Ambitious tyrany clearely demonstrated; in Englands unhappy and confused government proposed to the serious consideration of those that may endeavour to remedie it, and not do ill, if they have not forgot to do well.

VVHereas it is credibly reported, that your servants and vassals in Ireland, have not onely laboured with all their strength, to raise and increase the exorbitant powers of the late Tyrant, but are are also still active and designing to support and maintain the same from its most deserved ruines and destructions; to effect which, like State Juglers, they have obscured their intentions, concealed their designes against you by a pretended compliance with you. And because to patro∣nize Tyranny in an unmasked ga••b, would argue them to be murtherers of their Count••ey, they suggest another ground and foundation; where∣upon to raise and build their quarrel more strongly against you, and this we are informed they have done by their mock Commissioners, sent un∣to you, or unto your Lieutenant Gen. Fleetwood. [unspec 1] Wherein we cannot but first observe their high (if not rebellious) presumption, that servants should dare, by deputed Commissioners, to treat with their absolute Lords and Masters, whose duty it had been with halters about their necks, and with a penitential Psalm in their hearts and tongues, to have prayed and begged as for their lives, your Honours mercy and pardon.

[unspec 2] The s••bject matter of their Commission, is said to have an act of indempnity, an act for union, the Arrearages of the Army paid off, and all sales, bargains, contracts, leases, and promises for leases, had, made, contracted and promised since fifty three, that is, since their Tyrannical Apostacy, confirmed, ratified, and secured unto them against the Com∣mon-wealth: all which is as much as to desire that your mercy should subvert your justice, and that their rebellions should be the onely sub∣jects of your bounty. And whereas all governments in the world do re∣ward subjects & punish Traytors, yours in a contradiction to all must pu∣nish those, and reward these; & what can be the end of this? but in hopes of immunity and pardon to encourage tumultuous and rebellious spirits, until they have wrested from you all powers either to pardon or to pu∣nish. 'Tis a most experienced truth that Etsi meliores sunt quos ducit amor, tamen plures sunt quos corrigit timor: little beloved, much feared O∣liver will hold a Crown faster then the most beloved and lest dreaded Richard; the impressions of fear upon the peoples hearts, are best cha∣racters, whereby to read the lastingness and stability of any Govern∣ment; fear (result of power) is the very sinews, life, soul, nay the all of all authorities in the wo••ld, and whosoever indeavours to weaken or lessen that doth unavoydably designe the destruction and subversion of these: with what impudence and brazen foreheads, dare these Common∣wealths Apostates, appear before your Honours? instead of congratula∣ting

you thus to expostulate with you, instead of strengthning your pow∣er, thus to weaken your hands, and (rather then they will by a peniten∣tial resignation of themselves expect your pardon and hope for your mercy) thus to provoke your justice, thus to contemne: your authority?

What doth this imply but to transmit rebellion unto their neigh∣bors, and to teach others to do what should not be done, because these will not do what they should: this spark of rebellion will by its native activity (if not suddenly quenched) arise into a flame, which once blaz∣ing, will (we dare say) hazzard the drying up of the ditch betwixt them and us, rather then not transfer its destructive and devouring quality up∣on us; & who knows not Englands temper to be the exactest made tinder upon the first touch to kindle any spark of insurrection, rebellions and tumults against you, which the hot headed spirits of the time may but gently strike or let fall amongst us. Therefore we most humbly conceive that it concerns the very life and soul of your authority, not to be impo∣sed upon by your vassals, nor to admit the least capitulation from those who had neither a being, nor a well being, but what they have derived from the indulgence of your soveraign powers. Are they Souldiers? is it not by the word of your Commission? Are they landed men? is it not from your most noble communerative dispositions? and shall these who are the very feet, the most incondsiderable of all your creatures, thus kick against you? shall these declare to the world, that before they will be subject to your commands, they will have your honours to submit unto their wills? shall these represent you more in considerable, then parents, then masters, who expect and will have an absolute obedi∣ence from children and from servants; where then is the glory of all your former triumphs? hath not Neptune himself felt and trembled at the dreadfulness of yo•••• ••••w••••, whose waves have been so often dyed with the blood of your conquered enemies? where are all your martial at∣chievements since 44 whereby Scotland hath been conquered, Ireland ••••••dued, and our own nation delivered from the miseries of a bloody and ••ivil war? are you who have been the supremest agents in the gran∣dest actions of the world, now become slaves to your servants and ser∣vants unto your slaves? will not those trophies of victo••y hung in West∣minster either blush at so great a metamorphos••s, or else rejoyce to be∣hold the authors of their captivity themselves thus to be captivated? to invade the enemies country, when he hath invaded the heart of our own territories, seems a policy more full of danger then of safety: and yet rather then the Romans would have the glory of their common∣wealths authority, and of their puissant armes darkned with the ru∣mors

of being an halfe conquered people, they did attempt and effect it, they who scare themselves with notions of dangers, and inconsisten∣cies at home (even unto a dishonourable comportment with any) do but increase and multiply the dangers even at home and abroade, not roughly to handle your private or open enemy, is an invitation of him to abuse you severely; sometimes indeed to complement an enemy in∣to his own ruine, may be a saving of blood with honour, and a purchase of honour without blood, but it is a sight most preposterous to behold the legislative power of three Nations through a pusillanimous temper, truckling under the standing obstinacy of their servants, who all the while lie upon their beds either taking their ease to express their rebellious confidence or else laughing at the lowness of your condition to declare their malice against your persons. But that we may more discover the vast incongruity betwixt your justice and their demands, that you should admit of a complyance with your Irish Vassals, upon those their terms, give us leave briefly to touch upon some of the proposals themselves. [Prop. 1] First then they expect an act of indempnity, we would gladly know for what is it, for small faults? for pardonable crimes? nay is it not for capital of∣fences? and for the highest of these two? high treason it self? have not you enacted it, to proclaim, publish, or any way to promote any per∣son to be the chief Magistrate of England, of Ireland, &c. shall be dee∣med and adjudged a Traytor and an enemy to the Common-wealth.

And doth not the very square of this law, if applyed to their actions, make them Traytors beyond all measure, how then dare their guiltiness expect? how can your justice grant unto them an act of indempnity: which because they have proposed it indefinitely, and by the priority of its tender, supposed its necessity, logical construction makes it uni∣versal; that is, for all treason, for all Traytors, against the Common∣wealth, and what is this but to obscure the glory of your Justice and to enervate the strength of your lawes, and to render them weaker then cobwebs, not able to catch either the greater or the little flies. 'Tis confessed from the universality of a rebellion, justice many times satisfieth her self with the punishment of some principal agents, but will never admit a universal banishment from a Nation, because the crime she must punish is become universal. This were to teach highway∣men, robbers, traytors, and rebels, to justifie the wickedness of their actions by the multitudes of their persons, and to conclude themselves innocent because numerous, let it therefore be considered that the end of vindictive Justice is to strike a fear of offending into the hearts of all by the terrour of punishing a few, according to the rule paena ad paucos,

metus ad omnes perveniat: whereunto, if in this so dreadful an Apostasie, you do not proportion your present actions, we are greatly afraid you will betray your own honor, and become unhandsome Executioners of your own Authority.

We acknowledge that Acts of Oblivion, Indempnity, or of Pardon, hath been the practice of all States and Republikes in the world; yet is it not very considerable whether by (as it were) a natural emmanation they proceed from the noble and frank inclinations of their Authors, or forc'd by them who would become the Subjects of, and take (for a time) some advantages by them; for if this last be the mother of them, we are confident they will weaken, not confirm the power; incourage, not prevent designs, and encrease, not sedate the discontented spirits of the people: We might press you with this theological dilemma, that this Apostacy into Rebellion since 53. in your servants, was either evil or not, if evil, it is in its own nature punishable, and you stand indisputa∣bly obliged by the Laws of God to actuate the punishment; if it be not evil, then the righteousness of your own most desired authority would be question'd, and your friends affections thereby weakned: Nor is there any reason to evade this argument (should we insist thereon) from the difference that is conceived betwixt things purely spiritual, and matters purely civil: For as this or that particular colour is of the same nature, though the subject of its inhesion be stone, wood, or iron, so all evil, or anomia, is one and the same in its essentials, only variated by the difference of its subjects, or objects; and if irregularity or evils be in themselves punishable, then all evils inhering in any subject, conver∣sant about any object, is so too; for it is a real truth, a quotenus ad omnea valet consequentia. But to wave this rugged way of argumentation, and to change the subject of the argument it self, lest while we are discour∣sing against the universality of an Act of Indempnity, or pardon, we are necessitated to obey your pardon, for the tedionsness of our discourse it self. [Prop. 2] And therefore be pleased to consider the second thing they de∣mand, an Act of Union: Here the arrogancy of your impudent ser∣vants ascends an higher degree, (if possible) to over-top your power, and to baffle your prudence; their own guiltiness may seem to apologize (though not wholly excuse) their capitulation with you for an Act of pardon and indempnity, but that these your guilty servants should de∣sire you, who are their Judges and Masters, to adopt them into your fa∣mily, to imbrace them into the arms of your extraordinarie protection, and vouchsafe them to be the subjects of your chiefest favours, is such a presumption, that even simply to declare it, is a sufficient aggravation of it.

Further, is it not a peculiar and soveraign prerogative inseparably an∣nexed to all authorities, to judge unto what societies of men, unto what adjacent countries they will indulge an incorporation, or an union? how durst then your vassals, by such a proposal, attempt to impose that upon you, whereof your selves must be the sole Judges and Authors? it were worthy your consideration to observe who these your creatures are that now are become so arrogant proposers; are they not a multitude of men in arms? are they not your own Mercenary Army? from which abstract that which we call resolution and courage, and they are but a rour of people, an herd of cattel, or rather a silly flock of sheep, very simple and inconsiderable beings, whom we hope you will reduce with as much ease and honour, as you have their fellow-creatures in England, whose hands (through your prudence) you have so tyed be∣hind their backs, that they shall never be able (do what they now will or can) to lift them up against the face of your authoritie; with which the Nations (lately desponding to have ever seen the masterie of so un∣rulie and turbulent a generation) are now revived, and transported to see the a Day-star of their libertie, long benighted with the darkness of tyrannie and confusions, once more to arise in this their English Ho∣rizon. To conclude then what we have to say in reference to this their second proposal, we admire no less at the arrogancie and simplicitie of the proposers, then b Anacharsis did amongst the Grecians, imprudentes de imprudentibus judicantes; (or as Tertullian) non musicos de musicis, let the Souldier know how to handle his Sword and Pike, let him behave himself valiantlie in the fields of Mars, but let him cease to presume that either his dexteritie in the first, or corrage in the second, should render him forthwith a Son of Saturn, or (if you will) an accomplished States-man.

3. [Prop. 3] Let's view their third proposal, which is (said) to have the arrear∣ages of the Army paid off: Oh the humours of these men! the great∣ness of whose guilt (one would have thought) might justly have lessen∣ed, not heightned their demands: we see these your vassals are resolved so strictly to bind the arms of your justice, that you shall not be able to touch them with the hand, or least finger thereof; had their repentance for their degeneration been cordial, they would willinglie have quitted the thoughts of their arrears, in hopes of their pardon, and so have re∣joyced in the Redemption of their forfeited lives and fortunes, with the loss of a few undeserted arrears: what therefore is meant by all this? but that they will either have all, (even to the least mite) which they demand from you. or you shall not have any thing from them that

in justice you ought to command: [Prop. 4] And this they most significantlie speak in the language of their fourth proposal, that pleads for a confir∣mation and ratification of all sales, bargains, contracts, leases, and pro∣mises for leases, &c. had made, contracted, and promised since 53. a∣gainst this Commonwealth: had they begged at your Honors hands the confirmation of &c. of all sales, contracts, leases, &c. derived from your own authority before 53. they had appeared before your Honors with some face of justice, and some degree of modesty, this might have been interpreted the payment of your servants their due wages, and proper hire, for which (it must be confessed) some have lost their limbs, others their blood, and some their lives: And hereunto the for∣mer experience of your heroick and generous tempers might have given unto them an incouragement, your Honors having been no less glorious in the conquests and victories by the Souldier obtained, then by your re∣wards and medals upon them conferred. But to demand a confirmation of the things afore recited since 53. unto those who were all in actual arms against you, scorning and trampling under their feet the above∣mentioned Act, as if only set up by arabble of Boyes to scare Crowes, is no more then in good earnest to ask a justification of tyranny it self, the least appearance whereof beareth so great a deformitie in the eyes of all noble Republike spirits, that they abhor the meanest shadow or remain∣der thereof, even in things of an indifferent, and (in themselves) of an indulgeable nature: Hence we know that when the spirit of (freedom, that is) a Commonwealth, hath once banished a Tyrant, it demolisheth and defaceth the Statues, images, &c. of the Tyrant (if possibly) to bu∣ry in the grave of perpetual darkness all representations of so prodigious a creature; how then can you tolerate the name, title, power, (and there∣by the interest) of the late Tyrants to remain, (and that upon) Record in all Fines, &c. or Deeds inrolled, &c. what more lasting monument can be erected for them, then to admit your Apostate vassals to enjoy their lands by a right derived from them? we omit the fraud and evil practise (as most notorious) in the purchase of those lands, &c. and in the acquiring of those leases, all which will (we hope) hereafter require the justice of an impartial and diligent enquirie, and shall only say with submission unto your wisdome, that as to all p••rchases, bargains, con∣tracts, leases, &c. since 53. it will be the honour of your justice not to confirm them, there being a Right neither in the Donor to grant, nor in the Donees to receive, and both apparently guiltie of High Treason, on∣ly the greatness of their power hath prevented the justness of their at∣tainder.

Having thus briefly glanced upon these four proposals, in the las•• place we cannot but observe how subtillie, and with more then Achito∣phels counsel these your servants have bottom'd and laid their design a∣gainst you. In contending for C. St. or R. P. the people were observed more cautelous then to shed one drop of blood; and therefore these most seriously, profound, and malignants States-men (designedly wa∣ving those interests) have drawn one more common and effectual inte∣rest upon the Stage, thereby to affect, close, and invite all those their discording parties and factions against you, (as is easily visible to any diligent Observator of the proposals) which can have no other aim or design then either to force you unto a most dishonourable condiscenti∣on, or else to attempt open force against you: notwithstanding we are confident, that if you preserve the reputation of your justice in the for∣mer, there are many so faithfully devoted unto your service, that rather then they would behold you (the most noble Assertors of our Nations Freedome) necessitated by your most contemptible servants to act any thing unlike your selves, would hazard all to secure you against the se∣cond.

It is the most ambitious desires of all true English men, that neither by your fears, nor by your lenity, you should introduce those Saturnalia Feasts, (unless upon a true Roman accompt) wherein your servants shall sit at the Table, and you (their absolute Soveraign Lords and Ma∣sters) with Trenchers in your hands, attend and wait upon them.

It will suffice, if you make all your Rebellious Apostates to know so much of your Authority, that (without any further disputes) they may both hope for your clemency, and also dread your justice, for the most impartial preservation of both. These lines are now presented unto, publike view, by the most unanimous consent of many obliged to own you, faithful to serve you, and ready upon all occasions to honour (and die for) you.

Notes

• a

  See the Army ma∣stered.
• b

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Laert. in vita ejus.