A LETTER OR EPISTLE TO All well-minded People in England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.  
Written By Lieut. Col. Joyce, for the undeceiving of the good People, July 7.1651.  
That which moved me hereunto, was a consideration of the evils to come upon those that seek to obstruct Justice; fearing lest some would bring themselves into a snare, as others have formerly done in the like case.  
Vain is the help of man.  
Arise O God and let thine enemies be scattered.  
Fear bringeth a snare upon the righteous man.  
Watch and pray lest yea enter into temptation.  
When I come, shall I find faith on earth?  
July 10th LONDON: Printed by J. C. and are to be sold on Addlinghil. 1651.   

Reader observe,  
AN Itallian having found his enemy at an advantage, promised him if he would deny his faith, to save his life; he to save the one, denied the other: which having done he stabbed him, rejoicing that by this, he had at one time taken revenge both of soul and body.   

A Letter or Epistle to all well-minded people in England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.  
THere being more than an ordinary necessity at this time to undeceive the people, and for the preventing of that distraction and disturbance which might unhappily come upon or in this City unawares; God having already born witness against all sorts of men that have directly or indirectly sought to involve this Nation in to blood; the same God hath stretched out his mighty Arm, and hath a long time called for Justice and Judgement.  
And no sooner doth this Spirit appear in or amongst the great ones, but immediately ariseth a spirit of fear amongst some, who lifteth up with one hand, and pulleth down with the other. Take heed who ever thou art, God is a strict watchman, and marketh thy ways; and will find thee out, though thou goest never so secretly to work to obstruct Justice, or delay the execution thereof.  
My love is to mankind, and that all should turn from their evil ways and be saved; this doctrine I held forth to the late King, who justified himself, and stood upon his innocency; and died a Martyr or sufferer for Truth (and his people) as he would have made the world believe.  
The same spirit was in Mr. Nicholas Love (whose Trial I have heard for the most part) and unless men had universally heard and seen his carriage and spirit, will hardly believe the truth thereof, when declared.  
But this in the general, I am sure he was many degrees worse spirited than the king, who had more plea for himself then Mr. Love had, would he have pleaded or made use thereof; but his principle led him out to what he did,  
And when I compare matter of Fact, and foresee what is now come, and will come if God alone prevent not. I am able to make it appear that Mr. Love's traitorous and bloody actings have been as bad as the late Kings, who lost his head, and of almost as long a standing as his was.  
The wise man forseeth an evil and preventeth it, blood is a sad thing to behold, when brought upon a Nation or people by Stratagems, or designing to ruin that poor handful of God's people, who hath not at all delighted in blood, but prayed that they may live a peaceable and Godly life, under a civil Magistracy; much agreeable to the Scriptures mind, & will of God.  
But before I come to declare what I know of the Design, and the depth, and antiquity thereof; of which Conspiracy, the like was never heard of in our generation. I shall present you with my former observations concerning the personal Treaty, and when the whole Mystery shall be devulged, men will stand amazed; for the like was never in this world, nor in all the Histories now extant, for so far as I am able to judge, I shall give you a hint, desiring that it may suffice at present, and also desire your patiented waiting for the whole, when a Just season cometh.  
After the King was in the Army's Quarters, some proud hearted men were ambitions to be acquainted with him, and did oft press me to bring them to him, and through their importunity at last, did gratify their desire; but advised them to have a care, or else the King would be too hard for them; as it seems he was after a little while, as you may see by and by.  
Huntingdon, Hobson, Tuledah, and others spoke with the King, and immediately were lifted up, and nothing would serve them but a Personal Treaty with the King; and who must be the first moving cause of this passage, but these men before mentioned, together with some others; they disputed the lawfulness thereof, and brought Scripture; and at last resolved upon it. And immediately upon their resolution, some progress was made in the Petition at London and other places, by them and others; I thought it my duty to acquaint some or all the forementioned men, of what dangerous consequence it would be, and and plainly declared to them, it would be a means to divide the godly people, and break them in pieces, which were all of a piece before; and very unanimous.  
But before this could be taken up again (as hushed) the name Leveller was given out, and a report was made by (Henry Lilburn) that the Levellers would kill the King, and this arose upon the stopping of the Petition for a Personal Treaty; which was carrying on with great zeal, like this for Mr. Love, which may have a worse effect if great care be not had, or the Providence of God who is above all, who is able to quiet the stoutest heart, and break in pieces the devices of men; who lean their shoulders to uphold that pillar of Antichrist which God will throw down, and is now doing of it; therefore ye sons of Jacob, take heed ye be not consumed before you are ware of it (as some of the designers was in that design) and as a just judgement came upon some of the rest since. 
Observe.   
No sooner was the last I spoke of, namely the Petition, laid aside or forgotten by that sort of men called Indendents, but they seeing the evil, being so grossly misled, repent thereof.  
But Zion College men, and many other notorious and eminent men in this City, set on foot a Petition for a Personal Treaty, and nothing else would serve (but they must, and so they had it) and should I say Mr. Love, Calamy, Ash, Case, Viner, and many other sitting in Synod, had a great hand in it, I should do them little wrong; but shall say no more of that at present, only declare a little of what I know of old, as I before promised, and as much as I have always believed, that God will not be mocked; but he will, as always he hath done, discover and destroy those that will not appear for him; and bear witness and testimony against unrighteous men, though in Parliament Army or people, I mean by laying them aside (or other punishment) as hereafter will more evidently appear.  
Now for the Antiquity of the Design, and how God hath from time to time fought against it:  
First consider a little after the Treaty at Uxbridge, where Master Love preached, and said, It was as easy to reconcile God and the Devil together, as it was to reconcile the King and Parliament (which thing he himself hath now done, by what Spirit let the world judge: Sometime after this Treaty was over, a meeting was appointed at Westminster; where the Scotish Commissioners, and many than Members of Parliament were, where they did solemnly Vow before God, these things as followeth; viz. to endeavour to bring in the King, and to rule him by force; and to rule England by the same Law Scotland was governed; as I take it the words were these (By Lords and Barons.)  
And at the same time it was also agreed, that a certain number of the House of Commons, whom they called Factious men, should be chosen out, and there heads cut off: Also a certain number of the City, and leading men of the Country chosen out, and hanged for examples, who were the ring leaders of that Party, and all the rest banished (which made me tremble:) but my God assured me at that time, the snare they laid to catch others, themselves should be taken in; or the pit they digged for others, themselves should fall into. And after this from time to time they met, sometimes at Dr Gouge's, other times elsewhere; and never left till they had moulded a Militia in the City, and hatched a Remonstrance, and obtained many things, though in order to the  design; and at length brought it to what you now see, even another War, which England now feels, to her great cost. Also another War is laid at home, and will ere long break out (if not timely prevented:) And as the King was in daily hopes of an Insurrection, by which he might probably had a deliverance; even so is it now: Take heed, my friends, delays are dangerous; and as you have judged some Petitions dangerous (this now on foot may be far more than those; and tend more and more to divide the Godly, not only in this City, but throughout England. And though I am not against Petitioning (but for it as much as any;) yet I can do no less but lay these things before you, as a small parcel, picked out of three or four quire of Paper: And wherein I shall declare the whole, and all that I have known, seen, and heard of truth; being an attendant upon the Parliament, and as a Member of the Armies, observed Gods deal with this generation, and particular men therein; and what I also believe and know will come to pass, that so God alone may have all the Glory; and that no flesh should glory but in the Lord; also that men may take heed, and not to split themselves against that Rock, which is too hard for them, and will dash all the Nations of the Earth in pieces; saying, Bring those my enemies before me, that I may slay them.  
And now let none that know the Lord, lean their shoulders, or put there strength to uphold that Antichrist, which is now falling, though it be like Christ.  
Also take heed my dear friends and brethren, I mean the upright wheresoever, or of what Name or Title soever, that you sin no more against your Light, but return to the Lord and repent; then he will heal those that have back slided, and be a God and guide unto you, for ever and ever. So I take leave and rest,  
England's true and faithful friend and servant, for impartial Justice till death. G. J.   

POSTSCRIPT.  
And because I cannot leave the world in ignorance, of what Designs have been upon the West; God having my life in his own hands, though men cunningly seek to take it away; thought myself bound in duty to God and my Country; to bear my witness, that when I come to die, I may have nothing else to do, but to die; and that for righteousness only.  
And that the world may see I have taken notice of former ages; shall briefly relate as followeth.  
A people being engaged against a King for Tyranny, could not conquer him; his strength being too great. An active man, who by his honesty, together with a small strength, then under his Command; accidentally came to the people, by which means the people conquered the King, and had Justice executed upon him.  
A little after this, some great and wise men among the people, endeavoured to work over this upright man to their party; that so they might have made themselves as great as the King was before. But he continued his integrity, and would not be won to unrighteousness, to Tyranny. A debate arose what was best to be done with this man, some acknowledged he deserved such a gratuity for his pains, and hazard; that they were not able to reward him for his desert. Others cunningly suggested to take away his life, lest his honesty should cause the people to fall in love with him; and if so of what dangerous concernment would this be to us: they knowing so much, consulted a little while; and at last agreed to take away his life: A good reward.  
Now to the Design.  
One brought a Charge to the Honourable Council of State, against Lieutenant Colonel Reed, Governor of Pool, who was put out of his Governmentand justly for aught I know; for he hath not as yet had a Trial: though the Council of State have granted many Orders for a just and legal Trial, they being informed, he was a very honest godly man,  
But the potency of one who threatened to ruin the said Governor; hath, and still doth endeavour to carry on his Design, not only to ruin him, but many others also; and to get the whole West into his own, and friends custody.  
And beginning too soon, could not do it that way he aimed at; and therefore hath found out away to answer his former design, by slighting the Garrison of Pool, and getting Col. Hains his Regiment to be removed (which indeed is a very good work:) And had not the designers been almost persuaded, they should have removed: Lieutenant Col. Joyce out of the I'll of Portland, and put in another, that so they might have done their work. Now Lieut. Col. Joyce had never been so struck at, if he had not known the design and the designers, which he hath along time done, and did what he could to prevent it, fearing blood was at the bottom thereof; at least setting up a Scotish Presbyterian faction, by countenancing whatsoever came cunningly from the Priests of that County; For no sooner had the Priests with others gotten out Lieut. Col. Reed, Governor of Pool, but immediately got in one Scut, a Towns-man, who was formerly laid aside, for being against the Parliament and Armies proceed, in order to this Commonwealth; If I should say he was cashiered for persecuting of Godly men, I should do him no hurt: Part of this design was privately carried on by a potent man, to requite the Townsmen of Pool (who are for the most part Scotefied) for making of one Mr. Dennis Bond's son Recorder of Pool.  
The forementioned potent man still goeth on with his design, and did lately obtain a Commission for one Bingham, to be Governor of Gernsey.  
And as soon as Bingham was made Governor of that Island, Col. Hayns affirmed that it was enough to invite an enemy thither; others said they never knew him fight: Moreover he was dissatisfied with the Parliament and Armies just proceed against the late King.  
This was not all that mighty man did, for, he also obtained a Commission for one Lieut. Col. Lacey, a man reputed no fighter, but a common tippler.; these men to be sent to Gernsey, is not all.  
But Major Harrison must be sent for away, though he be a man of an approved valour, and honesty, truly fearing God.  
I shall say little more at present, unless I should be called upon to give the relation of these designs: And when I have more time, shall manifest unto the world, the whole design and drivers thereof at large. And how the great Designer was like to tore the hair from his head, when he could not have his will answered. And not long since threatened to cut our swords shorter, and many other abusive words, etc.  
The Agent of , whose name is Brag, son to the Receiver General of the same County, a lewd deboyst young man: It was therefore desired he might be put out, being unfit for that place, and a honest man put into his room; it was also offered to Mr. Dennis Bond to do it, he being the only man that put him in: This could not be done, though Lieutenant Col. Joyce, who is that Countryman, and oft times sent to Mr. Bond about it, it being a kinsman of his own: The answer he had was, if any of the said Country Gentlemen would say as much or desire the same, he would do what he could in it.  
Upon which Lieut. Col. Joyce sent into the Country about the business, and had this answer as followeth.  

For his honoured Friend Lieut. Col. Joyce, at London.  
YOurs I received but cannot answer that expectation; for you know the power of the great Man is such, that his wrath is counted as the roaring of a Lion; what have been formerly, is now amended for aught I know. But the understandingst fellow in our parts, if it were not for the great Man's rage, it were easy to have it testified; but I think their is another course to be taken, which is to consider where it be fit, that the Son should be the only surveior of the Father's actions, and to give an account thereof when they please. (it is a strange kind of Reformation) I say no more till I see you, which I hope will be within this seven days: Thus desiring God to make more honest men, and to preserve others that he hath so made: Is the earnest desire of him who is your faithful friend  
J. R. July 6, 1651.  
FINIS.