England's Remedy of a deadly Malady: The Wise-woman's SAVING THE CITY ABEL, BY Delivering the head of SHEBA, who was a Traitor to the Commonwealth of Israel. Which serveth as a pattern, whereby the City of London may be saved, by the wise endeavours of the Citizens thereof, like this Wise-woman's, (which are upon divine record both for our learning and imitation) even by delivering up to Law & justice, the Traitors to the Commonwealth of England. Otherwise, if they (under the colour of defending themselves, Parliament, or City) do any longer shelter such wicked men (as vipers in their bosoms) or take up arms against our renowned Army, or any having their commission for such a just, reasonable, and lawful demand, will they not manifest to the world, that they themselves are not only Traitors to the Commonwealth, both in partaking with the wicked, and condemning the just, but are guilty of whatsoever bloodshed, ruin or desolation, may possibly come upon them and their posterity? And the malady consisteth in the Parliaments injustice of all sorts; self-interests, and grinding the faces of the poor; such as their illegal sentences, unjust imprisonments, burning by the common Hangman, the just Petitions of all the free Commons Liberties, detaining the hire of the labourers, not duly regarding widows, fatherless, nor maimed Soldiers: variable Votes, forced Covenants, and time-serving Ordinances, even to justify the wicked, and condemn the just; and so to make all freeborn English People the worst of slaves, after they are brought low by all sorts of oppressions and delusions, under several notions, and have both done all their best endeavours, and paid all beyond their powers.  
Printed in the Year 1647.   

THE WISE-WOMAN'S saving the City Abel, by delivering the head of SHEBA, 
2 Sam. 20 16, etc.  who was a Traitor to the Kingdom of Israel. Which serveth as a pattern, whereby the city of London may be saved, by the wise endeavours of the Citizens thereof, like this Wise-woman's, (who is upon divine record, both for our learning and imitation) even by delivering up to Law and Justice, the Traitors to the Commonwealth of England. Otherwise if they (under the colour of defending themselves, Parliament or City) do any longer shelter such wicked men, (as vipers in their bosoms) or take up arms against our renowned Army, or any others, having their Commission, for such a just, reasonable, and lawful demand, will they not manifest to the whole world, that they themselves are not only Traitors also to the Commonwealth, both in partaking with the wicked, and condemning the just, but are guilty of whatsoever bloodshed, ruin, or desolation, may possibly come upon them and their posterity?  Jonah 1.15. Prov. 28.28. & 14.34. & 11.10. 
So they took up Jonah, and cast him into the sea, and the sea ceased from her raging.  
When the wicked rise, men hid themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase.  
Justice exalteth a nation, but sin is a shame to any people.  
In the prosperity of the righteous the city rejoiceth, and when the wicked perish, there is joy.  
SO soon as the Kingdom of Israel was delivered from Absalon's treason, there arose another Rebel against King David, whose name was Sheba, who took occasion from the emulation and hot contention, which was between the ten Tribes, 
2 Sam. 2●  concerning the bringing back of the King to Jerusalem, even to blow the bellows, and kindle the fire of division between them, whiles the coals were hot, and to proclaim with sound of Trumpet in the name of all the ten Tribes, We have no part in David neither have we inheritance in the Son of Jesse, to your Tents O Israel  
So that by the instigation of this one wicked man, there was a great division made between many thousands of Brethren and Friends, who descended all of one stock, even a revolt of the ten Tribes, and so a rent of David's Kingdom.  
As this Sheba being here described by his brethren and kindred to be the son of Bichri and of Benjamins' Tribe, as King Saul was, so was he of Saul spiteful disposition, still retaining the bitter taste of the old cask of saul's Court, which is also noted of Shimei, by his reviling of David, when he was driven away by Absalon; both which old Courtiers, had not yet laid aside their old grudge against David and the State of his Kingdom  
The vigilancy and activity of this treacherous Sheba is thus noted, that when he seethe David at the weakest, than he taketh most advantage in the pursuance of his design to be strongest, draweth the ten Tribes into his faction, and betaketh himself to Abel a strong and walled City, whereof Joab (the chief Captain of David's host) having intelligence, he presently layeth siege to the City, destroyeth and casteth down the walls thereof being (as it seems) provoked thereunto by the Citizens, standing out against the siege in a wrong cause, even in defence of the Ttraytor Sheba under colour of defending their City.  
Whereas Joab (it appears) had no quarrel at all to the City, it being a branch of the King his Master's Kingdom, but only as it was an obstruction to hinder his pursuit against one Rebel and his faction in the City who had thus highly offended the King; so that there is a distinction here to be made between the City itself, and the traitorous faction of conspirators which were sheltered therein, whereof this Sheba was the head.  
Upon this fierce assault by Joab, thus provoked in his zeal for the weal of the Kingdom, and for avoiding of further strife and division, it pleaseth God (in his tender compassion of the City) to move a woman of the City, to cry from the wall to Joabs' Soldiers, that Joab would come near and speak with her; by this her desiring a parley, and the event thereof, she is called (as she truly deserveth) a wise woman, because she taketh the wisest and best course to preserve the City, as doth appear also by the effect.  
Whereas if she had not by her wisdom broken off both the folly of the Citizens, and the fury of the Adversaries, it might have possibly been turned to ashes, and by that means many thousands therein who knew not the right hand from the left, (as well as others of greater age) might have been brought to great misery, if not speedy destruction: So that to stand out in defence and maintenance of Traitors and Enemies to the common weal, under the specious pretence of defending a City, and not render them up to justice, upon just and lawful demand, is enough to provoke both God and man to punish the whole City, for so many wicked and traitorous Sheba's as be sheltered therein.  
We read of this very Tribe of Benjamin formerly, 
Judg. 19.20, 21. Chap.  that for their unjustly maintaining and not justly punishing that horrid fact of those sons of Belial amongst them, who abused the Levites Concubine to death, all the other Tribes of Irael risen up in arms as one man, and revenged it upon them to their destruction, though they were their brethren, and that for their wicked obstinacy in that heinous sin, without any repentance or godly sorrow: so that of five and twenty thousand mighty and valorous men, only six hundred escaped to tell news.  
And if for want and refusal of doing justice in such a particular case, the ten Tribes risen up and destroyed almost a whole Tribe, and that by the Commandment of God himself, seeing those who were guiltless, took part with the guilty, and so the whole lump leavened alike: then how is a whole Kingdom engaged to take revenge of any part thereof, which doth labour and maintain notorious Traitors and malicious Enemies to the Commonwealth, when justice is demanded of them? For as God hateth all wickedness, injustice, tyranny and oppression, amongst particular or private men, so how much more doth he hate treason and treachery, against a whole Nation or Commonwealth?  
But howsoever, whether they either forbear or do their endeavour, though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished: such grievous designs do never go , but are revenged of God or his instruments, without speedy repentance to prevent such deserved judgements: and no Nation in the world can show more famous examples in this kind than England, it being so often attempted to be betrayed both by strangers and others, but still preserved of God (to his everlasting praise.) Insomuch that a famous man said of England, Regnum Angliae, 
Polydor. Virgil.  Regnum Dei, the Kingdom of England is God's Kingdom, for none taketh any true of real care of preserving it, but God only.  
One word by the way, the Author of this Dictaum living in England, did well observe what a careless, wicked, and selfe-betraying State it hath ever been, consisting of a mixed people gathered out of several Nations, and therefore he attributed to God alone, the many and miraculous deliverances of this sinful Nation, as we have far greater cause now then he had then, to acknowledge in all these seven year's Occurrences, especially by the miscarriage of that bloody Petition, which should have been delivered by thrice forty thousand armed men, for which the wars began; the deliverance at Edge-hill, Newberry, & Brainford, when we should have been absolutely betrayed, had not God only been on our side, and shown himself to be the Lord of hosts, and God of battles, in so mightily rescuing and delivering us out of the jaws and claws of all our mighty and strong enemies, who were ready and bend at all those occasions to devour and swallow us up from being a people any more.  
But to adhere to our intended purpose: this wise-woman taketh courage, and speaketh to joab: Was not this a wonder, that there was never a wise man in this City? But God who oftentimes saveth both by weak instruments, and despised means, was pleased to make this woman the instrument of thus using the means in saving a besieged city in Israel, from all the power and forces of a great King; even as he made that poor wise man spoken of by Solomon, 
Eccles. 9  the instrument of delivering another City, who therefore declared, that wisdom was better than weapons of war, and yet no man regarded (much less rewarded) that poor wise man.  
As Abigail the wife of Nabal was a happy instrument to pacify the fury of King David and all his followers against her husband for his churllishnesse, 
1 Sam. 25.  so was this woman to assuage the fury of joab the chief Captain of all his forces here against this city: and it pleased God so to bless the means which those two women used, that both the King and joab harkened to their good counsel, and were contented to departed in peace, without offering injury or violence to any: So that it is good not to slight the wholesome advice of an inferior, more than an equal, or a superior. If Naaman the Syrian had despised the good counsel of his own wise servant, and not washed himself in Jordan, 
2 King. 5.19  according to the direction of the Prophet, rather than in the rivers of Damascus, he might have returned home, and died in his leprosy; yea and besides, he had not been so well confirmed and persuaded in his faith against his former ignorance and impiety, which he confessed upon his cleansing, and thankful returning to the Prophet, who cured him. If King Ahab had not hated Micaiah, and prejudged his wise and good counsel, 
1 King. 22.  against his going up to Ramoth-Gilead, he had not lost his life and kingdom: but he following the wicked advice of false Prophets, who stirred him up to make a new war, was one cause both of his own, and his posterities ruin.  
As false Prophets are known by many other bitter fruits, so chief by these two special marks. First, they are always eager and thirsty after blood, both like their father the Devil that murderer from the beginning, and that Whore mentioned in the Revelation. And next, they are no wise so hot for just peace, as for unjust war. Was not Jerusalem's destruction the more deserved, because they harkened to false Prophets, that spoke lies in the name of the Lord, and despised the true Prophet jeremiah, who spoke as the Lord immediately directed him. And did not that zealous King josiah himself, after all his matchless reformation, receive a mortal wound for going out inconsiderately to battle against Pharaoh Neho king of Egypt (as is likely) without advice either of God, 
2 Chron. ● 34, 35.  or jeremiah the Prophet? yea and distrusting that Pharaoh came not forth against him, but his enemies the Assyrians: and though his intention was just and good, even to defend his own Land, yet for this his trespass of temerity and rashness, he was punished with temporal death, but being so worthy a King, there was more mourning and greater lamentation for him, than any King that ever was in the world: Oh for such a good King as Josiah, and such a grave Parliament as the Elders of Judah and Jerusalem were in his days! then we should have a blessed and glorious Reformation not only in word and show, but in deed and substance, to some purpose.  
But to proceed, this woman is not like too many now adays, who claim unjust titles, for she well deserveth her title to be called wise, because she is so indeed, in that she thus loveth a just peace, and hateth an unjust war, which is the main end and scope of her parley with Joab; and is she is very excellent in the pacifying of Joabs' fury by forcible arguments, so is she no less active and resolute in persuading the people of the City by sound reasons, to yield to her just desires, both for their own safety and that which is their bond duty, even to deliver the head of Sheba that Traitor, who so troubled the Commonwealth of Israel.  
And therefore as God blessed her as a peacemaker, in prevailing with Joab, so also with the people, (for they finding her reasons to be just and right, ordered to cut off the head of Sheba, and to cast it over the walls to Joab, which accordingly was done) so Joab blew the Trumpet, retired from the City, and every man to his Tent: Thus by the means of those unto whom God giveth wisdom to order things aright, how contemptible soever they be in the eyes of the world, both good duties may be timely performed, evil consequences wisely prevented, yea and heavy judgements removed, as we see also by the happy issue of Phineas his zeal in the execution of Zimri and Cosbi, even in the very act of their heinous sin of Adultery. And without the execution of justice, here demanded by Joab, there is no peace with Joab, yea no peace with God; for if he (the Lord of Hosts) be offended and no means used nor followed whereby his anger may be assuaged, as he is a just God, and the true owner of vengeance, he must needs be revenged, and hath all the creatures at his call, always to execute his Will, as by one Angel he smote a hundred fourscore and five thousand of Senacheribs Army in one night; howsoever wicked men (who he oftentimes catcheth in the very same snares which they lay for others) thinketh that he hath neither number enough of instruments, nor magazine great enough of judgements to catch them in the height and pursuit of their sins.  
What a vain question was that of Joram to Jehu? Is it peace Jehu? What peace answered he, so long as the whoredoms of thy mother jesabel, and her witchcrafts are so many? God would have justice done upon the bloody house of Ahab, and upon jesabel for Naboths blood, what peace can be then till this be done? So here was a wicked Sheba, a Traitor to the State, who with his strong faction intended the overthrow of David's Kingdom, which was a type of Christ's Kingdom, and likewise to nullify the privileges and liberties of the freeborn people, for his own covetous and ambitious ends.  
This wise woman likewise professeth herself to joab, to be one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel, and this she doth not for her own private respects only, but much more for the commonweal of Abel her City: To be peaceable is very commendable, but especially in one who also is faithful; for, peacablenesse hath most respect to man, but faithfulness both to God and man; to God, in holding forth his truth, and to man, in giving good example by holy conversation, that men seeing the good works of faith (which are wrought by love) may glorify God, and (through his grace) become of the same profession: And faithfulness also to man doth consist in the discharge of all duties, especially of that trust which those who have undoubted power, do commit to the charge of those whom they choose: and the other do not only undertake, but faithfully vow and promise to perform with all their power for the public good: and herein, if they be either remiss, corrupt, or false, do they not falsify their faith, and betray that great trust, by bending all their affections, and employing all their studies for their own private ends: so that by this means they transform themselves from being any more trusties, but become a faction of Traitors to the people who deputed them, not to advance themselves as masters, but the Commonwealth whereof they are servants, excepting so fare as their own share is included.  
This faithfulness both to God and man finds so little favour and entertainment now adays, that it is accounted rather a vice then a virtue, except only among such as be also faithful and well-principled: and although though they who hate faithfulness and faithful men do in word and show pretend peace, yet in deed and substance they hunt after war, like to those deceitful Prophets that by't with their teeth and cry peace, but he that putteth not into their mouths, they prepare war against him, even as now their brethren those popish Priests and English tythe-mongers, do still in these sad days of England's misery.  
And as this wise woman is peaceable, so she is faithful, and so peaceable and so faithful, that the peace she seeketh is so just, and the faith she manifesteth is so true, that she permitteth neither of them to putrify by resting at home with herself, but so employeth them in the works of love, that they extend themselves and run like clear rivers abroad unto others, and that not to a few friends, neighbours, nor familiars, but to the whole City where she liveth.  
Another point of her wisdom may be observed, first, in the wise and sure foundation of her arguments from God's Word, and next by the judicious stating thereof by way of interrogatories or questions, as the most choice and pregnant ways to daunt the fury either of friends or adversaries, and that even by giving them some hint of their own fault in their vehement pursuance of revenge, otherwise (as it seemeth) then by due order, especially when there is no other forcible nor probable means of resistance, as appeareth by the story.  
She chargeth joab (as it seems) with a breach of God's Law, where it is forbidden (Deut. 20.10, 11.) to fight against a City until peace be offered unto it, which (belike) he had not done, and therefore apprehending his own ignorance or negligence, was touched by the truth, sense, and force of her words; as also she thus pleadeth; as if she should say, howsoever others may out of their unadvisedness make some resistance to joab and his Army, contrary to her mind and will, yet she (not being able to amend nor hinder them) for her own part, is one of them that are peaceable and faithful in the City, yea and a mother in Israel: and therefore why would he presume or offer to destroy the inheritance of the Lord?  
The sad apprehension of which words, made such a deep impression in joabs' heart, that he very soberly and discreetly cleared himself, by the reality and integrity of his intentions, saying, God forbidden; God forbidden it me, that I should devour or destroy it: the matter is not so, but a man of Mount Ephraim (Sheba the son of Bichri by name) hath lift up his hand against the King, even against David, deliver us him only, and I will departed from the City: and the woman said, Behold his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.  
Then the woman went unto all the people with her wisdom, and they cut off the head off Sheba, the Son of Bichri, and cast it to joab, than he blew the Trumpet, and they retired from the City, every man to his Tent and joab returned to Jerusalem unto the King.  
To prevent an Objection here, in the wise woman's speech to Joab, she saith thus, they spoke in the old time saying, they should ask of Abel, and so have they continued; now whether she meaneth only the place, mentioning the same by the name, that those who besiege a City (as the City Abel) ought first to offer peace to that City, as is formerly observed, of that Joab and his soldiers ought to have asked of the City Abel, whether or no they would deliver Sheba, and to have offered them peace upon delivery of him, and not to have broken down the wall without any such question or condition, contrary to the Law of God, common sense and custom, which may be drawn from these words of her speech, and so have they continued, or that they should ask concerning the person Abel, calling to mind his innocent blood, alluding to the people in the City, who had not procured such an assault, by any misdemeanour proceeding from themselves, either of which senses or interpretations, may be pertinent enough to the scope of what she intended, in her dispute or speech to joab.  
And the reason why joab was so easily pacified from all his fury, and getting justice only against one Traitor, though there were a number of others in the City, he himself declareth in the History, that the intent of his coming was to have justice only against one man, and the cause was formerly showed, even that he was the ringleader to all the rest in rebellion; according to the old true proverb, which a Member of the Parliament for once repeating in the House (where oftentimes truth hath no place nor admittance) pereat unus potius quàm unitas, it is better that one (or a few) perish, than a multitude, Corporation City, or Nation, was commanded to the bar and committed to prison, where he continued for a whole year at least.  
Now all that is to be inferred from what is here spoken, doth briefly tend to this effect, there are many opinions concerning the intentions of our renowned Army, especially for their advancing to this City: Why? what's the matter? Doth it not consist of very rational men? And do not you think, but they have many strong reasons and both weighty and urgent causes for what they do: We not only know by report but feel by experience, that there is not only one Sheba among us, but too many ringleaders of rebellion, incendiaries of sedition, and raisers of anew war, which the Army do demand and pursue, that they may be delivered up to the law, and tried according to justice, which is the first and most special and effectual means to recover both our Laws, peace and liberties; out of which all the freeborn people of England are like to be stripped naked, and so are in a most dangerous capacity of slavery and misery.  
And if there be such treacherous enemies to the Commonwealth and betrayers of there trust concerning the recovery and defence of our Laws and liberties, detained sheltered and maintained in and about the City of London, as that Rebel Sheba was in the City Abel, is there so much as my show or colour of reason to the contrary, but that the whole people of the land as one man (if it were possible) should seek all lawful and timely redress for justice: as in the case of the ten Tribes, against that of Benjamin before cited, and of Achan, jesabel and many others.  
Therefore whosoever or how many soever shall oppose them in so lawful and needful apursuit, will manifest themselves to be as great Traitors and enemies to the Commons of England as the other, who are thus impeached, yea and if it were in the way of revenge, failing of ordinary justice, (as this act of Joabs' pursuing Sheba may seem to be) it is neither cruelty nor war, but rather a seeking of justice, and consequently of peace, in so following after it.  
One thing is to be feared, and another to be wished; the first is, that the Citizens are not so diligent to treat with the Parliament for doing of justice, as they are with the Army for yielding to peace without justice: for this woman was as careful to deal with the Citizens, as she was with Joab, so soon as she knew his mind: And the next is, that neither Parliament not City permit their Clergy any more to preach war in the City; and peace in the Army, nor that such Incendiaries nor deceivers (as those Priests and their followers) be suffered any more to entice and poison, yea and undermine the weaker sort of the Army, but be quite returned.  
As this wise woman undertaketh, beginneth, proceedeth, and prospereth, in this great business, as appeareth by joab and the Citizens both hearing and following her counsels, because they all attend to justice, so by that most powerful, effectual, and commendable means, which she useth, it pleaseth God so to order the business, that thereby justice is duly and speedily executed, and so all is made quiet, even as when jonah was cast into the sea, the powerful raging thereof was changed into a great calm.  
But in regard the matter is historical, and needeth little illustration, or scarce any application, it being so suitable to our present condition, therefore I will add a simile for conclusion; this whole Kingdom at the beginning of this Parliament, may be parallelled with Gedions' Army of two and thirty thousand, when he went to battle against the Midianites, not in regard of our greater quantity or number, but rather of our quality and nature, this Nation being a mixed people, like gideon's Army of good and bad soldiers, able and unable, whereof the greatest part were the open enemies of our peace, and so very unfit to fight for our lives, Laws or Liberties, at least whilst they were under that banner.  
But those two and thirty thousand being fined, and a party singled out from amongst them, extending to ten thousand, which were not altogether so timorous, and therefore somewhat more likely to carry on the work in the day of battle: this party is like our mixed Parliamentary multitude, being chosen by all sorts, or rather several dispositions of people as appeareth by the fruit and effect proceeding from the cause, and as every living creature doth naturally produce and bring forth others both of the same kind and similitude.  
And these ten thousand of gideon's Army who were thus fined, being still unfit for the intended business notwithstanding, therefore they were refined to three hundred, which may be accounted those military members of valorous and victorious Soldiers of our Army, by whom as the Lord hath done great works to his endless praise, so our hope is, that the same God will do yet greater works against both our open and secret enemies, yea and pretended friends, to his own glory and all our comforts who trust in him, either by them or others.  
We bless his divine Majesty, that like this wise woman he hath made this City so wise, as to send forth some of their Aldermen and other ancients to parley with that renowned Army concerning the present expedition, of whose wisdom and fidelity both to the City, Parliament, and Commonwealth, as they have had already very sufficient, so shall they have (no doubt) abundant satisfaction; yea and will (we hope) crown the same with such happy and gracious effects to the joy of all faithful and truehearted English, both of this age, and all succeeding ages, as never King nor Parliament together nor apart did the like, since England was first a plantation, before it began to be a Nation.  
AMEN.   

The Malady, consisting in the Parliaments injustice of all sorts, selfe-interestes and grinding the faces of the poor, such as their illegal sentences, unjust imprisonments, burning (by the common-hangman) the just Petitions of all the Commons Liberties, etc.  
MAy not England now say, behold and see, all ye that pass by, is there any sorrow like unto my sorrow? Is not this our our fruitful land, like to become a barren wilderness, even for the wickedness of the Inhabitants? Is not this fearful judgement of new wars justly deserved, both for the crying sins and great abominations which so powerfully reign 〈◊〉 all estates, even from the highest to the lowest? And that not always nor altogether by means of professed enemies, but rather as often, and sometimes much more of pretended friends, yea even of a strong party in our own household of Commons: for that House being (as it were) the salt to season all the unsavoury practices and proceed of others, by their assembling for that business, in the behalf of all the Commons of England, if they themselves should lose the savour, wherewith shall they be salted? Will they in such a case be good for any thing, but to be cast out is corrupt and rotten Members?  
What people or Nation did ever more freely not only adventure, but even sacrifice their lives, blood, livelihoods and estates in the defence and for the maintenance both of the Parliaments own lives, Privileges and estates (even when they had neither Army nor Guard) so long as they seemed to stand for our Lives, Laws and Liberties, which they have so often promised, protested, declared, vowed and sworn to recover and defend, and we so long expected, yea and have so much deserved, as well by the right of purchase, as of birth and native inheritance.  
Long have we and our Predecessors sighed and groaned under the heavy burdens of former oppressions, by means of cruel taskmasters, even for a Parliament of six months, (never so much as dreaming of seven years) and that to have had our just Petitions granted, and our unjust grievances redressed, all wicked Laws abolished, and good Laws established, we looked for comfort, but behold sorrow; we have only a charge of oppressors, but still the same oppressions, though under other notions.  
And did not our own House of Commons, whom we both choosed and trusted to defend our Laws and liberties, at their first sitting so abundantly encourage us, both by their legal practices and fair carriages, that we could not with any conscience of our duties, or sense of our miseries, deny to adventure our lives, nor bestow our estates for their help, maintenance, and assistance? For did not they release the prisoners, bring home the banished, utter many excellent speeches in the defence of our Laws, Liberties, Persons and estates? Did not they abolish the Star-Chamber, High Commission, and Council-table Monopolies, and Ship-moneyes? Did not they demolish many Crosses, Maypoles, and high Altars? And, did they not make many fast-days, and begin to bring wicked men to condign punishment?  
But so soon as they by these plausible, powerful and effectual means, and the Clergies eloquence, had got into their hands the Commonwealth's monies, plate, and all things else, which might either encourage or maintain a number of soldiers to bring home the King with some bad Counsellors from York to the Parliament, they so tasted the sweetness and benefit thereof, that they not only used all forcible and effectual means to get more and more of the Kingdom's money at their dispose, until they not only made themselves rich, and the Commonwealth poor, but out of their abundance did divide the spoil, which cometh by the ruins of the people liberally amongst themselves, and send upon all convenient occasions beyond the Seas, so that these our trusties at Westminster, are quite changed and degenerated from their first love, and have betrayed that great and public trust which all the Commons of England have reposed in them, which was chief to rectify all kind of Tyranny and Oppression, but therein are so short, that they are become the greatest Tyrants and Oppressors themselves.  
For, do they not only hate and discountenance all who have been their best and truest friends, in their greatest both wants and other extremities, but prefer to all places of trust, power and command, both in Parliament and Commonwealth, even those who have assisted their and our enemies in these times, and have been always refractory to all goodness? Do they not still reject (as they have done for a long time) all worthy Petitions for England's Liberties, and very thankfully accept all that are destructive, cross or contrary thereunto?  
Do they not only advance those who seek to undermine, sell and betray both us, themselves and posterities, with all our freedoms, for some preferments, base or private respects, to fulfil their own lusts, but likewise imprison, threaten and revile the other well-affected party, calling them factious and seditious enemies to the State, and the like, who do petition for such lawful privileges as is their due to have, and the Parliaments duty to give, yea and condemn some of those honest and peaceable people's best Petitions, which do contain all England's liberties, to be burned by the common Hangman?  
And did they not only most unjustly and undutifully reject the just and humble Petitions of divers worthy Counties lately for the same Liberties? Do they not still oppress the poor, and grind their faces, by paying of Excise, rather than subside according to Law and reason, to lay such burdens for the public good on the rich, who have lands and abilities to bear and endure them? and yet notwithstanhing, the public debts and Soldiers are unpayed, widows, fatherless and maimed soldiers unprovided, and the public treasury emptied.  
Yea and which doth reach highest of all, they are grown to such an impudence both of injustice and ingratitude, against that worthy and renowned Army who preserved their lives, and secured their estates, that when they were addressing themselves to petition their own General, concerning very modest and reasonable requests, that he might (if he thought expedient) present them to the House, they declared highly against that just Petition of the Army, and all the Army themselves, calling them enemies to the State, and the like, if they proceeded any further therein, and endeavoured by all possible means either to disband, divide, or delude them, though since (upon not prevailing, and the Armies standing) they have recalled that Declaration, without any regard either to justice, honour, sin or shame, thinking thereby to have given the Army some kind of satisfaction, by such counterfeit repentance, and forced humiliation, even as if the Army, who have the sword to act, and they but the word to vote, would have been deceived by them, as they have cheated the Commonwealth.  
But to be short, because we are all like to be assaulted with a stronger temptation than ever we were heretofore, and that very speedily, we have great need therefore to cast our greatest care and confidence on God, and then we need not care nor fear what man can do, we will be dealt withal either by flattery or force, if not by both, to go up (as it were) to Bamath-Gilead and prosper, even to take up arms against our own beloved brethren and countrymen, flesh of our flesh, and bone of our bone, that most terrible Army with Banners, who through God, have done valiantly in subduing all our open enemies: but we must altogether refuse, upon whatsoever terms offered or pretended, least in obeying the lusts and arbitrary wills of wicked, covetous, ambitious and time-serving men, who thirst after blood, think to escape in the press, and still fish in troubled waters, we fight against God, be traitors to our Country, guilty of much innocent blood, absolve the wicked, condemn the just, and show ourselves (both by evil example and otherwise) both unjust and unthankful, even in rendering evil for good, as now the Parliament doth to us.  
For as this Army, when former Armies could not, have been the chiefest instruments of delivering us from regal oppression, so they are the most hopeful worldly power to free us from Parliamentary corruption, to see the time of each Parliament limited, and how often to be called, just liberty for tender consciences provided, just Laws made and executed, unjust Laws abolished, our just Petitions received, read and granted, our grievances redressed, this Parliament from all corrupt Members purged, all our just Liberties recovered, all who are unjustly imprisoned, justly released, and their illegal sufferings of all others since the Parliament began, legally repaired, the great accounts of the public Treasury required, widows, fatherless, maimed soldiers, and all other sorts of poor maintained, just men advanced to places of trust, both in Parliament and Commonwealth, and unjust men deposed and punished, so shall it be well with us, and our posterity throughout all Generations.  
But if otherwise, we yield now to wicked men's desires, for their own covetous and ambitious ends, and no good to us, when we have done all we can, yea and past the bounds of our abilities, we shall have no more thanks nor reward, than now we have of the Parliament for all our unspeakable both actions and sufferings, but be made such kind of beggars and slaves, both in our spiritual and temporal conditions, as we shall be a proverb and a hissing to all Nations, even as Gods own peculiar people the Jews were, who had many happy opportunities and gracious influences of Gods special favours, to have made them the most renowned, famous, yea and invincible people that ever were upon the face of the earth.   

An Appendix containing divers worthy particulars belonging to the premises, which do most consist in Objections and Answers.  
IF any do demand why the Remedy is placed here before the Malady, it is done because there be too many maladies and too few remedies, and therefore I place here first what is rarest, and last which is oftenest or most frequent, as the Prophet Nathan had his cure and remission ready, to pronounce for David's sins, before ever he by his wise parable, convinced him thereof.  
And whereas some may object, that our Army under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax, have not such power and authority of King nor Kingdom, to demand those eleven Members of the House of Commons, to be secured and delivered up to justice, as Joab had of King David or his Kingdom, to pursue Sheba, or besiege a City for him? It is answered, that the Captain General of our Army, hath as much power and authority at least, to do what he hath now undertaken, as joab the Captain General of King David's Army had, for what he undertook: for as the one tended to the well and safety of that Kingdom, so the other tendeth to the well and safety of this Kingdom, which is, and always should be, the main end both of all wars and governments. If either the Citizens of London had offered, or the Army of England had desired, the heads of these eleven Members, as was both offered and accepted concerning Sheba, rather than that so reasonable a demand to have their persons only, to be alive secured until they be tried, it might have imported severity in the one, and cruelty in the other; but since neither were so much as once mentioned, wherein then is the Army unjust, unreasonable, unequitable or any wise cruel, as both Parliament-men, who have so bad a conscience that they cannot endure trial, and others would suggest and surmise to the rude people, even by their base Queries and other aspersions, which they employ such as themselves also to divulge?  
If it be objected, that the Citizens of London are not so able to solicit or importune the Parliament of England for justice in this kind for the Army, as the wise woman and Citizens of Abel, were to procure justice of such forces belonging to the ten Tribes, as did accompany Sheba to that City in this his rebellion? It is answered, that the Citizens of London are more able, not only to solicit, but even to prevail with the Parliament for those eleven men for divers respects, which may be easilier understood, than the Citizens of Abel were with the ten Tribes concerning Sheba, yea and the ten Tribes of Israel were as great (I suppose) for that City to deal with, though within the walls thereof, as the Parliament of England is to this City, which is so near adjoining.  
If others do object that our General hath not a Commission from the Commons of England (for whose Liberties he and his Army now stands) to go against the Parliament, upon whatsoever colour or pretence? It is answered, that he and his Army have as fair a Commission at least, of the Commons so to do, as Joab and his soldiers had of King David or the Kingdom of Judah and Israel for what they did; but what out Army doth, is no wise against, but altogether for the Parliament in general, as having relation to the well-being or better subsisting thereof, chief by expulsion of corrupt and rotten Members, who have lately crept in, and over-voted the well-affected party in the House, like so many drons in a hive: so that the Army only leadeth their helping hand to the Commons of England in this case, for purging their House of Commons, as they most powerfully and valiantly assisted both them and the Parliament formerly in another case, by subduing all their open enemies, which neither of them could do, even by all their former Armies.  
And if any would have further satisfaction herein, if they will compare the 19 and 20. Chapters of the 2 Sam. concerning Joabs' Commission in that his so faithful service to the King and Kingdom, with our Army's Engagements, Declarations, Petitions, and Remonstrances, concerning Sir Thomas Fairfax's Commission, in his so faithful service to the Kingdom of England, now in this our extreme necessity, they will find that he hath a better Commission than Joab had in this his pursuit: for as the one prosecuted with zeal for the weal, safety, and recovery of that Kingdom's Liberties against all adversaries, he only knowing the mind of the better party, so with the like zeal doth our valiant Captain prosecute for the weal, safety and recovery of this Kingdom's Liberties, against all adversary powers, knowing the mind of the well affected, and at the earnest requests and fervent desires of many distressed and oppressed Commoners, Prisoners, Widows, Fatherless, maimed Soldiers, poor and others.  
And whereas it may be alleged, that our General is out of his office, and the Army ordered to be disbanded by the Parliament, who both gave him his office, & them their power, for the use they were at first appointed? It is answered, what the Parliament gave either him or them, or took from him and them, they neither gave the one nor took the other, as they are an entire Corporation or State by themselves alone, but as the representative Body of all the Commons of England, and so in that respect, but their agents and servants, even as some Bishop or Minister (after the example of Samuel the Prophet) doth anoint a King, being so ordained by the Kingdom, yet it doth not follow by any good consequence, that such a man merely for his so officiating or discharging the duty of his Office, is King, Lord, or Master of such a King so anointed by him, but rather still a subject or servant to him, because he is so ordained by the people, as by a greater power than his own, to perform that point of duty, as well as the rest belonging to his Office.  
And upon this consideration, he may neither justly say, nor in any respect dare avow, as Cardinal Weolsey presumptuously wrote to the Pope, I and my King do such and such things, so that both the Army and the Parliament, or the Parliament and the Army, (which of them soever may justly at this time have the first place, as the case now stands, the one having the bare word, and the other the sharp sword) yea and the King himself, though he were set as high as Solomon on his throne, are all but the Commons of England's Servants, and they only ordained for the weal and better being, but never for the woe and worse being of the Commonwealth: whereas the Commonwealth was never ordained, for the better nor worse being of them in any regard, but as they are servants to it, or as shepherds and watchmen in keeping it in peace, order, and tranquillity, both from foreign and intestine enemies, and the other as special instruments both of defending them in the discharge of their offices, and for that end, of maintaining them in their authorities.   

Needful Queres to the Parliament.  
Right honourable and truly noble, at least should be, like the men of Berea,  
NOt to speak of the crying sins and great abominations, whereof the Kings, Parliaments, Priests and People of this Nation are guilty, even surpassing the sins of Sodom and Gomorah, Tyrus and Sydon, in so long enjoying, and yet never receiving nor obeying the glorious Gospel of Christ, which if they had had, as our Saviour said of Capernaum and Bethsaidah, might possibly have brought forth better fruits than ever England did; neither to insist of the innocent blood, which cryeth from heaven against this Nation, by our betraying, under the colour of helping, that worthy and strong City Rochel, as well by cheating them of their provision in their extreme famine, when they were so straightly besieged, as by advancing their enemies with eight great ships to their utter ruin, starving and desolation, nor yet of the oceans of the guiltless blood spilt, and treasures spent, of late days amongst ourselves, to small purpose, yea and much thereof by your corruption, carelessness, double-dealing, and other indirect and counterfeit means.  
Did ever any Nation give better assistance to any Parliament, than this distressed Nation have every manner of way given unto you? Was it all done to make you Lords and Knights, and ourselves but servants and slaves? Was it to set you all in Coaches, and on horseback, and our selves but to run at your feet? Was it not merely that ye should redress our grievances, and recover our Liberties, abolish wicked Laws and establish good Laws? But have ye performed to us either one or other of these your duties? Have ye not rather made the cure more grievous than the disease, and the last error worse than the first?  
Have ye so often protested, vowed, sworn, and declared before God and the world, that you would deliver us from all oppression and tyranny? and yet are not ye yourselves become greater oppressors and tyrants then ever we had? Have ye not against all Law, justice, reason, conscience and profession, both done many things ye ought not, and left abundance of things undone, which according to the same grounds, ye were bound to do? Did either Petitions, Informations, or Admonitions ever prevail with you by word or writing, but rather did you not hearden your hearts, more and more like Pharaoh? Have ye not always sought rather to be revenged on such as show you your heinous sins, than any wise (except in hypocritical Fasts) to amend your faults? Yea, and I appease to your own consciences, Are not all these but mere shows which now ye make, to rectify some of the innumerable things that are amiss by your own means, even rather for slavish and guilty fear of the Army's sword; then out of any dutiful respect or true favour to the Commons of England, who choosed and trusted you, and whom (as ye are bound) ye should both serve and respect, if ye made any conscience of God's Word?   

A faithful Advice to the Army.  
Renowned Brethren,  
MAny of you know better than I can express, what wise course Josuah that valiant Captain General (who for a long time fought the Lord of Hosts Battles in the behalf of his peculiar people the Jews) did take when he saw the Lord show himself so angry at the sins of the people, (though it was but of one man) that he made them both fall and fly before their enemies, he searcheth diligently (either by lot or otherwise according to the custom of those days) throughout all the twelve Tribes, in which Tribe, or person of the Tribe the fault was; and finding it in the royal Tribe of Judah, and in Achan by name, through his covetousness, (which is the root of all evil) did punish him according to the nature of his fault.  
Ye have both begun and run very well hitherto, yea and win one part of the prize, praised be God, but I pray, who lets you, that ye will not obey the truth, but seem to be weary of welldoing: verily I say unto you, if ye sit down to eat, drink, take tobacco, and rise up to play, there will come such another alarm and unexpected judgement to waken you, as now ye seem to be to the Parliament, that may both possibly and speedily sweep you all away. Remember that the foolish Virgins who knocked at heavens gates out of time were debarred.  
Ye know well enough (having such principles) how dangerous it is, to begin in the Spirit and end in the flesh; and that the more gifts ye have, the more inexcusable ye are, if your practices be not answerable; have ye both done and suffered so many things in vain, if so be it be even in vain? All that ye can either do or suffer yet further, shall profit you nothing, if ye suffer yourselves to be corrupted, bribed, pensioned divided, or deluded. I wish they were even quite removed far from you, who trouble or disquiet you by doubts, surmises, shifts, or delays; yea and are not as willing and ready to act and prosecute, as ye (in your grave resolutions) are to consult, debate and proceed.  
Ye both see and hear, yea and (I trow) yet feel, that there is not only one fault, and one party guilty in the Parliament, where ye have begun to search (though not yet with a candle, nor with a small seive, but many, whereof ye accuse some: well, if ye be they who shall deliver England, we need not look for others, proceed, & go forth with courage like David, with your sling-stones in your hands, in the name of the Lord of Hosts, against all uncircumcised Philistims, and quit yourselves like men as ye have valiantly heretofore done, as your enemies cannot deny, for there is not only covetousesse amongst them, but both ambition and superstition in the highest degree, besides horrible perjury, adultery, and all sorts of iniquity, yea or scarce one, who is not blemished with that deceitful Covenant, which all of them have both often and fearfully broken, and yet are so impudent and Sathanically wicked, that still they urge and tempt others to come in the same dangerous snares with themselves.  
If ye be discreet, and seek the Kingdom's good more than your own, ye will not (like standing water) lie still and stink, and rot, and bring forth venomous beasts, but show yourselves like clear rivers which run into the Ocean, and both carry vessels for the traffic of the Nations, and bring forth wholesome and profitable fishes for man's use: Call to mind both how generous and valorous Nehemiah and his soldiers were, who built the Temple with the one hand, and fought against the enemies with the other, and Abraham also who would not take a shooe-latchet in his victories against his enemies, but only food to the soldiers, and if ye will speedily perform now withal your power, whatsoever good your hands shall find more to do, (because there is neither wisdom, nor work, nor invention in the grave whether ye go) and not put your hand to the plough, and (like Lot's wife, or Israel in the wilderness) look back, but forget what is behind, and strive forwards towards the mark, doubtless the same God, who hath heretofore got himself honour by you, will also upon your constant integrity and fidelity, in the discharge of your duty, stir up all other needful instruments to assist you, until he crown his own work with perfection, and bring both his, your, and our unrecoverable enemies to destruction.   

A Premonition to all Commons and Souldidiers, forewarning them, that if they will set God before their eyes in all their practices, be as true henceforth as they have been heretofore, to their own native Country and Privileges, and proceed valiantly as they have begun, he will so assist them, in crowning all their labours and toils with victory, as glory may redound to him, and comfort to them and us, with all the posterity.  
WHat means and craft can Satan or his instruments devise, which guilty men will not use, to save themselves from trial, when both their own conscience do once begin to accuse them and when a powerful party bringeth a strong accusation against them? Will not all they who are in one fault be so far from confessing, that the will not only stick together (like abush of thorns or briers) but justify and clear one another, even to their utmost power, persuading themselves, that if a few of them shallbe brought to light, the rest cannot long escape in darkness?  
Therefore, to repent their evils, and prevent their trials, yea and dazzle the people's eyes, they do not only (since they began to be questioned) make great shows of humiliation like Ahab, of zeal, like Jehu, and of obedience, like Saul, but likewise send forth their wise men, Councillors and Agents, (even Frogs, Machivillians, and Politicians) either to divide, delude, or disperse their accusers, like Captain Drake's ship in the midst of the Spanish Fleet.  
And though they fail of their expectation herein, yet they still encourage themselves, (as Saul did, apprehending his own guiltiness, he desired nevertheless to be honoured among the people,) and with great boldness and impudency, so face out the matter, that although by their secret means, some of their accusers fellows have already lost their lives, and will do so with all the rest, so soon as they can secretly (under other notions) provide an Army, yet they are not ashamed now to own their accusers, and provide their wages, as being flesh of their flesh, and bone of their bones, yea and offer them all their desires, only justice, the eleven Members prisoners, and account of the Kingdom's monies, they will endeavour yet to reserve, till they see who will go up with them to Ramath Gilead, and prosper against the Army.  
But we hope the same God who hath freed us from regal oppression, will also free us from Parliamentary corruption; and whether he hath appointed that this Army should do it, or if we should look for another, he knoweth best, who hath all the creatures at his call, to preserve or punish whom he will; only thus much, if this Army do not set God before their eyes, and have no better principles, then for a poor mess of their enemies poisoned pottage, to sell both all their own birthrights and liberties, and all the Commons of England's liberties, for which they have so valiantly and victoriously ventured their lives, and will not persevere in well-doing, without favour or fear, especially having all the truehearted Commons to partake with them, and assist them, and not crown their former victories, by sparing either fat or lean, who are guilty and execrable; he who is only wise and Almighty, knoweth very well both how to deal with them, and preserve all that trust in him.  
Farewell.  
FINIS.