THE REMONSTRANCE OF THE kingdom OF ENGLAND, TO THE UNIVERSITJES OF OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE.  
With A Review of the COVENANT.  
By way of Quaere.  
●N SATISFACTION TO ALL those who desire thorough information of the Danger thereof.  
Printed for the public good. 1647.   

THE REMONSTRANCE OF THE kingdom of ENGLAND to the universities of OXFORD and CAMERIDGE, Concerning the late Covenant, which is now pressing upon the kingdom.  
Sheweth,  
THat the Eyes of the whole land are now fixed upon you, to behold your demeanour in this action, which therefore is like to prove the forge, wherein you shall work out to yourselves either a lasting famed, or infamy; that the example of your constancy in the denial of this Covenant will thoroughly confirm both the consciences and outrages of those weak ones, who are almost yielding to the threats and pretences of reason, wherewith this Oath is to be urged.  
That the subtle enemy doth already take advantage of your silence, to noise abroad your willingness to take this Oath when it shall be tendered: so that many deluded ones amongst us have subscribed to the rumour of your example: and those of us who out of a well-●rounded Conscience have refused it, do suffer under the guilt of obstinate and ignorant malignants, since we dare deny that, which, is said, a whole University doth assent unto.  
And therefore, as you will answer before GOD the loss of those weak souls, who by the aforesaid false rumour may be seduced, & as you will answer before His Majesty( whom we doubt not but God will once again set in the Throne of his Fathers) the loss of our Estates and liberties, which is certain, if we shall deny this Oath, when it may be said that you received it; we conjure you, that you will,( both t● confirm our Consciences, and also to take off from us( & ●●om every single man of yourselves too) the envy and danger of particular refusals) make a timely and general Declaration of your unanimous dissent from the taking of this oath, so derogatory to the Honour of God, so destructive to the peace of the Church, and so prejudicial, in the Consequence, to His Majesties Just Rights and Power: And we shall ever pray for your flourishing estate.  
You are farther requested, that this our Remonstrance be red in your chapels, and( so far as without danger it may) be imparted to the rest of the University.  
To the Right worshipful the Reverend dean of Christ-Church these present.   

A WARNING For all the COUNTIES of ENGLAND To awake speedily out of their dreams, and apply themselves to all just means for the recovery and preservation of their Liberties, because of a present design to expel the most faithful out of their House of Commons, and to frustrate all the Countries good Elections, that so the Malignant party may bring the free Commons of England now( after all their bloody sufferings) into cruel thraldom, and make themselves Lords over them.  JER. 5.1, 2. 
Run to and through the streets in Jerusalem,[ as it may be truly said of Westminster and London] and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgement, that seeketh the truth, and I will pardon it.  
And though they swear the Lord liveth, surely they swear falsely.  HOSEA 10.4. 
They have spoken words, swearing falsely, in making a Covenant.  
WEE the free Commoners of England, have been( for the general part) like Merchant-Adventurers, who according to the Poet, Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum, &c. through many great difficulties and dangers do sail into far Countries, with great costs and charges to fetch home rich Treasures, the which when they have gotten, they do return ther with joyfully: and yet upon their own Coasts, or in the very harbour at home, through the negligence, or ambition, pride, covetousness, falsehood, or contention of the Ship-Master, or his Mariners, do suffer wrack, and lose the fruit of all their costs, Adventures, and travels.  
Have not we done the like to fetch home those invaluable treasures of Liberty and Justice, which were carried so far remote( as almost past recovery) by these two notorious State-Robbers, boundlesse-Prerogative and predominant tyranny; and yet now after all our expense of men, time, trade, and moneys, with innumerable difficulties, & dangers over past we are thro●gh the pride, ambition, covetousness, treachery, and contention of our Ship-Masters, and their Ministers( unl●sse wee our selv●s ●he free Commons of England, do timeously stand up and lay hold upon the tackling) like to perish utterly and lose the precious Treasures for which we have adventured so far, and paid so dear.  
For now though the war be ended, and that there are none in arms to abridge us of our liberties, or to turn back the s●●ord of Justice, & that according to the Protestation Vow; Covenant, & manifold D●clarations, we look for judgement, but behold more abundan● oppressio●; for righteousness●, but behold a more hideous cry, a c●y of millions of widows, fatherless, and friendless●, of maimed, and dismembered, of plundered, sequestered, and destroyed, of unjustl● imprisoned, and oppressed, of despis●d persecuted, and hated, for truth and conscience sake, of defrauded, and deceived, of des●rving men; and Souldiers slighted, rejected, and unpaid, cum multis, aliis quos jam prescribere longum est; and the ears that should hear are deaf, and the eyes that should pitty are blind, verifying the old Proverb; who are more blind then they that will not see?  
And are not certain men of belial, whom we have unhappily chosen and entrusted to man, and manage forth this great Bark of our State, for the regaining of those rich Treasures( for which wee have expended so much precious blood, and so much inestimable wealth) now studying and endeavouring after so many storms and tempests, rocks and sands escaped, to deprive us of all the fruit and benefit of our Adventur●? And among many of their treacherous devices, this which I shall here discover is not the least, or most inconsiderable, to wit.  
To enforce the taking of( the Scotch hook, I mean) the Covenant, upon all the Members of the House of Commons, without respect to tender consciences, and in case of refusal, to suspend or expel, as if the Covenant were essential, or that without i●, a man could not bee capable to serve his Country in the Parliament, using it no o●herwayes, then as an index ex ●urgatorious, to expunge out of the House the most uprig●t & conscien●ious, serviceable, & faithful to their countries, contrary to the first end or enjoining it, which was to discover the malignant party, & not to drive away the approved and faithful; but so they do, tha ●o ●hey may pack to themselves( as Chea●es do Cards) a set of members for their own Game; the which subtle and serpentine course, so little seen or notified abroad, will certainly) without pr●vention) ruin us utterly; For they do but bind themselves by oaths to work wickedness, and as the Psalmist saith, Psalm. 49. frame mischief for a Law. And we may most justly cry, A consederacy, a confederacy, a Plot, a Plot, a Plot co●sisting of a threefold not and therefore not easily broken) of Prerogative Lords, Pretbyterian Commons, and Mal●gnant Citizens. But here is comfort, The Lord shall bee our Sanctuary, Esa. 8.14. and he w ll diappoint their devices, so that they shall not be able to accomplish their enterprise, for their councils shall be carried head-long. job. 5.13, 14.  
Awake, awake, therefore O ye free Commons of England, and let not your servants ride, while ye yourselves are by them tran pled under foot. Can the●e be a greater presumption, or a more intolerable abuse then this, to trample upon your native rights and immunities in such a contemptuous sort before your faces? for what availeth the free-men of England, to have the power of electing their own members for Parliaments, if a few presumptuous person( their fellowes, yea their servants( more subtle( though not more honest) then the rest may by any strange new found Engine, expel and extrude their Trustees the Commons House, without any just cause: this is to l●t the people ch ose, & then they will cull, and this they are now about, if they can attain unto it.  
If it bee not a plot, to drive the most faithful and serviceable for the Countries 〈◇〉, why is the Covenant now in the time of no hostility, and of less cause of jealousy, more zealously and violently pressed & imposed in the House of Commons, then ever it was in the worst and most perilous times, there is now( blessed be God) no such cause amongst them( as was then) of distrusts and fears, unless it be by treacherous and Lordlike spirits, least they should be detected and anticipated in their treasonable & treacherous designs, and disappointed of their imperiours rule, & domineering power over their fellow Commoners, & why must those persons, whose fidelity hath been sufficiently approved in the sight of the whole world, be now suspended and expelled, if they shall refuse the taking of this make-bate Covenant, although they have always refused it & would never take it, in the time of greatest diffidence, extremity, & doubt, & yet were then never suspected, or in the least, therefore opposed or interrupted, nor is there any such strictness used for Malignants, and D linquents, and our profess●d Adversaries to take it, many of them are & have been dismissed without it; yet not a man now in the House must escape it, although his conscience scruple it, & his judgement doth not approve it, a mystery! a misery!  
The end( if I mistake not) of the Peoples assembling of a Parliament, is principally, and primarily, to receive their Petitions, to hear hear their complaints, and to redress their grievances, to secure the good and wholesome laws, to abolish the bad and impertinent, and instead thereof to provide and make new for the peoples further and future welfare, to execute justice and judgement, to deliver the unjustly imprisoned, and to relieve the oppressed, and not to spend their daies and studies upon questions fruitless and unprofitable for the Common-wealth, in devising and prescribing to themselves( like some lawless Lords of manors) boundless privileges, which differ in nothing from exorbitant Prerogatives, in forging and framing of oaths and Covenants( which savour more of policy then piety) for 'gins and snare●, in making parties, and disputing of particular interests, in exhausting the people of great sums, and when they are gathered, in disposing of them among themselves.  
But these men, now having by the new model of an Independent Army( as they and their gracious creatures are pleased to term it, unto which under God they do owe their lives and beings, yea, and their best endeavours, for the safety they now enjoy, who before, for fear, sate( as I may say) like a company of wild fowle, upon the watch and the wing, expecting daily when to fly) subdued their so much feared adversary, are labouring strenuously to make a new modeled Parliament out of the old mould, that so they may advance their own power to pull down their first and best Assistants; destroy the Liberty of the people, and establish that by Law for their own advantage, whereunto( they know) those faithful ones will not concur nor consent, and the which they could never have had the opportunity to have done, had they not been beholding unto them for the use of their sword. O honourable reward! O rare gratitude!  
Happily it will be said, I am too bold: I believe indeed, I am more bold then welcome, but it matters not, for my boldness is only conversant about that which concerns me, and all the Freemen of England: Truth suffers too much by simplo silence: let them be quiet slaves that love to be so, I do not, & if this ill kind of men will not hear of their own evil doings let them do none, if they desire not to be reproved, let them do nothing that is reprovable, and then they may with confidence look up. None but a gauled horse will kick when he is troubled; nay, oftentimes before he is touched: and that Master truly deserves to be deceived and abused by his servants, that knows and sees they deceive and abuse him, and will neither reprove nor question them.  
The power is ours and not theirs, and we lent it not them to destroy us; I am confident the meanest rustic in the Kingdom, did not intend it, nor can any such men think, that plain Clubs and clotted shoes will be so contented: the people are not so stupid, but do expect a more exact account and ample satisfaction, then they have yet had, for their profuse expense of wealth and blood, yea and better fruits then they have yet received after full six years session, or else assuredly they will never be pleased nor appeased. And it is dangerous raising the great waters, for they are not so easily allayed.  
The City petitioned with their former Remonstrance, that not an honest man in the kingdom, who was not of their judgement,( for such was the expression in effect) might have any place of trust or office in the Common-wealth. And doth not this present practise of some certain men in the House of Commons, intend as much both in Parliament, and kingdom? for none shall be accounted worthy( by their good will) to sit among them unless he take the Covenant, be of their mind, sing their note, and subject their judgements to their crooked wills, and their persons to their illegal, irregular Ordinances and Orders. O just Powers! O pure privileges!  
yield this, and yield all: lay down the Bucklers here, and give them the field. Why do we therefore sit musing? let us up and be doing, for if now, we will neither hear nor see, we shall suddenly feel, and that to our sorrow and shane, why then do we sit still, until our Liberties be betrayed, and wee and our posterities enslaved? Let us therefore demand a reason of this, and of all other their illegal and unjust practices and proceedings, and let us see and know what matter of fact or just cause of exception, they have to charge upon any, who are justly chosen, before they do suspend or exclude them from their councils and Assembly. And if they do refuse to do us justice, maintain our Liberties, and to yield us redress according to our distresses, and the duty of their places, let u● declaim against them, and disclaim them, remonstrate, and renounce all their Ordinances and Orders, do as the London Butchers have done, and yield them no more obedience, assistance or contribution. For why should we stand still, to be bound in our own garters? observe and preserve them, to be inthrauled by our own power?  
And for the more manifestation, that it is a plot, and practise, by the vile of the House and their confederates, against the faithful of the House & their friends, by those that would sell, and betray us and our Liberties, & deliver us up for slaves, to serve their own unrighteous ends, against those that would preserve us and our Liberties, and faithfully discharge their trust and duty to their Countreys, I will here by the way, propound a few queries.  
1. Whether the taking of the Scotch 400000.l. Covenant bee essential to an English Parliament? If not: Why then must not he be thought fit to sit in this Parliament, that taketh it not, there being no other just exception against him?  
2. Whether it be no● contrary to the Law of GOD, and of this Nation to ob●rude an Oath upon any man contrary to his conscience? if yea. Why then do they who are chosen to preserve the known laws, and the Peoples immunities, and that have volun●arily sworn thereunto, impose oaths and Covenants wi●h violence, and those new and strange ones, ●ubious, and mysterious upon the Freemen of England, especially on their own Members? and are not these thus first in perjury themselves?  
3. Whether this practise be not in its own nature, and intent answerable to that point of the Cities former Petition and Remonstrance, wherein they pray that none disaffected to the Presbyterian Government &c. may be employed in any place of public trust? If it bee,( as indeed they are as like, as ever were two twins, yea, as if they were both spit out of one mouth) whether this design not the same in its nature & end, with that of the Cities former Petition and Remonstrance, and of as( if not a more) dangerous consequence?  
4. Whether it be not direc●ly against the native rights and immunities of all the free born of this Nation, to suspend and expel, without just cause, by a new devised engine of their own, any Member of Parliament justly and freely chosen by the people, and by them entrusted and sent to Negotiate for their welfare in publlke?  
5. And lastly, notwithstanding all their many( feigned) Fasts and Humiliation, oaths, vows, Promises, Pretences and Protestations, what one just, or good dead, have these sort of men done, or suffered to be done for the public, since that Evening the King departed. Dic quaeso, & mihi eris alter Apollo. The People cry: None: and let them show if they can.  
The pooore oppressed prisoners for debt, have petitioned them above these five years, only for redress according to Magna Charta, and there are at this instant above 300. copies thereof delivered to the Members of the House of Commons to that purpose, and yet cannot these perishing prisoners have their Petition either red, heard, or granted, nor receive any kind of redress, but still lie and languish in their miseries under the hands of cruel creditors, and extorting gaolers, who use them more like villains then Christians, or free-born men of England.  
Were it to pass an Ordinance for the paying this, or that man among themselves, his arrears, who happily was never out one penny, but hath rather repaired a broken estate,( as it is well known many of them have) by the service of the State, they would presently order a day to di●patch and pass it.  
A blessed Generation, and mighty and the hopes, which this long diseased, and distempered Nation hath, of recovering by them.  
Now hear O heavens, and harken O earth, and judge, all ye Na●ions of the earth, between the free Commons of England, and this their dear Parliament.  Vertamur in Syllam, Cupientes vitare Charibdem. 
By seeking to avoid one Tyrant, we are likely to fall into the hands of many.  
This sort of men, have already by this device, caused mayor Harrison( a la●e chosen Member) to leave the H●use, and though an approved, godly man, occasioned him to go into Ireland, for otherwise, be cause his conscience could not admit of the Covenant, they would haue suspended or compelled, and others that stay, being unwilling to leave there places, will be so ensnared, as that they can neither be free in there councils, Speech, or Votes. And what then I pray is this Parliament? An English one, or a French? or not rather a Norman?  
Wherefore, good countrymen; out, and look about, for the thread is very fine spunn: the distinction is very subtle, and can hardly be discerned, it is as little in pronuncia●ion,( pre ence I mean●) as between entituleth, and Shibb●leth, they have the voice of jacob, but the hands of Esau: Howso ver the Apostles rule is sure, ye shall know them by ●heir works: And if my sig●t fail no, there is one Stapleton( an Hoth mite) and one Hollis( a● Edomite) that hav● a chief● hand in this plot: Long have they b en hammeri g of it, a d now t●ey have found a time and opportunity to act it, others I could name, their fellow confederates trai●ors to their country, and enemies ●o the fundamental laws, and public Liberties, Lambs they are in sh w, Foxes in council, and destructive in practise and action. Great Heads and Poli●icians men call them; who b● pretended reason, would make you believe that Rats-bane is as good for you as a Cordial; argue ye out of your Christian name, and can propou●d you a necessity for plain deceip●, and knavery. A company of cunning, crafty, deceitful workers. Observe and consider them, y● d● too o●ten deliver your mindes and purposes into S●●kes bosom, ●ow make ye bu● good use of this warning piece, and ye may happily before long, have a list of them, & of their good actions, that so ye may see, what jugglers and Impostors ye have entrusted and employed; and accordingly call them to an account, and provide for yourselves a remedy against the like abuse, and treachery.  
And now they have voted the disbanding of the Army, let us beware least they vote away all our Rights and Liberties, as in divers particulars they have begun, if we will but sit still and let them go on.  
The Authors of this good work, are the same, which do so violently press the Covenant, ye may( as I tell you, plainly know them if ye will but mark them) and I doubt not but the same Stapleton and Hollis can both name and number unto you the men, both principal and complices, long have they traveled both in heart and brain with this admirable design, but could never until now find a season to bring it forth. They streigned to have had this Army disbanded, even while there was an Army of another Nation lodging within our bowels; but then it was so unseasonable, that even the weaker sort and such among them of more imperfect sight,( who like Children are lead by the glow-worm light of anothers deceitful reason, or that like unto men, who having lost their way in the night, do follow an Ignis fatuus for a true guide) were against it, and so then it could not be carried.  
But the Scots are now no sooner gone, have source set up their horses at home, and loosened their Swords from their loins, but this inoffensive Army is to be disbanded, and why? are the people so well settled? are things so well reformed and rectified, and are the people so fully satisfied? is not every man discontented, and distasting the unjust proceedings of the Parliament? I wish there were no cause for it: but who seeth not that there is more wickedness and mischief wrought now by Authority, and more plots and devices daily framed and acted to spoil us of our Liberties, and rob us of our laws,( the bulwark to secure every mans right) then ever was yet unto this day by open enemies.  
There was no such hast or importunity to have mayor general Massies Brigade dissolved, although multitudes of complaints came against it, and that there was of a long time no use of it: yet this must not stay, nor be demurred on? And I could wish that ye should in some degree, see the working of this Mystery.  
The same men that have produced this work, did first contrive it, and may justly be suspected to deliver the platform thereof to the City, who gave it form, and cast it into a Petition and Remonstrance, and then presented it at an appointed time to the Parliament, having the Lords sure and wholly, and assurance( ye may conceive) of countenance in the House of Commons, and note that the acceptance, which this their last Petition and Remonstrance found, was answerable to this present effect, and that the House hath ever since acted according to the heads of it, for hence, under pretence of satisfying the Citizens in their Petition, the Covenant must be urged, an Order made against,( edifying each other in the gospel, teaching and interpreting the Scriptures, by any other, then Canonicals,( as if the gifts of the Spirit of God, were onely entailed upon a Black-coat, Hye for Bishops) that none should preach the Word of God, but such as had Ordination from the Pope, for such is that( by derivation) which they do mean and enjoin; and now they have answered another point of the same Petition, to wit, in voting the disbanding of this Army. But is not the whole kingdom as worthy of satisfaction, as the proud Malignant, illegal Mayor of London, and his like Brethren the Aldermen, and a few illegal Common-Councell-men?  
There was a Petition presented the other week from the Counties of Hertford and Buckingham, for Justice and confirmation of liberty, and many other excellent benefits for the public, but that cannot be heard, nor have an answer, although they have been attended by some of the Counties ever since, yea some would have had it cast out of the House; such men do most justly deserve to be themselves cast out as dirt, or as Salt which hath lost its savour: Shall we be prescribed by them what to Petition for? Must we present our grievances, as shall please them, or as we feel their pulse?  
Ye see and hear now countrymen, and are by this like to feel of what spirit these men are, and what comfortable redress you are like to have, if ye will be content with their courses: away with such men from the Earth.  
These men are like Strafford and Canterbury, birds of the Lords feathers,( by their promotion or recommendation) and they look, if they can but make us slaves, that they might be all Lorded with their Lordships; but I had rather see the heads of all Traytors to the free-commonalty of England divided from their shoulders.  
It was very requisite, and wisely done, that they should vote down this Army, because it is the onely block, and stumbling-stone to their design of Presbytery and Lordly predominancy, and that it may not be a refuge pillar for the oppressed and distressed Commons of England whereon to lean, in claiming of justice, and of their just rights and liberties; down it must be, but no mention of reward for it, nor of raising moneys to pay it; but now they have done what they did require, what should they do with them but turn them out of doors: so having done with the rod, all that remains for them now, is, to device how to cast it into the fire.  
The next act, will be a re-establishing the King on his Throne, in case he shal but establish the many-headed monster of Presbytery, that so the Lords and the Lairds here( as the Scotch-man saith) that is, the chief man of every Town and Parish, may with the domineering Presbytery, rule the roast, and tyramnize over the common People here, their estates and liberties, as the good Lords and Lairds, with their Presbytery, do over the poor ignorant Lord-ridden People there. And here will be a confirmation of that pretended happy union between both Kingdoms. And thus both Nations will be both one, and alike equal in slavery and thraldom, that the one may not mock the other any longer.  
Is there never a Roman spirit left, that dare interpose, and protest for his country, against these destructive Councells, and Votes for Norman Bondage? I am confident it would be a grateful act, and would not want owners: yet for my part, I take, not such their Votes for Decrees, like those of the Medes and Persians, unalterable; nor their illegal Ordinances for binding laws. And I hope I am not alone in this judgement; for we are not bound to obey to our own destruction: this principle, the safety of the people to be the sovereign Law, is as true and as useful for the people as for the Parliament. They are not chosen to make themselves our Lords, and us their slaves; but to free us from all exorbitant powers and oppressions, and to establish unto us our native Rights and Immunities, not to pretend the removal of a few old oppressors and oppressions, and to introduce many new ones in their stead, like the Tinker that mends one hole and makes two.  
Now dear countrymen, lay your hands upon your hearts, and if ye be willing after all, to become slaves to your fellowes and servants, sit still and be careless, and keep yourselves warm by your fires, and take a pipe or two of Tobacco. But if ye be of my mind, and on my side, rouse up your spirits, and shake off this careless security; come, and boldly call your own servants to an account, and demand your own of them, with the advantage, know what improvement they have made for your good, of that talent of power and privilege wherewith you have entrusted them, for the space of full six yeares, and do not at the last, like Issachars ass, croutch down between two burdens; insupportable Presbytery, and intolerable Lordship. Let these men either forthwith redress your grievances, and ratify your native rights and liberties to you, according to their Oaths, and end of their Election; or else remonstrate to the world, and renounce them, and restrain the power within its proper fountain.  
The best end of the staff is yet in our own hand; if we have but hearts to make use of it to our best advantage, which is to preserve and secure ourselves and posterity, lives, estates, and liberties, from irrevocable and inextricable vassalage and thraldom.  
One caution note good countrymen, and I have done, and will leave all to your consideration. May we not still fear, in case this Army be disbanded,( the which let us pray and endeavour to preserve, if we desire either safety or liberty) that unless we will condescend to the Scots( whose Commissioners lye here to negotiate) in things relative to the King and Church, for manner and form, nay in every respect, that we shall be threatened again with the Scotch blade. And who knoweth whether part of their late departed Army, may not( under the notion of opposing the rebel Montrosse in the North of that kingdom) be reserved in readiness, to menace, or re-invade us, in case we come not up to their punctilios?  
I hope better, though I fear the worse; for who knoweth what a day may bring forth? It is good to foresee what may be, and to provide for the worst, although at present they do appear like some clouds, which carry storms, far removed, and not likely to fall upon our heads; yet cannot I discern our sky to be so clear, as that we may discard all fear: True it is, that the clouds are somewhat broken and dispersed, but do ye know how soon the wind may turn North, and bring together again, to the renewing the storm upon us? In my judgement the weather-cock of our State looks that way; and he is insensible, that feeleth not a Northern air in our Climate. And again, have not the Malignants, and revenge-desiring Delinquents, an advantage when this Army is dissolved, to raise tumults and stirs, and by violence( as they have done heretofore) obtrude destructive Petitions, and enforce the Parliament to grant them, to the utter ruin both of Parliament and Kingdom? And what public strength then is there to suppress them? The Trained Bands of London: like to like, as the devil said, when he danced with the Collier.  
Nor will they only take away that faithful, unparalleled, well-governed Army, which hath( under God) preserved you, and so leave you and your liberties open to the destructive Acts and Councells of your adversaries; but will also appoint and set over you, in the others stead, an irreligious malignant Army of desperate wicked men( such as those of mayor general Masseys late Brigade) to awe and curb you, so that unless ye will conform to the indirect Directory, make your confession to the Priests; after the manner of the Papists, and profess the new-devised Confession of Faith, a long-studied Presbyterian Creed, such as our Fathers never knew nor believed, ye shall be plundered: Thus ye shall have a Religion established by the Sword, but not a Reformation according to the Word; the old Essexian-Designe: but he that took away the Head thereof( as with a whirlwind) when his heart was full swollen with despite and pride, can as easily remove the instruments which are behind. In the mean time, it is well acted by Phil. the Jew, Jack and Wil. of Wales, and the West-Countrey Dennis. Gallant Lads: brave Cards and well packed, they do never deal, but there's a Knave in the stock.  
And for the better ordering of this design, the same party had determined among themselves, to have put out his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, as a man no longer worthy to be trusted, and to have put in( as I have heard) one colonel Graves, one of the least in account for virtue and goodness, of all Sir Thomas his Commanders; a man indeed of no repute, either for piety or good practise; whose men were more like Gorings damning crew, then Parliament Souldiers: and usually like Commander, like soldier.  
But after a long debate in the House on Friday the fifth of March, as if they had never known Sir Thomas, nor had any experiment of his ability or fidelity, it was with great difficulty carried by a few more Votes, that he should command in chief over their new intended Army, yet they are resolved to choose him his Officers, as if he did not know now, as well as formerly, what men were fittest to be entrusted under him: and it must be disputed also, whether any but such as have taken the Covenant( the precious Covenant) shall be Commanders there or no, and why I pray, have not Sir Thomas his Commanders, who never took the Covenant, approved themselves more faithful, and done the kingdom more good service, then most ever did that took it? My opinion is, that man is more to be trusted, that refuseth the Covenant for conscience sake, then he that takes it( as the great Masters of the Assembly press it) for policy and advantage sake. Oh but this is a true Touch-stone to discover him that is contrary to their mind and design!  
And although they missed of their purpose, in voting away Sir Thomas himself, they have voted away 8400 of his Foot, and four Regiments of his horse for Ireland, a specious show: But Anguis latet sub herba, why were not Massies Horse( which might better have been spared, and were much more fit for the temper of that corrupted Climate) sent thither? Or why are they not now sought out and employed that way? There are enough of them and such others very well at leisure, and would be glad of the service upon reasonable terms; you may hear of them at every tavern and Alehouse, if not sometime in a worse place. Without doubt there might as many spare-Officers and Souldiers be gathered up about the two Cities, and the Garrisons dismantled and to be dismantled, and in other parts, as would make a sufficient Army for Ireland, without taking any from Sir Thomas: Col. Poyntz I believe could spare some, and all of them such as they may better trust, free-Covenanters, men of their own stamp and judgement: I conceive it no policy for them to trust any Independents in that desperate kingdom, men whom they do so much distrust here at home, where comparatively there is no danger.  
And why should this party entrust the same people in a kingdom of greatest danger, and that in matters of highest nature, without swearing to the Covenant, whom they will not trust here at home, with a beggarly Headborough or petty Constables place without it? O admirable confidence! But this is a paradox, and I will unfold it.  
Is it not to pack away this approved Army, which stands so much in the way, for Ireland, against the Rebells, as David did faithful Uriah, to Rabbah, against the Ammonites, and then to raise one new out of the disbanded crew of desperate men, reserved and left behind to act their design: for the devil and his servants are best for those to make use of, that oppose the kingdom of Jesus Christ. And well found out, grave Synod, pious Assembly; for such as are your principles, such are your means and Instruments. And saving your Reverence, what have ye done these four yeares, played at cards, or onely studied where ye might have the best pattern of Church-government to serve your own turn? Ye are but the Scots Apes; for ye have not studied a Religion for us out of Gods Word, but ye have borrowed us one out of Scotland, as wicked King Ahaz brought a pattern of the Altar from Damascus to jerusalem: And now it is come to the taste, it doth not relish half so well as a Soland Goose; it goeth down, ye see, but like chopped hay. Truly the Parliament might have sent for the copy themselves, and so have saved you a labour, and the country all the charges of so long feeding such a company of Abbey-Lubbers. But to proceed, I hope this gallant Army, though it be thus voted, will not be thereby blasted. If the Parliament are this Nations servants, so are they. The Parliament were assembled, and solemnly vowed before God and all the world, to do judgement and justice, the which yet they never did, and to maintain and establish( the which I believe if they can choose, they never will) the rights and liberties of the Commons of England, and this Army hath fought and redeemed them, and, as I may say, brought them to the Parliaments hands to confirm and establish, the which the Parliament ought to do, and, as I conceive, this Army may justly chal●enge, and have just cause to see done; for they have equal interest with the Parliament in them, and have adventured much more for them: and as the one hath the word to vote, so hath the other the sword to act.  
And therefore sure they will be so wise, for so it is expected, as not to undertake another war in a strange kingdom, as desperate, and more dangerous then the former here, for these ingratefull mens pleasures, before they see the conditions performed to themselves, and fellow-Commons of England, in this their native country; the which these men that have now voted them hence, have so frequently and so fearfully sworn and promised them before all the world( to wit) the establishing of the laws, and of the birthright and liberty of this Nation, the which this Army, under God, hath purchased by their sword, for themselves, their posterity, and for all the freeborn people of this Land; and if they see not these things done before they go, if they go, let them be assured they shall never have them done after: and if they be not made good unto them in this their native country, let them never expect performance of them in another: No, if this party can but get this Army to bee a means for the pulling down their enemies for them there, as they have been here; they hope by that time, few of this Army, or of their friends may survive, to exact any recompense, or fulfilling of Oaths and promises of them, but will leave that to them and their dear Brethren, the religious Scots, who never broke oath, to perform after their death; and so indeed this Covenanting party may happily fulfil one particular of their grand solemn League and Covenant, in settling a uniformity in Religion( when there are none to hinder them) in the three kingdoms.  
So, it is better the Army should first see the fruits of their travels and perils past here, otherwise I conceive they have no cause, and as little encouragement to make new adventures for Trap-makers, and leave their native country, their wives, children and friends, to the cruel mercies of their haters and persecutors. Let the covenanting party make use of such as they account their own, trusty blades, that will, like themselves, not onely swallow the Covenant, but the kingdom too, if we will but stand still and let them do what they will, or else let them begin again and press: but I doubt they will not find such a simplo parcel again in both kingdoms, as these poor despised, dispighted Independents, who came in willingly to their help, have born the heat of the day, and have been( under God) their chief preservers, who have been more friendly and faithful to them, then any of their Heathenish Covenanters, and yet now at last their reward for all, must be only a kick out of doors.  
But seeing these devout Covenanters have so ill rewarded this Army and their friends who under God were their Guardians before they had either Army or Guard, I hope the Army will not be so unwise, but first to see their own country, friends, and Families secured here in England, before they stir one foot, or undertake for Ireland, Proximus quisque sibi, every man is nearest to himself, and as it hath been shewed, there are spare helps enough besides, let them therefore first sand an Army of their own Tribes thither, and see if they will do as much for them there, as this same Army hath done here. Is it not better countrymen and friends, for this Army to stay at home and hold their Weapons in their hands, till they see their and our Birthrights, privileges, and Liberties, for which both they and we have sought and adventured our lives and estates, settled and secured here for themselves and us, their and our wives and families, posterities, and estates? and then if there be cause, and they willing, they may safely and with comfort go and help their Neighbours: in the mean time, let them know, it is not wisdom for them to go help to real up another mans house, and leave their own to lye ruined and wasted, though charity be diffusive, yet it begins at home.  
And although this Army hath both ploughed and sowed, and made way for a fruitful crop, yet there be others( their and our enemies) that are ready, if this Army should either dissolve or depart, to enter into their harvest, and convert the whole advantage to their own private uses, the Army hath fitted the wax, and if they once turn but their backs, this party Covenanters, will set to what seal they please, the which they think( like the Medes and Persians) cannot be altered, and it is more apparent, it will rather prove the image of the Beast, then the durable Statute of Truth. But forasmuch as they build on Sands, and daub with untempered mortar, there is no question but their day and Iron will never incorporate, nor cleave together, more then Nebuchadnezzars Image; and certainly such men cannot long prosper, more then Zimri did, that killed his Master.  
These and such like corrupt and deceitful practices,( dear countrymen) are the fruits of viperous councils produced by traitorous spirits, who for our Religion have already contracted with the Scots, as wicked King Ahas did with Tiglag Pileser concerning the Altar at Damascus: and now they endeavour by all indirect means to cheat and spoil us of our Birthrights, that so by our ruin and grinding the faces of the poor, they may raise to themselves a stock of predominancy and prerogative over us, as witness their illegal exercise, and daily practise of injustice.  
Shall we always be troubled with this Generation of Vipers, who like Janus, look two ways, and carry two faces under one hood, that speak right faire to our faces, but device mischief against us in their hearts, and vent them in their councils, that love to be called Patrons, Patrons, but( if they be not prevented) will prove no better to us, then Morter-Peeces. They had better speak plain English, and make an Ordinance in plain terms for the expelling and persecuting of all honest and good men, abolishing all Law and Justice, the two preservators of liberty and propriety, as to do it thus in pharasaical Characters, for they cannot draw a net so close, but a man may see through it, nor dig so deep to hid their wicked Councells, but the all-seeing eye of heaven will discover them. Thus, sweet countrymen, and free fellow-Commoners of England, have I in some part discovered unto you the secret working of this treacherous Mystery, the very substance of this plot, and the end of it. And now if ye love slavery, favour it, assist and promote it. Otherwise be warned. Rouse up your spirits, and secure yourselves, and your birthrights, for which ye have spent so much blood, and paid so dear a price, oppose the proceedings, know a reason of these preposterous actions, vindicate your Power, and privileges, and cause those treacherous Machiavels, your false friends, and deceitful Servants to be brought forth and judged, that they may receive a reward according to their demerit.  
All this considered( sweet countrymen) it is better for us to sing, O how happy were we in fore-seeing, then to cry when it is too late, had we wist.  
And if ye be true Englishmen, and prise the liberties of yourselves, and posterities, seeing the fetches and the falshoods of this ill kind of men, look in time to yourselves, and to the weal of your native country, and trust no longer to them, nor be any further deluded by them: Though they use never so much feigning and fleering, though they look never so gravely and demurely, speak never so fairly, declare never so strongly, swear never so devoutly, and fast never so frequently: yet I say in respect of the premises do not trust them, nor wait any longer upon them; But remember that our Country-man Adam After-wit, hath been too long my Lord Fore-Wits fool. Be taught therefore in time, before ye be taken; and let this I pray you prove a sufficient warning.  

Frote capillata, post est, occasio calva.  
Take time by the forehead, and loose no opportunity,   

Free now or never. Slaves now and ever.   
And lastly( my friends) note this, that those men who have now voted, that none but such as have or shall take the Covenant, and conf●rm to the Presbyterian-Government, shall be Commander in the new intended Army, nor have the Command of any garrison that is to be kept within this kingdom,( a●beit the non Covenanters were the men that reduced them) will never( ye may be assured) in trust any with any place of Command or Power( after the work is done) in another Kingdom, that will not take the said Covenant, and subscribe to the said Antichristian-Government. And why then should they fight any more to gain promotion and power for others, to rule over themselves? Surely this very particular should make all the well affencted in the Land, to stand and seriously to consider what is intended against thē, and not be so forward to set one foot further for this ingrate, ill Generation. Do they not see plots daily laid to ensnare them, and every pulpit full of railings, & revilings, lies, & clamours against them? do they not hear themselves in writings, and Sermons, already censured & sentenc●d to persecution, even to imprisonment and dust? So that I am confident the Army and their Leaders should not long be in Ireland, before( to their great comforts and encouragement) they should hear some of their friends were executed, and multitudes of them imprisoned, in England.  
But if his excellency Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Commission, be made( as the Earl of Essexes was) viz For the preservation of the Law & Liberties of the Kingdom, and pro ection of his Majesties Subjects from violence and oppression, then without controversy, it is his duty, and all theirs that are( in command) under him, and he and they have lawful authority thereunto) to stand for the Law and Liberties of this Nation, and to defend the people from all tyrannical pressures and usurpations, for, for this very cause was he entrusted with the Sword: the which the Lord move his and their hearts seriously, now in season, to weigh and consider, for this is a day of trouble and rebuk, and of blasphemy: for the child●●n are come to the birth, and there is no strength to bring forth. 2 Kings 19.8.  
To pretermi what Mr. Byfield and Mr. Love formerly preached; what else but persecution did Mr. Vines in his Rabshaketh-like Sermon, mean at the mock-fast, for the suppression of heresies where there were none but( that which is most contrary to their Lord-like living) Independency principally spoken against, the which neither he, nor any tithmunging, antichristian Taskmaster of them all, can prove, or make forth by Gods word to be heresy, And if he will but truly interpret his then Text, 2 Pet. 1, 2, 3, he will find it doth more pa●pably reprove him, and such as he is,( then any other) who run before they be sent, come not in by the doors, but creep in at the windows, teaching for doctrine the traditions and received opinions of men, a doctrine which consenteth not to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; but is after their own corruptions, denying the Lord Jesus that bought them, by with-holding his kingdom and setting up themselves and their own Kingdom, above him; f●llowing their own pernicious and destructive ways and councils, by reason whereof every one even abhorreth the daily sacrifice, as in Elies dayes, and through their insatiable covetousness, and intolera●●e pride, they will make merchandise of the people if they be not prevented: Hath not this man Vines and many others of his well fed fellowes 2 or 3. benefice or such like things( and those no poor ones) a piece? And yet these greedy dogs are not satisfied, no, they would get into their possession the whole inheritance of the Lord. The which God of his mercy prohibit, for the Parliament assists in it, but no wonder; for so did the builders of old, reject the chief corner ston, to the destruction of themselves and their republic; but upon all the glory shall be a defence. Isa, 4.5.  
Now to draw this warning to a full period, take this following summary of our present Calamities, and consider it seriously, consult, it advisedly, & accordingly act effectually, for the timely prevention, and preservation of yourselves, and your postereties, from insupportable bondage and thraldom.  

BRethren and Fellow-Commons; God and the world knows, that the well-affected party of this Kingdom,( discerned by their voluntary aid to the Parliament) having tried all possible and faire means, as much as any people for number and power of any Kingdom or Nation ever did, by Prayers Assistance, Concurrence, Attendance, Petitions, Oblations Informations; and Discoveries, as well of Treasons, as of utter desolations, and perceiving themselves now at last to be in a far worse condition, both in number and power( there Lives and Estates, yea and precious time also being so far spent) then they were at the first, and besides, like to loose all, and scarcely to have( or leave) so much as their Lives, laws, or Liberties for a prey.  
And seeing, by manifold examples of grievous experience, that neither Petitions can be easily accepted, justice truly administered, the presses equally opened, the cries of the poor heard, the tears of the oppressed considered, the sighs of the prisoners regarded the miseries of the widow and Fatherless pitied, nor scarcely any that are in distress relieved but laws any way wrested, most of our freedoms restrained, Ordinances, protestations, oaths and Covenants slighted, the hearts of all Estates, Kings, Parliament, priest and people obdur●d, the wicked for the most part absolved, the just oftentimes condemned and most of all in Authority perjured no● onely by breaking that solemn Oath, which themselves did make and compelling others to take, but nevertheless, by persecuting those who make conscience to keep it, even because they will not break it, In deep sad serious & lamentable consideration of all these grievous proceedings, and as much by feeling the smart, as hearing, seeing, or knowing the verity thereof, chiefly the oppressions, taxations, Insurrections, Rebellions, Persecutions, Violences, Robberies, Sequestrations, & Cumbustions, I with my poor one Talent, instead of him that hath Ten, out of a dutiful and conscientious love, tender and pitiful respect to my Nation now in this her great defection, and apparent dissolution, chiefly for the remnant thereof( who mourn in secret both for her great abominations sins dissolations, & their own particular transgressions, & who doubtless are marked to escape the fury of Gods, fearful indignation.)  
Have used my best endeavours here both to show the maladies and remedies of this sick swooning, bleeding, and dying Nation, that if God, hath not ordained it like Babel to sudden inevitable and utter destruction, it may yet be cured, and that( according to the Lords usual dealing, who in the midst of judgement remembreth mercy) a remnant may be reserved who in despite of satan, and all his Instruments may do justice & judgement, to the praise of his glory, So shall the Mountaines bring peace to the people, & the little hills by righteousness. Psal. 72.3.   
FINIS.