A Moderate ANSWER To certain Immoderate QUERIES Laid down in a printed Paper, entitled,  
A Brief Relation, containing an Abreviation of the Arguments urged by the late Protector against the Government of this Nation by a King; etc.  
To convince men of the danger and inconvenencie thereof.  
Published for the good and information of Parliament, Army and people.  
By ●harles Noble Gent. an Honourer of his present Highness and Parliament, and a great Lover of his Country.  
LONDON, Printed for Henry Marsh at the Prince's Arms in 〈…〉   

To the Reader.  
IT is a wise man's counsel, (and the wisest that ever wore mortality, and was no more than man) My son, meddle not with them that are given to change; the word in the Original bears a larger signification, as meddle not with those that are seditious, those that affect alterations and novelties. So that had I not taken up, and put on a serious and a solemn purpose and determination, to answer (to the utmost of my abilities) all such Papers as shall come to public view, that may any ways savour of these seditious Novelties; I had laid this by, as being fit for a silent contempt and slighting, then for any other replying. Yet when I considered that this, though it were but as a piece of Cork floating upon the Waves, yet it might bear up and bring with it an unseen Net that may catch and entangle some unsettled and unstable silly souls; and though it may be but as the Foam upon the Waters, as the Froth of the Sea, yet it may beget a Venus, an Idol that the inconsiderate vulgar may adore: Therefore I deemed it not amiss to lay to all my strength and force to cut off all these Hydra's heads as fast as any of them shall appear. And here upon the whole, it may not unfitly be inferred, what Bildad said of old to Job; Can the Rush grow up without Mire? or can the Flag grow without Water? Can these rushy and sedgy expressions that are set down in this Paper grow any where, but from marish, miry grounds and principles? Or can the Flags that here spring up, (whose original comes from an Hebrew radix that signifies a brother, because Flags do usually grow up as in a brotherhood together) can they intent any other end or purpose then to make up a Party, or to contract and beget a brotherhood that may abet and uphold the same sense and opinion that this Paper holds forth? 'Tis much beyond the probability of a bare conjecture, that some such testy and untoward designment, is the projection that is aimed at. But his remembrances (as Job speaks) are as ashes, they are not only some vile and contemptible remainders of some better matter, (as of wood or the like) as ashes are, but they are also sullyings and discoloring of the sacred memory of the dead, and that of no meaner a Person then of his late Highness: Him whom alive, he durst not look upon but with consternation and abashment, and whose Virtues, no less than Magnanimities, were so singular, so signal and so exemplar; his Ashes he pollutes with his, his blessed dust he most inhumanely does rake in, and rake up, with set purpose to dim and blind some weak and rolling eyes. but this Deportment, I hope, will meet with no better success, than they can have who spit against the wind, whose filth will return in their own faces. But he sets a print upon the heels of his feet, as the holy Language hath it, he takes measure of every word, and of every action, and marks his steps to find where he trod awry: when his gate was wholly upright and full of integrity, he weighs not the urgencies and necessities of State, which must be full of eyes, and look every ways; and like a fair and a straight staff, which if one thrust half way in the water it may seem to contract a curvity, when in truth it is still the same: So reasons of State lie in the water (as it were) to common eyes, and there may appear to such eyes strange and unthought of irregularities, like the wind and meanders of a Brook, that may seem to run contrary ways, when the streams tend directly and through the most convenient Channels, (though with some seeming circuitings) to the Ocean.  
I have been the longer in this Preface to the Reader, in regard that I shall say but little to half that the printed Paper speaks on, in which is laid down the abreviation of those Arguments, (as he says) used by his late Highness against the Government of these Nations by a single Person; and shall conclude with one Quere before I come to the answer of his Queries, which is briefly this. May we not take these bold disputes and questiongs, as pushings at the feet of his present Highess, as the Scripture has it? May not we fear that by these proceed we may be brought too soon to say, Where is the House of the Princes? May we not fear that though at first there may be but a seeming leakage, and a little breach upon the banks of our hopes in our present most illustrious Governor, yet that if there be no sudden stoppage made, that there may be a wider breaking in of many and turbulent Waters both upon him and us? and that there may be a crowding, and an impetuous rolling in of more such Waters, that may even deluge us all? But that God that only stills the raging of the Sea, and calms the billows thereof when they cast up mire and dirt, let him allay and calm the Tumult, and the murmuring of such People also.   

The Answer to the Brief Relation, containing the Abbreviation of the Arguments used by the late Protector, etc.  
FOr the Arguments, though they are not in the absolute terms (as he says) yet in the genuine sense as the late Protector laid them down, I shall not spend much time upon them: First because it is in the dark to me, whether there were ever such Arguments in very deed and in truth or no. And secondly, if there were, because the rise and ground of all his ensuing Quaere's being hinged upon those Arguments, I giving solution to them, shall give therewith an Answer (if not a satisfaction) to any thing that may be further raised from thence. Only thus much I cannot but say, that the time and the season altars the face of things very much, and that which may be denied of special use and concernment at one time, upon a further cribation and trial may not be found so useful and concerning at another: So that the conjunction of State-affairs, as alfo the Experimentals that have been made by those in high places what kind of Government would best go down and relish with the nature and constitution of this Nation, it having been also exactly viewed and weighed, and diligently considered by the Patriots of this Nation, what would most properly suit, and be most adequate and most consentaneous to the general genius of this Island, as to the best form to establish a Government in, that might have in it most of duration and most of utile & dulce too; 'Twas given up by a general vote and consent, that this our present Government as it is now settled, was the best. If that has been the ultimate and last Result of the Grandees of our Nation, who laid out themselves to the utmost in their studyings and contrivements for the peace and settlement of their Country, (wherein their own welfares and concerns were enrolled and bound up) why is there then the voice of grudging and repining heard? Or why is there darkening of counsel by words without knowledge? Or why should the Author go about to lead our Counsellors away spoiled, and make our Judge's fools?  
So then, let there be from henceforward a slumbering of all animosities, and a dead sleep cast upon all exasperating and enviously fermented language: Let us hear no more of these expressions, which like flints carry secret sparks of fire in them, such as are these; The mystery of iniquity going to be settled by a Law, (I suppose meaning our present Government.) And further (he speaks it to the Reader) 'twill cost thee hot service and sorrow of heart to redeem thyself and Country. Were not the Jews of old wiser in their generation, than some are now in ours? They in the whole time of their Passover never named the word lechem, i bread, lest they should ftir up a desire in their children to leavened bread, which during the Passover was absolutely forbidden: Why is there not that prudence, and circumspection, and wariness in our times used now also? that having had enough of War and garments rolled in blood, that now at last there should not so much as a word or a whisper be used or taken up, that may have the least shadow of any tendency that way? But there are some restless and dissatisfied spirits that will not long be contented with any thing, but like wayward children that cry for a thing they see, which when they have in their hands they throw it away, and cry on still. Of such a querulous temper are those that are opinionated, as the Author of this Paper is, who cannot at all palliate his dislikings with moderate and beseeming words; but falls on with— Fawning Courtiers, and Deceived Englishmen, and Calumnious aspersiens of Court-Parasites, and such like unseasoned and unsalted speeches, that can administer no satisfaction to the Reader.  
So that now I shall directly come to his eight Queries one by one, as they are laid down, and shall begin with that other Quere which he first lays down, before the eight, which he makes to be a Quere upon the whole, and so shall conclude with his conclusion, when I shall have viewed and answered to what is there set down.  
Upon the whole I Quere, Whether any man upon rational grounds can expect that the present Protector or single Person (pretending to Government) should be more honest, righteous and just than his deceased Father was?  
As some plants will not grow but in the shade, and as some fruits ripen not but in frosts, and as 'tis said of the black thorn, that it blossoms not but in a storm; so here's a discovery of such a spirit, that delights in the shades and darknesses of others virtues; here is a fresh apparition of that old evil Spirit, that had its chief contentment to dwell among the Tombs; and from thence comes forth and endeavours to infest and asperse the reputation, righteousness and justness of the living: And whilst he says, Can any man expect that the present Protector should be more honest, etc. then his deceased Father was? doth he not thereby infer, that there was and is a defect of these virtues both in the one and the other? And when he says, The single person (pretending to Government) with a Parenthesis, does he not intent it an absolute Parenthesis, and verily believes that the sense (the sense that he means) would be very good, (and to his opinion very much better) if that was quite left out. And whilst he says, pretending to Government, does he not thereby conclude, that there is only a pretence to this Government? So that 'tis not at all umbragious, but very conspicuous, that the establishment of the Civil Government, both as it was, and as it is, both in the deceased Father, and the surviving Son, is grumbled at, and quarrelled with. But I shall conclude this, because I shall meet with more of it hereafter, with two stories that will pretty well suit with the two Persons the Author seems to take offence and trouble at; The first is of the Great Talbot that was the fright and terror to the French; who being dead, and laid under a stately monument, the French King in process of time was instigated to deface his Effigies, and to take up his dust and bones, and throw them into a River; No, says the King, we durst not look on his face when he was alive, we will therefore let him alone when he is dead: This might caution the Author to let our great Hero alone now he is dead, on whose face he durst not look when he was alive.  
The other Story is of the noble Athenian; There was in Athens an Election to be made of a Governor, this noble Athenian was put in nomination, 'twas agitated and put to the scrutiny; some objected against him (and said) he will do little good to his Country, he will mind his pleasures and delights too much to mind that, and such like words: Yet in fine, the vote went for him, and he was elected to the chief Government; when he was settled there, Now, says some of his Courtiers, is the time that you may be revenged of those that opposed and stood against your Election, and said, that you would never do good to your Country: No, says the noble Athenian, I shall take no other revenge upon them but this, I will live and govern so, that I will prove them all Liars. Such cross and untoward arguings have been made against his present Highness, and such, if no worse doth this querying Paper hold forth, and such as believe what this Paper speaks will not be backward to say, that this our Noble Athenian will do little good for his Country: But you shall see what a gallant revenge he will take upon these Detractors, He will Rule and Govern so, with such Righteousness, with such Justice (and long may he so Rule and Govern) as that he will prove them all Liars. Now to the Queries.  

I. I would Quere first, Whether the late Protector did not work over his Council to some things illegal?  
Here is a departing from the old Rule, De mortuis nil nisi bonum, Of the dead we should say nothing but good; and here is not only that that is not good, but that which is not true; never was his Council wrought over to any thing illegal: besides, here's a low and a vile esteem secretly laid upon those Counsellors, which like leaden Rules in his opinion, might be so easily made to stand bend any ways; 'tis certainly a bold and a very segacious presumption, to infer (as the Author doth by this Quere) that the late Protector did work over his Council to some things illegal, which neither he nor they, nor any one else can discern, so as to describe or give a name to them, so that when I have said, that such reproachful things, may amuse and stagger some weak judgements, and put them to gazings, and to doubtful stand in their thoughts, that this was the very end and purpose in the Author.   

Quere 2. Whether Kings formerly, and the Protector lately did not wax wanton, and providing for some few of their Creatures, neglect the Commonalty?  
What Kings formerly did, is not to come now into any dispute; but by the Author's linking of them together, I suppose that I deem not much awry, that 'tis in his projection to bring a disgust, and an odium upon the one as well as the other; and since that of Kingship has been decried, and has met with its doom and determination, is it not more then conjectural, that 'tis in the wishes and hopes of some, that the Protectorship shall meet with a speedy, though not with the same exit; and how the late Protector did wax wanton, I think it is not in any man's power reasonably to make out, and for providing for any of his creatures, (as he call them) never heard of any Somerset or Buckingham that he had: And for the neglecting the Commonalty, a thousand gladded mouths will speak the contrary, Did he not always deliver the poor that cried unto him? Did he not relieve and comfort the fatherless, the husbandless, and him that had none to help him? Did not the blessings of them that were ready to perish come upon him? And did he not often cause the widows hearts to sing for joy? And so I shall pass from his Quere and the spightfulness that is couched in it, and come to the next, with the slanderous scandal that is in that.   

Quere 3. Whether our late experience of a single Person cannot testify, that though for a small time he seemed to favour honest men and things, yet when he thought himself seated, whether I say, he did not then slight both them and it, and become a Favourer of the contrary? And whether our late Court did not show more growth and increase of Rogues, Bawds and Whores, then in all the time of our Government by a Commonwealth:  
Here's a homethrust as with an envenomed poniard; here are poisonous arrows shot, even bitter words; and the yet fresh, and precious, and blessed memory of his late Highness is stabbed and wounded with insufferable obloquys. Scandala Magnatum was of old a heinous thing; it was so highly criminal, that it always wore a most severe and signal mulct: And the toleration that it seems to make use of in this and some such printed Papers, I believe is usurped and stolen, rather than any ways else indulged or licenced. For a small time (says he) the late Protector seemed to favour honest men and things. How small a time? Indeed the whole time of his Protectorship (being well near about that which Jacob served Laban for Rachel) seemed but a few days. But does he mean that? No, says he, When he thought himself seated, he slighted both them and it, and became a favourer of the contrary. So that here's a double charge; here's a laying by and a disrespect, a discountenancing, a discouraging, a forsaking of his Friends, whom I suppose he intends by honest men; and here's an adhesion to, a embracing, and a falling in with (as he says) and a favouring of the contrary. So that this forked arrow wounds dangerously and doubly, and like a pestilential contagion fastens upon the very vitals and seat of life (as it were) of that so much renowned person, which is his honour; to render him wavering and unstable, to render him a person given to vacillation and change, and to charge him with neglects and slight and disregardings to his friends, or honest men or things; what greater vilipending, what lower or meaner thoughts or words, or more dishonourable, can be cast upon any man?  
For the rest of his so broad, and foul, and unhandsome, and unbecoming language, I shall pass that by, as people do by ill and offensive scents, with an aversion and flopping of the nose: And shall say only thus much of his late Highness' Family, (which he so much vilifies and postpones to the Chimeras of a fancied Commonwealth) That it may be truly said of his Oeconomy, what was said of George Prince of Anhalt's household, that there was in it Ecclesia, Academia & Curia; And of his late Highness his person (of whom it may be said, as the Jews did of Moses, that his soul was sucked out of his mouth by God as it were with a kiss) of his person I may say, as one being asked what a kind of man Basil was, he presented him with a Pillar of Fire with this Motto, Talis est Bafilius: And such a Talis was his late Highness, all on a fire with a fervency and an unquenched zeal for the honour of God, and the good of his Country.   

Quere 4. Whether a Confederacy has not been made abroad with our secret Enemies at home, that so a single Person might the better suppress those that see the wickedness of his designs.  
What wicked design this may be, and what that Confederacy is that he speaks on, that has been made a broad with secret Enemies at home, I cannot guess no otherwise than by the Authors following words, in the conclusion and winding up of his Queries, he speaks more plainly there, what he says here but gutterally, and leaves to conjecture his meaning; I shall therefore pass this over whilst 'tis thus muffled, and speak to it, as 'tis more bare faced, and as I shall there meet with it in his conclusion, and come to the next Quere.   

Quere 5. Whether the single person now pretending to Government, though the Son of a subtle man, be a wise man, fit to dispose of Commonwealth Treasure.  
If he that useth the word Racha (which signifies but pish, or fie, or as other that derive it from Rec, which signifies empty) lies under so hard a reprehension that he's in danger of a Council, and if he that says to his brother, Thou fool, be in danger of Hell fire; what a fearful increpation does the Author of this Paper lie under, who is guilty of little less than the worst of those expressions, wherein is contained and couched a most bold, and a most notorious scandal; a scandal that contains in it all the degrees and dimensions, and acceptations that a scandal is rendered, or maybe taken in: for if it be considered, as it is laid down under the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which is a stumbling stone, it is that; if it be considered, as 'tis called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which is a gin or a snare, 'tis that; or if it be considered as 'tis termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which is a sharp stake, it is that also; so that as it is a sharp stake to offend and wound the reputation and renown, and prudence of his present Highness, so 'tis also a stumbling stone, and a gin, and a snare, to entangle and strapple some feeble judgements, so as to bend them to some kind of persuasion that ways tending, which should it grow up into a belief, would prove a fearful and a horrible, as well as a dangerous stone of offence: 'Tis therefore well rendered by the Greeks, who when they would show the abhorrency and the odiousness that they conceived to be in Scandal, that they called calumny by the name of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, as, who should say, it was a blasphemy to calumniate, especially those in high place, whom the Scriptures have termed to be as Gods.  
But I shall hasten from these words, which are as full of ill vapours as those Fens were, which Hannibal passing through lost his eye, and are of as sulphurous and stifling a nature, as report gives to be in the Lake Asphaltites, which if a Bird flies over it, it chokes and kills; and shall leave them wrapped up together as they be, and shall only add this note in the general, that the steps of Machiavelli are herein followed, who advised, That if any Prince were disgustful, to asperse and calumniate him; for says he, adhaerebit aliquid; no matter for the truth of what is said, slander him, says he, and something will stick upon him. These things in the late King's days were looked upon as of a most dangerous consequence; and therefore said an eminent Divine in those times, If a Minister pray for the King, so as to send him the Spirit of Wisdom; to pay for him that he may be temperate, merciful, or just, was in effect to scandalise him, and to throw abroad a Speaking-Libel of him, and to infer as much, as if he had plainly said, that he either wanted wisdom, temperance, justice and mercy, or that he was a departing from them. Certainly, here's as much and more set down in this Paper then was said then, and surely the remedies and experiences for the anticipating and preventing and silencing of such exorbitances, is as requisite and necessary now as ever.   

Quere 6. Whether the good people of this Nation be not very sensible of the expensiveness extraordinary of a single Person more than of a Commonwealth? and whether they do not find a want of that vast Treasure expended upon Baubles, Toys, and trifling Gugaes, such as we of late have had too much cause to speak of? and whether the cause of the People's poverty has not been by means of purchasing Land to the Family of the late Protector, as well as High-Spaniola Business.  
Here's three things especially found fault withal, That (as he says) has wasted and expended so much Treasure, and that's 1. Baubles. 2. The purchasing of Lands; and 3. High-Spaniola Business. By the Baubles, whom he further call Toys and trifling Gugaes: I do suppose he may have in his eye the solemn and decent Funeral of his late Highness, and by the disrelishing and sleight and superficial terms that he gives it, 'tis easily seen how he was affected with it: But for the pomp of that Funeral, it was no more than the worthiness of his late Serenity deserved, and the Granduer of the Nation required; And is it not Recorded of Asa, that he was buried in his own Sepulchre which he had made for himself in the City of David, and that he was laid in a Bed (you may conceive it a Bed of Honour) which was filled with sweet odours, and divers kinds of spices, prepared by the Apothecary's Art, and they made a very great burning for him? And if the Scriptures allow of such solemnities, as 'tis frequent in them that they do; why is it found fault with, and quarrelled at now, especially when they give so mean a Character of an obscure Burial, as to call it the burial of an Ass? For purchasing of Lands to the family of the late Protector, I think there was no such purchase, (nay I am assured of it) that might any ways cause the people's poverty: Treasurers and other Officers to some late Kings (not to speak of any Officers of nearer times) I am confident have purchased more to their families, than his late Highness ever did to his. And for the Hispaniola business, it was a designment and an undertaking of such noble gallantry, that had it been as well prosecuted and managed, as it was well advised, contrived and set forth, and had it met with that success as was very probable and likely that it should, never was there an Achievement from England set on foot, that could have brought more splendour and glory to this Nation, then that had done. But this mismanagement or miscarriage of one Expedition, blasts and effaces the victorious and prosperous successes of many other, which he that runs may read almost in every place within the bounders of three whole Kingdoms, with advantage.  
But (he says) This Nation is sensible of the expensiveness extraordinary of a Single person, more than of a Commonwealth. If he means by that Commonwealth the Long Parliament, (as I suppose he does) 'tis easily seen what a vast deal that was more costly: For what they gifted one to another, and what they other ways expended, as Records will yet show, and the people of this Nation do yet feel; 'tis easy to believe that they consumed and wasted more treasure (to speak no further) then has maintained most of the Kings and their Courts ever since the Conquest.   

Quere 7. Whether the late Person set up, did not judge himself above Law? and whether he did not tyrannize over men's persons, restraining both them and their liberties? and whether the mercy be pretended to in the execution thereof, hath not been very cruelty?  
So now by this, as what has gone before, hand what follows, may not we think it high time to wish or look out for David's Harp, or some other Instrument that may be as efficacious, though not so pleasant, that may appease and lay that evil and raging spirit that has entered into some such opinionated persons as this Author seems to be, who we may justly fear may not stick (too soon) to take up the Javelin, when there's nothing but handfuls of dirt already thrown upon the face of the most precious memory of his late Highness.  
The late Person (says he) set up, did not he judge himself above Law? From what premises does he bring in this inference? when in the whole series of his Government there appears not so much as a personal fault, that was any ways damageable to the Public: Yet young and Infant-States and Governments must have strong swadling-bands, which though they may seem stubborn, yet are of necessary use and concernment. For his Tyrannising over men's persons, and restraining their liberties, where was there any such action that might justly have annexed to it such an epithet? And for the mercy he has pretended, to be very cruelty, this is to spoil him of his chief and most embellished ornament, and to raze out one of his most Princely Mottoes, which had very much affinity with his Royal genius; and he sat down best contented, when he might show his delight that he took in Pepercisse rather then Perdidisse. Much of his late time was taken up with a perpetual war either against his Enemies, or himself, and he was still Victor over both. In all his government, that that might seem to bear any semblance of hardness or restraining (as he calls it) might be for some season under the Major-Generals; and what was then acted, was not beyond parallels in former days.  
Alfred (a little before the Conquest) who was styled the Mirror of Princes, divided the Land into Shires, Hundreds, and tithings, so as we find it to this day; to this end chief to prevent any insurrections that might otherwise happen, and so might justle, if not push down and overthrow a then young and infant Government; no Englishman then should be deemed to live legally, except he were of a certain Hundred or Tything, out of which he was not to remove without security; and if he did remove after such security put in, than all the Hundred and Tything were fined to the King. And this Law William the Firs, when he came to think of a secure settlement, found to be better to his turn, than any that he could devise; and he called it the Borough-Law, wherein the Commons of every Hundred stood Borough or Surety for each other, and the Master stood Borough for his Servant. And this Citadel, as 'tis termed, built for a Guard to the Public peace, kept the Nation so regularly, that no popular insurrection was ever heard of before the Conquest. So that the policy of these Major-Generals might be admitted to subscribe bonum, however some of the Managers of that Policy in their deportments may have miffed to have it attested for them that they did it been. But whether this be meant or no by the Author, I shall not much be solicitous of; but I am certain, the expressions here thrown out do deeply wound the Honour of his late Highness: And the Reputation of Great persons is as the delicate skin that covers some delicate fruit; if the skin be scratched and plucked off, the fruit will presently discolor and fall away. So 'tis time that there should be some care taken of these bold and rough fingers; and that his late Highness, who was one of the Glories, as well as the amazements of Princes, and one whom the chief Potentates of Christendom at one time or other courted, that his memory should not be suffered to be thus blanched arid trampled on.   

Quere 8. Whether the late Single person, to uphold his and his Courtiters voluptuousness, has not been ready to uphold what Monopolies he found on foot, and likewise to devise new ways to the same purpose? And whether the Citizen has not had experience of Court-payment, and the Countryman (though sad) of the spoiling of his fences, destroying his crop by them that belong to the Court, and that they please to call their game: And if these be the beginnings, what will the end be? And therefore for a closure I must say, What shall we say or do more, than the King-Protector has said or done?  
This is to usher in his Conclusion a Muncer redivivus is very visible in both; he in the confines of Turingia invented a Doctrine contrary to the Roman and Lutheran both; he feigned he had power to depose Princes, and substitute others, and that all goods should be common, and such like tendencies to popularity, he put to this an austerity of life, and whilst he seasoned many falsehoods with some seeming truths, the inconsiderate vulgar, that could not well distinguish betwixt them, admired, and swallowed all; the sad effects that these things wrought, the Phlebotomy that wrought the cure, and what is so frequently recorded of them, can still testify: And how near the Author stears a course by this compass, any discerning eye may easily judge, and whilst he proceeds in his so peremptory increpations and directions, he may seem to persuade us to renounce daylight, to contemplate only, and to study by his candle. But why is there a redarguing of voluptuousness either in his late Highness or his Courtiers? certainly, there was more care taken to prevent the least declension that ways, than any Court in Christendom besides can show.  
The truth of this is obvious to any understanding, especially, when it shall be remembered, that no man has passed without some remarkable punishment, that has but swerved from that Golden Rule of Temperance, that both his late Highness and his Household so punctually observed; so that a Detractor is sometimes a persecution and a scourge to himself; for when he shall lay down too palpable and too perspicuous shall falsities, it will infringe and cripple his credit so, that he shall not gain a belief, though he lays down sometimes truths. I shall pass therefore from his upholding Monopolies that he found on foot, and his setting up of others, as from things that have no proof with them, nor have they (with these that follow) any savour or relish, save of calumniation: For when had the Citizens ever better payment made, than they have and had from Court? Or where is any Countryman made sad, by his fences spoiling, or destroying his crop by any Courtiers that follow (as he calls it) their Game? I believe a horse may be rid to death, (as the saying is) before such querulous Language shall be heard, though the Author should take the pains, and go in person instead of his Paper to all the Shires throughout the Nation; and whereas he may think that he has hit the Nail on the head, when he has added, What shall we say or do more than the King-Protector has said and done? If he would but say and do with that moderation and temperature as the late Protector, but no King, has said and done, there needed not then neither Queries nor Answers. And so I shall directly pass to the view of his Conclusion, which when I have done, I shall briefly wind up all, and conclude also.  
And here he gins to unmask, and the Wizard that was put upon the fourth Quere, by the words, Confederacy made abroad with our secret Enemies at home, is here plucked off; and here he comes to retail what he bond up there in gross together, and comes to particularising, so that we are not left to uncertain and floating conjectures, he puts it to a serious weighing, Whether by present Action, and past Management of State Affairs, of some being Lawyers, etc. (raised from a low estate to sit in Council) and become great Favourites at Court, it may not be found and clearly seen, that they have a design to bring in Charles Stuart; For if they bring in a single person, and grant that, the next dispute will be, whether the one Family or the other has most right; and who have most interest Charles or Richard, I think asketh no long time to Answer.  
Here's no ventriloquy, or speaking inwardly, or through the teeth, with broken and half expressions, but here's a down right quarrel to the present and past management of State Affairs; the mis-actors herein he names to be some Lawyers, raised from a low estate to sit in Council) and to become great Favourites at Court; who these are (though it may possibly fall within the bounds of a probable surmise) yet I shall forbear their names, in regard they cannot be reasonably deemed to be so imprudent, and so inconsiderate, (not to say improvident and irrational) as to be so solicitous, and to take up such indefatigable industries, as to assert that wholly deniable in the Father, which they might be induced afterwards by any overtures to concede and establish in the Son: Therefore his inference is very improper, and small weight there is in his words, when he says, 'Tis clearly seen that they have a design to bring in Charles Stuart, and his reason he renders is as far from the mark; for (says he) if they bring in a single Person, and grant that, the next dispute will be, whether the one Family or the other has most right; and whether Charles or Richard most interest will ask no long time to answer. To unravel or untie this knot, 'twill not be amiss to cast an eye backwards some several Centuries of years, and there we shall find, that the Line Masculine of Normandy expired in the third Inheritor, as if to begin the fate laid on all the future successes hitherto, wherein the third Heir in a right descent, seldom or never enjoyed the Crown of England, but that either by extrusion, usurpation, or extinction of the male blood, it received an alteration; that so to know whose indubitably the Right was has puzzled Parliaments, and has unsheathed the Sword often to determine; nay, the last has confuted the foremost, and what the great Council has settled one ways, dint of sword has established another, and that always has been held an Argument of such force and efficacy, (and retains the same virtue still) that it may take up no time at all, to assert whose title's best, either Richard's or Charle's, for a plucked Rose will quickly whither: There might be added what the Switches at Croyden might possibly have produced, by which it might very easily appear with what affection the English did put on the Scotch Yoke, when they generally reputed King James at the best but a King-in-law, without any natural affection to this Nation (as one has well observed) and if we should listen to Parsons the Jesuit, who puts the Infanta the first, to fourteen titles to the Crown of England, with that of King james's, there would be much to do, to find out so ready an interest as is talked on to James' grandchild. But I shall leave this Goardian knot as 'tis now cut in pieces as by another Alexander's sword, in the hands of the present Possessor, and shall say upon the whole, that this Paper holds forth, which being for the most part false suggestions, and so are like false Gems, which though counterfeit, they may be so set, that they may seem to have one good light to be seen by; yet that light is but an erroneous and a false one, and like an ignis fatuus will misled the followers of it into-perplexing and fatal, as well as dangerous precipices; and whilst the Author is thus backward, and behind hand to acknowledge and congratulate his present Highness, Is not that in effect to withstand and oppose him? and whilst he casts such stumbling blocks in his way, Is it not to hinder him from standing clear, though he cannot from standing high? and whilst he blackens and clouds the splendour of his present Highness, who is in all opinions a precious and a good man, It is not to induce a persuasion upon some, that he may be deemed to prove a bad Prince? Is not this (in what he can) the setting of the Nations against him, (as the Prophet speaks) on every side, that they may spread a net over him (which God divert) and that they may take him in their pit? Is not this to build for him the house of the Moth, or to make for him a Booth or a Tent that may be removed and plucked up at pleasure? Is not this as the east-wind, which when it touches the Vine, it causes it to whither in all the leaves of its Spring, as the Scripture speaks? or is it not as a storm to hurl him out of his place, as Job has it? But let the great God of Heaven, by whom alone Kings and Princes Reign, let him be his exceeding great Salvation; let him be his Jehovah Jireth, his Jehovah Nisi; let him be his Lord Protector, and the Lord his Banner and Shield; and let him bring him from Ribrothbataavah to Hazaroth, horn these Graves of lustings, to Palaces of Paradices of Rest and Tranquillity; That he may be like a handful of Corn in the Earth upon the top of the Mountains; the Fruit whereof shall shake like Lebanon, whilst we his Subjects (both in City and Country) may flourish, and grow green as grass upon the Earth; let his prosperous Reign be to us as the Dew is to the tender Herb, that we may grow up still, and never have cause to fear either a Drought or a , and that under him we may be delivered from all deceits and impostures, as well as the violences of men; and that all such Papers, to which this is an Answer, may become as a dream, that when we awake the image of it may be despised; and that his Highness (notwithstanding such foul Papers) may meet with a long and a happy Government, and may become a Prince of all our Affections, as well as all our Countries, and that he may pass from these Beth-maacahs, or Houses of bruisings, to lasting Beth-hanans, or Houses of Grace and mercy; and that he may remain for ever, as a Crown of Glory in the hand of the Lord, and as a Royal Diadem; and that he may never be called forsaken, nor his hand be termed desolate; but that he may be called Heph-zibah, and his Land Beulah, for that the Lord delights in him; and his Land shall be married.   
FINIS.