A further continuance of the Grand politick informer,: discovering the wickednesse and mysteries of the present state iniquities on foot about the 14 of September 1653.

A further Continuance of the Grand Poli∣tick Informer, Discovering the wickednesse and mysteries of the present State iniquities on foot about the 14 of September 1653.

OMNIƲM RERƲM VICESITƲDO.

THe last sheet we gave you a hint of the designe and in∣tent of some of the poorer wretches, as are very indu∣strious in making a Knife to cut their own throats; we mean in the altering the government of the City of London: But first for their encouragement, let them consider, that Cromwel maketh use but of one sort of people to do one thing and so soon as that is done he laieth aside them, and maketh use of another generation: As first against the Scots, he made some instrumental, to crosse their interest in the Presbyterians. So soon as they had finished, he layeth them aside: then he made use of some of the late Parliament, to take off the late Kings head; these also he layeth aside, as you see in the late Disolving the Parlia∣ment, judging he hath good reason so to do (though he maketh use of but one sort of men to commit one sort of Treason) for he knoweth that he that is a Traytor to another trust will be a Traytor to his trust that he reposeth in him. If he should enter∣tain him long in his service would be still expecting favors: but to prevent this he after they have sweetened their mouths a little he turneth them off and pretendeth insufficiency; or that they are not holy enough, or some other thing: now by this means he strengtheneth his interest, for whilest that they are in im∣ployment they gain riches, and he winketh at them; so when he turneth them out of imployment, they must stil be owners of him and his Tyranny, for in any other change (think they) our e∣states cannot be secure, because we have gained them by indi∣rect means; and there is no way like to the taking of Sanctuary under the power of a Tyrant, that is guilty of betraying of trust, usurping the supream power, who will be ready to say if they will not question me for my Treasons, I will not question them for their Villanies: No further then, for losse of place to make

way for other new Traytors to act their parts on the stage: now we see what a miserable thing it is for men so readily to contri∣bute their helps or assistance to raise a Tyrant; but it is in hope, that they may rise in the top of his favor, and be raised with him; we hear could tell you many a story, how God doth bring down Tyrants, when they are most strong they become weak, &c. But as to the changing the government of the City of London, its very strongly aggitated, that some clothed in red, not Saints clothed in white; Saints should govern the City insteed of Mayor, Al∣dermen, and Common Councel men, this is set on foot and con∣trived by some of the City, who have taken the Oath of the City upon their making free; the substance was that they should do no∣thing that should be for the hurt of the City of London; but it may be they say, that they did take that Oath with a proviso (viz) if in case there came not commands to the contrary from the Cock∣pit, we have too many — think the creatures of Cromwel's favour to be sufficient dispensations to all Oathes and Villanies that can be committed: but he that hath but half an eye might see that, the changing of the government, and the seizing of the guards of the City of London was designed when they took away the chains from the ends of the streets, and threw down the forts; so when they were thus disarmed, they put garrisons upon them by and under pretence of preventing malignant designs; but un∣der pretences of that and of the pretending to promote the work of the Lord, and securing the interest of the Lords people; they (viz.) the Lord Cromwels interest and people; they have devou∣red all our wealth and liberties: but now the designe they drive at, in endeavouring to alter the government of the City of Lon∣don, is to take away all the rights or as much as they can of Ele∣ction in the people; for say they, if the government of the City of London should be continued by the election of the people, they may elect such as we may not stand well assured of comply∣ing with us in our Treasons, and we know that the City of Lon∣don is able to question us, and drive our Army into the sea, or swallow them up at a mouthfull; therefore it is convenient that we (say they) should take from them all means possible of their unloosing their bonds, the which if they do, we must be bound: Besides (say they) if we can binde the hands of the City of Lon∣don, we shall lead the whole Nation into Captivity, and to that

end, is a great part of the Army come into the City, and upon their march towards London to chose a Lord Mayor it may be; We see that saying of Aratus to Philip of Macedon made good in our age; That Tyrants, Thieves and Robbers make use of Arms, Rocks, and Forts, and decree it; There is nothing as Papprius Mas∣son saith, so sacred, which the great Tyrants of this world will not violate if some advantage may come unto them thereby. You see it and finde it to be true, that London that hath been the fountain and cause of the greatnesse of the Tyrants, now must disrobe her self of her most excellent government, that she hath kept un∣violated many hundred years; but if this were all we are in such a condition, that we should account it an happinesse to be onely slaves and no more; but we must be miserable slaves: There is another designe on foot for wickednesse in the highth, the like was never conspired nor acted by any; nay it would make the worst in Hell ashamed, nay we are perswaded it would make the Devil himself blush, and yet some of our Saints or white De∣vils have that horrid, damnable, and wicked impudence to de∣signe that the Records of the Nation should be burned; in this they have many ends: First, that all that hold any Houses or Land by what little soever, when the Records of the Nation are burned, it shall be much at the descretion of the Judge to award judgment either to the Plaintiffe or Defendant which so ever of them is most a Saint alies an Hypocrite (God forbid that we should speak or open our mouths against the good people of God, they we say, that professe to the love it, and that do not make use of pretences to carry on base wicked designes) for you must assure your selves that they will provide Judges that shall be Conscience proof, and that will encline much in their judg∣ments to favour those that favour the times: besides this is the onely way that these Israelites will come by the goods and lands of the Egyptians at advantage. John of Leydon required his im∣postors and followers to seize of all the goods of the wicked, by open force; but these are bringing of it home more covertly and obscurely by these pretences, viz. To prevent further contests and quarrels by suits of Law: but if this be brought about, you shall have little cause to go to law, for you shall have nothing to defend by it. Besides, he that doth hold any thing must hold and enjoy it upon their terms, that he must live and take the pre∣sent Tyrants orders for better for worse; besides these will keep the people more to depend upon the favour of the Tyrants, for

then they will see it to be a thing of necessity to comply, for they see that upon the least distaste (and they will not be wanting to take occasion as oft as may) to turn them out of their estates: likewise this of the burning of the Records is a good designe for those that have bad Titles to the Houses and Land they hold and to those that would cheat Orphants, but the body of the design is this, that Magna Charta may be no more pleaded, nor the Peti∣tion of Right; neither shall the people have the least remain, to put them in minde of their antient Liberty; [and the people may account it a favour to live] and if they will have their cau∣ses pleaded, it must be by friends, or else suffer you must. A third designe is that all Societies and meetings shall be prohibi∣ted under a pretence of preventing of carrying on of plots and designes: and to that end throw down Plays and Bear baiting, and all other pastimes; we doe not here argue for Plays, we one∣ly show what is designed when they pretend reformation. Next they must prevent Fairs and Markets, meetings to Hunt and Hawk; what a sad condition have these men brought themselves too? The Tyrant himself that maketh us all slaves is but a slave himself: for he cannot nor dare to go without his guards, he is afraid of his own shaddow, when it is his guilty conscience that puteth him in fear, he calleth about him stronger guards, and cri∣eth a plot to colour all: Pliny the songes in his Janegyr to Trajan, sayes that wicked princes makes Arms their sanctuary, but good Princes make the affections of their people to be their sanctuary. This design of preventing meeting hath already taken in Ireland, this was one of the parts that the Tyrant Dyonisius acted to se∣cure himself in his abominable tyranny, he would not permit the Syracutians to meet in friendly and familiar meetings, there∣by the better to prevent the knowing one anothers mindes; for saith he, if they know not one anothers minde, they cannot so redily put in execution any thing that may be hurtfull to the Tyranny! What a lamentable thing is it, that men should bring themselves into such a condition, to fear their shaddow. Ano∣ther designe's on foot, is that under pretence of preventing of the disarming of the royal party: it is intended to disarm all the good people of England, that they may not be in a capacity to resist the intended tyranny. [Do but remember what freedome you enjoyed (under the Kingly power accompted by our Ty∣rants

to meet in Arms, and other friendly meetings] We shall presse it onwards in answer to a Letter pretended to be sent to Mr. John Lilburn, where in generall is observed nothing but weaknesse and madnesse. We find this person that entereth the Lists in this Letter, to be but of a mungril breed: he barketh round the Cage now the Lion is fast barred therein: we cannot conceive it to be our work to take notice of him, onely we will feel his pulse, to know of what temper he is of; we find him rightly principled for the intended Tyranny, in the 1. place we will match him with Julian the Apostate, Who when any of the Christians complained unto him. saith he, Why complain you, your God commandeth you patiently to bear all evils, reproaches and indignities; if one cheek be struk, turn the other. So saith this nameless and senselesse Authour of this Letter, admit he hath defamed you (meaning Major Packer defaming his Lilburn) saith he, is that Christian like for you to do so and so, by him, yea, he might as well have said, John Lilburn, it is Christian like for thee to submit to God, to the Gaolers, it being the will of the Tyrants, and their earnest desire and your duty to submit to the higher powers. Though it be the duty of a Christian to sub∣mit it to all such things that shall be done in opposition of that truth which he professeth in the name of Christ, yet that doth not bind him up from defending either his life, good name, or Estate in a civil respect. He hath another expression that seem∣eth very strange, wherein he complaineth of Mr. Lilburns po∣pularity, and saith, that with his clouted shoes, blue aprons and private Souldiers, threaten disturbance, it appeareth suddenly what temper this Authour is of: he cannot but know, that the persons now, whose greatnesse hath been, and will be the cause of much trouble: They we say, ascended by popularity to that greatnesse they now are at, he hath one claw more where hee taketh exceptions at the Subscription of John Lil∣burn in a Letter to Cromwell, where he subscribeth him∣self sturdy John Lilburne: saith he The law of England hath onely branded beggars and Rogues with the name sturdy, there∣fore saith he, you have not to boast therein: he doth not rightly understand the meaning of the Law in this point; which is, that no person that is sturdy or able for imployment should be suffered to beg; for under colour thereof, they committed Robberies, and divers outrages: so that impotent men were suffered to take an alms, in regard there was not that danger in them, neither could they do much mischief as 18. E 1•• c •• •••• H 8

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Lastly, saith he, it may be that God may say, I have afflicted my servant John Lilburn and he is not yet humbled; we believe that this generation that afflicteth John Lilburn God hath sent as he sent the Devill to afflict Job: so hath he sent them, and set them up to be a scourge to the Nation as well as to John Lilburn: but we have faith to believe that God will also cast them downe. In the next sheet, we shall shew you the designe that they have to lay aside Tryals by Juries, and upon it give you our Observa∣tions.

Reader, We desire thee to be content with the Eratae's that e∣scape the presse, there are many in the third part of the pollitick Informer, in a case of Lettletons, especially of estates upon condi∣tion, that and the rest shall in the sixth part be corrected by an Errata; one thing more we would entreat thee not to censure the Politick Informer, for inclining either to one faction or another; assure thee his principles are right, for a true and just government of a Common wealth, by a people representative, annually elect∣ed, as we shall plainly demonstrate in the ensuing works; yet in the former part there may be some probable ground to believe he enclineth to monarchy; we assure thee he doth not in the least incline to it; but he's of opinion, that no one ought to usurp su∣pream power; neither ought any person or persons to have it above one year: it is not the work of one that undertaketh pol∣litick observations to incline any way, but onely to discover the reasons of state, the proper tendencie, the end and aim that these corrupt persons, that have now Usurped and assumed the Su∣pream power to the great detriment of the people of England: it was not the way of Tacitus Live or of subtacitus tranquillionis, or any pollitick Historian to encline to speak or write in favour of either Galba Otha, or Vitellias; but to unmask and unrobe the state of things, to declare the truth; so shall it be our work to dis∣cover the high designes on foot, which is to rob and destroy the Rights, Priviledges, Estates, and Lives of the people of England; which we mentioned of the perfidious dealing with the King, was not that we did it in favour of him: we do acknowledge he did deserve death, but we affirm it ought to have been another way, as is shewn in the first part of this Work, the Mirror, cap. 1. and Section 2. Affirmeth that the Kings were sworn to be ruled and go∣verned by the same Law that he should rule and govern by; we doe not acknowledge that any thing is to rule but Law, in which it may be said God ruleth.

Reader, The tumult in Pauls Church-yard, Sunday 6 of Octo∣ber, is to be feared was set on foot by Cromwell, thereby to take an occasion to question the Lord Mayor, and alter the govern∣ment of the City [Nero set on, fired Rome, and laid it on the Christi∣ans; he thereby did punish Rome, and took an occasion to persecute the Christians] We shall in our next give you our farther thoughts therein, and an accompt how they have laid the plot to do it: that a Colonel may be your Mayor, the Pikes your Al∣dermen, and Muskettiers your Common Councel; we shall also discover to you the dangerousnesse, hellishnesse, and wickedness of the designe of the present power, in their intended taking a∣way of Forest Land, wherein they will destroy nigh foure hun∣dred thousand people of England, and after they have ruined them make use of them to destroy the rich, that thereby they may support themselves in their Tyranny; though they make use of one party to destroy another: witnesse the contention at present, betwixt the Citizens of London and their Lord Mayor, whose year being near expired, denies the delivery of the Collar of Esses with the City Plate and Hangings, (but he were much engaged to his Coachman or else he had got enough of that) with the rest of the City goods, which goes from one Mayor to ano∣ther; and this is, as they say, because they will not allow him all the mony which two of his Brethren should have had towards their Mayoraldries if they had not laid down their Cloates be∣fore; besides he had or would have turned out the foure Clerks belonging unto the City; and all this is done by instigation from our Grandees at White-hall, who made him put by the tryall of the souldier, who set the Pistoll to one of the Sheriffs breasts the sixth of October; but more of this in the next.

FINIS.