THE MYSTERY OF THE TWO JUNTOES PRESBYTERIAN and INDEPENDENT.  
OR, THE SERPENT IN THE BOSOM, UNFOLDED.  PETRON. ARBITER. Omnes nobiscum aut Corvi qui Lacerant, aut Cadavera quae lacerantur. 
Printed in the Year, 1647.   

To the unbiased Reader.  
YOu that are biased with self-respects I writ not to, you have your aims; and your ends before you are ware, like shot not feared, till felt) will come upon you. To the upright in heart, though misled in judgement I speak. Consider how by a prevaricating number of Grandees, our first Principles are altered; our Religion into Schism, and Hypocritical profaneness; Insomuch that the Lords Supper is now almost every where discontinued, for want of (I know not what) imaginary Utopian holiness. The Creed Lords Prayer, and Ten Commandments, (the instruments of Faith, Hope, Charity, teaching Omnia credenda, speranda, & facienda) left out of the Directory. Thus much for Religion.  
Our known Laws (being the second Principle held out to the People by the Nationall Covenant, and many Declarations) are turned into Arbitrary, emergent, and upstart Orders and Ordinances of Parliament: every day rising, and every day withering like Mushrooms. So that we are now governed Jure vago & incerto, by a leaden Lesbian rule, to which we cannot square our obedience and actions, but must stay till the Grandees that guide the Legislative power of Parliament make application of them to our actions. A great misery.  
The third Principle is our Liberties. What is become of them, this little Treatise will tell you, as also of our Properties. But stay! me thinks I hear men say that the clamour and danger mutining at the Parliament door these two last weeks, hath humbled our Grandees, and made them seek the Lord with Fasting and Prayer. I answer, let me tell you what succeeded in the House of Commons, when a Letter and Declaration from the Army being tendered to be read, some of the Grandees answered, That if they should read those demands, they might chance to find them of that nature, as they can neither with justice deny them, nor with honour grant them, because it was not honourable for them to do their duty upon admonition of their Army, being but their servants, and would savour of compulsion. To prevent this, they resolved to take into consideration freely and of their own accord the Grievances which scandalised the people. They went therefore upon 3. Heads: The Selfdenying Ordinance. Upon which they Voted (as they said by a Preparatory Vote only) That all Members holding any Offices, Grants, or Places by concession of the Parliament, shall account for, and pay in the profits thereof to the Grand Committee of Accounts. This I conceive under favour of the Grandees, who possess those places, and contrived this Vote (to be a mere delusory Order, For who can believe that such selfseeking men, as all men know them to be, will execute these offices for nothing, and pay in to the use of the State their profits. Besides, it is apparent how subservient to these Grandees, their own creatures, the Committee of Accounts are.  
2. They Voted, That no money hereafter should be given to any Member in compensation or recompense of his losses, until the Public Debts be paid. Here the Grandees were in earnest, because their own turns are already served, and the loss and inconvenience of this Vote falls only upon the much contemned Middle or Moderate Members.  
3. They appointed a Committee to consider how to take off the Grievance arising from such Members as abusing the Privilege of Parliament refuse to pay their debts.  
Proh Superi, quantum mortalia pectora caecae  
Noctis habent; Ipse sceleris molimine Tereus  
Creditur esse pius; laudemque a crimine sumit.  
Let not the Grandees be offended, that I discover those sicknesses which they labour to cover; Antea morbos, necesse est, cognitos esse, quam remedia eorum. God only can be the Aesculapius and cure them. But I am afraid they desire rather a slight suppurating, than a perfect cure; and that they pray rather to hid, then help their evils.  
Da fallere, da justum, sanctumque videri  
Noctem peccatis, & fraudibus objice nubem.  
If this be their condition, quos perdere vult Jupiter, hos dementat; quos tueri vult, suscitat. I have done my duty, even in this generation, quando dicere quod nolo miserum, quod volo & debeo periculosum. I leave the success to God, resting,  
Thine,  
THEODORUS VERAX.   

The Mystery of the two juntoes, Presbyterian and Independent.  
THe Kingdom being overgrown with Prerogative, Corruption, and Superstition (the fruits of a long and lazy peace) by a long discontinuance of Parliaments; At last by Providence his Majesty was necessitated to call a Parliament the only College of Physicians to purge the much distempered body of the Commonwealth.  
In this Parliament a contest between the King's Prerogative and the people's laws and liberties begat a war. The Divines on both sides out of their pulpits sounding Alarm thereto: and not only Sermons; but Declarations of Parliament, and the Nationall Covenant, (holding forth to the people the defence of Religion, Laws, Liberties, and properties) inflamed the people to the rage of battle, as the Elephant is enraged at the sight of Red. This war occasioned extraordinary Taxes and levies of money, such as was never heard of by our Ancestors, and were Irritamenta malorum, the nurse of our Corruptions.  
This incentive working upon the humane frailty of the speaking and leading members of the Houses, 
3. Grandees.  caused them first to interweave their particular interests and ambitions with the public, and lastly to prefer them before the public.  
Wherefore the said Leading men or Grandees (for that is now Parliament language. 
4. Factions. ) First divided themselves into two factions or Juntoes: Presbyterians, and Independents: seeming to look only upon the Church, but (Religion having the strongest operation upon the spirit of man) involved the interests of the Commonwealth.  
The Common people of the two houses following (with an implicit faith and blind obedience) the example of their leaders, divided themselves also into the said Dichotomy; which they did with more seriousness than their leaders, as not perceiving any thing of design therein: But according to the diversity of their judgements, or rather fancies and confidings (for to resign a man's judgement to the opinion of another man is but a silly trust and confidence) studied the to holding of their parties with earnestness; whilst the Grandees of each party in private close together for their own advancement, serving one another's turn.  
The Grandees (in all public debates) seem as real in their reciprocal oppositions, as those silly ones who are in earnest, whereby they cherish the zeal of their respective parties, keep them still divided, (Divide & impera is the devil's rule) and so amuse them, and take them off from looking after other interests, in which (were they conjoined) they might share with the Grandees themselves: and for the better contentment of such their Confidents as look too intentively after their own gain, the Grandees of each Junto confer something of advantage upon those that are subservient to them, as five pounds a week, or some petty employment.  
The seeds of these factions spread themselves into the Commonwealth and Armies: as Rheum distils from the Head into all the body.  

8 Monopolising Profits and preferments,  Thus the leading men or Bell-wethers have seemingly divided themselves, and having really divided the Houses: and captivated their respective party's judgement, teaching them by an Implicit faith Jurare in verba Magistri, to pin their opinions upon their sleeves; They begin to advance their Projects of Monopolising the profits, preferments and Power of the Kingdom in themselves. To which purpose, though the leaders of each party seem to maintain a hot opposition, yet when any profit or preferment is to be reached at; It is observed that a powerful Independent especially moves for a Presbyterian: or a leading Presbiterian for an Independent: and seldom doth one oppose or speak against another (in such cases) unless something of particular spleen or Competition come between, which causeth them to break the common Rule. By this means the Grandees of each faction seldom miss their mark, since an Independent moving for a Presbyterian, his reputation carries the business clear with the Independent party: and the Presbyterians will not oppose a leading man of their own side. By this artifice the Grandees of each side share the Common wealth between them: And are now become proud, domineering Rehoboams (even over the rest of their follow members▪ contrary to the liberty of Parl. which consists in an equality) that were formerly fawning ambitious Absoloms.  
There hath been lately given away to members openly (besides innumerable and inestimable private cheats mutually connived at) at least 300000 l. in money; besides rich offices, Employments in money Committees, Sequestrations, and other advantages. And those members who have so well served themselves under colour of serving the public, are (for the most part) old Canvasers of Factions who have sat idly and safely in the house watching their advantages to confound businesses, and shuffle the cards to make their own game, when others that have ventured their persons abroad, laboured in the public work like Isaelites under these Egyptian taskmasters, and lost their estates, are left to starve, until they can find relief in that empty bag, called by fools fides publica, by wise men fides punica. And are now looked upon in the House superciliously, like unwelcome guests (for it is known how malignantly and how juglingly writs for new elections were granted and executed) and called younger brothers, and like younger brothers they are used: their elder brothers having slipped into the world before them, and anticipated the inheritance; They have broken first into the common field, and shut the door to prevent after comers even from gleaning after their full harvest. For the better effecting whereof they have now mortgaged (in effect) all the means they have to raise money, unto the City. And being themselves fat and full with the public Treasure (to express rather their scorn then care.) There are making an Ordinance that no more money shall be given to their members: And yet to show how careful they are of all such as have cheated the Commonwealth under them (I will not say for them) They have taken advantage of the petition of the Army: wherein they desired Indemnity for all acts done in relation to the war. And have passed an Ordinance of Indemnity for all such, as have acted by authority, and for the service of the Parliament, wherein (under great penalties, & with an appeal at last from the Judges of the Law, to a Committee of Parliament) such as have gone beyond the authority given by Parliament, and sequestered men unjustly and so withheld their goods under pretence thereof, and such as have levied taxes three or four times over, are quit from private actions: and the benefit of Law and Justice taken from the Oppressed, to secure country Committees, Sequestrators, and others, (not Prerogative, but Legislative) Thiefs; contrary to Magna Charta, which says,, nulli negabimus, nulli differemus justitiam, aut rectum; We will deny, or defer justice and right to no man. Oh prodigious acts! and of greater tyranny than any King ever durst adventure upon. What is become of our Nationall Cou. and the Parliament many Declarations for defence of Laws and Liberty? Or have we fought our liberty into slavery? By these devises the honest middle men of the House (whose consciences will not let them join in any faction to rend the Commonwealth in sunder) are out of all possibility of repair, and made contemptible as well by their own want, as the pride of the Grandees: and in the end, their poverty will enforce them to leave the sole possession of the house to these thriving Junto men, who do beleaguer them therein, making them (for farther addition to their losses) pay all taxes from which the thriving men go free: so that the poorer part of the house pays tribute to the richer. Nay it is further whispered, that at last the Junto men will quit the Parliament Privilege of not being sued, purposely to leave these younger Brothers to the mercy of their Creditors, and disable them to sit in their House.  
An other ambitious aim of those Junto men is their devise of referring all businesses of moment to Committees. 
10. Committees of the Houses.  For the active speaking men by mutual agreement, naming one another of every Committee (or at least their confident Ministers) do thereby forestall and intercept the businesses of the house, and under colour of examining and preparing matters, they report them to the house with what glosses, additions, detractions, and advantages they please; whereby the House (judging according to their report) oftentimes misjudgeth, and if it be a business they are willing to smother, the Committees have infinite artificial delays to put it off, and keep it from a hearing, or at least from reporting. By this means the remaining part of the House are but cyphers to value, and Suffragans to ratify what is forejudged by the said Committees. This usurpation of theirs is much helped by keeping the doors of their Committee rooms shut, and dispatching all affairs privately and in the dark. Whereas Justice delights in the light, and aught to be as public as the common air, it being against its nature to be chambered up and kept from the observation of eye, and ear witnesses.  
Parts of this project we may well call the Multiplicity of money Committees, as Goldsmith's hall, Haberdasher's hall, 
11. Money Committees.  the Committee of the King's revenues, Committee of the Army, etc. Where every man's profit and power is according to his cunning and conscience. Hereby they draw a general dependency after them, for he that commands the money, commands the men: These Committee-men are so powerful that they over-awe and overpower their fellow members, contrary to the nature of a free Parliament: wherein the equality of the members must maintain the freedom and integrity thereof, and suppress factions.  
The like may be said of such members as (in scorn of the selfdenying Ordinances) hold offices by gift or connivance of the Parliament: either openly in their own name, 
12. Members holding offices, etc.  or Secretly in the name of some friend. Their offices enabling them to do courtesies and discourtises. And although there hath been a Committee appointed to certify all pensions, Sequestrations, offices, employments of advantage and profits conferred by the Parliament upon any their members, in which Committee M. Sands holdeth the chair; yet is this merely a formality to blind the eyes of the world, and fool the expectation of some losing members, who were then resolute to know who had already received satisfaction for their losses, and how fare they had outrun their fellow-members therein. Yet this Committee is now let fall, no reports demanded of M. Sand: and when any is to be made; they are not unprovided of a means to make it fruitless, by putting every particular to debate: well knowing that no man will be willing to argue against the particular persons and merits of his fellow-members, and thereby heap envy upon his own head; besides the delay of a particular debate.  
How frequently the country Committees act contrary to the Laws of the Land: 
13. Country Committees.  how they trample Magna Charta under their feet, how boldly and avowedly they transgress all orders and Ordinances of Parliament, and break our solemn League and Covenant, how they ordinarily turn well affected men out of their free-holds and goods, imprison and beat their Persons without any known charge, accuser, or witness against them. How frequently they leavie one tax three or four times over & continue their leavyes after the Ordinances expire. How cruelly they raise the twentieth and fifth part upon the well affected; exercising, an Illegal arbitrary tyrannical power over their fellow subjects fare higher than ever Strafford or Canterbury durst advise the King to. How ignorantly and unjustly they exercise a power to hear and determine (or rather to determine without hearing, or hear without understanding) private controversies of Meum▪ & Tuum, for debts, trespasses, nay title and possession of lands without either formality or knowledge of the Law, not having wit, manners nor breeding enough (as being chosen for the greatest part, out o● the basest of the people for base ends) to satisfy men with an outside, or Compliment of justice: Insomuch that nothing is now more Common, than an accusation without an Accuser, a sentence without a Judge, and a condemnation without a hearing. If any man, I say, be so deaf as not to hear the loud universal outcrying of the people; so great a stranger in our Israel as not to know this truth, let him peruse M. Edward King's discovery of the arbitrary actions of the Com. of Lincoln printed 1647. where he may see these things briesty Epitomised: but to historise them at large would require a volume as big as the book of Martyrs. These Committees are excellent sponges to suck money from the people, and to serve not only their own, but also the Covetous, Malicious, Ambitious ends of those that raked them out of the dunghill for that employment, and do defend them in their oppressions. Who is so blind as not to see that these men have theïr protectors? Their Daemons to whom they offer up part of their rapines; to whom they sacrifice.  Occulta spolia, & plures de pace Triumphos. 
If there be any intention to restore our laws and liberties, and free us from arbitrary Government: it is fit these Committees and all associations be laid down, having no enemy to associate against, and that the old form of Government by Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace etc. be reestablished; and the Militia in each County settled as before, in Lieutenants, and Deputy-Lieutenants, or in Commissioners.  
Nor is it a small artifice to raise money by so many several and confused Taxes. Whereas one or two ways orderly used and well husbanded, would have done the work. 1. Royal Subsidy of 400000 l. 2. Pole-mony. 3 the free Loans and contributions upon the public Faith amounted to a vast incredible sum, in money, Plate, horse, Arms, etc. 4. The Irish adventure for sale of Lands the first and second time. 5. The Weekly Meal. 6. the City Loane after the rate of 50 Subsidies. 7. The Assessment for bringing in the Scots. 8. the 5. and 20 part, 9 The Weekly assessment for my L. General's Army. 10. The weekly (or Monthly Assessment for Sir Tho. Fairfax Army. 11. The weekly Assessment for the Scottish Army. 12. The weekly Assessment for the british Army in Ireland. 13 The Weekly Assessment for my L. of Manchesters' Army. 14. Freequarter (at least) connived at by the State, because the Soldiers having for a time subsistence that way, are the less craving for their pay: whereby their arrears growing stolen, will at last either be frustrated by a tedious Committee of Accounts, or forgotten. In the mean time, the grand Committee of accounts discount it out of the Commanders arrears, whereby the State saves it. 15. The King's Revenue. 16. Sequestrations and plunder by Committees, which if well answered to the State would have carried on the work: which thus I demonstrate, One half of all the goods and chattels, and at least one half of all the Lands, Rents, and Revenues of the Kingdom have been sequestered. And who can imagine that one half of the profits and goods of the Land will not maintain any Forces that can be kept and fed in England, for the defence thereof? 17. Excise upon all things. This alone if well managed would maintain the War. The Low-countries make it almost their only support. 18. Fortification money, etc. By these several ways and Taxes about 40 millions in money and money worth have been milked from the People: and the Parliament as (the Pope did once) may call England, Puteum inexhaustum; yet is now almost drawn day. A vast Treasury, and so excessive, as nothing but a long peace could import: and nothing but much fraud and many follies could dissipate. And we ought not to wonder if it be accounted ●nter arcana novissimi imperii to be always making, yet never finishing an account thereof.  

15. Accounts.  And as they have artificially confounded the accounts by laying on multiplicity of Taxes; so (so for the same reason) they let the money run in so many muddy, obscure channels, through so many Committees and Officers fingers, both for collecting, receiving, issuing and paying it forth, that it is impossible to make or balance any public account thereof: and at the least one half thereof is known to be devoured by Committees and officers and those that for lucre protect them. By these means as they make many men partners with them in the public spoils, so they much strengthen and increase their party, whereby multitude peccantium tollit paenam.  

Accounts again.  If these things were not purposely done, 1. our Taxes would be fewer in number, and more in effect. 2. They would be put to run in one channel, under the fingering of fewer Harpies, and perspicuous and true Entries made of all receipts and disbursements which would be public to common view and examination. The Exchequer way of Accounts is the exactest, ancientest, and best known way of account of England, and most free from deceit, which is almost confessed de facto, when (to make the King's Revenue more obnoxious to their desires) they took it out of the exchequer way (contrary to the fundamental Laws of the Land; for both the higher & lower Exchequer are as ancient and fundamental as any Court in England) and put it under, a Committee which (as all other Committees do) will render an account of their stewardship at the latter day. In the mean time divers of that Committee buy in old sleeping Pensions which thee pay themselves from the first of their arrears: yet other men that have disbursed money out of their purses for the King's Service, can receive no pay for any money laid forth before Michaelmas Term, 1643. because (forsooth) than the Committee first took charge of the Revenue. In the mean time the King's Tenants and debtors are deprived of the benefit of the Laws and Liberties of the Subject which before they enjoyed: all Debts and moneys being now raised by the terror of the Purfuivants and Messengers, whose Commissions are only to distrain and levy, etc. whereas formerly the Exchequer sent out legal Process, and the Tenant or Debtor had liberty to plead to it in his own defence, if he thought himself wronged; but now New Lords, new Laws,, and to countenance their do, the Committee have gotten an addition of some Lords to them. 3. If there were fair play above board, so many Members of both Houses would not be ambitious of the trouble and clamour that attends Taskmasters, Publicans, and such sinners as fit at the receipt of Custom, being no part of the business for which the writ summons, or the people choose or trust them and whereby they are diverted from the business of the House: but would leave that employment to other men, who not having the character and privilege of Parliament upon them, will be less able to protect themselves and their agents from giving public accounts of their receips and disbursements, and from putting affronts & delays upon the Committee of Accounts as (it is well known) some of them have done. Lastly it is scandalous that the same men should be continued so long in their money employments because Diuturnitas & solitudo corrumpunt Imperia; and by long continuance and experience they grow so hardened, so cunning in their way, and so backward with dependencies, that it is almost impossible to trace them. And although (when we look upon the many persons employed) we cannot say there is solitudo personarum; yet when we consider that by a long partnership in their employments they are allied together in one common interest; they are to be esteemed but as one man, for a Corporation of men is but many men joined together as one man, and with one mind pursuing one and the same end or interest.  
And though we have a general Committee of Accounts, 
16. Committee of Accounts.  yet they were nominated by those Members that ought to give Accounts: and it must needs be suspicious for an Accountant to choose those persons before whom he shall account. And we see (after so long a time of their sitting) no fruit thereof. Whereas the people did hope, that after so much money spent, and such great debts and arrears left to pay, (whereby they are threatened with continuance of their Taxes) That a full and exact general account of all Receipts and Disbursements would have been published in Print, for their satisfaction, as is usually done in the Low Countries, and as was once done by this Parliament, Anno 1642. by a Declaration of the accounts of the Kingdom.  

17. Wants of the Parl. and how occasioned.  By these exorbitant courses, though they have drained 40. Millions from the people, yet (as Philip of Macedon was said to be Inter quotidianus rapinas semper inops) they are fall'n to such ridiculous want and beggary, that they have lately pawned almost all the security they have for 200000.l. to disband the Army, and enter upon the Irish employment. They have slit Goldsmith's Hall in sunder, and given one side thereof to the City, and kept the other half thereof to themselves, and that already charged with 200000.l. at least. So that if any sudden occasion happen, they have put their purse into the hands of the uncircumcised Jews of the City, and cannot raise one penny but by new taxes upon the people. It was worth observing to see how officiously some of the old Stagers took leave of the Public purse, before it came into Hucksters hands. Alderman Pennington had a debt of 3000. l. he owed to Sir john Pennington forgiven him, (he never asked forgiveness of his sins so hearty) and 3000.l. more given him out of Goldsmith's Hall in course. The reason of this bounty was forked or twofold:  
1. Because he had got enough before.  
2. To comfort his heart, for being left out of the City Militia. But the most observable thing was, to see this old Parliament like a young Prodigal, take up money upon difficult terms, and entangle all they had for a security.  
1. They gave way to the City to hedge in an old debt, being a loan of money after the rate of Subsidies: and other old debts.  
2. Whereas 200000. l. only was the sum to be borrowed; the City enjoined them to take up 230000. l. whereof the the odd 30000. l. to be bestowed for relief of decayed occupiers of the City: So, that (upon the matter) the Parliament pays 30000. l. Broakage.  
3. That the City may not trust the greatest unthrifts of Christendom, with laying out their own money; they put upon them two Treasurers of the City to retain and disburse it for the service for which it was borrowed. So ye see they have now neither credit, money, nor a purse to put it in.  
So that the modest Members who have been more forward to help their Country than themselves, 
18. Modest and middle members.  are left in the lurch for their losses, and exposed to the laughter of their elder brothers, the old Junto men, and factious leaders of the house; all being now mortgaged to the Lombard's of the City. The thriving Members hope their younger brothers will continue as modest, as they have been, and digest all with patience. But others (and those neither fools nor knaves) hope all the modest and middle men of the houses (such as are engaged in no faction) will be provoked hereby to draw into a third party or Junto to moderate the excesses of the other two, when any thing prejudicial to the Commonwealth is agitated: and to call the old Junto men those land Pirates to account, making them cast up what they have swallowed, and bring it to a common dividend. Nor let them be discouraged with the supposed difficulty hereof, since 20. or 30. men holding together, & observing the cross debates, and different sway of each party, may easily make themselves moderators of their differences, & turn the scales for the best advantage of the common, which way they please to cast in their votes, since it is very rare to have any question carried by more than eight or ten voices.  
Most of these Grandees have for their retreat, 
19 Grandees provision to save themselves.  houses in the Low Countries richly furnished with sequestered Plate, Linen and Stuff: and great store of money in bank for their shelter, against such storms as their Rapine, Tyranny and Ignorance may happily raise here amongst us. In those their retirements, these Authors of our miseries will enjoy their sins, and our spoils in security, attending an opportunity to purchase their peace at last, and betray our Safeties and Liberties to the enraged Prince and People. This is called robbing the Egyptians. And truly these ambitious state-Mountebanks have brought us into a darkness, worse than Egyptian. The text faith, the Egyptians risen not from their places in three days: They yet knew where they were: which is more than we do, every man being out of his place and rank. The Servant in place of his Master, the Beggar in place of the King, the Fool in place of the Counsellor, the Thief in place of the Judge, the Cheater in place of the Treasurer, the Clown in place of the Gentleman; none but God alone can play Daedalus part, and give us a Clue to lead us out of this labyrinth, into which these unpolitique Hocas Pocasses have brought us: These unskilful workmen that have built up Babel, and pulled down Zion. Others are said to prepare Foreign Plantations for Retreat; To people which, children are ravished from their parents arms, and Shipped away; an abomination not known in England before, and therefore no competent Law made against it; no more than in ancient Rome against Parricides.  

20. Grandees their several interests and designs and strengths.  By what hath been already said, you see what the several, and what the conjoined interests of these two Juntoes or Factions Presbyterian and Independent are. Let us now consider where their several strength lies. The Independent groundeth his strength upon the Army, which if he can keep up, he hopes to give the Law to all; and to produce that great Chimaera, Liberty of Conscience: not considering that the confusion and licentiousness of such a liberty will destroy itself, Libertas Libertate perit. The Presbyterians have three pillars to support them. 1. The City is their chief foundation, with which they keep a strict correspondency, and daily communication of Counsels. Upon this consideration they have lately put the Parliament Purse into the City's Pocket as aforesaid; settled and enlarged the City Militia. Whereas all the Countries of England (being more obnoxious to injuries then the City) suffer much for want of settling their Militia; the Parliament not trusting them with arms, so much as for their own defence: An evident sign, there is a farther design than disbanding this Army. And because the City Militia, can only keep in awe the adjacent South and East Counties of the Kingdom; therefore to suppress the remoter parts, and enforce them to obedience, they keep up some inland Garrisons, and have General Poyntz supernumerary forces for the North. And in the West (under colour of sending men for Ireland) they keep upon free quarter and pay of the country many supernumerary Regiments and Troops most Cavaliers; at least five times as many as they really intent to transport. These are always going, but never gone: Like Saint George, always in his saddle, never on his way. Something ever is and shall be wanting until Sir Thomas Fayrfax's Army be disbanded; and then (it is thought) the disguise will fall off; and these supernumeraries shall appear a new modelled Army under Presbyterian Commanders, you may be sure: and such whose consciences shall not befool their wits where any matter of gain appeareth. If this be not their aim, Why did they not disband these lewd Supernumeraries before last winter, since they might have raised as many men the spring following for half the charge their very free quarters cost? And most of these swear they will not go for Ireland, vowing they will cut the throats of the Roundheads.  
The Country is amazed, fearing these Cavaliers are kept on freequarter by a Cavaleerish party for some Cavaleerish Design. Secondly, why did they not rather divide Sir Thomas Fayrfax Army into two parts, one to go for Ireland, the other to stay in England; being already modelled, excellently disciplined, and having the visible marks of God's favour upon their actions? But to take a few for Ireland, a few for England, and leave a Core in the middle to be plucked forth and disbanded, was the way to discontent them, and put them into mutiny: and thereby necessitate the Parliament to disband them all, and give an opportunity to them that seek it, to new model another army out of the aforesaid Supernumeraries, more pliable to the desires of the Presbyterian juncto: Add hereunto the causeless exasperating Speeches and aspersions cast upon most of the army purposely, as moderate men think, to discontent them. Thirdly, If they have no intent to keep up an Army upon the people, why have they continued the military charge for another year; and enlarge it from 52000 l. to 60000 l. a month?  
Thus the City, Inland Garrisons, 
21. Presbytersi  and supernumerary forces new modelled are like to prove the three stringed whips wherewith the Presbyterian Phaeton's will drive their triumphant Chariot if they prevail; To which may be added the Presbytors themselves, who by over-awing men's Consciences with their Doctrine, will subdue and work men's minds like wax to receive any impression of bondage that tyranny and oppression can set upon them, as they do in Scotland: The Clergy in all times and places have ever held with the mightyt as the Jacco hunts still with the Lion to partake of his prey.  

23. Queries upon the premises.  The premises considered, I shall propound these ensuing Queries to those that are of better Judgement than myself.  
1 Quere, Why the Title and punishment of Malignants is translated from the Cavaliers, who fought for Regal Tyranny against the Parl. and laid upon those that fought against Regal Tyranny for the Parliament? Is it not because those Cavaliers that have fought for one Tyranny, will not be scrupulous to fight for another? and such well affected as have opposed Tyranny in one kind, will not admit of it in another? Why is it now accounted a note of malignity and disaffection to endeavour the putting down of Arbitrary Government, and re-establishing our laws, liberties and properties; whereto the Parliament by their many Declarations and their Nationall Covenant are bound? Lay this to heart and consider whether they have not changed these their first principles, and consequently whether they are not desirous to change their old friends who resolutely adhere to the said principles.  
2. If the King grant the Propositions; or if he deny them, and the predominant Juncto (for both Juncto's joined in one (for this is probable) to drive on one common interest) establish the military and civil power without him, according to their desires, and in order to their aims. Quaere whether the said leading men settled in their postures with their confident Guards about them, may not draw after them so many of their party, as upon an implicit faith will follow them, and lick up the crumbs of the public spoils under their Tables: expelling or disabling (as aforesaid) the disengaged members, and by this policy make themselves perpetual Dictator's, incorporating and engrossing to themselves both the Consultive, Directive and Ministerial power of the Kingdom in all causes Civil and Military, setting up an Oligarchy or popular Tyranny in stead of a Regal: As the thirty Tyrants of Athens did. In order whereto they already declare, 1. That an Ordinance of Parliament without the King's Royal assent is equal to an Act of Parliament. 2. That an Ordinance is above a Law by virtue of their Legislative power: upon which presuming in their Ordinance of Indemnity they have granted an Appeal from the Judges of the Law to a Committee of Parliament. See the Ordinance May 21. 1647. 3. That they are the Irrevocable trusties of the people's laws, liberties and properties, without account: with other principles preparative to Tyranny.  
3. Quaere, Why Arbitrary and Barbarous Government by Committees and other Illegal proceed (which in time of war were used upon Real or pretended necessity, & were then only excusable, because necessitas tollit Legem) are still continued upon us now in time of peace, no enemies troubling our quiet, and without any further pretence of necessity, Contrary to their Nationall Covenant, and all their Declarations? Is it not, to inure the People to servitude, and ever use their patience?  
4. Quaere, Whether the Prodigious oppressions of Committees, Sequestrators, etc. and of free Quarter be not purposely countenanced to necessitate the people to rise in tumults, that thence occasion may be taken to keep inland Garrisons and Armies?  
5. Quaere, Whether our laws, liberties, and properties are not now as liable to an Invasion from the Legis-lative power, as formerly, from the Prerogative? Considering that those who like ambitious Absolom courted and wooed the people in the beginning of troubles, now like haughty Rehoboams, care not though the people complain: Their little finger is heavier than the loins of the King, the controversy between the two Juncto's being no more, than whose slaves we shall be.  
If the middle and disengaged men in the House do not speedily unite themselves into a party or Juncto, as the Factious have done, 
23. Middle and Moderate members again.  and communicate their counsels; they will be arena sine calce, lose sand dissipated by every breath: and neither serviceable for themselves nor their Country. Whereas if they unite, twenty or thirty may become Moderators and Umpeers between both parties; (as hath been already said) Let the moderate men but consider how sad and dishonourable a thing it is to see nothing almost of great and public concernment come into the House, but what hath been before hand contrived, debated, and digested in one or both of the two Juncto's at their private meetings: and put into so resolved and prejudicated a way and method of dispatch, that every man is appointed his part or Cue beforehand: One man to move it, and set it on foot, another to second him: One man to speak to one part of the argument, another to another part: another to keep himself to the last for a reserve, and speak to the question, which he is provided to qualify with a distinction, or vary it, if he find it difficult to pass. Thus all public businesses are measured by private respects; whereby it appears, that as frequent Parl. are good physic: so continual Parl. are bad food; & the people may complain, that, qui medice vivit, misere vivit. Parliaments are Bona peritura; they cannot keep long without Corruption. Their perpetuity emboldens the members, by taking from them all fear of being called to account: Especially if they get their sons into the House as well as themselves (as many have done this Parliament: and more endeavour to do) whereby they have an estate in their places for two or three lives: Moreover by long sitting they become so familiar with one another's persons and designs, as to serve one another's turns, to join interest, and to draw into Factions, Hodie mihi, cras tibi. If you and your party will help me to day, I and my friend will help you to morrow.  

24. Conclusion with some complaints.  Miserima Resp. ubi majestas Imperii, & salus populi discordibus conflictantur studiis. What shall we say?  En quo discordia tetra— perduxit miseros? 
Shall we complain to God? God hath a controversy with us. Of whom shall we complain? of ourselves? we must first reform ourselves: we that take upon us to reform Church and Commonwealth. Shall we complain of our sins? ask the grace of repentance first; and so ask that we may obtain. Shall we complain of our punishments? let us first repent, and amend our sins that caused them. Let us first pluck off the mask of hypocrisy, God will see through such a fantastical garment of Fig-leaves. Let us no longer make Religion a stalking-horse; God who is all Wisdom, and all Truth, will not be deceived. If we talk like Christians, and live like Turks, Christ will not own us. To fast for a day, and hang our heads like bulrushes, will not reconcile us. We must fast from public spoils, rapines and oppression, and not drink the tears of the poor and needy. Shall we complain with the Prophet, That our Princes are become Thiefs? that was heretofore our complaint, now we must invert it, and cry, That our Thiefs (mean and base people) are become Princes. We are sick, very sick, intemperately sick; and God hath given us a Physician in his wrath, a Leper as white as snow, fit to infect then cure us. What Physic doth he prescribe? Poison. What diet? Stones instead of bread, Scorpions instead of fishes, hard fare for them that formerly fed so daintily. Before I conclude, let me give you the pedigree of our Miseries, and of their Remedies. A long peace begat Plenty, Plenty begat Pride, and her sister Riot; Pride begot Ambition, Ambition begot Faction, Faction begot Civil War: And (if our eviils be not incurable, if we be not fall'n in id temporis quo nec vitia nostra, nec corum remedia ferre possumus) our War will beget Poverty, Poverty Humility, Humility Peace again, Sic rerum revertentibus vicibus annulus vertitur Politicus. The declining spoke of the Wheel will rise again. But we are not yet sufficiently Humbled; we have not repent with Nineveh. We wear Silks and Velvets instead of sackcloth and ashes (even the meanest upstart hath his thefts writ upon his back by his Tailor in proud Characters of Goldlace) we have not watered our Couch with our Tears, but with adulterous sweat. Look to it therefore ye state Incubi, that by an incestuous copulation have begot plenty upon War, and filled your houses with the spoil and plunder of your dear Country; an inundation of blood, and of the tears of the oppressed will wash away the foundation of your houses: And peace will be fare from you in this world, but especially that peace which the world cannot give: And because Salamander-like you delight in the fire of contention; an unquenchable fire will be your lot hereafter. And though you escape all accounts here, yet upon the great day of account when you shall receive your sentence of condemnation, those your children for whose preferment you fell your souls, your God for gold, shall not show so much thankfulness or pity towards you, as to say, alas our father! But your hearts are hardened with Pharaoh, I leave you therefore to Pharaoh's destiny, to be drowned in your own Red Sea, as he was in his.  
Thus fare I adventured to vindicate our Religion, Laws, 
25. Resolution and scope o● the Author.  and Liberties with my pen; in discharge of my Conscience, and pursuance of our Nationall Covenant which obligeth us to defend them against whosoever to our power; neither knowing nor caring whether in so wicked an age (wherein vice is honoured, and virtue contemned) I may be thought worthy of punishment for being more righteous than my superiors. I know an honest man is wondered at like a monster, and the innocency of his life and conversation suspected as a Libel against the State, yet if I perish I perish; & pereundum in licitis. Nor am I less provided of a safe retreat then our Grandees. My grave is open for me, and one foot in it already. Contempsit omnes ille qui mortem prius. He that contemns death, scorns both Hope and Fear; which are the only affections that make Knaves, Fools and Cowards of all the world. The world is a goodly Theatre, we the Actors, God is both Poet and chief spectator. We must not choose our own parts, that is at God's appointment. One man he appoints to play the King, another the Beggar, one a Comic, another a Tragic part: Whatsoever part God hath appointed for me in this remainder of my life, I will have a care to personate it ingenuously and aptly: Not doubting but my Exit shall be accompanied with an applause into my tiring Room, my Tomb; nor will I refuse the meanest part that may draw a plaudit from so excellent a spectator, but will prepare myself for the worst of evils, in this worst of times; and pray to God to reform our Reformers. Amen.  
THE END.