PLAIN TRUTH Without FEAR or FLATTERY: Or a true DISCOVERY OF The unlawfulness of the Presbyterian government, it being inconsistent with Monarchy, and the People's Liberties; and contrary both to the Protestation and Covenant. The end of establishing the Militia of London in such hands as it is now put into by the new Ordinance. The betraying Votes, and destructive practices, of a traitorous Party in the House of Commons, concerning certain Pettions for Liberty and Justice. ALSO A Vindication of his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX concerning certain scurrilous words uttered by some of the said Faction. WITH The means and ways that must be used to obtain relief against the said tyrannous Usurpers; and for reducing the Parliament to its due Rights, Power and Privileges, in the preservation of the Kingdom's Laws and Liberties Written by AMON WILBEE  Isaiah 3 12, 13, 14. 
Children are extortioners of my People, and women have rule over them: O my People; they that lead thee, cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.  
The Lord shall enter into judgement with the Ancients of his People, and the Princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the Vinyard, the spoil of the poor is in your houses.  
What have ye to do that ye beat my People to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor saith the Lord, even the Lord of Hosts?  
Woe be to the wicked, it shall be evil with him, for the reward of his hands shall be given him.  
Printed and published for the information, advice, and benefit, of the poor oppressed, betrayed, and almost destroyed Commons of England. 1647.   

PLAIN TRUTH Without Fear, or Flattery.  
IN the 28. Psalms, Verse 6. the Spirit of God speaking there of Judges and Rulers, saith they are Gods, and all of them children of the most high; but he telleth them they shall die like men, and fall as one of the Princes. We unhappy men of England have at this time a generation of ambitious imperious men, some of both Houses of Parliament, whose names ye may elsewhere find; who by their power and subtle practices, do frame and assume to themselves a supreme power over us, and would feign be taken for Gods, and sons of the most high by us; yet they neither rule us like Gods, nor demean themselves amongst us as children of the most high: but rule us like Tyrants (a degenerate kind which God never made nor owned) and demean themselves more like children of disobedience (serving their own base lusts and pleasures) than children of the most high: for were they such, they would seek the will of their Father in heaven, and good of his People. But the Spirit saith they shall die like men; the which it may be doubted these men believe not; but rather with the athiestical Epicure think they shall die like Beasts, and that the soul, aswell as the body returns to the (primam materiam,) and so, if they can but escape the stroke of justice here, they dream not of hearing of their wicked deeds hereafter: and therefore they have resolved (it appears) for the accomplishment of their own unrighteous ends, (after the manner of all athiestical Statesmen, who cast the fear of God, and consideration of death and judgement behind them) to assay all ways and means of wickedness, as to vow and not pay, to promise and not perform, swear and forswear, covenant and break, to feign, flatter, and play the hypocrite, (I had almost said the devil) to betray, destroy, rob, spoil, oppress, and violate all law and rule of government, infringe all rights, and liberties, imprison, persecute, deceive their trust, requite evil for good, and do all manner of mischief and injustice, even whatsoever Satan, and their wicked hearts shall prompt them unto; insomuch that whatsoever they say or make show of, their evil do declare that they believe not an immortality and judgement: they profess themselves Christians, but if ye observe and consider their actions, you must say (and if you were a stranger you would swore) they were heathens; yea they do worse then heathens; for did ever heathens take the name of their insensible Gods of wood and stone, so frequently and solemnly into their mouths, by way of oath and covenant, as these men have done, and had it so little in reverence, and so little respect to what they have sworn; as these men have had the name of the great and terrible God of heaven, and of their oaths made unto him? read all Stories, and search all Centuries of Ages, and if there be any such example of perjury, and swearing falsely by their God, equivalent to the example of these men, of this generation, I will freely offer myself for a sacrifice, to expiare my offence against their holiness: and yet they are ready with Agurs Harlot Pro. 30. 20. to wipe their mouths, and say we have done no wickedness. But that the truth may be made apparent, and expatiated, let us hear their promises, vows and speeches, and compare their deeds and practices.  
First they do in the Protestation, promise, vow, and protest, in the presence of Almighty God (whom sure they think is like the God of Baal's Priests, that could neither hear nor see) to maintain and defend with their lives, powers, and estates, the true reformed Protestant Religion, expressed in the doctrine of the Church of England, against all Popery, and Popish innovations within this Realm, contrary to the same doctrine, etc.  
Yet they are now setting up, and have set up so fare as in them lieth, a Religion never before heard of within this Realm, and quite contrary to the professed doctrine of the Church of England, it being wholly opposite unto Christ, and a mere Popish innovation, brought out of Scotland, and violently imposed upon us: And thus it comes to pass, by the confederacy of a haughty traitorous Party in the Houses of Parliament, of which are the Earls of Manchester and Stamford, Sir Philip Stapleton, M. Hollis, and others, with the proud covetous Priests, for the advancement of their design of usurpation and lordliness both over his Majesty and us, vow and protest in like manner, to maintain and defend the King's royal person, honour and estate, and the lawful rights and liberties of the Subject, and every one that should make the said Protestation, in pursuance of the same; and that they will not for hope, fear, or other respect, relinquish this promise, vow, and protestation. And do they not accordingly maintain and defend the King's royal person, honour, and estate? His person with a company of Commissioners of their own stamp and temper, and with a guard of able Horsemen and Soldiers, (debauched Graves his Regiment) as if they were afraid to intrust any of the honest Commanders about him) as if he were rather a Prince of Thiefs, than a Prince of three Kingdoms, or of a free People? and his honour and estate they defend with all the power and might they can; taking the Supreme power upon themselves to grant Pardons, sell the Lands purchased with the lives and money of the People, without the People's consent; make Judges, create Lord Keepers or Chancellors, (and yet the King in presence, for they cannot now pretend a necessity by his absence) and making use of his name to violate all Law; oppress the People; and to commit all injustice: in a word, to destroy our liberties, and to execute their own Arbitrary wills. They speak of having the King's power with them virtually; but we can neither see nor find any of its proper virtue either among them, or from them; for his Majesty's Regal power is just and merciful, regulated by Law, preservative and corrective; and not unjust, cruel, irregular, and illegal, defacing and destructive; as the effects have been of the power which the Parliament hath exercised. And concerning the King's estate and revenues; no question but it is accumulated, and that they have it in bank, for they have been very parsimonious Stewards; they can hardly spare either the master money for his necessities, or his Servants any for wages: He, like a Ward, or Pupil, is at their set allowance, and content with the pittance his late Tutors and Guardians will allow him; I doubt not but it will prove that some of them have made better allowance to themselves both our of his estate, and the Republics also.  
Second, how by reason of the predominancy and power of this tyrannous Party in both Houses, whose malignant pernicious influence hath been, and still is diffusive throughout all the Parliaments actions; all those which have taken this Vow and Protestation, are and have been defended in pursuance of the same, it is sufficiently manifest: For who but they that endeavour to maintain the true reformed Protestant Religion, according to the doctrine professed in the Church of England, in the power and purity of it, are hated, illegally prosecuted, and persecuted, vilifyed, and reviled, and he is most favoured, and soon preferred, that can show himself most virulent, and violent against them? And if you do but sken, or look (like a Hare) on the one side, at the King's Crown and dignity; you presently incur through the powerful Votes of this Party, the Parliaments high dislike and displeasure, and it is a sufficient badge, that you are an enemy, (because you are so to Traitors to the State; witness the high dislike of the Armies wise, and just demand, of his Majesty's royal assent to an Act of indemnity: and truly if they take a bare Parliament Ordinance without the Royal assent, I will not give them one farthing for their security; and it will be found that their Judges, Chancellors, Excise men, and Sequestrators, are in the same case as the Soldiers: And to endeavour or petition for liberty, according to the Protestation, is as much as to beg a Prison, to sue for justice, is to be accounted seditious; in a word, to be sincere and honest, is to be adjudged worthy of no trust, employment, or preferment.  
But to make the truth, and the wicked practices and purposes of this destroying Party in both Houses, yet more plain and open; these cunning contrivers, of our intended Vassalage and thraldom, frame a combination and confederacy by covenant with the Scots, and by power and subtlety surprise and ensnare therein the whole Parliament and Kingdom: (the which I pray read, and observe;) In their feigned profession of sorrow they acknowledge, that their not prising the Gospel, nor labouring to receive Christ into their hearts, (and they say truly) hath been the cause of all other fames amongst us: And therefore with their hands lifted up to the most high God, they do solemnly swore sincerely to endeavour a reformation of Religion in the three Kingdoms, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, according to the word of God, and the example of the best reformed Churches: now what means this juggle, and to the example of the best reformed churches? above they swear to endeavour a reformation, and what sincerity is here, to make men's impure inventions, equivalent to the infallible rule of God's word? to make (dogma presbyteri) the opinion of the Priest, adaquate to the unalterable last Will and Testament of Jesus Christ? only here by this Foist, these deceitful Spirits endeavour to bring in something of their own, that with their claw-back Priests, they may seem to have something to do with Christ in his Church government, and to sit cheek by jowl with him in his throne: and thus they do still  the inestimable benefit of the Gospel, and oppose it in the power and purity of it; even as their Fathers did, so do they, harden their hearts against the Lord. If the word of God be a sufficient rule to reform and govern the Church by; what need then of any other pattern or platform? The best reformed Churches which are this day in Europe need reformation, yea the pure Church of Scotland, notwithstanding all their pretences.  
For if you observe our brothers various double deal, turn and wind, selfseeking, and advantage-making in every business they transact, or negotiate with us, fare unbeseeming men pretending so great conscientiousnes in all things, and so highly professing the power of Religion, in pureness of life and conversation. At first they were against the King; then while he was with them, they speak and write highly for him, and now they have made the most they can of him, they are again become adversaries to him; one while they press one part of their deceitful Covenant; as at first 
The Scors have made more of the King, than Judas did of the King of heaven.  they did that part, for bringing evil instruments unto condign punishment, whilst that Delinquents troubled them: Afterwards, when by craft they had gotten the King among them, hoping thereby to have had him established their Presbyterian Church-government within this Kingdom, they were very zealous for that part of the Covenant which concerns the preservation and defence of his Majesty's person and authority. Now both the former are forgotten, and they are at this instant extreme urgent, and importune for that part of the Covenant which concerns the reformation of Religion in the three Kingdoms, in doctrine, worship, discipline and government, according to the word of God, and the example of the best reformed Churches: by which words, (the example of, etc.) they would have it granted that their Kirke of Scotland is the best reformed in all the world, and therefore we are bound by this clause of the Covenant (they conceive) to reform by their pattern, and to make their government our example; as if they, (blind Beetles) had attained the very Summum gradum of the government of the Church of Christ comprehended in the Gospel: thus using the Covenant as a Waterman doth his Sail, to turn every way, and hereby they justify the Scripture which saith, a double minded man is unstable in all his ways, Jam. 1. 8. but not one word do they speak for justice, or liberty of the Subject, though they see all oppression and violence rage and reign amongst us, this part of the Covenant they lifted up their hands as high to God, and swore as solemnly to perform, as any other, but because they have no use for it, they regard it not: the truth is, they profess they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and to every good work reprobate.  
But to speak more particularly of our own Presbyterian Reformers, the Scotists of our Kingdom, M. Hollis, Stapleton, and the rest of the zealous hypocrites, (with their Antichristian Priests) Covenanters, they swore you see my Friends to endeavour a reformation in Religion according to the word of God; and the Parliament as seeming to adhere only to this sure and alone necessary and sufficient rule for reformation, and not to take the bare opinions of men for granted truths, without justification from the word of God: to which end they long since propounded queries concerning the said government, for the Assembly to prove by the word of God, for the justification of it: the which queries I have here inserted, for every man's better information, and consideration, to wit:  
First, whether the Parochial, and congregational Elderships, appointed by Ordinance of Parliament, are jure divino, by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ?  
Secondly, Whether all the members of the said Eldership, are members thereof, or which of them are, jure divino, and by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ?  
Thirdly, Whether the supreme Assemblies, or Elderships, viz. the Classical, Provincicall and Nationall, whether all, or any of them, or which of them, are jure divino, and by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ?  
Fourthly, Whether appeals from congregational Elderships, to the Classical provincial, and Nationall Assemblies, or to any of them, are jure divino, and by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ?  
Fifthly, Whether Ecumenical Assemblies, are jure divino, and whether there be appeals, from any of the former Assemblies to the said Ecumenical Assemblies, jure divino, by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ?  
Sixtly, whether by the word of God, the power of judging and declaring what are notorious and scandalous offences, and of conventing before them, trial, and actual suspending from the Sacrament such offenders accordingly, either in the congregational Eldership, or presbytery, or in any other Eldership, or presbytery Presented to the Houses, as the advice of the Assembly, and whether such powers are in them only, or any of them, and in which of them jure divino, and by the will and appointment of Jesus Christ?  
Seventhly, Whether there be any cettaine and particular rules expressed in the word of God, to direct the said Elderships or Presbyteries, or any of them in the exercise and execution of the powers aforesaid, and which are those rules?  
Eightly, is there any thing contained in the word of God, that the Supreme Magistracy in a Christian State may not judge and determine what are the aforesaid notorious and scandalous offences, and the manner of suspension from the same, and in what particulars concerning the premises, are the said Supreme Magistracy in the word of God excluded?  
In answer of which particulars, the House of Commons desired of the Assembly of divines (falsely so called) their proofs from Scripture, and to set down the several texts of Scripture in the express words of the same. And it was also ordered that every particular Minister of the said Assembly, that was, or should be Present at the debate of any of these questions, should upon every resolution that was to be presented to the House concerning the same, subscribe his respective name, either with the affirmative or negative, as he should give his vote; and that they which should descent from the major part, should set down their positive opinions, with the express texts of Scriptures upon which their opinions were grounded.  
Here you see an excellent way for the proof of this Scotish creature prescribed, and a great deal of seeming care in the Parliament to set up a Religion according to the word of God, and not according to the Church of Scotland: and yet though these several queries or questions were by the fallacious Assembly never answered unto this day, nor are they able to answer them satisfactorily, for they can neither immediate, or mediate; directly, or by consequence, prove by the word of God, and Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, their so much pressed Presbiterian government to be jure divine, by divine Law or right, as they most presumtuously and andatiously have alleged: yet nevertheless, although these queries were never resolved, nor the Parliament ever satisfied by sufficient proof out of the word of God, of the lawfulness of this government, whether it be the government of Jesus Christ or not; hath this evil party (whereof Mr. Hollis a man ever factious) is reputed chief) by their heady presumptuous courses, to raise to themselves a faction from London and the Scots, for their own security, and to drive on their own premeditated design of dominion and sovereignty, prevailed to have it established by Ordinance, enjoining it in all places, and upon all persons, with as much rigour and severity as ever the Bishops did their conformity, all which (ye see) is directly against their Covenant, and no other than plain perjury: but unless they can establish this Scotish Presbiterian government, they can never absolutely establish tyranny, for the expedients of this Presbiterian government conduce directly unto tyranny, even to abolish all rules of Law and civil liberty, it is an antipathy to Monarchy, and the legal power of civil Magistracy, and brings under a yoke (where it is predominant) both King and People (as shall God willing be demonstrated fully in due time) and by this means these asspirers hope through the help of the Priests to order King Charles, (as the Presbiterians in Scotland did King James) whom they did restrain, affront, disobey, and raise tumults against) if he prove refractory to any of their arbitrary Counsels; and to suppress and curb us the free Commoners, that we shall not be able either to help him, or remedy ourselves.  
Yet questionless, if ye ask any of these our master Reformers, if when they made and took the Covenant, they did not intent to make God's word their direct rule of Reformation? They will answer, yes: otherwise they must confess themselves most hateful hypocrites; denying the truth and sufficiency of the holy Scriptures; men that intent no Religion; but a treasonable design against King and People under that notion; and I wish it do not prove so in the end by some men. If they did intent (as they will not deny) to make God's word their Rule, to Reform by: why do they make the Church of Scotland, the rule of their Reformation, and cast the word of God behind them? Why do they enforce upon us the reformation (or rather deformation) of another Kingdom, no ways justified or approved by the holy Scriptures, and not endeavour (as they have sworn) sincerely, to seek out what the good will of the Lord is, concerning his Church, and worship, what order and rule he hath prescribed and left us by his own Son in the Gospel? Doth not God the Father say This is my beloved Son hear 
* not the Scots, nor the Priests.  him: Mark 9 7. And is it not written, And Moses truly said unto the Fathers, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, like unto me, him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you; 
* mark & tremble all ye Priests & Presbyterians,  and it shall come to pass, that every soul which shall not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed from among the people Acts 3. 22, 23. And doubtless, Christ who was a Son, was not less faithful in God's house then Moses, who was a servant. And again Ye have a sure word (saith the Apostle) unto which ye do well to take heed: 2 Pet. 1. 19 Yet do these presumptuous men despise this command of God, and neglect this sure word; harken to their own corrupt humours, take heed to their own ambitious covetous desires, and so proceed in despite of God and his Christ, to erect a government after their own inventions: But they will tell you that the Assembly have searched the Scriptures, and had respect to the word, in framing this government: I believe they have: but as the Devil did, to make use of them for his own ends, against Christ; for they did not search to find what government it was the Gospel did hold out and warrant, and propound and promote that: But they first resolve upon and propound such a government as will serve their purpose, and then they apply themselves to make it good by Scriptures, or to enforce the Scriptures for a warrant: thus have they made their form of Church-government the rule of God's word, and not God's word a rule to their form of government; having done no otherwise then many Atournies and Clerks do, who often draw Declarations and writings by another man's precedent or pattern, without examining or consulting the Law, in the case; which is just as if a Tailor should first make a Suit, and then make use of his measure. And grant that this Presbyterial government be according to the word of God, is it so (in toto?) Is it so absolute that there is no degree of Reformation above it? if so, than the Scots have exceedeed that grand planter of Churches, Saint Paul; for he told the Corinthians, That he would yet show them a more excellent way, Cor. 12. 31. And that we know but in part, and prophesy but in part, but when that which is perfect is come, that which is imperfect shall be abolished: 1 Cor. 13. 9, 10. And Saint Peter and the Prophets, spoke of a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Of such a beautiful and perfect Reformation and change, as if it was a new world. 2 Peter 3. 13. and Esay. 64. 17. I hope no proud Priest or Presbyterian, dare affirm that there is yet any such Reformation or change in Scotland; righteousness dwelleth not there I am sure: and I would it was not almost banished out of England. For as much then as there is a Reformation more true and excellent than theirs (or else theirs is none at all) why may not the Independants (so called) or some others, approach nearer to it then they? without controversy, there appears more of God, and of Christ, in the Independants order and ways, then doth in the ways of the Presbyterians: unless the Presbyterians will affirm themselves the only wise and that the Spirit of the most high God, dwells only in them: but then they must give me leave to ask them Saint Paul's question, 1 Cor. 14. 36. Came the word of God out from you? Or came it unto you only? Or did the Bishop's seal unto the Presbyterian Priests the holy Spirit, when they sealed unto them their Ordination, and so they have kept it ever since close up in a box, to be brought forth in these times? Truly (my friends) as learned Rabbis as they are, they err, not knowing the Scriptures: To the Law (therefore) and to the Testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them: Isay. 8. 20. The Devil preached truer doctrine, when he said that Jesus was the Son of God, Mat. 8. 29. then these Priests when they say that the Presbyterian government is jus divinum, the law and government of Jesus Christ; but this is as true as that the Church of Rome is a true Church, the which they do now 
* Mr. Seymour one of the Assembly affirms it in a dispute.  affirm, to prove their antichristian standing true. And now here by the way I will occasionally put a few queries.  
First, Whether in case a form of Church-government and worship, contrary to the word of God, be by force put upon us, against our consciences, by the Parliament and Presbyterian Assembly: It be not by the same reason, as lawful for us to refuse and resist it (Viet armis,) by force 
* And the rather because it is enforced by another Nation, and without the King's approbation.  as it was for the Scots in like manner, to reject and resist the form of Church-government, and worship put violently upon them against their consciences by the King and Bishops?  
Secondly, whether the Scots ought, or have any more authority or right, to prescribe or endeavour an imposition of Church-government and worship upon the People of England, than the People of England have to prescribe and endeavour the imposition of the like upon the People of Scotland?  
Thirdly, If not: Whether the Scots go not beyond their Last? Do not move out of their sphere, and intermeddle with what they ought not?  
And now seeing there is (as cannot be denied) a more high pitch of Reformation in religion and holy worship, then is yet attained, or discovered; I hope it is no offence nor transgression against the State, for any true Christian or servant of Jesus Christ to press hard after it, and not to conform himself to fixed forms, bounds and limits, thereby to confine Gods holy Spirit: Ye stiff necked and rebellious (Priests) of uncircumcised hearts and ears, ye have always resisted the Holy Ghost; as your Fathers (the Bishops) did, so do ye. Acts 7. 51. I have insisted the more upon this particular that the truth herein might be clear; be cause of the great delusion put upon the People by many of our pretending Reformers, through their grand Oaths and pretexts, of expelling all popery and popish innovations, even whatsoever should be contrary to sound doctrine (for so I understand those words in the Protestation, contrary to the same doctrine) and to reform Religion according to the word, of God, and to establish it in the power and purity of it, and yet notwithstanding apply all their interest and power to support an 
* If the standing of the Bishops were antichristian, what is theirs who stand by their ordination and power.  antichristian Ministry, and to establish Church-government, whose fruits and effects are nothing but impiety, and hypocrisy; a Religion which consists more in outward forms and Rites, after the manner of Moses, then in power and piety according to the Gospel: which conduceth (as appears) more to tyranny, than Christianity.  
And so I will pretermit their Vows and Oaths, and come to some of their speeches and say: and here I will show you another truth, by the discovery of another falsehood, and tracherous vaunting act, of the same traitorous party or faction, which serves as a pattern, representation, or Image, of the form of the yoke of bondage, which (it may be suspected) they study, and intent to put upon all the Counties and Corporations in the Kingdom, and by which, with the help of their determined new Army, of Horse (it is probable) they purpose if they can, to subjugate the whole Land, and to conform the People to their arbitrary wills, 〈◊〉 to pay, and bear, ●●e and suffer, whatsoever they shall think for to enjoin them, or exact upon them, as well in respect of things spiritual as civil. In the Parliaments Remonstrance of the 2● of November 1642. Book Decl. page 700. they tell us, That all Rights or interest of public trust, be only for the public good, and not for private advantages, (nor to the prejudice of any) 〈◊〉 particular interest, much less of the public. And in May 1642. Book Decla 172. They call God to witness, that the safety of the Kingdom, and peace of the people, is their only aim; and because the King would not believe them therein (and well had it been for us if we had never so done) not trust them wholly therewith, great grew the contestation (as ye may well remember) between the King and the Parliament, about the settling of the Militia of the Kingdom, and indeed, it was one unhappy cause of the quarrel between them. The Parilament then pretending that the King ought not to settle it without them, that it behoved them to have the nomination of such persons as were to be entrusted therewith, in whom they might confide: the Kings affirms (and they afterwards grant) that the whole power thereof was entrusted by Law in him, for the preservation and defence of the Kingdom; yet because the King would not pass the Ordinance in Febn. 1641. for the settling it in such form as they desired, though the persons they nominated were not refused; they presently protest (I wish they were as quick to do justice, as they are to take exceptions) to dispose of it without him, and accordingly resolve. (Rebus sit stantibus, ●● nolenti Regi) that is, they express, In extreme distraction, when foreign forces are probably invited and a malignant popish party offended etc. the ordering it to be in them for the (observe) preservation of the Republic, and to prevent the turning the Arms of the Kingdom upon itself, see the Parliaments answer to their own question: page hundred and fifty of the Book of Decl. But I hope the case is now altered, for although our distractions be still continued by the destructive Counsels of a pernicious factious party in both Houses (the heads of which were, and are the cause both of those distractious and these, who like katchers of Eels, love to fish in troubled waters) here is now no fear of invited foreign forces, and as for that malignant popish party then so much condemned, it is utterly subdued and suppressed; and therefore in all reason (rebus nunc sic stantibus) that is) the so much feared public adversary being long since conquered, all visible danger removed, and the King recovered out of the hands of evil Counsellors, and at present with themselves, and not legally divested of his Regal power and right of trust; in a word, all just pretext, and colour of extremity being taken away, they take too much upon them, and abuse both King and People, who in this opportunity, wherein the royal assent may be had, do dispose of the Militia without him, neither requiring his consent therein, nor admitting the people according to the Law, to the election of (a thing the King allowed them) the persons who are to be entrusted, with the dispose and command of their strength and arms, and so by consequence of their estates, liberties and lives: I am certain, in case (as God forbidden) the royal Throne should by exigent become void, the Parliament are not their own Masters, not can by the fundamental Law and constitution of this Kingdom, dispose of us the Commons of England, and our power, arms, or interest, without our consents; how much less at this instant: All the Commons of England have more just ground of jealous from them in now so doing, and of complaint and accusation against that malevolent illaffected party among them, by whose power and influence it hath been effected, considering the persons unto whom the Militia and strength of the Kingdom, is in divers places of late committed, than the Parliament ever had from and against the King, for refusing only to grant it in their way and manner: for they chose the persons, and he approved them; but the Parliament are herein both choosers and approvers (as in many things, many of them are both Judge and Witness) though we neither approve, nor 〈…〉 we, as well as the King, are in this particular debarred by them, of our rights and privilege: but this is not the greatest detriment we sustain, and are likely without prevention to suffer, and which this predominant malicious party intends, hereby: for do but cast your eye, and see and consider what persons are put out of the Militia; and what persons are continued, admitted, and entrusted, and ye will presently judge by a little what the whole means For example, first for an introduction, the pretended Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common Council, must petition in the name of the City, though the City never propounded it to them, to have the Militia settled in their own hands, (at they had formerly) and why not then to have it by their Charter, but by Ordinance for a certain time? and this by the power and prevalency of the malevolent party is forthwith obtained, because it tends to their predominant, tyrannous ends: approved Alderman Pennington, who stood in the breach when they all were afraid, whose fidelity and ability was throughly experimented, at such time when as the winds blew highest, and the storms grew strongest; a man adjudged by the City worthy to be their Parliament man, and by the Parliament worthy to be Lieutenant of the Tower of London, is now no longer worthy to be entrusted with the Militia, but turned out as a man suspected; so are the Aldermen KFoulk, Weaver and Kenrick, Col. Wilson, though a member of the House, also Col. Player, Tichburn, and others: And why? they are not absolute for the Faction; they were oposite to Bunce, and Beliamy, the Court of Aldermen and Common Council, in the prosecution of their last indirect, illegal, and factious Remonstrance and Petition; by which means they discovered themselves opponants to their Scotch design of Presbytery, and therefore they are not any longer to be confided in, or fit to have the command of any power: howsoever they had a parcel of dry thanks from the House for their former fidelity and pains: it is better I confess then a Prison (as Lilburn, Tuleday, Robinson, Nichols, and multitudes more have had) for their good service. Yet I must tell them, it is but after the old manner of the Court, who used to put a man off with an hypocritical compliment, when they had no further occasion to use him, or were desirous to be quit of him: and it is observed, that empty thanks is a sufficient reward from the House, for any honest man, though his service hath been never so good, and superlative, unless they have some other design or engagement upon him: but to Knaves and fools they have been very forward and free, (witness the 10. l. given to the two Officers that brought up Ensign Nichols; & the arrears lately ordered to be paid two great ones, for discovering two great lies: by which you may see, they can pay whom they list, and whom they list they will not:) I could instance you some examples of late, and their own nests are generally so well feathered, that many, or most of them are almost smothered, they can neither see, hear nor speak. Alas poor Commons of England, your backs in the mean time are left bare and naked! But to proceed; mark what honest men are continued, put in, and entrusted with the Militia, for the honest men that are put out and disinherited: Aldermen, Bance, adam's, Langham, (every man of knowledge can read them) Colonels, West, and Bellamy, the one an oppressive Gaoler, the other an arrogant Magpie, and Bromfield that ran away at Newberry: the Lord Major Sir John Gear, who was plundered for his 20th. and 5th. part, who maliciously circumvents men, that he may like the devil take them in a snare, and then imprisons them, contrary to law, (as he did Master Tew, and then sent his Marshal to apprehend him without a Warrant) a hopeful Magistrate, and fit to be entrusted with the public Sword, for the execution of the Laws, and defence of the Subjects just Rights and Libertyes: and that Sir John Woolaston, who by the Law is more worthy to be arraigned before a Bench of Assize for buying stolen 
* It is truth and when time serves will be proved.  Plate of the Kings, then to sit upon the Bench of Judgement to oppress and do injustice, as his common practice is, or to be entrusted with the Militia; for it is contrary to all principles of reason, that a Magistrate, or public Minister, who is unjust to the People in his place or practise, will ever be faithful to them in time of trouble or distress, or defend either them or their liberties, whensoever they are assailed; the Hawk will as soon defend the Dove, and the Kite the Chickens: this is that Sir John Woolaston, who right or wrong commits all to Newgate that come before him, for the benefit of his brother the head Goaler there; who is as diligent to starve and destroy them when he hath them under custody, (as he did one Sparks lately, and hath done many more) as the other is to commit them. As for Alderm-Gibbs of the Militia, he hath a good stock of money in the name of his Son, beyond the Seas, he need not care which way the world goes; good Sir John Woolaston and he, had their singers both in one Pie; I hope they licked them clean, and themselves (like Bullocks) fat, though they have licked others lean: their silver tongue acquit them well in Rylees business, and they have you know been esteemed honest and trusty ever since: I could read you a character of most of them, but to avoid prolixity I will now forbear till a more convenient time: and will only tell you what I apprehend to be the end of this sudden, and so happy settlement of the Militia of London; the effect and what you may expect by it.  
1. By this means, the Earl of Manchester, M. Hollis, Stapleton, Earl signior, and the rest of this nayterous faction; who have occasioned the violation of all our Laws and Libertyes, betrayed their trust; and are the chief obstructers of the course of justice, and redress of grievances; promoters of all evil counsels, and the cause of the continuince of all our troubles and distractions; who among other things drive a design to save their own Stakes, and secure their own lives; for that they know they are for these things liable to question, and abnoxious to justice, do conceive they have well secured themselves from all invasion, by petition or cry for justice against them, from any party within the City.  
2. That they shall by this means the more easily erect their new form Monster of presbytery; for what they cannot persuade, they will enforce, and who (think they) now dare, or can resist it?  
3. They conceive they shall easily suppress the independent party (as they term them) and divert them from petitioning for Law and liberty, to both which these vile men are altogether averse; and that if they do notwithstanding, continue such their petitioning, yet may they the more securely deny and distaste their petitions, and punish their persons: for is not the Militia in their hands? and if they will not submit like slaves, but begin to stir and struggle; then the Militia is ready to oppose them as Rebels and Traitors, although they challenge but right and justice, of their servants, who are many of them become Traitors: and this is apparent by their late declaring their high displeasure against that just petition, & the Petitioners, for divers points of liberty and justice, which was preferred by a multitude of well affected Citizens: first it was intercepted and anticipated, contrary to the course of Parliaments, and the liberty of the Subject, by the means of Recorder Glin, (who hath showed more favour to Captain 
* Evans wilfully killed a man, and being brought before the Recorder, he basely reviled the poor widow, and freed the murderer.  Thomas Evans, a notorious murderer, than ever he did to poor Orphans, for whom he should have been a just Advocate) witness the Orphans of M. Bury, against whom he took Fees (if not bribes) by which means (notwithstanding many petitions, and as many fair promises from the then temporising Lord major adam's, and others of that Orphan devouring Faction) the said Orphans to this day can obtain no justice, nor part of their father's personal estate, unless they will take fourscore for four hundred pounds, and thus are the poor Orphans miserably ruined having spent the greatest part of their annual revenue for five years together, to obtain justice, but by the corruption of Brigandine (who squares his actions by his Master's Rule) and power of the Recorder who is the Executors friend, nothing can be done,; all passages are blocked up; honest men dare not speak, and knaves will not, & so the poor orphans are left altogether remidiless:) but to proceed, the aforesaid Petition being referred to a Committee, and the Citizens put off with fair words, till this grand Ordinance for the Militia was passed, and then presently they thundered as if the Petition had tended to the prejudice of Church and State.  
4. If they want money, or a new Army to secure themselves, that old Ass the City must raise men, or send out their trained Bands for them; and the poor Commons of London must pay and bear, or else be plundered, and what remedy; and whatsoever the Parliament will exact, and the Military men execute, the Commons of London must obey and submit to, though never so unjust a tax, or imposition: But you will say, the trained Bands will not be all of a mind; but this Party having prevailed to new Modelling of the Commissioners, you shall see them new Model the train Bands also, and here is the first piece of the frame of England's slavery; & must serve (if they can carry it) for a leading cast unto the whole Kingdom.  
The effects (ye Commons of London) which ye may expect hence, are the utter ●●lition of your free elections of your Mayors, Aldermen, Sheriffs, Common-council men, and other public Officers, of your body and Corporation, so that now ye may bid all you privileges, adve, and the free, borne Apprentices after seven years hard servitude, 
* Mark ye Apprentices.  expect a perpetual vassalage; by this means the hopes ye had of the recovery of ancient Rights and immunities are srustrate, and ye (after all your costs and adventures for your liberties) become the first absolute slaves in England, if God do not otherwise prevent, or raise up some Othniel, Ehud, Shamger, Barak, or Gideon to deliver you. And in such hands as these, this desperate domineering faction; by all symptoms and signs, purpose to settle the Militia, in all the Counties and Corporations of the Kingdom and have already in Durham, Cumberland, and other places northward, put it principally into their hands, who are declared Traitors and enemies to the State, Malignants and Delinquents, some of which have been actually in war against the Parliament and their Country, as Sir George Vane, old Sir Henry's Son, who was in arms with the King, and is now made one of the Deputy Lieutenants of the Militia for Durham, a Justice of Peace, and a Committee-man, and yet scarce good commodity for the hangman, S. Wilfrid Lawson of Cumberland such another, yet by the prevalency of this party, entrusted with the posse-Commitatus, whereby he may raise the County, and cut all honest men's throats, if he imagine cause: To tell you of the commands and power wherewith Lieutenant Col. Offeere, Cap. Musgrave,, Story, Stoddert, and divers others are invested and entrusted in those parts, who have been in arms against the Parliament and their Country, to the great trouble, hazard, and affliction of all the faithful and well-affected there, besides many others in other places of the Land, would be to tedious; let these for present suffice for example: And all, rather than to trust the honest and approved in the Land, because they are contrary to their treasonable designs and practices, and will not suffer themselves nor the Country to become their vassals and packhorses. I wish those Northern Countries had no just cause of complaint against that deceitful double dealing. Lord Wharton, I will for special cause (not that I fear or regard him, or any man, farther than he is sincere and virtuously honourable) spare him; but it it is good both for him and others to repent, and do their first works, lest a worse thing befall them; there is nothing hid, but it may be made manifest, to run away from a fight for fear, is tolerable, and is contingent to the greatest 
* Witness General Leshley.  General, but for a professed Soldier of Jesus Christ to turn his back and flee from the truth, is to be abhorred. Hath not Christ said, He will be ashamed of such, when he shall come in his Father's glory with the holy Angels? Mark 8. 38. And did Jehosaphat prosper, that took part with Ahab? Or did ever any escape by iniquity? And if Meroz was cursed, yea, bitterly cursed, because they would not help, what are they that do hurt? and are not they also cursed (though they be doing) that do Gods work negligently; Consider these things seriously all ye that are sunk and settled upon the lees, all ye Neuters and indifferent ones, that plead moderation, non-season, and prudence, for your baseness of Spirit, negligence, and cowardice, in the great cause of God, and this distressed Kingdom, and ye (Timidi) ye fearful ones, who are more afraid of the face and displeasure of man, whose breath is in his nostrils, and whose counsels perish, then of the power and wrath of God, Who is a consuming fire, and whose counsels abide forever: That fear more the losing of your places and profits, than the losing of God's favour and countenance, and the peace of a good conscience. Read that 21. Rev. 8. and tremble, remember yourselves, rouse up your spirits, and show yourselves courageous for truth and justice, and zealous for the glory of the Lord of Hosts; if ye will not, know that deliverance will come to God's People some other way, and ye shall not escape. As for M. Hollis and others, whose counsels and practices tend principally to treason and tyranny, injustice, and violence (I know what I say, and doubt not yet but in time to see it proved so) who live without Law, and act contrary to Law, like traitors and Rebels: Let such men know, that God will render unto them according to their works; and I am confident, that they shall never be able to accomplish their wicked enterprise, and that the pit they have digged for others, they shall fall into themselves. God will take them by their own counsels, as he did in old time, Achitophel, and Haman; and as he did Strafford, and Canterbury, in these days: yea, in those two precedents, they have prepared a halter for their own necks, and their own words shall be their Judges: Strafford, and Canterbury were condemned for treasonable counsels and speeches, endeavours, and intentions of subverting the fundamental Laws, and frame of government, and of setting up an arbitrary power, and rule of government: And whether Hollis and others, his presumptuous complices, have not been, (not only the intenders and indevourers, but) the real authors and actors of these things, I do appeal to all intelligent men, who have taken any cognizance of their counsels and actions? So that if the King (as it is a question) did want just matter of occasion in his charge of treason against M. Hollis, and others in 1641. both he and the whole Kingdom may without much search, find enough doubtless at this time; yea, have not M. Hollis and others, his complices and confederates, not only verified many or most of those 
* Read & consider them, and compare them with their actions, B. Decla. page 34.  articles of Treason and misdeameanours; but also augmented and exceeded them in many things? I could (but at present for special reasons will not) particularise: in the mean time, (my friends) make use of your own observations, call your memories to account, and compare things with things, advise well, make yourselves strong, and fear not. Why should the old English proverb (for our love and faithfulness) be made true upon us? Save a traitor or thief from the gallows, and he shall be the first that shall hang you: indeed we are near it, if we do not bestir ourselves and prevent it: But it is better that a few presumptuous men, whose Lucifer-like pride and ambition, hath lifted them up to Heaven, should be cast down into oblivion and darkness, than the whole Nation perish.  
And therefore ye free Commoners of England up quickly, and look about you; consider seriously the snare prepared for you, and compare the vehement endeavours of these traitorous persons, to disband the Army, (which hath fought and is resolved to stand for your liberties) with this their pattern, and first piece of thraldom, in settling the Militia thus at this time in such men's hands in London, and their putting power into the hands of such as are enemies to the public in the Country; and see if these men intent any thing to you, and yours but bondage and slavery, and this is part of that ye are told in the 
* Both worth your notice.  books called the Warnings for all the Counties of England, and the New found Stratagem upon the Petition of Essex. Be vigilant therefore and assistant to keep the Army on foot, for your own defence, and preservation of yourselves, your estates and liberties, Country, and posterities, from inextricable vassalage, and irrecoverable ruin; for that once down, this ambitious party, who aim at Sovereignty, to make the King their scorn, and us their slaves, will presently not only turn the Militia in every place upon the Country, (as they have already designed in the City) but raise horse also after the manner of Germany, in all Counties of the Kingdom for the better securing themselves, and this their form of tyranny, and if such men be not traitors who be? Where shall we find any? and if this be to employ their public trust, for the 
* Book Decl. page 700.  public good, and whether their 
† Page 172.  only alme, be herein the Kingdom's safety and the people's peace, as they have declared and spoken, let all England judge? And thus ye see they falcify their words and Declarations, as well as break their Oaths and Protestations: but in their Book of Declarations page 207. they say, That in case of extreme danger, and his Majesty's refusal to settle the Militia of the Kingdom, the Ordinance, (that is the Ordinance which was then made in that time of such extreme danger) agreed upon by both Houses for the Militia, doth oblige the people, and aught to be obeyed by the fundamental Laws of the Kingdom, but now (blessed be God) here is no such case of extreme danger, neither hath the King been so much as petitioned, or sought unto for this Ordinance of the Militia of London, and therefore it doth not bind the People, nor can they by the fundamental Laws of the Land, be compelled to obey it, besides they ordering the Militia to the public hurt, and not to the public good, contrary to the intent and equity of the law, and the end of their trust, the people are (ipso facto) discharged of their obedience to their Ordinance, for we are not bound to obey to our own damage and destruction; see this proved by their own distinction and argument in Book of Decl. page 150. But to make a farther discovery of the truth, by discovering more of this evil Parties falsehoods, breach of trust, and traitorous practices against us: take notice, that in the Book of Declarations pa. 720. the Parliament declare, That it is the liberty and privilege of the People, to petition unto them, for the ease and redress of their grievances and oppressions, and that they are (mark) bound in duty to receive their Petitions: here is a fair acknowledgement; but I pray you mark their actions: many thousand honest and really affected to the public liberty, in the City, had prepared a petition to have been presented to the House of Commons, for redress of some grievances and oppressions, and restoration of some liberties and privileges, comprehending nothing but things legal and just, what they ought to grant: this Petition, contrary to all course of Parliament and the liberty of the Subject, was by the power and subtlety of the aforesaid faction or party, (who have their setting dogs and beagles to descry and hunt for them) intercepted (as thus they anticipated the Armies Petition) before it was perfected, and made ready to be presented, the copy of it was read in the House, and referred to a Committee (whereof fierce fiery M. Lee was Chaire-man) to examine and report it (they did not so by the factious Petition and Remonstrance framed by the pretended Lord Mayor and common council men) against which they than nor finding any just cause of exception, held the vouchers thereof with fair words in hopes of an answer, until they had mounted their late new Ordinance of the Militia for London, and then they declared their distaste and displeasure against it; the which injust dealing, and violation of our native liberty and privilege, the Petioners not brooking, presented a Petition to the House of Commons for justice and redress, and desire that their former Petition might not be censured before it was in due order presented, hereupon Hollis, Stapleton, and the rest of that faction (traitors to their Country) according to their usual course through their malignant influence prevalency, procured this latter Petition to be voted seditious, and that both it and the former should be burnt by the hands of the hang man (was there ever such a thing done before by a Parliament in England, sure not) and that to question any act done in the House, was a breach of the privileges of Parliament: but by cunning to intetcept the former Petition, and tyrannically to suppress and reject it, and illegally to imprison some of the Petitioners for it (as they have done M. Tue, and M. Browne) was no breach of the privilege of the subject? No, dear friends and fellow Commoners, unless ye have (like fools) resolved with yourselves, after so sharp and bloody a contestation, for your Law, and your liberties, to relinquish, your claim by Magna Charta, and the good old Law; and to hold your lives and liberties, and all you have, by the Arbitrary Votes of the House of Commons, and to become Tenants at will, unto a company of traitors, and tyrants: Up in God's name, up, demand redress, and vindicate yourselves, and native rights, against Votes, and Voters, (hodie mihi, cras tibi) what these men do, to this or that part, or place of the Kingdom, and people to day, they may and will do to another part or place to morrow. And they have injustly refused more than a few (as that of the Counties of Bunckinham and Hereford, and divers others from all parts) petitioners for redress of grievances, and granting of liberties already, and in this late particular precedent, is the very essence and end of a Parliament perverted; the rights of Parliament, and the ancient course of Parliamentary proceed subverted, and our native rights and privileges, so much as lies in this destructive party, wholly vacated and destroyed. And whether this strange Vote and fact, do not justify the fifth article exhited by the King against Hollis and others 1641. (Book Decl. page 35.) by which he chargeth them, To have traitorously endeavoured, to subvert the very rights and beings of Parliaments? I beseech you all ye lovers of England's liberties, consider, and judge: And also part of that first seaventh Article exhibited by the House against the Earl of Strafford. Yea, consider I beseech you, compare and see, if the words, ways counsels, and practices, of the Earl of Manchester, Hollis, Stapleton, and others, their complices and confederates, do not fully answer the 1, 2 5. and Part of the 6. Article exhibited in 1641. by the King: and to the first, and part of the 2, 3, 4 6, & 7. Articles, and some others (only mutatis mutandis) which were exhibited by the House of Commons, against Strafford and also to some which were exhibited against Canterbury, even as face answereth to face, in water? Truly we are no longer free, but absolute slaves already: if we may not Petition for our liberty, what? unless we will first ask them what we shall petition, we must not it seems at all petition? Away with such Traitors from the Earth.  
This Act and Vote, answers those traitorous speeches of Harvy and Solloway, two corrupt men of the House of Commons, who impudently said, (note) That the Parliament might do what they would, and were not to be questioned for it. One of the Articles of high treason charged upon the Earl of Strafford, was, as appears in the fourth article of his second impeachment or accusation) that he should declare and say, That Ireland was a conquered Nation, and that the King might do with them what he pleased; and is not here as much spoken, and more by these two traitorous spirits, Harvy and Solloway? For Ireland was indeed a Nation by us conquered, and his speech related to the King, who was their head, and had a Power over them: but these men's words are spoken of us a free People, who though formerly conquered, yet have long since redeemed our liberties with our swords, and relate to a company of men, who are but subjects, and the Kingdom's servants, only called and chosen to council and advise; not to reign and tyrannize. But let us argue it, all other Courts in the Land whatsoever, have rules of jurisdiction and limits, and hath the supreme Court of Parliament none? It is very unreasonable even against all rule of reason, that, that Court which prescribes rules to all other Courts, should be without all rule itself. The Lord chief Justice Cook, in his treatise of the jurisdiction of the high Court of Parliament declares, and proves otherwise: and I am certain that it is against the very constitution and being of it. for there is both 
* See Cooks Instituts, Rotu. Parli.  (Lex & confuetudo Parliamenti) both a Law and a custom, or usage of Parliament, Besides there is a fundamental Law of the Land, against which the Parliament cannot (that is lawfully as a Parliament) act, for whatsoever act is made or done in Parliament that is contrary to Magna Charta, is void, no Law, and not to be 
* See 42. Ed. 3. chap. 1.  obeyed (and what force then if well examined are most of our present Parliament Votes. Orders and Ordinances?) by which it is evident that the Parliament is not 
* But new Lords new laws.  without a law and rule, nor may do what they will, nor any thing (only in case of extremity, and then also for good of the public, and not unto example) contrary to the fundamental Laws and constitutions of the Kingdom. And was not one Wentworth of the House of Commons questioned, yea, and committed in the days of queen Elizabeth, for his words and deeds in the House? And can they themselves deny but that for Treason, felony, and breach of the Peace, they are questionable? By all which it is clear, that the proudest of them may be questioned, and is accountable for any misdemeanour, or illegal unjust act done by them within the House. They say to question them for any thing out of the House, is a breach of their privilege: and must we question them neither in the House? What is a Parliament man lawlels? Neither without nor within? there is a new privilege (as their Ordinances are a new manner of Laws) it was not so of old. The King who is the Supreme head, is not without the Law, he may not do what he list: Sure then much less may they, who are but subjects and only councillors not Commanders, Servants not Masters. But is not this strange doctrine, my friends, that a Parliament man must not be questioned for whatsoever he doth in the House? Lo here is a new hydra-headed prerogative, for you to suppress, which ye never expected. Lop it betimes: for this position, tends directly to the subversion of all our Laws and liberties, and the exaction of an arbitrary rule over us. And if this Vote Be not treasonable what is? For by this rule they may within the House, consult, contrive and act, high treason, againg King, and Kingdom, commit murder, pick pocket's, and break the peace, devise and conspire to destroy and massacre us, to rob and spoil us, and not to be questioned: because it was resolved, and done within the House. Brave Parliamentary principles!  
Is it not more then high time fellow Commoners to rouse up our spirits, and bestir us to to bring such as are the authors and promoters of these, and such like destructive commands and actions to condign punishment? shall not the Judge of all the world (saith Abraham) do right? and shall not the Court of Courts, the supreme Court of all the Kingdom (we may say) do right? Woe is to us, for lamentable is our case; our stream must needs be puddle & dirt, when our very fountain is filthy and corrupt: (Corruptio optima est pessima) that which is best, being corrupted is the worst: that which was formerly England's Balsam and Antidote, is now become England's greatest Coros; i've and poison: yet not in itself; but by accident, through the boundless ambition, and insatiable avarice of an company of traitorous persons in both houses of Parliament; the chief of which are Manchester, and Stamford, Stapleton, and Hollis, Merrick, and some others; who have run themselves by their wicked deeds against the King and Common Wealth, into a desperate condition; and therefore endeavour by all means to bring the Land into a confusion, and so to make our latter end worse than our beginning: This Stapletons' Speech verifies, who lately said, (It is now come to this, that either we must sink them, (meaning the Army) and their friends, or they sink us;) unto this end it seems they have so highly provoked the Army: For prevention of which calamity, and to procure ourselves ease and remedy, we must take them away, charge them home and demand their persons to be delivered up to justice: why fear we? what power hath any Parliament man, that he hath not received from them that chose him? And if a King so soon as he ceaseth to rule by the known Law, doth degenerate into a Tyrant, and is worthy to be ejected; what are those Parliament men, Manchester, Hollis, Stapleton and others of this Faction, who have so probably, contrary to their Oaths, trusts, and duties, left all rule of Law and Justice, and by their power and prevalency have dealt with us, and disposed of our estates and libertyes, after their own wicked, crooked wills? and what are these men worthy of according to law and reason? expulsion is too little, and beheading is too honourable: But happily some of them may say by me, because I declare that which they can no ways colour, that I am mad; I am sure they are, and their madness doth appear to all men, otherwise some of them would not have so basely reproached his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax (who came to London only because of his disease, and stayed there a while for his infirmity and weakness) in saying it was fit for him to be with his Army, which is in a distemper, then to be in Hide Parke courting of Ladies. If the Army be distempered, hath not Manchester, Stapleton, Hollis, and that turbulent faction distempered them, by their im-parliamentary Declaration against them, and ingrateful abuse of them? Nay do they not distemper and trouble the Parliament, and whole Kingdom? are not they the only obstructers of our setlement in England, and of the relief of distressed Ireland? are not these I say the cause of all our distraction and disturbance? I wish they were not; and as for Sir Thomas his courting of Ladies, I would Sir Peter Temple, Sir John Merrick, Sir John Hipsly, M. Moyle, Moor, Bell, Bowyer, and too many more among them, did not more court Harlots, visit Whores, and exercise drunkenness, 
* Foth what a stink is here.  and other baseness, then honourable Sir Thomas, worthy man doth delight in courting of Ladies? I do remember when the Earl of Essex, and his chief commanders, Merrick, (one of the traitorous crew) and the rest, came to London, to laze, smoke tobacco, and 
Oh sweet Reformers.  drink Sack, court, compliment, vaunt and vapour of that they never did, and a potent enemy at hand in the field, who came up to Brainford, to the hazard Army and City before they were discovered, and no chief Officer there, either 
of the whole  to command, or deliver forth * Ammunition: and when not only the General but all the chief officers, while there was a destroying enemy in power 
Thanks false Merrick, thou didst the like and worse at Edge-hill.  abroad, came and stayed their own time in London, to revel, ramble, and roar, drink, domineer, and whore; while the soldier was left without restriction or order, to range, raven, and plunder, spoil and make waste, at Saint Alban, and in the Country thereabouts, and no complaint made of distemper, or disorder, either by the House or any of their Members: but the Proverb is, that some may better steal a Horse, than others look over the hedge. If Sir Thomas his officers or soldiers were like wicked Col. Graves, than this evil Faction might say they were distempered indeed: yet this lewd shameless man is Stapletons' only Minion, and the principal instrument, (as truly most fit for their wicked purpose) in the Army, for this malicious, malevolent party: but these men like Toads are so big swollen with pride and despite, that they are ready to burst; and their poison will never be purged out, nor we freed from the diffused venom of it, till some of them be highly exalted, and made an example. Take away the wicked from the King (saith Solomon) and his Mhrone shall be established in righteousness: take away the wicked and traitorous out of both Houses of Parliament, and the Parliament shall be upright, and prosper, and we poor Commons be soon established in peace and happiness.  
In the Book of Declarations, pag. 207. they seem to clear themselves of a charge laid upon them by the King, saying: That there was no colour, that they went about to introduce a new Law, much less to exercise 
* Mark.  an arbitrary power, but to prevent it. How true this tax or charge hath since proved, let the whole Land judge, and their own actions witness: for if they have not brought in a new Law, I am sure they have made no use of the old, unless it hath been for evil. And whether they have exercised an Arbitrary power, I need not ask the question, for it is past doubt or scruple. But they say in the same Declaration, That this Law is as old as the Kingdom, To wit, That the Kingdom must not be without a means to preserve itself: It is well (yet truly granted.) By their own principle you see, the natural or real body politic, in case the Representative, or virtual fail, and deceive their trust, 
* Mark and make use of it.  hath power to preserve itself: Mark ye free Commons of England, here is a sure ground for ye to stand on, ye are not yet past hope, nor destitute of means of help: therefore cheer up your spirits, and quit yourselves like men: employ and improve your just powers, for the preservation of yourselves against all those self-seeking, ambitious, traitorous, tyrannical spirits in both Houses; who have forsworn themselves, betrayed their trust, and employed all their power and interest, wherewith ye entrusted them, for your good and safety, to your woe and misery: And ye faithful in the House of Commons, whose hearts have ever been upright, (although ye have been awed, and overpowred) to God, your King, and Country; beware of these seducers, who would involve you in the same treasonable works with them, that so they like Pickpockets, may the better scape in a crowd unseen: rather protest against them, and their proceed; and declare them to the Kingdom, serve them as they have served others: thus ye will acquit yourselves of jealousies, and guilt, discharge your trust and duties; and endear yourselves to your Countries: otherwise you must expect to suffer as partakers, and to undergo the censure of confederates, and compactours: Sure and stable is this principle, (Salus Populi est suprema Lex, The welfare and safety of the People is the supreme Law: and therefore where this end is by trusties perverted or neglected, the People by the Law of nature have power to preserve and secure themselves: and as certain is that Rule, that (Major qui facit, quam quod fit: He which makes is greater than that which is made; and therefore is to be preferred: and in case that which is made prove useless, hurtful, or unprofitable, he which makes hath power to modify, restrain, remove, or nullify, even as seemeth good unto him, and may most conduce to his good and benefit: And therefore in case we cannot receive justice from the Parliament, let us force our powers, and apply ourselves my friends and fellow Commoners, to have justice upon the Authors of our injustice and oppressions? and no longer stand still like People without life and spirit, and suffer our just and reasonable demands and tequests to be distasted and despised, as dung or dirty our Petitions for liberty and justice, to be illegally censured and sentenced to be burnt as some horrid, treasonable and blasphemous opinions, or papers, and our neighbour's friends, and fellow Commoners, to be tyrannically imprisoned: and barbarously used before our eyes, for standing up in the behalf of the Kingdom, and petitioning for our native and lawful rights and liberties; by a desperate wicked party of false perfidious men in both Houses, Machivilians and Traitors: whose Votes and Counsels, ways and workings, tend only to secure their guilty carcases from justice, and to enslave and destroy us, and our rights and freedoms, who have no fear of the Lord before them, nor any compassion or tender respect to their native Country this distressed Nation.  
And now ye grave and wealthy Citizens of the Presbyterian faction, whose eyes are swollen with fatness, and whose hearts with pride and ambition: Who happily according to the general fortune of the great men of London, are endued with a greater portion of riches, state and presumption, then of prudence, integrity or wisdom: Give me leave to tell you an Itinerant story, or a paraboricall tale of two Travellers: There were two Travellers met upon the road, and passed friendly along time in silence together; at length they discover to each other whether they are going, and the end and intention of their travel, and the way, they would walk, and they agreed both in one mind, and upon one thing, and so they ratify their association and friendship: but the one was not only weary, but- o'er weakened (at least he so appeared) both in strength and purse, by reason of his long journey and the many difficulties and dangers, he had already encountered, and overcome; and very knowing was he of the way that was yet to be traveled, and of the dangers and difficulties which would oppose them therein, before they should come to their journey's end: the other albeit he had come as fare, yet by reason he was throughly well furnished and provided of monies and all needful supplies at his first setting forth did retain the more ability and strength, and had the most moneys for his support throughout: but alas he was not so knowing in the way, nor skilful as the other, to avoid the dangers therein: whereupon he promiseth the other assistance with his purse, and strength, to carry him through all straits, till they come to their journey's end, so that he would be aiding and assisting to him with his Council and advice, for the suppressing and passing of those oppositions and perils, which were in the way yet unpassed; both agreed rejoiced, and on they journied, with all reciprocal officiousness, and respect each to other (the weak man he wanted not supply or support, the other he wanted no comfortable words, council, or politic advice) until after many extremities and straits past) they came to the last and greatest; and that was a steep craggy mountain, full of strait passages, slippery byways, and dubious wind, with desperate precipices on each side, the fair and safe way which lead to a better end, lying direct in the middle. Here these two Travellers were put to a stand, the weak wearied man was not able of himself to assend, the other notwithstanding his strength, durst not adventure alone, lest he should slip and fall, or lose his way, and become a prey at length, the weak man lends the other his staff to stay him up, and defend him, and the strong man by his strength takes up the weak, and so they both with much hazard and trouble got up to the top of this incacessable Mountain; and now they might see the long desired end of their journey, and themselves past all danger, which made them both glad, and to congratulate: 
* Observe.  But the weary weak man, having now been brought as the charge and by the strength and support of the other, through all straits and difficulties, and knowing himself to be much in arreare to his friendly fellow Traveller, and that he would expect satisfaction and recompense, and like beneficence from him, when they were at rest, and all things were accomplished: He took his staff from him, (which he had lent him for a stay and defence unto him until he had carried him up the hill) and taking an occasion to quarrel with him, about some slip, denial of some moneys, or neglect of his advice, fell upon him and beat him, bound him, and rob him of his money and treasure, and so left him in the midst of a thicket, destitute and so destroyed and undone. The weak weary man, ye may suppose to be the Parliament: The stronger and better provided, to be the wise Lord Major, Aldermen, and Common-councel-men, with the rest of the Presbyterial faction in London: The Mountain to be the Presbyters design: and the Staff to be the Militia, which is now put into the hands of the Presbyterian party in London. The application I leave to the appeheesion of them, and of all judicious Citizens, And Commoners of England. And will conclude with wise Solomon. There is no new thing under the Sun: that which hath been is now: And what is there that hath been, which may not be again? Pramoniti proemuniti, fore warned half Armed, and (proevisa minus loedunt) things fore-seen do less hurt. I wish you really well, ye grave Citizens of London, both for your own and England's sake: and God make you discerning and wise, that ye may not by the dissembling epistles and speeches of a deceitful hypocritical Nation, and the subtle sophistry of an ambitious aspiring party in both Houses of Parliament, such as Stapleton, Hollis, etc. and of the proud, covetous Clergy, be made the instruments (after you have served their turns) of your own ruin, and the Lands.  
I could here take occasion (as there is good reason, howsoever what is for present pretermitted, is not forgot) to show you (dear friends and fellow Commoners) how ye have been abused and betrayed, by this very party and faction in both Houses, their Agents and instruments from the beginning, at Sherborne, Morthampton, Worcester, Edgehill, Kingston, Brainford, Mewarke, Exeter Reading Thame, (O Thame) the Devizes, Chalgrove field, (wheat 
* S. Philip Stapleton was there also, & beheld afar ffo 'twas he that would not suffer the queen's Regiment to be charged at Salisbury or Blandsord.  noble Hampden, it is conceived, and who knoweth but it may in time be proved, was delivered to death) Lincoln, Boston, Crowland, Cornwall, Denington-Castle, (where Manchester acted Treason) Newarke again, and Oxford: Durham, Cumberland, Westmoreland, even in every place, and all along, until the Lord raised up Sir Thomas Fairfax to be a Saviour to the People, and that he is so these wicked men are offended. But me thinks I already see this serpentine brood (like the old Serpent) casting a flood out after-me to destroy me and their defiled consciences being like the Sea troubled: they send forth mire and dirt; wrath, and revenge, reproaches, curses, beagles, and bloodhounds, Votes, Orders and Messengers, like the Pope's execrations, with bell, book, and candle. Alas, bene latet qui bene vivit. I wish these miscreants (for their soul's sakes) had no more cause to be afraid than I the righteous is as bold as a Lion, but the wicked flees when none pursues. the thief thinks every bush, and every bulk a Constable. and a gaulled horse hath no patience, when his sore is rubbed: this Sir Philip Stapleton knows, for he hath good skill in horseflesh. But seeing these vile men will dare to sin openly, and to deal falsely before the World, why should we be afraid to reprove them openly, and to declare it to the World? They declare their sins as Sodom, they hid them not. Isai 3. 9 they have (as the Scripture speaks) a brazen face, and a Whore's forehead; and why should we be silent, and connive at that which all Christendom sees. or turn our backs, and be pymps and panders to out own ruins? Why should we be more afraid (whom it concerns) to publish their robbery, oppression, injustice, and Treason, than they are to act and execute it contrary to their Oaths and duties?  
Our Law condemns no man for saying the Coal is black, or calling a Spade a Spade, although of late many have been * imprisoned and punished for no more, nor other 
* Such works, such ways, & means.  Mark thing in effect: yet the loser will speak, and the oppressed will cry out: nor by the power of heaven shall my tongue be silent, or my Pen be flack, for the cause of God and this miserable land; until they do set themselves in a way that is right, and execute justice and judgement.  
Is it not more then high time to speak and stir, when our just and lawful Petitions are not only rejected, but infamously burned as feditious, our inveterate Enemies armed our persons for presenting our grievances, illegally imprisoned: when we are voted out of our Rights and Privileges contrary to all Law, and custom of Parliament. All men may now see, and plainly understand, that it is altogether vain, any longer to use Petitioning, for that due right and liberty is denied and debarred. We must, I say we must, if we will recover ourselves and our Privileges, use action. Necessity hath no law, and extreme danger, driveth to extreme means.  
And now know for certain: ye Traitorous party, ye false deceitful men, whose hearts are set upon wickedness, and whose heads devise mischief, and violence that it is not your 
* Without the King mere treason, and without his assent worse than nothing.  breaking open of houses, taking away men's goods by force, spoiling of Printing Presses, and imprisoning of the Printers, without prose or cause, and punishing poor souls, who carry Books to sell, will or can hid your shame, the day of your judgement is coming: your wickedness is manifest as the Sun, and your actions both public and private are so abominable, that they stink in every reasonable man's nostrils: ye are become odious, and have made yourselves a reproach and a hissing, and the very abjects disdain and scorn, ye, insomuch that the name of a Parliament man, is as contemptible in the thoughts of most, as the name is generally of a Committee-man. And thus do the good and virtuous of the House, suffer in their repute and esteem, by your viciousness. yea, your beloved friends and favourites cannot justify you, nor open their mouths clearly for ye, and what will ye do? what can ye do. when God shall stir up the People to revenge? Remember Straford and Canterbury, Finch, and Windebanke: Ye have deceived the People, and falsifyed your trust to them: ye have broken oaths, promises, and all manner of assurances with them, under a pretence of redeeming their liberties, and making them free, ye involved them in an unnatural and bloody War against each other, and now ye yourselves exercise more abundant tyranny, and keep them in most strict and intolerable slavery, under the pretence of paying the Soldiers, ye have by your Committees, and instruments, oppressed and rob the Countries; and notwithstanding there is no Army paid, no reparations made, no debts satisfied, and thousands of Widows and fatherless and maimed soldiers unprovided for: under pretence of preserving the people ye have destroyed them, and under the colour of establishing Law and justice, ye have taken away both: and although ye raised Arms to redeem the King from his wicked council, and have solemnly sworn to maintain his Crown and dignity, and declared Book Dec. pag. ●4. that what you did was for his honour and greatness, and the weal of his Kingdoms. yet though he be redeemed, he is not restored, nor is his Crown and dignity maintained: Nay ye yourselves exercise the Kingly office; ye I say it again, ye yourselves exercise the Kingly office: For ye make Lord Keepers, Judges and Barons, grant Pardons, and give Commissions of Oyer and Terminer: I have known a mean man die as a traitor for doing less: nor are the Acts or Process passed under the broad Seal of any value: In all which ye are but usurpers (I should not mistake if I said Traitors) I say usurpers, and take too much upon you; for by Law there is no such power or right belonging to you, or invested in ye: You keep the King under restraint, and withhold him from the execution of it, and do not satisfy the World wherefore ye do it: you are like the Dog in the manger, which will neither let the horse eat the hay, nor eat it himself: ye will neither admit the King to do justice, and redress our grievances, nor will ye yourselves: ye have made no other use of the King's power and name, then to deceive, oppress, and abuse the People.  
Is this to do for his honour and greatness, and the good of his Kingdoms: contrarium verò est verum, the contrary is true, by true.  
I speak not in favour of his Majesty further than conscience and 
* Do unto all men as ye would be done unto.  equity, the Lord my maker knows I am sincerely for truth and justice, without partiality, and against the contrary, wheresoever, or in whomsoever I find it: but a traitor or fellow by the Law looseth not any of his franchises, possessions or estate, before he be convict: let Cesar have his due, and us the free Commons ours: if not, I do not doubt, but you will in due time have yours: If the King be King let him reign: if he have otherwise deserved, why proceed you not legally against him, that the World may see and judge, and ye be cleared of all calumny and aspersion? But as you do, and deal with us, so ye deal with him: Us ye do unjustly imprison and oppress, rob, and spoil, destroy our Liberties, take away our estates, and undo our Families, and show us no Law, Cause or Reason, but a tyrannical, unjust, illegal, or treasonable Vote, Order, or Ordinance: (Sic vultis, sic jubetis, stat pro ratione voluntas:) Your Arbitrary wills are become England's Laws.  
And would ye know ye Commons of England, why the King is not in all this time brought home, nor any thing resolved nor determined of him? I will tell you (dear friends) what I conceive I see: The Earl of Manchester, M Hollis, Stapleton, and others, who are absolutely the chief instrumental causes of all the evils, we have lately suffered, and do still sustain, and some of which have received vast sums of moneys, whereof they know themselves unable to give any good account, are in danger to be punished as traitors: and deceivers, and be sacrificed to justice: and therefore through their power, prevalency, and policy, a settlement between King and Parliament is deferred: because by reason of the Army, whose integrity and zeal for justice they fear (and therefore only would disband them) they cannot impose such particular, peculiar conditions upon the King, as will fully secure them, and conduce to their Presbyterian design: this I do believe, is the sum of all. But must the King and his People be still divided, the breach lie open, and the difference uncomposed, the Kingdom unsettled, the people's peace and happiness still delayed, and our miseries still prolonged and continued, to satisfy the unjust desires of a company of matchless Machiaullian traitors, who to save themselves, have endeavoured by all means to destroy us: Must we languish in our sufferings and sorrwes, to wait their opportunities? It is neither meet nor right it should be so, nor prudence or wisdom to permit it so, let us therefore have an end of our troubles and distractions, or else apply ourselves to put an end to their tyranny, treason, and Lordliness, that they may not wholly and utterly lay us waste, and ruin us. And if in case of the Kings failing of his trust, and denial to settle the Militia or strength of the Kingdom in such hands, and in such a way, as the people may be thereby safe and secured, the Parliament (the representative body) may for the safety of His Majesty, and Kingdoms, take the dispose and ordering of it into their hands: then by the same rule, forsomuch as the Parliament have failed of their trust, and put the Militia and strength of the Kingdom into such hands, and in such a way, as we cannot confide or be safe in: We the free Commons of England, the real and essential body politic, or any part of us, may order and dispose of our own Arms and strength, for our own preservation and safety; and the Army in particular (without question) may lawfully retain, order and dispose of their arms and strength, to and for the preservation and safety of the King and Kingdom, the principal end for which they were raised. This is the Parliaments own doctrine, as you may read in Book Declarations page 93. and 150. and therefore I hope neither heresy nor schism, blasphemy nor treason. I have done, and a rush for him that is angry, and as much for him who is fearful in a just cause: Let such weigh well that saying of the holy Spirit, Prov. 29. 25. and then happily they may look up and take courage: The fear of man bringeth a snare, but whosoever trusteth in the Lord shall be safe. (Timida probitas, nunquam Reipublicae, est utilis.) Cowardly honesty is never profitable, to the Commonwealth.  
FINIS.