LEX TALIONIS. OR, A Declamation against Mr. CHALLENER, The Crimes of the Times, and the Manners of You know whom.  
In quo quis peccat, in eo punitur.  
— Nec Lex est justior ulla,  
Quam necis artifices arte perire sua.  JUDGES 1. vers. 7. 
And Adonibezek said. As I have done; so God hath requited me.  
Printed in the year, 1647.   

A DECLAMATION Against Mr. CHALLENER, The Crimes of the Times, and the Manners of You know whom.  
WHat Cicero said to catiline, and his Confederates in their conspiracy; I say the same to Master Challener, that he may tell it to his Companions in the Covenant, 
Quonsque tandem abutêre patientiâ nostrâ?   
It must never be forgotten how those venerable Women came in simplicity of heart, to the Parliament at Westminster to sue for Peace.  
It must never be forgotten to all Posterity in what measure those innocent Women were dealt withall by you, some being cruelly wounded, some most barbarously slain.  
Will neither the fear of God? nor love to Mankind? nor your affections to your native country move you( at least) to a charitable compassion? if not to a sorrowful compunction?  
Will not the blood of my Lord of Strafford; Nor the blood of my Lord of Canterbury; Nor the blood of Tomkins and chaloner; Nor the blood of Yeomans and Boucher? Nor all the innocent blood of so many thousands, which have been sacrificed in these late intestine broils, provoke you to seek Peace, nor invite you to embrace Peace, when it is so freely offered unto you. O Tempora! O Mores!  
In the sharp language of Cicero, I did begin with you, and in the blunt honesty of Cato, I intend to proceed.  
As the base and spongy offal of man( being the common sure of indigested excrements) can by no means return back any nourishment into the more nobler part, the stomach, from whence it first received it; no more can the body possibly subsist' and live without the influence, and distillation from its native and proper head.  
And as in Bodies Natural, so in politic, King Charles is the essential head, of our politic Body, He is the true Lord and owner of these his kingdoms by right of Inheritance, He holds his Title in Fee-simple, by the blessed tenor in capite, from God Almighty, who is Lord Paramount of all. To God alone is the King onely obliged to pay his Homage, and oweth not the smallest Quit-rent whatsoever to my Lord Chancellor of Scotland his Machivillian Eloquence, nor to Mr. Challener his home-spun slovenly malice.  
It is a bold Assertion between you both, to enter into a saucy dispute about the disposing of the Sacred person of the King, as if he were a Child, a Ward, or an idiot; when God can bear him witness, he hath more Wit, more Judgement, and more honesty in Him, then any of you all, or all of you together.  
Here let me interpose with my short, and true definition of him, both as He is a Man, and as He is our King. As He is a Man, me thinks I hear my Saviour saluting him, as He did Nathanael, Behold a man indeed in whom there is no guile. And all the world that knows him must aclowledge with the Poet, He is Homo intiger vitae, scelerisque purus, and I wish to God, from my heart, I could say the same of any of you.  
Now as He is our King, how can both Houses, as M. Challener saith; or how can both Kingdoms, as my Lord Chancellor of Scotland would have it? dare to take upon them to dispose of him, who hath under God the sole disposal of us all, with this limitation; with the joint consent, and wholesome advice of the honest and great council of each kingdom, and this is both Law and gospel.  
Inconsistent and incompatible are two very good words, if rightly applied, but I am bound to believe the devil himself did work very strongly upon Master Challeners weakness, rather then that his own natural Genius could be possessed with such a Malignancy of spirit, as to make so vilde, so base, and so ungodly an application of them both.  
I had almost forgotten that remarkable Badge of your through Reformation, I mean your Covenant, and the two notorious committees of both Kingdoms: Give me leave to tell you, what your Covenant was at first, and what it now is; It was at first by virtue of enchantment, a lousy thread-bare Scotch chaplain, who growing weary of the slender stipend of a bare Scotch Mark per annum came over into England to seek' its further Advancment, where it became a Tub-preacher, and so rendering itself uncapable of holy Orders, did take upon it to preach and teach on its own accord.  
The first attempt by which this Covenant sought to ingratiate itself into the people, was by consummating a marriage betwixt the two committees of both kingdoms. The match was privately contracted in the close committee, and afterwards solemnly published by Legislative power; which marriage being thus accomplished without th'approabtion of his Matie, without the licence of our Church: and without the consent of our Laws, I doubt not but it may easily be made null by a bill of divorce, and for the farther punishment of this enchanted chaplain your Covenant, let it be banished out of this kingdom for ever, and let it be confined to the utmost part of Scotland, there to pine, and wast itself away upon its own dunghill, or else let it be presently torn in pieces, in remembrance of the despite which was lately done to the Kings broad Seal in the presence of both Houses.  
And whereas Mr. Challener saith, the Houses are accountable to none but God Almighty. I must answer him, with these few Questions.  
Who called, or caused you to be a Parliament? Was it not by the sovereign power of the King?  
Who convened the House of Commons together? Was it not by the free suffrages, and elections of the people? Can the servants be greater then their masters?  
Did the King and we confer this trust, and Authority upon you? thus to Lord it over us? I tell you nay, for unless you speedily return unto your wonted Allegiance to his majesty, and your dutiful affections towards us, both he and wee shall suddenly call you to a strict account.  
red over the Chronicles, where you shall find two Knights of the Shire were called to an account by the Counties, for which they had formerly served in Parliament; and both of them were hanged up for their labours.  
What are you so transported, and pust up with pride by reason of your many successses, you have lately gotten in your new model of War; Must you needs stand upon your Tiptoes, and think you dance in a Net, do but tell me of one Ordinance you have made which speaks the least syllable tending to a Reformation?  
The King hath made an absolute Reformation of all abuses done under his Government, and like a gracious Prince gave us a triennial Parliament to boot. But a triennial Parliament will not serve your turns, you must needs have an everlasting Parliament, Quis talia fando temperet a lacrimis; for with horror I speak it, as you have handled the matter, nothing stands so much in need of a through Reformation, as your everlasting Parliament. For if the King and you should be reconciled to morrow; and that He, and you should join together, to govern us by an everlasting Parliament: Wee whose Ancestors have ever been the freest Subjects under heaven, should become the meer'st slaves upon the face of the earth.  
Beware of Lex talionis.  
To explain myself, I never did hear nor red of any Prince, any great man, nor any great body of a council, dare to do any Act illegal or extrajudicial, But God Almighty did either retaliate it with his own immediate vengeance, or else they were met withall by the known laws of the Land, in a condign punishment.  
Sir John Hotham, and his son have tasted of the one already: And take you heed, least some, if not all of you, do not at last feel the smart of the other, 
Faelix quem faciunt aliena pericula cantúm.   
To prevent the like ensuing dangers which must needs fall upon our heads; I will give you these three remarkable examples of Lex talionis.  
1. In the dayes of K. Henry the 8. The Lord Chancellor cronwell persuaded the King, that by virtue of his prerogative, he might put any man to death, and bring it to a trial at law afterwards, and did not the same Lex talionis light upon him, when he was the onely man that died so?  
2. Barnavill the chief Advocate of Holland, and one of the States, conceived a displeasure against a younker, and nothing would serve his turn( though it were in his own cause) but corporal punishment. The privilege of the Gentlemans birth was pleaded by his Lawyers; Notwithstanding Barnavill being prevalent with the Board of States, persuaded them; It would be an addition to their greatness to make a President in this kind, and so a President was made, and the Gentleman was whipped.  
Not long after a Competition grew betwixt the Prince of orange, and great Barnavill, wherein the Prince having the Military party of his side, got the better of him, so that Barnavill was confined; and by the same rule of Barnavills formerly making a President, to whip that Gentleman, a President was made to cut off his head; ther's Lex talionis for him.  
3. My Lord of Strafford, when he was Sir Thomas Wentworth, and Oracle of the House of Commons, persuaded them, there was no other way to cut off the Duke of Buckingham, but by accusing him of States suggestions, under the name of high Treason; by which means if they could once sequester him from the Kings elbow by confinement; He doubted not but accusations would come enough against him, to his further destruction, and did not the same Lex talionis light upon him. Jam proximus ardet Ucaligon. It is high time then for every man severally, and all of us together jointly to look about us, least Lex talionis overtake us.  
The degenerate House of Lords have altogether declined their true fountain of Honour, the King; from whose clear streams they had wont to suck both there honour and honesty, by his virtuous example: And these pitiful Lords, having thrown themselves into mire, and muddy Affections of the Common Rabble, are now glad to drink of the puddle water of scorn, and contempt from the meanest rascals; Ther's Lex talionis in part for them.  
The adulterate House of Commons have so deviated from the honest principles, and integrity of their Ancestors, and having left their righteous middle way; in which they had wont to walk in; tyre themselves out with halting between two cripples, two contraries of extremes: for which their black Consciences, they are forced to sit down, some leaning to the Presbyterian madness on the one side; some to the Independent folly on the other; Ther's Lex talionis in part for them.  
The proud Metropolis of this kingdom, the City of London of all other cannot escape scotfree, for this city hath been from the beginning the venerable Bawd to all the Parliaments designs. It hath fed them with million upon million, upon the public Faith, by which means it manifesteth itself to be the chief fomenter of this unnatural War, and the grand Abettor in this unhappy difference betwixt King, and people.  
It is still fresh in memory, how this City sent forth its spurious scum in multitudes to cry down Bishops, roote, and branch, who like shoals of Herrings, or swarms of Hornets, lay hovering about the ●ourt with lying Pamphlets, and scandalous Pasquills until they for'd the King from his throne, and banish the queen from His Bed, and afterwards out of this kingdom; besides this City still continues to this day dancing attendance with their train bands, to guard the causeless fears, and jealousies of both Houses: they come creeping with their Petitions to them, whom they might command: would they but command their Bands to slay at home, they may thank themselves for all the delays, and denyalls, they have received.  
What guerdon hath this City got for all its costs and pains? I will tell it, This City is styled in the worlds opinion, the Parliaments ass, on whose back the Members of both Houses ride at pleasure, laying on load upon load, what they think fit. Now good City, if you must continue still to be an ass, learn of your Predecessor, Balaams ass, and tell your great masters, they have gone astray, tell them so freely, for they dare not beate you for it as Balaam did.  
Oh my poor country, miserable country wretched country, that hath these five yeares past in innocency, drunk of this bitter cup, the dregs whereof is reserved in store by Lex talionis for the stupid, senseless City of London. If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hide from thine eyes, Luk. 19. vers. 42.  
Much might be said concerning the Prince Elector, but little shall serve the turn, Siingratum dixeris, omnia. He hath gotten the repute of late to become a precious Babe of Grace, by his Princely faculty of snuffing up the Back-breath of the Reverend Synod, and in a blind devotion takes it for incense; He, good man, not considering his royal uncle, nor his own peculiar interest, which he might justly challenge to himself in Germany, but contents himself here with my Lord Peters whole Estate.  
Hitherto have we seen what hath betyded others, and we cannot choose but fore-see what must betid us, unless we betake ourselves to a speedy and preventing Remedy; lo here it is.  

1 Let all things be restored in Statu quo prius.  
2 Let the Scots in the name of God, or the devil that sent them, go home.  
3. Let King Charles( in spite of Mr. Challener) with honour and safety come home, that every one of us may live quietly at home, and this I am sure is very consistent with the honour of God, and very compatible with the safety, and tranquillity of the Nation.   
Salus Regis,& salus Reipublicae are not onely Twins, but geminy, inseparable, and individual; Cursed be those that have hitherto divided them, and blessed be they who seek to Cement, and re-unite them together.  
Three things have been the bane of monarchy.  

1 First, weekly Lectures.  
2 Corporations.  
3 Trained-bands.   
And three things will be the baine of Anarchy.  

1 First, your new model of Religion.  
2 Your new model of Government.  
3 Your new Broad seal.   
Let three things be undone by you, which have undone us all, and the King shall grant us three things in lieu of them, which shall re-make us.  
The three things to be undone by you.  

1 First, Let your close Committee, and Legislative power which fits in the chair thereof( contrary to Law) be damned for ever.  
2. Let all the cavaliers be freed from their illegal Sequestrations.  
3. Let your black Propositions which you lately sent to the King be recalled back, and burnt by the Hangman.   
Three things which the King is to do.  

1. That His majesty will be pleased to renew, ratify, and enlarge our Petition of Right.  
2. That He will grant you an Act of oblivion.  
3. That He will remarry His royal Prerogative, and Magna Charta together. Then seek peace, and ensue it, and the God of peace will grant it. Now that we may avoid those Numbers three, which we find to be ommous, and embrace those Numbers three which are propitious; Let us apply ourselves to that blessed Number three which is in Heaven: and let not your illiterate Synod, date to meddle with that any more, by any audacious disputation; but rather let us all appeal to him, by an humble Adoration: That so that blessed trinity, in unity may grant Peace to every mans conscience in particular, Peace to the whole kingdom in general, and Peace and joy eternal to us hereafter.   
Farewell Mr. Challener.   

A Letter to the Army.  
HOw can you expect an Act of Indemnity? so long as the King remaines in Captivity; the Parliament cannot grant it unto you, for they cannot give it to themselves.  
How can you expect money? when you know the Parliament hath been so prodigal in the distribution of such large Proportions to one another, that they have little left to reward you withall.  
Is it liberty of conscience you speak for? that you know rests onely in the Kings breast.  
Restore the King to his Throne again, and all these things shall be added to you.  
If you neglect this faire opportunity, The vengeance of God shall dog you at the heels. Instead of a trophy for all your victories, you shall render yourselves slaves to the Presbyterian Bondage, who like the Egyptian Task-masters shall compel you to make Brick in their full tale, and without giving you stubble.  
To whom then will you fly for succour, God will abominate you, and will not help you; Man( especially, Englishmen) will scorn you, and laugh at your misery.  
Behold, I have set this day before your eyes, Honour, and Dishonour, being the two sole Rewards of all human Actions. Consider this timely, and be wise.  
Be it unto you according to your Merit.  
FINIS.