An astrologicall prediction of the occurrances in England, part of the yeers 1648. 1649. 1650. concerning these particulars, viz. 1. The effects depending upon the late conjunction of the two malevolent planets Saturn and Mars. 2. What successe may be expected from the present intended treaty between his Majesty and the Parliament. 3. The standing or falling of this Parliament, and the army under the command of his Excellency the Lord Fairfax. 4. Our imminent disturbances generally handled, together with many contingencies to the whole kingdom, London especially. 5. The product of the Scots army: with some observations upon Duke Hamiltons nativity. 6. What may succeed the apparition of three suns in Lancashire, seen of many, the 28. Febr. last. By William Lilly, student in Astrologie.

To the whole KINGDOM.

Countrey-men of England:

A Scandalous and lying sheet of Paper this Moneth of August 1648. issued forth from some impure Pen, greatly to the di∣shonour of many worthy Members of the House of Commons, who therein are unjustly charged with severall sums of Money pretended to be given unto them by the Parliament. Although I am not ignorant how freely this Libell or Budget of Lyes is ac∣cepted for truth, both in the City and Countrey, and how hard a matter it will be to divert the streame of mens fancies, already poysoned with pre-occupation; yet I am confident that what I shall informe unto our own Kingdome, being grounded upon sufficient arguments and undeniable truths, will abundantly sa∣tisfie many mens judgements, and inforce a Recantation in all noble spirits of their former sinister misapprehensions against all these Members of Parliament whom I shall nominate (all Mem∣bers of the House, I neither can or dare, or will excuse.) In the name of God let the guilty suffer according to Merit, and those who justly deserve it; let the justice of the House of Commons cleer their Wals of all such impure Birds as have any way defiled the honour and esteem of a Parliament. In the behalfe of all these whom I mention, I professe sincerity, I flatter none, but write impartiall truths, nor am I obliged to any one man of these I name, even for civill curtesies, except unto Bolstrod Whitlocke, Esq; one of the honorable Commissioners for the great Seal, and Robert Reynolds Esq; formerly one of the Parliaments Commissioners in Ireland; besides these whom I vindicate, there are, I am assured,

many more who are innocent even of the least corruption; but having no direction from them, let some other Pen proceed to their defence.

There is one clause in the Libellers sheet, which is a generall Charge against all the Members of the House, I have thought good to check this notorious untruth in the first place; he saith thus:

Every Member of the House of Commons, being in all 516. are by their own Order allowed four pounds per week a Man, which amounts to one hun∣dred and ten thousand pounds a yeer.

Tis true, that in June 1645. the House taking into considera∣tion the necessities of divers Members, many of them having their whole Estates lying in the Western parts, and for full three yeers together they had received no benefit out of them, the same being all that time under the power of the Enemy and actually seque∣stred, did Order upon the desires of many of them (who never askt as long as they could take up monies at interest upon their own credits) that they should have four pounds a week for the maintenance of them and their Families, out of the King and Queens revenues, who did then and all the time before, take and receive the profit of the Estates of the said Members, the which was granted to, and received by seventy three of them and no more, for one yeer onely, they refusing to receive it longer, their Estates being reduced unto them, the which allowance was never desired, given to, or received, either by the said Denzell Holles, Ed∣mund Prydeanx, Roger Hill, Francis Rowse, Nicholas Love, Dennis Bond, John Bond, Luke Hodges, John Stephens, John Ashe, Thomas Ceely, Ro∣bert Blake, or John Venn, whose whole estates then lay in the We∣stern Counties, and were no wayes profitable to them during the whole time of the late troubles. This is the very truth imparti∣ally related; all the whole sum which these seventy three Mem∣bers had in one whole yeer not amounting unto fifteen thousand pounds, to maintain seventy three Families; many of these Gen∣tlemen being of that quality as formerly they expended yeerly out of their own Revenues some one thousand, some two thou∣sand pounds per annum. I appeal unto the whole Kingdome whe∣ther these Members, who faithfully did their duties even in those ill times, and whom no worldly calamity or threats could inforce to desert the Publique Cause of the Common-wealth, have not well merited these petty sums the House conferd on them; not out of the Publique Stock (as the impudent lyer affirmes) but out

of the Kings and Queens Revenues, who having these Mens E∣states sequestred in their hands, were gainers annually of at least forty thousand pounds a yeer. You now see this mountain of Lyes, this one hundred and ten thousand pounds per annum, proves a little Mouse; a thing of fifteen thousand, and that but for one yeer, and not out of the Publique Treasury; and this Money con∣ferred on such brave Spirits, whose Names deserve to be eternal∣ly recorded in the Monument of Fame, for being so faithfull and so constant to the Common-wealth, notwithstanding their world∣ly pressures.

Bulstrode Whitlock, Commissioner of the great Seal, worth 1500. li. per an. and had 2009. li. given him out of Master George Minn's esttae.

Master Whitlock, (a Gentleman of much honour and gallantry) after his faithfull service performed in Parliament, and their ser∣vice, from the very beginning, and oftentimes adventuring his life for them, after his laying out of his own purse great sums of money upon severall occasions, in their service, and in four jour∣neys upon Treaties for Peace, in some whereof the Parliament gave no allowance, and in the rest far short of the expence: in sa∣tisfaction of those his great disbursments, and of his being ex∣treamly plundered, his chief Mansion-house demolished, his Reve∣nue taken away for many yeers, his Estate disposed of by the Kings Party, and his losses amounting to the value of above ten thou∣sand pounds, the Parliament were pleased to alow him two thou∣sand pounds out of Moneys seized upon by them: They did like∣wise make him one of the Commissioners for the great Seal with∣out his knowledge, which is not of the value mentioned in the pa∣per, and thereby took him from his employment in his profession, which was of more benefit to him, and from his future expectati∣on therein.

How willingly this Libeller would asperse any man of honour, it's evident, by his malicious urging such triviall matter unto this my noble Patron, as a blemish. This is that Master Whitlock, who in all Occasions, Consultations and Debates, so judiciously and modestly hath demeaned himself, and in his now place of Judica∣ture, so equally distributes justice, that I challenge all the whole p••ck of malignant Scriblers, to mention, if they can, one syllable of his injustice: But upon so pure a soul, no dirt will fasten.

Roger Hill, a Barrester of the Temple, in no practice, nor of a considera∣ble Estate, till this Parliament; hath now from the House, the Bishop of

Winchester's Mannour of Taunton-Dean, being the best of England, and worth 12000. li. per an. when the Estates for lives determine.

How injuriously this shuffling fellow deals with Master Roger Hill, I shall make it presently appear: This Master Hill had before this Parliament as good practic•• as any of his standing, and was one of a considerable fortune in money; and it's well known that in 1640. he contracted with Sir Aribur Ingram, for a Mannour in Dorsetshire, and was to pay for it more money then half the pur∣chase of T••unton-Dean: but that bargain not going forward, he now hath purchased at most dear rates Taunton-Dean; yet not all the Mannour, but part of the bare Rents and Casualties never to be improved: The income of all the whole Rents, as it's returned from the Records themselves, are under 900. li. per an. It's also well known, that Master Hill hath the Park (anciently belonging to the said Mannour) by descent from his Father, whose Ancestors almost two hundred yeers have injoyed the same, being purchased by them from the Bishop that then was, and severed from the Mannour; so that above twelve parts of thirteen of this Libeller's yeerly value is taken off, and he stands recorded for a grosse Lyar and Incendiary, whose sole ayme is to dishonour those Members who have most cordially stood firm unto this Parliament, as this Master Hill hath done, to his very great honour, and everlasting renown. By what I have wrote, you finde Master Hill abused, and the Parliament charged with manifest untruth; for a Turk or a Scot might have had the purchase of Taunton-Dean at as easie rates as Master Hill.

Oliver St. John, by Ordinance both Attorney, and Solicitor to the King, worth what he please to make it; and hath rhe passing of all Pardons upon Compositions; worth 40000. li.

Oliver St. John, neither Attorny nor Solicitor by Ordinance of Par∣liament; and if the Pardons had come to 40000. l. he could have had it by vertue of his Place, though no Member of Parliament; & he would be beholding to the forger of the List, if he could make it appear, that much more then a fortieth part of 40000. li. hath been received, or is due for such Pardons; and the slanderer him∣self knows, that by reason of his attendance on the Parliament, and the distractions of the time, his Place is not at all conside∣rable, to what it would have been without a Parliament, or hath been to his Predecessors, who have made more of it in one yeer, then he hath done in seven. But the Common-wealth

might have been beholding to this great pretender of their good, if he had acquainted them with any illegall or unjust vexations of the Subject by him done, by colour of his Place; which perhaps some of his Predecessors have been guilty of.

Francis Thorp, a receiver of publike moneys in Yorkshire, and char∣ged by some of his Countreymen for detaining 25000. li.

Francis Thorp was never receiver of any publike moneys in York∣shire, nor in any other place; nor did he ever buy, purchase, or farm any thing of the State; nor hath he ever received 4. li. per week, or any other sum from the State: and therefore he is confi∣dent none of his countreymen will charge him, and is very sure none can justly charge him with detaining either 25000. li. or any other sum to the value of a shilling.

What a villanous Incendiary is this Libeller, thus to traduce this worthy man with so hainous and so false untruths; but it's scandall enough against any man, that he stand firm to his Coun∣trey, &c.

Sir Thomas Widrington, a Commissioner of the great Seal; worth 1500 l. per an.

All the North of England know the integrity and justnesse of this Knight, and we in the South doe well know the benefit of his practice, before the Houses made him a Commissioner of the great Seal, did far surmount the Annuall sum this Lyer menti∣ons, as conferd on him by the Houses.

Sir Gilbert Gerrard, much in debt before the Parliament; pay-master to the Army, and had 3^d. per pound allowed, besides Gratuities; worth 60000^l. and now Chancellor of the Dutchey; worth 1200^l. per an.

The whole County of Middlesex can informe this absurd Ly∣er, that Sir Gilbert Gerrard was neither indebted or necessitated for moneys before the Parliament; and how little benefit he hath re∣ceived by his being Treasurer; or his allowance of 3.d. per pound, it is publikely known, more then 1000. li. for all his 3. d. per pound, I could never learn he received: He is too noble, and too much a Gentleman to receive gratuities; but in doing curtesies to his friends, and in affection to the common good, he is inferi∣or to none: Being charged with threescore thousand pounds; loe, but one appeares: he is now its true Chancellour of the Dutchie, Nomen sine re; I am confident, it hath not hitherto bin worth to him so much money as would buy halters to hang up a dozen of such scandalous Lyers.

John Bond (son to Dennis Bond, a Parliament man) made Master of Trinity hall in Cambridge, which Master Selden refused to accept of.

Master John Bond hath the repute of a learned man, and is made Master of Trinity hall, which Master Selden refused to accept of: this is a grand offence for one Scholler to be preferred in the room of another; Don Quixote doubtlesse was of councell in framing this information.

Sir Thomas Walsingham, the honour of Eltham, that was the Earl of Dorsets, the middle Park and house, which was Master Whites, and hath cut down 4000. timber trees.

Sir Thomas Walsingham is most unjustly charged to have cut down 4000. timber trees out of his Majesties Woods: one Bently, Sur∣veyor of his Majesties Lands, hath publickly affirmed in print that the totall of the Wood sales from Midsommer 1644. till Midsom∣mer 1648. amounts to 602. l. and so much he makes it appear he hath paid in to the Receivers: though Bently was formerly a Scrivener, yet sure he may now be beleeved. If 4000. timber trees had been cut down and sold, the price thereof would have amounted to more then three times the sum Bently mentions.

Robert Reynolds had 2000. l. given him; besides Abingdon hall, and the Lands, worth 400. l. per an. Hath bought a good peniworth of Bishops Lands; hath 20000. l. beyond Sea, as he made appear upon his marriage.

Master Reynolds hath served from the first beginning of this Parliament, was sent one of the Committee into Ireland, in Octo∣ber 1642. where he conflicted with indefatigable pains, in promo∣ting the War against the Rebels for five moneths, to the exream h••zard of his life, both by Sea and Land, hath been out of purse above 1800. l. in ready money, these six yeers, for the service of England and Ireland; and by taking away the Court of Wards, hath lost 800. l. per an. at the least; in his practice. For all which ser∣vice and sufferings, he is rewarded with this groundlesse malici∣ous falshood: namely, That the Parliament hath given him 2000. l. in money, and Abingdon Hall, worth 400. l. per an. Meer lyes and for∣geries; And that he hath 20000. l. in money beyond the Seas: of all which there is not one word true, or that hath any colour of truth. And for his good peniworth of Bishops Lands, which he is there said to have over and above; it was so good in his esteem, that when he had contracted for it, he would not have gone on with his bargain, had he not been compelled thereto by an Ordinance of

Parliament, and offered both before the Contractors and Trustees for Bishops Lands, to give 500. l. to any one that would take his purchase from off his hands; neither ever had he any Office or employment of advantage by the Parliament. The truth of all which I do undertake to make good to a title: And by the scan∣dall cast upon this Gentleman, who hath thus faithfully served the Parliament, the world may judge what credit is to be given to that malicious Libeller, in those things he hath belched out against many worthy Members, on purpose to wound the Parlia∣ment, whose honour ought to be precious amongst all true English men.

John Ash, given him out of Master John Coventrey's Composition, 4000. l. out of Sir Edward Moseley's, 1000. l. out of Master Edward Phillip's 1200. l. out of Sir John Stowel's estate 8000. l. And (which is worth all this) is the great Chair-man at Goldsmiths Hall. Is not this better then clothing?

About three yeers since, there was presented to the house of Commons an account of 10900 l. which Master Denzill Hol∣lis, Master Nathaniel Fiennes, Colonel Popham, Colonel Strode, and Master John Ash, had disbursed for the service of the Parliament at Sherburn, Bristoll, and in the County of Somerset, when the Earl of Bedford came with an Army into those parts: most of which mo∣ney was borrowed upon Bond of some Citizens of Bristoll, and Gentlemen of that Countrey, by the Gentlemen above named, to∣gether with other Gentlemen of the County of Somerset; the house of Commons did order, that out of the fines and compositions of Sir John Stowell, Sir Edward Moseley, and Master John Coventrey, the said disbursments and engagements should be discharged, and Master John Ash was ordered to receive the money, and to discharge the disbursments and take up the Bonds: and of this 10900. l. there hath been paid onely 7400. l. by Sir Edward Mosely, and Ma∣ster Coventry; which money hath been employed according to the foresaid order; Sir John Stowell refusing to compound, there hath not been one penny received out of his Estate by Master John Ash; and by reason thereof, there is unpaid 3500. l. of the said engage∣ments: The Creditors to whom the same is due, call upon Master Ash for their money, and he is daily solicited and clamoured up∣on for the same: and this is all the benefit that he hath gained by the said fines and great sums received; though that foul scanda∣lous

paper doth charge him with a great gift of 14000. l. which is notoriously false, the matter in truth being as abovesaid: Master Colborn a Scrivener in Budge-row, hath been employed by Sir Ed∣ward Mosely to provide some part of his fine, and he can inform to whom the same was assigned by Master Ash, for the discharge of the said Order of the house of Commons.

And whereas he objects, his being Chair-man at Goldsmiths Hall, as a blemish; could but this sneaking Lyar have heard one syllable of sinister dealing in Master Ash, I am confident he would have preacht it abroad merily; but his fair deportment and in∣tegrity is such in that place, as none complain: so that he may justly bid defiance to the Devil, and to such Hell-hounds as this Informer.

Francis Pierpoint hath the Archbishop of Yorks Lands lying in Not∣tinghamshire.

Francis Pierpoint Esq; hath no Bishops Lands.

William Pierpoint hath seven thousand pounds given him, and all the Earl of Kingstons personall Estate, worth 40000 ^l.

William Pierpoint Esq; hath no Bishops Lands given to him, but he did for a valuable consideration in money by him paid, pur∣chase part of the Lands belonging to the late Archbishop of Yorke in Nottinghamshire.

Both Houses of Parliament have given the Fine of Henry Earle of Kingston of neer seven thousand pounds set at Goldsmiths-Hall to his Brother William Pierpoint, in consideration of above twenty thousand pounds, by him lost for the service of the Parliament. And for that the said Earl his Brother had but an Estate for Life in his Lands, the next immediate remainder being in the said William Pierpoint. So as else in truth, the Fine, if paid, must have been paid by the Lands of the said William Pierpoint, the said Henry Earl of Kingston having no personall Estate, and his Debts deli∣vered in at Gol••smith Hall to be above 19000 ^l.

William Pierpoint had also given him by the Parliament a Coach and six Horses of his said Brothers the Earl of Kingston, which is all whatsoever that hath been given to him by the Parliament.

William Pierpoint had no part of the personall Estate of Robert Earl of Kingston his Father.

Francis Pierpoint was made Executor by the last will of his Fa∣ther Robert Earl of Kingston, and by order of Parliament was to

have the benefit of the Executorship, which by reason of these times hath been of little value to him.

Oliver Cromwell, Lievtenant Generall, hath 2500 ^l. per an. given him out of the Marquesse of Worcesters Estate, for which 4000 ^l. per an. is set out at the rate of 2500 ^l.

Lievtenant Generall Cromwell hath 1500 ^l. a yeer assigned him of the Earl of Worcesters Estate. He had spent a great part of his own Estate while he attended the Publique service in the Armies, &c. It was the free gift of the House without his seeking. And when the House had passed it; he freely gave to the service of Ire∣land 1000 ^l. per an. for five yeers to come, if he shall live so long, and the War of Ireland so long continue, to be paid half yeerly, and the first 500 ^l. to be paid out of the Michaelmas rents now next coming; and of this all the Gentlemen of Ireland here in Town can be witnesse; who the next day after he had made this offer in the House, came to his Lodging to give him a solemn thanks for it.

John Birch, formerly a Carrier; now a Collonel.

The next mentioned in your List is Collonel John Birch, of whom you onely say he was sometimes a Carrier, but now a Col∣lonell. A very short Charge, and to judicious men a great com∣mendation, where your invenomed Pen can throw no great im∣putation; but because you have so little knowledge of him, give me leave a word or two.

This is that Collonel Birch, who for his manner of life, before this time of Warre, followed Merchandizing in the West of Eng∣land, living in Bristoll; and had occasion to deal in Goods brought from most parts of this Kingdome; I suppose therefore you cal∣led him a Carrier; yet this Carrier, if so you call him, when Re∣ligion, the Liberty of the Subject, and Priviledge of Parliament were in danger, at severall times supplied the Parliament or their Armies with two thousand pounds at a time at least; and of his own particular was out for them one and twenty hundred pounds before he ever drew sword in the quarrell; but when he saw that would not serve, he hazarded his person in all conditions, from a Captain to a Collonel, and Commander of a Brigade by which meanes he carried you out of divers good Towns. And Gratitude would have put you in minde, rather to have given him thanks

for sparing so many of your lives, which were at his mercy.

It seems you charge him with no Office, onely he is a Collo∣nel; you have reason to curse the day he had that Office; and though he have no more then the name of a Collonell at present, yet rather then the old cause shall want assistance, I have reason to be confident, you will have the second part to the same Tune.

Sir William Purefoy, Collonell, and Governour of Coventry, fought resolutely against the crosse in the Market-place at Warwicke, and against the ancient Monuments in the Earls Chappell in St. Maries Church there; for which he had 1500 ^l. given him; but when he should have fought with the Enemy, hid himselfe in a Barley-field; for which a Water-man at Tem∣ple-stairs, (that had bin his Souldier) refused to carry him.

The late Earl of Essex in his Martch to relieve Glocester, sent his Orders to Collonell William Purefoy to meet him in the way with five hundred Horse, under his Command; the Collonell enters Cambden, intending there to quarter, but having five seve∣rall advisoes by his Scouts and others, that the whole body of the Enemies Horse were quartered within four miles, and had know∣ledge of his being in Cambden; a Counsell of War being called, it was agreed to remove into the Fields adjacent to the Town; and so they did, and there were Cocks of Barley there, wherewith the Horse were refreshed. The Enemy within two hours entred the Town with two thousand Horse, intending to have surprised them; but missing their Design presently retreated. This is all Corn-fields or Cocks of Barley the Collonell ever remembers; and herein he is much to be commended for his discretion. He was never Governour of Coventry: and for wronging of Tombs or Monuments of antiquity at Warwicke or elsewhere; its false and untrue; he hath too much extraction of noble blood in him, to doe the least wrong to their Memorials. For the one thousand five hundred pounds mentioned; its true, he had so much mo∣ney, but it was according to the allowance other Commanders of his quality had; his just due came to two thousand five hun∣dred pounds, but he willingly accepted of one thousand five hun∣dred pounds, and quit the thousand pounds to the State. This is the very truth.

Thomas Westrow, Captain under Sir Michael Livesey, was nothing worth, untill a Captain and Parliament man; and now hath gotten the Bi∣shop

of Worcester's Mannour of Hartlerow, which proves he hath two good and beneficiall Offices.

Captain Westrow having a trained Troop in Kent, went out with Sir Michael Livesey, and some other Deputy-Lievtenants of that County, to help their neighbours of Surrey and Sussex upon a pinch; and having before given and lent above four hundred pounds to the Parliaments service, was willing to have the spend∣ing of some money that way himself, and therefore for the more speedy compleating of his Troop, contributed many Horse and Arms, beside new coats to each of the Riders; and the Enemy be∣ing wholly broken at Aulton and Arundel, and those Countries quit, he return••d home, when he had spent neer two hundred pounds more then his pay. He bought Hartlebury, belonging for∣merly to the Bishop of Worcester, about August last, for a valuable consideration, to countenance that businesse, when few else durst meddle with Bishops Lands.

Nathaniel Fiennes, Colonel, once Governour of Bristol, Thereby hangs a tail.

Master Nathaniel Fiennes, for his pains and services of all kindes, for these eight yeers, never received any thing by way of compen∣sation, or of his Arrears, or of the weekly allowance given to others, though he was plundered, and his Estate lay a long time under the power of the enemy: and for his being once Colonel and Governour of Bristol, and the tail at the end thereof, there is none now but such as are wholly made up of envy and malice, who is not satisfied, that it is onely a tail of malicious lyes and slanders, wherein God himself, the righteous Judge hath vindica∣ted him. But the malignant Author of that List, should have be∣thought himself, that there is another tail at the end of that tail, which reacheth indeed their once great Generall Prince Ru∣pert, Plunder-master not of Kent or Surrey, but Plunder-master generall of all England, who hath got more by the sad calamities of this Kingdom, caused by him, and those of his Party, then all he Members of Parliament put together.

Besides these untruths alleaged against the persons before named, he mentions many Offices to be conferred by the Parliament on

their Members, which they enjoy by Patent under his Majesty, and not by any gift of the Parliament, were I not straightned in time I could vindicate most of the Members in this first Century; for where this Libeller stumbles upon one truth, he tels forty lyes for it; and where he mentions large sums conferred on some and not received; you must understand those Members smell on his owne Faction; for I know they have received part, &c. All I ayme at, is to informe the Kingdome rightly, which in what I have now done shall be justified against all opposition. I wish there was no cause of complaints against some; but to condemn the upright and vertuous without hearing; or equally to accuse all, is certainly a peece of great injustice. The Members of the Houses now seeing themselves not spared, I hope will hereafter be sensible of the reproaches those few friends they have left are subject unto by abusive Pamphlets, and yet no order taken for suppression.

Notes

• Charge.
• Vindicat.
• No Parli∣ament man had allow∣ance of 4 l. a week a∣bove one yeer.
• Charge.
• Vindicat.
• He is a Counsel∣lor at Law very lear∣ned, and in great pra∣ctice.
• Charge.
• Vindicat.
• Charge.
• Vindicat.
• Charge.
• Vindicat.
• Charge.
• Vindicat.
• Charge.
• Vindicat.
• Charge.
• Vindicat.
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• Vindicat.
• Charge.
• Vindicat.
• Charge.
• Vindicat.
• Charge.
• Vindicat.
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• Vindicat.
• Charge.
• Vindicat.
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• Vindicat.
• Charge.
• Vindicat.
• Charge.
• Vindicat.