Here the Author did intent to have placed his Effigies and Coat of Arms, but the exact Sculpture thereof being so chargeable, and his Sufferings so great, for which he hath yet no recompense, he is enforced to be frugal in expenses; and therefore entreats the gentle Reader to accept of the Verses that he composed to be printed underneath the same; and courteously to correct the Printers Errata.  
These are the Verses.  

This Figure here doth lively represent  
A Courage bold, but clearly Innocent,  
Not prone to injure feeble Age, nor Youth,  
But ever zealous to divulge the Truth;  
Who Schism and horrid Treason did defy,  
And unto Heaven for Truth and Justice cry;  
Who for his love to England's King and Church  
Hath been despised, reviled and suffered much;  
Yet Truth of worth, and Honour gained so,  
By being dubbed the Tyrant R●bell's so.  
Peruse this Book, and you may surely see  
Some Signal Emblems of His Loyalty.   
J. W. Fidelitatis Feodum Felicitas.   

To the most Illustrious, High and Mighty MAJESTY of CHARLES the TWO: By the Grace of God KING of Great Britain, France and Ireland; Defender of the Faith, etc.  
The Humble Declaration of JOHN WENLOCK of Langham, in the County of Essex Esquire, an V●ter Barrister of near Forty years' continuance, in that Honourable Society of Lincolns-inn.  
Being first A Supplicatory Preface and Discourse to His Majesty, and then humbly showing the great and dangerous Troubles and intolerable Oppressions of Himself and His Family, and the true occasion thereof, in the woeful Times of these late most unhappy Distractions.  
Wherein the perfect Loyalty of a true Subject, and the perfidious malice and cruelty of a Rebel, are evidently deciphered, and severally set forth to the public view in their proper colours, as a Caution for England.  
Hereunto are annexed certain Poems, and other Treatises, composed and written by the Author upon several Occasions, concerning the late most horrid and distracted Times, and never before published.  Nemo plus videtur aestimare virtutem, nemo magis illi esse devotus, quam qui boni viri famam perdidit, ne conscientiam perderet. Sen. 72. Ep. Fortitudo tua, fiducia fidelis conscitnciae. Bern. Conscientia mala, benè sperare non potest. Aug. 
London, Printed by T. Child, and L. Parry, for the Author, and are to be sold at most Booksellers shops in London and Westminster-hall. 16●2.   

ERRATA.  
IN Page 9 l. 2. for are, read us. in p. 13. l. 23. for happily, r. unhappily. in p. 14. l. 11. for, for any, r. or for any. in p. 18. l. 1. for gratitude, r. gratuity. in l. 6. for stickle, r. strive. l. 11. for works, r. words. l. 19 for defection, r. defects. in p. 29. l. 11. for months, r. twelve months. p. 30. in the title, for demeans, r. demeanour. in p. 34. the last line but one, for, to themselves, r. to the ruin of themselves. in p. 35. l. 14 for to honoured, r. to be honoured. p. 37. l. 21. for four, r. forty. p. 38. l. 12. for there, r. and there. p. 40. for very proper, r. prime and proper. l. 19 and p. 52. for nor, r. and. p. 56. l. 1. for fanings, r. failings. p. 64. l. 37. for coarse. r. course.   

The Epistle Dedicatory. To the High and Mighty Majesty OF Charles the II. By the Grace of GOD King of Great Britain, etc. Defender of the Faith, etc.  
Most Royal, Religious, and Sacred Sovereign,  
WHen I had first most humbly presented my petition to your Majesty upon the Long Gallery stairs towards St. James his park in Trinity Term 1660. I did presently implore your Majesty to be pleased but to peruse the same, and then myself your poor subject should reap abundance of satisfaction therein; and your Majesty's gracious answer unto me was, with a reiteration of these words, I shall, I shall, and within less than an hour after, I did hear, that your Majesty had performed your princely promise, for which I have ever since desired to render to your Grace, the most humble and hearty thanks of a loyal and grateful subject: And now most humbly prostrating myself at the feet of your Majesty's clemency again, I do most submissly and earnestly beg at your gracious hands one favour more, beseeching your Majesty to be pleased to accept of and to patronise these my weak endeavours, which most humbly and thankfully I do Dedicate and present to your Grace; beseeching your Majesty to vouchsafe the perusal of this Treatise, at some time when the heavy burden of those so serious, and urgent affairs imposed upon you, will admit of an intermission: and so your Majesty shall be truly informed what my condition is and hath been; which being once known to your Grace, I shall rest in abundance of quiet, and with alacrity submit to such success, as the good Providence and will of God, and your gracious Pleasure shall thereupon suffer to be produced; Royal Sir, I am one of those, that have been a Cordial loving and obedient Subject▪ in my Duty and Allegiance to your Royal and Religious Father and Grandfather of glorious and blessed Memory, yet my Fate was never hitherto so propitious, as to afford me any further favour than the common protection of a Subject: and if the unhappiness of the Times, by the occasion of our sins, had not late deprived us of that royal Favour, then in all probability I might have been in such a posture before this time, as I should not now have been necessitated, to seek an Office, to maintain me in my old Age: But I have almost been bereft of all my means and practice from my Age of 40 years to 60. the best time of proficiency in all a man's life: and yet I praise God for it, I can with a good comfort and courage say to your Majesty that I am no absolute Beggar, but only in Relation to God, and your good Grace, that is his lawful and undoubted Deputy here upon the Earth; for by means of God's mercy, and your Majesties so happy and Fortunate Access to your just and Royal rights, I am still in lawful possession of an Estate in Lands, which although it be but small▪ yet it is of a Noble Tenure, being late holden of your Majesty by a whole Knight's Fee, and which hath lineally been enjoyed by my Ancestors, and continued in my name, for the space of near 500 years, ever since the Reign of King Henry the 3d. and that is more than some great Ones are able to assert, and certainly a blessing hath been upon it, in the so long continuance thereof, being at first honestly bought with their Money, and a Bargain I think more justifiable, than some kind of purchasing either of Honour or Offices: And although my name be at present and of late in some obs●uritie, yet it hath not been always so in the times of Antiquit●e for in the Reign of that Valiant and Famous Prince King Edward the 1. there lived one of my name which had the Honour to be Lord high Treasurer of England, and in the Reigns of King Henry the 6th and King Edward the 4th there was another of my name, that was a Knight of the Garter, and of the Rhodes, and also a Noble and warlike Baron of Wenlock in the County of Salop, from which place my Ancestors were first derived, and had their Extraction, as appears by Ancient evidence & Records; I shall be hearty glad if I can but make your Ma.tie to smile at these my Relations, but I entreat your Majesty to believe that it is not fond a vain glorious humour, that prompts me to relate these things, but my desire is to give a gentle caution to some gilded Mushrooms or pursy supercilious Upstarts of the new edition that esteem themselves to be the only brave men, despising others, that are brought low by their sufferings, and contemning all learning and loyalty, that is destitute of a golden key, which they corruptly conceive to be the only means to open the doorlock, that leads to preferrment; but your Majesty well knows, how and when to confer your Favours, and though some of your Majesty's suffering Friends are not looked upon so soon as they expected, yet their hopes are still firm enough, and we know, that, Deside●●ta diu dulcius obtinentur, and we can wait with patience, but must not be too negligent, pe●entis negligentia reprehend●tur ubi de dantis miserecordia non du●itatur, and of your Majesty's mercy there is sound experience, and it is a prime policy for your Grace in convenient time to reward Loyalty, for in so doing it will give Occasion to others to have the better esteem thereof, Regis ad exemplar totus componitur orbis, but if virtue be now neglected & let pass without regard, how few hereafter will ever endeavour to be good in so bad times? and one saith, that both pity and sin it were, that such whose light the late Egyptian Darkness could never extinguish, should now be suffered to sit in obscurity. Som● perhaps that shall read this book, will take my expressions to be rash and violent, savouring more of animosity, than prudence, but when Croesus his life was in danger it made his dumb son to speak and cry out: and when the King the Father of our Country, the Church our Mother, and the peace of the whole Kingdom, were so treacherously exposed to the danger of utter ruin, what true hearted Son or Subject, could be so supinely silent, as not bitterly to reprove such horrid actions▪ Quitacet consentire vide●ur: but such as have tasted any true relish of Religion, do well know, they must not be mutes in matters of such moment: Dissimulation may serve the turn for a time, and in the view of a carnal eye it may seem to procure some good, but we ought not to do evil that good may come thereof; Hypocrisy is a sin so odious in the sight of God, and so contrary to his divine nature (who is truth itself) as those that practise the same, can never expect to be matriculated members of the celestial Society; but such as wait for their souls comfort, must be content to forsake all, rather than to part with a good conscience, and so endanger the soul; But I fear that too many of late, have stifled their Consciences, to keep their estates and maintain their reputation amongst the Vulgar, but such policy will not always go away with the Garland: it was well said of a Noble Spaniard once in England, that he would never forfeit his Soul and his Honour, to save his Life; and indeed some brave Spirits, but mere Moralists, have thought it a more Noble Exploit, to preserve Honour then Life, and could never buckle to any dishonourable thing, but in despite of Ambition, and desire of gain, or the pressures of Necessity, they have still resolved to tread in the pathoes of Virtue. And how many Heathens, as Codrus a King of Athens, Cur●ius a Noble Knight of Rome and almost infinite others recorded in History, have freely exposed themselves to unavoidable danger and death, for the good and safety of their Country, whose memory ever since hath been immortal; and can Christians adventure upon any design too dangerous, when the glory of God, the Honour and Power of his sacred Deputy, and the religion and Peace of their native Nation, lay all in the dust involved in blood? Pardon my presumption I beseech your Majesty in what I have here inserted amiss, or unworthy the view of so royal and exquisite an ●i●: and then I cannot but be confident, that your Grace will take some pity upon me, being now grown into years, and disabled by my great sufferings and losses to put on and prefer myself, as some others ●●, for I find the Poet to be a true Prophet, that long 〈◊〉 said, Haud facile emergunt, quorum virtutibus obstat Res angusti domi— but this defect may soon be supplied by the least glimpse of your Majesty's favour: and I am sure your Majesty well knows that it is the Master's honour to take notice of a faithful s●rvant; and that such as dare declare and stand to the truth in bad times of danger are none of the worst subjects. And I doubt not but that your Majesty in due time, will most royally perform whatsoever your loyal and loving subjects may in truth of modesty and justice expect from your gracious bands: and that your Grace shall attain unto and accomplish all those happy and blessed intents and ends for the which your Omnipotent Creator hath so justly and mercifully restored and advanced your Grace, to the glorious throne of your so eminent Ancestors: Where God▪ grant that your Majesty and your Royal posterity may safely sit and triumphantly reign to God's glory, the Church's peace, and these Kingdom's happiness, even so long as the Sun and Moon shall shine upon the face of the earth. So will ever Pray▪  
Your Majesty's Loyal, Humble, and Officious Subject, john Wenlock.   

To the Kings Most Excellent Majesty.  
Most Royal and Magnificent Monarch, and my Sovereign Lord:  
IT is a Proverb of the Wisest amongst Earthly Princes, that righteous lips are the delight of Kings, and they love him that speaketh right: for he that speaks the truth, showeth forth righteousness; and all such a● be true in heart, shall follow the same: and there is good reason for their Encouragement to proceed on in such a Virtuous way as tendeth to eternal felicity, for certainly the time will come, when that saying of the Psalmist, will be verified, and made manifest to the World; There is sprung up a light for the righteous, and joyful gladness for such as be true hearted: and the Lord God likewise layeth up sound Wisdom for the righteous, and is a sure Buckler for them that walk uprightly; for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, and a good understanding or success have all they that do his Commandments the praise of it endureth for ever. And this was truly experimented in that worthy and religious Esquire of the body to that mighty Monarch Darius, when he contended with his fellows, which of them should write the wisest sentence: It was the desire of his soul to be instrumental towards the re-edifying of the decayed Temple and City of Jerusalem; and in respect of those good desires, it pleased the good spirit of God to inspire so much Wisdom and Understanding into his heart, a● when the Conclusive part of his sentence (which was, That above all things truth beareth away the Victory) came into consideration before the wise and mighty Princes, he then who had undertaken the patronage and defence of truth, was without contradiction applauded to be the wisest man, by that general shout of the People; great is truth and mighty above all things: and we need not doubt, since▪ by the alon●▪ mercy of God, those dark and prodigious Clouds of Ignorance, perversity, and sedition, that have so long obnub●lated the understanding of this Nation, do in some measure begin to be now dispelled, by the Glorious splendour, and sunshine of your Majesty's most gracious, and long-desired presence, but that such of your true and loving Subjects, as with loyal hearts, and sincere and just expressions, though with seeble hands and weak abilities, do now cordially endeavour to employ their talents, and lend their aid by the casting of a mite into the Kingdom's treasury, towards the rebuilding of that Sacred Temple of truth and peace amongst us; shall never want the happy influence of your Majesty's good countenance and protection: nor the favourable censure of any that have but ventured to keep themselves immaculate, or but lately learned to be unspotted lovers, and maintainers of the truth. For whosoever he be that hath attained any sound notion of truth, must of necessity love the same in his inward parts, neither dares he at any time forsake or deny the defence thereof. For indeed God himself and his Word is the truth that every true Christian to his power ought to justify and defend, and if any person be so Sacrilegious as to deny this, he may too soon find it to be true, that he which denies the truth, doth deny God who is truth itself; and our Saviour saith, That if they deny him before men, he will deny them before his Father which is in Heaven.  
Most Royal Sir, I humbly crave your Gracious pardon for my presumption, in thus boldly vindicating the truth; for the sincere maintaining whereof, both myself and all mine (all circumstances duly considered) have as dear and deeply suffered, as any other, that have escaped with their lives: And I doubt not, but that I may with a safe Conscience, and without Ostentation speak it, that I have always endeavoured to the uttermost of my Abilities, and upon all occasions, to do and perform both unto your Majesty's blessed Father, and also to your Royal self; far more cordial and constant services, than many others that now participate of the bright Beams of your glory, but I do envy no man's happiness; nay let them take all since my Lord the King is now returned home in peace. And as your Majesty's happy access to your just and indubitable rights, of the Crown of England will I trust add some repose, and tranquillity to my poor aged body, and mean Estate; so above that I desire, if it please God to be at peace and quiet in my mind, at which Haven of happiness and content, I should scareely ever have arrived, if I had not made the Adventure, of thus rendering these intiinsecal thoughts and conceptions of my mind to the public view: Neither could I devise otherwise, how I might make your Majesty and other Worthies of the Nation acquainted, with the truth of my demeanour and sufferings, which I much desired to publish, to the intent also, that some who are deeply drowned in the oblivion of their sins, may hereby if they please, be put in mind of the ugly deformed shape, and the base and absurd maliciousness of Rebellion: and truly to repent of their former Follies, and do no more so; and that my Posterity and others, by mine Example, may be encouraged to the imitation of my Loyalty, and faithfulness in succeeding ages. But I confess that formerly I had good Friends, which might and would (if they were now extant) have commended the truth of my Condition, to your Majesty's Royal and Religious consideration: but the change of times, and death hath deprived me of such comfortable Assistance; and being I was made to reprove others, I am now in a manner lest Friendless alone, and am as a byword and wonder unto many: and yet no wonder it is, Libere enim & sine adulatione veritatem praedicantes, & gesta pravae vitae arguentes, gratiam non habent apud homines. And yet why should I tremble, to make this my address to your Sacred Majesty, that is so lively a representation of my Creator, for to his almighty mercy in the merits of Jesus Christ, who is for ever truth itself, I may at all times with a pure heart, and humble Spirit, be confidently bold to make my approach: and I beseech your Majesty to be pleased to assure yourself, that it is the truth and vigour of my Conscience that hath compelled me, to adventure upon this declarative discourse: a conscientious fear of the worst, is a strong motive to an honest heart: Name a recta conscientia non oportet quenquam, in omni vita sua transversum unguem discedere. And forasmuch as in this whole Treatise, I have sincerely endeavoured to make truth my Centre, and Loyalty and Faithfulness my circumference, I am strenuously induced to believe, that in your Majesty's judicious and exquisite eye, and in the secret Cabinet of your rare and choicest Intellectuals, my Errors will be accounted more venial, than those of others, that have so long been instrumental to obstruct the course of Truth and Justice, and yet in the conjectural opinion or judgement of many of your loyal and learned Subjects, do still endeavour, or seem to hinder the progress thereof: Aliena peccata approbare peccatum est, negligentia tacere: & in q●● parte possit homo proficere, si innocentiam probatus fuerit amisisse: and it is the saying of Solomon, he that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, ●ven they both are an abomination to the Lord: for it i● not good to accept the Person of the wicked, to overthrow the righteous in judgement: and if srail men forgetting their Duty shall attempt to act any such injustice, it will not be long available to them, or their Adherents, but their Purpo●●● and Projects will fall in the Dust; for the Psalmist tells us, that the Lord executeth Righteousness and Judgement for all them that are oppressed with wrong; and the Lord helpeth them to right that s●ffer wrong: and who then are they that dare to contest against their Creator? for the Prayer of the humble pierceth the clouds, and till it come nigh he will not be comforted: and will not departed till the most high shall behold to judge righteously, and execute Judgement; and when men will not believe that God is of perfect power, than he showeth his strength, and amongst them that know it, he maketh their Boldness manifest: for indeed Truth is never ashamed to show her face, it is against her nature to be hidden, or kept from the light, Non ●mat verit●● angulos, non ●i divers●ria placent; but she is ever at home constant, and ready to utter forth herself, to such as seek unto her, or will lend an care to her wise counsels: the integrity of Truth, is armed with such confidence, as it dares speak, and fears no reproof; for the Divine saith, that Null●● reprehensor formida●dus est amatori ●eritati●. Et ●ll● veritatis defensor esse debet, qui cum rect●s●ntit, loqui non me ●uit; nec ●rubescit: and the Humani●● could say, Licet veritas in causa nullum patronum ●ut defensorem obtineat, tamen per scipsum defenditur. Nam magna est vi● veritatis quae contra omnium ingenia, c●liditatem, solertiam contraque fict●● omnium infidias se facile per seipsum defendit. The contemplation of these things (if it please your Majesty) together with the strong operation of my Conscience, doth still enforce me thus to expose my weakness to your Sacred censure; but I confess my Heart doth somewhat tremble, Ne quid indecorum serm● meus resonet: and it would afflict me much, if my error and imbecility should be the least occasion to infringe or disparage the truth of that ancient Adage, Much experience is the Crown of old men, and yet I am sure, that the fear of God is their Glory: and in regard of that, I trust that I shall always be as fearful to offend as any man: It is said that Audaces fortuna juvat, but I desire that Truth & Modesty may be my ushers into Favour, and good Fortune (if any attends me.) I have likewise learned, that Sicut v●recundia laudabilis est in malo, ita reprehensibilis est in bono: bonum verò erubescere insipientis est. And therefore I do not yet understand the reason, why any of your Majesty's Loyal and knowing Subjects that have still adhered to the truth, by being the zealous and constant Assertors and Maintainers to their Power, of all those good and wholesome Laws both Ecclesiastical and Temporal, that were in use and approbation in the time of your Majesty's Royal and ever most blessed Father, and in your prudent and pacifical Grandfathers days; and have so deeply suffered for this their Fidelity, should now admit of the least blush, or be in any degree fearful, in the just vindication and applause of those religious, just and beneficial Laws; or beat all ashamed to show their reluctancy, at the remissness of the true and due execution of the same. But your Majesty is wise as an Angel of God, and to your Divine discretion, your loyal Subjects will religiously submit themselves: and who is he that doth not much admire and praise the Lord of Heaven, for your Majesty's most rare and never heard of Clemency, and Mercy, wherein most superlatively you seem to exceed, all the pious and potent Princes that ever lived before, or in your days: and whereby also beyond and above them all, you come nearest to that glorious attribute of your Creator, whose Power in specie, you represent here on earth amongst us and whose mercy likewise is above all his works. Your Majesty well knows that by Mercy and Truth Iniquity is purged, and that Mercy and Truth preserve the King: and it is also not untruly said, Quòd imperium vi quod fit, atrocius esse videtur, quàm illud quod politia ●djungitur. And yet as every good subject doth truly admire at your Majesty's mercy, even so is he well assured, that your Majesty is truly and sufficiently instructed, that Policy which anticipates Religion, is too subtle to receive an approbation for good, before the purest eyes of the Almighty God of Truth; and this in all humility we likewise leave to your Majesty's serious and religious contemplation▪ And I am confident that it is a most transcendent joy and gladness to all your Majesty's true Subjects and Well-wisheers, to find your Judgement, so surely settled, both for Doctrine and Discipline, in that truly reformed Religion so christianly professed, and so lawfully established without intermission by a trine of your late most eminent Ancestor; for the same is so well digested into nutriment, and hath made such a deep impression upon the hearts and consciences of most of the soberer sort, of this our Nation, as I believe that nothing but death itself can be able to expunge the prints thereof, and I am as it were in a kind of ecstasy, when my Fancy runs upon the conceit, or the imagination of those ineffable and redundant rejoicings, that the hearts of all honest and true bred Englishmen, are at this present possessed withal: when after so long bitter and rebellious Deviaons', and so sordid prodigious and devilish Usurpations, th●y be now so happy to behold the Royal Tribe of Judah, so gloriously restored, and so triumphantly advanced to the Regal Rights, and most Illustrious Throne, of their Royal Ancestors, there to reign and flourish again, in despite of Satan, and all his envious instruments. And when after so many miscellaneous absurdities, as have surreptitiously crept into the Church, by means of the horror, confusion, and deformity of the late disturbances: We may now sensibly perceive the darkness thereof, so sorely felt, to be dispelled, the glorious light of truth shining forth in a splendid measure: And seeing that Korah and hi● seditious company of Sectaries, are in a manner swallowed up, or vanished into nothing, we may once again with comfortable Consciences and confident hearts, expect to see, and evidently to behold that sacred rod of Aaron to bud and blossom, and to bring forth fruit afresh in due season, which that it may the better be able to perform, with the more vigour and sincerity, I do h●mbly implore, that the sweet influence of the dews of Heaven, and of your Majesty's good countenance and protection, may continually and in abundant manner, be shoured and diversely distilled upon the holy consecrated body thereof, and the several Members and Branches of the same; and that they may soberly and religiously concur and agree in such an Uniformity both of Doctrine a●d Discipline, as shall most truly tend to the glory of God, the honour and contentment of your Majesty, the settling of a firm and constant Peace and Tranquillity, both in Church and Commonwealth, the credit and glory of their Divine profession, the comfort and quiet of their Consciences, and the Eternal Salvation of their Souls and Bodies, which i● the summary intent and end of all true Religion: Let us therefore remember the end and we shall not lightly do amiss; and if I mistake it not, when the Jews in old time were the alone select people of God, and his only true visible Church, there was a Law or Command given unto them, that they should not interweave Linen with Woollen, nor sow any Miscellain upon their grounds; and surely there is ● secret mystery in it, which I leave to more fit, grave, and wiser considerations than mine own. But a Learned Father saith, that in Ecclesia unam voc●● esse oportet; and another tells us, Tabernaculum Christi ●st Eccl●sia; and we read that Christ our Saviour his shelter or Coat, was without seam or division: Indeed Schisms and Controversies in the Church (especially in the Discipline or Government thereof, the very Basis of our Public peace) do oftentimes prove to be of most dangerous and destructive consequence; it is well known who is Seminator litium; and therefore I trust that such as would seem to profess more purity and strictness in Religion, than some others, and that pretend to fear God so truly, and to detest the Devil so strongly, will in time learn to abhor and eschew the sinful effects of those his so subtle suggestions. It hath been observed, if it please Your Majesty, that the great splendour and eminent degree of Governors, doth ordinarily strike a more ample awe and reverence into the hearts of the common people, and makes them more tractable, and submiss, than they would be to others of a far inferior rank; in which respect, as your Subject most humbly under correction conceiveth, it is very requisite, and necessary, that the Episcopal Governors of the Church, (as well in point of policy as Religion) should be readmitted (as I trust they now are) to their full rights, power, and privileges, both in honour and patrimony: the Church's Livelihood, Revenue, or Patrimony, in good days was accounted to be God's portion: and I have read that Lands at first were given to the Church with an heavy curse annexed and imposed upon all such as should afterwards endeavour to disannul and make void the gift, and so frustrate the good intent of the Donors thereof. And I do much fear that the ancient and modern Sacrilege of some of this Nation, hath been none of the least sins and occasions to draw down the wrath of God upon us. But now that, after so long and violent an intermission, themost of us have learned again to say that Lesson of truth itself, Da Caesaris Caesari, let us not forget the latter part of the sentence, but give also unto God the things that are Gods. And if the once so glorious and full Moon of the Church, that hath so lately been obscured under the dismal clouds of Tyranny and Persecution, and now appears and moves in a serene Air, must still for any seeming sound reasons in Religion or State, be forced to suffer an Eclipse in any the least Degrees or Digits, (which I wish may never be) yet in the fear of God, and to avoid the foul aspersion of the present and future ages, let the same be never contrived, acted, or done, without the full, free, and legal consent of all such parties whatsoever, or at least the Major part of them, as by the Ancient and Fundamental Laws of this Kingdom, in force and use before the embryo of the●e late distractions, were duly and legally interested to give their voices of consent or denial, in matters of that nature and consequence. And since it is certain, that the principal intent and end of all the grand and solemn Assemblies, tending to Counsel and advice, which are in a legal manner convoked in any Christian Kingdom, is or aught to be, above all other things, for the glory of God, and the due maintenance of his Church, and true Religion; which being taken pro concesso, it is paradoxical, and much marvelled at by many, that such so worthy personages, are by common entendment are most versed, and best skilled in Transactions of that nature, and whose Reverend Learning, Wisdom, and Integrity, do likewise render them without scruple, sufficient to be Assistants and Advisers in other things, of far more trivial moment, should at any time, pro ratione ab scondita, & adhuc incognitae, be exempted from, or deprived of their just and genuine Rights, and ancient Privileges, so deservedly conferred, and so legally granted unto them, or their Predecessors, by the Renowned, Pious, and Politic Kings of this Realm, ever since Christianity was in England, and never yet so much as spurned at, but in seditious and turbulent times, or be shut out of doors, when matters of so deep concernment both in Church and Commonwealth, were in agitation and disquisition: And if this Holy Order received the least scar or blemish in the time of his late Majesty, I do believe confidently that it was compulsive, and for some emergent reason of State, and not with his Majesty's free consent. But prudent and moderate men, will ever have a greater regard to venerable Antiquity, then to the humorous conceits & novelties of some giddy heads; and I doubt there be some, that popularly were thrust on to act a part on the Theatre, that if they were truly sensible of their former failings, and duly penitent for their so gross, erroneous, and dangerous Deviations, remorse of Conscience and Humility, would not then suffer them at all to be ashamed to give this character of themselves, Hesterni sumus & Ignor amus, etc. For it was the saying of an Ancient Author, and also confirmed by Reverend Judges of great Honour and Antiquity in this Nation, Quae praeter consuetudinem & morem majorum fiunt neque, placent, neque recta videntur: and I fear that the remembrance of this, and some other old Maxims, may be an occasion to some men, and those none of the least considerable understanding and judgement, to apprehend some doubts and jealousies concerning the conscience, though not the legality, of some of the very late proceed. And yet your Grace's true loyal and loving Subjects, do always desire to lie prostrate at the feet of your Majesty's Clemency, and not in the least degree to oppose nor contradict (but only in this humble way of Animadversion) any of your Counsels, truly tending to your Majesty's honour, safety, and repose; neither can I much fear, but humbly hope that your Royal Prudence will not be offended at this my free, and yet most Supplicatory Expostulation, for it were happy if your Majesty did know the hearts of all your Subjects, so well as I do freely manifest mine own; and I dare affirm it, under favour, that it will be a great grief to most of the Judicious, Loyal, and Freeborn Subjects of this Realm, to behold the least overture towards the future infringement or violation (either in case Ecclesiastical or Temporal) of that Great Charter of the Liberties of England, so long since granted and obtained, after the sad adventures and deep dangers both of the Head, and whole Body of this Realm, and so oftentimes since confirmed by the full and free consent, and pious suffrages of so many most worthy Princes, and lawful and questionless Parliaments. And as your Majesties ever loyal Subjects do much congratulate, and highly commend the good endeavours of all such, and do envy none of their present honours, as have late in any degree been instrumental towards the so happy just and royal access of your Majesty to your Crowns and Kingdom; so I believe it can never enter into any of their Imaginations, that your Majesty in your true justice and judgement, will ever in the least degree undervalue or neglect those that have at the first ventured their Live●, 〈◊〉, and Fortunes, for the keeping and preserving of your Majesty's blessed Father, and his lawful Heirs and Successors (if it had so pleased God) in their just and Royal rights, without any alteration or diminution, for those were the true Subjects that strove to nip Rebellion in the bud. And if others after their so long & strong seductions, be now by the mercy of God returned to their due Allegiance, and have done any acceptable service to their King and Country, let them bless and thank God for it, and not be elevated in their minds, as if they had done some strange work of supererogation, when alas all that they have performed, is but the ministering of an emplaster, to the ●ores of some of their own making, and what the exigencies and extremities of themselves and their Native country, did enforce them unto: and what was also commanded, and required at their hands by the Law of God, Nature and Nations, and by the municipal Laws of their proper Country, which how obsolete they were become, and how grossly and perfidiously the same were wrested and abused, both in the letter and sense, by too many that impudently presumed to deal therein, both a● Bar and Bench, for the venerable regard which I am bound to bear to the gravity, and honour of that profession, I am most hearty sorry, and much ashamed to remember. And if any have so far forgotten the discipline of their own Profession, as they be abashed to think of any return or retrospect thereunto: yet having now abandoned their uncivil courses, if they will turn so civil, as to cast an eye upon the first Paragraph of Justinians law, they shall see that, Justitia est constans & perpetua voluntas, jus suum cuique tribuendi; whereby they may plainly perceive, that whatsoever hath been transacted in or towards the restauration of your Majesty's rights, or the Country's liberties, is but an act of justice, and then no men of integrity, will ever expect a bribe or reward for their well doing: But if by your Majesty's royal beneficence any of them, do or shall still meet with honours, large benefits, or other advancements, yet in truth and equity, they ought to esteem them all as mere acts of grace, and no otherwise. For a natural born subject is by Conscience, and Allegiance strictly bound to the service of his lawful Sovereign, & when he hath done his deepest devoires in helping him to so rich a jewel as a Kingdom, that is his right, yet hath the Subject acted no more than his duty requireth: & if he should afterwards be denied a promised reward for his pains, yet in truth and equity he ought not to repine thereat: and this in effect as I remember was the opinion of the learned Counsel of Conscience, to a mighty Monarch in Christendom upon a question propounded upon the like occasion. I do insert this to preserve some from being betrayed by vainglory, and not to persuade your Majesty to be too parsimonious of your Favours, when desert requireth. Honos enim alit arts, etc. and although it be true, that Virtus in se perfecta est, & nudo bomine contenta, yet I believe, that Candour virtutis per munificentiam principis saepè nutritus est. Constancy and confidence, are very requisite virtues in an eminent Prince, but as he is confident so he must also be cautious: Qui ante non cavet, post doleat: and I doubt not but that your Majesty hath cast your judicious eye upon some passages of the History concerning the life and success of Lewis the IVth▪ King of France, which was for many years an ●xile from his right, and that your Grace is also well read in those prudent and politic instructions, that Charles the Fifth and famous Emperor of Germany did once give unto his dearly beloved Son Philip the 2d. King of Spain. But a Prince that will truly prosper, must take God to be the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and ending of all his intentions, and actions: the word of Truth, is the best compass, both in calm and tempest, that he can steer his course withal: and to utter the very thoughts of my heart, the most strange and miraculous Deliverances which your Grace hath received from the power and hand of Heaven, do sufficiently inform my belief, that you have truly taken that Word, for a light to your feet, and a lantern to your steps: And that God Almighty hath hitherto preserved, and raised up your most Royal Gracious and Sacred Majesty, and your Royal Heroick and Magnanimous Brother, that armipotent Duke of York, for some memorable adventures, and noble exploits to be performed on the earth, to all your High Renowns, and to his own eternal glory. And, next to the Sacred Scripture of Gods own Penmen, I believe that your Majesty, without offence, may have an especial regard to the godly Writings, and pious Admonitions of your truly Religious, and Royal Father, of Glorious memory, the true and transcendent Charity of a Christian at the point of death, doth forgive all the World: and yet this doth not tie the hands of such as survive from the due performance of Justice, according to the Precepts of the Law of God, or Man: Justice and Judgement are of so Divine a nature, as they be called the Habitation of God's Throne, and Mercy and Truth shall go before his Face: and when Mercy and Truth do meet together, then Righteousness and Peace will kiss each other, and I doubt not but that your Majesty is Divinely taught by the Spirit of God, how to establish your Throne in Righteousness: and Solomon again saith, that because Sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the children of men is fully set in them to do evil. And there be too many yet in this Kingdom, (with the grief of my Soul I speak it) that be but slenderly convinced of the foul Facts of their late most impious absurd & seditious errors: and it were lamentable if that saying, Impunit as semper ad deteriora invitat, should be verified in any of them: such as be truly humbled for their former offences, will hang down their heads, and obscure themselves, and not seek, and still strive to look up aloft, as if they forsooth had been ever free from all tincture of Treachery; a mist may be cast before the eyes of the Simple, but the eye of understanding will spy them out; for such a man as doth but endeavour to commend, countenance, or justify, or but connive alone at any bad actions, does secretly seem to persuade the like, and so still promotes mischief; I wish that some had been endued with better Discretion, and more Modesty, and that yet for their own sakes they would call to remembrance this assertion of truth itself: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, but who so confesseth and forsaketh them shall find mercy: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief; and God grant that so much mercy and favour as is showed to some in this present world, be not an occasion to make them think too well of their wicked do, so lately and unjustly acted, and so most happily hinder and prevent themselves of true repentance for the same, and consequently of the mercies of God, which they would seem so gladly to expect in the world to come. But as all your true and loving Subjects do desire rightly to rejoice, in this their safe and salubrious swimming in the Ocean of your Majesty's most rare and royal Clemencies, so I hope we shall incessantly pray to God for grace, to make a sanctified use thereof: and that all your Majesties so loving and royal favours towards any of us may really redound to your own proper safety and honour, and the Kingdom's happiness. And I doubt not but that your Sacred Majesty by degrees, will dive into all the several transactions, of these late distracted Nations: all Innovation is dangerous; and what is done without Precedent, is in the same predicament: the beginnings of Evil are to be well looked unto, Obsta principiis, saith one; and there is a rule, Quae malo inc●oata sunt Principio vix est ut bono peraga●tur exitu. Et quod ab initio non valet, tractu temporis non convalesce●: and therefore I trust that in time by the means of your Majesty's wisdom, merit and moderation, the very prints and relics of Rebellion, will by little and little be quite obliterated and expunged, and the Kingdom happily reduced to its pristine, pure, and genuine Government, and I hope that such as have formerly ex Di●metro oppugned or opposed the royal Power and Government, and yet of late were so industrious, dexterous and active to restore the same again, have done this their good devoir, for mere Conscience-sake, and not for the enjoyment of Honours, Places, or Preferments, for any other mercenary, by, or finister ends; and that all others that were by Law obnoxious to punishment, will now by your Majesty's mercy and goodness be drawn into their right minds, and due allegiance, and so acknowledge their errors; and for their own good, and to escape damnation hereafter, be ready to return some honest amends and satisfaction where they have done evident wrongs; and be seriously ashamed of all their former faults. Erubescere debemus & condemnare peccatum, non defendere, quoniam pudore culp● minuitur, defension cumulatur; and bitter is the portion of Oppressors, and strange is the punishment to workers of Iniquity; and if ever there were barbarous injustice practised, and contempt of all truth and honesty countenanced, in any Nation upon the face of the earth, it was certainly amongst us: for here was none pinched to the quick, or persecuted to the proof, but such as utterly detested to suffer their fantasies and conversations to run mad, and be corrupted with the venom of Schism and sedition: these were ever exposed to the most bitter extremities: & qualis s●● cujusque fides & constantia tribulatio probat: Neither were any so much despised and convitiated as those of the royal and loyal stamp: but a good conscience was still our comfort, Conscientiam malam laudantis praeconium non sanat, nec bonam vulnerat convitium: Et si malum quod de nobis dicitur, in nobis non invenitur, in magnam debemus laetitiam prosiliare. Such only as would willingly admit themselves to be Halophants, and quietly permit the weathercock or Vane of their judgements, and expressions to be turned about, with the stormy blast of every Euroclydon, did esteem themselves in a secure condition, and many of them did make a quick market, by the means of their neighbour's miseries; and although they had no Christian regard at all toward us, yet we in charity did much pity their dangerous, and desperate condition: for we had read, That the prosperity of fools shall destroy them, and that goods unjustly gotten shall n●t profit in the day of calamity, for the wrath of the Lord cometh forth suddenly, and in their seen i●y they shall be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance: and he that worketh mischief, or setteth a trap shall be taken therein, anguish shall consume such men before they die, for he that defraudeth his neighbour of his means is a man of blood, and he that taketh away his living doth kill him: Et nunqu●m securus est reu● animus, mens enim mala, conscientiae pr●p●●is agitatur st●mulis. And it was neither our own wants, or their abundance, that ever could incline us, to any approbation of their rude and rebellious actions; fides enim nulla necessitate ad fallen●um cogitur, nullo corrumpitur praemio. And as they did most unjustly deprive us of all our estates and subsistencies, so if the Lord for our sins had suffered them to take away our lives, I am confident that most of us, would have departed hence, with as brave and constant a courage as Captain Baiard that valiant Frenchman did, when the Duke of Bu●bon seeing him lie sore wounded, and at death's door, said; That he was sorry for him, having known him to be so brave and valiam a Knight: Sir, answered the Captain, there is no pity of me, for I die an honest man, but you are to be lamented, that have fought against your King, your Country and your Oath. And although all of us I hope do desire most lovingly to embrace in the arms of our Charity, all such penitent offenders, as do manifest and show forth the Fruits and effects of true Contrition and Repentance in their carriage and Conversations: yet I believe that we do still harbour and retain as odious and rigid a Resolution against all Treachery and Treason, as ever that noble man of Spain did express, when his Sovereign commanded him to lodge the said Duke of Bourbon, at his house in Madrid. And I most humbly beseech your Majesty to be pleased to take notice that your poor Subject, was none of those Animals that were either coeci, or non videntes, at the time when these distractions did first begin, and so went blindly on with the mad Multitude in the dark, they knew not why, nor whither, until by the influence of some propitious Star their eyes were opened, and so they recovered or obtained some imperfect sight of their former Follies: but it pleased God to form your Subject of such a temperature, as he could see to suffer from the beginning, and is like to continue still in a suffering Condition to his latter end, if your Majesty prove not a very good Lord and Master to me, and my Posterity: but my Loyalty did never live without hope, either for this present life, or my future interest in the World to come: and I have thought sometimes that my constellation and Genius did argue something more than ordinary, because from my very Childhood ever since that I could well read, I have taken an especial regard and notice of this Proverb, My Son fear thou the Lord and the King, and meddle not with them that are seditious, or given to change, and it had taken so deep an Impression upon my heart, as all the Rebels in England were never able to wipe out, unless they had pulled out heart and all. Quo semel est imbuta recen● serva●i●●dorem, testa diu, and I bless my God, that it was so with me: Nam quod ●●venture non discitur, in matura ae●ate saepiùs nescitur, and this hath been lately too much verified by sad Experience. And when I first began to bend my mind to the study of the Laws of this Kingdom, I did soon perceive in myself a greater proclicity and delight, in the apprehension and learning of such passages therein, as had reference to the true and right maintaining of the Royal Majesty of the head thereof, rather than to those that merely concerned the body, and inferior members of the same. Many have much marvelled that in the late so terrible times, I durst so freely utter my mind upon every occasion, and have often advised me to be more wary, but my answer was ever to this effect, That I did no more, than my duty required: and I ought not to suffer sin upon my Neighbour, but to reprove him for it: and if it were not the will of God, to protect me in mine innocency and integrity, I was sure tha● he would quite cast me off, if I turned an Hypocrite; for there is an woe to the sinner that goeth two ways: and the triumphing of the Wicked is short, and the joy of the Hypocrite but for a momen●, they are exalted for a little while, but are gone and brought low: the light of the Wicked shall be put out and the spark of his Fire shall not shine: but who shall abide in God's Tabernacle? He that speaketh the Truth in his heart, and in whose spirit and lips there is no guile: and to them that rebuke the Wicked shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them: and since that, propter tim●rem mortis tacere veritatem impietas est; how solicitous every soul of us ought to be in the declaring and justifying of the truth, and in the performance of our best duties and endeavours, towards the fostering and furtherance of the same; Et b●●arum rerum etsi successus non fuerit, conatus tamen ipse honestus est; and a wise man saith, refrain not to speak when there is occasion to do good, and hid not thy Wisdom in her beauty, for by Speech Wisdom shall be known, and Learning by the word of the Tongue, in no wise speak against the Truth, but he abashed of the error of thine own ignorance; Strive for the Truth unto death, and the Lord shall fight for thee. Et non solum proditor est veritatis, qui mendacium pro veritate l●quitur, sed qui non libere pronuntiat veritatem, quam pronunciare oportet: aut non libere defendit veritatem, quam defendere oportet. Nam qui veritatem occultat & qui prodit mend●cium uterque rous est, ille quia prodesse non vult, i●●e quia nocere de●iderat. May it please your Sacred Majesty, I have almost learned Divinity and Philosophy enough to contemn the World, and am but very little ambitious of Preferment, and yet I confess, that I would willingly imply my poor Talon, and the small remainder of my days, to God's glory, your Majesty's honour and service, and the good of my native Country; and most gladly would I find out a way how to refresh my poor Family, that for so many years together, by the malice of the Times, and in the very despite of my Loyalty, have been exposed to so much hardship, and danger of utter ruin and destruction: yet I am ashamed to beg so mean a Place as my weak deserts do seem to require; It is not for Kings to give Trifles, said a Noble Prince, but to give royally like themselves. In which respect I think it is the best policy for such Suitors, to submit wholly to their Sovereign's goodness: Your Grace in my conceit, may well challenge a double Title, to be called the most Christian King, and in that regard also, your Majesty may very fitly be esteemed to be, the prime Deputy of God Almighty upon the face of the earth; and we know that in the pure eyes of his heavenly Majesty, than a true and faithful heart there can nothing in the world be more acceptable: and therefore your poor Subject, having no other gratitude at the present, doth most humbly presume to present, and offer to your Sacred Majesty the true sacrifice of a loyal and loving Heart, not fearing to find the fruitful success thereof, knowing that your royal and religious Majesty will adhere unto, and stickle to be of the same merciful mind with your Almighty Creator, Et ille apud Deum plus ha●et loci, qui plus attulit non argenti, sed fidei; and if your Majesty will vouchsafe, and please to look upon me, I dare promise, that by God's grace, my works and actions in the time of prosperity, shall be as full of Faithfulness and Loyalty, as ever my works were in the time of my adversity: Tune enim veraciter fideles sumus si quod verbis promittimus operibus complemus; and let the World think or say what it please, I do protest, that I propound these things, not so much for mine own interest and advantage, as for your Majesty's sake, and for the deep imprinting and high advancement of Truth and Loyalty, and the memory thereof in the hearts of the People; for although I do freely acknowledge mine own defection, coming far short of my duty towards his late Majesty, and your Royal Self; yet my Conscience doth urge me to tell your Majesty plainly, that my Loyalty and Sufferings are so remarkable, as if I should chance unhappily to be neglected, and quite forgotten, the consequence thereof would be so bad, that Truth and Loyalty would be esteemed but at a very low rate in our Country, & be made a mere Ludibrium amongst many, in that factious, seditious, & schismatical corner, where it hath pleased God to lay out my residence. I most humbly beg your Majesty's gracious pardon, for these my bold expressions, and I hope I shall have it; for I desired never to rest or walk upon hollow and deceitful Quagmires, but upon reasonable, sound, & justifiable Grounds: and I have no other certain way, or manner of means, how to make myself or my Case truly and effectually known to your Majesty, but only thus: and I now do cry to your Grace in the words of the Psalmist to his God, The dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty, but, O le● not the oppressed return ashamed. The beloved Son of Jacob by the despire and envy of his Brethren was sold into Egypt for a Bondslave, where he lived in long obscurity, and endured much pain and penury, until his Case was known, and the word of the Lord had tried him; but then the King delivered him, the Prince of the People let him go free: and after all his sorrows and sufferings his success was admirable. I shall be hearty sorry, if in any Passage herein, I have given to any one the least occasion of a just offence, but if your Majesty please to remember some Considerations written upon the life and services of an eminent Statesman and Counsellor to Henry the Great, your Royal Grandfather of France, your Grace will there find, that the Offences of Tongues, Pens, and Impressions, above all others, may be dissembled and winked at; and therefore I trust that the say and writings of such as intent no hurt, but are void of impudence, and seek only to illustrate the Truth, shall receive a mild and gentle interpretation. And thus with my humble and hearty Prayers to God Almighty, for the true felicity of your Sacred Majesty, and all your Royal Relations, I most humbly submit myself, and all that is mine, to your Majesty's mercy, and most favourable censure, and clemency, craving leave to proceed on in the relation of my services and sufferings, where, for method and order sake, I must begin with my Address and Declaration intended to his late Majesty of ever blessed memory; which had been presented unto him, if I had met with the happiness of an access to his Grace.   

TO THE King's Most Excellent MAJESTY.  
The humble Declaration of Your Majesty's 
Written in the year, etc. 164●.  Loyal and Obedient Subject J. W. of L. in the County of Ess. Counsellor at Law; briefly showing his Troubles, and the true occasion thereof in these Times of Rebellion.  
May it please your Majesty,  
AS I am in duty bound in the first place, to render most hearty thanks to God Almighty, for his great goodness towards your Majesty, in blessing and preserving you and yours so graciously in these woeful days of distraction: So I cannot but esteem it a great mercy of God, and a most infallible sign of his favour towards me your poor Subject, that he hath always given me a heart, so constant and loyal towards your Sacred Majesty, as I may boldly say, that neither my hand, or tongue, or thought hath agreed to any thing conducible to the beginning, or fostering of this most unnatural Rebellion; For when your Majesty sent forth Writs for the summoning of this late Parliament, your Subject dwelling upon the Confines of Suff. and hearing what indirect and unlawful means was used in the election of the Knights there, (Ignorance and Affectation ambitiously striving to be the principal Electors) did begin suddenly to smell a savour of some worse intentions; and thereupon when some of his Neighbours requested his company to Chelmsford in Essex, to give a voice to the electing of the Knights of the Shire there; your Subject made this Answer, That he would not stir a foot upon that occasion, because he verily believed that the Parliament would never come to good. It was a rash Speech, I confess, but I have thought since, that surely I spoke It by some Prophetical inspiration; and God knows, I have many times wished, that I had not guessed so right. And afterwards when your Majesty had granted to an Act, that the Parliament should not be dissolved, without the consent of both Houses, your Subject soon after being at a Public meeting in the Town where he lived, where was then present one that was a Justice of the Peace, and a Lawyer, who told it your Subject for good News. That your Majesty had condescended to such an Act, and that now the Parliament would go on very confidently without any obstacles or fears: Your Subject made him hereupon this subitain Answer, That indeed if your Majesty had granted to such an Act, it might possibly conduce to some good end: if it pleased God to give to the Parliament the Spirit of Grace and Wisdom, that they went on in a legal and moderate way: but if they digressed from that method, it might then be a means to introduce great Inconveniences and Distractions; for that your Majesty would perhaps departed from them, and so their Expectations would be frustrated: For we that have read the Law (said I) do know, that both Houses of Parliament, cannot make, nor alter Laws, without the King's Royal assent. Yes (quoth he) they will make Ordinances. Whereat your Subject smiling, did again smell some dangerous Project to be in agitation, and believed the said Party was one of their Fraternity, and that he had sure intelligence of their indirect intentions of proceeding. In which your Subject was likewise a remarkable Presager of the event of things; for the said Party is since proved one of those good instruments, called a Committee-man. And in the year 1642. your Subject being come down from Easter Term, happened in Whitsunweek after to be at a Meeting in his Parish, where the said Justice of Peace was present, and all the Chief Inhabitants thereof, and much enquiring there was of News, concerning the settling of the Militia; and your Subject told them, That he had heard of your Majesty's Proclamation touching the same, but had not yet seen it. To which one of the Company made answer, That he was at London the last week, and had both seen the Proclamation, and also an Ordinance of Parliament to the contrary; and that he had them both there to show. Whereupon the Party pulling them forth, your Subject took them and read them before the whole Assembly, with an audible voice; then they asked your Subject what he thought thereof, and what he intended to do therein. To which your Subject, remembering his natural and legal Allegiance to your Sacred Majesty, boldly answered, That he was soon resolved what course to take in that business, without any study; for that he would by no means disobey your Majesty's Proclamation, in submitting his Arms to the Parliaments devotion: and besides, informed them all openly, That by the Common and Statute Laws of this Kingdom, it was High Treason to levy Arms against the King. Which assertion of the Truth they little esteemed; but affirmed notwithstanding, that they would all send their Arms, and that it would fall heavy upon your Subject, if he refused to do the like. But your Subject knowing a good Conscience in Adversity, to be more pleasant, than a treacherous heart in Prosperity, little regarding their Judgements, but resolved, if the will of God were so, to suffer rather for well doing, than for evil doing. And though your subject thinks himself unworthy to take in hand the legal defence of your Majesties Right, yet when he heard their irreligious, and undutiful Discourse, tending to the slighting and undervaluing of your Majesty's Proclamation, and the applauding only of the Parliaments Designs; your Subject was so jealous of your Majesty's Just Royalties, Prerogatives, and Reputation, that he freely reprehended their folly, and told them they were too confident in their conceits, That the Parliament were many of them but weak men, and might fall into gross errors: That it was not to be imagined, that all the wisdom in the Kingdom, was now engrossed to the House of Commons; for it was able to afford many thousand Assemblies as wise as they: That Truth only must be the square of Christian men's actions, and not the fantastical and factious opinions of men: and among other Passages also said unto them, That they professed themselves to be haters of Idolatry, and yet it appeared they were much infected with Superstition, a grand limb thereof; for they had as Reverend a conceit of their Parliament, as the Papists have of the Pope, which is, that he cannot possibly err in his Function.  
Within a few days after came Warrants to Town, to command all our Arms complete, to beat Colchester the next morning. The Constable came presently to warn me, to send my Arms accordingly. I asked him to see his Warrant, which he shown me; and when I had read it, I told him, That he knew my mind already, for I had declared it sufficiently at the last Town meeting He confessed, that I had so done, yet he must come to do his Office. Then I asked him, If his Authority concerning this matter were derived from under your Majesty's Great Seal. He answered, No, it was from the Parliament. Then I asked him whose ●o●stable he was. He replied, That I was a merry Gentleman to ask him such a Question, and that I myself knew better than he whose Constable he was, and what belonged to his Office. I answered him, That indeed I have thought I had known something, but now the Laws are so strangely refined, that my Learning is almost out of date: But I prithee, said I, tell me in good earnest whose Constable thou art? He answered, The Kings. Then quoth I to him, Thou art a very Fool; for the word of God saith, His Servants ye are to whom ye obey; and therefore you having no Authority from the King, but doing the contrary to his Royal command, are surely the Parliaments Constable, and none of the Kings: Whereat his Constableship was at a Nonplus. Then I told him, that I intended to certify to the Captain, the Reasons under my hand, why I refused to send my Arms: That if I offended the Law therein, they should then have my own hand-writing for a Witness against me. The next morning I wrote to the Captain to this effect, That such a Warrant had been shown unto me, but withal, that I had formerly seen your Majesty's Proclamation, and further intimated, that I should be hearty sor●y to infringe the Allegiance I owed to my Sovereign, or to give a just occasion of offence to others that were in subordinate power: but I remembered that long since I had taken the Oath of Allegiance, and therefore (were it but in that regard) how I could dispense with myself in Disobeying His Majesty's Royal Proclamation I did not yet well understand, but my Arms and body were ever ready to defend his Majesty's Royal Person and Honour. This Letter was delivered him in the open Field amongst the Trained bands, where were present divers Parliament men, which I dare say had a sight of it: but I heard little thereof; only the next week I going to London, News was brought home, that so soon as I came at my Chamber, I was apprehended, by Order from the Parliament, and laid in Prison, and should be fined as much as my Estate was worth; only because I refused to send my Arms at the last Traineing: But it was but a false Fire to terrify my Wife and Children, and to affright others from their duty and allegiance. Then at my return home, the Parson of the Parish told me, That he heard I was like to fall into trouble, and that he was sorry I had not done as my Neighbours did: I answered him, That I was not sorry at all, for I had done as my Conscience, and the Law directed me: But, quoth he, there will come danger of it: Gods will be done, said I, for I am resolved to be constant, and never to turn Rebel, for I shall ever account it an honour to suffer in my Prince's Quarrel; and would fain see the face of that man, that durst call me in Question for showing my true allegiance to my Sovereign. Afterwards I was threatened to have my house pulled down, and all my goods taken away by Riflers, who said they had an Order so to do, because I would lend no money to the Parliament. Soon after I went upon occasion to the house of a Parliament man, none of the meanest 
St. Rober● Crane, Knight and Baconet.  ●ank, and he asked me, What was the reason that I was threatened to be rifled? I told him, Because I would lend no money to the Parliament; Then belike, quoth he, you lent none? No, said I, for I have no moneys to lend; but had I never so much, yet I think I am able to make it appear to you, or any man that is of an impartial Judgement, why I ought not to lend money to such a design; but now a days, said I, men must not speak the truth, what they think: whereat he clapped his hand upon his breast, and said thus, Before God I dare not speak what I think myself. After, he asked What means was used to procure money in our Country? I told him, The Ministers persuaded much; but, said I, every thing that Parsons now speak in the Pulpit, doth not work upon honest men's Consciences, that smell of Loyalty and Discretion. After this I was too often troubled with their Warrants, either about lending of moneys, sending of Arms, or their nugatory politic Association, still roaring in my ears with an Ordinance of Parliament; and still I told them, That these do at length would make the Ordinance roar in the Field. And I thank God I was so far from obeying any of their Warrants, that I still gave them this answer, That by God's grace I would never do myself or posterity that wrong, to live or die a Rebel; and that all their projects would surely come to nought, and tend to nothing but mischief in the end; ever Harping upon this string, That it was without all question High Treason to levy Arms against the King, etc. and sundry times I have laboured to convince them by God's word, and also read to them the Statutes and other Reports of the Law, and Histories, which I did think most fit to rectify their Judgements; and though it did them little good, yet I trust that therein I did discharge my Conscience and duty towards God and your Majesty. And soon after the Battle at Edgehill, when your Majesty's Forces came towards London, the Constable of our Parish came late in an evening, and charged me to send away my Arms the next morning, with a months pay; I asked to see his Warrant, wherein it was specified, that we should send our Arms to oppose your Majesty's Army; whereat I told him, That his Warrant was somewhat too plain, for there was no mention of Cavaliers or Malignants, but peremptorily his Majesty's Army: Then quoth he, sure that word is mistaken; Yes, said I, you run too much upon mistakes, but you might have spared the labour of coming to me, for you know my mind well enough. But, quoth he, a man is not always of one mind, 'tis not fitting he should: Yes, said I, if a man be an honest man it is not fitting he should turn Knave; and for my part I will never meddle in this Rebellion, for if I should, my Conscience would accuse me for an arrant Traitor: But, said he, what Answer shall I make to the Deputy Lieutenants: Why, quoth I, you may tell them, that I have ever been a true Subject to my Prince, and so I am resolved to continue; and I will also be obedient to all subordinate powers under the King, so long as they hold their Allegiance to his Majesty, but if they waive their Obedience to the King, then must they give me leave to forsake them; for Arms or Money I will never send, to oppose his Majesty, or any that take his part, although I be chopped in pieces for it, and that is mine Answer. Not long after came another of the Constables to my house, with a Warrant to search all houses for Armour, which I perusing, said unto him, That his Warrant was general, but I believed that myself was the only man in the Parish that he aimed at; Yet, said I, as the Case standeth, I am not bound by Law to obey this Warrant, neither will I: Nevertheless because I have heard that some idle people have reported, that I have great store of Arms in my house, therefore to take away those fears and jealousies from you. I will (though not in obedience to your Warrant, yet in point of Neighbourhood) let you see what Arms I have, and thereupon I carried him into every room in my house, and suffered him to search where he pleased, but nothing he could find to take any exceptions at, for indeed I had no Armour at all, but that I was formerly charged to find: Notwithstanding this Treacherous Villain went soon after to the pretended Lieutenants of the Shire, and certified them that I was a most dangerous man, and had Arms in my house for at least 20▪ men, and that if my Arms were not taken from me, I would be ready upon any occasion to do much mischief. Whereupon Order was given that a Trained band should be raised to disarm me; who soon after Christmas 1642. in ● morning before daylight, beset my house, and the said Constable who was their conductor, when day appeared, knocked at my Gate, and asked to speak with me; And he was answered at a Window, that I was not up, and requested to come some other time; Yet he continued knocking, whereupon I arose, and went into my study opening against the Gate, and asked him what his will was? He told me that he was come again to search for Arms; Why so? said I, you have done that already; Ay but, quoth he, we have a Warrant to apprehend your body; Nay then, quoth I, take it if thou canst get it; With that a Parliament Captain that was hidden behind the Pales, shown himself, and said, Sir open your doors, for we must have ye: Sir, quoth I, thou art like to tarry a while: Upon which denial, the Soldiers that were Ambuscadoed about the house, began to appear, and cried, Give fire; whereat there rattled such a peal of Muskets against the house, as were alone enough to have converted a Coward to the Round Religion; whereat my little Boys starting out of their beds to dress themselves, the Bullets piercing into their Chambers, did beat the materials of the walls about their faces, insomuch that the Eldest, but 14. years of age, came running to me, and said, O Father they shoot Bullets, let us shoot at them again, although we die for it every one of us; But the Father had no considerable Force, to equal the Child's Valour, and therefore thought it no policy to provoke such obstinate harebrained Rebels, and it was Gods great mercy that I was so patiented, for they reported themselves afterwards, that if we had but shot off a Gun, we had been all killed, and the house pulled down. Again I went to the Window, and asked them what they intended? They presented their Muskets and Pistols at the very face of me, and charged me to open the doors: I replied, That if they had any Authority from the King, I would; They said, No, but they had order from the Parliament; To that, quoth I, I will not yield; Then they said they would break the house: I wished them to be advised, for my house was my ●astle, and I was in the King's peace, and if they did any more than Law would justify, they must look one day to hear of it: Then as fast as they could they broke open all the doors, seized upon me, searched every Trunk and Chest in my house to find Plate, tumbled about my Bedding and Apparel, with their Muskets in their hands, and Matches light, took away all my Armour and Weapons, leaving me not so much as a Rapier, and forcibly carried me away, saying, that for aught they knew I might be charged with Treason; for these sots think every man a Traitor, that abhorreth to be so As we road along the Captain wished me to submit: I said that I had not offended the Law, and therefore would make no submission: For these riotous Rebels, said I, that have abused me and my house, have greater reason to make a submission than myself. When we came at the place where these Deputy Lieutenants were, much people was assembled on a Green before the house, to see what should become of this horrible Malignant; then issued they out to examine me, before the multitude, where it was laid to my charge, that I refused to send my Arms to the Training; 'Tis well known, said I, that I have ever been as sedulous to send them as any man, till now of late: But there is now most need, said they; I answered, That his Majesty's Proclamation commanded the contrary, and when there is an Order for it under his Majesty's Great Seal, then will I send my Arms, before I will not: Then was I charged for not contributing to the Parliament; I answered, That your Majesty had declared that none of his true Subjects should furnish the Parliament with Horse, Arms, or Money, and that I had rather offend all men living, than the King of England, or my own Conscience: Then it was urged, That I said I would march to the King; Why, said I, if my own house grow too hot for me, whither should I go for protection but to my Sovereign. But, quoth one, there be a great many of Rascals with the King; Sir, said I, take heed what you say, for you call in question the best and wisest men in England, for I am sure they are with the King. Then one cried out, That I had said the then Earl of Essex was a Traitor: I replied, His Majesty had proclaimed him so, and as my Learning taught me, I doubted that he would hardly answer his do. Then said one, that I had called the Ministers Pulpit-Knaves: I answered, that I did in my heart reverence all honest Divines, but such as now a days came up to preach Sedition, and to abuse the King and his Liege people, I knew another place more fit for them then a Pulpit. Then said one in the crowd, You are in the way to Hell: But I having a better testimony within me, laughed at him, and said, I hoped better things: But, said I, (standing close by the Deputy Lieutenants, the Captain and Soldiers hemming me in) here is a brave Company about me, what do all these people intent to guard me thither? at which some could not refrain from laughing; and so the terrible Examination ended. Then the Gentlemen requested me in, and used me civilly, (though some of the Rascals had much abused me) and after much discourse, they wished me whatsoever I thought, yet to be sparing of my Speech, for they saw my Neighbours were malicious, and so dismissed me. But I knowing my own resolutions, and thereupon dreading a worse mischief too soon to ensue, within a few days after forsook my house, and have ever since lived a Lawyer itinerant, and yet I trust that I have observed the Law justly, and also used a very good Conscience, for now I am sure that I did not take a Fee for divers months after, but many times in my Travels, for speaking in your Majesty's behalf, I have been soon after driven to take a thick Wood for a refuge. Since my departure they have taken away some of my Goods, sequestered my Rents, and seized my little Estate, so as my poor Wife and Children can hardly get any means to subsist withal, whilst I am an exile from them, beset with many Crosses, but hardly one Cross of Silver to relieve me. As God hath given me a Loyal heart towards your Majesty, so I have often grieved, that I had not abilities equivalent to testify the same; bu● I know your Grace will pardo● involuntary neglects, since by my pen and tongue, which are a Lawyers best Weapon's, I have endeavoured always to do your Majesty the best service I could; and I doubt not but your Sacred Majesty will be graciously pleased to take these things into your Princely consideration, and to afford your loyal and true Subjects that have been thus unlawfully abused, a happy re●resse in due time, for these intolerable wrongs and oppressions, which goodness of your Majesty towards us, shall for ever engage us (if possible) in a more reciprocal bond of Duty, Love, and Allegiance to your Majesty and yours, and so I hearty beseech Almighty God to preserve and bless your Majesty, your Gracious Queen, and your most hopeful, Royal Issue and Alliance, with all prosperity in this life, and eternal happiness by Christ Jesus in Heaven.  
Amen.   

To the High and most Renowned MAJESTY OF Charles the TWO: By the Grace of God most Mighty and Famous King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, etc.  
A Continuation, or Exact and very True Relation of divers Passages concerning the Loyal Demeans and injust Sufferings of your Majesty's true and faithful Subject John Wenlock of Langham in the County of Essex, Counsellor at Law, in the former Declaration mentioned; and the miserable distresses of his loving Wife, his Children, and whole Family: occasioned by the Tyranny and cruel Usurpation of the late most monstrous and unparallelled Rebels.  
MAy it please your sacred Majesty in your royal Clemency, to take further notice, that within a few days after, that the aforesaid barbarous Injuries and unlawful Violences were put upon your said Subject in his dwelling House, his apprehension and carrying away as a Prisoner, and return home again; the said pestiferous Constable, formerly mentioned, being horribly vexed in his rebellious Stomach, because he could not obtain his malicious Will, and villainous Intention against your said Subject, which was to have him sent to some Gaol, or Ship at Sea, to be kept in hold as a Prisoner, during their pleasures, did therefore repair to a Justice of the Peace, a man in all probability, as well qualified then, and of as good discretion for that Office, as the other was to be a Constable, where he made a most untrue Complaint against your Subject, informing the said Justice, That he went in fear of his Life, and believed that your Subject would either kill him, or burn his Houses, and also offered to take his Corporal Oath to that effect. Whereupon the said Justice, in his grave indiscretion, very little, or not at all (as it seems) regarding the profession of the Law, or the Law itself, in the compass of Discretion; nor yet common Civilities to be expected and used amongst Gentlemen, would not vouchsafe to send for your said Subject in a gentile & neighbourly way to confer with him, thereby to hear and observe what your Subject was able to allege in his own defence, against the Complaints of such a paltry Fellow, but immediately suffered the said Party, without any further examination of the matter, to make a most false and wicked Oath against your said Subject, and thereupon granted a Warrant of the Peace against him, directed to the other Constable of Langham aforesaid, peremptorily to apprehend your Majesties said Subject, and to bring his Body before him; And hereupon the said other Constable did forthwith repair unto your Subjects dwelling House, and there made relation of the occasion of his coming at that time. Whereupon your Subject did fairly request the said Constable to show him his Warrant; which he presently delivered into your Subject's hand, who perusing the same over did inform the Constable, That he much marvelled, That the Justice would permit such an Oath to be made against him, before the matter were better examined on both Parts, and that he also understood what excusatory Arguments might be alleged on your Subject's behalf: For, said I, if the Justice had refused to take the Parties Oath for a while, until the Cause had received a further examination, yet no danger or prejudice could have accrued to the Justice, for his not accepting the said Oath, unless that myself, against whom the Oath was tendered, had in the interim committed some violent and unlawful Act against the King's Majesty's Peace, which a Magistrate methinks, in point of Charity and discretion, should not very fearfully expect to be perpetrated by a Counsellor at Law that was not as yet voted, and declared to be Non compos mentis; but that odious name and censure of a Malignant, never so incongruouslie imposed, yet (as the violence of the stream did then ru●) must of necessity be a sufficient motive, and pretence to patronise all manner of Rigours and Incivilitles. And further, your said Majesty's Subject did then inform the Constable, that he had some good cause to believe, that the said Warrant was not intended against himself, because thereby it was commanded to bring the Body of Mr. Wenlock of Langh●m, and said I, there be some others in the Town, that may well pass by that appellation; and therefore in regard, that the usual Addition that i● commonly given unto me, in all Writings, is not inserted, neither my Christian name therein specified, I am not bound to take notice of such an ambiguous warrant, or to yield obedience thereunto; for certainly there is some grand misprision therein committed, either by the Justice of the Peac●, or his Clerk, or else the Informer. Why Sir? quoth the Constable, without doubt you are the Man, that is intended by the Warrant. If you think so, said, I then neither myself, nor any of my Family shall make opposition against it: but if thou wilt provide me a Horse, and se● me gently upon his back, and lead him by the bridle, then will I pass along with you without offering the least violence, but upon mine own free and voluntary motion; I will not go (for the Reason's aforesaid) until thou dost bring a wiser Warrant. And hereupon his Reply was (as I remember) That he would not meddle with me upon such terms, and so departed. And yet, before that I had thus edoctrinated his Intelligibles, he was so zealous for the Cause, (he knew not what) as he was very urgent to have me go away with him to the Justice at that time, although it was then a deep snow, very bitter weather, and altogether unfit for travel, unless it had been upon a far more necessitous occasion. But within a day or two after, (if it please your Majesty) the former Constable stable which had taken the Oath, and procured the Warrant against me, was about repairing towards my House, and perchance I espied him before he entered my Gate, and went out and met him, and fairly said unto him, Come on Neighbour, what News? or to that effect. Whereupon he answered, that he was come to tell me, That myself was the very man that he had made Oath against. If it be so, said I, indeed I am sorry for thee, for thou art a vile Wretch, and knowest not what great wrong thou hast done unto thy sel●; for God he knows that I never intended thee any hurt, either in thy Person or Estate, for God be praised I have more Grace to rectify my Conscience, and Conversation, and a better Knowledge and Judgement in the Laws of my native Country, than weakly to expose myself to shame and danger, by fouling my hands about such a Varlet, as thou art: but if the Lord spare my life, until the Laws run in the right Channel, I shall then endeavour by the course of Justice, to right myself against thee, and such others of thy Tribe, as have so grossly abused me, and sought my disgrace, and imminent destruction: in the mean time I shall humbly crave at the hands of my most merciful M●ker, such a portion of Patience as may enable me with courage and constancy, to endure such crosses as his providential Wisdom shall think fit to afflict me withal, for his glory, and mine own eternal good: and speaking unto him after this manner, or to the same substance in effect, me thought the Party did look with a turbulent, and somewhat dejected countenance, as if his conscience did accuse him, and so turning his back like himself, he went his way: and to the best of my remembrance, I did never see him after; for it pleased God, that within a very few days following he fell dangerously sick, in which time of his sickness (as I was afterwards informed) he did oftentimes murmur and cry out, that he had wronged Mr. Wenlock; and I hope that the Lord did give him grace to repent, in some measure, for his sinful errors in that behalf: but the sad event was, that the Party lay miserably sick, and languishing, for the space of near a quarter of a year together, and so departed this life; when your Subject was many miles distant from home, and wandering about on fo●t, as privately as he could, to save and secure his liberty and life▪ for the truth is, may it please your Majesty, that the malicious and false Oath taken against your Subject as aforesaid, was one of the first, and none of the least Motives, that induced him to departed from his Wife and Family. Which intolerable and most infested Injury offered to your Subject, being also seconded, and aggravated, by the bitter and barbarous expressions of some others of the seditious Rabble, reviling his young Children as they went in the Fields near his House, and a●king them if the Cavalier their Father was not yet dispatched, together with the remissness and pitiful pusilanimity of the Magistrates thereabouts, who were as timorous to act according to Law and Justice, as the vulgar multifarious Monster was obnoxious, and prone at that time to all manner of mischief; did something abate, and almost terrify your Subject's courage, and confidence, being loath to render himself a Sacrifice to the inhuman cruelty of Madness, Ignorance and Rebellion; and likewise desirous (if it pleased God) to prolong his life, in hope to meet with some better opportunity of making a further manifestation of his true and faithful Loyalty to his Sovereign, and sincere love and affection to his native Country; and therefore he did think it none of the worst Policy, for himself to withdraw, a while from his Mansion house, that so he might not remain so continual an eye sore to his emulous and harebrained Antagonists, believing, that as his absence would extenuate his own danger, so it might possibly occasion some mitigation of their Malice: and hoping also, that their outrageous frenzy would prove but a Meteor and vanish sooner than a Nine day's wonder, or at least begin to wain, when that moon of madness was at the full; which Conjecture and imagination of mine, I do verily believe, would not have proved frustrate, had not the righteous God as a just punishment for all our sins, permitted that infernal Prince Apollyon, and his Chaplain, in ordinary, mutually to be the baneful bellows and brands, both to blow and kindle the fatal fire of Sedition in the hearts and affections of that grossly ignorant, disingenuous and inconstant multitude, and which unhappily made them to be so instrumental, not only to themselves, but also such real auxiliaries, to the long continuate sad distractions, and ever to be lamented miseries, of these late so wilfully distressed Nations. And in truth your Majesty's Subject might have just cause to fear, that some or other of his Neighbours, so notoriously envious, might be drawn by some Diabolical instigation, to make an Oath against his Life, as well as his Liberty; for he had good reason to misdoubt the worse, in regard he was so palpably guilty of such high Crimes as true intelligent legal Loyalty, and just Integrity were then esteemed to be: and also because his place and station was under a Climate where the far major part of the people, were so prodigi-Ously zealous and fanatical: and where but very few of any note or quality thereabouts, had the happiness or honour of a just occasion to be put into the Catalogue of Sufferers, with that eminently Loyal, and ever to Honoured Knight of St. John's in Colchester, now the Right Honourable the Lord Lucas, and that most Noble and Loyal Baronet Sir Benjamin Ayloffe, and that worthy to be remembered, and discreet Knight, Sir Thomas Wiseman the Elder, deceased; and therefore your Majesty's Subject well considering, that his so constant opposition, to the violent force and torrent of Rebellion, would every day more and more stir up the stomaches, and provoke, and sharpen the edge of his pernicious and inveterate Enemies, so cruelly bend against him; and that such also of his Neighbours as he esteemed to be his Friends, durst not make any manifestation or testimony thereof, for fear of being marked with the brand of Malignancy, and so in danger likewise to be exposed to the fury and madness of the multitude for his sake, and knowing for certainty, that his own Conscience in point of Religion, and his knowledge and judgement in the municipal Laws of his Country, would never permit him in the least tittle to alter his resolution, in the progress of truth and Loyalty, did hereupon conceive and believe as aforesaid, that a private departure from his house for a time, would prove his best visible posture of defence. And so towards the latter end of the year 1642. your Subject with some reluctancy, God knows, did departed from his dwelling place, leaving his dear Wife, and small Children (as the fate and face of the Tyrannical times did then appear) in a Forest or Wilderness, amongst Brutish and Barbarous animals, and yet with a competent and sufficient estate, for their comfort support and maintenance, in my absence, if their innocencies had not been injuriously deprived and violently rob thereof, within a short time after my departure. And so it was if it please your Majesty, that the change of air, did never breed the least change, or alteration in your subjects mind and affections, but wheresoever he came, and upon all occasions his discourse was still pathetical on your Majesty's most glorious Father's behalf, very freely reproving the cross hallucinations, perversities and rebellion of the times; and vindicating his Majesty's regal rights, and just and lawful Prerogatives, to the uttermost of his power; in so much as many times he found that he gave offence to some, and made others of a more honest condition, somewhat timorous to entertain him for fear of the Bugg-bear and his r●mbling ubiquitary spirits, that then kept the bewitched Country in so much awe, for alas the most part of the people thereabouts, were so sottish, as to idolise mere shadows, and yet fond to neglect the Almighty God that made them, and ready to offend and grieve his good spirit, by their irreverent despising and horrible rebelling against his most perfect and specifical Image, that then was upon the face of the earth; which profane impiety your subject could not pass by, without ministering some reproof, although some that pretended to be his friends, did divers times tell him, that he did procure his own wrong, and prejudice thereby; yet your subject having a more assured regard and a more firm and vigilant eye, upon the future, than the present time, could not upon any occasion refrain in a Christian and moderate manner, to declare himself, and in despite of all opposition, still persisted in that religious and heroical resolution of loyalty, and the discharging of his own conscience before God and the World; and thus after many sore rubs, dangers and affronts your subject approached unto the village of Dalham in Suffolk the 
* Thomas Dalton now Dr. in Divinity.  Rector whereof being my kinsman, and one that I may well affirm to be a very loyal learned and orthodox Divine, did give me most free and noble entertainment; and where by the means of the great love and especial regard both of himself, and his virtuous wife, expressed towards me, being in that distressed condition, and whom in truth of nobleness, they esteemed as their King's friend above their own kinsman, and together with the civil courtesies and generous respects of another noble Gentleman than Lord of that town; and others of his worthy family at Dalham Hall, your subject did receive, and enjoy a comfortable rest and residence, for many weeks together, being linked in a pleasant and sweet society, with some royal bird of his own feather, and where quotidian and frequent discourses, did pass amongst us, concerning his late Sacred Majesty and his affairs at Oxford, whither your subjects said kinsman, intended suddenly to repair, and also offered to myself a friendly and fair means of conduction thither, which I did thankfully embrace, and approve of, yet before I undertook so long and dangerous a journey, I was very solicitous to see my wife and children, and to take my leave of them, not knowing what had success I might meet with (as the times than were) nor whether I should ever live to see them again, in this world, or not; after which resolution thus taken, without delay I began to ma●ch, and did beat upon the ●oof homewards, (as I was driven to fetch my compass) I believe above four miles at the least, but when I approached the territories of my own unhappy Country, that professed stage of rebellion, mine ear●s were sa●ly saluted and summoned, with the beating of drums, and thundering of guns, for indeed the most part of the people in that quarter, were so much holy mad that their most continual practice, and greatest endeavour was, to seek occasions, and prepare materials to macerate themselves, and to muster up the ruin and confusion of these once so happy, and late most flourishing nations: And further to try my patience, when I came within a flight shot of mine own house, I was casually met withal and discovered by a man that dwelled in the same Town of Dedham, where the rebels were then a training up themselves to work mischief, which party I durst not well trust, in regard that some of his neighbours, but a short time preceding, had so barbarously endangered the lives of myself and my whole family, and so forcibly broke open my house, and stolen away my goods: which entering presently into my consideration, I thought it not safe to tarry at my own House, misdoubting that the Party would give notice of my being about home, and that so I might be liable to a second surprise; for I knew well that the mere fury and madness of the multitude, was in truth as legal as any Warrant▪ they could obtain against me, from such seditious Simpletons, as then pretended to be in lawful Authority thereabouts; and therefore to eschew the present danger, within the space of an hour, as I remember, I departed from my House, and went to a poor Tenants of mine in a Village near adjacent, where in a little close room, I did anchorise myself for that day, and at Evening my Wife came unto me, there in the poor man's bed we lodged together for that night; in the Morning I soon prepared myself for my retraiting foot march to Dalham again, whither my God in his mercy did safely conduct me, with a settled resolution to have gone to Oxford with my said Kinsman: but in the interim of my absence, which was not many days, the air there also did begin to overcast, & the Country to smell so strong of Rebels and Gunpowder, that my Kinsman being of a Sound stomach, and an honest Divine, that could not dissemble, knew not at all how to relish or digest such poisonous Vapours, as the infectious stinch of Rebellion, did daily cast forth and present before him, and therefore as an Antidote against further danger, and a Preservative for his health, liberty, and safety, he was enforced to change the air, and so departing from his House, went immediately to Oxford, before that your Subject could make his return to Dalham. Notwithstanding whose absence, (that was the nearest to me in relation there,) yet I still found as much nobleness at that place, as might in reason or civility be expected; and therefore finding myself to be welcome, and well at ease, I continued there the longer, for indeed Journeys were not very pleasant unto me, in regard that I traveled for the most part on foot, which I commonly used to do at that time, because I did find that kind of passage, to be more free from suspicion, and danger, and also less chargeable to those, that were willing to give me a friendly entertainment. But my Fates were such as my quiet repose and felicity at Dalham aforesaid, must not admit of any long continuance there, for to the intent and end that I might be made truly sensible of my former sins, and present sufferings, and lest I should be lulled asleep in security, or vainly puffed up with a false vision, and shadow of Prosperity, it pleased God, that a Messenger of Satan was sent to buffet me▪ and th●s it happened: There lived in that Town a mean mechanical fellow, a Blacksmith by his Trade, that was a daily Workman and Retainer to the Parsonage, where my chiefest abode than was; and this Party was reported and taken to be a dangerous stubborn and rebellious Roundhead, and by some that well knew his Conditions, I was oftentimes advised to beware of him, and not to discourse or utter my mind in his hearing: But this Fellow, set on surely by the Devil, the first Father and cunning Contriver of all Rebellion, Malice and Mischief, and a sworn Enemy to all Truth, had a fervent desire, (as the sequel declared, to work me a Mischance) when he once understood me to be a constant Maintainer thereof; And yet he presented himself unto me in a more subtle specious and angelical Garb and Posture, than others of his Brethren, of a far more cleanlier Profession, had done before him, for he ever endeavoured by fair words, and submiss Demeanour, to insinuate himself into my respect and favour, always expressing more signs of Service towards me, then either I expected or desired at his hands; and sometimes when he did espy me walking alone in the Fields, he would repai●e unto me with the pretence of much observance, and an ardent desire to conser with me; telling me, that he had heard, and also perceived, that I was a man of much knowledge, and therefore he thought himself happy, when he had any opportunity of Discourse with me, whereby his Judgement might be the better informed in the truth of many things, concerning the troubles and divisions of these times, entreating me still to exouse his boldness of access unto me, and protesting that whats●ever his Opinion had formerly been, yet he had now a great desire and love to learn the truth: and also assuring me, that I need not misdoubt or fear to speak ●y mind unto him freely, for he would be faithful un●o me, and would never be an Instrument to procure to so honest and loving a Gentleman as I was, the least hurt or ●njury in the world: And after many such meetings and expressions, your Majesty's subject being of an open heart, and free from all deceit, did hope and imagine that such others as spak● fai●ly, were of his own nature and disposition, and that their real intentions, were correspondent to their verbal expre●●●ons, and therefore he began to believe, that this late so viperous a Vulcan, was now capable of conversion; and hereupon in truth of charity, towards the poor seduced wretch, and ●o preserve his body from the hands of the hangman, and his so●l from the danger of the devil; I did oftentimes very freely converse with him, always endeavouring to evince, and rectify his depraved judgement, to mollify his mind, and by Scripture, law and reason, to convince him of his errors, and ever presenting to the view of his apprehension, that ugly monster of Rebellion, in as hideous and horrible a shape, as I was able to limne it out▪ or blaze forth the pedigree thereof, telling him that the Devil was ●he first father of Rebellion, and that all others, that were infected with that witchcraft, were his own undoubted children, and the very proper soldiers that fought under the devil's b●nner; and informing him at large of the loyalty of that holy Prophet David, towards his Sovereign, notwithstanding that he was his enemy, and sought his life, and was a man in some manner forsaken of God; and how benignly and mercifully the Lord likewise dealt with David for his uprightness, and pious and just demeanour in that behalf: and also relating unto him at sundry times many other passages, precedents and precepts out of holy Scripture, and several authentic Authors and Histories, which did declare and make manifest the religious necessity, of the subjects true obedience, and loyalty to their lawful Sovereign; and withal showing him how great and honourable the rewards have been, that truth and loyalty hath received, both in ancient and modern times: and how prodigiously fatal and fearful, that desperate condition and period of rebels and traitors had ever been; and how odious their memory in all succession's of ages: and such or to the same effect, was the most part of your subjects continual conference with Barnard the Blacksmith, for so was he called, but he being then an instrument of h●ll, and so not capable of good Counsel, but one of those Fools that hated Instruction, and having the fire of Envy and Sedition kindled in his putrified stomach, could not rest long in quiet, without the working of some manner of wickedness; and therefore he went to the Committees, those rural nutritious Instruments of Rebellion, and there he made his complaint against a Noble Gentleman then living in the Town, and that was your Subjects loving Friend, and ancient acquaintance, whereat I was much molested and grieved, and therefore soon after, upon a Sunday at night when the said Barnard came to the Parsonage, where I than was, I did begin somewhat sharply to expostulate the matter with him, and said that I was hearty sorry to see him still continue so turbulent and factious a fellow, as to run about with such trivial complaints, against honest and worthy Gentlemen, to whom he was so much beholding, and by whose means he had obtained his principal maintenance and livelihood, telling him, that if I had thought this gross humours would still have fed upon the leaven of maliciousness and peevishness, I would never have uttered my mind unto him so freely as I had done, for I now believed that he would prove ● kind o●● Judas in the conclusion; But the greatest hurt and injury, said I, will ever redound upon thyself, for by such false and perfidious dealing, thou wilt draw the wrath of God upo● thee and thine, and make thyself odious and abhorred of all honest men, or words to that effect: And he returning me cross answers, I confess I did bitterly reprove him for his seditious sauciness, the issue whereof was, that the next morning very early one of the Maid Servants in the house ca●e running up into my Chamber in an extafie, and with tears in her eyes, ruefully told me that we were all undone, for Barnard had raised the Town, and beset the house, and that he would presently carry me away Prisoner to Cambridge; and that her Mistress was in a most fearful affright at the hearing thereof. Whereupon according to my usual courage and confidence, I began to smile, and wished the Maid to pacify herself, for I was not afraid of such Rascals, but would suddenly rise, and come down amongst them, and perhaps give some allay to their fury; and so with all expedition I dressed myself, and came down into the Parsonage Hall, where the said Barnard then was, accompanied with such a rustical rabble of mere animals, as his Impudence could command, or their own ignorance would permit, to dance after the mad Music of his pernicious Pipe, and there at first casting mine eyes upon the tenebrous object of a Blacksmith, I did thus encounter him: Ha', how now Barnard, what news this morning? to which he made answer, That I must go with him to Cambridge before the Committees; What must I go with thee, quoth I, upon what Authority? let me see thy Warrant: Whereunto his reply was, That he had no Warrant to show me, but that himself was Authority and Warrant sufficient, for he could tell of his own knowledge, that I was a Malignant, and therefore it was lawful enough for him to apprehend me, and also to carry me away without any further Order; and indeed, although the wicked wretch did not rightly understand what he said, yet I knew well, that his Authority was equivalent to the Committees, and as legal to an inch, (as the case then stood) yet I thought it no policy to acknowledge so much to him, lest he should be too proud of his power, and so the more rude and violent against me▪ wherefore I still harped upon this string, That without some colour of lawful Authority, I would not stir a foot; for I had then no business at Cambridge, and if a man of my Quality and Profession should submit himself to travel about the Country with such a Company of Idle fellows and upon ●o frivolous an occasion, without the command of a Warrant, it must needs redound much to the blemish of my judgement and reputation, and therefore I plainly told them, that I was resolved not to go along with them, unless it were upon other terms; and hereupon the vile Vulcan, believing that all his Rebellious retinue were ready at his command, did cry out to the Constable to do his Office, and to lay hold of me, for I was the Malignant and only man that he intended to take; And upon this I turned myself towards the party to whom he directed his Speech, as I perceived, and said unto him, Art thou a Constable? who answered, Yes Sir: Then quoth I, Friend I charge thee in the King's Majesty's name to see the peace kept, for I have done no man wrong, but was at quiet in my bed, until this riotous Assembly did thus disturb me, and therefore I counsel thee to be wary, and well advised, for if thyself, or any of thy Company here, do offer any violence to me, without a lawful Warrant so to do, you were better by't off your nails, and leave scratching for ever; but certainly that which is done already will not be forgotten, when time shall serve, for I shall hazard to make you all smart for it; And it is probable that this animosity of mine, and heroic manner of demeanour, did so much abash or pacify the Peasants, as not one of them durst offer to lay hands upon me; But it was reported afterwards, that this Barnard had sent to Cambridge in Posthaste for a Warrant against me, that very morning, and that the intention of their coming so soon to the Parsonage, was but to protract time, and to stay me with wrangling discourse, until the Messenger was returned with his tackling; and the truth is, I had been gone from thence within a few hours, if these unlucky Fellows had not thus Treacherously sought to prevent me, but as it happened they did but hasten my ●ourney, for the Gentlewoman of the house, being wonderful solicitous that I might be delivered from the danger & torment of this Vulcan's Hammer & Anvil, knowing that he and his Traitorous adherents might bruise me into pieces, but never could fashion me into any other form or shape, did quickly endeavour to prepare a passage for my departure, and escape from amongst them. And thus it was, she sent up to Dalham Hall for some Gentlemen that were there, entreating them to come down presently to the Parsonage which they did, and whilst that some of them were in hot dispute with this Barnard, and reproving him for his thus acting the part of an Impudent, and Treacherous wretch, the Gentlewoman did whisper in my ear, and told me, that she wished with all her heart, that I were out of their fingers, for quoth she, if they have once gotten you to Cambridge, God knows how cruelly the Villains there may deal with you, because you have always spoken so much against their Treasons, and are known to be so stout and true a Subject to the King, and therefore she most earnestly advised me to get away if I could, and told me that her Maid should presently unlock a backdoor out of the Parlour into the Garden, and a back-gate out of the Garden into a back yard, and so I might soon escape into the fields: and accordingly this door and gate were quickly set open, and a sign given me thereof, that so I might take my fittest opportunity: but I confess it went much against the height of my stomach, to run away as it were from such Rascals; but the Gentlewoman's importunity, and the love of mine own liberty, did a little work upon me, and therefore when I did observe the whole company to be most bu●ie, violent and full of discourse, I suddenly slipped into the parlour, as if I went to look for something, and without taking my leave of any body in the hall, or elsewhere in the house, I nimbly glided away through the garden into the back-yard, and so getting over a pale, I soon obtained the wide fields, where I made my march, as if I ran for a wager, and endeavoured to fly as swift as Pegasus, towards a great wood not far off, for like a subtle fox, when I had formerly rambled about the fields for my recreation, I well observed where the best covert was for my safeguard, if I should chance at any time to be hunted. I was got but a little way from the house, before I met with some that knew me well, because I had ordinarily frequented the Parish Church: I only entreated their silence, and made haste toward my desired port, and soon I attained the wood, and brustled into the thickest part thereof as near as I could, and being almost quite out of breath, I rested my panting limbs upon an old stub there, and first giving thanks to my God for my good deliverance, I then began to ruminate what course I were best to take for my safety, for I well knew that I must not dwell there long, although it was a musical place, for indeed the Choristers of the wood, did sweetly chant their melody to my solicude, but above all a Robin-red-breast was so courteous to court me so nearly, as I began to believe that her pure innocence, was ambitious of my company; but presently, to disturb the least of my comforts, I was alarmed with the noise and hollow of the Hunters, that endeavoured to rouse their Game ag●in; but I was lodged close and said squat: and yet I believe that if they had entered the Wood they might possibly have made a second surprise of me: but although that day immediately before was very clear, yet it pleased the providence of God upon the sudden, to send a most violent and raging shower of rain, which so sound wet the wood and timber trees, that it spoilt their sport, and I heard no more noise of them: and yet I continued a good while after in my harbour, for fear of some secret ambuscado; but at length I began to move, as soon as the shower was over, but the rain that had dropped upon me in the wood, together with my brustling amongst the trees and bushes to get out, did make me as grievously wet, as if I had been drenche over head and ears in a river, but in that pitiful case I wa●, yet I ventured out, and knew not well whither to bend my course, but soon I resolved myself for a Gentleman's house about a mile off, with whom I was acquainted since my being at Dal●am: and when I drew near the house, I quickly espied the Gentleman in his yard, looking upon a workman that was there at work, which party dwelled in Dalham, where I had met with my late surprisal, and before I came, had related to him the manner thereof, and so soon as the Gentleman did discover my approach, he came towards me with a smiling countenance, and said he was sorry to see me in such a wet condition, but hearty glad that I had escaped out of mine Enemy's hands, and entreated me to walk in; I returned him thanks, but said unto him, That his house was no place for me, as the case stood, I must not tarry there: No, quoth h●, but I wish you might tarry, if it were without danger, for it is to be feared that they will suspect this house, and therefore it is no policy to stay long, but you may venture to go in a while, and dry your  against the fire, and take some refreshment; and indeed his courteous offer came very seasonably, for besides the need which I had of a fire to dry me, I had taken no sustenance all the day before, by reason o● my former disturbance. Well, in I went, and there a sweet & loving Gentlewoman his Sister, did presently prepare me the best repast that the house could afford, & whilst I was taking the same in haste, I desired the Gentleman to send out some spies, to discover whether the Coast were clear or not, for I did misdoubt that my Hunters might still be upon their chase, to smell me out. And withal requested him to draw on a pair of Boots, that would sense water, for indeed mine own were sufficiently liquored, being as wet within as without: these things being soon dispatched, out we went together on the backside into the Fields: and then I told him whether I did intent to travel, and take my repose for that night ensuing, and the next Morning to departed out of the Country, but quoth I, the way to the house I know not, and loath I am to make inquiry about the way leading thereunto, least by that means I should be suspected, and so be discovered, and besides if the Gentleman himself be from home none of his Family doth know me, and then perchance I may miss of my entertainment, and so lie all night in the Fields: Well, quoth he, let not that trouble you, for I will not leave you thus, but if it please God, I will see you safely arrived there, and I will warrant you welcome, for the Gentlewomen is as Royal as h●r Husband, I was glad to hear of that, and most thankfully embraced his courtesy, and so very cheerfully we marched along, the most private way through the standing Corn Fields, and long grass, it being on Midsummer day and our Journey near five miles: yet in a short time with many a wet and weary step we arrived at the place we so much desired, where my Comrade and myself boldly entering, we soon understood that the Gentleman of the house was not at home, but the Party we first saw there did conduct us into the Parlour, where the Gentlewomen the Mistress of the House, did soon after appear and gave us a very kind welcome, and instantly in a few words, I related my Condition unto her, and what a Danger I had escaped that day: she rejoiced greatly at it, and said that she was hearty glad of my safe Arrival there, for she had heard much of me, but was never before so happy as to see me, and casting her eyes towards the Chimney, which was then adorned with Summer-like Ornaments, as green Boughs, green Rushes, and Flowers, she meerily said, Sir, though you be a stranger, yet I believe at this time you have more need of a good fire then of green Rushes, and forthwith she commanded her Servants to disrobe the chimney of all those Ornaments, and quickly to make a good fi●e, which together with a bottle of Sack and other good cates she presented us with, did much refresh us after our wet Journey, and there we both reposed ourselves together for that night, and in the morning betimes my loving fellow Traveller departed, and wen● and certified my Friends, with whom I had formerly been, how well I was got off, and how far I was on ward on my Journey; and soon after that he was gone, I did arise myself, and took some good refreshing, and with much thankfulness to the house, I went away, and ben● my course towards the other side of Suffolk; and it was well that I made so much has●e, for within an hour after that I was gone from thence, (as I was not long after informed) the bold Blacksmith and his ragged Regiment were come to that Town, with an Hue and Cry to search after me, but they came a little too late, God be thanked. And yet further also, if it please your Majesty, about a year or two after, I did hear to my great comfort, that this Blacksmith was become a convert, for whether he was convinced in his conscience, to see the gracious deliverance that God gave me out of his hands, and thereby was occasioned to consider the better of me, and the good Counsel I had given him, or whether he was utterly ashamed of the base Treachery that he had practised against me, true it is, that he removed from Dalham to another Town some 7, or 8 Miles off, and there fell quietly to his work, deserted the Rebellion, and never meddled any more therein. Now I was upon another foot March, to find out new adventures, and glad to accept of the meanest entertainment I could meet withal, being enforced sometimes to lie in a Lousy Al●-house; but in short time I did happily arrive at a Mansion place of good Hospitality, being the refidence of two most Worthy 
* The Lady Jermy, and the Lady Waldegrave.  Ladies, the Mother and the Daughter, being both of them Widows, and there I met with some Gentlemen that were in mine own predicament, where by these Ladies Noble favour, and free entertainment, together with our own Royal I discourse, we did much revigerate our spirits: And here we had Noble and Free Quarter, for a good time, and yet ever and anon we were Alarumd with those Trooping Spirits, that continually haunted the Country both night and day; for there and at other places where I had formerly been, many times a Messenger would come to the house, and inform the Servants, that if any Gentlemen were there, that loved the King, it were best for them to look to themselves well, for there were Troopers at hand, and upon such warning given, my custom was still to walk out into the Fields, and ruminate; and yet once at a place where I was, being above in a Chamber a reading, the house was filled with Troopers before I was ware of it, and I fearing that if they should search the house, and find me there shut up alone, they might suspect me, and take me for a prey, did come down confidently amongst them, and talked so boldly, and yet warllie, that the fellows not finding him they looked for, went very fairly away, and had not me in suspicion, for aught that I perceived. But now the goodness of these Ladies, was a main motive, to make me fearful of being the least Instrument, to occasion them any trouble, and this I feared more than any danger, that could accrue to myself, wherefore I thought i● not fit to ●arry there too long at that time, lest greater notice should be taken of me, than my private Condition was then ambitious of. And upon this consideration myself and a Divine of good note that was there with me, did soon withdraw ourselves to an honest Gentlewomans, that lived very privately, where allowing something for our Die●. we lived like to Recluses, almost as Anchorites: but in a few weeks I was weary of that, and thought it better to live like a Prisoner in my Wife's Custody, than any where else: and therefore I drew towards home, yet not without some ill favoured affronts and dangers, too tedious here to relate. Well in the night time I went home, and there continued about 3. Months in a little Chamber, never going down, unless it were in the night, and then my Wife would not suffer me to go out neither, until she had sent some discovering Scouts abroad before me, for indeed sometimes they had espied some good Instruments skulking about my Yards and Orchards, to ●●y surely if they could hear any noise of me, and therefore I was driven to speak with a more submiss voice than I had formerly used, when I pleaded at the Bar, and yet alas I was not afraid of such Wretches at all, but very loath to be a means to increase their condemnation, by their treacherous murdering of me, for otherwise I feared not the face of the proudest Rebel in England, had it been his Oxcellence himself. But I was of a stirring Spirit, if it please your Majesty: & could not abide to be always mewed up, and therefore out I went again, to venture another voyage, and presented myself to some, that I had good confidence in, and that were sufficiently able to have afforded me good comfort, but alas I did find their looks to be downward, and their courage cold, pretending much fear to entertain such as were in my condition, and this was most irksome to my Genius, to see people of quality more cautious of giving offence to the Devil, and his instruments, than they were of showing any fear towards God, or any love to their King and his Friends, and so this journey of mine producing but little effect, besides mine own grief, travel, and trouble, within a fortnight or thereabouts, I returned home again to mine old Cabin, and was then again in danger to have been discovered: for being near my house, it being late in the evening, I met in the Highway with a Cart, and 2, or 3. men therein, and one of them bade me Good-night, and when they were a little past, I heard one of them say, sure this same was Mr. Wenlock, and another answered him, perhaps in good will to me, pish, no, it is not he, for he is quick enough of his tongue, but this man hath been at the Oven lately, meaning I think, that my tongue was baked, and so I could not speak at all; but I knew them well enough by their speech, and smiling at it, I passed away in silence as whist as a Mouse; and then I continued at home, shut up in solitariness for the space of about sixteen weeks, until the dead time of Winter, and then we had a new alarm, that a great number of Troopers were come into the Country very near us, and because no man thereabouts was in any danger then, but myself, therefore my poor Wise believed and was very fearful that they came to catch or kill m●, and said, that without doubt they would search the house, and if they found me there, perhaps destroy her, and her Children for my sake, or to that effect; and therefore she did entreat me to departed for a time, and to shift for myself: To ●id her therefore of these fears, about 4 of the clock in a cold morning, I did march out, going almost up to the knees in Snow, (a good medicine for an ancient man, that had kept so long in a close Chamber, by a good fire) yet I went with a constant courage, to keep my Loyalty, and save my Life, and by the mercy of God this Voyage proved more fortunate than the former, for I now met with courteous accommodation where I came. And still my mind did run upon going to Oxford, yet oftentimes I was informed that the New● books thundered out Sequestrations against the Estates of all such as were with his Majesty there, or should afterwards repair thither; and this I confess gave an occasion to a strong combat in my soul, desirous I was to do his Majesty the best service I was able, and yet the bowels of compassion towards my Wife and Children, did make me loath to expose them to present ruin, and utter undoing; but ere long I understood, that my not repairing to Oxford would not preserve my Family from danger, unless I went presently home, and took the Scotch Covenant, paid Taxes, and gave my consent to such other Rebellions actions; but God in his mercy towards me, would not suffer my soul to be infected with the leaven of such Poisoned Treacheries, and hereupon I had news too soon, that my Lands and Goods were Sequestered, and my Wife and Children brought into a most distressed and lamentable condition; and now were our miseries almost at the full tide, for I was not able to relieve them, nor they to send me any help at all, upon the greatest need that could happen unto me; for the truth is, that the smell Estate I had, was befallen me not much above 3, or 4. years before these troubles did begin, and the same having been in the hands of a Tenant for term of life, was in a manner forlorn, and in want of much reparation, which to rectify and make decent for my turn, I had put myself to great costs, in respect whereof I was left very bare of Money at that time, and yet the pitiful pinch was, that I was driven to forsake my new dressed up Nest, before I was well warm therein; and for all this, my chiefest trust and confidence was still in the never failing mercies of my God, and because my case was lawful and just, I was not afraid also to plead the same before men, that were my greatest Persecutors, and therefore I did write and send to the Committee of Essex, these lines following.  
Gentlemen,  
ALthough there be many mistakes in this unhappy Kingdom, yet can Charity be quite banished out of the h●a●ts of Christians? and shall this Gentlewoman and her Children starve for my sake, whose offence, if it were any, is but a point of Conscience? that such hard measure hath been used to Innocents', and by such as pretend Justice, hath been seldom heard of: If I writ Passionately excuse me, for Solomon saith, That oppression maketh a wise man mad; but there is a time when the Lord will execute Judgement and Righteousness to all that are oppressed: For the Lord will arise and defend their Cause, and spoil the souls of those that spoil them. But if my Wife may not enjoy her Jointure, which is little enough to maintain her and her Children, than I desire that you would give her some Certificate, to send to me, whereby I may be enabled without apparent danger, to travel the Country, either to borrow or beg of Gentlemen, my acquaintance, some relief for them; this poor request of mine, I trust shall not be denied, and so I pray God to give us all grace to remember our latter ends, and last accounts.  
But this Epistle could operate no effect upon the hearts and consciences of these kind of Christians, that were so sound seasoned with the rage and malice of the first Rebel, and their true and undoubted Father the Devil, and therefore myself and poor Family, could not find the least pity at their hands: And most certain it is, if it please your Majesty, that by some secret instinct from Heaven, and the Observations that I have noted in my reading, I have had the hap in these times to foretell many events, that afterwards came to pass, according to my conceit and imagination; and I pray God that this Proverb, Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat, as I have touched before, be not too truly verified in some of these men; for notwithstanding, that they have so evidently seen the most admirable mercy of God towards your Majesty and these Kingdoms, now so lately made manifest, by the most happy and peaceable conduction of your Majesty to your Royal Throne, and lawful, and most just indubitable Right; and by the most miraculous preserving of your Princely Person, in the midst & labyrinth of such ineffable dangers, as scarce ever any Prince before your time was involved in; yet many of them are not yet sufficiently convinced in their Consciences, of the odious crime of their late Rebellion; neither be they truly humbled for their sins, nor strucken with a due remorse of conscience, for their profane perjuries, and most bloody and horrible impieties, cruelties, and injustice by them committed; neither doth there as yet appear in them the least spark of grace, to kindle their charity, and quicken them up to those good desires which Gods word, and the truth of Religion doth require at their hands, which i●, to deal by others as they would be dealt withal themselves, and to make some amends and satisfaction, where they have committed an offence, and wrought an injury: But there is a Generation yet, that think they be in a very secure condition, and still look up aloft in place, who together with their perverse complices and adherents, do make as it were a mere mock of Loyalty, that it is not looked upon, nor such as have suffered in that behalf, and do slight and undervalue those whom they have for a long while, by their unjust power, pressed down, who notwithstanding if their merits were once truly known, have in reality of truth deserved far better credit and respect in the Kingdom, than any of themselves: And now that the Wind and Tide is so happily changed, this sort of people, howsoever they did formerly so much contemn, and to speak with reverence, even revile and vilify your Sacred Majesty, yet now with a false shadow, to serve their own turns, they seem so highly to honour, and superlatively to adore the same, as their carriage and demeanour doth demonstrate their belief to be, that your Majesty's General Pardon, with an Act of Indemnity, will be available for them in another World, and pleadable at the High Tribunal, before the most Just and Almighty Judge both of Heaven and Earth, without any Repentance towards God, for their sin, or satisfaction to their Neighbours, whom they have so wickedly and villainously injured, and undone; and this will prove their most doleful and deadly error in the conclusion. I beseech the Lord to humble their stout stomaches, and to mollify and open their hard stony hearts, that they may yet understand those things that belong to their eternal peace. And still again in despite of all their Tyranny, your Subject's affection stood for Oxford, and I much entreated a Gentleman, whom I knew to have a Son in the King's Army, to give me the best direction how I might in the safest manner get thither, for if I were taken by the way, and bereft of that little money which I had, and far remote from all my acquaintance, I might hazard to lie in a Gaol and be starved; and he certified me, that the Journey then was very difficult, but quoth he, I do know of a very good Guide, that knoweth all the shallow Fords in the Rivers, and the best ways through the Woods, and private places, and if any man help you thither, that I know, it must be he, and when the party comes again into the Country, I will give you notice thereof, and not long after I received a message from this Gentleman, intimating unto me, that the party he told me of would very suddenly be thereabouts, and therefore he wished me to come over, for he believed that I might soon speak with him: I was at that time, as I remember, somewhat remote off, but with as much expedition as conveniently might be, I made repair to this Gentleman's house, where I than had news, that my intended Guide was surprised, and taken prisoner, and so my sport was at a nonplus for that: and further to dishearten me, I had very sad tidings from Oxford, that my Wives most dear and loving brother, and one of the best friends I had, was there departed this life: and likewise within a while after, my eldest son then but a little youth came trotting alone, about the country to find me out, and to certify me of the poor and distressed condition that his mother remained in, and thus unda gignit undam, for one misery succeeded in the neck of another, and yet my comfort was, that God almighty was still the same, and continued in his full power, and to his mercy in the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ, I did still commend the sad condition of my poor Wife and children: indeed their case was much to be lamented, and the rather in regard that my wife was a Gentlewoman, well and tenderly brought up, and now in such extremity of want, as she must turn away all her servants, being not able to keep so much as a maid, to do the ordinary work about the house, but enforced to do all herself, and indeed far more than the weakness of her nature was able to pass through: for by the means of this her great labour and pains taking, she hath gotten such infirmities, as God he knows she must of necessity carry with her to the grave: and when she endeavoured to hire for wages a poor woman to help her, at her greatest need, she could seldom get any, for some of the blind besotted wretches in the town, would still dissuade them from coming at her, and cry out, Why, what will you help a Malignant? you'll be sound punished for't, or such like words: this was the charity of these deformers, but I believe their religion they had not yet made choice of: Now was my Wife also through want compelled to keep her children from the School, that were prompt enough for learning, and this was to her, and to myself especially, who had tasted the fruits of knowledge, a tormenting grief, and to them a loss irreparable, she was also enforced, to sell away a great part of the household stuff, she had yet left her, at a mean rate, for money to buy herself and her poor children some bread: and in a short time her small stock being exhausted and spent, they were all so humbled and brought low, as they did almost forget their former condition of life, and what they had been: and according to the manner of the poor people in that Country, and to preserve themselves from starving altogether, they were contented to learn to handle the Wheel and Cards, such greasy Instruments, as they had never before in their life's time, meddled with, and I have often much marvelled how they could ever fadge withal: but necessity had then no law to help itself; Venture non habet aures, for alas hunger is a sharp sauce: & thus by the Instruction and aid of an honest poor woman, that dwelled very near them, they did begin by this their unusual and hard labour, to earn something towards a poor living, and in this so mean and dejected an Estate, they did continue for a long time: and yet my Wife having still good Clothes to put on, would sometimes on the Sundays trim up herself, and some of her Children, and go to the Parish Church: where one day as she drew near the same, instead of Christian and Neighbourly comforts, fit to be tendered to a Gentlewoman in her distress, there was a couple of the wise Townsmen, that met her upon the Church green, and told her, that they had order from the Committees, to warn her to departed out of her house: whereunto she answered, that the house was part of her jointure, and she would for no man's pleasure departed out of it, upon such terms, unless she were pulled out by force, and hereupon one of them replied, that's well, and said to his Fellow, she will ere it be long, prove as bad a Malignant as her Husband: and most strange it is, if it please your Majesty, to consider and observe the more than barbarous baseness, that the Country thereabouts was then bewitched with, and that the cursed maintaining of a treacherous and rebellious faction's, should make them so blind, as to bereave them of all sense of Religion, Rea●on, and Humanity: for true enough it is, that although my Wife had then lived with me in that Town and at ●●●h●ster, for the time of about twenty years before: and that envy itself could not allege against her, but that she had ever approved herself to be a most harmless quiet, loving and kind Neighbour to all sort● of People whatsoever, and was likewise well known to be none of the meanest breed, being the daughter of an ancient Esquire of good ●ank, who had served 
Michael Dalton, Esq and Sir J●hn Dalton, Knight.  his Prince and Country in the place and office of a Justice of the Peace and Q●orum, for the space of fifty years together, and one of the Masters of the high Court of Chancery, and also Sister unto a noble, learned and courtly accomplished Knight, who was his late Majesty's Servant in Ordinary, and died at Oxford in the prime of his flourishing years, by whose means if these distractions had not happened, your Subject, his Wife and Children might well have ●eaped the benefit, of some thousand● of p●unds, as he is well able to make manifest: and yet neither the goodness and innocency of my Wife, nor the worth and quality of her friend's, would procure her the least ●espect▪ in this time of her dejection; for there was neither Knight, Esquire, Gentleman, or others of any quality in all that Quarter, that would take any notice of her sad and helpless Condition, o● vouchsafe so much as to look upon he● in the way of affording her the least comfort or courtesy, in this time of her want, & great Extremity; and this was enough to kill the heart of her, that formerly had the enjoyments of so many worthy Friends, and Allies with pleasure and plenty▪ and yet by ●he mercy of God she is still alive and ● should hearty rejoice to live a while longer with her, if it shall ●● please God, that I may prove an Instrument to make her some amends, for these her great sufferings and afflictions; and I hope that my Countrymen of all sorts, will in time be truly sensible of their errors and failings, and learn to know their duties towards God, their King, and their Neighbours, in remembering the good Example of Zach●us in the Gospel: and I most hearty wish, that they were but so willing to acknowledge and be sorry for their follies, as I am ready to embrace them in the Arms of my Charity, for I have learned, that I must render good for evil, and I thank God I am so much a Christian, as I would much rejoice, in doing a true courtesy for the worst enemy that ever I had; for alas it was then a most lamentably besotted, and blindly zealous corner, and the symptoms of that Sickness do still cleave so close to some of them, as they be scarce as yet sanae memoriae: besides I was then a notorious Malignant in their reputation, but vulgaris reputatio non est veritas, and their conceits alone, unless they now relish of some Repentance, will hardly render them excusable another day. But some may conjecture that there had been some grand misprision or miscarriage in my behaviour, in former times, because the Country was now so generally ●et against us, and so regardless of all our ruins: I shall therefore most humbly present your Majesty with a brief Relation and true account, of the Ordinary course of my life, and habitual conversation from my Youth; (yet ever imploring the mercies of God in the merits of my Jesus for the pardon of my humane frailties) and then let Envy itself disprove me if it can; So soon as I had any knowledge in the Scripture and Law of God, I did much tremble thereat, and was not bold to break and infringe the same; and when I had attained some taste of understanding in the municipal Laws of my native Country, I did endeavour to frame unto myself a method of obedience and conformity thereunto, and also to the Church Government, not for fashion, but for Conscience sake: I did always contend to be just and righteous in my profession, and I may say to my comfort, that I never wilfully betrayed any man's case, or craftily deluded or abused any Client, but ●as ever constant and careful to keep my Faith, and credit with all such as have reposed any confidence in me: and some can tell, that my Integrity therein, hath procured me more loss than gain; and considering the little practice that I have met with, I may comparatively, and yet without offence, speak it, that for little or no Fees, I have done as many Friendly offices, especially for the poorest sort of people, as some others of my time: And besides that, I was otherwise liberal, freehearted, and openhanded to the poor and needy, rather beyond and above my ability, then under it; and I dare say, that in love and charity towards my poor Neighbours, in the good time of Christmas, I have frequently spent at my house in one day, more good meat and drink, than my Wife and Children since these times of trouble, have been partakers of in a whole year. And to my Superiors and Equally, I was ever respectful and serviceable enough, where I found t●e least good countenance; and to the Vulgar I wanted no courtesy, but was rather too open and familiar to them, than otherwise: But I must confess to your Majesty, that I wa● yet infected with a notorious and insufferable infirmity, in any man of Art, that intended to flourish, or at least to keep himself secure from danger, in these late corrupted times; for I confess that all the Grammar and Learning I had, was not able to make a good Construction of that old Rule, that hath been lately so much practised by too many, Qui nescit dissimulare, nescit vivere; for still I thought the sentence was imperfect, and that malè, or injustè, or some such Adverb of the like signification, must be added in the end thereof, to make it up a true and perfect sentence, and therefore being so weak a Scholar in this point, and altogether destitute of the faculty, or rather frenzy of dissimulation in that nature, I still continued my constant and common course, in the pathetical reproving of those Epidemical vice● of Schism, Sedition, and Rebellion, in all places and persons without exception, and very seldom spared any man; and this was the cause I conjecture, that the resty and galled jades, when they had once gotten their teeth and heel● at liberty, did by't so venomously, and kick so sorely against me and my distressed Family, for my sake: For as they were still in contempt and penury at home, so was not myself oftentimes out of danger and vexation abroad, for in many places where I came, I did perceive that although they loved my Person, and the cause for which I suffered, very well, yet they were still afraid of being Plundered forsooth, or to fall into some other danger, for giving me entertainment, if my condition were once discovered; and this sometimes did enforce me to a little more silence, than I did believe my cause and duty required: And that was difficult and irksome enough to my Genius, and made me many times depart soon from some houses, where I could otherwise have been contented to tarry longer: At length I came into some parts of high Suffolk, where I had divers Kindred and Acquaintance, and indeed there I found very courteous and free entertainment, for a long time, and yet I must still meet with some rubs, for being at a Kinsman's house in the Borough of Eye, and that was 
Henry Whitcroft Gent.  one of the Aldermen there, upon a time another Gentleman that was an Alderman there also, did request me in kindness to walk with him to an Inn●, to take some little cheerful refreshing, and we being there together in a room, wit● some others, after a while in comes a Trooper, who being ●●●d and born in that Town, was known to the parties, and therefore some of them did invite him to sit down; and some discourse then happening amongst us, concerning the times, I did stoutly vindicate and maintain his Majesty's right, and the justness of his cause, and much inveighed against the schism and rebellion, which had so foully infected the Nation, and bewitched so many: and thereupon myself, and this Trooper grew at some difference in word, and yet I confess I was not fearful of any danger from him, in regard he was known to those that were then about me, and whom he might well perceive to be my Friends, and yet thus it chanced, that I having some occasion to walk out into the yard, this wretch soon followed me, and drawing his Sword, did ran full at me, when I had not so much as ● stick in my hand, and he might easily have killed me, if God in his mercy had not given me the courage, and agility presently to put by his thrust with my hand, and then nimbly getting within him, we were soon espied by some that were near, and so were parted: and as foolish hare brained and mad as this fellow than was, yet not long after it pleased God (to whom be the praise) so mercifully to open his eyes, and convert him, that he laid down his arms, utterly deserting the Rebellion, and fell to his wont work and labour again; and (as I have been many times told) cries out against their villainous do to this very day: But within a while after that I had escaped the danger of this late event, my Kinsman was sent for by his Brethren, to come to their Moothall, and there they did much question with him, what Gentleman it was that then kept at his house, and what was the occasion that he tarried there so long: and he gave them answer in truth, that I was his near Kinsman, and also told them my name, and indeed he needed not to be very chary thereof, for most of them did already know me well enough, but quoth he, how it cometh to pass, that I have so much the fruition or enjoyment of his good company at this time, I do not certainly know, neither is it evil for me to demand a reason of my Friend, why he doth ●arry so long at my house; but very soon after there came a kind of a scurvy Captain to my Kinsman's house, and made an inquiry for me, and said, that if I continued thereabout, I would suddenly be had, and this was only to drive me away from my friends, and so to expose me to more vexation, travel, and trouble, for sure enough they would have laid hands upon me, and kept me as a Prisoner, if they had known how to have gotten any thing by the bargain, but they had heard that all was taken from me already, and so there was nothing more to be got; and this was the principal Antidote, next to the mercy of God, that preserved my body from the fury of their greedy and ravenous jaws: But I took this fellows words as a fair warning, and therefore finding myself to be thus ferritted, the next morning being Sunday, in the most private way that I could, I soon bolted out of that Borough, and by the means of a Gentleman of mine acquaintance, I was conducted to the house of an honest substantial, and Gentile Tenant, belonging to that Honourable Knight of 
* Now the Right Honourable the Ld. Cornwallis.  Brome hall; where although I had no acquaintance, yet my condition being once understood by him and his wise, I was as lovingly used and made welcome, as if I had been their own Brother; and here in quiet I refreshed myself for divers days together, at that time, and afterwards when I came into those parts again, I did repair to the same house, and always received there the like loving and comfortable entertainment. And now from this house I marched into Norfolk, and there at a * Kinsman's house called Little Thorp 
Rebert Bog●, Gent.  Hall, that stood somewhat privately from Neighbours, I received much comfort, and very good free Quarter for a long time, and I do truly acknowledge, that I was much beholding to himself, and his good Wife, and Family, and to some other Gentlemen at Dickleborough, and thereabouts: And then also I was much engaged unto a virtuous and generous Widow, the Relict of George Gawdie, Esq and to others of her worthy alliance; And further, by the means of this my Kinsman, I was brought into acquaintance with divers other honest Gentlemen of Quality, from whose hands I received much courtesy, and respect; And yet ere long, if it please your Majesty, I must undertake another venture and voyage; for being at Blofield Parsonage beyond Norwich, where I found the Gentlewoman of the house in desolation and danger, in regard her Husband was departed from her, and gone to Oxford for his safety, and yet she had still good means to subsist withal; but I observing some passages of discontent and trouble to be amongst them, the same did the more lively and sharply represent to my understanding and thoughts, the sad and more miserable condition of my poor wife and children, who had very little or nothing at all, wherewith to help themselves: and yet I think that a while before, the Committees for very shame had laid them out a fifth part, but alas it was little benefit to them, because they had no means to manage & stock the same. And now having not seen my wife nor any of hers, but my eldest Son for the space of a whole year and more, I was not able any longer to absent myself: and yet to go home amongst them, was danger enough to me: and as their indigent condition than stood, it was but cold comfort sufficient to kill the heart of us all, to meet together and to see that unwonted want, and neverbefore known poverty and misery of one another. But God be praised for it, I had still the testimony of mine own conscience to comfort me, in the midst of these our sad calamities, that I had wilfully done not wrong to any man: For indeed that very thing for which the people esteemed me to be their worst enemy, was the truest manifestation and most infallible sign of my sincere love, best affection, and faithful friendship towards them, in the reproving of their gross errors: and I may truly say, that as mine innocence was bold, so was mine affliction bitter; and yet all the sufferings that ever I tasted of, had they been far greater, could never so much vex and torment my soul, as it grieved me to see my 〈◊〉 seduced Countrymen and neighbours, so madly to run on headlong to their own ruin●, destruction and damnation: But I still prayed to the God of Heaven, desiring their tru● conversion; and that myself and mine might obtain the grace with faith, and patience to consider and say, with holy Job; Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return again, the Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken away, and blessed be the name of the Lord: and shall we receive good from the hands of God and not evil: remembering also that it hath been the portion of my betters and superiors in all successions of ages, to be vilified and persecuted for speaking of the truth, and yet God grant that I and all mine may evermore be mindful of this Adage, Strive for the truth unto the death, and the Lord shall give thee life. Now if it please your Majesty, having formerly sent a Letter to my wife entreating her to use the best means, that she was able, to give me a meeting in Cambridgeshire, at the house of a nobly bred Gentlewoman, that was her mother-in-law, and a widow, where I was confident we could not fail of a free, cordial and kind welcome, it was therefore at that present my chiefest care and task how to convey myself thither, and to be o● the place appointed within the time limited, according to my promise: I was then divers miles beyond Norwich, and the journey I had to take in hand, I believe extended to threescore miles at the least, I had no horse, and my whole stock of money which I then had, was but only a pair of single twopences, yet the height of my courage and confidence, would not permit me to make manifest my necessities at that time, which if I had done, I well know that there were some in the house, from whence I was then to begin my journey, that would willingly to their power have furnished me with money, although they were like enough afterwards to want it themselves as the world went: for some of them long before had afforded me friendship in that kind, upon their own accord, without any request of mine, but now providence would not permit them to offer me any such courtesy, perhaps because the Lord was intended to let me see, how abundantly he was able to make provision for me some other ways beyond my expectation: well, when I was about to departed, there being a young Scholar in the house which in the Doctor's absence was Curate of the Parish, he most kindly proffered his service, to go with me 2 or 3. miles onwards of my Journey, and Sir, quoth he, if it please you to ride so far as the Ferry, you shall have my nag, it will ease you a little, and I will walk thither on foot, and see you ferried over and so return, I thankfully accepted of his love, and thus we went away together, and anon we passed the ferry, & the Scholar generously paid the ferryman, or else the moiety of my small stock had been in hazard, and past recovery, and then also he spent a groat more upon me, at the house near the fer●y, and ●o we lovingly parted. Away I marched to a Gentleman's house of good quality which had been mine acquaintance from my youth, who had seen me lately in that Country, and invited me to his hou●e, but now when I came there, the hardness of my hap was such, as the Gentleman and his wife were both from home, and I being unknown to the servant's, must be content to pass away with a cup of beer, and a few good words: and yet before night I did well arrive at an honest Vicar's house near Norwich, where I found good quarter, for as long time as I pleased to tarry, and then he lent me a horse, and conducted me himself to a Gentleman's house about 8. miles further, and there we parted, from thence I marched on foot a while after, and there was a Gentleman then living there, that was so kind as to walk a mile or two with me, and as we went together he asked me, if I were well monified to pass through my journey, I answered him, that I had but very little money, and yet a good courage still, for to tell you the truth, quoth I, there is but one groat about me: alas he replied, that he was sorry that my want was not known before I came from the house, for if it had, there would have been a supply made; but he told me that he had but little money about him at that time, but Sir quoth he, here is a sh●lling if you please to accept of it, this will give you a bait as you travel; I had put up worse wrongs before, but seldom so small a fee, & yet for the augmentation of my little stock, I was well contented to take it and put it up, and ●o after a little further walk and discourse, we two in loving manner did part asunder. And soon after this I did well arrive, at my said Kinsman's house called Thorp Hall: and there resting myself for some few days, by the love and kindness of him, and one Mr. Cartwright a Divine, that lived near, I was freely furnished with an able horse to travel some part of my journey, and also with other good accommodations that were very expedient for me, at that time, and to avoid further prolixity in the relation of the several particulars and passages of that my Voyage; so it was that it pleased God to procure me so much favour and friendship at the hands of divers Gentlemen, as I passed along the Country, that I was then never destitute of a good Horse to carry me from one Stage to another, no● yet of any other necessaries that were requisite for mine use: for just upon the very day that long before I had appointed with my Wife to give her this meeting, I came riding up the Town towards t●e place in this postu●e; I was bravely mounted upon an excellent good N●g, with money jingling in my Pocket, and a complete Footman in his Coat well accomplished ●unning by my Horse side; in this manner I approached the house, and I dare say that I was more truly welcome, than some Lords would have been at that time, as the case stood, and yet no Wife of mine appeared that night: the next day I went to visit the Vicar of the Parish, which had joined us together in Holy Matrimony above twenty years before; and then I presented him with a brief Relation of my late Voyage, and that the principal occasion of my coming thither at that time was to meet with my Wife, telling him also, that I feared she was not well, in regard I did not hear of her according to the intent & direction of my last letter sent unto her; surely quoth he, there i● some obstacle in the way that hinders much, but if you please to be content Sir, you shall soon know what the matter is, for my Brother hath a good Horse, and I will send him over to your house, and he shall bring you notice how things are there at the present, and what is the reason that Mrs. W●nlock doth not come as yet: I was much glad of his kind offer, & so not long after the Messenger was sent accordingly, & returning the next day he did certify me, that my Wife and Children were in good health, and that the Cause that she came not, was for that she could not procure Horses as yet to bring her thither, and alas she was not then so much as worth one herself, being very loath also to trouble her Friends in Cambridgeshire so much, as to send so far for Horses to convey her thither, but she hoped that ere it were long, she should find a means to come and see me, and the residue of her good Friends there, and accordingly within a week or two after she did come, and there by the large and loving respect of that noble Gentlewoman her mother-in-law, and another good Lady the relict of my wife's brother before mentioned, we did enjoy a free and cordial entertainment, with much solace and com●ort: but this our glimpse of happiness if it please your Majesty, did admit but of a very short continuance, and must soon suffer an eclipse, for we had not been thus together much above a week, but some that I fear resolved to work us mischief, were as evidently envious that any other should do us any good, for there was a Letter conveyed unto me, which came from my wives own Nephew, her deceased elder brother's Son, who was then a Deputy Lieutenant of the Shire, a Justice of the Peace, and one of the Grandees of the Committee, or English Inquisition, intimating unto me, That he well understood, in what place my abiding was at that time, and also how violent my ordinary and constant discourse was against their proceed, and therefore I must not be suffered by any means to rest any longer in that Country; But an Order should presently be taken to apprehend and secure me, or to this effect, with some other passages therein very abusive and scandals us to my credit: a notable Nephew and sincere Saint in the interim, thus to offer me such a reforming curteise in this case of my calamity, and so judas-like to go about to betray, and aff●ight his loving & harmless Aunt, (after so many bitter pills of affliction, as she had formerly swallowed) and only upon this occasion, because she had a Husband that durst speak the truth; a corpse compliment from a true Christian, or a generous Gentleman; and yet we were in doubt that he might prove a man of his word, and therefore to avoid our own danger, and the detriment that might arise to the house thereby, the next day with sorrowful hearts we went away from thence, to shift about as well as we could; But so soon as I was gotten out of his purlieu, I saluted his worship with a thundering Epistle, enough to startle and rouse his conscience, if he had any▪ and I do hope that my reproof and good Counsel, did work something upon him, for after this, I ventured divers times to come into that Country again, and yet I never heard of him any more in this kind: And the truth is, as I have been credibly informed, that upon the most barbarous assassnation, and more than hideous and horrible Murdering of his late Sacred Majesty, this grossly seduced young Gentleman was strucken with such terror and amazement in his soul, that he presently deserted and gave over all his Offices and places of trust and command, and was never after that any agent or instrument in that devilish Rebellion: and hereupon within a while following he was in great danger himself, and had surely been sequestered, had it not pleased God in his mercy to take him away from his Worldly Estate here, that was fair and great, and to give him I hope upon his true Repentance, a far more Blessed and Glorious habitation i● the Heavens to all Eternity. And so I trust that for our Eternal good, the Lord was pleased to lay out for us the bitter portion to be such pitiful pilgrims; but my Wife's condition could not long endure this manner of misery, for she of necessity must go home again to her poor Children, where alas there was little left but the bare walls, and their own weak labours and endeavours, to sustain themselves withal; and I must still travel about I knew not well whither, and my success and fortune was very various, sometimes fair and pleasant, and soon again stormy and troublesome, and yet I confess and praise the goodness of God, I did meet with many good Friends, whose names and charitable deeds towards me and mine, were too tedious here to be related, but I hope they shall not be forgotten in Heave●; and yet I should think myself guilty of ingratitude, if I should not make mention of the many good respects and great kindness which I received at the hands of a Noble hearted Gentlewoman then dwelling at Hit●●am in Suffolk, who was a deep sufferer her own self; namely Mrs. B'ing, the Wife of Henry Bing Esq than a Captain in his Majesty's Army, and the Grandchild unto that honourable and famous Father of the Law Sir Edw. Coke Knight, late Lord Chief Justice, etc. and also from the hands of another worthy Gentlewoman in the same parish, who was likewise a great sufferer, namely Mistress Breton, the wife of Mr. Laurence Breton Bachelor in Divinity, a learned orthodox and worshipful Divine. Neither must I omit the remembrance of the good love and favour of my noble and old acquaintance Sir William Denny of Norfolk Baronett, nor the great kindness of Thomas Jermy of Me●●field in Sussex Esq Son and Heir of Sir Thomas Jermy Knight of the B●●h, and of John Risby of Tho●p Esq Nor the kind love of my Reverend and worthy Friends Doctor Pierce of Wangford, Mr. Thomas Greek Rector of Carl●on, whose Grandfather I take it was one of the Barons of the Exchequer; M●. Sendal Rector of Brin●kley, and Mr. Underwood Rector of Cheving●on: and although they be l●st here mentioned, yet meriting of me as much respect as any two friends that I found in all my travels; viz. my loving Kinsman Mr. James Floid then of Weston in Cambridgeshire, and Mr. Tho. Ward of Abington. Thus after a long and tedious peregrination I came at length by the mercy of God to the Mansion-house again of the two good Ladies before mentioned, and having heard that his late Majesty had deserted Oxford and rendered himself to the Scots, it was verily thought and expected by many, that they would have proved more honest men than the sequel declared them to be, and that by their means the▪ vast differences in the kingdom might possibly have met with some mild and reasonable reconciliation: and hereupon, and in respect of these hopes, your Majesty's Subject after his so long absence, had animum revertendi, a mind homewards, and therefore entreated the good Ladies that he might s●●d for his wife to have some conference with her, whereby he might understand how the pass●g●● went in hiw own Country, how the people were still inclined and affected, and what was like to be the worst proof or hazard of that his dangerous design of returning home: to this the Ladies most lovingly accorded and agreed, and forthwith a means was made to fetch my Wife thither unto me, where being together, I soon perceived by her discourse, that the people having been so long pinched with payments, and their purses so sore exhausted, were not altogether so hot and violent in their mad humours, nor so maliciously bend against those that did oppose their doings, as formerly they had been, when the fire of sedition was first blown up and kindled amongst them: And after much questioning and discourse between us, whereby I did soon perceive the great want and penury that both herself and my poor Children then lived in, my heart was much melted thereat, and I told her, that the bowels of my compassion were so much moved, as that I could no longer absent myself from amongst them, but if God gave me leave I would very suddenly return home, whatsoever became of me; Alas, quoth she, I fear that will not be the best way, for if they do lay you in Prison, where can you get means to find yourself sustenance? and if they do let you alone at home in quiet with us, yet how can we possibly make any shi●t to maintain you? for all that we have or can earn, is too little to buy ourselves Victuals, and no body thereabouts will trust us for so much as a loaf of bread: Well, said I, let us be yet contented, and wait still upon God; thou knowest that I have a faculty to help myself, and if it be once known that I am come home again, I believe that some will repair unto me for Counsel, or to make Conveyances▪ and other Writings, and so perhaps I may get something to help to support you and myself: Alas, answered she, I doubt that the most part of the people thereabout do still so hate you for so strongly opposing their doings, as they will hardly come at you upon any occasion, to do you any good: Ye●, quoth I, they will be willing enough, to serve their own turn●; and I thank God I have the testimony of mine own conscience, that I have deserved no man● hatred, in the way of my profession, for I was always diligent to deal honestly therein, and if they be not stone-blind, my present sufferings will give them a greater proof and experiment of my integrity, than ever they had before. And thus committing myself and my case to the mercy of my God, within a few days after that my Wife was gone home, I myself followed, and with confidence went openly home to mine own house, after sundry years absence; and the Sunday after I repaired to the Parish Church, where I had not been in almost four years before, and therefore might expect the welcome of a great stranger: after the Sermon ended the Parson with admiration lifting up his hands did salute me, and congratulated my safe and happy return to mine own home; I thanked him, and said that I trusted in God that my return would not redound to my detriment, in the conclusion, for I was not in the least degree perverted in my judgement, but in the same mind that I traveled abroad in the same I was now come home again: I could not dissemble at the first, neither will I at the last, and howsoever this my assertion was then relished I know not, but both the Parson and his Curate, returned me thi● fair answer, That it was a good resolution not to dissemble: and yet neither of them had faith and courage enough to follow my steps, although I had chalked them out the way: Well in this condition I continued freely uttering my mind in the truth of my heart, to all men upon every fit occasion: and soon after I sent my Son with a Letter to a Knight in Essex that was then able to have done us a favour, but he was very rigid, and told my Son that he had heard before; how I was c●me home, and that a course would be taken with me ere it were long, and that he would by no means have any conference with me, unless it were at the Committee Table, whither I disdained to go, except I were carried perforce; yet after a serious consideration with myself of the great and pressing extremities, that we groaned under, and of the true and just equity of my cause, I did deem it not unlawful to relieve myself with mine own, if with any conveniency I could effect the same; and therefore not fearing the face of their tyranny, I resolved to look upon them, and to hear what they were able to allege against me, and by Scripture, Law and Reason to justify my do: but first I set forth in a Paper a summary Relation of our lamentable Wants and miseries, and then desired that I might have my land in mine own possession, paying out a tribute although it were more than the assessments did amount unto: and this I would truly have paid with a● good affection and devotion, as ever I should have paid it to the Turk, if his forces had overrun this Nation: and upon the day which the Knight had appointed to my Son, that I should come to Colchester, thither I trotted on foot: and being become a stranger there also, by the mean● of my long absence, I was not much ashamed boldly to inquire for the Committees, but none I could find out, perhaps they were afraid to meet that day, lest I should trouble their patience with some parables of truth. Yet at length I found ou● where on● of them wa●, but my business was out of his way, for he came only to receive mo●ie, which t●e Under Publicans did bring in without fear or wit, and when he heard that I was in the house, he sent me word that he would come and wait upon me; No quoth I to the Messenger, I must wait upon him a● the case standeth: in troth the Gentleman had been my old acquaintance and my client, and I was not jealous at all of being bold with him, but up I went where I found him in the midst of his treasure, with mani● Countrymen about him with their hats off, and purses empty, for he was a man of a quick receipt, and very good acceptance, and truly he received me with more fair courtesy than I could ever have expected from any man in so soul a function: We two withdrew a while and had some conference, I shown my paper aforesaid and left it with him, entreating him to communicate it to the rest of his brethren the Committees when they met, and desire them to consider of it, and that I might soon know the result of their considerations therein: all this he promised me faithfully to perform, but I heard no more of the Committees, nor they of me for 3. or 4. years after. And being thus left destitute of all manner of relief from these Religious Rebels, although I desired n●t so much of them as was duly and truly mine own both in Law, Reason and Religion, yet their wretched and perverse wills most wickedly contradicting all the sound and perfect rules both of divinity and humanity, therefore my poor distressed company must still continue in that irksome and greafie trade of carding and spinning, to my no little grief and vexation, and yet oftentimes I did encourage them to wait upon God with patience, and to remember how their Father's Loyalty was the occasion of their present misery: and although that the root which they now tasted of were bitter, yet it might produce and bring forth some better and more pleasant fruit in the end: and I did oftentimes merrily tell them, that upon the matter, they were in truth the King's Spinners, and therefore people of a far better rank and quality than the base World esteemed them to be, and thus with as much alacrity as I could, I waded through a sea of miseries, continuing still in my discourse, and otherwise as true stout and high a Royalist I believe, as ever breathed in England: insomuch that divers of the blind beetles would say, that I was as bad still as ever I had been, and that it was pity that I was suffered, but I little regarded their censure, knowing that it was my duty to speak aloud, when the Glory of my God, the Honour and Safety of my King, and the good and quiet of my Native Country, was in so great hazard or jeopardy. One Sunday a● I came walking with the Minister from Church and many others following of u● close at the Heels, I said unto him, that above all men I did much wonder at those of his Coat, which had so grossly forgotten themselves; for I believe said I, that if it pleased God to permit the Devil himself, to assume the shape of a man, and to put on a Parson's Gown, and come up into a Pulpit to preach, yet he is so knowing a Spirit, and doth so tremble at the Judgement to come, as he never durst entertain the impudence to utter so much Blasphemy and Treason as some of yo● have ventured upon: Another time I told him that it behoved him to be very cautious of meddling in such matters, for if he chanced to offend i● that nature, his offence would be greater than other men●, he asked me why so? and I made him answer, the reason was aparent, for there be many shuttle brained Fellow's that have lately come into a Pulpit, who trusting to a confused memory and the volubility of the tongue, do often times ex impr●vis●, and without any premeditation, presume to vent and utter some undecent and irreligious absurdities, whose rashness ●s to be pitied, and doth somewhat extenuate though not excuse their presumptuous folly and profaneness: but you it is well known do study and write down every word in your Sermon, and make a constant use of your papers in the Pulpit, and therefore if any vain impertinent or erroneous doctrine doth proceed from you, it must of necessity be after your premeditations, and so upon malice prepensed, which is a sin with a witness and much aggravates your offence and makes it the more unpardonable; and certainly my plain dealing did the man no harmor prejudice, for he waxed still more and more moderate, but I could not endure to come at his Mock fasts and Thankgiving, but ever dissuaded him therefrom, with the best reasons I could remember either out of the Scripture, or other Learned or Historical Authors; and once I told him that I much feared I should forsake his Church, I hope not so quoth he, yes truly said I, for I do seldom come there but I see that which doth much offend me, I pray Sir what is that quoth the Parson? I answered him, that whensoever I stood up in my Pew being so near the Pulpit, I could not choose but espy his Directory, or Devil's story lie still in his Desk, and I could not endure to behold such an uggly and deformed Imp of schism and sedition: and then he replied unto me, that if it offended me I might take it away if I pleased; not so quoth I, for it is a parcel of your Church's goods, and so I may be questioned for committing of Sacrilege, I will by no means soul my hands by meddling with it, but if it lies there long, I will not come at the Church: the next time I went, the babble was gone, and departed down I think to the place of darkness where it was first hatched, for I never saw any more of it. Now about the time that his late Majesty was brought from Holmby to Newmarket, there was news spread about that the sad affairs of the Nation would soon be drawn to a better pass, and that his Gracious Majesty should be restored to his Regal rights: and we that were sufferers to our lands again, with some recompense for our former losses; and upon these reports the Sequestrators and their Adherents, that seldom or never thought upon God, did begin yet to be afraid of the law and the Lawyer, and thereupon they presently deserted and wholly gave over the possession of my Lands: and soon after without any application to the Committees, or any of their great Masters that set them on work; I made an entry upon the most part of my Estate, and held the same until some were so venturous as to hire some part of the Land of me to farm, and the rest I kept in my hands and made hay in my Meadows, and got money for it, and took in Cattle to pasture upon my ground, for I had not▪ moneys enough to buy any myself, neither durst I procure any means to have  of mine own, lest the seditious should drive them away. But now by the help of a little Country practice in my profession, and these moneys taken for hay and pasture, our condition was much amended and our hearts so well refreshed, as we did a little remember ourselves, and so we did totally desert the cards and the wheel, and began to appear and show ourselves in a gentile garb again, in hope that the most part of the storm had been over, but alas the worst was yet to come. But my courage being high, and remembering the cruelties that my poor wife had sustained, and undergone by these villains, in the time of my absence, for one of them that had hired some of my land of the Sequestrators, and had been a servant and retainer to my house near forty years, and had also received many benefits and favours at my hands, did notwithstanding deny and forbidden my Wife, to take any fuel for her own use, out of the lands of her own jointure, but selled and took what he listed for himself: and therefore I had a great mind to ●kar● such wretche●, and commenced divers actions at Law against them, for the recovering of the mean profit● of my Land, and for other wrongs which I had received by them, not doubting, that the Judges who were sworn to do Justice, could either in Law or conscience direct a Jury to find against me, being there was no obstacle or obstruction in my way, but only an Ordinance made by a rend piece, or patch of a prodigious Parliament, and yet I had heard that their Cou●● of injust indemnity, would surely stop my proceed at Law, and nevertheless I had a strong Zeal to be still an instrument to open men's ei●●, and to let the people see and learn what the Law was, although myself ●●aped no other benefit by the bargain: and indeed there was one which had possessed the most part of my Land, and who not long before I had seriously reproved for his so doing, and said that I much marvelled at him above others, for I had conceived a better opinion of him in former times, and his excuse was only this, that if he had not hired my Land somebody else would; ala● quoth I if another will do wickedly, is that a sufficient warrant for you to do the like? No surely, for if there were no receivers, there would be but few Thiefs, and if there had been no such Creatures as you to hire our Lands, and to buy and embezle our goods, there would hardly have been any such impudent and impious Wretches to deprive and rob us of the same; and certain said I, there is a time when you shall come to a strict and bitter account for these things, and if you chance to die soon and so escape Justice and Punishment in this World, yet you shall be sure to hear of it hereafter; he asked me when; and I told him at the day of Judgement: well quoth he if I may tarry so long I do not greatly care, I was sorry to hear him speak so like an Atheist, and said unto him, alas poor man, that time may come before thou art ware of it, for as Death doth leave thee, so Judgement shall find thee, and therefore repent in time, this man was a pure Pretender to Religion, a frequent hearer of Sermons at home and Lectures abroad: and this was the only Party that after his arrest at my suit, did apply himself to their Court of Indemnity, and there getting an Order against me, did upon a Sunday serve it upon me in the Church-porch, I looked on it, and when I perceived the Contents thereof, I cast it on the ground at my feet, before the face of him that gave it into my hands: and surely I had been sound catechised for this contempt of their usurping proud Luciferian Authority, (esteemed of me as much as a Louse, one of the Plagues of Egypt) if Providence had not presently brought those Noble Lords, together with our Valiant and Beloved Country man Sir Charles Lucas into Essex in arms, and that for a time did mitigate my Martyrdom, and I was triumumphantly glad to hear of their Approach: and I dare swear it for a truth, that if I had been Master of as many men as ever X●rxes commanded, and as much Treasure as ever Croesus enjoyed, all had been suddenly sent to their succour and assistance; but alas I had then, but one Jewel of any worth that was fit for service, and this was my Eldest Son, a Youth of about eighteen years of Age, whom I loved dearly, and was very loath to lose him, and yet willing to venture him upon so good and honourable a design, and he well perceiving my disposition, did freely offer himself, and was so ready to embrace the occasion, as I rejoiced thereat with admiration, to see the sparks of Loyalty so soon kindled ●● his Youthful breast: and both he and myself endeavoured the best we could to procure some others to go along with him, and with all expedition I furnished him for the Journey, as well as I was then able, and away he marched on foot, with two lusty Fellows with him, and I charged them to go the most private way, and to have a vigilant eye to keep themselves as much as might be from being discovered and surprised by Scouts, for I believed the Country was full of evil Spirits, but they had not marched many miles, before that unluckily they fell into a Party of the Rebels, that soon rob them of all their Moneys and let them go, yet for all this first check my Son would on still, and not long after they fell into another part of the Enemies, where there was a Lieutenant then a Rebel, but now I hope an honest man, that knew my Son well, and much persuaded him to return home to his ●ather, and not expose himself to any further danger, and as I think did procure him a Ticket for his convoy homewards, and this notwithstanding so soon as my Son was gotten clear from him, he went still on his intended Voyage, and with much labour and travel at length he fell in amongst Sir Charles Lucas his companies, and so came along with them to Colchester, where by the means of some Gentlemen of his acquaintance, he was soon furnished with Horse and A●mes, and there continued all the time of that ●edious and troublesome Siege, and had the hap to make away 3. Horses there, one was killed under him in fight at a ●alley made out at the East gate, another was stolen out of pasture, and the third himself and his Comrades did provide a Sepulture for in their hungry and half starved Bellie●; and one time he was in danger to have been most cowardly killed by the Rebels, for being in an out-quarter of the Town, and much wearied with watching, he like a young Soldier ventured to go to bed, and in the interim the Guards were beaten up by the Enemy, who entered the house where he was, and running up the stairs to search for Cavaliers, the people of the house cried out and said, that there was no body aloft but a Maid sick in bed, and they looking in at the Chamber door and seeing one in the bed with a clout o● kerchief on the head, and no hair on the face did take it to be a wench indeed, and so by God's mercy they departed without doing him any harm at that time, and once as he told me a Bullet was shot quite through the Hat upon his head, and yet he received no hurt, but surely he did happily escape many wonderful dangers, for I know he was valiant and venturous enough, and when the Town was yielded he was barbarously stripped of all, and put in Prison, and had the honour to be counted a considerable Prisoner, as being the son of the greatest Malignant in the Country, and in truth I much feared, that he would be the more cruelly used for my sake for there was a report that he with divers other young Gent. should be sold as slaves, and sent into the Islands beyond sea, we knew not whither, and yet I had a f●●m hope that God Almighty would still provide for him, and yet his poor mother was 〈◊〉 perplexed at it, for can a woman forget her own 〈◊〉, or not have compassion upon the son of her womb? Away therefore she travels to that unhappy Town of 〈◊〉, venturing herself amongst that hellish r●●t of roaring and rampant rebels, being desirous once more to behold though with tears in her eyes and a bleeding heart, that her dearly beloved and captivated son: and so happy was the success of her journey, that by the means which the mercy of God provided for her, in a few days she got him off, and brought him home with her, with a world of joy to us all. But I must not pa●se over some passages that befell us at home during the time of that unfortunate siege, for about the beginning thereof before the Town was begirt, there came towards my house a great troup of horsemen, who made such a thundering upon the ground that my wife quaked for fear, before that ever they came in her sight: I entreated her ●● pluck up a courage, and to be of good comfort and fear God, and all would be well: and so our I went amongst them, and demanded what their desire was; They answered, that they wanted quarter for themselves and their horses. Alas Gentlemen quoth I, you have taken your marks amiss in coming hither, for I am a poor sequestered man, and have but mean quarter for myself, whereat they seemed to be sortie, and told me how they were Sir Charles Lucas his men, & did wish well to all that were of my mind, and then I called for the best Beer I had and drank unto them, which they kindly accepted, and then I inquired of them concerning Fairfax his forces, and they told me that some of them were come down near the Town, but had a sound blow given them already, and we, said they, doubt not but to deal well enough with the residue; then they asked me where any Oats were to be had, and I told them of some Farmer's houses near, where I believed there was the most probability for them to speed, and amongst others I did nominate a Gent. then dwelling at a Manor house belonging to the late Countess and wife of the Right honourable the Earl of Oxf●●● and then one of them asked me if that man were a Roundhead or no, and I answered that he did seem to be so, but I thought it was more for fear then for love, and this I said with an intent to procure him some favour at their hands, but it fell out otherwise, for soon after they went to his house and there took from him both arms & some corn: But divers of them did desire me much to send them to some of the worst Roundheads in the Country; for said they, we have a great mind to deal with them: in truth replied ●, so soon as you be gone from hence, you can hardly go amiss for that, for here be Roundheads bad enough, to be found in every corner, the country is too full of such; but I will accuse none of mine enemies to you that are martial men, lest you should chance to offer them any unlawful violence, for which I would be hearty sorry, and w●ll it was that I had the care to be so cautious, for within a day after I learned and found out that these were false brethren of the R●b●lla party, and then I conjectured how they came to my house upon a mere stratagem to entrap me: Others also came the same day, and inquired if such a troup had not been thereabouts and seemed to be somewhat vigilant and wary of themselves, and still I discoursed with them to feel what I could find out. Not long after a company of Foot Rascals raised in the Parish, and thereabouts, came to my House upon pretence to search for Cavaliers and arms, but it was chief to vex and molest us, and to filch something out of my House: and many times I was troubled with Foot soldiers that came from the Leaguer, and rambled about the Country, but indeed most of them were more civil to me, than many of my neighbours had formerly been, and did me less mischief, as I might instance in many particulars, if the relation thereof were not too tedious▪ yet one day being in my study I heard my Maid give a sudden shrike in the porch, and down I went in all haste to see what the matter meant, and there I found near half a score Foot soldiers with muskets in their hands & matches light, Why how now Sirs, said I, what is the reason that you come hither in such a boisterous and uncivil manner, for I have not hardly had such an affront put upon me ever since the soldiers came into the Country; their answer was, How they were informed that I was a most dangerous man, and kept many Cavaliers in my House, and they were sent to see, if it were so or not, and also advised to come strong, and well provided, or else their lives were like to be in danger: I was grieved at the folly and falsity of these reports, and said, that my house was not strong enough for Garrison I thought, and therefore they need not fear any great harm there; and further I told them, if they would be quiet and civil, they should soon see how that both myself and they likewise had been abused with loud lies: and then I asked them whether they were any soldiers of the Army or of the Traindbands, they answered, we are Traind-men, than I demanded the place of their dwelling, and they told me in Suffo●k near unto Cambridgshire, and specified the Towns where: and upon this I did mention divers of the chief Gentlemen thereabouts, a●king if they knew any such, whereat one of them replied, Sir, I see that you are well acquainted in our Country, yes said I that I am, and there is reason for it, because I did marry my Wi●● from a place not ●arr remote from thence, I pray Sir said some of them whose D●u●hter was she, I told them, than said one of the Soldiers I know that Wor: Gentleman well, and I did once ask his advice whether it were my best way to go for a Parliament Soldier or not, and his opinion was, that it were better for me to li● in the G●ole then to venture upon that occasion; well said I he knovv● the la very well yes quoth the party we believe that, and therefore I never went, but being now in the Trained-armes I was enforced to come upon this service: and upon a little more discourse I found that I known divers of their Masters, whose Arms they served in, and thereupon the Soldiers seemed to be sorry, that it was their unhappiness to come to trouble me in this sort, well quoth I, it is my portion to be thus dealt withal, but I pray tell me in good earnest who it was that sent you hither, and they told me an old Woman, that dwelled above a mile off, and by their description of her, I knew it was the Wise of him that had possessed the most part of my land by colour of Sequestration, and perhaps she was content I should have been killed, lest I should live to call her Husband to an account for his Knavery: Well, now I did invite them to come in, and gave them some courteous accommodation, and being in discourse according to my usual manner, I chanced to speak something against their General, whereat one of them took great Exceptions against me, and began to prate very saucily, and hereupon a Corporal that was the chief amongst them, started up and wished him to be quiet, 〈◊〉, he swore that he would slash him sound, for th●● quoth he, is an honest worthy Gentleman that we are much beholding unto, and most of us here will die at his feet, before he shall suffer the least wrong, and thus the Rascal was glad to put up his pipes and be silent: and I have thought since that God was offended at him, for as they went back to Colch●ster, this fellow fell sick, and went into a Barn and there died the next day; within a while after, one of these Soldiers came alone to my house, and being in talk with me, desired seriously to know my opinion, what I thought of their Siege, and what was like to be the issue and success thereof: Alas said I, the sins of this Kingdom are very great, and God only knows what doleful events may ensue upon these troubles, but howsoever your Country was ill advised in sending their Arms against their King; your Master knows me, and what I am, and tell him that I say, that whensoever the Wind and the Tide turns, he may fairly be hanged for sending of thee, and thou for coming, if you meet not with the more mercy. About this time some of their ●●●smen came to my gate upon a Sunday, when we were sat at dinner, and being discovered our went I amongst them: and when they demanded quarter I presently put in this plea to their action, but I had been a great sufferer, and almost un●●●● by the times, and was unable to afford them that they desired, in regard I had been so hardly used: then one of them who undertook to be the Prolocutor said, If you have been hardly used, it is but according to your desert, for you are a Malignant; How do you know that, said I? Yes very well, quoth he, for you have a So● in Colchester, to which I replied I hope that I had a Son there, ●● he were yet living: Well, said he, that is enough to make you to be wo●se used, then ever you were yet; Gods will be do●e f●r that said I, ●or ind●ed I shall never be ashamed of my So●nes being there, and ●elping to maintain so go●d and just a cause, in the behalf of God, 〈◊〉 King, and his Country, and I am glad that you have no worse matter to l●y to my 〈◊〉, for I hope to far the better for that in the 〈◊〉: and Friend, said I, be it known unto thee, 〈◊〉 if I 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thousand Sour, and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to give to 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 would I venture them all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Religious, and Honourable a Quarrel; and th●s I 〈◊〉 to far outface this 〈◊〉, that suddenly he turned his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and gall 〈…〉 away, and the rest of his Fellows sat still a while, and laughed hearty at his repulse. S●on after some of the Officers in the Town were at me to buy some Hay, which I had in my 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I asked them 〈◊〉 what use? They answered, to send it to 〈◊〉; Y●●, marry said I, if it were there I should be glad, and think it well bestowed, fa● I believe that I have Friends within the Town that are in need enough of it; Y●● s●●ely, said they, but we must carry it to those that are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Town; I believe so indeed, quoth I, and you are well employed in the mean time, and therefore if you buy it for them, you shall pay sweetly for it: Sir, said they, you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to let us have it a good penny worth, and we will pay y●u for it, but if the Soldiers once know of it, perchance they will take it away for nothing. Well, said I, if it happen tha● 〈◊〉 rob of it, you shall not see my countenance much change at the matter, I shall take it as patiently as I have done losses of greater value, but if I do sell it, I will have my price for it, as I think it to be worth: And soon after there came to my Gate one of the Constables, and a Trooper with his Pole-axe in his hand, and asked for me, and I went out unto them; the Fellow was civil enough, and told me that he understood that I had Hay to sell, and if it were good, they would buy it of me, and desired to see it, and so they did, and liked it very well, and asked me the price of it, which I soon set them, it is somewhat dear said the Trooper, well said I, so much I will have for it, if I sell it, but if you will talk any more about the business, let us go in, and you may there taste a cup of sequestered liquor if you please, is it sequestered beer, said the Tropper? yes surely, said I, it hath been so for many years: Well, in we went, and amongst other discourse, the Trooper said, that he did believe their case was good, because God did suffer them to prosper so long in it: Alas Friend, quoth I, that is no good argument on your side, for we know that God doth many times permit wicked men to prosper in their ways, to their own destruction; and if you were an Historian, you would know that God hath suffered the Turks so to prevail against the Christians, for many hundred years, because of their sins; and which do you esteem to be the best Religion, either that of a Turk, or that of a Christian? Certainly said the Trooper, the Christian Religion is the best; You say very true, said I, and therefore consider well with yourself, and do not believe that you are better Servants of God than we, or that the Religion of a Round-head is more pure than that of a Cavalier, because God for our sins hath suffered you thus a while to over top us; for the Turks have had far greater success against the Christians, and are still in possession of the prime seat of the greatest Christian Emperors that ever lived in the World and yet by your own confession, and true assertion, the Christian Religion is the best, and is indeed being rightly professed, the only true Religion that is upon the face of all the Earth, and therefore presume not to make your prevalency a pattern of your pi●ty, for these you will find to be fallacious arguments in the end: and then I protested unto him, that if I could possibly be made sure (by being a Rebel) to enjoy to myself, and the Heirs of my body until doom's day, as much land as all the whole Kingdom of England contained, yet I would be tor● in places Limb from Limb, before I would hol● up my hand against my King, or any that take his part, for surely said I, the end of all Rebels will be naught, ●●d if we look seriously in●o all Records, either Holy or Historical, we shall find that their portion hath ever been according to their practice, and that the Wrath and Vengeance of God, hath seldom ceased to prosecute all such and their posterities, as have been Enemies & Traitors to their Prince, and the Peace of their Country▪ yet for all this the Trooper and I did agree for the Hay, and so parted in a very civil manner: Some few days after came the Constable with his carts, to fetch away the bargain, and when it was 〈◊〉 loaded, very honestly according to his promise, ●e paid me the money for it: but then he pulled a paper out of his pocket, and said that he had a rate there for me to pay. What is that said I? And then he replied it was for contribution to maintain the Army; Ha', quoth I, why thou knowest that I never p●id any of these rates, since the troubles did begin, but have been rob of all my means, for my refusal, and a●● likewise as loath now to yield contribution to mine enemies, that are still so ready to destroy me and mine. That is not the matter quoth he, you must pay it, there is no remedy; I doubt thou art deceived, said I, for I will not, than I must return your name replied he, for I know not else, what to do or say in the business: I will then tell you said I what you shall say, but I prithee do not spoil the message, or errand in the delivery thereof, I would have you certify such as shall be concerned therein, that I am King Charles his Subject, and If I had but one great in the world, it were at his service, but as for Sir Tho. Fairfox I desire to have nothing to do with him, for I am loath to be his slave, neither money will I send him upon any terms, and if he or any of his be so cruel as to take away any thing I have, yet I shall pray for patience and so rest contented, until it shall please God to send a remedy, and that is the sum of my resolution. Soon after this there came to my house in a morning next my hea●● a creature 〈…〉 bed a Quarter master, but I rather think a fiend of Phlege●hon, and yet I had the courage and cunning to conjure him sound: this fellow at 〈◊〉 began to prate like a proud ●●●bell as he was, you quoth he, as I hear will send no contribution to the Army, no marry will I said●, you will 〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉 quoth he, to be of another mind, and I wonder what is the Reason than you seem to be so stubborn; my reply was, that the Army and their Complices had undone me already▪ and 〈◊〉 that both Religion, the King, and the laws commanded me not to assist them; here is much ado with a King said he, but ere long there will be a course taken with the King and you and all such, etc. speaking such horrible and villainous word●, as my heart abhorreth to think, and my pen is ashamed to make mention of: Wretch quoth I, thou dost me too much honour, thus ignorantly & rashly, to couple and make me equivalent with my King; and I much admire in what benthall Kennel thou we●t brought up, for thou dost savour neither of Divinity, Humanity, or good manner's, but the W●a●h of God will meet with such cursed Shimeys as thou art: and indeed he put me into so great a passion, that I could not well remember all that I said unto him, but sure I am that we parted upon very bitter terms. About three or four days after, I did espy this Traitor at my gate again all alone, but before he had a Trooper with him: Out I marched presently and thus encountered him, How now said I, are you come again▪ are you of the same mind you were, when you were last here? I come quoth he, to see whether you be the same man or not▪ Yes surely said I, the same mind that you left me in when you last did see me, doth still continue constant, for I cannot endure to be counted a Turncoat or Changeling, but if it be your mid to exchange a few words, you may come in if you will, here is no body shall hurt you▪ the man alighted, and in we came together, and there fell into deep discourse that was sometimes fair, and by and by foul enoug, yet still I most highly maintained the justness of the King's case, and did dissuade the Party from Rebellion▪ with all the reasons and arguments that I could then excogitate, telling him the History and Fate of that seditious Earl of Leicester in the time of H●n: the 3. and of that valiant but inconstant Earl of Warwick in the days of Edw. the 4. and showing him also, as briesly as I could, how fearful and dismal the destruction of traitors had been in all ages, and countries whatsoever: but the sad result of all our conference was, that ere it were long he must come again, either for my body or goods: M● body said I, will do you but little good, but rather vex you much, for you see the manner of my discourse, and so it will continue unless you kill me: and for my goods, I have nothing sit for your turn, but a little corn to make us bread, and it were harsh cruelty to deprive us of that, besides I have very little money at the present, having got nothing a great while because of the troubles in the country; for the Law is silent within the verge of the Camp, and therefore if you fetch me away as a prisoner, I shall be in danger to be starved, for want of means to maintain me; it were pity said he that a man of your spirit should starve, and if you be my prisoner you shall not want victuals so long as I have any for myself: Gramercy Friend said I, if you be so charitable, your coming for me will be the less formidable, but I entreat you before that you come, either for me or my goods, to go to God Almighty by fervent and unfeigned prayer, and to seek his grace and direction, that you may do nothing, but what you may well answer, both in this world and the world to come, and then on God's name come as soon as thou wilt: and in this sort we civilly parted at this time, and I never heard of my Chapman after. But at divers other times I had been formerly plagued with troopers, demanding of assessments and the like, and still I made them an answer, that I had nothing for them, for I was undone already, and then their ordinary reply was, that they must have their pay, Yes would I say to them it is fit you should, but than you must take it of those that set you on work, and I was none of that turbulent tribe, and then their common answer was, that the Country set them on work and thither they must come for their wages: No said I the principal that set you at work was the Devil, and he will pay you all your due wages and just arrears in the conclusion. I cannot pass over a passage without remembrance, which happened between myself and the Parson of my Parish, during the time of the siege: I had a small field of corn growing, and upon the day that it was a reaping, the Parson came to demand tithe of it: indeed said I, my opiaion ever was that tithes were justly and lawfully due ●o the Church, so long as Churchmen did truly perform their duties, but now most of them hereabouts have most foully forgotten themselves, and are much out of rule and order, and since they have been a means to make others suffer, it is no matter if they lick a little ●● the same sauce; for you know that this little co● is the chiefest stock that we have to help ourselves withal, and seeing that you and such as you are have preached up these distractions amongst us, and so have been the instruments to bring honest men to a low ●●b, I think that with a safe conscience and lege talionis, we may withdraw your tithes until you deserve them better, and surely none you shall have here as yet, unless you claw for it: Whilst we were thus in discourse, off thundered the Ordinance at Colchester▪ List yonder Parson quoth I, what do you think of this, the Sword hath raged all the Kingdom over, and it is now come home to your door, and are ye not yet penitent for your peevishness? his answer was, that he hoped to meet with a merciful King▪ yes certain said I, you will find I believe, more mercy than you expect, I am sure more than you deserve; for although the King be God's Dep●●y upon Earth, and therefore we ought to honour him above all Creatures living, yet he is but a man, and his goodness may perswa'e him to peace and to pardon offences; but have you lived so long and is your Divinity no better, then to teach you that the making of your peace with the King will be sufficient for you, I tell you nay, for you have offended the Majesty of an eternal God, by preaching of blasphemy and treachery, and thus abusing the King, and seducing his Majesty's liege people into errors, and gross mistakes: and as your offence hath been public, so your contrition and satisfaction must be the same, for as you have preached the people into errors and absurdities, so you must endeavour to preach them out again, and to reduce them into the right way, and so seek to make your peace with God for your great aberrations; or else you may go to the devil at the last for all the making of your peace with the King. Not long after the si●ge broke up, & left an odious stink behind it, by the base & barbarous bloody assassination of those two most loyal and valiant Knight's Sir Charles Lucas and Sir George Lisle, the report whereof did much afflict our minds, but whether with more grief and horror, or terror of amazement, is a question: and soon after ● report was spread abroad, that a●l such young Gentlemen as had been for the King in that siege, should soon again be laid hold upon, and sent beyond the seas no man knew whither and this enforced my poor son, not yet recovered of his siege surfeit, to departed from my house, and for his saseties' sake to follow his father's pattern of peregrination about the Country, continuing in that pitiout posture until after that most horrible, hideous, and for ever to be lamented murdering of his late Sacred Majesty, and then he presented me with a letter enough to melt my heart into a flood of sad tears, and wherein after many sorrowful sad expressions and fears of his dear Father's danger, he uttered this, Oh Sir● if they have had the execrable impudence and cruelty to cut down the high Cedar how may the low and silly Shrubs expect to be trampled upon. But he being gone aside and so escaped out of their pinching paws, myself alone must therefore suffer the ●ull force of their fury: for about some two months after the siege ended there came near twenty Troopers to my house upon a Saturday towards night, and there violently entered to search for me, but I was gone to a neighbour's house n●● long before, and they were informed for certain that I was not in or about the house at that time, notwithstanding they searched for me very narrowly, and went into my barn and tumbled about my hay and corn with candles lighted in their hand●, and with danger enough to have set my whole house on a fire, and when they could not yet find me, they said aloud that all this while I was shut up in my study, and if that door were not opened they would break it open; and then my Wife protested unto them that I was not there, neither could she open it, because I had the key in my pocket, but ye● to satisfy yourselves said she, you may have a ladder and so look in at the window, and easily discover that he is not there; and for all this with a strong iron they reaved open my study door, and there rifled and stole from me divers books and peppers, which I am sure could do them but little pleasure, and yet I would not willingly have lost the same, for twenty times more than they were worth, and also they plundered away divers parcels of my linen and other goods, and did strike and abuse my children, and took meat out of the powdering ●●b▪ and broiled it upon the coals, and after marry such pretty pranks there played, away they went. So soon as they were gone, my Wife sent unto m●, and certified me how the matter was, and I came presently home, ●●t some wished me not to lodge in the house that night, Yes but I will, said I, if it please God, and yet I believe that I shall hear of them again before the morning, but I fear them not, for had I known of there being here before, I would have come home amongst them; well we committed ourselves to God, and so went to bed: and soon after midnight we were awaked with a great rumbling at the doors, and I did presently speak and asked who was there, telling them, that if they were the Troopers, that were here lately, I would rise and come down unto them, if they will be quiet but a little while, and then I called up a Servant in all haste, to light a Candle, but before it could be lighted, these blind Zealots had broke down a wall, and yet could not see the way to get in, but my Servant opening the doors, they rushed in, and followed the Candle up to the Chamber▪ door, which I perceiving said, why Sirs, I hope you will not be so uncivil, to come into a Gentlewoman's Chamber, where she is in bed: but I pray go down into the Hall, and so soon as I can rise, I will come unto you; And upon this, they did return down very fairly, and myself presently followed, and when they saw my face, and heard me speak, they were civil enough, and shown me their Warrant, than I asked them what their will wa●, and how they intended to dispose of me for the present, it being in the dead time of the night, than they told me that their Commander in chief, and the rest of their company were at an Inn about two miles off, and desired me to go thither; T●en I must go on foot, said I, for I have no horse; Then answered they, We came up hither on foot, and so we shall bear you company, and requested me to make myself ready as fast●● conveniently I could, and ●o I called for clean linen and dressed myself, and being thus ready, they said that now they hoped I would quickly go a●ong with them; Yes said I, but you must excuse me awhile, for howsoever you think of us Cavaliers, yet we have so much Religion, as to commend ourselves to God twice a day in public prayer, whatsoever we do in private; but now I have more reason then ordinary to pray with my family, being ready to departed from them, and God knows whether I shall ever live to see them again, or not, and you may join with us in prayer if you please, and they seemed to be contented so to do; But, said I, the truth is that I do use the prayers of the Church, for I esteem those to be of the best form for public use; Then they answered, you may use your Prayers by yourselves as you think fit; then I called mine own Company into another room, and did make use of the Book of Common-prayer, and prayed for the King's Majesty, the Queen, the Royal Progeny and others, as my accustomed course and manner was; and I perceived they did ●isten to what I said, but made no disturbance at all, when I had done I called my wife a side in private, and between her and myself, I did equally part that little stock of money that I had, which was very small God knows, and she did earnestly desire me to take it all with me: No said I, thou shalt have half of it howsoever, for I trust that God will provide still for me, whithersoever they carried me, and so advising her to cast her confidence upon God alone, with a Christian courage and comfort I departed away with my Jailers, taking one of my little Sons along with me for company, so far as the said I●●e; when I came there amongst the c●●e of them, I was as cheerful as discretion could admit a man in my condition to be, insomuch as they did all marvel at it, and said, They had seldom met with such a prisoner: I answered my cause was good, and I was not ashamed of that I had said or done in this matter, and though affliction were bitter, yet innocence was bold, for a good conscience did cause a cheerful countenance: and thus the time passed until it was day light, and then we must march for all it was Sunday▪ the business forsooth was so urgent, that no delay must be admitted, either in reverence to God, or charity to Man● but I wanted a horse, and some of the wretches were then so base as to say that if I could not get a horse, they would make me ride behind one of them: No surely, said I that shall not be, for I will choose rather to go on foot; Then replied a saucy fellow amongst them, you must trot apace then or else we must drive ye on; But some of the more civil sort of them said, That if I would send my Son to some neighbours, they believed I might borrow one upon such an occasion, yet I was loath to send him about upon that day, yet lest I should exasperate these ●ellowes whose prisoner I then was, I did let my Son go, and after some 2▪ or 3. hours running about he brought me a little Nag upon which being mounted▪ I was c●rried away through the street of the Town, wi●h the sound of Trumpet in service time, and rod so cheerly and upright, as some cold me afterwards, who took notice of it, that I could not have ridden more comely, if I had been travelling to my Wedding, when we came near the Towns end, my little Son and I must part, and then I craved God's blessing upon him, and also gave him Counsel with a Fatherly charge to remember his Creator in the days of his youth, and to be obedient and helpful to his poor Mother that bore him, and in so doing, it would go well with him, in the conclusion, for God in his mercy would at length remember his, and all the rest of our afflictions: then I pulled forth a sh●lling out of my little stock and gave it him saying, dear Child keep this for thy Father's sake, perhaps it is all the portion I shall be able to give thee; yet be not discouraged at all, but remember that the whole World is at the command and disposing of God Almighty. Thus away these Fellows carried me I knew not whether, nor for what intent, yet their Warrant intimated for Chelmsford, but it was muttered by some that when I came there, I should be sent to Windsor Castle; and so they made me travel the most part of the Sunday, until dark night, but the days b●ing then but short, they could not fairly get me so far as they intended, and therefore we were all driven to lodge by the way; and indeed they led me to a very good lodging, where the people of the house knew me very well, and could not hearty bid me welcome, coming in that posture, and upon so sad an occasion; But here in earnest the Troopers that lodged at the same house with me, and which were of the more civil sort of them, (whom their Commander did pick out on purpose, as he told me) did demean themselves very fairly towards me, and yet my discourse continued as really Royal as ever it had been, but with some discreet moderation, and always when I gave thanks a● meat amongst them, I still remembered to pray for the Church, and my Sovereign, and his Royal Consort and Progeny; and so it was that one of these Fellows, pretending some smack of Scholarship, would sometimes seem in his discourse to contradict some of my assertions, and to utter his mind according to the then humour of the times, but he would presently cast his eyes upon me with a smile, and say, Cujus contrarium verum est Domine, the residue of his Company knew not what he meant, but his free confession gave me so much satisfaction, as the concertation between us two was very mild and moderate, and in truth they were favourable unto me in my expenses, for I still did intimate unto them, that I would be generous enough if I had wherewithal, but had not the faculty as then, to spend money before I had it, and sure they were something sensible of my afflictions, for always when the reckoning came to be paid, they would civilly accept of that which I laid down, and paid the residue themselves, and when I pleased they permitted me to go to bed, where having a quiet Conscience within me, I slept sound without fear of danger, but some of them watched me all night, as I well perceived the next morning; And then they made haste to convey me to Chelmsford, where they entered the Town in triumph, with the sounding of the Trumpet, and the discharging of their Pistols: And some that knew me did in derision rejoice at my misery, but others of a more wise and sober temperature, did hang down their Heads, as being grieved to see honest Gentlemen so exposed to the insolency of Treachery and Rebellion; but to that ●nn I was carried, which was ordinarily the Common Gaol for Male-actors at the Assizes, and here I was kept with a guard until night, and when I went to bed, I was locked up in the Chamber, and I believe a sufficient guard was not far off from me; Well, here I rested very quietly until the morning, when the door being opened, I presently arose, and having notice given me, that I must be carried before those Creatures called the Committees, I did very cheerfully prepare myself, and when I was ready, than the chiefest of the Troopers which had brought me to Town, was my Gentleman Usher to conduct me before them, where several Objections and Allegations were framed against me, namely that i● pleading of my Client's case, I had sometimes spoken in the derogation of Parliament Ordinances and the like, I answered, that I did not use to plead for any Client, but for my Fee, and having received that, I was bound in conscience not to betray his case, but to urge on his behalf what I did conceive was most available for him, so far as Law or equity did warrant me; and that it was a rare thing to hear of, that a Counsellor at Law should be called in question for his care and industry in the lawful and honest pleading of his Client's business, which is the true performance of the trust reposed in him: and thus that Objection as it seemed was passed over, but the main matter which they infisted upon, was my sons being in arms in Colchester, charging me that I had furnished him with horse, arms and money, to go upon that design. I answered, that indeed he had gotten a little money at a place, where it was due unto me, but it was all taken from him, long before that he came at Colchester, and with arms I could not furnish him, for they were all taken from me, at the time when my house was first plundered; and horse I had none of mine own, neither durst I keep any for divers years before: and so at length after much discourse and altercation the result and sum of the business was, that I must enter into a bond of 500 l. to leave off and discontinue all such actions as I had commenced against those, that had taken the profits of my lands by force and colour of sequestration: and this volens aut nolens, I was enforced to yield unto, or else I must still abide in prison, and there starve, for aught that I then knew: and when I had sealed the Bond, after some consultation amongst themselves, some of them said unto me, that now if I would pay the troopers that had fetched me thither, I might go home for that time, so as I would not refuse to appear upon a new summons. I answered, that I had not money to pay the troopers, but you Gent. said I, that did set them at the work have a large purse, and therefore I hope that you will pay them their wages: at last with much ado I got off, but I believe the reason was because they could not possibly got that from me, which then I had not for myself: and so by the mercy of God, I came well home again, to the great comfort of my poor family, being all full glad that I had thus escaped the tyrant's hands, although it were upon hard terms: and for a while after we remained in reasonable quiet, and having by our industry gathered together a little money, we ventured to purchase chase a Cow, which long we had not enjoyed, but there came Troopers and took her away, for nonpayment of Assessments, for indeed I had not paid any as yet during all the time of the then forepassed Rebellion; and now the driving away of this Cow, which had been so hardly obtained, and so long time a purchasing, was a sad disaster, and did more vex us then the loss of a hundred times as much before, when we had plenty, and truly it made my little Daughter to weep bitterly, and that cut my heart, to see that I could keep nothing for the sustenance of my poor Children, and especially was I grieved for her sake whom not long before I had reproved, for endeavouring to learn to spin, telling her, that I would not have her to dirty and defile herself with such greasy work; and her answer was as well as she could, being scarce old enough to speak aright, that she had rather spin then starve; and these things I remembered to my grief, but knew not how to help myself, until it pleased God to send a remedy: And now also the Troopers threatened to come again, and fetch away our Household stuff that was left, if they could find no other distress. These sad troubles, and imminent dangers did much perplex me, and I was almost at a stand how to dispose of myself, and my affairs; my Loyalty and Courage did still prompt me to venture all hazards, but my tender compassion towards my dear Wife and Children, did work wonders upon my real, and almost Royal-resolution, and they earnestly entreated me, that if I would by no means meddle in the matter myself, yet to give them leave to use some means to pay the rates, for without payment thereof, they well perceived they could never enjoy any thing in quiet; and hereupon I sadly considered with myself, that for our sins our Princely Pilot was then taken away, and we all in danger of imminent shipwreck, and little likelihood left of that relief which we so long had hoped for and expected; and therefore though with much reluctation, I yielded my consent unto them, to do what they thought best; and upon this my Wife and my Son did seek a way to redeem their Cow, but by the occasion of divers arrears incurred since I had last entered upon my Land, the redemption of the Cow did cost them more than she was worth 3, or 4. times over. And now the people about us believed that we should rest in quiet, without any further trouble, so long as we paid the Assessments; and so as fast as we could we got some more stock upon the ground, and lived a little more comfortably than we had done for a while before, and yet ever and anon some would be carping at me, and wishing me to get off the Sequestration from my Lands, telling me, that it was the only way for us to obtain security from danger, as the case then stood: and still my answer was to this effect, that the Devil and his Instruments brought it on, and I was very loath to seek to any of them to be my Attorneys or Solicitors to take it off, but resolved to submit to the good will and pleasure of God, and cheerfully to wait for a better opportunity; and thus for a year or two we continued, without any great trouble, and then having by mine own industry, and the help of some Friends, attained a small quantity of money, I did begin to intent the reparation of my houses, being very ruinous, and in great decay; but I had not far proceeded in this so necessary a work, but there was a new Alarm in the Diurnals of an Act made to fallen away my Estate, and the common report was, that I had now no remedy at all to help myself, but was then past all recovery, for my Estate must be sold away, and all my company left Beggars: Hereat my Wife did much reluct, and wished that I had never laid out any money about the repairing of my houses, for quoth she, they were too good for the Rebels before; Be content, Sweet heart, said I, it is for my credit to keep my houses in a gentile manner, and those that shall enjoy them will have the better conceit of me, and I hope without doubt to see some better days before I die. Soon after there came three men from London to my house to survey my Estate, and these took notice how many Rooms there were in the house, and how many Trees were growing upon my ground, and among much discourse, they asked me if I had not been a Captain in the King's Army, and rid in a Buffcoat with many tall Fellows following me; I answered, That my fate had not been so hitherto, but I verily believed that my mind and courage was as high, and as prompt to embrace such a design, as some others, but that the vigour of my youth was past many years before that occasion presented itself: Then they replied, that if I had not been in actual Arms against the Parliament, as they called it, than there was a Proviso in the Act for Sale that might do me some good, and so in a civil sort they departed from me; and it is very probable, that this mischief was hastened upon me by the practice of the Sequestrators, who pretended friendship unto me, but intended otherwise; for although the Assessments were paid in the Country, yet they being called upon for the Rents of my Land above, and being also ashamed, as I think, (after such horrible wrongs as I had formerly suffered) again to take away that little stock which I had so hardly gotten together, did therefore to salve themselves, return into their Office above, that I was Lunatic, and that all my Lands lay waste; and sure it is there was some subtle drift, and villainous intention towards me therein; but the prime of their Trade was to invent lies, for the ruin and disgrace of honest men, that opposed the wickedness of their do. And now there was no remedy, but to London I must travel, where I had not been for many years before, for at the first beginning of the Rebellion, I did wholly give over my practice there, deserted my Chamber, and could not endure to be seen amongst them; yet now I must venture again, or lose all my Estate for the present, and alas I knew not the face of any of those men that I was then enforced to make my application unto, yet the Providence of God did bring me into some little acquaintance with one of the Commissioners at Haberdasher's Hall, who was in show a moderate man, and had some power and influence among the residue, and by his means after long waiting and expense of money, I obtained a hearing of my case, where none of them seemed to be so much an Enemy against me, as one that was of mine own profession, but his expressions there had little affinity either with Law or Conscienoe, and the whole result of this my hearing, was to refer my case back again to the rigorous Rump of that unlucky Parliament, and then I thought myself to be in as bad, or a worse condition than I was before, and yet still I desired to put my trust in God, by whose mercy I did continually meet with many comforts; and thus home I came again to mine own house, where I had not continued a week, but I heard news that the Rump was turned out of doors by the Soldiery, and indeed I did not grieve much at it, but took the same for a good Omen, that such hideous Beastials began to kick and scratch so sorely one at another, and some hope I did entertain, that now the Rump was so dispatched, we should rest in the better quiet; but not long after there came unto me an Agent for the State, as he termed himself, and he said that his Errand was to take an Inventory of all the Goods which were in my possession, that so they might be forthcoming and responsible to the use of the State. I did know this party well, and said unto him, Your Parliament is now quite out of date, and shall these oppressions continue still? And he answered, That there was yet a Council of State, and that matters would pass on in the same manner as they did before: Well, said I, the will of God must take place, and I am hearty sorry to see thee employed upon such an occasion; Then he answered me again, that he must do those things that belonged to his Office; Why quoth I, if Satan sends thee upon a Message, art thou so fit for his turn to run presently? Alas Friend, said I then to him, I did know thy Father, and he was an honest and a Zealous Preacher in this Country, and if he were now living, I believe he would more willingly see thee come to a shameful end, then send thee on such an errand as thou now comest about, whereat he hanged down his head and looked ill favouredly, yet did his work, and so departed with cold entertainment; With many such Messages and several summons to appear and to pay rend for mine own Land, I was divers times after sore vexed and put to much trouble and charge: But at length by God's mercy, and the means of one Mr. Jannyson of Colchester, an old Sea Captain, that had ancient acquaintance with one Mr. Winslow a Commissioner for the compounding of Sequestrations, and did freely also without my seeking, most friendly offer me his Love and Service in that behalf; I obtained after long suit, and twice paying for it, a full discharge from that Office: and who would not think, but that I had then been safe enough from that danger? and yet my Genius did still misdoubt the worst, and could never be truly apprehensive of Security, so long as such Hypocrites were in Power, as made the pretence of Religion and devotion, a Cloak to cover all their Villainy and Oppression; And so unhappily it fell out, that I took not my marks amiss, for notwithstanding my discharge aforesaid, being as complete as they could make any, yet still I was called upon to bring in the Arrearages of Rents for my Lands, that were due to the State forsooth as they pretended, and when this my discharge was showed forth, and pleaded in the Country before their Auditors and Receivers, they could take very little or no exceptions against it, only they said that the Rents and Profits of my Lands would still be called in question, neither could they surcease or forbear so doing, until such time as my said discharges were sent up, and enrolled before the Commissioners at Worcester house: And hereupon myself being then in Prison, by force and colour of their unjust power, I was enforced to procure a Friend, to convey it up thither, where instead of inrolling of the fame, they took it quite away from me, and left me only a Copy thereof, that one of my Sons had formerly written out: and afterwards when the Rump recovered their peevish power again, they made a sale and grant of all my Estate, notwithstanding, the discharge which I had so hardly obtained, and all the woeful miseries, that they and their forerunners had formerly so long imposed upon me, and my poor Family, only in the despite of our Loyal Faithfulness to his late Majesty, and because we refused to pass in the rank of Rebels: Such was the Charity and Justice of these wretched Miscreants, and yet for all their raging and prodigious projects against us, we had the good hapand courage to keep the possession of our house, during all the time of the late distractions, and this I think may be put in Chronicle for a kind of Miracle, and if I should make a punctual Relation of all the Travels and Troubles, that we endured and passed through, in and about this last recited affliction of ours, it would produce a large volume of itself: And yet I was as much vexed and tormented with another Hobgoblin hatched in Hell, but called an Engagement, and for the Nonsubscribing of this, I was reputed an outlaw, and no man that owed me any thing, would pay me a penny (unless it were some Conscientious soul that feared God) for they knew that I was disabled, to bring any action against them: And besides I had openly declared divers times, that I would hazard to starve, before that I would seek the help and relief of such Lawless Authority as was then in use; And hereupon some perverse and ignorant Wretches did deride me, and were the more prompt to work me a mischief, and sticked not to say, that if any man killed me, there was no punishment to be inflicted for so doing; Neither could I be permitted to plead so much as in a Corporation Court, and upon this sad occasion, I continued close and retired at home for a good while, being loath to expose myself to disgrace or danger as the violence of the stream did then run, ●or I did then evidently perceive, that those hypocrites were not contented to captivate our bodies and estates only, but that also they endeavoured, so far as their power could extend, to enthral our souls to eternal perdition: and I soon found likewise that my recess from a little public employment, was an occasion of the greater want of means amongst us: the consideration whereof did minister a fair opportunity unto me, to fly unto God for counsel and comfort, in this so great an exigency; and having implored my Creator for his mercy and direction herein, I began to ruminate, and resolve to venture upon a design, whereby in probability I might be exposed, either to more eminent and notorious sufferings, than I had formerly met withal, or else by some fair and irreprehensible evasion to help, and quit myself out of the trapp of that treacherous engagement, for I did conceive that few or none of the Country Magistrates would seem to be so grossly impudent and irreligious, as to make refusal of that which I intended to present and proffer unto them: and so it fell out soon after, that there was much business at a Corporation Court near me, and where I had frequently been in practice for above 20. years before, and thereupon divers came unto m●; with a purpose to retain me for their counsel at that time, and offered me Fees, which I had need enough then to accept of, though formerly I had refused many that were offered me in some cases, and my memory presenting that old Verse unto me, Quis nisi mentis inops oblatum respuat anrum. I now entertained their kind offer, but withal told them, that I feared, that I should not be suffered to plead, but yet I would endeavour to do them the best service I could, or else return their Fees again: Hereupon I took a fit opportunity to rapair to one of the chief Magistrates, that were to sit at that Court, and whom I never took for a Machiavilian of the deepest die, and did inform him, how I was retained to come to his Court, but believed, that I should not be heard, because I had not taken the Engagement: His answer was, that he intended not to hinder me, but that I might speak as freely there, as ever I had done before; Well said I, but if those I shall plead against, or any paltry fellow in court will but urge the exception against me, I doubt you dare not but enjoin me silence: You say true, quoth he, and therefore it were well that you would subscribe it, whereunto I replied thus, I hope that you will not impose any thing upon me, that is contrary to the Word of God, or the Laws of the Kingdom. No no quoth he, not by any means; Then said I, with a reservation to that effect, I will subscribe it; and so we went together to the house of another Magistrate not of capacity enough to practise much mischief, and there before them two, I did subscribe it, with this protestation, so far as it was not contradictory and repugnant to the word of God, and the fundamental Laws of the Kingdom, and this device of mine did pass for currant, though certainly I was not thereby any more engaged than I was before: and yet I continued faithful unto them in some sort, for I dare say, that both before and after this, I did ever as freely reprove their villainies, as any man that lived in England: yet I most humbly crave your Majesty's pardon for this my seeming, in the least degree to yield unto them, I could hardly have done so, had I not learned the rule, Sicut subditus tene●ur ad obedientiam, ita Rex teneturad protectionem: and that safeguard I was unhappily bereft of, my conscience likewise relucted, lest through 〈◊〉, or fear of danger, I should offend God, but I believed that in case of extremity, it were better to fall into the hands of God the fountain of all mercy, then into the power of wicked men, who had showed themselves almost as void of humanity as the very bruit beasts. Not long after this I was summoned up to be decimated, and there it was ordered again, that I should enter another Bond of five hundred pounds, but upon what condition or cause I knew not, yet by the means of some there that pretended some friendship unto me, the penalty was drawn down to three hundred pounds, and such a Bond I was ordered to enter into at Colchester before some of their Complices, but I had the good hap to shuffle it over, and so escaped that bondage. But notwithstanding all these my Troubles and Perplexities, or their pretences of kindness towards me, yet I could never be drawn or daunted from the defence of the truth, and the bold and free utterance of my mind therein, upon every fit occasion. Once as I was pleading in a Court for my Client, the chief Magistrate there, and myself began to clash a little, whereupon I chanced to say, that some courses would never be left, until the Kingdom were quite undone, to which, he answered me thus, you to be sure will be undone in the mean time, whereat I clapped my hand upon my Breast, and said, Gods will be fulfiled, but if I be undone, yet I shall have an advantage above some others, for I shall fall with Majesty, and a good Conscience, and that too many will miss of, at which some of the standers by were not displeased, for I heard them whisper and say, here is a man of a rare Spirit. And when I was in the deepest danger for the sale of my Lands, this Magistrate last mentioned, had a Son that was interessed about Sequestrations and Sales, and I remembered that St. Paul had taken hold of the Law of an Heathen Emperor to save himself from the lash, and so I thought it lawful for me to use the best means I could, to preserve my Wife and Children, from being turned out of doors: To this man therefore I repaired, and desired him to speak to his Son on my behalf, and he presently called for his Son, and charged him before my face, to show me all the courtesy and service that lay in his power, and then the old man and I walked together into the Fields, where being in discourse, he said that he was sorry that it was so with me, for if you quoth he, would have gone the way that other Learned men did, you should never have had need to crave a courtesy at any man's hand, for you might have been able to do favours for all your Friends and acquaintance, for you might have been a man of great rule and command in the Country, and gotten what Estate you had pleased; Yes sure, was my Answer, I might have got the Devil and all; Then replied he to me, you will never leave these manner of expressions, but they do you no good; Yes said I, there will be a time when the speaking of truth may stand me in some stead; and Sir, said I, you must give me leave to tell you, that if I had gone otherwise then I have done, I had been as arrant a stinking Knave as ever pissed against a Wall; whereat the man started, and said, why I hope you will not say that we are all so: No sure, said I, my modesty will not suffer me to tell you on it so plainly, but myself had been so howsoever; And why you quoth he, more than other men? The reason, said I, is apparent, for I had then gone against my Conscience in point of Religion, and my Judgement in point of Law, and he that doth so, I say is an arrant Knave: But Conscience, said he, must be rectified; Very true, said I, but how? it must be rectified indeed by the Law of God and Man, and not by the opinions and humours of a few factious Schismatics. This man had been a Magistrate near 30▪ years, and I believed that the stream of the Times, rather than the strength of his Judgement, had now caused him to run the course he did, and therefore I think that I gave his Worship such a pestilent rub as he had seldom met withal before, but my intent therein was to do him good. In the late Tyrant's time, an Attorney told me of a Lawyer which I knew, that was then called up to be a Judge in one of the Courts at Westminster, whereunto I answered, that I was sorry for him because I feared that he had forgot both his Law and Religion too, but alas said I, the pride of the heart is so great, that some will hunt after, and accept of preferment, although it be upon never so evil terms, but sure such men are quite out of their wits: I wonder you will say so, said he, why if the Protector should send you a Commission to be a Judge, would you not accept of it? no surely, said I, and verily I hope that thou hast not so bad a conceit on me, as to believe that I would once entertain such an offer; and though I remembered the old Adage, which saith, That he that speaks the truth may have his head broken, yet I proceeded on further, and said, that I should rather choose to die at mine own Gate, then take a place under such a power, for if ever I be either Judge or Justice, I hope at shall be in God's name, and not in the Devils, for all Rebels are of the Devil, and only from him they had their first original. Once again in that time my patience was piteous put to it, for having occasion to be at a Sessions, amongst other stingy stuff of cruel consequence, I heard it given in charge to the Grand inquest, that it was High Treason to say that the Government was Usurped; in truth my heart did rise against such Doctrine, and mine ears tingled to hear the people so poisoned, and their Judgements abused, and depraved with such Devilish dissimulation, and as soon as I could I got myself away through the crowd, and going out at the door, a Officer of the Court espied me, and said, Sir, whither do you go so fast? Away said I, what should I do here? Why quoth he, I hope you will tarry and dine with the Justices: no surely said I, for such doctrine I have already heard amongst them, as I am resolved neither to eat nor drink with them this day: But I hope now such popular Temporisers will truly see their Errors, ere it be too late, for every such Proteus or Protogenes that intends to participate of Eternal felicity, and to be as well capable of God's mercy, as of their Prince's pardon, must not think it sufficient to turn a new leaf with the times, but they must be seriously sorrowful, and repentant for their former failings, and corrupt conversations: One of the holy Fathers used to pray unto God to forgive him his other men's sins, that is, the sins which he had occasioned others to fall into and commit; and most hearty I do beseech Almighty God, that the whole body of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may obtain the grace to be truly penitent, and pathetically pious in the reforming of what hath been amiss. God and the World too well knows who were incentively the first founders and fomenters of the late Rebellion, and so consequently it is to be feared of all the horrible Murders, Rapines, and other gross and Atheistical absurdities and Deviations, both in Church and Commonwealth, which upon the same so sadly ensued: Have not some lately brought to a condign punishment, pretended as an excuse for their so wicked an●▪ unparallelled Treacheries, that they were Commissioned Officers under such a man? and who had he all his own Commissions from? and were there not Votes passed for Non-Addresses to his late Majesty? and was not the clause for preservation of his Majesty's person quite left out in some of their Commissions? Alas I touch not upon these things with a desire to rub or renew the sore, but to give a charitable admonition, as a Christian salve to the soul, that such as are any ways guilty thereof, may be drawn to abhor themselves, and to repent in dust and ashes. It is most true, if it please your Majesty, that I was ever a sore detester of Rebellion, but I was as well pleased to endure the yoke of a single Tyrant, as of a multitude of the same stamp, and yet I could not forbear inveighing against him, sometimes in the presence of such as had near relation to him; and it is very strange, that I was not destroyed amongst some others, for many silly seditious So●s would cry out upon me, with a why you speak against the Government, but these Rurals were ●oth to trouble themselves, or travel up so far to accuse me, and certainly next to God's mercy, my so seldom coming at London, was an Antidote to preserve me out of his clutches: For indeed, my constant discourse concerning that Tyrant was, that God had raised him up as he did Pharaoh, to plague his People for their sins, and to the in●ent, that the Lord might show his Power upon him in the conclusion: For I never looked upon the late Rebels, and all their Complices and Adherents, but as upon the Egyptian vermin of Frogs, Lice, and Caterpillars, sent and suffered to torment this Nation, for their rebellious offences, and therefore I did every day continually expect their ruin; For if the Nation repent not, than I knew that God was able to punish us some other ways; but I could never doubt, but that the Lord in his due time, would vindicate his own glory, and truth against such wicked wretches, and suddenly send some strong favonian Wind, to disperse and drive them all into the red Sea of ruin and utter destruction. I have often wondered at the strange Hypocrisy, or strong delusions of some reputed wise ones in this Nation, for their first pretence of taking up Arms (as they held it forth to the People) was to depress and beat down Popery forsooth, and yet some of themselves afterwards, when success did seem to favour their factions, did put in practice and strive to maintain the opposing, deposing, and murder of Kings, the absolute merit of their own Works, and the infallibility of their own dirty decretals, such desperate and dangerous Tenets, as no moderate Romanist will now allow of, or yield any approbation unto; Nay, the very written Word of God, his ten Commandments, the Lords Prayer, the Holy Epistles and Gospels, and the true Christian Catholic Belief, etc. are by some sacrilegiously thrust out at the Church doors, to the end, that ignorance and perverseness may yet be nourished, and their own weak and near non-sensicall inventions only applauded amongst the people, and for the pleasing and feeding the idle and obstinate humours of a few factious schismatics. And yet whosoever in the late times, durst but once open his mouth, to speak against such ethnical practices, was presently branded with the odious name of a Malignant, & ill affected person to the state: but if all had been so blockish as to be silent, and not have spoken a word against such damnable do, I think (as our Saviour saith in another case) the very stones would have cried out: & although too many were much offended at those that spoke their minds in sincerity, yet I believe it was happy for the whole Nation that there were some such persons to be offended at, for had there been no righteous Lots therein to reprove the wickedness of others, and that were continually vexed with the unjust conversation of such Sodomites, there might have been danger enough for fire and brimstone to have fallen from Heaven, upon such a gross apostatising Kingdom; for I am sure that the sins of Sodom never mounted so high, nor cried so loud in the ears of God's vengeance, as the bewitched wickedness of wretched England for many years of late hath certainly done, the Lord in his Christ be mercifully appeased with us for the same. Indeed for mine own particular I do profess, and have divers times formerly said as much, that next to the great hopes, that I have for the saving of my poor soul, by the mercies of God, in the merits alone of Jesus Christ, I did never think that my God had afforded me a greater favour, then to preserve and keep me by his grace, from being an agent in, or adherent to the late rebellion: for if any thing had been amiss in the practice of religion, as was pretended by some, yet such as were not wholly given over to a reprobate sense, might easily have understood, that armed violence could never amend it, but rather make all worse than it was before, it is gross ignorance to imagine, that reformation in the Church, or Religion and Truth itself, can be settled in blood, but only in the innocent and precious blood of Jesus Christ▪ and where and whensoever any true reformation hath happened, it was always set on, and brought to pass by the means of a lawful Magistrate, set up and authorised of God, and not by the dull endeavours, and injust power of a few bestial and serpentine spirits, raised and conjured up by the madness of the people. Such prodigious devices were not in use, until the old dragon begun to rage, because his time waxed short: but all along the primitive times, notwithstanding those bloody, heavy and horrible persecutions imposed upon Christians: yet those that were true godly Saints, did never so much as dream of rebelling against their Governors, for ever still in their strongest extremities, their sharpest weapons were preces & lachrimae, a sure symbol of a sacred heart: but all violent courses to protect themselves, they utterly disclaimed. There is a generation yet amongst us, that can never be so sound sensible of their souls solace as they might be, if they were truly convinced of their late errors, and seriously sorrowful and humbled for their former offences: but so long as they meet with pardon and preferment, they think all is well, but alas it is not so, for too many still far the worse for these men's late unjust and impious practices: I wish them to remember that God is a righteous Judge, and will render just measure in due time; for oppression will ever cry to heaven for vengeance: there be many matters which they have had a shrewd hand in, that will be a bitter blemish in their arms, as long as they live: and as the vulgar saying is, may grieve them in their graves when they be dead, or at least stick sore at their souls hereafter, if they bring not forth better fruits and effects of true repentance, then can hitherto be seen or perceived in them by an impartial eye: Such as seek to cover their sins cannot prosper: and some there be I fear, whose  faults being now shadowed under a fair pretext, do still by their connivancie and countenance encourage others to be more stubborn and refractory in the yielding unto, and performance of such things as a good conscience will loudly call for at their hands: and by this means also it is probable enough that some of your Ma● subjects that have evidently demonstrated their love & loyalty to their King & country are still kept under, and had in de●ision and contempt, being basely abused and discouraged by too many of the late stupidicies', to the dishonour and shame of this Kingdom, both at home and abroad, and clean contrary to your Majesty's good meaning, and most royal disposition, and sore against the reputation of a righteous Cause without question; and if old Gamesters begin once to belive and find, that there is now a days no difference at Dice, but that cogging and cheating may as well win the Game, and go away with the Garland as fairly as honest and square play, it may hereafter be a means to indu●e some to be cowardly, and loath again to venture themselves and their estates so valiantly, unless it were upon better terms, and at such an ill consequence or event, the enemies of the truth will be ready to rejoice, but all your Majesty's Wellwishers would be most hearty sorry for it. In truth it is now time, under royal favour, if it so please God and your Majesty, that your Graces poor suffering friends should be a little looked upon, and considered of, who have been so courageously constant in their saddest sufferings, abhorring to defile themselves, with the least tincture of Treason, but always labouring to imprint Loyalty in the hearts of others; and frequently and faithfully improving their best faculties for your Majesty's service, and the good of their native Country. Some of my Opposites have said unto me, that they believed it was impossible to turn me from the way, that I walked in, and that although they were not of my mind, and that I was their enemy, and did them more hurt in their Cause, than many that fought against it, yet they could not choose but honour the memory of me, in regard that I had ever stood so stoutly to my Principles. It was truly said of the Wiseman, that when a man is well proved, then is his faithfulness known; and certainly I may say to your Majesty with a safe conscience, that in the time of the late Anarchy, my fidelity to your Grace, was sufficiently tried to the proof, for amongst all the revolutions and alteration which happened in that slippery State, and wherewith the most part of the people being desirous of novelty, were well pleased in hope of some melioration thereby, yet the Doctrine that I did ever divulge amongst all such as I conversed withal, was still to this effect, that all those alterations could never conduce to any good, but only draw on more and more Confusion, until all were ruined; for always my saying was, that right must have right, and that there could never be the least expectation or sign of any security, or settlement of peace here amongst us, until your Majesty were restored unto all your just, and lawful rights and royalties; for whilst that came to pass, and was happily effected, the full wrath and vengeance both of God and man would continually prosecute these rebellious Nations. Some factious and seditious Ignorants, would now and then be carping at your Majesty's title to the Crown of England, and affirm that it came in first by William the Conqueror, and being gotten by Conquest, it might as well in the same manner be lost: but my answer to this was, that the Case is not the same, for William the Conqueror was a foreign Prince, and by the law of Arms might make a Conquest of this Nation, but no Subjects can ever conquer their Sovereign; for although they do overpowre him by force and violence, yet that is no Conquest, but a mere act of rebellion, and no ways justifiable either by the laws of God or man: and besides I commonly said unto them, that if any of their Ancestors had been seized of an Estate in Lands for the time of about 600. years, they would then think it to be more than a sufficient prescription to maintain a good and unquestionable Title thereunto. But ● had a stronger argument than this to refute that Norman fallacy, for I was so good an Historian as to tell them, that within a few Descents after the Conquest, the ancient royal race was again restored; and also such an apt Antiquary and Herald as to derive your Majesty's pedigree ab origant, and to show them clearly how by God's providence, and the policy and good success of many happy and fortunate Marriages, your Majesty was now the true undoubted Heir, unto all those famous Princes, that ever had any lawful colour of Competition, or right unto the royal Crowns of England and Scotland. And sometimes I have related unto them an old story of the Abyssines, who brag that their black Imperial Prince is descended from a Child, that Solomon begot upon the Queen of Sheba, and this they stand upon as a great and honourable Antiquity for that Nation: but withal I did still inform these people, that your Majesty's Title to England was full as ancient, & far more authentical: And the chief scope and end of all these my Speeches, and Relations, was to enlighten their blind Eye●, to inform their Judgements, to make them know and understand the Truth of your Majesty's indubitable just and religious Rights and Authorities over this Nation, that thereby they might be induced to have a more reverend regard and opinion of the same, and so in time become inclinable to yield their due obedience thereunto. On a time being at a Court Baron in a great and populous Town, divers of the Tenants there in open discourse, did ask me many Questions in Law, which I gave them my Opinion in to their satisfaction: at the length a jolly fellow there, who was a Presbyters lay elder, did say, that the tenants were much beholding to me, for I had told them a great deal of Law; but, quoth he, I have heard but little Gospel come from you. Friend, said I, thanks be given to God for it, I can speak Gospel too as well as Law, but Gospel now is not fit for your hearing, because you have cast off the practice of it. No, sure, said he, I do make more account of the Gospel, than of your Law. You ought indeed to do so, said I, but you have forgot your Duty then; for the Gospel enjoins you to give Caesar his due, and that you have quite forgotten, and where are you now? Then I desired him to tell me, Whether he thought that St. Peter's Epistles were Canonical Scripture or not? Yes, quoth he, they are. Then, said I, there you fail again, for there is in them a good Document, that you and others have slighted most shamefully. What is that? said he. It is this, said I, Fear God, and honour the King, and that I am sure you have quite forgotten, or little regarded these two seven years▪ Hereat the whole Auditory fell into a loud laughter, and the Elder knew not what to say for himself. There was a rich Town not far from me, which at the first beginning of the late Rebellion, were liberal and very free to part with their moneys and Arms to that purpose, but their Purses being prettily well exhausted, and some of them not well willing, or able to spare any more Money out of their Stocks, for the present; yet for a further ostentation, and to make their Zeal and Devotion, though blind in itself, yet perspicuous and clear enough unto others: They consulted therefore, and agreed together to borrow 1000 pound upon interest of a rich Usurer, and presently they lent the same to the Parliament, upon the Public Faith, though alas they knew not where that Utopian or imaginary Creature did then dwell, neither from that day to this could they ever find out the residence thereof, nor yet so happily meet with it, as to get their moneys again. It was my chance a few years after to enter discourse with one of the most solid Heads in that Parish, and I said unto him, that I had seldom or never read or heard of such a stupefied, and blockish kind of people as most of them were. Why, quoth he, are we worse than all others? Truly, said I, there be none that I know of, that have manifested more ignorance and perverseness than you have done; for when you had parted with all, and lent to the Rebels so much Money of your own, as you listed to spare, then must you forsooth take up Money at interest, to send the same way; and so purchase to yourselves a stronger Title to the Triple-tree, for that will be your portion in the end, if you meet not with the more mercy: and was there ever known any people so sottish, as to borrow Money upon use, to drive such a dangerous Trade; certainly a man that is not worse than mad, would have had so much Money as he knew not what to do withal, before that ever he durst have ventured to lay it out upon so poor an advantage, as to buy himself a Bargain of such dead and desperate Ware. Indeed I believe that amongst all the Wrongs and Indignities, that were put upon me, and too tedious here to be related, there was nothing so much perplexive and vexatious unto me, as to see my native Countrymen so readily run on to their own ruin, and to be so secure and confident in the ways of Error and Destruction: but still I told them, that Security was the Mother of Danger; that they walked upon deceitful grounds; for so soon as the Wind turned, their false Teachers would all forsake them, clap their tails between their legs, and run away like a chidden Cur, and that those they most trusted in, would soon forsake them, to serve their own turns. And yet always when I took an occasion to declare my strong hopes, of your Majesty's Restauration, many would seem to laugh at it, and wish me to set my heart at rest, for I should never live to see that day▪ to which I ever replied with a constant courage, that I trusted in God to live and see that happy day which I had so much prayed for, and so long expected, and continually hoped for so many years together, and that their security was a sign, and strong Argument to me of the more sudden approach thereof, for it would certainly come to pass when the most of men did least dream of it; and a time of the weakest probability in the eye of the world, is the fittest season for the Divine succour, and the most glorious opportunity for God Almighty to bring his own purposes, and blessed decrees to the best effect: for it was impossible for a real and true Christian to believe, that the divine justice could any longer suffer such usurping wretchedness to have continuance, which had so basely and injuriously subverted the whole frame of Government, both in Church and Commonwealth, setting up such pandarising Magistrates as were content to submit themselves to be agents in the most heathenish and Mahometan absurdities; and such idolatrizing Ministers, as for Balaams' wages were content to idolise every usurping rebel, and perfidiously and perjuriously to defame, and cast off the Hierarchy of the Church, which they had formerly sworn to maintain, and yield their obedience unto, and stubbornly also to deprave and disclaim the holy Liturgy thereof, the Book of Common-prayer, and administration of the Sacraments, and other rites and ceremonies of the Church of England, being in truth so holy and sacred in itself, and so consonant to God's word, and the primitive institution of the true Catholic Church, founded upon the faith of the holy Apostles, and Prophets; as the most critical Fanatic can never be able to find the least just occasion of offence therein, unless it be because it is guilty of so much purity, piety and perfection: and if there were nothing else to speak or plead in the behalf of it, but only this, that it was lately abrogated by a seditious Ordinance; that alone were argument sufficient, to prove it to be of God, for had it been antichristian and opposite to the truth, as some most ignorantly, maliciously, and fond did affirm; than it had never been opposed by any that were inclinable to rebellion, but rather promoted by them, for as it is the fierce faculty and inseparable accident to all rebels, to patronise, contend and fight for the defence of falsities, and ●ies, so is it as mere natural unto them to impugn resist and depress the truth, to the uttermost of their power, in regard they are, and ever were the instruments and oracles of hell, and the undoubted children of their first Father the Devil. And yet all these wholesome instructions, reasons and admonitions of mine did seldom or hardly work so well upon the fancies and affections of some of the seduced ignorant and stubbornly conceited people, as I desired and intended: Indeed I know not better whereunto I may resemble most of them, then to a company of wild apes that I have read of in a Moral, who rambling about in the nighttime, to find out their prey, and being somewhat acold, at length they espied a gloeworm lying upon the ground, and taking it to be a coal of fire, they soon resolved to take a course to warm them elves, and hereupon some of them gathered sticks together, and laid them over the gloeworm, and bending down upon their knees, and blowing stoutly, they used the means as they conceited, to make the sticks take fire, from that imaginary coal, others of them run up to the tops of great trees that grew near, and broke down fear boughs to increase the flame; and thus with their puffing, cracking or crackling, they awaked a poor Poppin Jay, which had taken up his lodging amongst the branches of those trees, who was much amazed to hear so great a noise there, in the dead time of the night, and therefore he set himself to peep, and spy out what the matter meant; at the last he perceived how busy the poor Apes were, about nothing to the purpose, and how shamefully they wronged and abused themselves, by the means of their own ignorance; and this Bird being of an ingen●ous nature and good disposition, was sorry to see them thus labour in vain, and strive against the stream, and therefore to draw them out of their gross error, and friendly to inform their Judgements in the truth, he ventured himself, & came down amongst them, and as the story tells me, said thus unto them, Good Apes you have awaked me with the great noise that you made, and since mine eyes were open, I have well observed your design, and what a piteous deal of pains you have taken, to no other end or effect, but vainly to weary your Bones, spend your Spirits, and make yourselves ridiculous to the World, and being much grieved thereat, I am now come in Charity to tell you, wherein you are so grossly mistaken, for I conjecture, that your plot is, to kindle yourselves a fire, thereby to warm you, and so amend your cold Condition, but you may blow your nails long enough, and puff till your hearts ache, before you bring your purposes to pass, for if ever you get a fire by this means, I dare warrant you, that it will soon burn you all to Ashes: But the Truth is, that this shining thing that you behold, is no fire at all, but a silly worm, whose nature it is, to shine and glister in the night, and so your senses are deluded with the glistering show of a Babble, wherein there is no such substance, as you do vainly conceive in your opinions; And therefore I counsel you to desist and give over, this your so foolish and fond attempt: Hereat the Apes were much offended, and began to storm and wax angry, and one of the principal ringleaders amongst them, got up a stick in his paws, and went furiously towards the poor Poppin Jay and said to this effect: Silly Bird, who made the● so bold as to come thus impudently to reprove us? art thou so mad or foolish as to think that we know not well enough what we do, or that we will be taught by thee, or have our Judgement informed, by a simple babbling Bird? I tell thee not, for we are about our business, and that we will bring to pass, in spite of thy Teeth, and therefore it is madness in thee to admonish us, but I wish thee to give over thy prating, and get thee hence in time, for if thou dost tarry long here, and dwell upon such a discourse, we shall go near quickly to use a means to pull thy Skin quite over thy e●res; And in truth upon the matter, such or worse was the good entertainment, thanks, and reward, that myself and others ever reaped at the hand● of the late idiotis●d Rebels, for all the good Counsel and Exhortation we gave unto them, in sincerely seeking their Salvation, and in laying before their eyes, the doleful consequences, that must needs ensue upon their impious vain and desperate designs: But they indeed did more than threaten us, for they rend our fleeces quite off from our Backs, and would soon have had the Skin and all too, if God had not been the more merciful to prevent it, and to stop the main stream of their malice against us: There be two small Treatises the one set forth in Queen mary's, time and styled An Exhortation against Rebellion, and the other written in Queen Elizabeth's days, and named Caesar's Dialogue, they be both now almost absolete and quite worn out of use, for to the best of my remembrance, I have seldom or never seen them in the hands of any man, but mine own: And I first found them amongst my Father's old Books, who deceased when I was a little Infant, and before they came into my possession, they were somewhat lacerated, but I did diligently peruse them over, for I was ever studious from my Childhood, especially of such things, as my Genius taught me, were very necessary to be known: And I am persuaded that through the Blessing of God, they were a principal means to imprint and sow the Seeds of Loyalty in my heart, so soon as I had the least Understanding in any literature: And it is probable enough that if I had met with the Encouragement, that some others have, I might well have been able long ere this time, to perform better services for my King and Country, than my transverse and cross opportunities would hitherto permit me to accomplish, or bring to any such a good pass or effect as I desired; for my endeavours being deprived of their due nourishment, the want of that made me many times the more remiss in my studies, which I am now most hearty sorry for; But now I hope that hereafter all those that are truly Religious, and lovers of virtue and Loyalty, will not suffer the light thereof to go out, and be quenched through negligence, or disrespect, or the vigour thereof to be utterly extinguished in Oblivion, but that they will lend a principal eye of regard thereunto, and justly and duly encourage and advance the same, both for the glory of God, and their own special interest and concernment; and in truth I do believe, under favour, that if those two little Books last mentioned were revised and reprinted by Order of Authority, and so freshly exposed to the public view, they would do much good, and operate very well upon the minds and affections of the youthful and vulgar people of this kingdom, and indeed this Nation hath need enough of good and wholesome counsels and cautions to rectify their so long depraved judgements, and of such religious animadversions, as may totally deter them, from the practice of that uggly, horrid and diabolical sin of rebellion, and from the least hunting after the▪ tract, scent or savour of such seditious and schismatical delusions as of late they were so grossly and abominably infected withal, considering also the lamentable and fearful consequences that have ensued thereupon, both in Church and State, and the most horrible and prodigious tragedies, that have been acted upon the theatre of this Kingdom, by occasion thereof, being even more bloody, vile and villainous, than the seditious Jew's that Josephus writes of▪ who wrought the ruin and utter subversion of their famous City and country, did ever enterprise or intent, as I could instance in some particular●, which are so odious, and notorious to the world, as I shall not now need to defile this paper therewith. But in truth the carriage or demeanour of some people still, is so p●evish and perverse, as my conscience doth urge me to relate some passages that concern myself, which I would willingly omit and pass over, were not my charity, to reform their errors, greater than my desire to defame their actions: for certainly myself and others were of a blind belief, and stupid understanding, if we did not palpably perceive, the doleful, and dangerous defect of contrition, and the crooked conversation that yet remains in these men, who seem to be of the Spider's nature, sucking poison out of the same flower, from whence the harmless Bee doth gather honey: and it is to be feared that some acts of grace, which might well have served for their present advantage, will in the end by the bad influence of their corrupt nature, conduce and redound to their future and ●verlasting overthrow: for in the very place where the constancy and integrity of my truth and loyalty hath been eminent enough, and where the sufferings both of myself and family for the same have been such and so great, as many of mine enemies have had once a little compassion upon us, yet even there have I found lately but few Samari●ans, to bind up my former wounds, but some pass by without regard thereof: and too many are prompt enough to make my sore the deeper, by their peevishness and malice: for but a little time before your Majesty's most happy access to your royal government, I was required to pay some assessments, which for the present I did refuse to do, in regard the payment thereof was ordered by an illegal power, and for that I was in good hope of your Majesty's sudden approach to right and protect us: and after that your Majesty was so happily landed, and come to London, the Collectors again did demand the same of me, and said that if it were no● presently paid, there must come troopers to ●evie the same; To which I made answer, they might come if they would, but there was no need of any such trouble, for if I could have the least notice, or intimation, that your Majesty had commanded or consented to the payment thereof, it should then be very soon discharged, but otherwise I would not pay it as yet, until I heard more, and were better satisfied in the matter: to which they had little to say, but went their way, and for divers weeks after, whilst I remained at home in the Country, I never heard any more of them: but the very next day after that I was come away towards London, to petition your Majesty about my former sufferings, these Collector● came to my house, with ●bout a dozen, or more Foot-soldiers, whereat my Wife in my absence was much affrighted, and yet they left half of them there to quarter, until the money were paid, who behaved themselves basely enough, and would tar●y there in spite of her teeth, to her great disturbance, and she not having the money, was enforced to maintain them all, until she could procure the whole sum which they demanded: and at this the contemners of my loyalty did laugh not a little and please themselves, to see my house thus abused, and so suddenly after my Kings coming, which I had so long hoped for, and so much rejoiced at, a● was sufficiently seen and made manifest, And since the sitting of the late Parliament, or Convention, and but a little time before your Majesty's most blessed access into England, there came a gallant Gentleman to my house, and desired to speak with me, and when we came together, he civilly requested me to excuse him, for he thought he had brought a Message that would not be very pleasing unto me, and yet he believe● that it would do me no great hurt, but a friend of his had earnestly enjoined him to tell me of it, and to hear my answer thereunto: Well Sir, said I, what is the matter I pray? It is quoth he, a Rump business: How so, said I, is not the Rump Plag●e over yet? what is the news with them now? Why said he, this Gentleman that entreated me to do this Errand, hath laid out moneys about the Purchasing of your Land, and I think that he would willingly learn how he may come in to his moneys again: Yes marry, said I, that were well, for as yet there is a Fool and his money soon parted, for if it be laid out upon such terms as you do intimate, than your friend if he meets with his lawful and due desert, may very fairly totter for his pains; for in truth had there not been such sottish and covetous Contractors, for the purchasing of honest men's Estates, there had never been such unjust and impious wretches, as would once have offered to make Sales of the same; But I pray tell me, said I, who is this your friend that hath made such a blind bargain for himself? he is, said the Gentleman, a Barrister at Law, and hath a place in the present Parliament, and he hath sent down Letters of Attorney to one here in the Country, to demand the Rents of your Lands, and to fore-warn your Tenants from paying you any more Rent; Indeed said I, he is a pretty Lawyer, and hath proceeded well; doth not he deserve to be degraded, or worse, that thinks Gentlemen can forfeit their Estates for refusing to be Traitors? the Law tells him, That it is the committing of Treason, and not the disclaiming or refusal thereof, that brings men within compass of the forfeiture either of their Lives or Estates, and therefore surely his Learning in the Law, or rather ignorance therein, doth deserve far more punishment, than preferment: Yet truly, quoth the Gentleman, he is an honest man, and was drawn in to lend money, and to obtain the same again, he was offered, and enforced to take a grant of your Lands, but he desires to do ●ou no wrong, but will gladly accept of a reasonable composition: Then I asked him, how much money his friend had disbursed about the bargain, and his answer was with a specification of many hundred pounds: Well, I am sorry for him, said I, for the truth is, that I will never give him so much as the skin of a Louse, and I much marvel that any man now dares be so impudent as to talk of any Rump businesses, considering that we hope the King's Majesty will be amongst us, ere it be long: Yes, it may be so, said he, if this Parliament will allow of him: They allow of him, said I, why is that the chief point to the purpose? I trust these will approve themselves to be wiser than some of their Predecessors, or else they must look to find the like fortune, for his Majesty's Motto is, Dieu & mon Droit, and that in God's good time will bring him to his Crown, in spite of all opposition: Thus I so lectured my Gentleman, that he much commended of my resolution and discourse, and said that he was of my mind, and so we parted in a very friendly manner. And yet these and other numerous pranks of the like nature, that for so long a time together have been played upon me, were sufficient to penetrate the patience of a more patiented, and less passionate man then myself, but it pleased God to make me remember, Qui patitur vincit, patientia sola triumphant. And I most humbly beseech your Majesty to believe, and be confident, that all your Loyal and Loving Subjects, that have been constant sufferers in the late unhappy times, will never in the least degree go about to nourish or flatter themselves in the repining against that which is your Majesty's good will and pleasure, for we are well content still to endure any thing that may truly tend to your Majesty's safety and advantage; and we do fervently desire, and incessantly invocate the Almighty Majesty of Heaven, in whose hands the hearts of Kings are, that he will be pleased in his abundant mercy and goodness, so graciously to direct and dispose of your Majesty's Councils and Affairs, as may be most requisite and pliant to the performance of his blessed will, revealed in his word; and for the maintenance and upholding of the true Doctrine and Discipline of the Orthodox Church of England, as the same was settled and established at the Reformation thereof, by regal lawful Authority: And I doubt not but that your Majesty is well pleased with us, in these our good desires; for alas it is too manifest, that the late counterfeit, though specious show of Reformation, and the crying down of the Church-government was a great instrument to beget and breed up that furious and giddy generation of schismatics, that have so long troubled, and almost confounded the whole Nation. And it is to be feared, that some will think it now scarce consonant to distributive Justice, that such as have been so much hindered and almost undone for their Loyalty▪ in the late times, should still be oppressed in their Purses, to help to bear out other men's misprisions, and perversities: or that constant Loyalty, and his inveterate opposite and antagonist, though in a changeable coloured Coat, should yet walk together in equipage, and be equivalent in countenance, and respect; And yet notwithstanding we are content, and do rejoice only in submitting to your Majesty's good will and pleasure therein; and though perhaps for some serious considerations of State, not yet well known or apprehended by us, we are at present debarred from something, which the benefit of the Law, our birthright, might very fairly have afforded us, yet we gain this honour and satisfaction thereby, that it is now manifest to all the world, that can see, and will not be wilfully blind, that all the Rapines, Wrongs and Oppressions, so lately imposed upon us, were utterly illegal, and that we had a good and just right of recompense for the same, both in point of Law, Equity, Reason and Religion, and especially such of us, as had been constantly loyal, and wrought no detriment to others; or else to what purpose was there any new Law made to deprive us, but pro tempore, of that legal Legacy, and inherent Inheritance, which the great Charter of England, the continued will of so many famous Kings and Parliaments, for so many hundred years had in lawful manner bequeathed to our Ancestors, and in them to us, and our Posterities. But I touch not upon this string to any other end or intent, then only to testify, how I do believe that some others as well as myself have met with occasion clad or dressed in a more discontented habit, than was expected, for none of us, are so deficient in understanding, but that we are apprehensive enough, not only of the greatness of the grievances we have endured, but also of the smallness of the regard, and countenance, which at some men's hands we have received for the same: and yet as we cannot but be sorely sensible of our Sufferings, and slight, and the slender notice that is taken thereof: So we will not at any time be emulous to accomplish the right of our desires, not so much as in thought, otherwise than the correspondent good will and pleasure of your Sacred Majesty, and the known Laws authorised by the same, shall give us free liberty and we are sufficiently confident, that upon the true resenting of our Loyalty and Losses, and the due consideration of the nature, and of other passages thereupon, now so fast knit to our Obedience, your royal Majesty will soon conceive, that in point of honour and conscience, your Grace is the more engaged to look upon us, and without that favourable aspect, we not only fear, but find it too evidently hitherto for a truth, that the Chameleons of this age, who feed upon the Utopian air of their own frothy inventions and conceits, will never come near us, and so be adapted to turn themselves into our colours and constitution, but rather with reproach abandon us, and so totally deprive themselves of that good, which our Council and Conversation might minister amongst them: and were it not great pity, that so worthy Qualities and Faculties as Loyalty, and Courage, should unhappily prove and become the Ushers in of Obloquy and Contempt; or that so rare and precious a prize as Virtue, for want of a few external Ornaments and Additaments, should be in the least danger to be despised in its own Country, or Family. In truth for my own part I have had the trial, to meet with more abuses, and sarcasmical scoffs of late, than I intent to regard, or mean to mention; but as touching any kindness, favour or furtherance to refresh me, after my long oppressed and indigent Condition, I can gather up that but very thinly, although there is as much reason for me now to expect practice, and as much faithful industry, and ability to perform my undertake, as there is in some others, that reap a more plentiful harvest of their endeavours, yet there is such an antipathy between most of the Country, where I live, and some of my best Qualities, as the greatest part of the people are much averse to be acquainted with me, remembering how sharply in former times I did reprove their Follies, and laid open the deadly dangers they were in, of which esteeming themselves now to be secure, and indemnified, they look still somewhat strange upon me, and will hardly come near me: manet alta ment rep●stum judicium Paridis: and therefore I begin to believe, that it is my best thriving Physic, to change the air, when I thought it would have best agreed with my complexion; And yet if my fate were propitious, and my fortune not a stepdame unto me, I am strongly persuaded, that by your Majesty's indulgent grace, and favour, I might soon attain unto a very competent, and comfortable livelihood by the means of my Profession; for there be three necessary incidents to the well being of a Lawyer, Favour, Learning, and Integrity; and if I were so happy but to attain a small portion of your Majesty's favour, I doubt not then to find as much of other men's, as shall well serve my turn; And for my Learning, though it be but little, yet with use and improvement, it may soon prove to be as much as some, that have met with better Fortunes and Preferments than myself, may with a safe Conscience confess themselves to be guilty of; And for my Integrity, I dare venture to lay my Life to gauge, without any haesitation, of which Integrity, Faithfulness, and Sincerity of mine, both toward my Sovereign and Fellow-Subjects, I hope this Treatise hath made some evident demonstration: and yet I may safely say, that the sum of all inserted herein, is but an Epitome of what I have done, said and suffered on the behalf of the Royal right and interest, and I pray God preserve your Majesty from reposing too much credit or confidence in such as have already been, and therefore may hazard again, to prove Praevaricators, whensoever the opportunity of their own advantage, or the fear of danger shall draw them thereunto. And now I must calculate to a Conclusion, most humbly imploring your Sacred Majesty to pardon my Zealous presumption, in thus adventuring and contending to expatiate, and make myself known to your Grace: it is the vigour of my Genius hath urged me, and without yielding thereunto, I could never subsist, tranquillo animo; for the prime intention thereof, is to minister good to others; and if by the means of your Majesty's gracious acceptance, and benign interpretation, any benefit shall befall to me or mine, the glory and praise be given to God alone, who hath already afforded me, the greatest temporal blessing, that ever so earnestly, I had longed after, I mean your Majesty's most blessed access, to the rightful possession of your Royal Crowns and Dignities; for as your absence was most irksome, so is your Princely power and presence, most acceptable, to all ingenuous Natures, and loyal and royal Dispositions: I was in the fresh flower of my days, when the bright star of your Majesty did first appear, and having now doubled mine age, yet when after so long dark and dismal aspects, I did so happily behold the illustrious brightness and glorious splendour of your Majesty's radiant sunshine begin to show itself upon the late lowering face of our Horizon, I did seem to wax young again, I was in an ecstasy of joy, beyond myself, and did believe the beak of my Misfortunes was fallen away, and that with the soa●ing Eagle, I should now renew both mine age, and strength; such pleasant Fancies did possess my Spirits: and yet still I cannot conceive, that I do truly live, unless I participate some better warmth and influence by those nutritious and majestical Beams, then is expected from them naturally to descend and be infused upon the rural pecora campi: But I am far from doubt and despair, and will never so much fear the frustrating of my own hopes, as that your Majesty's Royal fame, and honour, and Pious and Princely endowments, so highly renowned in foreign parts, and so well experimented here amongst ourselves, should suffer the least eclipse, or aspersions, in permitting any of your Majesty's well-meriting Subjects, to be quite neglected and forgotten, to the future discouragement of Truth and Loyalty in the least degree. But now the glorious and calm Ocean of your Majesty's rare and transcendent Imperial Virtues and Graces, so replete with Royal Bounty and Benignity, is abundantly more than sufficient, not only to wash away the discontents, that have a little obnubilated the countenances of some honest and upright men, but also to quench and satisfy the thirst and appetite of all your loyal, loving, and reasonably disposed Subjects; and the Lord in his mercy ever defend and deliver your Grace, from wicked vain and unreasonable men; And I most humbly beseech and invocate that Almighty Majesty and Power of Heaven, that for the advancement of his own glory, the good of his Church, and the felicity, peace and happiness of these Kingdoms, he will be pleased graciously to grant your Majesty so blessedly and religiously to reign, rule and govern; and your Subjects in general, so christianly, cordially and faithfully to submit and obey, as that after the many vicislitudes of this transitory life, we may altogether attain the most blessed habitation of glory and salvation, in the highest Heavens, to all eternity, by and through the merits alone of Jesus Christ, our only most blessed Lord and All-sufficient Saviour, to whom, with the Father and Holy Spirit be rendered all honour and glory, dominion, obedience, power and praise from henceforth, for ever and evermore. Amen.  
Your Majesty's most Loyal, Faithful, and Obedient Subject, most humbly devoted to Your Royal Service, J. Wenlock.   

A Short Caution for those that help to 
Written in 164●.  maintain this rebellious war against the KING.  
I May take heaven and earth to record, that I have written this, not with any ●inister intent, or prejudicated opinion; but partly for the love that I bear generally to my country, partly for the desire I have to confirm such as in these times of wilful blindness, are not altogether led away with the error of the wicked: but especially in the discharge of my conscience, and duty towards God, whose command i●, when thou art converted, strengthen thy 
Luke 22, 32.  brethren.  
That Subjects own obedience to their Sovereign, the whole consent of Scripture doth agree: The Psalmist resembleth Kings to Gods upon earth: and indeed they have their rule and 
Ps. 82. 6.  power by God's appointment: Prov. 8. 15. By me Kings reign: and therefore to such as rebel against them, it may be said, as God said to Samuel touching the Israelites, They have not cast 
● Sam. 8. 7.  thee away, but they have cast me away, that I should not reign over them.  
I hope none are so impudent to compare our King to Saul, rejected of God, but if any such be, had they any touch of the grace in David's heart, then would they yet pray with him: Lord keep me from laying mine hands upon the Lords anointed; let me entreat them with a single eye and humble spirit, to read 
● Sam. 26  the history of David's carriage towards Saul, and to remember the wise counsels of Solomon: My son fear thou the Lord and the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change, for their calamity shall rise suddenly. The fear of a King is as the roaring of 
Prov. 20. 2. 3.  a Lion, who so provoketh him to anger, sinneth against his own soul: it is an honour for a man to cease from strife, but every fool will be meddling: an evil man seeketh only rebellion, therefore a cruel messenger 
Pr 17. ●●  shall be sent against him. The wrath of a King is as the messenger 
Prov. 16: 14. & 15●  of death, but a wise man will pacify it: for in the light of the King's countenance is life, and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. And again in Eccl. I counsel thee to keep the King's commandment, and 
Ecc. 8. 3. ●. & 4. ●  that in regard of the Oath of God: be not hasty to go out of his sight, stand not in an evil thing, for he doth whatsoever pleaseth him: where the word of a King is, there is power, and who may say unto him what dost thou?  
Let us never forget that divine precept of our Saviour, the King of Kings, set down in three of the Evangelists; Give unto Caesar, the thing that are Caesar's: Remember the Apostle of the Circumcision; Fear God, Honour the King, and submit your 
1 Pet. 2. 13, 14, 17.  selves to all manner of Ordinance of man, for the Lords sake, whether it be unto the King, as unto the Superior, or unto the Governors, as those that are sent of him. Observe the decree of the Doctor of the Gentiles writing to the Romans, then governed by Nero a most cruel Tyrant: Let every Soul be subject to the higher Powers, 
Rom. 13. ●. 2.  for there is no power but of God, whosoever resisteth the Power, resists the Ordinance of God, and they that resist shall receive to themselves Condemnation. And in the Marginal Notes upon the old Translation, it is well observed, that because God is the Author of this Order, therefore Rebels must know, that they make war with God himself, and cannot but purchase to themselves great misery and calamity: For though the King hath not Power over the Conscience of man, yet seeing he is God's Minister, he cannot be resisted by any good Conscience. And in his Epistle to Ti●us, he gives a special memento: Put them in mind, that they be subject to the higher Powers, and that they 
Tit, 3. 1.  be obedient, and the like in divers places of his Epistles.  
The King of England, is an absolute Imperial Monarch by the Law, yet he is to govern his Subjects by the Laws and Ancient Customs of his Kingdom; But the King is the only supreme Power next under God, and so acknowledged by all Parliaments, and the Oaths of Supremacy and Allegiance do prove as much; And by a Statute made in 1 of Elizabeth, any man is disabled to sit as a Member in the house of Commons, until he hath taken a solemn Oath upon the Evangelists, whereby he doth acknowledge the King to be the only Supreme Governor of these Realms in all Cases whatsoever; And also promiseth, that he will to the best of his Power, assist, and defend, all his Majesty's Royal Privileges, Preeminences, and Jurisdictions granted or annexed to his Imperial Crown, and yield his Obedience thereunto. Which Oath how faithfully some do now observe, I leave to the Judgement of God, and their own Consciences.  
It is confessed by all knowing men, that a Parliament truly understood, is a Court of the highest Nature, and Authority in this Kingdom, and that it hath power to make and alter Laws: And that matters there in question are to be decided or agreed on by the Major part of Voices; But it must not be a Parliament without a Head, not a Parliament rend in pieces, that hath power to do this: For to make any Obligatory Act to bind the Subject absolutely, either in Life, Liberty, or Goods, there must be a concurrence of the Major part of both Houses, with the King's Royal Assent added thereunto, in whom the Legislative power doth alone consist; And therefore I know not how any such thing can now be done at Westminster, the King being absent, and the far greater part of both houses, nay almost all the Lords, being also departed, and now joining themselves with the King in all his designs.  
But it will be objected, that many things may be done by Ordinance of Parliament; I will not deny, but that both Houses of Parliament jointly assembled, may possibly have power to make Ordinances, for the present good of the Common wealth; And that these Ordinances may be binding, during the time of that Session: Provided, that they ●e no ways contradictory to the known Laws of the Land; For the Subject enjoyeth his Life, his Liberty, his Lands, by the ancient Customs and Statutes of this Kingdom, which are indeed the fundamental Laws thereof: And therefore the Subject cannot be deprived of these rights, but by a Law of as high a nature, and that must be a Statute Law at the least: How then can any man by an Ordinance contradictory to Law, be legally dispossessed of his Liberty, or Goods, which he doth enjoy by the Power of the Law: But some say that these things may be done by Privilege of Parliament; And if there be such a Privilege come to light, that doth over-top all Law, Reason, and Religion, than much may be done. But I beeleeve that if any such Privilege be now found out, that it is as new as the inventors thereof, for venerable antiquity: their betters in learning and knowledge, never yet heard of any such matter:  
It is known to all that have but smelled of the Law, that both by the Common and Statutes Laws of this Kingdom, it is high Treason to levy Arms against the King, or to be Adherent, or Assistant to the King's Enemies, and these Laws, when they be once again armed with power, will have a very large construction by the Judges of the Law.  
There is a Parliament to be found in history that did seem to wage war against a King in this Realm, but what ill success it had, I had rather the Historian should tell you then myself: sure I am, there is an ignominious brand laid upon is to all posterity, for it is still styled Parliamentum insanum.  
Let no man hate instruction, nor be too wise in his own conceit, be 
Prov. 3.  not highminded, but fear; a prudent man, saith Solomon, forseeth 
Prov. 27. 12. Numb. 16.  the evil, and hideth himself, but fools pass on, and are punished: forget not what became of Korah, Dathan and Abiram that rebelled against Moses: yet were they no obscure persons, but princes of their families, and men of great estimation amongst the vulgar: remember what was Absalon's portion for rebelling 
2 Sam. 18. ● Sam 20  against David: and what became of Sheba the son of ●ichri that lifted up his hand against the King, and many such examples in holy Writ? Nay look but into our Chronicles here at home, and observe how Gods judgements have still prosecuted all them and their posterity, that have had any hand in the deposing or opposing of Kings, upon any fair pretence whatsoever.  
To abuse the picture of an earthly King, hath been taken to be a great indignity▪ how then shall the God of heaven take it at the hands of such as despitefully use and contemn the King himself, a good King that is God's image and Vicegerent upon earth; but the times are come, that the Apostles foretold, that 
● Tim. 3. 4. 2 Pet. 2. 10 Judas 8.  many in the latter days would be traitors, heady and highminded, presumptuous, and stand in their own conceit, despise Government, and not fear to speak evil of them that are in dignity. But some say, that this war is not against the King, neither do they intent him any wrong: indeed they ought not to wish him the least hurt, for God commands us not so much as to think an evil 
Eccl. 10▪ 20.  thought of the King, but these men do more than think, for they openly reviled the King, by reproachful and scandalous speeches, saying, that he is led by bad counsel, and intends to set up Popery, and can there be any greater aspersion laid upon a Prince, for Solomon saith, A divine sentence is in the lips of the King, and his mouth transgresseth not in judgement. And it is 
Prov. 16. 19, 20.  abomination to Kings to commit wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness. It is the part of a Christian to judge charitably both of King and of people; but where the subjects go about in hostile manner to invade their Sovereign and his friends and forces under his command; and also use with extreme cruelty, such of the King's faithful subjects & friends, as they can get into their power, and yet will aver and maintain, that they war not against the King, neither intent him any wrong; What to make of their reason or argument, I know not, but a mere solecism; yet the late Oaths imposed upon such, as had so little Grace to take them, do make the meaning both of the matter and manner of their evil intentions of proceeding to be somewhat more plain to be perceived.  
It is most true, that the King and many of his true Subjects are much abused, for truth is hid in darkness, and it is the misery of miseries that men are so wilfully blinded and besotted, as their ears are stopped to all good Counsel: Wise men that know the truth of things, are much discouraged to impart the same to others, because they see many are so wedded to their wilful Errors, that he which in charity goes about to advise them for the best, may sooner himself fall into a snare for his good will, then pull any of them out of the danger that hangs over their heads: for he that now a days dares venture to speak the truth, is presently snapped at for a Malignant. But God that knoweth all things, knows that the King's Majesty hath raised his Forces, and doth maintain this War, only for the beating down o● Faction, Schism, and Sedition, and for the upholding of the true Protestant Religion, established in Queen Elizabeth's days, and under which this Kingdom hath long flourished, and for the setting and maintaining of the true and genuine Laws of this Kingdom: But some dream of a great Reformation now in hand, I am sure there is already a great Deformation, both in Church and Commonwealth; I wish these Reformers would in time unhoodwink themselves, and see what success they have had, and learn ere it be too late to be obedient to God and their Prince, following the counsel the Angel gave to Hagar, Return to thy Mistress, and 
Gen. 1●. 9  humble thyself under her hands; and let them ende● vour the due Execution of the good Laws that are now in force, lest while they fond presume to amend that which is well already, they make the word Parliament have an ill savour, and open a gap to greater desolation, and so mar all. Indeed it were to be wished there were a more general Reformation from sin, and God when it pleaseth him will afford us that happiness, and incline the King's heart to all occasions pliable thereunto: For the King's heart is in the hand 
Prov. 21. 1. & 25. ●5.  of God as the Rivers of Water, he turneth it whither soever he will. And by long forbearing a Prince is persuaded; we must therefore wait the Lord's leisure, and seek no Reformation by unlawful means, for we must not do evil that good may 
Rom. 3. 8.  come thereof: But some will now be wiser than God's word, or at least take God's power upon themselves; they will have the King's heart in their hands, and the Government in Church and State must be turned upside down at their beck; and the most deserving bodies in the Kingdom left without heads, at their command and pleasure, or else to Arms they must, forgetting the counsel of the wise, With good advice 
Prov. 24 6. Exod. 7. 12. 2 Tim. 3. 8, 9▪ Prov. 21. 30.  shalt thou make War: Alas these men may a while resist the King, and in the King, God's Ordinance, but it will be to as little purpose, as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, for there is no wisdom, power, nor policy against the Lord of Hosts. And if God for the sins of this Nation should lay that heavy scourge upon us, to take away the King's Majesty's life, and the lives of all his posterity and alliance, (which the Lord in his mercy forbid) then may these men have some likelihood to prevail in their purposes, or otherwise never.  
Beloved Countrymen, delude not yourselves any longer, the King's Majesty hath sent forth many Declarations, to open the eyes of your understandings, and to inform you in the truth and equity of his cause; And many Proclamations against your Lives and Estates, for to reclaim you from persisting in your Errors, and also many general pardons, to win you by Love and Clemency: But these are dishonestly hidden, from the sight of many places in this Kingdom, that so the People might still be kept in a cloud of Ignorance and Error; Yet who is so blind? that observeth not the beginning, continuance, and success of these Wars against the King; First, set on by petitions in the names of whole Counties, and none of the understanding part, ever made acquainted therewithal: then by borrowing of Plate, and Money to be repaid with interest, but I doubt not while after doom's day: Then by sending forth voluntary Soldiers, who should make an end of the business presently without resistance, but failing herein then continued by pillaging, plundering, and imprisoning, many of the best rank, and soundest integrity, then by notorious Lying Pamphlets, diurnals, and Ridiculous reports, invented by the Devil; and now at last by pressing and compelling men to turn Rebels, against the Law both of God and Nature; and by killing some to terrify others: If this murdering, and robbing of honest men, (for their distraining of men's goods is no better) and if the leaving of whole Families destitute of comfort and maintenance, that have a long time relieved others, if the scaring of men from God's Church, from their Wives, Children, Estates, and Professions, because they will not go against their Conscience, be Christian charity, Righteous dealing, and love one towards another, let any upright man judge, if it be not, then let them mark what St. John saith, In this are the Children of God known, and the Children of the Devil, 
John 3. 10.  whosoever doth not love righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his Brother.  
Beloved, let us make God's word the ground of our Actions, we know some general Counsels have erred, and the great and Learned Assembly of the Jewish Rabbis, were much mistaken in Crucifying the Lord of Life. And there be some now that are esteemed Gods Messengers, but they 
Judas ●. 10.  are ignorant and seditious Hypocrites, and false Prophets, that speak evil of that they understand not, and by their deluding of the People have wrought and fomented much mischief; They have forgotten, That he that turneth away his 
Prov. 28, 9, 10.  Ear from hearing the Law, even his Prayer shall be Abomination: And he that causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, be shall fall himself into his own Pit; And indeed without great repentance, the lowest pit of Hell, will be a just reward for such Wretches, I fear it; I give but a glimple of these things, and yet speak as plainly as I can to the understanding of the the meanest; let him that shall cast his eye hereon, do as the 
Act. 17. 11.  men of Berea did in Acts 17. 11. search narrowly whether these things be true or no; and if he reaps any good hereby, I have my desire, Consider what I say, and the Lord give you understanding 
2 Tim 2. 7.  in all things.  
Amen.   

UPON THE Rumps Eclipse. Written in Febr: 1659.  

ALL Royal Loyal Christian hearts rejoice  
And chant Hosanna with a cheerful voyc●,  
Extol that happy Planet doth Presage  
A Tragy-Comedie on our English stage;  
Let all the Muses in our Hemisphere  
Loud Echoes ring with an harmonious cheer,  
And celebrate with sage Apollo's lips,  
The gladsome Omen of the Rumps Eclipse.  
Truth's Mathematics ever sung the Story,  
That God at length would vindicate his glory▪  
And give the proudest Rebels late so jolly,  
The Sodom's fruit of all their frantic folly,  
And make that Tribe intoxicate in brain  
The symbol of our Liberties again.  
Methinks the Constellations make us smile  
And leap for joy this present Bissextile▪  
Babel will down, the Nurse of all Confusions,  
Which fed Illiter●tes with such damned delusions▪  
For Justice strikes, and Vengeance cries aloud,  
When Sinners grow most obstinate and proud,  
When wicked men do flourish most secure,  
Their sins a sudden deluge do procure.  
Besotted England feels the curble pinch,  
And like to Aesop's horse doth kick and winch,  
And being ridden till their backs do break,  
Like baalam's Ass at last begin to speak.  
Poor apish Zealots now they see too late  
The sad effects of mad Sedition's fate;  
Rebellion is the Devil's bosom sin,  
And he at first that Witchcraft did begin▪  
Which ruin'd all, by force of Faction foster▪  
And juggle of Schismatical impostors;  
But now the vulgar see with clearer eyes  
And these deforming Hypocrites despise  
Their long dear bought experience sadly feels  
A Government that madly runs on wheels;  
Now down, then up, then tottering like to fall,  
How can it stand that hath no legs at all?  
That Body's witched with some fatal charms,  
That loves to rest on nothing but his arms,  
With Head recurved, as ashamed to see  
The Heaven▪ to blush at stolid Treachery;  
When lower parts mount higher than the Crown,  
That Structure needs must headlong tumble down.  
A proper Project likely to prevail,  
That sets the Head beneath the stinking Tail:  
Such Policy was used herefull oft,  
And this advanced the rampant Rump aloft.  
The Heads erection yet the Poet sings,  
And Learning true declames for lawful Kings.  
Amongst the Wise it is a Maxim sure,  
Usurping Tyrants never long endure;  
And what more pleasant Theme to English Slaves,  
Than manumission from a pack of Knaves:  
No higher Trophies can this Nation raise,  
Nor ever merit more renowned praise,  
Nor yet secure on our backs their fleeces,  
But by the rending of this Rump in pieces.  
And let no simple Soul remain perplexed  
In doubt or fear what Government comes next.  
No fouler Monster can afflict this Age,  
Unless the Devil himself comes on the stage;  
But if he should, he knows his doom so well,  
He durst not act such Villainies out of Hell,  
His proper Centre, where he's yet a King,  
Though here his rump can challenge no such thing▪  
For were they not of all the World the shame,  
The Sons of Wrath, and ignominious Fame?  
Had they not been from Mother's womb accursed,  
They would have known their Sovereign Charles the first,  
And were they Christians, and their Oaths of force  
They must confess the second comes in course.  
For what can hellish Instruments invent  
Against so just a legal true descent,  
Confirmed by nature, law, religion, reason,  
Opposed by none, but th' Imps of Schism and Treason;  
A generation of degenerate Spirits  
That fear destruction for their foul demerits,  
Yet rather seek to damn both Body and Soul,  
Than Regal justice should their Acts control,  
That patronised their perjuries and lies  
With all the shifts the Devil could devise.  
What streams of Blood have barbarously been spilt  
To shield and cover the infernal guilt  
Of Monsters mad? whom Nature may deplore  
Beyond all Tyrants ever bred before:  
Pilate an Heathen urged by the Jews  
To judge to death Christ Jesus did refuse,  
Upbraiding them for craving such a thing,  
With Ecce, shall I crucify your King?  
And had he dreamt the Godhead was his Father,  
Then shed his blood he would have perished rather;  
But these did know the Father and the Son  
Were lawful Monarches of this Region  
By just succession, and did make the Oath  
Of true Allegiance, often to them both  
And their Successors; yet they martyred one,  
And forced the undoubted Heir from his Throne,  
By which injustice they contend in vain  
To rob and kill their Sovereign once again;  
A Precedent beyond abomination,  
And never heard of since the World's creation.  
The Turk and Pope may lay the Bucklers by,  
Scarce conscious yet of such base cruelty:  
And therefore these flesh spends without compare  
In Antichrist may claim the greater share;  
Such Cacodemons' scarce were ever found  
In Africa, India, or the Welk● round,  
Whose bloody base enchantments, with outcries  
Proclaims their guilt to all posterities,  
Whose iron stony hearts shall feel the fates  
Of all their sins, as holy writ relates;  
Whose Tyrannies shall tumble down and lie  
Prostrate on earth, sans hope or remedy▪  
No rout nor rabble runs unto their aid,  
The People will no longer be betrayed  
With vizard▪ false; for now the time is come  
That Athal●ah's shall receive their doom,  
That David's tribe ●iumphantly may reign,  
And Aaron's sacred rod may bud again;  
Yet let us only praise Johovah's power,  
Who now in mer●y doth begin to shower  
His grace and love on such an Ethnic land,  
So long hath stooped to the usurped command  
Of Idols base, with filth so overgrown  
Whom neither nature, art, nor law can own.  
Whose treasons and exactions sprung from thence  
Renders them Tyrants void of common sense,  
Whose damned projects and profane desires  
May fear a doom as fierce as Sodom's fires,  
Who●e horrid barbarous measure by them dealt  
Deserves more plagues than ever Egypt felt;  
Whose scourge the Devil would hardly undertake,  
Were he not forced their Process for to make;  
And who●e Religion, had they power alone,  
Would quite divest th' Almighty from his Throne.  
No sin to Satan can be so coherent  
As murder of their King the Lord's Vicegerent:  
But these have far endeavoured to excel  
In all their plots the Beelzebub of hell,  
They outvied Lucifer, whose highest aim  
Was with the Godhead but a share to claim:  
But here their Sovereign's Kingdoms were too small  
To gorge these kites, they must have life and all▪  
Because his Christian conscience was so loath  
To violate his Coronation oath,  
And yield consent with wolvish Tyrant's power  
The Church to rob, and Commonwealth's devo●●  
That painting proud Zidonian 〈◊〉,  
Just Naboth from his Vineyard did expel,  
Spilling his blood, and yet upon pretence  
He had blasphemed his God, and Sovereign Prince;  
But these o●e▪ flowed in their outrageous spleen  
Accursed Ahal and his bloody Queen,  
Enforcing most their freedoms to redeem,  
Because they would not God and King blaspheme,  
And made all feel their Tyrant's raging rod  
That would not fight against their King and God,  
Yet after all these bloudy-dyed distractions,  
This spawn of hell would justify their Actions▪  
O horror never heard of, damned Crew,  
Can ever earth afford them vengeance due?  
No sure there is decreed for such men  
A mansion dark in the infernal den,  
Where they shall strongly guarded be about,  
And dwell secure from being turned out.  
Their Guardians there will constant be, and ring  
In their sad ears the murder of their King  
And loyal Nobles, Gentry, and the rest,  
Devoured and to●n by that prodigious beast  
Be●●● in hell, where Justice shall re●ound  
A just reward to every member round,  
Where damned oppression of our royal race  
May spout sulphurous blood into their face,  
Where all the hellish mischiefs they have wrought  
Shall be revealed, and to Judgement brought,  
And execution as befits their sin,  
Where torments endless ever more begin;  
And where for all their jealousies and fears  
They shall have payment of their full arrears:  
And yet if Grigg should miss of them his meed,  
Tyburn again would wear a mourning weed,  
Should it but I ose the guerdon of such Elves,  
As would have all men Traitors like themselves,  
That robbed all Subjects of their goods and lands,  
That durst withstand their devilish commands,  
Who merit far more solid hempen frumps,  
Than the poor senseless sheep, and bullocks Rumps  
Hung up in figure, where they pine, until  
The Saints they cipher do their rooms up fill.  
O Lord that true repentance may prevent  
The just deserts of that mock Parliament,  
Hath caused that name to scent as bad as hell,  
Which yet in former Ages relished well;  
And Oh that others might be struck with terrors,  
And humbled for their sordid sottish errors.  
The Lawyer's purse deserves a sharp incision  
For acting Justice by Jack Cades Commission:  
'Tis tentered law, too rigid and too brief,  
A lawless Traitor to condemn a Thief.  
They're none of Plowdo●s kindred, nor of Coke,  
Such Doctrine's neuter unto all the books?  
The Country Just ass, Mayor and Recorder  
How retrograde have they been out of order?  
Intruding with the basest adulations,  
To court Rebellion in her several statious.  
But who at first refined these rural Wits?  
Metropolis of all our frenzy fits.  
Th' Apostate Clergy needs must have remorse,  
That used Religion like a stalking horse,  
To drive on Faction, with a dull design  
The settled Hierarchy to undermine.  
I hope they see that Schism and fond division  
Hath made them emblems of the World's derision,  
Deserve they not more than a moderate mulct  
That forged for Rome a season to insult  
On our Religion, that was well before  
That hare-brained Rebels it in pieces tore?  
When Presbyters nor Independents name  
Were no such pillars in our Church's frame,  
All innovations both in Church and State  
Spring up too soon, repent are too late▪  
A monstrous horrid wonder 'tis to see,  
That such as dare profess Divinity  
Should be with such a Lethargy beset  
The principle foundations to forget.  
Such in a dark some labyrinth are lost  
As ●light the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,  
The Decalogue, Lord's Prayer, and the Creed,  
These new-come Teachers cannot say nor read.  
Why? do not these the word of God remain  
Beyond the fancies of a crazy Brain?  
Hath not St. Paul such fantasies forbade  
As please the People, and dishonour God?  
Yet mock fasts and prophaner gratulations  
Were cried up within these mole-eyed Nations;  
To these the vulgar with devotion flocked,  
Not once remembering God would not be mocked,  
Or that their zeal of knowledge so bereft  
Was but a loathsome sacrilegious theft,  
Robbing of God of his divine applause  
To set a varnish on the Devils Cause;  
For Truth did never yet approve it good  
To render thanks for shedding Christian blood,  
Or when the wicked were resolved to sin,  
They should with fasts and prayers first begin;  
These were the Devils subtle sole inventions,  
To mask and colour the obscene intentions  
Of all his perjured agents, plunged in woe,  
For temporising and blaspheming so,  
For calling darkness light, and bitter sweet,  
For blazing Treasons without all regreet:  
Who did not Conscience nor Allegiance tender,  
But Judas-like betrayed their Faith's defender,  
Whom next to Jesus Christ they did dilate  
A Supreme Governor in the Church and State.  
Are they not void of true Religion's sense  
That dare not preach against that foul offence?  
What Christian heart that doth not sore lament,  
Who lives on earth that needs not to repent?  
Our crying sins from Gods impartial hand  
Have pulled these Plagues on this unhappy Land;  
But God will lend a more propitious eye,  
If we this Rebel-devil do defy,  
And frame our practice by St. Peter's tenor,  
To fear our God, and earthly King to honour;  
For if in truth we long to take delight,  
We must relinquish all Rebellion quite,  
And to the Laws both Humane and Divine,  
Our Hearts estranged obedience must incline:  
And if we wish good days, and happy chance,  
Our Second Charles his Name we must advance▪   
Gloria Deo Soli.   

In honour of the Birth day of his Royal Majesty King CHARLES the Il. With an Encomium upon the Lord General George Monk. Written in May 1660.  

YOu mournful Muses of these British Isles,  
Now cast off care, and deck your face in smiles;  
Advance your tones with melody to sing,  
And celebrate the Birth of CHARLES our King:  
Let Bonfires burn, let Princely music play,  
This Halcy on happy twenty ninth of May,  
When God these Nations with a Prince did bless,  
Virtue and true Religion to profess:  
Whose Valour and endowments to rehearse,  
Would daunt the Monarches of this Universe;  
And whose decreed as my fancy rings,  
To place his Throne above all Earthly Kings;  
And give Religion a bright lustre, far  
Beyond the force of any English Star;  
And Christian Faith that's Orthodox, defend,  
So far as Phoebus shall his beams extend.  
'Tis for some high design, that this brave Prince  
So long hath been preserved by Providence;  
A chosen shaft in the Almighty's quiver,  
To pierce the Pope, and make the Turk to shiver.  
Then let's salute his Grace with state and glory,  
And not forget to sing the famous story  
Of him who hath so instrumental been,  
To welcome King and Government again:  
That brave old Hero that hath shined forth  
So rarely from that late unlucky North;  
And let no loyal Scot his Bagpipes lay  
Obscure, so long as he hath breath to play;  
Let English, Scottish, Irish sound his praise,  
Give holy Monk a Crown of Sacred Bays▪  
Were I but of the Romish Churches dition,  
I sure should dote on Monkish Superstition;  
Howsoever the name I needs must honour still,  
With a true genius and officious quill,  
And will no more account St. George a fiction,  
Since George is England's Champion in affliction;  
The first with courage stout, did once repair  
To secure Sabra, Ethnic Egypt's Heir;  
With Sword and Lance he did the Dragon quell,  
But this hath quenched the firebrands of Hell;  
Such Hydra Monsters, as his labour's more  
Than Hercules had e'er performed before,  
And by his prudent valour made a way,  
To dump our darkness, and to spring the day  
Of all our hopes, and made us bold to render  
Our true Allegiance to our Faith's Defender.  
What Subject lives in all our English quarter,  
That merits more to wear the George and Garter?  
In honour's Emblems he may share a part,  
Hath born so much their Motto in his heart;  
Our Sovereign sure will have regard to such,  
As have adventured and deserved so much,  
And may his offspring to perfection come,  
And prime their Fortunes till the day of Doom;  
And may they flourish with renown, the rather,  
As Branches of so just a Loyal Father:  
May the just Guerdons of such Royal Ideroes,  
Confound the projects of all bloody Nero's;  
May showers of grace descend with Heavens amends,  
On our brave King, and all his faithful Friends;  
And Christian mercy, and true justice meet,  
Reciprocal in every public street:  
And that these blessings may these Realms befall,  
Let's cry to God Creator of us all.  
Let City, Town, and Country ring▪  
With Echoes loud, GOD SAVE THE KING.   
John Winlock.   

Written by the Author about the year 1644▪ and sent to his Wife, when she and his Children were in great want and calamity together.  

DEarest Companion of my blooming years,  
The memory of whose Virgins love appears  
Still fresh and pleasant in my constant mind,  
As when my thoughts to love were first inclined;  
Accept this kindness I thee gently pray,  
A Token true my Love doth not decay:  
Religious Love is constant firm and sure,  
Grounded on Truth that ever shall endure.  
When frail affection by each slender Crime  
Shall blemished be, and quite outworn by time.  
But think not loving Soul, that time or trouble  
That change of Fortunes or Afflictions double,  
That Youth's decay, that frustrate hopes or losses,  
Domestic jars, or all such wedlock crosses,  
Or all thy Feminine frallties ever can,  
Make me to thee a false unconstant man.  
No, I resolve in love to live and die,  
And leave Memorials of my Constancy  
To my Posterity, which may them guide  
An honest Wife to honour like a Bride.  
Upon her Nuptial day, when Friends agree  
To Crown her Fortunes with felicity.  
Even so I wish (God knows) with all my power,  
To cause thy true content each day and hour  
That I shall live, and what hath been amiss  
Between us, Love, let's quit ourselves in this,  
That for thy failings thou shalt pardon have,  
And the like grace at thy sweet hands I crave:  
This Christian course will make affection truer,  
Sweeten our Sorrows and Gods love procure.  
If we endeavour our defects to mend,  
And for relief on Christ alone depend;  
This will us arm against the World's assaults,  
And sweetly cover all our former faults.  
This will a comfort to our Conscience be,  
What better blessing in Extremity?  
No refuge here like Faith, no stay so sure,  
No feast on Earth without a Conscience pure▪  
But having that, God's Angels all agree  
To guard our Tents, and we shall blessed be;  
Inspite of Enemies of degenerate mind,  
Inspite of Fortune's frown or Friends unkind;  
Inspite of all Oppression fraud or guile,  
Inspite of rapine schism and treason vile:  
Though Satan rage and all that hellish rout,  
From all afflictions God will help us out.  
Afflictions cup our Saviour drank before us,  
And he again to comfort can restore us:  
If we with Faith, and patience wait his will  
As he hath done he will protest us still;  
Which grace Jehovah grawt us to our end,  
So prays thy Spouse, thy Loyal Faithful Friend.   
J. Wenlock.   

Written to a Gentlewoman about the year 1643. from whom the Author had then received a Letter of some very harsh news.  

Vl●tuous and Honoured Lady, if my quill  
Had Virtue to express my hearts good will,  
Not all the World's distractions could prevent  
My Muse from flowing to your sweet content;  
In high strained Poems, which in spite of Fear,  
Might lend you courage to abandon care:  
And force a sweet smile from that lovely face,  
That Emblem true of Modesty and grace;  
But these sad noises in the Lawyer's Skull,  
Do make his Poet's fancy wondrous dull;  
Yet to tell truth, there is no reason why  
This dull brained Fellow should not versify:  
For to a private Friend 'tis known full well,  
H● hath dwelled these three Months in a Hermit's Cell:  
Where the sole disport of his desert placing,  
Is though a Nuptial yet a stole embracing;  
And time he hath (God wots) to ruminate,  
Concourse of business early, not yet late:  
Do trouble him, whose practice is so small,  
No Angel Client, vexeth him at all;  
The Coins impression he doth hardly know,  
He acorns Temptation by that golden show:  
The Wisdom of the State breeds this contrition,  
Pictures, and Crosses, now are superstition:  
This makes him smile at all his former crosses,  
So long as Rebels meet with greater losses;  
And that their malice makes his soul incline,  
To Faith more firmer in the Powers Divine:  
For this I publish to my comfort great,  
When the World's Fortunes did me best entreat;  
I never had of Sin so much conviction,  
Never such joy in Christ as in affliction:  
I never was of Grace, of Heaven, so sure,  
Oh the blessed Banquet of a Conscience pure!  
My fancy now frames to the Scriptures tone,  
Celestial raptures ravish me alone:  
Yet when I saw those quick conceited lines,  
Of your respect and worth the sugared signs,  
Those Symptoms of a disposition sweet,  
Where Bounty, Wit, and Courtesy, do meet;  
Those indeed relics of more sacred merit,  
Then can deciphered be by my dull Spiri●;  
How did my thoughts, my heart, my fancy skip,  
How oft I kissed them with adoring lip:  
And lest my rude neglect should give offence  
To you the type of Nature's excellence,  
My frolic mu●e was pressed at your command,  
That my devoted verse might kiss your hand;  
And that to you a faintlike Friend so dear,  
His loyal thankful heart might still appear,  
That scorns with Ladies to remain uncivil,  
In spite of Vulcan, Prickear, or the Devil:  
But hopes long to be that happy man,  
To laugh with you and Noble Mistress Anne:  
That Virgins virtuous pattern whom I honour▪  
So off●'s, my winged thoughts reflect upon her;  
And leap I shall at liberty and truce,  
To see my kind Physician Mistress Luce:  
To all that Worthy house I live a debtor,  
Ever more thankful as my Fortune's better▪  
To your sweet self a truer Friend to try,  
Then Prose or Poems pen can testify,  
Living, your Loving Kinsman, servant sure,  
In what his Life, and Fortunes can procure.   
J. Wenlock.   

Upon his late Majesty's 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 1649.  

THis Enchiridion to the Public, brings  
A Crystal Mirror for all Christian Kings.  
Here may they see Religion's truth and justre,  
All Royal Virtues crescent on a cluster;  
Here may they learn their Judgements to incline,  
To what is Princelike, Moral, or Divine.  
Conscience and Nature by a mutual strife,  
Have Grace and Goodness pictured to the life:  
Such faith, such hope, such love is not excelled,  
Such perfect patience who hath paralleled?  
Such Zealous care for Subjects, so ingrate,  
Conquers his sufferings, kills his Enemy's hate:  
A pious Prince his passions sole Commander,  
Transcends in worth Victorious Alexander;  
He got but Greatness, earthly Kingdoms, dross,  
This, Glories Crown to recompense his loss.  
His Sacred memory still shall draw its breath,  
In spite of Malice, Faction, Devil, Death:  
Let none in suffering for his sake be sorry,  
But live ambitious of his Heavenly Glory.   
J. Wenlock.   

The Authors ACROSTICHIS UPON THE LATE TROUBLES. Written in 1643.  

IN measure here the Universe may find,  
Of these distracted times, this Author's mind;  
His Vote is all for peace, but force of Hell,  
Never shall blind his Conscience to Rebel.   

Wisdom esteems all falsehood and Sedition,  
Even as the spawn of Envy, Pride, Ambition;  
No wholesome fruit from a pernicious Tree,  
Let fond deluded wights expect to see.  
Oh guide me therefore, Sacred power Divine,  
Can Death affright me if my soul be thine?  
Knows not a Christian that his sufferings small,  
Endears himself to Christ, his all in all?    

Upon Prince rupert's Tears pretended to be shed at MARSTONE MOOR. 1644.  

BRave high Heroic German Prince, shall I  
The true admirer of thy Valour, spy  
A mournful tear bedew th' undaunted Face  
Of Honour's darling, and of English race?  
The second Hector; and shall then my Muse,  
As thunderstruck, oblivious or abstruse,  
Want her Allegiance to that Royal Stem,  
Whence sprung thy Noble self, thou Prince's Gem?  
Oh not it cannot, it will rather die,  
And deluge hopes in dull obscurity:  
For whilst my breath doth last, or verse hath vent,  
To sound those honours is my clear intent;  
Though now in sable weeds I sympathize,  
With that condoling dew fell from thine eyes:  
But was it Tears; Oh tell me gentle Prince?  
Let love interrogate without offence;  
Or if your Grace be pleased to grant this same,  
That I the Asker may an answer frame,  
I'll soon obscure those Tears, and make a Vow,  
'Twas valour's Dew, that hung upon thy brow:  
And made thy Royal face with wet abound,  
Whilst thou like Mars didst thunder▪ beat the ground;  
For can a Tear oppress that Princely eye,  
The sprightful fire whereofs enough to dry  
Up all those melancholic mists that now o'errun  
Those darkened Dens bereft of England's Sun:  
But were they tears did from thine eye distil,  
'Twas not for fear of Rebels force, or skill:  
But thy religious Soul might mourn to see  
So brave a Nation dote on misery,  
Foment their ruin, and in such a rout,  
As Vipers gnaw their Mother's bowels out:  
A pious heart where Virtue's lodged within,  
Must needs condole, lament, and weep for sin;  
This was the Cause if thou didst shed a tear,  
Nothing but this can make thee mourning wear:  
Thou art too highly built, too bravely bred,  
At sad▪ Disasters to hold down thy Head:  
Thy valour doth outdare them, thou they shu●,  
Their eyes thou dazlest like a glorious Sun:  
I hope ere long to feel thy pleasant rays,  
And see thee Crowned with victorious Bays.    

Animadversions upon the wild Satyrs that ramble about our English Forest. Written in 1641.  

IF Libels be allowed by Law,  
How great ones need to stand in awe?  
Who is so high, so stout and jolly,  
But Poet's pens will paint his folly?  
Earls, Bishops, Judge and Counsellor of State,  
Are subjects now to every rhyming pate.   

If these be pillars of the Land,  
When they for Truth and Justice stand,  
That State must needs to ruin fall,  
When such as these grow worst of all;  
The Body's sure at a doleful point,  
When such great Members are so out of joint.   

None can be void of errors here,  
Though carefully his course he steer,  
But he deserves a hempen twist,  
That doth in malice still persist,  
In Church or State his poison to infuse,  
His native Prince, and Country to abuse.   

Such hearts I wish the Lord would turn,  
Before hell fire do them burn,  
Though Policy scape Justice rod,  
Vengeance it must expect of God;  
Who in this life, or in the World to come  
Will render all a just reward and doom.   

Then let not men in frantic fits,  
So rashly exercise their Wits,  
And be so hateful or uncivil,  
To damn Delinquents to the Devil,  
Before their faults they perfectly do know,  
Or what contrition in their hearts they show▪   

It argues but a Judgement raw,  
To judge sans censure of the Law,  
For he that grossly hath offended,  
Must not be hanged before condemned;  
And for my part I know no reason why  
Men should be hanged in lines of Poesy.   

And yet some things have been amiss,  
And by experience I have learned this,  
That when the flesh gins to blister,  
'Tis time the Body had a glister,  
And would to God our State were purged of such  
As fancy pomp, and self-conceit too much.   

Though some have been advanced high,  
And little good hath come thereby,  
But to themselves a shameful fall,  
Yet let's not rashly censure all,  
Or hold a sacred office in contempt,  
Though some therein have been of Grace exempt.   

A godly Bishop I ado●e  
I wish of these we had good store;  
But he that smelleth in opinion,  
Of Romish Caiphas, or Arminian,  
In Tiber flood I wish his Barge a swimming,  
Or el●e o● Tower-hill his Head a trimming.   

A loyal Peer that leads the Land  
Religious laws to understand,  
That ventures Honour, Life and Blood  
In Truth'● behoof, and country's good▪  
If honours wait not on him night and day,  
Injustice wrongs Desert the World may say▪  
But he that's trusted by his Prince,  
And makes no Conscience by offence  
At home, or else in foreign places,  
To breed distractions and disgraces.  
On Irish earth I wish the Serpent lay,  
Till's bowels burst, and poison ran away.   

An upright Judge I dearly love,  
And Truth will ever such approve,  
Because they help the poor oppressed,  
And succour lend to the distressed;  
In Common wealth they are a peerless Gem,  
True Subjects therefore still will honour them.   

But if that any of that Tribe,  
Corruptly loves to take a bribe,  
Or doth for favour fond outface  
An honest man, or honest Case,  
I wish their hides in hands of Leather-dressors,  
That they might Cushions line for their Successors,   

Were Favourites false exiled the World,  
Projectors to the Devil hurled,  
Or had a taste of Tyb●rns check,  
With Monopol packets on their neck,  
Industrious spirits than would look to thrive,  
And thus the State their safety might contrive.   

But things so out of order are,  
And coin and favour stretch so far,  
Ingenuous men of worthy parts,  
Must needs have discontented hearts:  
And nought more dangerous to the State we find  
Then discontentment in the Subjects mind.   

But what makes troubles to begin?  
What brings afflictions? only sin.  
'Tis not the Mitre, Hood, or Gown,  
That doth alone pull Judgements down:  
Some nicer Heads that wish them little health,  
Are as ill Members in the Commonwealth.   

A Garment white the Conscience pricks,  
The Service-book in Stomach sticks,  
Yet he that doth the same deprave,  
I never knew him but a Knave.  
The Cross command in Baptism stifleth some,  
And these they think awaked the Sco●●sh Drum,   

No crying sins of young and old,  
Make Judgements hot, and Mercy cold,  
In Schism and self-conceit men wallow,  
They fly a gnat, and Camels swallow:  
At Ceremony now more Stomaches rise,  
Then 'gainst all sins the Devil can devise.   

In Church we have so many Sects,  
They will produce some strange effects;  
The Anabaptists begins to brave,  
And so will each fantastic Slave.  
If some in power do not rouse themselves,  
And send to hell in time such peevish Elves.   

To rise and stand in this our gap,  
We need no Pope, nor Cardinal's cap;  
Our Sovereign's heart the Lord up raise,  
Josiah-like to mend our days.  
And when we see that blessed Reformation,  
Glory and peace shall crown our English Nation.    

Certain News when these Wars shall have an end. Written in 1643.  

WHen God will vouchsafe to open men's eyes,  
That Gospel and Law they leave to despise:  
When all the degrees of age and of youth  
Will learn to obey and honour the Truck:  
When Gods holy Word is right understood,  
And that which is naught, no longer thought good:  
When men are ashamed of Folly and Treason,  
And bow to the rules of Religion and Reason,  
When Scripture is made the ground of men's actions,  
In spite of peevish schismatical Factions:  
When Rebels and Traitors are laid in the lurch,  
And there's not a lie more told in the Church:  
When Pulpits to good men are void of offence,  
And are no more theatres of railing Nonsense:  
When proud prick-eared Rascals, sent from the City  
To cant to the Roundheads a devilish ditty,  
Are whipped for Rogues, and marked in the Faces,  
And honest Divines restored to their places:  
When Cade and Jack Straw, proud Parry and Kett,  
With Powder and Bullets have gotten the freet;  
Or when they be hanged on Gibbets like Slaves,  
Then Peace will appear in spite of the Knaves:  
When men will no longer dissemble with God,  
But stand to the Truth, for all the black rod:  
And boldly declare it in every place,  
Not fearing the looks of a treacherous face:  
When Conscience awakes men out of a Trance,  
And Justice and Truth, her Head doth advance▪  
When true Subjects get of Valour a smack,  
And fear not the Threaten of every Jack;  
But ●ouse up their courage, and boldly disdain  
In bondage to Skums any more to remain:  
When Traitors are made a scoff and a scorn,  
And never a Rebel dares put out his Horn:  
But keep within compass of duty: and then,  
When Fools are no longer esteemed Wise men:  
When Constables learn to understand Law,  
And leave to serve Warrants not worth a straw;  
And when they sup no more dangerous Broth,  
But mark and beware, and remember their Oath:  
When they be no more deluded by I yes,  
But Treason appears as clear as the skies:  
When People no longer lick poisoned Honey,  
To surfeit their Hearts, and forfeit their Money;  
But learn to abstain from damned Abuses,  
And spend their Estates on lawful good uses:  
When every man seeks peace to his power,  
And will not continue a Tray●or an hour;  
But hate and detest these damnable Jars,  
The Devil's the Author of trey terous Wars,  
When People no more run out of their Wits,  
But blush at their foolish Fanatical fits:  
When rich men are wise, and take modest course●▪  
And give not a penny to Parliament forces;  
But let the good Spirit that set them on fire,  
Both cherish their zeal, and pay them their hire:  
When he that ● cause their malice so rage●,  
Hath licence from Heaven to pay them their wages▪  
Then shall we deride their practices vain,  
And Peace and the Gospel shall flourish again:  
When royal King Charles dispense with pity,  
To curb in good earnest the treacherous City,  
Of peace and of quiet there were a good token,  
So soon as that nest of Harpies be broken:  
Or if the old birds were fled and departed,  
The young ones perhaps might prove better hearted:  
When God of his goodness vouchsafeth to send them  
His spirit of Truth and Grace to amend them:  
When Faith and Obedience in England do dwell,  
And Faction and Treason are damned to Hell:  
Then shall we have Peace, that blessed good thing,  
If men would be subject to GOD and their KING.    

Upon our Royal Queen's Majesties most Happy Arrival, the most Illustrious Donna Cathar●na, sole Sister to the High and Mighty King of Portugal.  

T●e Princely ●●ses do my Fancy move,  
To consecrate a Verse to that blessed Love,  
That Royal Queen of Grace, and great command  
Espoused to Charles Le Bon, and Charles Le Grand,  
Prophetically by him so well designed,  
Who was with Heavenly knowledge so refined:  
Heaven guard them Both together, and reflect  
That influence of Favour, to protect  
That Sacred Nymph, whose Passage did so please  
The ●ternal God of Heaven, of Earth, and Seas,  
To welcome Her with Complimental Ditties,  
Echoes of Joy rebound in Court and Cities:  
And lest the lowest place true love should want,  
Or we be deemed of Devotion scant;  
Lo I presume alone from Country Caves  
To come and honour those Neptunian waves  
Have brought us home with such propitious gales  
A Princely Mother to a Prince of Wales;  
Who may (my Genius thinks) in time outvie,  
The richest Gems of Glorious Chivalry:  
And equalise in worth, if not exceed  
The bravest Heroes of our British breed:  
And with Pegasean Frigates loudly roar  
At the proud banks of that Iberian shore:  
And with triumphant Valour once again  
Set up his Standard in the Realms of Spain:  
And with a Crown of Fortune there resume  
A Trophy, like the brave Bohemian plume;  
And by victorious Virtue still advance  
That Princely House of Portugal, Bragance:  
To England's High renown; and in despite  
Of all such Foes as dare against them fight,  
May our Imperial Lion rampant stand,  
With the blessed Unicorn at his command,  
Who by his secret Virtues may confound  
All Poisons in the Springs of English ground:  
That being Crowned at home with perfect Peace,  
His glories through the world may still increase:  
Great Princes shall adore his Royal word,  
And Nations tremble at his conquering sword;  
Then Foreign parts will fear our force; and then  
Our Sovereign shall be styled, The King of Men;  
And may his Dearest Consort blessed be,  
With all rare fortunes of Felicity;  
The grace of Heaven, the prime delights of Earth,  
Make Her the Mirror of Content and Mirth,  
Celestial Angels guard her free from harms,  
Sweetly embraced in our Sovereign's arms;  
Heaven guide her grace, and make her truly seen,  
Of Beauty, Wit, and Majesty the Queen,  
A sit Consort to please the good desires  
Of such a Prince, whom all the World admires;  
And may this Princely pair rest in Love,  
More firm and constant than the Turtle Dove;  
Gods grace their Lives both prosper and protect,  
And in the end Their souls to Heaven direct;  
And grant them here that Quintessence of glory,  
Was never read in any CAESAR'S Story;  
That After-ages may of them rehearse,  
A glorious Wonder to the Universe.   
By John Wenlock of Lincoln's Inn Esquire.  
FINIS.