A SHORT PLEA FOR THE Common-wealth, IN This monstrous and shaking Juncture, wherein Treason is scarcely accounted an offence, and Traitors have so many Advocates.  
Published for the safety of the State, and the undeceiving of the people, by a friend to Justice and the Common-wealth.  
The second Edition reviewed, and enlarged in many particulars.  
It is better one man should perish, then the whole bee destroyed.  because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Eccles 8.11. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evil doer, or as a busie-bodie in other men's matters. 1 Pet. 4.15. For if I build again the things that I have destroyed, I make myself a Transgressor. Gal. 2.18. 
LONDON, Printed by William Du-Gard, Printer to the Council of State. Anno Domini 1651.   

A SHORT PLEA FOR THE Common-wealth, &c. Discovering the Treasonable practices of Mr LOVE and his Confederates against it.  
IT griev's me exceedingly, that the desperate folly and madness of this age( wherein men account Treason a virtue, and, to solicit for Traitors, piety and Religion) should enforce my pen to paper, especially at this time, when the blood of the many thousands  shed since this last Engagement in Scotland( so fresh in memory) the Armies being ready again to engage upon the same quarrel, and the safety of the Common-wealth so desperately endangered with the black attendants of a cruel War( the sad effects of these Treasons) calls rather to all honest men to gird their swords on their thighs, and prevent the destruction that is at the door, then to seek the diverting of Justice, and the execution thereof upon the convict Instruments of this miserable calamity; whom the very finger of God hath pointed out by a providential discovery beyond example; for whose Treason, the High Court of Justice hath sentenced one of them to death; and whose impunity will bee the greatest blow to the safety of the Common-wealth that it yet hath received. The serious consideration whereof hath alarmed my heart, and as the dumb child sometime spake when he saw one going to kill his father, so am I enforced to cry out, Men, brethren, and Fathers ' bring not upon your selvs the blood of the War in Scotland, and do not by such Presidents destroy the safety of the Common-wealth.  
The question now is not whether the mercy of the State should bee extended to Mr Love, who is found guilty of raising this War in Scotland, and who hath stouted it out to the utmost at the High Court of Justice; and in his Petition to the parliament for his life, not owning the Laws, by which he was judged, to bee the Laws of the Land, or such as were just, but [ your] Laws:( an imparallel'd piece of contumacy, and which never in the like case any dared to present to the parliament) I say, the question is not, whether the mercy of the State should bee extended to Mr Love, because a godly man, a Minister, and hath formerly served the parliament; but whether mercy should not bee first extended to the State for its safety( which hath been from its very birth designed to destruction by intestine plots and Treasons multiplied upon it, and by open Wars( in which Mr Love appears to bee a principal actor, and he and his Confederates a chief cause of these engagements of blood and mischief) whether the blood of the many thousands  shed already in these designs ought not to bee expiated? whether the bowels of compassion towards the lives of the many hundreds of thousands of innocent persons, and the very being of this Common-wealth and Nation,( which no man knows but this War may bury in its grave, and put to a period) should not bee exercised, whether the foundations of Government, and the Principles on which the being of human society do depend, which these mens Practices do utterly overthrow, should not bee preserved, and may not challenge from this State in the first place it's tenderness and compassion, and Justice upon the heads of those whose principles and practices have laid the Ax to the root of this Government, put the safety thereof to that great hazard it is in at this day,  shed the blood of those that have been slain in this Scottish Engagement, laid the foundation and so far assisted the proceeds of this war, which may terminate this Nation, and do overthrow the Principles of human society? and whether any man may bee so prodigal of the safety of the Common-wealth, as to lay such Presidents of favour and compassion, so bold with the Laws of the Land and the Justice of the State, as to endeavour to put by the Execution thereof, and with the blood of those that have been slain, ruined and suffered the other miseries of this war, as to hinder what the Word of God, and the Law of this Nation doth require? I am sure the late King, which was called Pater Patriae, & in whom the Administration of Justice in this Nation sometime did reside, was not owned in such unwarranted practices, as to protect offenders from Justice, and to destroy the safety of the People whom he should protect: but for so doing had Justice executed upon himself as a Traitor by this present parliament: in which Eminent and Impartial act the foundation of this Government was established, and according to which president, wee trust the parliament will make their future proceedings, Justice and Righteousness being that which indeed exalt's a Nation.  

But that I may not seem to beat the aër, and lay this discourse without any bottom, let the Reader bee pleased to consider briefly  
I. What the Treasons hinted at are, and the effects of them.  
II. How far they concern Mr Love, and his demeanour upon Examination, Trial, Sentence, and his Application to the parliament.  
III. What party this case respects, their deportment ab initio, their influence, number, opportunities, and principles.  
IV. The danger of the Common-wealth as to all.   

I.  
For the Treasons, they are no less then a Combination with the Scots, and charles Stuart, Son to the late Tyrant, to bring him in as King of England; for which purpose the Scots upon the Execution of the late King, sand to the Traytors concerned herein, that they intend to apply themselves to the King, wherein they will consider the Presbyterian party here as themselves; that the foundation of the Agreement should bee the Covenant; desire a constant correspondency and good understanding between those here and in Scotland. This occasioned the first meetings of these Traitors here, where the gracious disposition of the Prince was mentioned, how that loyalty and the sens of these sufferings engaged them to attempt something on his behalf, if so bee he would close with the Scots and take the Covenant; and which produced the first treaty, at the Hague.  
That Treaty bringing forth nothing, the King of Scots send's to these here, to assure them, that if they could obtain another Treaty between him and the Scots, and the Scots to moderate their Propositions, he would give satisfaction to the Scots, &c.  
Hereupon these sand to the Scots to make another application to the King, and to moderate their Propositions.  
The Scots return, that they would make another Application to the King, but it should bee on the same terms, the former breach at the Hague occasioning rather the heightening of their Propositions, then the moderating thereof, but adviseth these to make use of their Interest with the King to give them satisfaction. Nor was the Countess of carlisle[ that Mistress of Treasons] idle in these correspondencies.  
Hereupon these meet, consider of, conclude, and sand a Petition to the King, Letters to the Queen, Jermin and Percy, to persuade the King to give the Scots satisfaction.  
These return, that however things seemed to them, yet the King was resolved to give the Scots satisfaction; and to that end a Treaty was appointed at Jersey, and Percy advised these to sand one from hence to the Treaty: and moreover, that if the King and his Privy Council could not agree there, he would remove the Treaty to Breda, and at last cast himself upon the Scot's Commissioners.  
Accordingly an Agent was considered of, and concluded ( viz.) Capt. Titus, who was sent from these to Jersey, and an hundred pound raised amongst them to bear his charges, where he spake with the said King; and Liberton the Scot's Commissioner,  told him from what Party he was sent from England, represented the Presb. party considerable, had assurance & a Letter from the King to the Ministers, and Presbyterian party here, that he would give satisfaction to the Scots, that to that end the Treaty was removed to Breda, whither he adviseth them to sand Commissioners, and that he took notice of their non-compliance with the present Power.  
The Treaty being ended, Titus hearing that the Council of State understood that he had been at Jersey, durst not go for England, but send's a Letter among other things for one to come to him at Callaïs, to receive the Account of his agency.  
Upon the reading whereof, these here agree and sand mayor Alford to Callaïs, who having received of Titus the account of Transactions, returned, and to these persons that sent him give's the relation thereof; the Copy of the King's Letter aforesaid( the Original being sent to bounce in Holland for fear of miscarriage) Titus his Narrative also in writing, which were all of them then Communicated; also that Titus was in debt, having borrowed some money of Jermin.  
This occasioned the drawing of a Commission, enabling the Lord Willoughby of Parham, Alderman bounce, Maj. Gen. Massey, Capt. Titus to treat in the name of the Presbyterian party in Engl. with the King at Breda, and to assist their brethren the Scots: and when it was moved by some what power they had to sand a Commission, it was answered, the King had sent to them so to do, and they had also many secluded members, whose authority they looked upon better then those at Westminster; which, together with Instructions thereunto annexed, were sent by Mason the Lord Percy's servant, who came hither on purpose to give the King of Scots an Account of proceedings, and at Graves-end had those papers brought him by three of the Correspondents.  
Letters also were drawn and sent to the Queen, Percy, Jermin, Lord Willoughby, Massey, bounce &c. to forward the Agreement, and to act as authorised; and Titus had more money.  
And now the Business being put into a fair way of issue, Private Fasts are by them appointed to pray for a blessing on the Treaty, and for the continuation of the Agreement afterwards.  
Percy writes to them to lend 10000 l to the King, which would add much to the Agreement, and one Minister moved a way by which it might bee raised, ( viz.) the Ministers to move their friends, sir, you shall give me 20, 30, 40, 50 l. &c. for a charitable use, but you shall not ask me wherefore; but because they were not assured of the King's giving satisfaction, it was forborn.  
This treaty produced the end endeavoured; the King send's his Letters to several of the Ministers, that, if they could not live quietly here, they should come to him: 3 or 4 also he desired might bee his Chaplains, and give's instructions to his Gen. Agent Mr Cook to treat them civilly, to give Letters to them, and the Presbyterians in the city of London from him, and to press them to action.  
The Scots having got the King into their hands, prepare, as they had promised at Breda, to rais Arms to put him in the throne of England, but nor Massey, Titus, nor the English were considered, whose Interest in the Presbyterian party in England was made use of to bring the King and them together.  
This Massey &c. complain's of to these here, who very ill resented it, and thereupon send's a long Letter to the Kirk and State complaining thereof, attributing it to their pride, laying open in what condition they were in, this with much more was wrote in sack in a table-book and sent thither.  
The fight at Dunbar follow's: after which rout, the Scots court this party again; the Kirk, and State, and Massey, writ by sea and land to those here, signify the cause of the rout, advice them to stand fast to the cause and Covenant, desire money and 3 or 5000 muskets and case of Pistols; for money also Massey and Titus particularly pressed to, because of their wants.  
The Correspondents aforesaid considered of this Letter, and agreeed at present to rais about 300 l to sand to Massey and Titus, which the Correspondents performed by 10 l. 5 l. a man &c, A Letter was also returned to the Kirk, and State, and Massey by these here.  
Upon this the Correspondencies began to have life again; and the Scot's preparations to bee in the field were signified hither, advice also to those here to caution, steadfastness, adhering of a party seasonably here; to writ to the Kirk for union, &c.  
These return the same Cautions, advice Massey to take heed how he came into England, and that he bring with him a strong party.  
Returns also come from Scotland of the receipts of the money, and the Letters to the Kirk and State before-mentioned, how seasonable it was, how much union it affencted, broken the designs of the advers party, and how considerable it made them.  
ways of settling intelligence by land were also signified and made use of.  
At length in March last came an answer to what was signified in sack in the table-book aforesaid by Col. Bampfield's man, which gave an account of the state of Scotland; Letters also came in the said packet from Mr Bayly( their former Correspondent in the behalf of the Kirk) and from the Lords Belcarris, Argyle, Loudoun, and Lothian wishing these here to give credit to Bampfield's negotiation, because he was a Cavalier, press for 5 or 10000 l in money to buy Arms to furnish, & ships to bring over 5000 old souldiers, propose's a General to bee chosen by these here, and promise repaiement when God shall bless their endeavours so as to cause a free parliament in England: the Agent was returned with money in his pocket, and a Bill of Exchange to Bampfield, whose designs at large, upon what place in England, and by whom the men were to bee furnished, Cap. Titus's Letters, brought by his man to the Lord Ambassadors for England then at the Hague, do speak at large.  
Presently upon this Packet to them from Bampfeild, Cook was taken, Capt. Potter one of the Correspondents imprisoned, Titus's Letters brought in by his man, and afterward some others were apprehended, which put a stop to their Proceedings.  
Then the very relation,( which is truth in every particular) there need's no other demonstration of the dangerousness of this Treason; and the effect thereof, the present war in Scotland, and what hath and may ensue thereupon: For, nor would the King have trusted the Scot, nor the Scot meddled with the King to put him in his Father's dominions, but that the Influence of this third party in England warmed them thereunto, and this, were it needful, would bee largely demonstrated.  
Nor is it amiss to hint a word of the private and subtle transaction of these designs.  
The chief correspondents of this Form now discovered( for there is another above them, which one time or other the world will understand) were men tenaciously fixed to the design upon a pretended conscientious and a religious Principle, having the Ministers also in greatest admiration, many of them Souldiers, and who had once served in the Army.  
Their meetings were upon pretence of religious Exercises; the places either in shops of Commerce, or Minister's studies.  
The way of communicating the design by way of news; seldom any Letters produced in their Originals but by Copies, and that mostly in Characters, which for some time were kept in a Book; the person from whom it came as seldom asked, that being generally known; nor were any to inquire of names, the Letters and Papers also were before hand put under a Candlestick.  
The Contribution of money was under the pretext of charitable uses; for the widdows and orphans, a poor distressed Gentleman beyond the Seas, this money brought in bags or papers, laid down in ware-houses, studies and Chambers, but nothing said, nor any seen to receive it.  
And the better to accomplish their ends, another Generation of men were trained up at a Club, where they were instructed as occasion served by some of the Cabinet-Council, that they might serve their ends; All which doth exceedingly advance the goodness of God in the discovery of these works of darkness, and therein showing his tender care of this Common-wealth.   

II.  
For what Mr Love is concerned herein( to say nothing of what preceded Titus his going to Jersey) Titus Letter signifying his fearfulness to come to England, and desiring one to bee sent to calais to receive an account of his Negotiation at Jersey, was red in his house, where he was present with divers others; and where they concluded to sand one thither to Titus.  
The person that was sent to Titus and returned, gave an account of his journey in Mr Love's study, where Mr Love was present and many others; and where was red Titus's Narration, in way of a diary of proceedings at Jersey, the copy of the King's Letter, as is mentioned before, there the Commission, Instructions, Letters before mentioned, were red, debated, and concluded; and when some debate was had, concerning what authority they had to sand a Commission, being single persons, and it was answered, the King having sent to them so to do, was authority sufficient; Mr Love said, come, come, let it go.  
Their Letters were red, which were agreed to bee sent to Scotland, upon Massie's complaint of neglect in Scotland, there the Letters from massy, Committees of Estates, Gen. assembly, were red after the fight at Dunbar, which desired money, assistance, Arms. There Mr Love pressed for the raising of money upon those letters ( viz.) four or five hundred pounds, saying, That if they could not rais it themselves, they must with their friends; and spake to some to lend on that account, fignifying the contents of the Letter, for money, Arms, &c. and from whom; the sum being brought down to about three hundred pounds; there some of the money was brought in, and laid down in his room, where he was present; there some of the fasts aforesaid were kept, and he officiated at the same Fasts at other places. There the packet from Bampfield was red, having a Letter( L) on it; the Letters also therein from the Lords Belcarris, Loudoun, Argyle, and Mr Baylie, moving for five or ten thousand pounds for the furnishing of Arms, and shipping for five thousand old souldiers, to bee brought from beyond the Sea; the time when it should bee repai'd, and moving for a Gen. to bee nominated by them for those men; there forty pound was thought convenient by him and others, to bee sent to Bampfeild; ten pounds to Bampfeild's man was paid, and thirty pounds by Bill of Exchange, sent to Bampfeild, and a Letter wrote with( B) on it, brought to Captain Potter for Bampfield, and said by the party that left it at Potter's, that it came from Mr Love; Mr Love and another being before spoken to draw up the Letter, and at all these meetings and transactions Mr Love was present, discoursed, debated at them; and at several other meetings also at his house, concerning the same designs, which I shall not now add, because I suppose a full narrative thereof will bee published to the world, and I intend this for no other then a short account of what was deposed against Mr Love.  
Nor shall I sum this up together, or draw from it conclusions that will naturally arise, leaving that to the Reader's Observation, it lying so plainly; onely I shall leave it to the Reader's judgement, Whether Mr Love's appearing in the substantial part of this design, as is before mentioned at large, wherein a messenger is sent to Titus their Agent, his Negotiation received, the reading, debateing, and concluding of a Commission, and Instructions to persons to treat with the King at Breda; money raised, Letters sent and received from Scotland for Ammunition, &c. and other correspondencies, even to March last, do not entitle him to the first part thereof,( if not to his privity then, yet) to his consenting afterward? Nay, who can believe that Mr Love would join in the body, and most dangerous parts of the design, and not bee first informed( if he knew it not before, which I have reason to believe he did) what had preceded? or, How can it bee supposed, that a rational man would have to do in the middle of a business, of the beginning of which he was ignorant? especially a Minister, who hath or ought to have more then ordinary wariness in things of that nature? howëver, he that entereth into the substantial part of a design, is legally included in the whole, and then whether he bee not guilty of the whole transaction, which hath produced the war in Scotland, and which war he hath abetted and assisted?  
For his demeanour from the time of his first examination to this day, I had rather bury in silence( being so unlike a man, a Minister and a Christian) then to discover to the world his infirmities, and indeed shall not make that my work, farther then is necessary to the point of safety, and therein according to what I first proposed.  
At his Examination he made such a deep and general profession of his innocency,( though the proof and his confession at the Court contradicted it) that the Committee were at a stand how to ask such an Innocent Professor any question of Guilt; he also said, Ask me any question concerning myself, and I will ingenuously answer you, but when such questions came to touch, being according to the Informations of Treasons against him, he refused to answer as to what concerned himself before Evidence was produced; or what concerned others, saying, That he would not bee an Informer, though the old Law of England require's that a Traitor answer Yea or No, and that he discover other Traitors also; nor would he sign his Examination, whereto he had made some denial.  
When he came to the bar, 
That he did give Mr Jekiel 5 l. towards the 30 l. for Bampfield, and 10 shillings to Cap. Potter, for Stirk, the Scots Agent; the former of which, though not sworn at Court, yet hath since been with grief of spirit acknowledged by Mr Jekiel; who being much troubled that he had before prevaricated in that particular, did of his own accord confess it.  he made three dreadful Protestations, before God, Angels, and men; That he never wrote Letter to the King, Queen, Jermin, percy, Titus, Massey, &c. That he never received Letter from any of them; That he never contributed any money, nor gathered any for the King, &c. or Massey, Titus, &c. which desperate prevarication, if there were no more said, is enough to convince every serious man of the falsity of his heart. Though it is not proved that he wrote Letters with his own hand, ye he heard the Letters red that were sent, and consented to their going to Scotland, &c. Though it is not proved that he received any Letters with his own hand( though that from Bampfield endorsed ( L) carried and red in his house, may easily bee believed to bee directed to himself) yet he was present at the reading of them; and pressed the answering of the contents of some of them as to money, &c. Though it is not proved that he contributed any money with his own hand, and gathered it for the uses aforesaid, yet it is proved that he pressed at the meetings in his house for the raising of money, and that of considerable sums, spoken to particular men so to do, and part of the money was brought and left in his house in his presence. And hereby let any sober man judge of his spirit, and the truth of what he would affirm. Every ordinary understanding know's, that a man writes when he consent's to writ, receive's when he agree's to what is received, especially where many are joined in the advice, and what is sent, and received. parliaments, Councils, other Communities, so writ, so receive, either by their secretary, or another person: And thus Mr Love know's he did writ, he did receive, he did contribute; and yet that he might delude God, Angels, and men,( but the former will not bee mocked) he comes forth with these knowing falshoods and Prevarications, not only at first, but at last, before his sentence, where he would have pinned that lye upon the hearts of all the Spectators, after the proof had passed, and himself confessed that many meetings were at his house, where some such things as were mentioned in the charge were red and debated, particularly where the Commission in the name of the Presbyterian party in England, autorizing the Lord Willoughby, &c. was red, it being in his study. I tremble to think what a reckoning this will amount to, when God shall let Mr Love see what he hath don.  
Mr Love would have denied the jurisdiction of the Court, if he had not remembered what it cost his Master charles, against whose authority Mr Love is, as well as that Tyrant was; then he pleaded( when there was no remedy) not guilty, behaving himself exceeding haughtily, prevaricating uncivilly, which reached not only the witnesses, but the Atturnie-General, the Council for the State, the Council of State, and the Court: would acknowledge nothing; no: he said, he would die before he would accuse any man; and said, he would answer to no question. In his defence he presented his innocency, and his Principles, ( viz.) wholly contrary to the present Government; and, with what rhetoric and Argument he could, endeavoured to persuade the people and confirm them in the same opinion; What he had don( he said) was according to the Covenant, and in simplicity of heart, though before he had confes't what is above mentioned( his ingenuity being only to acknowledge what was clearly proved, for which the State will not thank him:) he said, that it was according to his judgement and Conscience, that Religion and Liberty would bee more advanced by the King's coming in by the Scots then by the Irish,( so that he should come in one way or other, was his judgement and Conscience; but rather by the Scots, and by the Scots the King is endeavouring it, which hath produced this war,) and he said, that the Covenant led him to pray for the Union of both Nations, and the Scots having chosen the King, to pray for him, and against Incendiaries; also that his Principles were according to the Vows & Declarations of both Houses of Parliament,( yet those very Vows and Declarations will not own that malignant interest that Mr Love and his brethren in England and Scotland have now taken in) and for such an unquestionable authority he is willing to adventure as before; that if the ends of the first War had been kept, it would have been more for the glory, peace, and honor of the Nation. because in his private opinion they are not kept( though wee can make it appear, that what he stumble's at is most suitable to the ends of the first war, viz. safety and liberty) must he therefore endeavour another war in times of peace? he saith, that doing Acts of justice upon Political accounts, though the matter of Fact were true, is not justice, but murder; instancing( but most falsely) in the case of Jehu; then threaten's the Court, that if they take away his life, they will  shed innocent blood, and God will require it at their hands.  
When the Sentence was come to bee given, he continued as before, would have had his confessions of concealment to bee only misprision of Treason; excepted against the witnesses, and protested that he knew no designs, or persons designing in England or out of England, nor the place where, or the time when any invasions will bee made on this Nation; and after Sentence, that God and his Conscience condemned him not.  
Since the receiving of his Sentence, in his Petition to the parliament for mercy, he offers, not to compensate his offences, by his discovering what he knew of the Traitors in the same confederacie, though he had confessed nothing before his Sentence but what was proved, nor all that neither; and since his sentence, his future testimony is invalid, nor doth he acknowledge the authority or the Laws by which he was judged, to bee the Laws of the Land, but by [ Your] Laws I am justly condemned; which his brother Mr Calamie instructed him in, on Mundaie last in the Tower, perhaps to put Mr Love out of all hope of mercy, that his good tricks, and the rest of his close Brethren, might not come to light, and so Mr Love's head might bury their walkings in the dark; But God is a consuming fire, and he will bring every work to judgement. By all what hath been said, doth plainly appear, that as Mr Love's Treasons against this State, were don out of judgement and conscience, and according to the Covenant: so even to this day, he remains of the same opinion; which principle, how dangerous it is to the Common-wealth, upon comparing the present effects thereof in this war, and what sadder issues it may have, is easy to judge. And how can he expect mercy of that Common-wealth, whose Laws he hath broken in so high a manner? whose safety he hath so much endangered? and yet refuseth to own its authority as the Ordinance of God for good, or to submit unto it.   

III.  
For the party this case respects, it runs through generally the whole ministery of the Nation, and that not so much those that are in Wolvs clothing, but the Angels of Light, men of great repute for godliness, religion, learning, activity for the parliament; who have so great opportunities by preaching, such influences as the Oracles of God, as the very Scripture; they are distributed throughout all England, engaging people, speaking to thousands at a time from several parts, which none others have, upon a religious tie of Conscience and the Covenant, to exstirpate this Government, and blowing up the turbulent breasts of all discontented persons, to burn this Common-wealth, and themselves; and how far they have prevailed herein, and what mischief it hath produced, the present face of affairs will evince.  
These are they, that, when with one heart and hand wee were following the common enemy, made the first division, upon the account of their own dominion; this set deserving men against deserving men; and those that yesterday were like Brothers, jointly brandishing their swords against a common enemy, are now ready to run their swords in one anothers bowels. It would bee endless to reckon up, how dissenters from them, who had more Scripture for their practise then presbytery, and as much or more merit to pled for their preferment, then the others, were turned out of the places of trust, both Civil and military, how the new Model, notwithstanding all their faithfulness and service, was endeavoured to bee broken; how the army was first ordered to lye before Oxford, when the Scots, who were appointed to wait on the King, retreated to westmoreland; what workings there were to bring in the Earl of Essex again upon the head of the army, and the Scot's army to effect it, which his sudden death prevented; what Shibboleths were made? what consultations had to destroy them? witness the Ordinance against blasphemy, &c. What endeavours to break the army, and leaving Ireland in its blood, that it might serve as a check to the army, for which end my Lord Lisle was remaunded, after the expense of a 100000 pounds for his expedition, as soon almost as his foot was set on that iceland, and delivering all into the power of Inchiqueen, who immediately gave it to the King, and what it had like to have cost, let the season, when nothing but Dublin remained in the Parlament's power, and that close besieged, speak; for the successses there, and in England, these people would neither pray for, nor give thanks, looking upon them as Judgments.  
It would require a volume to discourse how Regiments, pretended for Ireland, were kept a year about on the country, on pretence of wanting opportunity of transportation, but intended to balance or break the army, how the breach of the army was endeavoured, how they were voted Traitors, but upon the report of an humble Petition, that was said to bee amongst them; and then part of them were ordered for Ireland under other Officers, not in mercy or relief for that country,( for some chief Officers declared, that they intended no such thing) but to destroy the army: Mr Nichols said, the Ministers put them on this against the army, making it no less then damnation to sand schismatics into Ireland; and then, how were Garrisons emptied of friends to the army? some dismantled, where such persons were Governors; the Militia, and other Arms, Ammunition, and artillery seized; that it might bee treason for any to touch them; afterwards the Irish Regiments ordered to bee drawn up against the army, and had put an end to all, had not God prevented to admiration, in raising up the hearts of the soldier at Triple-heath: After this, a company of boys were raised and encouraged to put force upon the house, which was the first and unparalleled affront that ever was put on them; an army upon that raised in London, and the city fortified, which brought forth a new War; after that a treaty must bee had with the King, and the Scot's army come into England( though Hamilton's hand onely made it an unlawful thing, for 'twas not an Invasion, but what hand should effect it was the question) the Lords would not declare against it, the city Petition for it, the house of Commons staggering whether the Scots should bee voted Enemies or no; even when the Lord General cromwell was drawn forth to sight them, the navy was then broken, which is not recovered to this day.  
Cap. Batten petitioned to bee Vice-Admiral, who had before that time received a Commission from the Prince; the militia unsettled, though insurrections were every where; and when granted, through the importunity of many, yet gave not power to kill and slay; and though that insurrections were every where, Hamilton and others in the field for the King, about 100000 that summer, yet none of them stirred to repel them, though our Forces fought mostly 2000 to 10000, and that from Pembroke to Edinborough; then by a treaty all was endeavoured to bee effected, and the King's Concessions voted in order to peace, and the army intended to have been voted Traitors, and then the house to adjourn to accomplish force by the King and their own party to have destroyed the army,( who are mentioned so often here, not barely as an army, but as they keep and own their first Principles, and the true interest of liberty and safety) and the honest Interest, and all by a party on whom their Influence so far prevailed to act those things; and when God put by all their mischievous intents, brought Justice on the King, and changed the Government through much mercy, they fall presently point blank into the King's Interest, and plot, and contrive the destruction thereof, through the Treasons now brought by the finger of God to light, and which are shortly touched before; and upon the Armies march into Scotland took off the former Lord General Fairfax from keeping his Commission, thereby hoping to hinder( at least) our timely march to that country; and to these you may add the Lords, and many thousand other persons who did gallantly in their generation, whom these men's violence, because they cannot lord it over State and Conscience, have lead into a general disaffection to this present authority, whom they have entitled to the Malignant cause, and laid the Guilt theerof upon their shoulders, and all upon the Account of Religion and the Covenant; which had I time I should answer to the full. Mr Love's blood runs through these men's veins, his Principles are theirs, and who expect his success in this trial as an encouragement, or disheartening to their future treasonable proceedings.  
And here it is will not bee amiss, briefly to consider what hath been the deportment of the persons against whom they have thus proceeded, and of the State, as to all.  
When this generation of men( upon no substantial cause in Reason or Religion) had prevailed with the Earls of Essex, Manchester, and sir William Waller, to turn these men out of their Armies, Brigades, Garrisons; and with the parliament by the city Remonstrance, out of all Civil employments, at that very time when the enemy had stripped many of them of all their estates, and had not bread to live upon; when they endeavoured also to destroy their persons for their consciences,( which with meekness they offered to manifest, was regulated, according to the word of God) and for that end were bold to break the Privileges of parliament, and afterwards obtained the Ordinance against heresy, &c. that so what the enemy had left, their sword might destroy, and what would not wrack their Consciences, should reach their persons; and this driven on by some of this conspiracy, who had such hardened bowels, that they refused to afford any relief to those precious souls, who had brought them up from their Cradles, and out of their estates given them maintenance and being; What was then the demeanour of these Sectaries( as they called them)? was it in Treasons and Rebellions, railing against the Magistrate, falling in with the malignant Interest? &c. or was it not in all meekness, patience, and silence? not a whisperer so much, much less a treason, was thought or spoken of.  
When God was pleased to call those out-casts together in the New Model, did they refuse to do this work, though things were then at a very low ebb? or to venture their lives? or did they not( through the goodness of God) accomplish such a swift deliverance, that it made the former war to bee almost forgotten, notwithstanding all the endeavours by contrary orders, dividing the army, laying them with inconsiderable numbers before Garrisons, before they were masters of the Field( witness the first Oxford-Leagure when the Scots retreated, or rather ran away, Scot-like, to westmoreland) the Lord Gen. cromwell taken from the army, and 2500 of their best horse to join with the Scots; the army unpaid, and unrecruited? &c. I say, when after all this they were designed to bee broken, the Earl of Essex to bee put in the head of them for that end, &c. did they take upon them such a ranting spirit as these men( though they were able to do what they would) or set themselves to break those, who unworthily endeavoured to break them in pieces as a reward for their service? or rather did they not lay their mouths unto the dust, and were contented after all to have lived in banishment, rather then by the parliament to bee thought inconsistent with the peace of the Nation?  
When the pretended design for Ireland was on foot, purposely to break the army; Treaties at the same time with the Queen, on a malignant Interest, and to bring in the Scots again; the Souldiers hanged at the Assizes for what they had don as Souldiers; the bringing in the King, whom they had impossession at Holdenbie, upon his own, or their Interest, which was all one; and all that apparent transaction for the destruction of the Parlament-Interest, the army, and all that did adhere to them; how tender were they of making the least extraordinary attempt for their preservation; till God was pleased in the very signory to rais up an unheard of spirit to stand for Justice, their lives and Liberties, and of the honest Interest also, and the Lord Gen. cromwell, and other their chief Officers intended to bee impeached as Traitors, enforced to repair to them for shelter?( which Providence of God England will never have cause to forget) Did they then tyramnize, or do to any as was intended to bee don to them? let the very men that thirsted for their blood speak in this particular.  
When the Boyish Rabble( encouraged by some of the rabbis) had committed that unparalleled, and not to bee pardonned force on the house of Commons, that the Speaker and many Members were enforced to repair to the army, and presently upon that an army raised in London, and that garrisoned; the same attempted throughout all England; being the beginnings of another war, and which occasioned the army's drawing up to London, and their marching through it: after that the enemy had most cowardly quit it, did they plunder the city, or take one half penny from them? Did they servile those members that sate in the house acting against them; and appearing a colour of authority for such proceedings? did they turn those Ministers out of the Pulpits that had alarmed this war? or was there any Justice don for the blood that was then  shed,( the more I think is there to bee answered for) or the mischiefs that ensued thereupon?  
Did they servile any of the Members of parliament, till the sad experience( to say nothing of what is afore mentioned) of the Scot's invasion; the insurrections every where in the year 1648; the breach of the navy; the delaying the Ordinance for the Militia; the invalidity of that Ordinance; the carrying on of the treaty at the Isle of Wight; the voting the concessions there in order to a safe peace; the intention of voting the army Traitors, that had fought so gallantly that year also; and to have adjourned the house, that the King and they might with united force bee able to subdue them; together with a constant series of obstructing what concerned the true Parlament-Interest, and the promoting of the King's, enforced the putting by of such that had been fals to their Trust, that so the remainder, whose hearts were faithful to Justice and the Common-Interest, might the more roundly prosecute the Execution of Justice on the King( the head and fountain of the first war;) the changing of the Government to the best advantage of Righteousness and liberty, and the safety of the true Interest, which by enemies abroad, and seeming friends at home, had been put to so many desperate, and sad extremities; out of which, even through miracle they had been but then delivered; and let any discreet, and impartial observer of those things judge, whether the Providence of of God, and the absolute necessity of public safety, did not enforce those proceedings; for which, all those that wish well to the great designs of God in this Nation, have cause to bless the Lord; and bee thankful, as a greater mercy then their former deliverances?  
When the Providence of God, in the Justice of this Nation, had brought the King to Execution, and changed the Government for the best advantage of Religion, Justice, liberty and safety, how did this generation of men proviribus endeavour the destruction of this Common-wealth? what mourning was there amongst them for Tammuz? Ezek. 8.14. fetching deeper sighs for the King's execution, then the purer Cavileer: what desperate and bitter invectives have been the constant enterteinments of most Congregations from their Pulpits, pressing more the destruction of this Common-wealth, then advancement of the GOspel of Christ, making the Government( what in them lay) to stink;( shall I say, amongst the profane of the Nation?) yea, even in the nostrils of the most truly godly, that by enervating of the sacredness of their authority, the people might bee prepared to take any opportunity to root it out: yea, they have fallen into the Malignant Interest; and, with one soul and united endeavours, they have not onely attempted to cast this authority out of the hearts of the people, but have plotted, contrived, advanced and completed a combination of the Scots, and their King, to bring upon this Common-wealth the force of Scotland, and what other parts can contribute towards the war there raised; which they not onely at first brought to perfection, but ever since have assisted to their power, as in the relation of the design before appeareth.  
But how hath the State proceeded with these men? have there been narrow Inquisitions made into the things before mentioned? have any been made examples of Justice? what a weight of blood and Treasure lies upon the remaunding, the Lord Lisle from Ireland, and delivering all into Inchiqueen's hands, who delivered it to the enemy, and reduced the Parlament's Interest there to the walls of Dublin, which was also besieged? To recover this when England's wars( through them occasioned) could not prevent, not a prayer of theirs would go for our forces that went thither;( no, 'twas against their Conscience) no blessing of God for the rare successses given against the enemy, which confirm's their guilt upon them, and the blood on their heads: What a weight lies upon the boys, forcing the house of Commons, and the raising of an army in London, and garrisoning thereof? upon the Treaties with the Queen, and bringing in the Scots? upon the favouring of Insurrections and breach of the navy, not to this day recovered? upon the treaty at the Isle of Wight( where they made a private agreement with the King); and the endeavouring to hinder Justice from coming upon his head? yea, what a weight lies on all their practices to destroy this Common-wealth, as soon as it was born? to set the Nation on fire about our ears? to fall into a malignant Interest? and, when their poor country had traveled under nine years bloody war, to bring the war upon it, that now is at this day? what a deal of guilt of blood lies here? England's blood, Ireland's, and Scotland's blood? the guilt of that family that God is plucking up by the roots, and that Interest; who is able to stand before God with this weight of guilt and blood; unless the blood of Christ wash it away? How can the Justice of man pass by such guilt and blood without the execution of punishment: I say, have these things been inquired into, or visited? nay, have they not been continued in their places to this very day? have they not the liberty of their consciences, which they would not grant to others, but endeavoured to destroy their bodies for their conscience sake, though their practise had more of divine stamp upon it, then these men's Principles? have they not their very way of worship commended by the State to the Nation, though no jus diviunm appears for a Magistratical Coercion to that, or any other way of outward worship? have they not the propriety of their estates, and the protection of that, and their persons, though they make it Conscience and Religion to destroy this Government; and this Protection they have as far forth as any member that sits in parliament? Have they not their Pulpits, and full liberty to preach the Gospel of Christ, and to live in all godliness and honesty? Or were there ever sharper Laws made against 'vice and profaneness? and these things have they not enjoyed in a constant Series without any interruption to this very day?  
And as for the army, with how much bowels and tenderness, have they proceeded towards them? How often have they desired meetings, conferences, to deal with each other according to the rule of Christ? Witness, amongst other things, the desires for twenty of them to come to Windsor, and preach to them; if by any means there might bee a good understanding; likewise the Message of the Council of war by Mr Peters, Colonel Okey, and mayor Cartar, entreating them to come and sit with them in their Council; see their proceedings, admonish, and direct them; and the many desires of the Lord Gen. cromwell for that purpose; but they scorned and rejected all, would neither come to Windsor, nor the Council of War; nay, when the head Quarters were at London, Cornet joice and Captain Beaumount were sent to the Common-Council, and after that lief. General cromwell, now Lord General, went himself to desire a union if possible; but all would not do. Mr Love, instead of hearing what Mr Peters and Colonel Okey spake, railing upon them, said, ye are a company of heretics, and schismatics, and the curs of God is on you, and will destroy you; I will not have to do with you; Nor would they discourse with the Officers, but at the then Lord General Fairsax; where Mr Calamie, Mr Sedgwick, Mr Whittaker, Mr Marshal, Mr Cauton, and two more made set speeches for the King, purposely to draw off the said Lord General to give up his Commission, and thereby advantage the King's, and their affairs, touching the Scot's Expedition, and instead of hearkening to these brotherly addresses, have plotted, and don as is afore-mentioned.  
And this hath been the fruit of the Indulgence of the State to them, and their impunity from punishment, even to spread Religion upon the face of Treason: and the doing of God good service, to bring in the Atheistical and hellish troops of Scots and Malignants upon the peace of this Common-wealth, after that they had prepared the hearts of the people by their pestilent doctrine to destroy this State, and warmed the bloody and frozen spirits of the Roialists, who seek their destruction, and who, with an united force have caused the bodies of many thousands to fall in this War, and how many more no man know's.  
And yet to preserve one of the chief of these Traitors, what endeavours are there? what solicitations? yea, after the parliament, out of their due sens of the blood-shed, the apparent hazard of the Common-wealth, and the destructive principles of these men, had once denied a Repriev to bee put to the question, and upon the question any pardon?  
Nor are the common sort of men now the persons that dare appear to force the door of a Repriev open, when shut by parliament; but a parcel of fifty four Ministers who make light of Treasons, are sufficiently bold to present a Petition in the behalf of Mr Love, for a Repriev; whom to the parliament, they style their dear and beloved Brother, though as yet he cannot own this Government as the Ordinance of God for good; nor discover the Treasons he hath known to bee against it, and yet seeks mercy of a State, to whom he can show no mercy himself.  
'Tis no marvel that these men appear in this particular( it being their first Petition to the parliament, and therefore deserv's to bee recorded): In regard that the deserts of some of them beg's their own repriev in Mr Love's, the wel-wishes that others have to the good successses of his designs, manifested much in their saucy behaviour to God and man in that particular, and whom time will shortly discover, all of them, the preservation of that spirit of Dominion, and of Antichrist that lies in the bottom, and a Papal Privilege of their necks from a Magistratical Execution, in case of future Treasons, and other misdemeanours, and none but these have confidence enough to endeavour the diversion of Justice upon this evil doer.  
One would think that of all men( since the whole Tribe seems to bee generally in this business) the Ministers should have cleared their own reputation, in desiring Justice to bee executed impartially, even upon their own dear Brother; to detect rather then to smother such Treasons; and to bee executioners themselves, rather then Justice should want Execution. As 
* Exod. 32.26, 27, 28, 29. Moses said, Who is on the Lord's side? Who? and then gathered to him all the Sons of Levi; and he said; Go in and our through the came, and slay every man his Brother, Companion, neighbour; and they slay three thousand men that day. For Moses had said, Consecrate your selvs to day to the Lord, every one upon his son, and upon his Brother, that he may hestow upon you a blessing this day, &c. Exod. 33.9. Who said unto his Father, and his Mother, I have not seen him, nor did he acknowledge his Brethren, nor knew his own Children.  the Tribe of Levi once famously did, going throughout the Camp, sparing nor father, Brother, or kinsman; for whose zeal God took them to serve at his Altar, and made with Levi a Covenant of salt, that so their care of the safety of the State that protect's them, their sens of the bloodshed in this war, and their detestation of these horrid works of darkness might appear; but not a word of these things is crowded in their Petition, and which deserv's nigro carbone notari.  
Have they compassion to one man? Where is their compassion to a State? their zeal for Justice? for the blood  shed in Scotland, and the sad miseries of this war? Where is their tenderness to the poor people in England, whose bellies do pinch to maintain the forces that stand between destruction and them, to our forces there, the Lord General, and those that have endured the could and bitter lodgings of that sterile country; many of whose lives it may bee are, ere this breathed forth, for our deliverance from these effects of these Treasons? where is compassion for these? or runs their compassion in one stream onely? certainly it must bee divided, or such Principles cut off from this Common-wealth; otherwise peace will depart from our Israel. But of some of them better things are hoped; and such which accompany the Gospel, and the peace and good of this Common-wealth, though being found amongst the Birds of prey in the Petition. The first partridge Plea of a dutiful and tender temper, cannot excuse them from the Fowler's answer, and that justly, What do you amongst them? and they must bee content to bear the reproof that God doth hereby give them.  
Now that these reflections may not seem too severe, the charge of Treason aggravated beyond what the nature of it will allow, bee pleased soberly to consider,  
1. Whether any party of men, within the jurisdiction of this Commonwealth, assuming to themselves a supre me power, bee not a most transscendent Act of High-Treason, inconsistent with the very being of this Common-wealth?  
2. Whether any party of men, within the jurisdiction of this Commonwealth, taking upon them the power of granting Commissions and Instructions to treat with a Foreign State, and the proclaimed enemy to this Commonwealth, ( viz.) charles Stuart King of Scots, bee not an assuming to themselves a supreme power, and a most transscendent Act of high Treason, which strike's at the root of the present authority; it being impossible, that two supreme Powers in one Common-wealth can consist.  
3. Whether any party of men within the jurisdiction of this Commonwealth, taking upon them the power of autorizing persons to treat, as aforesaid, by virtue of the Commands of charles Stuart, King of Scots, the declared Traitor to this State, bee not a most transscendent Act of High Treason?  
4. Whether, upon the conclusion of a treaty, all the parties therein concerned are not concluded in every particular of that Agreement? Then, whether all the Parties concerned at the late treaty at Breda, are not concluded in that Article of the treaty, which engageth to assist the King of Scots, with force to obtain his Father's dominions in England? and then, whether every such party bee not guilty of the war in Scotland,( the effects thereof) and of all the blood that hath been, or shall bee  shed in that war?  
But, Mr Love, and his confederates( as hath been proved at the Court) have assumed to themselves such a supreme power in autorizing by Commission, the Lord Willoughby of Parham, &c. and other enemies and Traitors to this Commonwealth, upon their own and the secluded members authority( which they value to bee better then those at Westminster) and of the King of Scots, who advised them so to do, to treat with the said King of Scots, and the Scottish Commissioners at Breda.( who had proclaimed charles Stuart King of England) At which treaty, one Article concluded, was to assist the King with force, to obtain possession of his Father's dominion in Engl. this produced the war now in Scotl. and all the blood that hath or shall bee  shed, and the miseries that hath or shall ensue thereupon: And not only so, but they were the very men that brought the King & the Scots several times to treat, and at last to agree, as in the relation of the design aforesaid appears. When the treaty was at Breda, Mr Love and his confederates kept private Fasts, for a blessing on the treaty, and for the keeping of it after it was made, and ever since the said agreement; and the King's coming into Scotland, to the clapping up of some of the Correspondents, they constantly corresponded with the Committees of Estates, and Kirk, and in Scotl. have kept their Agents( massy and Titus) there, have laid ways of intelligence, received and gave advice concerning raising Parties in England, Massie's marching into England; likewise concerning money, Arms, bringing over foreign Souldiers, Generals, Shipping, &c. All which Mr Love hath held forth to bee according to his judgement, Conscience, and the Covenant, and this is the fifty four Ministers dear and beloved brother, and his transscendent Treasons: the English of all, being, That out of Judgement, Conscience, and the Covenant, every man ought to seek the subversion of this Government.  

Quere.  
WHether such Treasons, and Principles, which strike at the very roots of authority, can receive pardon or allowance, without the apparent hazard of the Common wealth, an injury to justice, and the leaving the blood  shed in this war without expiation? 
Num. 35.31, 32, 33. Moreover, ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, but he shall bee surely put to death: so you shall not pollute the Land wherein you are; for blood it defileth the Land, and the Land cannot bee cleansed of the blood that is  shed therein, but by the blood of him that  shed it.   
To conclude this particular, let every English man now consider, who occasioned the first breach amongst the Parlament's friends, and who are the persons that with violence and an implacable spirit have carried it on to this day; where also to charge the mischiefs, that have ensued upon all the divisions formerly, and the blood of this present war, and what ground they have had for such destructive principles and practices; Kindness, bowels, impunity. The sad miseries and ruins of England have been a very small thing in their eyes, they must have their own pride and dominion set up, or England, Scotland, and Ireland must lye in its blood; all things must bee null, that they pass not, and the worst of ways good enough to attempt it, and tis no sin so to do, because they will have itso; what God hath don before their eyes upon the late King for such things, prevail's not with them; no, though the feet of those that carried him forth, stand ready at the door, for some of these condemned for treasons: he would rule by his Will, and these will make their Will a rule, or England or they must rue for it: the later begins to bee some of their portions, though all their lives they have had to do in these treasons, are a very little satisfaction for the blood that hath been and may bee the portion of this War. Poor England! how little value is put by these upon thy precious blood, and long desired peace? what will become of thee after this rate? Our Lord Christ or his Apostles warrant no such thing 
a Matth. 26.52.  Put up thy sword, Peter,( saith Christ) My Kingdom is not of this world 
b 2 Tim. 2.24, 25.  The Servant of the Lord must be gentle, meek, merciful, 
c 1 Tim. 3.3.  no striker, &c. saith the Apostle; and his weapons, 
d 2 Tim. 3.16 2 Cor. 10.4, 5. 2 Tim 3.4. 1 Pet. 3.17. 1 Pet. 4 15, &c.  Instruction, Exhortation, Reproof, &c. and, Let no man suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evil doer, or as a busy body in other mens matters.  
Consider also who hath been, is, the occasion of thy present sufferings, O England! and the cause of thy many pressures and taxations? war is that which emptie's thy purs; and want of peace prevent's the relieving of thy oppressions, and who they are that are the ground therof thou seest. Let not English men rail upon the parliament, much less let any take up arms against them, that are forced to a chargeable cure proportionable to the wound; but look to the hand that give's the wound, and bless God that it is in the hearts of any to apply a remedy. I shall add no further, but upon the serious consideration of the whole, as the Levite said to the men of Israë, concerning his Concubine, so say I, ye men of England, Consider, and speak your minds, whether any such Treasons have been don or seen in this Nation? Judges 17.30.    

IV.  
For the mischiefs that threaten the Common-wealth in all, though what hath been said already may seem enough for this particular, yet give me leave to add:  
1. That the designs herein mentioned are the highest Acts of Treasons, that hath in this generation, or in many ages before been brought to the Bar of Justice, except that of the late Kings.  
2. They are carried upon the pretense of Covenant, and enforced with a Religious tie on the hearts of many, who otherwise are truly godly, and have don good service for the Common-wealth, which makes it the more dangerous.  
3. They are Principles generally of the ministery of the Nation, whose Pulpits have served for Trumpets of Sedition and Rebellion, when they should have sounded out the Gospel onely; and these, as they have gathered the hearts of the people against their Governors, so some of them are drawn into the field to destroy this State: no people but such as these could rationally have disturbed the peace of the Common-wealth,( the King's party and the Scots being a dead snake without their warmth) and never will this State bee at peace, whilst their intermeddling with State-affairs is not effectually restrained; and herein lies the great interest of the safety of the people.  
4. Should not exemplary Justice bee don, how will the hearts of men bee set to do mischief? how will people bee encouraged to plot, and design? when will this State bee free from wars and destruction? how will this Generation of men bee emboldened in their Rebellion to this State? The Pulpits can scarce hold them already, the Seat of Government will not shortly bee able to hold those in authority; how will the Justice and Providence of God bee answered, and the ruin that this war hath and may bring upon this Nation and Scotland? and how will men have occasion to hear and fear, and do no more so wickedly?  
5. To what end do wee search into the designs of men, and the Providence of God serve to the detection of their works of Darkness, if these go unpunished?  
6. What Encouragement shall your Armies have to fight with your Enemies, when those that occasion that war shall bee convict, and yet go unpunished? Every drop of blood of your Souldiers  shed should be as out of your veins, and every hardship as your own.  
7. To what end are the constitutions of human society, if men may refuse to answer to questions upon informations of Treasons when asked? to inform against other Traitors and offenders if required? and to refuse to swear before the Magistrate when by him demanded for the bearing witness against Traitors? such Principles as these nor Strafford, nor Canterbury held forth; an Act of Parliament was made for their Execution, these have offended many Acts already made, and brought a terrible war upon this Nation; Can a Commonwealth, and these things stand?  
I shall forbear to add farther, every man's reason from the premises will easily draw what conclusions do arise: there is a rare opportunity put into the hand of the State, to kerb and exstirpate the licentiousness of the clergy, in what concerns the affairs of the State; likewise to let men know at what rate they shall buy their Treasons, and hereby to establish the Commonwealth; the Lord grant that in this our day wee may know the things that concern our peace.  
Upon the consideration of the whole, to me it is great matter of amazement, to see men, good men, men that give sentence as to life and death, to bee turning every ston, and so earnestly soliciting for favour to these Traitors, when they thereby show what little sens of the Common safety, the bloodshed, and the executing of Justice is upon their heart; were the war brought home to their own doors, the swords at their throats, their friends and relations weltering in their blood; their Estates and friends plundered, and undone, their houses and Cities burnt to the ground; their Virgins and Matrons ravished, and deflour'd, and all manner of wickedness acted upon them, and before their eyes; were they but forced to eat the peas the horses do leave on the ground, and the entrails of the sheep, which is become the poor Scotch people's portion; or endure what ours have in Scotland with bread and water( if they could have it) in midst of winter, when they lye in the field, in the rain, wet, and could, where they have nor fire nor shelter( all which hath been the portion of our dear friends, who are as precious in the eyes of the Lord as our selvs, or any of those for whom these are advocates) they would then bee of another mind; but whilst wee can injoie our beds, wives, Families, offices, riches, without the nois of war, or the sense of the purs( which many thousands feel in the Contribution for the maintaining of these forces) And have not the grim faces of slaughtered men, and their famished family staring us in the face; wee foolishly prefer two or three men's persons( the occasioners of these things) before the lives of thousands, and the sastie of a Common-wealth, and which is more, the serving of God in the doing of Justice.  
'Tis strange to see how men dare to appear in the behalf of such Traitors, nay, speak for them in places of eminency, these things will have a sad reckoning one day; when your Fathers executed Justice( said the Prophet to the Jews) was it not well with them? certainly Treason must bee a rougher thing then to bee thus handled: or the head of the Common-wealth will bee laid in the grave; and for such persons, their language seems to bee after the manner of Ashdod, and their hearts being divided, they shall not prosper.  
But blessed bee the Lord there bee many faithful Patriots of a Presbyterian judgement, who defy these works of darkness, and who testify against them; and whom these men falsely entitle to their Treasons, by using the name of the Presbyterian party, and also many thousand other, more also I trust will bee convinced; when the Ministers mists are from before their eyes.  
To conclude, I can appeal to the Lord, that in this I have no bitterness or prejudice to any man's person, onely out of a deep sens of Common-safetie. I delight not in the blood of any, much less of a State. But seeing what practices there are in the world, and what sad issues may proceed from thence, how few also tender common-safetie in this shaking time, I have been constrained to this, wherein very much more might bee said, and having born my testimony I am satisfied; desiring rather to fall with Justice, then stand without it; and the Lord do with this discourse as it seemeth good unto him.   
July 28, 1651.  pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love it. Psal. 122.6. 
Shalt thou reign because thou closest thyself in Cedar? did not thy father eat and drink, and do judgement, and Justice, and then it was well with him?  
he Judged the cause of the poor and needy, then it was well with him: was not this to know me, saith the Lord? Jer. 22.15.16.  If these should hold their peace the stones should immediately cry out. Luke 19.40. 
FINIS.