A second narrative of the late Parliament (so called) wherein, after a brief reciting some remarkable passages in the former narrative, is given an account of their second meeting, and things transacted by them : as also how the Protector (so called) came swearing, by the living God, and dissolved them, after two or three weeks sitting : with some quæries sadly proposed thereupon : together with an account of three and forty of their names, who were taken out of the house, and others that sate in the other house, intended for a House of Lords, but being so unexpectedly disappointed, could not take root, with a brief character and description of them : all humbly presented to publique view / by a friend to the good old cause of justice, righteousnesse, the freedom and liberties of the people, which hath cost so much bloud and treasury to be carried on in the late wars, and are not yet settled.

A word on the behalf of that faithful servant of the Lord, Mr. John Portmans, now close prisoner un∣der lock night and day in the Tower of London, so that none may come with freedom to visit him. Prov. 31. 8. Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

THe Reader may take notice, That Mr. Portmans (formerly Secretary to the Navy) could not in conscience continue his employment under this Apostacy, though it were worth more then 300 l. per annum; and for his faithfulness to the cause of God, his people and the Nation, hath (a∣mongst others) been a sufferer unto Bonds in the Tower this 17 of the 11 month 1658, a year wanting 3 weeks, never hearing what was laid to his charge, or that there was any to accuse him of evil: having demanded of Col. Barkstead his Jaylor (when first brought in by his Souldiers) what his Crime was, could get no answer, neither was there any exprest in the Warrant by which he was apprehended; the substance whereof was, That he should be brought into the Tower to be kept until the further pleasure of the late Tyrant, whom the Warrant blasphemously stiled his Highness the Lord Protector: who being lately dead, Mr. Portmans took notice of it in a Letter to Col. Barkstead, deli∣vered to his hand by two faithful Brethren, meekly demanding, If he had any further Warrant to con∣tinue him a prisoner: if he had, that then he might have a Copy, or at least the sight of it; which if he had not, in some short time, he must conclude there was none; and therefore his occasions to go forth for the well-being of his Family urging him to it, he should assay to attend upon them; but if upon Tryal he found the force continued, he must consider what might be his further duty. This for substance, but with more plainness was intimated in the Letter, and accordingly a week after, not hearing from him, about three in an afternoon, not disguised, but in his constant habit, he went to the gate, expecting to be stopped rather then otherwise; but finding the passage free, went forth to his Brother-in-laws house, not with an intent to conceal himself; from whence he was again taken within an hour. This is briefly and truly the matter of Fact, and may, it's hoped, justifie him in his attempt not to be left to any thing unbecoming a sober Christian; yet was he the rather induced thus to do, upon words not long before spoken by Col. Barkstead, viz. That he might go out if he would, asking some friends If there were no way to perswade him to it, &c. There needs nothing be said to such as know that foul-mouth'd Malignant Nedham, to wipe off the reproach he hath raised in his Pamphlet, that Mr. Portmans should say, He would not go out if the gates were open, until he was satisfied for his imprisonment; to go about to do it, were to imply that the Pamphletter did sometimes speak truth; which should he do, he would be utterly disabled to serve his Masters, who make lies their refuge, and hire him at no small charge (as a means to uphold their own reputation) to asperse the faith∣ful in the Land; yet considering the report may come to those that know him not, such may be assured, That Mr Portmans never spake any such thing, but hath ever declared, That he should not continue there, were the force he is under removed. But by all the noyse hath been made of this matter in the News Books, they onely declare how grateful it would be to have any thing to co∣lour over their unrighteous proceedings, and justifie themselves in their hard and more then Hea∣thenish usage of such as dare not say, a confederacy with them in their Apostacy, for unto this hour, after now almost a years imprisonment, and at this time, so close, as that he is locked up night, and day, can he not hear of Accusation or Accuser, or so much as a VVarrant for his Detension o∣ther then as is beforementioned, That he should be taken and kept during the pleasure of the de∣ceased Tyrant: which may become every true Englishman to be sensible of; for who knows whose lot it may be next, to feel the like oppression when it shall please our Task-masters to impose it?