A REPLY TO Mr. William Prinne, His Unsafe, uneasy, Dangerous, &c.  
Expedient, for the Concord, Unity, and Settlement of these Nations, by restoring the ancient Nobility, part of the old decripit, decayed, and gray-headed Tyranny, Usurpation, and Oppression upon the Bodies, and Consciences of every poor Subject, who have been formerly as Balaam's ass, being made slaves at their lusts and pleasures, but now have kicked their Masters off.  
TOGETHER, With a few Directions to the Persons now in Authority, opening a door to Peace, Righteousness, and Prosperity, by building upon that little Stone, which hitherto hath been refused by the Builders, but is chosen of God and precious.  
And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the Lord, that riseth up and buildeth the City Jericho, for he shall lay the foundation thereof in his First-born, and in his youngest Son shall be set up the gates of it, Josh. 6. 26.  
LONDON, Printed for Francis Smith, and are to be sold at his Shop, at the Elephant and Castle near Temple-Bar, 1659.   

A REPLY TO Mr. William Prinn, His Unsafe, uneasy, Dangerous, &c. Expedient, for the Concord, Unity, and Settlement of these Nations, &c.  
I Am between hope and fear, fearing to displease God, hoping to persuade and convince all impartial and unprejudiced persons, that the proverb may be made true, sepe desperatio spei causa est, et ignaviam necessitas acuit. I never had yet an opportunity put into my hands, amongst the many unskillful and ungodly dissections of the good Old Cause, to speak one word of bringing back the King. Wherefore God hath been pleased to put it into my heart (though an unworthy instrument) as amicus patriae to oppose, and contradict that wicked and filthy Spirit, of making a Captain to return back again unto Egypt, (because it was better with them then, than it is now) which Spirit doth appear in the Priests and Lawyers of this Nation, having set a-work Mr. Prin, that Engine of mischief, and confusion, who is a Spirit of a fiery exhalation, as constant in affirming a bad Cause, as suffering for a good one; and likewise to tender to the persons now in Authority, some few directions, that may be as landmarks, to guide them to a firm, durable and immovable Settlement, upon a foundation of righteousness and truth, lest they dash themselves against that little stone cut out of the little Mountain without hands, on which their predecessors have been broken to pieces, who to the ignorant and disobedient is a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence. I am not so sorrowful, but I am as much through the grace of God rejoiced, when I behold all these symptoms, and characters of trouble and perplexity hanging over our heads, when I consider and meditate on the holy Scriptures, for Christ hath commanded; 
Luke 24. 25, 26, 27.  then when these begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads, for your redemption draweth near. And seeing there shall be signs in the Sun, in the Moon, and in the Stars, and upon the earth distress of Nations, with perplexity, the Sea and the Waves roaring, men's hearts failng them for fear, and for looking after those things that are come nigh on them, for the powers of Heaven shall be shaken, and then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud, with power and great glory. And in the mean time let all the faithful of the Lord, be travelling and groaning together with the whole Creation, 
Rom. 19 21.  for the manifestation of the Sons of God, because the creature itself shall also be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberties of the Sons of God, &c.  
The generality of the poor ignorant, and deceived people, who are led by the Spirit of the Prince of the air that ruleth effectually in the Children of disobedience, (for whom I am sorry in my Soul, when I consider the Son of man will come as a Thief in the night, and as I fear will find them unprepared for receiving of the Bridegroom) that cry out (as the Children of Israel did of old) against the glorious cause and interest of King Jesus, and bring up an evil report of the good Land, saying, stone Caleb and Joshua with stones; Oh these Sectaries, these Seditious Persons; that utter threatning words against Caesar, against the Kings, and Princes of the World; That God the Father will make his Son above the Kings of the Earth. O let them be crucified! But why do I only speak of the flock? is it not so with shepherds and Doctors of the Chair? Why do I mention the unlearned, is it not so with the Pleader, the Counsellor, and the Judge? Solomon saith, that at the windows of my House, I looked through my Casement, and behold among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding; But I may say, I looked among the wise men, I discerned among the old men, an old man void of understanding; although it may be judged a great presumption in me, to examine Mr. Prins, safe and easy, &c. Direction to a Settlement, now these destractive and destructive dispensations do appear. Yet I make no question, quasi penicillo adumbrare, that every ingenuous Reader may see Mr. Prinn's Reason is worse than Bedlam madness.  
He doth first very pathetically endeavour the restoring of the ancient Nobility (that have not forfeited their lives and fortunes, by engaging against the Rights and Liberties of the People of this Nation) to their right, and inheritance lineally descended unto them from their Ancestors for many hundred years; and though, as jus dormit nunquam moritur, and though of late it hath been discontinued, yet there is such an inherent right in them that may work a remitter. Oh he is very desirous, that though David be anointed King, and is King, de jure, yet that Saul may keep the Throne; no, the House of Saul must grow weaker and weaker, and the House of David stronger and stronger, Christ must increase, but Antichrist must decrease, and he knows no reason why Esau being the elder Brother should not have the inheritance; no, Saviours shall come upon Mount Zion, and judge the Mount of Esau, and the kingdom shall be the Lords.  
I answer, They have neither, Jus in re, nor Jus ad rem, 
Oed. the last.  but as they are subordinate to the Kings, and coordinate with the Lords Spiritual, as doth appear by the words of the Writ.  
Rex, &c. E. B. de, &c. Salutem Quia de advisamento, & assensu consilii nostri quibusdam arduos & urgentibus negotiis statumet desensionem Regni nostri 
Llb. 6. fol. 52 53. Cuntess of Rutland's cause 8. H. 6. 10 48. E. 3 30. 36. H. 6. 46. Plond. 223. Coke. 1. 1. Inst. 16. b.  angliae, &c. Concernentibus quoddam Parliamentum, apud civitatem Westminst. a 21. Oct. Prximo futuro teneri Ordinavimus, & ibidem vobiscum, & cum praeletis, Magnetibus, & Prooceribus dicti Regni nostri; Colloquium habere & tractatum, vobis in side & legriency quibus nobis tenemeni injeugendo mandamus, quod considiratis dictorum negotiorum & arduitate & periculis miminentibus, cessante excusatione quacunque, dictis die & loco personaliter intersitis nobiscum, & cum Praeletis, magnetibus, & Proceribus supradictis, superdictis negotiis tractaturus, & vestrum consilium impersurus, &c.  
Which first clause, Vobiscum & cum Praeletis, &c. and in the close of the Writ, Personaliter intersitis nobiscum, & cum Praeletis, &c. Which proveth they have no right thereto, but jointly with the King and Lords Spiritual, if you (as Mr. Prinne doth so earnestly desire) go to the ancient Constitution and Frame of the Government of this Nation. And now their Right (if they have any) may be properly said to be in abeysance or consideration of Law, in nubibus vel in gremio terrae. And seeing the King is the Primum mobile, from whence all inferior Orbs have their principle of vigour and motion, and like the Sun that is, Cor planetorum primum vivaeus & ultimum moriens, it doth follow, that without the King, such a Government will be but an Utopian Idea, formed by Mr. Prinns operative fantasy. It is a maxim in philosophy, that nihil agit in seipsum, and these that have been dead and buried for so many years, should raise themselves, or be again vivified by the generative and prolific faculty of Mr. Prinn's fruitful Pen: but admitting they have a right in radice, and in semine, yet I humbly conceive that now there is no actual inter regnum, as he doth suppose: for there may properly be said to be two administrations of a commonwealth, the one is Military, the other togata, togata pacis spectat temporae, militaris belli spectat tempora, though there be rebellions and commotions, like hot exhalations set on fire by their own motion, amazing the common people, who are usually surprised, with a Spirit of fear and bondage: yet, If the soldiers will be true to their principles, we may find out the most righteous government that ever we were under. And certainly there's no Title more lawful and indubitible then that which is jure belli, neither that which is elective successive, jure connubiorum, donative, Or testamentary, both by the Law of God and man. They having got it upon the account of righteousness, and liberty for the body and consciences of every individual person, though (I have cause to believe) that they have since sought their own things and not the things of Jesus Christ. But had it been an unjust and inoffensive quarrel, than they had been pirates and Robbers, as Lucan calleth Alexander M. orbis terrarum praedonem.  
The other thing that I did observe in Mr. Prinn's pamphlet was, that after the Nobility were invested in their ancient right, they should issue forth Writs unto all the places of this commonwealth, to choose persons for every County, shire, City, &c. as may be every way qualified for the service of that Country, to sit at Westminster on the third Monday in January next, according to the common custom and usage of this realm. I cannot imagine what this Parliament should do but revest Charles Stuard in his ancient right, for they would be altogether inservisable, to settle us upon a firm and lasting Peace. For all their Ordinances, Acts, and Statutes, would be invalid and of none effect, without the consent of King in Parliament, they would be in Eodem Jure, with a person, 
33. H. 6. 17. Tort. Cap. 18. P. 20. 4. H. 7. 18. 22. 53. 3. Br. Parl. 4. 42. 25. H. 6. 17. 15 E. 4. 2. 13. 4. H. 7. 18. F. H. 7 14. 7. H 7. 14. 16. 11. H. 7. 27. 1. H. 8. 18. 4. Co. 8. Rep. 15. 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24. 25, 26. 8. 34. 4. 37. H. 8. 19 to H. 7. 20. 2. H. 4. 3. Dyer. 1. 31. ● Dyer. 144. 6.  who cannot grant an annuity, &c. without the consent of his Patron and Ordinary, or Covent, who neither can enfeoff or enfeoffed, no not in time of vocation, as hath been resolved in all succession of ages. And in my Lord Dyers reports, 1 Reg. Maer. 93. In the Duke of North. his Case, it was a great doubt among the Justices, whether the King, after a Bill passed by the Lords and Commons, may Commissionate certain persons, by his Letters patents, regium suum assensuum consensuum, eadam billae, & omnibus in eadem specificatis, with a sciatis igitur, that he doth thereby ratify and confirm whatsoever they should do in his name. So that now you see Mr. Prinn's airy notions and plantasmes fall unto the ground. Oh that such an eminent person, for piety and godliness, should turn as the dog to his vomiting, and as the Sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the Mire; the philosopher saith, that optimi corruptio est pessima, Hypocrites & Seducers shall wax worse and worse, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. Oh what shall we say to these things, let them that stand take heed lest they fall.  
Now that I may wind all in a sheet of Paper, I would put the great ones in mind of performing their solemn promises and declarations to exalt Jesus Christ, who is more glorious and excellent than the Mountains of prey. Abraham who is the Father of the faithful, as he came from the slaughter of the Kings, having rescued his Brother out of their hands, Melchisedech met him and blessed him; you are the persons that have delivered God's people, and in former times Christ hath met you, and blessed you (as you have come from the slaughter of the King and the Nobles) with all divine and spiritual blessings, who is a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech. But now I am afraid you are like Sompson, your strength is departed from, your honours have put out your eyes, and now the House of this commonwealth is like to fall upon your heads. Therefore (I pray) hear one word.  
I. Return unto the most high, from whom you have departed. And though you presume that God will not destroy you, because you are a Bull-work, and a defence to his People; Oh I must tell you, I rather believe, they by the weapons of the Spirit, have averted the judgement, that otherwise might have fell upon you. Saul was a professor, and prophesied among the Prophets, yet after he came to be King, he forgot that God called him from following his father's Asses (as now some do not remember their pedigree, nor their father's House) and launched out into all sinful licentiousness, and God dethroned him, and set up his Servant David in his stead.  
II. Secondly, Make no peace with unrighteousness, say not a confederacy with them that say a confederacy, for you must be a Nation in the midst of a Nation, how dear was it like to cost good Jehoshaphat for entering into a league with wicked Ahab, saying, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people, and we will be with thee in the war.  
III. Thirdly, endeavour the taking away the burdens that lie upon us, both as Men and Christians, as men, you ought to impose your great taxes and impositions upon your enemies, as Solomon that oppressed the Canaanites and the Perinites, &c. that were enemies to his kingdom, and spared his natural born subjects, as Christians: how long shall we be villains regardant, to set out the persons Titles. It is a strange thing, you will not have the judicial Law to be in force, (which is not abolished,) and will have the ceremonial Law (which is established) to continue.  
IV. Lastly, and so I will conclude; If you think to hold on your course, kiss the Son lest he be angry, and you perish from the way; Proclaim him to be both King of Saints, and King of Nations. It is the eternal purpose and Decree of God, to make him above the Kings of the World, for he is the Prince of the Kings of the Earth, and all the holy Angels have done him fealty, for only the lion of the Tribe of Judah is worthy to open the Books, and lose the Seals thereof. And therefore seeing, you have kept Jesus Christ out of the Throne so long, the Lord give you Repentance unto Salvation, never to be Repented of.  
And now I shall put you in mind of a few Scriptures among many; In Dan 7. 13, 14, 27. and in Isa. 61. 23. and in Isa 63. 1, 2. Who is this that cometh from Edom, with died Garments from Bozar? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength? I that speak in righteousness mighty to save. Wherefore art thou red in thine apparel, and thy Garments like him that treadeth the Winefat? The Garments of Christ shall be died in the blood of his Enemies, as the Garments of the Priests was dipped in Jordan.  
THE END.