An ANSWER TO A LETTER Written out of the country, to Master John Pym, Esquire, one of the worthy Members of The House of Commons.  
LONDON Printed Anno Dom. 164●.   

An answer to a Letter written out of the country, to Master john Pym Esquire.  
THough R. E. I am not acquainted with you, yet have I often perused your Diabolical forgeries, the bitterness of your complaints, the invective poison couched in your speeches, and the treacherous calumnies written in your Letters: wondering that a Papist dare be so saucy, to invent such untruths against the State, knowing the Laws to condemn such Pharisees as treasonable. My intent at this time is not to search out the rancour of your poison further than it lies couched in your Letter out of the country (forged as) to Master john Pym Esquire, which might rather have been justly entitled a calumnious Pamphlet forged of purpose to abuse him. You may well say it was written out of the country, 1 because by foreign spirit of the Church of Rome, an abortive in ours, But 2 because it came from Hell: the Devil is the father of lies, he presented you a fit instrument for his purpose with it, because of your Popish education, and you have been obedient herein: you say he is one of the worthy Members of the House of Commons Herein the Devil appears like an Angel of truth, you say he is one of the worthy members; is such a one a fit subject for you to jeer, taunt, and abuse, as if he were so base a vassal as yourself, a right Popish trick, your Letter bears date Feb. 1. a time remarkable, for upon this very day, L. Sergius Catilina conspired the destruction of Rome, as you have done of England: but what was the event of it, M. Cicero prevented his conspiracy, and caused him to receive his due reward. 691 Sallust. And so I doubt not, but God will by some Cicero or other discover yours, and bring you to the bar of justice for your labour. But to come to the view of your forged Letter, itself.  
I find your Letter, (or rather calumnious Pamphlet) to begin thus, Sir I shall not need to tell you, with what tenderness of care I have hitherto observed your commands concerning the dispersing of those books you sent me. It is true we are too well acquainted how tender you have been and careful to stir for the Pope's honours sake, and to this purpose have perused those books, Remonstrances and Declarations, which have proceeded from the High Court of Parliament, which have been too much, and too saucily abused by such turbulent factious spirits: neither do I wonder that your own conscience whispers treason to yourself, because you know so well your own guilt, & so lightly condemn yourself with their just censures. You say you find your Arts now to failt, I hope you will in convenient time, for do not think that you can still veil your black art of consecrating of traitors to act your desperate designs, your art of conjuring with Bulls and Breves: your arts of treason, and treacherous conspiracies which your old men have re●●●●ed, (〈◊〉 King james said once in the Parliament House) By their first drinking i● liquor upon a certain shamefastness to bethought curious: and your young men through evil education that have never been brought up but upon such venom in place of wholesome nutriment. King james speech March 19 1603. And indeed the practices of the Popish Armies in the North at this day, are such that I hope the English Protestants will have so much understanding to preserve their own security, that where you were wont to find a willingness, you will be n●w to seek a receipt.  
I● the next place you seem to dissemble the matter, and indeed to mingle your poisoned pills with Sugar, that the bait may the better allure us to swallow it: it is true enough that the malignant party have infused such Principles, as begin to shake the whole fabric, by which they have laboured to divide the King from his Parliament, to lessen his honour, by vailing his throne there exalted, by dissolution of Parliaments, by destruction of the Laws, and Liberties of the subject, and indeed by overthrowing all Religion, and turning the peace of the Kingdom to a confused Chaos, and so to cross and hinder that happy building (which the Parliament on their behalf) have endeavoured with so much industry.  
In some things you have spoken true (to give the Devil his due.) From a right understanding always proceeds a right judgement. Therefore is it that the Parliament rightly understanding the dangerous designs you daily practice doth bind us to assist them, resting satisfied in their judgements, and accordingly to proceed against you, and your designs. It is our misery that you have those to deal withal that want the first, and so are ignorant of the misery you bring them by being so forward in the latter, whose sufferings have paid too dear already, since your Rhetoric hath prevailed above the wholesome counsel and advice of the Parliament.  
You say you are no longer able to restrain their (you would have said your own) rash judgement of Master Pym, and many other worthy members of the Houses, accusing them as the prime instruments of your misery: you may well call it rash judgement indeed, as a Spanish Ambassador once said (G●ndomor by name) at his return, declaring what dissaffection he had raised in England against Parliaments. Whatsoever project we list to attempt (saith he) enters safely at that ear, whilst their policy lies asleep. So have too many at this day been seduced by such wicked practices to labour that the wise policies of the High Court of Parliament, may be lulled asleep in a tempest, whilst we and all we have are drowned in the deluge.  
The ordinary or rather extraordinary calumnies you writ of are too frequently used, indeed the more it is to be lamented, for it is easy to be discerned how the want of right understanding doth corrupt such judgements as are so discerned by you. As 1 to say, Have we at all mended our condition this Parliament? I answer that it was much bettered by their suppressing of Monopolies, preventing of injustice in many Courts, and beginning a Reformation in Religion. Indeed your Popish hopes were not bettered, but our hopes were, and our condition found it out so till evil counsel stopped their proceed, by raising a dissaffection in the King's Majesty towards them, which hath caused so much distraction & bloodshed ever since, so that may we say indeed 2 Are we not fallen almost into terms of absolute ruin, since Papists are permitted to bear Arms against us? do we not see our estates not only taken away without, but against Law, by plundering, and pillaging, the daily practice of the Popish Cavaliers, insulting over the lives of the Protestants in the North by woeful experience have found. But whereas you tax the proceed of the the High Court of Parliament in the raising of money to be illegal, I answer, that for the Parliament, (into whose hands we have committed our estates, and trust of the whole Kingdom) to demand part of our estates for the defence of the Kingdom against a malignant Army of Papists, Delinquents, and traitors raised up to destroy the Religion, and Laws of the Kingdom, and to compel the payment by an Ordinance of Parliament, to save our Laws, Religion, Liberties, and Lives, is not against Law, neither against their promises made to us, to protect us against all arbitrary power whatsoever. 3 Whereas you say, had we borne the illegality of the shipmoney, even to the period of ours, and our children's days, it had never lain so heavy upon us as this one of the twentieth. I answer, that for the illegality of the Shipmoney, I refer you to the speeches of Master Saint john, and many other members of the House of Commons, and the large treaties, votes, and acts of Parliament against it: and for this twentieth part now cessed for the just cause aforesaid, for which purpose the Parliament have appointed, honest, sufficient and well affected men to judge of our estates, the best course to defend the lawful Rights, and Liberties of the Subjects against the Cavaliers in their traitorous Tyranny. 4 You say there is a guilt that gnaws us, for that it is employed against our lawful King. To which I answer, that were it employed against H●s Majesty it would do so. I could hearty wish that Justice might have its course to try whether the Earl of Newcastle, etc. or the Parliaments forces are employed against His Majesty, that so all those robbers, plunderers, and spoilers of this kingdom, and good people may be brought to punishment: and where can this be done more perfectly, then where the fountain of Law is, in the High Court of Parliament? 5 Another thing you question is this, as often as any Order hath issued out from either or both Houses since the discerning spirit of our good King, whom God hath set over us hath been absent bath not the event been profaneness murder, & disloyalty in the highest kind, not only not to assist but to resist the highest powers? To satisfy this your query I answer, that this profaneness, murder, and disloyalty did then begin when such orders began, to be slighted, scorned, and neglected, by a malignant party, and Popish Army, and by working, and increasing a dislike and dissaffection in his Majesty and the people to the Ordinances of Parliament, and by the scandalising of their proceed, which is the greatest disloyalty of all to the King, who is greatest, sitting in the High Court of Parliament with those High powers ordained of God, the resistance of whose Ordinances are justly censured with just condemnation. You tell us that as oft as your impieties have (for your sins) seemed to prosper, so oft hath thanks been given to Almighty God. It seems your thanks to God have been as full of hypocrisy as your Protestations to us, and surely we cannot but think it great impiety and sin in that party of Papists, Atheists, and profane wretches, that under pretences of fight for the old Religion established by the Laws of this Kingdom, shall go about to undermine, kill, and destroy both Religion, and Law, and although such may prosper sometimes, yet God will undoubtedly find a time for an account hereof. 7 You say that those things which in times past were marks of prosperity, are now badges of calamities. And the reason of this is, because there was never any Parliament so abused: indeed Gundomer boasted in Spain, that there are (quoth he) so many about the King; who blow this coal, fearing their own stakes, if a Parliament should inquire into their actions, that they use all their art and industry, to withstand such a council: thus hath prosperity to this day, been vailed from our eyes, since the scorn and reproaches of malignants against the High Court of Parliament have been made the badges of our public calamities.  
For the Ordinances of Parliament they are not cried up, by new and strange flatteries of base and abject sufferance: but obeyed according to the orders of Parliament, and as according to Law, they ought really to be by all noble spirits, and true hearted Protestants, which no Subject durst ever oppose, but Papists, Priests, and Jesuits, Rebels, and traitors: not as if we tied our faith to their sleeves neither, but as obediently submitting ourselves to the higher powers, and their lawful Ordinances; but for such who do thus rebel, their garments are spotted with that filthiness from which we that have obeyed have been washed.  
For the King's Majesty, I do verily believe that Master Pyms love and honour to him, doth as fare transcend yours, as we the Antipodes of the earth, and for this purpose, he (with the rest of the House) have laboured, not like Basilisks to flatter, but like faithful Counsellors to make him truly a mighty and an happy King: and such hopes have we had, and I doubt not shall have again when his Majesty returns, that he will by this Parliament bring forth an unexampled and every where envied happiness to the Kingdom of England, to muzzle the mouths of all pretenders, and to establish our Peace. All which is their labour, and study. But you put unto him a strange question. Would we say you, that there should be brought into the imperial dignity the issue of a great horse, or some such abortive governors. Abortive governors, indeed, and miserable ones too, & the Popish commanders too much swaying the imperial dignity, in this cruel war, since they like desperate horsemen have been permitted to trample on us. It is true enough that we are dealt with by cunning sophistry with their odious treasons: do not the very tenants of Popery teach us to rid ourselves of our allegiance, which the Parliament have laboured to prevent by Protestations, and wholesome Ordinances, and for the par●●ng with the twentieth part of our estates, I say no more than I have said already, only I would have you tell me if it be not wickedness in the Earl of Newcastle, and others, which do assess men to pay, not the twentieth part of their estates, but what they please, and do compel them to it by force of Arms.  
You accuse the high court of Parliament to be such clients, who have brought you into danger of your lives. Indeed such of you as are traytous, and rebels, your own consciences, it may be smite you to consider your guilt, which though you have sinothered a long time, yet have you perceived the Parliament in the way to find you out, and to discover you, who seeing yourselves in danger of your lives break forth to act such desperate designs as you have done. The Parliament are not clients for themselves, neither do they shadow themselves under the name of the people by large terms of Religion and Law, whilst in effect they overthrew both, as you falsely cast an aspersion upon them, for they are that very substance, the representative body of the Kingdom, neither is it usual terms to declare that there is the fountain of Law and power for Reformation of Religion, both which they have and daily do labour to preserve. And because the advise of both Houses of Parliament hath through the suggestion of evil council been so much undervalved of late, and so absolutely rejected, and refused, did declare to the Kingdom in their Remonstrance May 26. sufficiently enough to satisfy any rational man in the world what the privilege of the great council of Parliament is herein.  
You accuse the Parliament for having done that under the name of Peace, which would hardly have happened in War, which you undertake to prove: well let us see what you can say herein, 1 (You say) Arms are taken against the King, there wanted only a captain which in a tumult is easily found. The King now might easily leave the city, seeing at a beck, (in his presence) such tumults were raised. Surely I cannot believe the Parliament bear any Arms against his Majesty, but against a company of known malignants, and traitors to the Religion, and peace of the Kingdom, that have gathered head to make us slaves and vassals for ever, and that without the impeachment of their loyalty to him: neither hath the Parliament given way to any design which hath not been awed by the Laws of the Land, and the lawful power and exercise thereof, which his Majesty hath over them, much less to any unlawful tumults, especially raised against him.  
You put the question what hath been his demeanour since: and you answer yourself a continual ●●●ing of us, not to undo ourselves for the private ends of a few, whose deserts have been only, 1. The shedding of the Earl of strafford's blood. It is true this was his desert, and Justice did require it of them. This justice they performed in his trial and they as you say had their desert the justice of their power executed on the malefactor. 2 you tell us it was followed with an ocean of that of Ireland Herein you say they have had their deserts too, where you truly appear in your own colours; and what you are. You go on: and now of England, what of England, England hath been too much troubled with your popish faction: you say there hath been bribery from Papists, and I believe it too, the more is the pity; I make no question but you speak by experience, but when you are brought before the Parliament, what avails bribe's then? though the Pursuivants may be stopped with a silver bar, there you must come to the bar of Justice. 2. You complain of the separating of Protestants, countenancing of Anab aptists, and all other sectaries; Surely to cherish and countenance such, the Parliament gives no way at all, but are against them: indeed if by these you mean all such as are not Episcopal in their judgements, formal in their devotions, ceremonial and superstitious in their worship of God, such as will not swear and lie, and profane the Lords day, (in a word) if by these be meant all such as desire to be Protestants in life and conversation, as well as in mere profession, then to countenance and cherish such, is the way to maintain the true reformed Protestant Religion, and I know none countenanced but such as these. 3. You complain of their inhibiting good Preachers, and favouring ill; yea, even Coachmen and Cobblers, I pray you why do you not nominate the parties, this is nothing but a mere invective aspersion, except you call your fathers the Priests, Friars and jesuits the good Ministers, or divers popish Priests of our own, that were almost yours, such as these indeed have been brought to the bar, but for their countenancing of any without orders I know none, neither do you for all your great words. 4. You bring in robbing of Orphans, which is the practice of the popish Cavaliers, the Parliament desire to execute Justice against such crying vices. 5. You bring in exhorting to all manner of Rebellion, and lewdness, while they themselves have Lorded it, free from all danger, and care: But surely to fight against those who have actually attempted to destroy the laws of the land, the liberty of the subject, and indeed the very life of the Parliament, Religion and Kingdom, is not Rebellion, and lewdness, but is the care to which they are bound to defend his Majesty's Royal person, and laws by. In the 6. place you reprove the printing of such plausible lies as might draw things into a further confusion, of which vice; I believe there is none in the whole Kingdom so guilty as yourself, witness those many lines of lying Rhetoric you have from time to time brought to the press, and especially, this. Where 7. in the next place I find you ready provided with about the conveying of money away beyond the sea, gathered for distressed Irland: To use your own words, it is a plausible printed lie, added to your other volumes, whereof you have many.  
You tell Master Pins, that as for the Propositions he sent by those honourable Lords, etc. whereas it is well known the Propositions were often debated in both Houses of Parliament before, and with free consent of both sent to His Majesty; how lamentable a thing is it that such as you should dare to pollute the press with such a multitude of lies? I pray what is it that is odious in those Propositions; indeed they strike a great stroke against Popery, and for that they are odious to you, but the Lords did not go with their messag without consideration, as you imagine, or as I may rather say, purposely slander ●●em; they know their master Jesus Christ whom they serve, whose honour they esteem above their own: neither do they at all respect the opinion of such as you, so they may stand right between God and us, in loialty to the King's Majesty, of which they are tender and careful, and with how many bitter taunts and jeers did they all pass throw the Cavaliers before they came to the King's presence, calling them Roundheads, Parliament dogs? etc. Neither are they backward to comply with his Majesty's justice and integity, which is the laws of the land: thus are they not out of, but raised to the highest spher, from which they scorn to fly, knowing you cannot avoid that justice of heaven which will preserve them whilst they move not out of their order.  
You conclude putting him in mind of warding those blows that are aimed at him, whereas he (for such matters) is not like your condition, terrified with a desperate conscience, he looks up to heaven for protection, not to such dissembling affections as yours, who whilst you say, Your most affectionate friend and humble servant, you are indeed a very R. and so you will be E.  

An answer to the Postscript.  
IN your Postscript you most of all betray your ignorance; for the Parliament have as carefully looked after and committed the forger and printer of that declaration, as his Majesty was to burn it by the hand of the hangman at Oxford, to teach both him and you, and all such libelers to take heed how you do the like.    
FINIS.