ABout May 1647. The 2 Houses in a full and free Parliament took into consideration how to ease the people of their Taxes; in order whereto they ordained the Disbanding this Army (6000 or 7000 onely excepted to suppresse Insurrecti­ons in England, and the rest to be sent to the re­lief of Ireland) 200000 l. was provided for this worke, for the rest of their Arreares they were to have unquestionable security. Lieutenant Generall Cromwell subtilly encouraged the House of Commons to this resolution, with intent rather to discontent, then disband the Army (which hates nothing more then dis­banding, and returning to their old Trades) and then to make use of their discontents against the Authours of this counsell, be­ing men of different principles and interests from himself.

To carry on which designe, he, and his Son Ireton upon the 4 & 5 of June, by their Agitators, (men whose publique spirits they abused for private ends, Book of Decl. p. 22. Solem: Engagement. and at last cast them off) caused the Army to enter into an Engagement (in opposition to the said Or­dinance) not to disband, nor to divide.

June 23. at Saint Albans, the Army Declared, Book of Decl. p. 39. That their re­spects to the Peoples Safety inforced them to admit of no longer de­laies [Page 2] then foure or five daies, wherein the House should give assu­rance to them and the People of a safe and speedy proceeding to settle the Armies, Pag. 67. and the Kingdomes rights, and freedomes.

After this, Cromwell plotted the securing of Oxford, and the surprizing of the Kings Person by his instrument Joyce: and when Joyce told him, he had the King in his power, Then (quoth Crom­well) I have the Parliament in my pocket.

In farther prosecution of which designe, to pull downe their opposite Faction: They caused an Impeachment in the name of Sir Tho: Fairfax and the Army, Putney Pro­jects, p. 8.9. (in generall Tearmes onely, for the particular matters of their Charge was to seeke, after they had in generall charged them) to be sent to the House of Com­mons against eleven of their Members for some things done in the House, as That by their power they caused the Ordinance for Dis­banding the Army to passe, &c. and for some things done out of the House, which had been formerly examined and cleared by the House: As Corresponding with the King, &c. In the 2, 3, & 4. Ar­ticle of which Charge, they professe themselves disobliged and dis­couraged from any farther Engagement in the Parliaments Service. And indeed, they have since carried themselves as if they were disobliged: for,

1. They demanded the House to suspend the said 11 Members from sitting: Whereupon, the House voted, 25. June. That by the Lawes of the Land no Judgment for their suspention could be given upon that generall Charge, before particulars produced, and proofs made: the Army thereupon, threatned to march up to Westmin­ster, unlesse they were suspended: whereby they were enforced to forbeare the House.

2. They courted the people by undertaking to settle Peace, to establish the Kings interest, and all other just interests: and invited the People to make Addresses to the Army by Petitions against their grievances: to which they gave Answer, That, This and This is the sense of the Army: The Declar. a­gainst the Ar­my as Enemies to the State un­voted, Put. Pro. p. 9. see Repres: June 4.5. B. of Decl. p. 33, 34. as if their sense were the supreame Law.

3. They compell the Parliament to unvote some of their Votes, and afterwards reproach them for their inconstancy in their Prin­ted Papers.

4. They turne the Councel of Warre, into a Councel of State; and there debate and resolve all Publique Affaires, as if they were [Page 3] another Parliament, judging of all Publique Interests, and Safety of the Kingdome; The Prerogative of the King: Fundamentals of Parliament: and Lawes of the Land: as if they would (legem dare) impose Lawes upon the Land: for (I am sure) they are not learned enough (legem dicere) to expound the Law.

5. They march like Conquerours through London, Put: Proj: p. 9. fright away many Members of Parliament, throw downe their defensive Works, set Guards upon the Houses, &c.

6. They obey Ordinances of Parliament but at their owne discretion. The Houses Voted the Disbanding of Supernumera­ries: They collusorily Disband some in one place, and take them in againe in another: and (by way of Bargaine, as it were) they lately demanded 3000. of them to be added to the established Army which is already above 27000 men, and hath an established pay of 60000 l. sterling a Month; a far greater pay, and better paid then any Army of Christendome of the like number hath: and yet they have often demanded an addition of 20000 l. a Month more, and did demand a weekly Tax for Fire and Candle, and doe take free quarter. And though the Houses have voted the disgarrisoning of divers inland Garrisons for ease of the People, yet they are not obeyed: for now (as Putney Projects say, pag. 9.) The Parliament trembles at the shaking of their rod, and every of their desires to the House is a Mandamus; both King and Parliament being subjected to their beck.

7. And lastly, though they Declare, June 14. 1647. That they continued in Armes, in Judgement and Righteousnesse, for the ends specified in the Parliaments Declarations: and were not ignorant, The Parliament sundry times declared the intent of their War to be for removing evill Counsellors from the King, 1 Part Exact Col: p. 118. 632 and for preservation and defence of His Person, Crowne, and Dignity, &c. Yet having the KING in their custody at Hampton-Court, they opened a free way of accesse to him for many the most malignant of his party: As Mr. John Ashburnham, The Machia­vilian Crom­wellists. whom Cromwell (whose pulse about this time beat a Lordly pace, as one of their owne pen-men saith) and Ireton sent for out of France. Col: William Leg, whom they caused to be admitted of the Kings Bed-chamber. Sir Will: Ford, a Papist, Iretons Brother-in-law, and Major Boswell, both of them resident for the King in the Army to corrupt the Souldiery, and [Page 4] many more, by whose mediation they entertained correspon­dence with the King himselfe, and had their set-dayes of writing Letters into France and Holland concerning an Accommodation. And the better to mould the Souldiery to their designes, they in­rolled many Cavaliers in the Army, who cryed out at Ware, Charge against 11 Members. Book of Decla. page 112. For the King and Sir Thomas: And yet they called M. Hollis his correspondence with the King, A breach of trust, a breach of his Oath, taken in June 1643. a breach of the Parliaments Ordi­nance in October 1643. and no lesse then Treason.

Book of Decla­ration. pag. 112At this time Ireton framed the Proposals at Colebrook, which, as they say, contained the particulars of their desires in order to the clearing and securing the Rights and Liberties of the peo­ple, and setling a lasting Peace. By these Proposalls the founda­tions of the peoples Freedome were undermined, and the Kings Interest supported; as Putney projects, pag. 13. said, where it is believed they passed [...] a Generall Councell. And it is there affirmed, that they passed the Kings file, who moved for a Per­sonall Treaty upon them. Ireton, in a private Conference, ha­ving promised the King a Copy of them, which was sent by Major Huntington, and returned with the Kings crosses and scratches upon them with His own pen. page 14. At last Sir John Berkley, and Ashburnham, brought the Kings Answer to them at Cole­brook, August 1. and the Proposalls bear date August 2. and the Proposalls were altered in five or six Particulars, nearly rela­ting to the Kings Interest.

But now let us collect some few short Observations out of the Papers, and the said Proposalls of the Army; that by comparing them with the present Propositions sent to the Isle of Wight by the Parliament, it may appear whether the Army that hath no Authority, or the Parliament that hath Authority, to Treat with the King, have best provided for a safe and well-groun­ded Peace, with preservation of our Religion, Lawes and Liber­ties.

Book of Decla­ration. pag. 45.In the Representation of the Army, June 14. 1647. this is set downe as the 8. proposall for Peace: That (publique Justice being first satisfied by some few examples to posterity, out of the worst excepted persons, and other Delinquents, having made their Compo­sitions) some course may be taken for a generall Act of Oblivion; [Page 5] whereby the seeds of Warre, &c. may be the better taken away.

1. Observation. The wisdome of Parliament thought it not fit to disparage their righteous cause by propounding an Act of Oblivion; but when the King freely offered it, and made it a proposall on his part, they accepted it, reserving a power to them­selves to adde what exceptions and limitations to it, the two Houses should think fit.

In the Remonstrance of the Army presented to the Parlia­ments Commissioners at S. Albans, June 23. 1647. page 64. They declare their principles to be most cleerly for a generall Right, and just freedome to all: and therefore declare particularly, That they desire the same for the King and others of His party, (so farre as can consist with common Right and Freedome, and the security of the same for the future.) And they doe clearly professe they doe not see how there can be any peace to the Kingdome firme and lasting, without a due consideration of, and provision for the Rights, quiet and immunity of His Majesties Royall Family, and his late partakers: and herein they think that tender and equitable dea­ling (as supposing their cause had been ours) and a spirit of com­mon love and justice, diffusing it selfe to the good and preserva­tion of all, will make up the most glorious conquest over their hearts, to make them and the whole people of the Land lasting friends.

2. Observation. What more could the Parliament say? Peruse the Pro­positions sent to the Isle of Wight. What more hath the Parliament done for the King and his party in their Personall Treaty with the King at the Isle of Wight, for a safe and well-grounded Peace, then here the Army prompts them to? Or how hath the King deserved worse of the Kingdome since the Army hunted Him from Hampton-court into their Purse-net at Carisbrooke-Castle, where He hath been watched, and kept in so strict and limited a condition, that He could neither act nor negotiate any thing? But (The Ar­mies Scout saith) the Grandees of the Armies Faction are exasperated against him for rejecting their offers last yeare, and his adherence to the Scottish interest: and therefore at the lat­ter end of his foule sheet the Scout hath this Distich, [Page 4] [...] [Page 5] [...]

Book of Decl. p. 75.In a Letter from Sir Thomas Fairfax to both Houses, giving an account of the transactions between His Majesty, and the Army, (bearing date, Reading, July 6. 1647.) He saith, We con­ceive that to avoid all harshnesse, and to afford all kind usage to His Majesties Person, in things consisting with the peace and safety of the Kingdome; is the most Christian, honourable and prudent way: and in all things (as the Representation and Remonstrance of the Army doth expresse) we thinke that tender, equitable, and moderate dea­ling, both towards His Majesty, His Royall Family, and late Party, (so farre as may stand with the safety of the Kingdome, and security of our common Rights and Liberties) is the most hopefull course to take away the seeds of Warre, &c. and to procure a lasting peace, and a Government in this distracted Nation.

3. Observation. But the Army hath since found New Lights: yet these plausible pretences of the Army to restore Peace and Government by setling the Kings, and all just Rights, kept the People hitherto quiet, and made them with hope and patience to beare Taxes to the Army and Free quarter, whereby many of their backs were broken, and all galled: untill they found the Army to lay by these principles, and to make use of the good o­pinion they had got onely by them, to suppresse and destroy all that laboured for peace and ease of the people; both Petitioners and Members of Parliament to keep themselves still in pay, and pur­sue their owne profit, and preferment, then finding themselves cheated, despaire thrust them rashly into Armes in Wales, Kent, Essex, &c. where their successe was suitable to their discretion, whereof the Faction of the Army doe now take advantage to lay their owne bastard at other mens dores, as if all this were done by designe of a Party in Parliament and City. But Peace and an Army are as inconsistent together as light and darknesse.

In the Proposals of the Army, 1 Aug. 1647. they propound,

14. That (things before proposed being provided for securing the Rights, Liberties, and Safety of the Kingdome.) His Majesties [Page 7] Person, Queen, and Royall issue may be restored to a condition of Safety, Honour, and Freedome in this Nation, without diminution of their personall Rights, or farther limitation to the exercise of the Regall power, then according to the particulars aforegoing.

4. Observation. You see the City in their Engagement, and the Parliament borrowed from the Army, that phrase they now so much cry out upon, of restoring the King, with Ho­nour, Freedome and Safety.

15. For Compositions, The Army propounds, That a lesser number out of the persons excepted in the two first Qualifications, (not exceeding five for the English) being nominated particularly by the Parl. who (together with the persons in the Irish Rebellion included in the third Qualification) may be reserved to the farther Judgement of the Parliament as they shall see cause: all other per­sons may be admitted to Composition. That the rates for all future Compositions may be lessened, &c. and no compounder enjoyned to take the Nationall Covenant.

5. Observa. You see the Army more remisse in exacting Justice then the Parliament, who have excepted seven English clearly out of mercy, which is more then to reserve them unto farther Justice, as they shall see cause: and all men to be enjoyned by Act of Parliament to take the Covenant.

The Army propounds, Putney Proj. pag. 14. That all that have been in hostility against the Parliament, be incapable of bearing Office of publique trust, or power for five yeares. But it was added (after the great Offi­cers intercourse with the King) That the Councell of State should be enabled to admit them to such Offices before those five yeares expired.

6. Observation. The Parliament hath reserved to themselves the gifts of all Great Offices in England and Ireland for 20. yeares, and disabled Delinquents in Armes to be Sheriffes, Justices of the Peace, &c.

pag. 15.The Army propounded, Only that the Coercive Power, and Jurisdiction of Bishops, extending to Civill Punishments upon any, may be abolished and demanded, nothing for passing an Act for sale of Bishops Lands; although at last they encouraged the Parliament to sell them. But according to their Proposals for Peace, the King was first to be re-established with His Negative voice.

7. Observation. The Parliament propounds the utter Abolish­ing of Episcopacy, and Bishops for ever: and an Act for alie­nating their Lands for ever.

The Army propounded, The Militia should be for ten yeares only, in the dispose of the Parliament, and afterwards, this present King not to dispose thereof without consent of Parliament.

8. Observation. The Parliament propounds the Militia of Eng­land and Ireland, by Land and Sea, with all Forts, Castles, Garrisons, to be in the Parliament alone for twenty yeares, from 1 July, 1646. And after the said twenty yeares, neither the King, His Heires, nor Successors to dispose thereof without consent of Parliament, &c.

Putney Project pag. 43.These Proposals of the Army being obtruded at last, upon the House, a contest grew, Whether they, or the Propositions formerly sent to New-Castle should be sent to the King at Hampton-Court. At last it was concluded to send the Propositions of New-Castle, But the King knew, that neither the Grandees in Parlia. or Army, in­tended they should be assented to, being inconsistent with their Independent interests; but they were sent only to usher in the Kings desire of a Personall Treaty upon the Proposals of the Army: which the King had made known before hand should be His Answer. And when His Answer was Voted in the House of Commons to be a deniall, and debated hotly, whether any more Addresses should be made to the King; at last a Member of the House produced a reason as sharp and weighty, as Goliahs sword. It is the sense of the Army (quoth he) that a farther Ad­dresse be made to the King. And Ireton himself told them, he could not promise them the Armies assistance if they ceased their [Page 9] Addresses to the King: whereupon, being bruited abroad, that the Army had compelled the Parliament to make farther Addresses to the King, and to send part, or all of their Proposals as the grounds of Peace: very many of the Army declared openly against it: and many Speeches in their Councell reflected upon Ireton, for abusing the Army therein. So their hopes in this policy vanished, like the hopes of an Alchimist.

I could proceed much farther with these parallel Observati­ons; but I have little leasure, and peradventure Reader, thou hast little money to lay out upon Books; and I desire to open thy eyes as good cheap as may be. But the Armies Remonstrance presented to the House, 20 November, pag. 43. 44. saith, These Compliances of their part were only Negative: what I have said already doth sufficiently confute this excuse. It farther saith, they complied with the King through example, to prevent others from strengthening themselves that way: meaning M. Hollis, &c. which was examined by the Parliament, and he acquitted there­of; and though the Army (not resting in the Judgement of the Parliament, as by their own profession they ought to doe) charged him again herewith in their Impeachment of the eleven Members: yet they never proceeded to prove it. See Putney Project. pag. 8.

You see that Priviledges, and Commands of Parliament, nay their own promises are no more to the Grandees of the Army, (since they declared, the Parliament had disobliged them) then the Philistines withes to Sampson. Did they not command the Com­mons by a set day to cast out the Faction that overtopped them, to recall their Declaration against them; whereby in full and free Parliament they were declared Enemies? to provide them pay? to own them for their Army? Have they not contrary to the Parliaments Orders admitted Cavaliers to the King? made Addresses to Him? Quartered round a­bout London after the Parliament Commanded them to Quarter fourty miles off, which Order is still in force? Have they not promised and engaged to acquiesce in the Judgement of Parliament? Declaration 14 June 1647. And did they not a year since, keep a day of Humiliation at Windsor to implore Gods mercy for their former insolency to the Parliament, and promising more obedience hereafter? [Page 10] Have they not declared that it was proper for them to act onely in their owne spheare as Souldiers, and not to intermeddle with affaires of State, which concerne the Parliament? Why then doe they interrupt the Parliaments Treaty with the King in the Isle of Wight? Declaration 14 June 1647. Why did they 20. Novemb. 1648. send a peremptory Remonstrance to the Parliament, (instead of an humble Petition) charging them with weaknesse, inconstancie, and breach of trust in the same Treaty, and magnifying their owne wisdome and inte­grity above theirs; and that in such Magisteriall, and censorious language, as if the Tables were turned, and they were the Parli­ament, and the Two Houses but a Councell of the Army. I will continue the method I have begun, and make some few, sudden Observations upon this Remonstrance, as I have formerly done upon the Armies Proposals: and leave the fuller answering there­of to some better Pen, that hath more leisure and abilities then my selfe.

Objections in the Remonstrance, delivered 20. November, against the Parliament and Treaty.

Remonstrance, pag. 7, 8, 9.1. The Army Objects, the Votes of the Houses for no more Addresses to the King. Charging the Houses with inconstancy in retracting them: and thereby putting the people into an unsetled con­dition; and stirring them to Petition for a Personall Treaty, and at last to rise in Armes for it, and alledgeth the House was free at the passing those Votes.

Answ. 1. The said Votes for no more Addresses to the King; were contrived in private, betweene the Independent Gran­dees of the Houses and Army: and then imposed upon the House of Commons, after many of their Members were frighted away by blanke Impeachments in the House, and by the Armies hovering about the Towne to back their own party, Putney Proj. pag. 43. and suppresse all men of contrary judgment. Not were the debates in the House free, Ireton leading the Van in the debate, and telling them the sence of the Army (which usually leadeth every reason captive.) That now it was expected they should settle the Kingdome without the King, and not dissert those valiant men who had engaged for them be­yond all hopes of Retreat, and would never forsake the Parlia­ment, [Page 11] unlesse the Parliament forsooke them first. And during the whole debate, the Armies party often taunted them that spake for farther Addresses, calling them the Kings party in the Commons House: and when they were ready for the question, Cromwell brought up the Reare: saying, It was now expected the Parliament should governe the Kingdome by their owne power and resolutions, and not teach the people to expect safety from a man whose heart God had hardned. That those men that had hitherto defended the Parliament, would de­fend them herein against all opposition, Teach them not by neg­lecting the Kingdomes safety, to thinke themselves betrayed: and left to the malice of an irreconcilable enemy, whom they have subdued for your sake, and are like to find his future Government insupportable, and full of revenge: lest despaire teach them to seeke their safety by other means then by adhering to you: and how destructive such a resolution in them will be to you all, I trem­ble to think, and leave you to judge. With which words he conclu­ded, laying his hand upon his Sword, and putting on as sterne a vizard of terror, as such a face could fall into. You see now with what bridle they turne and rule the House, they can deliver the sence of the Army for Addresses to the King, and against Addresses; and with the winde of their Breaths, make the Wea­ther-cock sit which way they please: Not long after, in a thin House, and at an unseasonable time of the day, it was moved, that a letter might be forthwith sent to the Generall, to send a party of Foot to Garrison White-hall, and a party of Horse to Garrison the Mewes. The Lords concurrence not desired, and the letters immediately sent. But before this Vote passed, divers Forces were upon their march neere the town, and came to White-Hall next morning by 8. of the clock: for this subsequent Vote did but colour and ratifie what the Army had formerly resolved and put in execution. As soon as White-Hall was Garrisoned, that very day the Army sent a Declaration to the Commons, thanking them for their foure Votes against the King, and promising to live and die with them in defence of them against all opponents. The Lords had debated hotly up­on these Votes, insomuch that it was 10. Lords to 10. The bal­lance inclining to neither side, untill the unexpected Garrisoning [Page 12] of White-Hall and the Mewes, and the said Declaration or Engagement of the Army to the Commons turned the scales; and then Necessity (which neither knowes Law nor Reason) prevailed with them to passe those Votes three or forre dayes after, (that both Lords and Commons might draw in one equall yoak) the Army was pleased to give them thanks also. These foure Votes troubled the whole Kingdome, and filled mens mindes with suspition, what new forme of Government the Authors of them would set up: and every mans mind presaged these Grandees desired a new War, for upholding this Army, and their owne power, and to colour their raising money, which they share amongst the Army and themselves: and every man now laid the project of a new Warre at their doore, and it now appeared to eve­ry intelligent man, that their Impeachings of divers Members and Citizens for endeavouring a new Warre, (when they did but arme in their owne defence against the printed threats and menaces of the Army then upon their march towards London) was done by way of prevention onely: it having alwayes been an impudent policy of this Faction, To accuse other men of those crimes which themselves onely had or would commit, and thereby to amuse the people. But suppose the Houses had been free at the passing the said four Votes? Sapientis est mutare consilium, Wise men must vary their counsels according to emergent occasions and circumstan­ces. The heavy Taxes and Free-quarter of the Army, with their insolent carriage in mens houses, giving out, They had conquered the Kingdome: their turning their Councel of War into a Court of Judicature, contrary to the Lawes of the Land, but principally their courting and cheating all the in­terests of the Kingdome: their committing open adultery with the Kings Interest in order to Peace, and then casting it off upon private dislike, (as hath been already said in the third Observation) had enraged the whole Kingdome (even the best affected, and most constant) and made them desirous of a Personall Treaty, (to which the Armies Proposals gave the rise) and of their disbanding: Without which, either there can be no Peace, or we shall suffer all the discommodi­ties [Page 12] of Warre in time of Peace; Mars is a good Souldier but a bad Magistrate; and a military Government the worst of all others. As for the Declaration of Parliament against the King, shewing the grounds and reasons of the said 4 Votes, all men know they gave no satisfaction to the people; and the weaknesse, falshood, and absurdities thereof hath been sufficiently laid open by many good pens.

Object. 2. Rem. p. 12, 13. That the Lords closed readily with all the desires of the City Malignants, the Prince, and all the Parliaments Enemies, going before the Commons, and haling them after: and when at any thing towards the Treaty, the Commons made some sticke, then clamo­rous Petitions from the City came thicke, with menaces insinuated; debauched Reformadoes, desperate Cavaliers, faithfull Members driven out of Towne, &c. We conceive at this time the Judgment of Parliament was not with due and former freedome.

Answer 2. Here is a causlesse quarrell picked against the Lords, City, and Reformadoes; against the Lords, in order to lay by the King, against the City for being rich, and a­gainst the Reformadoes for being valiant, and no Hypo­crites; the Petitioners for a Treaty for Peace never petitio­ned against the Fundamentall Government, and Lawes of the Land; nor against any known Priviledge of Parliament; nor in a peremptory manner, as the Petitioners, 11. Septemb. (countenanced in this Remonst: p. 69.) did; nor did they send any insolent Remonstrance to the House, or use any menaces either insinuated, or open; as the Army and their Adhe­rents usually doe; nor were any faithful Members driven out of Towne; politique Fugitives have heretofore run away to the Army, and may doe againe upon pretended feares, to carry on their designe; and to colour the open violence, and secret conspiracies they have used, or meane to use against the lives of their Opponents. I wish these titular Godly, faithfull, Honest men, would as much abhorre the profi­table Art of Lying and Slandering, as they doe the unprofi­table Vice of Swearing and Cursing: But this is to take a Schismatick out of a Schismatick, an Antimonarchist out of an Antimonarchist, and an Independent out of an Indepen­dent [Page 14] it is to take his definition from him, as much as to de­ny a man to be animal visibile: in this objection I can more clearly foresee a second force comming from the Army up­on the Houses, then Lilly (with all his fantasticall schemes) can prognosticate faire or foule weather, good or bad luck. Were the Houses free when Sir Tho: Fairfax threatned to make some of the Members Prisoners of Warre, and trie them by a Councell of Warre, onely for voting, I, and No; according to their consciences? when he marched in ho­stile manner against the Houses and City, and really frighted away many honest Members? when he set his owne Guards upon the Houses? when the Armies faction in the House threatned the dissenting Members with the Army, and the longest sword? if they were free then, they were not free during the agitation of this Personall Treaty.

But let us now examine the principall Propositions for setling the Kingdomes peace and safety, as they are contained in this per­plexed, confused, long-winded Remonstrance, and then open your understanding with some Observations upon them.

The chief Propositions of this Remonstrance are the same in effect with those Propositions set on foot in the Army by the Levelling party there, in a printed Book, called, [The Agreement of the People] which were disavowed by the Generall in his Let­ter to the House: and some of the Levellers were condemned by a Councell of Warre, as seditious and mutinous Persons for promoting them.

The first Proposition is, That the House would forbeare any far­ther proceeding in the Treaty with the King, and to returne to the Votes [for no more Addresses to Him] and to settle the Kingdome without and against Him, upon such grounds as the said Remon­strance doth lay downe.

1. Observation. After the Houses are ingaged past all retreat, and the eyes of all Christendome upon them, they enjoyne them to breake off the Treaty contrary to their faith and honour engaged: when the Treaty is so neare a conclusion [Page 15] that we shall suddenly receive the Kings Concessions? or have a just ground to settle the Kingdome against Him with­out breach of faith. Let us now see what foundations of setlement these new States-men lay downe.

2. Proposition. That the King may be brought to Justice for the Treason, Bloud and mischief he is guilty of.

2. Obser. The Parliament in their severall Declarations, and in their Commissions to their Generalls alwaies accused the Kings evil Counsellours of these crimes, and not the King; following therein the civility and policy of our Lawes; and declared Warre onely against them, not against Him; know­ing it had been High Treason by all our Lawes to warre against His Person, Stat. 25 Edw. 3. And I challenge all the Anti­monarchicall tribe to shew me one Law or Stat. to the con­trary, or to shew me any one president in the Scriptures of any King of Juda or Israel deposed or put to death upon Triall by his people for misgovernment, or any King of Eng­land so dealt with since the Conquest. Rich. 2. Ed. 2. & Hen. 6. were articled against and Deposed, or forced to Depose themselves in Parliament, but those Parliaments were not free Parliaments (being packed and overawed by ambitious Princes of the bloud, with Souldiers) and therefore this can­not be imputed to the People. And the King, being by our Lawes, supreame Governour in all Causes and over all Persons; hath no Superiour who can call Him to account; otherwise you must proceed in infinitum: If you will say the People or their Representative shall call Him to account, who shall call them to account? Parliaments (for ought I see) being as subject to corruption as Kings. Besides, you open a wide gap for any ambitious Prince of the bloud to make himself popular by scandalizing the present Government, (as Ab­solom did) and so to stirre up the People or Parliament against the King to make way to the Crowne for himselfe: and involve the Kingdome in frequent and lingering Civill Wars.

3. Prop: That the Prince and Duke of Yorke may be summoned [Page 16] to render themselves, &c. if they doe not, that then they may be de­clared incapable of Government, &c. and as Enemies and Traytors to die without mercy if afterwards found in this Kingdome: if they render themselves, the Prince for his Capitall Delinquency to be pro­ceeded against in justice. And the Duke as he shall give satis­faction, &c.

3. Observ. This is to lay by the King and His Posterity, con­trary to many Declarations and Engagements of the Parlia­ment, and to enforce the Prince to cast himselfe into the Armes of the French, or some other his Allies, Papists, or others for succour upon such tearmes of disadvantage as they (working upon his necessity) shall put upon him, to the prejudice of these Realmes, his owne Religion, in his Match, or otherwise; and to compell him to bring an In­vasion upon the Land, to assert his owne and the common Cause of Kings, controverted in this example; and so turn our Episcopall warre, into a Monarchicall warre; which will draw a confluence of all the loose Souldiery of Chri­stendome to seek imployment here, and bring the calamities of Germany upon us.

4. Prop: That a period be set to this Parliament, &c.

4. Observ: I wish a period, so as this pragmaticall Army be first Disbanded, otherwise they acknowledging no King, and their Masters the Parliament being dissolved, the King­dome will either be left under the government of the Army, or they will over-power all Elections, and set up a Mock-Parliament of their owne creation, whose Authority shall depend upon their Sword, and then the said Parliament shall set the stamp of their Authority upon the Army, and be­tween both, the Kingdome be sawed in pieces.

5. Prop: That no King be hereafter admitted but upon the Ele­ction of the People; by their Representatives.

5. Answer. They will first have a Parliament of their owne [Page 17] making, as aforesaid, and then this Parliament shall have a Conge d'estlier, or leave to chuse a King of the Armies nomi­nating: whether they will vouchsafe to abuse the infancy of the Duke of Gloucester, & make him their property until they have had time to settle their Utopian Government, to root out all Opponents, to fill all Places of power and profit with their owne Creatures, to breake the Peoples spirits with a cu­stomary Bondage, to dis-arme and impoverish them, and reduce them to the heartlesse condition of French Peasants; to settle forraign Leagues and Correspondencies, and then lay him to sleep with his Fathers? Or whether they will Elect King Nol, for our Soveraigne? (whose Nose is clad in Purple already) God knowes. But he that knowes any thing, knowes the danger of Elective Kingdoms, liable to Faction and Civill Warres amongst Competitors upon the death of every King, let the miserable examples of the German Empire, Poland, the old Roman Empire, and others witnesse.

6. Prop: These things to be declared and provided by this Par­liament, or by the Authority of the Commons therein, and all people to subscribe; nor any to be capable of any benefit by this Agreement who shall not consent and subscribe.

6. Observ: Here you see the Lords and King (being 2 of the 3 Estates, whereof our Parliaments are compounded by the fundamentall Lawes of the Land) strooke out, to the utter subversion of Parliaments, and all men enjoyned to assent and subscribe to their owne wrong under a penalty, the consequence whereof doth not yet appeare.

These things (the Remonstrance saith) are of vast concernment to all publique Interest, not onely in this Kingdome, but neighbour Na­tions.

7. Observ: Whether this be spoken to Scotland and Ireland onely, or to all neighbour Nations? as if these men had some correspondencies in their Dominions, to make this Antimonarchicall, popular disease, infective and diffusive [Page 18] to them, thereby to divert them by Wars at home to look over upon us, God knowes: but it is very likely to stir up the jealousies of Forraign Princes, to quench the fire in their neighbours house, lest the flame catch hold of their own.

1 Consequence of the said Pro­positions.These Propositions tend to the utter subversion of all the Fun­damentall Government, and Lawes of this Land, and the de­struction of Parliaments, and will bring such an Anarchy and confusion upon us, as will continue a War in our Bowels, during the life of this King, and His Posterity; whereby we shall be enforced to keep up and augment this Army, and to entaile the Commands and Offices therein, upon the Grandees of the Army, their Sonnes and Adherents from Generation to Gene­ration: and make a home Warre the only trade amongst us.

2. Consequence. The Army (by puutting the Parliament upon it, to be the Authors and Actors of these miseries to their Country) will make them the common scorne and hatred of all the world, and may then lay by the Parliament with applause of all men, glad of the revenge, and then Governe by the Sword. It is a sure rule in State, that when great men put their Ministers upon actions of publique hatred, they prepare them for destruction.

3. Consideration. The Parliaments Declarations, the Laws of the Land, the Oaths of Allegeance, and Supremacy, and our Nationall Covenant do all cry out to the Parliament to oppose these destroying Propositions.

The Declaration 26 May 1642. saith, Their endeavours have been for maintenance of the Protestant Religion, the Kings Just Pre­rogatives, The Lawes and Liberties of the Land, and Priviledges of Parliament, wherein they would persist, though they should perish in the work.

1 Part. Exact Collections, pag. 618. 632.The like Declaration passed, June 2. 1642. upon the Propo­sitions for Money and Plate.

42. Edw. 3. The Commons in Parliament say, they cannot assent to any thing in Parliament to the Disherison of the King and His Crown, whereto they are Sworne. The Petition of Right, 3 Caroli, The Commons in Parliament declare, That they neither meant, nor had power to hurt the Kings Prerogative, with infinite more Authorities, wherewith our Law-books are full.

By the Oathes of Allegeance and Supremacy (which every Member taketh before he sits in Parliament) they are bound to defend and maintaine His Majesties Royall Person, with all the Prerogatives, Priviledges, and Preheminencies belonging, or an­nexed to the imperiall Crown.

By the Solemne League and Covenant we swear, with hands lifted up to God, To maintaine and defend the Kings Person and Authority, in the preservation of Religion, Lawes and Liberties; not to diminish his Just power and greatnesse, To defend the Privi­ledges of Parliament: And to continue all the dayes of their lives in this Covenant against all opposition whatsoever. The Protestation is to the like effect.

But the said Remonstrance, pag. 54, 55, 56, 57. saith, This is only a bare Covenant between party and party, wherein God is a witnesse only to avenge the breaker and violater thereof. But let this Casuist in Buff know, that it is not only so, but is also a promis­sory Oath made to God: and therefore he is as well a party, as a witnesse to it. Observe here, a high point of insolency. An in­terpretation put upon the Parliaments Covenant, by men that (for the most part) refuse to take the Covenant.

Let not the Independent Members please themselves in seeing the Presbyterians overthrowne, since their turn is like to be next: 4 Considera­tion. what malice and designe now lyes upon the Presbyterian: a co­vetous desire to share with them in their rich gaines, will here­after lye upon the Independents. The vast desires and expences of this Army are like a consuming fire: He that fares best, shall be but the last fuell to it.

To conclude, 5 Considera­tion. There is a desperate party intermingled amongst the whole Masse of this Common-wealth, which hath perpetra­ted all manner of crimes from Blasphemy, and high Treason, to Trespas. They have violated all Lawes, Divine and Humane, and all Government and Magistracy: They have so farre cheated and abused the King, and His Issue, that like Caine, they think their sinnes greater then can be forgiven: they have so far injured, and cheated all the Interests and People of the Land, that with Caine they thinke that every man will slay them, and despaire of recon­ciliation: and therefore place all their hopes in bringing them to slavery and confusion. They hate all honest men, because they [Page 20] feare them as witnesses and prosecutors to bring them to judge­ment hereafter. And therefore labour to ruine and extirpate them, especially out of the Parliament, under the notion of the Kings Party. Wherefore (dear Country-men) especially you Lords and Gentlemen of the Parliament) call to mind your duty you owe to your God, your King, your Country, your Wives, & Children; call to mind Religion, Laws and Liberties, and cry out with one voice against these innovators (as your fore-fathers did long since in a Parliament) Nolumus Leges Angliae mutare; we will not change our good Laws. Remember your Oathes of Allegeance, Supremacy, Nationall Covenant, & Protestation, for which your souls are morgaged to a just and severe Creditor. And learne to fear God, and not Man. We owe a death to God and Nature, and must assuredly pay this debt: why not now before we taste of misery and slavery? why not in an honourable defence of our Country, rather then in a base desertion of it? He that feares death, dies as soone as he that contemnes death; and no man is worthy of life, but he that scornes life, when his Country stands in need of it.

Death strikes a coward in the back, as soone as a valiant man in the face.

Good God, who broughtest all things out of Chaos into light, giving them order, forme, and beauty: suffer not the Nimrods of our times to reduce all things back againe into Chaos. Suffer them not to pull downe Sion, and build up Babel. Oh heavenly Daedalus, lend us thy Clue, to lead us out of this Labyrinth.

The summe of all these Observations is this:

In the Remonstrance, 20 Novemb. 1648. They indeavour to sub­vert the King, His Posterity and the Kingdome.

In the 2, 3, and 4. Article of their Impeachment against the 11. Members. They professe themselves disobliged from any farther engagement in the Parliaments service: and have and doe act according to this profession.

Quaere. Who these men serve and what judgement the law gives upon them?

MAjor White said in the Councell of the Army at Putney, That shortly there should be no visible Authority left in the Kingdome but the power of the Sword. Though this was then in designe, yet because he vented it unseasonably, before it was ripe for practise, he was expelled the Army; but soon taken in again, they being unwilling to lose a man of their owne principles.

9. March. The Engagement of the fugitive Members [to live & die with the Army] was sent from the Lords to be approved by the Commons. Whereupon, Derby­house Projects, p. 7. (written by an Officer of the Army) saith, This was done to trie the temper of the House, and if they had not approved it, they resolved to flie to their Arms and make a New Charge against their Opposers; for they acknowledge amongst themselves, That they rule by Power onely, and that the House of Commons is no longer theirs then they over-awe them; and that they feare the Criticall day will come, which will discover the Parliament to be no longer theirs, then while they have a force upon it.

Observe, that upon these grounds the present designe of this Remonstrance is, To make a new Charge, and dissolve this Parliament, and to make a new Parliament meerly popular, without King, or Lords; consisting on­ly of a Representative of the People, of their owne chu­sing; for, the Army acknowledgeth none but them­selves and their Faction, to be the People: all other men are but Amalekites, or the seed of the cursed, to be rooted out, that themselves the seed of the Godly, the Faithfull onely may inherit this good Land. And this New Par­liament shall be accountable to the People, that is, to the Army. Compare the Remonstr: and the Declara­tion of the Army following it. So we shall be govern'd arbitrarily by a Popular Parliament protected and over­ruled by a standing Army: the Lawes (which depend wholly upon the Authority of the Crowne, for their de­fence, interpretation, and execution) being first plucked up by the roots: in the pulling downe of Monarchy, look about you Englishmen; you have fought for Reli­gion, Lawes, and Liberties, untill you are cheated of them all.