The Discoverer.  
Being an Answer to a Book entitled, ENGLAND'S NEW CHAIN, The Second Part, Discovered.  
SHOWING In what part the said Book is false, scandalous, and reproachful; in what destructive to the present Government; in what particulars it tends to division and mutiny in the Army, and the raising of a new War; a●d wherein it hinders the relief of Ireland, and continuing of freequarter; according to the Parliaments censure upon the said Book.  
Also the General Officers of the Army are here cleared from sundry Falsehoods, and Slanders charged upon them: With a further Discovery of many dangerous and destructive Designs still carried on by ●he Levelling Party, against the peace, safety, and freedom of the people.  
The Second Part.  PRO. 18.6, 7. & 19.19. 
A Fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for stripes,  
A Fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.  
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and be that speaketh lies shall perish.  
LONDON; Printed by Matthew Simmons, 1649.   

TO The Right Honourable, the Commons of England, assembled IN PARLIAMENT.  
SIRS,  
SINCE the Imprisonment of Mr. Lilburne, and the other three; There is published a Book under Mr. Walwins' Name, wherein he manifesteth a great desire, that the Parliament had been pleased for the satisfaction of all those their faithful Friends who are concerned in it, and of the whole Nation in general, to have expressly applied each part of the Book to each censure upon it, as to have showed in what part it was false, scandalous, and reproachful, in what destructive to the present Government, also to have showed what part, sentence, or matter therein rended to division and mutiny in the Army, and the raising of a new War in the Common wealth; or wherein to hinder the relief of Ireland, and continuing of Freequarter.  
For what end he writes thus, it may easily be conjectured: And therefore to wipe of the aspersion and reproach from your Honourable House, we have undertaken the Justification of your Censure upon that Book and according to the severest crimes and guilt Expressed in your Act, have here manifested the said Book to deserve no less in every particular.  
Now from this answer, we are occasioned to put you in mind, how dangerous and destructive to all forms and kinds of Government, are Traitorous, Mutinous, and Reproachful Libels, and Pasquil's, In truth the wisest of the Gentiles understood so much, and accordingly prescribed and provided remedies against it in their republics. We have also observed the wisdom and singular care of Magistrates in foreign parts: For howsoever there are persons amongst them, as ill affected to their State as any herewith us, yet they know how, and do, stop the passage and prevent the danger of such things by the due execution of good laws.  
It is true, in our Laws there are helps provided: notwithstanding the mischief and misery remains. And why? As foolish Birds frighted a little at first with the Husbandman's Scarerow, and after a while observing that it stir not, are bold to sit it upon it and defile it. So when Authority either revives some former statute or makes a new act against the aspersers of the present Government, at first the Libelers and Railers are a little frighted: But seeing there is not that moving, acting, prosecuting as they fear● at first, they take so much boldness as to come near you, even to your very faces, set upon you, and defile you, and not only in your reputation and name, but your power and Government and in the vilest and basest manner as ever was known in any Commonwealth, (Sirs) we speak this out of a tender respect unto you, and to show how much we desire that the Fac●s of our Elders may be honoured, and their Authority not blasted by such a base Generation of men. Neither truly know we any cause why such Pests and Plagues in a commonwealth may not as well be suppressed in England as in other parts, If the like strict and exact course be taken here as 〈◊〉 elsewhere. Now the Lord give you that wisdom, both in this and other things, as may be for the Nations prosperity, peace, liberty: and your own comfort Crown and honour.   

TO His EXCELLENCY the Lord FAIRFAX, etc. AND To the Right Honourable, LEIUT: GENERAL CROMWELL, etc.  
My Lords,  
THE reason why we have here mentioned Your Honourable Names, is in regard the matter contained in Our DISCOVERER, is your deserved Vindication, from many vile aspersions raised up against you by some malicious and seditious tongues. You hnow in War, the General and chief Commanders are sought after by every one, more than the common Soldiers. Envy is like certain Flies called Cantharideses, who light specially upon the fairest Wheat, and most blown roses. That you are singled out by some men, and made now the subject of their falsehood and slander, it is no marvel; for it hath been so from the beginning; men evermore of best deserving, and greatest worth, have most felt the scourge of tongues. M. Cato Major a Pop. Rom. prudens uppellatus maximis Roma●●rum odijs exercitus est. Quadragies enim series reus causam dixit, semperque absol●tus est. Sabel l. 1. c. 6.  
Elias laid this down as a reason, why he was willing to die, I am no better than my Fathers. The like reason may move you to be patiented, contented, comforted: you are not worse used than David was, yea Christ himself, your Lord and Master was served so. When an Artificer hath before his eyes a famous pattern of his work, on which he looketh, he perfecteth his own much the better. Tak● the Prophets which were before you for an example of suffering, men eminent for grace, gifts and Office. Quis emim paulo majori anime non mal●t in bello cum peric●lo cum his proficisci, qui in precio sunt, quam domi cum i●s in ocio desidere qui contempti habentur; maxim si rex ipse ad Pralium eat? Cartwright: historia Christi. Lib. 1. p 375.  
Besides it must needs be a matter of singular joy unto you, to consider, how the godly every where love you, honour you, carry you in their Bosom, and on their hearts, as the Jewels, and Treasure of the people. So that as light is loved (and men will love it) though Batts and Owls reject it: so are you under God, esteemed as two great lights of the Nation; neither doth the splendour and brightness of your persons appear the less lovely, sweet and beautiful to them, for that some Night-birds cannot without vexation and envy look thereon:  
And to say the truth, the godly every where have the more cause to love and honour you, considering it is for their sake, and the truth's sake, and for the advancement thereof, that you are aspersed; and so much we have in this Treatise manifested.  
And howsoever for your own particulars, there needed not this Vindication: for inward peace and a good conscience is enough for a man's own satisfaction. superat conscientia, quicquid ma●● finxerit lingua as Seneca saith, Epist: lib: de mor: and as Tiberius said to Rh●scuporis; si frans abesses, poss● eam innocentiae fider●. T●● Annal: 2. Nevertheless finding their accusation to be false, scandalous, and seditious, we thought it our duty to step in and so to manifest as much respect and love unto your persons, in maintaining the honour and inocency of your names, and justness of your cause; as others show their malignity and hatred, in seeking by calumniation and slander, to blast you, and your righteous proceed.  
Charles the fift had for his devise a Ball with two Balloones, with this motto, percussus clevor, the harder I am stricken the higher I mount. Hitherto you have made this true, and we hope it shall still be so, as that in after Generations it shall be said, the enemies raised you and by their strokes you won honour and fame. The searcher of all hearts knows, how desirously we desire; that as the Lord hath wonderfully blest your undertake and Crowned you with many glorious victories; so you, even you (we say) may be THE MEN and the Instruments in God's hand to make England and Ireland fully happy, and of you that may be said, and fulfilled in you, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. And likewise that, 
Nec tarda senectus  
Debilitet vires animi, mutetque virorem.   
Neither have we taken this work in hand, without sitting down first and counting the cost: we have indeed considered the charge, and do expect Bitter words, but we are not thereby discouraged at all: you have often been in the midst of Swords, Spears, and other Instruments of death, for us, and therefore it's the least we can do, to suffer the Spears, Swords and Arrows of evil Tongues for so just and Honourable a cause as this is. Therefore according to our engagement, so we shall (God willing) go forward to stop the mouth of absurd and unreasonable men.   

The Discoverer. Being an Answer to a BOOK, ENTITLED, ENGLAND'S New Chains, The Second Part. Wherein is showed in what part the said BOOK is False, Scandalous, and Reproachful; in what, Destructive to the present Government; in what particulars it tends to Division and Mutiny in the Army, and the raising of a new War in the Common wealth; and wherein, to hinder the Relief of Ireland, and continuing of Freequarter. THE SECOND PART.  
WE see men are more curious what they put into a new Vessel, then into a Vessel well seasoned; and what mould they lay about a young plant, then about a plant corroborate: If some men were not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, without understanding, without natural affection, unmerciful; they would not manifest such outrage and violent opposition against our present State, considering the same as yet, is new, tender, not thoroughly and fast set and settled.  
But where the Building is green and not dry, things are the sooner put out of order, so many people do purposely wait for the opportunity; that is, while things are settling in the Common wealth, take the advantage of the time to obstruct the work. And as former Ages yield us 
a Pessimus quisque in occasionem praeduram, Vulgus, ut mos est cujusque motus novi cupidum. Tacit. Hist. l. 1. p. 370.  many examples this way, so we have at this time sad and sensible experience among ourselves, by the daily practice of sundry restless people, whose continual study and endeavour is to hinder our Builders, to the general prejudice and hurt of the whole Nation: Something we have already 
* We much desire, whosoever hath not seen the First part, that he inquire after it, because by reading it, he shall the better understand many things in this Second part.  published to undeceive the people, touching the real plots and stratagems of these men, and the several seditious ways and miles a long time practised by them, to accomplish and effect the same: And at this time we shall (by the good hand of God assisting us) make a further Discovery, that so we may perform our former promise, and satisfy the Readers expectation.  
For the method, we are here beholding to Mr. Walwin in writing thus, 
b The Fountain of slander discovered. p. 18.  I wished with all my heart, the Parliament had been pleased for the satisfaction of all those their 
c 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Arist. apud Laert. Amicus non subito est publicè objurgandus, donec ex turbatione recenti adhuc est inquietior, aeger. Pet. Blesen. in libello de amacnis.  faithful Friends who are concerned in it, and of the whole Nation in general, to have expressly applied each part of the Book to each censure upon it, as to have showed in what part it was f●ls●, scandalous, and reproachful, in what destructive to the present Government; also to have showed what part, sentence, or matter, therein, tended to Division and Mutiny in the Army, and the raising of a new War in the Common wealth, or wherein to hinder the relief of Ireland, and continuing of Free Quarter.  
Now howsoever we know it is their work to prove the Charge, neither should they have set down any accusation (especially not 
d Simler. on Exod. 22. 2●. hath these words. There is here no punishment set down for him that should rail on the Magistrate; but seeing he that railed on his Father and Mother w●● to die for it, Exod. 21.17. Much more worthy of death was he which should curse the Fathers of the Country.  reviled the Rulers of the people) without producing at the same time most pregnant and clear testimony for it; Nevertheless seeing it is not their use to prove any thing they say, but to say any thing they please (besides having wrapped themselves together in the guilt of falsehood and slander, their testimony (as the 
e Participes criminis 〈◊〉 s●●● id●●●●i 〈◊〉 in preh●●d● crimin● C. ●. de testibus. l. 6. & C. 1. de Confess.  Law saith) is invalid) we shall speak to each particular, and so help Mr. Walwin to his wish and hearts desire: And first of the things which are false, scandalous, and reproachful in the Book.  
First, It is there said, that 
f E●●●●●ds 〈◊〉 Chain, Second part. p. 8.  All who have manifested any sense of Common right, have been styled Levellers.  
Answ. But what c●● be spoken more untrue: For first, there are many thousands in the Land, who have not only manifested a sense of Common right, but have cordially acted these many years for the public good, and clearly showed themselves selfdenying men, never received any thing for their service from the Sta●e, but have cheerfully contributed beyond their abilities, as occasion hath been, and yet never styled L●vellers. Secondly, What a Leveller is, we have described in our 
g The Discoverer, pag. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.  former Book; neither is the Name ordinarily given unto any, except they are such as hold dangerous and destructive Principles, tending to the ruin of Church and Commonwealth. Thirdly, No man hath been styled a Leveller, for any sense of Common right, but because under this colour and cloak, they have carried on pernicious Plots and Designs, to the great detriment and damage of the Nation. Plato seeing Diogenes with a Coat of holes, said, he could see his Pride thorough the holes of his Coat. Howsoever Treason and Sedition do use to  themselves with the habits of Common right, 
h Auctor tumultus, T. Curtifius quondam Pretoriae cohortis Miles. Primo caetibus clandestinis, apud Brundisium & circumjecta opida; moae, positis propalam libellis, & libertatem vocabat agrestia per longinquos saltus & ferocia servitia. Et erat ijsdem regionibus, Curtius Lupus Questor, cui provincia vetere ex more Cales evenerat. Is disposita clussiariorum copia, captantem tum maxime conjurationem disjecit. Tacit. Annal. l. 4. p. 125.  Liberty, Safety, that under those Liveries they may get countenance, and find the more access in the World; yet the movings thereof are not so covert and hid, but judicious and discerning men can easily observe the same.  
Secondly, It is no less false, in charging the Council of War with 
i England's new Chain, p. 7.  as much arbitrariness as ever was in the world, sentencing some to death, others to disgraceful punishments, restraining and releasing at pleasure. etc.  
Answ. 1. What, as ever was in the World? Never worse done by Jew nor Gentile before? Reader, it is worth thy observation, how their accusations are always framed thus, either our Magistrates are matched with the vilest Tyrants that ever 
* The Discoverer, p. 5.  were, or the greatest Oppressors on Earth are not half as bad as they.  
But secondly, How tender the Ruling part of the Army hath been in taking away life by Martial Law, is evident by that true Report which 
k The Justice of the Army, p. 1.  one hath lately given thereof, there having been not above seven or eight executed, since the General had bis Commission: 
l Qui vult amari, languida regnet manu. Senec. Tragic. Non quidquid Nocens. reus pati mereretur id egregio sub principe. Tac. l. 14. Annal. p. 275.  an unparallelled example. Philip King of Macedon was wont to say, That the reproaches and injuries of the Athenian Orators caused him to order his words and deeds so, that themselves should be proved Liars: The moderation and clemency of his Excellency and Council of War, hath been such, as their Enemies have been found false accusers in all their seditious Papers and Pamphlets against them.  
Thirdly, For the persons there mentioned, and the cause wherefore censured, we shall speak thereof in another place; here we shall only acquaint the Reader, how it hath been ordinarily the practice of Conspirators, when they have sought to destroy the present Government, and thereby to advance themselves, to asperse the Officers and Commanders of the Army, with pride, tyranny, dominion, lust, etc. as a weapon of mere advantage, the better to effect their self-seeking ends.  
3. The Book tells us, that 
m England new Ch●●●● p. 3.  their General Counsels according to their engagements, aught to consist only of two select Commission Officers, and two private Soldiers chosen by every Regiment with such General Officers as assented to the Engagement, and no other.  
Answ. The dissolution of the Agitators is much complained of, and made one main ground of great division and mutiny in the Army, but the truth in, that 
n See Mr. H●●● D●● Book called, The Levellers Design, p. 4, 5. where th●● thing a longly handled.  same power by which they had their constitution, made a dissolution and nul thereof: And this was done by a Petition to the General, from most of the Regiments of Horse and Foot, wherein they humbly desired that their Agitators might be sent back to their respective Regiments, and that they would have the Council of War to be in the same manner it was before, professing their subjection and obedience thereunto; and according to their Petition (by a mutual and joint consent of all parties publicly declared) the Council of Agitators was dissolved: So that it is false, that the General Council should consist of any Commission Ofcers, or private Soldiers, chosen by every Regiment: Neither can the Ruling part of the Army be charged with Violation of that Engagement, nor doth there remain any obligation on them to have revived, or continued any such Council, much less is it warrantable in the Soldiery of the Army, to assume any such power, as to act thereby.  
4. It is an accusation grounded upon a lie, to say that those 
o England's new Chain, p. 3.  Officers and Soldiers were slighted and discountenanced, who first engaged against the destructive Votes of Parliament, and stood firm to their engagement at New Market, and Triploe-heath: For first, such men are not only still in place, and matters of the greatest trust reposed in them, but also have ever shown their dislike against the Levelling Faction: Secondly, if any Officers or Soldiers have been checked and controlled, it was 
* If a Servant run away from his Master, will not he speak evil of the Family? Who will admire when men are punished for sedition, to hear them complain afterwards against their Judges?  for some apparent miscarriages, and not for well-doing.  
And here we shall Discover unto the Reader, a pretty devise of these men; which is, to relate how some of their Party have been slighted, discountenanced, sentenced, etc. and withal report what good services they have done; concealing in the mean time the just 
p Note, Thou shalt never find in any of their Papers, the reason truly set down wherefore any of their Faction have suffered, only their manner is to name the sufferers, and what they suffered, and where; but the cause they durst never speak of: Judge therefore the Tree by the fruits.  cause, wherefore they suffered, to the end ignorant and simple people may think, they were punished unjustly: To omit many examples, there is one William Thomson, often mentioned in their Books, now who in reading their sad Representation of him, would imagine? that a man so cried up, and styled by Mr. Lilburne, 
q The people's Prerogative. p. 42.  the honest Nounsubstantive Soldier, was first questioned at a court-martial, for his profane and scandalous life: Namely, for drunkenness, gaming, 
r The Justice of the Army, p. 7, 8, 9  quarrelling, for breaking up a man's House in the dead of the night, where he wounded three or four persons, laid felony to the charge of the Mistress of the house, for robbing him of twenty pound of Gold and Silver, and afterwards confessed, he had lost none; much more of the like wicked and base do were proved against him; whereupon he was 
s Mr. Lilburne saith, he was a Corporal in Colonel Wh●leys Regiment, and was cashiered at the head thereof, but he is very careful not to show wherefore it was, for that would have spoiled the Levelling Faction The people's Prerogative, p. 44.  justly Cashiered by the Council of war, and afterward to revenge himself, sought to make division in the Army, and by his 
t This Treason and Sedition Mr. Lilburne calls, the honesty of the Man, ibid.  seditious and traitorous practices, became a chief man, and a Ringleader among the Levellers.  
5. They say, 
u England's new Chain, p. 13.  They blast us with all the scandals and false reports, their wit or malice could invent against us; and so monstrously wicked have they been in this particular, that they have pried into all our actions, made use of all our acquaintances and friendly intimacy, and in conclusion have only produced such scandals, when stand and examined, contain both contrariety in themselves, and have not the least ground of truths concerning us.  
Answ. But is there any truth here? For first, have their acquaintances and friendly intimacies ever told them so? What all? Not one exempted? Again, 'tis much that the Gentlemen at Westminster should know all their acquaintances, and had such leisure, and so little to do as to pry into all their actions: Thirdly, we had not thought the Authors and Promoters of this Book had been such considerable men, as that the Parliament, Council of State, or the Chief Commanders of the Army, would have fallen so fare below themselves, as to have acted any thing in such a way: Fourthly, if all their actions have been pried into, it is much that no more is published; for there are things concerning some of them, which are most base and scandalous, and we know them to be true, but being personal, do purposely conceal them: But fifthly, that their names are blasted, and that they have lo●t the hearts of good men every where, we believe it: For the Lord usually punisheth men in the same kind and way wherein they have offended: It hath been their study and practise a long time, to blast some precious men with all the scandals and false reports, that their wit or malice could invent against them; and behold here 
x It is indeed very remarkable, as they would have done, so God hath requited them; For to what other purpose is their England's New Chain, both parts, but to blast some precious men, a mere thirsting after their blood: Thus like some subtle Fish, whiles they are laying Gins and snares for other Fish, themselves are taken.  Gods righteous administration: 
y Pro. 11.8.  The righteous is delivered out of trouble, and the wicked cometh in his stead: As he that moves the weik of a burning Candle with his finger, blacks it, and burns it, and causeth the light to burn more clear; so the 
a Pro. 21.18.  wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright: 
b Pro. 26.27.  Who so diggeth a pit shall fall therein. Like the Witch that had the disease pass into her, that had bewitched another: Thus the Lies and false reports which daniel's enemies raised against him, and so the calumniations and slanders maliciously devised by Haman against the Jews, fell like sharp Arrows upon their own head, and by such wicked do, they had their faces covered with shame: Whereas Daniel and the Jews came to greater honour and advancement, the Lord doing them good for the others cursing.  
Sixthly, For the 
c If the Reader desire to inform himself touching those scandals let him inquire for a Book entitled Walwins Wyles.  scandals which they speak of, containing contrarieties, and have not the least ground of truth; As we know not what they mean, so we shall not inquire after it: our Discoverer tends only to what is public and general, and here we can certainly say, without contrarieties, and upon a ground of truth, that in their Book, are few passages, but what are either false, scandalous, or seditious.  
6. A little after they say, They have already lost the affections of all people, and are only supported by their present strength, but when once those good men that hold them up shall perceive how instrumental they are made, contrary to their intentions, in advancing a few lofty and imperious men's designs, etc. they will lament that they have been so long out of the way, etc.  
Answ. Here are as many lies as lines, and thus we prove it: First, how soever it were 
d Pejor est detractio in ma●ni nominis viris quam in plebeii● Aug. lib. 3. Cont. Peril.  no wonder if a good man's Name and Honour should be much 
e Pro. 16.28. Ziba by his falsehood caused David to have an ill opinion of honest Mephibosheth, 2. Sam. 16.34. Nulli aque mores Deo exocrabiles sunt, ac sannigerratoris qui ex obscuro vulnus insligit, ignavissimus enim quum sit maxima infert mala. Synes. Epist. 44.  impaired by such false and slanderous tongues, yet the truth is, as Nazianzen speaks of a Plant being cut it flourisheth, lives by dying; so the Lord in the way of his providence disposeth, that by their calumniations and vile aspersions, the others are the better thought of, and the more precious in the eyes of the godly: And thus, as a man that casteth an empty hand having neither stick nor stone to sting, or like an Arrow which being wrong leveled, falleth widest, when shot in the strongest Bow; so their lying lips and deceitful tongues effect nothing, but whatsoever they say or do, the same presently vanisheth away like smoke: But secondly, wherefore is this word 
f Difficile est peccati ●nsuetudin●m vin●ere; p●avus usus vi● aboletur: assidua ●●nsuetudo vitium in natural conver●● Animus s●●eribus a●t●●ctus, vix ab eye ●i●●ll● pote●st. Isid. lib. 1. S●●●●uio●●m.  ALL so often used? doth it not always argue an impudent lying? For what knowledge have they of the affections of all People? They think such 
g There is nothing but empty words in what they say, as for reason and proof, it is not the manner to mention such things.  big words will serve to further their seditious designs; but judicious and knowing men meeting with such palpable and notorious false expressions, will soon perceive that there is neither Honesty nor Conscience in the speakers.  
3. Was there ever heard before so gross a contradiction, that with one breath it should be said, They have lost the affections of all people, and yet presently, Good men hold them up; if they are held up by good men, than they have not lost the affections of all people, and so much in the words following is plainly expressed. Walwyn saith, 
h The Fountain of slander discovered, pag. 25.  As their Father is said not to be able to hid his cloven foot, so neither can these hid their double dealing, do but never so little watch them, and you shall find they are made up of contradiction: The Law saith, 
i Confessio supera●omne probationis genus, Bar. in L. si Confessus de C●st. reorum.  Confession is beyond all other kind of proof: Now of whom he speaks we know not, but this we know (and have in our former Book largely showed) that to say and unsay, is their usual practice, neither needs there much watching to find them out this way.  
4. For the advice which they give here, to those good men, not to be instruments to advance a few lofty and imperious men's designs, but to convert their abilities and power, to better and more Common ends: As no man better knows their meaning then themselves, so they have since told us what their meaning is, namely, 
k Picture of the Council of State, p. 14. A Declaration of the Free Commoners of England.  Soldiers as well as others to rise up against the Parliament, as so many professed Traitors, Thiefs, Robbers, and high way men, and to apprehend, secure, and bring them to justice in a new Representative; this they call, A coming into the way, and setting themselves with the utmost courage and resolution to fr●● their distressed Country from the fears and captivity it now groans under. And that the way may be clear for this work, they have already declared, that the Parliament is no Parliament; but a dead stinking Carcase; a factious company of men treacherously combined together, to subdue the Laws, Liberty, and Freedom of England. So that all their votes, orders, ordinances, and acts, or that hereafter they shall pass, are not binding to the People. And the like they say, of the Council of State, and the Council of War, both unlawful, illegal, and they know them not: So that there is nothing now to do but that those good men will act the Treason which these Conspirators have plotted against the Commonwealth.  
But we hope all good men hereafter, will take heed how they make any tumult or mutiny, having seen an example so late of God's revenging hand upon 
l 
Observe what the sad and heavy hearted Prisoners say in their Petition to his Excellency, subscribed by 340.  
Your Petitioners are very sensible of the odiousness of their fact, how liable it renders them to the wrath and displeasure of God, how destructive the same might have been to the Being of the Nation, and the good and welfare of the other two, and therefore cannot but acknowledge the sentence of death passed upon by your Excellency and the Council of War, very just and equal.  
And a little after, It will very much magnify your Excellencies, Christian temper, in receiving such detestable Offenders to mercy.   Incendiaries.  
— Raro antecendentem scel●stum  
deseruit pede paena Claudo.  
Seldom Revenge, though slow of pace,  
Leaves ill foregoing men to trace.  
7. It is also false, when they say, These known truths which yet ring in every man's ears through the Land. For first, their accusations and charges are to many people of the Land as yet unknown. Secondly, many men of their own knowledge, know their whole relation to be false, and upon all occasions declare so much. Thirdly, unless they are men of their own faction, the judicious and peaceable every where do observe them, because they see they are things maliciously devised, and tending only to division and further bloodshed. Fourthly, They ring indeed, and not only through the Land, but also in other Kingdoms; for the 
m In France the Cavileirs speak great things of the Levellers, and take them for their chief Friends, and the considerablest party they have in this Land: When they heard the Soldiers revolted, there was great triumph amongst them, but when news was brought them, that they were suppressed, it made them all to hang down the head.  Malignants abroad, rejoice at their do, and have great hope to effect their designs by the traitorous actings of these men; so that the boasting and triumph in Foreign parts, is now beyond measure, that they have such notable instruments here at home to blow up the Coals of sedition and Rebellion amongst ourselves. Fifthly, howsoever it be true, some are 
n Ad accipienda credendaque omnia ●●va cum tristia sunt. Tacit. Hist. l. 1. p. 342.  ready to admit and believe all news, when they are evil: Nevertheless as the same Author saith, 
o Veritos visu & mora, falsa, festinatione & incertis valescunt. Tacit. Annal. l. 2. p. 57  Time and the eye tried out truth, and falsehood winneth credit on a sudden and by uncertainties: So that we are confident, the Reader shall find here in our Discoverer so much clearness of truth, force of reason, and fullness of proof, as he will easily see their lies and falsehoods, unless he purposely shut his eyes, and choose rather to be deceived: and thus much for the first particular, now we come to what is scandalous in the Book.  
And first of the matter in relation to 
p England's new Chain, p. 10. 11.  Colonel Rains borough; here we may say in their own words, So monstrously wicked have they been in this particular, as they have heaped up many scandals together: For first, he was not withdrawn from the Army, for opposing the proceed of any, but partly for his fitness for Sea service; and partly through his own desire, the Office being more honourable and 
q The place was better than two Colonel ships on Land.  profitable than the place wherein he was before: Secondly, The straightness of his Commission, was not occasioned by any Officer in the Army, but it is a base and scandalous aspersion of their own framing: Neither thirdly, was he put upon that dangerous and unhappy service before Pomfret, because the Ruling Officers found him inflexible to their ends, but this is another most vile and malicious slander: Fourthly, that he went thither with reluctancy and discontent, we can 
r What we here affirm we have good proof for, and they are ready to testify it whensoever there is a just occasion  manifest to the contrary: For being met on the way by another Colonel, who persuaded him not to go, and gave him some reasons for it, he would not by any means alter his resolution, but manifested a great desire, willingness, and cheerfulness unto that service.  
5. It is no less scandalously and traitorously spoken, that his 
s We could speak much more to this particular, if it were needful, to show that they care not what they say, so they may scandalise other men.  brother should receive no furtherance, but rather discouragement, in searching after, and prosecuting the causers of that so bloody and inhuman a butchery, for he had all the assistance that he ever desired, and of himself without any discouragement from the Ruling Officers, gave the thing over. Lastly, whereas they speak of giving cause of grief and suspect to his friends; here lies the main of the scandal, namely, 
t It is reported of one Perinnis, that he sought by false report to have many wealthy and Noble Citizens put to death, that he might have their goods.  a close and home accusation against the Ruling Officers, as to be accessary to that horrid and cruel murder: And indeed, the whole relation tends only to this, that for opposing their unjust proceed, they secretly made him away.  
Now the Law of God, speaking of a false witness, saith, 
n Deut. 19. 1●.  You shall do unto him as he had thought to have done unto his brother. The Hebrews explain it thus, 
x Maim●ny, Treat● of witness. Chap. 18. Sect. 1. 2. 5  If they have testified falsely of a transgresion, for which men are guilty of stoning to death, they are all to be stoned: If of burning, they are to be burnt; and so for 
y Note, They who are false witnesses in other things beside murder; as they thought to have done to others, so it must be done to them, if they have falsely accused others of Treason, they must suffer then as Traitors, if of tyranny, oppression, etc. suffer accordingly.  other deaths. And if they testify of crimes worthy beating, every one of them is to be beaten.  
2. In their Relation about the lilburn's, there are sundry scandalous things: First, Lieutenant Colonel Henry Lilburn was never solicited, by the great men in the the Army, to asperse his brother John, but whatsoever he spoke concerning an intent to murd●● the Ling, it was without being wrought by any one of them so to do, neither knew they the carriages and passages between them two, but what was abroad and commonly reported: Secondly, It is also a slander to say, that the Officers would never suffer th● asperser to be brought forth to the proof, for they never did any thing in way of opposition, but left the thing wholly to themselves, and their Friends, to do therein what they would: Thirdly, That he should be advanced to the Government of Tinmouth Castle for that perfidious service, it is as false a thing as ever mouth uttered: We could declare if need were the reason and cause wherefore he was appointed to that place, but it is sufficient, the Reader take notice that what they report is not true, such a thing was never thought nor spoken, neither have they any proof or Author for it, but maliciously forged it out of their own heads.  
4. What forehead would not blush to say, the 
a As they charged the Ruling Officers before, with murder so here with Treason.  General Officers inclined him to this revolt themselves, as well by their example as by countenancing him in the beginning thereof: Here 
b Caute ●si non caste: Afranij simulans. Cic. pro Sextio.  Machiavelli, or a Jesuit would smile at so uncovert and naked a Lie; for any thing rather, and with more probability and likelihood might be charged upon the General Officers, then that they should give an example or countenance to Treason against the Common wealth: Never have they to this day betrayed their trust, or given up any Fort or Castle to the Enemy: As Blaesus said, 
c Mea potius caede imbuite manus; leviore flagitio legatum interficietis quam a Reipub. desciscitis, Tacit. Annal. lib. 1 pag. 11.  In my blood rather imbrue your hands, for it is a lesser offence to slay the Lieutenant, then fall from the obedience of the State: So much fidelity, truth, and constancy have they always shown to the Nation, that they have all along preferred the welfare and safety thereof, before their own lives: Fifthly whereas they say, His Father and kindred have been aspersed with the fact, by the Officers and their Associates; this also is a slander, according to the best intelligence we have, howsoever the thing is of no public concernment: Here 〈◊〉 a fit place to remember Mr. Walwins' 
d The fountain of slander discovered, p. 3.  words, If all stories (saith he) be scarcht into, it will be found, that unjust, cruel, covetous, or ambitious men, such as were engaged in corrupt interest, or in some wicked design, were ever the aspersers, and honest, just, and public spirited men aspersed. Is this witness true? One of themselves, even a 
e If Walwyn be here a true Prophet, the Authors and Promoters of that Book, are unjust, cruel, etc. the aspersers, honest, just, etc. for if all stories be search into it will, be found that in two sheets of paper are more false, scandalous, and seditions aspersions, than most Inclip volumes do contain, let them choose what one Book they will.  Prophet of their own: 
f Job. 15.6.  Then thine own mouth condemneth thee and not I; yea, thine own lips testify against thee.  
3. Now what next; 
g England's new Chain, p. 5.  Then they fall to work again about the King, and send the Propositions of Newcastle to him, which they knew, and were agreed he should not sign.  
Answ. When the Spider hath emptied even her very bowels to make one slender Web, one puff of wind blows all away; so it is here with these men, having vented all the rancour and poison of their hearts, one word is sufficient to refute whatsoever they have said: But that we purposely forbear a large discourse, otherwise we could in many particulars show their monstrous baseness here, that the senders of those Propositions knew before they sent, and had agreed among themselves, that the King should not sign them, it is another devise of their own head, and they might fasten the scandal and slander as well, and with as much reason and truth, upon any other men, as upon the Ruling Officers; for they neither knew what the King would do, nor moved him to any refusal, neither agreed before hand that he should not sign what they sent him, neither to speak directly to the thing, did the Army Officers send the Propositions to him. 
h Pro. 12 19  The lip of truth shall he established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for 
i According to the common saying among the Je● 〈◊〉 Mendable dibut ●●●a sunt, Lies have their feet cut off, so that they cannot stand.  a moment.  
4. Now to that which they speak concerning 
k England's new Chain, pag. 9.10.  a serious repentance, the whole matter as they have set it down is a scandal and a lie: For first, It was never acknowledged with the greatest expressions of sorrow (nor yet expressed at all) that they had walked by corrupt politic Principles: No such words were then spoken by the 
l Reader, take notice, we have relation here to what was done publicly by the General Officers, so that if any thing hath been privately whispered by any particular man it nothing concerns this matter.  Ruling Officers, but they have devised them of their own head: Secondly, Neither was it said, If ever the Nation be happy, it must be by a conjunction in the Levellers Principles. For is it probable or possible, that they should so speak, who know the Levellers Principles (properly so called) are most destructive and dangerous, as tending to the subversion of Church and State; as for other Principles bottomed upon Religion, Law, Reason, they never took them for Levellers Principles, much less ever styled them by that name: Thirdly, It is also false, that it should be acknowledged, that they had discountenanced honest men, and set up a party; What was acknowledged then, it was only in relation to the King, as some oversight or miscarriage that way; so that the truth is, what was said at the same time 
m It was not without some cr●ft, that they forbore to relate what was confessed for had they done so, they could not so handsomely have reported many things which they have done concerning the King, howbeit not as ●●ely in any one, as we shall show in its place.  they have left out, and brought in other things, which were never spoken nor thought of.  
5. They say, 
n England's new Chain, pag. 15.  It hath been by their procurement that the Judges, their creatures, have a thousand pound a year allowed to every one of them, above the ordinary Fees, which were ever esteemed a heavy oppression in themselves.  
Answ. 
o Senex tardus est ad audiendum, vel●x ad loquendum, vituperat modernos, commendat praeterita, quia omnia membra in seen deficiunt, exceptâ linguâ, qua nunquam in ipso quiescit. Wolfang. Franzius. hist. Animal. tract. 4. Cap. 2. p. 726. 727.  The Asp in her old age hath all her members to decay, only her tongue is as bad as ever: We shall find in those men no abatement of scandal and reproach, their tongues are still their own, although Reason and Proof for what they say, they never produce any. But to answer, First, To call the reverend Judges of the Land, their creatures, is not only a disgraceful aspersion put upon them, but a dishonour and blot on the Parliament: Secondly, whatsoever hath been done this way, the Army Officers procured it not, neither have they spoken any thing therein, but as their place and calling gave occasion to deliver their own opinion: Thirdly, there is nothing procured for them but what hath been allowed unto Judges formerly, and well known to be fit and necessary, and therefore the scandal is the greater, to publish to the World as if the Parliament brought in some new burden and charge upon the Land: Fourthly, That their ordinary Fees are esteemed a heavy oppression in themselves, it may be so to some, for such as would have 
* Discoverer, p. 12.14.  no Terms or Laws, no Judge or Justice of Peace, no Mayors, Bailiffs, Aldermen, Common-council men, no Corporations, Patents, Charters, Records, no buying nor selling, nor any civil trading at all; no man to call any thing his, nor any man to be put to death for murder, or any unrighteous crime whatsoever; (as the 
p It is not likely, the Ruling Officers should say, That if ever the Nation be happy, it must be by a conjunction in the Levellers Principles.  Levellers Principles are:) No marvel if they complain against such Fees, and esteem them a heavy oppression. But for others who hold the Principles of Reason a●d Justice, never thought them so; for they know their ordinary Fees amount not to so much, as they got by their practice, before they were Judges; Even a Fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise.  
6. They complain against the Council of War for 
q England's new Chain, p. 8.  sentencing Master William Thomson to deat● at Whitehall.  
Of this man we have spoken something already, but because he was a None such among that party, we shall give the Reader some further account of him, and so wipe off their reproach and scandal from the Army: After he had received several Orders to departed the Quarters for his lewd and vicious life; he in a peremptory manner refused to submit; whereupon there was a new charge exhibited against him, for mutinous words, and delivering seditious Papers to the Soldiers, some in writing, others Printe●, unto which he pressed them to subscribe, and laboured what he could to make division between the Officers and the Soldiers; this and much more being proved against him, he was apprehended, and brought Prisoner to Windsor, from whence (contrary to his promise) he made an escape, and being afterward apprehended at Westminster, and sent Prisoner to White Hall, he there made an escape the 
r Note, that before this second escape, he had the sentence of death pronounced against him, & that according to Law: But the General was pleased to show him mercy, and reprieved him from the present execution, yet so as to continue in Prison ce●: Sd Book entitled, The Justice of the Army, p. 8, 9  second time; and within a while after 
* Without any Order, or Commission.  gathered a company of men in arms, whom he Quartered upon the Country, calling them his Troop, and they him Captain; with these he marched to a Gentleman's house in Essex, who had a Suit depending in Law with another about a Title of Land, whom he by force and violence dispossessed, taking his Tenants and Servants prisoners, driving them before him in the night, through mire and dirt, and pricking them forward with his Sword's point in a most inhuman and barbarous 
† He was for this brought Prisoner to White Hall, and by the Court Marshal sent to the Civil Magistrate, who for his appearance at the Assizes, took bail.  manner.  
After this he stabbed one Master Heyden with his Dagger, without any cause or provocation, of which wound he is since dead; and within a few days after this, was again 
s He was at this time likewise brought Prisoner to White Hall, and from thence sent again to the Civil Magistrate, but bailed by Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburne.  taken on the Road, with other men whom he had drawn to his wicked courses, and there was found about him, a great black Periwig, and a false Beard; for the rest of his actions, and his 
t As a Traitor he died in his blood; Thus the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness, Prov. 11.5.  end, the same are so notorious, as the memory of him is hateful, and his name rots: As for such as turn aside to their crooked ways, the Lord shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: Lo this i● the man that made not God his strength.  
7. To go on: 
u England's new Chain, p. 8.  Their next work was to new mould the City, and make it theirs, for which purpose they brought, etc.  
Answ. As the grating of a Saw sets the teeth an edge, so their calumniations are irksome and distasteful to us; here are heaps upon heaps: But first, It is not true, that the Ruling Officers brought Soldiers to white hall and the Mews, to the and they might make the City theirs: for they had no such purpose nor thought; but what they did was by the appointment and order of the Parliament; and there was great reason and cause it should be so; both for the preservation of the House, 
y When the Prentices risen and expected the Watermen to join with them, honest men than would have suffered not a little, had not the Soldiers seasonably come into the City and suppressed them.  and to 
x Witness the coming of many to the house from Essex, Surrey, etc. with Petitions, had not the Soldiers been there, it is probable the Parliament would have been abused.  prevent several inconveniences: Secondly, To the extreme discontent of the City, say they; the which also is false: unless by City they mean Malignants and Incendiaries, for to our knowledge, the well-affected every where were exceedingly glad thereof, and indeed well they might, for they were a wall unto them both by day and night, and under God, a means of their safety and preservation. Thirdly, Would not the Commanders of the Army admit the Lord Maior and the Aldermen to a legal trial so they say; but to use their own words, what notorious dissimulation is this? for they know otherwise, that they moved often that the things charged against them might be prosecuted to the full: Fourthly, Was there ever any thing spoken more falsely, then to impute their releasement without any trial to the Officers 
a It is storied of Cardinal Wolsy's Fool, that whosoever did the fault, he would always beat Will: Summer for it; just so do these men use the Army.  who never consented to it, but always manifested a great dislike thereof.  
5. That their end was not the terror of the City, is manifest by the carriage and behaviour of the Soldiers which was so inoffensive and harmless as they were loved and not feared.  
6. Whereas they speak of changing the Magistrates, thereby to flatter the Malignants and to creep into their favour: it is to be observed that none were more violent this way than they: Note it well, to have the Lord Maior and Aldermen displaced, the busiest and forwardst men that acted for it were that party, hear what Mr Lilburne saith 
b The Jugglers discovered, pag. 11.  Therefore say I, immediately press vigorously for the total purging the House of all that sat with Mr Pellam, that so there may be way made for the exemplary punishing of the Lord Maier of London, and all the chief ringleaders, actors in the late desperate and traitorous engagement, this he speaks to the private Soldiers, and calls it his 
c If the Lord Maior and the rest have acted so desperately and traitorously, why was not this thing expressed in their Sad Representation, and Justice required, is this to be Semper idem.  Advice; But see how they wheel about, to scandalise the Army and to comply with Cavaleirs, they complain against the changing of the Magistrates, saying it was to serve there designs: as if they would say, there was no just cause of their Imprisonment, but done only for some base and by end, not regarding in the mean time what they themselves have spoken against the same persons, as to be chief ringleaders actors in the late desperate and traitorous engagement, and to have exemplary punishment for it, if they should find but half such flattery, dissimulation, contradiction, apostasy, in other men, they would make Books of it, and set over head, THE JUGGLERS DISCOVERED: HOCUS POCUS: but some People are like Lamia in the Poet, who put on her eyes when she went abroad, but laid them aside when she came home, or like a foolish man that runs to quench another man's house whiles his own flames about his ears.  
7. Pliny saith of the 
d Si quis alest audu● lus●iniae pius animus quam cantus deficiet, l. 10. c. 29.  Nightingale if any will give her the hearing, she will sooner sing herself out of breath then out of tune, we are resolved to hear them out, yet so, as takeing no delight at all either in their tune or song● many reproachful and scandalous passages they have of some powerful and ●ver ruling influences in the Army. 
e England's new Chain, pag 4.  As First, That they labour by all possible means to convert the honest endeavours of good men in the Army and elsewhere and the happy success God had blessed them withal to the advantage of their lusts, pride and domination.  
Ans. Mr Walwin tells us 
f The Fountain of slander discovered, pag. 2.  when Art and sophistry will not seem to vanish truth and reason, aspersion generally will do the deed; howsoever in some cases there is nothing like to this speaking by experience, yet here it will not do the deed: for both 
g Calumniatores fratrum & detractores infaines censentur: Caus. 6. Qu. 1. C. Infames.  the Law, 
h Pro. 25.23. Psal. 101.5, 7.  and commandment of God forbidden us to receive the testimony of slanderous tongues. As for that which they speak, they have quite mistook the thing, for they should have said they have converted the honest endeavours of good men, etc. (leaving out ●●sts pride domination) to the suppressing of Incencidiaries, and thereby preserved the nation from ruin and destruction, and speaking so, they had said the truth, as is well known, and we bless God for it.  
Again, for such as are 
i Ambitiosi aliquot homines qui privatim degeneres, in publicum exitiosi, per discordias habent. Lips. Polit. l. 6. c. 4 p. 266.  ambitious and would be great (being otherwise obscure and of no worth) to asperce well deserving men, and such as have served the State best, and are in authority, thinking by false reports to work themselves into the affection and favour of the people; is an 
* Machiavels discourses, l. 1. c. 8.  old stratagem and so well known now to us, as it will never 
k Detractor & libens auditor, uterque diabolum in portat lingua: Si pauper es, vilem & abjectum te reputat: Si dives ambitiosum, avarum & cupidum: Si affabilis, dissolutum: si praedicator vel doctor, honoris & humani favoris quasitorem: si tacens inutilem: si Jejunus hypocritam, si comedens voratorem, Ber. in Ser.  do the deed.  
8. But what follows; As time came on, it more and more appeared, that they intended merely the establishment of themselves in power and greatness, without any regard to the performance of their promises and engagements, or any respect to the faith and credit of the Army, or to the peace or prosperity of the commonwealth, and that they walked by no rules or principles either of honesty or conscience.  
Answ. There is a kind of Serpent, the nature of whose venom is such, that if it enter into the body, it provokes to vomit, and causeth the person to bring up whatsoever is in the stomach, in thick and filthy phlegm; The Serpent's sting being entered into these men's tongues no marvel they vomit; but First, we find not any where in their papers of any just and lawful promise from which they are departed but stand to it, and do endeavour to perform the same so fare as it is in their power. But if there have been any promises or engagements formerly made, which in themselves were 
l Vota inconsiderate suscepta, non modo nihil obligant, sed necessario sunt rescindenda. Calv. Inst. l. 4. c. 13. Sect. 20.  unlawful, or not in the engagere 
m Tyrannicum est ad res improssibiles alior adstringere. Pareus Comment. in Gen. 24. ver. 8. Si factum sit juramentum de Rebus quae non sunt nostrae potestatis nullam prisus habet vim obligandi. Asted. Theolog. Cas. Cap. 15. pag. 288.  power to perform, or which cannot afterward be performed but to the 
n Non est servandum juramentum cujus executio cum salute publica, etc. Pugnafet. Rivet. Ex. licat. Decalog. 3. Prae. pag. 90.  public damage and prejudice of the Nation, in this cause such promises and engagements are not binding, neither may they be kept, but broken. And the consideration of this thing, would be useful many times, when promises and engagements (without distinction) are hotly pressed: to examine then whether they were justly made, whether in the promises power to perform them: and whether the prosecuting of such engagements would not be against the welfare, safety and peace of the common wealth.  
2. For the credit of the Army: here we cannot speak without grief: how honourable they have ever been in the eyes of other 
o Viros naios militiae, factis magnos, ad verborum linguaeque ●●rtamina, Liv. 9  Nations, beloved of friends, admired of enemies, not only for the good success God hath blest them withal, but for there justness, piety, obedience, patience, etc. till of late through the conspiraces and sedition of some bad Instruments, a part was occasioned to make an unhappy and scandalous revoult. As for the General Officers the Fountain of slander can not blast their 
p Virtutes imperatoris praecip●ae, labour in negorijs, fortitudo in periculis, industria in agendo, celeritos in conficiendo, concilium in providendo, Cic. proleg. Manil.  reputation and name, the Lord hath made them so eminent for worth, parts, and excellency as they are the Crown and Ornament of the souldirie.  
3. To let pass that expression without 
q Their accusations are like the ruins of Babel which a fare off seem high and great, but near by appear otherwise, so theirs upon examination will be found only rude and vanity.  ANY regard at all, what regard they have had to the peace and prosperity of the commonwealth their own works praise them in the gates: And at this time their love and watchfulness is largely showed in taking care to prevent the destructive and dangerous designs of those men: It is true, they cannot effect that good they would, and desire to do for the Nation, because this party (with others joining with them) hath been and still is, a bar and let in their way.  
4. Whereas they say, They walked by no Rules or Principles, either of honesty or conscience; here is a defect, or want of words, and to be supplied thus, They walked by no levelling Principles; that is, the one (to wit the General Officers of the Army) will have Order and Government in the Land, the other an Anarchy and confusion; the one are for a settling of Religion, and to advance the glory of God in the practice of gospel-worship, the other for letting in all blasphemy, heresy, atheism; the one will have Law, Courts, Freedom, peace, propriety, the other not; walking by no such Rules or Principles of honesty or conscience.  
3. It follows, But 
s Mere Potitians, and waiting upon Providence are inconsistent.  as mere Politicians were governed altogether by occasion, and as they saw a possibility of making progress to their designs, which course of theirs they 
t Be sure to make good measure, pressed down, and running away.  ever termed, a waiting upon Providence, that with colour of Religion they might deceive the more securely.  
Answ. First, if we take notice of their accusations all along, we shall find, that the designs here spoken against, are such, as have tended to public good, and whereby their seditious designs have been broken, to the great safety of the Common wealth: Secondly, howsoever waiting upon Providence be not their Principle, and therefore the practice is here jeered at: nevertheless good men will observe it, as knowing it is the way to have their actions 
u 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Niceph. Greg. lib. 7.  blest, when the other shall find them 
x As hasty and forward Children get many knocks and falls, so rash and heady men attempting things before a fit opportunity is offered, bring shame and dishonour on their own heads. Temeritas, praterquam quod stulta est, etiam infelix, hostibus iquidem opportum, n●●ia vero maxinne amicis, Liv. 22.  cursed under their hands: Thirdly, for deceiving with colour of Religion, it is a fault (we confess) which they are not guilty of, and therefore they may the more freely apply it home to others, as knowing the like cannot be returned back upon their heads, or laid to their charge: And thus much of the second particular, from what is false and scandalous; we come now to things reproachful.  
First, We shall take notice how they say, 
y England's new Chain, p. 1.  What was more incredible than that a Parliament trusted by the people, to deliver them from all kinds of oppression, and who made so liberal effusion of their blood, and waste of their estates (upon pretence of doing thereof) which yet as soon as they were in power, oppress with the same kind of oppressions.  
Answ. First, howsoever in their Pamphlet they usually asperse a Faction of Officers, and hope that the Parliament will conscionably perform that supreme trust, which is really and essentially residing in them, and free the betrayed and enslaved Commonwealth, etc. Yet here, not the Officers, but the Parliament itself is charged with the Crimes and Abuses; the which is not only a Reproach, but gross dissimulation, as one while to insinuate, as if some few, and only a party, were the Tyrants, Traitors, Oppressors, etc. and at another time to take off the aspersion from those few and 
a H●●● ever 〈◊〉; would ●●ke division between the Parliament & A●●●y, by raising false rep●●●●, against th● General Officers, yet i● it be well observed, they do as much asperse the Parliament as the others, & seek alike, ●o ruin both.  lay it upon the whole Parliament.  
2. That the Parliament hath been so liberal in shedding blood, it is a most reproachful expression: a practice indeed more beseeming Cannibals than Christians, yea beasts rather then men: & to say the truth, there is no 
b In all Histories where Tyrants are described, this is set down as a special Character of one, namely, Liberal effusion of b●●●●: See S Walter Hal●ighs of Hen. 8. in his ●ill. p. ●1.  fairer mark of a Tyrannous, unrighteous and cruel State, then to make liberal effusion of blood: but the falsehood of this reproach and slander is well known; to wit, that the Parliament hath not been liberal but sparing this way, and we challenge all nations, and histories, to show the like care, tenderness compassion, wisdom, patience, prevention, etc. as our Magistrates and General Officers have done, and to this end, that there might 
c That Colchester was not sooner taken, it was to spare blood.  not be made a liberal effusion of blood. False witnesses did rise up, they laid to my charge things that I know not.  
3. It will not satisfy these men, to reproach the Parliament with a liberal effusion of blood, but to give good measure, they say, this so liberal effusion of blood hath been upon pretence of doing good. Thus the matter is blood, the manner blood, and so blood toucheth blood. To be liberal is great cruelty, a crying sin, but to be liberal in effussion of blood upon pretence of doing good and no otherwise, (as these affirm) is the very quintessence of the greatest Tyrants & oppressors: No marvel they say the Parliament are 
d Dij odere viros omne nefas animo moventes, Hor. l. 3. Od. 4. God hates with just displeasure such as strive, in cankered hearts black mischief to contrive.  the greatest traitors that ever were in this nation, greater Tyrants than ever the King was, or that cruel Tyrant Duke D. Alva; and that bloody Queen Marie was a Saint in comparison to them: For if these things were true which they report, they are as bad if not worse: But their actions have showed the contrary, for they have already delivered the People from many kinds of oppressions, and we question not their care and faithfulness, but they will effectually do the rest 
e Many things which remain and are burdens, cannot yet be taken away, as our present condition is; there may be no fault in the Physic, nor Physician, and yet the Patient longer sick, than he desires to be.  for the Nation, with what speed they can.  
4. What oppressions soever at present lie on the people, they are not the same kinds of oppressions which were in the time of Hollis, Stapleton, the King, and Bishops: But this is another reproach and calumniation; for there are none now persecuted for the truth's sake, as cast into Prison, forced into Foreign Countries, hindered from the free exercise of Religion; the which thing heretofore, hath been thought the greatest, sorest, and deepest oppression, as for Purse suffering, the godly have ever held it nothing (comparatively) to that of the conscience.  
2. If follows some few lines after, But it is now evident, that it is possible for our Physicians to bring us into a more dangerous condition than they found us.  
Answ. The blind Bayard rusheth into the Battle, which way he should go he sees not, he c●tes not, save only his Rider spurreth him: So it is with those men, they regard not what they speak, not how, nor of whom, but as their malice and passion deads' them.  
Observe, ●. This again is spoken of the Parliament, and howsoever not in words, yet in effect, is the s●me which they speak, 
f Picture of the Council ●f State, sec●●●●dition, p●g 1●. 1●.  else where; as to be Traitors, Tyrants, Oppressors, etc. Physicians of no value: But secondly, What worse than before? Worse then when 
g Jug●● 〈◊〉 ●●●●red  Those grand Traitorous fellows and Tyrants were at Westminster, whom Mr. Lilburne without fear or dread, or any scruple of conscience, could have destroyed with his own hand, as so many Weasels and Poulcats: What worse than we were then? So they 
h The Malignant say to 〈…〉  say. But 3. suppose it were 
i Not ●hat it i● so, for 〈◊〉 thing d●●●y 〈…〉 was 〈…〉. It is r●●●●●●●f the M●●n●, that at ●●st it w●● sweet a●d very delightless, b●t afterwards, through the unthankfulness and murmuring of the people, it either had no sa●our, or it was bitter in taste: Even so if our present public mercies be ●ot sweet to some men's taste, it is just upon them in regard of their ingratitude and discontent.  so, that our condition is worse, how doth it appear, that this Parliament hath brought us into a more dangerous condition than they found us? Here again is one thing set down for another,Ille for Ego; For whereas our condition is no better, we may thank them, in seeking to make division between the Parliament and the people, the Officers and the Soldiers, the General and the Officers, the Parliament and the Army, between Soldier and Soldier, applying themselves (as we have 
* Discover. from p. 16. to 25.  elsewhere proved) to all parties in attempting to raise sedition, and fill all places with uproar and commotion.  
After Nero had occasioned much mischief and misery to the Commonwealth, he wrote to the 
k Ad Senatum literas misit, de caede Syllae Plautique haud confessus: verum utriusque turbidum ingenium esse, & sibi incolumitatem Reip. magna cura haberi: Imo canctas sibi curas amore patriae leviores dictitans, ●adisse Civium maestos vultus. audire secretas querimonias. T. cit. Annal. l. 14. p. 280. l. 15. 298.  Senate (as these men did to the Parliament) accusing some persons whom he had murdered, to be turbulent and factious men, and that he had a marvellous care for the people's safety; yea, all the cares were nothing in regard of his love to the Country, and that he had seen the sad countenances of the Citizens, heard their secret complaints, etc. The like is the practice of these men, having with their false tongues slain some persons of worth, they writ to our Senate what ambitious and dangerous men they are, making a sad Representation of their love and care to their Country, how deeply affected they are with the sad countenances of the people, and their secret complaints, concealing in the mean time (as he did) the murder of Sylla and Plautus, and that by their means the Nation suffers extremely.  
3. Neither can there be a more reproachful speech, 
l England's new Chain, pag. 14.  and indeed no less seditious, then when they say 
† England's new Chain, pag. 16.  As for the prosperity of the Nation, what one thing hath been done that tendeth to it? Nay, hath any thing been done since they were in power? But what increaseth the rancour, hatred, and malice which our late unhappy differences have begotten amongst us, as if they had placed their happiness and security in the total division of the people, nothing being offered by them that hath any face of reconcilement in it, nothing of cheerfulness or general satisfaction, the mother of Trade and Plenty, that might take away the private remembrances and distinction of parties; nothing indeed but what tende●● to implacable bitterness of spirit, the mother of confusion, penury, and beggary: So much we have from them at once.  
Answ. Those who are accustomed to take poison in small quantities, do enable their stomaches to digest more, till by long custom and increasing the quantity by degrees, it becometh so familiar to their stomaches that instead of poisoning them, they are 
m So Galen writes of a Maid called Napella, that poison did her no harm, but turned to her nourishment.  nourished thereby. The poison of Asps under those men's tongues: it weakens them not, but through customing themselves to it; they are strengthened in the course of slander.  
1. Besides liberty of conscience, freedom of the Gospel, a general peace through the Land, with 
n We are not like Children, who being denied of some things they would have, cast away in rage whatsoever is in their hands; though we have not, every thing we wish for, yet we desire to make a comfortable use of what we have.  many other public and private blessings which the Lord by them as 
o And for those very men whom they most accuse hath the Lord made special instruments for the good of this Nation. Quidam quo plus debent magis oderunt, Sen. Epist. 48.  Instruments and means hath brought over to us: this is one, tending to the prosperity of the Nation, namely, that they have often suppressed several conspiracies, plotted by the Levelling party against the welfare and safety of the Commonwealth. Secondly, That evil men wax worse and worse, and that their rancour, hatred and malice should increase, it is no marvel, it hath always been so, even when the best, wisest and ablest men have governed; and yet were not the Governors then in fault, nor any way the causer● thereof. Thirdly, It is no new thing to hear men, (
p Tac. Hist. lib. 12. pag. 395.  suum quisque flagitium aliis objectantes) to lay their own faults 
q So Ahab charged Elias to be the Trouble of Israel, whereas the Prophet was innocent, and it was he and his Father's house had done that thing.  upon others: to cry stop the thief stop the thief, being in the mean time the only robbers. There is not any thing which with less colour or show of truth, can be charged upon the Officers of the Army, than the division of the People; no such thing this way hath ever been noted or suspected of them: whereas the practice of the other, is notorious, and as easy may the Blackmore wash himself white as they wipe of the stain and spot thereof.  
4. For the matter of reconcilement, here they are like 
r 1 Sam. 11.1, 2.  Nahash the Ammonite, who would not make a covenant with Jabesh Giliad, but on this condition, that he might thrust out all their right eyes: Even so, unless we will agree that they shall pluck out the right eyes of our Nation, as 
s By moving Soldiers as well as others to rise up against the Parliament men, and to apprehend, secure, and bring them, as so many professed Traitors, Thiefs, Robbers, etc. to Justice in a new Representative. Picture of the Council of State, pag. 14.  break the Parliament, 
t England's new Chain, first part, pag. 12.  dissolve this present Council of State, 
u Ibid.  take away the law Martial from the Army, and 
x The same Book, pag. 11.  persons in the highest Command of Military power, there is nothing offered (as they say) that hath any face of reconcilement in it, nothing of cheerfulness, etc. But as (we use to say) A man may buy Gold too ●ear, even so, howsoever we should desire peace with all men, notwithstanding (provided always) as it may stand with the 
y Pax ea fit, non pax servitutis Cic. Phil. 12. Pax vera est, concordiam habere cum moribus probis & litigare cum vitijs C●ss. super Psal.  prosperity and safety of the Common wealth; and so fare a reconcilement hath been offered still, to all parties without distinction.  
5. That any thing is offered, tending to implacable bitterness of spirit, it is the Fountain of slander that speaks it; for it is neither so nor so: But we perceive well enough where they are, and the work they are doing; it is to provoke the people to more discontent against the Parliament; here they would persuade men to think that our Governors are Pharoahs', keep them forceably in bondage, and lay burdens upon them purposely to make their live● bitter; and is there not so much in their very word●, for if there be nothing offered the people, but what tends to bitterness of spirit, to confusion, penury, beggary, What worse could Pharaoh do? Nay by their aggravating it, nothing indeed; they make them worse than he: And it is worth the observing, how this (Nothing) is over and over repeated: Nothing that hath any face of reconcilement, etc. Nothing of cheerfulness, etc. Nothing but what tendeth to bitterness of spirit, etc. An accusation of the highest Tyranny and oppression that was ever charged upon Magistrates; the 
a We desire the Reader to observe, that there are burdens and grievances upon the people, it is not denied, but whether they may (specially many of them) be taken off as yet, that is to be considered; and indeed, if things were duly considered, at the present it is not possible; and therefore we should beware that we make not the remedies worse than the disease.  falsehood whereof is such, as the expression is conviction sufficient; Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.  
4. Now what else? Against all those delusions and perfidious stratagems laid by those men to betray and enslave the Common wealth to their own Pride. Ambition, Lusts, covetousness, and Dominion, if not Dukeship, or Kingship; their Creatures discoursing of late that the power must be reduced to one, what their meaning is, time (if not hindered) will manifest.  
Amongst the Virginians, they use to die themselves with the juice of divers Herbs, and he is held the gallantest man, that is most monstrous to behold: No doubt these men do take themselves (and so others of that party) to be gallant men in using their tongues to such false, scandalous, and reproachful speeches; howsoever in the eyes of all sober, judicial, and rational people, the practice makes them most monstrous and hateful.  
For answer, First, what they call delusions and perfidious stratagems are accusations without proof; 
b And the Reader shall observe many of this kind: things wherein they never acted nor had any relation unto.  some things wherein these men are not concerned, others, in themselves 
c So here, they usually condemn that for a crime, which was in itself very good; only it was not according to their Principle.  lawful and just, and so 
d We dare avouch it, and shall make it good, that there is not in the Book, one thing true as they have set it down.  none true as they report them: Secondly. So fare have they been from enslaving or betraying the Commonwealth, etc. as by the blessing of God upon their endeavours, they have been the men whereby the Common wealth is freed from the bondage and slavery they speak of; which shows their malice, unthankfulness, and blindness, to be the greater. Because Agesilau, was beloved of the Citizens for his good life, and the great service he had done them, the Ephori would fine him for it; So these men would have some to be fined and worse too, because they have won the hearts and love of the people by their valour and sufferings for them; 
e Pro. 17.13.  Who so rewardeth evil for good, 
f Respurt datorem, qui datum deserit, negat ben●●●cium qui beneficium non honorat. Tertull. Paeuleen. c. 5.  evil shall not departed from his house.  
3. To let pass the term (Creature) being the usual language of men disaffected to the State; that there should be any such discourse they speak of, we are confident it is false, a mere devise of their own head: But howsoever, as they here have brought it in, most reproachful: to insinuate a thing of such a high nature against any man in authority, from other men's discourse.  
4. For that Parenthesis (if they be not hindered) there is something in it though nothing for what it is brought. Treason indeed should be hindered; there is all the reason in the World for it, yea and 
g Initio sedicionum, quamprimun apparueri● compr●mantur, Clem. Templ. Polit. lib. 4. c. 7. p 424.  timely to, whiles it is in the Cradle hatching like the Cockatrice Eggs, that it may not break forth. And it is the wisdom of all States to be careful herein, for as one well saith, 
h Indulgentia & lenitas Magistratus nimia, seditionis ansam praebet; quia dum quiescere Magistratus officia plebs videt, millisque legum se coercere repagulis animadvertit, ipsa sibi rapere gubernacula & quidvis andere incipit, contempto Magistratu vel impunitatis concepta, Frid. Wendellin. Instit. Polit. l. 3. c. 2. p. 492.  The too much indulgence and lenity of the Magistrate gives occasion many times of sedition: for whiles the common s●rt see him 
i Therefore one says well, A Magistrate who hath discovered a Conspiracy, and seems fearful to remedy it is an faulty as the Conspirator himself.  quiet and not to suppress it at first, they take boldness thereupon and so out of contempt of the Magistrate, and hope of impunity seek at last to wring the Government and sword out of his hand.  
5. From the same poisoned Fountain issues this bitter water. 
* England's new Chain, pag. 9  Thus the most hopeful opportunity that ever England had for recovery of our Freedom was spent and consumed in such their uncertain staggering motions, and arbitrary irrational proceed; whereby all parties become extremely exasperated, as people that had been merely mocked and cheated by fair promises and under the most religious pretences etc.  
For answer to this and the rest following first, A bold affirmation is no 
k The Law saith, Probationes debent esse hace clariores, L. Sciant. c.  proof, and with the more reason to be rejected when it comes (as this doth) from a malicious enemy. Alexander of Hales a Schoolman, is called Irrefragabilis, that is the Doctor ungain-saying. it seems these men had some such opinion of themselves, that if they should let it down thus, their uncertain, staggering, arbitrary, irrational, etc. whosoever reading it, would believe it, and so 
l It was the Principle of a certain Atheist, that if a man had an 〈◊〉 he should asperse him; for though all would not believe it, yet some would.  no matter, what they said whether true or false. Secondly, It is a reproach and a lie to say that 
m It is much, men should be so audacious as to affirm that which they know they cannot prove.  all parties were exasperated in reference to the proceed of the General Officers; for the honest and well affected party, who still close with them, did ever take them to be real and sincere, and knew they would have done more for the Nation had not many things unhappily fallen out in their way. Neither to say the truth were there any parties exasperated against them, saving such men as would not have the present Government established.  
3. To say the people were 1. mocked and cheated and 2. by fair promises 3. under most religious pretences, these are chips of the old block all falsehoods and slanders: for 
n They have not any where shown wherein the Commanders are departed from any lawful promise, or wherein they do not perform a just promise formerly made, being now in their power to perform it.  whatsoever was promised they have continually endeavoured to perform, neither have they given us any cause to doubt but what further they can do for the good of the Nation, the same likewise they will effect, by improving all the interests and relations they have: As in a house of smoke, a man shall sooner be stifled and blinded, then warmed: so their reports tend merely to abuse and deceive the Reader, and not at all to give him any true or right informations of things.  
4. That the Army should be made a byword, a hissing and reproach to the 
o No●e still how they cannot avoid to spe●●e that which they know is false.  whole Nation, and ready to be stoned in 
p Mark their words.  all places where they come, and by those who loved them before, etc. This is another known untruth and slander: Neither have those (if there be any such) who thought nothing too precious for them in hope of their large good promises and protests in their Declarations, declined in their affections for any unfaithfulness, or unjust actings of the Commanders. Siba by his false and scandalous tongue, may occasion honest David to fall off in his affection from harmless Mephibosheth, but it is an offence taken, and not given: so it is possible through the calumniation of such men, th●t well-meaning people may 
q I have read somewhere of an Apparitor, h●ving given out a false accusation against two honest persons, and others reporting it after him, came within a little while and summoned them to their Court, for a Fame, the which he himself had only raised. Much like to this is their practice, first, they devise things, and then others speak them after them; then afterward they come about again (like the Summoner) & asperse the Commanders and Army for lying under such Reproaches, which they before had invented.  not think so honourably of the Officers as they have done, and yet not for any just cause which they have given them; but because Whisperers have separated chief Friends.  
5. The general Rising and Revolt is imputed to these men, to their unjust, partial, and perfidious deal, as the proper issue of such horrid delusions. As for big words we are not Children to be frighted with scarecrows: If they should tell us that Zedekiah rebelled against Nabuchadnezzar, as moved thereto by Jeremiah, howsoever the Prophet admonished him to the contrary, would we receive it for a truth? As little reason or ground have they for the other. That some might be provoked to Rise by the distemper which that faction had made in the Army, it is possible; but that the Commanders should give any occasion, or encouragement that way, it shows that their malice is risen from the heart into their eyes, and blinds them: to raise a Reproach so clearly against all reason, and the most certain knowledge and experience which generally men have of the contrary: And this shall suffice for what is False, Scandalous, and Reproachful.  
Now we come, In what destructive to the present Government: First they say, 
* England's new Chain, pag. 13.  Their only 
r Seditious men are always rather seated then loved: Caesar more feared Brutus Treason, than Pompey's Valour. Non virtute sed proditione victum fremebat. Tac. Hist. lib. 2. pag. 325.  fears remain upon our discoveries, to prevent which, they use means that either we might not have opportunities to lay open their Treacheries and Hypocrisies, or 
s Easy credulity is plain simplicity: we live not now in such an age, of which it is said, A Deo sanctae erat illis temporibus fides, ut fallere aliquos posse non crederetur. Ambros. de offic. l. 3. c. 10. For now, Plures saepe magnum no●en falsis vulgi opinionibus abstulerunt. Boët. 3. de Consolation.  not believed if we did it: In order to the first, they strictly stop the Press.  
Answ. 1. The Chameleon having taken in the air, afterwards his belly swells; if these men were not full of wind and vanity, such selfe-boasting would not be expressed.  
But secondly, see their craft; they have the State at such an advantage, as they think now it must be broken one way or other; for if they are suffered to speak and write what they please, they make no question, but under the colour, of discovering Treacheries, and Hypocrisies, the Magistrates by their Tongues and Pens shall be made so odious, as the people no where will obey them. Again, if hindered by stopping the Press, as much danger then this way, because the discontents of their patty will be such as they will not bear it; thus we are ma●e fast, and no door open to escape.  
3. Neither do these step aside from the way of former Incenaiaries; but as they carry on the same design, so in practice are alike: Mortimer a Kentish Rebel (falsely naming himself Jack Cade) 
t William Martin his H story of England, Henr. 6. pag. 197.  by Messengers informed the King, that he intended not any hurt against his Royal Person, but would displace, and punish some of his evil Counselors, who were his Flatterers, and partial to their own Friends, bitter to their enemies, enrichers of themselves, oppressors of the Common people, greedy of too much Honour, and who for rewards corruptly ordered (or rather disordered) all things as they pleased: So these men (speaking the same, even word for word) pretend they intent not any hurt against the Common wealth: but because a Faction of Officers have betrayed and ●●slaved the Nation, therefore they seek to raise up the Soldiers and people in all places, to an insurrection and revolt: and the same pretext had the 
u Nec destituerint de Magistratibus tyrannide paratragaeliare, & inculcare plebi, omnia natura libera esse & Communia: ex●●tiendum esse principum aque ac Pontificis Romani Ju●um; & quia illi blandis monitis haud quaquam cedent sed bona & capita subditorum libidini suae vectigalia esse velint, justissimis armis id omnibus vindi●andum esse, quod omnium esse Deus volucrit.  Munst●● Revelers, neither indeed have any former Conspirators (for the most part) gone to wor●e any other way.  
4. How destructive to the present government their words here are, may appear in this, in calling such things Treacheries and hypocrysies which in a special manner tend to the safety and welfare of the People. Is not the errecting of the Council of State, the late proceed against the King and Lords, the peace of the Army, the suppressing of mutin●● among the Soldiers, the continuing of Excese, marshal Law, and persons in the highest command of a military power, the prohibiting of false and scandalous Books, takeing away sedition in all places etc. for the upholding of the present Government? or can it posiblie stand, if such things were not so? nevertheless (and note it well good Reader) against all these in particular do they object, aspersing them, as the Treacheries and Hypocrisies of some men.  
2. They say, 
x England's new Chain, pag. 5.  which advice proceeded as well from our respect; to the City and neighb●ur-places, as upon fears of what we know to be the practice of 
y Haud ignarus summa scelera incipi cum periculo, perigi cum praemio. Tac. Annal. l. 12. p. 224.  other Tyrants, (and therefore doubted would be exercised by those) namely the garrisoning of great Towns, thereby to keep the People as well in poverty as in continual awe and subjection.  
Answ, 1. Can any thing be spoken more destructive to the present Government, then to call such men 
a By the Statute Law, if any have conspired to destroy any Lord, Counsellor, or great Officer, and be found guilty by confession, or otherwise, that the said offence be judged Felony; and they to have judgement and execution as Felons attainted ought to have by the Common Law. 3. Henr. 7.14. C●oke li. pl. fol. 482. Qu. If certain person's accuse a man falsely of Tr●●son, whether it be not a conspiring to kill him.  Tyrants as are in authority, and for no other r●●son but because they yield special aid and assistance to the state. Secondly, Here were enough (if believed) to raise up the people in all places against the Army, and not to suffer them in the least to come among them; for if their intent be (as these men insinuate) to enslave them and make them poor, by Garrisons: who would not oppose and resist their entrance in such a case? Thirdly, The treachery of these men is the more seen and intolerable, in that the whole Army (specially the General Officers) have given from time to time such real proof and large experience to the Nation of their fidelity, love, care; so that there was not any cause at all of such a suspicion or doubt; but clearly the contrary: and therefore the fear which they mention in relation to the practice of other Tyrant's, was only brought in as a stratagem of purpose to beget a Jealousy in the People, whereas they knew there was no reason for it.  
4. The ground or matter from whence they take occasion to match the Commanders, with former Tyrants, and to set the People against the Soldiers adds much to the evil of it. It was (proposed (say they) by the Agitators friends of London, Southwark, and the places adjacent, that the Tower, City and Burough might be secured by the well-affected inhabitants and not by Soldiers. It is true some thing to this purpose was spoken at Kingstons; and upon debate, it was found no way fit, and many reasons were given to show how unsafe dangerous and inconvenient it was to have it so, whereupon some of the proposers yielded, and were satisfied in the thing: we could set down the reasons here what they were, if it were useful and no doubt every rational man (if he heard them) would say they were forceable and strong and necessary to be followed.  
Now let the Reader judge, if these men had not just cause, to call the Commanders Tyrants, and to publish to the World such horrid and perfidious things: For thus it was in regard of many desperate plots and designs known then to be working against the State, and the unfitness of the Inhabitants, having there Trades and other things to look after, and the capacity the Soldiers were in, to manage the thing better, it was ordered for the present that the keeping of some places should be by Soldiers, for the more safety and security thereof: And this is all the 
b No●e, that it is false which they speak of dismissing the Proposers with Reproaches; some were blamed for meddling too much in things, which as it little concerned them, so they understood them less; and withal for being intemperate in their speeches.  matter, for which so much faction and treachery is expressed. The law of Retaliation is well known, both the 
c Exod. 21.24. Levit. 24.20. Deu●. 29 11.  Scriptures, and 
d Cic. Pro. Caec. Justin. Instit. l. 4. Tit. 4 pag. 364.  Humane Writers mention it, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth; but to take away a man's good 
e Here is more than taking a good Name away; it is to take the life away, that they conspire about.  name and reputation, is more than the loss of an eye, or tooth, and therefore such wrongful doers deserve the greater punishment.  
3. We come now to a more large discourse, and thus it gins, And as before, upon their first great success against the City, when now again it justly was expected they should have made use of so notable and unexpected blessings, to the benefit and advantage of the Common wealth (as their late repentances, promises and pretences gave men cause to hope) the event proved they intended another use thereof, for (having now subdued all their enemies) they proceed with greater confidence to their former purposes of making themselves absolute Masters of the Common wealth.  
It is the wisdom of Soldiers, to learn with what weapon and strength their enemies will come against them, and accordingly to provide themselves we are by this time well acquainted with these men's Weapons: reasons and proof they bring none, neither is the same to be expected from them, they having none: so that if we provide ourselves against their spears and arrows of a falls tongue it is 
f Note, that there is one who styles himself Lapis a State, or rather a Black. the simplician undertakes to discover the Discoverer; but speaks never a word to the matter, nor understands it: For whereas the Levelling faction hath aspersed the Parliament, Council of State, and Council of War: the Discoverer denies the things laid to their change. Now 〈◊〉 st●●d of proving them, whi●h he should have done, undertaking the justification of them, the ●●ck speaks a parcel of nons●●●ce, but for their a●●ussations he meddles not withal, although, had he not been as senseless as a Stone, he might have soon it was the ●●●e thing he had 〈◊〉 do.  suffi●●ent; and we shall do well enough.  
It was not without cause that the Parliament voted their Book seditious and destructive to the present Government; for what can be more? For first, So fare are our Governors from being absolute Masters as that the Commonwealth never enjoyed the like 
g W●●n had God's people, in this Land the like freedom to serve God, as now they have? Had our Forefathers lived 〈◊〉 ●●ch Magistrates, they would not have thought them Tyrants, absolute Masters, etc. But as he saith, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Hom. Odyss s●.  liberty these many hundred Years: As for taxes and rates, they are not with as any point of bondage, but rather as a preservative and means to keep us from it, and to uphold the just freedom and rights of the Nation. Secondly, For the late repentances and promises they speak of: what they report we know is untrue, but what is true, we know the accomplishment of them, by them to be daily made good: neither can it be justly imputed unto them, that other things are not likewise performed.  
3. Concerning the agreement of the People, a short answer will serve to their many words: first, It is false that they employed their Agents to get meetings and Treaties, thereby to keep quiet the busy watchful party, whilst they went on with other pieces of their work: For herein they can appeal to God who is the searcher of all hearts, as they spoke of Union and reconciliation: so they would gladly have seen it, and do still desirously desire an 
h Pax optima rerum Quas homini novisse, datum est: pax una triumphis innumeris potior pax custodite salutem, & cives aequare potens, Silius Italic. lib. 11. Be● Pun.  Agreement, not only with this busy party, but with all other parties: provided it may not be prejudicial and hurtful to the Nation: Secondly, we take notice of their words (busy watchful party) now in truth, as fitly spoken, and well applied as a thing could be; some writ of a stone called Siderites, if it be brought amongst a people already at variance, it will occasion a continuance and increase of contention, and strife between them: so did this busy party, by their unseasonable, prepostorous, rash and heady proceed (as 
i Or, the fire Fly that leaps and skips in the fire.  flies in the sore) they made the wound worse, and the difference wider and greater than before: How doth it appear that the thing before they left it, was so obscured and perplexed in the sense, so short of what was intended, and so corrupted etc. that 
k It would be inquired, who are meant by Those we suppose none but the Busy party.  those most loathed it that most desired it. It seems this must be true because they say it, but others of better judgement say otherwise; and we could easily make it 
l See a Book entitled, The Agreement of the people, not that subscribed by the four Prisoners, but another.  so appear: but not being proper to this place, we let it pass; only, whereas they turn again to their former vomit of false accusing, saying, whilst they had fixed good men's eyes and thoughts upon that work, they secretly and swiftly prosecute their other designs: We answer, As we know of no design prosecuted since by them either swiftly or slowly, but what hath been honourable, just, lawful; so, for the particular things which themselves set down a little after, as to be their 
m The Ictericks, who have the Jaundesse in their eyes, see nothing which seemeth not to carry the same colour; so these men, such things which others do (though in themselves very good) are designs and plots against the Land, because their eyes and hearts are filled therewith.  design, we are sure tended to the welfare and good of the Nation.  
4. Their next is, Of those extraordinary sudden, and violent courses lately taken: And here to show how well affected they are to the present Government, or rather how 
n At Samson meant when he took hold of the two middle pillars that the house should fall, and the Lords and people thereon be destroyed: So what less can they intent by their seeking to pull down the Parliament & Council of State, but to destroy this present Government, and such as are upheld by it.  trcacherously they conspire to destroy it: They complain for 
o England's new Chain, pag. 12.13.17.  bringing the Army to the City, breaking the House in Pieces, removing the King by such an extrajudicial proceed and Court of Justice, as done for no other end but to make way for their own absolute domination: And further, The taking away the House of Lords, the erecting the Council of State, the voting of the people the Supreme power, and this House the Supreme Authority; all these particulars, etc. as they have managed them, are of sole conducement to their ends and intents, either by removing such as stand in the way between them and the power, wealth, or command of the Common wealth, or by actually possessing and investing them in the same.  
A man shooting at a 
p If by Statute Laws, such as did kill the King's Deer, were grievously to be punished, 9 Hen. 3.10. 1 Edw. 3.8. Stat. 1. Hen. 7.7. what punishment do they deserve who shoot the arrows of Treason against the State, thereby to destroy it.  Dear to kill her out of hand, will not aim at the legs or feet, but at the heart, knowing if he hit her there, she falls, and is his own; hitherto for the most part, they have shot their Arrows of bitter words, at the legs and feet of the State; but seeing there followed no success that way, now they Level (as right Levellers indeed) at the Heart, where if they hit home, there is no doubt but 
q Pundamento deficiente omnia ruunt.  down comes the present Government as a prey (or Venison) for their teeth.  
For answer, First, whatsoever hath been done in those particulars; as in bringing the Army to the City, purging the House, removing the King, the same hath been 
* ●ee M. J●●n 〈◊〉 B●●ks, Right and might well 〈◊〉, and his Answer to M. Gea●ce. Also, Justice advanced: The Tenure of Kings. The Case of King Charles.  proved Lawful, and therefore it shows their greater presumption, that knowing the things which they speak against, are justified by Scripture, Law, and Reason, without either answering others, or proving any thing themselves, they should dare so speak; for do they think the English Nation to be such Simplicians, as to prefer what they barely say, before what is 
s In dubijs sunt attendenda ea quae conveniunt naturae negotij & verijutilia. C. licet causam, de proba: & L. Ob. Carnem §. fi. A. Test. facit.  proved and made as clear as the Sun at the Noon day by others?  
2. To shoot through the heart of the State, our present Governors, are not only accused in those particulars; but also (and mark it well) as done for no other end but to make way for their absolute damination. What? 
t But howsoever it be thus said, yet the persons accused may in the words of their Accusers say, We shall take no h●●me at all by their malice, but make them lick up the poison they have vomited; and that all men shall see their snare broken, & the harmless birds escaped. The silken Independents Snare broken, pag. 2.  FOR NO OTHER END? And FOR THEIR OWN ABSOLUTE DOMINATION? Not half and half a parting of stakes? some think for the public good, and some think for private ends: at least a little for their Country, and a great deal for themselves: Not so, but all respect of common good is cast aside: and this is, for Absolute Domination: not only to be Lords & Masters, but 
u La●● le● like thinks us so contemptible and mean bred, or such senseless stones (as himself) that we cannot decline Treason: yes, and could ha●e found out sense too in his Book, if there had been any: It will be the best wit the Block hath, if he have the wit to conceal his Name.  ABSOLUTE: None to Reign and bear Rule but themselves only, as for all the rest, of what name or title soever, to be subordinate and under their power and command.  
It is no marvel they say, We shall not doubt (though the Parliament 
x Qui peccantur coram omnibus, coram omnibus corripienda s●●s, ut ●mnes tim●●ni August. de verbis Domini.  sail us) but that what we have here presented and published, will open the eyes and raise the hearts of so considerable a number of the Soldiery and People in all places, and make them so sensible of the bondage and danger threatened, as that these men, this faction of Officers shall never be able to go through with their wicked intentions: For how could they think less, having possessed the people that they had broken the Parliament, unjustly proceeded against the King and others, illegally erected high Courts of Justice; and withal done all this for no other end, but to become Tyrants, and the people made slaves; but the Soldiery and people in all places would rise up against them.  
It is reported of Timotheus, Alexander's Harper, when his Master was at a Banquet, he played an Alarm or Assault, so to the life, as the King was occasioned, to rise from the Table and take his Armour, so that his spirits remaining vanquished and overcome, was constrained to obey the harmony that proceeded from the Instrument: What ear ever heard an 
y Hear what L●●is saith, Th● Syc●●ho●● hath invented wicked thoughts which never entered their guiltless souls. Poor hairs, Lai qu●●●●● to la v●●●●, el Diablo e● Capill●.  Alarms more moving to Rebellion, it is no wonder that some people have their spirits overcome, and are in a manner up, and taking their Weapons; alas! what cannot such Har●● and Instruments do in this case, specially where ●●●re is 
a Such is one Lapis appear to be: Ne●● boni intellectus, neque moli cura sed increede alu●tur, ministri s●eleribus, Tac. An. l. 16. pag. 171. Pronus ad ●●vas res, scelere in super Nymphidij Sahani, praefecti imperium sibi in lientis agituntur, Tac. H st. l. 1. p 335.  a weak spirit and a busy head to work on: But 

b Hor. Opod. 7.  Quò, quò Scelosti ruit i●? aut cur dexteris  
Aptantur enses condita?  
Parumne Campis, atque Neptono super,  
Fusum est Britanni sanguinis?  
Ah wretches! Whither hast you, to what end,  
Do your right hands to sheathed Swords descend?  
Is there so little, yet of English blood,  
Poured on the Champion fields, or Ocean flood?   

c Never was there an accusation of higher injustice & greater Tyranny charged upon any State. Geese, if they chance to catch hold of any root with their bill, they will by't and pull so hard, to have it, that many times they break their own necks withal, before they leave their hold.  3. Neither is it less destructive to the present Government to say that the Erecting their Council of State, the voting the People the supreme power, and this House the supreme Authority, all these particulars are SOLE Conducements to their ends and intents etc. Can the heart devise, or mouth speak more Traitorously against the present Government? A thing in itself unlawful, may be done with a good intention, and to a well meaning end, & so in part excusable: but to do a thing in itself evil, and to an evil end, it is the fullness of evil, and further in wickedness men cannot go. Again howsoever they would seem sometimes, to spare the Parliament and let the scourge of their tongue fall only upon a faction of Officers, yet herein their 
d Custom & use make those fashions which at fi●st seemed very ugly, and abominable, to to be in account very good and commendable  hypocrisy often breaks out: so here, for who have erected the Council of state, voted the people etc. not the General Officers, but the Parliament, nevertheless these things are said to be done, to as evil an end and bad intent as can be imagined. 
e Pro. 18.6. Sermons universi vecordis non nisi verbis contentiosis & jurgiis constant. Rab. Salom. in hunc Verse.  A Fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.  
5. Neither have they yet done, but as destructive to the present Government are these words, 
f England's new Chain, pag. 18.  and for the 
g 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Theophr.  truth of our Judgements herein: we should with gladness submit to the determination of this Honourable House, were not their 
h Yet their tongue is higher,  n●ctua aves ina●sp●cata noctu gementes (nam hac illis vox est) mortalium invident quieti: ita virulentia lingua semper aliquid spargit, quo concordiam hominum disturbet. Plin. l. 11. c. 25.  high hand as yet held over you. And therefore we are enforced to appeal to a new representative, equally chosen as is expressed in our serious apprehensions lately presented unto you.  
Answ. The stream and violence of Rivers is much more swift and violent near the Ocean then hard by the Fountain: every natural motion is swifter in the end, then in the beginning, because the nearer it comes to its proper place where it must rest the more it desireth the place in which it may rest: that those men are here so fierce and high in terms it shows that they are come now ne'er the 
i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Euripid.  end, and therefore no wonder if somewhat violenter than before. But first, Are not these men ingenuous that after so much falsehood, scandal, reprocah conspiracy etc. uttered: will not submit unto the determination of the Parliament: for who would suffer for his fault 
k Publicam utilitatem privatorū commodis praeferendam, Authent. resquae C. Commu. de Legat. l. Paria delicta mutuo Compensari.  if he could escape it? But Secondly, There hath been a late example of one more considerable than they all: he likewise refused to submit etc. and appealed elsewhere; but yet was 
l Viro in fi. Solut. Matr.  proceeded against, according to the crimes and evidence they had against him. Thirdly, we know no such high hand as they speak of, but have a 
m When the King and Lords were part of the Parliament, the House of Commons had not the liberty and freedom to Act as now they have.  freer Parliament than ever, and in a capacity to do more good for the Land then heretofore: But we know their meaning, the Parliament not being now for their 
n This High hand they would well like if it were a helping hand for them.  turn, they would have it broken, and to bring this to pass, asperse it, as unfree, under the power of the Sword, etc. A stratagem cunningly devised, for they know the Malignants these many years have said as much, and therefore taking ●p their Principle, the others cannot do less in po●a● of civility then to take them into their, Qua●●●, and so to be no more two, but 
o Thiefs have private differences yet all agree together to rob and steal.  one party.  
4. To Appeal, what is that? It is as much to say, there is no 
p O that I were made Judge in the Land.  expectation of justice or right 〈◊〉 this present Government; the Parliament is as if ●o Parliament, the Supreme Authority, hath no Authority, and so rather a cross, a curse to the N●●ion, than a blessing; hence they cry out, 
q Hearken to the Harpat. Mo●e●e & quatere qu●●quid usquam egrum foret aggreditur. A Declaration of the F●ee Commoners of England.  Ob wretched England, that seethe and yet suffereth such intolerable Masters: as if they should say, wherefore takest thou not an example from us to appeal from tha● and to make no more addresses to them? Why do●● thou not declare and protest (as 
r If Lapis have spit out that sink of filth, which lies in his mouth, p. 9 and wiped it, he will be able to speak something here about We.  we have done) that all their Votes, Orders, Ordinances, Declarations, and Acts, and that hereafter they shall pass, are not binding to the people? For doing thus, and following our steps, this present Government would be broken. Howsoever Absolom by disgracing his Father's Government, sought to draw away the hearts of the people from the King, yet he had not this 〈…〉 teach them to Appeal, for howsoever the design he 
s Aut Caesar, aut nullus.  desperate, yet if it 
t If not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Incidit extremam in noxam vox improba tandem.  take, there is nothing like it for to ruin and destroy the State.  
5. Neither do they Appeal to a new Representative, but such a one, as is ᵘ expressed in their ser●●● apprehensions, lately presented to the House: Now is not this to betray and enslave the Commonwealth to their own Pride, Ambition, Lusts, Covetousness, Domination: For wherefore to be chosen in such like manner as they prescribe it, who put them in authority to demand any such thing; much less to lay it down as a Rule for the Nation: Are not we English men, 
coming forth about their M●del and Pali●●● of Government, and what a ●●bel they would make, but indeed a Bab● of clo●● is enough to please Children.  and so in a legal capacity to claim the utmost P●●●titie, benefit, and privilege, that the Laws and liberties of England will allow to any man in the whole Nation. Why thou must it be as a few factions inconsiderable, and busy headed men do express? But the truth is, here we see their inside, they would be the 
* Ma● vale ser cabeca de R●ton, 〈◊〉 ●●la, de La●●.  Lords and Masters, lay down Models, platforme●, and agreements for the People, and because their way and course is justly 
x In A●●●●phels hanging of himself, a man may see what a vexation 〈…〉 Conspirator when his sedition Counsel is rejected.  rejected, they make all the disturbance and trouble they can in the Commonwealth: And this hath been the constant practice of former Conspirators (as Historic● are full of examples) when they could not attain their ambitious ends, out of hatred then to the present Government, and envying the 
y Mac●r●● invidia, 〈…〉 illum esse p●tentem, illum aspectari, cl●r● qui incedit honore; Ipsi intenebris volus c●no●ue ●●●●●●tur Lucre●.  Governors, by disturbing the one, and aspersing the other, to seek the overthrow and ruin of both: And this shall serve in what destructive to the present Government.  
Now we come to the particulars tending to Mutiny and division in the Army: Whiles the River rune entire withal his wa●er in one bed, his o●●●ent is the swifter, and his force the greater, and dau●teth the most hardy to adventure passage; but being divided into several streams, it proves so slow and shallow as it may with safety and ease be waded over: This party is not ignorant how much the agreement of the Souldiary, and their fastness together, is for the safety of the Land; neither have they any hope to see their designs effected, unless there be a disjuncture and breach among them; the which thing (besides several other seditious ways 
* Here L●●is mores like himself; in p. 6. he repeats some words of the Discoverer, Viz. How they have been busy to raise Sedition and Mutiny amongst the Soldiers, and speaks not a wise word to it: But that the young man might not be discouraged, other wise, we would ask him, whether he were not enticed to step in between us and the Levellers, through reading the Story, how the Ass took upon him to judge between the Cuckoo and the Nightingale, now of all others the Ass might worse do it.  shown elsewhere) they have strangely attempted by raising many false and scandalous reports against the General, Officers, and Council of War.  
As 1. 
a England's new Chain. pag. 8.  Upon pretence of easing the charge of the commonwealth the lifeguard must be disbanded; because consisting of discerning men, faithful to their Country, and former promises, and many others of like principles were 
b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Philemon.  picked out of every Regiment, the design being by weeding the choicest and best resolved men to make the Ar●y 
c In the words of Lapis; Now Reader, recollect thy thoughts, and seriously consider, whether they who are so vain, so false in their tongue, and so notorious make bats may be heard, and not answered, reproved, pag. 20. But he will say, if he keep his Logic, We have not proved this.  wholly mercenary and slavish and the Executioners of a few men's lusts and lawless pleasures.  
Answ. 1, It was no pretence, but a thing truly meant and done; wherein the General shown the largeness of his love and affection to the Land, and how fare he could deny himself in point of honour and other respects for the people's 
d We could give the Reader many other reasons wherefore the Lifeguard was Disbanded.  ease and accommodation. Secondly, It is not true that either they, or any others were disbanded because faithful to their Country etc. For it is well known it hath been their care and practice from the beginning to this day, to promote such upon all occasions, and commit matters of greatest trust to them.  
3. It is likewise false, that there were any picked out of every Regiment, for either they were dismissed upon their own desire, or what else was done, it was in such an impartial way; as there was no cause given at any time for such a base aspersion. Fourthly, No less is it a falsehood and slander to say, it was done, to make the Army wholly mercenary, etc. the condition 
e Quae tanta insonia cives? creditis avectos hosteis? aut ulla putatis dona career doli● Danaum? sic notus Ulysses? Virg. Aeneld. l. 12.  and behaviour of the Army ever since, is sufficient to prove their accusation to be most fals. But Fifthly, we know their meaning well enough, disceraing men, faithful to their Country, and many others of like Principles: that is, 
f Pellicalam veterem retinens, & fron● politus, estutam v●●id● servans su● pectore vulpem. Per●us. satire. 5.  busy seditious, and mutinous as they are themselves. The Turks call their converts from Christianity, 
g There is more of Christ and righteousness in the Turks Alcoran then in the Levellers Creed.  musul manem servati, as if they were sav'd then & not before even ●o, unless the Soldiers turn Levellers, resist authority, raise mutiny in the Army, reproach the Officers: they are wholly mercenary, slavish, and the executioners of a few men's lusts and lawless pleasures. 
h Gregarius miles, procan lingua, like Thomson.  But let them T●rne Turks, Musulmanim, than they are deserving men, honest and worthy Soldiers, the good men in the Army, 
i Nam etiam tum Legato à centurionibus, & optimo q●oque manipularium parebatur. Tac. Annal. l. 1. p. 12.  men most conscientious and cordially acting for common good etc. But as one saith of the rebellion caused by Percennius amongst the Soldiers in Pannony, even than the Centurions, and the better sort of the Soldiers, were obedient to the Lieutenant. 
k Ducis in concilio, posita est virtus mi●itum, Valer. Max. lib. 4.  So it hath ever been with us.  
2. To make division in the Army, they say; At the first Randezvous near Ware, they shot a Soldier to death, for 
l London Printed in the grand year of hypocritical and abominable dissimulation. It very well fits as to that Book where the words are, so, with their England's New Chain.  pursuing the ends of the engagement at New-market, and for insisting upon the agreement of the People: unworthily abused Mayor Skott a Member of this House, sent him up a Prisoner, and accused him and Col. Rainsborough for appearing in behalf of the agreement, and therewithal sent Col. Ayres, Major Cobbat, Captain Bray and many others after Prisoners, to Windsor.  
Mr, Lilburne in a Book lately published speaking of 
m The Legal fundamental Liberties of the people of England, pag. 74.  the first and second part of England's New Chains discovered, saith; the truth of every line of which (for all it's declared treasonable) I will seal with my heart blood. But (good Sir) do you not know, it is not the suffering but th● 
n 1 Pet. 2.20. and 4.15.  cause of the suffering that makes 
o The Jesuits doctrine is, that he dies a Martyr that dies for his Conspiracy and Treason against the State.  a Martyr: now as in the rest, so here what is reported is most ●ntrue. We find in their writings the shooting of the Soldier to death as Ware, is much spoken of, as an act of great 
p Thus did one Vibulenus cause a mutiny among the Souldi●●s, by accusing falsely the Lieutenant that he had murdered his Brother, and sought to murder him. Nulhem ob scelus, sed quia utilitati legi●num confidebamus. Tacit. Annal. lib. 1. p. 13.  cruelty & injustice, but have never mentioned the cause truly why he suffered: and therefore to wipe of their falsehood and slander from the Army, we shall give the Reader here a true account how it was.  
The Soldier who was shot to death at the Rendezvous near Hartford was named Arnold, of whose miscarriages and outrages (with some others at the same time) Captain Bray in a writing delivered to the General and Council of War (subscribed by him) hath thus reported.  
The Regiment being ordered to march to Newcastle, when they came at St Albans, had there read unto them, the paper called, 
q It is no marvel that in all Commonwealth's great care hath been taken to suppress seditious Books, considering how dangerous they are.  The case of the Army stated: whereupon they resolved unanimously not to march; and howsoever according to the orders he had received, the next day caused the Drums to beat, yet few or none appeared, but 
r Dictator signiferum cunctantem signum ut jussus erat infer, occidit. Liv. 4.  seized upon the Colours and set them in the wagons, placing a strong guard about them: and this they did although he had used all the arguments of persuasion he could to the contrary.  
So at a Council of war held at Hockley, having given his vote for their marching as a thing fit and 
s We might show that as it was, reasonable, they should obey the ●●●●●●ll; so there was at that time great cause wherefore the General gave them order to march thither.  reasonable, and being returned from the Council to them, used again many persuasive arguments, but all in vain, for their combination and murmuring much increased insomuch that they ca●● into his quarters the same night after, and demanded the Colours of him, the which he refusing and giving many reasons for it, they went into his Chamber and carried them away, telling him they could not believe any of their Officers, nay that they could not believe any of their own fathers.  
Being come to Olney he again commanded the Drums to beat, and intended to go forward according to his orders, but they came together and resolved not to march, and when he had propounded unto them all the arguments of obedience and reason he could, professing withal to be an enemy to 
* Cannot Lapis see this to be Regular?  irregularity, howsoever a friend to all just desires, resolutions, and mutual engagements, they began to be suspicious of him. About the same time there being come more Colours from Northamptonshire, they grew higher, and more refractory, and as he was pressing them to their duty, a 
t It was no doubt, a malignant design to distemper the Army, thereby to put the Kingdom into a new fl●me.  Cavalier affronted him, and swore by God, they must not believe any of their Officers, but should fight now against the Independents.  
Upon this they marched back according to their determinations to Dunstable, with many of the Horse, full of the like distemper: and their received a Letter, the substance whereof was, that they should stand to their 
u Decipios' ali●● verbis vultuqu● benig●●: Nam mihi jam no●●● dissim●lator eris, Martial. ● 4. Epigram.  honest engagements etc. and the Party that brought the Letter told them, that the General and Le●●●tenant General 
x An usual practice amongst them to raise up false reports of what encouragements they have, thereby to more the credulous and s mple the sooner to rebellion. See a Declaration of his Excellency, concerning the revolted Soldiers, pag. 16,  would not oppose them, the which report made the Soldiers more and more Exorable.  
Much more in that Narration is showed of their insolences, and high disobedience; notwithstanding he mentioneth 
y Being very much suspected to be an a better, or at least a favourer of the Mutiny.  not their barbarous and most inhuman carriage to their Officers and the Country, which was so vile and horribly wicked, that all the Felons which have suffered at Tyburn these twelve months, were not, we are confident, guilty of so many 
a For this they are called, Honest and worthy Soldiers, the go●d men in the Army, men most conscientious & cordially acting for common good.  horrid outrages as they committed: Not any of their Officers, except Captain Bray, the Quartermaster, and one more, durst co●le near them; some they 
b Following Walwyns Doctrine, To fire themselves out of the hands of Tyrants: The bloody Project. p. 14.  pursued many miles, and swore as they followed them, they would be revenged on them; and in this pursuit of their Officers, 
c Here the Craftsmans' craft will hardly find so much craft, as to clear them of theft.  theevishly taken away many Horses in the Country, pretending their Officers were run away with their money, whereas they were forced to fly, or otherwise had been cruelly murdered by their own Soldiers: Neither were their Officers thus basely abused, but their rage and cruelty was as much exercised on others; and not against Malignants, but their manner was, where ever they came in their march, to inquire if there were any 
d Honest and worthy Soldiers, cordially acting for common good Lapis hath one stone left yet to fling at the Discoverer, for finding fault with them for this.  Round heads in the Town, and where they found such, they would be sure to abuse them the more. Insomuch that many honest men have since complained that the Cavaliers never dealt so cruelly with them, and had not Bray and the Quartermaster been with them, they had been certainly Plundered o●●● all, If not 
e Have they not sufficiently proved the Parliament m●n to be Trayt●●s and England in Chains; in regard when the five cordial Citizens required Justice for the 〈◊〉 of the Soldier that was sh●t at Ware, they could not be heard. O Cromwell, O Fairfax, O Iret●●, O Hasletig, etc. But peace John, a new Representative will do the deed.  murdered.  
In this insolent distemper they come to the Ra●dezvouz, where the General, and Officers, enquiring who had been the principal Leaders and Actors of this mutiny, eight or nine were singled out, and being all found at a Court Martial guilty of many notorious facts in this business, were adjudged by the Laws and Ordinances of War to die: Nevertheless afterward all pardoned but 
f He that knows what belongs to the Government and discipline of all Army, and considers their miscarriages and outrages, would rather wonder that every tenth man of them had not suffered then asperse the Council with cruelty and unjustice.  one, and this referred to a Lot, which fell upon Arnold; one who had been (as some Officers of that Regiment report) more notoriously guilty than any other in that wicked Conspiracy.  
We have spoken the more largely of this particular, to show the dissimulation and treachery of those men: For who would think to hear them say, We do in the behalf of ourselves, and all well minded people, here before this honourable House, as in the presence of Almighty God, protest against the shooting of the Soldier to death at Ware; and bow five cordial Citizens 
g We have seen their Petition, but there was not one word in it, of pursuing their Officers, stealing Horses, plundering etc. It was cordially done, and so not Libellus famosus, as Lapis, no contemptible mean bred decayed Parson, learnedly Latins it.  required justice for his blood: that he suffered for such horrible and vile misdemeanours: Can any Machiavillian or Jesuit hid Mutiny, Theft, Murder, Cruelty, and the very height of Rebellion (like a dunghill under Snow) so handsomely? The Romans in War had an Engine which they named Musculus, the nature of it was to hid their Soldiers, so that they could (unseen) come to the Walls of a City and undermine it; this 
h Here we sh●l leave Lapis a while, and take notice of H. B. who seems to have some sense: Now if he will show his Craft let him not spend so much time about that which is not in question; but if he can show us, that rebellion, theft, murder oppression. &c Is justifiable, if m●n say it is for ●●mmon good, he shall be reputed to have the Crafts man's Craft.  Engine they use oft, under a colour of pursuing the ends of engagements, and acting for common good, approach the walls of our State, and unseen sat lest as they th●●● there work the ruin and overthrow thereof.  
2. For others whom they name, what the Co●●cell of War did to them, there was reason a●● cause for it, the distemper among the Soldier's ●●ing so great, and many illaffected people now wa●●ing an opportunity, through a breach and division 〈◊〉 the Army, to destroy both Army and Kingdom, it was necessary, that such as appeared to countenance so dangerous a design (though happily intending no evil) should be prevented, the which could not be, without removing them as they did, and securing their persons.  

l Hor. l. 2. Od. 13.  Quid quisque vitet nunquam homine satis Cautum est.  
What daily by us should avoided be,  
We cannot with sufficient heed foresee.  
3. They ask, 
† England's new Chain, pag. 14.  what freedom is their left where 
k Quid verba au●●●m, cum facta videam. Cic. 3. Tus.  honest and worthy Soldiers are sentenced and enforced to ride the Horse with their faces reversed, and their swords broken over their heads, for but Petitioning and presenting a letter in justification of their liberty therein; if this be not a new way of breaking the spirits of the english which Strafford and Canterbury never dream of; 〈◊〉 know no difference of things.  
Answ. 1. It is a false conclusion and seditiously applied, to insinuate, that there is no freedom left 〈◊〉 when honest and worthy etc. as if all our liberty and safety consisted in the actings of four or five mean Soldiers, and because they road the Horse, it is now quite lost and we in Chains.  
But 2. That which they call Justification of their Liberty, was a thing most scandalous to the Parliament, Council of State, Court of Justice and tending to breed mutiny in the Army, and so much was then showed and proved to them: In some fe●ny Countries where People are troubled with Gnats, they use to hang up dung in the midst of the room, as a bait for the Gnats to fly to, and so catch them, as being a net or snare provided for the purpose; there is no snare (and this party 
l John Lilburne knows, the Malignants would ●ot give a farthing for his Book, nor read it, if it were not for his raising at the present Government; it is not his nonsense about the laws, nor his vaporing, that they regard, but the dung of his foul mouth they fly at.  knows it well) like the dung of Sedition: hang up a Pamphlet or Libel stuffed with falsehoods and raylings against Magistrates and Government, let it be said, 
m The legal fundamental Liberties, etc. pag. 74.  O perfidious Cruel Tyrants O Apostatised Tyrants, a company of bloody and inhuman butcherers of man, The most perjured, perfidious, false faith and trust-breakers, and Tyrants that ever lived in the World. 
n Ibid. ●5.  a pack of dissembling juggling knaves: 
o Ibid. 38.  Corah, Dathan and Abiram were never 
p The Bird Taurus is very little, yet hath a voice like a Bull: John hath a roaring Bulls voice, it's well his horns are little.  such Rebels against Authority as the General and his Council are, nor the Anabaptists at Munster with 
q You might have forborn your Namesake.  John of Leyden and N●per Dullion, were never more contemners of Authority; nor 
r Turpe est doctori cum culpa redarguit ipsum.  Jack Straw, nor W●t Tiler, nor all those famous men mentioned with a black pen in our histories, and called Rebels and Traitors can never be put in any scale of equal balance, for all manner of rebellions and Treasons against all sorts and kinds of Magistracy, with the General and his Council: Let this be the Dung for the Trapp and 
s John, may a man (and not he railed at) whisper a word in your ear: You speak much almost so●● men of carrying on designs, and their own Interest: Now in this thing many take notice of you, how by slandering the Government, and railing at good men, you cunningly drive on your own Interest; that is, gull the simple people out of their mea●e, for had you followed your first trade which was honest, you had not gotten so mu●●, as by this latter, which is base; namely, Railing.  Lilburne can speak by experience, there shall not be 
t Quilibet natura fertur ad s●i s●●ile●. Astnus Asino pulcherimus, sus vero sui, Equi equis similes, boves vero bobus.  a Gnat, not a secret conspirator, a false hearted traitor, a close mutineer, and one that seeks to Level Church and State but he will stick at it. And to the end the stink may not choke them, they shall see it written in great Capital-letters the 
u Mr. Lilbu●nes Title of his last Book.  legal fundamental LIBERTIES of the People of England Revived asserted and vindicated, or as here, in justification of their liberty.  
3. There may be some truth here picked out a new way which Strafford and Canterbury never dreamt of, it was so indeed, they never went this way to work, for their manner was to break the spirits of the peaceable, and people be●t affected to the commonwealth: whereas the Council of War on the contrary hath still endeavoured to suppress the unquiet, restless, seditious, as all know and will acknowledge; except men of the same distemper and faction.  
4. They have another story, as thus: 
x England's new Chain, pag. 10.  No sooner had they (through God's blessing and the assistance of their reconciled friends) finished their work at Colchester, but presently they called to Question certain persons that bad, appeared at St. Alban in the behalf of Captain Reynalds, choosing rather to forsake the service then to be commanded by Captains that had been violent against them, that had drunk the King's health upon their knees, and professed they could rather fight against the Levellers than Cavaliers, and these (according to their old wont) they sentenced to death and soon after released them, as finding or supposeing this kind of discipline most essential to the breaking and debasing the spirits of the English.  
Answ. A man that hath false ware to put off, cares not how bad the light is: the matter which they here so darkly and covertly report, was indeed a work of darkness. As for the cause of that sentence it is not at all 
y Here Reader thou are desired to take notice of their falsehoods in relation of things, and to give thee a further instance, whereas Lilburne reports of large proffers he had from Mr. Hunt; the man hath professed since to us, that what he spoke to him was of himself, not procured thereunto by any one, and it was upon his Complaints, whereupon he as a friend advised him to moderation, and a peaceable carriage, which he told him would gain the love of men, which he would never do by bitter and invective speeches, and no doubt the advice of Mr. Holland, and Mr. Rigby was the like, though he basely abuse them for their good Counsel.  related, but some other things which before were never heard of. For 1. That there should be Captains which drank the King's health, or any such words spoken as they report, they are things as yet not only to prove, but pretences which themselves in their own defence used not. But 2. Had such a thing been done, or the words spoken, yet would not this excuse their horrid and vile disobedience: for they made no complaint thereof before they mutined, where they might have had redress if any fault had been committed. 3. But that these Libels are Printed in the grand Year of hypocritical and abominable dissimulation, otherwise it were impossible that they should thus still conceal the truth: The matter here is in effect the same with arnold's: they having order to march Northward with many reproachful speeches refused so to do, and thereby caused a great division in the company, yea their insolences and outrages were such that unless the same had been seasonably prevented, much danger to the Kingdom would certainly have followed: for it did evidently appear, that their plot was to make a General disturbance and hurly-burly through the Land, as making full account that others, in other parts, by their seditious example would do the like, and so the Malignants taking the opportunity (as a door opened by them) might destroy the honest party, and the easier effect their designs.  
4. For the distinction between Leveller and Cavalier it is now by 
a Like Cornelius Fuscus, having by his seditious carriage made himself uncapable of the Prince's favour and pardon Is inclementer in Vitellium invehi solitus, nihil spei sibi inter adversa reliquerat. Tac. Hist. lib. 3. pag. 423.  Lilburne taken off, and Jack hath ventured his neck to make LEVELLING CAVALIER one person; but it would vex his fowl heart to hear, what Malignants say, that he is a 
b Howsoever he calls other men Apostates, nevertheless a greater than h●mselfe is not known, as his own Writings manifest.  Turncoat knave and howsoever they are content to make use of Incendiaries and Traitors, yet they think hanging is a reward too good for him, that holds sometime with one party, otherwhile with another, and all to destroy and ruin the Nation. 
c Pro. 14.14.  The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and 
d Job 8.13.  the hypocrites hope shall perish.  
5. That they were afterward released, and soon too, it shown the great clemency and favour of the General; which Testimoney from their own mouth, is sufficient to prove the greatest part of their Book to be most false. But observe the 
e Saepe summa ingenia in occulio latent. Plautus in Captivis.  wit of these men, 
f Qui en malen ●●●na, sacalos pane● tuerios.  who can from an act of large mercy conclude Tyranny and oppression against the doer.  
6. They make a large narration of some proceed in the North, the reading whereof gives us an occasion to mind Sollomons' words 
g Eccl. 10 13. He that would take pains and have the patience to read over Lilburnes last Book, should find this saying fulfilled.  The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk mischievous madness. But 1. That the Levellers were taken into the bosom, and the necessities being over, fell into greater odium and contempt then ever, it is denied: for honest and deserving men have always been countenanced, and still are, and if any have fallen into disgrace, it hath been through their own miscarriages, or otherwise if they have suffered any thing it hath not been any way occasioned by the 
h That many honest men, Soldiers ●nd others, have been sufferers In the Country, we believe, but that this thing is of the Army-Officers, thorough their Tyranny, and oppression (as these asperse them) that we deny.  General Officers. Is it not possible for the son or servant to do amiss, and yet the Father or Master to be blameless?  
2. It is also false, that divers Soldiers were rated and threatened to have their skulls broken, etc. for Petitioning in the behalf of Major Reinolds: For whatsoever was spoken or done herein, it was not for 
i There is a Story of one who having killed his neighbour, and being presently apprehended, to excuse, himself, shown them a little spirit had in his hand, which could not do any hurt; but spoke not a word of the bloody knife that was in his sleeve: Observe it well, and you shall find the carriage of these men always so; they tell us of Petitioning, but never she● the bloody Knife, speak not one word of the treachery and sedition contained in their Petitions; neither of the mutiny and division which they sought to make in the Army under the colour of Petitioning.  Petitioning, but for their incivilities and high miscarriages, as no way becoming Soldiers. Such among the Turks are in high veneration, as have lost their wits, and are become Idiots; there is little reason why these men should expect admiration from others, unless it be for their sottishness and absurdity, for every understanding Reader must needs perceive the froth and emptiness of their talk; but you shall seldom see malice and matter together.  
3. For Major Cobit and Major White, that the General was pleased to confer such places upon others which some desired they might have had, we know nothing unjust that he did therein, but this we know to be a slander and reproach that Major White was refused the Lieutenant Colonelship, because a constant man to his promises. The Law saith, 
k C l. 3. Com. de pr●. & L. ob Car. F. de Test.  Testibus deponentibus veris●●ailiora magis creditur: And there is reason for it, for who knows a man's thoughts, words, and actions, better than himself, and therefore his Excellency denying it, is rather to be believed than they. He that drinks much of the juice of Coriander seed, they say is either dumb afterward, or if he speak it will be naughtily; these men have taken in some such liquor; for there is hardly o●e thing which they speak, but is 
l Nihil est Antiph●, Quin in the na●●●●●●●sit deprav●●●●. Tu quod 〈◊〉 est exce●pis 〈◊〉 ●u●d ma●● est. Terent. in Phorm  false, and tending to sedition.  
5. They say further, And this was the usage not only to these Gentlemen, but to all others, whether Officers or soldiers in North, or South (for their Counsels were one in both) that did retain a sense and resolution to prosecute those good things intimated in their former engagement.  
Tame Foxes if they break lose, and turn wild, will do ten times more mischief than those which were wild from t●e beginning: Experience shows it in these men, when Independents turn Malignants, Parliamenteers, Cavaliers, Royalists, and of friends, become foes to the Gospel, they prove the 
m The Jews w●●te that Rabshek●h was an Apostate from their Church, and by his railing it seems it was so: Now let any prudential man read Lilbur● last Book, and he cannot but conclude (though ignorant of his Apostasy) that it was an Apostates w●●k for the tone and dialect is proper to one that is Aposta●●●ed from Church and State.  sorest and greatest enemies that the Church and State ever had. To this slander we have given already a full answer, In conclusion therefore of this particular, we shall desire the Reader from the premises to observe, the several ways and wiles which they have used to make division and mutiny in the A●my.  
1. As they know the Army cannot be without some distemper, so they are diligent whether in the North or South, to make 
n They have had their sp●● and E● y●●at●es in several parts, to take knowledge of distempers, and accordingly applied themselves to heighten and blow them up.  inquiry after it, that they may by casting Oil into the fire increase and continue the same. 2. That the Officers may be unserviceable, and the Soldiers thereby occasioned to revolt, they seek by 
o Witness this Book.  falsehood and slander, to make them odious. 3. Whensoever any mutiny or division is raised in the Army, their manner always is to 
p Mr. Lilburne saith, that Rich. Arnold, was wilfully and of set malice murdered. But John, when you write next, be more sober, and let us ●ave more reason and less railing from you.  justify the Conspirators, thereby to harden them in their wickedness, and provoke others to the like sedition. 4. Such things as are good in themselves, and done upon just ground, they will scandalously 
q The Law saith, In re dubia benigniorem semper fieri interpretationem, L. Prox. 4. C. de his quae intest de●.  interpret, as done to a bad intention. 5. They asperse the Soldiers as to be mercenary and slavish, and why? but because they should either leave the service, or refuse duty. 6. That no private Soldier may yield assistance to his Commander, in punishing his fellow Soldier (be the cause never so just) they are told if they do so, that they are the 
r But the Soldier better knows h●s duty: Mancipii unius audacia, immature subventum f●ret, discordiis, armisque civilibus Remp. perculisset. Tac. An. l. 2. p. 57  Executioners of a few men's lusts, and lawless pleasures. 7. They possess the Soldiers, that it is of their Officers that many Taxes and burdens are not taken away, and things better settled; although they are not in fault, neither can they help it. 8. To enrage the Soldiers, they cry out against their Commanders, for breaking their Covenants, Protestations, Engagements, howsoever in the mean time, there is no promise which formerly they have 
s We could wish that there might be some thing considered about the justness of promises, as pressing the keeping, howsoever made.  justly made, and can perform, but they are willing and careful to keep the same. 9 Their Officers are such 
t They who are hungry, seeing others eat, are thereby provoked to the greater appetite: Men that hunger and thirst after greatness, seeing others possess it, are the more greedy of it, and by calling them Tyrants (as Lilburne uses to do) make account to have them outed, and come the sooner into ●he●● places.  Tyrants, as that the better the Soldiers are, and the more faithful, the worse they will use them. 10. The use which the General Commanders make of the Soldiers, is (
u Innocent esse nemo poterit si accusasse sufficiet.  they say) only this, namely to betray and enslave the Common wealth, and enrich themselves: and so much of this point.  
It follows next in that particulars it tends to the raising of a new war in ●●e Commonwealth. say they for peace, whilst the supreme Officers of the Army are supreme in your House, in the Council of State, and all in all, in the general council of the Army, when the martial power is indeed supreme to the civil authority, what peace can be expected? we profess we 
x Blind men are mutinous and choleric.  see no counsels tending to it, but hereof mighty and vast sums of money to be taxed upon the People per mensem; as if W●● were become the o●ely Trade, or as if People were bound to maintain Armies, whether they have Trade or no, yea whether they have bread or no.  
Answ, The Wolf by tickling the Ass and rubbing him softly about the Neck and under the belly, brings the Ass asleep and then presently devours him, Such Asses they would make the People, by 
a For there is no faithfulness in their mouth, their inward part is very wickedness, the●● throat is an open Sepulchre, there flatter with th●ir tongues. Psal. 9.5.  flattery and fair pretences persuade them they desire peace, and seek to have greviances and burdens remooved, whereas the truth is (and so much we shall here further demonstrate) like the Wolf this tickling and soft rubbing, is but a Levelling design, of mere advantage to destroy them.  
We know not of any superiority that one person takes above another either in Parliament or Council of State, but as equals in respect of place, so are their actings all alike in point of power. 2. For Marshal power it never took any thing from the Civil, nor h●th it at any time been exercised, but in matters proper and peculiar thereunto. 3. That they do not see any counsels tending to peace, it may well be so: for a man that is blind or shuts his eyes: sees not the brightness and beauty of the sun shining at noon day. Nicomachus in Plutarch very fitly answered an Jdeot that could see no beauty in the famous Helena Painted by Zeuxis: take my eyes said Nichomachus and you shall think her to be a Goddess. If this party had the eyes of sober, discreet, peaceable, honest and well affected people, they would see in our high Court and great Council, something done every day tending to peace, but being 
b Protinus invidia nigra s●●alentia tabo tecta perit, domus est imis in vallibus antri abdita, sole carens non ulli pervia vento, tristis & ignavi plenissima frigoris, & quae igne vacet semper, caligine semper abundet. Ovid. lib. 2. Metamorph.  blinded through malice, pride, prejudice self-seeking etc. no wonder like Batts or Owls they see nothing in the light. 4. to insinuate as if the supreme Officers of the Army would make War their trade, is a base aspersion, their former actions have ever testified the contrary. But observe the craft of these men, they would make the people believe that the Officers continue the War, whereas themselves, by traitorous designs and 
c Many have thought, long ago, that Lilburn would at last show himself a professed Malignant; which is now come to pass: so that how his pretences of freedom and liberty will deceive honest people no more; and truly we must acknowledge it as a singular mercy of God, that so dangerous a Person to the Common wealth should with his own mouth discover himself as he hath done.  closing with the greatest enemies that the Nation hath, are still seeking to 
d Of such persons the Law saith, Reus est laesae majestatis, qui seditionem in Rep. concitat, eam hostibus patriave Religionem aut Resp. hostibus nomen dat, aut aliud quidvis ad Reip. statum evertendum molitur, L. 1. 10. 11. Hic L. 5. eod. vult Althus. D. locis Vid. Damhoud. C. 63. diss aliqui per. l. 25. §. 1. de Cap. & Postl. And how Conspirators against the public p●ace, aught to be punished, the Law likewise sets it down. Frequentius vivi sectione in parts eminentioribus locis suspendendus. Glar. d. Num 8. Damhoud C. 62. Again, Transfugas etiam & proditores, perduellium instar a quovis impune occidi posse. Argum. l. 234. de V 5. l. 3. §. ult. ad L. Corn. de siccar. Gothost ad l. 7. hic Clar. d. loc. in fin. Cujar. Observe. 33.  raise commotions, and so necessarily constrain the State to keep up their forces, for to suppress their conspiracies.  
2. We find them propounding many Questions to which we shall briefly answer. 1. Touching their charge against the excluded Members, there hath something already been done herein, and what is further to do, as there shallbe opportunity and a fit occasion for it, so they will proceed. 2. For Offices conferred upon their creatures and relations, whatsoever hath been done this way, there was just cause for it, and no more but according to the merits of the receivers. 3. It will be time enough to discountenance those who have betrayed the trust of feofees for Bishops and delinquents lands; or have unjustly purchased it themselves when the offence is known and proved. 4. That the Lord chief Justice and Lord chief Baron should keep their places, conferred upon them, it was fit and requisite, being men of great worth and well deserving, and continually faithful to the commonwealth. 5. When those perfidious persons that have made no conscience of breaking the selfe-denying Ordinance, are found out, and known to be such, there will be that done no doubt, which shall be just and satisfactory: But to what end are those demands? you shall know in the words following.  
Oh wretched England, that seethe and yet suffereth such intolerable Masters? what can be expected from such Officers who frequently manifest a thirst after the blood of the People and Soldiers, as are most active for the common freedom peace and prosperity of the commonwealth, and against whom they have nothing else to object? or what can be expected from such a council in the Army as shall 
e Lilburne reports that he had gotten divers thousands of hands to this Pamphlet. Legal fundamental, etc. pag. 74. If this be true (but we much question it for we know his vapouring) observe what a generation of men those were, to set their hands to such things, as they know not what they were, was it not a sin and a shame to them, to own that under their hands, of which they were altogether ignorant. These were like his Tenants who would say, What is it Master? Say, and we will swear it.  agree that the supreme authority should be moved to make a law that the council of Officers may have power to put to death all such persons though not of the Army as they should judge were disturbers of the Army.  
There are certain Idolators in India when they sacrifice to their Zemes, or Idol, that their Offering may be the more acceptable, thrust a stick into their throat, even to their weasel, and so bring up whatsoever lieth in their stomach: These men have taken some pains here and strained hard to bring all this up at once, if Satan therefore like it not, what will he have? as for sedition, treason, falsehood, what more can be uttered, vomited?  
But 1. Are ye in earnest, would ye not have the people remain any longer under the present Government, but raise a new war? we believe you: you mean as you speak, those Masters ye would willingly have out, and be yourselves the 
f Nec decrant qui crederent, utramque sèditionem fraude Antonii captum ut solus bello frueretur. Tac. Hist. l. 3. p. 4●7  tyrants which so often you speak of: and then we should have cause enough to say Oh wretched England.  


g Hor. Epod. 16.  Barbarus beu cineres insistit victor et urbem  
Eques sonante verberabit ungula.   

The victor rude upon our Grave doth tread,  
Our City is with trampling Horse o'er laid   
2. In speaking so often that the 
h As true as that, 1 Sam. 22.8.  Officers thirst after such people and Soldier's blood as are most active for common good etc. Herein you show yourselves to be like the Serpent called Porphirius, which is full of poison, but being toothless, hurteth none but himself: your malice and venom is so gross and notoriously false, as it kills only yourselves, whiles 
l That Lapis may not take exception at this No body, it looking so like himself, we do therefore here exempt him.  no body will receive it from you. As for the peace freedom and prosperity you mention, Lilburne hath now declared what it is, And howsoever some have thought heretofore better of you, than ye deserved, yet finding him now to plead for the 
k His words are these, Prince Charles heir apparent to his Father's Crown and Throne. The most he speaks in this page are words put into his mouth, and he speaks them as did the Ass, not understanding what he speaks. But J●hn, let us tell you this, To be a free people there can be no heir to Crowns and Thrones; pure reason which you sometimes talk of, admits of no heir to a Crown: A Crown title is contrary to the principles of reason and nature. But indeed we never took you or a man to ●ave the Principles of reason; only a smattering in some old dusty Statutes, the Cobwebs whereof are so gotten into your eyes, as what is pure reason you see not.  Prince's Title, and condemning the Parliaments proceeding against the King, and Lords, with much other base malignity, they are satisfied, and hope the Parliament will be careful to prevent the mischief which he manifesteth against the Common good, peace, and prosperity of the common wealth.  
3. Where shall we find a lie told with less colour of truth then here: The council in the Army moved to have power to put to death all such persons though not of the Army as they should judge were disturbers of the Army. We appeal to any man that hath sense, whether such a thing be probable, or possible? what no other course but death? and all to death? and for every desturbance of the Army? here we may (changing the names) say O Lilburne, O Wal●yn, O Prince, O Overton, will ye Seal the truth of every Line with your heart's blood? truly that which you speak in this place is not only false in itself, but so 
l The ●w saith, Absurdum intellectum ab omni dispositione rejiciendum: L. Nam absurdum Debon. ●ertor l. 1. §. unde quaritur de publica.  absurd and groundless, as no rational man can possibly believe it.  
But further, it is also an 
m How needful therefore is that Counsel, Nihil edendoque omnia cavendo. Cic. Orat. Post. redit. in Sen.  untruth that the Council of the Army did move the supreme authority in any such thing at all. For whatsoever was spoken, it was only an occasional speech of one particular person (or two at most) not moved by the Council, nor any agreement made by them in the least, Yea more, for putting to death, 
n Quum quisque pessime fecit, ●n maxim tutus est. Sallust.  it was not insisted upon, but what was said in effect was only thus, that 
o Provisa minus la●●●t: And the Law saith, Contra vim atque injuriam licitam esse defensionem. l. ut vim de just. & jur l. scientiam §. qui cum ad l. Aquil.  seeing there were sundry seditious people, who sought to make division and mutinee in the Army, there might be some course taken with the Parliament, to empower the Council of War, whereby to preserve both Officers and Soldiers from their dangerous and destructive designs.  
3. They say, certainly these things cannot but manifest unto you their very hearts, their inward purposes and intentions representing visibly before you and all the World the most dangerous condition that ever yet this Nation hath been in.  
Answ, 1. So much you have manifested here and in other papers and actings, of your inward purposes and intentions to the Parliament, Council of State, Council of War, the Army and whole Nation, as by this time they 
p Ex ungue Leonem. And as a corrupt Tree is known by corrupt fruit.  know you well; that is, know you to be the 
q But being now known to be such, there is hope they will do the less hurt.  most dangerous and traitorous enemies the Land hath, being indeed the special Instruments and Agents of our Enemies, both at home and abroad, to carry forth the black and bloody work for them, they being not able nor so fit to appear themselves in such a way, nor can so notably dissemble, and so artificially deceive the people, under a cloak of Liberty, Peace, Freedom, as 
r Quicquid hostis facit, jure belli agit ac suscipit, & liceb turpiter saepe facit quod sit hostis, tamen cum hostis sit turpiter non bellum gerit. Arg. l. 4. S. sed quod D de Con. obrump. Caus. These men till of late, have acknowledged our present Government, and so no professed enemies to the State; yet the worst enemies that the State hath, because under a pretence of Friends, have sought the overthrow of it.  you can do.  
And to the end the Nation may clearly understand what for persons you are, we shall here truly relate some passages in a Letter sent from one William Bennet, and found with Needam, who hath a long time styled himself Pragmaticus, the Libeler, dated at Antwerp, June 1. After some Salutation and account given of their affairs beyond the Seas, he expresseth his great sorrow to hear that the javellers were subdued, and desires kindly to be unmembred unto Mr. Lilburne, Mr. Overton, and the rest, being his ancient Friends, and great acquaintance, and what help he and others are willing to afford them, expecting the like from them, according to their power, and as occasion shall be offered.  
Here we shall desire the Reader to observe, first, that this Benet is not only a professed enemy to our State, but as by the Letter appears, a notable Spy, and one that gives intelligence of things unto such persons as are employed in special designs against the safety of this Common wealth; and this man hath been one of their Intimacies and familiar Friends. Secondly, The rising lately of the Soldiers was an action well liked of, and in regard it prospered not, the Cavaliers every where, are much grieved for it. Thirdly, That Pragg: must be the man, and the messenger of the salutations and kindness, what should this mean? unless there be an accord between them, and an intercourse of writing each to other. Fourthly, Howsoever we cannot directly say what assistance it is, that Royalists would willingly afford them, yet what they expect from the other is well known, even a prosecuting of the work begun; that is, to asperse the present Government, make division in the Army, hinder the relief of Ireland, etc.  
2. Will not people move for a new War, to hear them say, The most dangerous condition that ever yet this Nation hath been in: And in another place, The vilest and basest bondage that ever English men groaned under: Doth not this Trumpet of Rebellion sound loud enough? Thou seest Reader, the people are not closely or tacitiy stirred up to mutiny, but Viva voce, boldly, openly, and because they do not 
* But let people in all places take heed lest they be served as an Impostor of Crect did the Jews in the Reign of Theodosius the Emperor, who persuaded them he was Moses sent to lead them into their own Country through the Sea, whereupon he brought them unto a rock, commanded themselves to leap into the Sea, warranting them safety against all danger, and such as did so were drowned immediately: So those Impostors, in moving men to an insurrection, pretending it is for their deliverance from bondage, will certainly occasion the rui●● of as many as shall follow their pernicious Counsel.  so, it is, Oh wretched England, that seethe and yet suffereth such intolerable Masters.  
And howsoever their good Friends which set them at work, make full account (by their treachery, and the people's credulity) to establish Monarchy and Tyranny again; erect Altars, Courts, Canons, Mass, Matins, etc. Nevertheless here the Leveller must be silent, and play the cunning Pirate's part, having changes of colours to bring in the honest man and his goods, hang out a false one, namely, the Colour of LIBERTY, a thing easily done by those men, it being their Genius, and proper to their Trade.  
3. As we have in other places noted their impudence and horrid boldness, so here the same again appears, If there be any conscience towards God or man to be found amongst you, etc. it is impossible but it must work upon all amongst you that are not Co partners with them in their designs.  
Answ. 1. You measure it seems, other men's consciences by your own, and therefore think, because yourselves make no conscience of lying, sedition, treason, railing, etc. that others will countenance such things, and so make as little conscience of their ways, as you of yours. But secondly, you might well say, It is impossible but it must work upon all amongst you: For poison is operative and working; and you knew, more deadly poison could not be devised, than what you had presented, and for the quantity, enough to poison three Nations. Thirdly, 
a Sane lentus in suo dolore e●set: Reip injurias ne largiretur. Tacit. An●al. l. 3. p. 1●9.  For this working amongst the Parliament men, it is fit and necessary that your sad representation should be minded: far as one well saith, Howsoever the Magistrate may be as slow as he pleaseth in punishing injuries committed against his own person, yet he ought not to pardon such as are done against the common wealth.  
The Children of Allexandria in the days of Ptolemeus Philopater, when the huge and great Anchor of the Ship Thalmegos was laid out upon the shore, the Children did ride upon the stalk, and crept through the ring of the Anchor, as if it had been made for the pastime of Children: but wise Ship-men knew it was appointed for a better use, namely to stable and make sure that great Vessel in great and tempestuous storms. Just so, do some men serve the Law, if the execution thereof lies still, they are ready to ride upon it, and run thorough it, as if it were made only for sport: But wise Statesmen know it was appointed for better use, namely, when incendiaries and conspirators raise commotions and hurliburlies in the commonwealth to preserve then in such a storm, the great Vessel, by a due and careful proceeding against them. See the 
* Foolish birds frighted a little at first with the husbandman's Scarecrow, & after a while observing that it stirs not, are bold to fit upon it, and defile it: So Libelers and Railers at the State, seeing nothing put in execution are bold to write any thing.  note in the margin.  
Our next particular is to show wherein it hinders the relief of Ireland; now thus we prove it.  
1. They say, we did forbear to interpose our Judgements, or to oppose those men's designs until they had made a large progress toward our bondage and endeavoured to grasp the power of the Army into their hands thereby to enforce their tyranny upon us.  
Answ. 1. What their forbearance hath been is well known, and we have showed it in our former Discovery, they have forborn indeed, but what? to walk according to Rules, of Charity, Truth, Peace, Justice, but not practise the contrary; such a forbearance is against their Genius and spirit. 2. What they mean by a large progress, may be plainly gathered by their several falsehoods and scandals already spoken unto: The prosperity of the Army over the common enemies, and breaking still the snares which they have laid in the way to hinder the work is a progress towards our bondage. But what is their drift here? it is thus, they would not have either Parliament or People, yield any aid & assistance to the General Officers, for the 
b They have in some Books counselled the Soldiers not to engage for Ireland.  relief of Ireland or any other necessary service whatsoever. 3. What seditious head can raise a more pernicious design then to asperse such men, who under God are employed in the greatest trust and service for the State, that they grasp the power of the Army into their hands thereby to enforce their tyranny upon us. 
c It is worth the Readers observing, that the persons whom they oppose are such, as under God, are our special protectors; so that they know, if they could remove them; not only Ireland were quite lost, but a passage and way open for their Friend Be●●●t and his company to come hither.  should this be received, (as their traitorous hands have published) not only would Ireland be lost but this commonwealth likewise be endangered, if not undone.  
2. For the matter which they mention in relation to the King, howsoever it be like a dead body, subject to putrefaction, though it should be touched of none, yet of itself would come to nothing; nevertheless that it was their intent in the publishing of it, to disable the Army from all further service, and thereby to carry on the enemy's design, it is apparent and thus to prove it.  
1. Seeing they 
d We have not seen a piece of slander more artificially contrived; for as they know not any person guilty of the things here set down so they do not name any particular person; and therefore who can bring an action of slander against them.  know not the persons upon whom to fasten their accusations, therefore their aspersions are still general: and so to bring a dishonour and blot upon all the Officers, a notable trick, for thereby at once, they think to make the whole Army unserviceable. Besides no particular person being mentioned, it is the more difficult to detect their Treachery and Falsehood, and so making use and advantage of time, they can the easier effect their wicked intentions. Secondly, In their whole discourse you shall not find one word of the 
e The Army in some of their Remonstrances, and Declarations, had spoken so much about the King, as if considered, would justify their compliance with him.  reasons and grounds which moved the Officers to act as they did; neither the causes of their changeable proceed, and herein they were wise in their Generation: for they knew well enough, if this had been done, and a true relation given, the Commanders had been quitted, at least there had been no pretence or colour for them, to reproach them as they have done. Thirdly, In the business about the King, this in short may be gathered from their proceed first and last compared together, that when the Officers seemed to be any way for him they were against him, and when they did otherwise, therein they opposed them likewise: so that it is clear, their desire hath not been for peace and 
f Risus abest, nisi quem visi movere dolores. Successus hominum, carpitque & carpitur una: Suppliciumque suum est. Ovid. Metam. lib. 2.  settlement, but to have all sides wearied and wasted, thereby at last to come to their own designs. Fourthly, It is very remarkable, that were the things true as they relate (which are not) yet would they not prove their aspersions; which shows though they wanted matter, yet not malice, from their accusations they thus conclude.  
And so vanished away all their glorious flattery of the King and his party, and their notorious dissimulation appeared, abusing thereby the faith of the Army, and making it clear to all discerning men, that such as could break with one sort of men will make no conscience of keeping faith with another, And a little after, by all which 'tis evident that according to the Maxims of politians they Judge themselves lose where other men are bound: and all obligations are to them transitory and ceremonial, and that indeed every thing is good and just only as it is conducing to their corrupt and ambitious interests  
For their proof, we shall presently examine it, only by the way take notice that it is not possible for men to be worse or viler than the Officers are here set forth: for if they make no conscience of keeping faith with any, they are not fit for Church or commonwealth: much less to be 
g They serve the Officers, as the Priests did the Hugono●s in France, who reported they were Monsters, had Lion's heads, Bears feet, etc. The vulgar people hearing them to say so, would cry out Oh for the Love of God, kill them, kill them, so saith this party, the Commanders make no conscience, etc. they are Lions, Bears, Tyrants, etc. Now such people as hear this, & know them not, will surely (they think) cry out, kill them, kill them.  trusted, either with civil or military things. Again they do not say they may break their promise with others but WILL MAKE NO CONSCIENCE; etc. positively concluding, that there must be no confiding in them either for Ireland or any other place, but presently removed and no further use and trial made of them. But what have they done?  
The first is for some civilities towards the King, as to Court him, kiss his Hand, visiting him themselves, and permitting thousands of the people daily to visit etc.  
Answ. We read of one. Aglataidus, that he was never better pleased then when he displeased others nor ever relished any dish better, than what was distasted by others: In this there is nothing but an 
h There is a people near China, whose manner is, to Salute by taking off their Shoes, because others do it with the Hat; there be some men take delight in crossness; and will be against the things which others do (be they never so honest and commendable) because they do them.  Ishmaels' crossness, which shows they delight in War and to be wronging and contending, whether there be any cause or matter or no. 
i Prov. 20.3.  It is an honour for a man to cease from strife, but every Fool will be meddling.  
2. Were it true which they say (but cannot prove it) that their Proposals were not only received but corrected and amended by the King, before they were sent to the House: Nevertheless this will not conclude any glorious flattery, 
k It is their constant practice to conclude thus; If there be a fault committed as they imagine: to infer (without considering the nature and quality of the fact) that it is notorious, no conscience, etc.  notorious dissimulation, making no conscience of keeping faith with any: For a man doing a thing conscientiously, and according to his present apprehension, lawful; if afterward seeing himself mistaken in it, leave it and do otherwise, there is no dishonour or blot will be imputed to him, by such as are wise and fearing God, knowing how common a thing it is for the best men so to do.  
3. If likewise that were true (which is not, and we desire the reader to note it as another falsehood) that they were moved to impatience towards any that spoke a word against their traffic and intercourse with him, and concluded an agreement with the opposing Citizens of London, without so much as calling the Agitators to advise thereupon: Here is nothing in all this but what they might well do. For first, being persuaded, the matter which they had in hand was just and good, they had reason (as being true, to their principle) to prevent all obstructions. 2. If the Agitators were not called, no marvel, for they were not concerned in the thing, and therefore whatsoever was done, it was duly done by such as had a full Authority and power to do it.  
4. When the House complied not with their purposes in all haste it was to be purged, etc.  
Answ, 1. Whatsoever the Army hath either desired or done this way, it hath been upon necessary and just grounds, and proved still to be 
l No men have more justified the Army in purging the House then these, nor any more urged and pre●t for it.  lawful in point of law and conscience. 2. Whereas they say but the House complying etc. They make nothing of their former resolution what's this for a thing? should not the Army rest being satisfied? It seems this course is against their Principle, though they should be complied with, yet not rest, but prosecute their former 
m Howsoever Lilburn makes a large discourse about the Agreement, yet so fare were they complied with, that had not their Resolution been to continue troubles amongst us, they would have rested.  Resolutions, let come on the commonwealth what mischief and ruin soever. 3. That the House was no whit changed in respect of its corruption and yet complied with the Army, it seems to be 
n We had almost forgotten Lapis, here is a work fits his Genius it's to find out a Contradiction.  a contradiction. But 4. To let that pass, note here their glorious flattery and notorious dissimulation, because the Officers went not forward with their resolution to purge the House, they are reproached for that: and when they do purge the House from its corruptions, they shallbe likewise railed on for that: so that whether they do the thing, or not, all is one, the scourge of their tongue cannot be avoided.  
5. They so wrought the King by deep promises and hopes of restauration, as that he inclined much to countenance the Army, etc. In lieu thereof the great ones of the Army endeavoured the revival of a Treaty, etc.  
Answ 1. But is this brought in, as a reproach? Wherefore then have they persuaded the chief Officers in the Army to do this very thing: Lilburne in a Letter to 
o Whom he styles in that paper The man whom God hath honoured, and will honour, etc. Neither will the Lord the less honour him now, because he asperseth him.  Lieutenant General Cromwell, writes thus, 
p Jonahs' cry out of the Whale's belly, pag. 8.  If I were with you, upon my life I durst dispute against you all, that as things stand, both in point of policy, honesty, and conscience, you must apply to the King, without which, the peace of the Kingdom can never be settled: Would any man be so impudent as to write thus? and afterward 
q The Emperor of Russia provoked his ch of Officers to pill and ransack the the Common sort of people but to no other end, but that he himself might afterward, when he saw good, call them into question for it: So they serve the Commanders, counsel them to apply unto the King, but it seems for no other end, but that afterward when they should have an occasion, they might reproach and slander them for it.  revile the persons, because they had done according to his own counsel and advise. But as we said just now, the reproach of their mouth is not to be avoided.  
2. For the Personal Treaty and addresses, etc. that some have had variable thoughts therein, it is no marvel, neither did the alteration of their minds, denote any ill affection to the Common wealth. And therefore to asperfe men, because they were for the Treaty, and afterward upon better consideration changed their opinion, it shows by what spirit such people are led; for rather than they will forbear calumniation, they will cast off the rule of love, wisdom, justice, yea, humanity, and reason itself.  
But thirdly, here they make account their Charge is proud, The fare greater number of Officers would not by any means endure to hear of the Army's compliance with the King, etc. An Agreement of the people is produced, etc. The great Officers very much oppose it a while, etc. But seeing the same takes with the Army, profess though at the present their judgements could not so fare close with it, as to act for it, yet they would never oppose it.  
Answ. 
r Ecc. 10.8, 9  His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come upon his ow●e pate. First, they here 
s The Hulk which the Flemins filled with sagots, pitch, rosin, salt-peter, brimstone, and oil, having set it on fire, let it float with the tide, that it might fall among the French and Hollanders ships, but the wind turning, was carried back in midst of their own; So the thing which they have h●ve fr●med against the Officers hurts them not, but falls upon their own head.  acquit the Officers, both of flattery and dissimulation; for if they opposed it (as 'tis confessed) they did as much as lay in their power, and more they could not do .. 2. It shown an excellent temper and great moderation in the Commanders, that howbeit they could not act 
t In alio positum non alia sapere, di●●●cile est. Bern. in Epist.  yet they would not make any disturbance. It was some addition to David's victory over the Philistim that he cut off his head with his own Sword. If their words here be well observed they are clearly against themselves: for to this effect they say. The Officers having given the King hopes of restauration, would willingly had it so, & did what they could that it might be so: but meeting with too strong a party it could not be: nevertheless they signified their dislike, and gave their reasons for it, and having thus discharged their own duty and conscience, concerning all promises and engagements in behalf of the King, they rested, as being unwilling to make disturbance in the Army or elsewhere. Now where is this 
u All that they can make of it, is this, they complied with the King and promised him their assistance, the which they made good so fare as they were able, and tended to the safety of the Nation.  glorious flattery and notorious dissimulation, even our enemies themselves being Judges. We come now to the last General head, namely, continuing of free Quarter.  
They say, 
x England's new Chain, pag 17.  it being an infinite shame that they should be 
y Such firebrands were Alorns and Sacrovir, and to move the people to rebellion, spoke to the same purpose. Igitur per conciliabula & caetus seditiosa disserebant, de continuatione tributorum, gravitate fenoris, saevitia ac superbia praesidentium & egregium resu mendae libertati tempus. Tacit. Annal. lib. 3. pag 97.  suffered to proceed so far therein as they have done there having been no party hitherto so inexcusable, etc. So that the intentions and endeavours of these men to enslave the commonwealth or their continuing of burdens without any remorse at the dearness of food and the utter loss of trade exceeds in the nature and measure of it all the wickedness of both other parties p●t together.  
Answ. 1. This is spoken (as may be gathered from the foregoing matter) in special to the people of the Land, as being to blame that they contribute towards the maintenance of the Army, but rather rise and resist to increase and continue their burdens and taxes: and 2. That they may set forward the sooner in rebellion, they are told that the King and Hollis were not so bad, nor exercised the oppression and tyranny put both together that these men do. 3. They will make bold with God's prerogative, 
b La coz de la yegua no haze mal all potro  search the heart affirming their 
a Though Lapis writes nonsense, and Lilburne Treason, yet it may be a question whether their intentions were to do so.  intentions are to enslave the Commonwealth: And lastlie so far are our Governors from compassion or fellow-feeling, as they regard not what misery, hardness, or hardship others suffer. The Country People at Charon's Cave near Naples, for sport's sake, pu● their Dogs into a hole, where they are choke, with the sulphurous vapours coming forth. Into such a hole these men would gladly bring the People, choke them with treason: But we hope they will be better advised and bear some things which for the present cannot be remedied, rather than become the sport and merriment of a few Incendiari●● by undo●ing themselves.  
Thus we have done with our Second Part: Other things the Reader may expect from us speedily, as in Answer to their Agreement of the people, Mr. 
c Mr. Lilburne promiseth to show the falseness and malignity of our former Discoverer, in fathering upon him the errors of the Diggers; now we believe he can better shift that off then the treason and sedition contained in his England's new Chain, though he saith he will Seal the truth of every line with his heart blood.  Lilburnes last Book, etc.  
FINIS.