A Negative voice: OR, A Check for your Check: BEING A Message( by a Black-Rod) of Non-concurrence, for the Ballancing-House, or coordinate SENATE: Fairly Discussing the Security it can give, To the Good Old Cause.  PROV. XXVII. 5, 6. 
Open rebuk is better then Secret Love.  
Faithful are the Wounds of a Friend; but the Kisses of an Enemy are Deceitful.  
Printed in the Year, 1659.   

A Negative Voice: OR, A Check for your Check: Being a Message( by a Black-Rod) of Non-concurrence, for the Ballancing-House, or coordinate SENATE: Fairly discussing the security it can give to the Good old Cause.  
AFter so unlikely and prodigious an appearance of God for the recovery of our freedom, no doubt it must needs now be our wisdom, to play the Men; and no more to tempt God to work wonders for us, but to secure the honest Interest of such as have been the grand asserters of our Liberties by such ways and means, as may become rational, honest, and Christian men: But it may so fall out, while we profess ourselves Wise, we may become Fools; and remembering how we have been hunted from the Hills to the Mountains, & from thence to the tops of the Trees; we may now go about to build a Tower above the reach of danger; such a fabric is in rearing( in the opinion of some) under the title of A Co ordinate Senate, that will certainly secure the Interest of the Common-wealth,( and it may be one would hardly think otherwise, without a more narrow disquisition, then every one will be at the pains of:) to the which, if God suffer the Top-stone to be laid, and do not come down, and confounded our Language, and cause the work to cease, I must believe God will yet again tread down our strength, and show us that we are but Men: We will therefore put ourselves in remembrance, though we once knew this, how we have put confidence in lies, and made Lies our Refuge,( I mean such things as have deceived us) when yet it is like we meant every jot as honestly, and were as solicitous as now to secure the interest of such, as had contended against Tyranny: I would not cause their wound to bleed afresh, who have very ingenuously prevented others, from renewing their complaints against them, by complaining of themselves, lately; but let us mind the successses we have had, and by them conclude the Good Speed we are like to have in this new Device: was it not once thought,( if it were not, we are grievously belied) and essayed too, that the King should be restored, and some of the honest party, sit down at his right hand, and at his left in his Kingdom, and that would be good Security? and are we not otherwise persuaded since, to trust neither King, nor House of Peers: Was it not once thought this Parliament were men whom God would not honour in his work, and therefore they were disturbed, and are we of that opinion still? Did we not pick and choose such as were approved out of all Counties, for honesty and godliness, and made no doubt then but all would succeed to our hearts content, and were we at all the wiser?  
Afterwards, as if in the Multitude of Counsellors there had been no safety; and as if all honesty, and our Good Old Cause had had been combined in a single Person, we must have a Protector; in whose hands no question many honest hearts would have ventured their All: Of so great esteem was he for his godliness; who, though out of weakness was made strong, had waxed valiant in fight, and turned to flight whole Armies of Allens and Enenemies; yet was not the matter much amended: His Instrument of Government was soon out of tune; and the Humble Petition and Advice, as a more hopeful security, is exhibited for the Standard of our Government, and this without any Nay a great while: yet now our conviction is risen higher,( our wit being bought dear enough) we must learn our Lesson back again; and that very parliament, that every one thought it his virtue to cast Dirt upon, is now by a stupendious hand of providence,( beyond President) vindicated from the reproach of tongues, and made way for, as the only repairers of our breaches, and estorers of paths for us to dwell in: So that for these six years past we have laboured in the very fire, and though we may seem to be putting on apace, towards the good land of Peace and Rest; yet so it may be,( if we follow this way of our own heart,) few of us are like to enter in; but may make up more then forty years wandring in a wilderness; and that Caleb and Joshua may not now be, who shall live to enter in with the good people of these Nations, into rest from their enemies round about: Nor our Childrens Children see the day, that many now look for; when they shall reap the benefit of our blood, and treasure: We should then by former harms learn to beware, and having clearly discovered ourselves not at all to be guided by an infallible Spirit; we should be the more wary of the Brats of our own Brains, and as watchful over the Fancies of others, and examine things thoroughly, before we produce them as necessary expedients for the healing of the Daughter of our people; and I am apt to believe, when this coordinate Senate shall be sifted to the bottom( which I dare not pretend to do, only to meet with some things, that lie not very remote from a common understanding) that many who now cry up, this Diana, will bite their fingers & repent of their hast. Now because I would save from making new work for repentance( if it be not too late) I shall say enough, though not half what might be said, to persuade them to consider while, before they spur on any further, towards the perching of such a Power, as I doubt me, they would be glad in a short time to unroost, if they knew how.  
A Senate of select persons to be chosen, coordinate in Power with the Parliament, is petitioned for.  
If by the Name, we may guess at the Nature of the thing, it is as like the other House, as an Ape is like a Monkey; but because it is new, both Name, and thing, let us inquire, how it may probably be Midwived into the World, and observe how well it is calculated for the Meridian of our Liberty, and Security, & so perhaps we may perceive some benign Aspects, that may portend some more favourable Events, then yet it hath promised me, under the most charitable considerations, my reason can suggest: the power to be deposited into the hands of the Senate, must be this at least, That without them, nothing may be made perfect: they must strike the dead stroke: A Negative voice they shall have over the Parliament, that is the plain English of it: So that the good people of the Land shall sand up their Representers in Parliament, to make what laws for them, please the Senate: that such a Constitution, is for the declared-for Liberties of England, they that now Petition for it, have over and over confuted: I believe the grand stickling will be that it is for our security,( having learned more to mind that, then our integrity) and it will be imagined, if it be not already concluded; that nothing less then such a select Number of persons, to concur in all transactions of State; can be sufficient security, against the violent eruptions of those Monarchical and Anarchical Spirits, who on the one hand, and on the other, are so many and so ready,( wanting only opportunity) to spoil us of all our sore travail we have had under the Sun; for the settling these Nations upon the foundations of Righteousness and freedom: Such a select number of persons then must be chosen for our security, chosen( no doubt) by this Parliament, and by them vested( if they can be persuaded to it, but I wish better,) with such a power, as may for ever hereafter, render our Representatives of no more signification then ciphers: But I trow the next Parliament may take the like liberty to pluck them down, as these to set them up, and then our security is as good as spoiled: for I cannot learn how this Parliament should have more power then the next: but if this must be like the laws of the Medes and Persians, and they must not here touch our copyhold; but this Parliament must give away that which is none of their own,( for such I account the powers of succeeding Parliaments) yet( with most reason) so much power shall be left to the next Parliaments, that they may put in new Members, upon the death, or misdemeanours of the former; if not so, yet they may have leave left them to nominate persons,( being but a small courtesy) and the Senate to concur; which if the Parliament will not nominate to the good liking of the Senate,( for it is more then a Co-rodinate Power, that the Senate should take into their number who they please, without the concurrence of the Parliament) I know in a few years,( if they cannot mould a Parliament to their Faction) what will become of the Senate, and security both; Well, this is but nibbling; no question this will be easily foreseen, and prevented: Such a Senate shall be nominated, and so constituted, as presently( like a young cuckoo) shall be too hard for the Dam; after Parliaments shall do nothing without them; if any Member of the Senate die, or be displaced, themselves shall call in whom they please to supply their vacancy( for thus the security must be completed, if it be complete) and after this manner, Senators shall beget Senators, to the end of the Chapter; by a strange kind of Coition, men with men doing those things that are unreasonable; wherein they will have the good luck of it, to be abundantly more happy then the Parliament; who, good men, though they have the title of The supreme Authority of the Nation, have not yet the power to choose one single Member into their House: The matter then thus stated to our good liking: A S●nate constituted, to confirm, or make voided all Deliberations of Parliament; and they set above an account to any but God, and themselves;( being not fit they should be tried, by any but their Peers) for if they should I would not be in their Coats, for all the clothes on their backs) having also the sole election of Senators to fill up their numbers; and all this confirmed by this present Parliament, with all Powers necessary to their Grandeur, not to be reversed without highest Treason; yet it is something a Question to me Whether this would be standing security; and good public Faith to rest upon: I would scarce advice the Army to lay down their Weapons, and hazard their Stakes upon this Lottery; or, though I should, I doubt their faith would fail them; and so would mine: The reasons of my unbelief are:  
First, Because I have observed Plots, every whit as well laid, with as honest pretensions, not at all to succeed, to the expectations of the well-meaning Promoters: what may be thought of the little Convention at Westminster, in the Parliament House,( immediately after the disturbing of this Parliament) which more then a few expected Great matters from, for the good of the Nation;( a strange implicit Faith to me) who were furnished with a Negative and Affirmative Voice too( saving always the power of the Sword) who were as select, and chosen a number, as men could cull, and seek out of the Nation; and yet these did great matters to be talked of, but not one jot to the purpose; and yet we will believe, most of the now Army Designed for a Senate, did then verily think the nail was knocked on the head; and clenched fast enough to secure the honest Party: after that we never thought all our own, till we had patched up another, or the Other House:( who were never Christened a House of Lords, and therefore no more Anticstristian then a Senate) And now no doubt the Master-builders thought all Cock-sure, for, without controversy it was not resolved without mature deliberation: And yet all these Bonds are broken, and these new Cords snapped in sunder like a thread: We shall see whether these green Withs will bind us to afflict us; and whether when these Philistines are upon us, we shall not rouse up ourselves, and shake us as at other times.  
Secondly, Methinks i● sorts not well with our renewed Declarations, Protestations, and P●etensions; and our Troth plighted to God and Men: And therein I think did lye the weakness of former Buildings: For although men may be surprised to betray themselves, by a fair colour put upon a soul face; yet if they retain a common sense, when they shall find time, and cause of recoll●ction,( and it is more then possible they may have enough) they may chance not to forget former promises, but remember from whence they are fallen; and repent; beway I their back slidings and Apostasy,( with shane enough) and ruin the work of their own hands; and so our destruction shall be of ourselves, of which we are not now without example: Were it not better, if we err through in●dvertency not to utter our mindes, presently, not to be rash with our lips, if we are abused by jugglers, not to be so true proofs, and manifest demonstrationsof Solomons Text — The simplo believeth every word: but with serious, and honest consideration, laying aside the Weights of Self-love, and Self-will( sins that do easily beset us) run with patience the race that is set before us: showing our wisdom, as well as our Faith, in not making over-much hast, and so save ourselves the labour and shane of a reprisal and Repentance: to declare against a House of Lords, or the Other House( call it what you will) as Arbitrary and Tyrannicall; and to petition for a Senate, every manner of way as injurious, and that must have as much power to the full: This Vizard must needs fall off, being just as good fore-cast, as to depose Kingship, and set up a Protector; and they that found out the Knavery of the one, will in all likelihood, in some time, find out the Jest of the other; which when they do( if we be not already Pistolproof) we may quickly go look out new Security for our Good old Cause.  
Thirdly, Because I observe a very honest Spirit, possessing the minds of many, who would venture hard, that honest, and righteous things might take place amongst us, who have been so often cheated, and mis-led, that they begin now, like prudent men, to look well to their way: and I dare say, the Designs for a Senate, would be very unwilling to submit the honesty of it, to the Enquiry, and judgement of impartial men; however should such a power be constituted by this Parliament( as such whom they had chosen out of the World) yet could not this lion be thought so tame, as that his Paws should need no paring; nor I think give much satisfaction to any to come under his Clutches, for it is now well received, that it matters not so much whom we trust, as the Power they are betrusted with; it being good to keep the Staff in the right hand: And I think honest Principles,( there are so many Disputes about Painciples) are more hardly discoverable, then honest men( I speak not this altogether of men in Rule) having therefore been so long in the Quest of honest Principles, and having been hitherto at a loss, and yet well nigh turned every ston; 'tis a venture but some good Friends or other of this Common-wealth, may at length prick them out for us; and if we shall have so good chance as to hit upon them, as there are generally good hopes we may shortly( though always the Game doth not go with the greatest Cry) I dare say, if we have Power in our hands to do it, we shall follow them with shoutings, and bear them up( at the expense of all) above the reach of Envy, in despite of Lordly and slavish Spirits; and hunt those Foxes to their Holes, if we do not sand in fire after them( how well soever the goose they run away with at their backs, or Backs may scape) who have carried Firebrands in their tails, and burnt up, not our Corn only, but our Liberties, Honours, and Reputations in the world. I doubt me, the vengeance of all their iniquities will find them out, and follow them at their Heels, and be poured out abundantly upon their Heads, by the incensed, and abused People; judge all the World, if this be not rather in view, then a Settlement, and then for all their coordinate Senate, or their penitential acknowledgements of former Apostasies, they will be like to be put hard to it, to use their Wits, to find new Security for their Good old Cause.  
Fourthly, It is in Diametricall opposition, unto Cementing and Uniting; it cannot but occasion Feuds, and heartburnings between the Senate, and Parliaments, if we shall yet have any more Parliaments( and this is like to be good Security) it must needs thereby occasion diffences between all sorts of men in the Nation, who will be fiding, according to their several Interests and Opinions: It is hardly imaginable, how the Peoples Representatives will be content, that their Sheaves shall fall down, and do obeisance to their younger Brothers Sheaf; they must needs see the Good old Cause was blind, and cannot live long after it, since these men have got the Blessing; and will certainly look upon them, as very wilely men, having this second time deceived them: they cannot but take notice, by what over-ruling Power, the arms( of this Good old Cause) were crossed, to lay its right hand upon this Youth, against the good liking of every honest Joseph in the Land; Here must needs now be old heaving, and lifting at one another( we see how well two Parliaments already have fadged with the other House, which was pretty cunningly fitted for a Monarchy, a Senate being never like to suit one half quarter so well with a Commonwealth) and this not like to end, but in supplanting the one, or the other: If this Storm should overwhelm the Parliament, good-night for ever, might the good People of this Land say, to all their Liberties, and Immunities, which is to be hoped we should bustle hard for, before we would part with; if it should light upon the Senate, and their coordinate Power should fail of being coequal force, and they necessitated to give away( which I am abundantly more willing to hope for) then Hic labour, Hoc opus, our Security is Doct in the Entail; so that in all appearance, here will be fine Nosing, and Bearding, Garbling, Purging, Dissolving, and so Ad infinitum; and then, Whether this kingdom divided against itself( though it were Satans for its Devices) would stand long, and not be brought to a Desolation, is a just Case.  
Fifthly, It must needs be a perpetuating of this Parliament, which must needs occasion Discontents, and Disturbances, unto the honestest Party of the Army themselves, and all sorts of men, when they shall be out of doubt, that it is even so; and that this cannot end, but in breaking them to pieces; I think I may foretell without the Spirit, or Gift of prophesy: the Army having again, and again, declared against Perpetuating of m●n in Power( not excepting these very men) and the whole Nation greedily eyeing them; whether they did indeed design( what the Army formerly cast in their Dish) to continue themselves to the Worlds end; who if they should throw this Knick-knack out of doors, as a burden, that neither we, nor our Children shall be able to bear, will make them to be found liars, who never Prophesied Good, but evil of them, and shall be had in admiration of this, and after Ages; for the most truly deserving Patriots, and self-denying Parliament, ever any Age produced( a sore temptation to resist) and Generations unborn, shall rise up and call them blessed: But if it go on roundly, then to be sure this Parliament must nominate and constitute this Power; and who will doubt but( according to the model of the council of State) at least two parts, of three must be of their own number, and those only left to suffer a Dissolution, who may be well enough spared; and it may be for us it were better they were in, then out; have we not brought our hogs then to a fair Market, and by this time, whether a Party will be found to bear up this fabric, that will be so blinded with Rewards, as not to see this coordinate Senate, and this everlasting Parliament, to be one, and the same thing( saving only the disturbing, or putting a Period to the Remnant,( every jot as honest as the rest) and the taking in some others( every whit as bad as the best) whether this then be like to hold water, and prove a sufficient Cloak for the Good old Cause; or rather, such a Spirit be not in a fair way to get up; as may not be laid but in the ruin of them, or us, or both( having had sufficient provocation) is rather to be expected, then to be had in doubt.  
Sixthly, 'Tis a perfect Treppan, an underground Plot, and will cheat us of our Good old Cause, rather then secure it; if this were not the Design of it, yet is it as handsomely fitted for such designs, as ones heart could desire: This Senate is pretended to Hedge us in on every side, to hedge up our way with Thorns, if so be we should but look toward Monarchy:( believe it who will) but in the mean time is a prick in our Eyes, and a Goad in our sides; and will teach us the way of a Common-wealth, as Gideon taught the men of Succoth with Thorns and briars: to do things honest and just in the sight of men, would tend towards a settlement; and it may be too, discover the Wedge and Babylonish Garment: therefore Baits must be laid for maintaining Jealousies, under pretence of Christian Prudence( by which I have found many hooked in of late( I believe as honest well-meaning men, as any are in the world) to say as they say, there must be a Check upon the Parliament, reasons of State require it, if we should trust the Parliament, they will be generally Malignant, and would use us but coarsely, therefore let us have a Senate by all means: away with such a Fellow, it is not fit he should live, that is not for self-preservation; and many a Barnabas is carried away with this Dissimulation) Grievances must be continued; as much Oppression, yea, if possible the same Oppressions under a Common-wealth, as under Monarchy( and this directly to supplant us) the Waters must be troubled, or else that will not come to Net they are fishing for; only for a spetious pretence, to amuse such as can see no farther into a millstone then other men; there shall be a new Name to an old thing,( grown it may be so much more then formerly, a Match for us, by its Experiences and Refinings) yea, and it may be too, some plausible things, generally wished for, may be done to stop our mouths: And yet notwithstanding these Fig-leaves must drop off, and the nakedness and shane appear, and we shall be able without Spectacles, to know a big from a Dog, and to call a Spade, a Spade, for all the Shuttle: and shall not stick to say, This Senate( call it what you will) is indeed worse then the old House of Lords, or the late Other House, and prays Rex over the Parliament, we can have few honest things done for the good of the Nation: and now out, and alas, all the Fat is in the Fire, we are never the better for our Common-wealth( it works now) Monarchy was as good every jot; we shall never have quiet, nor enjoy our Liberties, till we are gone the Round, and the old spoken gets uppermost( then have at all) let us back again into egypt; Who is this Moses? And, who is this Aaron? What is this Good old Cause to us? it is a mere Fetch, a mere Trick, it will never be better with us then it was, every Party Gulls us of our Liberties; we had as good be Slaves to them that never promised us better, as to these Pretenders, we will be cheated no longer by them: What shall we do now? Can any better way be found out, to still the noise of the Waters, and the Tumults of the People( for the Plot is as right, to set the Parliament, Senate, and Army together by the ears, as if it had been done for the purpose; that a Kite may end the quarrel) now then let us have a King, after the manner of other Nations round about us; for a Commonwealth will please the People no longer; and then on a main for an Humble Petition and Advice, or something of that nature, and daily Entreaties of all the good People of the Nation( if possible to keep the Stuarts out while they are out) to force some good man to snatch away the Government( against his will) out of the hands of our New thing, Nothing; New thing, Old thing, kingdom, Common-wealth; and this too, no question, good Christian Prudence, in case of necessity, as we have been put to many Necessities of late; or if yet we should retain so much sense of Honour, and Honesty,( as without breach of Charity, may be a little questioned, having given notable Proofs of our Constancy formerly) and conclude the World would cry shane on us, if we should( Faces about) build again the thing we had destroyed, or suffer any single person to usurp the Government: & so put a stop to this carrier: yet quickly some other expedient might be found out and produced( every jot as wise as Protectorship) that may gratify the gaping Ambition of some, who might be at the Disciples question, Which of them should be the greatest; for it is possible no single States-man, hath so much got the start of some others, as to be able to swallow this morsel alone; however the nimblest of them, that best can, may get into the Saddles together, and agree well enough( though it may be, amongst themselves, like Cats and Dogs) to Lord it over us: and then he might be thought worthy of a Cap, and a Feather, and to be no small Officer of State: who would whet his Tongue, and his Pen to shoot the arrows of bitter words, and declaim against all former Governments, and bend his Forces might, and main, to advance your Triumviri, or a Decem-viri, rather then fail; or exhibit some Scripture Government, some Seventy Elders of the People; and then hap and beluckey, come what can come( though worse then stark nought) if we can keep out the Stuarts; Ay, and it may be too, if that be the worst on't) we shall draw Stakes: If we should lick up our Vomit for such a Government, as cannot be without an House of Lords, or the Other House, here is a Senate to your Tooth, out of which you may have the mistress, and her Hand-maids, if they can agree about it, or a Lot decide the matter; here is choice of all sorts, you may have a King, and a House of Lords, an Imperatour, Protector, Duke of Venice, and Another-House; or what you please: according to the chance of the day: for no question here shall be packed together, such as lie next in the way of preferment; that if there do not fall out a good rub, must needs be knocked up to the Jack Head, and carry it away with them: such as would look as big as Bull-bief at— If it please your Majesty, May it please your most serene Highnesse: That it is like, they thought the worse of Monarchy, that they were not Monarchs themselves: Here you may have Three, or Ten, what Fits the turn; of the best Head-pieces, Honestest men, and fittest to Rule that can be found in England, and leave a Senate still, if need so require,( having power to recruit the number at discretion) for, it may be, as long as Parliaments shall be thought fit to be continued, it will not be thought amiss to keep up a balancing House; What would you have more? Must it be Seventy Elders of the People? No question, this must be the last of the Play; when they Can neither Will nor choose;( it not being like to be the design, of the most Leading Men) but though this prevail, here is a Senate can do the work: who, should their name by this time prove an Oppression, can foregoe their christendom, and renew their baptism; and then Hocus Pocus Prester Senate be gone, Come forth Seventy Elders;— Here you have it Sirs, whole for your purpose; here will need no chopping, nor changing; Every one shall put in to share a Monarchy:( no question, the most equal distribution that can be) And now farewell Parliament: It was never heard that such a Government needed a Parliament. What, a Scripture Government, and need a Parliament? Fie, upon it: No, the Lord Reigns, let our Islands be glad thereof; the Saints Rule, who have made war with the Beast, and overcome; And who can be more fit to sit down every Man upon his Throne, judging the Tribes of England; And by this time, I hope, the Good Old Cause is safe enough. Speak now, is not here rare Forecast? At the long run you will find we are entangled like a Bull in a Net, and one way or other our Lords will be our Masters; and then farewell for ever to that Opportunity that is now in our hands, to Vindicate the Liberties and Just privileges of our Native country, out of the Clutches of those Sycophants; those Apes that would fain be thought the Fathers of our Liberties, that hug us to death with their Simulation, with their Dissimulation: He that doth not now foresee this, is as blind as Bayard: And should we Bray him in a mortar, it would be all A-case. However, I think I have found the Security so Litigious, that to make an Estate upon this Good Old Cause, I hold no man in his right Wits, would give half Seven years Purchase for a Life upon it: Wherein I have said not so much as I could,( having only thought fit to meet with such things, as offered themselves against the pretended Security) touching the unconscionablenesse, unreasonableness and unjustnesse of this coordinate Senate; knowing it not much worth my labour; believing every one would give me Jobs answer, What you know, we know also, who knoweth not such things as these? For I suppose, the Abettors; yea the very Promoters and Promulgers of this strange New-fangled, new-fashioned thing, would quit the Vindication of it, under this notion, if they could be persuaded of a better Security, that might sort with their Interests and Concernments; Which it may be, are not all so very honest, as to endure the Fiery Furnace of a Parliaments Supreme Authority, and to come forth, having no smell of the Fire upon their Garments: And therefore, they will set up, and fall down, and worship this Golden Image of their own hands; and serve themselves, to cast in all others into this Oven, heated one seven times hotter then the other, for all such as will not Bow down to this Head of brass, and Hands of Iron. Well, but had I not as good have spoken to the post all this while? Or, shall I not bring an Old House about my Ears? Will not many be vilely vexed, and ask, What ails this Doughty Champion, this Stripling not a span long? We know the pride and naughtiness of thy heart; thou art come down to see the battle, to espy our weakness, and see us fall in the Fight. It is no hard matter to pick Holes in ones Coat; easier by much to find Faults, then to mend them: We may find one thing or other amiss in every Government; there is nothing perfect under Heaven. Pish, these are but the Whimsies of a Sick Brain, of a sorry melancholy Pate; such as are always speaking evil of Dignities, and fo those things they know not; Surely we mean honestly now, or never, but can never please all: We wonder what you would have, if you could speak: Better a Bad Government( and this is not so bad, as it is made) then none at all:— Wherein it is like, I should jump in your judgement, if were reduced to such extremes; But it is clear, we are not yet in such distress: I am sure we have, or at least( within this few Weeks) we had got the Weather gauge; and might have done as Honest things, as ever were promised: But, if we tack about, and stand for the Old Course, I must writ Lord have mercy upon us, upon our Parliaments, upon the Honest Men in the Army,( if there be any such, as I believe there are some:) upon our laws, Liberties, and our All; they are upon departing, unless he that made the Sun go back so many Degrees upon the Dial, cause their Sun to go down at Noon, who pretend what they intend not. But all this while you have not  told us of Better Security, for such as have made themselves the Mark of Envy, by interposing for the Good People of these Nations: 'Tis very true; neither do I know, whether you would like it ever the better, if I should: And me thinks if we were resolved to be Honest, we need not be long in the Search: But some have not been Honest, Few are indeed Honest, and many cannot be Honest in Spite of your Guts; but will look most Demurely in our Faces, while they pick our Pockets: I do not speak this of those Good Many, that would make us Honest if they could; and pluck up( as they are able) to Land us safely at Westminster according to our Bargain; but cannot yet fetch that shore, the wind and Tide are so strong against them: But if Men would be Ingenious in Good Earnest, and have Ears to hear, I know there are many in the World, would say what I think; who are able to speak to better purpose then I: And truly if I had had the smallest Encouragement, my Tale would have been heard; this Book had  told no Tales now. Let it be enough then, that this is my mind, If no better Security can be thought of, nor more Happy Expedient for a Settlement, then such a Senate as is proposed, or such Another House as that lately Created, and Destroyed; I shall give my Back to these Smiters; accounting it more happy to sit down under the pleasure of the Grand Signeour; then to run ourselves into Anarchy, and Confusion: I am indeed no Enemy, to Honest, Episcopal, and Puritan Christians; neither have any Quarrel with Presbyterians, or Independents; I differ not with their Opinions, so they compel not my Conscience: The Annabaptist hurts me not, so his Name signify his Whole Man; their Circumcision or Uncircumcision availeth me nothing, nor troubles me much, so they will suffer me to be a New Creature, allow me to be a Christian, as well as they: I am not an implacable Enemy to Caesar, but can give to Caesar the things that are Caesars; it having never yet been upon my Spirit, that Monarchy is absolutely Antichristian, so as one may not live under it, and led a Peaceable and Quiet Life, in all godliness and Honesty: However, I am not hardly persuaded, but those whom it may concern, may form some Authority in its stead, every way as well comporting with the happiness of this Nation, as that( you see I speak my Mind) I am for Majestracy Tooth and Nail: I am not irreconcilable to the Army, but believe we were deeply in their debt, for many good turns; but they have pretty well cut Scores with us of late: and for ought I perceive, if they will pursue this new humble Petition and Advice( so I call it) for a Senate, resolve we shall not die in their debt. But I am not to be swayed by the Opinions, or Interests of any, or all of them; by any means to see Violence Doing, to the undoubted Rights of my Native Country( though it seems to me, I was rather born to be dumb, to matters of State, as till now I have been) but I must burst out into this Cry, with the Son of Craessus, Will you kill my Father? yea, I wish too many of those several Opinions, and Interests, were not more wary, then chary of Englands Birthrights. But the Parliament, the Parliament is my Darling; who I profess before all men, and will maintain it at my peril, are the most happy Constitution, any people in the world can enjoy, if they be not rather Bruits, then Men: and should their little finger, be heavier then the loins of a Senate( which because Impossibilities may be supposed, I will suppose) ye● would I not withdraw my Neck from under that Yoke, but desire to be bored their Servant for ever; wherein should we wept ourselves in one choice, we might blame ourselves, if we did not mend it in the next: if any think me fool-hardy, and imagine it will not become their wisdom to be so tame; I think they must become such Fools, if they will be wise, and who ever they be, who under the most specious pretences, shall make void so happy a Constitution as Parliaments, by whom in realty, we ourselves make Laws for ourselves; as is most reason we should: those men( be they who they will) shall be Barbarians to me, as it is like I am a Heathen, and a Publican to them; and may they as their happiness( to say no worse) be put to the Gibeonitish shift, that they may succeed them in their Blessing, and be Hewers of Wood, and Drawers of Water to Englands Common-wealth for ever.  
To the Common Soldier I will say nothing; I am no Mutineer to the general council of Officers, from whom hitherto I have expected the great Salvation of the Nation( pardon me this wrong) though now I am in a fair way to be mistaken: I have this further to say; I have often been sadded for your Mis-carriages and Apostasies; yet had great hopes, when he that did let, should be taken out of the way,( whom I thought many were lead by, rather out of fear then love) that then some honest hearts, would have appeared effectually, for things honest and praise-worthy; and had ventured all my Credit upon it, within this few weeks; but that this wicked World hath made me hardly to believe mens words, till I see them done: however for while I keep up some feeble hopes: but since, your sin revived, and they dyed: verily I am sorry the Army are the men, they are; could no body else Petition for a Senate coordinate in Power with the Parliament: I think most men might, with more safety of Conscience; truly I am afraid of this Spirit of Giddiness: but if yet there be any virtue, or Honesty remaining with you, think of the Decree that is gone out of your mouths, against us, and our little Ones, to make us cease from being a People,( a free People) from off the Face of England. Think with yourselves, you that are honest, shall you escape better then the rest? but if you altogether hold your peace, now at this time, then shall enlargement and deliverance come to your Brethren some other way, if God see good: but you and your Houses shall be destroyed; and who knows whether you be come unto the kingdom, for such a time as this. I hope not this Discourse should please all, and yet I doubt it will please some better then I would, out of whose hands( so others might be supplied) it should be kept, if I knew their Faces: but some whom it pincheth sadly, I expect should be very angry, who may hap smite me on the Mouth, and ask, How went this Gift of prophesy from us to you? And after what hath been said, should I say unto them, Go, and prosper; I must needs seem unto them, as one that mocked: and it is a good escape, if they say not of me, Put this Fellow in hold, and feed him with the bread and Water of Affliction, until we return in peace: which when you do, in the way you take, and the honest part of the Nation have cause to triumph with you; then let me bear the shane of a false Prophet for ever.  
FINIS.