Truth brought to light, or, The corrupt practices of some persons at court laid open whereby Their Majesties and the kingdom have been prejudiced near one hundred and fifty thousand pounds this year; besides other evils that have and do attend it.

TO THE Right Honourable THE LORDS Spiritual and Temporal, AND COMMONS In Parliament Assembled.

THE Happiness and Well-being of Man does no ways consist in being possess'd of much Wealth, but in a Mediocrity; and in the Enjoyment of the Purity of the Gospel,

and of good and wholesome Laws: And of all Governments now extant in the World, the Eng∣lish Monarchy is the Noblest, and comes nearest to that Native Liberty which Man first enjoy'd; and God and Nature have laid an indispensable Duty upon every Man to endeavour the Preser∣vation of the Municipal Laws of his Country. But notwithstanding, Humane Frailty is such, that we have many Instances of Persons (otherways pru∣dent and wise) either through Pride, Ambition, or Covetousness, that have had almost over∣thrown this Noble Fabrick: but it was never in such eminent Peril as before the late Revolution; when our Religion, Laws and Liberty, were near being swallow'd up; and then God was pleas'd to make his Majesty the happy Instrument of our Deliverance. But notwithstanding, the Danger's not over-past; for we have ever since been en∣gag'd in a great and dangerous War, upon the Success whereof (under God) depends our future Happiness: therefore Men would think that all Persons in Publick Trust, should with great Zeal and Affection pursue such Ways and Methods as tend to the putting a Period to the same, and no ways obstruct their Majesties and the Publick In∣terest;

but scorn and slight all those little mean Thoughts of enriching themselves, at a time the Safety and Honour of their Native Country lies at stake. But through Covetousness the Under∣standings of Men are darkned, and so see not the Evils they draw upon themselves and others: And those who are in the highest Orb, many times dis∣cern not (having sublimer Thoughts) those things others do, who act in a lower Sphear. And as all Governments are incident and liable to Corrup∣tions, so it cannot seem strange if they have crept in among us: But ours will be found to be (like some Distempers) hard to be remov'd; for there are so many link'd together by Interest, that they will not fail to support each other, and crush (if not ruin) him that opposes them. So it's not for any single Person whatever, to engage with them; and therefore for that Reason, I have here collected such of them as have come to my Knowledg: Which, with all Humility, I lay before this most August Assembly; whose peculiar Care has al∣ways been to root out Corruptions, when they have appear'd formidable and inconsistent with the Safety of the Government: and that not the Greatness or Power of any that have abus'd their

Prince's Favour, have been able to protect them from the just Resentments of the Nation. And 'tis that which hath continued this Government so long upon its Basis.

There hath been a Notion industriously spread abroad by some through the Kingdom, (and which the Nation hath too long imbib'd) which is, That to make Attempts upon the Mari∣time Coast of France were altogether impractica∣ble: Which seemeth strange, it being directly contrary to the received Opinion of the rest of Mankind, and the Practice of all Ages; for the Romans, Carthaginians, and many other Nati∣ons, that have been strong at Sea, and even the Venetians at this day, have ship'd potent Armies both Horse and Foot, and made Descents upon their Enemies; which have been attended with good Success. And although the Circumstance of Affairs may alter and change, yet the Nature of things never will: But if Men shall land in the midst of Smoak and Fire, and where their Ene∣mies lie intrench'd, it's no Wonder if they are beaten off; even at that rate may the best-laid Designs be frustrated.

And France hath so strong a Barrier on every Side, that notwithstanding the utmost Endeavours of the Allies for several Years past, yet we see they have not been able to break into it; and therefore with all due Submission, I humbly con∣ceive (Humanely speaking) it's impossible of making any Impression on the Enemy, other∣ways than by making a Descent upon their Ma∣ritime Coast with a Royal Army. Certainly there's nothing can embarrass them like it: the Vicinity of their Country makes it so much the more practicable; and England has been the Ballance of Europe, and may yet, if not wanting to it self. My Design is not to embroil, but further their Majesties Affairs, and that all things may work together for the Publick Good; which hath been the only Scope and End of this my Underta∣king. So doubt not but I shall meet with a fa∣vourable Construction: and if a Publick and National Interest be preferable before all others, then I cannot be much out in what I have done; only must acknowledg to have handled the Mat∣ter but weakly: Yet the Sincerity of my Inten∣tions will plead for me, and excuse the many Defects therein; and so hope I shall not only

find Protection, but a Reward of my Labours, and Danger I undergo, for the Honour and Safety of my Country.

I am, My Lords and Gentlemen, Your Honours most humble, faithful, and obedient Servant, ROBERT CROSFEILD.