At the Committee of Safety.

Let us before we proceed any further, first seek the Lord by Fasting and Prayer; for tru­ly, if it might be, I had rather that we should vanquish our enemies with the sword of the spirit, then with the cutting, hewing, gashing, slashing sword, that destroy­eth the Creature.

I do protest, my Lord, I am very willing to agree to what you say, not that I mean as you mean, my Lord, for I have mischief in my heart, God knows: Now they say, that in the name of the Lord all mischief is to be begun.

Truly, my Lord the show of Religion does well.

I my Lord, I grant it; But should any of us have a conscience, though 'twere no bigger then an Atom, it would spoil all our Designs: For Religion tells us, that we must not co­vet that which is another mans, whether Estate, or Wife, truly as to that, I wish old Oliver had had more Religion then he had, but the Cuckold-maker is gone, and I'le now be reveng'd on his son: Besides, a Religious man ought to do as he would be done by, & restore threefold to every man what he hath wrongfully taken from him, truly if these precepts were to be followed, there would be few Officers in the Army worth a groat.

Verily, verily, my Lord, I do incline to your opinion: but I cannot well aprove of your bla­ming my Father in Law for being a Cuckold-maker, for I also my self have a Lemmon as well as he; Therefore [Page 6]though men take me to be very Godly, yet I am not so Godly as men take me to be. Though I confess my appearing so, together with the meekness of my spirit, hath been no small advantage unto me.

'Tis very true my Lord, for thereby did you tie to your interest a whole Faction.

Truly my Lord that was something, but it was the keeping my self in power that kept them so constant to me.

My Lord, old Oliver, kept you in power on purpose to head that faction: knowing that having you solely at his devotion and dispose he could by that means make use of you and your adherents, to turn the scales against the weight of any other interest that sought to oppose him. Else my Lord had you bin a stubborn and disobedient Child, he would as soon have thrown you aside, as he did me, and have hung you up among his old Cloaks in his Wardrobe at Puddle­dock.

Truly my Lord, my Father in Law was very kinde and loving to me, and I think I did him no small kindness in requital. And indeed my Lord, since his death, I think I have given you not a few opportu­nities, I hope my Lord you will think the laborer wor­thy of his hire.

My Lord, I expect the next place to you, for though I have not valour enough to win it, I have cun­ning enough to lay any Design; and therefore if you will not let me have my will, as well as I let you have yours, Ile break off the match, and leave you to the wide world.

[Page 7]

I hope my Lord, I shall with Gods leave, and your permission continue in the Generalship still?

May not a Coward be a General, afwell as a Colonel?

Why truly, tis a thing not altogether repugnant to martial discipline, provided he hath good Commanders under him.

Then Ile be General.

No brother Vane, tis not so convenient; however you shall have as good a place.

Why then, I pray my Lord Lambert, what do you really intend to be?

Why all the world may guess: I intend, as fast I can bring it about, to be King of the three Nations.

I hope Ireland will fall to my share, for I have an interest there; and I got nothing all the Pro­tectors time.

Truly Gen: Ludlow, I must confess you are a very deserving gentleman, and I hope you will use your interest for my benefit; but really, Sir, I cannot part with the least Island that belongs to the English territories: I promised my wife that she should be Queen of All, and gave her the three nations for three kisses one night when she was in a fropish humour.

My Lord I was once accompted a leveller, and for me now to agree to the exaltation of a brother so much above the brethren, is it not a revolting from my principles?

Was it not discontent, and want of pre­ferment made ye so?

Truly, I will not tell a lye for all the world; I think 'twas some such thing.

[Page 8]

Why then, Sir, let content and prefer­ment make you otherwise. If we prosper not, tis but praying and repenting in the Congregation, and that will save all.

Truly Major General, I do know this to be very true; What say you Col. Bennet, for you are al­wayes my little second at preaching?

Truly, Sir Harry, I find it no where written to the contrary.

Truly Gentlemen, I seek no more then my due. For old Oliver and I agreed together, that I should come after him, and that he would lay the foun­dation of the Monarchy accordingly.

Gentlemen, for my part, I think that since he would not keep his word while he liv'd, he ought to be made to perform it now he is dead.

Major General, I give you many thanks for your good affection.

Why, Ile tell ye my Lord; for my part I am no Politician, but as I am one that hath neither fear nor wit, I'le go on as you bid me: alas, alas! did my young Cousin think that I are intended to be go­vern'd by him, or his fellow Faulkoner either: No, he shall find to the contrary.

Truly Gentlemen, I have a right also to what I seek, as I am a person that delights in gardening; For so I am more particularly the Son of Adam, then any of ye all. For Adam was a Gardiner, and lord of the whole Earth; Now if I can't be lord of the whole Earth, I intend to be lord of as much as I can get.

But if I may not be as great as you, my Lord, I'le spoyl your design, and set the Army together by the ears again.

[Page 9]

Pray good Sir Harry be patient, and eat bread with your pudding. Why must not our turn be served as soon as yours?

Good Major General give Sir Harry leave to speak; Sir Harry knowes I am as free to obey his commands, as he is to utter them.

My Lord, I can't complement, but I'le assure you, I'le do as you do: For I have not wit to plot, and therefore I must follow those that can; I know this, that I am a good tool in the hand of a good Artist. Come my Lord, go on, and if I don't assist you through thick and thin, then blame me; and I think I have gone through thick and thin before now.

That was when your Lordship was a plough­man, and wore high shoon, Ha — how the Lord raiseth some men, and depresseth others. Did I think once upon a time to have come to sit here in this good Room, with these brave hangings, at this good fire, and upon these fine Chairs. Do Kings enjoy such things as these are? Why then, truly I do not wonder that the men of this World seek so much to be Kings. Truly if I durst, I could find in my heart to seek to be a King too.

Humh! I think I have loft my Tabacco Box behind me.He steps aside to send some body for it. — I hope Gentlemen, you did not think I was go­ing about to desert you. Really there are some men that have taken me to be a wise man, but really I think there are few that have found me so. There are others that have taken me to be an honest man, but as for that, I think my Lord Lambert here hath had experience to the contrary. For he and I [Page 10]once piss'd both in a quill, but I found that the Pro­tector began to disgust him, and therefore I having no intention to betake my self to a private life, deserted him, and not onely so, but I also betrayed him, and all his interest; for which his Highness afterwards prov'd unto me a very gracious Prince not only continuing me to be one of his Council; but also constituting me one of the Commissioners of his Treasury. Really, they were places of great profit to [...]e; And if my Lord Lambert will confer those places again upon me, I shall, I hope, not onely merit forgiveness of my former offences, but shew my self a true Proselyte to his Interest.

Truly Colonel, I want friends, and there­fore must be forc'd to make use of you; & to shew you that I have forgat what is past, I will give you a Regi­ment. I wish all the Commanders in the Army were no valianter then you, for I think I could then with one company of foot be able to master all my Enemies without much bloodshed.

Really, my Lord, I can lead out a Regi­ment to a muster, and bring them safely home again; As my Father, when he was a Shepheard, lead out his flock in the morning, and brought them home again to their pens at night: but as for fighting I find no great in­clination to it my self, and my Wife is utterly against it, whom I dare not displease.

Gentlemen I do not well understand what ye aim at; I had thought ye had onely resolved to have elipt the power of the late Protector, with an intention to have let him have been a titular Prince still, like the Duke of Venice. Truly I am agreat admirer of the VENETIAN Government, for I use to applaud it in all my speeches.

[Page 11]

But Sir, my L. Lambert and I have another design

Sir Harry I am not against your design; for I do not so much admire the Venctian Government, but that I can consorm to your government too, if I may get any thing by it. Yet give me leave to tell ye that the Venetian Common-wealth is an excellent form.

But would it not be a more excellent form of Government to see my Lord Lambert King of great Bri­tain, and I Prince of Wales.

And I Lord Comptroller.

And I the Perpetual Lieutenant Ge­neral.

Why truly that were a most exquisite form, but give me leave to say that for all this, I do like the Venetian State very well. For were it not for that, I should be in great want of a simile to grace the speeches which I may hereafter now and then make before ye.

When I was in Holland, I did not observe that there was any Protector there.

My Lord 'tis not our intention to quote other Countries for what we do.

Sir Harry, if you will not permit me to talk of my travels, I can talk of nothing else.

Sir Harry, every man in the Council has liberty to speak.

When I was in Holland, I observ'd that the great Merchants of their Cities there would dine upon a piece of poor John and a dish of bread and but­ter; but i'le warrant ye, our Merchants in London must wear the best and eat the best. And yet is my Lord Lambert should send to borrow 40. or 50000. l of [Page 12]them, they would pretend the greatest necessity in the whole World. Truly Gentlemen, when I was in Eol­land, there is no reason my Lord Lambert should want it, and they have it.

Truly 'tis a thing which pleases me very much to hear men speak for the good of the Nation.

Gentlemen, I have something more to say to ye, and that is this; That you would be pleased to give me an order, that my Daughter in Law may keep her leggs close together; for when I was in Hol­land, I. heard how she gave inticing language to her Gentleman-Usher. I have nothing else at this time to say, but onely to desire that as I have been both in Holland and England, so I may be a Lord still, and that my Lord Lambert would be pleas'd to give me an office as soon as he can, for that I perceive my self to be very contemptible when I am out of authority.

I had thought I should never have sate a­lone in Chancery while I had liv'd. Truly I am like my Lord Lambert, for I love no sharers in Authurity, which makes me to adhere to him against the opinion of all men; I hope he will let me keep this Place as long as I live, for I have not done getting children as yet, and they must be provided for: truly for a man not to provide for his children, is against all Equity and good conscience.

My Lord, you have been an honest man for ought I know, but you are a lawyer, and I care for no Lawyers, nor no law tricks neither, for I was a major General, and acted contrary to all Law.

But the Chancery is a Court of Reason too, and I hope you did not act contrary to Reason.

[Page 13]

Yes but I did, and would do so again, if I had but such a Commission as I had before, 'tis that which I expect, and for my part Ile fight for any man that will give it me. Oh how I hate a Cavalier.

I abominate e'm.

I could squeeze a Cavalier, as a man would press a Cheese.

I thank God I never did a courtesie for any Cavalier in my life.

When I was a Colliar, for you must know I was a Colliar before I was a major General (for a man must creep before he can go) I was so troubled with doffing my Hat, and scraping and cringing to these Gentry as they called them; but I have made them pull off their Hats sufficiently to me since. 'T is true, they call'd me devil, but I was glad on't, for thought I to my self, I have now a good pretence to make them fall down and worship. Others would cry, Set a Beg­gar a horse back, and what of that thought I: why, my thought that put me in minde of getting an Estate as soon as I could, and I think they got little by that. Some would curse us, but I laughed at that, for I was used to be told, how the Fox thrives, the more the Geese curse him. Was not this well done, what say you Mr. Steel for you were a Judge?

Why truly the Great Caesar, as you may read in my Speech to the Protector, was wont to say, That a knowing Superiour was not onely equal to the law, but in case of necessity above law it self.

Nay, for the necessity of the Case, 't is a plain as the Nose on your Face, for before these times I can assure you I was not worth a groat; so that my neces­sity [Page 14]of being rich was like all other necessities, which have no law.

In gude troath, Gentlemen, i'se tell ye aw, that i'se not be a little obliged to my loard Lambert; for having tacken such muckle notice of his pure ser­vant Archibold Johnson. Troth my loards, i'se nere could get any employment in my ene Country, which gar'd me come a progging hither: and I praise Goad for this insinuating tongue of mine ene, it hath not a little advanced my fortunes. For I am here this day President of this honourable Assembly, by the per­mission of my loard Lambert, the Lord bless him for't, and bless aw his gude undertakings.

I thought I should have had leisure enough to have wrote another book of Angels. Truly I have div'd, as far as my brains would give me leave to reach, into the nature of these publick Ministers, and I find no Minister like your publick Minister of State.

Ye have spoken right well, my loard, there is no Minister like your Minister of State: tis true they are tearmed the servants of the Commonweal, but wot ye weele, they are indeed the loards and maisters thereof: And introth they may be called Archangels, for that they have or ought to have all the Angels in the Nation at their ene service.

I hope my lord, that my lord Lambert will not let us want these things, that our Sons may have wherewithall to spend liberally upon pictures and great Horses.

Truly my lord, I hope also as yea do. And truly, I think my loard Lambert be a vary gude man, and one that feareth the Lord. But let him be what he [Page 15]will, he is now my primum mobile: he hath given me a gude command, and were he the dee'l himsel, I'se gang along with him, while he is in power. Truly my loard, my conscience will permit me to do any thing that he imposes on me, and my loard he knows that weel e­nough. My loard, i'se not care now ene fiddle for my loard Marquess of Arguile.

My Lord Lambert, I cannot but commend your late herolck Enterprise, of which the City yet rings. Truly my Lord to turn out the Parliament when they had half an Army to assist'um, was beyond any of the 12 Labours of Hercules. For my part I think 'twas beyond any thing that either the 4 London Pren­tices, or the Knight of the burning Pestle, who was of my own profession, ever did.

Sir James Harrington. Truly major, I cannot chuse but smile at it.

But what! shall we have a Monarchy again? content; for I am glad to see any trade go forward, which may bring us into a thriving condition.

Gentlemen these are ticklish times, and therefore learn of me, and get what you can assoon as you can: When I came first into play, I was no Dives, but I made a shift to get an estate in the twinkling of an eye.

In gude sooth, Mr. Holland, he's ne good Cuke wont lick his ene angers.

I, my Lord, there was excellent fishing in those dayes. O these wars, these wars, they are brave things; would we had some more of them.

My Lord Lambert, I thank you for choosing me into this place; I know now that you expect I should [Page 16]betray your Councils of the City; Well my Lord you may trust me: i'le do it as sure as Gods in Glocester­shire: I hate the City, because they would not let me be twice Major.

My Lord, my Brother Alderman shall drink before me, For he has said the very same words I intended to have spoken.

I am not such a bustling fellow as my bro­ther was, yet I love mischief and changes; and there­fore my Lord i'le stick by ye for one: come, I have some interest in the North.

Truly Gentlemen, I am willing to do my Lord Lambert all the good I can; but I hope you will not expect much from me, that was but a poor Drawer of Cloth.

Well! Gentlemen, i'le go take a nap.

I have no great head-piece, but i'le whip and spur for ye, my Lord, till my breech akes.

My Lord, I have clos'd up one of my eyes, because I would be in the best posture to aime at your good. And give me leave to tell ye, i'le venture a hanging for ye, assoon as for any man in England.

But all this while, what must we do? Gen­tlemen, ye ought to tell me, as I am a Member of the Committee.

I can tell, but I dare not.

I can tell, but I wont.

Truly Major, I know no more then you do

I can give a shrew'd guess,

I may pretend to know, and that's all.

For my part I care not a straw, now I like my company.

[Page 17]

Truly Major, I know no more than the Duke of Venice.

Truly Major, when I was in Holland, I could have told you many things, but I know very little of the English affairs; and the reason is, because I have been either a Parliament man, or one of the Council, or both, any time these 16 years.

Why Major, do you count it such a ma­terial thing to know, then I care not if I ask too.

The Lord will carry on his own work what need we look any further?

Don't ask me, Major, for I came not here to be catechized.

What gares ye to speire Major, do, as I do, believe in Goad, and my Loard Lambert.

Truly Major, what ere they do, I wont hinder um.

For my part, Major, if I should go about to tell ye, I should go beyond my last, and that you know is not for a Cobler to do.

For my part I nere ask'd, i'le ee'n do as the rest do.

Truly Gentlemen, I do believe this Com­mittee was not chosen to sit here for nothing, but what our direct business is I can't say; I believe 'tis about governing the Nation; but farther I can say nothing.

Ask my lord Lambert, if any body knows, 'tis he, and if he know I care for no more.

Nay Gentlemen, if it be so, then say'l every man for himself, and God for us all.

Gentlemen, I have now received intelli­gence, that General Monck, not having the fear of God [Page 18]before his eyes, is resolved to oppose us in the carrying on our Great Work, and therefore I must be forced for a time to leave ye; for I intend with Gods leave, and your Christian patience, to beat him into better maners. Truly it is a strange thing to consider the perverse dispo­sition of some men, that will be intruding themselves in­to other mens business, when they have no thanks for their labor. The Parliament and I can't fall-out, but he must be medling? Therefore I intend with all speed to march into the North: I confess I must leave you here behind to deal with a proud and insolent City: if there­fore they will not be ruled, use them as they doe bees, smoak them to death in their own hives. Was not he fa­mous that burnt the Temple of Diana? and was not Ne­ro famous for burning of Rome? then let us be renown­ed, and burn London. Friends, my Greatness must ad­vance ye, but my Ruines must bury you; therefore look to it, and be like so many Catalines, vigilant in mis­chief: With how much grief I leave ye, you are not a­ble to imagine, it is I onely feel the weight of that sor­row, but since it must be so, be careful of your selves and me; where your cunning cannot, let your fury make way, and let your swords unhamper all those Gordian Knots that shall entangle your designes. Gentlemen, I shall say no more, by reason of that I repose a confidence in ye, and doubt not but that ye will stick like bird lime to my interest; if not for my sake, yet for your owne ends, which by no meanes but mine, ye can be ever able to attain.

[Page 19]

My Lord, The truth of your last words make me admire you, as one that were able to dive into the bottom of mens hearts, I'le assure you, Sir, you have dived into the bottom of mine; for I confess they are my own ends that cause me to assist you; but in this you are happy, for it is no small happiness to have me your friend, that my ends and yours are now the same. For you seek Confusion, and so do I; when our peo­ple talked of settling the Nation, I alwayes left um: and I rejoyce to see a pack of Gentlemen here chosen together so fit for the purpose. Truly my dear fel­low workers in the Committee; I joy to see this day, that Morality and good Conscience are so much out of date among us, and that there are so many here gathered together that care not a straw, either for Law or Gospel, but in pretence. Gentlemen, if you will act what I contrive, wee'l bring um lower yet; What need have we for Laws, that have our own wills to guide us? Had my Lord Lambert not been governed by his will, where had we been now? but see the face of things! my dear Quakers and Ana­baptists told me that I should be a King, but with­all a proud and cruel Tyrant; I durst not gainsay it, but cryed, Gods will be done; and indeed I could wish he had no other will but that, for then it would not be so difficult as now it is for me to obey it. And now Gentlemen, let me exhort ye to continue sted­fast in this Enterprise, let not him sink who is about to raise ye: Alas this obstruction, what doth it signifie? it onely shews the malice of our Enemies, [Page 20]who rather then give us no let, would lay a rush in our way: And as for you my Lord Lambert, you your self, I need not spur you on to your advantages, you are bold and active enough, therefore march on with cou­rage, and return in Triumph.

Gentlemen, we must look about us, for the cursed Citie are strangely opposite to our Coun­cels, and if speedy course be not taken, for ought I know, may spoil our design.

They are a perverse generation, The Lord turn their hearts.

Turn their hearts. do ye say my Lord? I am sure it has almost turned my stomack to think on't; if I knew what to do, i'de do it immediately.

Let's go and plunder 'um.

No Major General, let's not plunder 'um, but let's, it you please, go and borrow their Gold, and their Ear-rings, because they are such Egyptians.

Wee'l bray 'um in a morter.

I say, burn the Citie, it would make a brave bonfire.

Gentlemen, i'le betray all their Councils, if that will do you any good.

Eene do ye Mr. Alderman, ye's do very weel; and my loard Lambert will con ye muckle thanks for your pain. Faus loons, the Dee'l spread his net ore [...]m aw [...].

I wonder what's become of their old friend the Pestilence, would he would visit 'um but for one fortnight, i'de willingly second him with the Sword.

The destruction of Sennacharib's Host be with 'um all, Amen.

[Page 21]

As I am a lord, and was in Holland, I know no more then the Pope of Rome what to do.

Well, i'le march among 'um; the head of a Prentice would make an excellent Foot-ball this cold weather, and I can stitch it up in a leather Case.

Truly Gentlemen, if I knew how to ad­vise ye I would, but a man can do no more then he can do

Let's send to Lilly, perhaps he can direct us.

Let's proclaim 'um all Traitors.

If that will d [...] ye any good, my Lords, I am here ready with the M [...].

O that my Brother Tichborn, or I, were now lord Major of the City.

I wish you would take some course, or other.

I am sorry my Lords, that I must be the Messenger of ill tidings; the Lord forgive me, and I hope you will forgive me The Navy has declared for the Parliament. I think 'tis your best way to go to shift for your selves; for my part, i'le get me into the Coun­trey, and write Godly letters to my vvife.

Would the Navy were at the bottom of the Sea.

I am only come to tell ye that Sir Arthur Haslerigg is marching up to Town with all his Forces: but I hope you'l pardon me that I cannot stay, for I must be gone again; i'le eene go make my self a Cordial.

What's worse then bad luck? my breech makes button already.

Gentlemen God buy to ye, i'le seal my self a pardon.

[Page 22]

Call ye this a Committee of Safety here's safety indeed with a murrain.

If I have done the Parliament any wrong, the Lord forgive me.

Pure Archihald Johnson, wea is me fore thee: for thou hadst thought to have been a muckle Laddy; but now the Peeper of Kilbarchen wil laugh thee to scoarn.

I'le go take leave of my Regiment, and be gone.

Would I had remembred the Catechism, w^ch my mother taught me, t [...] might I have forsaken the pomp & vanity of this world before it forsook me.

Would my Lordship were in Holland again, yet me thinks the Parliament might pardon me, for as I have done 'um no good, so I have done 'um no hurt.

I hope you'l pardon me Gentlemen, if I go try to seek out a better Committee of Safety then this.

If I had but as much Cloth to draw every year, as was spent at the Protectors Funeral, i'de never meddle any more with State affairs.

God help me Gentlemen, I am in a brave case; I am afraid I shall finde the difference between marching with a Regiment, and marching without a Re­giment, and all this, because I did not sit like a fool, and make Chilareus shoes among ye. Gentlemen of S. Mar­tins Lane, give thankes unto the woman that bare me, for now ye shall have another Holy-day.

Though I were a kind of Herb John, yet I would not willingly go to the pot. Lord bless us, who thought of a Parliament?

[Page 23]

What a sad thing is man that hath not the gift of fore-knowledge?

Now when 'tis too late, hath the Lord open'd my eyes, would they had bin as open 3 moneths ago.

Now shall I be no more a Major General, and that vexes me to the Soul. But well may I be fool'd that can do nothing but fight, when the foxes of the Nation are unkennell'd.

Honor, adieu! I confess a fool had thee in keeping but who can be wiser then God made him?

Gentlemen farewel, for I have nothing now to do but to run mad.

I have brought my hogs to a fair market. I was lately the wise Sir Harry Vane, the Politician of the age, the idol of men call'd Congregational: but farewel honor, thou art laid in the dust. Should I now go and set my house in order, men would say, so fell Achito­phel; I must not go that way to the Wood. I will not bless my Enemies with that advantage; Come brains, to work again, ye must not rest so; you must labour for being thus over-reached; Over-reached, do I say? Can I speak that word again, and not burst? Yet this is my comfort, I have got as much as any, and more then the most; What an exit have I made off the stage? I may be truly said now to have play'd my part; for in­deed it was but a part, of what I intended. Well! since I must be quiet, I'le eene sit down and make bones for my Enemies to pick; for something I must be do­ing, though I brew but a Peck a week: And if I cannot get up again, I'le strive to work the fall of my Enemies, though it be with my own ruine.

[Page 24]

Farewel Wimbleton, farewel my Tulips and my Pictures there, I had thought to have done as your Protector did, but — Oh pensive word that draw'st so many sighs after thee, but I am fallen as low almost as my first rise: Sure I was in a dream, did I turn out the Parliament? if I did, they are even with me now: did the Army look on me, as the Persians do upon the Sum if they did, they were Moon-blind certainly; Publish it not in Cheshire, lest Sir George Booth sing Paeans, nor on the Mountains of Wales, lest they tell it to Sir Tho. Middleton. My dear Wife, forgive me, I have done as much as possibly I could, and [...]uld do no more.

O Heaven, what shall I do for my Mace! my guilt Mace? 'tis gone and lost, and I am lost and gone, and there is no body cares a button.

Jesus bless us! what alterations are here? How shall I do to write my Politicus next week?