The Case of the KINGDOM STATED, According to the Proper Interests of the several Parties ENGAGED.  

I. Touching the Interest of the KING and his Party.  
II. The Interest of the Presbyterian Party.  
III. The Interest of the Independent Party.  
iv The Interest of the City of LONDON.  
V The Interest of SCOTLAND, not extant before now.   
A piece of rare Observation and Contexture; wherein all men are equally Concerned.  
The Third Edition, with Addition by the Author M. N.  Dulce, & decorum est pro Patriâ. 
London, Printed Anno Dom. 1647.   


To the KING.  
SIR,  
AFter so many storms I know you would willingly attain the wished Haven, but than you must embark a new, and not in the old Shipwrecked design. And since it is no Flattery to wish you well, for your own sake, and many others, pray take this Pamphlet to steer your course by, and account him as good a friend to yourself and the Kingdom, as any you have been acquainted with these seven years, who first delivers it into your hands: For, I am confident, were you abroad among your old Council, you should not reap so much of the truth of your Interest, as you may in these poor sheets, which are but the Glean of observation.   

To the PRESBYTERS.  
Sweet SIRS:  
Let not your Jealousy accuse this Paper of a Plot against the State: Truly I have added your Interest out of pity to your condition, that since you cannot attain your Jure divino, you may (at least) open your eyes, and preserve yourselves (if you please) in a handsome equipage, Jure humano.   

To the INDEPENDENTS.  
FRIENDS:  
You who are Listed more immediately under the Prince of Peace, ought not so to prosecute your Interest, as to begin a War upon it; but only to remain on the defensive till your just Liberty be confirmed, and the Prince's due right restored, since Conscience must needs remain quieter, where the power is invested in one King, than in an Hydra of Presbyters. Above all things you must not be Anti-parliamentary, but exercise wisdom with patience, and the countenance of that Authority cannot long be wanting: A word to the wise.   

To the CITY.  
SIRS:  
My desire is, that you may flourish, which cannot be, unless you mind only your peculiar Interest of Trade. If you resolve to live and die with Presbytery, consider that you can ill Bandy against the other two Parties, since it cannot be unknown, that they are the major part of yourselves. A City divided against itself cannot stand.   

To the SCOTS.  
Friends and Confederates:  
Take this brief draught of your Interest, wherewith I here present you, with the same Ingenuity and Candour, that I wrote it. God shall bear me record, that I lay nothing open here, with intent to work division, it being contrary to my obligation by Covenant; but only to satisfy the world in truth concerning you, and yourselves in what concerns your own happiness, safety, and advantage, by a wise demeanour, in order to the Conservaton of Peace in these Kingdoms. Honi soit qui mal y pense.   

And now (Gentlemen) but one word more to all: I suppose none can take just offence, since I state the Interests of all indifferently, pointing out to each the way to advance and preserve their own Party, and I shall commend to them what the Duke of Rohan saith of the States of Europe, that according as they follow their proper Interests, they thrive or fail in Successes, so the Parties now on Foot in this Kingdom, must look to stand or fall upon the same Ground.    

The Case of the Kingdom stated, etc.  

First, touching the Interest of the KING and his Party.  
THE King (as the case lately stood with him) was a very Prisoner; and so being fallen from the height of fortune, must remit much of the height of his design; and what hath been lost by bandying, he ought to Salve by a wary Compliance. That this he may effect in a short time is very probable, since what Machiavelli sets down as a sure Principle towards the purchase of Empire is acted ready to his hands, by the mutual expense of Spleen in his opposites against each other: so that all he hath to do is to sit still, to foment and blow the Fire, and give the humours time to toil, till being tired in extremes there appear a necessity of one Third to rest in, (which can be no other but himself;) and then his only Interest will be, to close with that Party which gives most hope of Indulgence to his Prerogative, & greatest probability of favour to his Friends. That neither of these can be expected from the Presbyterian, is evident for many Reasons: And first touching the Prerogative, their Government in the nature of it derogates not only from the Civil in general, but carries with it a more special enmity against Monarchy; so that they which intent to found the one, must raze the Fundamentals of the other in any Kingdom whatsoever. Politic assertions of this kind should be strengthened by Observations out of History: But the tender age of this Upstart Hierarchy and the Little entertainment it hath found in the World, yields us nothing of moment to observe, unless in our own Island. For if we look abroad, we find it but straggling up and down in France and Germany, and in such places only as acknowledge little or none at all of Kingly power; so that Scotland is the only visible Kingome where this Pest is Epidemical, and it was (first) Scotch Charity to Baptise it as Christian, into the name and privilege of a Nationall Form. This was done during the minority of King James, when the Lords and Clergy ruling all as they listed, at length parted stakes (though the Clergy then got, and still hold the better) that when He came to age, he found the Fable of Ixion's Juno moralised upon himself; for as he instead of a Goddess embraced a Cloud; so the King, when he thought to grasp his Sceptre, laid hold on a Manacle, which kept his hands so fast, during his abode there, that he could never Act but when they pleased to let him, according to their own Directory of Kirk and State: And in process of time this heat of Presbytery proved such an Hectic in the body Politic of Scotland, that the Substance of Kingly power was utterly consumed, and nothing left (as we see at this day) but the bare bones, the very Ek●leton of a Monarchy; Witness the unlimited power of the Convention of Estates, and General Assembly, but especially of this latter, which (like to the Rod of Aaron) is in such a budding, thriving condition, that it hath devoured the Rod of Moses, as his did the Magicians of Egypt, and proves a Scourge to the Magistracy and People. This is a sufficient Instance (being also the only one in the World) to manifest the Antipathy betwixt a Nationall Presbytery, and the civil power of Common weals and Kingdoms, wherein whosoever desires further satisfaction, needs do no more but take a strict survey of their own Books of Discipline.  
Secondly, touching the King's Friends [which are of two Sorts, viz. the Bishops and their Clergy, the Courtiers with the Gentry,] they must expect less from the Presbyter than the King himself may: For, as They would leave the King nothing but a name without Substance, so they will allow the Bishops neither Name nor Substance, and enslave the Gentry in their own Lordships by a new way of parochial Tyranny: For, if so be they conform not, than they must expect in a short time to see the meanest of their Tenants become their Masters in judicature, and so what Solomon calls a great Vanity, will be a Prime mystery in this new Government.  
Hence, than we may conclude, that the King's Interests lead him to close rather with the other party (called Independent) as the only means to f●ee him and his friends, from the former Inconveniences, and that for these following Reasons.  
First, because they are the only friends to Civil government in the World, leaving it wholly in the hands of the Magistrate; pleading exemption in nothing but their Churchway: Whereas the Presbyters claim not only a distinct power in Church-affaires [as you may read in that Branch of the Synods late confession which speaks of Church censures] but they borrow also so much from the Magistrate, as will in able them to compel men's Consciences: And so under this cunning Pretence, that the Magistrate is bound to use or lend his power to support their arbitrary constitutions [the Proofs whereof they Fish out of the Judicials of Moses, and some places of the Gospel misapplyed in some of their Articles] lurks the great Mystery of Iniquity, whereby They gain a power even over the Magistrate himself, who in this case must use the sword (for conscience sake) wheresoever they please to Advise or Command him: And so both King and Parliament must give way, and compel others to submit, to whatsoever they shall ordain in their General Assembly, as for the well-governing of the Church.  
Secondly; because it is easy for th● King to mingle Interests with the Independents, and oblige them w … that which is denied them by the Presbyter, viz. Liberty of conscience: In which Particular he ought also to pretend great tenderness, it being his own case at present to suffer by many pressing Importunities, to take the Covenant, and pass things of high Importance wherein he is not satisfied, the refusal whereof upon Scruple of Conscience is the only cause of his non-accesse to the Parliament.  
Thirdly, because the Independent Principles lead them to admit rather of Monarchy than any other Government, as being that under which they presume of greater Inlargements, than when Many rule; who are usually most apt to gratify a faction in the Nationall Church with accruments of worldly pomp and power, the better to support their own in the State.  
Fourthly, Here is a door of Hope opened this way for the Bishops and their Clergy, with all that are for the Liturgy and that Government, Whereas, if presbytery take place in a Nationall mode, than there will be Form against their Form, and Policy against their Policy, which when it shall be actually twisted with that of the State, can never be removed without length of time and extreme difficulty. Where observe by the way, how it was ever the grand mystery which Satan set on work in the hearts of those who glory in that usurped Title of Clergy; first to introduce a plausible, politic, prudential way of Government in the Church, as the only pattern brought out of the Mount; then to gain it a sure being and repute with men, thy were wont to take in some of the power of the World to countenance it, and force a Submission thereto by all, under the old specious pretext of Decency, Conformity, and Order; and lastly to make all fast, the Custom was to mingle Interests with the State or the Prince [as the Bishops lately did with our Kings, and the Presbyters do now with some great Ones and the City] and so their Fundamentals being once poised with the others, than whosoever shall presume to move the one, must shake the other, and presently incur the brand of seditious disturbers of States and Kingdoms; Which hath been no mean artifice of the Devil [in all times] to uphold his Kingdom in the hearts of men, against the Kingdom of Christ. In this Particular the Bishops and Presbyters have been alike faulty; But if these have time to supplant the Bishops [as they are in a fair way] and overact them at their own game, They are left for ever without remedy. But  
Fifthly, by an immediate Close with the Independent, and abandoning that cursed Principle of universal Compulsion, as well in opinion as practise, since there is a numerous sort of people in the Kingdom, that will not be satisfied, without the old external Form of Diocesan & Liturgy; it's clear then, that Independents may help to Instate Them in that Form again, upon some visible assurance, that themselves shall be left at Liberty, rather than be trodden down, by a Mornivall [or two] of Tyrants [no less monstrous [perhaps] for Ignorance, than pride] in every parochial Inquisition.  
The last Reason is, because the King's Union with this party may so abate the fury of the Presbyter, that (whether Peace or War ensue) those of the Court, Council, and Gentry excepted from pardon, and the rest that have not yet Compounded, cannot continue long at this distance, without some, probable hope, That Humours altering, and by the mediation of some the rest being brought to a more moderate temper, it may be no hard matter to reconcile all within the Limits of an Act of Oblivion.  
And so for these Reasons I conceive, we may boldly affirm, That since the King hath no hope of remedy from his Friends here at home, or abroad, his true Interest at present is by some means or other, to close with that Party in this Kingdom which they call Independent.   

The Interest of the Presbyter and his Party.  
Presbytery was no sooner born at Geneva, but it was nursed up here in England in the Wishes of many, as Heir apparent of Episcopacy, For it's usual ever in all worldly Church-reformations (as well as those of the State) to find some men, either out of conscience or envy, disaffected to the settled Government: Out of Envy, when they miss of that Preferment which they expected by a change; out of conscience, when they see a greater glory of Light and Purity beyond it, and therefore will not live by it, but beside it, or above it; The truth whereof Experience hath told us in all the degrees of Reformation in this Kingdom, from Popery to Prelacy, from the Bishop to the Presbyter: And I shall willingly allow the Presbyters (who reckon themselves for the old Puritans of England) so much charity, as to think their disaffection proceeded merely from a conscience well-informed, because I observe now an Impressa of divine glory and excellency in many of their Practices; But yet I would have them to know, that They are not yet come to Mount Zion, till they be able to prove the Chair of a general Assembly the very Throne of Christ: And except they show all the lineaments of their Government derived naturally from Scripture, it will fright men's Consciences and make Them disclaim it for a monster: For, the Discipline now contended for, is (as was the Bishops) but external, prudential, matter of Form and Policy, and it is looked upon as so much the more intolerable, if rigidly pressed, by how much it opens a far wider gap for Tyranny; because if the Bishops made us groan under 24 Dioceses, and but one High-Commission, what will become of us under almost 10000 Presbyteries, beside the Torment of Classes, Provincial Juntoes Synods, and Assemblies? Were they able to prove one of them scriptural, it were a little honester bandying against men of different judgement, but since the continuation of that ridiculous Plea for a Ju● Divinum with compulsive power, can gain nothing but hatred from both the other parties, and must of necessity by disobliging their friends increase the number of their enemies, and in time exasperate both so far, that nothing will satisfy but an abolition of the new Form as immoderate, and a reestablishing the old, upon more assurance of liberty: Therefore the only Interest of the Presbyters is to allow the Independents their liberty of Churchway, to esteem them as Brethren, and not to make difference in circumstantials, a ground for persecution. And this I shall further illustrate by reason. First, it's as much madness to persecute men, because they are not like us in opinion, as it were to quarrel with them when they resemble us not, in outward complexion. For, since we lost perfection in Adam, what ever knowledge we attain to now, is either moral, by the improving of natural endowments; or else Divine, which is an influence from Heaven upon the Soul: For the former, we are beholden mediately to the bounty of Nature and our own Industry; for the latter, immediately to God. Therefore where we see any weaker in judgement then our selves, we ought to look upon them as deplorable, rather than damnable. Vain man! What made the difference betwixt thee and thy weak Brother? did not Freegrace? For, what hast thou that thou didst not receive? and God may reveal it to him also in due time. Secondly, the design of Conformity or Uniformity in the Church, hath been, and is the grand Cheat whereby the Devil makes men run a madding; and though it ever pretend a plausible end of Cementing the State against Division, yet pull off its Wizard, and you shall find it to be both the Mother and Nurse of all Division (as it ever was) throughout all Europe in matters of Religion: The witchcrafts of this Jezebel [it is] that trouble our Israel. For, it is against common sense and reason to expect, that ever men will be one in opinion (the Heathen said, Quot Capita, tot Sensus,) so that those which endeavour it seem to me, as if they meant to imprison Aeolus and all his Sons [the 32 winds] in a Bag (as it is said of the Laplanders) since Opinion blows from every point of the Compass: And as a confinement of the Wind torments Nature with an Earthquake, so to rob the Soul of its Freedom (which is far more agile and diffusive) must needs cause a Colic (with inflammation) in the bowels of a Kingdom. And therefore till Vniformity-mongers be pointed at as the only Enemies of a State, and this wicked persuasion be wrought out of the hearts of men, that they ought to make all men walk that way par force which their Priests cry up for the right; till men be less in the Letter that they may be one in the Spirit (which none but the Spiritual can apprehend) and until they leave crying, Fire from Heaven against Brethren in the Faith, we shall always have the Kingdom in a Flame, and (perhaps) themselves may be the first in Ashes. Thirdly, men under oppression (though sometime wise enough) become mad, and usually trample down all Relations to make way for a deliverer, that gives hope of the least remedy, and as the condition of B●ing altars, so all men do vary their Interests, and Principles. Fourthly, if a rigid course should be prosecuted, and so a Breach be made betwixt those who (for the major part) are one by Solemn Covenant, the Independent having that invincible Plea of Se defendendo on his side, the whole Scandal will retort upon the Presbyter: And if it be objected that the Independent occasions the Breach, by opposing the Letter of the Covenant for an uniform Reformation, I answer, that the Covenant in its extent hath this ultimate Limitation, viz. according to the Word of God: No otherwise; The whole resolves into that, as being all in all. And then, if both Parties be reduced to that Rule, let God and good men judge (for the World cannot) whose will be the Breach. Lastly, a Moderate Condescension in the Presbyter will by keeping the other from extremes stop all new designs, and when there is more of the Spirit of Love in their proceed, they will draw less of Enmity. It will for ever confirm a Brotherly Union, which must prevent the forenamed Insinuations of the Royal and Episcopal Party, and prove a Bulwark within, and a Wall of Brass about the Nation. From whence I once again infer, the sole Interest of the Presbyters is, to counter-work the King in his Interest, as their grand opposite, by complying with the Independent, and it ought to be their wisdom to look upon all men and Counsels in their own Party, [whether of the Purple or Sable robe] that Thunder in the behalf of a rigid Presbytery, as very Malignants, lurking among them under pretence of a Reformation to draw in the less wise and more worldly fiery Zelots, to Act for that Party under a disguise which they pretend most to hate, and by Fulminating against our fast friends, as Heretics and Schismatics, etc. to shipwreck us in the Haven, and Casse all the successes of this Parliament by Division.   

The Interest of the Independent Party.  
AS Presbytery is the Rival of Episcopacy, so Independency being of an higher Strain, than to admit of humane prudence in Church-Government, her Principles stand indifferent towards either of them, as may serve most for her own advantage. Both the other take in some of the wisdom, and much of the power of the world, and so share with the Kingdoms of the world, to make up a Church, whereby they draw the world after them, because the way is so suitable to worldly reason; thus carnal men will ever be for a carnal Church: But Independents affirm the Church ought to be a spiritual building, framed of such lively stones as are not of the world, nor of the wisdom of the World, but founded only upon the wisdom of God, revealed in the word by his Spirit, which they esteem sufficient to constitute and maintain a Church, without any assistance from the Kingdoms of the world, whose power they leave entire unto themselves.  
The Sum is this: both Bishops and Presbyters by their Church-policy, stand Competitors with the Magistrate, and Independents leave all to him, save only the Kingdom of Christ, which (if you will take his own word) is not of this world, and so can be no trouble to it, unless His be first troubled by it.  
By this description than it appears, that the Government contended for by the other two is but mere Policy: and since their Politics render them utterly irreconcilable, Independency (which owns no Policy) becomes the balancing power betwixt them: And as it behoves either of the two, to strive to weigh down the other, by a timely Close with It, So the only Interest of Independency is to embrace that party where an union procures most Indulgence and little or no scandal; which I conceive may be expected rather from the Royal Episcopal party, than the other, upon these following Grounds.  
First, Though principles of Faith should sway the Presbyters, to brotherly amity with the Independent, yet by their driving so furiously upon terms of discipline, and through their eagernes upon uniformity in the Letter, slighting that glorious unity in the Spirit, (which is the very life of Christian profession) they give little hope of favour, but rather expectation of a fiery Trial, seeing th●y begin to heat the Furnace already.  
Secondly, though Bishops stand at a great distance; Yet setting aside that gross mixture of Ceremonies) their discipline were far more tolerable, notwithstanding they had power to exercise it to the utmost with compulsion, because Tyranny cannot be so great in the hands of few, as many, So that if hereafter (in case Presbytery be settled) our former plagues be not a thousand times trebled upon us, we must acknowledge our present freedom, only to the courtesy and goodness of our Taskmasters: But if corrupt times come on [as who can assure us they will not, since the old mystery of iniquity is now in the world under a new Form;] What then will become of our posterity, when the yoke shall be fastened to our necks by an Act of Parliament?  
Thirdly, though the Episcopal are enemies to both Presbyters and Independents, yet considering these have been extreme civil in using their victories, and may now most oblige them in their lowest condition: and it being possible that both their interests may stand together (with discretion) entire, then if Bishops quit the exorbitant compulsive power, and the King give assurance against it for liberty of Conscience, the enmity betwixt him and the Independent may be soon extinguished.  
Fourthly, there can be no scandal to the Independent, by such an union of interests, since the Woe-following scandal belongs to them always, by whom the grounds of Scandal are necessitated. And therefore that the Scandal may clearly report upon Presbyter (as I proved before it must) the Independent ought not to admit of a Breach till the Red Dragon begin to play Rex, till the Whore prepares to die her Scarlet a new, and the pale Horse of imprisonment and exile threaten a Range about the Streets.  
Lastly, though th●s discovery of Interest may seem to portend ruin to the Parliament, yet it is far otherwise: For Independents ought not to look upon it so, as to neglect them in whose privileges and safety all Liberty is involved: But with all tenderness to have regard unto them, as the only Rampire against all kinds of Tyranny, since all proceed thence against them as Heretics and Schismatics etc. are actuated only by some particular men, whose designs being laid in the dark, Time alone must discover: But that which will crown Independent Interest [and which is indeed true Parliamentary Interest, though Presbyterians drive another way] is, to reconcile the King upon such honourable Terms, that as he and they are in all reason obliged to down with the Dagon of a rigid Presbytery, so the engagement may be managed with such Caution, for the safety of the Parliament, and assurance of Liberty in time to come, as may remove all jealousies and lay a sure foundation for a lasting Peace.   

The Interest of the City of London.  
THis City bears the name of the Metropolis of England, the Royal Chamber, the grand Emporium, the universal Exchange for Traffic; so that her sole Interest is a free Trade, whereby having acquired large Demesnes in all Parts, she maintains a considerable influence upon the whole, which makes her stand on tiptoe, looking down with disdain upon all, as unable or unworthy to stand in competition with her single Self. This conceit hath been much heightened by those large Contributions thence, which have been the very Sinews of the War against the Royal Party; so that it's to be feared the Huge Animal having found its own strength, may prove Rampant, and contemn the Bridle, unless a little corrected by Reason.  
Therefore I think meet to lay down these ensuing considerations.  
First, that what they have hitherto done, must not be looked upon as done by their own strength and Riches, but only as these received an Authority of Parliament to give life unto the Action, without which (as then, so) all designs [now, or hereafter] must prove abortive.  
Secondly, though the Citizens' pretend Religion to be the only necessary Appendix to that Trade, by clasping both together with a rigid Presbytery, and suppose this the more pleasing safe way, because they are made believe it is Divine, yet if they please to look more narrowly upon the Scriptures and the proceedings of their Priests, they may learn the Scope of their State-Divinity is only to drive a Trade in the Ministry upon them and their Estates; which the City shall soon find, when the Presbyterian Charter is once confirmed by Act of Parliament.  
Thirdly, if only even rekoning make long friends, then it's like this hot love to a Presbytery may end in a Divorce before the three year's end, especially when the Accounts shall be cast up betwixt Clergy and Laity, that wormeaten Reverend Cheat of distinction betwixt Brethren. It's true indeed, some of them shall be admitted to a partnership in the Tyranny, and this is the very De-coy to allure them on, but usually the preaching Presbyter sways All, and he is a very silly one indeed that knows not how to do it, since they either stand or fall according to his Report of their good Compliance, in the opinion of the general Assembly [that Holy of Holies, where the Lay-Vulgars must not enter;] which neat contrivance of invisible Clockworke, will be sure to have a wheel going in all affairs of the Kingdom.  
But Fourthly, Suppose that the Lay-Elders themselves should have fair Play from the Priests, yet what comfort will that be to the rest of the Parish, who must be in little better condition than galley-slaves, when the Eldership shall have an Oar in every Boat? And this appears by the power given them to suspend persons from, and admit to the Supper, as they shall see cause according to an Ordinance in that behalf: in which Ordinance, there being no less than 80. sins enumerated (and an addition of many more endeavoured) any one of which upon Conviction, may include a man guilty, if they please to pronounce him: than it is clear also, that since a man can hardly do any thing that comes not within the compass of those Sins, all men must be irrefragably subject to their pleasure in all their deal, or else be delivered up to the Devil [forsooth] by Excommunication. Where then will freedom be in a corrupt Presbytery when the Citizens shall not dare to dispose of their own Estates, nor wear Clothes as they please, nor manage their Trades to fructify percent▪ nor use an hundred other fine feats, without a friend or feeling in the Eldership? What will become of our Lawyers ●oo, when it is an easy matter to make the same Ordinance, a Shoeing-horn to draw on all cases, depending betwixt man and man, into their own Consistories.  
Fifthly, they may do well to consider, that if they shall drive any other Interest than Trade, as their own peculiar, which may entrench upon the union of interests before mentioned, or hinder them from uniting by underpropping the other Party, it's clear then, that their power and greatness will be suspected, and become odious to Prince and People▪ For, their High Terms already with the Parliament, and the establishing of a Militia in their own hands, distinct from the rest of the Kingdom, makes wise men whisper, as if they meant to found a new Religious Democracie, by resolving the Coordinations of power in the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common Council into a popular Senate.  
Sixthly, I would have them consider that the Jealousies of States and Princes are great, and cannot brook any Rival, nor will they judge themselves safe, as long as any one Corporation of Subjects make a show of Competition in wealth and power. Nor can it be safe for Subjects to discover them too far in this way, lest they teach Princes to secure and enrich themselves by seizing upon 
* Facile est Baculum invenire, ut caedas Canem.  Theirs. What made the Abbeys and Monasteries so looked on, but only their great Wealth?  
And what was the main Plea to ruin them (as Princes (if possible) will have some colour of Law to set off actions of this nature) but their holding vast possessions in their hands which could not pass from man to man so lay dead to the prejudice of the Commonwealth? I wish the City to ponder, whether there be not the same Reason far more pressing, against the unmeasurable Revenues of their Halls and several Companies, those insatiable Gulfs which swallow up so great a part of the Kingdom: And whether their high Raunting may not bring on the same Fate hereafter, on the same ground, upon the first tempting opportunity.  
Lastly, since their Presbytery is only of the World, they may do well to consider how it is like to thrive in the World, since so few even amongst themselves are willing to entertain it, and the Counties abroad are some of them so wise, others so cross-grained to all Novelty: that they generally detest it: And therefore if it shall appear that the Citizens are the men, which resolve to bandy against both King & Independent [whose Interests tend to a speedy honourable Peace & just Liberty] for the settling of that government in the Church, which neither we, nor our Children shall be able to bear, it's most certain, that the Odium of a SECOND WAR will reflect upon them, and the whole burden of guilt and expense rest upon their shoulders: And then they may guess what the consequence will be, when their Purses are exhausted and both the other Parties [carrying the Kingdom before them] shall be forced into an unanimous design of revenge, to scourge their pride, with such an alteration [if not utter destruction] as may verify [perhaps] the Fagg-end of the old Prophecy, that YORK SHALL BE.  
From all which I may sum up this Conclusion.  
That the true Interest of the City is to cool by degrees toward a Presbytery (not all at once, lest it be accounted Levity,) And in the mean time to stand neutral so far as not to make a distinct party, nor drive any design at Home or at Westminster, by hoisting up supernumerary Votes, & pulling down all others with Remonstrative or Petitionary Out-cries, but to leave the Presbyterian cause to stand or fall, by Reason and sober debate in Parliament, that being the less looked upon in so turbulent a time, They may enjoy their City and Possessions without Envy and the shaken Kingdom [they keeping still] may have time to settle, and recover the pristine health and splendour of a glorious Monarchy.  
O Cives, Cives, quae vos Dementia ●●pit,  
Tanti non est Civilia bella moveri.   

The Interest of Scotland.  
THat which had been long endeavoured in vain by several Kings, being at length (through the prudence of Henry 7. effected, I mean the Union of both Crowns in the person of one Prince; King james willing (as much as might be) to bury the remembrance of dis-union and allay the deadly feuds running in a blood betwixt the borderers, thought meet to curtail his title of the usual distinct names of England and Scotland; and as both made but one Island, so he comprised both in that one ancient appellative of great Britain.  
This Union under a native King of Scotland, was an happy occasion for that poor Kingdom, to augment their repute and fortunes; and as in such cases it is usual for the less, to drive a purchase upon the greater, by closing in as near as jealousy will permit; so the Scots (enamoured of the clusters of our Canaan) lost no time in getting ground on this side Jordan, viz. Tweed, till many of them became possessors of fair vineyards, and were able to vie Lordships with our wealthiest English. To this height they arrived through the favour of that King, which drew many more into a desire of the warmer Sun, and an emulation of their friend's happiness here in England.  
But toward the latter end of King James, the passages began to be blocked up at Court by the Prelate's faction: who judged it dangerous for their Hierarchy, to see men of that Nation in too great a number & power, near hand, for fear lest the same humour which had depressed Episcopal pomp there, might in time have an influence here also; so that by this means not only the affections of King james, (whose ordinary Apophthegm was, no Bishop, no King) were a little weaned; but he being dead, the same Counsels prevailed upon the new King, his Son (one easily wrought any way to gratify his Clergy) to a dis-obliging of the Scots: who seeing themselves now quite out of hope of thriving by the King's favour; and knowing well upon what ground, and by whose means things were thus carried, concluded then there was no way to get into the Nation, but upon the ruin of our Bishops; which must necessarily follow, if they could introduce the Presbiteriall government, which themselves had received in Scotland: and this they found was no hard matter to effect, since there were many that way affected in England, and their affections highly inflamed, by reason of the rigorous dealing and tyrannical pride of some Clergymen, which rendered their whole Order and government, odious to the more tender consciences, & prepared the people (hoodwinked) to entertain any change, though to their own prejudice.  
This being (on the other side) immediately resented by the Bishops, they judged it best to be beforehand with the Scots; and first (to try their patience, and Pick a quarrel, on purpose to tame them by force) a new Liturgy was contrived, sent, and imposed upon them; the offer whereof bred so much indignation in the one party, as a refusal did in the other (both glad enough of the occasion,) that a war immediately ensued; wherein though the King were engaged on the Bishop's part, yet the Scots got most of Honour and (the war being ended) much money and reputation, among their friends in England; which so endeared them, that a new rapture falling out betwixt King and Parliament, they had an easy inlet to build themselves (with high confidence) a more sure interest than ever, in this Nation; which was accomplished by the mutual engagement of the Parliaments of each Kingdom to other (as brethren) in the firm bond of a League and Covenant.  
By which landscape of discourse it appears, as the Scots have now attained the pitch of their desires, by a fast foot in the fat soil of England, through mutual Covenanting, (which hath been long a contriving and earnestly struggled for,) so they ought to prosecute the Covenant (the vitals of their hope) with all due respect, tenderness, and caution (according to the rational drift of it) toward the people of England, lest their proceed become odious, and themselves be kicked off again with disdain and enmity.  
Therefore I shall present them with a few considerations.  
First, let them be pleased to remember, that the people look upon them but as inferiors, and therefore must needs swell high with indignation, if they busy themselves overmuch in the affairs of England, knowing in how high scorn it was taken, that they should claim an interest (as once they had the boldness to do, in their Papers given into the Parliament) in disposals of matters merely relating to our welfare: And since all men know, that though they were admitted to engage here (necessity so requiring it) as equals and competitors in the same cause, the Kingdoms being supposed equally involved in the same common danger; yet were they indeed but Mercenaries, in pay of the English Parliament, who might have had Germane or Swissers at the same rate, & (perhaps) no more prejudice to the Country.  
Secondly, I must confess, it behoves the Scot predicant (if possible) to see Episcopacy cashiered root and branch, and their own form stated here, in a sure succession: that so a correspondence being cherished between Clergy of the same garb and humour, in both Countries, they may freely toss thunderbolts of excommunication, on both sides, to gratify each other, and so be able to terrify all Lords and Gentry, that dare be averse in either Kingdom, and promote such only to places of trust, whose poorer spirits will vassallize their Birth and Genius to serve their ends. And I confess, it behoves such great ones, as have already linked themselves in design with the Clergy, to stick close to them a while, for their own credit and security, except they can handsomely retreat with speed; yet both English and Scotch Gentry of this gang, may consider that such a course cannot stand long in England; where being Myriads of more generous souls than in Scotland, they must always expect a flying out into any extremes, that yield the least hope of an advantage to throw their riders.  
Thirdly, if the Scots plead conscience for extirping the Government by Bishops, as bound thereto by Covenant; yet seeing Bishop is every jot as wholesome a word, and as much scriptural as Presbyter, and that our weaker Brethren in England are wedded to that Form, as more tolerable than any other, and more suitable to the Laws and Constitution of the Monarchy; I suppose, that the admission of a Bishop mortified, regulated, and pruned of his superfluities, will no whit clash with the sense of the Covenant: For it is plain, that the scope of it is not against Bishop in the Abstract, but in the Concrete, as laden with an accumulation of Deans, Deans and Chapters, prebend's, Chancellors, Commissaries, etc. though if these also were admitted again, as I cannot see how they may be well refused, yet the Scots (for their part) and those of their party here in England, having endeavoured their utmost to extirp it, they have done all that the Covenant requires, though it be not effected. But seeing most in England will not be content without it, and nothing but another Conquest can force any other upon them, me think rational men should sit down content with a discharge of their consciences, in having seriously endeavoured the extirping it to their power (further than which the Covenant doth not bind them,) rather then aim at an impossibility in reason, or venture a sad score upon conscience, in embroiling two Kingdoms again, to an inevitable ruin of a third; which can never be justified from Scripture, in the behalf of Principles of Faith, which are the substance of Religion, much less upon point of Discipline, which is but the shadow.  
Fourthly, if a design be followed, to force their Government upon this Kingdom, so generally detested by reasonable men, the war cannot possibly be long-lived here, where the thing contended for is so ill befriended, but must of necessity, be translated toward Scotland, where it had its Original: And though the Scots need not fear, being valiant enough, and having one advantage above all other men, in possessing little that may invite men to a conquest; yet it will be chastisement enough to be beaten home, & kept there from their usual way of thriving, by intercourse with England.  
Fifthly, since that their Presbytery is more of the World, and so like to be more troublesome to it than Episcopacy, it will be an occasion to the English, to pry into the grounds of the Scots so earnest pressing that government upon them: and finding by the Proem of this particular draught (which wise observing men cannot be ignorant of) that worldly respects first made them bring it in hither, the greater part of men here (which are worldly) will endeavour to preserve themselves against all such worldly encroachments under pretence of Religion: and though it be presented in a new dress, call●d Reformation; yet since it must prove no other, than an Assassination of the Monarchy, and a Reducing of the old Privadoes which oppressed us at Court to overwhelm us with new ones quite throughout the Kingdom, it is like that the love of ●ingly Government (so surely imprinted in this Nation, and jealousy of Liberty, will render men implacable to all; that keep a hand in a rigid Presbytery, & urge them to apply desperate remedies to be cured of it, as the grand canker-worm of our English interest.  
Sixthly, to design that upon a people which their constitutions will not bear, ordinary Brains must conceive can have no ground in policy, unless there be some certainty which way to master them: and therefore the Scots and their favourites may do well to consider, how they can go through stitch with the business against a generous people, impatient of the yoke. It is not in England as in Scotland, where men are poor, and so the more easily enslaved, and led about to serve the ends of the Grandees amongst them; but being rich and sensible of their freedoms, will entertain no more here from the persuasions of men, than what they can make visible by reason, as conducing to the general good; so that the groundwork of all actions must be laid, according to the people's inclination, and not the faction of particular men, be they never so potent in wealth, or wisdom. By this rule they may judge, what their friends are able to do for the Presbyterian cause in England.  
Lastly, since most men uninterrested that way are of a contrary mind, I wish them to consider, that if by striving against the stream, they lose their hold now, it can never be recovered again upon the same pretence, and (perhaps) many ages will hardly afford the like; and therefore if the Scots shall proceed to screw themselves in by their engineers of the Clergy (more Lordly already then the former) to the oppression of Episcopal and 
* Loquor ad sensum vulgi.  Independent consciences, and endeavour to found them with an Antichristian power, upon the blood of both Countries, by a new war, the ancient Antipathy must needs revive, and be reared again (like Adrian's wall) as a perpetual Bar betwixt the Nations.  
From whence I may conclude, the case thus standing; that the only interest of the Scots is, to preserve themselves in the opinion of the people of England, by a moderate and fair construction of the Covenant, in behalf of a Presbytery; which being by Covenant to be judged according to the word of God, they have the less reason to stand for their own way here, because they take little besides the bare name of Presbytery out of the word, and so having no pretence to found a quarrel, but only upon some parcels of the letter of the Covenant, I see no reason they have to be angry, if the English give them leave to enjoy their own in peace at home, and in the mean time take leave to settle things here, for the good of this State in Church Government, as they judge answerable to their principles, (according to the Word) whereupon they apprehend the Covenant was first intended, framed and founded. And so the heat of controversy being laid by, a brotherly condescension on both sides, in matter of religious concernment, the peace and union, in all civil respects, may be established, and kept inviolable betwixt the Kingdoms.   Dirno, & aedifico, muto quadrata rotundis. 
FINIS.