The DISCOVERER uncovered. OR A Vindication of those four close Prisoners in the Tower, from the Exceptions, uncharitable Surmises, and Criminations of the Author( J can spell his Name) who wrote that Libellus Famosus, called The Discoverer, and Published June 4. 1649. By LAPIS FRUCTIFERA, a Notorious Parliamentarian, and Friend to the Army. psalm XXXV. V. 11. False Witnesses did rise up, they laid to my charge things that I knew not. 12. They rewarded me evil for good, to the spoiling of my soul. REVEL. XI. V. 10. And they that dwell upon the Earth, shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall sand gifts one to another, because these two Prophets tormented them that dwelled on the Earth. 11. But, after three daies and a half, the Spirit of life from God entred into them: and they stood upon their feet, and great fear fell upon them which saw them. LONDON, Printed in the year, 1649. Reader, YOur Friend. Briefly, I shall throughout, deal with what is most to purpose any where in this Discoverer's First Part( and do wish for no better Quarter than I give) As for himself, seriously, he is a man of little Conscience, no shane, That he can writ THE COUNCEL OF STATE, To all the well-affected People of this Nation. And, We take ourselves bound in obedience to God, and[ trust to the Nation] &c. Moreover, This being so, and[ a thing well known to us] we have thought it necessary to afford[ our encouragement and furtherance.] And all the while, a contemptible, mean-bred, decayed person doth it. Further, I am constrained to suppose these men the Authors of several Books( which, Heaven knows, and not I, whose they be) not declared to be theirs; through the importune attribution of that Author, and Others: which told you, I go on with. The DISCOVERER, UNCOVERED. but it is not Treason to speak against Tyranny, Arbitrary power, Taxes, Oppressions, though such speech may be made use of to make Commotions, &c. and possibly hath been improved hereto within these half-score yeers: Yet, I wot, not by them, who called on the People( at home, and somewhere abroad) to join with them against Robbers, Rebels, Murderers; for the settlement of this Common-wealth, &c. To step forward, and see if the men name( M. Walwyn, Lievt. Col. Lilburn, M. Prince, and M. Overton) by the Discoverer, hid mischief under it. First, In the General Discovery, itis said, Discoverer. They seek to have the people dis-affected towards the present Government and Governors, as if the Parliament might and could ease them of tithes, Excise, Free-Quarter, &c. and will not. Vindication. But prove me that ( John,) that these men seek to dis-affect the People towards the present Government. You vapour in the Title, That here things are clearly demonstrated, by reason, and proof abundantly. Where's this demonstrated?— Well, to stay us, He saith[ the Accusation.] ( 1) Its false. Discoverer. For the Parliament hath declared there shall ly upon the people no burden which they possibly can remove; And likewise it s their daily study, &c. And could he not say, itis likewise their endeavour? I would fain have seen this done. 2. If men would but consider in what a Condition we are, &c. Discoverer. they would not blame the Parliament, &c. Prithee! in what a Condition are we, that yet we cannot be otherwise, nor remedied?— Consider, &c. for I don't tell you. Further: Discoverer. It( saith he) can be proved( if need be) that the Land is put to 100,000 lib. yearly charge by their means. Vind. A way with you; here is need of proof, and is none: thou art all Can, and empty: soundest, but not satisfiest. ( 2) Its Treacherous. Discoverer. 1 They Conspire against the supreme Authority, stir up the People. &c. Vid p. 14. of the Picture of the council of State. 2 A Declaration of the Free Commoners of England. Vind. Here ( Reader) he takes it for granted, that these 4 men( praenominated) and their Party( for a melancholy conceit hath possessed the mans heart, and he talks idley of the designs of a Party) did writ the Papers mentioned: and that you are already opinionated that such wrote them. For you shall not here be convin'd thereof, or have them proved to be so. However, the former quotation shall be cleared ( infra) when speak to 4th Particular, p. 22. The Latter is not theirs: one Protest therein is, Against these mens imprisonments, &c. 2 They give out reproachful terms, Discoverer. against men in Authority( and this is 4, a State-destroying Stratagem) the Picture, p. 14. 17 and the Declaration. Vind. The Latter Paper is not theirs, and the quotation in the Former shall in another place clear. 3 Their proofs are light and few. Discoverer. This, the Discoverer saith he shall show hereafter. Discov. p. 7. In the last place oqserve what they say[ Manifestation p. 8.] Could we have had any assurance that what is desired should have otherwise, or by any have been done; and had not had some taste of the relinguishment of many good things that were promised, we should not have been so earnest and urgent for the doing thereof: To which we Answer, 1 Their Freedom and Power hath been but a little while in their hands:( and they have since dene nothing less necessary than these: should have been added, should it not?) 2 For the many good things they speak of, we shall show by and by what they are. 3 Sometimes hast makes waste( and so( believe it) it would of these many good things.) Secondly, Discoverer. The Particular Discoverey. 1 Of Hypocrisy in their speeches. Vind. Here come in for the 1, 3, 4, 5. Particulars, Quotations from the writings of one, known to be n'one of these Four. And for ch. 2 a Quotation from a writing of one of them, which this very Concealer of himself, Printed at Amsterdam( where if he dared stay, we had not been now troubled with him here. per. advice from M.C.) This kind of dealing is as like if cursed Achitophel, after he occasioned Absalom's going-in to his Fathers Concubines,( 2 Sam. XVI.) upon the top of the house, had been the teller of it to all the People, and said, he did it to undeceive the Nation. 6. Of their atheism and Anti-scripturisme, or little better. Discoverer. That they are men who regard not God, neither the Scriptures, nor any Religion; it may be clearly seen by the Agreement of the People, which they call the Standard and ultimate scope of their designs. Amongst all theor Proposals and Articles( 30 at least) there is not one thing proposed for the holding forth and furtherance of Gods public worship and service. Vind. That their Omission of such an Article, among Proposals for the Government of this Nation must argue nothing less, or little better than that they are men who regard not God, neither the Scriptures, nor any Religion, wants ground. That they are neither Atheists, nor antiscripturists, their Manifestation( in p. 6.) doth sufficiently manifest. And that they are as regardful( as men are of the apple of their Eyes, which they'l let none touch) of Religion, and Faith; of the Confession of the one, and the Practise of th'other; The x. head of their Agreement doth luculently declare; Where itis Articled, that Representatives shall not restrain any person from PROFESSION OF HIS FAITH, or EXERCISE OF RELIGION, according to his Conscience. 2. Of their good things proposed. Disc. 1. They will have tithes taken away. Discoverer. It is well( red Phil. I. 16.) but &c.( wicked Ahab-like I King. XXII. 8. and I Chron. XVIII. 7.) 2. To their Expressions concerning leveling. He saith, Note, They grant the thing lawful in itself. &c. Vind. And Note, They Profess( 1.) They never had it in their thoughts &c. And( 2.) to attempt an inducing the same is most injurious[ unless there did praecede an universal assent thereunto from ALL, and every one of the People( as there did from all and every on of the Believers. Act. II. v. 44, 45. and Cap. IV. 32, 33, 34, 35.) which you may expect the day after Dooms day. Disc. But, saith he, Discoverer. ALL must be understood[ restrictively] that is the Poor Commoners &c. For rich men, &c. they Protest against for having exercised tyranny, &c. Vind. O the extremity of this mans malice!— where, when said these men thus? Why must they be so understood?—!—! Reader, You saw their serene Vindication from this in p. 4, 5. of Manifestation. Here he would make their Levelling-Designe apparent. 1, Discoverer. 3, 4, 5 6ly, By Sentences fetched from Books not writ by either of them. 2. By ones writing it, A Tyrannical Usurpation of Lords to lay Fines and other Services upon their Tenants, &c. Vind. One would think while they allow one the Lord, and call th'other, Tenant, we need not fear such a Design: the plain contrary is spoken. Notwithstanding the Discoverer should have proved the Fines, &c. righteously laid, while he denied them Usurpationes. 3ly. Discoverer. They make Divisions. 1 They stir up the People every where against the Army;( And how proves he this?) One of them saith, The Faction of a Treacherous Party of Officers in the Army, hath twice Rebelled against the Parliament, and broken them to pieces. Vind. And what's this to purpose? where is that saying wherein they stir up the People against the Army? 2 Is a Party of Officers the Army, & c? 2 They have been busy to raise Sedition and Mutiny amongst the Souldiers. Discoverer. For this he brings, 1) A Quotation from p. 12. of jugglers Discovered; whereas there be but 11 pages in all; and I have red so much in the Book( which otherwise I had not) as is in p. 10 and 11, and must needs return a Non est inventa. 2) A quotation from p. 9. of English Souldiers Standard, which bears no bodies name but Mr William Thomson's 3) A quotation from p. 9. of bloody Project( he saith, its Mr Walwyn's) which would not have them swayed by, but forsake the Covetous, Proud, bloodthirsty, &c. A notable Mutinous, Seditious, traitorous saying no doub! judge of it. 3 Their next work is to continue and increase this Mutiny. Discoverer. 1) By Commending and Justifying the Seditious Souldiers. Vind. Its easier to this man to call these Souldiers such, than to prove them so: He freely doth the former: let's us go look( for him) after the latter. 2 By urging and instigating fellow-soldiers to take revenge upon their Commanders when others are justly punished for Mutiny, Standard p. 8. Discover. Vind. What's spoken there, is of the severe, and painful punishments, for small offences, inflicted on Private Souldiers: whilst an Officer turns a Bear, a Wolf, a Tyrant, and is not punished. 3 By persuading th' Army; that there is now no marshal Law: Discoverer. And wherefore? but, that, when they have wrought Sedition, and Treason in the Army, there may be no means, course, or way found out for to stop the breach, till all be lost, scatred and destroyed. Vind. An harsh Censure, and Calumnious: Its too gross a piece of folly for these men to be guilty of. If other, ordinary means( Common Law) will do it, would but men make their work, to hinder a course extraordinary? How-ever this man hath spoken out too, a strange amendment in our Laws, and Law-givers; in our Courts of Judicatory, and Judges, &c, That if Treason be wrought in the Army, it can by no means be stopped till all be lost, save by the way of marshal Law; if this Fire be there, it cannot be quenched( till all be consumed) unless by such water. Here the Discoverer tells us, They understand not what marshal Law, is. Now, one is ready to think himself( the Discoverer) doth, and is apt to instruct them who if they understood what it is, would not speak so ignorantly, &c.( as himself there speaks) now, What saith he? marshal Law is grounded upon pure reason, &c.— Pish! none can understand by this, any thing of the nature of marshal Law, as its different from the Cannonical, Common, &c. Prithee, tell, What is this marshal Law, which is grounded upon, & c? What's the formalis ratio of it?— mum. Poor man! Let us take time, and go and ask; either, our Masters can inform us; Or, their Patients( in some measure) tell us; Or,( in Troth) it will no whit concern us. 4ly. Discoverer. Those whom they have hitherto acknowledged to be the supreme Authority of England, they now deny; and title, The Gentlemen sitting at Westminster. Vind. For Vindication, Observe, 1 That the page. cited, is not positive, assertive; but made up of queries. 2 What's spoken, is upon the Supposition, that they are a mock-Parliament( as some of the chiefest amongst themselves( saith the Author of that Picture) stil'de it. 5ly. Discoverer. They have sought by false Suggestions to set strife and division between his Excellency, and the chief Commanders of the Army, in publishing to the world that the General is their stalking-horse, and a Cipher, &c. Vind. It imports the affirmer( and not the 3 other Gentlemen) to prove it. Now, put him to it, and he will speak for himself, Ju. IX. 21. 2 Its directly spoken to those under Command,( vid. line 2 of the Quaere) not to the General, &c. and( its true) that man who reports it to the Party; or, presents this to the General, comes nearer to make strife, division. 6ly. Discoverer. They have sought to make discord between the Parliament and council of War, by a subtle and dangerous Stratagem; namely, That the Parliament should appoint a Committee of their own Members, to hear, examine, and conclude all Controversies between Officers and Officers, and between Officers and Souldiers. Vtnd. He must be of a jealous eye that will say he sees such a( subtle) Design here. The Parliament hath formerly had a Committee of their own Members residing with the Army; And what better employment they could there have, than concluding Controversies amongst them, bringing them to Agreement, and making peace there, Nescio. 7ly. In the Declaration of the Free Commoners, &c. there is Rebellion protested and declared. Vind. In what words I pray?— I forbear. That declare: is none of the four mens. Next he comes to observe, Discoverer. What they say of others, and 1. They complain( in the first part of New Chain, which is not proved theirs) against erecting a high Court of Justice for trial of criminal causes. To which he answers, 1. They mention it for no other end, but to flatter Malignants, &c. Vind. An untoward, most base surmise, rather slander, to them who are elongated so many measures( more than many) from the malignant party, as himself hath past to approach it, and join hands to bring unto dishonour, these( I doubt not) well-affected, true-hearted English-men. 2. Discoverer. They speak of persons picked and chosen, as an usual policy to introduce( by such means) all usurpations. Answ. Herein they discover great uncharitableness, and extreme malice.— We are to interpret things in the best part. Vind. Where is the Uncharitableness, where the extreme malice discovered? Said they that the Parliament did it to introduce & c? No The Affirmative is yours, by construction. 3. They do see the way of trial by 12. men, Discoverer. to be a Constitution so equal, & just, as that they conceive it ought to remain unalterable. Answ. 1. What if there should be 13. or 30. or more, or less, were it not as well, and just? Vind. But what if they shall not be of the neighbourhood, neither Sworn? will it be as well, and just? Answ. 2. In other Countries for trial of Criminal Causes, Discoverer. their Proceeding is not by 12. sworn men, but otherwise, and yet equal, and just in itself. Vind. Who deny's it? But what Reason we should alter what's our own way, and( no doubt, Never any was so simplo as to say, itis not) better? though th'others prove good. Answ. 3. The Parliament made choice of able, judicious, Discoverer. and conscientious men, and called many such together, to th'end they might proceed legally, &c. therefore they speak evil of them. Vind. THEREFORE &c. How deep he works? He's entered their Hearts. As St James saith Cap. II. v. 4. he becomes a Judge of evil thoughts. And who art thou that judgest another? Cap. IV. 12. 2) They complain for censuring a Member of the House for declaring his judgement in a point of Religion. Discoverer. Answ. 1. What the Parliament did in this thing, it was upon that ground— all occasions of discord ought altogether to be taken away. Vind. We man notwithstanding ask this Discoverer, 1. How he can tell this? and 2. Whether the Parliaments taking cognizance of two Members private discourse about matters controversal, be a likely mean to take away discord? not, to create amongst them all, difference? 3. Whether the Member censured, was not upon such a ground, as here is mentioned, called in again? Answ. 2. Discoverer. For the Reserve in the Agreement concerning Religion ( to which itis said this is directly opposite) If they mean that the Parliament hath agreed that any blasphemous and heretical doctrine shall be propounded, and defended in the House, We know no such thing: neither do we know what Reason that Member had, to speak there what he did, &c. Vind. The words were not spoken there, or in the House, till reported &c.( this Discoverer hath taken up very weak reports.) To know the Truth, I did procure an honest friend of mine, and one that's acquainted well with Col. down( and much honours him) to step to his Lodging, and inquire here-anent; and he returned with, as I said. 2. There is a book of the Censureds extant, containing a Narrative of this business. And wherein something is said to Ventilate the contrary Opinion. red it, and then judge. 3. Its without controversy, that the suspension was directly opposite to the Reserve in the Agreement, according to the native, common, and Grammatical sense. The words are these. That such as profess faith in God by Jesus Christ( however differing in judgement from the doctrine, worship, or discipline publicly held forth as aforesaid) shall not be restrained, but shall be protected in the profession of their faith, and exercise of Religion, according to their Consciences, in any place, &c. Yet, I shall add, that I know not whether the Parliament ever yet agreed to it. Answ. Discoverer. 3. Note what Englands new chain is, &c. Because the Parliament will not countenance Blasphemy, &c. they cry out Tyrants &c. Indeed this is the great and grand business, Religion, and Orthodox Doctrines, are not( as they desire, and seek for) utterly cast off and rejected. Vind. I may not say the Parliament doth countenance blasphemy, because they admit amongst them, those that hold such an opinion. But such a man as the Discoverer may say( narmlesly) to reject them, is not to countenance them: And, for the Writers of the New chain to complain against casting-out upon such terms, is to complain, because Religion and Orthodox Doctrines are not cast off: which hath necessary consequences of like tendency with the former. But,( thou sink of filth) how knowest thou they Desire? When, or where did they seek for the rejection of Religion, & c?—( whose damnation is just. Rom. III. 8. 3) The third thing which hath brought England into New Chains, is the Act for Pressing of Sea-men, Discoverer directly contrary to Agreement of the Officers. pa. 22. Answ. 1. There is no Law so firmly made( much less an Agreement of Officers) but when the Peoples safety, and necessity require, may lawfully be changed— This was the Parliaments case, &c. Vind. Had this necessity been made appear to them; we cannot but hold out, that these men would not have so much as Articulated one syllable, penned one Jod of complaint against it. Answ. 2. They speak against it, and cry out New Chains, &c. Discoverer. And why all this? But to make the Sea-men mutinous and seditious, &c. Vind. How he interprets things in the best part?— I remember, now, this is a Rule he lays down for others. And because he asks the Question, I'll answer, Why all this? but, to clear what's right, and stand to it. 4) They tell us they want Freedom, and are in Chains, Discoverer. because the Parliament stops their mouths from Printing. Ans. 1 They would have the State to stand still, and suffer them, with their Seditious, and scandalous Libels to strik them, as often as they please, &c. Vind. They would not be stopped from speaking Truth, and Discovering the Tyrannies of bad men( as it follows in that place.) And this Sycophant hath invented wicked thought,( which never entred their guile-less Souls) and foisted them here; in comfort with those slanderous ones, which un-worthy great men in their several daies have had their earthly upholders to coin; and impose on such sincere, spirited men as their fearful hearts suggested( and that truly) to be dislikers of their exorbitancies, studiers of Common safety, and courageous for the Cause of the Oppressed, &c. Answ. 2 Such as prescribe remedies against Conspiracies, Discoverer. give this as the first, and Principal, namely, To prevent, and cut off( if possible) the occasion, that it may not break forth, &c. Vind. Wherefore serves this?— We are at a loss( Reader) and cannot tell whereat he strik's, unless wee'l( to pleasure him, and comply with his unmanly imagination) opinar, conceit a Conspiracy among these men, forenamed. Which, for me to do, were( I protest before the God above) as to obstruct my sight, by erecting in the way of light, one of the most gross Media's devise-able, called, Prejudice. Ans. Discoverer. 3 Men who have acted by the principles of reason, and nature, have always been careful to stop the publishing of seditious books &c. Vind. And that these mens Books are such, pray Credit, for he can't lay it down. Discoverer. 4) Whereas they would help themselves by mentioning Stapleton, Hollis, &c. Its a sophism, &c. because Pilate did not well in Condemning Christ, therefore he did ill to condemn the thieves. Vind. Following his terms, he hath lost the sense. These men argued not the Ordinance[ ill] because made in the time of Stapleton, &c. but[ the worse] the more severe, and unreasonable, when heightened wrath rose up terribly, to quash even all, but royalists; and at last Petitioners for Peace. 5) We suppose they will now object no more against the Parliament for employing that Apostate Judas( M. Discoverer. Haiden) as an Executioner to search after un-licensed Books, seeing themselves have done execution upon him, murdered him in a most barbarous, and cruel manner, and secretly( saith the margin.) Vind. I can think this man will not lay Haidens death to these 4 mens Charge. Its deep; and can the Levellers go off with good report? lets hear. Mr Thomson( a man whose death was lately purchased at a dear rate) attending( on a Saturday) a Printing-press without Cripple-gate, Haiden comes in with two men, and lays hands on some Papers, which T. resolved he should leave behind him. Now H. opposing, T. draws his dagger, and pricks H. in the arm near the shoulder, and afterwards turns him out: after which, H. goes and procures some files of musketeers, and went to look for Books at Mr Larnars, where( after many reaks played) he brings down their narrow stairs such bundls of Books in quires, under his arms, as would require a mans strength to carry, &c. Then, Sunday-night he goes to M. pains, and then broke all his Presses( of great value) to pieces, &c. But( to cut short) till monday he had not his wound dressed,( though the Marshal-General, oft urged him to it) and after that he lived about a month( after his most barbarous and cruel murdering by the Levellers) and then died that infamous villain,( with the mark of a Rogue in his hand.) And further to satisfy thee, Reader, nextly take the copy of a Paper which I remember I saw pasted-up upon posts, Gates, and observable Places concerning him. At a covert marshal of his Excellency, the Lord General, held at White-Hall, the 9th of March 1648. THat whereas one John Haiden hath of late been employed by some members of the Army, in some particular Services; especially, for suppressing of scandalous Books and Pamphlets; and upon pretence thereof, Information is credibly given, that he hath committed many insolences, and misdemeanours of high nature, to the dishonour of the Army, contrary to the Trust reposed in him, to the great and insufferable damage of several people. These are therefore to signify, That this Court doth disclaim any Act, or Thing that he hath so done, upon any pretence of Authority from any Member of the Army whatsoever. And all Souldiers are to take notice hereof, That they give not any Aid or Assistance unto him, upon pretence of any Warrant or Information of what nature soever. HENRY whaley, Advocate. And here he tells us of an Atheistical, and Hellish Counsel, Discoverer. suggested by Walwyn, to a woman lying under a sore and heavy Temptation, to lay hands on self. Its a Transcript of what is in that stream of slander, termed Walwyns wil●ss. Vind. A sore and heavy charge( God deliver me)— But( harken! a whisper) is it true? 〈◇〉 your ear. You must not lightly credit evil reports &c.— For— To question it speaks out the like to the unpardonable sin, Infidelity. Yet( honest soul!) lend a little bear( the Sabatical, perfect, blessed number of) 7 Church-men subscribe that Book, and he who seeth the secrets of darkness can tell, how many of the sodality will( pray hold them not for puritans) take their oaths of it.— I am at a stand— Give me leave to suspend judging, till some friends be inquired of, who in all likelihood, itis more than probable, know the Truth of the story. The Gentle-womans tender Husband, loving Sisters, and dear Son( to whom the remembrance of the fact is no small grief) answer, They never heard of any such suggestion, till this( grievous) book came forth; And good cause they have to think such words never were spoken by the Gentle-man name. A special Instrument( in the hand of God) was he to the spinning forth her life so long, by his prevailing consolations, instructions, &c, after he understood her distemper, which he was ignorant of, till the doleful tiding of this good Womans desperate casting her self into Water made him know it, as appeared even by his mode of telling the news thereof, when he came to home. And( for my part) I think itis improbable he hath such an Opinion, Because when he might opportunely have discoursed thereof, he was silent, viz. when our friend Mr W. R.( amicus non emultis) and I, walking in his Company along Moor-fields, talked thereof, upon occasion of Mr W. R. having borrowed from me that Discourse of Suicide, entitled BIAOANATOS. And the Penner of that Wily stream of slander( presents it like an un-cloakt naked falsity) hath cautelously omitted the delivery of any circumstances anent the same, with which, if this had been clothed, doubtless one or other, some man or woman could have been found out( without descending into the abyss, or applying to the Heavens) to have attested they knew the speaking of them, and have told us the Place WHERE, the Company IN WHICH, the Occasion whereupon, one Time or other( of oftentimes) WHEN, such words were spoken, or ought suggested to this purpose. As to the Scribe who wrote that pacht, Soloecismatical Treatise, he's unlike a Reformist,( and therefore I think him none of the Subscribers. For they are at least Independents. I use not the Name in Odium, but distinctionis gratia.) saying p. 24. You shall find these mens Petitions spirited with such PROVOCATIONS as these; The Magistrates must have no power to impress, or constrain the People to arms by Sea, or Land, &c.— Taking away the Ministers maintenance under the name of tithes, &c— Pretending the worthlessness of Lawyers in a Common-wealth. Whereas, the Grand Reformers in the Agreement, say p. 22. We do not empower them to impressed, or constrain any person to serve in foreign War, by Sea, or Land; Nor for any Military Service within the Kingdom, &c. And in the Declaration of the said General, and general Officers concerning it, p. 29. The taking away of tithes, &c.— And in the same page., Putting all the Laws, and the Proceedings thereof, into the English Tongue. And Mr Hugh Peters, a man whom the Subscribers will not except against as an Incendiary, hath often told( and that well) A great many thousand souls live in America, and know not what a Lawyer means; and to what end, unless to that by those men intended, I shall willingly leave to the seven mentioned, to answer. Concerning it, I say no more, but from the bottom of mine heart( o LORD, thou hearest) I do supplicate; that those who were at first the light, heedless Deliverers of these, and such like speeches, never so much as dreaming of their being unhappily circumvented, and engaged to save their credits by attesting or swearing the Truth of them; And, that those who have used them to the supplanting this unharmful mans hurtless soul; may never( after the doleful sight( which thou our Judge wilt on a day present them) of the mischievous service they are put to) be induced to steer desperately, and make their own Catastrophies,( through like perpetrations to that direfully exemplified) real Testimonies to the censuring world, of their assuming such a cruel Opinion in the time of horror, in the hour of trial, Temptation.— For, Matth. XXVII. 3, 4, 5. JUDAS, when he saw that JESUS was condemned, REPENTED HIMSELF— Saying, I have sinned in betraying the Innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? See thou to that. And— he departed, and went, and HANGED HIMSELF. 6) They would have the council of State dissolved. Discoverer. 1 Because these men fear, as the Case now stands, they MAY design to perpetuate their power, and keep off Parliaments for ever. Answ. 1 The Plot is no more but thus: A man should throw away his Meat, Money, armor, &c. because such things MAY do him harm. The expression whereof, is conviction sufficient. Vin. An inept Simile indeed( as is obvious to any mans judgement.) But 2 Opportunity is too shrewd a Temptation for men, to &c.— Answ. 2 The council of State can no more hinder, Discoverer. or keep the Parliament from sitting, than the Courts of Chancery, Exchequer, &c. Vind. Hold there. Can those Courts do any one of these Great matters next mentioned? which, how near they may be improved to the feared end, I will not, do you say. I wish it may no more hinder, &c. 2 Because they are possessed with power to order, Discoverer. and dispose all the Forces, &c; public Treasure; To command any Person whatsoever before them, To give Oath for the discovering of Truth, To imprison those that shall disobey their Commands, and such as they shall judge contumacious. Answ. 1 To whom a jurisdiction is given, unto it such things are necessary granted, without which nothing can be done.— They find fault because they have power to Act the things which properly belong to such a State. Vind. Then are some States deficient in what's proper, yea necessary to such States. Which, what man, is so childish as to think? Can other States give oaths of the Nature of that Ex Officio? Interogate( Prisoners) in matters Criminal which concerns themselves, &c. or nothing can be done? Answ. 2 Consists of 5 Particulars, which saith he, Let be considered, &c. and considered they should have been by me, if they had not been immediately so presumptuously obtruded( as they are) for Assertiones. 3 They object against the Persons. Discoverer. 1 The Chief of the Army. Answ. The Lord always made them chief Instruments to preserve this Land from their horrid, inhuman, and bloody wil●ss, and workings against it. Vind. Yet, such horrid, inhuman, and bloody wil●ss, and workings never were in rerum natura, but in the forges of lying fancies. 2 The Iudges of the Law. Discoverer. Answ. Here likewise we know their meaning; its confusion they would have:— Take the light away, and darkness must needs follow: That a judge of the Law, quatenus such, is unfit, &c. it is the most sence-less thing that ever was uttered. Vind. Concerning this kind of men, you have had Advice enough in the Advertisements for new Elections, &c. Further, Note, the General, and General council, carefully put in this to the Agreement of the People, page. 17. In case any Lawyer shall be chosen of any Representative, or council of State, then he shall be uncapable of Practise as a Lawyer, during that Trust. Thirdly. What a notable stir is here( by an obliqne touch) put upon the other Members of the honourable council of State. Observe it. If those Judges of the Law which are among them, should( suppose, by the next Representative) be taken away, then darkness must needs follow,( or this Preacher is beside his Text. 3 Treasurers of Money. Discoverer. Answ. And why not? It will be time enough to give a further Answer, when we know the Cause and Ground, wherefore such are excepted. Vind. The Cause and Ground wherefore such are excepted; there can be none so ignorant as not to know. Its superfluous to present a Reason( which the ingeny of any one, not born an innocent, will dictate) against those mens being in such a place. 4 Exception is, That 5 were Members of the Lords House, Discoverer. And most of them such as have refused to approve of your Votes, and Proceedings, concerning the King, and Lords. Answ. 1 The Parliaments proceeding with the King, and Lords, is one thing against which, they( he means, the 4 men in question) do Protest. New Chain, Part 2. page. 17, 18. Vind. The man Answers any thing, so he answers with something: Here he tells us of Contradiction, falsehood, hypocrisy,( such things, as his tongue freely, delivers) and conceals those words( of whosoever were the Authors) of that Discourse, which sufficiently speak the plain sense, viz. We also Protest against their— judging, and taking away mens lives IN AN EXTRAORDINARY WAY. We also Protest against the Election and Establishment of those High Courts of Iustice, as unjust in themselves, and of dangerous Presidence in time to come. And this is what they have to that purpose. Answ. Discoverer. 2 They are here at their old Game to make Division between the Parliament and council of State. Vind. Would I had not cause to say, This man will, ( patrizare) entrusts to do the deeds of that old Gamester mentioned John VIII. 44. as he doth here. Answ. 3 There are none of the Lords House, Discoverer. neither of the House of Commons, Members of the council of State, which did any thing in relation to the Treaty, or declined that last proceeding, &c. Vind. Why? no body said there are( whether there be or no) any such Members of the council of State. But( Further) take notice of the most ill-condition-like trick that ere I observe played by a poor Answerer; The words quoted are taken from the next following Section( in the New chain) and the 5th( Subsequent) exception, doth intervene. The said Section begins thus, Some of your own House, forward men in the Treaty, and decliners of your last proceedings. To which this Answerer saith nothing, not a word. 5 They except against such as were Iudges in the Star Chamber, Discoverer. and approvers of the bloody, and tyrannical Sentences issuing from thence. Answ. Can there be imagined, an exception more light, irrational, groundless; For what if a man had been a Member of the High Commission Court, or of the Popes Conclave, this could not be any just bar, whereby he should be disabled from any future Office, Place, or employment, if nothing else did appear, and the Person otherwise in every respect fitted, and qualified for the work. Vind. 2 Kings XXIII. 9. Nevertheless the Priests of the high Places came not up to the Altar of the Lord in jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren. These men hold with that good Advizer, who wrote, Though some of these men may now be better Patriots, and otherways affencted; yet since there be others untainted, not unworthy choice, GOOD REASON it is, that they should be preferred before these. And hath not the Parliament made such an exception only, a bar sufficient, to disable men from being Chosen into Places, & c? And presumest thou ( Discoverer) to say, this bar was not just? Here is a fit place to discover the vanity and folly of their book, Discoverer. entitled, The Picture of the council of State. And here 1) Note, the Original and moving cause wherefore the State apprehended them. Not onely had these men &c, but withal had made a traitorous Book— This being[ known] the Parliament gave Commission and Order unto the council of State[ for the apprehending and securing of those Mutineers.] The council accordingly appointed some Officers of the Army to see the Parliaments command executed, &c.— the which done, and the Persons brought before the council, it was shewed them( by the Lord President) by what Authority they were sent for, and the Reason why, &c. Vind. How imperfect the Relation is, let every one judge, that knows, or hath heard the proceedings reported. How untrue, you'l see by laying parallel to it, the Presidents words, to wit, This council having information that you have a principal hand in compiling and promoting this Book, and the Parliament having referred the enquiry after the authors and publishers to this council; therefore they have sent for you. And remembering the Warrant for Commitment run thus— upon suspicion of high Treason, &c. 2) For their Answer, Discoverer. We must expect shortly a further discovery. The next place unto which they bring us, is the council of War, and say. 1. By their means, after these fair blossoms of hopeful liberty, breaks forth this bitter fruit of the vilest and basest bondage, that ever English men groaned under. Answ. 1. When it is to pled for mutinous Souldiers, &c. we shall hear them speak of good daies, times of Peace, all Courts of Iustice open( vid. the letter of two of them) but if it be to reproach the Army, they can make their tongues to say quiter contrary, nothing but bondage &c.( new Chain p. 9. Vind. The man deals but dis-ingeniously, never tells us what this better fruit, &c. which these men( are said to) except against, and which praecedes this citation without mean, was, whereby his Reader might have at hand, before his eyes, the matter he is to judge of, to censure, or acquit. For this his common trick, he may be called the Concealer, vid. pag. 30, 38. 2. He is so across, he'l make Contraries of Convenients. Hear them, Its a time of Peace, and all Courts of Iustice are open. There breaks forth bitter fruit of the vilest and basest bondage, &c. Gross contradiction( for so he calls it) where lurkest thou, liest thou hide? Come, o man of Confidence( vid. Conclusion of his book) come with thy further Discovery, for this doth not make her appear.— If I look for it, it shall be at the catch of Opposition betwixt Peace and Bondage. And if I find it not there, the Reader must know he is to turn Seeker, if she be finde-able; if not, then Expectant till the next Discoverer come.— Token. Peace. I see( in the letter) stand free from malignant Cavaliers, and Bondage seems( in Chain. p. 9.) under the lefts sides hanger. But they are clear of one another. Are not at fighting terms. Jer, XXIX. 7. Seek the Peace of the City whither I have caused you to be carried away CAPTIVES— For in the Peace thereof shall ye have PEACE. Answ. 2. He is here quiter beside the Saddle with a piece of the L. Col. letter; which being matter of report, which I cannot inquire about, Ile onely say, the Reader may in the Concessions of the Discoverer, have enough to complain of. Another cause of their complaint, Discoverer. is, that such Petitioners as have moved in the behalf of the People, have had their Petitions burnt by the common-hang-man. Likewise, for passng an Ordinance for tithes upon triple damages. New Chain, 1. p. 7. & 2. p. 4. Answ. The Persons whom they do accuse all along, naming a prevailing power in the Army &c. they have not had a hand in the things whereof they accuse them. Vind. Its openly laid before us in the beginning of that Section, in the first part, that it s the House, not their Army, is blamed. And in 2. part, the Authors charge upon them, the passing this Ordinance, no otherwise, than as they( contrary to the importunate desires of the Agitators, and Remonstrance of the Army) permitted the conjunction of the Usurpers, to those guarded to their places, One of the first fruits whereof was this Ordinance. Lastly, Discoverer. There are many other accusations of this nature brought against the council of War, and Commanders of the Army, of all which we shall speak in our next Discovery. The one thing more, is touched before. Vind. Now Reader, recollect your thoughts, and seriously consider, whether he, who is so vain, so false in his tongue, and notorious a make-bate, is to be heard, and not answered, reproved? Whether this unus ex plebe,( in our Common-wealth) be fit to sit a Judge, and sentence such men as these? and, Whether he hath clearly demonstrated, by Reason and proof abundantly, that they have done already that for which they ought to suffer death? as he( out of the abundance of his heart) saith, p. 33. like the Priests, and Prophets, and all the People, against jeremy, Cap. XXVI, v. 8.11. From my Counting-house, June 6. 1649. ERRATA, P. 4. l. 3. for heart, r. head. p. 1 s. l. 24. r. thoughts. FINIS.