The discoverer. VVherein is set forth (to undeceive the nation) the reall plots and stratagems of Lievt. Col. John Lilburn, Mr. William Walwyn, Mr. Thomas Prince, Mr. Richard Overton, and that partie. And their severall seditious wayes and wiles a long time practised by them to accomplish and effect the same. Namely, under the pretence and colour of libertie, and to take off the burdens and grievances of the people, a most dangerous and destructive designe is carried on to deprive the nation of their religion, rights, liberties, proprieties, lawes, government, &c. and to bring a totall and universall ruine upon the land. And so much is here clearely proved. The first part. / Composed and digested by some private persons, well-wishers to the just and honourable proceedings of the Parliament and Councell of state. Published by authoritie.

THE AUTHORS To all the well-affected Peo∣ple of this NATION.

AS no Nation hath met with more dangerous ene∣mies, and against whom, greater, sorer, and deep∣er designes and plots have been attempted for the ruine and destruction thereof, then against this Common wealth: so (all things duly con∣sidered) there is no people under Heaven unto whom the Lord hath vouchsafed greater delive∣rances: And a•• we thankfully observe the good hand of the Lord go∣ing alwayes along with us, so we are perswaded from the feeling ex∣perience of former mercies, that he will never leave us untill he ha••h perfected his good worke, marv••ilously begun in the Land.

And howsoever, we know the Almightie God without men or meanes, is sufficient to carry on his own worke, and to effect the same, when, and how, as it seemeth good in his fight: Neverthelesse, we take our selves bound, in obedience to him, and of tender-respect to the Nation, both to foresee the danger, and to provide all seasonable and lawfull helpes for the timely prevention thereof.

Now whereas among other Artifices and cunning courses, whereby this Generation of men (going under the name of Levellers) have corrupted and deceived the minds of people, and drawn them to dis∣affect the present Government, and to make Commotions and hurli∣burlies in the Land. One main and speciall way hath been, by spread∣ing seditious and scandalous Bookes, wherein are many faire pre∣tences

of Libertie, freedome, safetie, &c. with much regret, tender∣nesse, and fellow-feeling of the Oppressions, Burdens, and Taxes of the People.

This being so, and a thing well knowne to us, wee have thought it necessary (whilst the Parliament and Councell of State are imployed with the great and weighty affaires of the Nation) to doe something in the like way of writing, thereby to undeceive the People, by a 〈◊〉〈◊〉, plaine, and full discovery of the deceits and falshoods of these man: and that it may most evidently appeare to all judicious and ratio∣nall People, that wheresoever in their Papers and Pamphlets, they most shew themselves to be lovers of their Countrey, and professe grea∣test desire to have all things well setled, even there under Good words they meerely deceive the simple, and carry on a trayterous de∣signe, against the peace, freedome, and safetie of the Nation.

And wee have the more hope that this worke will doe much good in the Land, because there is nothing here produced upon hear-say, or taken up as a report from others (howsoever much could be spoken this way, and for their proofe it is little else) but all out of their own Bookes, which are extant, and in many mens hands, so that what conspiracie, sedition, treason, or other mischiefes are here dis∣covered and charged upon them: themselves are brought in, (even their own mouths and hands) as witnesses.

For the rest which is to follow, (as we have promised it, so) we shall further the expedition what we can. For the searcher of all hearts doth know our sense, our sighs and deepe apprehensions, that any ho∣nest and simple hearted should be mis-led and ensnared by such perni∣cious men: But as for such, as are thus single and sincere, we make no question but by comparing things with things, they will now see a great deale of seditious plotting and conspiring against our Religi∣on, Lawes, Libertie, &c. which before they saw not, because covered with the specious pretence of seeking to settle the Common-wealth upon Ground of peace, freedom, and safetie.