THE GRAND DESIGN: OR A Discovery of that form of Slavery, intended, and in part brought upon the free People of England; by a powerful Party in the Parliament: And L. G. Crumwell, Commissary Gen. Ireton, and others of that facton in the Army; tending to the utter ruin, and enslaving of the whole Nation.  
With the true grounds of the King's removal to the Isle of WIGHT.  
ALSO The pretended design of Levelling refuted, and cleared from those false aspersions lately, cast upon the Authors and Promoters of the People's Agreement.  
Written by SIR RAHNIHO, not an invective, but moderate and impartial observer of the transactions of the Parliament and Army.  
Printed in the last year of England's Slavery, 1647.   

The Grand Design, OR A discovery of that form of slavery intended, and in part brought upon the free People of England.  
IN all Ages public pretences have been made use of, for the advantaging and securing of particular interests: Not to trace the footsteps of our Ancestors, I shall come a little nearer, and bring to memory only the actings of a great party in our present Parliament, and some, yea most members in power in the Army, for the proving my Assertion.  
And now O ye free Commons of England, remember, at the beginning of this Parliament, what public pretences were made use of to unite your affections in the management of their then designed undertake? Was there any visible suffrage, or indeed supposed grievance, depending as a consequent upon the King, and his Parties deportment, that was not laid down, and de-painted in the most lively colours; to the end that the actors and contrivers might appear odious; and the discoverers, and then opposers, famous; persons deserving both the love and assistance of that People, which they seemingly pretended to deliver from such their then declared pressures and grievances,  
At the beginning of this Parliament the whole Representative declared against those illegal practices of the King and his Council, touching Pattens, Monopolies, illegal Taxes, as Ship-money, and the like, to the end they might the better catch the affections of the People, that groaned under those unsupportable burdens: But it may be remembered, that after those Declarations had nettled the Royal party therein concerned; and that self-interest began to run a contest with public concernments; how soon (although before we had a full Parliament declaring) had we an empty House owning or vindicating the justice of those 〈◊〉 which they had before declared to be legal, and prosecuting the contrivers and abetters of those things which were (as they had declared) illegal, nay rather how soon had we a great party (swayed by honour and interest) that (contrary to their own Declarations) did join in the maintenance of those things, which they had before so eagerly declared against; viz. the now Lord Hop●on, the Lord Capell, Sir Edward Deering, and many others of the Representative or Parliament: Which acting and dissenting of theirs, how destructive it proved to the Kingdom since, I leave to all wise men to judge; but to proceed:  
After many persons had declined, and deviated from their first principles (whereby a bloody War was occasioned) a second party remaining in power, and plausibly pretending the public safety (having by pretences of freedom beguiled the Natition to a belief) took upon them (instead of executing justice and judgement without partiality, and employing the Law, in a way of safety and preservation) to oppress the oppressed, and pervert justice, to exercise power, more than reason, and to make Law subject to their own inordinate wills; straining their privileges beyond their due limits, making them altogether unlimmited: which being observed and discovered by some great men in the Army (who pretended) as in the field) so in all places) to endeavour the redemption of the Kingdom from slavery and oppression) a design was carried on in the Army, and engagements passed thereupon, without, yea, against the Parliamnts' liking; in as much as the Parliament had not (by reason of a malignant party prevalent therein) done those things which they had formerly sworn to perform, & were in conscience bound to do, in the discharge of their trust to them by the free Commons committed, and for as much as there was a design to engage the Kingdom in another war, & enslave the People of England under an Arbitrary power; carried on by Mr. Hollis, Sir Philip Stapleton, and others, as was supposed, and as indeed afterwards did manifestly appear: The Army and Council thereof did agree, and enter into an engagement, (against the Parliaments liking) to endeavour and employ all their force to break and prevent that design of raising another Army, and to defend, maintain, and vindicate the liberties, and Native Birthrights of all the free Commons of England, against all the endeavours, or opposition that could he made against it. In pursuance whereof, it was by some persons at L. Gen. Crumwels', he himself being present, upon monday at night before Whitsunday, 1647. resolved, that for as much as it was probable that the said Hollis and his Party had a determination privately to remove the King to some place of strength, or else to set him in the head of another Army; That therefore Cornet George Joyce, should with as much speed and secrecy as might be, repair to Oxford, to give instructions for the securing the Garrison, Magazine and Train, therein, from the said Party then endeavouring to get the same, and then forthwith to gather such a Party of Horse as he could conveniently get to his assistance, and either secure the person of the King from being removed by any other, or if occasion were, to remove him to some place of better security, for the prevention of the design of the aforesaid pretended traitorous Party: Which was accordingly done, both with the knowledge and approbation of L. G. Crumwell, although he afterward (like a subtle Fox) would not be pleased to take notice of it.  
This being done, and the two Politicians, Crumwell and Ireton, finding themselves completely seated in the affections of the soldiery, having caught them by their plausible pretences of Liberty, Freedom. Indemnity, security, and the like; and being sure likewise (by reason of their many Creatures in the Army, which they had advanced to places of promotion, and brought into the Council) being sure I say, to carry any thing that they should propound, though they might meet with some opposers; they cast about first how to unhorsed that Faction that opposed them; which by a charge of Treason, and other misdemeanours (which they never yet had leisure to prove, nor ever will) they in a short time accomplished; which being done they made an essay to do something which seemed to tend to the establishment of justice, securing the freedoms of the People, and easing of the burdens of the Kingdom (that they might the better catch the affections of the People) which when they found to be abstructed, and that the same party and their adherents were still prevalent in the House,, and did vote against their proceed, and by secret complotments did bring a tumult upon the House, forcing all members that were not of that party to absent themselves, especially the Speakers, who with many other members came to the Army for security; which members sitting and assuming a parliamentary power during the Speakers absence, they declared to be illegal, and thereupon entered into a farther engagement at Hounslo-heath, to march up to London, to purge the House of those usurpers of the Parliamentary Power, and to settle the free Parliament with honour and safety.  
In order whereunto the Army marched up to London, and being in a capacity to perform, what they had undertaken, and declared so necessary, & conducing to the peace of the Kingdom (by the subtle Sophistry of Crumwell and Ireton) the General was advised to leave it unto the House to purge itself, which was accordingly done, and what the effect hath been since; and how well the House hath been purged, I leave to all wise men to Judge; they all, or most of them still remaining therein, and they since owned and declared a true Parliament.  
But by the way you may take notice, that as a gratification the House made the General High Constable of the Tower, and I am sure the L. General lost nothing by that, for he had an old servant or two to gratify, which he did suddenly after with places both of profit and concernment; besides, another Creature of his, Col. Hamond was presently advanced to be Governor of the Isle of Wight.  
But to proceed, Having now got almost what they aimed at (to wit) The Person of the King; a considerable party in the Parliament; the Militia of the City; and the name of saving the Kingdom; they then begin to cast about how, to keep what they have got, and that they find to be done but by two ways: the first, by closing with the Parliament, in making such Propositions as may please the King, and thereby link themselves so to the King's interest and power, that they may be thereby secured from the just Taxes of the People which they have so oppressed and betrayed; or else by bringing the Army to the obedience of the Parliament, that by their power, the Parliament might be strengthened and enabled to hold both King and Kingdom to hard meat, and at last if the King would not assent to what they declare to be fit and requisite, then to depose him, and take the power into their own hands, and if the Kingdom did not recent or relish the business, then by the power of the Army to quell and curb them: In order whereunto they sent Propositions to the King, which being not assented unto by him, it was put to the question, whether they should make any more addresses; which argues that they had a good mind to throw off the King, if they could any way keep their power, and secure themselves without him: But Ireton declares that he could not promise the assistance of the Army in any such matter; his Father in laws pulses now beating a Lordlike pace, having a little before kissed the King's hand, and therefore since they are not likely to secure their power without him, they will by him; and to that end the Army must be taught a new lesson, and whereas before, freedom, security, the purging of the House, a period set to the Parliament, and the like, was the only theme; now only security for Arrears, a little pay, etc. must be all that the Army desires, and to what end think you, but that they might appear seekers of themselves, and so by degrees be lost in the affections of the People; thus have they in a full career posted from the Saving, to the Enslaving the Kingdom: But by the way they met with a rub, for notwithstanding that, they thought they had made all sure, yet so it pleased God to order and dispose things, that their design was made manifest, and some men of upright hearts, were carried out in the seeking of justice, and preventing the enslaving of the Nation, and in order thereunto, did several times, not only oppose all their enslaving practices, but also offer unto them in open Council, some foundations of common freedom, absolutely necessary to be insisted on, for the re-estating of the free Commoners of England in their ancient birthrights; which they, the said Designers, (to wit) Crumwell and Ireton; and the rest of that rayalized Faction could by no means relish; neither would their high aims ever admit them to debate the justness thereof; it being altogether cross to the Pias of their Ambition: But contrarily they railed and reviled against those, which either propounded or owned any such matter, branding them with the name of dividers of the Army, factious persons, and the like: And being fearful that after all their labour they should now be frustrated of their expectations, and by some underhand dealing be deprived of the darling of their hopes, the King, there must be a pretended design against the King's person, discovered by L. G. Crumwell to his Cousin Whaley, and immediately after, (the Guards being first doubled) there must be a pretended escape of the King to avoid that pretended danger; but by the way remember, the King affirms he had withdrawn his promise made to Col. Whaley, long before this pretended discovery, which was in order to his departure at that time determined without question, and the other but a pretence made use of to colour the business.  
It may be remembered that these manner of pretences are no new things; for when the King first discerted the Parliament, the pretence was Tumults, and the danger of his Person; and if you would know what those tumults were, they were no other but the approaches of his oppressed Subjects, with cries for justice, which he unjustly denied both his Parliament and People which because he would not grant, he absented himself, and made the danger of his Person by those tumults as he called them, the ground of his departure; although it be notoriously apparent, that he was then privately providing to make war with his Parliament and People, and in order thereunto, was sending the jewels of the Crown to purchase Arms in Holland for the managing of the design aforesaid.  
Which acting and pretences then being compared with his present acting in relation to his departure from Hampton Court, and the now pretended cause thereof, will plainly appear to be of the same stamp with the former; and in deed no other but a design, not only to make odious, but also if advantage be offered, to cut off, and destroy all the godly persons in the Kingdom, that shall but in the least endeavour to oppose the exercise of his, and their Prerogative enslaving tyrannical practices, in the securing of the People's just Rights and Freedoms.  
But if you shall consider further, whether must the King fly, or rather be carried, to avoid the pretended danger, but to Hammond at the Isle of Wight, one of Crumwels' own creatures, there to remain, until such time as Propositions can be made ready suitable to the King's desire, and an Act be passed for the Parliaments indemnity; and then O you poor betrayed Commons, where will you obtain justice or security, when your trusties that pretended to deliver you, shall have thus to advance themselves, betrayed you.  
And now if you shall desire a reason why these men should now at last derogate from their former pretended Principles; and should not now, as heretofore, endeavour to secure the People's just freedoms.  
I answer; the Parliament, (or at least a great part of them) are now brought to such an exigency, that they cannot act otherwise with security to themselves.  
It is easy to demonstrate unto the world, that many of their actions have not, neither can they be warranted by Law, especially their Arbitrary and illegal summoning, and committing persons (contrary to Law) which all knowing men are resolved for the future to protest against, and oppose, maugre the power of all that shall endeavour the execution or justification of those unjust and tyrannical practices:) And likewise, that by their continued, and redoubled oppressions brought upon the Kingdom, they have not only lost the friendship of the People, but in a great measure purchased their enmity; so that now their condition is such, that either they must close with the King, whose interest in the People is now greater than theirs, having got what they have lost) that so, what they cannot promise themselves by their own power, they can assure themselves by his, (who without doubt hath so much policy as to promise both security & advancement to a part, that he may the easilyer get into a capacity of enslaving the whole.  
To be a little plainer; It cannot be imagined improbable, that the Parliament having lost the love of the People, doubting the assistance of the Army, and wanting means (though without question they have wills) to enable them to throw off the King, and by force to maintain their actions legal; I say, can it by any that have sense or reason be imagined, that they will not to secure themselves from the taxes of the People, the lash of the Law, and Levelling, as they term it; that is, from being made (as all other Subjects) accountable to the Law, and People for all their actions) take any advantage or opportunity? And what better advantage can they have, then to join with the King? that by assenting unto his desires, they may engratiate themselves into his favour, and wrapping themselves up in his Mantle of tyrannical Royalty, and Protection, in their own honour & security, leave all the free Commons of England, (by them animated, authorized, nay enforced to fight against, and subdue him) exposed to the exasperated rage of a conquered King, and incensed Party, who will not fail, being once in power, to exalt themselves in, and by the ruin of their opposers; and like legitimate Imps of their Tyrant-exalter, Lord it over the Kingdom.  
And if you shall ask, wherein Crumwell, Ireton, and the rest of that Faction, are concerned in the Parliaments actions; I Answer, they are Parliament men, and so bound up in the Parliaments actings; and indeed so involved in the Parliaments interest, (joined to their own ends) that I can think it no other than a difficult matter, for them to deny themselves in this Particular; Honour and profit being very potent allurements in these our self-loving days.  
It is observable that these two Politicians Crumwell, and Ireton, at first were eager against all persons that visibly opposed them in the Parliament, but would never yield to the purging of the House,, only they would never be quiet till they had got out all those that any way opposed them; witness the late charge against the eleven Members, where (although Crumwel himself confessed at Colbrooke, that he had nothing against Sir John Mainard; yet he must be put in among the rest, and only because he was a busy man against him and his faction: Having removed them he remains satisfied, until he finds another party of Pellamites which endeavour to throw him out of the Saddle; and then he comes in with (I am persuaded) a hearty sorrow, confessing, and praying God to forgive him, because he had hindered the purging of the House: And why is the Lieutenant General so penitent think you? but only because he feared they would be some hindrance to his high aims.  
And here I shall insert this Quere, Whether, considering that there are two Parties acting for particular interest, and each of them endeavouring to bring in the King, for the advancement of their own party, whether, I say, it be not probable that the King was removed by design, and enduced by engagement, to alter his former resolution of not being removed; lest the Pellamites should have served Crumwell at Hampton, as he served them at Holdenby? For my part if it were not so, it is to me a Riddle, which none I believe can unfold but honest Oliver,  
But to proceed, It may be demanded, seeing that Crumwell is so active for his own party's interest, why the other party being as yet most powerful in the House have not outed him of his power?  
I answer, could they but bring the King in upon their own interest, and thereby secure themselves in the attempt; I am confident they would tread him and his adherents low enough: and that the Lieutenant General knows well; otherwise Hammond had never been Lord Chamberlain; nor the King removed to the Isle of Wight; though I believe he never dreamt of the consequences that have happened, and and are like to succeed thereupon; that by the way; but to proceed, the King being gone, the City distasting them, or indeed overawed, not daring by reason of their own divisions, to appear with, or for them; the Country wearied, and rather enclinable to endeavour the dissolution of their power, than any way to assist them in the maintenance or support thereof; and which is worst of all, the Army, (which should by their power make their commands authentic) utterly rejecting their authority, and rendering them a traitorous Party, and persons endeavouring the destruction of the just rights and freedoms of the People; these things being duly considered, you may plainly see, that it is more for fear, than favour, that they close with him, he being both politic and powerful, by reason of his adherents in the House, and creatures in the Army, in respect of which also they could not make use of a fit instrument, to draw the Army to their assistance, if it might be; for the Father and the Son, with the rest of their Family, from generation to generation, have the command of half the Army, all which having received their promotion and Principle from Crumwell, and looking still to rise with him, will not move a foot beyond his instruction, nor as near as they can, fall short of it; and as the King is his Idol, so he is theirs, hanging altogether in the executing what their own honour and interest dictates unto them.  
It is a commendable thing in the Lieutenant General to advance his kindred, and servants, so it be done by good ways, and for just ends; not to advance lawless ambition, & strengthen irregular attempts, if so; he may chance in the midst of his Golden hopes meet with Buckingham's Fate, or strafford's doom, and in stead of honour inherit infamy.  
Thus having in some measure discovered unto you their actings in relation to the betraying the free People of England to an Arbitrary power, contrary to the Protestations of Parliament, and engagements of the Army.  
I will now, in opposition to this their practice, lay you down the heads of that foundation of freedom propounded, and by them opposed, and to the Kingdom rendered odious, under the notion of Parity, Community, Levelling, destroying Magistracy, and the like, to the end that you may plainly judge betwixt us and them, and see who they be that indeed labour to invest you with your just rights and liberties.  

The Agreement:  
1. That the People of England being at this day very unequally distributed by Counties, Cities and Boroughs, for the Election of their Deputies in Parliament, aught to be more indifferrently proportioned according to the number of the Inhabitants.  
That is, for as much as by the late customs of this Nation, there were but two persons chosen as Representatives for each County, and those by the consent and approbation of persons of such a rank, quality, and condition, as freeholders', etc. which persons chosen as Representatives have commonly been such as were in some measure linked in, or related to, the prerogative of the King, either by promotions received or expected; and likewise for as much as the persons choosing are commonly more swayed by favour then reason in their choice, being Tenants either to the persons chosen, or their friends; which hath been one main reason that the lost liberties of the Kingdom have been from time to time no better vindicated and preserved; That therefore from henceforth their might be persons chosen for Representatives for every County, proportioable to the number of Inhabitants in each County, and that not by freeholdolders only, but by the voluntary assent of all men that are not servants or Beggars, it being pure equity, that as all persons are bound to yield obedience to the decrees of the Representative or Parliament, so they should have a voice in the electing their Representatives, or Members of Parliament.  
2. That to prevent the many inconveniences apparently arising from the long continuance of those persons in authority, this present Parliament be dissolved, etc.  
That is, for as much as the long continuance of the Power of Parliament men proveth very destructive to the liberty of the People, and occasioneth their falling into parties and factions, and giveth them great countenance in the exercising of an arbitrary power: that therefore they be continued but for a short time, and that during that time they may remain accountable to those that chose and entrusted them.  
And for that clause in the agreement, to wit, That in all Laws made or to be made, every person may be bound alike, and that no Tenure, Estate, Charter, Design, birth or place; do confer any exemption from the ordinary course of legal proceed whereunto others are subjected, which they make the ground of aspersing the prosecutors thereof with the name of Levellers and pulling down Magistracy; it is indeed no other but this, That whereas now several persons are by an usurped power exalted above the Law, and protected from due process at Law, (viz) Lords as Peers, allhough legally indebted, may not be touched with an arrest, nor be made subject to the censure of the Law; whereby they have made little conscience when they have got men's estates in their hands, to return the same, but have stood upon their Prerogative and thereby been protected, to the utter ruin and undoing of many of the free people of England.  
And likewise whereas not only the persons but habitations of such Persons are made sanctuaries for persons indebted; that these things might be for the future removed, and both persons and places put under the power of the Law,; and this is the whole sum of that great design of Levelling you hear so much of.  
For all other matters I refer you to the Agreement itself, which being seriously and impartially scanned, I am confident will give any man not swayed with interest or prejudice, sufficient satisfaction; and I doubt not, (maugre the malice and opposition of all sorts of men) will ere long appear to be indeed that which ultimately conduceth to the freedom and security bothof the Magistracy (if settled in its right orb) and all other the now oppressed and almost enslaved Commons of England.   

Quere.  
Whether it be not more than probable that the increasing the heavy burdens of the Kingdom by taxations from the Parliament and free quarter from the Army, whether I say, may it not be done by design, and on purpose to weary out the People, that they may thereby be made willing to accept of peace on any terms?