given of these publik Erogations and taxes Philanglus An account was often voted and promised but never performed for then they should have discovered how much their own memberships had swallowed for their private interest of the publique Tresure by free gifts among themselves and the perquisites of gainfull offices Polyander But we heard beyond Sea that they had passed a solemne Ordinance of 〈◊〉 oâ— self-abnegation called the self-deâ—ying Ordinance whereby they made themselves incapable of Offices and other things of gain Philanglus 'T is true there was such an Ordinance and 't was thought it pass'd principally to remove Essex from the Generalship whom they began to suspect but nothing was afterward lesse observed Polyander I heard you speak of money's borrow'd upon the publique Faith I pray how were those reimboursed Philanglus It was the firstâ—time that publick Faith did ever set up for herself and she quickly grew to be a Bankrupt And never was there such double dealing used by any publick Assembly For when the Lenders upon that publique Faith came to demand their mony 's They could not have them unless they doubled the first sum together with the interest they had received and then they should have the valu in Church or Crown Lands but if they doubled not both interest and principall they should not be capable to have any Laâ—ds allowed for their mony 's Divers to my knowledge have ruin'd themselves hereby and though they clamor'd and spoak high language at the Parliaments dore and were promised satisfaction yet they could not get peny to this day Poliander I heard this cry'd up abroad to be the arrand'st Cheat that ever was done by a great Counsel and one of the foulest blemishes that England cold receave by making her forefeit her faith in that manner Fides publica Fides Punica I heard likewise of divers Interlopers that for half a crown in the pound were used to buy the publique Faith Bills as others drive on a trade to buy the Soldiers Debenters But whereas we have spoke a little of that Dutch Devil the Excise we heard abroad of a Scotch Devil also though of an other nature that was risen up amongst you which was the Covenant I pray how was he conjur'd up Philanglus That Covenant was conjur'd up by the Presbyterian party and may be called a worse Devill than the Excise for the one tyranniz'd o're the Purss the other ore the Conscience But what an unmanly and dishonorable thing was it for the English Nation to bind their souls for conserving the Religion of another foren people inferior to them for conserving the Doctrine Disciplin and Government of that Church which not one Enâ—lish man in a thousand did understand and yet every one must take the holy Covenant by a blind implicit Faith But now that we have fallen upon the Covenant which may be said to be an Engin â—org'd in Hell for battry of the Conscience I will tell you of an odd passage that happend about that time There was one Maâ—ter Heron a Printer who being sent for by the Lady Tilbury she told him that now that there is a Nationall Covenant come forth which every one must taste she had a Sermon in a fair manuscript of that great light of the Church Master Brightman which treats of universâ—l Covenâ—nâ—s how far they are agreeable to Scripture and consonant to the Word of God and it had bin preached before the House of Commons thirty yeers before therefore it would be now very seasonable to print and publish it The Printer giving her Ladyship many thanks received the Sermon which she avouched upon her honour to be a true Copy and undertook the business so he went to him who was appointed by the Synod to licence for the Press pieces of that nature to get an Imprematur but the Syododcall man having kept the Sermon above three dayes by him the Printer went for his Sermon and found it formally licenc'd for the Press but most pittifully falsified interlinâ—d and adulterated in many places For whereas the opinion of Brightman throughout the whole Sermon was That a Nâ—tionall and Generall Covenant was agreeable to the Word of God Provided the Kâ—ng did give his Royall assent thereunto without wâ—ich it wâ—s both detestablâ— and dâ—mnable The holy Synodicall man had expung'd the word King every where and foisted in the room of it sometimes the word Parliament sometimes the Trustees of the Common wealth The Printer having perus'd the interlinations told him that were he to get 1000 l. by printing that Sermon he would not be so arrand a Knave as to wrong the Dead so much by making him speak what he never meant nay things quâ—te contrary to his meaning I saw the said Sermon and the manner how it was so basely sophisticated Polyander There was another Oath consisting all of Negatives called the Oath of Abjuration which I also heard of that came out about the same time which extended to take away the liberty of the very thought it did not only reâ—â—h the outward man but it ransack'd all the Cells of his brain with the intern Ideas and cogitations of his mind Philanglus Truly under favour and correction I humbly speak it there is a kind of inhumanity and {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} in that Oath for all Laws are made and all Magistrates are instituted to restrain the outward man and regulat his Actions as they refer to the public for it matters not what private crochets we have in our single selfs so we be in comfort and tune with our Companions The Law considers us as we have reference one to another and to the body politic therefore it neither useth to limit our private spendings nor ties us to any cours of diet or Pâ—ysick because our single fortunes and health though they mightily concern our selves yet they are but of little importance to the publique And as every one enjoyes this liberty in relation to his body and goods so our souls ought to be allow'd a proportionable share of that freedom so that it give no scandall to the publique Our thoughts as long as we keep them within dores cannot any way offend therefore the Law hath provided no punishment for them The intention of Murther is taken no notice of by the Law if the design of mischief stay at the imagination and proceeds no further to any outward attempt The Law referrs that to the great Tribunal of God who is the only Kardiognostic the sole searcher of the heart If a Law were justifiable against erroneous Thoughts in points of Religion with an Oath of Abjuration to make the suspected accuse himself why as a Gentleman doth rationally inferr should there not an Oath be also provided against thoughts of Treson Adulâ—ery and Murther and so bring every one to swear whether he be guilty or no of such crimes Now touching this Presbyterian Oath of Abjuration it is not contented with a modest and
then the Parliament members themselves an Admiral also was sent to sea against whom the King excepted Polyander That was strange considering how oft the King had complied with them that way having at their request remov'd two Lievtenants of the Tower and taken one of their Election having remov'd the Governour about his son and taken one of their choice having remov'd Sir Thomas Glenham from Hull and nominated Hotham c. Philanglus The Presbyterians who had brought in the Scots Army before and were the activ'st men cried out that the whole Kingdom was like to be ruin'd by secret Plots and machinations That there was a design to bring in the Pope and to cast the civil Government into a French frame wherof they made the Pulpits to ring up and down nor did the Pulpit onely help to kindle this fire but the Presse also did contribute much thereunto dangers and jealousies and a kind of superfaetation of fears did daily increase in every corner Traduntque metus nâ—c poscitur Author As the Poet saith Polyander There be sundry sorts of fears There are conscientious fears there are pannick fears there are pusillaminous fears and there are politick fears The first proceeds from guilt of conscience which corns oft to phrensie The second fear may be called a kind of Chymera 't is some sudden surprizal or consternation proceeding from no grounds Pusillaminous fear makes a Mountain of a Mole-hill it proceeds from poverty of spirit and want of courage and is a Passion of abject and degenerous minds and is call'd cowardize Politique fear is a created forg'd fear wrought in another to bring some design about And as we finde the Astronomers as is said elsewhere do imagine such and such shapes and circles in the Heavens as the Zodiack Equinoctial Câ—lurâ—s Tropiqâ—es and others though there be no such things really in nature to verifie and make their conclusions good so the Staâ—ist doth often devise and invent imaginary fears to make his proceedings the more plausible and thereby to compass his ends Or as the Sun useth to appear far bigger in the morning and evening then at noon when he is exalted to his Meridian and the reason the Philosophers use to give is the interposition of the vapours and exhalations which are in the lower Region of the air through which we look upon him as we find a piece of Silver look bigger in a Bason of water then elsewhere so the Polititian useth to cast strange mists of fears and fogs of jealousie before the simple peoples eyes to make dangers seem bigger It is observed that the Torpedo fish when he fears to be catched useth to disgorge an â—nky â—lack froth to puddle and darken the water that he may not be seen and so avoids taking so one trick of a Statist when he goes a fishing after some ends of his own is to cast out before the eyes of the credulous vulgar strange mists and apprehensions of fears and dangers that they may scape in them if need be But I pray deal clearly with me was there a design to bring in the Mass again Philanglus The Mass you may say there was a plot to bring in Mahomet as soon to bring in the Alchoran or Talmud as soon yet I believe there was a pernitious plot to bring in a new Religion but what Religion I pray it was not Papery but Presbytery and with it to Usher in Buchanan and Knox and to cast our Church and State into a Scots mould Polyander I must tell you indeed that I heard the English much censured and undervalued abroad for enslaving as it were their understandings and judgements in point of Religion to the Scots whom we made Christians and Reformed Christians first and now for us to run to them for a Religion what a disparagement think you is it But you spoke before of an Empeachment of high Treason the King had against the five Members for which he desired only the benefit of the Law I pray what was that Treason Philanglus The main charge of Treason that was intended to be exhibited against them was the private intelligence and combinations they held with a forreign nation and to have been the prime instruments of bringing in the Scots Army which had done so much mischiefe to England and was dismissed upon such inglorious terms for besides the plunder they got they had a vast sum of treasure to be gone which was not the usua◠〈◊〉 that our Progenitors used in dealing with the Scot for in former times England was 〈◊〉 to pay the Scot his Arrears when he came to visit her borders in another kind of mettal viz. with good Iron and Steel not with Gold and Silver but she hath soundly revenged her selfe since for the insolencies of that hungry Nation But to proceed The Hierarchy and English Liturgy being voted down there was a general liberty given to all consciences in point of Religion The Taylor and Shoomaker might have cut out what Religion they pleas'd the Vintner and Tapster might have broach'd what Religion they pleas'd the Druggist and Apothecary might have mingled her as they pleas'd the Haberdasher might have put her upon what block he pleas'd The Armorer Cutter might have furbrish'd her as they pleas'd the Dier might have put what colour the Painter what face they pleas'd upon her the Draper and Mercer might have measur'd her as they pleas'd the Weaver might have cast her upon what loom he pleas'd the Boat-swain and Mariner might have brought her to what deck they pleas'd the Barber might have trimm'd her as he pleas'd the Gardner might have lopp'd her as he pleas'd the Black-smith might have forg'd what Religion he pleas'd And so every one according to his profession and fancy was tollerated to form what Religion he pleas'd as was observ'd elsewhere Polyander Indeed I was told often beyond the Seas that the Liberty of the Gospel and the Liberty of the People were the two things which were mainly aim'd at but how did the war begin Philanglus I told you before that besides other causes the clashing of the Militia with the Commission of Array did put all things in disarray throughout the whole Kingdom many Declarations came from the King but they were prohibited at last to be published and the Printers punish'd A little after the Parliament voted an Army to take away ill Councellours from about the Kings person and the Earl of Fssex was appointed General with whom they voted to live and die Polyander Me thinks that Lord was not so proper for the service in regard his Father before him lost his head upon the like occasion for offring to amove ill Councellors from about Queen Elizabeth but I beleeve he might have a private quarrel of his own with the Court in that his first wise was Articled and sentenc'd away from him and married to a Scotch man whom he much hated in King James his time who made a deep asseveration that if
any thing was amiss in that divorce he wish'd it might light upon his own Soul but I pray be pleas'd to go on Philanglus The King understanding that the Parliament did thus arm he was told that it was not fit for him to be idle so having levied some forces in the North he marched with them to Nottingham where he set up and displaied the Royal Standard but the Beam thereof by a gust of wind towards the evening was broke which was held an ill augury Polyander I heard by some of those that were then on the place that the King had not 4000 effective fighting men when he put up his Standard and the Parliament had an Army of above 15000 in a compleat body and upon their march about Northampton therefore I heard it censured a great oversight in the Parliament that they did not inorder their General to find out the King at Nottingham where he might have either taken him Prisoner or forc'd him to flie with his little confus'd Army But I pray pursue your discourse Philanglus I must again step a little back and inform you as that Army of the Parliaments was a levying these Propositions were sent to the King with a complemental introduction which because they are of a very high nature I will particularly relate unto you the preamble was this WEE your Majesties most humble and faithful Subjects having nothing in our thoughts and desires more precious and of higher esteem next to the honour and immediate service of God then the just and faithfull performance of our duty to your Majesty and this Kingdom and being sensible of the great distractions and distempers and of the iminent dangers and calamities which the said distractions and distempers are like to bring upon your Majesty and your Subjects all which have proceeded from the subtile informations mischievous practises and ill counsels of men disaffected to Gods true Religion your Majesties honour and safety and the publick Peace and Prosperity of your people After a serious observation of the Causes of these mischiefs Wee do in all humility and sincerity present to your Majesty our most humble Petition and Advice that out of your Princely wisdom for the establishing of your own honour and safety and gracious tendernesse of the welfare and security of your Subjects and Dominions You will be pleased to grant and accept these our humble desires and Propositions as the most necessary effectual meanes through Gods blessing of removing those jealousies and differences which have unhappily fallen 'twixt you and your people and for procuring both your Majesty and them a constant course of honour peace and happiness 1. That those of your Privy Council and such great Officers and Ministers of State either at home or beyond the Seas may be put from about you and from those Offices and Employments excepting such as shall be approved of by Parliament And that the persons put into the places and employments of those that be removed may be approved of by Parliament And that all Privy Councellors shall take an Oath for the due execution of their places as shall be agreed upon by Parliament 2. That the great affairs of the Land may not be concluded or transacted by the advise of private men or by unknown and unsworn Councellors but that such matters that concern the publique and are proper for high Assemblies which is your Majesties great and supream Council may be debated resolved and transacted here and no where else and such as shall presume to do any thing to the contrary shall be reserved to the censure and judgment of Parliament And such other matters of State as are proper for your Privy Council shall be debated and concluded by such as shall from time to time be chosen for what place by approbation of Parliament And that no publique Act concerning the affairs of the Land which are proper for your Privy Council may be esteemed of any validity as proceeding from Royal Authority unless it be done by the advice and consent of the major part of your Council And that your Council be limited to a certain number noâ—t exceeding twenty five nor under fifâ—â—een And if any Councellors place happen to be void in the intervalls of Parliament it shall not be supplyed without the coâ—â—sent of the major part of the Council which voice shall be confirmed at the next sitting of Parliament or else to be void 3. That all the great Oâ—ficers of State and Civil Justice as also your Secretaries may be chosen with the approbation of Parliament and in the intervals as formerly 4. That he or they to whom the Government and Education of the Royal issue shall be committed shall be approved by Parliament and in the intervals as formerly And that all such servants which are now about them against whom the Parliament shal have any just exception shal be removed 5. That no All â—nce of any of the Royal issue by way of marriage shall be concluded or treated with any forraign Prince or other Person whatsoever at home or abroad without consent of Parliament under the penalty of a Praemunire unto such as shall conclude or treat of any such Alliance And the said penalty shall not be pardoned or dispensed with but by consent of Parliament 6. That the Laws in force against Papists be strictly put in execution without any toleration or dispensation to the contrary And that some more effectuall course be enacted to disable them from making any disturbance in the State or â—luding the Law by Trusts or otherwise 7. That the Votes of all Papists in the upper House may be taken away as long as they continue Papists and that such a Bill be drawn for the education of their Children in the reformed Religion 8. That your Majesty will be pleas'd to consent that such a Reformation bee made of the church-Church-government as the Parliamsnt shall advise of And that your Majesty will contribute your best assistance for the raising of a sufficient maintenance for Preaching Ministers throughout the Kingdom And that your Majesty will be pleas'd to give your consent to Laws for the taking away of Innovations and Superstition and pluralities and against scandalous Ministers 9. That your Majesty will be pleas'd to rest satisfied with that course the Parliament hath appointed for ordering the Militia untill the same shall be further setled by â—â—ill and that your Majesty will recall your Declarations and Proclamations against the Ordinance made by the Parliament concerning it 10. That such Lords and Gentlemen that are Members of the House which have been put out of any Place or Office may either be restor'd or have satisfaction for the same upon the Petition of the Court whereof he or they are Members 11. That all Privy Councellors and Iudges take Oath the form whereâ—f to be agreed upon and setled in Parliament for the maintenance of the Petition of Right of certain Statutes made by this Parliament And that an Inquiry