Metamorphosis ANGLORUM, OR, Reflections Historical and Political, upon the late Changes of GOVERNMENT in ENGLAND, From the Death of Oliver Lord Protector, to the last Dissolution of the PARLIAMENT.  
As it was represented by a Person of Quality, to the most Excellent Don Lewis de Haro, Chief Minister of State to his Majesty of SPAIN.  
LONDON, Printed for William Palmer at the Palm three near St. Dunstans Church in Fleet-street, 1660.   

Metamorphosis ANGLORUM, &c.  
My Lord,  
I Should very much forget myself, and those numberless obligations, wherewith your Lordship hath made me wholly yours, should I not at length correspond with your reite●●●ated desires, and my redoubled promises, to give you an account of the affairs and interests of England. A task, I must confess, none but your Lordship should have wrought on me, to undertake: since I could no where else presume to find a candour and generosity, which might pass by those errors, which in such an undertaking do very commonly intervene.  
And much sooner( my Lord) should I have discharged this debt, had not my being so long abroad, so wholly estranged me both from England, and Englishmen, that( like a fresh come Traveller, who must first learn the language, before he can inform himself of any customs of the country) I was enforced to seek out acquaintance, before I could get any light into the Reason of the Government, or Governours of this Nation. Yet had I sooner answered your desires, I should but the sooner have given you occasion to desire more; since such have been the changes and mutabilities of State here; that no Government since my arrival, hath continued above five months together in power.  
For your Lordship must know that our omnipotent Army here, have an art far beyond that of Proteus: for he could only transform himself into what shape he pleased; but these can conjure a Protector into a Parliament; and a Parliament into Nothing.  
Your Lordship very well knows, that I partend from Spain, some time after the news arrived, of the Extinction of that so terribly prodigious Comet OLIVER cronwell, of whose influence, all Europe seemed to stand in fear; and un-imaginable indeed was the joy which at his death was conceived by most Princes in these parts of the World: but more especially by the United Provinces of the Netherlands, who hoped now to take an opportunity of revenging their former losses, by some disturbances which they, and indeed all the World, expected should in this juncture of affairs happen in England. But their pregnant hopes were frustrate; for the Army without the least stir or resistance, seem to comply in all due obedience, to his son Richard cronwell, whom in his life time, he had made their General.  
But it could not indeed be, nor was it by most understanding heads expected, that this serene carriage, and complacent submission of the Army to their young Protector, could continue; for there were those, whose envy of his Fathers grandeur, though in his time it was depressed by his high & daring spirit, yet expected only a fit opportunity, to take up again those cinders which were not quiter extinct, but lay only smothered under the ashes of a seeming subjection: Which was not at all discerned by the young Protector,( a man of no searching Spirit) but interpnted to a real compliance, nay he assured himself of a faithful obedience, imagining their professions corresponded with their hearts: but at last he found in his overthrow; that that envy is most dangerous, which is covered with a seeming love, and that the cruelest Serpents often lye hide under the fairest Flowers.  
But without doubt the truest reason of their revolt proceeded not so much from their dislike of him, as their fear that the Nation might( by the Parliaments concurrence with him) be brought into such a Settlement, as might free it from danger of the Armies arbitrary invasion at pseasure, and so in time cause them to be laid a side, at least the most factious of them, as persons unnecessary and dangerous to the State.  
But to proceed. The Parliament by him Convened, not giving that content to the Army, which they expected, or they indeed( as I said before) being resolved, not to be content with any thing whatsoever the Parliament could give, began at first only privately to murmur at their actions, and to sow such seeds amongst the Common Souldiers, as might animate them against the Parliaments proceedings, pretending they regarded not the Nations good, but would subvert the Army, and find some way for their disbanding: And indeed the truth of the business was, that some of the Parliament themselves had combined with others of the Army, who thought that they could never sufficiently be rewarded for their pretended services to the Commonwealth, whilst a single person ruled, who took away that share of the Government from them, which their ambitious Spirits persuaded them to be due to their merits: So though at first they seemed to aim only at the Parliament, yet was it with an intent to shoot the Protector likewise: following herein the footsteps of the Presbiterians, who made the exterpating of Bishops, only a Proeme to the rooting out of Kingly Government, according to the vulgar English Proverb; No Bishop, no King.  
Princes ought above all things, not to permit the multitude to inquire into the actions of their great councils, much less to censure them: It either teaches the council by complying with the multitude to infringe the Princes Prerogative; or in case of a noncomplyance, irritates, that many headed Monster to the destruction, both of Prince and council. But this was an Army, and he that would forbid their censures must command their Swords. And this was neither in the power of Parliament nor Protector: They heighten their discontents by degrees, and at length think fit to seem discontented, so they call a council of Officers, and consult of their designs, endeavouring by all means to strengthen their faction: whilst the Protector thought he be daily informed of the intent of their consultations, seems to be incredulous, and thinks himself secure; without reason believing, that those who had so quietly subjected themselves under the command of the valiant Father, would be content to do the same under the too effeminate Son.  
There is nothing in the world, that more ruins great actions than security. doubtless had this young Protector had but the tenth part of his Fathers Spirit, he might have prevented their design, nay would he but in time have believed, that they had a design against him, he might certainly have found some means to have evaded it: But  Quos Deus perdet, dementat prius. 
God besots those he means to destroy. There wanted not those in the Army who promised to stick close to him; and would have been assisting to him, would he, or durst he have been assisting to himself. But Hercules helps not the Swain, that lies on his back. He seeing the ston falling on his Head, choose rather with the little Children amazed in such a case, to stand still and cry, than stir a foot to prevent the threatening danger.  
The Army all this while are hatching their designs, and those Spirits, who could never be content to see others Govern and themselves sit still, leaving no ston unturned which might conduce to their ambitious ends, to take care to possess the Commonalty of the Army with divers imaginary grievances, strongly alleging that there could be no way to redress them, but by abolishing the Protectoral power, as they had formerly done the Kingly. That the yearly maintenance of a single person, would very near pay the Arrears of the Army: That though they had been contented to yield obedience to Oliver, who had done such glorious things for the Nation; yet had they no reason to be subject to his Son, who had never drawn his Sword in their quarrel: That to let one man alone Reign, was to deprive others of their due rights; who had ventured Lives and Fortunes equally with the best: That the old Protector deprived several godly and deserving Officers of the Army of their Commands, and placed his own Creatures in their stead, which should it continue to be done, they should in a short time see others reap the fruits of their Blood and Labours. These and the like principles savouring of so general a concernment to the Army, were daily and cunningly spread abroad, to draw them from their Obedience to their Protector. And that their design might be the better laid, and be brought to effect with more ease, rumours are spread that this Parliament, together with the Protector, would endeavour nothing more, than the restoring again of the banished King, whereby the Godly( as here they call them: that is those who have raised themselves by the ruins both of Church and State, and all the Sectaries, who under a settled Government fear they shall not find a lawless toleration) these Godly men say they would be left open to destruction, and by this pretence they make themselves sure of the Anabaptists and the like, who were already discontented with the Protector, for his too much inclining to the Presbiterians faction. Thus endeavoured they to bring to their devotion both Army and People.  
But the what being resolved, 'twas fit to consider the how; they were not ignorant, that some there were amongst them, who though they seemed to consent to the resolutions of this council: Yet were resolved to stand steadfast to the Protector, and did betray their designs to him: and as I have been credibly informed, undertook their surmizal, ere they could bring any thing to effect, in case Richard would have given his consent; but he both timorous and careless, minded more his Sports and Hunting, than the preservation of his State and Grandeza.  
His Brother Henry, was then possessed of Ireland, who was looked upon as a man of a more courageous Spirit, and had doubtlessely proved it, would the Officers of the Army there have stuck close to him, as at first they promised, but they upon second thoughts considering, that the whole or most part of their Estates lay in England, most of their subsistence came from thence; that of themselves they could not maintain themselves, and that if they should own the cause of the King of Scots( for Harry's own, or his Brothers, they esteemed not enough prevalent) they should( presupposing a Victory) venture Lives and Fortunes, for a bare pardon of what they had already done, but( suppressing the contrary) a loss would deprive them of all: They in a short time after his Brothers ejection, deserted him, and so left him uncapable of assisting himself, or restoring his Brother. But to return to our purpose. The next and greatest impediment they had was General Monk Commander of Scotland, it was incertain how he stood affencted to such an alteration: him therefore though they could not get openly to declare for them, they win to a tacite compliance, he being resolved, however the Cards were played in England, to make his own game sure there, but where they could not draw the superior Officers to their party, they find means to entangle the inferior, and so having made their party as strong as they could, they resolve to proceed to action.  
Nor did they long suspend the execution: they first seek to persuade the Protector to dissolve the Parliament, that so they might with the less odium, and greater security disrobe him: and he, partly forced by threats, and partly by persuasions( contrary to his best friends earnest desires and advice) yields, and by his Proclamation orders their dissolution. So he himself having devested two of his Estates of their power, they presently dismantle him of the third, and force him to render up his Protectorship, and from a Prince to become a Peasant.  
Thus my Lord, the same power, which by violent means had enthroned Oliver, in the Dominion of these three Nations, uses the same means to the dethroning of his Son: and those hopes wherewith he died, of leaving such ample dominions to his Successors, were blasted by that force which was intended for their establishment.  
Strange! that the Son of that Father; who with so much toil and labour, with so much sweat and blood, with such invincible courage and valour, had gained the Monarchy of three kingdoms, should condescend so low, as to surrender them into the hands of his Fathers Subjects,( for I can't well call them his) without so much as daring to draw his sword in their defence! And indeed my Lord, the whole business, seems to me a very Romance, and will in my opinion, very hardly find belief in future ages: for who can without wonder consider, that an Army so inconsiderable( it not consisting then of above five or six thousand near London: and some of those devoted to the Protectors interest) should in a weeks, or less time, overwhelm, and alter the very basis of the Government of three such potent kingdoms, and that without the least resistance or gainsaying: that they should break up a Parliament, and the only Parliament, which since 1641 had been chosen by the free votes of the people, and yet the Nation be so stupefied as not to resent so gross an abridgement of their due right and privileges: and then that this Army should so soon forget the terror, wherewith their old GENERAL used to appall them, but he scarce could in his grave, should deprive his Son of those honours and dignities, wherein the Fathers prowess had installed him, is strange: But that this Son, should be content to be deprived, and willingly lay down the neck of his honour, upon the block of their ambition, is indeed more strange than all the rest. And doubtless if we may credit sallust, his fault was as great in quitting what his Fathers Ambition had gained, as was that of his Fathers Ambition in gaining it; For Non minus est turpe sua relinquere, quam in aliena intrudere injustum & ambitiosum: 'Tis no less crime basely to quit ones own, than injustly and ambitiously to invade anothers. He wanted the courage of our Hero Henry the 5th. who having hastily taken the Crown from the Pillow of his not yet deceased Father, and being by him with a sad sigh  told, that God knew how unjustly he had gotten it; replied, that he( his Father) had by his sword attained, and it was now at his death by Gods providence devolved on him, and that therefore his Sword should maintain it as his right, against all Opposers. But our childish Protector wanted both his wit and courage; He having by for tune obtained a Crown, without the spending of either blood or treasure, was loathe to draw a Sword for its preservation. Men seldom prise, what they never sweat for.  
Some there are who strive to excuse the young Protector, alleging that his Father left him as great a task, as himself had gone through, grounding their opinion on the old maxim.  Non minor est virtus quam parere parte tueri. 
Nay without doubt more excellent by far is the conservation, than the conquest of a Kingdom; the first being often produced by fortunate force; the other only to be maintained by wisdom and policy. In tumuits & dissensions the strongest carry it, but those once composed, the wisest can only retain it. But those that will have his task greater than his Fathers, must likewise grant that his honour would so much the more have surmounted, had he carried his business with a noble Spirit, and if he had failed in his enterprise, yet had he dyed in the bed of Honour and Royalty.  
But to go yet further it was extreme unlikely( my Lord) that England should continue under his Government; for if it be true in politics, that, whatsoever is acquested by force, must be maintained by violence: It is hardly probable that any, but he who by violent means had acquired a kingdom, to the prejudice of the lawful heir; should be capable of maintaining it by the same means. Very probable indeed it was, that had Oliver, who by graduate gaining, had learned the art of preserving, lived; he might in a few yeares more, have settled the kingdom, in a less Tyrannical, and more successful way of Government: by finding occasions( which he daily sought) to disable those persons, which ambitious spirits were like to prove obstacles to the desired succession. But Heaven was pleased to make good the truth of that maxim, Things violent are not permanent: like to that of Lucan,  
In se magna ruunt: laetisque hunc numina rebus  
Crescendi posuere modum.—  
Great things o'rethrow themselves: the Gods above Have set our bounds, past which we cannot move,  
But those( my Lord) who had deprived the young Protector of his dominion, are yet so kind, as not to touch his life; but order him to retire into the Country, and allow him divers thousands of pounds for his maintenance. But indeed, a wonder it is, my Lord, how they durst at all trust him with either life or estate; they were certainly not ignorant of that machiavellian maxim, Mortui non mordent: Dead dogs bite not: but surely they esteemed him of no power to revenge, or thought him too pusillanimous to dare it. I remember Maluezzi upon Amulius:  
Amulius( saith he) was wicked I confess, but knew not how to make use of his wickedness; he bereft his Brother of his kingdom, his niece of her liberty, but took from neither their lives: I cannot well say, whether he did despise Numitor's weakness, whether he built upon his patience, or whether his policy was, to colour his own wickedness, by making the World see, that he had not sufficient courage to govern a kingdom, who had so poor a spirit as to live, being deprived of one.  
I hope your Lordship will pardon my presumption, in giving Political censures on these actions, to a person so perfect in the most true, and absolute State-policy, as your Lordship: whose judgement is so clear and perspicacious, that it can dive into the very soul, and bosom of the closest Statesman; and can with far greater ease discern the intricate reasons of our variations here, at that distance, than we, who are more sensible of their effects, are able to search into their original causes.  
But, my Lord, I shall proceed. This sudden alteration of the Scene of Government, makes way for Lambert once more to come upon the stage; a person of so large spirit, and undaunted courage, that the Lord Protector Oliver, being conscious of his great endowments; out of a jealousy, or rather real fear of him, had deprived him of all command in the Army; only making him a member of his other house, or pageant house of Lords: and during his reign, he lived as 'twere retired; finding it in vain to struggle against one who had got so settled a power: but diligently waited a fit opportunity to present himself again upon the Theatre: and being unwilling that occasion should show him the bald part of her head, lays hold on this as the first. So he sits as one of the Council of Officers, the souldiers ancient love to him, maintaining him still in credit, and incorporating him again into that Army, from whence the old Protector had dismembered him.  
Well, to be short: the young Protectors( as the Turks say) is manzulled, and his authority again descends into the hands of the Army, by whose means his father first acquired it. But they considering that it must be matter of the highest discontent to the people, that they who had all this while pretended to have fought for their Liberty and Freedom, should without any pretext, take upon them to rule by the Sword, the most arbitrary and unjust of all Governments: And being at a stand what to do in this juncture of time, wherein they had strangely disobliged the best part of the Nation; they presently close with the Commonwealth party, and make use of that which me thinks, was of all shifts most base, and also dangerous: That old Parliament( or indeed but the Rump of it) which they had before dissolved to set up their General cronwell, and had so highly disobliged, they now call again, and desire them, to take the Government into their hands, making a large and specious Declaration; solemnly protesting their deep sorrow, for their wicked apostasy, and back-sliding from the Good Old Cause( as they call it) and deviation from the way of God which without doubt they never were nor intend to be in) in the year 1653. when they interrupted this Parliament, which were so grand Asserters of the Peoples Liberties; had taken such pains, and acted such glorious things( as they say) for the good( but indeed inglorious for the bad) of the Nation.  
This Parliament being convened some from goals and some 'tis like from Bawdy Houses; cause the Army in the first place to take Commissions from them, and solemnly swear to stick close to them in all their just proceedings( which whether so or no the Army were resolved to keep the power of determining) and thus by Gods permission that old Government, which was the first cause of Englands ruin, is new upstart and set up again to breed amongst us greater confusions.  
My Lord in this transaction, there are two things to be wondered at: First, how the Parliament durst give any credit to an oath of allegiance from the Army, which they had seen them so often break, not only formerly to themselves, but likewise so lately to their young Protector: And secondly, how the Army durst trust, that Parliament they had so grossly abused, with a full power over them to place and displace whom they pleased: certainly they could not imagine that either such an injury could be forgotten, or hope that the Parliament would not endeavour to revenge it; such affronts being by most Spirits( especially such as some of the Parliament were of) engraven in brass, and never to be blotted out, whilst there can be any hope or opportunity of requital; to which purpose is the Italian Proverb, Chi offend scrive in polvere: & chi è offeso in marmo, who offends writes in the Sand: but who offended in Marble. And indeed by the Parliaments after proceedings we have reason to judge; that their intention was no less, than to serve the Army as they had formerly served them, at least, so to depress, and overawe them, that in case the Army should dislike their proceedings, yet they might keep them from their old shift of dissolving their power; which design of theirs( as you will understand anon) proved nevertheless vain and lawful.  
In the mean time, several Members, who because they would not dip their hands in the blood of their Prince, had been expulsed this house, at the purgation made by the Army in 1648, pretend equal interest with the rest to sie and vote, but are denied: the Army only admitting those who had sate till their dismission in 1653. These are extremely enraged at their repulse; Mr. Prynne, one of those secluded Members, writes strongly against them; proving them by several reasons to be no Parliament, but only a Tyrannical and illegal Authority: they being first dissolved by the death of the King who summoned them, he being Principium, causa & finis Parliamenti. Secondly, they not being the fourth part of that number, which ought to constitute a Parliament, the rest of their fellow Members being at several times turned out of the house, according to the pleasure of the factious Army; so that most Shires and Corporations in England being unjustly deprived of their Burgesses, had no power nor interest in the Government of the Nation. Thirdly, their power being again devolved into the people, who having by their votes chosen another, did disannul the authority of this Representative. But whilst Mr. Prynne and others are thus setting on them with their pens, Sir George Booth, and others are raising of arms; so that this Parliament is like to be assaulted both ways, Tam Marti, quam Mercurio.  
The excluded Members not being able to comport the high affront done them, in being forced our of the House, not only now, but also at the dissolurion of the free Parliament under Richard, and animated by the Presbyterian party, whose interest now lay wholly at the state, and could expect to find no mercy from the now predominant faction of Anabaptists and Independents; combine together, how they might by force rid the Nation from the ruin that threatened them, and the slavery they now groaned under. And this their plot they make almost general over England, engaging the most powerful Gentlemen in their several Counties, who on the first of August( the day appointed by this Parliament for the banishing of the Cavaliers out of England) were suddenly to rise in arms in several parts of the Nation, but by the treachery of some of the Confederates, most places of their rendezvous were discovered, and so the design for the most part disappointed. But nevertheless Sir George Booth, makes good his design, and in Cheshire and Lancashire raises a considerable force, all the principal Gentry of both Counties joining with him; they presently secure Westchester, and some other places; and declare for a Free Parliament, and to maintain the Rights and Privileges of the Nation.  
The Parliament immediately sand out forces to oppose them, and make the Lord Lambert head of the Party. He marches towards them, in ten days arrives at them, Faces, Fights, and overcomes them, and brings back his Victorious Army.  
Sir George Booth and his Forces had been by all at London supposed to be in posture both gallant and numerous; insomuch, that when the news of his overthrow arrived, it could scarcely gain credit and belief: but it was rather thought, that the Parliament only cried up a victory, when they had really, received a loss.  
But a loss indeed it was, and a total one to Sir George, but to what to attribute it I know not: His Horse were most Gentlemen, and made up a most gallant body; with Foot likewise sufficiently numerous: insomuch, that some there be, who pass censure on the General, as the cause of their overthrow. I remember Tully prescribes five things as necessary properties of a good General. Scientia, Providentia, Virtus, Authoritas, & Fortuna. Knowledge, Foresight, Valour, Authority, and Fortune. Now whether Sir George were endowed with the four first I will not dispute, but it is out of question, that he was not at all favoured by the last.  
And though perhaps he might enjoy the four first accomplishments, yet was he not renowned for any of them: and the credit of a General, being that which chiefly gives life to the action, inciting and quickening the Souldiers to fight as it were in emulation of their Commander; from hence perhaps might proceed the mancament: and this might strike terror into Sir Georges Army; they with an unskilful, at least unrenowned General, being to encounter a most experienced Army, under the Command of so Famous and Victorious a Captain.  
But some from the easiness of the Victory, have imagined that it was only a design of the Parliaments, who made use of some of the chief Complices, as Instruments to draw the Gentry into Arms; that the sequestering their Estates might both serve to supply their present necessities, and render those, who were most like to offend them incapable by reason of their want of means, to work them any future prejudice. I dare not give my opinion concerning it, but yet think, that if this be granted, the Parliament did for the settlement of themselves, make use of a trepan both costly and hazardous.  
For Sir George Booths cause, and his reasons for raising arms, they had justice enough in them, had the design succeeded: it being the success, which crowns all enterprises, and nothing else to the vulgar proclaims them Lawful. Yet we cannot but yield more right to him, who raised arms against the oppression of an usurped Government: than to them who drew their Swords against their Lawful sovereign: be it for nothing else but to make good that old Proverb, Fallere fallentem non est fraus.  
But right or wrong his cause, the poor Gentleman with divers his Compartners, were made Prisoners, and clapped up in the Tower of London, there to attend that Doom, which Victors would be pleased to inflict upon them.  
The Parliament being puffed up with their success, in token of their gratitude to Lambert for his service, order him four thousand Crowns to buy him a jewel, which Sum( as hath been credibly reported( he frankly bestows amongst the soldiery; Plausibly telling them, it was a debt to their not his deserts; Which as it was an Act of high Obligation to the soldiery, so did it render more suspected to the already too jealous Parliament.  
Whilst these things were doing in the North: The Parliament is taking care and consulting all ways, as well to render them secure from being supplanted by the Army, as powerful to suppress the peoples insurrection. For this purpose they settle the Trained Bands in London, with six Troops of Horse, and the Militia in the respective Counties, and appoint such Commanders over them, as they believe are of assured fidelity, & change likewise what Governours of Garrisons they think fit, and raise three new Regiments composed for the most part of Anabaptists, Quakers, & Fifth monarchy Men( terms strange perhaps to your Lordships ears, yet equidemical diseases in the English Nation) these they call the congregational Brigade, and with these means they hope to strengthen themselves, and be able in due time to kerb the pride of the so oft Rebellious Army.  
Yet at present they are forced to supply them with moneys, for fear of Mutinies or worse, for this they lay most heavy burdens on the people, assigning them to pay fifteen Months Tax, off before hand; a thing scarce before heard of in England.  
My Lord I have often wondered at the English Commonalty; who made their lawful sovereigns raising of Ship money, without authority of Parliament, one of their chief pleas for their raising war against him, and yet have since sat still, and as 'twere willingly yielded to the payment of unheard of duties, and have been content with what ever burdens and oppressions have been imposed on them, by those whom they stick not publicly to call extorting unjust and lawless Tyrants.  
But they may even thank themselves both for their payments and patience: for what at first they so frankly offered to free them from a small oppression, must now as custom be forcibly required, to subject them under a real Tyranny.  
But to return to our purpose, though the Parliament, at their reinstating, had restored Lambert to some command in the Army, making him a colonel both of Horse and Foot; yet there were some amongst them, who supposing the truth, that his Caesarian Spirit would never subject itself to any superior Power, which he saw any probability of overturning; did openly in the House protest against him that however his plausible, carriage might cause them to suppose him a fit instrument for promoting their interest, yet would he leave no ston unturned till( though with the ruin of them) he had made himself, what formerly Oliver with his assistance had advanced himself to. This counsel though most rational the Parliament omitted, either out of fear that should they eject him, his interest in the Army might turn to their prejudice, or lead into and over weening confidence of his assured fidelity, by his own protestations, or the cunning persuasions of his secret Friends, of whom the most notable, was by the sequel found to be, Sir Henry Vane, a man of most principal authority in the House, and the chief riingleader of all the frantic Sectarians, upon whose assistance they then chiefly relied.  
But because I may give your Lordship the most complete knowledge of affairs my poor abilities are able to furnish you with, I humbly conceive it no devotion, to give your excellency some character of both these persons, who have been such cardinal instruments in all our late transactions.  
For the first, to wit Lambert he is a man for out-side of so qualified a Gravity, so composed a Modesty, as might well conduce to the covering of ambitious desires, and to vote him a person of the greatest humility, and for his in-side, without doubt of so sound a judgement, so deliberate a speech and so purely valorous a courage and Spirit, that I really think him worthy the greatest admiration, and every way fitted for the highest enterprizes.  
The other Sir Henry Vane I am persuaded if any one, doth aptly verify the Proverb,  Conveniunt rebus nomina saepe suis. 
There is oftimes an agreement between Name and Nature. He is a man of a turbulent Spirit, and working Brain; a strange composition of Choler and Melancholy: A Person who having given himself wholly to whmisies in Religion, will still find out crotchets in State too, and indeed the fittest may be to advance any interest to the rnine of a Government, who can but soothe him with the conceit that he is pleased with his chimaeras. Such an one both cronwell and Lambert found him, and accordingly made him subservient to their designs.  
Excuse my Lord, this( I hope not unnecessary) digression, these two having been without doubt, the chief Designers, as well as principal Maintainers of our next revolution.  
The Lord Lambert having finished his work in the North, is now marching his Army back to London. But while they were on their way, they( without doubt by the secret instigation of Lambert though he expressly professed the contrary) sand up a paper to the Lord Fleetwood, to be by him or Col. Cobbet presented to the Parliament, under the name of the humble Representation of the Forces under the command of the Lord Lambert in the late Northern expedition. The Sum of which paper was, that the Lord Fleetwood might be made Captain General of all the Forces in England, Scotland, and Ireland, and Lambert, Desbrow, and Monk, might likewise be made General Officers, that Sir George and the rest of his complies might be brought to speedy trial, &c. This paper arriving at the Lord Fleetwoods hands, he calls a council of some Officers to Wallingford House, to consider of it. He likewise communicates it to Sir Arthur Haselrig, and Sir Henry Vane, two Members of the House, and desires a meeting from them in order to their concurrence with it. But Haselrig instead of meeting acquaints the Parliament with it: Tells them there was some design hatching by the Army, suspects Lamberts ambition to make himself a single person, and rashly adviseth his sending to the Tower.  
I suppose Fleetwood assured himself of Haselrigs and Vanes fidelity to the Army, when he communicated that paper to them; but doubtless Haselrig had a farther design than so, when he first persuaded the recalling of this Parliament; He himself being one of them, and one of the chief, could not but equally resent the affront done them all: and being likewise a person of a Turbulent Spirit, and of the same disposition and inclination, of which Tacitus represents another to be, Consilii omnis cujus ipse non author esset inimicus; Fleetwood had little reason to trust him; and might easily have imagined that he would, being now in power, strive to continue in it as long as he could, and that he would not only discover all means which might hinder his new turning out; but likewise endeavour to revenge the former: and though he and the rest of the Parliament might seem to have forgot past injuries, and to be really appeased with the Army, yet they were not really so, but only out of politic ends dissembled a reconcilement with them; yet the Army could not but easily guess it( as I think indeed they did) knowing that saying of Plutarch to be a maxim. Vt Christalli Fragmenta Sarciri Nullo Modo Possunt. Ita difficilimum eos reconciliare qui ex arctissima familiaritate in Mutuum odium venerent. As 'tis impossible to piece again a broken glass; So 'tis must difficult to reconcile those, who out of a strict familiarity, are fallen into a mutual hatred.  
But indeed( my Lord) the Army had greater reason to distrust the Parliament than so, for when Servants have wronged their Masters, especially in so high a degree, their guilty consciences feeds ever on a fearful distrust of revenge, though there be no occasion given. Qui post vehementes inimicitias in gratiam redeunt multa leviuscula ac temere accidentia in suspitionem rapiunt: atque in universam omnia tanquam Consulto & in malam partem facta ad conceptum ante odium apponunt.  
The Parliament had to their cost seen by former experience how dangerous it was for them to make a General over their Armies, who should have full power to give Comissions to their Officers and place and displace whom they pleased, they knew that from such a preferment there was but one step to a single person, who must necessary bereave them of their authority.  
Yet in my opinion( my Lord) there's none but will condemn Sir Arthur Haselrigs rash proceedings, he should have dissembled his anger somewhat longer, rather than let it break out on such a sudden ere the Parliaments designs could be ripe, Or fit for so desperate an enterprise; Such rash councils are generally obnoxius to all great designs or circumventions, Temeritas praeterquam quod stulta est etiam infalix; rashness, besides the Folly of it is likewise unfortunate saith livy, and so it proved here, for having vented it's first fury is dead, like a Wasp that hath lost his Sting.  
The Parliament immediately upon Sir Arthurs intimation, sand to Fleetwood for the Paper, he presenteth them a Copy of it, but the original he pretends was in Cobbets hands, they sand for him, but he was not at home when it should be delivered: however immediately the Parliament pass a Vote, that the making of more General Officers was needless, chargeable, and dangerous to the Commonwealth.  
But though by the Lord Fleetwoods over-weening the Parliament over reached the Army, in this year the Army again quit with them, Haselrigs rash council is betrayed to them; But they are not so rash as he, they wisely dissemble it, and instead of breaking out into sury, represent in an humble Petition, their resolutions to be still true and faithful to them. Notwithstanding whatever theirs, and the enemies of the public good might suggest against them, desiring them not to believe that they had any intentions to dissolve their power, or to the setting up of a single Person, which they had so solemnly and freely declared against; and in the end, make several Propositions, which they pretend for the Nations good, and conclude with reiterated promises of their fidelity.  
The Parliament receives their Petition, and with a seeming hearty thanks; but they neither credit them nor follow Haselrigs rash, counsel, though I believe, they would willingly have done the last, had it consisted with their affairs; burr as cases stood, they thought it best to dissemble with the Dissemblers, and fain a Credulity of the others feigned Protestations.  
They had all this while been drawing what part of the Army to their adherence they could, and had as they thought, assured themselves of two Regiments of horse, and one of foot; with which, and the train-bands of the City of London,( on whose help I suppose they presumed) their Congregational Brigade, and the Militia of the several Counties, they hope they shall be able to deal with their discontented Army.  
But this Counsel which should have been the Cabinet of State, whose deliberations, like jewels, should have been locked up in secrecy, is nothing less; but their whole designs are betrayed to the Army: who not only seek a Prevention of them, but are likewise designing against them; and without doubt waited for nothing more than some such occasion to dissolve them, which might likewise afford a fit plea to the people.  
But the Parliament resolves to prevent their desires sooner than they expected it, and though they do nothing else than what the supreme power of a Nation( as the Army had made them to be) might warrant, yet the Army think they have thence occasion sufficient to break their late Oath of Allegiance to them, and to render those actions of the Parliament, which were unpleasing, to be unjust.  
Thus, my Lord, they only promise obedience, that they may rule, fain a subjection, that they may command; pretend to maintain the due rights privileges, and freedom of the people, that they may enslave them; making what to them seems necessity of State, a competent apology for all their actions.  
The whole business was thus; the Parliament had good grounds of some design in the Army against them; and who would not seek to prevent it? they use their utmost endeavours and to those endeavours add these votes; that it should be treason to raise any money but by Act of Parliament, &c.  
They likewise make voided the Commissions of the Lord Fleetwood, Lambert, and seven other Ringleading Officers, and order a Committee for the Government of the Army; and then upon this, expecting, or fearing a dissolution, adjourn to the next day.  
My Lord, 'tis necessary to understand all along, that whatever Oaths or Protestations this Army make, if once they oppose their interest, they are utterly voided; they could not have forgot their so late promises of obedience, but they would obey in their Commands, not without them; them once offered to be taken away, they understand their allegiance unprofitable: so they resolve, that instead of quitting their power to the Parliament, that the Parliament shall quit theirs to them, and once will they more from servants turn their Masters.  
Well, the designs on both sides are laid; the Parliament gather about their House what force they can; a Regiment of foot, and four troops of horse appear; they are placed in due order, in convenient places adjoining to it, three troops are sent unto the City, to crave their assistance, but in vain; yet they prevail in Southwark.  
Nor are the rest of the Army less quick in their Preparations; they assemble what force they can about White Hall, the ancient Palace of the Kings; they likewise sand to the City, but are denied; it resolving to stand neuter: the Tower of London supplies both with ammunition. In the mean time, the Parliaments life guard passing by White-Hall is stopped by Lambert, a pistol presented to their Captains breast, forces him to dismount, and another is presently mounted in his stead: so their own guard is turned against them; and strait force back their Speaker, whom they meet going to the House; the Congregational Brigade likewise revolt from the Parliament to the Army.  
Yet those who were gathered about the house are very hardly brought to compound; they seem resolved to be faithful to the Parliament: but at length seeing their force so small, their souldiers unwilling to fight, and their enemies willing to agree, they yield; and thus is the power of the Parliament forced from them, and taken into the hands of the feeble headed Army.  
They, who but some few months before had with such seeming hearty( though indeed feigned) expressions, declared their repentance for their former disturbance, and their now resolutions to be steadfast to them, have thus soon forgot both one and t' other; and in so small a time relapsed into what they then acknowledged for an error.  
The Parliament and Army put forth their several Declarations or Pleas, accusing one the other, and both pleading a due in the government, but tis an easy matter for them to dispute their titles one with another, where neither had right; but indeed it relishes somewhat of folly in the Parliament to contend with the Army, whose Sword( they might easily imagine) would never yield to words, & whose strength and success gave them some appearance of justice.  
For the action itself, Ile not take upon me to judge it, though most condemn it; every action tends to its end, by which we shall perceive whether it be good or bad, virtuous or dishonest, yet in every action the Actor proposes to himself some good, or at least endeavours to make it seem good, see Arist. in his Eth. lib. 1. 〈◇〉: Every Art or Science every action or purpose seems to desire some good.  
But( my Lord) thus far I dare venture to say, and do confidenly believe, upon reasons drawn from their actions, that notwithstanding the Armies so fair pretences for the establishment of a civil Government in these Nations, their only intents are to continue their arbitrary power and Govern by the Sword.  
For what civil Government can ever be said to be settled, much less flourish, whilst their force contitinues, which will overthrow all results of such a Government which correspond not with their will and interest.  
The Officers of those Forces who assisted the Parliament are by the Army suspended from their commands, and reason good: for why should they being a part of the Army, make a breach in it, or be seduced by the fair and golden promises of the Parliament, to separate from their brethren. doubtless, they expected, and were promised large rewards, had the business succeeded, but they might have considered, that such fair and seducing promises are like fish of the Carinesian River, which in the water look like gold, but taken into ones hand, are of their proper colour.  
The Army are not content only to have interrupted the Parliaments sitting, and hindered their future meeting, but they likewise by their Declaration disannul all those Votes which were displeasing to them; a thing never before heard of, that a council of Officers could make voided the Votes of a Parliament, or that any but a Parliament could abrogate or annul those Laws made by them.  
Thus my Lord I have given you an account of two sad deplorable changes, and caused by the ambition of some in the Army here in less than six months time, which I believe are not to be paralel'd by any society of men since the creation.  
Let us to these, add those other Governments which they have before subverted, and we shall find the Sum thus. From a King, to a House of Lords and Commons, from that to a House of Commons only; this routed they set up a Protector, then down goes a Protector, and up mounts the old House of Commons again, and now is that Extinct: so many Scenes have their been in the acting of the English Tragedy, which I fear me is not yet half consummate.  
Thus much my Lord to the Historical part of our discourse; I hope your Lordship will now excuse the trouble I shall give, in presuming to present to your Judgement, what Government( supposing the Army should settle a Civil one, as they pretend) would most quadrate with the affairs and interests of England, as they at present stand, without supposing or considering at all the interest of the lawful Heir.  
I must needs confess, that 'tis a task of so much difficulty, that it would rather require your Lordships high and noble Capacity, than so weak and unworthy a Pen as mine; Yet nevertheless presuming upon your wonted candour, I shall make bold freely to lay down my opinion.  
But first we must suppose, that into whatever hands the Army shall entrust the Freedom of these Nations, or whatever form or manner of Government they shall think fit to establish, they must either wholly devolve the power into their hands, or resolve on a general disbanding; for as I said before, 'tis and will ever be inconsistent with a Civil Government, to have their proceedings over-awed by a Military power.  
To resolve on a general disbanding whilst any Heir to the Crown is living, will be to lay themselves open either to foreign invasions, or intestine force, the Heir being ready at all times to lay hold on all occasions for the regaining of his right, and at least two thirds of the people of England, being still faithful and loyal to that interest.  
Their resolutions then to a real compliance with, and obedience to whatever Civil Government they shall establish being granted, the question will still be, what Government will be most fit and convenient to the present State of affairs.  
The Interest of England, as to a Government, is at present so obscured and clouded, that it's almost impossible to be discerned, it being now devolved rather into the interest of some particular persons, than into the interest of the whole; these particular persons are the prime Officers of the Army, the question then will now be what Government will most correspond with the interest of these Officers of the Army.  
That a Commonwealth in any degree should do so, is impossible; they being then forced to surrender the whole power into their hands, whom they constitute Governours of this Commonwealth, it being unjust and unreasonable for them to bear Office both in the State and Army; and to surrender up their whole power to them, will be to yield to that which by so many tricks and shifts they have sought to avoid; and from Masters be content at last to become Servants.  
The late example joined with the ancient rule, may further assure them, that those who have received a power, are always suspicious of those that gave it, and never think themselves secure, whilst they imagine that they are by any means able to deprive them of that authority wherewith they have invested them; they are therefore for their own safety bound to that politic piece of ingratitude, to overthrow, or depress those who have been the cause of their rise.  
This granted, it will easily appear how inconsistent it will be for the Armies interest to settle the government in the way of a republic or free State.  
It now rests then to prove that the government by a single Person, whose abilities may render him capable of so high an employment, and who may be elected out of these Principal Officers of the Army, will most comply with their interests; which thus the Armies love to him will continue and maintain him in his power, and those Officers which his suspect may think unfit for military command, may be employed in civil trusts.  
Thus both the Army may be continued in a number convenient to suppress foreign invasions, or intestine rebellions, and those Officers who arrive not to the supreme Dignity, be graced with secure fortunes, conformable to their several degrees.  
I know the late exam●le of Richard cronwell may and objected against this, ●nd some will aver, that ●here will continually be ●●ch supplanters; but that example may rather teach the next single Person how to provide a remedy for such disturbances.  
This likewise will be a means whereby the honour of the Nation will again flourish, and will amplify the public traffic, and restore England to its former renown: which can never be done by settlement of a Commonwealth, where every Member will regard his private profit. Take this from no mean Statist:  
The Monarch first propoundeth honour: then the public good and lastly, proprietary interest and profit. But the Popular Estate evermore inverteth this order, for it hath private gain in the first intention, the common good in the second, and honour in the last: which diversity of proceeding ariseth not out of the different forms of their government, but out of their different natures that govern: so great odds there is between a Prince and a Citizen.  
I could, 'tis true, my Lord, prescribe what would be more for the benefit both of the Army and Nation than either of these, but tis that which every Child know's, viz. that the Army make such propositions to the right Heir as may be both honourable and safe for him and them, & retire themselves to live at their Farms in the Country, since they are no better capable to manage State affairs.  
I have thus far presumed upon your Lordships patience, in giving you this large account of the affairs of miserable and distressed England, whose distractions have( from the most glorious Nation of Europe) rendered her the most ridiculous Nation of the whole world, and made her Natives, once so highly respected in foreign parts, now ashamed to own her.  
But I hope your Lordship has yet a good opinion of her, and does not believe all her Children to be guilty of these her troubles; but rather lay the fault( where tis justly due) upon those ambitious turbulent Spirits who have indeed been the cause of her ruin, though I know the vulgar will always judge according to the Proverb.  Per un cattivo mill bon ' si infamano. 
For one mans fault a thousand are defamed.  
Having thus far given your Lordship an account of our State affairs, and their disturbances Please to fix your eye a little upon the ecclesiastic distractions, the second spoken in the wheel of our misery; Into so many rents & pieces is our poor Church shattred, that really, my Lord, I hardly know how to piece up a discourse of it: No day but produces its Schism or heresy; No cobbler but presumes to make himself the head of a Sect or faction, and presumes to glory in thundering the most holy word of God out of his profane lips; to whom his she Auditors( for so for the most part they are) listen to, as to an Oracle, and he presuming his confidence to be knowledge, carries himself as proudly as if he were their Ghostly Father.  
No Order nor decency in any of their Divine worships, and those accounted most holy who have least, your Comedies in Italy being acted in more decent and comely places than these men worship God in; So ir-religious they are, that I believe, were it not to keep themselves from the weather, they would hardly allow a Church in England, the name of Church being odious to many, who rather choose to meet at their irregular Devotions in private Houses, or corners of the Street, where they Gabble out two or three houres together of nonscence, enravel'd with the sacred word of God: Tithes they abhor, so unwilling are they to expend the least upon their souls, wherewith they might Gorge and Glut their bodies, such too is their envy and spleen, towards one another, that each preaches Hell and Damnation to those who differ but in the least tenant from them; In this alone the Church is happier than the State, it does not so often change it's Government; but the reason is because it has none at all.  
Surely 'tis the just Judgement of God upon us, which is the cause of all these distractions both in Church and State, for our having first deserred and cast dirt in the face of our true and Mother Church.  
Should I( my Lord) give you an account of every particular Sect amongst us, 'twould take up an age to describe them; Here are Presbiterians, Independents, Anabaptists, Quakers, Ranters, Adamites, Fift Monarchy men, and such a rabble more, that I want a Dictionary to find out their names; the first have not much fault besides their Pride and Ambition, which is now pretty well quelled; the rest, though they hold some several tenants and Heresies, yet all of them conclude Church Government: Men of Sin, and are unwilling to be ruled by any thing but the Spirit; like the welshman, who being accused for theft, would be tried by none but by Christ and his twelve Apostles.  
Yet are the Independents the mildest of these, though proud enough in Conscience; But the Quakers are a sour generation, who defy all learning, of a crabbed disposition, and indeed look rather like Fantasmes, or Spirits sent from Hell to deceive the World, than Christians, yet grow they extreme potent, boasting in their Schismatical opinions, and seducing several poor and ignorant people to their own damnation ..  
My Lord, I am ashamed thus to lay open to you the disgrace and shane of our Nation, wherein these fanatic Spirits have involved it; But I dare tell you, my Lord, that there are yet some can did Loyal Souls, who still do, and will ever continue true and faithful to their King and lawful sovereign, and firm to their first principles of Religion, scorning the greatest oppressions should affright them from these principles, and daring even death itself in their defence.  
But these my Lord live like Sheep amongst so many Wolves, and are like to do so, till God shall be pleased to sand again their shepherd amongst them, when their Sheepcoats shall be turned into Palaces, bedeck't with the Skins of their now Ravenous Murderers.  
This, my Lord, is the sad and distressed estate of the Church of England, whose rents seems uncurable; unless God of his great mercy lay to his helping hand to restore her breaches, and render her again her primitive lustre and beauty; for which I beg your Lordship,( whom I know so great a well-willer to the English Nation) to join your Prayers to ours, for her & for the re-settlement of these three distressed Kingdoms in their former splendour, that every man may again enjoy his right, Justice flourish, and Religion prosper; that we might have our Kings as at the first, and our Princes as at the beginning: Which the God of heaven grant, that my next may inform you. In the mean time, I humbly kiss your Lordships hand, and rest,  
Your Lordships Most Devoted Servant.