A Modest Plea Both for the CAVEAT, AND The AUTHOR of It. WITH SOME NOTES UPON Mr. JAMES HOWELL, AND His Sober Inspections.  
By ROGER L'ESTRANGE.  Laudatur ab his, Culpatur ab illis. Horat. 
LONDON, Printed Aug. 28. 1661. For Henry Brome at the Gun in Ivy lane.   

A Modest Plea.  
REport speaks me a Prisoner for my last Pamphlet; and if I knew who raised it, or would have it so, I would (in earnest) thank them for it.  
First, as the greatest honour they can do me, to bring my Innocence upon the Stage, and make me suffer in a Cause, which every honest man prefers before his Being.  
Next, I should thank them for assisting toward the Discovery of the King's Enemies: which beyond doubt those people are, that will torment themselves for a Reflection that concerns no other,— I say again, there is an appearance of a Confederacy; but I six nothing upon Persons: whoever says, There he means me, is in the right, if he be one of the Conspirators; otherwise not. They know their own Affections best, and I my own meaning; which yet I take to be so plainly expressed, as that no Englishman can make a Question of it.  
This General Rumour has made me call my Papers and my Thoughts to shrift, and neither in the One, nor in the Other, do I find any thing according to my judgement of my Duty that suits not with the strictest Obligation of it. So let my Soul find Comfort, as I believe the King is betrayed; and if I had the honour of His Majesty's Ear, I would present him with my particular reasons for that opinion. My expectation was that some of the Seditious Stationers, and Lecturers, of whom I have complained should have been called to account; and not to have been threatened myself, effectually, for complaining of them. If there be any matter of exception, I offer up my whole Life to the Scrutiny of the whole World, and if from the first Moment of the Quarrel to this Instant, they prove me Guilty either of the least remissness toward the King's Cause; any the least compliance with his Enemies; or the least colour of Irreverence toward his Person, I am content to lose my Head for't. I have now served his Majesty in being, and his blessed Father these One and Twenty years, without either ask or receiving any thing— Let him that charges me make the same challenge.  
'tis a wise Precept, That of Machiavelli: Encourage ACCUSATIONS and suppress CALUMNIES. I ask no more, but to be either followed home, or Let alone.  
I come now to inquire into the Subject of the Controversy; the Caveat itself, which with great reason is by some Opposed, and with as much by me, Defended: for Their DIANA lies at Stake; My Repute; Safety; Freedom; and which is more then All; the Soul of every Loyal Subject. (the King himself.)  
But to be Thirsty of my Time and Paper; where lies the Exception? what Law does it offend, either of Honour, Conscience, or of the Nation? Does it presume to tax the King, or his Council? to kindle jealousies betwixt united Brethren; or to inflame the Rest, into Impatience and Distemper? Does it excite Revenge or Tumult? If it does any of this, I'll bind myself to be his Slave, that shows me where: That is; let it be Tried by Indifferent judges, and taken in Coherence; for to catch here and there a snap, is to destroy my meaning: and at that rate, ye may make Quidlibet, ex quolibet, Treason of the Law, and pick Blasphemy out of the Holy Bible. But Blamed it is, and why?  
Not for the Preface I hope; That only advises wariness, and gives the Reasons for it. There's not a day that passes without seditious Lectures in the City, some Openly, others more Covertly bidding the People to prepare for a Persecution; and Then; ah Lord says Hancock; give the King ANOTHER Heart, a NEW Heart Lord; and make him Thy Servant. Meade seconds his Fellow-Schismatick with a word of Consolation; but be of a good Heart, (says he) Ye do not know what a year, nay what a 
* Note.  MONTH may bring forth. This did he repeat so often, and with such an Accent upon MONTH, that upon my Soul, I thought it related rather to the Timing of a Plot, then to the pressing of a Duty: for the Emphasis was much stronger upon the Time, then upon the Exhortation. (This was a little above a Fortnight since, and in my own Hearing) to which Add; that the whole Crew are of the same Leaven.  
I hope there is no harm in This; and as little in charging Titan a Stationer, with dispersing Treason since his Majesty's return, for there's a Combination betwixt the Press and Pulpit to do mischief.  
Now to the Matter of the Book wherein I shall omit nothing considerable.  
First, Note that to the 17. Page, 'tis a Reply upon I. H. his Cordial. The first Two Pages are only Prologue; the Third, is Mr. howel's; the Fourth Mine, and there I begin: Telling I. H. that as the Cavaliers have lived true to their Prince, upon a Rule of Honour, Loyalty, and Conscience, so are they as well disposed to Die for him (if occasion require) without the Aid of borrowed CORDIALS.— In the Fifth and sixth Pages; I fault his using of the word Reward; as not becoming a Subject to his Prince: for whether we receive any thing or nothing, our Duty is still the same.— My Seventh Page only acquits the Cavaliers of causing the King's wants, or pressing them, and fairly checks I H. for being overbusy with that Argument.— In the 8 & 9 Pages, I. H. objects and answers. I deny his Twenty Cavaliers, to One of the other side, and (with due Reverence to His Majesty's Prerogative, to bestow where and what he pleases) I affirm that divers unknown persons are recommended to his Royal Favour, who are very unworthy of it— Page Tenth, I blame the Author of the Cordial for entering further into the King's Actions then becomes him.— Pag. 11. I. H. exhorts us to Patience in expectation of a Reward: and I tell him that we never served for wages, but it is our Duty to be Patient.— The Twelfth ●age carries the best Colour for a Cavil, but first I'll recite it, and then explain it, to a Syllable.  
We find the Court dangerously thronged with Parasites— Knaves represented to the King for Honest men, 
Pag. 12.  and Honest men for Villains:— a watch upon his Majesty's Ear, to keep out better Information;— seditious Ministers protected, and encouraged: Libels against the Authority, and Person of the King, dispersed even by his Majesty's sworn Servants;— and to Discover Treason, is of a consequence (in some respects) more hazardous, then to commit it.  
To this I explain myself; that divers persons whom I know, of dangerous principles, and scandalous Report, are crept into Office and Preferments. These are the [Parasites] I mean, and when I am commanded, I shall name them. That many [Knaves have been represented for Honest men] is evident in several whom His Majesty hath repulsed, not to insist upon some others admitted upon mistake. [And Honest men for Villains,] I speak upon my own experience.—  
[A Watch upon his Majesty's Ear, etc.] That is; Such is the pressing boldness of some people toward the King, that 'tis no easy matter without apparent impudence for a poor Cavalier to interpose, and tell those Truths which the Others would have concealed.— Concerning [Seditious Ministers, and Libels] The Lectures are supplied with the Former, and the whole Nation rings of the Other. Their business is to inflame the People against the Government, under the Mask of Persecution, and Popery: They Pray for the King's Conversion rather than his Establishment;— Bishops, they mention not at all; unless to call them Antichristian Drones;— and Lazy Lubbers. And who are these Gospel Ministers, (as they style themselves) but for the greater part, such as the Law has ejected, and the whole Kingdom spewed out from those Livings, which by violence, and Treason, they had ravished from Honest men? These are the men that cry the Gospell's Persecuted; The Candle-Stick's removed. They Cheat the Poor to Gorge themselves, and pay their Tavern-Scores out of the very Alms-Boxe.  
Nor is the Press less active, or less dangerous than the Pulpit. They have their private Instruments and Combinations to disperse their Libels; and I dare undertake, there may be found among the Confederate Stationers in this Town, above a Million of Seditious Pamphlets. 'Tis the best Trade they Drive, and bating matter of Conscience, who can blame them for't? Their Gains are great, their Hazzard little; beside the Pleasure of accomplishing their malice.  
I was myself upon a search for the Phoenix (a virulent Pamplet) which with the Printer, Publisher, and Stationer I discovered to Master Secretary, Sir Edward Nicholas; who with great Honour and exactness sifted the matter, and proceeded in it.  
I found at the same time the first two Sheets of The Year of Prodigies, an imposture of a most damnable Design. This Book is lately Perfected, sought for, and many Copies taken; yet let me offer, that Giles Calvert, and Thomas Brewster, have certainly a hand in't; and Livewell Chapman, Probably, tho' they absent themselves. (But to the Book itself.)  
The Author of it ransacks several stories, for memorable Accidents and Prodigies; and for remarks of such and such Judgements that followed them. These does he match with a most impudent forgery of the like wonders here, to strike the People, with a superstitious expectation of the same events. Now mark how probably the false Prophet draws the Prediction, or the Portent to his design, and both the Factions cooperate in the Delusion.  
To overthrow the Government by King and Bishops is that they aim at: and this, by the influence of pretended signs from Heaven, upon the People's minds, (in approbation of the Project) they labour to accomplish. (their Observation reaches from Aug. 1. 1660. to the end of May, 1661.)  
They tell us of two Suns seen near Hertford,] 
p●. 1.  but they name none that saw them.— Then in the Parallel, they point at the like in the beginning of Queen Mary; and about the time of the Persecution in Germany.] They mark also, that it portends the * fall of great men from their Power, etc.]— with an Asterisme at FALL.  
Again, Two Meteors, etc.]— This was seen when the Persecution waxed hot in SCOTLAND.] 
p●. 4.  In the same page, you'll, find the apotheosis of their 5 Martyrs, Scroop, jones, and his fellows at Charing cross.] Five Naked men (forsooth) were seen in the Air in Hertfordshire, (by the Lord knows who) exceeding bright and glorious, upon the day they were executed.  
Armies were seen in Sussex, 
pa. 11.  etc.] This happened a while before the King of Sweden routed the Imperial Army: 
pa. 12. — and here in England, in 1640.]  
This villainous Impostor, to get himself more credit, gathers some Observations that predict Pestilence, 
pa. 18.  a thing which in common reason was to be expected from the distemper of the season, so that if That succeed, he hopes it may dispose the people to believe the Rest, (But I shall be too long upon him.)  
Let what I have Observed, suffice, for Persecutions: and now the People are startled, see what encouragement the wretch gives them to rebel, and cast off the Yoke.  
Hailstones as big as walnuts, 
pa. 38. ]— This happened in the LAST year of QUEEN MARY. 
pa. 39 ]— A dreadful Whirlwind, etc.]— This happened in the LAST year (again) of QUEEN MARY.] This is to possess the People that the King is not long-lived.  
Frogs and Toads out of the Air,] This happened, the year before Charles the fifth was put to flight, and hardly escaped with life.]  
A terrible Tempest and raging Tides, 
Pag. 42. ]— This was observed in the LOW-COUNTRIES, a little before they threw off the yoke of the KING of SPAIN.  
A fierce and sudden shower of Rain, 
Pag. 43.  etc.] This in the LAST year of QUEEN MARY.  
An extraordinary Tide, 
Pag. 48.  etc.]— The like happened a while before the late King (than ●rince of WALES) began his voyage toward SPAIN.  
A River dried up, etc.]— This happened in the 31. of Richard the second, and also in 1643. and the 22. of Hen 6. which was conceived to portend a Revolt and Division of the People.  
Several of these stories are lies upon my knowledge; (so far as by particular inquiries from persons upon the place, where they are said to have happened, I can know any th●ng) but let this serve without pursuing his further falsehoods: This is enough to manifest a conspiracy, when both from Press and Pulpit, such desperate impressions are stamped upon the credulous and superstitious Vulgar. But that which most amazes me, is, that the consequence of discovering Treason, should be so mischievous; for the very persons I complain of, scape better than I do.  
Now to resume the examination of my Caeveat, wherein if any syllable be found, that may be said to reflect either upon the King, or his Counsel; the Act of Indemdity, or the Public Peace, my words lie open to the World; let him that hath a mind to't, pick a quarrel with them.  
Having passed over my answer to the Cordial, where I was under a confinement to follow Mr. howel's wander, I shall dispose the rest into a little better Order. And first concerning the King.  
We are with reverence, 
The King's Actions not to be questioned  to believe that where he knows the Person he Prefers or Saves, he knows likewise the Reason of his Bounty or Mercy: and we are not to pry into forbidden secrets. 
Enformation lawful.  But where we find the King a stranger either to the Action or the Person; we may with fairness enough, humbly acquaint his Majesty, etc.] p. 18.  
And there we are to acquiesce, 
Private persons not to advise Princes without Leave.  without presuming to Advise or Direct, unless our Lord and Master will have it so; for having modestly declared matter of Fact, the judgement and proceeding rests in his Majesty.] Again  
He that sees Cromwell's, 
A common grievance.  bradshaw's, Saint john's his Creatures, nay, and the meanest of them, laden with Offices and Honours, may give himself a second thought to understand the meaning of it:] p. 28.  
But to impute these incongruities to the King, 
His Majesty vindicated.  were to commit a sin against Duty and Reason. So far is his Majesty from Allowing or Directing them, they are kept as much as possibly from his bare knowledge: The Plot is laid against him, and as they did before, they do but now remove his Friends, to make way to his Person.] ib.  
Further, 
The King's Bounty is Free.  Those favours which the King himself bestowed, were given by the unquestionable Prerogative of his own freedom; the grounds whereof, in part we know, and in the whole we reverence.] p. 29. Yet once again.  
So was the State of the Nation represented to his Majesty, and such was his Royal Goodness, that he thought fit to remit all; and it is our Duty not to Murmur at it.  
Thus far with Reverence to His Majesty: which is yet more than had been needful, had not the frivolous apology of him that wrote the Cordial drawn it from me▪ Nor do I find a Syllable that can by any Violence of comment or conjecture, touch the Counsel: nay to prevent all colour for such a mistake, Thus I clear myself.— [Beyond doubt, 
Pag. 38.  there are true Converts; and divers that even in the Counsels of the King's Enemies, did his Majesty Service.]  
Now to the Act of Indemnity: let it be taken in the utmost Latitude; we willingly submit to't.  
As'tis an Act of PARDON we complain not; 
Pag. 37. — and as an Act of INDEMNITY; we are obliged by it; nor shall we start an Inch from the literal strictness of it.—  
As an Act of OBLIVION, which forbids the MALICIOUS revival of past Differences, we do not oppose it neither: but a Preventional Prudence is allowed us: and to defend the justice of our Cause, against the public enemies of it.  
In fine; 
Postscript.  from the strict airection of the Act of Oblivion, we must not swerve a Title.  
Let it be now considered, what this same Caveat may rationally effect upon the People: If any thing that looks like Tumult; or Irreverence, let me die the Death of a Traitor for it. See first my Tenderness for fear of misconstructions.  
Were all the Ills we suffer, 
Tyranny itself is no Discharge of Duty.  (joined with as many more as we have hitherto endured) imposed upon us by the direct Will, and Order of the King.— If he should say, Hang half my Friends for their Fidelity, and Starve the rest, for Gaping when they are Hungry;— We ought to take all this, but as a sad occasion of greater Honour; a sharper Trial of our Faith: or at the worst, as an unkind requital of our Love, but no discharge of Duty. Pag. 26.  
The Authority of Princes is Divine; 
Disloyalty a double Crime.  and their Commission makes their Persons sacred. If They transgress, 'tis against God, (whose Officers and Deputies they are) not against Us. If We transgress; 'tis both against God and Them;— a double Disobedience. ibid.  
That Subject is guilty of his Master's Blood, 
Loyalty an indispensable Duty  that sees the Person of his Prince in danger, and does not interpose to save him; though he be sure to Die, himself, even by the hand of him who he preserves. Pag. 27.  
Not is it enough for Subjects, 
Loyalty extends to thought, word, and deed.  to keep a Guard upon their Actions, unless they set a Watch before the Doors of their Lips; their Tongues, must be Tied, as well as their Hands; Nay, and the very Boiling of their Thoughts must be suppressed.  
We that are thus instructed in the Grounds and Terms of Duty, 
A due respect to His Majesty.  even toward the worst of Kings, cannot mistake ourselves sure toward the Contrary; and become doubly Guilty; First, by imputing our Misfortunes to a wrong Cause; and then, by an undutiful and simple men age of them. Pag. 29.  
Further, upon Discourse of the Cavaliers party, which very well deserves a Thought; and of the Nations too, which is not in Condition, without some inconvenience to Relieve us: rather than our necessities, should any way oppress the public and consequently reflect upon the King, my counsel's this— [Rather let us Resolve to suffer any thing for his Majesty, then cause him to suffer in the Least for us.  
Is this the Language of a Mutineer? Certainly, I have expressed my meaning ill, if this tends to Sedition. Once more; finding a general distaste against some persons whom the Kings knows only upon Recommendation; 
Pag. 15.  what could be softer than to say that [those Blessings which his Sacred Majesty meant to shed upon his Friends, fell upon his Enemies: The VOICE was Jacob's but the HANDS are ESAU's.] what does this intimate, but an Obligation still to the King; even in those benefits which fell beside us?  
To sum up the main scope of the Discourse: It is by a Prudential Modesty, and wariness to state a right vuderstanding betwixt His Majesty, and his People: for nothing is more evident, than that ill offices are done; both to the King, to misperswade him of the Royal Party; and to possess his miserable Friends, that the King cares not for them▪ Since Discontents there are, and some unhappy mistakes, what could be more agreeable to Duty and Reason, then to endeavour to set all clear? Which I have laboured; first by assigning our misfortunes to their true Cause; and Then, by counselling a Fair, and humble Notice concerning matter of Fact to his Sacred Majesty.  
Where lies the Crime of This, I am to seek; especially proceeding with all that's possible of Honour and Humility, toward the Person, Office, Dignity, and the unquestioned wisdom of my Sovereign. It is not lawful for a Private Subject to offer his Prince an Information? Nay, is he not obliged under the pain of Perjury, and Treason, (if under Oath, as I am) to the Discovery of any thing he knows or hears of, that may be Dangerous to his Majesty? If it be Criminal to tell those truths, without the Knowledge of which a Prince cannot be safe, then I'm in a mistake, otherwise not: For there I rest without prescribing; my Duty being only to discover, without presumiug to Advise or Direct.  
Within these Limits I contain myself: and by This rule of Resignation, I have not only governed my Life, my Tongue, my pen; but even my Thoughts.  
And yet some take Exception at this following passage. Let us examine it.  
There are another sort also of cold Comforters, 
False Friends.  that tell us, 'tis not Time yet: This, to a company of Wretches that can▪ stay no longer than they can Fast, yields little consolation.  
Are we such Owls, as not to see the Sun at Noon? 'Tis time Enough for some that tell us these fine things, (even before the King's Revenue is settled) to beg their Forty, Fifty, nay their Hundred Thousand Pound a man, and when the Nation shall be drawn so low, that every Tax runs Blood; 'tis then Prognosticated, that something shall be done for Us: That is, the Honour shall be ours, to finish the undoing of the Nation, and furnish Argument for another War. p. 29.  
'Tis a strange thing, there should be so much Venom in this Caveat, or in the Writer of it, and yet upon the search of every Period in it, and every Corner of my Soul, I should be still at so great a Loss, where to find it. Nay more than that; the further and the longer I inquire into myself, the stronger is the Testimony my Conscience bears of my Integrity.  
But to approve my Heart in this particular as well as to Man, as (I bless Heaven) I can, and do to God, we'll look into the Coherence of This Section. The professed Drift of it is This.  
Having in the Foregoing Section, soberly proposed, by Information, to give His Majesty a clear and naked view of Men, and Actions, for prevention of such mistakes as probably might arise from false representations, I pass forward to a Caution, lest we might mistake his MAJESTY: where the First Page, and half, is a discourse upon the Authority of Kings, and the Duty of Subjects, stating the Power as large as Majesty it self can wish, and tying up the Subject, by the most strict, and conscientious bonds of Duty: applying all at last to the very Person of our King, and to his Party.  
Toward the bottom of the Page, mention is made of the King's Proclamation against Profane and dissolute persons; which I advise may not be understood as any sharpness from the King upon his Party, but as a pious and prudential zeal, against the vice of blasphemy and distemper. Yet we know very well what art is used to blast the Royal Party with that Character: and that his Majesty can only by report, take notice of those liberties, which no man is so shameless as to practise in his Presence.  
I come now to that passage, which were I given to Boast, should be my Glory; but as 'tis tossed upon the tongue of fame, 'tis that, which I would rather be a Beast, then be the Author of. In the Language of mistake it sounds thus much, That I should undertake to question the King's Bounties, and tax his Sacred Majesty with giving away forty,— threescore thousand pounds in a morning, while his friends starve.  
With respect to the first Promoter of this Calumny, I shall be bold to blow it off; and lay before you the ground of this reproach, and thus it runs in Paraphrase  
There are (say I) a sort a people, 
p. 29.  that stop the hungry Royalists mouths with telling us 'tis not time yet. 'Tis time enough for them to beg, though not for us, even before the King himself is served, which is a little preposterous. Again, I say they beg, I do not say Obtain— great sums,— that is, the Equivalence, which if the King should grant, 'tis (as I say a little higher) but the unquestionable Prerogative of his own freedom, so I presume not to restrain his Royal goodness.  
Nay yet again, it may fall out so that the thing they beg, may prove worth five times more than they pretend it is; then is the King's gift but a fifth part of what they get.  
But to finish, In this connexion of discourse, the question is not what the King gives, nor what they get, nor is his Majesty accountable, for their importunities: But do they deal fairly with us or no? That's the point, Is it not time for us, as well as them? Not that we murmur, but they trifle us. When we want bread, we will starve honourable, because the Public weal will have it so: yet still we shall subject ourselves to virtue, not to delusions.  
At last 'tis said, we shall have something too, but have a care of that, for when the Nation is drawn low, a heavy tax upon the people would do the King more hurt, than our relief is worth. Wherefore though our necessities are great, yet still our Loyalty ought to surmount our wants: Let us not rob the King of his people's affections, to fill our own bellies: 
An honest Principle.  Rather, (say I) let us resolve to suffer any thing, for his Majesty, then cause him, to suffer in the least for us. P. 29.  
This foregoing Caution, (not to mistake his MAJESTY, or in effect our selves, is followed with an enquiry into the designs, and workings of the King's enemies, wherein the necessity of restitution, or else of damnation, is offered to the judgement of the learned; and I do now upon my honour, engage myself to become Presbyterian, if in that most important point, (no less than Heaven or Hell,) The Casuists of the Consistory, will but vouchsafe me the honour of a confutation.  
The next and last Chapter treats how necessary it is for a Prince, to oblige the generality of the people, and of the arts the Faction uses to put his Majesty, and his Party upon necessities to do the contrary; concluding with a saying of Barclay in his Euphornio. [Voenalis hominum vita est, et licitatores eapitum nostrorum publicè regnant.]  
— I was myself Sold by Thomas Leman of Linn Regis in Norfolk, a Renegado from our own Party, and now living. One of the Contractors for my Head (for virtually he was so) Doctor Mills, that sentenced me to Death without a Hearing, is now Chancellor to the Bishop of Norwich. After my condemnation, I threw a Paper among them, and told them that was my defence; since they would not hear it, they might read it. One of the Committee takes the Paper, and against the sense of the Court, burns it. Sir Edward Baynton knows whether this be so or no▪  
Now to my Postscript, what can be more conducing to the King's safety, than the discovery of those, of whom his Majesty stands most in danger? That is, first, such as have actually betrayed his Majesty's Counsels and Designs. 
pa. 46. — Secondly, such as have received monies, possibly for the King's relief, and never accounted for them.]  
These people are upon a double account exceeding dangerous. First, they are cast out of Protection, and in hourly fear to be Detected, which makes them desperate. Next, they have farther opportunities of doing mischief. They appear among us as friends, and act against us as enemies. It is in short but this, the enemy is in our Quarters, and has got the Wo●d.  
Let me look back now, or let any man now answer me; where is that syllable, to which an honest man may not set his Name? Many there are, to which a wise man would not, but want of skill may be born with, where there's good meaning.  
If reverence to the King's Authority, hnmble affection to his Person: If absolute submission to all his Actions, be an offence, then am I guilty. My fault is only the putting those Points by which otherwise would wound the King, (because, perhaps they prick some of his Enemies,) where is the man that presses Loyalty, that strains the knot of Duty harder than I do? And to conclude, where have I practised other than I preach?  
Yet truly, were the subject in it self not altogether blameless, the occasion, and my first fault might excuse me. I did not lead the Dance, I. H. would needs be giving the world a cast of his cunning, and starts objections, which we must either overthrow or suffer by. 
I. H.  [Now whereas some object hehath rewarded ROUNDHEADS, says the Author of the Cordial.  
This is a charge upon the Cavaliers, for to be sure, the other Party will not complain. Since manifest it is, that in effect some persons are entertained beyond common expectation; what better office could I do, either to his Majesty or his Party; then to lay a charm upon the people, not to inquire too boldly into the actions of their Sovereign? Had I done less, the slur had stuck upon us, had I. H. done nothing, I had been silent. 
I. H.  Again [whereas some except against his Majesty's Lenity and Indulgence, etc.]  
Not We, say I: could I say less? and at this rate, he squanders away his Breath and Politics in Vindication of the King, as if we charged his Majesty. When to deal freely, his very zeal in an Abuse, and if I had a mind to blast a cause, I would engage that Gentleman to be For it.  
Next to this provocation, I might plead my Primum Tempus, had I not still a stronger Plea; Innocence.  
But to evince the Partiality of my Back-friends. Let us suppose a Fault: what is the Quality of it: and who the Offender? it is an Error, either of Imprudence or of Sawcynesse: (for that's the worst they say of it) and the Offender is a Person that has been twenty years a faithful Servant to the Crown. Greater Crimes than This have been pardoned, within the Memory of Man; yes, and greater Offenders too, and those that are the most advantaged by That Pardon, are now the sharpest upon Me.  
Now to the point of Prudence. I shall easily grant, that to exasperate so Keen, so Close, and Deadly a Faction, as that which Threatens me, were a gross and weak Oversight in any man that rates Himself above the public; but being Resolved, rather to sink my self for speaking, plain, Loyal, and useful Truths, then that the King should suffer by not knowing them, I shall most readily dispose myself to act that Resignation, which I do now but Talk of.   

NOTES UPON Mr. james Howell, etc.  
IF he that wrote the CAVEAT to the CAVALIERS, had been of the Gentleman's Counsel, that penned the CORDIAL; he should never have disowned the Author, and after that, have defended the matter of it. If it was Well done, why was it disclaimed; if Ill, why is it justified? But to the old Epigram;  
He does, as Puritans at Baptism do;  
He is the Father, and the Witness too.  
The thing itself might have been spared; but then so solemnly to disclaim it, is not pro dignitate HISTORIOGRAPHI Regii.  
The Title indeed might have becomed the Mouth of his Toledo-Captain.  
Some SOBER INSPECTIONS made into those Ingredients, that went to the Composition of a late Cordial, called A Cordial for the Cavaliers.  
SOBER INSPECTIONS? (with a mischief) why there was one I H. that dedicated a discourse under this Title, To his Highness; The L. PROTECTOR; when he would have made himself King: wherein he compares OLIVER CROMWELL to CHARLES' MARTEL, and compliments him in these words.  
There is (says he) a memorable, saying of Charles Martel in that mighty Revolution in France, when he introduced the second race of Kings; that in the pursuit of all his actions he used to say, that he followed not the ambition of his heart, so much as the inspirations of his soul, and the designs of Providence. This may be applied to your Highness in the conduct of your great affairs, and admirable successes.— I rest, in the lowest posture of obedience  
At your Highness' command, I. H.  
One passage more I remember, that is, of very pretty insinuation. Under the name of POLYANDER is couched the Author of the Dialogue: whom you must imagine to be a man of Parts, and Travailed. This Polyander gives his opinion for a single Person against all other forms of Government.  
But then he says that It is requisite, that this single person, should be attended with a standing, visible, veteran Army to be paid well, and punished well, if there be cause to AWE, as well as to Secure the People.  
To give I. H. his due, the other Oliver could not have given his Namesake better counsel. The Book indeed does mightily cry up the Royal Prerogative, and 'tis a little sharp upon the Scots, and the thing commonly called the Long Parliament: which yet at that time done, does but proclaim the Author of it, either a weak Statesman, or a worse Subject. For during their divisions, it was our interest, still to uphold the weaker side, and hinder the other from settling. Neither can any thing be more unseasonable, then to exalt the rights of Sovereignty, when a Traitor wields the Sceptre: It does but serve to fix the Crown upon the wrong Head, to magnify the Power of Kings, when an Usurper manages the Office.  
It was an unlucky oversight in Mr. Howell, to christian this vindication of his Cordial,— SOBER INSPECTIONS. If he had called it any thing else, (except S. P. Q. V.) the Pamphlet might have lived and died free from that envy which commonly attends great Wits and Undertake. Not one of forty, (I dare almost swear) but would have been content with the bare Title-page, and never have turned the leaf: but first to fob the poor Cavaliers with a Cordial like a whipped Posset, that is all Froth; and then to mend the matter by a sad tale in favour of it, that wears a Title to give a Horse a Vomit: This is not kindly done.  
But that the world may not mistake I.H. for JAMES HOWEL, the said JAMES HOWELL, Esq (in his Survey of VENICE, dedicated to the SUPREME AUTHORITY of the Nation, the PARLIAMENT of England in 1651.) is clearly for a COMMONWEALTH: For (says he) were it within the reach of humane brain to prescribe rules for fixing a Society, & succession of people under the same Species of government, as long as the world lasts; the Republic of Venice were the fittest pattern on earth, both for Direction and Imitation.]  
And in the tender of his Republican Model to the Keepers of the Liberties; he treats the mighty men in a stile of Reverence and Honour. Most NOBLE SENATORS, he begins, and with a dignity befitting both the Presenter and the Present, Thus he concludes,— Therefore most humbly under favour, the Author deemed it a piece of Industry not altogether unworthy to be presented unto that Noble Assembly, by  
Their daily Orator. HOWELL.  
Now on the other side; I.H. in his Epistle to the PROTECTOR calls this same NOBLE ASSEMBLY a MONSTER; and his HIGHNESS, HERCULES, for Quelling of it. Yea, such a Monster, that was like to Gourmandize and devour all the Three Nations.  
Who This I.H. was, or That JAMES HOWELL belongs not to our Enquiry; The Author of the Inspections says indeed very acutely; There are more I.H's. than one;— and so say I, there may be more james howel's too. But if the person now in question, should prove to be a kin to the Other, we may be very well excused if we suspect his Cordial, and if we rather trust our own Eyes, in our own Concern, than another's Spectacles.  
In that contest betwixt One Tyrant and many; if the Noble Assembly had baffled the Army, than Oliver had been the Monster, but Fortune would have it otherwise, and so the Lot fell upon the NOBLE ASSEMBLY; but not a halfpenny matter to us, whether the Dragon killed the Saint, or the Saint the Dragon.  
Some Subjects are like Common-Wooers; that may safely swear that they love Twenty several Wenches, Best, in Four and Twenty hours: and to such humours, no Government comes amiss; that carries either Interest or Novelty along with it. He that expects the fixing of that sort of people, might better wait, till a River should either stop its course, or run itself weary. Labitur, & Labetur, in omne volubilis aevum.  
Others there are who I verily believe did take that Legislative Rabble for a Parliament; and such we must not blame for calling it so. Yet for the Cavaliers; that never were, nor are, nor ever can be of That Judgement; we should do very ill to choose an Advocate out of that number; or to expect much good from a Physician that could not help himself.  
But too much time is spent in Preamble; for which, the Gentleman whom it concerns may thank himself: I knew at first who wrote the Cordial; but truly I had no Ambition to measure Pens with Mr. Howell; and my Remarks upon the Mistake, did not so much as glance upon the Author. No sooner were the Inspections Public, but my Stationer comes to me by Mr. howel's Order, with a sleeveless Story, how ingenious a piece that same Cordial was; how much His Majesty was pleased with it: with great Additions too, in favour of the person that composed it. Some part of This, in the second Impression of my Caveat, I barely mentioned, and so left it.  
Upon Thursday or Friday last, out comes another miserable Paper done by the same hand, and in justification of the Former; which I must needs take notice of, for divers Reasons, whereof (I swear) the Author and the thing itself are none.  
The Copy was pressed upon my Stationer, (a very honest and a Loyal person) as yet unfinished: who gave me notice of the proposition, but without any thought of undertaking it. With much ado, I prevailed with him to comply with the good Gentleman, and out comes Gravity itself under the Form of SOBER INSPECTIONS, etc.  
The very Title speaks the Author no Physician; and he that stands condemned to read the Text, may swear he is no Conjurer. He writes himself Historiographer Royal, and tells his Tale to show his Office: Yes, and a dainty Tale it is.  
A Toledo Captain met Philip the Second a hunting; 
I.H.  and taking him for a Private person, told him he was going to Court, to demand a Reward for his Services. The King asked him, if he had not received his Pay? He said, Yes: but 'twas long a Coming: However, he'd to the King for an Ayúda de costas, something to drink. Well says the King; but in case his Majesty will give you nothing? why then let him kiss my Mules Tail, cries the Captain. Hereupon, the King asked him his Name, and bids him bring his Certificate next day to the Council, and he'd procure him admittance. The Captain appears,— Well Sir, says the King, What was't you said yesterday the King should do to your Mule, if so and so? (In our Authors own words) The Captain being nothing at all daunted, said; Truly Sir, My Mule is ready at the Courtgate, if there be occasion. The King for This, Order the Captain 400. Crowns present, and 2000 Rials Annuity.  
The Condition of the English Cavaliers is much more considerable; says our Historian) for the Spanish Captain had all his Arriers paid him, which our Cavaliers have not.] pag. 4.  
Most Logical and profound! for as Tenterden-steeple was the cause of Godwin Sands, even so Good people Love one another.  
But can the great Defender of our Cause, spy out no other Difference betwixt the Captain's case and Ours, than matter of Pay? That want of Modesty and Reverence, though the King liked it never so well, aught to have been Reproved and Punished. Suppose the bluntness of the man hit the King's Humour; Yet was it not the less below his Dignity, even to suffer so exemplary a Boldness, but much more, to Reward it: therein preferring his Fancy to his Honour: Not but that Monarches are Men, as well as Subjects; and may be allowed their Appetites, and Like; yet beyond question, This was an Oversight in Philip to lay himself so open; for when the Court had once gotten the length of his Foot; and that they found there were more ways then good, to Profit, and Preferment; it would have been no wonder to have seen That Prince served, and attended by Tumblers, and Buffoons, in stead of Statesmen.  
The Gentleman hath many other pretty fragments of Story, which being exceedingly beside his Purpose, I reckon not much to mine; wherefore let them rest: But in good manners something we will afford him in Requital; which his INGREDIENTS, and his COMPOSITION put me in mind of.  
The late Lord Coring after a dear ill-dressed Dinner at Brussels, sends for mine Host, and treats him with this Compliment: Friend (says he) I do take Thee for one of the best Cooks in Christendom, 'bate but two faults; The One is; Thou hast the worst Ingredients in Nature; The Other is; Thou puttest them the worst together. This is the Fortune of some Writers too, as well as Cooks.  
Touching our Author's Calculation of Twenty Cavaliers preferred for One Roundhead; I have already spoken what I thought fit and modest in my Caveat; but since it is Mr. howel's pleasure to reinforce it, rather than press the point too far, we'll grant it: but then, Twenty of Mr. howel's Cavaliers (reckoning himself for One) will not make half so many of Mine.  
In his sixth Page, he tells us, that divers great Kings have been enforced to raise, and reward those that were once their very Enemies, FOR A TIME.]  
And why FOR A TIME? (if a body may ask) But this shall be discoursed at Length and Leisure. In short, he tells us what he told us before, and winds up, Thus.  
To conclude, 
I. H.  he who with a sober and well-brassed judgement will examine that Cordial, will find that there is never a Line, Word, or Syllable therein but breathes out the spirit of a perfect Cavalier, as above twenty other several pieces of the same Author published upon Emergent occasions do breathe besides, there is no fretful drug, or the least Corrosive dram in it: but all gentle lenitifs, therefore he wonders how it should stir up such Malignant humours in any, unless it were in them who having something lying upon the stomach made wrong use of that Cordial to cast it up.  
We will allow the Gentleman to be a perfect Cavalier, a perfect Republican, (if he pleases) a perfect Protectorian, a perfect Anything; rather than disagree about his Perfection: but I would he had not appealed to his Pieces. And truly if he had spared the Malignant humours, and the Queasy Stomach he talks of, it would have been never the worse for the Author of the Cordial. But now he finds himself so much deceived in his Operations, I hope he'll mend. He sees his Cordials prove Vomits; and let me forget my own Name, as he has done his, if what Mr. Howell gives to move Choler, does not provoke excessive Pleasure.  
THE END.