HOw soone doe men forget the by-gon time of their affliction? or if they retaine a darke and misty remembrance of the time past, they want the discretion by comparing it with the time present to foresee and prevent evill times to come. And this seemes to be now the condition of us the peo­ple of England, who have almost forgot how our Re­ligion, Lawes, liberties, and properties in our estates lay bleeding almost to death at the feete of a Malignant partie of Papists, Prelates, and Court Priests, Innova­ting Councellors, corrupt Judges, with their depen­dents, Petty-Foggers, Solicitors, Projectors, Monopoli­sers, and other Prerogative Parasites: How unjust and destructive a warre was projected by the said Malig­nants betweene us and our brother Nation of Scotland? wherein we were sure, if we were conquered, to loose our selves and all we had to the Conqueror with whom we fought; and if wee did conquer, to the Malignant partie for whom we fought: How (to secure our bon­dage) [Page 2]the old English Souldiary of Protestants being disbanded in Ireland, an Army of 8000. Irish Papists, (the conductors at this day of the bloody rebellion there) were raised by Strafford, and kept hovering over our heads, ready to fall upon us (weakned with an un­happy conquest) and to lay that Iron yoke upon our neckes to which we should unworthily have subdued our brethren.

But what our oppressions and grievances were in par­ticular, who were the Authors, what aymes they had, and what meanes they used, how farre they proceeded before this Parliament, and since; what the faithfull en­deavours of this Parliament are, and what they have done already for us, and at how little a charge, consi­dering the great burdens and slavery they have freed us from, what dangerous oppositions, attempts, and de­signes (distructive to the being of Parliaments and to their owne persons) they have (through the goodnesse of God) overcome, and are still environed withall: How faithfully to our benefit they have disbursed the publike money, and upon what just, necessary, legall grounds, and with what respect to the King and King­dome they have managed all our affaires. How (as Christ was led aside into the Wildernesse to bee temp­ted) his Majestie is led aside from his great Councell the Parliament (in whom there is strength) into a Wil­dernesse of errors and weaknesses: And what the points of difference betweene his Majestie and the Parliament are at this time. He that is capable of satisfaction, and desires withall to know what share he is likely to have in the publike calamities (if not prevented) and how to carry himselfe therein, let him reade the third Remon­strance, the severall Declarations, the generall accounts of the Kingdome published by the Parliament, together with those most excellent Observations; the one upon [Page 3]his Majesties answer to the Lords and Commons of the 19. of May, 1642. The other upon some of his Majesties late Answers and Expresses.

Likewise the Answer to the Sommer set shire Petition, and a good plaine Paper, called Some more new Obser­vations concerning King and Parliament, containing 20. considerations. Another Paper intituled Jesuits plots: And a Paper called a short discourse tending to pacification of differences betweene his Majestie and his Parliament; where these truthes appeare as cleare as the Sunne, in despight of Envy and her blacke mouth'd daughter, Slaunder, which alwayes attends good deeds in a bad age, as the shadow attends the body.

But that after so many prayers and petitions to God for a Parliament, we should so much forget his mercies, our owne sufferings and complaints, and the Parlia­ments faithfull, wise, and effectuall indeavours, as to hearken to the voyce of a Malignant party, who flatter us, calumniate them, and abuse all; this sheweth us to be the Sons of Adam, apt to be tempted, even with an Ap­ple. But let us examine the causes of this our incon­stancy and ingratitude, which may be partly inward in our selves, and partly outward in others.

1. Inward in our selves, as,

• First, long discontinuance of Parliaments hath filled this Kingdome so full of diseases, that we grow weary of Physicke before our Physitians can perfect the cure, and had rather venture a relapse then confirme our healthes by stirring up more humours.
• Secondly, because the Parliament did not seasonably satisfie our anger with punishment of Delinquents, wee are now tired with expectation, and as angry with the. Parliament as with Delinquents. But if wee consider how, and by whom they are protected, where they take [Page 4]Sanctuary: and how the multitude of offenders, their friends and abetters is such, that— Hos defendit nume­rus, junctoque umbone phalanges; They are too many, too strong to be brought to punishment, unlesse the Parliament found more abilitie in themselves and more constancy in the people then they have yet met withall, the Parliament is to be excused.

Secondly outward causes of our unconstancy and ingratitude proceeds from the subtiltie and industry of the malignant partie; who with all dilligence in their reports, discourses, writings and publications, nay in Churches and Pulpits set faire glosses upon their owne fowle actions, and with foule paintings, staine the faire merits of the Parliament. Let us exa­mine some of their calumnies, for all is impossi­ble.

First, the Malignants observing us to bee freed from painefull Symptomes, and willing to take our rest and ease (upon the advantage of our sloath) perswade us to take this for a cure (though the disease lie yet lurking in our Bowells) and to grow angry with, and suspiti­ous of our Phisitians, as if they kept us in an un­necessary course of Physicke to continue their power and government over us. But their delaies proceeded partly from the throng of great and weightie businesses, which (like waves continually falling in one upon ano­ther) hinder themselves in the crowd; And principally from the slights of the Malignants.

Secondly, the Malignants object, that this Parlia­ment is a burden to the Common-wealth, that they free us from Taxations of Shillings, by impositions of Pounds, by Subsidies, Polemoney, Loanes, &c.

First, In desperate diseases (such as the Malig­nants had infected this Common-wealth withall) Blood-letting is necessary, the veines will fill againe [Page 5]if the vitall parts be preserved; if wee contribute part of our particular wealth to free the Common-wealth from slavery and superstition (the parents of repining sloath and dejected Cowardise) wee shall incourage in­dustry, and renew our stocke: but if wee stoope un­der an Arbitrary government, who will worke that others may devoure the fruits of his labours? Li­bertie is the fountaine of industry, & industry of wealth.

2. Besides, the Parliament hath already payd us liberally for all the Taxes they have made us pay; and our payments are but for the present; their bene­fits and good Lawes are perpetuall. The abolishing of superstition and reforming our Religion. The vin­dicating our Lawes, Liberties and Properties are ine­stimable. Shipmoney did yearely cost the kingdome above 200000. pound, Coate and Conduct mony, and other military charges (besides the trouble and ter­rour) almost as much. A few Monopolies did yearely prejudice the Subject a Million. Sope 100000. pound, Wine 300000. pound, Leather almost 400000. pound, Salt 400000. pound; all these, with many other Monopolies this Parliament hath taken away. Besides what infinite dammage those discouragements of trade brought invisibly upon the Common-wealth, as well Lucro cessante, as Damno emergente. And (which is the benefit of all benefits, the Quintessence, the Elixer, the spirit extracted out of all their indeavours) the roote of all these wrongs is declared to be against law by an Act of Parliament, being an arbitrary power, which (for their owne benefit more then his Majesties) the prerogative parasites pretended to be in the King) of taxing the Subjects & charging their estates at pleasure, without limitation, and without consent in Parliament.

3. This Parliament had not beene so chargeable to [Page 6]the kingdome, had not the Malignant partie continually multiplyed their troubles, charges and dangers, and re­tarded the remedies.

Thirdly, this Parliament is more hated then any for­mer Parliament hath beene: First, because it hath found more Delinquents, and hath gone farther in searching and curing wounds and diseases, and establish­ing a perfect reformation both in Church and State, then ever any did. Long intermission of Parliaments having filled this Common-wealth so universally with ill humours, that (in this old doting age, wherein it drawes to its period) wee can neither indure its disea­ses, nor the remedies. And herein this Parliament is most unhappy. Secondly, because it cannot be broken without their owne consent: Ever since which act past, all wayes have beene taken by the Court faction, to di­solve or destroy it; before those quarrells about Hull or the Militia were thought of.

All which plots fayling, they now attempt (what no age will ever beleeve, unlesse it be as wicked as this) to render odious and suspected to the people this onely Sanctuary of their Religion, Lawes, Liberties, and properties. The representative body of the whole King­dome.

Fourthly, they labour to make this and all other Par­liaments invalid and of no authoritie or reputation with the people, by infusing such opinions and doctrines into them as are inconsistent with the nature of Parliaments, and will strike dead the very roote of them, if they bee generally believed. First, that if the King desert the Parliament, it is a voyd assembly, and without power to defend the kingdome, even from open violence. A Right, not denied to a private person assaulted. Second­ly, that Parliament priviledges are no where to be read, [Page 7]and so the Representation of this whole kingdome gives them no priviledge nor authoritie. Thirdly, that the major part in Parliament is not considerable, when ma­ny are absent or dissent. But to stay untill all, or almost all are present and assenting, and not to acquiesse, in the Majoritie, is never to bring any thing to conclusion, nay to bring all to tumults and confusion. Fourthly, that the major part is no major part, because the fraud of some few misleads them. This Position divides the Parliament into two unworthy sorts of men, Deceivers, and Deceived. Fiftly, that Parliaments may doe disho­norable, nay treasonable Acts. And that this Parlia­ment hath beene so blinded by some few Malignants, as to abet Treason in Sir John Hotham. (Answer to the 19. Propositions p. 2. See the Answer to the Decla­ration May 26. p. 1. 2. 11. and 28. 29.) Here you see Trea­son charged upon the representative body of the king­dome, and consequently, by reflection, upon the whole body of the kingdome represented. If therefore his Maje­stie take Armes, it must be against us all (Parliament and People) involved in one common crime of Treason. And yet the maxime of the law is, that no dishonorable thing is to be presumed of Parliaments. And (I believe) neither reason, nor example can shew any thing against this rule. Sixtly, that the Parliament hath trampled upon all Law, and the Kings Prerogative, & sought to inslave the whole Kingdome. During the long absence of Parlia­ments, the Prerogative had swallowed the Law, which this Parliament caused to be vomited up againe, and restored to the people, when the Malignant partie thought it had beene digested and converted into the very nature of the Prerogative. And this is one dange­rous effect of the long want of Parliaments, that what­soever the Prerogative devoures, though it digest and [Page 8]incorporate not with it, but breake forth into Wens and other unwholesome excretions; yet (because they are of some continuance) both Prince and people, but espe­cially evill Counsellors (who onely thrive by the a­buse of exorbitant power) take it for a part and mem­ber of the Prerogative, and make it a matter of scan­dall and quarrell, that after so long a sufferance, the Par­liament should launce or pare away those tumors. But that the Parliament (so small a body armed onely with a derivative power of representation, having an Active Anti-parliamentary faction of Monarchists in the heart of it, and which hath beene put to labour for its preser­vation ever since the Bill passed for perpetuating of it) should trample upon the Law, and inslave the whole kingdome, seemes wonderfull; it being the onely foun­taine and foundation of our Lawes, the Sanctuary whither the people flie for succour when they are op­pressed in their Lawes, Liberties, and Properties; and which so lately hath redeemed the People and all they can call theirs, out of bondage, and the members there­of being sure to suffer amongst the multitude, whensoe­ver our Lawes faile us. Seventhly, that the Parliament sought the betraying of Church and State; and to effect the same, had erected a new upstart authoritie in the Mi­litia, and levied warre upon the King. They may pro­perly be said to betray Church and State; who corrupt the doctrine and discipline in the one, and subvert the Lawes and forme of government in the other. And if any man be so great a stranger in our Israel as not to know who they are, I will tell him. First, the Prelates, and Court Priests brought many alterations into our Liturgy and Rubrick (contrary to the Act of Parlia­ment, whereby the Common Prayer booke is establish­ed) vaine Ceremonies, Altars, and many new doctrines [Page 9]into our Church (to make us more consonant to the Church of Rome) as Episcopacy and Tithes, Jure Di­vino. That the King hath a Divine Prerogative pa­ramount to all our Lawes. That the Church of Rome is a true Church and erres not in fundamen­talls (and then wee are Schismatickes at least) That Auricular confession is of necessitie, &c. These are a few of their corruptions in Doctrine: Discipline followes: They inlarged their jurisdiction against Law. The High Commission used the Temporall Sword by fining, imprisoning, as well as the spirituall. They used an independent jurisdiction, not derived from the King (which they claimed Jure Divino) in their owne name, and under their owne seales, contrary to the Stat. H. 8. C. 17. 1. Ed. 6. C. 2. still in force: In the State, The attempts of the Malignant partie to subvert our Lawes, Liberties, and Properties, and to reduce this well tempered Monarchy into a meere Arbitrary Government have beene sufficiently proved in the tryall and attainder of the Earle of Strafford; yet I will not omit the testimony of the Lord of Faulkland, who wittily tells us: The King was per­swaded by his Divines, that in conscience, his Coun­sellors, that in Policy, and his Judges, that by Law hee might doe what hee list: And if this bee not a conspiracy to, introduce Arbitrary Government, and change our State, I know not what is.

For the Militia, they desire not to remove it from the King, but from his subordinate Ministers, and place it upon other Ministers whom they suspect not; and to satisfie the feares of a whole Nation in time of danger, is wisedome. Besides, extraordinary diseases require extraordinary cures; the High distem­pers [Page 10]and dangers of the Kingdome compells the Parliament (That supreame Court and Counsell now deserted by the King) to have recourse to the supreame Law, Salus populi; Whose immediate rise is from the Law of Nature, which teacheth every worme, much more a man, and most of all a whole Nation to provide for its defence.

Besides, it neither belongs to the person, nor calling of the King to expound the Lawes: But that the Parli­ament hath a power to declare Law without the Kings consent, nay, against it, (though not to make it without him) is apparent; for all inferiour Courts have the same. And what Counsellors and Interpreters of the Law his Majesty hath now about him, to be put in bal­lance with the faith and learning of a whole Parliament? What Expositions of Lawes and Stat. they have made, Let his late publications and Commission of Array, a­gainst the petition of Right, and their opinions and judgements given since that was enacted upon Ship-mo­ney, Habeas corpora, &c. testifie. 8ly. That Parliaments cannot declare Law, but in particular Cases, legally brought before them. It should seeme by this, that Par­liaments have no Conusance of Causes, but upon com­plaints ab extra: But the House of Commons, being the great Enquest of the Kingdome, may, and ought to take Conusance of Causes, of publique concernment, ex officio: and is accounted misconusant of nothing. 9ly. That Parliaments are questionable and triable else­where. The Parliament is the supreame Court, and hath the last appeale; Anciently errors in other Courts were tryed there: Therefore no other Court can have Co­nusance [Page 11]of their Actions nor persons; which were to appeale ridiculously, upwards and downwards. And if a Parliament be triable and arraignable before the King himselfe: Then hath the King an unlimited declarative power of Law above all Courts, in his own breast; and the last Appeale must be to his discretion and under­standing, and consequently, the Legislative power His alone. And yet his Majesty is pleased to confesse him­selfe not skilfull in the Lawes. I know no third tryall to which a Parliament can be liable, unlesse it be the triall by the Sword: from which, and from those that coun­sell it, the God of Battels defend us; and grant us cou­rage to defend our selves. (These last recited) Doctrines and positions have received Answers of another nature at large, In the Observations upon his Majesties last Answers and Expresses.

5. But the Bug-beare which workes most upon the people, is, Least these differences betweene his Maje­sty and Parliament should entangle us in a civill War. It seemes they have little beliefe in his Majesties prote­stations and imprecations, to governe peaceably and le­gally, who feare this: and they lesse faith, who threaten them with it. But take heed you doe not draw on a War, by fearing it: Courage is the best Antidote a­gainst it.

Wherefore I shall admonish you, that no War can be more destructive to you, and all that is yours, then your owne Cowardise, if it should so far fright you from your constancy, faith, and gratitude, as to make you desert this Parliament:

For,

[Page 12] First, you cannot forsake this Parliament, and leave it to the mercy of the Malignants, but you shall for­sake your selves, and your Religion, Lawes, Liberties, and properties open to the spoyle and oppression of an Arbitrary Government (more remedilesse and not lesse wasting then a warre.) And either have no more Parliaments (for, when they may take what they list you shall never be called to give) or (if by vertue of your trianniall Act) there should bee another Parlia­ment summoned, what faith and courage can you ex­pect from such Members as must either offer up your Lawes, Liberties and properties that sent them, or (be­ing destitute of your Protection) become themselves a Sacrifice? Such a slavish Parliament will lay the sure foundation of all our slaveries: For as our Lawes pro­tect us and all that is ours, and Parliaments protect our Lawes, so we must protect them and their priviledges from violence. Next consider how forraigne king­domes are governed, where (for want of Parliaments) the will of the Prince and his Favorites is the Law of the People. And how this kingdome was gover­ned during the long intermission (when honest men were out of hope, and knaves out of feare) of Parlia­ments?

Secondly, He that thinkes a Parliament can be forsa­ken, knowes not the power of Parliaments; for if the Parliament please to imitate your unconstancy & faith­lesse cowardise, and, deserting your interest, pursue on­ly their own, and comply with the King, They are able to doe him more service in one week, then Joseph did to Pharaoh in twice seven yeares. They can make him more absolute then any Prince in Christendome, nay [Page 13]then the Turk or Muscovite. They can repeale all the good Laws they have got for you: They can re­vive the Star-Chamber, High-Commission, &c. and set the Pillory upon your neckes, and little Laud upon your eares againe: They can bring in and naturalize the Excises of the Low-Countries, the Gabels of France, the Alcavales of Spaine, and all the Taxes of Florence, and make England the Map of all the oppressions in the world, they can give away your Laws, Liberties, and Properties by a Statute, and establish a perpetuall Ty­ranny by a Law, which shall stop your mouthes for ever, when you shall be told that the Act of the Re­presentative body is the Act of the whole Kingdome, and you are bound by the Lawes of the Land; Com­plaints against illegall Taxes shall then no more bee heard in your Streetes for want of Lawes. Neither think this plot so shallow, that the members of this Parlia­ment, or their posterity shall draw in the same yoke with you: No, they may entaile their severall Votes and Seats in this already perpetuated Parliament to them­selves and their heires Males for ever: And (as the Fable saith, that the Lion proclaiming a generall day of hunt­ing, all beasts of prey waited upon him for their shares) so these may have a subordinate share, according to their severall capacities, in your spoiles and booties. The L. Treasurer Burleigh was wont to say, He knew not what a Parliament could not doe; And truly I know not what a Parliament (concurring with his Majesty) cannot be. They may be the only favourites and Privadoes, and strike all others into the Boxe, and lie in their roomes. Bishops shall not straine their Consciences nor braines to invent a Theologicall engine, called a Divine Pre­rogative [Page 14]for battering your Laws, Liberties, and Pro­perties; the Votes of the Parliament shall shake them in sunder: They shall be the Kings Cavaliers, and sub­due you and all yours (feare not a Civill War) without blow striken, and with a most permanent victory. And this whole Kingdome shall consist only of a King, a Parliament, and Slaves. What King will reject such servants, or neglect such a Compendium of power and profit upon any conditions? Mistake me not: I doe not say or thinke they will doe this, they have shewed them­selves more pious, just, faithfull, then to deserve such a suspition. But take heed you doe not cancell the obliga­tion your election hath laid upon them, by an undeser­ved, ignoble mistrust: Many a man hath provoked his wise to lewdnesse, by thinking her lewde; Teach them not by your example to be, what you would not have them to be: If either indignation or feare should pre­pare their mindes to make a politique use of your faith­lesse cowardise; what might not they get, and you lose? Who will not rather forsake then be forsaken, and sa­crifice himselfe for the safety of a company of ungrate­full, unfaithfull cowards? Honour is the reward of vertuous actions, and protection is due to them who protect your Religion, Lawes, Liberties, and Proper­ties. Give it them for their sakes and your owne, or blame them not if they follow the dictates of nature, and provide for their owne safety, by deserting you who would deliver up them. Be true to your selves, that they may be true to you; for who will stick to him that a­bandons himselfe? Let not feare betray those helpes which reason offers you. And God send us all mindes prepared for peace, hearts fit for War, and no cause to [Page 15]use our hands in such a service: yet if so sad an occasion doe come, let us meet it with the manly alacrity of Christians; Knowing that all things worke together for the best to them that love God. I conclude with Seneca, Leve est quod ferre possum; Bre­ve est quod ferre non possum.