THe Lord having caused me, in the days of this my Pilgri­mage, even from my youth up, to taste both of sweet and bitter waters, to partake in forraign and domestick Princes Courts, abundance of Prosperity, and in my own Country the like measure of bitter Adver­sity, for these fourteen or fifteen yeers past.

In which my days of travel, and resi­dence at home some part of the Raign of the two late Kings of England, I was dili­gent to note and observe the most remark­able passages presenting themselves to my Genius, and in special some, which happen­ed in the vast and potent Empire of Russia, (to some of which passages I was an eye-witness.)

Of which, as also of the original rise and growth of those people of Russia to one [Page 2]entire Empire, I have been often, for many yeers past, by many sollicited to make some brief description or relation. In answer therefore now to their earnest desires, and according to my best intelligence, I have adventured to set pen to paper, for their further satisfaction, in brief, as followeth.

The people now called Russians, or Mos­covites, are said to be originally descended from the ancient Scythians; and those of them now called Belorusians, are said to be descended from the Ruthenians, whose chief City then was Navagradia; and the Ru­thenians principal City was then called Wo­lodeemer; who upon the incursions made by Tamerlain the great Cham of the Tarta­rians into those several parts, many thou­sands of them were scattered or sown a­broad into the remotest parts, and clodest climates of that vast Continent, and there­upon intituled themselves Ros-seyans, which signifieth, A people sown abroad upon the face of the earth.

The people, in process of time, divided themselves into four and twenty several Dukedoms; and so continued, until the yeer 1514.

At which time, John Bazilious Chercaskee [Page 3]the then-Duke of Volodeemer, most subtilly contrived and raised a discord amongst all the Dukes of Russia; by means whereof, they having weakned and destroyed one another, the said John Bazilious within ve­ry few yeers gained the Conquest of them all, together with the Kingdoms of Cazan, Astrachan, Chorelia, and Sibiria; and uni­ting them into one entire Empire, he was in the yeer 1524 declared and crowned Emperour of Russa, placing his Imperial Throne in the City of Mosco, the then-chief City of the Dukedom of Moscovia; where it remaineth to this day.

In his days, the Cham of the grim Tar­tars invaded Russa with an Army of Four hundred thousand men, besieged the Impe­rial City of Mosco some three months, burnt and spoiled all the Country many hundred miles in compass; and upon his departure, he required Homage of the Emperour; which was, That the Emperor of Russia should come forth of the City of Mosco on foot, attended by his Princes and Nobles of Russia, bare-headed; and that the Emperour should then bring Oats in his Cap, and present them to the Cham of Tartary his horse, (he himself then sit­ting upon his horse-back) and to feed the [Page 4]horse out of his Cap: All which, for the saving of the lives of many thousands of his people, and utter devastation of his Empire, the Emperour performed, feeding the great Cham of Tartary's horse with Oats out of his own Cap, or Colpack.

This Homage being performed, the Cham of Tartary stroaked the Emperour of Russia three times on the face and beard, presented him with a Cymiter, and a Bowe and Case of Arrows, and so depar­ted, carrying many thousands captive.

This John Bazilious the Emperour, to­wards his latter days, grew a mighty Ty­rant, delighting much in blood, causing many of his Nobles (on the least occasion) to [...] themselves upon their own swords, to [...] thrown alive unto Bears, Wolves, and Lions: some he caused (both men and women) to be tyed to spits, and rosted alive, till they died; some to be torn asun­der by horses: and many other unexpres­sible inhumane cruelties were by him pra­ctised; who, after he had (like a second Herod) reigned 35 yeers, (being very aged) he died of a Dropsie; at which time there was a Note of the names of seventeen per­sons under his pillow, A Note sound of 17 persons by him appointed for death. appointed to die.

To him succeeded his son Theodor, who being of a shallow capacity, and from his youth addicted to blinde devotion, and ringing of bells, did thereby neglect the great affairs of the Empire, whereby the people, though acquitted from his father the Tyrant, yet their burthens of Conten­tion and Oppression by his folly increased. They then, by and upon their humble Pe­tition to the Emperour, and by his consent and permission, chose the then-Lord Ge­neral of the Imperial Army, (Borice Feodo­rowick Godoonove) Lord Protector of the Empire; who (though illiterate) was a man endowed with many excellent natu­ral parts, being of a deep judgement, a strong memory, and of a discerning spirit, endowed with much sageness; being also a great lover of Justice: the last of these, crowned all the rest of his vertues, raising him high in the hearty affections of the people, so that to this day his fame rings thorow all that vast Empire, (like that of Queen Elizabeth in this Nation.)

By him were all their exorbitant abuses of their Law regulated, and brought to their pristine condition: all the Provincial Vayvodes and Chancellors were (for acts of injustice and oppression) severely punish­ed [Page 6]in their persons, and by their estates compelled to yeeld satisfa­ction to all parties by them wronged by false Judgement. Note this well. The long­usurped power of all the Arch-bishops, Bishops, Priests and Friers, in Secular af­fairs, quite extinguished. And by fear and terrour of punishment without respect of persons, Justice in its purity was com­pelled from the corruptest persons in Au­thority; which forced also the greatest re­fractory persons formerly in power, to vail and crouch before the Lord Protector, seeing the peoples affections thereby be­come as a wall of brass for his safety and preservation from their secret plottings of his destruction, (by shooting their secret arrows of detraction abroad, to his defa­mation) for which, many of them, not long after, by his impartial hand of Justice were made exemplary.

Thus, after the Emperour Theodor had possessed the Imperial Diademe 15 yeers, he died in the Imperial Palace at Mosco, 1566. At which time, the Lord Protector Borice retiring to the Maiden Monastery, seemed to resolve the leading of a Mona­stick life, and to wave the Government of that great Empire; which occasioned his [Page 7]secret enemies (though before, seeming friends) to display their Banners of revi­ling speeches against him, endeavouring both by themselves and their instruments to render him odious to the people. Yea, many of his own servants appeared then in their colours; which afterwards caused many of their heads to cleave to the block.

For, the Souldiery, over whom he still remained as Lord General during the time of his Protectorship, and the Commonalty (whose affections he had gained by acts of Justice and Mercy, exercised by him with­out fear or flattery) did all unanimously make their repair to him to the said Mai­den Monastery, and there openly declaring his Paternal care, and prudential disposing of the affairs of that vast Empire, with all the several conquered parts thereof, in the days of their late Emperour Theodor Eva­nowiche, did press upon him the acceptance of the Imperial Diademe. Upon whose acceptation, they forthwith declared him for their Emperour: and soon after his re­pair to the Imperial Palace, he was with very great magnificence and acclamation of the people, crowned Emperour of Russia; being a Gentleman of an humble spirit, [Page 8]constant in his resolutions, and carried al­ways an open ear to the complaints of all poor and oppressed persons, doing them speedy justice. His custom was to sit three days in the fore-noons with his Privie Councel, and in the afternoons to hear and answer Petitions; causing his Orders and References always to be drawn up in his own presence; punishing all Chancel­lors and other Officers for their corrupt and partial dealing, and for their slighting of his Decrees, and falsifying of his Orders and References.

He also called all the Provincial Judges and Chancellors to a strict account yeerly, and most impartially heard all mens com­plaints against them: and such as were found corrupt and faulty, he punished se­verely in their persons, and by their estates compelled them to give full satisfaction to all persons by them wronged in Judgment, or any ways oppressed or defrauded.

He carried also a vigilant eye over all the Lords of his Privie Councel; so that none of them durst tread out of the path of Impartial Justice, either for reward, fa­vour or affection, to any of their neerest allies, or dearest friends.

He also ordered the determination of [Page 9]all Controversies and Suits in Law to be within 40 days; and the charges of a Suit in Law not to exceed a Greevna, which is 12 d. English: viz. 4 d. for the Citation, 4 d. for the Warrant, and 4 d. for a copie of the Decretal Order.

And for any one that had commenced a false and vexatious Suit against any, he was to pay treble damages, Pure Justice. and to suffer the like punishment which he intended thereby to have inflict­ed upon the person by him unjustly trou­bled.

O what happiness, what peace, what concord, would such a course of Justice produce here in England.

And for the sale of houses and lands of Inheritance, he ordained a book to be kept in every Province, called, The everlasting book, (or, as here in England it was called formerly, when the practice of the Law ran in its pure current, The Dooms day­book) which is there continued to this present. By which means, all vexatious Suits, unjust Claims, and all Frauds, are prevented. The people there, cannot mortgage nor sell their Land, Houses, nor Leases, two or three times over, to several persons; as usually here in England: nor [Page 10]is any there cheated of their Patrimonies, nor constrained to sell or mortgage their lands or goods, or both, to maintain a long and tedious Suit in Law, by giving content to their insatiable Cormorant-Lawyers, Attorneys, Sollicitors, as we do here in England; where the recovery of a debt of 20 l. hath cost some men above 200 l. in Law. Yea, some thousands of families have been ruined in defence of their rights, by the present abusive practise of the Law.

Neither have they there (nor in any Country under the whole heavens, but in cruel England) any murthering dens and dungeons of cruelty for imprisoning men and women for debt, till they starve and die in prison: (contrary to our own ancient Statutes yet in force. See the book inti­tuled, Liberty vindicated against Slavery, fol. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. 25 Edw. 3. chap. 4. 21 Edw. 2. D. 172. 13 Edw. 3. B. 153. 8 Hen. 4. chap. 18, 20. 34 Edw. 1. chap. 4. 23 Hen. 6. chap. 10. Magna Chart. chap. 35. Westm. 1. ch. 26.3 Edw. 1. ch. 26.25 Edw. 3. chap. 4.

Nor is there, any arrested nor imprison­ed upon frivolous, false, and vexatious A­ctions, unjust Orders, Reports and Decrees [Page 11]daily, as they are here in England. Nor is there any such Horse-leeches to suck the vi­tal blood of men and women committed to their custody into Gaols and Prisons, as we have here. For all which unexpres­sible cruelties, doubtless the wrath and vengeance of God will ere long fall heavie upon the Nation, if not remedied, accor­ding to the several Vows, Protestations, Declarations, and Manifesto's, made to God and this Nation many yeers since, both by Parliament and [...]rmy.

In this most noble, just, and famous Em­perours days, the cruel, the mighty, nor the oppressing Miser, durst not wrong nor op­press the poor, the widow, the fatherless, nor the stranger. The Judges and Chan­cellors durst not step aside our of the strait path of Justice, for money, favour, nor affection: witness that exemplary just Sentence of his passed on the Chancellor of the Province of Rezane, who for 100 Robles bribe, (which is 50 l.) had most unjustly decreed a poor widows Land of Inheritance from her: whereof proof be­ing by her made to the Emperour, the Lord Chancellors was by him degraded, and sentenced to have the like bag of money hang'd about his neck, and to be whipped [Page 10] [...] [Page 11] [...] [Page 12]by the common Hang-man, from the great Chancery-Office to the Market-place, and back to the said Office; there the money to be melted, and poured down his throat. All which was done accordingly.

O if this pure Justice and Mercy were exercised here in England, how unexpressi­bly would it elevate his Highness in the af­fections of all the people, and engrave him in their hearts! whereby he would then become like to the famous Queen E­lizabeth, who upon any motion abroad from her Palace, had many thousands at­tending on the high-ways to congratulate her with their loyalty, and loud acclama­tions sent up to heaven for her Majesties long life, health, and prosperity.

In her days there is said to be but one Serjeant at Law, at the Common-Pleas bar, (called, Serjeant Benlowes) who was ordai­ned to plead both for the Plaintiff and De­fendant; for which he was to take ten Groats of each party, and no more: and to manifest his impartial dealing to both parties, he was therefore to wear a party-coloured garment, and to have on his head a black Cap of impartial Justice, and under it a white linen Coyf of Innocencie. All which was in the days of King James, tur­ned [Page 13]to Injustice, Oppression, and Bribery. Serjeants were by him made in abundance; and a Serjeants place was then sold for 800 l. but in the days of the late King, the price of Iniquity was raised to 1500 l. who at one time made thirteen Serjeants at Law.

I will wade no further into this sea of Wickedness, lest some of the old stamp, and long Robe, should finde themselves agrie­ved; but resolve to return to the matter in hand.

The like punishment was by this famous Emperour most justly inflicted upon the Great Lord Chancellor of Mosco; who for passing an unjust Decree, was degraded and whipped, and had thirty lashes, by the common Hang-man, upon the Cozoel, or wooden Gate, before his own Office.

The like was by him inflicted on the Vayvode or Governour of Vasema, who for injustice and oppression was also whipped, and his estate decreed to satisfie the per­sons by him wronged.

I would instance many more the like acts of Justice which flowed from that truely-magnanimous Prince; as also, how the sub­til deceitful knot of a number of grand oppressors was by him broken; who by [Page 14]their subtil contrivances, in and by their accustomed corrupt practices, in and by their Law, had enslaved the Nation to their corrupt wills, and ruined thousands of fa­milies: But I hop [...], that little that hath been related, is sufficient for any to take consideration of, and to make it their own most honourable practical example; to the glory of God, the good of this Nation, and their own eternal honour.

And thus after the poor oppressed man's Patriot, even this famous Emperour, had happily reigned 36 yeers, he departed this life: whose death was much lamented by all the people for many yeers: to whom succeeded his son Theodore, who being a­bout 17 yeers old, reigned but six months.

In whose time, one Demetrius (who from his youth being brought up in the Free-School of Warsovia in Poland) gave him­self out, and was credibly said to be the son of John Bazilious the first Emperour; who having married Marinca the eldest daughter of Sandomerskee, one of the Ele­ctors of Poland, was by Sigismundus King of Poland supplied with 20000 horse; who thereupon entred this great Empire of Russia with an Army of 240000 horse, en­countred with the Emperours great Host [Page 15]consisting of 50000 horse and 150000 foot, and after four several set Battels, he overthrew this great Imperial Host, march­ed up to the Imperial City, and after Sum­mons (causing the young Emperour Theo­dor to be strangled) he entred the City; and being forthwith crowned Caesar, or Emperour, he possessed the Imperial Dia­deme 28 months.

He was a Gentleman very comely of personage, active of body, and a great Scholar, highly affecting the English, Ger­mane, and Polonian Nations; being also himself, for his valour and generosity of spirit, greatly beloved of all his victorious Army. But coming to possess the Impe­rial Throne, and the glory thereof, he gave himself up to all maner of delightful pa­stimes, referring the management of all State-affairs to his Privie Councel: and being wholly led by his chief Secretary Panne Boochinskee, he confined his ear to the said Boochinskee, and some other few Polonian Flatterers and Parasites about him; receiving also into favour some of the Russian Nobility, and conferring places of Honour and Trust upon them, hoping thereby to win and endear them to him­self; who notwithstanding became as sting­ing [Page 16]Serpents in his bosome, and proved the fatal instruments of his ruine.

But that which proved most advantagi­ous to his enemies, and fatal to himself, was, his not admitting any into his pre­sence, (as that famous Emperour Borice with all freeness used to do) but such onely as those Parasites and Flatterers pleased to admit, for affection, favor, or reward; & stop­ping his ears against the cries of the poor oppressed Petitioners, he neglected to an­swer their Petitions: whereby, the hearts of the people were exasperated against him. The reins of injustice, tyranny & oppression were let loose to all oppressors; the Lords of his Councel acted by the Rule of their own wills; his Secretary Boochinskee became lawless and graceless: none durst prefer a complaint against him. Every one of these his Flatterers made hay for themselves, whilst the prosperous sunshine of his Ma­jesties Imperial favour displayed his rayes upon them, without any real affection, or conscientious care in them for his Majesties honour and safety: the fruit whereof pro­ved, not long after, to be the fatal loss of their own lives, and great estates so impi­ously gained.

For, the irreconcileable old Imperial [Page 17]subtil Nobility, Gentry, Chancellors, and Clergie, having ingratiated themselvs with him, did by their instruments (at a distance incessantly in secret) render the Emperour odious to the people, and guilty of all those grievous burthens of Injustice and Op­pression, which by their own unjust com­plotted practices they had laid upon the people; whereby they most subtilly accom­plished their diabolical end, which was, the untimely destruction of his Royal per­son, by the cruel hands of Basilius Shuskee, one of the reconciled Nobility, who not long before, for some treacherous practice, had his head upon the Block; yet the Emperour in his clemencie pardoned him: who not long after, through the inter­cession of some of the Russian Lords, was made Privie Councellor, whereby he was the better enabled to compass his resolved barbarous designe, which was, the cruel destruction of the Emperours person, and of the lives of all his victorious Army, consisting then of 25000 valiant men, be­ing all Polonian, Germane, and Hungarian Horse, who were all of them massacred the same day, and their houses rifled; their wives and children exposed to misery, and very many of them cruelly butchered by [Page 18]the rude multitude within the City of Mosco: which inhumane act caused a Sea of blood to have its current thorow many of the streets within the said City.

Thus the glory of this victorious He­roick spirit, was extinguished in one day: and all that truely adhered unto him, suf­fered with him, both in their estates and lives, about the 20 of May, 1604.

Bazilius having thus butchered this gal­lant Prince, and removed all obstacles, by destroying the Army, he was proclaimed Emperour of Russia, (by Mighayla Scopeene General of the Russian Army) and speedily after, crowned: who being scarce warm in the Imperial Throne, began forthwith to display the Banner of Tyranny, in restoring the covetous Clergie to their former pow­er and jurisdiction in Secular affairs; and most perfidiously, contrary to his oath and promise made to the people at the time of his election, he loosed the reins of injustice and oppression to all the Vayvodes and Provincial Chancellors, and began to lay great Taxes on the people; and, like Ri­chard the third of England, he beheaded some who were the primary instruments of placing the Imperial Diademe on his head, causing also Mighaylo Scopeene the General [Page 19]of the Imperial Army to be secretly de­stroyed by poyson. Which acts of his, ren­dered him odious to all degrees of men, exasperated the spirits of the Nobility a­gainst him, and alienated the hearts of all the people from him; and chiefly, for that their grievances were not heard, nor their burthens of oppression taken off, in all the six yeers time of his Reign; which at length emboldened the Nobility and Mer­chants of the City, with a resolute spirit, to lay hold of him, (wherein a Citizen, one Theodor Andronave was a prime actor) who gagg'd him, bound him fast in a Sled, and sent him post prisoner unto Sigismundus King of Poland, laying to his charge the murthering of their late Emperour Deme­trius: who being arrived at Warsovia in Poland, he was ordered to safe custody, where he ended his days most miserably, in the yeer of Christ 1610.

The Nobility and flattering Clergie forthwith proceed in electing Uladislaus, the King of Poland's eldest son, for their Emperour; who thereupon sent one Panne Zoltefskee with 10000 Horse, to take and keep possession for him: upon whose arri­val into the Imperial City of Mosco, the Citizens made some opposition; but were [Page 20]soon appeased by the Lords of the Coun­cel. The Polish General thereupon gain­ed a greater strength into the City, which caused several tumults; the Lords there­upon caused all the Citizens to be disarm­ed, and but one hatchet left to every three houses to cleave their wood: which act did mightily enrage the Citizens against the Lords and Polonians.

Zoltefskee well weighing the power of the Citizens, and weakness of his Army to keep possession of so vast a City, did thereupon administer an Oath of Loyalty to all his Souldiery, commanding them on the sixth day of the then-month of May, every one at one of the clock in the morn­ing to fire their lodgings, and not to spare man, woman, nor childe: which was done accordingly, and above 130000 persons massacred, besides those that were burnt in their beds and houses.

Thus the buildings of that famous City (said then to be 26 miles in compass) were all turned into ashes in one day, except the three stone-walls environing each other at a very great distance, and the Emperours Palace, with some Monasteries, and other buildings of stone: but the fourth wall, which environed all the rest, together with [Page 21]the suburbs without that wall, reaching a­bove three miles in length, were all burn­ed; the wall being all of massie timber, and earth.

But the unsavoury fruit of this their bloody Tragedie, was by the just hand of heaven returned into their own bosomes: for, the Country forthwith raised two mighty Armies under the conduct of the Lord Troobetscoy and the Lord Pazarskee, who besieged the Polonians in the City, close on every side, for the space of two yeers; and, through extreme famine, en­forced the Polonians to yeeld up that fa­mous Metropolitan City, and therewith the Prince of Poland's right to the Empire of Russia: so as of 35000 valiant men, there returned not twenty persons into Poland. Those few hundreds that yeelded up the City, coming once to plenty of vi­ctuals, died with meat in their mouthes through meer weakness, having not tasted a bit of bread in six months before. In which Siege, a loaf of bread sometime was sold for a thousand Robles, which is 500 l. Sterling.

During the time of this cruel Siege, wherein I continued 22 months, being lodged in the Imperial Palace, several ob­jects [Page 22]of misery presented themselves to my fight and observation, from the besie­ged; as the eating of the flesh of horses, dogs, cats, and all sorts of leather, boyled in ditch-water; which served in stead of Tripes. But that which took most im­pression of grief upon my spirits, was, to see many Russian Ladies nobly descended, and brave young Gentlewomen, who not long before scorned that the moist earth should have touched the soles of their feet, were now become miserable, constrained to go bare-footed, and for food to prostrate themselves to every mean persons disposal; yea, when they were discarded by some, I have seen them with tears in their eyes profer their service to others, and all for a miserable livelihood: which then called to my remembrance this old saying, Pride must have a fall: and, Hunger will break stone-walls.

But after the famine grew very great, and all women, children, and aged persons tur­ned out of the City, to the Russians, (who received them very courteously, [...]ery much condoling their miserable conditions) there followed a very great judgement of God upon the Polonians, (ob [...]inacie and hardness of heart) who all bound them­selves [Page 23]by Oath, and receiving the Sacra­ment upon it, not to yeeld up the City to the Russians, so long as there was a man of them alive: which brought them to that extremity, that they by casting lots (who should die next, to maintain the rest alive) did devour one another, from 3000 to 400 persons. And at the surrender of the City, divers Commanders of the Russian Army seizing upon sundry large chests, conceiving them to be full of treasure, ha­ving them broken up, found in them no­thing but the bodies of men slain for food to the living.

Upon the regaining of this Imperial Ci­ty in 1612. forthwith followed the free election of Mighaylo Theodorowiche, (of the lineage of Borice, that famous Empe­rour) by the two National Armies, consist­ing of 13000 Horse and Foot; who was crowned the 5 of August, 1613.

This young Prince, for a time, walked in the path of that Princely myrrour of Ju­stice, Borice; under whose Government, (after a few yeers of trouble) the Nation enjoyed Halcyon days of peace and tran­quillity, after the cessation of that long in­testine War between the Emperors of Rus­sia and Charles Duke of Swethland, and his [Page 24]son Gustavus the late King of Swethland; which was accomplished, and the Country of Scythia restored to the Russian, by the mediation of King James, and the indefa­tigable restless pains and travel of the tru­ly-honorable sage States-man, Sir John Me­rick, employed Lord Ambassador there, for that work, for the space of three yeers and eight months; who accomplished a League offensive and defensive between the two Crowns of Russia and Swethland, in 1617. which is since ratified, by the now-Empe­rour Olexey Michaylowiche, and the Queen of Swethland.

This worthy States-man, Sir John Me­rick, was by King James employed upon a second Embassie unto the said Emperour of Russia, in the yeer 1621. being accompani­ed by six Gentlemen of quality, (of whom Robert Kelloway Esq was first in degree) and by 60 followers all in a rich Livery; who accomplished his Embassie with con­tent to the King, and very great honour to himself and this Nation. In both which great Embassies, I had the honour to be with him, all the time.

Thus after this peaceable Emperour had rei [...]ned 35 yeers, he died; to whom suc­ceeded Olexey his son, who being yet of [Page 25]tender yeers, and not knowing the great and weighty causes and motives inducing his Princely predecessors to grant that great Charter of Free-trade unto the English Company of Merchants thorowout that vast Empire, free of Custom, and all other duties, hath (as is supposed) by the aggra­vation of some Dutch Resident there, de­prived the English of that Charter. But now, I hope, upon better information, and apprehension of the constant love of the English to his Majestie and that Nation, and their readiness on all occasions from time to time to serve and supply his prede­cessors with all necessaries, even in the times of their greatest straits, will be a suf­ficient motive to him, most honorably and freely to restore unto the English Mer­chants the said Charter of Free-trade, and will thereby manifest his Princely affection to our victorious Chieftain, or Caesar, who hitherto hath been the Lords threshing-instrument of terrour to all the potent and raging enemies of this Nation, both by land and sea. All which, the Dutch, as well as others, have been made very sensible of, and of which they above any others can make a most true Narrative, (if they please) to the glory of God, the honour of his [Page 26]Highness, and this nation, and to their own correcti [...]e instruction for the future; lest their insulting pride draw them down by a second Duke d'Alva to the gulf of destru­ction, and enforce them once again to in­title themselves to our Caesar, The poor di­stressed States of the Netherlands, as they did in the days of Elizabeth Queen of England, who purchased those United Provinces from the Spaniard, by the inestimable life­blood of more then 100000 English-men, besides Scots and Irish, and the expence of more then two millions of treasure: Ne­ver to be fully satisfied by the worth of all the Netherlands.

But if any shall be offended at these my foregoing expressions touching our present [...] victorious Chieftain, (or Caesar) I shall hum­bly desire them to look back into the re­corded transactions of all the Worthies in former ages, and see if they can (comparatis comparandis) balance those many several no­ble and victorious acts of his, with any of theirs, in the scale of Honour, and true Ma­gnanimity, by him accomplished, in three famous Kingdoms, viz. England, Scotland, and Ireland, and all within the space of 3 or 4 yeers, without the least foil or repulse at any time by him received from his & this Nation's potent enemies.

Wherein (in my judgment) he surpasses the Romane Caesars, the furious Goths and Vandals, the valiant Scanderbeg Prince of E­pirath, the triumphant Godfrey of Bullein, and the victorious Gustavus Adolphus King of Swethland, who was the terrour of Ger­many. And as the Lord in raising him up, hath thus by him brought home peace to every man's door in these three Nations; so I desire and wish from my soul, that with all due thankfulness he and we may return praises to his great and glorious Name for those his rich and abundant mercies by this his select instrument (Oliverus) conferred on us; it being the onely true way for the continuation of his showers of mercies on us; and, in stead of kicking against the pricks, to rest satisfied, and wait patiently upon the Lord, and then doubtless the sal­vation of God will appear: for, he that be­lieveth, maketh not haste.

For that sacred Power that hath hitherto by him accomplished mighty things for us, will assuredly perfect his work, even his own great work; so that the enemies of God, and all that hate us, beholding it, shall stand amazed, & shall be enforced to con­fess and say, that it is the Lords doings, and it is marvelous in their eyes.

And when once, according to his sundry expressions at several times to that effect, he appears mighty in pulling down the strong holds of Satan, and advancing the thrones of Justice, Judgment, and Mercy, to the glory of God, the good of this Na­tion, and his own eternal praise, then shall his enemies be abashed, and England's ene­mies confounded; but on him shall the mercies of God flourish. For, it is Justice and Mercy exalts a Nation, and the admini­stration thereof (without respect of per­sons) is the honour of a Nation, and of him that is the Head of the Nation. Wit­ness those unalterable decrees of the Medes and Persians: and Solomon tells us, that the throne is established by justice, and upholden by mercy, Prov. 20.28. For he that ruleth over men must be just, honourable, and unalte­rable in his word and promise) ruling in the fear of God, 2 Sam. 23.3. And he set judges in the land city by city, and said to the judges, Take heed what ye do for ye judge not for man, but for the Lord, who is present with you in the judgment: for there is no iniquity nor re­spect of persons with the Lord, nor taking of gifts. 2 Chron. 19.5, 6, 7. This undoubt­edly was the lesson which our just Al­fred King of England gave to all the Coun­ty-Judges [Page 29]and Chancellors in his days: and this was the charge of that renowned Em­perour Borice; and this, I hope, will be the Rule and unalterable Charge of our victo­rious Caesar: And in so doing, he shall as­suredly retain the favour of God, the love of the whole Nation, and make his ene­mies vanish like the smoke. And so doing, go on and prosper; the Lord shall give thee thine hearts desire.

O that the Lord in mercy to this Nation would turn the present tyrannous destru­ctive Norman law of England into a law of mercy & preservation to the people there­of; that so they might not be thereby, in their estates, rights; liberties, and lives, daily sold, as sheep are in Smithfield-market; and by Bayliffs and Serjeants most spitefully daily haled like dogs to several dungeons of misery, from their families and callings, and cruelly destroyed in prisons, their estates by piecemeal torn and rent from them for a trifle, and their wives and children enforced to beg their bread: yea, many poor hang'd for ten or twenty shil­lings; whilst those that rob this Nation of their estates, liberties, and lives, and that by a Law, escape the halter.

Wherefore my most humble and earnest [Page 30]suit unto his Highness the Lords threshing-instrument) 15, That he would be pleased to take seriously to heart the misery of this Nation, as good Nehemiah did who accoun­ted their misery his misery, their bondage his bondage, their flesh as his flesh, and their children as his children: And lo, (saith he) you suffer to be brought into bondage your sons and your daughters, causing thereby the enemies of God to blaspheme. Neh. 5.5, 9. and the oppressed to groan under the burthen. The (works and) words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver the oppres­sed. Prov. 12.6. And also seriously to consider the admonition of Solomon, say­ing, If thou forbear to deliver those that are haled to death, (or dungeons of death) and if thou sayst, Behold, I knew it not; doth not he that pondereth thy heart, and keeps thy soul, know it? And so of the Lords judgement denounced by Jeremiah against the Rulers of Judah, saying, Ye have not hearkned unto me, in proclaiming liberty every one to his brother, and every one to his neighbour; nor loosed the bands of wickedness, nor undone the heavie burdens, nor let the oppressed (nor en­slaved) go free: Therefore will I proclaim li­berty unto you, even to the sword, to the [Page 31]plague, and to the famine, Jer. 34.17.

And do we not see the anger of the Lord kindled against us, by troubles abroad, jea­lousies at home, and fears on every side? Therefore take away the Cause, (which is, Injustice, Cruelty, and Oppression) and the Effect will cease assuredly. For when (in these things) a mans ways please the Lord, his very enemies shall be at peace with him.

If therefore the Lord, in mercy to his Highness and this Nation, be pleased to incline his heart to loose the bands of wickedness, (by abolishing the Capias) and to let the oppressed go free; to pull down the thrones of iniquity, and to break every yoke: Then shall his light break forth (to the Nation) as the morning, and his health shall then spring forth speedily: his righte­ous acts shall then be his van-guard, and the glory of the Lord (in the power of his might) shall be his rere-guard. For bles­sed shall he be that considereth the cause of the poor, (especially those that are of up­right heart) the Lord shall deliver him out of his enemies hands, and he shall be bles­sed upon the earth; yea, his enemies shall be destroyed: but he shall be established in righteousness, and his seed after him; if he despise not the counsel of the poor, [Page 32]whose trust is in the Lord; if he cleave not to the generation of cruel men, but ease this Nation of this cruel Norman bondage, and deliver the inslaved for debt out of the several dens of cruelty in this Land, causing speedy justice to have its free current without respect of persons, that so all that are oppressed and defrauded of their estates, lands, or goods, may gain speedy restitution with damage for false imprisonment, or detention of their estates unjustly.

All which once effected, will assuredly appease the wrath of God against these Nations, unite the hearts of all this great people to his Highness, as the heart of one man, and will enable him to go in and out before this great people in the strength of the Lord, and the power of his might, in peace and much safety, maugre all his enemies, and all that strive to disturb his and this Nations peace. This will assu­redly bring glory to God, honour to his Highness, and tranquillity to the Nation: it will enforce (as in other Countries) ho­nesty and plain-dealing from all men and all Petifogging, deceitful, subtil, oppressive persons, now shrowded under the Norman Law, will vanish; and the words Peace, [Page 33]Quietness, and Industry, will be written o­ver every mans door.

Such noble acts will revive the memory of Alfred, that just king of England, who punished and hanged Four and fourty County-Judges in one yeer, for oppres­sing the people by false Judgement: and of Edward the fourth, who caused Fifteen Gaolers to be hanged in one yeer, for ex­acting money from prisoners, and defrau­ding them of the King's allowance of 4 d. per diem: And of Henry the fourth, who caused Two and twenty Projectors, and six Aldermen of London to be hanged at the then-place of Execution within London-walls, and buried under the Gallows; where since the Church is built, and the place called Alderman-bury, to this day.

It was the usual saying of that famous and just Emperour Borice, That Prince or Ruler is most happie and safe, that liveth least to himself, and most to the honour of God, and the peoples good over whom God hath placed him; and whose legal and just power is the bounds of his will: whose olive-branch of wis­dom springeth from his heart, bloometh on his tongue, and beareth fruit in his actions; which will always direct him not to refuse counsel good cheap, lest remiss security cause him to buy repentance too dear.

Thus having (through my real hearty af­fection, and well-wishes to his Highness well-being, and love to my Countries free­dom, peace, and tranquillity) digressed from my intended Historical Subject: and be­ing desirous not to weary the Reader, but to draw to an end, I do again (in the close) become a most humble and earnest suitor to his Higness, in the name, and by the mercies of Jesus Christ, to let judgement run down as water, and justice as a mighty stream; that so Mercy may embrace him on every side, and cause him to continue in assured love and favour both with God and man, enjoying the good things of this Land in peace, (internal, and external) with abundance of glory to God, and honour to himself and posterity.

Not giving ear to the feigned words of some self-seeking persons, who having a shew of godliness, (yet deny the power thereof) do ( Babel-like) endeavour to rear up to themselves everlasting tabernacles, and cry out, The Temple of the Lord, The Temple of the Lord; The Law, the Law▪ Whereas the true Temple of the Lord is this, To amend their covetous ways, and their unjust oppressive doings, To execute judgement between a man and his neigh­bour, [Page 35]and not to oppress the poor, the wi­dow, the fatherless, nor the stranger, but to let all the oppressed & enslaved go free: Nor to think, by tything Mint and Cum­min, to fulfil the law of God, as those se­veral hypocrites, the Doctors, Lawyers, Scribes and Pharisees did; against whom (in stead of a blessing) there stands upon record for ever sundry terrible Woes de­nounced by him who is King of kings, and Lord of life and glory, and who assuredly will, by the sacred Rule of impartial justice, judge them according to their works.

There is a Word, which is clothed with death; the Lord grant it be not found in the heritage of Jacob. Sometimes to abide in the shade, produceth more quiet to a poor man, then to have the bright beams of the Princes favour to break forth upon him: for then Malice is forthwith enra­ged, Wrath like a Fury assaulteth, and Revenge like a Crocodile (when seeming to weep over him) destroys him most, in his credit, life, and good name; never ceasing (both by himself, and all those by him seasoned for his ends) to traduce and backbite him daily, thereby rendering him odious to the best of men.

Like those subtil Serpentine generation of men, who by lyes and slanders, and by the power of some by them then sea­soned for the work, defrauded me of my right, which by his Highness favour was most freely conferred on me; and who also since have notceased to traduce, back­bite, and slander me to those in high place and Authority, hoping thereby to make their deeds of darkness to resemble the light and truth, in the fight of his Highness and others. But to all such shadows of Christians I shall say but this, That their Consciences (if they have any) cannot but testifie to their faces that they have done me much wrong: The Lord rebuke them for it.

And this I was told long since, that if his Highness had not appeared so vigo­rously for me in that, and another business since that, I had neither undergone those calumnies and reproaches, nor had my endeavours proved so fruitless as hitherto they have done to me.

This duely weighed, it cannot but be positively concluded, That although those slanderous and reproachful arrows were shot at the lowe shrub, yet the venome of [Page 37]them was intended to hit the tall Cedar, which by his branches of favour was plea­sed to shelter the lowe shrub.

For at that very instant time, the better to set a face of credit upon their slanders, and to carry on their designe of defeating me of my right, they by their instruments divulged it abroad in the City, and to di­vers Parliament-men, that I had forswore my self three times in one day before his Highness and the Councel, and that they had adjudged me to stand in the Pillory at the Exchange. This was related with such a face of truth, as that divers of my friends were happily deceived, in going to the Ex­change to be spectators of it.

Whereas the real truth is, that I was ne­ver called before his Highness nor Coun­cel to swear at any time, for any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever: for the truth whereof, I humbly appeal to his Highness and to the honorable Councel; most hum­bly praying for justice on these traducers, and satisfaction for these injuries most wrongfully sustained.

But not resting in the centre of these their calumnies, they or their instruments do still persist by under-hand plottings to [Page 38]accomplish my destruction, and by raising of a lye against me, rob me of my lively­hood: and at the same time, in a most secret manner, spread a rumour in the Ci­ty, that I should conspire against my Lord Protector's life: A thing so horrid, so de­testable to my soul, and so far from the thoughts of my heart, as the Crystalline Sphere can possibly be in distance from the earth.

And this clearly appeareth, by my con­stancie from the beginning, to the cause of God, faithfulness to his Highness, and services performed for the State.

The first was, my discovery of the late King's intention to surprise Hull and Ply­mouth, by private Letters sent out of Hol­land to Sir Harbottle Grimston and Mr. Sa­muel Vassel, then members of Parliament: by means whereof, the Parliament and Nation were preserved from the universal ruine determined, in 1641.

The second was, my discovery of the first Rebellion in Kent.

For both which, I never to this day re­ceived one peny, as a recompence or re­ward, from any.

And what my fidelity, and many yeers cruel sufferings, have been, for Parliament and Army, and in especial to his Highness, is well-known to thousands in the City and Countries, and manifested by the se­veral Tractates written and printed by me in defence of the Cause, and of his High­ness honour; even at that time also, when black-mouth'd envious Infamy had open­ed her mouth wide against him: from which I shall never vary, nor cease to vin­dicate his honour in the way of God: wishing from my soul, that all men were even as I am; which is so far from acting, wishing, or thinking any hurt to him or his, as that I shall spend my life, and be ready to be spent for him; yea, although he should suffer me to be overwhelmed with sorrow, penury, and the raging pow­er of my slanderous adversaries.

For the real truth of all which, I ap­peal to the searcher of all hearts, who knows that I lye not, and to whose sa­cred hand of justice and mercy I refer my adversaries; concluding with David's words: Plead my cause, O Lord, with them that strive with me: Fight thou against them that fight against me; and, From [Page 40]evil and deceitful men, O Lord deliver me.

For they that work evil, shall be wrap­ped up in evil. Slander and reproach proceed from the proud in heart; but vengeance lurketh for them as a lion: yea, Anguish shall consume them before they die, and they shall be taken in the same snare.

The tongue of the hypocrite destroyeth his neighbour by lying words; yea, he worketh deceitfully without ceasing; (I wish this Age hath not brought forth ma­ny such monsters) who bend their tongues like a bowe for lyes, and take great pains to do wickedly.

Witness the numberless number of backbiters, false accusers, Knights of the Post, forgers of Deeds, tormentors of poor men and women by frequent vexa­tious Arrests, Imprisonments, and tedious Suits in Law, of Ten, Twenty, Thirty, or Fourty yeers continuance.

I cannot but with grief of heart con­fess, that we live in the very last of times, wherein Malice lurketh, Revenge rageth, Cruelty sucketh the vital blood of the poor, Envie suffereth not the poor to [Page 41]live; Oppression stayeth the needy; the poor is despised of his neighbour, his faithfulness contemned, and his services not regarded, (if he be not armed with the spirit of boldness, impudence, and base flattery) as many are, who have thri­ved best, and prevailed most, since these distracted times, and have made great gain by the bare profession of Godliness, but of true godliness small gain to themselves, (in the practical part thereof.)

Some such are they, who have troubled me, perplexed me, persecuted me, defrau­ded me, and endeavoured to destroy me, by lying words. The Lord in mercy for­give them, and give them hearts to walk more answerably to their profession, and preserve his Highness from being decei­ved and deluded by any such Vi­pers.

It was the approved wisdome of that famous Emperour Borice, Not to trust any reconciled Enemy, nor to intrust them in any place of power, nor to credit any their Blemishes and Odiums in secret cast upon any of approved fidelity to his per­son.

This Rule produced peace and safety [Page 42]to him, but confusion to his enemies, and to all their Machavilian plots and enter­prises against him.

On the other hand, Credulity, and Se­curity, and favouring of reconciled ene­mies, was the destruction of that Heroick Spirit Demetrius the Emperour, who by their Flatteries lulling him asleep in their treacherous Cradle of Security, made thereby his Friends appear to him to be his Foes, and themselves (that were his mortal Enemies) to be his onely Friend, by his confining of his ear unto them.

An eminent Example we have for this, in the late King, who upon the compe­tition between the Spanish and French Faction of his Councel, granted the pre-eminence to the Spanish Faction, as to Cant', Arund', Cott', Wind', and others, by confining his ear solely to them; which proved his confusion. For, the Plot being laid long before, by the Pope and Jesuites, to make the King of Spain UNIVERSAL KING, these Ma­chiavels knew no surer way to accomplish this, then in rendering the King odious [Page 43]to the people, by multiplying of Taxes, and countenancing the several Judges in their corrupt practices. The Bishops, by the High-Commission-Court, new inven­ted Orders in their Churches, and the Oath Ex Officio. Putting the King also upon requiring Knighthood-money, Ship­money, the Forests, and others of that nature: being confident, that this would move the people (by them called Here­ticks) to rebel, and so cut the throats one of another; and thus the Catholikes might but stand by, and laugh at their de­struction; and then the King of Spain with much facility might of England and Ireland gain the possession: which done, the Netherlands would soon follow, and France also be brought into subje­ction.

How far they prevailed in this their hellish Plot, I appeal to all knowing persons: and what good the Lord pro­duced to this Nation out of evil by them intended, is manifest at this day.

The Lord perfect this his Work of Mercy to us, by granting us the assurance [Page 44]of his love and favour in Jesus Christ; which cannot but produce honour to his Highness, and peace and happiness to this Nation: Which is the hearty desire of