A true account and character of the times, historically and politically drawn by a gentleman to give satisfaction to his friend in the countrey.

A true account and character of the times, Historically and Politically drawne by a Gentleman to give satisfaction to his friend in the Countrey.

Sir:

VVIth a gratefull acknowledgement of your manifold favours, &c. I cannot upon any occasion, but shew my prompt obedience to doe you ser∣vice, and as part of it to continue my Intelligence. Truly, Sir, in my judg∣ment, the face of things hath not beene more distracted since the be∣ginning of this impious war, then it is at this present. Were Tymanthous to draw it, we might well allow him a veyle, lest it too far orecome his art, and contristate the spectator. Jealousies dayly heighten, new parties appeare, and new interests are discovered, that we seeme to oreact some wel contrived Romance. In which, every page begets a new and handsome impossibility. Such sicknesses have now sea∣zed on the body politicke, that is nothing but crampes, convulsions, and fearefull dreames. But to come neerer an account, give me leave to represent unto you the present being of things, not gathered from any whispers, or rumors, which like broken glasses, offer a visage scattered into ma∣ny peeces, and not to be collected into one. But out of the ground and maxims of the parties themselves, which give us the best light, both of what wee may thinke of the present, and thinke for the future. The Kings party, which before these times was visibly overspread the face of the Kingdome, and since the tumults were so formidable, that occasioned that unfortunate and costly counsell of calling in the Scots, (who neverthelesse were of very small action, saving that their reputation plucked up the spirits of the Parliamentarians, and stopped Newcastles progresse south∣ward) and brought over that profitable peece of Tyranny,

the Excise. But the Parliament fed by the City of London, (which was unexhaustible, and contribution moneys fay∣ling the King, and the Countreys though excessively poll'd, not able to supply him) the former party began to over∣weigh, and with their many victories confirmed these two sage maxims, That it is the safest way in a civill war to be seized of the Metropolis: and the other, That people are never so for∣ward, nor so daring, as to preserve or regaine their Liberties.

This party being quelled, (and in it the bravest of the Nobility and Gentry brought on their knees) the governe∣ment of the Kingdome removed from White-hall to West∣minster, and from the Privy Counsell to the great Counsell. Now began the whole frame of State to bee taken in pee∣ces: but it is easie for a childe to discompose a Watch, but tantu••s non impossible to set it right againe. Those Offices which had meere dependance upon the Prerogative, to be either deaded or layd asleepe, and all such as might advance popular liberty and ease revived, the ancient and happy go∣vernment of Justices of Peace in their severall Counties in a manner forgotten, and Committees raised of men of con∣temptible condition, and till that time scarcely knowne. For the flower of the Gentry having engaged in the other party, which was now so shattered, the Parliament preten∣ded there was not much security in their trust, who with Sequestrators (a vermine which might well make an ele∣venth plague in Aegypt) so handsomely behaved them∣selves, that under the pretence of the publicke, more scra∣ped together visible estates, to the ruine of many fine fami∣lies, it cannot be denied, but the sufferings of some of them before for the cause had beene high and exemplary. But when they were once to weile some power, their armes were too weake, and they strucke at randome, many times point blanke against Law. For having beene men for the most part nuzzeled up under some non-conformist Mini∣sters, and by them a little enslaved in their consciences, they made little scruple of any thing that was in pursuance of so

good a worke, especially back't with an Ordinance of Par∣liament, though flat against the reason and letter of the Law. Nay with such violence proceeded they, that some men out of bare suspicion, were outed of their livelihoods, and put to compound. But why doe I talke to you whose person and family have suffered so much by them, that I fear me 'twill be a worke of difficulty to make you heare that which rationally might be said in their excuse.

But the greatest alteration of all was, that though in the State we had some provision, yet for the Church wee did like that foolish Gentleman, who pull'd downe his house with an intent to repayre it, before he had another to put his head in, and this was that which left us open to so many stormes: For the Parliament had some months before, first taking away the Lordships, and then the dignities of Bish∣ops, with all their &c. called a Synod, which being not ge∣nerally chosen, but onely named by particuler Members, was made up of a great many of none of the wisest Clerks: men they were, who by their constant preaching in the dayes of the Bishops, and withall some petty suffering, had gained the high esteeme of their Electours, (who never considered how weake and unfit they were for controver∣sie, the chiefe end that brought them together.) These be∣ing once warme set, and creeping into the fattest places that were left, most unhappily began a new modell of Ec∣clesiasticall policy, which hath been a second cause of revi∣ving our differences. A government it was which rather necessity then serious cause has brought upon some scatte∣red Churches abroad, who by reason of their dispersednesse and poverty, were never so wise as to know how incompa∣tible it is with civill government. Publique toleration it had only gotten in Scotland; but with what stirre it was attended in that Kingdome, is not the present talke of this pen to declare; but surely from the Scotch coppy wee wrought out ours, the Authors of it some doing out of E∣piscopacy, some out of a desire of the thing it selfe, and

some out of novelty. The Houses seemed to countenance it, rather to settle mens mindes for the present, then any way leave such a burthen to Posterity. But the King utterly dis∣favoured it, and there wanted not Ministers of his party that were ready to shew the novelty and basefulnesse of that government to the full. Nay to parallell it with Episco∣pacy, taken in the worst sense, and to shew that a few years would render it more odious than the other had been in ma∣ny Centuries. But this rather confirmed those whom it found averse from it, then made any so. That which gave it the greatest streake was this; five of the Assembly who out of a panicke feare of the Prelacy had slipped beyond se••s, had gathered together private congregations, and out of their liberality lived in such a height of pride and lux∣ury, that that of the Poet might be applied to them.

Exul ab octava Marius bibit & fruitur Diis Iratis.

These refusing to be cast in that mould, published a little booke called the Apology, which was licenced by Herle the Chaireman, who by this justly incurred the Odium of some of his hotter Brethren, who disdained that hee should be successor to Dr. Twisse in that place. The booke was modestly penned, (though Herle himselfe confessed to me he modified many expressions) and shewed what course they had taken in their transmarine Churches, and from thence they rather wished a congregationall then parochiall way. This congregationall way never thought on till within a few yeeres, being free and leaving a scope to mens consciences, was much entertained by many Sectaries; nay some who carried only the characters of pious and orthodox, and some under the colour of it broa∣ched opinions which were as new as the government. This occasioned the detestable Mr. Edwards with a great deale of waspish and violent rancour to write his Gangrena; questionlesse this booke did a great deale of harme, for be∣ing

full of falsities, and almost monkish forgeries did en∣gage many to a justification, who it may be would other∣wise after the first eventitation of their fancies have sate still. Sir Thomas Fairefax his Army was much composed of people, who were of the Independent (as they call it) way, These muttered at this booke, and some proceedings of the same nature, insomuch, that the Presbyterian Party, which by some countenance of the State grew haughty, sought to oppose them, and in pursuance of it, wrought so farre upon the consciences of the Aldermen and Common-Counsell (men verst in little else but their trades, and utterly igno∣rant of State affaires) though the greatnesse of their City sometimes engaged them, that they petitioned the Parlia∣ment to disband the Army, and to send the Voluntiers out of it into Ireland, under Field-Marshall Skippon. The Army repined at this, alledging that they who had served the State, with such fidelity and successe, ought not now to be slighted: This delaid their disbanding, and in the end cau∣sed them utterly to refuse it. Now had the Independents a visible party, and the best way to make it good, was either to close with the Royallists, or else carry it by Votes. To the former purpose, they seized of the King at Holdenby by Cornet Joyce, who had beene Taylor to Mr. Hollis, enter∣tained him with a great deale of freedome, and gave coun∣tenance and hope to his party: To carry on the latter, they impeached Eleaven Members, of the choisest and wi∣sest of the other party, the rather to take away their Votes, then for any guilt of the men. Others of the same party in the House seeing things so carryed, deserted it, and left the dominion of votes to them that staied. But the discounte∣nanced Parties were not idle all this while, but wrought so upon the City, that there was of a suddaine a great party petitioned the House for the recalling of the King, and en∣tring in league for the pursuance, the House voted these mutinies Treason. But they assuming courage, came in a rout to the House, and denyed egresse, till that the disposall

of the Militia was revoked, which the House pusillanimous∣ly obeyed.

The King all the while carryed himselfe with patience, and his party are resolved to suffer as well as they have act∣ed with their Master.

Thus you have it Historically, take politically these ge∣nerall maxims.

1. It is a great argument of weaknesse in a State, when parties subdivide into such fractions, and every small party able to uphold it selfe and become terrible, while the grea∣test party is unable to move.

2. Violent alterations, and taking away of one govern∣ment, before they be certaine of another, are extreame dan∣gerous, as also,

3. To suffer Clergy-men to gaine upon the conscience too much in matters indifferent, for they are a race of peo∣ple, who though they least ought, have ever the basest ends of their owne: And this their offending against knowledge is questionlesse the justice of Providence, that they ran in∣to contempt.

4. 'Tis dangerous to let the head City of a Kingdome to grow so potent, for it will insensibly bring the rest under the slavery of a few Prentises or Mechanickes.

5. That the government of one comming into the hands of many, who are unskilfull Pilots, is to be wished a∣gaine, though accompanied with some inconveniences.

6. Men in a new government, had need be carefull who they employ, for the Odium of their government falls upon them.

7. They neede to presse the People as little as they can, but if extremity force it, to satisfie them by faire accounts, and not lavish it upon one another by Largesses.

8 Not to bring themselves into contemptible want, nor bring their thumbes under the girdles of their Cre∣ditors.

9 It is no great policy to give heterodox opinions

life by opposition, nor to draw on the hate of a victorious Army.

For particular maxims:

1 It is not conceivable the King will favour any party, but that which cometh homest to his principles.

2 That party that does it, is not only sure of immunity, but reward.

3 That Sir Thomas Fairefax hath missed a good oppor∣tunity to doe it, and the distrust of the Royalists will hence∣forth render him uncapable.

4 If he had not gaind the major number of Votes, he had questionlesse done it.

5 This new party of London, its to be feared, have too much of the Presbytery to be true to the Prerogative.

6 That if things had beene carried by the Parliaments party with moderation, things had beene in a calmer con∣dition then now.

7 The Kings party have had some faylings, and so have the Parliaments, but this is the first of the City, if it bee not favoured with successe, which cannot in much reason bee promised it.

8 That Edwards and Burges and some of the hotter spi∣rited men deserve punishment as Incendiaries.

9 That the Presbyteriall government is incompatible with our civill government.

10 That regard to tender consciences, is as necessary as a generall consideration would be inconvenient.

11 That most of the Kingdome seeme to breath after a moderate Episcopacy.

12 That the King seemes to have this advantage by all his troubles, that he hath shewed to the world the incom∣parable excellencies that are in him, and extorted a confessi∣on even from his enemies.

13 That the Queene taking her at the worst morally, as faithfull to her husband, and industrious in carrying on her designes, is the best in all the catalogue.

14. That learning hath incomparably sufferred by these times, and twere good to cherish it lest the next age feele a decay.

15. That it were a good way to mollifie peoples minds to suffer Play-houses againe, and that it would be a conside∣rable addition to the education of the Gentry.

16. That it is a brave and a gallant way to peace, to ex∣tinguish the names of parties, and not to discountenance Malignants. That all branches may at last be recollected in the same boate.

Thus Sir have I with as much faith and simplicity as I can opened unto you my thoughts. I am the least of men, and man indeed can see little, what he sees behinde is from His∣tories, and these either maimed or false; what for the pre∣sent, either by his owne observation, or partial intelligence, but for the future he hath no helpe, but the comparison of what is past; 'tis Gods great Prerogative, and fit for only such busie pieces of ignorance as Lily to prie into. Things may as soone alter, as you can burne this paper, which kis∣ses your hands from,

Your affectionate humble Servitour. N. LL.