The PICTURE of a New COURTIER drawn in a Conference, between, Mr. Timeserver, and Mr. Plain-heart. In which is discovered the abominable Practices and horrid Hypocrisies of the Usurper, and his time-serving Parasites. In which a PROTECTOR having been in part unvailed, may see himself discovered by I. S. a Lover of England's dear bought Freedoms. Ezek. 28.15. Thou wast perfect in the ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee. Prov. 24.24. He that saith unto the wicked, thou art righteous, him shall the people curse, and Nations shall abhor him. Psal. 10.9, 10, 11. He lieth in wait secretly as a Lion in his den, he lieth in wait to catch the poor, he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net. He croucheth and humbleth himself, that the poor may fall by his strong ones. He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten, he hideth his face, he will never see it. Printed in the year of England's great touble and slavery, and are to be found at the sign of the people's Liberties, right opposite to the Usurpers Court, 1656. A Conference between Mr. , and Mr. Plain-heart. MY dear Friend, how is it with you? me thinks you look somewhat sad and dejected, as if all were not well? Plain-heart, Sir, I suppose I am a stranger to you, and therefore I wonder you should salute me as your friend, or take notice of my sad looks: Indeed Sir, I know you not; I am bold therefore to crave your Name? Time ser. My name is ; I was very well acquainted with you some years ago. Pl. h. I pray you sir, where? Tim. Sir, in the Army, when the Engagement was made at Triplo heath, and the Remonstrance at St. Alban; and at the signing of the Engagement to be true to the Commonwealth, as established without King or House of Lords; then was I intimately acquainted with you, and your Brother Sincerity, and all the rest of those good souls, which endeavoured England's freedom; then I was as forward as any to propose good things to make the Nation happy, and to secure the Liberties of every English man: and to root out Monarchy, root and branch, and settle the government by way of a Free State. Pl.h. I perceive by what you have said, that heretofore you and I have been acquainted: what is the reason we are not so still? Tim. Indeed sir, the reason is, because the times are altered, for my care is to comply with great men's actions, be they good or bad: When they were for good things, than I like a son of thunder, cried down Oppression, whether it lay upon the Conscience or the bodies of men? but especially that grievous burden of Tithes, which the people were forced to pay to the National Ministry, that I may seemed to hate with a perfect hatred, and made that an argument, why the Old Parliament should be broken, because they had not removed that insupportable burden: but when I perceived the General had changed his mind, than I altered my course in the twinkling of an eye, and presently, that I might keep pace with the times; I commended the thing that I once dispraised and justified, that which I once condemned: so that having changed my principles, and the place of my abode, I am somewhat grown out of your knowledge. Pl.h. I pray sir, where is the place of your abode? Tim. Sir, I am at present a Courtier, and dwell at Whitehall. Pla. Indeed that is a place which I have not been at great while, for I was banished from thence, at the first errecting of the new Court: for none of my name, viz. Plain-heart could abide there any longer, without making Shipwreck of Faith and a good Conscience, in conniving at the great man's wickedness, which is grown to that magnitude, that it may be discerned with out any Spectacles. And more than this, I could tell you, which would make your great Masters ears tingle, and you blush if there were but a dram of honesty in either of you. Tim. I pray you go on, and speak your mind freely, and I shall consider what you shall say? Pla. But sir, there is no wisdom in that, unless I were sure you are not a Spy, or an Emisary, employed by his Tallness to ensnare the , for he keepeth a great herd of such beasts, who are to feign themselves just-men, though when the cast their Pearls before them, they may turn again and rend them; and therefore I am not free to discourse, unless you give me assurance you will not betray me. Tim. Sir, I can give you no assurance, but my promise and my oath that I am no Spy, and if that will not serve, you may do as you please. Pla. And that is not in my account worth two straws, for did not you Swear and Vow, Covenant and Promise against those very things, that are now done by you, and this accompanied with Prayers, Fast and appeals to heaven, that God would give Testimony to the sincerity of your intentions; and yet for all this, you have dissembled with God and men, as thousands of this Nation can witness and do with grief of heart, and sadness of Spirit; and therefore, why may you not forswear yourself and deceive me? Tim. Sir, I can excuse myself very well from being a Covenant breaker, although I have acted contrary to my former engagements, I being necessitated to do as I have done: but it may be you will say the necessity was of our own making, but leaving that I desire you to resolve me these ensuing questions, which I shall propose for no other end then satisfaction. Plain. If your Questions be of public concernment, I shall endeavour to resolve them, come on it what will. Tim. They are of such concernment, that they reach him which sitteth upon the Throne, and the poorest Peasant in the three Nations. Plain. Then go on and speak your mind freely, and though I have cause to suspect your intentions, yet seeing we shall confer of matters relating to the good of my generation, I am the more willing to proceed. Time. Whether the General since he assumed the government of the three Nations, or took on him that Protectoral Office, do in any way, in your judgement differ from the King (except in name:) or the things so long practised by him. Plain To which I answer, the difference that is lieth only in this, that his little finger is thicker than the King's loins, as will appear by these considerations. First, his imprisoning of men contrary to law, at his own will and pleasure; yea, many of the Commonwealth's best friends, and have kept them in prison many months together without seeing the face of any accuser or coming to any trial at law, the truth of which may be evinced by many instances, viz Major Gen. Harrison, Major Gen. Ov●rton, Lievt. Gen. Ludlow, Quartermaster General Courtu●y, Coll. Rich, Coll. Aldered, Coll. Burch, Lievt. Coll. Lilburn, Major Wildman, Mr. Carry, Mr. Feake, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Spittlehouse, Mr. Stirgion, and others, which I shall not name at present, that are forced to drink of the same cup of his Will and Pleasure: so that we may say, the King chastised us with Whips, but Cromwell chastiseth us with Scorpions: Secondly, the King assumed a power to levy money upon the people without their consent in Parliament, and in this Cromwell is not wanting; for where the King raised a shilling without consent in Parliament, he raiseth ten to maintain himself and family, and his Allies in pride pomp and pleasure; so that he outstripeth him that dwelled in White hall before, in doing that the King durst never do. Thirdly, The King dissolved but two Parliaments in 20 years, but this strange Monster have destroyed 3. in less than 3 years, the first of which raised him from a poor mean fortune, to be first the Captain of a Troop, and then a Coll. and at last to be their General, who most unworthily turned his batteries upon his Masters, by which act of his, the old proverb is verified, That some bring up a Bird to pick out their own eyes. Fourthly, The King sent out Fleets & Armies, with out consent in Parliament, as appeareth by the business of Rochel and the Isle of Ree, for all which he was judged an Offender, and lost his head as a Traitor to the Commonwealth: But in this, O.P. is not behind his Predecessor (except in the punishment) who sent a Fleet of ships to Hispaniola, to fetch some Spanish gold and silver, which was most shamefully beaten by a few Cow-killers, and many of them slain if not all perished, whose blood I believe wil●ly at Cromwel's door. Fiftly, The King stopped the free course of Law, that so his tyranny and Oppression might be the better hid from the eyes of men; and in this O. P. hath kept pace with the King, for he put three Counsellors into the Tower for pleading in Mr. Conies Cause, that so he might not only stop the free course of the law, but also fright the people from seeking any redress that way. Tim. Indeed you have spoken plainly to the question, and doubtless, there is some truth in what you have said? but his Highness having fixed a pair of silver Spectacles upon my Nose, through which I discern his actions to be of a better complexion than you have presented them: but my desire is to go on to the next question? Plain. Indeed sir, you are like to pilate's Soldiers, who although they were convinced of the truth of Christ's resurrection; yet large money made them say the contrary: yet go on and propound your question? Tim. The question is, whether his Highness have not sufficient warrant in the scripture to justify him in the things he hath done? Plain. To which I answer, doubtless the scripture is so far from owning his actions, or the things he hath done, that they do condemn him for so doing; as appeareth, Deut. 17.16. and 20. vers. contrary to which he hath acted in three things: First, he multiplieth great revenues to himself: Secondly, he causeth the people to return to their old Ægyptian bondage, (viz.) the will of a single person: Thirdly, He hath exalted himself above his brethren; yea, above his Masters. And in 2 Sam. 23.3. to which he is unsuitable in two things, for saith the Text, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God, which he hath not in all the things done; for had he feared God, he would not have cast away his good old Cause and the interest of God's people. Secondly, nor have done so many unjust things as he hath done. Tim. I pray you sir, resolve me this question, whether the known or good laws of England will not justify his Highness in assuming the government, and in the things he hath done for the maintaining of the same? Plain. Sir, you may have an answer to this question, and fully satisfy yourself in four * Which acts make it high treason to proclaim Charles Stuart, or to set up any one man in the supreme Magistracy. acts of Parliament, the one made in Jan. 30 An. 48. another in March following, the third act in May 1649 the other in July 17. An. 49. besides the body of the ancient laws of England for the violating of which Strafford, Canterbury, & the very King of England suffered death; all which laws cry out against your Master and say, that he had no encouragement from them to do, as he hath done: for they which made those laws did appoint them to stand in the Gap, to keep out all such intruders, but he hath trodden them down like mire in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 if they were not longer useful, and they are so far from owning his actions, or the things he hath done, that they say he is a traitor for sodoing. Tim. If neither the word of God or the laws of the Land will own his actions, I pray sir, what will? Plain. Sir, the Earl of strafford's instructions to the King, that grand piece of state policy or machivils' Prince will own his Lordship's actions; they being the fruits of none other, but such corrupt Trees; and doubtless his tallness hath consulted with them once and again, how he should manage his affairs, and carry on his designs to enslave the people, and to make them vassals to his own Will, Lust and Pleasure; and from them he hath received more counsel than from any divine Oracle; so that if Strafford were now alive, he must needs salute your Master as his elder brother; for he hath sucked the breasts of his mother, and been baptised into the same spirit, even the spirit of oppression: but it may be you will call for proof of this? To which, I answer, three things: First, There is a Bookseller as I am informed, that bound up strafford's Instructions for your great Master's use. Secondly, he was commanded to keep it very secret, which intimateth that he intendeth to draw the water of state policy out of strafford's Wells: Thirdly, the actions he doth & the measures he makes to the people, do fully declare, that he measureth by strafford's rule; and there is a maxim in Muchivel, that he which knows not how to dissemble, knoweth not how to rule: but your Master is excellently accomplished for the business of dissembling; for he hath the most excellent art of equivocation, and can lie most misteriously; he can invent Engagements for the people, and dispense with them when he pleaseth; swear and forswear as the wind turns for his own advantage: he can turn up his eyes, and lift up his hands, and appeal to heaven for God to witness to the sincerity of his intentions, and use sweet and Saintlike expressions, as if his words were tempered with nothing but Oil, Butter, and Honey, and cry aloud for the Cause of God, and the good of the people; and all this to make himself great; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple: an excellent man to make a Prince according to machivels' rule: thus you have my persuasions concerning the last thing you proposed. Tim. I shall consider of what you have said, and if I find that I may be of your mind, and keep my honour, and profit, and place, under his Highness; and let me tell you privately, that I could say Amen to what you have said, were it not that I love the honour and praise of men more than the honour and praise of God. But I pray sir, resolve me this question: Whether his Highness may not expect better success in these his late undertake then that which befell Strafford and the King? Plain. To this I answer, that his success will be the same or worse if worse can be, as will appear by these following considerations: First, he that walks in Jeroboams sins, shall partake of Jeroboams plagues: secondly, he knowing the judgements of God, that they which do such things are worthy of death, doth not only the same, but have pleasure in them which do them; therefore his success will be the same, Rom 1.32. Thirdly, He that judgeth and condemns an other for doing unrighteous things, and he himself do the same, doubtless he shall not escape the judgement of God. Rom. 23. Fourthly, if Strafford the grand master of state policy could not keep his own head upon his shoulders, nor escape the hand of vengeance, that God hath stretched out against Oppressors: Then doubtless the Scholar will not go free. Fifthly, If the King which was a great student in the politics, yet could not keep himself from bowing down to the block of destruction, that just reward for his unrighteous deeds; from all which, I conclude your Master's portion will be the same, if not prevented by timely repentance. Tim. Sir, as to these thing, I will say more when the times are altered, for you know my manner is to be for any thing that is profitable, although its contrary to equity and justice, but we will pass to the next question. Whether his Highness did not speak like a gracious man in reproving the last Parliament for putting their finger on their brother's conscience? Plain. To this I answer, his tongue was like a good Samaritan, but his heart like a Jew, which have nothing to do with one another; he spoke like a Saint, but acted like a Serpent, as appears in that, the same man which the Parliament imprisoned for his conscience, hath he imprisoned since for the same, and after ten or twelve week's restraint commanded him to be carried by his mercenary fouldiers to Portsmouth, and there snipt him and sent him to a remote Island to be kept in straight and close imprisonment; & yet could reprove the Parliament as confidently, as if they had committed the greatest abomination in putting their finger, on their brother's conscience; although he can thrust in his whole hand. Tim. Sir, but what end should his Highness have in reproving the Parliament, for that which I confess he himself hath done since? Plain. To this I answer, first in general that his own Advantage was his end more than any good to the freedom of men's consciences. 2. More particularly, first, he knew he had dissatisfied many honest men by his first Speech, and that there was none other way to draw them in, but putting on his old veil of godly pretences in speaking for liberty of Conscience, and reproving them which would have infringed it. Secondly, that he might commend himself to the people, as one that was tender of their consciences, and that his large hollow heart could hold all that were godly, though differing in judgement, and that they need not fear to put their trust under the shadow of his wings, for he was willing to be their servant for their goods. Thirdly, that he might the better persuade the people that Parliaments were of little use, as they might see by the actions of the last, who spent their time about errors in Religion, and neglected the taking away the great error in the state. Thus you have my persuasions to the last question. Tim. Sir, I see you are like your name, viz. Plain hearted, and that you are not afraid to turn your inside outward, which is a thing that my soul dreads, because all my beauty lieth in the outside, you would hardly believe how the news of the Protector being unvailed, made my very heart shake; also I must tell you, I am more free to discourse in private than in public; therefore I pray at this time resolve me this question: What the reason is, his Highness put in execution that bloody Ordinance, which was made in 48 against the things they call blasphemy and heresy? Plain. Doubtless you are not ignorant of the great service this Ordinance might do your Master, for it concludeth a man to be an heretic, which holds that a man is not to believe more than his reason can comprehend: Now this is of singular use for your Master, for he that believes God called him to the government, must believe more than his reason can apprehend. Secondly, he that believes there is a spark of honesty or christian goodness in the great man before mentioned, must believe more than his reason can comprehend. Thirdly, He that believes that O.P. intends any good to these three Nations, he must believe more than his reason can comprehend. Fourthly, He that believes England is in a better condition, than it was in the days of the long Parliament, he must believe more than his reason can comprehend. Fifthly, He that believes himself and his posterity are any better than slaves, and mere vassals to the will of O.P. he doth believe that which he hath no reason, for as you may perceive by that which fell from his own lips, viz. That he had an unlimited power till he was pleased to limit himself, in the paper which he calleth the Government: which puts me in mind of an old Maxim, that he which binds may lose, and he that hath power to lose can bind; from which you may easily discern, that our Lives, Estates and Liberties depend upon his will and grace. therefore he that believes we are any better than slaves, believeth more than his reason can comprehend; and therefore O. P. had need to make this Ordinance pass for good law, that the people may be bound to stretch their faith beyond their reason, that in so doing they may believe Cromwell to be that which indeed he is not, an honest man. Tim. Sir, I have a word to speak on my Master's behalf, and that is, he is bound by his Oath to maintain all the Laws, Statutes and Ordinances as well as any one of them; and therefore he must maintain this before mentioned. Plain. Suppose that which you have said were true, yet you have not acquitted your Master from being a transgressor for the act of Parliament, that establisheth two shillings six pence a day for the Horsemen, and ten pence a day for the foot is already broken: and this is as good law as that before mentioned (if not a great dealt better) yet your Master can dispense with his Oath at this turn, and reduce the Horse to two and three pence a day, and the foot to nine pence. Tim. Sir, you endeavour to insinuate that my dear Master is partial in the law, which is a thing that must not be admitted, for I can show you good reasons of State, why the soldiers pay should be reduced. Plain. Let me hear them, and I will consider them? Tim. First, The soldiers being insensible of the grievous burden of Tithes that the Countryman lieth under; his Highness to make them, if not sensible, yet conformable to the rest of their neighbours, thought good to take one penny off ten out of the soldiers pay; that so they may, if they please, tell their country landlords, we are become like you, for now we also pay Tithes. Secondly, His Highness being necessitated to raise money to maintain his Court in that splendour which becometh a Prince of his extraction; and in some measure to be like the Kings of other nations; and let me tell you a Protectors necessity is above law. Thirdly, There being many of the old soldiers which served the Parliament against the interest of a single person, which now serve him only for a present livelihood, which his Highness well enough perceiving, took away part of that, that so he might be rid of them. Fourthly, That he might ingratiate himself in the affections of the people, that rather than he will oppress them, he will pinch a penny a day out of the bellies of the poor foot soldiers; and if they will take care to keep themselves honest, he will keep them poor; thus I have given you my reasons of State, to justify my Master in taking off a part of the soldiers pay. Plain. Let me tell you that you speak very much like a Courtier in what you have said: and truly neither I nor my brother Sincerity, nor any of the good honest souls that engaged with us in the late war, did ever think to have been so absolutely cheated by you till we saw all your Prayers, Fast, and Appeals to heaven, turned into an Engine of State policy; and if these be your Court tricks, I hope my soul shall never enter into your secrets; and truly my bowels yerns for the poor soldiers, who have run so many hazards, and fought so many famous battles, stormed so many towns, waded through so many Rivers, with the loss of limbs and blood; besides all the hunger and cold, and lodging on the ground, which they have gone through, doing summer service in winter season; and after all this, to have the tenth part of their pay taken away, and spent upon your new Court, that the Gentlemen Ushers, and Gentlemen Waiters, the Grooms of the Stool, Gentlemen Sewers, beside the Fiddlers, and others that I could name, which shine in their gold and silver; and that this might be maintained, the poor foot soldiers must contribute a penny a day, toward the deffraying of this charge: but time calling me away, if you have not else to say, I will be gone. Tim I would have you resolve me this question, whether or not, it had been more just and honest for his Highness to have reduced some of the great Officers (which some think might be very well spared) and some of the pay of them that remain, then to have taken three pence a day from the Horse and a penny from the Foot. Plain. To which I answer, it had been more just and honest so to have done, but it would not have conduced so much to the settlement of his greatness, which is a thing that must be prized and preferred before all the justice and equity in the world: as appeareth, First, the Officers have taken a great deal of pains and care to exalt him, and therefore he must take heed he doth not displease them, for fear they which did ex●lt should abase. Secondly, they are content that he should have 200000. pound a year; and therefore he must let them have good round sums. Thirdly, The loss of one Officer may be more detriment to him and his affairs, than the loss of a hundred private men. Fourthly, the private soldiers never found the sweetness of great revenue as the Officers have done; and therefore they may part with their tenths with the less grief: Thus I have given you my resolve as to that question. Tim. Sir, I see you have some Inspection into our actions at Court, which maketh me the more willing to confer with you; and I desire you to resolve me this question, which depends upon a saying of my Master to the godly people, which petitioned him to make void the Ordinance of Blasphemy and Heresy; the words were these, That if they took care to cleanse the Churches by Excommunication, he must take the like care of the Commonwealth: My desire is to know of you what you think his Highness will cleanse the Commonwealth of? Plain. Truly Sir, you have put me to a stand, for I cannot imagine what he should intent in that saying, for if he should cleanse the Commonwealth of Hypocrites, than there would be one less at Whitehall. Secondly, if he should cleanse the Commonwealth of Oppressors, than the Broom would sweep itself away. Thirdly, If the Commonwealth should be cleansed of Covenant-breakers, then where would he find a habitation? Fourthly, if of such as devour the man that is more righteous than himself, than our new Monarchy would receive a blow? Fifthly, if the Commonwealth should be cleansed of such a fast and pray, and under that pretence devour Widows houses, than it is to be feared, we shall lose him? so that I shall lay down no resolve to this question; but leave it for you to inquire of your great Master, what the Com-wealth shall be cleansed of? Tim. Sir, I could have given a better answer myself then this which you have given? Plain. I pray you Sir do, and I will consider it? Tim. Sir, first, His Highness will cleanse the Commonwealth of her money, the love of which is the root of all evil: secondly, he will cleanse her of super fluons members, and send them to Hispaniola, either to be killed by the Spaniards, or else to starve there for want of bread: thirdly, he will cleanse the Commonwealth of Justice, that it shall be no more heard in our land: fourthly, of the greatness of T●ade by letting in the French upon our Merchants and Manufactors, that the French by having a free-trade may reduce the English men to like poverty; and consequently to like vassellage with themselves: and without doubt, the people being brought low, will be the easierly ruled: Fifthly, he will cleanse it of the benefit of her known law, especially, that which provideth against paying of Taxes and illegal imprisonments; witness his dealing with the Lord Grace of Grooby. Sixthly, He will cleanse the Commonwealth of Parliamentary Privileges, that they may be no more a burden to him: and now I will proceed to may last question, whether or not you think his Highness' Kingdom will continue long? Plain. To this I answer, his Kingdom is like to a man that is born of a woman, which continueth but a few days and is full of trouble, it came up like a flower and will vanish like a shadow, and my reasons why I think so, are these: First, because the Spaniard will not part with his Mines in the West-Indies, which was intended to be obtained for the support of this kingdom of his. Secondly, General Blake is come home without his Plate-Fleet. Thirdly, The City is not willing to part with much money upon trust, except the East Indian Merchants have some more money in Controversy, which they are willing to deposit in his hands, till they have wit to agree about it. Fourthly, The people's eyes begin to be open, and they can now see and do say there is no law that requires Taxes to be paid. And upon that account many do refuse as justly they may. 5. The soldiers grumble for the loss of the tenth part of their pay, and are ready to serve a better Master if occasion be. 6. His own fears are such, that he is a terror to himself, and dare not go forth without strong guards to defend him; and as his fears increase, and his hopes fail, his guards are strengthened; and doubtless if this new Government were of God, there would not be all this stir to support it. Seventhly, Many of the Officers and soldiers are so convinced in their Consciences that this kingdom is quite contrary to the things they engaged for; that there is not one in five, that will strike a blow to maintain it, if it should be put to a decision that way; so that I am persuaded it is very crazy and will not continue long. Tim. I must confess that when I consider of these things, it puts me into a grievous agony, so that my bowels are pained, and my heart trembleth, and my bones shake at the very thoughts of an alteration: Alas, alas! what will become of my dear Master, when his Kingdom is weighed in the Balance and found to light? who will have the fine Houses, the brave Parks, the pleasant Fields and delightful gardens, that we have possessed without any right, and built at other men's cost, who shall enjoy the delight of the new Rivers and Ponds at Hampton Court, whose making cost vast sums of money, and who shall chase the game in the Hara-warren, that my dear Master hath enclosed for his own use, and for ours also that are time-servers? Oh how shall we be able to see our pleasant things taken from us, to be employed to better uses & all our pleasants' songs turned into mourning, & in Whitehall shall sound no more the Trumpet, Harp, Lute and Organ, besides other instruments of Music in which we took much delight; those will then be taken from us, and our brave Vellory of singing Birds will be despised amongst the Commons; because it was built at their great charges, and all our male dear Does and Prickets will then be meat for Velder mouths; What cause shall we have to curse our Court Chaplains, which sewed pillows of security under our arms, as if we should never be moved? who made us believe that God had made an everlasting Covenant with us ordered in all things and sure: and that our exaltation was no humane contrivance, but the good pleasure of God, which said they brought us to this dignity, and that no instrument form against us should prosper, but we should long en●●y the works of our hands, and always ranked us amongst the Saints, as if we had been really godly; and as they tickled our ears with these say, even so the Confectioners with their sweet meats, and delicious Wines did please our palates; besides all our other dainty dishes, fitly composed for carrousing gallants, and dainty Ladies: Oh what will become of this courtly brood, when a Commonwealth will be in fashion? and a Parliament to call all our actions into question? how shall we answer one action of a thousand? Oh, misery to think! and grief to consider our condition: the earth will shake at the sound of our fall, and few will bewail our sad disaster, and one thing that troubleth me more than all the rest, which is this, that if I should alter my course, and change my name from to Rofermation, yet none will believe me, because I have betrayed the dear purchased liberties of my Country, into the hand of an Usurper; and broke all my Engagements, performed none of my promises; and when good men were sent to prison, I have given my voice against them; so that I am exceedingly afraid, that all my feigned tears and long prayers, frequent Fast, solemn Oaths, large promises will signify but very little; because we Time-servers gilded over all our unrighteous actions with such lovely things, by which we have 〈◊〉 deceived the good meaning people; so that being once discovered we are quite undone; for doubtless the same measure that we have made to others, will be made to us, even to be cut up from cumb●ing the ground: And thus I have discovered my fears to you, and I pray make a good construction. Plain. Sir, you have made a very large complaint, and I must tell you, the thing you fear will doubtless come upon you; for the wicked will be snared in the works of their own hands, Psal. 9.16. and taken in their own counsels, & the cup which they have filled to others shallbe doubled to them, to the exceeding joy of the righteous, the very thoughts whereof maketh my heart to leap for joy, that the house of the wicked shallbe overthrown, but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish, Prov. 14.11. and then shall I and my brother Sincerity have our mouths filled with praise; when the captives shall be released with honour, even them which suffer for bearing testimony against your great Master's wickedness: Oh, the sweet peace of a good conscience, which is a continual feast, its liberty in prison, its joy in adversity, life in death; therefore lift up your heads you prisoners of hope, for the day of Redemption is near, and then shall that word be verified, that the rod of the wicked shall not always rest upon the back of the righteous; and though your great Master may oppress for a time, yet he shall come to his end and none shall help him: This is the portion of a wicked man with God, and the heritage of oppressors, which they shall receive of the almighty, if his children be multiplied, it is for the sword, and his off spring shall not be satisfied with bread, though he heap up silver as the dust, and prepare raiment as the clay: he may prepare it, but the just shall put it on, and the innocent shall divide the silver: Men shall clap their hands at him, and hisse him out of his place, Job 27.13. to the 23. The righteous shall see this and be glad, but the wicked shall tremble and quake, when this great man's hypocrisy shall be fully laid open and detected, and his secret disignes and his subtle contrivances to vassellize the people shall be obvious to every eye, and every fowl shall call for his feather, which he hath plucked from them by violence, to adorn that despicable brood of vain Courtiers: and then all the time-servers will mourn, weep and howl, for anguish of spirit, when they shall fall under sequestration; glory be to Jehovah, that will bring down the mighty from their seats, and exalt the humble and meek, even so let all thine enemies perish oh God. Tim. Sir, I can no longer stay, for my heart is sick, and my head is heavy with the thoughts of these things; and I have nothing to comfort me but this hope, that I shall go to my grave in peace before the evil day come, and so farewell. Plain. If you or your Master go to your grave in peace, than God hath not spoken by me: And so I take my leave, and remain an enemy to your Court, but a friend to the Commonwealth. Finis. POSTCRIT. Let none take an offence because the word Highness is used in this short Tract, for it only is when speaketh, whose proper phrase of speech it is, and only such do delight to give flattering Tittles to men. And this may suffice to satisfy the impartial Reader. An Apendix to the proceeding Treatise, by which the Nation may see what they expect from their new Courtiers: For doubtless, the disease which is begun in the remote parts of this great body, will in time spread itself into the very Heart and Head of the Commonwealth or Nation; for so it was not long since in the West of England. First, that an honest man being at law with one for a just debt, to the value of sixscore pounds, his Adversary making application to major Gen. Disborrow, the said Major Gen. sent for the Plaintive, who when he came was commanded to desist his suit; the honest man replied, he could not do it, without wronging himself and family; to whom the Major Gen. said, that he was a perverse fellow; and he should go on with his suit this seven year if he would, but he would promise him, he should never do good in it: and forthwith demanded a particular of his Estate, notwithstanding the man was not within the qualifications of his Instructions, nor was ever an enemy to the Parliament; and although his estate was not above 40 l. per an. yet this Disborow was so merciless, as to Fine him ten pound by the year to the Protector (so called) his use; a Commissioner which sat with Disborow, being asked whether this was justice? he replied it was hard measure; and if the poor man would refer it, he would undertake to get off his Fine, which the poor man was forced to consent unto, though to his great damage. Another piece of injustice, as bad as the former, was; That there being one of the late King's party called before this Disborow, the man was asked, whether he would desist a suit which he had in law against one who had made Disborow his friend, which suit was for the value of four or five hundred pound? the man said, that they might, if they would, by the same rule, take all that he had; upon which saying without any more ado, this Disborow with the rest of these new made Commissioners, Fined the man 30 l. by the year to the Protect. though the man's estate was not 100 l. by the year: the man being astonished at this tyrannical decree, and not being able to discharge his Fine, was forced to desist his suit, and then his Lordship took him off 20. pound by the year, of his Fine; and now he pays but ten. A third piece of this new kind of justice, that the said Disborow did, was, That a certain man, whom I could name, had a suit at law, for a sum of money lent out of his purse, was at the instance of his Adversary sent for before Disborow, and forcibly brought by the mercenary soldiers, and was kept in custody till he had condescended to their unreasonble determinations, which was 〈…〉 take only his 〈◊〉 money, with the lose of the use and charges, which was much, by reason of the long forbearance, and a chargeable suit at law; but the man at first refusing to submit to their corrupt wills: Disborow against the poor man's will granted the defendant a reference, and put it two Gentlemen to determine the business, which determination was this, either to take the old debt without use or charges, or be sent beyond the seas, either to Jamaco or some other place: the poor man being unwilling to be banished his native Country, was forced to abide their Award. A fourth piece of the new justice which Disborow did, was upon a Gentleman in the West, who being summoned before the Court creatures, or new created Commissioners in the west parts, who being forced before them, he was bold to ask them by what statute they did what they did to him? and was for but ask that honest question, fined 200 l. by the year; but upon his submission had all taken off, except 60 l. by the year, which the poor Gentleman must pay, to maintain a Militia force to to make himself and his country slaves: by all which instead of many more like instance of tyranny; you may see now the poor people of England are fairly delivered from being subject to a Parliament of their own choosing, to be slaves to Cromwell and his creatures, which God nor man did never set over this Nation. Finis.