THE spoils OF THE forest of Deane Asserted in answer to a scurrilous libel, lately set forth, to blast the Justice and proceedings of some Commissioners of Parliament, in that behalf.  
By Isaac Bromwich Esq a well willer to the Preservation of that forest, and a join-commissioner.  
LONDON, Printed in the Year 1650.   

The spoils of the forest of Deane Asserted in answer to a scurrilous libel, lateIy set forth, to blast the justice and proceedings of some Commissioners of Parliament, in that behalf.  
IT hath pleased God in these latter days (whether in mercy, to Confirm the good; or judgement to harden the wicked) to draw us down so low and near the very dregs and lees of impiety; that for aught I observe, those men think themselves, most meritorious and politic▪ who (far from the blushes of a modest brow) can with greatest impudency and daringness defame, traduce and scandalize all such, who either out of Conscience towards God, as Christians, or the scene of honour as Englishmen, cannot commit those their iniquities with greediness, or at last connive or join with them in those villainies and false actions: which being but once shined on by a true light, would grow abominable not only to Christians, but meaner tempers: who acting but little above the beast, barely preserve human society.  
Were not this an approved truth, men would take heed how they called good evil, and evil good, how they sharpened their tongues like razors, and with envenomed quills, dart at those, who dare question or discover their wickedness.  
This as to mine own particular, appears largely by a late scurrilous libel, the conception and issue whereof bespeaks the Fathers, both dictator and scribe to be men of a beggarly and needy invention, of little breeding or judgement, language or honesty, otherwise they would not, (under that common cheat and cover to infamous persons) like the Panther, cover their heads, and conceal their names while they seek to swallow up their neighbours quick, and eat and devour the reputes of those who in the end will be found to deserve better than themselves.  
When I first read my name therein, and observed it but the sickly and false product of some spurious fancy, I esteemed contempt thereof the most suitable revenge, but when the judgement of some friends above answered, that some thing in point of honour ought to be opposed, I submitted, and was willing to rip up that threadbare-piece, which indeed is fitter for the kennel, than a modest pen containing as many falsehoods as lines.  
And to begin with the first, it enters the stage with an apparent deceit, as if colonel Massey were the first, who began these pranks in the forest of Deane, and to that purpose insinuates, that Coll. Kyrle and Captain Phillips, about a year since, bought that bargain which neither Massey nor his assigns, could or would make good, with the Committee of Revenue, and how captain Pury to hedge in a marriage portion, bought that again by retail. But whether some persons to fetch in desperate portions, might drive on desperate designs, sure I am 'tis notoriously known, that six years since, long before colonel Massey entered upon that business, both colonel Kyrle and Captain Brain, cut down great sums of wood, engrossed great store of iron, and for that end trucked with those who had to do with neither, (not the Committee of Revenue but) some Committee men of Gloucester. And whereas 'tis said colonel Kyrle let out two iron works, I would likewise know, how he came by them? and if they put a queritur, what offence it was for Captain Pury to secure himself, by such collusive bargains there may be another queritur, by what power the one could let, or the other take, what was ravished & still kept by force and fraud from the right owners. Yet the libeler takes the privilege to say, that the iron works were enjoyed quietly without the least exception, three or four years together if any thing of this be true what was the reason in the beginning they were so careful, to nominate such Commissioners, as knew nothing of their jugglings, or scarce what belonged to the forest, and was not Captain Pury, a very fit Commissioner, to sit and sell the wood, who must have a share of the profit? They knew full well, if they had suffered some other men to be nominated, they did and would have opposed it from the beginning, as well as the whole Country Complained thereof.  
But it is strictly objected, pag. 2 & 3. That Master Pury could be none of those destructive offenders, for wonderful weighty reasons. Because the profit of good and bad timber, or wood, is alike to him, and it being referred to Captain Philips he could be but a passive offendor; that he gave order to the woodcutters, in public, not to Cut down the good trees; that he good man was at Parliament, and therefore could know nothing, and very much stuff to this tune. Whereas 'tis replied, there is much difference betwixt sound and smooth timber, and knotty and decayed wood, both in the cording wages, and the Coal that proceeds thereof; Besides it being the custom of the iron Masters (to whom the former Officers were not servants, but slaves) to have particular assignations for their several Felletts, can any man believe Master Pury should send up and down the forest for decayed trees, when once his allotment is made amongst good Timber? will any man of reason be convinced, that his zeal of preserving could be so serious being at his own liberty, when afterwards, notwithstanding orders of restraint, he Commanded 400. trees to be destroyed, not only in a neglecting, but a Contemptuous manner? A very ill example to others who were not Parliament men as well as himself. But for his reference of the mannagery of the wood to Captain Philips, 'tis all one as if the Grand Signior did refer a business to one of his Mutes after his pleasure were once known.  
'tis a cheap and easy way of requital, when a man hath stolen a goose to stick down a feather, and when Master Pury hath been not only assenting to, but active in the spoil of so brave a forest, to give afterward a chill and phlegmatic charge, that no trees should forsooth be cut down, but what the preservators allotted, is an excellent satisfaction to the state, and if they please to be paid with such copper-coin, I will undertake they shall have chapmen by the dozens, the true English of that charge being no more but this, that he left command to (the Yeoman of his guard) the officers of the forest, they should take especial heed, that only the well grown and goodly Oaks and Beeches should be hewn down for the future preservation thereof; It being now grown a stale proverb, of five years standing let us cut down the best first, and the rest will follow, which is so well observed, that those men who knew the goodly plot of timber in 88, and consider it now, and doth but cast up the spoils done within these six years, will almost join with the usual and bold assertion made by the iron Masters, when they Come for contracts, that the Committee need not now stand so nice upon terms of preservation, for that there is scarce a tree left fit for shipping in the whole forest.  
For his being above at Parliament, I do aver it, that its happy God hath sent us other manner of members, who take Care of this Nation; For while a person of that society should indeed be above, and carefully assistant in the preservation of his country his neighbours and their just interests, to be then terrifying and tampering, to be scaring and affrighting almost all sorts and sizes, who will not comply with the sordid gains and reaches of wicked men, is a thing which makes the poor people, even faint, and believe that the members which they have chosen are but like the bramble in a storm, to which while the poor sheep flies for succour, he doth but lose his wool. Though the more knowing sort, are not yet grown such woeful zanies, or of so implicit a faith, but they believe Master Pury might have shown more of his duty at London, then in that forest. And as I am persuaded the Parliament never obliged the hearts of Englishmen more in these parts, than by those excellent and seasonable Votes of Januar. 1. Last past, and afterwards managed with so much prudence and Care by the council of State, so they never suffered a greater alienation and distaste in the hearts and affections of well minded people, then by the Collusive and mean jugglings of some persons in the bargains of the forest. And much more is brought to light and discovered in this business than the parties themselves concerned do think or imagine.  
But to go along with this libel, we must for their methods fake, chop it into their own Sections. And in the first place it is by all means desired to consider the persons prosecuted, that is to say like to be discovered, and there are 1. Colonel Kyrle, who says the libeler was in arms for the Parliament, and I say he was in arms for the King, wherein we are neither of us liars. But the Parliament owes him and his four Brothers 3000. pound (I hope Col. Kyrle doth not cut down the forest because the House owes other men money) But pray let's see the Bill of Debt, and if it shall be made appear that this noble colonel owes the State six thousand, I hope some eminency of merit, or great disbursements of money must be produced, else how will he cut skoares for the other three? That his brother received a wound at a battle with Prince Rupert in the North may be true, yet possibly it may be as true that himself might give it him, as well as lately he bestowed the like favour upon colonel Cromwell's quartermaster, as a pledge of his good affection to the Parliament. That business with a few other pretty small transgressions, deserves the army's consideration, that they may know what a trusty and divine champion they are like to have, if ever a just occasion should be given. But what consideration he deserves, for one of his Brothers vouchsafing to ride in the lifeguard, or because his Father died of a fever in Gloucester, I leave to better judgements, as I do the man and his merits to God, but am afraid to write those abominations which he hath with confidence acted upon the housetop, and in the sight of the people.  
I confess for captain Griffantius Phillips (by the way that's a cruel hard name and scarce given by his British godfathers) I never heard of his imprisonment in Oxford till now, but do know that that gentleman very well deserves it in Gloucester, If Col. Walton was in the first place a testimony of the one, the rest of the members of the house may happily think it fit to adjudge him to the other: if this Welsh Don-Quixott were the penman of this libel (as by the excellency of the style and strength of the syllogisms is imagined) he cries out much of his body being once taken in execution▪ let him take heed; if he be once dissected to the Parliament, in his true colours it may be delivered to execution once more without a reprival, I dare say did his honest Mother, the good alewife, know how her Son (descended of so lofty and great a progeny) doth discommend drunkards she would give him but slender entertainment, at her palace at Mercatt O Waene. And however he be now pleased to throw such indignities in my face, undeservedly; yet within these few years, I thought myself in a condition, fit to have received better language from him. Neither would this nimble squire have offered it, when he was humbly pleased to foot it, in his Irish stockings and battoon in Querpo.  
It will, I take it, be easily admitted, that this man hath, like a mushroom, suddenly sprunge up by his pretences of public service, yet if it should be proved, that (had it not been for the Lieutenant general's army in his way) he would have run into Pembroke to his dear Countryman Monsieur Poyer, the Parliament cannot but think him traitorous and ingrateful. Though it be no news, when such gallants, get on horseback, for an ordinary man (without witchcraft) to tell you whether they will ride; By that time he hath answered the State for his feats in the forest, and some other very fine pranks, as ordinary a person may hold his stirrup.  
No desire or desert of mine could produce that ill opinion of Master Pury which his late actions hath wrought against him, my apprehensions of his ingenuity exceeding my judgement of his avarice. Neither when I was usually told of his abuses behind my back, was I so much moved at him, as when I observed him delivered up to that fatal passion, I thought myself concerned to decline him. What his services have been, let those who know them cry them up, I confess I live so far off, being near a bow-Shot, that I have not heard of them. Sure I am; he hath been extraordinarily well paid for his long marches, and hard labours. But of his stormings and dangerous adventures, his continual hot and close fights and skirmishes, I hope there are some who live in and about the Deanery can give a readier account. As for us, who are more remote, we dare confidently believe and say, there is not a person of the masculine gender, will ever rise up in judgement for the bloodshed of that pretty manslayer.  
'Twas very ill done, I must acknowledge, of the Commander in chief, to destiny him to so many and desperate on-flattes, yet, being at least for two years together preserved from harm, as the writer confesseth, by the Lord of hosts, it argued a great want of faith and remembrance of former deliverances, when afterwards, at the sight of the enemy, he made such unreasonable haste, and in so much distemper. But what is this to the case of these 3. Gentlemen the libeler saith, the Iron-works were set up by authority of Parliament; I say no, they were set up too long before, and repaired by authority of their own, But must to the joy of all men, be pulled down by authority of Parliament; and for selling of wood at reasonable rates we know the meaning of that; the trick is not forgotten, nor the means by whom 'twas procured. That command hath been well obeyed, otherwise they could not brag they could, and had bought as much wood for a groat a cord, as they pleased, and others that they might sell cheaper their iron than others, for that their wood cost them little or nothing. Here went the Hare away, and from these persons 'tis not hard to find what is become of the forest; yet for such people to make it such a heinous business for one of them to be imprisoned, when he deserved something else, and the other for his lands to be questioned, when it ought to be extended by the law, is so foolish an apology, that it deserves, nothing but contempt from wise or honest men.  
Now to wind up the first part of the libel, into one bottom, we must once more consider, the good affection, services, and hardship of these 3. Gentlemen, (certainly Master Phllipps is one upon the welsh account) how they have adventured their lives (one or two of them may do it once more) their great estates, and which is more than all their families and fortunes too besides, what the Parliament truly owes them.  
Me thinks 'tis a shame, to read this effrontery, look upon these men, but 5. years since, in their full equipage and furniture, take away these destructive gains of the forest from some, the large concessions, blessings, and donatives of the Parliament from the other, and what the hazards of their families, fortunes, and estates were, may be cast up without great insight in arithmetic. And for such men to prate what the Parliament owes them, when they owe all they have and more to them▪ is so bold an impudence, that it deserves a sharp inquisition and a sharper punishment, and what the demerits of some of them are, may shortly and sooner be made known to the world, than they do imagine.  
But leaving a little, the tragical part of their high achievements and sufferings for them, their great losses and crosses, let us look to the comical progress of the libel, and observe, with what kindness it visits the Commissioners of enquiry, who are said by a Commission ex parte, to be in the general but mere prosecutors, of those just, quiet, and harmless people, in comparison of whom, we are made in our persons and conditions as the vilest and most mean creatures, a pack of mischievous and partial wicked people, that seek only our own ends, and what not? Yet a little before I go to the persons. I would ask what they mean by a commission ex parte? is it lawful for a thief, when he is arraigned, to accuse the justice of the judge and jury, because he likewise hath not a Commission to examine negative witnesses on his side? our Commission was to inquire what spoils were committed in the forest, and not what was not committed, several witnesses come and depose, that Master Kyrle and Philips cut down above ten thousand timber trees; and were it usual or handsome for them, to have commissioners to examine that they cut down none? Did the King's former commissions run in this sort, or what nonsense is it this foolish libeler drives at? If we enforced or skrew'd out what was not true, let several depositions be read to the same thing, or else at least let the interests be discovered we did drive at. But if for our acting according to duty, to trust, to our conscience & country, we shall be styled prosecutors, if by lies and reproaches we shall be scandalised, and by underhand threats and combinations be overawed and menaced, to be no less forsooth then totally ruined, if we must be told by some of our friends, we must give off in time, to search the gross injuries done to the state, though commanded▪ or less we shall be undone; That 'tis not our integrity or innocency shall be our protection, but the mere power of our opponents in this business of the forest, that shall destroy us if the Commission under the great seal, and Commissioners shall be baffled and comemned, so far that they were like to have fallen into force, and that by a member of the house styling it in the face of the Country a hedge Commission. I would fain know what person of honour or fortune will engage in the Commands of State? or will not their authority by degrees grow cold and neglected, and so their affairs grow waste and desolate? certainly these things being well considered, the Encouragement seems to be very small.  
And now to the persons of the Commissioners, to these the libeler says, Master Bromwich and Master Borrow (Nominal Colonels) with some Citizens of Bristol (good men and true I hope) are the prosecutors, and procured (as may forsooth be conceived only) themselves to be Commissioners (the airy figment of the libeler) to their own great costs and charges and to be believed by none but such a pragmatic fellow as the scribbler, and so fully and substantially answered by that honest Gentleman Captain Bishop, my fellow labourer and Commissioner, that I hate to trouble my pen with so improbable a vanity. Only let me say this for my own part (and I really believe the rest may say as much)▪ that as I never saw the faces of many of the Commissioners before they met, So I knew no more of my name being used, till casually I heard thereof, than I did that the libeler was a very honest and a faithful Gentleman to the commonwealth!  
But why nominal colonels I pray? Neither of them but had their Commissions long before Master Kyrle turned to the Parliament, and some of their friends stick not to say, they kept to their trust, and ever hated dishonourable plundering, robbing, stealing, taking away other men's estates by horrid force and violence, and never murdered any of the poor Parliament soldiers in cold blood; are these gentlemen, so quoted for precedents, free from these, 'twere well for them if they were.  
For colonel Berrow, 'tis well known he had a Command in his Country, and had for Officers and soldiers, (one officer or two in Master Kyrles regiment excepted) another manner of regiment than he had. For my own part, after I had entertained Officers in London, I might easily have raised my regiment in the Country, and was desired by Coll. Massey, but it pleased God the troublesome weather beginning to break, up I saw it needless. And I can without vanity say, I was never fond (as some men are & have been) by my own advance to put my country to an unnecessary expece.  
Touching my debauched behaviour toward the Lord general, I wish my heart towards that Lord, were written in my forehead, but lest I should be thought, to flatter a person, whose power and merit is so far above me, (which I detest) I will take the liberty only to say this; my education and birth I hope will render me so much a civilised man, and above that we call ingrateful, as to give the general his due, whom upon several applications and addresses, I found regardful to me and my business beyond my desert or expectation; and for the Election at Cyrencester, I appeal to my Lord general himself, what my humble entreaties and several offers to him have been in that business; In short I do here openly defy that man, soldier or else, who upon a good ground, should dare act more for him, or in defence of his repute & known worth than myself; whom I profess I have ever honoured:  
For my opposition of Coll. Rich, he being a mere stranger to the relations and several interests of this Country, I understand not what law, reason, or Parliamentary practice could or may condemn me▪ But 'tis very well known, the fancy and knack of that Election, proceeded out of the same shop as the Election of Gloucester; if colonel Rich sits in the house duly returned and duly chosen, I am satisfied I wish in this business of the forest he may show himself as forward and faithful as the other members, that the Country may take Some Comfort in his sitting there. But for any proof against me at the Committee of Elections, that ever I heard, or was guilty of, or called to answer, I say 'tis a notorious lie, as well as that of Coll. Birch, and sticks in the throat of him, that spoke it, and him that writ it; and for the abuse I suffered from Birch, I question not but in due time, and in another opportunity to have reparation from him. What this libeler means by the Committee of Coventry, I know not, but this I must say of those gentlemen of that Committee, with whom I was an unworthy associate, that, as I was a stranger to them, so I never received more regards from any, and in all their actings they were the only people ever I sat with, that carried their business with authority, honour, and justice, and with whom as I have shared in some difficulties, So I never received any Command from them, which I did not undergo, I thank God, with readiness & cheerful submission, if any contest appeared in a transitory point of judgement, it was merely temporary and no way, as to me, disobliging, and of so little consequence, that I shall love and honour them while I am able to regard myself.  
If he means the City of Coventry, truly for 3. years and above all my estate and means of subsistence, was seized on and kept from me by the King's party, and for all that time, they let me want nothing. And I do acknowledge I was constrained to borrow even my bread; drink, and clothing from them, which they freely lent me in as free a measure, as if I had possessed ten times my estate neither did myself or family want any thing in that City, and I hope I did honestly requite it, and as a token of gratitude, I shall be very forward, to do any respect or service for those people, and am confident shall be lovingly treated, where this scandalous libeler must not show his face.  
That I protect Papists, delinquents, and scandalous Ministers, (titles which they put upon most sufficient men, who will not bring their tools to the Philistines Grindstone) is a delusive falsehood; how can I protect where any three will condemn? Neither did I to my knowledge ever do that thing in a Committee for any by respects but for justice, and this I dare make good with my life or fortune, and if some of those will do so 'tis something beyond expectation. But shall every member of the house that says No be termed a protector of delinquents. I have indeed many times put a check and stop to the impetuous and beastly rage of avaricious men, when by the plottings of Cabinet and dishonourable jugglers I have observed, the ruin and desolation of families intended, who never deserved it, and this merely to satisfy the rapinous and devouring eye of some men, who by the laws and acts of this very Parliament have deserved the justice, rather than the countenance or compliance of a Committee. And when I have satisfied my conscience towards God, and my trust to the state (which hath commanded me to do no wrong) I value not a rush what this scurrilous fellow, or the proudest of his abettors can say against me. 'tis known what my sufferings have been both in my purse at Coventry (where Master Knightly, Master Pim and myself lost at and immediately after the siege of Coventry above 7000. pounds) and my estate in the country for almost four years which was wholly lost to an inconsiderable sum: I will not speak of arrears and moneys lent (when God knows then how ill I could spare them) though I might and must with far more justice, and truth, than the others named in the libel. Yet I never clamoured the House as most men do, who lie cursing and banning, to puzzle the House and business of the kingdom; I have waited with patience and will, till a conveniency, and a temperate opportunity show themselves. If myself or sufferings may be thought worthy of any regard, I shall be thankful, and desire to be useful, if not I will sit down with a manly patience, and rely on that God which hitherto hath been merciful to me, and hath not utterly forsaken me, and hope to be preserved from that rancour and discontent, which have thrown imprudent and hair-brained men upon contrary violences. That this committee ever refused to act with me, is a falsehood of that nature, that I perceive the libeler cares not what he writes, how many times have I been sent to both of late and heretofore, is well known, and the thing is so notorious, that when the libeler shall come to Gloucester and be known, the stones and timber of the houses will declare what he is; & for any drunken behaviour, I can say, as my constitution, so my judgement abominats that unmanly sin, and there is much difference betwixt civil converse & society▪ and the meanness of that condition; I live here open to the censure and view of this city, both soldiers and others, and I believe children will rectify the libeler and his falsehoods. If some of those the scribbler voucheth as patterns of merit be as free, let the example left in Gloucester, bath, Bristol, London, Hereford, Mounmouth, Rosse be judges, and then 'twill be seen, who is, or hath been guilty of that fault they would so fain pin upon the shoulders of honester men.  
I do a little wonder at the libeler, when I observe whom he commends, how he dares venture upon the irreligion, scandal, and disaffection of colonel Berrow, that gentleman is able to answer for himself, and I question not but he will and to the purpose, but this I will say, take only one out of the three forenamed persons, and for the other two, there are those besides myself, who will go near to prove it, that if all the evil and wickedness in Europe were contracted into England, and all the impiety in England concentered into one place, it would be found seminally in intention, or fruitfully in action, in those two men; for he that shall read that bed role of their continued and multiplied exorbitances, and converse with the story of their lives, will find the wickedness of their heart and practice, and the principles by which both are managed, to be as dangerous and investigable as the head of Nilus, which River by the unparralleled conflux, and multitude of thirsty Animals shaped in such a diversity of forms and qualities, it is no marvel, if every year it becomes the fruitful mother of strange births and monstrous productions. 'tis nothing for those men to stamp vices and make it currant by being theirs, to commit such prodigious and exotic impieties, that a man would harken to them rather as paradoxes of iniquity, than the actions of men who bear God's image about them; who carry with them, not only in their faces, but their daily practices such terror and slavish awe amongst the poor people, as thinking them supported by some in Parliament (the last and utmost refuge to timorous wretches) who seemed to be sold to a lasting slavery, that it is the usual word of Command, do this or that, let me have such or such a bargain at such or such rates, or take it perforce, and threaten the owners or refusers with death, they say what need we care for the whining of the women, so we may gain one hundred pound a week by the iron works.  
If these men were truly scanned, and their high insolences detected, Nero, Donitian, Caesar Borgia, or Johannes Vesilowich will seem the Fathers of the Country. These are they which make their miserable neighbours like Spaniels lick their feet; and as Mules and Camels kneel down to take up their burdens, at the beck of whose terror they offer up their estates, as the poor Indians sacrifice to the devil not for love or Devotion, but for fear he should hurt them. And yet these good souls with Solomon's strumpet, wipe their mouths and ask what have they done? Whilst like ungrateful sieves they let out and conceal the flower and goodness of Gentlemen their neighbours, and retain nothing but the bran and scurf to throw in their faces.  
It seems his quarrel must end where he was afraid to begin, with the Commissioners of Bristol, and is very angry that they will not leave trading at Sea for iron, and run a more short and less hazardous voyage into the forest or Can-Wood, (as I take it they might have made their choice) for their Merchandise. Master libeler, I must tell you, I have conversed with those Gentlemen, and do find that they do out-honest and out wit-you, 'twas not the cleanly tempering of your noun Relatives, could disoblige them from their duty, or the search of your knavery, They who Commerce with the Princes of Christendom, are not that sort of Sea-fish to be catched in the net of such a gull as you are; if it be an offence to you, to go to Sea for Iron, 'twill appear a crime to others, to make it at home of Shipping Timber.  
Those Gentlemen have done their duty upon my knowledge like discreet men, and impartial, who by their sedulity and faithfulness have fixed such a feather in your Cap, that where ever you come, you will carry it as a badge of a knave or a fool; One of them hath practised so far upon you with his pen, & advanced so honestly & stoutly upon your faults, that he will endanger to bring you and your abettors to the stocks, and then we shall have some whipping cheer. You belie them fearfully in their vast quantities of Iron, I have with some diligence enquired, and for aught I hear, all that any of the Commissioners have to spare you, is only that they were by their sides.  
But supposing all you have said to be true, may you because the Commissioners are faulty, cut down, destroy and ruin! O learned argument, certainly you have learned the Mood and figures of your logic no farther than Radner.  
For the long tale of Sir John Winter, and those who long since cut down trees in Avenhall, it was before the Parliament sat, and they were fined 40. thousand pound, and for what is cut down since, is chargeable only upon those whom this libel would defend, who have Committed such notable spoil and devastation, as is not to be parralelled in any age, let the offences and offenders be examined and brought to punishment, who by studying their own grandeur and profit, have dishonoured the Nation, cheated the State, and almost ruined the goodliest plot of shipping timber in the world, and what good or virtue can there be in riches or estate thus basely gotten? for my own part, as I was courted, and indeed intended a share till I discovered the falsehood and damage, so I thank God, from the beginning I have ever opposed it, & observed with some wise men, that those who roasted their meat by the forest fire, were lightly choked afterward with the bones.  
For it will be proved within the space of 6. years they have cut that quantity of wood and timber, which Sir John Winter contracted for at 120. thousand pound, and paid 20. thousand in earnest, and what account is given to the State must be sought after in the vain and lavish expenses of some immoderate iron Masters. Commonly ill gotten greatness, though men may roll it under their tongues as a sweet morsel, yet it will turn to gall and bitterness in the end, and while it pleaseth the palate, it becometh gravel and rottenness in the belly.  
The Devils themselves have Thrones, Principalities, and dominions (as a gallant Patriot observed) but wanting true goodness they must for ever want all true honour and happiness. A false heart is abominable before God, and they who Crook public trusts to private and sinister ends, are and aught to be abominable before just and good men. And seeing the Parliament hath so gratified the Country, in their just and sensible apprehensions of their destructions, I confess I am hearty in the cause and justice of the Parliament (which my soul loves above all that is mortal:) And for advancement whereof, I dare suffer as much as he deserves who shall endeavour by force or fraud to oppose them in it.  

1 Nil magnum mundo nisi magnus animus.  
2 Magna Contemnens non magna metuens.  
3 Solum sit magnum magnificans deum.   
I. Bromwich.