Conscientious Serious THEOLOGICAL AND LEGAL QUAERES Propounded to the twice-dissipated self-created Anti-Parliamentary Westminster Iuncto AND ITS MEMBERS TO Convince them of humble them for convert them from their transcendent Treasons Rebellions Perjuries Violences Oppressive illegal Taxes Excises Militiaes Imposts destructive Councils Proceedings against their lawfull Protestant hereditarie Kings the old dissolved Parliament the whole House of Lords the Majoritie of their old secured secluded imprisoned fellow Members the Counties Cities Boroughs Freemen Commons Church Clergie of ENGLAND their Protestant Brethren Allies contrary to all their Oathes Protestations Vowes Leagues Covenants Allegiance Remonstrances Declarations Ordinances Promises Obligations to them the fundamental Laws Liberties of the Land and Principles of the true Protestant Religion And to perswade them now at last to hearken to and embrace such counsels as tend to publike Unitie Safetie Peace Settlement and their own salvation By William Prynne Esq a Bencher of Lincolns Inne The Second Edition Corrected and Enlarged Levit. 19.17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour and not suffer sin upon him or bear not sin for him 1 Tim. 5.20 Them that sinne openly rebuke before all that others may fear Prov. 9.8 9. Rebuke a wise man and he will love thee give instruction to a wise man and he will yet be wiser Jude 11 12. Wo to them for they have gone in the way of Kain and perished in the gainsaying of Core They are trees whose fruit is withered TWICE DEAD plucked up by the roots London Printed and are to be sold by Edward Thomas at the Adam and Eve in Little Britain 1660. Conscientious Serious Theological and Legal Quaerés c. THe Wisest of Men and God only wise informs all Sons of Wisdom capable of Instruction that a open rebuke is better than secret love because faithfull are the wounds of a friend but the kisses of an enemy are deceitfull whence b he that rebuketh a man for his exorbitant transgressions afâ—erwards shall finde more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue by extenuating excusing or justifying his Offences Upon â—his consideration I reputed it both a seasonable and Christian duty incumbent on me in this day of the late Anti-Parliamentary Iunctoes dissipation humiliation confusion and Army-Officers division amongst themselves to reminde them fully of and * rebuke them plainly sharply for their manifold Treasons Perjuries and other exorbitant Offences against their lawfull Protestant Kings Kingdom the late dissolved Parliament the whole House of Lords the Majoritie of their fellow-Members the whole English Nation Church Ministrie their Protestant Brethren and Allies against all their sacred and civil Obligations to them in a serious impartial convincing least-offensive manner by way of Qâ—aeres drawn from Gods word and plain sacred Scripture-Texts and our known Laws which they have most presumptuously trodden under foot and c would not hearken to in the daies of their late self-exaltation and Prosperity like their Predecessors of old among the Jews when I minded and reminded them over and over not only in my Speech Memento Collections of our antient Parliaments and other publications in the years 1648 1649. in my Epistle to and first Part of My Historical Collections and Legal Vindication 1655. My Republicans Spurious Good Old Cause briefly and truly Anatomized My True and Perfect Narrative and Concordia Discors in May and Iune last and Brief Necessaâ—y Vindication of the old and nâ—w secluded Members in Sâ—ptemberâ—ollowing wherein I truly predictâ—d their former and present dissolutions by those very Army Officers with whom they confederated which they would nâ—t crâ—dit till dissolved by them being in good hopes that they â—ill now at last Hear Counsel and receive instruction thaâ— they may be wise in their latter end as God himself adviseth them Prov. 19.20 1. Whethâ—r their Speaker Mr. Lenthall and those confederate Members of the Commons House who against their duties upon pretext of the unarmed London Apprenâ—ices tumult at the House in Iuly 1647. though they secured secluded no Mâ—mberâ— but only kept them in the House till they had read answered their Petitioâ— and then quietly depaâ—ted went away privily to the Army by the invitation instigation of some swaying Aâ—my Officers without the leave or privity of the House brought up the whole Army to Westminster and London to conduct them in triumph to the Housâ— caused them to * impeach declare against suspend imprison sundry Members of both Houses nulled all Votes Orders Ordinances Proceedings in their absence by reason of a pretended force upon the House by the Apprentices during that space and declared them meerly void to all intâ—nts by the Speakers Declaration and an Ordinance of â—0 Aug. 1647 when as there was no force at all upon the Houses during that time and these Members might have freely safely returned to the House alone had they listed without the Army or any one Troop to guard them and afterwards mutinied and brought up part of the Army again to Westminster to * force the Houses to passe the Voâ—es for No more addresses to the King contrived in a General Council of Army-Officers and seconded with their Declaration when passed by force and surprize in an emptie House After that most traiterously and perfidiously f confederated with the Army Officers to break off the last Treatie with the King in the Isle of Wight to seise the Kings person by a party of the Armie remove him thence against both Houses Orders notwithstanding his large Concessions consent to their Propositions to secure seclude all the Members of the Commons House who after many daies and one whole nights debate passed this Vote according to their judgements consciences duties carried without dividing the House notwiâ—hstanding the Aâ—mies march to Westminster and menaces to prevent it That the answers of the King to the Propositions of both Houses were a ground for the house to proceed upon for the settlement of the Peace of the Kingdom which Vote of the whole House when there were above 300 Members present about 40 of them only soon after repealed expunged the manner of carrying on of which design against the King Members was concluded by a Committee at Windsor consisting of 4. Aâ—my Offiâ—ers wherof Col. Harrison their chair-man and a Member and Col. Rich were two 4. Members of the Commons House wherof Cornelius Holland yet living was one the 3. others since dead 4. Independents and 4. Anabaptists of London wherein a List was made by them what Members should be secluded secured and who admitted to sit this Committee resolving to dissolve both houses by force and to try condemn execute the King by a Council of war g if they could not get 40 of the Commons House to sit and bring him to Justice as Iohn Lilburn one of that Committee hath published in print approved abbetted the Armies forcible treasonable securing of many
Members secluded the Majoritie of the House by their Vote of Ian. 11. 1648. upon the Armie-Officers false and scandalous printed Answer to them Ian. 3. touching the grounds of their securing and secluding them contrary to their Protestation Covenant the Privileges Rights of Parliament the Great Charter the Fundamental Laws and liberties of the Nation And not content therewith by their own Anti-Parliamentary anti-christian Usurpation to out act the old Gâ—npowder Traytors many degrees by the Armies assistance and opposing advancing themselves against all that is called God and worshiped they most traiterously set aside voted down suppressed the whole House of Lords as dangerous uselesse tyrannical unnecessary usurped engrossed the â—â—ile power oâ—the Parliament of England and Supreme Authority of the Nation to themselves alone without King Lords or Majoâ—ity of their fellow secluded Members created a new Monstrous High Court of Iustice destructive to all our fundamental Laws Liberties and Justice it self wherein beyond all presidents since the creation they most presumptuously condemned murdered beheaded their own lawfull Hereditarie Protestant King against all their former Oathes Protestations Vows Covenants Remonstrances Declarations Obligations Allegiance the Laws of the Land the principlâ—s of the Protestant Religion and dissenting votes protestations disswasions of the secluded Lords Commons Scots Commissioners London Ministers the intercessions of forein States and our 3. whole Kingdoms together with 3. Protestant Peers soon after After that close imprisoned my self Sir William Waller Sir William Lewes Major General Brown with sundry other Members divers years in remote Castles without any hearing examination cause expressed or the least reparation for this unjust oppression exercising far greater Tyranny over the Peers their old fellow Members and all English Freemen during the time of their Regality in every kind than the beheaded King or the worst of his predecessors Were not by a most just divine retaliation aâ—d providence when they deemed themselves most secure and established even for these their transcendent Treasons Perjuries Tyrannies violations of the Rights Privileget of Parliament their own sacred Oaths Protestation League Covenant suddenly dissolved dissipated thrust out of doors Apr. 20. 1653. by Cromwel and the Army Officers in a forcible shamefull manner with whom they confederated all along though they received new commissions from engaged to be true â—aithful to theÌ„ without â— King or House of Lords and branded by them to posterity in their printed Declaration b Apr. 20. 1653. as the curruptest and worst of men intollerably oppressing the people carrying on their own ambitious designes to perpetuâ—te themselves in the Parliamentarie and Supreme Authoritie the archest Trust breakers Apostates never answering the ends which God his people and the whole Nation expected from them c. Col. Harrison himself the Chairman at Windsor Committee to secure us being the very person imploied by Cromwell to pull their Speaker Lenthall out of the chair and turn him with his Companions out of doors Cromwell himself then stigmatizing Sir Henry Vanes Henry Martyn Tom Châ—lloner and others of them by name with the Titles of Knave Whoremaster Drunkard c. And not long after to requite his good Services he suddenly turned Col. Harriâ—on Rich and their party out of the Commons House by Force dissolved their Anti-Parliamentary Conventicle elected only by the Army Deâ— 11. 1653. whiles they were seeking God for direction and soon after cashiered both these * Collonels his former greatest Instruments out of the Army sent them close Prisoners to remote Castles garded with Army Troops And as they and their Troops when they seized Major General Brown with other Members besides and conducting them to Windsor Castle other Prisons refused to acquaint them whether they were to be sent So Mr. Iessâ—p the Clerk of their Council of State who brought these Colonels to the Coach at Whitehall garden door when they were conveyed to remote Castles and their Conductors denied to inform them to what places they wâ—re committed whereupon they cried out to the Troopers which garded them Gentlemen is this the Liberty you and we have fought for to be sent close Prisoners to remâ—te Garrisons from our wives and families they will not tell us whether Will you suffer your own Collonels Officers who have fought for Laws Liberties have been Members of Parlâ— to be thus usedâ— To which they answered as themselves did in the like case to other secured Members conducted by them We are commanded and must obey not dispute our Orders and so were hurried away aâ— an eye and ear-witnesâ— of the old Parliament related to me within one hour afâ—er Yea young Sir Hen. Vaâ— himself the bold prejudger of our Debaâ—es and Vote in the House touching the Kings concessions if not a promoter of our unjust seclusion â—or it was unexpectedly suddenly not only thrust ouâ— from all his Imployments as well aâ— out of the Hâ—use buâ— sent close Prisoner by Cromwel to Cariâ—brook â—astle in the Islâ— of Wight the very place where he betrayed his trust to the King and Parliâ—ment at the Treaty to gratify Cromwel who by an extraordinary strange providence sent him cloâ—e Prisoner thither for sundry months to * mediâ—ate upon this divine retaliation Whether may not all this dissolved Iuncto and itâ— Members from these wonderâ—ul Judgementâ— providenceâ— now conclude and cry out with that hâ—athen cruel Tyrant Adonibezeck Judg. 1.7 Aâ— I have doneâ— so God hath requited me And acknowledge the truth of Gods Comminations against all treacherous betrayers potent oppressorâ— of their Brethren Obad. 15. As thou hast â—one it shall be donâ— unto thee thy râ—ward shall return upon thine own head Ps. 7.15 16. He made a pit and digged it and is fallen into the ditch which be made his mischief shall return upon his own â—ead and his violent dealing upon his owâ— paâ—e Rev. 13.9 10â—If any man haâ—e an ear to â—ear let him heaâ— He that leadeth into Capâ—ivity shall go into Captivity He that killeth with the Sword shall be killed with the Sword Here is the patience and faith of the Sâ—ints O that all real and pretended Saintâ— in the dissolved Juncto and Army would now consider and believe it as â— lâ—tely pressed them to do in the cloze of my Good Old Cause truly staâ—ed and the false Vncased yet they would not regard it Whether their illegal forcible wresting the Militia of the Kingdom totally out of the Kingâ— hands into their own as their only security to sit in safety and perjurious engaging all Officerâ— Soldiers of the Armie in England Scotland and Ireland to be true faithful and constant is them without a King or House of Lords by subscriptionâ— in parchmenâ— Rollâ— râ—turned to them under all their handâ— contrary to their former Votes Declaratiâ—nsâ— Remonstrances Protestations Oathâ— Vows Covenants Trustâ— yea the very writs returns which made them Members their own Souldierâ— Army-Officers first Commissionâ— Declarationâ— Râ—monstranceâ— Proposâ—lâ—
of all wickedness licentiousness villanies confusion and an immediat forerunner or concomitant of the Kingdoms and Nations desolation ruine by Gods own resolution Hos. 3.4 c. 10.3.7 Ezech 49.11 12.14 Isa. 33.11 12 13. Judges 17.6 c. c. 18.1 c. c. 21.25 Prov. 28.2 c. 30 21 12. Hab. 1.10.14 15. And is it not so now of ours 7. Whether the late Petition and Advice 1657. to reduce us again to a Kingdom and Kingship to which W. Lenthal Speaker Whitlock and many others of the dissolved Iuncto assented as it was first penned voted passed by them and many Army-Officers as the only means to settle us in peace honor safety prosperitie be not a convincing Argument that in their own Judgements Consciences Kings Kingly Government are Englands only true Interest to end our wars Oppressions distractions prevent our ruine and restore our pristine uniâ—ie peace honor safety prosperitie trade glorie And whether it be not a worse than Bedlam Madness yea grosse error both in policie and expeperience in our Republican Juncto and Army-Officers to endeavour to erect an Utopian Jesuitical Republike among us which hath produced so many sad publique changeâ— confusions and made us a meer floating Island tossed about with every winde of giddy-brain Innovators as the only means of our firm lasting happinesse and to prevent all future relapses to Monarchie after King Charls hiâ— beheading which this notable censure of the incomparable Philosopher * Seneca passed against that great Republicâ—n and Anti-royallist M. Brutus will abundantly refute Cum Vir magnus fuerit in aliis M. Brutus mihi videtur in hâc re vehementer errare qui aut Regis nomen extimuit cum optimus Civitatis Status sub Rege justo sit aut ibi speravit Libertatem futuram ubi tà m magnum praemium erat et imperandi et serviendi futuramque ibi aequalitatem civilis juris et Staturas suo loco Leges ubi viderat tot Millia hominum pugnantia non ne serviret fed 〈◊〉 our present condition between the ambitious usurping Antiparliamentary Juncto and divided Army-Commanderâ— all contending which * of them shall be the greatest and who shall most oppress enslave our Nâ—tions to their Tyrannie farr more exorbitant than the very worst of all our Kings Quantum verò illum aut rerum natura aut vrbis suae tenuit oblivio Qui uno interempto Rege defuturum credidit alium qui idem vellet Cum Tarquinius esseâ— inventus post tot Reges ferro et fulmine occisos even in Rome it self and we in England since the beheading of King CHARLES and voting down Kings Kingship with the old House of Lords and Ingagemenâ—s against them have soon after found a more than Royal Protector OLIVER usurping the Wardship of our poor Infanâ— Common-wealth aspiring afâ—er a Kingship and Crown whiles living and crowned in his Statue Herse Scuâ—â—heons as both KING and * CONQUEROR of our three Kingdomes after his death bearing Three Crowns upon his sword as an emblem of it a momentanie Protectâ—r Richard after him a new self-created other House assuming to themselves the Title of LORDS THE HOUSE OF LORDS after an old Lords House suppressed since that a CHARLES FLEETWOOD and IOHN LAMBERT aspiring after the Soveraign Power as their late and present actions Declarations more than intimate and dissolved Juncto affirm and an exiled Hereditarie KING CHARLES with a numerous ROYAL POSTERITIE after him claiming the Crown and Kingship by lawfull indubitable Right declared ratified by the Vnrepealed Statutes of 1 Iacobi c. 1. 3 Iacobi c 1 2 4 7 Iacobi c. 6. the * Oathes of Supremacy Allegiance Fealâ—y of all Mayorâ— Recorders Freemen of every Corporation and Fraternity of all Iustices Iudges Sheriffs Officers of Iustice Graduates in Vniversities or Innes of Court Ministers Incumbents all Members of the Commons House of Parliament and all other Freemen sworn in our Leetâ— who by the powerfull assistance of their forein Friendâ— and Allies and domestick oppressed discontented divided ruined Subjectâ— will in all probabilitie be restored to the Crown sooner or later as Aurelius Ambrosâ—us after the murder of his Father and Brother by the Vsurper Vorâ—igerne was called in restored and crowned King by his own British Subjects to deliver them from Vortigerns and his invading Saxons Tyranny after 21 years usurpation and Edward the Confessor called in and crowned King by his Nobles and Subjects after 25 years dispossession of his right by the Daniâ—h Vsurpers and all the Danes expelled without any effusion of blood as I have * elsewhere evidenced at large out of our best Historians Whether Gods extraordinarie sudden trâ—ble miraculous overturning 1. of the Juncto when best established anâ— moâ—t secure after â—heir victorious Successes against the Irish Scots Hollanders Worcester-fight and League with Spain by their own Gen. Cromwel Apr. 20. 1653. 2. Of Prâ—t * Richard his Brother Hen. too Deputy of Irel. by his Brother Fleew Unkle Disbrow other Army-Officers after all their Oaths and Addresses to him from them and all the Officers Soldiers Navy most Counties Corporations in England Scotland Ireland to be true faithful loyal obâ—dient to and live and die with him in the midst of hiâ—Parliament declaring voting for and complying with him when most men thoughâ— it impossible to overâ—urn or depose him 3ly Of the revived Antiparliamentary Juncto after Sir George Booths and all their visible Opposites total rout and disappointment when * themselves and others esteemed them so well rooted guarded that there was no hopes nor possibility left of dissipatingâ— dissolving them or abolishing their usurped Regal and Parliamental power even by the very instruments that called them in and routed their Enemies all â—â— of them without any one drawn sword or drop of bloud that in a moment be not a real experimental verificâ—tion of Ezech. 21.26 27. by way of Allusion to our own Governours and Kingdom Thus saith the Lord God Remove the Diadem and take off the Crown this shall not be the sameâ— exalt him that is low and abase him thaâ— is high I will Overturn Overturn Overturn it till he shall come whose right it is and I will give it him 9. Whether the late Iunctoes and Aâ—my-Officerâ— doubling trebling quadrupling of our Nations Monthly Taxes Excises Militiaes Grievances Oppressions of all kinds by their usurped power their consumption devastation of all the Crown-lands Rents and standing Revenues of the Kingdom of Bishops Dean and Chapters lands and many thousands of Delinquents real and personal estates and greatest part of most â—ens privat estates only to make them greater Bondslaves to them than ever they were to any Kingâ— without benefiting or easing them in any kind and to murder one another by intestinâ— unchristian warrâ— Butcheries And their Monstrous Giddiness Intoxication in all their premised Councils New Models and Rotations of Government ever since they turned the Head of â—â—r Kingdoms which
Thou shalt not sow thy Vineyard with divers seeds lest the fruit of thy seed and Vineyard be defiled Thou shalt not plow with an Ox and an Asse together Thou shalt not wear a garment of divers sorts as of Wollen and Linnen together And as great an Absurdity as that in Horace Humano Capiti cervicem jungere Equinam 3ly Whether it will not be the Extremity of folly and frenzy for this twice dissolved Anti-Parliamentary Iuncto to conceit that Lambert and those Army-Officers who have twice turned them out of Doors with greatest Infamy and branded them with so many deserved Marks of Treachery Injustice Vsurpation Rashnesse Oppression self-seeking or the surviving numerous Members of the ouâ— long Parliament or the Counties Cities Boroughs Ports for which they served the old House of Peers or our three Kingdoms will ever patiently permit them to sit or Act as a lawfull Parliament of England Scotland and Ireland or submit to any of their Anti-Parliamentary Knacks Taxes Excises Imposts Militiaâ—s Orders or Usurped Regal Pâ—rliamental soveraign legislative Authority without rising up unanimously against them as the worst impudentest sottishest of Traytâ—rs Vsurpers Enemies to the Peace and settlement of our 3. Kingdoms as their last Knack of Octob. 12. their Plea and other late publications of their own proclaim them to all the world which they have so miserably oppressed impoverished rent in pieces by their forementioned Treasons Innovations and complying with those ambitious covetous Army-Officers and Jesuitical Emissaries whose designs and their own self-ends they have only pursued to the publike desolation of our Kingdoms and Churches And whether their re-secluding of the Lords House and their old surviving fellow-Members will not be a justification and ground for their own third ejecâ—ment dissolution by the Army or others if they presume to sit and act again without them 4. Whether there be any probability or possibility considering all the premises that any Common Souldiers Mariners or other inferior Officers in the Army or Navy can expect any real payment of their arrears or future pay or the People of our 3. Nations any Trade Peace Ease Settlement in the least degree but inevitable speedy desolation confusion destruction unless they all cordially unite their endeavours counsels forces for the speedy convening and secure un-interrupted fitting of a full free and Legal English Parliament according to the Act of 17 Caroli cap. 1. and declaring all such Members of the twice-disâ—ipated Juncto and Army-Grandees Traitors and Enemies to the publike who shall openly and wilfully oppose this their just and necessary only probable means of their Tranquility Safety Prosperity Which they pretend to aim at in words and Declarationâ— but diametrically contradict by their Procâ—edings as experience manifests past all contradiction 5. Whether our Protestant King his Brethren and followâ—rs expelled out of their Protestant Realms and forein Allies Territories into Popish idolatrous forein Quarters where they sojourn to the hazard of their Religion Souls Bodieâ— by the malice of the dissolved Iuncto Army Republican Saints may not now justly use that Speech of â—nnocent persecuted exiled David to King Saul in the like case and condition 1 Sam. 26.19 If the Lord hath stirred thee up against me let him accept an offring but if they be the Children of men Cursed be they before the Lord for they have driven me out this day from abiding in the Inheritancâ— of the Lord saying On serve other Gods And whether God by way of requital for this their transcendent impietie and other premised Crimes Treasons of all sorts wherein they impeniâ—ently persevere may not justly inflict on the Iuncâ—o Army-Grandeesâ— and their posterities that severe judgement threatned to the Israelites Jer. 16.13 Deutr. 4.27 28. c. 28.64 65 66. Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not neither ye nor your fathers and the Lord shall scatter you among the Nations and ye shall be left few in number among the Heathen whither the Lord shall lead you and there you shall serve Gods day and night the work of mens hands wood and stone which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell where I will not shew you favour And amongst these Nations thou shalt find no ease neither shall the sole of thy feet â—ave rest but the Lord shall give thee there a trembling heart and faâ—ling of eyes and sorrow of mind and thy life shall hang in doubt before thee day and night and thou shalt have nonâ— Asâ—urancâ— of thy life In the morning thou shalt say would God it were even and at even thoâ— shalt say would God it were morning for tâ—e fear of thine heaâ—t and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see And there shall ye be sold unto your Enâ—mies for bondmen and bondwomen and no man shall buy you O tremble at the serious thoughts thereof and be no more stiff-necked 6. Whether the memorable Example of Gods divine Iustice upon Lockier an active Agitator and Leveller in the Army who had a principle hand in seising bringing the King to his death cried out Iustice Iustice Iustice openly against him and spit in the Kings face in Westminster Hall when going to his Trial before his condemnation conducted him to the block and was within 3. Moneths after condemned in a Council of War by some of the Kings own Iudges and shot to death as a Mâ—tineer in London 27 April 1649â— The tragical self-execution of Thomas Hoyle Alderman and Knight for the City of Yorke one of the Juncto and High Court of Iustice though he signed not the Kings Sentence and one who consented to and subscribed the New Engagement against a King and House of Lords against his conscience foâ—mer Oaths Covenant and Protestation he had takenâ— the horror whereof so terrified his conscience that on the 30. of Ianuary 1649. the very dayâ— Twelvemoneth of the Kings execution he hanged himself with a cord in his Chamber at Westminster about the very time of the day the King was there executed the year before The Execution of sundry Levellers at Burford that year with Iohn Lilburnes double Trial for his life soon after by Cromwels own Prosecution his proceedings against Saxbey Syndercombe and other Levellers though his chief Instruments to bring the King to Justice to seclude the Majority of the Members and suppress the whole House of Lords The sudden and fearfull deaths of Col. Ven Rigby and others of the Kings Judges the cashiering close Imprisonments suffâ—ings of M.G. Harrison Col. Rich Col. Overton Col. Okey Lord Grey of Grooby and others of the Kings condemners by Cromwell himself who engaged them therein The Removal of Iohn Bradshaw from his Presidentship and Feudes between Cromwell and him who secluded him ouâ— of his fâ—â—st Instrumental Parliament in 1654. and after that threatned to imprison and question him for his life With the laâ—e pangs of conscience which Col. William Purefoye sustained
Habeas Corporaes they will remove them unto New Prisons or Gards of Souldiers or send them into Forein parts to prevent their returns and enlargement by our Laws as some have been newly dealt with by these New full through Râ—formers of the Laws Whether these very first-fruits of their full and through pretended Reformation of our Laws proving so bitter trampling all Law and Justice under foot with greater scorn contempt impudence than ever any Kings Old Council Table Lords Straâ—â—ord or Canterbury were guilty of And their leaving not so much as one Judge or Justice to act under them in any one Court of Justice at Westminster nor no face of any real or pretended Legal Authority in England or Ireland to execute Justice between man and man and dismounting all those Judges Grandees of the Law who formerly complyed with them and acted under them in all their Innovations a just reward for their temporizing against their Judgements Law and Conscience their future harvest of our Lawes Reformation will not probably prove so lawlesse and exorbitant that the whole English Nation and Army too if they have not abandonned all humanity christianity charity justice will revive this prayer in our antient Liturgy against such a full and through Deformation and Deformers of our Lawes From all evil and mischief from all blindness of heart from pride vainglory and hypocrisie from envy hatred and all uncharitablenesse from all deceits of the World the Flesh and Devil good Lord deliver us And exhort their fellow brethren of Scotland and Ireland in the Apostles words 2 Thess. 3.1 2. Finally brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord and good old Laws of the Land may run and have free course and be glorified and that we may be delivered from absurd or unreasonable wicked men who thus reform and purge out the Laws very bowels for all men and such reforming Saints especially have not faith whatever they professe who under pretext of a most transcendent Reformation and purgation of the Gospel and Law would reduce us into the condition of the Israelites 2 Chron. 15.3 Now for a long season Israel had been without the true God and without a teaching Priest and without Law And why so The Apostle resolves us in direct terms 1 Tim. 1.4 c. The end of the Law is charity out of a pure heart and of a good conscience and of faith unfeined from which some having swerved have turned aside to vain jangling desiring to be teachers yea Reformers of the Law understanding neither what they say nor what they affirm But we know that the Law is good if a man use it lawfully knowing also that the Law is not made for a righteous man but for the lawless and disobedient for the ungodly and for sinners For Murderers of Fathers and murtherers of Mothers for man-slayers c. For men stealers for lyars for periured persons every other thing that is contrary to sound doctrin And our Army-Grandees Juncto and new Reformers being such would abrogate all Lawes and Lawyers too least they should restrain and punish them for these their Capital crimes Forgetting this lesson that though they null all the Laws and Courts of Justice in Westminster-hall and elsewhere yet they shall never abrogate nor escape the Law Iudgement Execution Iustice and vengeance of * God himselfâ— who will render indignation and wrath tribulaâ—ion and anguish to every soul of man that doth evilâ— whether Iew or Gentile For as many who have sinned without Lâ—wâ— shall also perish without Law and as many as have sinned in the Law shall be judged by the Law Enough to disswade them from their intended Reformation to reform their own and the Armies lâ—wless exorbitances before they reform our Laws or others far better than themselves Whether all the old conscientious faithfull publike spirited secured excluded and re-excluded Member's who to the uttermost of their powers opposed voted protested against all the late dismal Jesuitical Powder-Treasons Violences Innovations Exâ—rbiâ—ances of the dissolved Iuncto and Army and have h vexed their righteous souls from day to day yea i shed rivers of teâ—rs from their mournfull eyes because of these their heinous transgressions against the Laws of God and the Land may not with much comfort apply this promise of God to themselves and their uncharitable brethren who secluded all imprisoned sundry of them Isa. 66.5 6. c. 26.11 13 14. Hear the word of the Lord ye that tremble at his word Your brethren that hated you that cast you out for my name sake said Let the Lord be thereby glorified but he shall appear to your joy and they shall be ashamed by reason of their own double ejection dissolution in a strange unexpected manner A voice of noise from the City a voice from the Temple a voice of the Lord that rendreth recompence to his enemies Lord when thy hand is lifted up they will not see but they shall see and be ashamed for their envy towards the people yea the fire of their Enemies their very fierie Guards and Powder-men shall devour them O Lord our God other Lords besides thee our New Suprâ—me Lords Powers Protectors of the dissolved Junctoes counsel and tother House have had dominion over us but by thee only will we make mention of thy name They â—â—e dead they shall not live they are deceased they shall not rise therfore hast thou visited and destroyed them and made all their Memory to Perish Even k so let all thine Enemies and the publike impenitent malicious Enâ—mies of our Churches Kings Kingdoms Parliaments Peoples Liberties fall and perish O Lord but let thâ—m that love thee and the publike peace welfare settlement prosperity of our Churches Kings Kingdoms Nations be aâ— the Sun wâ—en he goeth forth in his might That so the Land may have rest forty years together as the Land of Israel had after l the Lord had discomfited Sisera and all his Chariots and all his host with the edge of the Sword before Barak and Deborah Amen Whether the General Council of Officers and Army-Saints former and late slandering false accusing forcible secluding the Members of the long Parliament as Trust-breakers and the whole House of Lords for whose defence they were raised waged commissioned and their subsequent dissolving dissipating with high scorne their own Anti-Parliamentary Iunctoes from whom they received their new Commissions end engaged several times to yeeld their utmost assistance to them to sit in safety to be true faithfull and constant to them and to live and die in their defence be a conscientious saint-like performance 1. Of Iohn Baptists Evangelical Injunction to all Souldiers Luke 3.14 Do violence to no man neither accusâ— any falsly and be content with your allowance 2ly Of St. Pauls description of a good Souldier of Iesus Christ 2 Tim. 2.3 4. Thou thereforâ— endure hardness No man that warreth intangleth himself with the affairs of
this life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a Souldier not disobey betray supplant or destroy him 3ly Of Pauls and Peters expresse commands to all Officers Souldiers whatsoever as well as others Rom. 13.1 2 c. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers for there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God Whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the Ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation c. Wherefore ye must needs be subject not only for wrath but also for conscience sake Tit. 3.1 2. Put them in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers to obey Magistrates to be ready to every good work To speak evil of no man to be gentle shewing all meekness unto all men Ephes. â— 5 6 7. Col. 4.22 23 24. Servants such are all Mercenâ—ry Officers Soldiers under pay to the old Parliament and Kingdom obey in all things your Masters according to the flesh in fear and trembling in singleness of heart as unto Christ Not with eyâ— service as men-pleasers but as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart With good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men for ye serve the Lord Christ 1 Pet. 2.13 to 20. Submit your selves to every Ordinance of man for the Lord sake whether it be to the King as supreme or unto Governors as unto those who are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well for so is the will of God that with well-doing ye put to silence tâ—e ignorance of foolish men As free and not using your liberty as a cloak of maliciousnâ—sse but as the servants of God Honour all men in lawfull authority Fear God Honour the King Servants be subject to your Masters with all fear not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward For this is thank-worthy if a man for conscience toward God endure grief suffering wrongfully Whether by their former late rebellions against the King Parl. all their lawful Superiors and exalting themselves above all theâ—r former Lords and Masters they have not given Christ himself the lye and falsified his reiterated Asseveration Resolution Mat. 10.24 John 13.16 c. 15.10 Verily Verily I say unto you the Disciple is not above his Master nor the Servant above or groater than his Lord neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him If ye know these things happy are ye if ye do them Whether they will not prove bitternesse damnation ruin to them in the latter end and teach engage all Common souldiers under them to be treacherous rebellious disobedient unto them and thrust them out of all their commands now they have neither legal Commissions nor aâ—thority to rule them nor monies to pay or quarter them nor imployment under them for the peoples welfare but only for their own ambitious ends and self-preservation for which they were never raised since their own presidents and principles of treachery and disobedience to all their former Superiours animate them thereunto Whether the â—uncâ—o â—nd Army Council upon seriouâ— coâ—sideration of all the premisâ—s â—â—d their formâ—r miscaâ—â—iages hâ—vâ— not all cause with penitent heaâ—ts aâ—d bleedâ—ing Spirits to cry out and make this old publikâ— confeâ—â—ioâ— in the Book of Common Prayer Almighty and mâ—st mâ—rcifull Father we have erred and strayâ—d from thy â—ayeâ— liâ—â— losâ— sheep We have followed too much the deâ—ices and desires of our own hearts we have offended against thy holy laws we have leâ—t â—ndone those things which we â—ught to hâ—ve done and we have done those things which we ought not to haâ—e done and there is no health nor truth in â—s But thou O Lord have mercy upon us miserable Offenâ—â—â—â— And grant that we may hereafter live a godly righteous sober life to the glory of thy holy name Amen Which if these Workers of iniquity shall still refuse to do as if the Lord did neither see nor regard it and therby provoke our 3. Nations to cry out with united prayers to God against theÌ„ * Help Lord for the godly man ceaseth for the faithfull fail from among the children of men With flattering lips and with a double heart do they â—pake every one to his neighbor O Lord God of revenges O Lord God to whom vengeance belongeth shew thy self lift up thy self thou Iudge of the Earth render a reward to the proud Lord how long shall the wicked how long shall the wicked triumph how long shall they utter hard things and all the workers of iniquity boâ—st themselves They break in pieces thy people O Lord afflict thine heritage they slay the widow and murder the fatherless They gather themselves together against the soul of the rightâ—ous and condemn the innocent bloud Whether they must not then expect that inevitable doom of God himself ensuing after such practises and Prayers Psa. 94.23 And the Lord shall bring upon them their own iniquity and shall cut them off in their own wickednesse yea the Lord our God shall cut them off * The transgrâ—ssors shall be destroyed together the end of the wicked shall be cut off But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord he is their strength in the time of troble And the Lord shall help them and deliver them he shall delivâ—r them from the wicked and save them bâ—cause they trust in him Jer. 36.3 7. It may be they will now present their supplications befâ—re the Lord and râ—turn every one from his evil way that God may forgive their iniquity and their sin for great is the anger and the fury that the Lâ—rd hath pronouâ—ced against this people An Exact Alphabeâ—ical Liâ—t of the Old and Nâ—w secluded Membâ—râ— of the Commâ—ns House in the long Parliament surviving May 7. 1659. when the dissolved Juncto began their new Session Baronets Knights and Viscounâ—s LOrd Ancram Sir Ralph Ashton Sir John Barringâ—on Sir Thomaâ— Barnâ—rdiston Sir Robert Benloeâ—Sir George Booth Sir Humphry Bridges Sir Ambrose Brown Sir John Burgoâ—n Sir Roger Burgoin Sir Henry â—hâ—lmley Sir John Clotworthy Sir John Corbet Sir John Curson Sir Thomas Dâ—creâ— Sir Franciâ— Drâ—ke Sir William Drake Sir Walter Earl Sir Câ—arles Egerton Sir John Evelin of Surry Sir John Evelin of Wilres Sir John Fenwick Sir Edmund Fowel Sir Gilbâ—rt Gerard Sir Haâ—botle Grimston Sir Riâ—hard Hâ—nghton Sir John Holland Sir Anthony â—â—by Sir Marâ—in Knatchbull Sir John Leigh Sir William Lâ—wâ—â— Sir William Liâ—â—â—r Sir William Litâ—on Sir Samâ—el Luke Sir Nicholâ—â— Martyn Sir Thomas Middlâ—ton Sir Robert Nappirr Sir Roberâ— Neâ—hâ—m Sir Dudly North Sir John Noâ—thcot Sir Richard Onslow Sir Hugâ— Owen Sir John Pâ—lgrave Sir Philip Parker Siâ— Thomaâ— Parker Sir Edward Partridge Sir John Pellam Sir William Plâ—terâ— Sir Nevil Poole Sir Jâ—â—n Poâ—â— Sir Robert Pye Sir Fâ—anâ—is Russel Sir 〈◊〉 Sainâ—â— John Sir John
with monies and upon his Account as a Freer had a very good intertainment in the Monastery at Angiers by the Freers thereof During his stay there they had much discourse with him He told them he had been formerly a Student in Kings College in Cambridge after that at Salamanoa in Spain for 8. years Being demanded by them Whether there were not many Iesuites and Freers then in England He assured them upon his own knowledge they had then above five hundred Iesuites in London and the Suburbs and that they had at least four or five Iesuites and Popish Priests in and about London to every Minister we had there Whereupon they demanding of him How so many Iesuites and Priests were there maintained He answered That the Iesuites and every Order of Fréers had their several Treasurers in London who by Orders from their Provincials furnished them with what ever Monies they wanted by Bills of Exchange returned to them That all the Iesuites and Priests in England were maintained according to their respective qualities A Lords Son like a Lord and a Knights Son like a Knight and if they chanced to meet him in London at their return though he were now in a poor weed they should find him in Scarlet or Plush a better equipage than what he was in He would not discover his true name to them but upon discourse on a sudden he mentioned His Cozen Howard in England which made them suspect he was of that family He told them further that though we were very cunning in England yet the Iesuites and Priests there were too crafty for us lurking under so many disguises that they could hardly be discovered That there was but one way to detect them which they being inquisitive to know He said it was for those who suspected them to be Priests to feign themselves Roman Catholicks and upon that account to desire the Sacrament from them which they could not deny to give them after Confession to them being bound thereto by Oath by which means some of them had been betrayed He further informed them That himself had been at all the several Gathered Churches Congregations Sects in London and that none of them came so near the * Papists in their Opinions and Tenents as the Quakers among whom himself had spoken This relation one of the Gentlemen a person of honor and reputation the other being dead hath lately made to me three several times with his own mouth and will attest it for truth having related it to sundry others since his return into England Which considered Whether it be not the very High-way to our Churches Religions Ministers Nations ruine and destruction to list so many Quakers Anabaptists Sectaries in the Army and New Militiaes in most Counties where they bear the greatest sway and to disarm the Presbyterians and Orthodox Protestants as the only dangerous persons and put all their arms into Quakers Anabaptists and Sectaries hands headed steered by Iesuits Popish Priests and Freers as they have done in Glocester Colchester Cheshire Lancashire and endeavour to doe in other parts to cut all true Protestants throats and set up Popery by the Army which hath so much advanced it of late years before we are aware Let all true zealous Protestants in London and else where timely seriously consider and endeavour speedily to prevent and the Council of Army-Officers with their new Commitâ— of Safety too if they have any care of their Native Country or Protestant Religion before it be over-late Whether we may not justly fear that God himself in his retaliating Justice for the Iunctoes and Armies unparalleld Exile of their Protestant King and Royal posterity into Popish Territories and yet permitting such swarms of Jesuits Monks and Romish Vermin to creep in and reside amongst us may not give up the dissolved Juncto Army Council of Officers Soldiers and their posterities with our whole three Nations as a prey and spoil to these seducing dividing ravening all-devouring Wolves yea to the combined forces of our Spanish and French Popish adversaries to the utter desolation extirpation ruine of our Protestant Religion in the midst of our present divisions and distractions under a just pretext of restoring the exiled Royal issue to their hereditary rights and avenging the manifold indignities to them and their relations unless timely and wisely prevented by a prudent voluntary closing with loyal christian restoring them by common consent our selves in a full and free Parl. upon just safe honourable terms becoming us both as Men Christians Professors of the Reformed Religion And whether we be not ripe for such a universal desolating judgement as this if we consider Is. 24.16 17 18. c. 33.1 2. c. 59.1 to 19. 2 Chr. 3.6.15 to 21. Mich. 2.2 3 4 5. Ezech. 35.14 15. Joel 3.6 7 8. or the late and present sufferings of most other Protestant Churches abroad not half so Treacherous Perfidious Wicked Execrable as we who are now become the very Monsters of Men the scandal shame reproach of Christianity and humanity in the repute of all the world Whether the Iuncto and Army-Officers who have like the a Hypocritical Israelites very frequently ordered celebrated many Hypocritical irreligious Mock-facts from time to time to fast for strife and debate and to smite with the fist of wickednesse never yet observing practising that fast which God himself requireth to loose the bands of wickednesse to undo the heavy burthens to let the oppressed go free to break every yoke to deal their bread to the hungry to bring the poor exiled Protestant Royal issue and their English followers that are cast out by them to their Houses to cover the naked and not hide their selves from their own flesh who have hitherto made their publike and private dayes of Humiliation a constant Prologue to their ambition pride b and rebellious self-exaltation their dayes of praying to God a preface to their preying upon their brethren their seeking of God for direction and assistance in their designs a means to colour and promote the very c works of their father the devil their pretended following the secret impulses of the spirit of God the solâ— justification of d walking according to the Prince of the air the spirit that now worketh in the Children of disobedience their making taking of solemn Oathes Vowes Protestations Covenants Engagements to be true faithfull oonstant loyal obedient to their Lawfull Kings their heirs successors superiors the Privileges Rights of Parliament our Fundamental Laws Liberties Religion c. a meer engin and diabolical stratagem more cunningly boldly audaciously perfidiously to betray undermine supplant subveâ—t them have not now just cause upon consideration of Isaiah 1.2 to 17. and chap. 58. to keep many publike private Fasts and dayes of Humiliation to confesse bewaile repent renounce and reform these their transcendent-crying wrath-provoking sins and abominations together with their e building up of Zion their New Republike Free-state
Churches Kingdom of Jesus Christ with blood and â—stablishing Ierusalem with iniquity f their devising iniquity and working evil upon their beds and practising it when the morning is light because it is in the power of their hand and swords their coveting other mens fields houses and taking them away by violence so they opprâ—sse a man yea their Protestant King and thousands more of their Protestant brethern and his house yea a man and his inheritance for fear they incurre the fatal inevitable Woes evills Iudgements denounced by God against such crying Sinnes oppressions violences to the utter desolation extirpation of them their families yea of our English Zion and Ierusalem Mic. 2.1 to 6. Is. 32.1 2. c. 3 throughout with that of Hab. 2.7 8. Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee and awake that shall vex thee and thou shalt be for booties unto them Because thou hast spoyled many Nations all the remnant of the people shall spoyl thee because of mens blood and for the violence of the Land of the City Army and all that dwell therein Whether the Junctoes and Army Councils utter subversion of all our Fundamental Laws especially Magna Charta c. 29 30. the Petition of Right and all other Lawes Statutes wâ—ich concern the preservation of the Lives Free-holds Liberties Properties Franchises of the Subjects the inheritance and succession of the Crown the Rights and Privileges of Parliament their ending the last Easter Term with very little Law and no conscience at all their beginning Trinity Term with very little Conscience monopolized in their conscientious Speakers brest alone without any Law at all and their holding part only of Michaelmas Term without any Chancery or Conscience voted by some to be both useless and dangerous or any real Law in the judgement of understanding Lawyers and breaking it off without any Law or Conscience to the undoing of many poor oppressed Clients left without relief with their manifold transcendent obstructions subversions both of Law Equity Justice Conscience Property Liberty in their most arbitrary lawlesse Committees of Indemnity and Courts of High Injustice be not a transcendent violation of all their former Remonstrances Declarations Votes Protestations League Covenant Inviolably to defend these Lawes and a meer Iesuitical design as I have * elsewhere evidenced to work our utter dissolution the Lawes being the onely Ligaments to unite and Pillar to supâ—ort our State and Kingdom whereby not only the Regal and Parliamental authority but the peoples security of Lands livings lives privileges both in general particular are preserved maintained by the abolishing or alteration whereof it is impossible but that present Confusion will fall upon the whole State Frame of this Kingdom and Nation as the Statute of 1. Iac. c. 2. resolves and we finde by woful experience Whether the Army Council of Officers have not most exemplarily and satisfactorily performed this part of their last printed Declaration 27 Octob. 1659. p. 18. We earnestly desire and shall endeavour That a full and through Reformation of the Law may be effected by their new Committee of Safeties imperious Order sent to Mr. Dudley Short a Citizen of London whom Mr. Thurlo whiles Secretary committing close Prisoner to a Mâ—ssenger several weeks so as neither his wife nor friends could â—ave any access unto him upon a meer Trepan and supposed matter of Account between him and a Scotsman with whom he traded enforcing him at last ere released to enter into a Bond of 6000 l. with sufficient security for appearing before the Council of State to go in person into Scotl. when ever he should be required ordering him to go into Scotland soon after under pain of forâ—â—iting his 6000 l. bond upon his own expence where after many weeks attendance and frequent examinations before the Council there touching this account the Scotsman appeared to be indebted to him above 120 l. whereupon he was dismissed thence For which most unjust vexation oppression and false Imprisonment against the Great Charter c. 29. the Petition of Right with other Acts and the late Statute of 17 Caroli c. 10. For Regulating the Privy Council to Mr. Shorts great expence losse of trade reputation and his damage of Ten thousand pounds as he declared he brought his Action at law in the Common Pleas Court which was set down to be tried at Guildhall the 12. of this November Whereupon Mr. Thurlo procured an express Order from the new Committee of Safety wherein they presume to indemnifie him by their exorbitant arbitrary power against this action of false Imprisonment and to enjoyn the Plaintiff both to surcâ—ase and release his sute and never to prosecute it more and command his Counsel Attorney Sollicitor the Iudge himself and all other Officers not to proceed therein at their utmost peril upon this ground because if this Trial should proceed any others of the late and present Council of State might have actions brought against them for illegal commitments and imprisonments Upon this the Officers of the Court refused to seal his Record for the Triall and his Attorney and Counsel durst not proceed for fear of being layd by the heels Whereupon he complained against this abuâ—e and moved for a triall in open Court urged these Statutesâ— with the Statutes of 2 E. 3. c. 2.20 E. 3. c. 1 2â— and the Judges Oath That it shall not be commanded by the gâ—eat Seal nor little Seal to disturb or delay common right And though such commandements do come the Iustices shall not therefore cease to do right in any point And that the Iâ—stices shall not deny nor delay to no man common Right by the Kings Letters nor none other mans nor for none other cause And in case any Letters come to them contrary to Law they shall â—o nothing by such Letters and go forth to do the Law notwithstanding such Letters And pressing the Judge to doe him right accordingly and to give him an answer in open Court yet their Order countermanded these Statutes and Judges Oath So that no man though never so unjustly committed oppressed grieved by the Old and New Council of State to his ruine shall have any remedy at all against them since they may thus indemnify each other against all Actions commenced And if they bring an Habeas Corpus for their enlargement and be bayled according to Law by the Judges the new Gardians of our Liberties Preservers of our Safety and Thorough Reformers of our Lawes by extirpating them root and branch will even in the very face of the Court as soon as they have put in bayl in contempt of Law and Justice command Soldiers and their Serjeant at Arms by new Orders to arrest and carry them to other Prisonâ— and forein Islands as they did Mr. Nuport and Mr. Halsey on the 18. of this instant Nov. notwithstanding they had put in bail of 10000. l. a piece for their peaceable deportment Yea if any henceforth move for