Peace and not warre: or The moderator. Truly, but yet plainly, stating the case of the Common-VVealth, as to several of the considerable councils & transactions from the year 1636. to 1659. By John Harris, Gent. An affectionate lover of his countryes peace. Harris, John, Gent. This text is an enriched version of the TCP digital transcription A87143 of text R202581 in the English Short Title Catalog (Thomason E1000_25). Textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. The text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with MorphAdorner. The annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). Textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. This text has not been fully proofread Approx. 101 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 27 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. EarlyPrint Project Evanston,IL, Notre Dame, IN, St. Louis, MO 2017 A87143 Wing H859 Thomason E1000_25 ESTC R202581 99862811 99862811 114988 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A87143) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 114988) Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 148:E1000[25]) Peace and not warre: or The moderator. Truly, but yet plainly, stating the case of the Common-VVealth, as to several of the considerable councils & transactions from the year 1636. to 1659. By John Harris, Gent. An affectionate lover of his countryes peace. Harris, John, Gent. [6], 46 p. printed for Nath: Brook, at the Angell in Cornhill, London : 1659. Annotation on Thomason copy: "Octob: 25.". Reproduction of the original in the British Library. eng Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1649-1660 -- Early works to 1800. Great Britain -- History -- Commonwealth and Protectorate, 1649-1660 -- Early works to 1800. A87143 R202581 (Thomason E1000_25). civilwar no Peace and not warre: or The moderator.: Truly, but yet plainly, stating the case of the Common-VVealth, as to several of the considerable c Harris, John, Gent. 1659 16491 15 0 0 0 0 0 9 B The rate of 9 defects per 10,000 words puts this text in the B category of texts with fewer than 10 defects per 10,000 words. 2007-05 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2007-06 Apex CoVantage Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2007-11 Elspeth Healey Sampled and proofread 2007-11 Elspeth Healey Text and markup reviewed and edited 2008-02 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion PEACE and not WARRE : OR THE MODERATOR . Truly , but yet Plainly , STATING the CASE OF THE COMMON-VVEALTH , As to several of the Considerable COUNCILS & TRANSACTIONS from the Year 1636. to 1659. By JOHN HARRIS , Gent. An affectionate Lover of his Countryes Peace . LONDON , Printed for Nath : Brook , at the Angell in Cornhill . 1659. The EPISTLE to the READER . EXpect not that I should apologize or beg thy favour , either in Buying , Reading or Approving the Contents of the ensuing Treatise . If in the Publishing thereof I had had profit in my eye , then it would have been a necessary Duty incumbent upon me , in order to my ends , to have fawned , flattered and baited my Hook with , Courteous , Ingenuous Reader , and the like ; but the bent of my Spirit and Intention carrying me another way , I have rather chose to play at hap hazard ; and although I may content none else , I am satisfied that I have pleased my self . I shall not give you an Abstract thereof , or like one that would allure your liking , tell you more in the Title and Epistle than you 'l find in the Book , there it is , let it speak for it self : Possibly some may judge me peremptory , others phantastique , but for that I am armed , as neither seeking or valuing Applause , or fearing or esteeming the Contempt or Malice of men . Let it suffice , it is the product of several years experience , briefly , but truly according to the succession of Councils and Affaires related , and may serve as a Clue to guide your memories ( yea and judgments too ) unto a right understanding of those things which probably hitherto you have had but some confused Notions of ; and they too so disordered , that thereby you have not been able to weigh things aright , so as to owne or adhere to those principles of Freedom and Justice , in the attainment whereof your Peace and Prosperity principally consists . If I have been or shall be judged too severe or bitter in any expressions , in relation to Persons or Councils , I am sure it is so much against my principle , that if the Nature of the thing could have been expressed in any other terms , and have retained the similitude , I should have forborne ; but although all Truths ought not to be spoken , yet necessary ones must , and in many Cases it is better not to speak at all , than not to the purpose . I have reason to believe that some will be angry , because probably they 'l judge themselves concerned : it is no news for the gall'd Horse to kick , especially when he feeles the smart , his sore being cauterized : But I have this advantage , Wise men will not shew it , and for such as are otherwise , their Malice cannot prejudice . I will not Tantalize you longer , but leave you to your Likeing , having no other end herein , than to manifest my self thine in the service of my Country , J. H. ERRATA . PAg. 37 ▪ l. 16. r ▪ create for treat . p. 43. l. 11. r. you for them . l. 16. r. in this Age for strange Age . p. 45. l. 15. r. neer for meer . The Moderator : Truely Stating the CASE OF THE COMMON-WEALTH , &c. I Shall not look back so far as to the Originall of the Government of Kings , whether before the Conquest or since , nor dispute the equity or conveniency of the principles , upon which they were established ; although much hath and may be spoken for and against that form , both from principles of Divinity and Reason ; on the one hand the Divine institution being pleaded , and not to be denyed ; although on the other side , as to the manner of conveyance of , and investiture in the exercise of the office of Kingship , it is alleadged , that there can be no power vested in one man over many , but it must be either immediate or mediate : An immediate power given by God ( say they ) none can claime ; if they can , let it appeare and we will obey gladly ; but if not , then their power must be mediate : and if so , then it must have its birth either from force , because stronger , or consent and election : if by force , how long soever continued , freedome may be regained by the people under that force , when ever opportunity serves : if by consent , then there is a mutuall obligation , the one to governe by a Law , the other to obey by a Law , and this ( say they ) is the most sure basis of Government , whether it be exercised by one or many . The reason they give for this opinion ought also to be considered to prevent popular confusions . They say where the Government of one or many is established by compact , there the people do not convey a power to any to be exercised over them , according to the lust or will of the Magistrate , neither do they bind themselves unto any servile or slavish obedience , unto his or their commands , and therefore they establish on their behalf Trustees , not onely to make and form the Law and compact , by which they will be governed , but also to see that the same be duely performed on the part of the Magistrate , without which , say they , it were a mockery , and not a Government , each party obliged having upon principles of reason the same latitude of liberty to break the bond , whether of command or subjection . But my designe driving me another way , I shall onely take a short view of the State of the affaires and Councils of this Nation , under the Government of the late King in the yeares 1636. 39 , 40. And so proceed till after many revolutions , we come to find England as it were clothed with feares and buryed in trouble and confusion as at this day , from the consideration of the causes whereof , the naturall consequences will by all unbiassed persons be readily deduced and applyed . It may be remembred into what parties the Ecclesiasticall and civil Councels , under that unfortunate Prince were divided , viz. Arminian and Puritane , among the Bishops and Clergy , French and Spanish , among the temporall Lords , each party seeming to be most active in advancement of the Kings interest , while under-hand they not onely introduced , but also nourished and made their own designes to flourish . I need not mention the consequences of the Councels of those times , because the long intermission of Parliaments , the excesse of monopolies , even to pins and all things of necessary use , the many illegall and unwarrantable Taxes of money upon the Subject , as in the Case of ship-money , which though but small in it self , yet in respect of the principle upon which it was demanded , ( viz. a pretended necessity of which the King was sole judge ) by which the very propriety of every mans Estate was and would have been destroyed . It being by the same rule as lawfull for the supreame Magistrate to demand twenty shillings or twenty pounds , if he see cause , out of every mans Estate , as one penny or any other summe , because by the Grand Charter of England , and severall other Lawes then in force , nothing ought to be leavied upon the subject , but by and with the consent of the people in Parliament : I say these things are so fresh in memory , that I shall not need to stir those embers any further that have kindled such a fatall fire in the bowels of these divided and distracted Nations . Onely give me leave to mention the method that was observed by the Catholick Caball , then governing in Councill , to introduce those troubles , that have since been the necessary consequences of their then designments . As to the King , an unlimited Prerogative was made the sugred bait to allure him to a countenance of , and compliance with them ; it being naturall for all men ( especially Princes ) not onely to admire , but to reach at and covet the encrease of power and dominion , especially when the attainement thereof seemes to be facile , and the end advantageous . Having brought him to their bent in that particular , then they began to spring that mine which had for severall yeares lain hid , viz. the introduction of Popery , though not in its own name , nor with its own face , for as yet neitheir their Councils nor forces were ripe for so great a work , and therefore the two factions Spanish and French , being joyned to the Arminian part of the Clergy , who at that time greatly over-powered those that were called Puritans , set on foot the orders for conformity and uniformity in publick worship , and imposed the publick Liturgy or Common Prayer , setting the same above preaching , &c ▪ and this not out of any zeal to the Glory of God , but in design to heat and perplex all such in the two Nations of England and Scotland , as were conscientious , to the intent that by that opposition which must consequently be made by them , whose principles could not submit to those unwartantable innovations , an occasion might be given them to incite the King to make use of his power by force to impose , what otherwise his Proclamations and commands could not effect . And this from reason and experience , I alleadge to be the parent of the Scotch War , begun under the command of that great Spanish Factor Arrundell , Generall , who indeed was the fittest to execute what had been so long hammering between him , his brother Cottington , and other the Cabalists of that faction . And by the way it is worth remembring , that while the King with all the power of the nation was engaged in the borders of Scotland , by force to subject them , to the designes both of his own and their enemies ; the Spaniard arrives in the Downes with a powerfull Fleet and Army , the comming whereof was never so much as known by England , or at least taken notice of untill seen , although forraign preparations doe and ought , generally occasion ( nay necessitate ) domestick provisions for security : But the Dutch dissipating them , diverted the storme , and left England destitute of that proof of their designe ; which if it had taken , we have cause to believe that pretended peace patcht up with the Scots , had not been so soon made : but being put upon new Councells , and that forraign assistance failing , they feared to rely upon the strength of their Army ; ( which though as to men gallant and numerous , ) yet being somewhat divided , and all England behinde them in feares , the appearance of the Spaniard as aforesaid having put men upon consideration ; lest the designe should appeare both to the King and his people , I say a peace is patcht up , the Army disbanded , and a Parliament called , by the expectation whereof the people began a little to be quieted , in hopes that by those Physitians the nation might be cured of all its distempers . But such was the composition thereof , by reason of the prevalency of the Court in point of Elections of the Commons , and mixture of interests of the Lords Spirituall and Temporall , that as little could be rationally expected from them , as was effected by them at their meeting ; for as the intention of calling , was only to justifie the Scotish War by a Law , and to get money by a loane or subsidie to carry it on , to which the Commons would by no meanes assent , so all expectations became frustrate by their speedy dissolution , and the setting on foot new Councells and designes to increase the flame , and encite the King to make new leavies against the Scots , imprison severall Members of the Parliament , and Scotch Commissioners sent and attending to ratify the Treaty , seize severall of the Ships and Goods of the Scotch , and by all meanes endeavour to suppresse and destroy the Puritane party as they call them , who they judged the onely great enemies to the King ; whereas they took the exactest course in the world to make them such , all their designes and actings being clothed by his power , and strengthened by his warrant and Commission . And to the end the want of money might not retard or hinder the vigorous prosecution of the War , the Bishops open their bags and raine showers of Gold thereby justly giving occasion for it to be called , Bellum Episcopale ; but notwithstanding their haste , the Scots who suspected foule play , had formed an Army , and were upon their march into England , before they could raise and rendezvouz , and maugre their speed , after their routing of a party nigh Newborn , engaged by the Earle of Strafford , ( as is really believed ) upon designe to make the War certain , the Scots enter Newcastle , and possesse Durham and parts adjacent , while the King retires to York , neither Army proceeding any further to acts of hostility . But by the way it is observable , the Earle of Northumberland , who a little before could not be suffered upon any termes to pass Trent , being popular in the North , and a moderate Protestant , must be made Generall , the better to colour the businesse ; and since the Spanish assistance failed , a new forraign force must be made use of , and the Catholick Irish , His Majesties then pretended most loyall Subjects must be armed , and engaged in this religious War , contrary to reason , common rules of prudence or safety , and the consequences whereof did soon after visibly appeare in that horrid rebellion , which ended in the sorrow and ruine of the designers . The Scots being in England , and necessities encreasing , many of the Nobility and Gentry were summoned to attend upon the King at York , where after mature consideration of the State of affaires , a Paliament is agreed to be summoned , and Writs issue out accordingly . The Parliament being met , and an account being taken of the necessities and demands of the King , after many debates , the Parliament resolve and declare , That unlesse they might be secured to sit untill the grievances of the people were considered and redressed , they would grant no supplies , nor intermedle with the Scotch War , but leave it as they found it , or to that purpose . This resolution was a bitter pill to the Court , and hard of digestion , but yet necessity has no Law , down it must , and therefore an antidote must be prepared and lie in readiness as a cure for this poyson : For the case stands thus , if the Parliament be not satisfyed , then no supply ; there is an enemy in the Land , and an Army ful of discontents for want of pay , the bishops bags either being emptied or shut up : now if the Parliament pass an act for so many subsidies , upon the confidence of their security ; then though the King continue them to sit by a Law , yet may the Army or a considerable part thereof be by money hired to break them up , upon pretence of necessity , first created and then pleaded : upon which resolution the King is wonne to passe that act so much pleaded , as matter of his justification and concessions to the Parliament . But whether he did really know , or were privy to the after game that was to be plaid upon them , after they had granted their supplies , I shall forbear to censure ; onely leave it to the judgement of the Reader upon the consideration of subsequent transactions . But this is evident to the knowledge and experience of the Author , that accordingly both by Letters and Commissions under the hand and Seal of the King , many endeavours were used to engage the Army to breake up the Parliament , the forementioned Act for their continuance notwithstanding ; and upon discovery whereof , the Parliament were constrained ( though by contracting great debts upon the publick ) to undertake to satisfy the Scots , and to pay and disband that Army to prevent the designes , that were hatched and carryed on under their covert . And this I may call the first visible cause of the Parliaments jealousie , that the King although he did seemingly comply with them , yet under-hand did depend upon , and was guided by other Councells . It is not my businesse to give an account of the weekly proceeds of the Parliament , onely by generall hints of things to lead you by a succession of some generalls , unto the remembrance of such affaires as may be conducible unto the end proposed . The business of Delinquents , especially the Earle of Strafford , and disposition of the Militia , were the most considerable visible causes of difference between the King and Parliament ; other things might and did intervene , as additionall fuell to increase that flame , which since hath scorched ( if not burnt ) all on both sides that had a hand in the kindling of it : but probably busie instruments in each party , having designes retrograde to the grand end , which should have been peace and unity , viz. Souldiers of fortune ; that desired to fish in troubled waters , and hoped to rise by others ruines , animating the Court to extreames ; the greatest whereof was the illegall demand of the five Members ; and others as busie to take that advantage , to abet the people in Petitioning with seeming violence for such things as could not but in that juncture of affaires create jealousies and feares in the King ; I say things being brought thus into a suddain hurry , and the people which not many dayes before , upon his return from Scotland , had entertained him with acclamations of joy ; now declaiming against him upon pretence of the denyall of Justice : And being seduced by the forementioned Counsellours , he first sends the Queen for Holland , and afterward leaves the Parliament ; and retires himself from place to place , till he arrived at York ; to whom the Parliament sent an humble Petition praying his return , and severall Members are Commissioned to give his Majesty satisfaction touching his demands : But the designe for War was laid , although peace was pretended ; and a seeming necessity for his departure pleaded , upon pretence of tumults ; the Parliament was a burthen , and must be removed : and it is submitted to judgement whether the designe of the Queens going to the Spaw , publish● long before any of these pretended tumults ; ( which never appeared , untill the erection of the Guard of Cavalry against Whitehall , to hinder the peoples recourse to Westminster ; though with peaceable Petitions , according to their just liberty : And his denyall of justice upon Strafford , ) I say it is left to judgement , whether the bottom of the business of that voyage , was not to buy Armes and engage Orange and the Dutch , to grant their assistance towards the carrying on of the intended War , otherwise it is not probable that the Jewels of the Crown by her pawned , and the money imployed for that purpose , would have been hazarded in such a voyage : But to proceed . To initiate the War , instead of returning to the Parliament , although often Petitioned to that purpose ; a guard must be raised for the security of his Majesties person , and accordingly is ; in the meane time severall Members of Parliament , ( whether through fear of the event , or hopes or promises of advantage ; or by what other allurements I shall not determine ) Betrayed their trusts , left the Parliament , and went to the King at York ; thereby not onely giving countenance to those proceedings , but also much lessening the power of Parliament . In the mean time Commissions were issued under-hand , for leavies of men , in order to form an Army against the Parliament ; and Provisions in hand for the erection of his Standard at Nottingham , which was soon after put in execution : These preparations put the Parliament upon new thoughts , and seeing neither Messages nor Petitions could prevaile , and that there was a necessity laid upon them , either to betray the Liberties of the people , that had trusted them , and the Lawes of the Nation , into the power of those evill Counsellours , who had as aforesaid abused and betrayed the King and Kingdome into so many troubles ; or otherwise to cast themselves upon the affection of their Trustees , and the justice of their cause ; and in defence thereof to raise an Army , which they accordingly did , and put the same under the Command of the Earl of Essex ; with Commission onely to defend their Authority , and protect the people as much as might be from the force of the enemy . I shall not enumerate the various successes of the Armies , being unwilling to renew the teares of the Parents , Widowes and Orphans ; made Husbandlesse , Fatherlesse and Childlesse in that unhappy War ; onely in respect of some subsequent transactions , I must give a hint or two of some remarkable passages , upon the basis whereof a great part of the succeeding narrative depends . The War being prosecuted with violence in all parts of the Nation , an association of Essex and other Counties was made , and a distinct Army , raised under the Command of the Earl of Manchester ; others were on foot in other parts , according to their respective necessities under Sir William Waller , &c. But Manchesters Army being moulded for the most part of sober serious Christians , though of different judgements ; God was pleased signally to own them in their actings and successes , more then any other force imployed at that time on the behalf of the Parliament ; and particularly in that engagement at Marston-Moore , and the siege of York : The defeat then given being the first considerable weakning that ever the Kings party received . I confess there were joyned in the said engagement the Scots , who had been called in to the Parliaments assistance : But as to their merit in that engagement , except some few of the Gentry , I think it will become me to be silent , the whole brunt of the day lying upon the Forces of Fairfax and Manchester ; and indeed it may well be reputed a sharp engagement , seeing all the Generalls on both sides left the Field , not knowing the success : In which dayes Exercise , Col : Cromwel , then Manchesters Lieutenant Generall , did eminently merit the praise of a prudent and valiant Leader : Not to derogate from those many others , in whose places respectively , they valiantly and faithfully discharged their duties . But by the way , give me leave to mention a passage that hapned soon after that engagement ; during the second siege of York as I may call it : The success of that battaile and daily expectation of the surrender of York , then despairing of relief ; put the Army upon great expectation of a sudain alteration of affaires , either by a totall conquest or speedy and effectuall treaty ; whereupon the Earl of Manchester and L : G : Cromwell discoursing concerning the regulating the exorbitancy of the Nobility ; L : Generall Cromwell hastily replyed , that it would never be well with England , so long as the Title of a Lord remained ; by which it might have been judged , that such a principle of ambition as afterward manifested it self , had not lodged in his brest : But we see all is not Gold that glisters , opportunity makes theeves ; and therefore it is not safe to trust the most specious pretences , if it may be avoided , for fear of the like danger . But as the Parliament gained in the North , they lost in the West ; the different Commands creating different interests , so that the work was not like to prosper , unless there was a new model ; upon which the Gentleman last mentioned being a Member of the house , and having gained to himself a considerable party , upon the repute he had of honesty and gallantry : He then seeming , ( and I really believe ) at that time was a great lover of , and encourager of godlinesse ; I say having gradually increased his interest , and yet being unwilling it should appeare too considerable ; his design being not probably ripe for execution , a self-denying ordinance was introduced , ( I will not say by whom ; ) although the consequences thereof may and do speak handsomely to that purpopse : For that being passed , both Essex , Manchester ▪ Waller , and all the Members of Parliament , whether Lords or Commons , were out of Command , and himself too . So that as to the face of things , no man could judge of any design in him , more then the publick good : But things remaining in this posture , a Generall must be thought on , and accordingly Sir Thomas Fairfax , a Gentleman of unquestionable integrity , and full fraught with gallantry ; ( but a person of a passive Spirit as to Councells , ) was made Generall ; and the Forces put under his Conduct : who no sooner was upon a march , and drawing nigh to a possibility of engagement ; but he directs a letter to the Parliament , therein desiring that Lieutenant Generall Cromwell might be sent to his assistance , upon which the house by a resolve impower him thereto ; for I never yet heard of any other Commission : upon this he repaires to the Army ; and in the quality of Lieutenant Generall manages the affaires , and steeres the Councells thereof , upon whom he had a mighty influence , as having been the instrument of many of their advancements ; so that in effect , what ever success attended that Army , the Major part of the honour returned to the Lieutenant Generall ; besides the advantage by increase of interest and disposing of Commands ; he countenancing and discountenancing whom he pleased , according as they were instruments fit to be imployed in his then growing designes . I shall wave the various occurrences of the War , and look forward till we find the War ended ; and the King delivered by the Scots for a summe , ( much exceeding the salary of Judas ; ) where remaining under an honourable restraint at Holmby , Commissioners were sent to treat with him , upon an accommodation fit for the King to grant and the Parliament to require ; but as heretofore , that treaty was rendred also successeless ; the reason thereof is not very obvious : yet if the probable conjectures of some that in other things have not been mistaken , may be believed , the Kings obstinacy in that treaty , had its rise from some encouragement given him of the division of the Army , then set on foot by a party that called themselves Presbyterian , at least seemed such , on pretence of the relief of Ireland ; whereas in truth there was nothing less in design , then to divide the Army , and to draw off pretensively for Ireland ; such a party as they knew would joyne with them in their design against them , they called Independents , and to disband the rest , and to bring in the King meerly upon the settlement of a Presbyterian interest ; which though I cannot but judge some of them godly men , yet so far as they are rigidly acted , upon that principle of coercive power over mens Consciences ; I think it would be madness to impower them by a Law , who have a zeal but not according to knowledge ; and are led by a hot-braine party , some whereof are Ministers ; who could not indure the exercise of that power in the Episcopall Clergy over themselves , but cryed it down as Antichristian , & yet are ready to contest unto fire and fagot for the exercise of it over their brethren , every way as learned , pious , laborious and faithfull as themselves ; though probably not so covetous , as to have two or three Livings and Lectures : But this by the way . The treaty was dissolved , and the Army refused to disband or be divided , untill they had their Arreares secured , and saw the ends proposed by the Parliament , as the fruit of all that blood , and treasure that had been exhausted in the War , in some measure answered to the people , of which they were a part as Englishmen , as well as Souldiers : The flame being thus kindled by the hot-spurres of the house , Holis , Prinne and the rest ; Major Generall Skippon and others more moderate must be imployed to quench the fire ; and in the meane time a new design is set on foot to remove the King from Holmby to some place of security , and then in his name to declare against the Army and their abettors in the house ; and by that means to bring all the fury of the wearied people of the Nation upon the Souldiery , that had been in the hand of God , instruments of that peace they then injoyed ; and had it not been wisely foreseen and prevented , the consequence thereof had been much worse , to severall thousands of the godly people of this Nation , then either the Bishops persecution , or former War ; I confess I must call the work good , though not the manner of it , nor event , to remove the King out of the hands of a party , that intended to monopolize his power , to the ruine of their brethren ; I think was not only fit , but of absolute necessity : But to deny the giving the Command , and to call God publickly to witness a lye , as did the L. G. in Parliament , as I have been informed ; I look upon it if true as the first rivolet that began to let in a deluge of miseries upon himself and family . But the King was removed , and the camp metamorphosed into a Court , some of the then principall Commanders learning to flatter sooner then they could to fight . How the King was courted as to the giving of honours , thereby endeavouring to render the advancement of four or five General Officers , the price of the blood and treasure spent in the War ; severall papers printed and published by some that were nick-named Levellers , and confirmed with the losse of their bloods as sure testimonies , may sufficiently evidence ; and for my part , I do really believe when the King lay at Causham , and was afterward upon his publick and solemn engagement , not to do any thing that might tend to the disturbance of the Peace ; ( besides his private promises to Whalley and others ) that the Commanding part of the Army , did really intend his re-establishment ; otherwise it would not have been pressed with such Candor and Zeal , by their addresses to the Parliament ; neither would they ( having Petitioned the Parliament , not to Command them to bring the King nearer London , ) notwithstanding bring him to Hampton Court ; and permit the Scots Commissioners to have free access ; whereby the King became lyable to the breach of his engagement , by giving Commission to Hamilton to invade , and also thereby gave birth to all those following insurrections of Surrey , Kent , &c. set on foot by the royall Presbyterian sticklers , on purpose to give time by busying the Army , for Hamilton to fall into the Association ; which if effected , the consequences thereof may be easily judged . I need not mention the dispute between the parties , about the Militia of London , nor the issue thereof ; since it produced no good on their part that contrived it : But the flight of some and imprisonment of others ; and the positive owning of that party of Parliament that were opposers of that interest . Onely it will be worthy consideration what method was then observed by O. C. who then managed all the affaires of the Army in effect , and had as hazardous a game to play between the Insurrecters & Levellers as ever came to hand ▪ For the case thus stood , the King ( by whose restauration he expected the old honour challenged by the Cromwells , as was then suggested ; and upon whose account he had exasperated his truest friends ) had left him in the midst of a divided Army , fired with discontents , all ready to fall on him ; ( a considerable part of the Parliament then sitting , being disobliged and angry ; as having some jealousies that he designed his own greatness ) to oppose the fury of a potent Nation ; backt with the power of a rich and prevalent party in the Kingdom ; besides the reliques of Royalty , that the Sun-beames of his complacency and countenance , had also warmed and enlivened to give him new trouble . Seeing himself thus ensnared , if by the most reall discovery of his sorrow and shame for his aberation and wandering he could unite a considerable part of the Army to stand fixt , and disband or Casheere the wilfull , yet they must divide into the severall parts of the Nation ; where the appearance of enemies required their service : Leave the King to the charge and care of the Parliament , he dare not ; and to carry him with him in his Marches both troublesome and dangerous , therefore first the discontents of those called Levellers , must be heightned , on purpose to give occasion of telling an officious , but false lie to the King to incite fear , viz. that the Levellers intended his death by some sudden attempt , by which bait and the treachery of some of his own confidents , he was dril'd unto the Isle of Wight ; whither Colonell Hammond was sent to receive him ; yet all this while the Parliament were kept in Ignorance , and must be , it being not ripe for discovery till the issue of Ware-Rendezvouz was seen , and then just in the nick , as if the product of providence , newes of the Kings being taken is promulged with much joy ; when he was never loose , but trapan'd as they call a snare faster then ever . Having thus secured the King , the next work is to quiet the Rebells , before the Scots could be ready to invade ; but the work proving of greater difficulty and length then was imagined , had not the goodness of God , assisting Major Generall Lambert in his Conduct , beyond expectation retarded their march : It had been impossible for the Forces out of Wales , to have joyned , or been in a condition to Fight them ; much less give them such a totall overthrow , as the successe of that day did manifest . After the rout of Hamilton , and reducing of Colchester ; we are at leisure to consult future safety , and in order to that , both parties are at work ; the Royall pretended Presbyter , whose interest depends principally upon the King : They press on a treaty , and the other ( as they had reason ) find no ground to trust him , that had broke such a solemn engagement , and put the Nation to so much hazard : besides the expence of Blood and Treasure , which at that juncture of time was a great aggravation ; so that now the scale is turned , and that party that formerly thought nothing the King offered satisfactory , are now willing to receive any thing : And the other party that formerly were willing to depend upon the Kings personall engagement , will not now trust his oath , though ratifyed by a Law , as knowing that Princes acted by policy , judge no obligation of force that thwart's their designed power or advantage . In the pursuance of these ends both parties act , the Royall Presbyters are at the old trade of Petitions and engagements abroad , thereby to give countenance to their proceedings in Parliament ; and being prevalent in the house , Vote not onely a treaty in the Isle of Wight , but also without much adoe , as if the matter were concluded by instruction , Vote the Kings concessions satisfactory ; when if what was offered at Uxbridge , upon those Propositions , and at Holmby by the King personally were considered , it wil appeare that there was more reason for the acceptance of peace then , then now ; the case being much altered : but it is evident it was not their affection , but the necessity of their interest , that drew them to this change of opinion . The other party had no reason if they could avoid it , to suffer these proceeds ; the ratification whereof must needs concenter in their ruines . The consideration whereof made then , not onely to consider the carriage of affaires by the King , who had left no meanes unattempted to destrey the Parliament , and inslave the people , and that in opposition to that designe , the people ( being acted by them as their Trustees ) had hazarded their Lives , and spent their Bloods and Estates ; that therefore unless they would bring all the Blood that had been shed upon their own heads , they ought in judgement and Conscience , at least by a publick tryall of the King , to assert the publick justice of the Nation ; in opposition to that principle of being unaccountable save onely to God : In pursuance whereof the treaty was dissolved , the King removed ; and soon after the Heads of the said faction , that had so often attempted upon the Parliament , as to breach of Priviledge ; endeavour to divide the Army , under-hand contrivances as to occasion the late insurrections ; of which severall of them might have been convict , if the more weighty affaires of the Nation then on foot , had not constrained the Parliament to wave their prosecution , and remain satisfyed , in that the Clogs , that made their Chariot wheels go heavy , were removed . As to the results touching throwing down Kingship , as dangerous and chargeable , Peereship as uselesse , and for the tryall of the King ; the Records of Parliament being extant , I shall omit to treat any further thereon , onely I shall adde this and submit it : Whether seeing on all hands it is granted that the King , before he could do any regall act , did solemnly swear to rule according to the establisht Law , and to grant such Lawes as the people should choose ; whether I say the Parliament , that were the most proper judges on that behalf , had not power by Law to call him to account for the breach of the said oath ; especially seeing the breach of the said oath is without all manner of question . And whereas it is alleadged by those who cannot deny the former , that although the King may be accountable to a Parliament , as the proper judges of Law , and the breaches of it ; yet it ought to be legall and free . As touching these objections , they shall be in due time answered , to the satisfaction of all those that are not wilfully blind : But I must proceed with my narrative . The King being tryed and Executed , whether by direction of Parliament , or to gratify a particular design , concerns not me to dispute : however the waters that had been troubled , grew smooth and calm , and the Parliament began to cure those sores that our many yeares troubles had occasioned . In particular , many publick debts were satisfyed , contracted upon the publick faith , in the beginning of the War ; and increased by new securities in the progress thereof . In short , affaires were so managed by the prudent conduct of Councells , that not onely Ireland ( whither O. C. was sent Generall ) was in a competent measure reduced ; but also the forraign Trade enlivened , and the most probable grounds of a sure peace laid , that outward appearances could warrantize ; and from impartiall judgements it must be allowed that England could never have been so unhappy , as to have run these risgoes of change & hazard , had not the aforesaid parties , Councells and actings , been the principall designers and instruments therein ; but as their malice is implacable , so their endeavours are diligent and without intermission ; as the product whereof , the Scotch were encouraged to a treaty at Breda , with the Eldest Son of the late King , ( since Crowned King of Scots , ) it being from old experience known , that they never durst attempt any thing of late times against this Nation , without encouragement by , yea and silver contributions too from Engl. they being a people principald to gain , who ever lose ; and to make their design faster ▪ they made sure of the Lord Fairfax , who ( as was said before ) was a Gentleman exceeding passive in Counsels , though otherwise valiant and active ; it becomes not me to dispute the reasons of his dissatisfaction in some cases , what ever is not of faith is sin , let it now suffice , he refused to engage against the Scots , and thereby put the Parliament to the necessity ; and sending for O. C. then Generall in Ireland , who had much adoe to order his affaires there , so as to come timely to receive the power of Generall , notwithstanding many letters sent him on that behalf : But Providence ordered that the Parliaments Idol should be their Scourge , otherwise probably as able , as honest , I am sure as faithfull and lesse dangerous , might have had the Conduct of that affaire , and left him to the enjoyment of one , that by that means would not be contented with three : But he loved to be Courted , that when time offered he might twit the Parliament with their necessity and his service . Into Scotland he marches , and to give him his due , he under-went many hard-ships ; besides a dangerous fit of sicknesse , from which if God had been pleased in mercy to deliver him by death , I believe he had not been guilty of that perjury , blood and apostacy that afterward he contracted . Being recovered , and the after-game ( though not at Irish ) to be plaid in England , he having a man to enter , followed hard after and entred in season ; hit the blot at Wor●ester , and came off Victor , returned to Westminster ; entered the quarters of the Court , viz. the Cock-pit , where he plaid the game so cunningly , that wanting enemies abroad , he Conquered his Masters at home ; and brought such an unparallel'd force upon the Parliament , as never any King of England , ( though invested with a legall and Regall authority ) durst attempt , and for the doing thereof in point of justification pleaded necessity ; alleadging that they designed to perpetuate their power , whereas if I be not informed amisse , when dissolved , they were passing the act for successive Representatives , and had dissolved themselves and given a period to that Law for their continuance , within very few dayes afterwards . But such a dissolution could not suit with his Aimes : had they dissolved orderly , the power in the intervall would have been legally in the Councill of State , and a necessity could not have been set on foot to call a Convention of , ( I believe honest men ; ) but of interests and opinions as various as the colours in Josephs Coate , and as unlikely to cement in order to security , service or settlement , as tissue and broad ▪ cloath , which constantly fret and weare out one another . But the success of that convention was suitable to the designe of their calling ; for though during their sitting , they did nothing of any considerable moment ; yet at their rise , a party of them gave the power into the hands of the Generall , who under colour thereof took upon himself the Title of Lord Protector , but exercised the power of a Tyrant : all his Ordinances imposed on the people , being the meer products of his will , and formed upon the great plea of necessity by him created . Should I ennumerate the manifold advantages that England did receive by his Government , I fear this incredulous generation would not believe it , or at least would be distasted thereat ; I shall therefore onely mention some few for publick satisfaction . First , that honorable and advantageous peace made with Holland . Secondly , that glorious War made with Spain , ( Enlands fast friend in all the late Troubles , ) by which the Trade of England is more detrimented , then by all the Wars we have had since 1638. Thirdly , that gallant Expedition to Santa Domingo , whither was sent a considerable Army upon two accounts , as is believed , the one to rid himself of some discontented Officers , which he feared would obstruct his second design of Kingship ; the other if the design took to render himself able by the expected Treasure , to maintain a Mercenary Army , to subject the people to his arbitrary Commands , which he judged the more facile , in respect of the pretended ease he gave them in abatement of Taxes ; which he did not so much out of affection to the people , but to contract debts , and impose the payment thereof upon his pretended Parliaments , thereby giving the people not onely an occasion of Complaint ; but also by degrees eating out their affections to Parliaments , and rendring the onely means of their restauration to freedome , burthensome , if not irkesome and insupportable . But because his great expectation in the Indies , proved but a golden dreame , to save his credit the Spanish War must be prosecuted in Flanders , and in order thereto a peace is made with the French , an Army is formed and transported under the Conduct of Sir John Reynolds , a new Knight made by the Protector , some say as a reward for his Apostacy from , and treachery to the Levellers at Burford ; of which if he were guil●y , the hand of Providence , if not Justice met with him and his Comrade in their return from Flanders , where they were buried in the Sea without triumph , or teares , other then their own , their losse being concealed as long as possible ; till the trumpet of Fame proclaimed the certainty thereof , maugre all opopsition . I shall not take upon me to give any reason , why the success of this Army should be different from the former , although if their principles be compared , it may give some little light thereto ; let it suffice that their uninterrupted success gained him much credit , and rendred him very considerable abroad , though not much loved at home ; his whole life being accompanied with plots and conspiracies , some whereof were reall , although others t is feared of his own contriving : But to proceed . Fourthly , his frequent Imprisonment of the Gentry and others , many whereof he had no other cause of exception against , then that they were faithfull to their principles , and so could not comply with his ends , and therefore as to be feared , so to be secured , and that not onely for months but yeares , to the ruine of themselves and Families . Fifthly , his frequent mockeries of the people in calling and dissolving Parliaments , allowing them a face of freedom in point of election ; but afterwards winnowing the Wheat from the Chaff , leaving few or none to sit , but such whose interest or principles engaged them to imploy their wits in the advancement of his Aimes ; they being but the journey-men to do the work , that was cut out by his Cabinet Junto , and as long as they acted in order to that end , they had good words and were feasted , but if they ran Counter , then old Harry with his dagger , I mean Oliver would clap his hand upon his Sword or breast , and not onely threaten but dissolve them ; of the truth whereof we had severall examples . I need not mention that great juggle of the Act for Kingship , and his cunning denyall of the Title , ( which was the onely thing he gaped for , ) because he saw some eminent persons in his Army , which though neerly related , did abominate his Apostacy ; although by secret threats , and ingratiating promises , he did endeavour to allure them to a compliance with the actings of Parliament , with whom it is believed he was really angry , because they accepted his answer , whereas he expected that they should have both passed and imposed that Title upon him , and enabled him to plead necessity , as he did in assuming the Protectorship . But I fear if I should mention any more of his good acts , I should either tire or offend the Reader , and therefore I shall leave him to the obloquy that is due to a Tyrant and Usurper , and proceed to the short Reign of his successor , who was a Gentleman that had very few other faults , but that he was his Son , and so unhappily became heire to the fruits of his Fathers Rapines and Oppression . Under whose Government , the difference may easily be discerned betwixt the Father and the Son , the first Governing the Councell , the second being governed by the Councell . One Parliament was by him called , and not without necessity , for not onely his Right in point of his Fathers nomination to the Protectorship was litigious and doubtfull , but also the engagements under which he groned , left upon him by his Father , by reason of the Arreares of the Army and Navy , and other publick debts amounting to some millions , engaged him to that course , notwithstanding which , such was the good husbandry , that as it is said many thousands of pounds were spent in a payment-like funerall , and in mourning bestowed on them that were able enough to buy it them selves , and had reason to do it , as having gotten by his Life , and were like to be losers by his Death . How the interests in that Convention ( for I call them Parliaments , for form-sake , not because I judge them legall ) their proceeds being but as of yesterday , and so fresh in memory , I shall forbear to examine , onely by the consequences , you may discerne the composition , for by the conjunction of the Cavalier , royall Presbyter , and new Courtier , the Common-wealths party ( notwithstanding they had almost all the wit and reason of the house on their sides , ) yet when it came to the Vote right or wrong it was carryed against them , and such Councells set on foot in order to the heightning the pretended , but not intended Court ; and oppressing the good people under the notion of Anabaptists , and Sectaries , Quakers and the like , all men that were opposers of that interest , being charged with some capitall Character of distinction , thereby to render them marks of obloquy or subjects , of terrour and discouragement . And in this , being strengthened with an assurance of the Concessions of the Protector , they were heightned to that confidence , that contrary to all reason or former president , they took upon them to impose upon the Army , by denying them the liberty of meeting together to consult their affaires either as Englishmen , or Souldiers , although but to Petition ; the peoples right whereto hath been so publickly asserted , and contested for by former Parliaments . To mention these things , amongst others then in design , the effect whereof we have now seen , although then under Covert , gave the Army just cause , not onely to consider the Consequences of those Councells , with the dangers accrewing ; but also to look back to their former actings , Councells and engagements , and in order to the prevention of impending troubles , which if the Parliament then sitting were continued , would not onely be nourished , but receive Countenance to the introduction of Monarchy , and ruine of all such as had been the opposers thereof : and not onely so , but a gap must have been opened to a bloody persecution of many thousands of the good people of Engl. under the notion of Anabaptists , Seekers , Quakers and the like , many whereof though differing in judgement , are faithfull to God and serviceable to the nation . I say these considerations amongst others induced them to press the Protector to consent to their orderly dissolution , which at length he granted , and caused to be done by Proclamation ; thereby putting at that present a check to the design which now hath manifested it self , and without all manner of question , had been on foot sooner by some months , had that power been continued . Being freed from that fear , they cast about for future security ; and in order thereto by a Declaration invite the Parliament , called by the King , chosen by the people , and continued by a Law , made in full and free Parliament ; who in the day of Englands greatest straits stood in the Gap , and on whose Councells and actions so perfect an Impresse of the power , and owning of God was engraven in indelible Characters ; I say calling to mind what foundations of justice , freedom and security to all persons , either fearing God or living peaceably , was by them laid in the settlement of a free-State without a King or house of Peers , they not onely invite them to the exercise of the power from which they were illegally forced by their late Generall , but also engage themselves to stand by them and defend them against their and the Nations Enemies . Upon their meeting or immediately after , the Protectorship ceases , and all things are reduced as nigh as may be to the order they were in , when the force was put upon them . I shall not trouble the Reader with a journall of their proceedings , since the Press abounds with subjects of that nature ; onely in respect I find much dissatisfaction upon the Spirits of some persons that are otherwise well-affected , who scruple their right to the exercise of the Supreame Authority , and some such other frothy exceptions , I shall in a sober manner offer to consideration , the following particulars . 1. That this Parliament was called by the Kings Writ , and freely chosen and sent up by the Country , as their Representatives and as such owned by the King . 2. Whereas it is objected that the death of the King did dissolve them , it is answered ; That it is true in all Parliaments but this : and had not they been continued by an act , the death of the King had dissolved them also : but if the death of the King , could not repeal that Statute which is undeniable , then is their power of sitting warranted by Law , and in this case there is no Interregnum , otherwise by the same rule upon the death of the King , all the Lawes of the Land must lose their force , and the Government divolve into its first Choas , which were madness for any man to imagin . 3. Whereas it is further alleadged , that although they were continued by an act , yet they were then a full and free Parliament , consisting of three Estates , according to the Ancient Constitution of England , it is answered ; That the peoples Representatives , the Commons Assembled in Parliament , were the Originall Authors and Founders of that Constitution pleaded for ; and as former Parliaments had the liberty of establishing that form of Government , which in that Age might to them seem good and convenient , or at least being under a force ( notwithstanding many struglings to obtain their Freedomes , ) were necessitated to take what the Tyrants would afford them ; ( the truth whereof the contentions between the Kings and people in all Ages , about the great Charter of Liberties , doth plainly demonstrate ; ) I say be it upon which side soever , the peoples now Representative , have as good a power to alter the form then established , and to introduce a new one if by them deemed most suitable and advantageous , to the people that intrusted them , as the former Parliaments had to establish that ; otherwise the power of repeal of Lawes , though never so destructive to the people is taken from them ; and they that upon the clearest principle of reason and Law , are the most proper judges , are rendred but Cyphers altogether useless and unnecessary . But as to the main part of the objection , the Parliament consisted of three Estates , viz. Lords Spirituall , Lords Temporall and Commons ; for in the Constitution of our Parliaments , I do wholly exclude the King , who is in the judgement of Law deemed Major singulis , sed minor universis , and so cannot be brought into ballance with the Parliament , who according to the practise of former Ages before the Conquest , ( to which Governments the Conquerers submitted ) Parliaments were the great and onely Conciliators , by whose Councells the Kings were wholly directed ; they having onely a power of advising with , but not of imposing upon the Parliament , as to the election or repeal of Lawes , as by Ancient Records if examined will evidently appeare , the late practice now pleaded as a principle , having by degrees been introduced and imposed on the people ; and that which was a violation of their Charter of Liberties , onely warranted by Custom , against Law . But now there are no Lords , and not half the number of Commons , that by the Law is allowed to constitute an House . It is answered , That when the Parliament was thus constituted and continued with one consent , they agreed in a publick Remonstrance , wherein they unanimously declared , not onely what were the Grievances of the Nation , by reason of the misgovernment of the King and his evil Council , but do also engage themselves to act as one man for the reformation of the abuses both in Church and State ; and this I call the Good old Cause , at first owned and asserted by the Parliament . In their endeavours to accomplish these ends , undertaken so solemnly and upon such serious grounds , they meet with many obstructions ; and the King endeavouring to protect Delinquents , by forsaking the Parliament and leavying of war , many of the Lords and Commons that had espoused the said good cause , and in their judgments declared it to be so , basesly apostatized , and joyned with the King against the Parliament , of whom they were Members , and with whom they had engaged for the obtaining a Reformation ; and I hope if they were called by Writ to sit at Westminster , without an adjournment of the whole , they could not upon any legal account set up a Juncto at York or Oxford ; and in doing thereof , I hope it will not be denied , but that they justly forfeited their priviledge as Members , and brought themselves under the judgment of the Parliament for such their treasonable desertion . And thus one part of your Lords and Commons , so much pleaded for , are rightfully divested of that Authority . As to your Lords Spiritual , They were those that had introduced those Innovations in Church-worship ; and in order to the supporting themselves therein , had set on foot the Scotch war ; and therefore when they saw the Parliament endeavouring to strike at the root , and that they , as principal instruments in mis-leading the King , were like to feel the lash of the Law ; they being back'd by a part of the Lords Temporal and Commons engaged in the same compact , make a protest against the Proceedings of Parliament , and for that unparallell'd and treasonable breach of Priviledge are committed to the Tower ; and as Obstructers and Hinderers of that good work of Reformation , by a resolve of both Houses are disabled to sit in Parliament : neither did I ever hear or read that that Exclusion was deemed illegal . The two Houses being by this time much lessened in number , though not in power , they transacted together in the management of the War against the King and his evil Council , & still in all their Declarations , Propositions and Treaties insist upon the same Cause , viz. The Reformation of abuses both in Church and State , and offer several suitable expedients for redress thereof . The war being ended , they that in the wildernesse were united , being in Canaan in peace , began to divide , as to the manner of doing what both parties agreed convenient to be done . These divisions made the Chariot-wheels go heavily , and what Reason could not prevail in , Faction must ; a corrupt party , as aforesaid , in both Houses endeavouring , for by-ends , to prevaricate , and after all the bloud and treasure spent to obtain the forementioned ends , they endeavour to bring in the King meerly to gratifie their own particular interests , wholly waving the publick cause so much before contended for : and in order to the accomplishmēt of the said end , because they could not obtain it by Vote , they bring a force upon the Parliament , and necessitate the Speaker and other the Members of the House , that opposed their proceedings , to flye to the Army for protection ; and not onely so , but in all their future actings and debates in the House , endeavour to divide the Army , and introduce the King by a clandestine Treaty , set on foot in the Isle of Wight ▪ after Hamiltons invasion by the Kings Commission , whereby he had not onely rendred himself an implacable enemy , but also a person not to be trusted , having made and broke such solemn engagements , to the hazard of the Nations peace , and great expence of bloud and treasure , thereby justly engaging both Parliament and Army to a resolution of proceeding against him according to Justice ; which being for the reasons aforesaid opposed by the said corrupt royal party , and all their actings being diametrically opposite to the peace of the Nation and priviledge of Parliament , they were kept out by a party of the Army appointed for that purpose , and that Exclusion confirmed by the Parliament , who certainly are the judges of their own Members , and may exclude as many or whom they please , if any just cause appear to them for so doing . And as to the five or six Lords remaining in the Upper House , who , it s from good reason believed , had never staid with the Parliament so long , if they had judged their interest as considerable on the Kings party . If either the principles upon which they were established , viz. The will of the King , or their frequent actings , not onely to ballance but overtop the interest of the people in their Representatives , by denial to pass many other good Laws proposed by Parliament , as well as the Act against Kingship , but also their challenging and exercising an arbitrary jurisdiction over the lives and liberties of Commoners , over whom by Law they had no power or cognizance , even to the subversion of that Government , by the which they pretended to stand as Peers : I say , if these things be considered , it cannot be denyed to be as legal an Act as ever the Parliament did , when they voted them useless and unnecessary , and reduced the Power to its first principle , viz. To the supreme Authority the people , in their Representatives the Parliament ; neither can it by Reason or Law be alledged , that all or any these Mutations , Changes and Interruptions should take away or destroy their legal power , if there remained but Two and forty , although it be evident that there remaineth a far greater number , and such too , as in all the Nations Troubles have been most eminent for Piety , Integrity and Stability , in principles tending to Freedom and Security . I might hereto adde the signal blessing of God upon all their Councils and Actings , in so much , that not one weapon formed , or design set on foot against them , hath prospered ; but they have had cause of rejoycing , while their Enemies have been ashamed . But I find another Objection , and that is newly sprung up , viz. That they were not onely dissolved by their General , but submitted to the power of the Protector , owned and acted under the Government as Members in his Parliaments , as they call them , and as Justices of the peace , and the like , and therefore their power of sitting as a Parliament must needs cease . To which I answer , That their Servant might and did by force interrupt them , but could not dissolve them , because he had not power to repeal that law made for their Continuance ; and it is worth observance , how he and his Accomplices were infatuated , in that in all his Conventions ( in some of which he had power enough ) he never attempted the repeal of that Statute , which , although such a repeal could not have been legal , yet it would have given some color to this Objection ▪ but the Law being continued , they could not be legally dissolved . And as to the other part of the Objection , it is fit to distinguish between Generals and Individuals . I do believe that some particular Members might and did act under his power , as John or Thomas , &c. but not as a Parliament ; the actions of one , or some few , not being to be applied to the whole . I confess , had the Parliament , as now constituted of such and so many Members , acted in order to the support of his Tyranny , or submitted to his Authority , by transacting with him , the case had been clear ; but their actings as Individuals , while under a force , and that being upon principles of necessity , submitted to , onely to gain an opportunity to struggle for recovery of their freedom ; I would fain know upon what principles of Law or Reason this can be judged a Dissolution ; but it s no news for discontented persons to create cavils , and then disperse them as material principles of Reason ; whereas if they were but duly considered , they would appear to be but vain Chymira's , vented on purpose to occasion disputes , and foment troubles and divisions . But the former is backt by another considerable plea against this Power , and that 's the encrease of Taxes ; and this seems to make an exceeding great noise , catches every ear , & furnishes discourse for every busy tongue , that otherwise would be at a loss for news to tell in a Tavern or Alehouse . As to the increase of Taxes you may thank your selves and not the Parliament : for pray remember in what condition you were , when they had that force put upon them , as to peace , trade at home , and credit abroad , nothing lying upon you but an ordinary Tax and moderate Excise ; and yet then as certain a charge lay upon the State , in respect of the Dutch war , ( powerful Navies being exceeding chargeable ) as ever the late Powers could pretend to ; and yet still some publick debts were paid , as well as the Armies and Navies ; so that in a short time England had probable hopes of great ease , as to an abatement of their Taxes , especially if an as honourable and advantageous peace had been made with the Dutch , as this Power proposed & insisted on , and for denyal whereof they undertook that war . But if you remember further , there hath been a Spanish war , set on foot without the consent of Parliament , and therein not onely many mens lives lost , but much Treasure hath been expended ; and not onely so , but vast debts at home , and arrears abroad , contracted and owing both to the Armies and Navies , besides the charge of a Court ( for the inferiour part of it ) more luxurious than the Kings : By all which means great debts now lie upon the Parliament , although you know what an exceeding great encrease of Excise was granted by one of his Conventions , to the discouragement ( if not ruine ) of Trade : now , I say , this was Englands , nay , give me leave to speak it to the shame of many , it was even the fault of those , who had most reason to assert the parliamentary interest , had not we repined , and like ignorant children eagerly desired a change , in expectation of better things , we had not in this manner met with worse : neither had the General , though his Army had been united to him , ( which we know for the generality were surprized ) dared to have attempted their dissolution , or his own usurpation ; but we , like a company of weather-cocks , are now so Frenchified , that every new Fingle-fangle takes us , and we are more ready to run with our flattering addresses to them that forge strong chains for our heels , ( I might say , hearts ) than those that endeavour to recover and secure our freedoms . I need not mention the present occasion , the charge is visible in your eyes . Now pray how shall these debts be paid ? The decay of Trade , which you all experience and complain of , renders the Revenue of the Customs and Excise very inconsiderable , and what other Incomes may happen is uncertain ; you see there be enemies at home , and you have reason to suspect foes from abroad ; besides the visible necessity of a considerable strength , to ballance the discontents of honest men , who , as the case stands , are hardly to be trusted with the keeping of their own peace : now , I say , upon all these considerations , how can you charge the Parliament ? You would have a Protector , and still strive for a King ; nothing but a single person will please you : and yet although you lay all these foundations to contract debts , you are loth to have any hand in the payment : but soft and fair , self do , self have ; if you will have Princes you must maintain them , and if your discontents endanger the peace , it is a necessary duty , incumbent upon the Parliament , to keep an Army to prevent you . Englishmen are almost turn'd Bedlamites , and , were not the Lash threatned , Harmony would be turn'd to Discord , Cain would slay poor Abel , and all Parties , like Sampson and the Philistines , would dye together , though probably their expectations may be otherwise . I know , to serious men I have said enough , as to this Subject , and for self-will'd persons all that can be said is too little , because they are wedded to their own fancies . Discontented persons desire no satisfaction , and Malignant ones deserve none . I shall therefore proceed to offer some few Quaeries to the consideration of all Parties , that take themselves to be concerned in the peace and prosperity of England , and submit all to the consideration of the unprejudiced Reader . 1. Whether it be by any rational man supposed , That the Kings of England , as single persons , had their power and magistracy by the immediate designation of God ? 2. Whether ( if not by Gods immediate appointment ) it was not attained by force or fraud , or conferred upon them by mutual compact and agreement for society and safety sake ? 3. Whether ( if so conferred ) the people conferring was not the supreme Authority ? 4. Whether it can , upon any principles of Reason , be imagined , That the people , thus sensible of the benefit of Society , and in order thereto making choice of such a form of command and subjection , did not also by some equal rules ballance the power , to prevent Tyranny in their King , and Slavery to them and their posterities ? 5. Whether ( if the power were attained by force or fraud , although for a time the people for necessity sake do submit ) may they not throw off that Yoke , and recover their freedoms if by any means they can ? 6. Whether , in case of compact , the King taking upon him the Government , upon Condition of performance , and that upon oath solemnly taken in the presence of the people , he shall notwithstanding act according to Will and not Law , thereby rendring that which was intended for the common good , a common mischief ; I say , whether in this case the people are tied up to a slavish , servile Obedience , and left without all manner of remedy , either of divesting him of that Authority , or of calling him to an account , or judging him by the said compact and agreement ; and if so , upon what principles of Reason or Prudence could they submit to such a slavery ? 7. Whether , if the people may call their King or supreme Magistrate to an account , they may not elect another , or choose and establish any other form of Government , to them appearing most conducible to their safety ? 8. Whether any Government be more likely to answer the great ends of the people , than when their Laws are made by their Representatives equally elected and limited , as to the exercise of that power , so that he that commands this year shall taste of subjection the next , and therefore will be careful how he entails slavery upon himself and posterity ; the Law binding all alike , and not saying , Thou shalt not kill but I may , but whosoever sheddeth mans bloud , by man shall his bloud be shed ; and so in all other cases ? 9. Whether the present Parliament be not the most likely persons to establish a Government upon the most equal principles of Freedom , that have so frequently declared for it , so zealously contested against Tyranny , even unto the bloud of the Tyrant , and remain so solemnly engaged to God and man , both by their own Declarations , Promises and Principles , according to the best of their judgments to accomplish it , and that as a testimony of their thankfulness for the eminent deliverances that God hath given them in their endeavours to obtein it ? 10. Whether the discontents of the people , and endeavouring to bring in a Family , that , it is to be feared , God hath set his face against for evil , may not onely provoke God to deal with England as with Israel of old , and give them a King in his wrath , but also bring a judgment of war upon this Nation , with the miseries accrewing ; and then , when it is too late , men will wish for that peace , which now is so irksome and troublesome ? 11. Whether , if the present Parliament had a desire ( as is pretended ) to perpetuate their power , the hair-braind actions of the generality of the present Generation , doth not treat a real occasion , it not being safe to trust unskilful riders with such wild Asses ? 12. Whether , ( if notwithstanding ) the present Parliament , through the blessing of God , shall attain the desired end of peace and freedom by the settlement of successive Representatives , and make due provision for the equal distribution of Justice , and having established this Nation upon a sure basis or form of Government , as a Common-wealth , shall in some convenient time dissolve themselves ; whether , I say , most persons in England will not have just cause to take shame to themselves for the Slanders , Reproches , Interruptions and hard Thoughts they have harboured against their faithful Patriots , who , maugre all difficulties , have been supported in their spirits to prosecute their work , resting upon the righteous judgment of God , and not valuing the threats or tumultuary disturbances of contrary-minded men ? My Friends pardon my plainness , I do not speak from a principle purchased by Reward : that which swayes with me to assert the forementioned Premises , is , a reall knowledge of many of the Gentlemen , and of their aym in the general ; and if the unbelief of England make not their Chariot wheels heavy , I am confident that God will make them as great Instruments of good to this Nation , as they have been examples of wonder and astonishment to their Enemies abroad and at home . But if by Jealousies , Murmurings and Repinings , Plots , Insurrections and Rebellions , men will not onely interrupt them in their work , but also necessitate them to act upon principles of safety and severity , I refer it to all rational persons , whether it be likely that they should ever be able to answer those ends ▪ which you so much desire , and yet by all crooked endeavours hinder ? How can you expect peace when you design war ? How can you expect ease from your burthens , while you create a necessity , rather of encrease of an Army than of lessening it . Certainly , if men would but consider former Experiences , and eye what different methods God hath observed in bringing about his great and unparallell'd dispensations in these Nations , contrary to all the designs or expectations of men ; I say , certainly were these things soberly considered , it would teach men patiently to wait in hope for the good they expect in Gods own way , and not take upon them to prescribe how , and in what manner , or by what Instruments it is convey'd . His Arme is not shortned , why then should any man despair of attaining his desires ? Is it not because he will confine God to such and such means ; and without it be done in such a way , it is presently concluded it cannot be done ? Whereas both Experience and late Examples manifest , that God hath transformed the hearts and judgments , and turned the designs of the Great men of the World topsy-turvy , beyond all expectation , as in the very case of the present Parliament ; and without doubt , when ever they shall cease from designing his glory and the publick good , or render themselves unfit Instruments for the work which he is doing in the World , then , and not till then , shall their Counsels fail , and they shall be shattered and cast away as uselesse and unprofitable servants ; others , better fitted , shall be raised in their stead , ( for God hath a succession of Providences , and all his Councils are ordered and sure ) therefore wait patiently , and you shall see the salvations of the Lord . LAMBETH , August 30. 1659. This is the assured hope and expectation of him that desires to manifest himself ( Friendly Reader ) thine in the advancement of his Countries peace , J. H. A POST-SCRIPT to the Parliament and Council . Right Honourable , HAving in the foregoing Narrative taken the boldness to treat of you , give me leave now in plainness of heart to speak a few words to you . I confess you may justly demand , How dares such a poor , despicable , obscure Creature , as I am , presume to paraphrase of , or dictate to you , that are the Princes of our little world . I know by sad experience it many times falls out , that Integrity is accounted Arrogancy and Singularity ; Flattery better pleases the eares of great men than plain dealing , but I hope better from the greatest part of you ; however I have not learnt to flatter , nor know how to fear , therefore my Reward is with that God that knows the bent of my spirit , and will in the latter end bear testimony , that what I have done herein proceeds from a principle of affection , not onely to your persons , but to the publick Interest concentred in you . Those Travellers that fear dangers or desire safety in their journeys , use diligence in their enquiries , and receive direction with thankfulnesse ; but if an unknown or unthought-of danger be discovered unask'd , that doubles the obligation , and 't is not an unusual thing in long and dangerous travels ( especially where Enemies are on all hands ) for such occasions to offer themselves . It is an old but true Proverb , Standers by see more sometimes than they that play ; and the reason is obvious , high conceit doth usually occasion oversight , and we are apter to discern other mens mistakes then our own : Self-opinion and Self-love are two of the most dangerous Steers ▪ men that can possibly be employed at the Helm ; and if Captain Humility look not carefully to the Compasse ▪ 't is ten to one but the Ship will either be split upon the Rock of Ambition , or swallowed up in the Quicksand of Oppression . That you have a difficult ( I may say dangerous ) Journy to go , as being incompassed with enemies abroad , ( I wish I could not say at home too ) besides the clogs and remora's occasioned by domestick divisions , flowing from the difference of Interest and Principles , I think will not be disputed or denyed ; I might to the difficulty and danger adde the distance , for if ever you arrive at your journeys end , as you have set out from the Wildernesse of Tyranny and Slavery , so you must never cease till you have attained the desired Canaan of justice and freedom . You know it is said , that none obtain the prize but they that run to the end of the Race , and truly I may say to you in the same sense , that it will not be sufficient for you to bring England to the borders , or within the sight of the enjoyment of those promised ends , you have so frequently declard for , and they have so earnestly desired ; unless God shall deal with you as with Moses of old , and for your transgressions suffer you onely to see the Land a far off , but you must with Joshua , conduct the people into the possession of your Promises and their Hopes , maugre all opposition . And though there be many Corah's that create fears and disparage the work , both as to the matter and manner of it , yet be not discouraged , but proceed ; and consider , that if the work was good when you first declared for and undertook it , although the way to the attainment be strowed with briars and thorne , yet certainly the end will be crowned with peace , glory and joy unspeakable . But what do I speak of the Wildernesse when you have already entered into Canaan ? The yoke of Pharaoh is broken , and we are under a solemn tye and engagement never more to return to Egypt , then in your March beware of the Gibeonites . There be many , that because they cannot conquer , will flatter , and cry peace , peace : many will ( and do ) walk your wayes with other intentions , I beg of them therefore to beware of such Covenant-mongers , for fear ( instead of freedom ) you entail slavery , or , at least , thrust an incurable thorn into the sides of your and our Posterities . I shall not take upon me to point out the persons , that merit this appellation ; but I say , you may know them by their fruits , unless Thistles do ( in this strange age , of strange productions ) bear Figs. I shall therefore proceed to present a few things to your view , and humbly submit my self and them , to your serious consideration . 1. That great engagements do not onely occasion great expectations , but also create answerable obligations , both toward God and man . Now give me leave to appeale to you , and beg of you to consider , whether ever a Generation of men in Power as you now are , lay under , or stood obliged to such , and so many solid , serious , reiterated , religious and civill engagements , as you are and remain at this day ; and if so , what need have you to take heed to your standing ! and as that noble Heathen , who had his Remembrancer every night to put him in mind that he must dye , so you , to recount your Declarations and Engagements , to the end not one of them be broken , so far as they are consistent with the glory of God , and good of this people , with the Government of whom you are entrusted . 2. Consider , that great mercies require suitable returnes ; that you have been partakers of infinite mercies inward and outward , I hope the greatest part of you experience , now pray what is a more suitable fruit of mercy received , then to manifest mercy to others ? I am sure , forgive us our trespasses , as we forgive others that trespasse against us , is the best argument that our Saviour hath left us to make use of , when we beg forgiveness of God ; and if so , I cannot but judge it to be the best rule of our proceedings , and much better then an eye for an eye , or a tooth for a tooth . I speak not this to indulge or indemnifie Traitors or disturbers ; but I offer it as an expedient in order to moderation , Summum jus est Summa injuria , there is a vast difference between justum and justa ; as too much security may endanger safety , so too much severity may by degrees introduce slavery , the consequence whereof is an equall , ( if not a greater and more incurable ) mischief . 3. That afflictions like the Sun either harden or soften , make better or worse . God hath for your own and Englands sinnes , for severall yeares past , judged you in the presence of the people ; and for my part I do not doubt , but under the sense thereof you have secretly and solemnly humbled your selves before the Lord , acknowledged your wanderings and waywardnesse ; and not onely so , but have made your vowes and taken up resolutions , that if ever you were restored , you would do what ever your hands found to do with all your might , without dallying , denyall or delay : And I really believe your late ( I may say ) miraculous ( I am sure unexpected ) restauration hath been the fruit , if not of yours , of many of the good people of this nations prayers , who mourned over , and longed for you , as instruments by whom they expected deliverance from their threatned Spirituall , and then inflicted temporall enthralments ; now upon this consideration , judge seriously both your work and your way . Your work is to relieve the oppressed , and to let the bound go free . I might here inlarge , but in short , all oppressive Lawes , whether relating to the Consciences , Persons or Estates of men ; all oppressive rules used in Courts of Judicature , all oppressive exactions of Bayliffs , Goalers and Prison-keepers , as to matters of debt and the like , ought with speed to be prevented and removed , as being Ulcers that will suddenly occasion the whole body to Gangreen ; and give me leave by the way to hint one thing that in a more speciall and immediate manner concernes your inspection : it is suggested very frequently , that there are exceeding great exactions used by some of your inferiour Officers , intrusted with the Custody of your Prisoners of war ; which if true , renders your very mercy as meer cruelty as may be , I do not charge it ; and I know if any such thing be , it is both against your principles and former practise , and I am sure it is contrary to equity or the present interest ; many are prisoners that probably deserve more , and I believe others that merit not so much ; however though all are and ought to be subject to the Law so far as guilty , yet none ought to be slaves to the will of their keepers , further then in order to their sure keeping : and whatever authority may be pleaded , the great exaction of fees , and the monopolizing of their bellies and purses , by denying the supply of provisions from any but themselves , and that sold too at a dear rate ; I say , ( if it be true , ) it is a great dishonour to the State , a punishable crime in the keepers , and a positive oppression to the prisoners ; and would be worthy your speedy inquisition , to the end your honour , and the publick justice may be vindicated . Having heard great complaints to that purpose , I have thought it my duty in this way to inform your Honours , and if it be possible to shame them out of such by paths ; all that is so gotten being but like a moth , that will devour and eat up the honest profit that might be got by their imployments ; but probably the thought of the gain will vanquish the shame , and if so , a just punishment seasonably inflicted , may work that repentance which friendly admonition could not accomplish . As to those declared foundations of Freedom , upon which a sure Basis of Government is to be setled , I shall not take upon me to intermeddle , not doubting but the wisdom and Interest of Parliament is such , that as they will on the one hand take care to curb & restrain licentious prophanesse and oppression , so on the other hand , those that are pious and peaceable , though of what Opinion soever , not contradicting the written revealed Word , nor opposing the fundamental Principles of Religion , may and shall receive protection and encouragement , and not be left to the fury of Phanaticks ; and in so doing you will bring much glory to God , good to his people in these Nations , and lasting honour to your selves and Posterities ; which is the daily Prayer of , Right Honourable ; Your faithful Servant , John Harris . FINIS .