Anti-Machiavell. Or, honesty against poljcy: An answer to that vaine discourse, the case of the kingdome stated, according to the proper interests of the severall parties ingaged. By a lover of truth, peace, and honesty.

To the conscientious Reader on all Parties, Royalist, Presbyterian, Independent, or Citizen.

THere came abroad the last week a glorious Pamphlet, boasting it selfe in the Front, as a Piece of rare ob∣servation, and contexture. This Pamphlet hath cast this Nation into foure Pieces, or Parties, and under∣takes to shew them their severall interests, having first by way of Preface bespoken them all severally. His addresse to the King, is arrogant. To the Presbyterian, scornefull. To the Independent flattering. To the Citizen carnall; to all, Machivi∣lian (ne dicam) Atheisticall. For, he tels the King, that he that delivers him this Pamphlet ought to be esteemed as good a friend as any he hath been acquainted with this seven yeares, and that all his old Councell would not represent the Kings interest so clearely as these poore sheets, which yet are but gleanings of ob∣servation. An high Elogy of himselfe, and his owne worke, that his gleanings should containe more then the vintage of all the Kings Councell, that were thought to out-wit the Parlia∣ment, when all the wit, and wisdome of Presbyterians, and Inde∣pendents were concentred in it. This great boast of himself in the booke, leades me to thinke, that the glorious Title in the Fronti∣spiece; A piece of rare observation and Contexture, was an E∣logy bestowed on the Author by himselfe. Wherein I am sure, he neither kept to the rule of Morall prudence given bya 1.1 Cato, nor Divinebyb 1.2 Solomon; but if his work deserve it, I will not envie him his owne praise.

2. For his scorn of the Presbyterian, his manner of expression, as well as the matter, doe evidence it clearely, as in other places they doe his bitternesse, but I must remember him, that neither scorne, nor bitternesse against brethren, are fruits of the Spirit.

3. The Independent he flatters, as those that are lifted more immediatly under the Prince of Peace, and the wise, and cour∣sels

them not to begin a warre for their interest, but to be on the defensive, till &c. But this Independent, what is he? Indepen∣dent is a collective word. There be many strange creatures list themselves under this colour. There be seekers that deny all Or∣dinances and Churches, There be some above all Ordinances, There be Anti-Scripturists, Anti-Trinitarians. There be that hold the doctrine of the Arminians, the Socinians, and what not, that hath beene broacht by any under the visard of Christianity: all these list themselves under the name of Independencie. Are all these more immediatly listed under Christ? The wise? If not heer's worse then flattery in this courting language. But when he bids them not begin a Warr but remaine on the defensive, this must have a further reach, and must intend the Army; for what war or defence else can the Independent party make? Now the Ar∣my sin the Votes of that authority to disband it, that raisd it: can justly be lookt upon under no other notion, but as a mixt body cemented together, with the humane morter of interests. Acted by an Independent intelligence or spirit; whereby the indepen∣dent is inabled to make warre if he please, or to defend himselfe against any, and be terrible to any single party that opposeth him. But let mee question this counsellour, how he can make out this counsell, to hold good plea in the Court of Conscience? For this Independent strength cannot remaine thus on the defen∣sive and subsist, deproprio of its owne. To subsist de alieno, of what is anothers, they have now neither authority, nor for the ge∣nerall consent of the proprietary. Now can this be justified, that any Party to mainetaine its private interest, should mainetaine it selfe on the publicke, or on any private mans propriety, against his will; is not this vivere ex rapto? His second advice is good, if it be as sincere as earnest, that above all things they should not be Antiparliamentary, for if this counsel be taken, the authoritie of Parliament will be obeyed, and we shall sodainly have the King at Richmond, Armis dissolved, &c.

4. What can be more carnall, Then to tell the Citizens, they cannot flourish, unlesse they minde onely their peculiar interest, Trade; Are they not Christians aswell as Citizens? As Chri∣stians, are not they to minde Religion aswell, nay before their Trades? And will this hinder flourishing? nay, can they expect to flourish without it? or can any thing more conduce to their

flourishing? hath not godlinesse the promises of this life, and that which is to come and shal not al things be cast in to him that seeks first the kingdom of God and the righteousnesse thereof? Sure here the man forgot his Bible; and yet we have another chip of the same block, in his addresse to all together; Where 5. He tells them from the observation of the Duke of Rohan, touching the successes of the States of Europe, according as they followed, or declined their interest. Those Parties now on foot in this Kingdom, must looke to stand or fall upon the same ground. Must looke? What then hath God no hand in affaires to crosse the cun∣ning contrivances of men to take the wise in their owne devices? Was Solomon mistaken, Eccles 9.11. when he tels us, The race is not the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor yet bread to the wise, not yet riches to men of understanding? &c. What if a man decline his interest for conscience? seeing such a thing would advance his interest, but its under a prohibition, and therefore dares not make use of it. Must he looke to faile in his enterprise? Sure then he looks onely with an eye of sence, and reason: not of faith, for the promise will tell him, that if a man deny interest, and commit his way unto the Lord, he will bring it to passe, Psal. 37.5. and what the Word saith, the Christian may, nay, ought to looke for. There is therefore a two fold declining of interest, the one of ignorance, or negligence, or evill conscience. The other consciencious denying his interest to keep in Gods way, he that is indeed guilty of the former can looke for nothing, but misca∣ryage. But he that practiseth the latter; sith power belongs to God, and successes are in his hand, and he hath annext the pro∣mise to those that approve themselves to him. He hath never more cause to looke for good successe, then when he declines inte∣rest for him, for then he honours him most, and pleases him best. This none can deny, unlesse misled by Atheisticall Policie, of which this passage therefore to the whole is justly accused to sinell ranke. Thus for the Preface, now to the Book.

Notes

• a 1.1

  a Nec te lau∣dabis, &c.
• b 1.2

  b Prov. 2.2.