ROYAL AND OTHER INNOCENT BLOOD CRYING ALOUD TO HEAVEN for due vengeance. Humbly represented to the Right Honourable the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament. And with all humble dutiful submission dedicated to the two High and Mighty Princes, James Duke of York and Henry Duke of Gloucester, his Sacred Majesty's ROYAL BRETHREN.  
By George Starkey, A true honourer and faithful friend of his Country.  
Qui non prohibet, quod in suâ potestate est, jubet.  
LONDON, Printed by A. Warren for Daniel White at the Sign of the Seven-stars in St. Paul's Churchyard, 1660.   

To the High and Mighty Princes, James Duke of York, and Henry Duke of Gloucester, his Sacred Majesty's happy, and high born Brethren.  
MOst Illustrious Princes, this short tractate, though far unworthy your sight, much less your Princely Patronage, yet is humbly dedicated to your gracious, and Royal hands, and submitted to your most judicious censure; first considering your excellent goodness, by which you can (with your favour) make that which is of no worth, valuable upon the score of your Princely acceptance: secondly because it is humbly presented to the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, of the first of which, you are incomparable members; last considering the subject it treats of, and the intended scope of it, on which score, I hope it may meet with a kind acceptance from your true filial Piety and Princely wisdom: Pardon most royal Heroes, this bold presumption of him, who wants deserts, yet presuming on your gracious pardon, hath the boldness, (may it not be interpreted impudence) to subscribe himself,  
High and Mighty Princes, Your Royal Highness' unworthy Servant, and most humble Orator. GEORGE STARKEY. St. Thomas Apostles June. 18. 1660.   

MOST HONOURABLE LORDS AND WORTHY GENTLEMEN.  
1. GOd having been pleased so highly to honour you, and by your means thus far to make these Nations happy, as to restore unto us our long exiled, most excellently accomplished King, and us to him, it behoves every true subject, with thankfulness to address himself to him by prayer, that he would abundantly bless him unto us, and amongst us, by pouting out upon him his spirit; enriching him with all spiritual and temporal good things, and to neglect this duty is, and will doubtless be accounted their sin, who are guilty thereof.  
2. This remarkable blessing of God vouchsafed to the whole Nation, and so signal Character of his good will towards you, (whom he hath at last chosen so far to go on in this work, having often before th' own aside several persons, who have attempted it, not only unsuccessfully, but with the loss of their lives; nor hath hitherto suffered any forcible opposition, to retard, much less threaten the overthrow of such happy beginnings;) ought to stir up both your, and all our hearts, to acknowledge with thankfulness these his favours, so great, that we scarce durst formerly put up our requests for them, and so unexpected, that humane wisdom could hardly believe, much less dictate means to effect, what God in his blessed providence hath wonderfully brought about, beyond both our deserts and hopes.  
3. The serious consideration whereof, hath invited, and prevailed with me, in few words to beg, and entreat of you, that as God hath so far honoured you in the sight of these Nations, you would make his divine Majesty such Christian returns of gratitude, as may Evidence, and seal your sincerity, and true piety to this and future ages.  
4. That the thoughts, how God hath chosen you, as a select number out of, and before many thousand Englishmen, to bring home to them (as I may say) a most heart-refreshing return of many prayers, and tears, which for about twenty years, in the midst of distracting calamities, have been poured out before, and addressed to the Divine Majesty, by such who have an interest in the throne of grace, may now engage you henceforth to deny God nothing, which from his word of truth may appear to be expected, and required of you, as a grateful testimony, of your true Christian obedience, and thankfulness.  
5. It hath seemed good to the Divine providence, which we may truly call wonderful, so to overrule of late, the counsels of our former oppressors, (who by strange success, and almost incredible dexterity in villainy, had almost involved both our Church and state in unavoidable ruin; grinding without compassion, these (once free) but at length woefully enthralled Nations, fastening on their neck, an Iron, uneasy yoke of servitude, making them (with Samson) basely to grind, and abide captivity, and curbing them with rigour, who before repined at, grew weary of, and rejected the milder sceptre, and so to ensnare them in their contrivances, that their plots (like potter's vessels) were broken upon the wheel, nor produced any thing but confusion and distraction to themselves, together with unsetledness in the Nation, whence arose discontent, loss of trade, and poverty, and by means of the last of these, the wasted people's whispers, murmur, and repine on all hands were so many and urgent, that the Master bvilders of our new Babel, by their own jealousies, misunderstandings, and animosities, were in short time dispersed hither and hither, through the good hand of God, without stroke on either side.  
6. What height of fury, and desperate resolution was on their side, God knew, and took notice of, nor was it unknown to most of those, who desired, and prayed for such a composure, and settlement of affairs, as we now see, through his great goodness, and undeserved kindness to us, who considering the preparations and contrivances to hinder what we now happily enjoy, could not expect this redemption, but as a purchase, and with the loss of the lives of thousands, the shedding much blood, and exposing our hopes to extreme hazard. The oppressed City, and groaning Countries were resolved, either to shake off the Arbitrary yoke of Usurpation and Tyranny, or to perish in the attempt. On the other hand the fatal causers of our long past and present calamities, animated with guilt and despair, were resolved either to make good their ground, or expire like Catiline, that is, sell their life as dear as possible, and cover the place, they maintained fight in life, with their breathless Carcases after death, or like Z●mry, rather than lose (by surrender) their power and estates, fire the whole Nation first, than set some Cities, and Castles on flame over their heads, and perish together.  
7. Yet it pleased the Lord of hosts, to dissipate their armed powers, frustrate their designs, and leave the Ringleaders, stripped of all succour, to the scourge of justice. It stood with his honour and wisdom, to restrain the rage and fury of man; to glorify himself, by delivering up these great Midianitish oppressors, insulting Moabites, Philistim Lords, (with their Balaam like Prophets and Soothsayers) without so much as drawing Sword, or firing Pistol in a hossile way; notwithstanding, they encouraged each other, and complotted, as well by hidden machinations, as open hostility, to prevent our settlement, and secure themselves from justice.  
8. This miraculous language of God's actions, speaking as his power and wisdom, so his great love to us, gives me hopes, and in a manner assurance, that you, by whom these unlikely changes were brought about, so much to God's glory, and the Kingdoms hope of happiness, will not look upon (with scorn) or reject with (contempt) any humble advice, which is sincerely offered, and tendered to your honour's wisdom, and most judicious consideration, by one, who most cordially, and unfeignedly honours you, as well for your actions, as worth: however inconsiderable, or unworthy, to suggest any thing (by way of Counsel) he may justly appear unto you.  
9 God, who hath made choice of your Honours, out of so great a Kingdom, wherein are found so many, and eminent men, able both for parts and piety, to appoint you the messengers of such happy tidings, or Angels of peace, unto these Nations, having laid aside before, so many, and often, both persons of remark, and who zealously endeavoured the effecting (had God seen it good) of what is now prosperously brought to pass in your hand, whereby in his providence he spoke plainly, that neither was that the season, nor those the persons, by whom he intended deliverance to this his people, therefore they either failed, or were unsuccessfully ruined in their pious undertake. The same thing God then saw good to deny them, he hath made easy to you, levelling (as it were) mountains before you, so that you (worthy Patriots) are become our Zorobabels, to redeem and restore our captivity, to repair our breaches, to settle again upon its true and ancient Basis, these three great, however sadly broken Kingdoms.  
10. Remember I beseech you that God, who both names, and appoints honours, and makes prosperous his Instruments, who called his anointed Cyrus, and made gates of brass fly open before him, and who knows, but perhaps the same God, who hath raised you, beyond what either you could expect, or find means (of yourselves,) to compass, who hath made you serviceable to both King and Country, so far as to deserve all the honour possible, for this age to invent, thereby to celebrate your name and worth to posterity, hath likewise by his providence stirred me up, to speak a word to your wisdoms in season, my disposition and propensity being (I dare assure your honours) to have kept private, and assisted you (to my power) only with my most sincere wellwishes and prayers to God, put up in your behalf.  
11. Howbeit, considering the season, I am in a manner compelled to come forth as I do, thus publicly, to offer my most serious thoughts, and reflections of spirit upon the late miraculous transactions wrought, by the divine providence, among us; to your most grave and judicious thoughts, with humble submission, to your most discreet censure.  
12. A season, wherein God's mercies are plentifully poured out upon us, notwithstanding our great unworthiness, wherein he is most signally propitious, affording opportunity to make up all our breaches, to repair what hath been thrown down and defaced; happy therefore may he be accounted, who shall any way assist towards a firm, lasting establishment, and well grounded settlement.  
13. A season, wherein many broken bones need binding up, many dislocated joints settling in place, many ulcers searching, and cleansing, and (trust me, most honourable Lords, and worthy Gentlemen,) many rotten pieces of fl●sh cutting off, many desperate humours lancing, much dead and proud flesh to be taken away by corrosives, if ever a sound cure be expected, or hoped for in this body politic.  
14. What your proceed have been in order hereunto; we have seen, and have all cause both to bless God, and honour you, for so much as already we have found effected: what your further intentions are, several of your late votes, gives us both grounds to guests and hope. Give leave therefore, right honourable, and most deserving Patriots, to tender modestly, to your mature deliberation, some observations, which I have made, comparing your determinations, and resolves, with the apparent occurrences, and (to my apprehension,) very plain language, and loud expressions of these late Divine providences.  
15. God, whose judgements are unfathomable, and ways unsearchable, saw good to bring upon there Nations (for many years past) such floods of calamities, as were scarce known, or heard of before, in this, or any neighbouring Nation; extant Histories, as well as humane memory, being at a nonplus to produce the like instances.  
16. Nor were these our miseries more deplorable, our perplexities grievous, and insufferable, than the ways, and means whereby we became involved in them, abominable, horrible, ex ecrable, detestable, and damnable.  
17. The Quintessence of Rebellion, and Treachery, was aggravated by most palpable, amazing perjury, falsehood, and deceitful dealing, was exercised on all occasions, toward all relations, by our enslaving taskmasters, whose breach of oaths, and renouncing their Loyal Allegiance to the King, served but for a Prologue, to a large following Tragedy, wherein, O! the perfidious practices, acted by them against the Parliament, which they at pleasure dismembered, (cashiering one house) and garbled, (secluding out of the other house) all such who scorned, or hated to be like themselves; and having thus transformed two houses of England's Parliament, into a Mock junto; (called afterwards in derision, the Rump, which was the byword at last of every idle Ballad-maker) even, this creature of their own, was by them made a Mock Pageant, used for a stalking horse, (sometimes) otherwhiles thrown aside at pleasure, notwi hstanding many most facred vows to the contrary, not more solemnly made than broken, and almost as soon. One while they set up an Usurping Protector, (who would not be so dallied withal,) however his Son, to whom they were likewise bound by voluntary protestations, engagements, and addresses, quickly had experience of their Inconstancy, and Treacherous perjury. In a word England hath been ever since her rebellion against, and Apostasy from lawful Authority; all along made a Scene, of most gross perjury, and shameful Treachery:  
18. Nor was this all, but as if Satan had taken possession of the Nation, and held it as his own private murders (which were frequent and merciless,) were swallowed up in that abomination of desolation the Murder of his Sacred Royal Majesty: athiestical profaneness, sacrilege, and seditious heresy, went (hand in hand) with the (almost) extirpation, of all our fundamental Laws; So that civil liberty, and true Christianity, were in hazard, (almost quite lost) together, instead of which were brought in, Arbitrary tyranny, and ruling by will and lust, (in the state) scandalous in piety, irreligious Sects, and blasphemous heresies (in the Church; these with an Impudent brow, defied (I may say) heaven itself. In a word, if superlative villainy in practice, exemplary malice in contrivance, or resolute impenitency in perseverance, if hellish designs, implacable resolutions, and incorrigible obstinacy, may be an aggravation of their crimes, who in these years past, of the Kingdom's calamities, have been public offenders, and caused, promoted, or helped to perpetuate them, (had they been able to effect it,) certainly there lies on them as much guilt, as Satan could furnish them with; or their own reprobate nature's contract.  
19 But God hath been merciful unto these poor bleeding Kingdoms, so far, as to defeat at length their plots, who wanted nothing of will, to render us completely, perpetually, and irrecoverably miserable, they wanted not malice, in which they were in placable, and inveterate, nor industry, wherein indefatigable, nor preparation, for which most vigilant, nor design, in which they beheld us with scorn and triumph, groaning forth our last despairing sighs, and lying beyond hope or remedy, under the claws of their most merciless rage, but God alone, hath given them this unexpected check, to the glory of his goodness, and undeserved grace be it spoken, there is nothing left us to boast of, who could only sit down, and groan out our sighs to him, by reason of our oppressures and burdens, but neither did nor knew we to help ourselves in the least.  
20. This Divine disposure of affairs, after so wonderful a manner, seems by way of duty to suggest unto us two things.  
1. First, how infinitely we stand obliged to that good God, who hath been so eminently, and unexpectedly gracious unto us.  
2. Secondly, what justice he now requires and expects, should be done on them whose insolences, and monstrous impieties cannot be overlooked, unless we resolve, to bring upon ourselves, and entail upon our posterity, such curses, as may make them abhor the remisenes and neglect, perhaps, the very memory of their fathers.  
21. The former of these, I shall touch briefly, and so pass it over, it being far more readily owned, known, and acknowledged to be a duty, than carefully and conscientiously practised, which indeed, will be performed, very lamely, and superficially, unless the latter be more diligently heeded, and seriously attended.  
22. Let us in the first place therefore, all with hearts and hands lifted up to the most high, with thankful praises celebrate his name, publish and make known this his great goodness, especially, endeavour the speedy amendment of our lives, the irregularity of which, hath no doubt been the continued cause, which provoked God to bring, and so long to exercise us, with so many, so great, and perplexing miseries.  
23. Let us confess, bewail, and humble ourselves, for our past ingratitude, that enjoying so great, and invaluable pledges, of Divine favour, we made so few, and unsuitable returns of them.  
24. Let us repent our undutifulness toward superiors, contempt of Authority, study of change and want of love one towards another, which provoked God to give us up to men of base extraction, and worse principles, and to let servants rule over us.  
25. Let us hereafter prise Gods offers of Love to us in his Church, nor loath heavenly Manna any more, as we have done, instead of which we have for a long time been fed (in the Swine's trough) with husks, not yet satisfied therewith. These reflections I hope will be made in our breasts, and such like returns we shall give in remembrance, and acknowledgement, of this undeserved, unlooked for, yea almost miraculous deliverance.  
26. In reference to the second head, I shall humbly take leave, to lay open my breast, in speaking my conscience, and discover my love, and faithfulness to the Nation, in addressing myself, with all possible duty, and respect, unto our most honourable Lords, add worthy Commons, however a weak, and unworthy Orator.  
27. Right honourable, and truly deserving Patriots, it lies now in your power, and under God is wholly left at your dispose, to make these Nations either really, and completely, or apparently, and in part only happy, perfectly to cure, or to palliate their disease, to give them total easement; or for a short time to leave them sound at bottom, or in danger of a relapse, and breaking out again, with no less Anguish, perhaps full as much, or more danger to the body than before.  
28. His sacredly Royal, and most gracious Majesty, hath committed things wholly to your dispose, nor do I cuestion, but your piety and prudence, will lead you, to respect him as God's deputy here on earth, yearather to look beyond him to God himself, who by his means, betrusted you with his power, nevertheless expects the execution thereof, according to his revealed will, as you will answer the contrary at your peril, in that great, and dreadful day of Judgement.  
29. To acquit the guilty, and condemn the Innocent are equally abominable in his presence, who is the God of Justice and truth.  
30. Besides the murder of his most sacred Majesty, of happy memory, against whose life to conspire, is death without mercy, by the known Laws of the Land, there have been (frequently) committed other horrible, bloody murders, the registers of which, are every day sold among us, but far more exactly kept on record in God's Book, nor sooner shall the guilt of them be taken off, from a private score on Earth, and not revenged, but it will forthwith be entered down upon the public, or Nations score, in the book of the most righteous God, who usually taketh the vengeance thereof into his own hand.  
31. My earnest prayer to God, in your behalf, is and shall be, that you will not involve yourselves with the Nation, in innocent blood, by acquitting the most notoriously guilty, in that kind, which ever England nourished, or groaned under, the ready way to provoke God to revenge it upon the whole Nation, especially the City. What a plague may follow this lenity, if exercised (which the Lord avert) he only knows, who (perhaps) waits but your final determination, before he give it fatal Commission. (Si quid delirant Reges, plectuntur Ac●●vi) Perhaps the nearest relations, or dearest friends may be so signally swept away, from the chief authors of these crying murderers indemnity; As may at once both convince them of sinful compassion, and pierce their bleeding hearts with ten thousand furrows. Pray God I may not prove a Prophet, nor do I speak it, but with deprecation, only faithfulness unto you compels me thus to utter myself, and lay open my breast to your Honours and wisdoms.  
32. Believe it, my Lords and Gentlemen, Seven or ten is not a competent number to be exposed to justice, and those most of them fled out of reach, when sevenscore at least are over head and ears dipped, and beyond excuse concerned, in that amazing murder of Majesty, (as to guilt, in the eye of man's law) though I believe not all alike involved in the unpardonable aggravations of knowledge, and malice.  
33. But besides that abominable murder, several more private, but as cruel, have been committed on divers persons both of rank and esteem, as might be instanced, in the Lords Capell, Hamilton, Holland, with many Knights and Gentlemen of worth, as Lucas, Lisle, Hid, Andrew's, Penruddock, Grove, Burleigh, Love, Gerard, Vowel, Bushel, Hewit, Slingsby Ashton, Bettely, Stacy, with others, for whose blood, when the holy and just God shall make inquisition, he will find no legal reckoning made. And what must poor England then expect from him, who hath expressly declared, that blood defiles a land, nor can be purged from its guilt, but by their blood who shed it, who hath therefore commanded, the retaliation of blood upon the shedders head, whether man or beast. Yea I tremble to think, when God himself shall come to take satisfaction thereof, what our lot may be, unless in the Nation's behalf its most honourable Lords and Commons by impartial justice prevent this certain judgement, if neglect or default herein be made.  
34. To avoid which guilt, and (if it may be) to keep off judgements like to ensue thereon, give me leave to present your honours with some few considerations, nor I hope unseasonable, or tedious, which I studied to avoid, first by brevity, and next, by sending them forth, and humbly presenting them to your view, before the act of Indemnity be fully concluded on.  
35. I am sensible of the multiplicity of your pressing affairs, and know, that you have not leisure from your most serious debates, and agitations, to attend large declamations, against the crying sin of blood, how it stains, and defiles a land; yea, I am confident, such common places are very familiar to you, who are neither unacquainted with the Judgements on that score denounced in holy writ, nor unfurnished with instances, and examples of Divine vengeance, attending the impunity of that crying sin, recorded not only by Christian, but profane Historians.  
36. The considerations (then) which I shall most humbly suggest, shall be such as are taken from, and obvious to the experience, of those (especially) who have minded the late deal, both of God and man, toward us.  
1. And in them my intended scope and aim is, partly to find and mark out such whose guilt of this nature, is beyond both pardon and excuse, and whose impunity cannot but render the Kingdom very unsafe, if we will believe his threaten, whose judgements, as well as mercies, are wonderful, and true.  
2. Partly, to press the loud calls, and clear motives (appearing in the divine dispensations, and these late overtures, and transactions) for impartial justice, which to pass by unregarded, is to provoke God, after once or twice, yea reiterated speaking, by his providence, without attention, on man's part, to use shortly, such language, as may make all our bones tremble.  
3. But lastly, and most especially, to obviate and answer some plausible, through carnal (at best) if not unsound arguments, which are brought and pressed, in their behalf; in performing of which, if I give way to, or discover any private grudge, or passion, or appear so to your wisdoms, my heart much deceives me, for I have not the least particular disaffection, for any those unfortunately criminal Gentlemen, whom I crave leave to call so, though their actions brand them with so much barbarous cruelty, as may bring in question their very humanity, so far am I from pesonall prejudice conceived against any of their number. And I can seriously, solemnly, and truly appeal to the seacher of hearts, that I should much more de●redly have expressed myself in their behalf, and been an urgent, though unworthy intercessor for them, but that my conscience assures me, concerning them, that whoever so favours or befriends them, as to procure their indemnity, doth what in him lies, (ignorantly perhaps) to pluck the fiercest of God's Judgements upon the heads, of himself, and his posterity, and to involve the Kingdom in such future calamities, as may justly render his indiscreet charity, (rather cruel pity) a cause of doleful lamentation many ages yet to come.  
37. As to those persons, whose pardon cannot consist with the Nations safety, unless we flatter ourselves with peace, where God hath most expressly declared, and severely denounced the contrary, it is very worth our enquiry, that in case a black cloud of national miseries, should again overspread the already nigh consumed, and destroyed Kingdoms, (which God in mercy forbid) we may speedily recollect with ourselves the cause, and in time apply a suitable remedy.  
38. It was once remarkable, the case of God's people Israel, in the time of David's Reign; year after year, one of the forest of God's plagues, afflicted that Nation; three successive years famine, put David upon enquiry after the cause; who had answer from the Divine oracle, that blood guiltiness in the house of Saul, who slew the Gibeonites, had called for that national desolation; now because David, (who ought not to have let crimes of that nature pass,) had not revenged it, after he come to the Crown, all Israel smarted severely for this neglect, and yet the Actor was dead, who with his son, fell in battle, and a great slaughter was made among the whole Army besides; nevertheless, till particular vengeance for this blood was taken, and Seven of Saul's family, (among whom were five of Mi●h●●s sons, the daughter of Saul, born to Adriell the Son of Barzillai the Meholathite) were delivered up to the injured Gibeonites, and by them hanged before the Lord, the guilt of his Innocent blood, still cried for vengeance to heaven, and was heard so many years after, and avenged by the righteous God, with a sore famine, three years together.  
39 My prayer is that the like lot befall not England, which is much more to be feared, considering the quality of the persons murdered among us, not Gibeonites, who were part of the Nations by God devoted to destruction, and saved their lives by a false feigned message, deluding the two credulous Princes, and bringing them to a rash unadvised oath, to spare their lives; who yet condemned them to perpetual drudgery to the whole congregation, but our King here was butchered, our Lords, Knights, Gentry, Godly Divines, and eminent Citizens, slaughtered. Those were slain by a King in appearing zeal, who might have for colour of this action. First, the change of Government. Secondly, the fraud, by which that Oath of the Princes of the congregation, was deceitfully obtained. Thirdly, that the persons swearing, and sworn to, were long since dead, nor could a grant (fraudulently procured) bind posterity. Fourthly, that God's command was to extirpate them, without mercy or pity. Fifthly, the displeasure of him manifested against Israel, for sparing, and making Leagues with such Nations, which he had devoted to destruction, and commanded their utter rooting out. Sixthly, the Divine anger against himself, because he had been disobediently pitiful in sparing the King of Amaleck, with part of the spoil. Seventhly, that though the Princes of the congregation had spared them, and sworn to them, upon a mistake, wherein the Gibeonites were no way excusable, much less justifiable, yet God had not where declared his assent to, and approbation of this action of the Princes, but had frequently manifested his dislike, and fierce Anger against the whole Nation, for not destroying, but making Leagues with others, for which cause he reptoved them at Bochim, till they wept exceedingly; Threatened them therefore, and as he had denounced, so he oft sold them as Captives, to almost all the Nations round about, whom they had spared contrary to command, besides all which pretences, by Saul no doubt alleged for that slaughter committed upon them, the quality of him, and them makes his case, and ours of no comparison together. He a King, and they contemptible drudges, of a cursed Generation. But with us sworn subjects murdered their Sovereign, the very tongues, mouths, and lips that had vo'wd solemn allegiance to him, and to hazard life in his preservation, and to defend with him his Queen and Progeny, presume to condemn to death the same Royal Person, proclaim Traitors his Queen, and Sons, yea all that shall adhere to them, and assert their so oft confirmed title, by so sacred and religious oaths. This certainly next to our blessed Saviour's murder was most black and horrible.  
40. Besides, with Majesty fell Nobles, and Gentlemen, Divines, and Citizens, of as great repute, as any the Land afforded, who were as undoubtedly Innocent, as cruelly slaughtered, yea their crime objected, was honesty, the pretence of taking them off, was a colourable mock-justice, yet in their own conscience they knew their Courts to be only Snares and Engines, to do such work, which by no known Law of the Land, nor in any regular form of proceeding, could be effected. If then Saul's bloudy-fact were revenged, with three year's famine, and after that with the death of Seven of his Sons; I tremble to think, what vengeance the Lord may take of us, for this blood, unless our most honourable Lords, and those other worthy Patriots of the English Nation, the House of Commons, by their pious wisdom, and just severity, against unpardonable malefactors, scatter that black cloud of God's judgements, which is already gathering, and who knows how soon it may overspread the whole Kingdom.  
41. Breaking Parliaments, subverting Laws, horrible Oppression by Confiscations, Sequestrations, decimations, Imprisonments, frequent sending out of Town, setting up Usurpers, making the Nobles more contemptible than any generous Spirits could bear, are unparallelled Treasons, and being against man more directly, may be famous objects of Pardon, even to astonishment, but to indemnify such horrible guilt of blood, is to presume to do that on Earth, which God will never set his seal to, or confirm in Heaven: It is for man to exceed his Commission, which presumption he and his Posterity may have cause to bewail with bitter tears, when it is too late to remedy.  
42. My Lords and Gentlemen, although in a Parliamentary way of Convention, with his Majesty's Royal assent concurring, you have great, (I had almost said unlimited) power, which is true in a sense, nothing, that is merely humane, can bond you, yet there are bounds set even to you, by the hand of God himself, no less dreadful than the bounds of Sinai, which you cannot transgress, but you straight incur the displeasure of a revenging Deity, whose Angel with his flaming sword, is forthwith over your head, and speedy Judgement ready to overtake you, and treading upon your heels. Nor will this be your private sin, but (as persons in trust) you contract a fatal score, whereof God alone knows how many thousands must be the Paymasters. One of those immovable bounds is the guilt of blood, which debt, if you remit, as to the penalty, it were well if you could cross it out of God's book, but that's impossible, blood only is to be the payment, though it is in your choice, whether this shall be guilty, or other innocent blood, which God as a Sovereign Lord, perhaps will take, and place both the former and latter, to their account, at whose door neglect lies.  
43. Believe it my Lods and Gentlemen, the persons concerned in that detestable murder of his Majesty, are not all comprised in the list of those who sat in the High Court of Mock-justice, that day when sentence was past, that whole pretended Court, or rather pack of Bloodhounds, were but the tool and instrument in the hand of some devilish Workman, Journey 〈◊〉 employed by others who contrived the Plot, and set them on work, among whose number some were more actively daring, and openly appeared, as well to give countenance to, as encourage the rest, (who were persons qualifyed to serve their turn, and picked here and there, as they came to hand) others of the grand contrivers, were more wary, and reserved, who for fear of after-reckoning slipped behind the Curtain, gave aim unto, and directed the Actors, Haslerig, Vane, Lenthall, and others of that gang, had as deep hand in that Crimson fact, as any who were present at sentence, or confirmed it under hand and Seal,  
44. That there is no pleading for murder where all are prin cipalls, the Law of our land makes evident, less for Royal murder, as is clear by that Scripture-rule, which saith. Who can lift up his hand, against the Lords anointed and be guiltless; and most plainly confirmed by the pattern of David, who commanded that foolish Amalekite forthwith to be slain, who in hope of reward, accused himself, that he had at the request of Saul, dispatched his life (when past hope of recovery, by reason of his mortal wounds) sending him to his long home with this farewell, thy blood be upon thine own head, forasmuch as thou hast confessed the lifting up thine hand against the Lords anointed.  
45. Yet as the first plotter and contriver of a horrid fact, if especially he stand by, and encourage, advise, assist, justify, and reward the Actor, is the more unpardonably guilty, so those who appointed an high Court of Justice, nominated the persons, commissionated, impowered and warranted them, in what they were to act, were indeed the superlative Traitors, and most guilty of blood.  
46. And among those there are yet degrees, some were professed Lawyers, and could not be ignorant of the Law of the Land, their conscience told them in the very act of endeavouring to try their King for life, in such an unheard of Court, themselves were above all, most transcendent Traitors.  
47. In which crew, as all 〈◊〉 Subjects, so many were his Majesty's actual servants, as Vane, Mildmay, Danvers, Holland, and others, whose fact surpasseth so far the rest, as it is more detestable for a servant, than for a stranger to kill his Master, by our Law made petty Treason, and more severely punished. Some were servants in favour, and places of more than ordinary trust, and were rewarded so largely, as argued a bountiful Prince, and them on that account, Monsters in nature, who durst abet; much more actually commit such a villainy upon so gracious a Lord, so loving and bountiful a Master.  
48. Their declarations after the fact challenged the imagined repute thereof to themselves, for as they m●●e no scruple to call themselves the Parliament and supreme power of England, so they ascribed to themselves the abolishing Kingship; and accordingly rejected the whole line of the murdered King, declared for a Commonwealth without King or House of Lords, framed and imposed upon all an engagement to that purpose, which argues plainly, that those who were the Major part of that Junto, who voted an high Court of Justice, and who conferred upon them such power, were the plotters and Authors of what was by the others acted, the first of the two most inexcusable, though all unpardonable.  
49. Besides these, there were contrivers of Petitions, that all great offenders might be brought to justice, which were accordingly framed, and presented both from the City and mutinous Army, by which his sacred Majesty was at first designed to be made a bloody sacrifice, under the notion of the greatest offendor, being brought to justice, Adjutant General Allen at the disposition of Usurping Richard, wrote a Pamphet, to remind the grand Officers how the Army were in a wilderness of difficulties, in the year 1647. and how they at Windsor several days together, had sought God by fasting and prayer, and how he at last brought them to an unanimous resolve, that they would fight the Scots, and labour to quell the threatening insurrections in several parts, and in case God answered their prayers, they would, as a religious return of thankfulness, revenge the bloodshed committed in these Wars, upon that bloody man, as he was pleased to style his Sacred Majesty of blessed memory. So that there was a conspiracy in the Army, with a part of the house of Commons, to murder the King long before; who therefore pretending fear, with their Speaker fled to the Headquarters, were brought back by the Army's force, the Commons House purged, the Lords House turned out of doors. Here my Lords and Gentlemen was the plot, after which an high Court of Justice was called, and impowered to put what before was contrived, in execution.  
50. Nor were they ignorant of what villainy they went about, or the way must be made, by breaking the Seal Royal, and maing a new one, because the King could not be judicially proceeded against without commission, nor any commission in force against him, signed with his own Seal, which argued as premeditated, so desperate malice, joined with knowledge sufficient; they understood the fact, & its difficulty, as well as its danger, yet resolved to leap over mountains themselves, rather than not perform this butchery.  
51. Mr. Milton in answer to Salmasius gives the whole glory of this Heroic action (as he called it) to the English Parliament; And indeed it was properly their act originally, the Judges did but only represent them; acted by their Commission, who in this are inexcusable also, that they took a Commission, and put it in execution against their undoubted King, which involved them alike in the guilt of perjury and Treason, being equally sworn to his Allegiance, and by this act (however Commissionated) they were questionless murderers.  
52. This Honourable house of Commons in their late answer to his Majesty's most gracious Letter, have this like expression, that the abhorred villainies, perpetrated upon his Majesty's Royal Father (of blessed memory) could never possibly have been brought to that pass, had not their privileges been so shamefully violated; first, that of England's Parliament nothing was left remaining but a Mock-Junto. By that discovering their judgements to be, that they who in order to that butchery, committed such unheard of Rapes upon the Parliament, were of all others far the most guilty, And therefore deserving most severe punishment.  
53. To come now to the high Court of justice, and take a view of their proceed, some sat to the last, and passed the sentence actually under their hands and Seals, others sat at first only, some sat till the last, and then disappeared.  
All are alike guilty, for his Sacred Majesty demurred at first to the Jurisdiction of the Court, they who then sat, asserted their own jurisdiction, declaring that they were satisfied in it; Commanded him to plead positively, and to own the Court, or else the default should be marked for a contempt; this was in effect his Majesty's doom; he as a constant assertor of the Laws, and Liberties of the Nation, was unsatisfied with their Authority; and resolved rather to die, than by a Plea to own them a jurisdiction at all; (much less over him, their King) these peremptory villainies assert their own Jurisdiction, tie him up to answer, or to be recorded for his Contempt, upon which account, the third default was to be accounted final, than some withdrew, and account themselves thus excused from his blood, by not sitting at last, when sentence was given; yet protest not against the proceed of the rest; when as in truth they impounded, as I may say, shackled his Majesty, and fitted him for the block, withdrawing out of a guilty fear, when the blow was to be given, being assured, that there were Bloodhounds enough left sitting to worry him: not a man more than other can be excused of the murder, unless it appear, that they shown their dissatisfaction, and dislike of proceed, to be the cause of their refusing afterward to sit.  
54. Lastly, no doubt but many pretended divine Oracles are equally guilty, with the rest, who counselled, contrived, and encouraged these villainies, which ended in murder, and vouched the holy Writ for their warrant, to provoke to the attempt, and defended the fact afterward, both by preaching and writing; the Priest who confessed, and absolved the Powder-traytors was found as guilty, and suffered as deeply, as any among them; Peter and Goodwin may be named, and many more pointed at; but these two, were as Joab to the woman of Tekoah they had a hand in the whole, from beginning to end, yea, so far are they more punishable, but how much they abused Scripture to defend, and as it were entitle God himself to the murder.  
55. To descend from this black subject, and bloody discourse, to take a view of more private murders, tragical enough, yet for which something may be said in behalf of many concerned therein.  
56. When grave, learned, and able Lawyers, shall declare the Authority of a pretended High Court of Justice to be lawful, and personally act therein, either as Precedent, as L●sle, or by drawing up charges against Prisoners, and calling them before such to the Bar, aggravating crimes against them, soliciting for Justice to be done on them in the name of the Commonwealth, and in all things, avowing them a Court of Judicature; I marvel not, if many men unskiled in the Law, sit among the rest, and act confidently.  
57 If the Facts for which they are tried, be by Lawyer declared high Treason, and Capital, and Witnesses procured to testify the same, (how suborned is not now the subject of our Enquiry nor how prompted in their Evidence, by the Attorney General) if Lawyers affirm the trial to be carried on according to Law, and some reputed godly Divines assure them the way is of God; no wonder if the Prisoner be convicted and condemned, and yet God forbidden, half the Judges guilty of murder or blood, though concurring in sentence.  
58. However, those who advise the erecting such a Court, out of design to butcher the Parties intended for trial, because they know that the crime objected, is indeed no crime by the Law of the Land: They who give commission under the pretended Seal of England, for trying such offenders by nominated Commissioners, yet know that very Commission to be illegal and unwarrantable, and yet intended as an Engine to remove some out of the way that are before marked for destruction; they (lastly) who prosecute the Prisoners at the Bar of such a Court, The Judge also, who sits in Judgement upon, and pronounceth sentence against them; though both Judge, Attorney and Solicitor know the Prisoners not to deserve so much as bonds by the known fundamental Laws of the Land, and the Power by which they pretend to Act, to be usurped and illegal, nay, contrary to Law, which they (in formality) are sworn to maintain, and execute Justice accordingly, all these (doubtlessly) are a pack of Conspirators against the Innocent blood, which is thus shed by them, and most cruel, unpardonable murderers; this for less public butcheries committed upon the score of pretended High Courts of Justice.  
59 Two private cases remains yet, as namely that of Lucas, and Lisle, and the other of Penruddok and Grove.  
The former were shot to death in cool blood, by sentence of a Court Mattial; the latter condemned by (that great Prevaricator) Glyn, who caused them to be indicted for taking up Arms against Cromwell, upon that Law, which makes it Treason to levy War against the King, no Law being then hatched to secure that Usurper, and although the Prisoners pleading to the endictment, defended themselves unanswerably, and made it appear (by that very Law,) that Oliver was the Traitor in making War upon them, who proclaimed, and fought for that King whom he opposed, yet this most unrighteous Judge made the Law (violently) to speak against itself, by his interpretation, and so condemned the most innocent Prisoners, whom afterwards, with others, (upon the same score,) he caused to be executed, for which, if ever Judge in England deserved exemplary death, certainly he fell as much, if not more.  
60. Thus, most honourable Lords and Gentlemen, having spoken concerning the persons who they are; give me leave to add some considerations, which speak them uncapable of Indemnity, unless we intent such vengeance to follow their Pardon, which God (if it be his will) prevent, and by the way, I shall obviate what objections may be brought against this impartial Justice, or arguments to the contrary.  
61. Consider, I beseech you; First, the crimes and the men, whether or no, they be fit objects of Mercy, Pardon and Indemnity. Secondly, if they be, whether it is convenient and expedient to let them find so great a measure of it, and taste it so largely, and I doubt not but upon enquiry, your wisdoms will with me conclude in the negative, notwithstanding what ever may be indiscreetly argued in favour of them.  
62. In order then to proceed; First presents itself their Fact, and next their manner of acting; Lastly, their behaviour after it, in all which it is too manifest, that as they are beyond, and above Pardon, so they are below pity.  
63. Their crime, my Lords and Gentlemen, is Murder, of itself unpardonable, but in them aggravated by Perjury, Malice, inhuman Cruelty, justifying thereof under pretence of Religion, and the better to secure themselves from Justice, they spared no manner of Villainy; which a dextrous pernicious wit could prompt, or a seared conscience commit. Their murder hath this astonishing addition, or rather Compliment of guilt, in that its object was their King, to whom they were most sacredly and religiously obliged, by reiterated Oaths, not only impoled, but by themselves voluntarily made, and solemnly entered into, this is the crime of many, nay, most of them, besides other private murders, which on their part have the aggravations of malice, and inhuman cruelty on the sufferers, that they were persons of Piety, Esteem, Honour and Faithfulness to their King and Country, of whom several excelled (in true worth) all their Martherers together.  
64. My Lords and Gentlemen, if to murder a private man, of no esteem, little worth, perhaps vicious, debauched, and a burden to those with whom he lives, deserve death unpardonably, and our Law justly condemns, and executes (in such a case) the murderers, though perhaps many, and otherwise, each far surpassing the party slain; shall our King (worth ten thousand Subjects,) our eminent Lords & Gentry, our godly Divines and Citizens, be murdered, by the worst of the Nation (for real worth,) and among so many murderers, so few be picked out, (of whom many fled) to be made examples, when they can be catcht? when the whole number (if taken) amounts not to the fourth part of those who by them have been formally butchered, besides the numberless multitude of those who have been otherwise slain, starved, ruined and destroyed by means of that first Heaven-daring butchery. Shall Henry Martin, that infamous Lecher, who having among Strumpets consumed his Patrimony, hath long lain in Gaol, to the defrauding his Creditors, be accounted (when he is taken,) a competent Sacrifice in lieu of his Sacred Majesty, Lord Capel, Hamilton, and Holland? so Cornelius Holland, the Linkeboy, who hath nothing of Estate, but what is the price of blood, and reward of his villainies, be given up to Justice (when he is catcht also) in revenge of Hewits, Slingsby's yeoman's, and Butcher's blood? Thomas Scot, that Saint, (who besides his other villainies, most ungraciously, paid his wife Grace in the same coin, which he in exchange of greater pieces, received from his girls at a vaulting School, but peppered her so the wrong way, that she stank the sooner, and lies buried in Westminster) be made exemplary, (when he likewise comes to hand) in lieu of Mr. Love, Gibbons, Bushel, Col. Gerard, and Vowel, and so the rest? Or must all these be made the price of Royal blood only? Certainly Gentlemen, this will be to value his sacred Person, less than the Scots did, who sold him (in life) for two hundred thousand pounds, not because they esteemed him worth no more, but because that was all they could get for him; Had his murderers been twice as many, his worth and value was so inestimable, that all had made too mean a sacrifice for his blood.  
65. That murder of his Sacred Majesty, brought upon them all the blood which had been shed in England, and was the cause of all the rest which was shed in Ireland, and Scotland. The King in wisdom, foresaw the end of the War, levied against him, and therefore defended himself. So many of the Parliament as were sincere, abhorred (as by their declarations appeared) those very thoughts, for which end they framed a vow, and protestation, and after joined with the Scots in their League and Covenant, (not suspecting this Viper hidden under the green herbs,) raised therefore, as Commissionated all their forces for the King's defence, whereas his murder at last, verified the Prediction of his Majesty, gave the lie to all the Parliaments pretences, and made it appear, that this Tragedy was the end of all those several years' wars, and incredible civil blond shed; Good God Should these men now be pardoned, what can be imagined? but that the Parliament in their Vows and Covenant, did all, (both Lords and Commons,) prevaricate and juggle; The detestation of a fact, is ever judged by the animadversion made upon it. Talk till Doomsday, yet none will believe that the Lords and Commons abhor that murder, and repute it the Nations infamy resent 〈◊〉 Vows, Oaths and Covenants broken therein, when th●●ontrivers, Plotters, and horrible Actors, are almost all pardoned by whole sale, except a few, who in effect have pardoned themselves by flight.  
66. My Lords and Gentlemen, because of Oaths, and Swearing this Land hath a long time mourned, not so much for that Oaths were made, but because no better kept: If you were serious in what you swore, you cannot but revenge the shameful breach thereof, with all imaginable severity; (trust me) lenity herein will speak aloud to your reproach, both while you live, and while your memory lasteth, that you are pretty well satisfied, as to the fact, when you dismiss with free pardon, such a gang of Malefactors, Religion hath been scandalised so foully by this means, (the Protestant especially) that were it only to show your detestation thereof, such counsels would take no place in your honourable breasts. It is the only convincing Argument, that you were immovably firm to your Oaths and Vows, when you are irreconcilable to those, who with such abominable aggravations broke them.  
67. Those who at present are remote from you, and for futute shall be long after you, can take notice of no ground of so large an extent of Pardon, but that you either judge the fact not deserving greater punishment, or that you are afraid to do Justice upon them; and to speak plainly, such lenity as is pretended (I hope not intended in this Case,) will leave such a blot upon your Honours and Wisdoms, as cannot be born with credit, nor wiped off by any possible future zeal or industry. He who is easily persuaded to re nit so gross villainies, will always leave a suspicion, that he would not hardly have been persuaded to be concerned therein, had not politic considerations (more than conscience) deterred him. It is the glory of a man to pass by the greatest injury done to himself, without any revenge, but to forgive what is done against God's Majesty, with the like readiness and facility, argues that such a man hath but little honour for God.  
68 My Lords and Gentlemen, its possible for any man to be so out of reach of other 〈◊〉 not to be exposed to their observations, censures and 〈◊〉 ●…ersions, nor is it in your power to regulate them, but every man will follow the dictates of his own reason, and what appears thereto.  
69. The grounds of this overflowing mercy, and enlarged bowels of compassion, (believe it) will be judged one or all of these: Either a low esteem you had of his Sacred Majesty; or a private dislike of him, which makes you account his removal out of the way, some considerable balance, to counterpoise the execrable, horrible Treachery, and perjurious cruelty committed in his death or that you give some credit to the imputations laid against him, and so reckon him as deserving the thing he suffered, though perhaps you disliked the manner. Or that you were yourselves guilty herein more than you would willingly have known; and therefore pardon so many, lest they should speak plainer of yourselves, than you would be willing to have heard. Or that, notwithstanding your Oaths and Covenants, you intended the same thing in your own way and method, and so were only prevented. Or that you underhand consented to what was acted, and most of you by a patiented withdrawing, upon seclusion of the forty Commoners, gave opportunity to what was afterward perpetrated.  
70. These suspicions, my Lords and Gentlemen, though, I hope, ye believe them false and groundless, yet on my credit are more than whispered (among very sober men,) upon occasion of this too comprehensive act of grace, which is expected, and would make viler than dirt the blood, not only of many worthy state-Martyrs, and his sacred Majesty himself, but also of all those whose lives have been prodigally spent, to subdue the King, and his friends, and bring him into a capacity of becoming the subject of so abominable a Tragedy, as also of rejecting and keeping in exile his matchless (for real worth) and yet by unparalleled villainy, proscribed heir, with two Incomparable pieces of true Princely gallantry, the Royal Dukes, of York, and Gloucester. The grinding oppressors also of these three Nations, wherein all the Kings put together since the Conquest have been exceeded, will be notably rewarded, when out of more than an hundred unpardonable Murderers, besides incomputable numbers of high traitors, perhaps five shall die, and thirty or forty of those be squeezed a little in their Estates, who have causelessly ruined many hundreds, sequestered, and forced to monstrous unreasonable compositions, many thousands; totally confiscated the Estates of six times their number, and by taxes, excises, impositions, decimations, frequent imprisonments, forged plots and fines thereupon, have beggared a thousand at least, for every man designed for nominal confiscation of Estate, which indeed will prove scarce the plucking away by law one third part of what they before violently and cruelly ravished from the true owners without all colour of Law, rather against it.  
71. My Lords and Gentlemen, can it be imagined, that William Lenthall, who had for a fee five pounds for every compounder, whose number was reckoned by one to be fourscore thousand (suppose really half the number which was the least) besides other places of vast prodigious gain, enjoyed by him above board, nor will any rational man question, but he had private ways of indirect gain, beyond what can be made now appear upon confiscation will be found the Master of one tith of what he is (beyond contradiction) owner, questionless no, such villains as he, always had that of reason, to fear what we see happened, nay, they had no rational ground to hope for so long prosperity in villainy; upon which jealousy he, and many of his stamp, no doubt, made such secret provision, that spating their life (on such terms) is like a Schoolboys whipping, (when over) the fear proving more than the smart, they have time and occasion given, to laugh at the supiness of their Judges, and to please themselves, how they give the first, the soundest, and most smarting blow.  
72. Who would not, if they had opportunity again, be such Rogues upon the like terms, be as cruel as possible, as guilty, as wit can invent, the Devil suggest, or a cursed disposition make, commit villainies to the utmost extent of power, stop only, where it is not possible to go further, continue as long, as by Hellish policy is devisable, oppress the Nation, till nothing be left further to squeeze; yet at last, when our own ungodliness hath ensnared us, and a restoration made, because we can no longer hinder it, nineteen of twenty shall have peremptory pardon, the rest law, fly, if they can, but if unavoidable they be catcht, they shall have fair trial themselves, who never allowed others any, come my Masters, find but you consciences, and here are all the encouragements to monstrous villainy, that are possible.  
73. My Lords and Gentlemen, as to the heinousness of this fact, I humbly entreat you to consider, it is that, which you would have your Kings by agreement disabled to pardon, and justly, because God is positive therein, whoever shedds man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed. Will you restrain your King, yet yourselves do it; shall not a private man be murdered, but his blood required, and shall your King? If so, woe to thee England! What will be thy doom London! Would God you had the Art to confine divine Judgements within your own walls, if needs you will pluck them down with such Cart●ropes.  
74. You are my Lords and Gentlemen, every one of you put in a public capacity, do not (I humbly entreat you) offer yourselves (now) as bail to God's Justice, for such impardonable offenders. The doom of Ahab is not to be neglected. Because thou hast let go a man, whom I appointed to destruction, thy life shall go for his. A discreet man would hardly engage life for life, for an infamous thief or highway man. Better be bail for ten such, than for one of these high Court of Justice men, those especially, who are guilty of Royal blood, where God himself keeps the recognizance strictly, and will not fail to require it severely.  
75. Your wisdoms are I doubt not advised that forfeiture of estate, (if it could be total) is no adequate satisfaction, nor competent recompense either to the Law, or God's Justice, where both life and state are due, and confiscate; the one legally given to the King, for his loss of a Subject, the other indispensably due to that vengeance, which will take no triffe in recompense, but only life for life, and blood for blood.  
76. To conclude this head, concerning the nature of their offence, it is to be minded universally, that punishment is a glass, in which we contemplate, and discover either the true nature of the crime, or the unanswerable sense of the judge, perhaps the joy of restoration hath obliterated the remembrance of our deliverance nor will suffer us to reflect upon our former slavery, and misery, (with their causes) if so, God who when he was leading his people unto Canaan, reminded them of the house of Bondage, with thunder, lightning, and Earthquakes, may also rub up our memories, both with a witness and vengeance.  
77. From the crime I beseech your wisdoms to cast your eye upon the persons, and see how well they appear deserving mercy.  
How have they heaped villainies one upon another, as the Giants in their War against Heaven heaped Pelion upon Ossa, or as waves in a storm follow one upon the neck of another. Believe it Gentlemen; they are not men of David's spirit, whose heart smote him, for cutting off saul's skirt, but when it was motioned, to go over to him and slay him sleeping, he rejected the offer with detestation: from Monstrous impieties, they came to that amazing Butchery committed on the King, not after found they any stroke at heart, but only of grief, that they had not all the Royal branches in their power to chop down in one day.  
78. Prodigious Malefactors they are, who took their first rise of Monstrous villainy at the rending up the two houses of Parliament by the Root, (not considering the first pretended ground of the War, was because the King demanded to trial, (secured not, nor secluded) five Commoners, and one Peer, no bones at last were made of either protestations or pretences, nothing accounted by them sordid; they pretended a fear, and fled to the Army from petitioning unarmed apprentices, (spirits oft before by themselves conjured up, and laid again, without dread, while they came and requested blood, war, and confusion, but now they are dreadful when they petition for settlement, a thing hateful to those who had been, and expected to be such gainers by trouble and distraction.) 'Twas that in Church and state they aimed at, in such waters they longed to fish, and rather than Cromwell, Heslerigge, Vane, Lenthall, Scot, etc. would lose their longing, they resolved with their father Pluto, as he is brought in thus speaking by Claudian, 
— Patefacta ciebo  
Tartara, Saturni veteres laxabo catenas,  
Obducam tenebris lucem, compage solutâ  
Fulgidus umbroso m●scebitur axis averno.   
79. My Lords and Gentlemen, consider what a coal you are scraping, to give your names to posterity an indelible smut, or mark, and what unfeigned repentance is requisite from you, as soon as this act is concluded, in reference to the wars past. If it be most certain, Bonus Civis initia belli Civilis invitus susscipit, extrema non libentèr persequitur, there is need of all the heart-breaking possible on their side, who risen in Arms, hazarded so many lives, spent so much treasure and blood to restrain his Majesty (of Sacred Memory) from vexing the people, with those Flea bites, in comparison of the devouring extortions which these villains afterwards oppressed, yea almost destroyed them with; To prohibit his infringing the Parliamentary privileges, impeaching five Members, while these impeach eleven at once, and compel them beyond Sea, without prosecution or Trial: & after secure above forty; force away two hundred, discard the House of Peers, cashier their privileges, murder the King, root up the Law, set up Arbitrary Taxes, impositions, Excises, etc. Commission monstrous unheard of Courts, and in them hunt to death as many, and for what they please, where no Law of the Land speaks them so much as Criminal; yet for all these Treasons, and murders, scarce ten of the most infamous Commoners in England, are thought fit to die; when for the life of one man (Parsons by Name, Lieutenant Colonel to the Drayman, Pride, and of as obscure original as his Colonel) slain by accident on the High way, not a man concerned in that Robbery, escaped the Gallows; and when for one House-Robbery, it is frequent to hang nine or ten, sometimes sixteen, or twenty, yet all of them infinitely short of these Villains in crimes.  
80. How for future dare a Judge sit on the Benth and condemn a poor petty Thief, a coiner of money; one in a passion guilty of stabbing; or a poor Wenth for a Child thrown into a Jakes, which none knows, if or no it were born alive; nay any murder, when such unparallelled Thiefs; Traitors beyond precedent, Murderers to amazement, and ashonishment, are either judged not fit to die, or at least not convenient, his Majesty should lose so many Subjects.  
81. Bless us good God Subjects of which no King need beproud, or desirous; A way to make a happy Prince, when he shall scarce go any any where, but (considering their number) he may meet with one or other of them, and point at them, There goes one who murdered my Royal Father; banished me, alienated my revenues, reduced to extreme straits my Mother and Brothers, with all my true friends and Relations, butchered my Subjects, and illegally extorted from them a thousand times mo●e th●n they would suffer their Liege and King to levy though with advice of his Judges, but made war upon him, and took his life upon this pretence: These good Subjects are left me, through the piety and wisdom of my two Houses of Parliament, as suitable objects of my Royal Mercy and Pardon.  
82. Divinely Gracious Prince, these are not objects of Mercy, God will not have it so, having expressed his will, in hardening their hearts to the last; When God hardened the Egyptians, so as to follow the Israelites into the very bowels of the deep Sea, his providence spoke plainly that his intention was to drown them. Prudent General's use to give no quarter to resolute Gatrisons, which refusing all offers of mercy, stand out to the last; against whom nevertheless, they have no quarrel but open Hostility, and plain interest of war: How much less are these Villains, who had forfeited their lives unpardonably for any one of their inferior murders, to expect pardon after so great guilt, so long continued in impenitently, and perservered unto the very last.  
83. Who can imagine that they repent any thing but the putting a period thus to their Usurpation and Tyranny? who had heard Hasterigge threatening to fight all over again; protesting he had rather been buried in his grave, than seen the secluded Members restored, that had observed the Rumpers abjuring his Sacred Majesty, and whole Royal stock, with all Kingly power, sending the General into the City, to pluck up their Posts, take away their Chains, Demolish their Gates, imprison their Members, with a further charge (as is reported) to break down their Wall; Hang up their Aldermen, etc. That had seen Hewson a little before, marching into the City, and with armed men, killing poor unarmed Apprentices, barely for assaying to deliver a Petition to their Lord Mayor and Court of Aldermen, to consider their distresses, and endeavour a remedy: That had observed the stickling Rulers of the Roast, upon the last sitting of the Mock junto, to frame a Petition, and labour others colourably to deliver it to their pious consideration, to have the Oath of Abjuration imposed upon all Ministers, Schoolmasters, and those in places of trust, upon penalty of being ejected, in case of refusal: That had observed John Lenthal busy in London, to dissuade from the thoughts of receiving his Sacred Majesty; reviling him, calling him Bastard, Sonn of a Tyrant, Jesuited Papist; with other horrble amazing reproaches. If these be the signs of penitent traitors, & murderers, in God's name let them be pardoned; & at once let all villains past and to come, be with one Act of Grace forgiven in England for ever.  
84. What hopes of their amendment, who have outvyedGunpowder-Traitors; and Jesuits most dangerous tenants, they have out-acted and defended? who can expect any good nature yet to lodge in those breasts, who have proved themselves Monsters in Nature? desperately seared Consciences, to whom Rebellion and treason is become habitual; Hypocrites in grain, who crave a Blessing, commonly before their murders; Fast and pray, to seek God's assistance on them, and give solemn thanks after them. No expectation of good from such who have turned the most abominable impieties into a set Form of Religion; and have used of late years, no other service of God than this.  
85. It's some good sign when men are ashamed of a bad action, study to conceal it, and excuse it, but to declare wickedness openly, argues one past all grace, A whore that owns herself one, and is proud to be accounted so, giveth small hopes of amendment; but she who pleads for it as a lawful trade, may be given over as desperate.  
86. Besides the guilt of not only blood, but frequent, horrible, amazing Murderers, completed with King-killing and perjury, hath an  power of hardening their hearts, who are guilty; and if these be spared, God may in Judgement suffer their principles to be penally ensnaring; it is a fatal courtesy, which brings a certain curse on a man's self, and intailes it to his posterity.  
87. Consider Gentlemen, how they dealt with others, as Soldiers, with all the Irish in our English Wars, who were constantly excluded the benefit of eitster quarter, or Articles of surrender, in detestation of the bloody tradegy acted by them on the Protestants, in Tredigh, Wexford and other places in Ireland, Kallendar-House in Scotland, etc. can witness for them, that having to do with Christians, they made no scruple of putting thousands to the Sword, who would not surrender up Caftles and Garrisons to their imperious demand: And as Judges, it is well known that none of the Irish were suffered to scape with life, who could be convicted of the Murder of an English Protestant; Can any Law be more just than their own? Our King, Nobles, Knights, Gentry, Divines, and Citizens, were of no less esteem than those murdered Protestants in Ireland, the first valuable with ten thousand; Nor were the Murderers less barbarous than the Irish Rebels.  
88 But above all consider their imperious pride, peremptory saucinefs, and monstrous cruelty in the trial, sentencing and condemning the King, breaking his Seal Royal, and making another to render the murder fesible, under a colour of Mock Justice, refusing his demurs, not admitting him to speak for himself, unless he would own them a Court of Judicature, having power over him, and take a Trial from them, so to betray England liberties at once, their appointing the place at his own Gate, to go out of the Window of his former Princely pleasure, and Royal Magnificence, unto the Stage of his final bloody Tradgedy; where pulleys were prepared with Ropes, perforce to compel him to bow his Royal Head, and lay his neck on the block, had he refused to submit willingly, the ghastly Executioners with ugly Visors, representing truly what they were indeed within, who durst act such a deed; The flourishing of Weapons in triumph, upon giving that Execrable blow, cutting and wounding any whose eyes betrayed a relenting heart, at so damnable a sight, yea, decapitating his harmless Statue upon the Royal Exchange, with an (Exit Tyrannus) writ over his place of standing, in design to murder his Name and Memory as well as his Body. What stony heart can think of this and not melt: & yet shall Waller (not only one of his fatal Judges, but the detestable contriver of that place, and time of his death, which added cruelty to the height of his other Villainy) only be plundered of that part of his estate which he hath not already made away, or cannot conceal? Okey another of that cursed Committee, shall he find the like favour? I hope not.  
89. Had any pity or piety been in the breasts of any of the Junto, their disowning, protesting against, and disclaiming the horribleness of that fact, had given a present check to it, and perhaps dashed it for ever.  
90. Observe I beseech you the usual dealing of these offenders against others, yea all whom they could ensnare, either as to life or estate, or both, what art to entrap? Packing of Judges? Suborning witnesses, violence in prosecution? And like arts, to make as many, as they designed for tuine, to appear guilty, and what mercy at last, but cruel extremity? 'tis God's rule and will, that Judgement without mercy should be to him, or them, who shown no mercy.  
91. Thus my Lords and Gentlemen it is evident that neither the fact, nor the persons deserve mercy, I shall add a few considerations more to evince the inexpediency of it.  
92. By doing this you will either contradict your own vote, which concluded the fact horrible murder, or give the World to understand, that you judge them not all guilty who were actors; and then what need of pardon? Or you will let the Nation know, that for once you will change Seats with God himself, he only can pardon murder, who said to David, thou shalt not die, but hath forbidden man to do it. If you who cannot pardon the blood of a Porter, or Waterbearer; will presume to prefer Regicides, (besides other murders they are guilty of) to his Majesty for pardon; It is to be feared you will thus entail the sword upon these Kingdom's God knows how long, he that said to David, thou shalt not die, added, Howbeit the sword shall never departed from thy house, in revenge of one Vriah: But here our David himself was slain, by worse than Vriah, and besides him several scores of other persons of worth, Gallant Commanders, Godly Preachers, eminent Gentlemen, and industrious Citizens, all honest, faithful subjects cut off by Rebels, and prodigious Traitors.  
93. What will posterity judge when they read the history of these times (which he that will be a faithful historian must pen candidly,) when he shall find such a vast catalogue of stupendious crimes punished (in comparison) only with a flap of the Fox tail, they must needs either distrust the credit of the story, or censure the innocency of the Judges; It is an old saying, When thiefs sit in judgement one upon another, the trial may be serious, but the execution will be but in jest. Facinus quos inquinat, aequat. Should I read such a story past; I should myself have such thoughts; though I have other confidence of your Honours, and that the weekly Pamphlets, give not your cordially true sense and intentions.  
94. Where pardon is so large, it is esteemed an Act not of mercy, so much as of politic justice, and had the murders been spared on the offender's part, the indemnity could not be too comprehensive, though if it be so large notwithstanding, the same Justice will be apprehended therein of which apprehensions, such like will be the constructions.  
1. That these few who are made exemplary, suffer on the score of some private grudge and barely in state policy.  
2. That what was done by them was honest enough, if it could have been as confidently maintained, and defended, as valiantly achieved.  
3. That you are convinced of the rationality of antimonarchical principles, and that if a King upon any score head a party in a Civil war, and be vanquished he is at the victor's dispose, that then oaths cease, when he is unable to protect them, and out of capacity of redeeming himself from them, that the fountain of power is in the people, with which they betrust their Kings, and may recall it upon his misgovernment, reassume it into their own hands, and try, convict, and punish him, even capitally, if they in conscience judge him guilty, and they will use this lenity of yours in pardoning almost all who did so, as an unanswerable argument, of these forementioned apprehensions.  
4. That if ever they can get the like opportunity, they may do the same again and hold out finally, if they can; however, if they fail, this will be a precedent, what issue they are to expect. My Lords and Gentlemen, it will be the most lethal lesson, that can be taught Subjects, to let them know, that King-kiling is pardonable (as to life) to twenty for one, if they can have but wit to secure their estate, or the most considerable part thereof. This bout will only teach them the present failing, and how to avoid it next. Now how soon they may get opportunity, God knows, especially when you provoke him, to suffer it, both again and speedily, Benhadad lived to repay Ahab, for letting him go, by a death's wound at Ramoth Gilead. When God thunders in his word again, and again, be sure a storm is not very fat off. Howbeit blessed be God his Majesty is innocent of this neglect (should any be committed) having wholly left the matter to your pious discretion, and resolutions.  
95. By this means we shall have a young nursery of Traitors enabled to give their native Country a blow (perhaps) when it is little ware of them, Children usualy excusing their fathers, unless their crimes be so laid open, and made notorious by punishment, as may make them hang their Crests: Then they sneak away, are ashamed both of their name, and relation, endeavouring if possible, to obliterate out of memory, that they are descended from such, and it will prove most true, and be constantly found by experience, that he who all his life studies to defend such villainies, will at length look upon them with liking, under the notion of heroic actions.  
96. He who spares a malefactor (by the law of God and man unpardonable) had need of more than ordinary security, for his future good beheavour: it was the expression, of a wise King who had pardoned a man (through great intercession for him) convicted of murder, and soon after was found guilty of anothe the like fact, which being told him he replied, It is I have slain this last man, for had justice been done on the murderer at first, as God required according to the sentence paft against him by the law, this last in probability had been alive. Murder Gentlemen, is prodigiously fertile, none guilty thereof; fail ordinarily of becoming apt and ready Scholars in Satan's bloody politics, You know not what a musterroll of Crimson sins you invite Divine justice to place to your account for future, which will undoubtedly prove a treasuring wrath against the day of wrath, and who knows the time and terror of this vengeance.  
97. Their acquitting from so black crimes, and bloody guilt may perhaps moralise the fable of that farmer, who put a snake almost dead with cold, into his bosom to revive it, and was rewarded with a mortal bite, so soon as the warmth had recovered it, it is is a proverb not to be neglected, Save a thief from the gallows and thyself shall not escape that destiny, if he can bring thee to it: The proverb is so true of none as of such murderers as these, who destroy not their natural fathers, but the father of their Country, subvert its laws, and make the land groan with illegal oppressures, proscricptions, and bloodshed. Should God in judgement suffer them to have such another day (as they would certainly hug, and improve the opportunity, so) you and your posterity should first feel their requital of this favour in procuring their pardon: they of all others would not suffer any to live, at least to inhabit among them, who could say, I, or my father, saved them, or their fathers from deserved executions, for the like crimes before, and this now is the recompense.  
98. And perhaps, although their children borne, long since, and men grown, before they became involved in such guilt, may prove better than their fathers, yet from such as hereafter may become fertile among them, what a pestilent brood may come into the World, who by God's law stand accursed, and lie irremissibly under the bands of death, If a bird constantly lay such an Egg as will produce a young one like herself, we cannot in reason expect children to proceed from them, better than the fathers. The Jews have a witty observation, nor perhaps untrue. That Agag King of Amal●k, during those two years which he abode with Saul, and verily thought the bitterness of death had been past, begat a Son from whom lineally came that Haman the Agagite, who in Mordecai's time, had like to swallow up the whole Jewish Nation, in his unsatiable thirst of revenge, because one who sat in the King's gate, would not bow to him. The moral is very seasonable, and sadly to be thought upon, these bloud-guilty Traitors, who in justice are sons of Death, whom God would have cut off in the midst of their days, who are beyond all but foolish pity (which as the proverb truly hath it, ruins oftimes a City) may become the future fathers of such a pisti lent brood, as may revenge God's quarrel in the neglect of justice upon them, to the very fourth generation, of such who are chief concerned in it: Nor is it unlikely, but our present Lambert, may be a branch of that bloody Archrraytor, of his name, who long ago did such mischief in England.  
99 Though their lives be spared, yet future credit and repute, its unlike they or their children ever will get in these Kingdoms, till the memory of them be buried in forgetfulness, So that whether they have Estates left, or no, their bare lives will serve to produce much and great mischief; They have long been accustomed to villainies of a prodigious bigness; And scorn now to serve the Devil in sneaking employments. Great Rogues, too lazy to dig; nor will beg, so long as England hath enemies. They are acquainted with all the petty instruments of villainy three in Kingdoms, and if they cannot set them on work themselves, can and will recommend their abilities to foreign Princes, that bear England little good will, what happiness can we expect, but these will obstruct, prove Remoras to, and retard? What mischief hatched, but they will promote, and cherish, no trusting their good nature, who have discovered themselves prodigies therein, no hoping for their repentance, who have been seared in their consciences, with twelve years' practice of the most heart-hardning villainies.  
100 If any hopes should appear in them of repentance, 'tis pity but it should be promoted with execution of that deserved doom, which God requires to be brought upon them, which to differ, especially to acquit them from, is in effect to cause those, who chief procure this indemnity for them, to enjoy, neither life, or happiness, longer than they can hinder it. They have been long acquainted with such butcheries, and imperious usurpation, so as to be courted, on that score, by Kings, dreaded at home, seared abroad, and admired by nations far distant; this hath scrowed up their minds to that Generous pitch of impiety, that rather than live neglectedly, or in contempt, they will spare two pence at any time, although but masters of a groat in all, to by a faggot, which may fire their native Country, than they will warm their hands and rejoice at the flame.  
101. Their long experience, although in an usurped way, hath rendered them dangerous persons to be interested against their native country, & the hopelesness of their pardon, upon any future score of rebellion, or Treason, would encourage any Prince to trust them very far, who shall be engaged against England. These are great incarnate devils, every one of them is collective, a name of number, and there are in these Kingdoms a multitude of close villians, of their own complexion, who are of inferior ranks and orders, yet mischievous enough in their kind, whom these formerly State-Angles, shining in usurped Glory, falling now to be State-Devills, will draw along with them, as Lucifer did his train after him, or as the Dragor in the Apocalypse, drew the stars with his tail, these will still, by reason of their close agents, who will ingratiate themselves as nigh the very Court, and grand Counsels of the Nation, as possible, learn, and betray your most choice and secret counsels, and resolves to those, where it will be little for the Nations advantage to have them known.  
102. Believe it confidently, my Lords and Gentlemen, it will be thus, besides the probability of the thing, you have his Warrant and threatening to assure you of it, whom you shall never tax with breach of his word. No sooner shall these be acquitted, but of your own number, one shall be Lenthall, another Haslerigge, another Vane, a fourth Mildmay, a fift Whitlock, a sixth Mounson, a seventh Saint-Johns, and so on, in God's esteem and account, and who then so fit to execute his vengeance against you, but these very persons, because you neglected to do it upon them when God required. And every man of you representing a County, City, or Borough, what may be the lot of England, I tremble to think.  
103. Thus my Lords and Gentlemen, I have given you some brief, but serious considerations, not but that I think your wisdoms much more able to ventilate, and apprehend them, than I to suggest, but knowing your many employments will hardly, if at all, admit most of you, to think on these things, out of the walls of your joint deliberation, besides, that so many intercessors and friends are daily made to you in their behalf, as gives you little leisure so profoundly to examine things, as one of far inferior parts to the least of you, may do, being without interruption. I shall in brief touch some things which may be objected in their behalf.  
104. Those who plead for them do it under the notion of moderation, and for the most part use such arguments as these, first God's manner of bringing this about, without stroke, or blood, and therefore conclude this providence speaks, that if any, yet as little blood ought to be shed, as possibly may. Secondly his sacred Majesty of royal memory charging his son not to revenge his blood. Thirdly the penitence of some, and expression of contrary affections since, by signal duty. Fourthly, the pity they conceive so much blood should be shed in a time of General rejoicing. And Fiftly the safety of the Nation, which they imagine best secured by this mercy, and would be hazarded by the contrary severity. These are the frequent objections I meet withal, except some, which are brought in the behalf of particular individual persons, which I shall not here take notice of.  
105. The first argument is well brought, but misapplied, it rather argues God's intent to have them made examples, who therefore preserved them, that they should not fall otherways, which had things come to blows, might have proved likely enough; Achan who troubled the Camp, himself escaped, being reserved by God to public Justice, where God had declared a Nation devoted, and accursed; Joshuah used no less severity, though the victory happened without blood, than where men fell in battle; Jericho with all its Inhabitants, Cattle, plunder and Houses was utterly destroyed; although it fell at the sound of Ramms Horns, and the shout of the Army, as well as Ai, where Joshuah found a repulse, God's command is to be attended, concerning notorious Malefactors, as well though they be taken by unexpected surprisal, as if they had been subdued fight: Yea, rather had they been in the field, and defended by a strong Army, yet in fear of a greater force, they might have made terms for themselves, which better than hazard both men's lives, and the cause itself, might have been granted: but as God disposed affairs, as they deserve no pardon, so they can plead no Articles; They resisted to the last, nor yielded till they were of all hands relinquished and deserted; yet even then, where force would do no good, they attempted Treachery; and wanted little of dashing all our hopes, by sowing divisions in the Army.  
106. The second argument is a clear proof of that blessed King's Piety, who with Steven could from his heart forgive his murderers, but is no rule for his successor, and Parliament to take him at his word: Though it be in villain's power to murder their King, it is out of his power to pardon them, and though it argue his true Christian piety, to beg their forgiuness hearty from God, and to express the same at the hour of death; yet there is a Law of God and man to be satisfied, for the fact, and it would be a cruel kindness in the successor, to muzzle the mouth of the Law, to indemnify such villains, whose crime, although God pardon and remit, as to future judgement, upon signal and true Repentance, yet if man upon any such consideration, acquit the temporal guilt, God will revenge it to purpose.  
107. To this may be added, that these wretches far exceeded what his Sacred Majesty thought or could expect. He (pious King) hoped that those, who were so desperately cruel to him, would in compunction of heart, relent toward his Son, and feel such a sting in their conscience, as might engage them with so much greater zeal to study his Sons good, and observe his just commands, by how much they were more cruelly barbarous to him: But alas! it proved, otherwise, the Murderers of the Father, rejected the Son, and continued his implacable enemies, with such obstinate impenitency, that nothing but a Divine miraculous course of proceeding did restore to us our Royal exile.  
108. As to the third argument, I grant, that years of indiscretion, a weak Judgement, importunacy of friends concerned, Sophisticate arguments, especially the Divine Oracles, pretending the thing to be of God; The Prophets prophesying this to be the way & time of confounding the man of sin, whose supporter they interpreted regal power to be false witnesses affirming that his Majesty had committed unappareled tyrannies, & Solicitors thereupon, praying sentence against him: But above all, Lawyers affirming such proceed to be just and regular, and the power commissionating them legal; together with their giving peremptory authority to try the King: Divines also (who pretended themselves Casuists) resolving oaths no longer to bind, vows to be upon such junctures enervated, when the King was Captivated, maintaining the power to be from, and in the people originally, with such like Aphorisms, broached, and confidently defended by State and Pulpit- Boutefeus': I wonder not if many were engaged in his Sacred Majesty's Tragedy where treason is only (indeed) their fault, and is by man pardonable, but the sin; of murder and perjury they before God stand acquitted off, being seduced by Divines and Lawyers, whose reverence, gravity, and reputed skill, learning and piety, was their share, for whom what tongue can plead?  
109. Where in conscience the Honourable Lords or worthy Commons can excuse the party concerned, to be thus deluded, God forbidden but pardon may (as a true act of Grace) be granted, severity involving them also: But upon this pretence to pardon Lawyers, as Lenthal, St. john's, Cook, etc. or men known of acute wits, as Haslerigge, Vane, Martin, etc. or those who were his Majesty's servants, as Mildmay, Holland, Danvers, etc. or indeed any, either Voters of the High Court of 〈◊〉, or Judges therein, who cannot make appear they were deluded, (〈…〉 no way be discovered, but either by their voluntary 〈…〉 Act afterward, or espousing the contrary interest) and manging it with fidelity and vigorous prosecution, is to justify the villainy, and to draw the guilt upon the Nation inevitably.  
110. The fourth argument is unsound and rotten, Our deliverance, if it make us forget our misery and duty, God will remind us of both with a vengeance. But further, if the number punished be not greater than appears, most desperate Malefactors, they are not too many to be exempted, as may appear from these instances.  
1. Rebellion is as the sin of Witchcraft, how much more when aggravated with blood, yea, desperate blood-guiltiness? Forty Witches at a time were counted no pity to suffer, where perhaps all of them were not convicted of ten men's death, & that only conjecturally; These are guilty of more than forty innocent men's lives, besides Royal blood valuable at ten thousand, and those slain in battle (to bring these murders about) a number not to be reckoned, 'tis to be lamented, the Land affords so many villains, but no pity to part with them,  
2. Corah and his Complices were many more, who only emulared, slighted and contemned Authority, yet they, their Wives, Children, Servants, Tents, and all they had, went at once to perdition, by the immediate hand of God himself, From whom separation was made by Divine command, upon penalty of partaking in their punishment. Certainly then, if these who destroyed and trampled down all Authority that was Lawful, and set up arbitrary tyranny instead thereof, die an ordinary death, or in peace, those who let them go, may fear lest themselves be cut off in the midst of their days: to save these is a cruel friendship, and may prove worse than an hereditary plague to their families, who are concerned in their impunity.  
3, Those who underwant punishment for Aaron's Calf, were three thousand, Ahabs Family, J●zabels Prophets, and Balaams Priests many more, than our offenders. In a word, those who pay for their obstinacy in too long holding out a garrison, Castle or with their lives, are of thirty times their number: The multitude of our slain in these Wars, which this prevarication of theirs hath rendered them guilty of, hath been a thousand for one of them, No pity is to be had of the number where a man cannot be excused with safety to the Nation. Prudent Generals make no scruple to execute forty, for the safety of ten thousand: as is apparent in mutinies, where oft the tenth man dies merciless, for terror to the rest, yet for these much may be pleaded, in defence, or at least excuse, for our murderers nothing,  
111. The last argument is also grounded upon a clear mistake, the safety of this Nation is no more concerned in their pardon, than in suffering unquenched fire in the roof, or Timberworke of an house; as may appear.  
1. First, if they could have checked our hopes, ●●other'd these happy proceed, or diverted counsels, we had never seen this happy day, nor do we enjoy it now with their good will; their power is at present, blessed be God, less, though their malice, (as to the generality) full as much, no fear of them now, if we be careful, who could not hinder this our approaching prosperity then.  
2, But Secondly, they are not out of hope still, may they but scape with life, they yet have tricks to try, nor count the game quite lost, while a gap is still open for fraud; If at last they can thrive by a cheat, they value not their present loss at downright play. For this end they will disoblige, (if possible) the old cavalty, instigate new favourites to disgusting carriages, in a word, there shall be no settlement, if they can disquiet the State.  
3. But lastly to echo again what I oft said before, I beseech you take heed, lest this Carnal device, to settle the Nation, provoke God's Judgement to send such a spirit of unsettledness in these Kingdoms, (and that through their means) as may cause once more a sword to be drawn in England, not to be sheathed in many ages.  
112. Thus my, Lords and Gentlemen, I have freely expressed my mind unto you, wherein if passion in the least hath biased me, I am much mistaken; that I have plainly declared my conscience, I crave humbly your pardon, not intending the edge or point of any thing, by me written should so much as threaten you, for I hope from your Honour's better things, and therefore whatever is expressed here, presupposeth that from your Honours, which I believe not, and my prayer is that God who is the wonderful Counsellor, may direct and advise you, what may be for his Glory, his sacred Majesty's Honour; Your peace, and comfort, and the whole Kingdom's welfare, and happiness, So prays.  
My Lords and Gentlemen, Your Honours most observant, though unworthy Orator. GEORGE STARKEY. St. Thomas Apostles June. 18. 1660.  
FINIS.