saints a little longer, will be making Linsie Wolsie, and plowing with Oxen and Ass [...]s together, in hope thereby to reduce us a­gain to a meer earthly Foundation, or to build Castles in the Air, as they would do, who under­stand not that the Dimensions, Materials, and other Appurtenances of the New Jerusalem, mystically described in the Revelation, are Evangelically, and not Literally to be understood. As for in­stance in particular: The pavement shall be pure Gold, transparent as Glass; whereby, I under­stand, the Citizens of that City, shall be free from Covetousness, treading more precious Gold under their feet, then that whereof a varitious Tyrants make their richest Ornaments for their heads; and that their walkings, will be evidently pure to all beholders.

By what warrant they term the Kingdome of CHRIST the Fifth Monarchy, I know not. It may be called the Fifth, in relation to those four Monarchies which are mentioned as preceding it in the Prophecy of Daniel, if you reckon the Roman Empire, and the Beast which sprung from it but for one; Alexander and his four Captains, two Monarchies; and begin to reckon after the Babylonian Monarchy was translated to the Medes and Persians. But, to say truth, whether we may call the Kingdom of CHRIST upon Earth the Fifth, Sixth or Seventh Monarchy, it is to me doubtful, when I consult with Daniels Prophecies: For, by Nebuchadnezzars Image, which consisted of five parts, Gold, Silver, Brass, Iron, and Iron mixed with Clay, which last is the Kingdome of Anti­christ, wherein were ten Kingdoms there typified by the ten toes, and by ten horns in the Reve­lation; it seemeth to be the sixth grand Monarchy in the world. If the Kingdom of the Beast, and that of the Roman Empire, be to be accounted but one, and the Grecian Monarch and his four Captains two Monarchies, then it will be the Fifth Monarchy, after Daniels Vision of the four [Page 36]Beasts, leaving out the Babylonian Monarchy, which was past at the time of the Vision, and but the fourth Monarchy from that time, if Alexander and his Captains be reckoned but one Monar­chy, as indeed they were no more, in regard that of the Captains was a Tetrarchy, not a Monarchy, and but the same Monarchy branched into four. But, if you make (as several Expositors do) that of the Babylonians one, the Medes and Persians the second, Alexander a third, his four Cap­tains a fourth, the first Roman Empire a fifth Monarchy, and the Clay and Iron Kingdom, which branched out of it, to be a sixth; then the Kingdom of CHRIST must be the seventh Monarchy. Therefore, to give it the most proper Attribute, it is the Alpha and Omega, the first and last abso­lute Monarchy, that was, is, or shall be, though Tyrants have had for many thousands of years the most visible power upon Earth: For GOD, and CHRIST in him, (though not manifested to the world) have invisibly governed during their usurpations, and concurred in governing du­ring the Paternal Monarchies of Adam and Noah, until Nimrods intrusions, and afterward; and af­ter that, in governing the Children of Israel by his Vice-gerents, Moses, Joshua, and the Judges, until the people rejecting his Government, desired a King like other Nations: for which folly and sin, they were under a Tyrannical Government, even when it was at best, until CHRIST came in the Flesh; and so shall we also, if we admit of Charles Stuart, or of any other Governours upon the old Terms and Constitutions, (after GOD upon tryal hath declared us free) until CHRIST comes to Judgement; whose Government, if we embrace in the mean time, we may be happy and free indeed; for his Yoke is easie, his Scepter a righteous Scepter, and his Go­vernment whilst we are in the Flesh, will be such a Government as Flesh and Blood (whose frailty he knows) may sustain, and be regulated by: For his raign upon earth, will not be with­out Laws agreeable to the humane Nature, nor without Magistrates impowered to govern un­der him; but, a Government resembling in some respects, (but in an Evangelical and more excellent manner) that of the Jews, governing his people, and by such humane Laws of their own as are not repugnant thereto, as the Jews were governed by their Judges, and by their Ceremonial and Judicial Laws, together with that Moral Law, which was universally obliging. And as GOD and the People, had then a concurrence in the Election of their Magistrates; so it will be, when the Kingdom of CHRIST, is settled among us. LORD, Hasten the coming of it; and let not the many struglings of thy people in these Nations, at this time, to make way for it, be altogether in vain.

You must pardon my Immethodical Ramblings, to remove such Obstructions as I con­ceive may hinder my Expedient; and bear with my suddain stepping aside otherwhile from the matter in hand, to do that which I think pertinent to my purpose, whilst it is in my remembrance: for the disorders of these times do not afford me leasure to order my own musings; but ha­ving expressed as much as I can at present think on by way of Preparative, I will now apply my Expedient to those whom it may concern. I am grieved to perceive how witty most men are to raise Arguments against Truth and their own Peace; and should be glad that our greatest E­nemies might be reducible to that happiness which they have lost; and that they who are expo­sed to many Temptations by dwelling in Mesech, and sojourning in the Tents of Kedar, might have a more comfortable habitation: For, I believe some among them, who opposed our Cause, acted in their understanding upon a principle of Justice or Honour, which they thought obli­ged them unto what they did; which makes me much pity their misfortune. I never heard any dishonourable mention of the two Brothers of Charles Stuart, or that they acted against this Com­monwealth maliciously; but were active onely so far forth as they thought themselves in Con­science, Alleageance, and Natural Affection obliged to their Brother; and I wish they might enjoy the Conveniences whereof they are deprived, with our safety: and though their Brother hath acted upon his own accompt, and yet prosecuteth such things as are destructive to our Peace; and, though by that which we are informed of his inclination, we have cause to be suspitious that those prejudices and affections which are settled in him, will never be so clearly removed, as to make him capable of any Expedient which may bring him hither in Peace, and to the advan­tage of these Nations: yet, not knowing, how that GOD, who hath all mens hearts in his hand, may please to sanctifie his afflictions, and thereby prepare him to what seems else impossible; [Page 37]and considering that all the other Parties aforementioned, are as unable as he to perform of themselves the conditions of my Expedients, without special grace, they shall have a Latitude as well to comprehend him respectively, as any other whom they may concern, that he or they who shall first conform thereto, may first have benefit thereby, without respect of persons. I have de­clared, what Prejudicacies must be removed before they can be effectually entertained; and therefore now I come to the Expedients themselves, which I communicate to you in private, ra­ther then by Publication; because what I have heretofore offered of that nature, hath been little regarded; and because I know that if any of the Parties aforementioned shall be capable of them, GOD will either by you, or by some other hand, cause them to be seasonably brought to their Cognizance, or direct them thereunto by his immediate grace.

All those Parties in general, must resolve in the fi [...]st place, to deny themselves, and act more for GOD's Glory, and for the Publick Welfare, according to his revealed Will, & to the Dictates of a rectified Conscience; so, must Patriots in particular more faithfully then they have done for the most part heretofore: among which, I have less hope of them, who by their deportment, words and actions, seem to call out as Jehu did to Jehonadab, Come & see my zeal for the LORD, &c. Governours, by what Title soever they are called, who desire to be at peace with their Neighbours and their Subjects over whom they reign, or to recover that Dignity and Authority which they have lost, (or to be made happy and contented without it) must consider, that GOD, the LORD of HOSTS, who is Soveraign Paramount over all Kingdoms and Republicks in the world, beholds all their un­righteous Designes proceeding from Ambition, Lust or Avarice; that notwithstanding all their hypocritical Pretendings to Religion and Justice, he knows when they regard it no further then it may advance their corrupt interests; that he heeds their bruitsh bustlings, and dissembled complementings one with another; their barbarous and inhumane devastations of their own and other Countries, to satiate their revenge, or to uphold their pomp by Fire, Sword and Rapine, to the destroying of Humane Society, and to the making millions of men miserable, who might have lived comfortably, if they who were advanced for their Weal, had not made themselves a plague to Man-kind by tyrannizing no less over their Consciences, then their Estates and Persons, under pretence of being GOD's Vice-gerents, whereas they do rather make true the Devils vaunt, who boasted that all the Kingdoms of this world were at his dispose: which implies, that they are then his Vice-roys and Deputies. They must also consider, that GOD's Long-suffering permits their extravagancies, not as prerogatives justly due unto them, but, that every thing should for a time onely manifest it self in its own nature, to be purged in its own fire; that evil men, may be mutual Corrections for their own sins, that by inter-wrangling Judgements and Mercies, he may bring them, if possible, to timely repentance and amendment: and that if they bring not forth fruits at last answerable to his expectation, he may be glorified in executing Justice; call them to a strict account, and with his Iron Mace break them in pieces like a Potters Vessel, which can never be set together again; as lately and often heretofore he hath done to other Tyrants and Oppressours. Having duly considered these things, with such like, they must then resigne to GOD, his Throne in mens Consciences, and permit his People to enjoy the Liberties due to them by the Laws of Grace and Nature, ruling for the future in Righteousness. By practising this Expe­ent, and continuing constant therein, they shall be established in Power and Peace both at home and abroad, as Vice-roys and Vice-gerents to the King of kings, and Lord of lords, with more honor then a Tyrant can acquire by an Universal Monarchy, and unlimited Prerogatives: yea, if they can but get hearts willing to embrace this Expedient, after they are irrecoverably cast out of their Governments or Kingdoms, they shall be as happy and as well contented, as if they were again restored.

This is my Expedient for all Governours in general, and it will be pertinent to Charles Stuart in particular: But, there may somewhat more be added, which will specially belong to him; and I could wish it might be to him so seasonably, and respectively communicated, that not be­ing entertained as a jeering of him in his affliction, (which baseness my Soul abhors) he might at least make some good use of it to fit him for a Coelestial Kingdome, if it cannot make way for his recovery of those which he hath lost in this world. His best Expedient will be, sincerely to hum­ble [Page 38]himself to GOD (who to that end hath outwardly humbled him) for his own sins, and the sins of his Fathers House, and for which his Father and He, were cast out of these Kingdoms. He must bewail them heartily and voluntarily, not by compulsion and feignedly, as perhaps he did in Scotland, and was thereupon actually thrown out of that possession which he then had. He must seriously consider what Freedoms do naturally and reasonably belong to Man kind, and to every man as a man, that he may do as he would be done unto, being a private person. He must consi­der how vain the promisings, pretended friendships, and help of Princes, and of all degrees of men are; how little hope there will be for him by the assistance of all his Allies and most powerful Confederates, to possess what he claims, if upon the repentance of these Nations, GOD be still on their side; and how great a plague (if they continue as they are) he and they would be to each other, if he should obtain the Soveraignty over them; especially, if restored by a Forraign Aid, whereby unspeakable calamities would ensue both to him and them. He must take notice, that the two main Causes of the Quarrel betwixt his Father and these Nations, being for his usurping a Negative Voyce upon those Laws which the people should chuse; and his denying the Militia to belong to them in chief, was injuriously given by his Fathers default, in regard the chusing what Laws they pleased (not repugnant to the Law of GOD) is not onely rationally and na­turally due unto them, but also by the common-Law of England long before the Intrusion of Duke William of Normandy; and that they had also a right, by continued Claim, and Practise, to chuse the Sheriffs, who had Posse Comitatus, which is the Militia, in every County; and therewith he shall do well to consider, that such a Kingdom as his Predecessours had, and as he desires to re­possess, is one of the Horns of that Beast which must shortly be destroyed; and, but one of the Kingdoms of this World, which the Devil claims to be in his Gift; and usually bestoweth upon them, who will fall down and worship him, apostatizing from GOD, to be his Vassals; that it is but such a Kingdom as Fools and wicked men, may as well possess as wise and good men; and that it neither makes the one wiser, or the other better, but oftentimes makes a wise man a fool, and good men to be evil: that he, who had three such Kingdoms yesterday, may not have the next day three foot of earth in them to rest upon: That, it brings more trouble and danger, then peace and safety: That, it sets a man upon a Throne in the morning, and brings him down to a Dungeon ere night; and that the people who lye prostrare before him, adoring him as a god, this moment, may soon after trample on him, and cut off his head with dishonour. All these things being well considered, will make him a greater Conqueror by conquering himself, and subduing his passions and inordinate desires, then if he had subdued these Nations; make him a more glo­rious King then any of his Predecessours; and constitute a better and a more absolute Empire in his little Isle of Man, then he could have enjoyed by the recovery of all that he hath lost. His Courtiers, and perhaps he himself also, will deride this Expedient; but, all their policy, cannot contrive him a better: For, if he will make proof of it, and with patience under GOD's visitation, make use of the charity of his Friends abroad, and live a peaceable private life, in performing as a Probationer all Moral and Pious Duties, till GOD shall provide better for him, as he did for Jehoia­kim King of Judah (even by those who had cast him out of his Kingdome) GOD, to whom nothing is impossible, whatsoever bars are set against him, may bring him hither in mercy, both to him and to these Nations; yea, and will, if he shall be humbled and qualified according to his Ex­pectation; and then the sooner he comes, the better welcome: nay, though he be not so quali­fied, and shall come both to our destruction, and his own, GOD, may probably bring him; for, we are at this time, preparing him a smoothe way, paved in Checker-wise, with our sins and follies.

Thus much I have contemplated on the behalf of Charles Stuart; for whom, whatsoever he shall think of it, if it comes to his hands, I have contrived no worse an Expedient, then I my self would practise if I were in his case, and knew the world so well as I do. Now I will offer an Expedient to the Nations in general, who are enslaved by Tyrants, and left without all probable means to infranchise themselves; which is briefly this: Let them wait patiently upon GOD for Delive­rance, until he providentially makes way for it; and then thankfully take the opportunities of­fered, and constantly prosecute them: Let them consider, that their Bondage and Oppressions are [Page 39]justly come upon them for thier sins, & that they can have do deliverance but by GOD, nor any perfect deliverance by him, unless being reconciled to him, they break off from their transgressi­ons by Faith and Repentance fruitful in good works, and make him their onely Resuge. This if they do, or but heartily endeavourit, their lost Freedoms, for recovery whereof, they have hither­to in vain wasted their Treasure, endured many Frights, Troubles and Hardships; undergone ma­ny Changes; spont their Blood; fought, prayed and fasted also, without Success, shall be obtained by Prayers onely; and then, they shall better see GOD's merciful intentions, and their own former mis-understandings and failings; then their Governours shall be as Fathers: then their Armies, if they need any, shall be faithful; and then they shall enjoy their Temporal and Spiritual Free­doms fully and so peaceably, that they may serve GOD comfortably, in holiness and righteoufness. all the days of their lives.

Moreover, as for the Governours and people of these Nations in particular, it will be their best Expedient, joyntly and apart, to reconcile themselves as aforesaid, to GOD and to each other, by the like hearty repentance of their sins, and by laying aside their Animosities, whereby they dayly infest and exasperate each other; remembring who hath said, that a kingdome divid [...]d cannot stand: that being united, they may in true Charity, be active in such a Cause as may rationally effect a perfect Settlement: And, if GOD shall again restore the Parliameat, or impower other men permissively to endeavour it, let them who shall be authorized be merciful as he is merciful, and once more oblige them by forgiveness of their former Delinquencies, who shall acknowledge their faults, and submit, with Engagements given, for the future, to be obedient and conformable to those Constitutions which the visible power then in being, shall resolve upon, with the assent of that part of the people, who heretofore adventured their lives and estates to preserve and continue their natural Freedoms. This mercy, (which the Covetousness of some will perhaps obstruct) being with prudence dispensed to such as may be capable thereof, will doubtless prevail much both with GOD and men, toward an Establishment of peace; and the Provocations, which peradven­ture some have had to mis-lead them, will require in justice, that this mercy should be vouch­safed to some among them. In order hereunto, I would intimate thus much by way of Caution, (if I had opportunity to make both Parties of our now divided Army, to take the same into Consi­deration) even this; That, if they who think they were obliged in Conscience, for advance of GOD's Glory, and the common Safety, to dissolve the Parliament, engage against the rest of the Army and their Brethren, who conceive themselves as much obliged in Conscience, to continue true to that Trust which was reposed in them by the late Representative of the People, (as not be­ing satisfied with the warrantableness of that Fact) both Parties may then if they contend to blood, be guilty of murder, according to the Laws, yet vertually in force, as to the outward man; and that, they must depend upon that Indepnity onely which GOD will be pleased to vouchsafe to the inward man, according as they have conscientiously acted or suffered; and, it will con­cern them to heed, that, this (with some other consequences that may follow) will require that there be a strict self-examination with what mind and secret intentions they were transpotted; and also to what Expedients they ought in prudence and justice, to submit on both sides for preserva­tion of a good Conscience, and of publick safety for the future, lest they violate both. Yea, it is with seriousness to be considered, whether they may not suspect the integrity of their own Con­science (at least on one side) when they search narrowly what self-ends may lye at the bottom of that which was pretended for a publick advantage; and that they will not be clear from guilt therein, if they shall not be willing to submit to the mercy of the present Power, or else to suffer for what they have done irregularly, rather then the three Nations should be involved again in blood, to the hazard of the whole Commonwealth. For, as it is better, that one man, or a few men, should suffer, then that all the people should perish; so, it is just that every one should submit to suffer for his Country, who hath occasioned the endangering of it, though he were innocent: and, indeed, not onely Innocence, but repented guiltiness also, shall in such Cases, have a recompence, more then equivalent, for all that it can suffer. Moreover, it is considerable by both the said Parties, whether there may not be a Wolf or a Fox in a Lambs skin, active in the late Designe, to insnare the Rams, and to bring the whole Flock within the Paws of the Lyon.

The Governours, likewise, who shall hereafter, be therewith intrusted, must not as heretofore, endeavour so to contrive a future Government, that, they may hedge in peculiar advantages to themselves, disadvantagious to the Peoples interest; or inconsistent with a righteous-Government; and, the People, without murmuring at them, or withholding, or withdrawing necessary Supplies, must act obediently, and with integrity, endeavour to further an Establishment to be confir­med by a Free Parliament, justly constituted, rather then by patching up that, which when they have done all they can, will be an imperfect and qu [...]stionable Authority in some respects, dissa­tisfactory to many. This, they may now do, (if they loose not the opportunity given) and make a more absolute and Free Parliament by the Conquest which they lately made, then ever they had heretofore. If any shall ask in derision (as probably they will) By what Conquest? by a Conquest of themselves? I thereto answer, Yes; even by a Conquest of themselves, which is the most noble Conquest that can be made: for, to subdue the distempers of our own Persons, Passions and Facti­ous Parties, requires all the Vertues of Mind and Body, and more Stratagems, and more manly Re­solutions, then any other Conquest. This Conquest, by GOD's assistance, hath been made, by that part of the People, which was not infatuated by their own Corruptions, or seduced and bewitched by the Tyrannies and Incantations of their former Oppressive Governours, and their Instruments; yea, they have conquered both those Usurpers, and that Giddy Party among themselves, which have been Traytors to their Brethren and to Themselves; and those who were at best, ignorant Obstructers of their own Freedoms and Rights, by a sortish Neutrality: so that these Nations, if it be not their own fault, may be governed by Laws of their own chusing, as men were after the Pa­ternal Government ceased, by the death of Noah; and, before the Tyrannies of Nimrod and his Successours began.

That, which will be most expedient for the Army, is to abide contented with their pay; to do no unlawful violence; to be unanimous; to avoid mutinous suggestions, and attempting inso­lent imposings upon their Superiours; to be valiant, and faithfully subservient to them, who are, or shall be called to make up the present Breaches; and to trust in GOD onely to be their defender, and the finisher of the work desired: and it will concern us all in the mean time, that special care be taken, by every one in power, who intends or pretends Common Safety; that, timely pro­vision be made to pay the Souldiery, both of the standing Armies, and Auxiliary County-Troops, toge­ther with the Mariners (as also, those in extream want, who heretofore adventured their Lives and Estates, when the Common Interest, was in greatest hazard) that, they may not be exposed at this time to such temptations through poverty, as will make it easie for the Common Enemy, to work up­on their necessities. And it will be expedient, (lest their wants make them dangerously tumul­tuous) that some competent provision be madè also for those poor indigent people, (especially about this City) who by the failing of Trade, or otherwise, are likely to be without means of subsistence during the present troubles. These works of Justice and Mercy, will make our en­deavours beneficial to our selves, and so acceptable to GOD, that, though I have long been o­ver-burthened, I had rather confine my self to live on bread and water, until this Storm were past, then that such provisions should be neglected. These, are those Expedients, which I think fit to be now practised: and, though I know many will deride them, I hope some will make use of them, either toward a publick, or for their private settlements. OH GOD of my Salvation, if this Establishment shall not be in my days, remember me in mercy, who desire more to have the light of thy coun­tenance to shine upon me, then that my corn, wine, or oyl should be increased; or then all the enjoyments which a temporal peace can afford: and if it may please thee (to whose good pleasure I submit) let me before such a dreadful visitation cometh, as we are likely to deserve, (if thy grace prevent it not) be laid asleep in my grave, dying in a firm belief that I shall be vouchsafed a glorious Resurrection, at the second coming of my Redeemer: and, let my dearest relation, and all they who shall sp [...]ing from us, to the end of the world, (and who may perhaps be left behind me in this froward Generation) meet me with joy at his Tribunal. To which place, bring them purified with his blood, through whatsoever prosperities or ad­versities, length or shortness of time in this life, shall be most for thy glory and their safety: and let this Prayer, be everlastingly in remembrance before thee, when either I shall forget to pray it, o [...] not be able to pray any more for them. I believē it shall be granted; and that makes me not to fear, what the wick­edness [Page 41]of this age, or of any other, shall produce. Excuse my digression in this Ejaculation: for they who are near and dear to me, coming suddainly into my thought, I could not forbear it.

I must stand or fall, according as I discharge my Conscience; and therefore, do now (as u­sually heretofore) express what I think; and as one musing draws on another, without fear of King, Parliament, Armies or People; or of any disadvàntage to my particular interests; or for any other partial respect: and, you may hereby know as well as I, what may be probably conjectured of our pablick Affairs. What our Armies, and their Associates intend, I yet hear not: for, they have not declared it; and I have not of late been in so much esteem either among those who have a Military or Civil Power, as to be made acquainted with their intentions, or to be thought useful in their Publick Transactions, as heretofore, because I am not able to serve them any lon­ger at my own charge. And, perhaps by being onely a By-stander, I do the better see how they play their Games; and shall not be so great a looser, as I have been, because I could not shuffle, cut and deal, as many did; and when I played and staked my own money for them, who turned it more to my detriment, then all they have done against whom I played. But, let that pass: for this, and such digressions, slip in before I am aware. Whatsoever our Parliament, or any of their Adherers have done amiss, I pray GOD forgive them, and restore it once more, if it may be for his Glory and the Common Welfare: for the worst I wish them, is this, that the worst men a­mong them, may be better then the best have heretofore been. Whatsoever the Armies, or their Confederates have intended, or shall prosecute, I pray in like manner for them; and think it will most concern us to look to our own actings and intentions; to beseech GOD, to set and keep them and us in a Righteous Course; and to restrain both Parties now dissenting, from blood-shed: For, if a Vein be opened, considering what Planets are in Conjunction, what malevolent Aspects al­so some other Stars have, and in what an evil Signe the Moon is at this present, it will be very hazardous both to those Members of it, and to the whole Body of this Republick. That which you, and I, & other private men of our quality, ought to do in such Imergencies, is patiently to suffer what we cannot avoid; to submit to the visible Power in being, whatsoever it be, or howsoever gotten, whilst GOD permits it to rule over us, furnished with the most probable means to protect us in our obedience. We are also obliged, to act faithfully under it, and with it, in all Civil Trusts and Duties, whithout so much as speaking any thing in publick or in private, which may weaken their hands, or infringe the Common Peace: yea, we must take as much care as possibly we can, not to permit our Consciences or Judgements to be seduced by false appearances: which Grace we may obtain by Prayer, and by examining all we hear, before we entertain it with belief: for GOD hath afforded means whereby every man may be rightly informed; and calleth no man to any undertakng, whom he leaves unfurnished with what may enable him to effect it, so far forth as it shall be required, or may be prosecuted with a good Conscience.

The Counsel which Gamaliel gave to the Jews, when deluded by a Zeal without knowledge, they persecuted the Apostles, will be seasonable for us. We shall discern in a short time, whether that which the Army hath done and designed to prosecute, be of GOD or not. If it be meerly of Flesh and Blood, they, or their Designe, or both, will come to nought, as heretofore befel to those, who prosecuted their carnal and politick ends, under colour of Honesty and Religion. If their Attempts be of GOD, they will prosper; and what shall we then get by resisting his Provi­dence, but guiltiness, and the just rewards thereof? Whereas, we, who have neither calling, nor power to prevent it, when wickedness is intended, may sit still without trouble to our Consciences, or hazard to our Persons or Estates, except by that which we shall suffer by other mens defaults, in the outward man. To conclude: whatsoever is intruded, or shall be done; GOD, who is kind to Israel, and to all who have an upright heart, will turn this, and every thing to their ad­vantage at the last. I have somewhat else to say; but men cannot yet bear it, nor are they hum­bled enough to hear it; neither am I fully enabled to express it.

Consider well of what I have written, and communicate it, as in your discretion, you finde it usefull to other men at this time, as not meerly mine, but as dictates for common good, from a better Spirit then mine own, perhaps, not to be suppressed in your hands, till it be useless, though [Page 42]you gave the occasion of writing it. It fared with me in writing this Epistolary Discourse, (and at other times when I am extraordinarily moved to express my minde in things of this nature) as it fares with persons accidentally entred into Discourse, who when they began, neither knew what should be the subject of their Communication, nor can well remember when they have done, on what several matters they talked: For, when I first took Pen to write this Letter, I knew not so much of the matter therein contained to be in my heart, with a purpose to express it, as would have filled one of these Pages; and half a sheet will hold as much as I remember of it now it is written, and as ever perhaps I should remember thereof, unless by a review, or by putting my me­mory upon the rack; or, as GOD shall occasionally bring the particulars to minde, when they are needful. His Grace and Peace be with us. Farewel.