A persvvasive to a mutuall compliance under the present government.: Together with a plea for a free state compared with monarchy.

A PERSWASIVE to a Mutuall compliance under THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT▪

IT was never thought safe, much lesse prudent, for a supprest party to be in∣temperate in speeches, and turbulent in their Actions; especially having no Power standing ready in the eye of probability, to protect them: Nei∣ther are Examples easily found (all provocations considered) of grea∣ter Clemency, then hath been used by our present Governours; Into whose hands God hath delive∣red by an indubitable Conquest, some in his Anger, as others in his Mercy.

Though Envie cannot charge me, to have fallen from my first Love, The true Representative of England; yet I never wan∣ted naturall bowels to those whom Prejudice and other more selfish respects had unhappily cast on the other side: but did daily lay out my supplications; and the poore Talent God intrusted me with, to buy them to the waies of Peace. And therefore I am not so much to be suspected of Partiality, but that I may possibly perswade at least the Vanquisht (and so

in reason the most exasperated) to such a temper, as may ren∣der, in their behalfe, the prevailing Power as admirable for Moderation, as Successe hath proclaimed them famous for their Valour.

That no Government extant this day, can possibly be de∣molished by fowler hands, then it was erected; That, by the judgement of Truth it selfe, a strong man ought not in rea∣son to be bound but by one more mighty; And That the sword in all ages, during the stormes of War, hath pretended to a priviledge of cutting such knots, as under a more serene Heaven might have puzled not only Reason but Religion to uniie; Are so notorious to all not wilfully or naturally blind in Story, as he that should endeavour the proofe of it, would to the wise seem an Owle, rather then an Athenian▪ there be∣ing news of little else in all History both sacred & profane.

And though such changes are strangers to us hatched un∣der a still peace; they were familiar to our Fathers; whose births stood ordinary dated from some Forraine Conquest or their Deaths from a civil Dissention at home: Yet, by the continuance of many of their Names in the same possessions, it doth plainly appeare they had more patience and wisdome then perpetually to oppose irreconsileable minds to succesfull and irresistible Powers. And where this was not observed, how fatall and impartiall the severity of Conquest hath pro∣ved, is plain in Comines, who attests to have seen a Branch of one of the most illustrious Families in England, begging in Burgundy: whose Duke after that infamous defeat given him by the Helvetians, ran, as was supposed, the like fortune, his body not being found. Neither is there any thing like∣lier to cast our Nobility and Gentry into this condition, then a chang by another Warre, which will lie most heavy upon them, besides the uncertainty of the event: when as a quiet and time∣ly submission would estate them or their Children, in an un∣doubted capacity to share in what is, or shall be established: Inabling them to alter what they may find amisse. Whereas otherwise it would be an act of the highest indiscretiō for peo∣ple so long beaten by the cruell stormes of a Civil Warre, to re∣fuse

for the present any Harbour, though never so incommo∣dious: and to venture againe the wrack of so sacred a Vessel as the Common-Wealth, for no richer commodities, then an un∣certain hope of boying up such Honours, profits and Jurisdicti∣ons, as the feares, wilfulnesse and evil Counsels of those formerly at the Helme, caused them to cast away; since experience hath taught us, we may live happily without them. Nei∣ther are those thus desirous of alteration, able to procure it by their own strength; but must borrow of such suspected friends, or known enemies, as are unlikely to shew much more favour to their Inviters, then those that shall labour to keep them out.

Were it not more discretion, to let her lye quietly a while in the Dock, under the trimming of our new Masters? Who cannot be long uncompel'd, if not by affection to themselves and their Children, yet by strong necessity, to set her a float un∣der Justice and good Government; hitherto obstructed by your selves and new declared Malignants, who have nothing to shew for their Lives and Fortunes, but the mercy and courage of those they so bitterly exclaime against; Yet are not able to screen themselves from their Power; although as far from being pleased with it, as they can be safe without it.

Others presuming on the Articles conceded at Oxford or elsewhere, protest themselves injured by that innocent Act for Subscription: But did they please to look back, now, upon the naked condition they stood in then, destitute of all hope of Reliefe; they might find greater cause to celebrate the goodnesse, then arraigne of rigor, those did begirt them: For had the total destruction of those Lords and Gentlemen, been so gratefull to the State, as some in spleen, others in igno∣rance doe since represent; the siege need have been conti∣nued but a few daies, and all must have perisht by the hands of despaire, or without caution have cast themselves into those of Mercy: or say the Commanders in chiefe (never known prodigall of blood or time) to give an honourable pretence for the rendition of that place, which the enemies had made impregnable by so many

Oathes nnd Protestations, did yeeld to more then in reason could be asked, or granted, from so imperative a Power; It cannot be imagined they meant to situate them in a higher condition then they were themselves; making that arbitra∣ry and at the will of the Vanquished, which is imposed with∣out exception, on all that Overcame: By which they had not only bound their own hands from punishing all future diso∣bedience; but left their enemies the liberty to subscribe to the ruine, that they refuse, to the preservation of themselves and their country.

Consult seriously your own consciences, and catechise them with this Question; What Oathes, Confiscations, Restraints, and Obligations should have been imposed on all had survi∣ved your revenge, In case providence had cast the Die of War to the like advantage on your side? And you will not only blush at your own shame, but confesse your selves doubly subdued, first by the Valour, then the Civility of those you pronounce the meanest of men.

The Norman Conquest, hitherto the fairest flower in the Crowne of our Kings, and this of the Armie's, were cut out with the same Iron, by the hand and direction of a like Pro∣vidence: The difference is, he was a Stranger, these Natives; He established a Monarchy, whose nature is to decline into Tyranny; These a Government stiled by all Politicians, Free; And if you find it otherwise, you may thank your selves, who will neither be happy, nor suffer others; But oppose so obstinately the Publique Establishment, out of no more weigh∣ty reason, then to reinitiate splendid Titles, so farre from be∣ing essentiall to humane felicity, that such Nations as have them, were never thought the happiest; no more then those that want them, the most miserable.

Were I so uncivil, as to draw the curtayne charity hangs before the Actions of dead Princes; I could match, out of the Annals of your own Government, as great disorders and oppres∣sions, as you note in this; The latter being rendred so much the more excusable, because, not only precedented by the former, but created and continued to prevent such mischiefs,

as your implacable Spirits doe foment in the hearts of ig∣norant and abused people; To whom though a Govern∣ment be most necessarie, this kind or that is as absolutely in∣different. Yet if your doctrine be infallible, That a King is only responsible to God for his worst actions; it cannot but increase al wise mens affections to a Jurisdiction so modest, as to ac∣knowledge their best correspondent to the people, at least in their Representative: And if you will suffer such a Go∣vernment as these drive at, quietly to be setled, it may be gest, by Venice and the Ʋnited Provinces (though inconside∣rable for strength in respect of England) what wonders may be expected; the first having stood a bulwarke for a∣bove a thousand years against the Turkes, as the later hath, from her infancy, a wall to the King of Spaine's incroach∣ments.

I doe not believe, those daily Alarum's, you give the State, are beaten by your consciences; but the lowder Passions of Am∣bition, and Revenge: And if you could remaine quiet, you might abundantly satisfie both, by sharing in the Government; and helping farther to chastise the perfidious Scot, who (un∣der God's vengeance for our Sins) was, you think, the cause of all these distempers.

You are to blame, if you have not already done your best to set up that Interest, your Consciences, for the pre∣sent, taught you to maintaine, and if so, you are freed from the shackells of all former Oaths and engagements; Man being bound to no performance beyond possibility: yet least this should seem too weake a discharge for so much honour and fidelity, as you pretend to owe your King; God hath called him to an higher Court: And that he hath reserved all cognizance of the manner of his removeall wholly to himselfe appears, by placing the Authors of it above the reach of any power, but his own.

It shall not be the project of this Discourse either to natu∣ralize, or make invalid the Lines of Princes: though the truth or falsehood of them is made so contingent by the infidelity of Women; as it doth much abate my zeale, and may doe all

others in the prosecution of their interests, before that of a Free State; in a Nation so exhausted and tattered by divisions already, as it cannot but expire under a milder conflict, then these new and Victorious Governors will make, rather then part with their power, on which depend their heads, as deare to them as a Crown can be to those that bid for it; who be∣ing out of possession, are not so likely to find friends as enemies; especially in this conjuncture, when most Nations have need of more swords then their own, and therefore likelier to bor∣row then lend assistance: Neither is it a slight omen of their continuance that the wise Spaniard courts them: As for France they have worke sufficient cut out already, or in case of want, we are neere enough to send them more: Concern∣ing Danes and Swedes, they may, like the Cat, desire the sweet milke of England, but will hardly venture wetting their feet, or the encountring an English Navy: It being not likely that such Forraine Princes as stood still all the Fathers time, who had an Army might secure their landing, will in his vanquisht Sons be active, who hath now almost nothing left to assure successe, but the unarmed discontent of some Sub∣jects; which cannot be so unadvised, as to venture what is left at the curtesy of strangers; much lesse can their hopes be so buried in the dispaire of the moderate government of their coun∣trymen, as to think to measure out a better by the splinters of that broken reed Scotland, That hath no cleanlier way to re∣deeme her selfe from being the by-word and hissing of the World, for former Treacheries towards their Native Kings, then by selling us and our children to a perpetuall slavery under one of their exasperated Sons: Neither durst they have ventured so much beating, had they not been encouraged by a mouldy Prophecy, That England (in which you have yet a great share, and may keep it if you will be quiet) must be one day ruin'd by the basest of people; which, in their own apprehen∣tion, can be understood of none but themselves.

The Apostle Paul commands Christians to submit to the pre∣sent power, for Conscience sake; And justifies this Precept so far by his own example, as to appeare before a Court of Justice,

no lesse illegall in regard of the Nation of the Jewes, then corrupt in respect of the Judges: where by his Rhetoricall expressions he teacheth us, to own all Jurisdictions God hath pleased to endow with an Imperative power: Else we should deny that to the Magistrate, which we make no conscience to con∣cede to Theeves; from whom we take our selves to be happi∣ly discharged, if we escape only with the losse of our mo∣ny, and a promise never to doe any thing to their preju∣dice.

Nor can I think Panl would have shewn lesse compli∣ance, or used courser language, had his triall fallen out in the daies of Galba, Otho, or Vitellius; the which had no stronger titles then the sword estated them in; being all strangers to the line of the first Caesars, or any adopted by them.

Nay had Pisoe's Conspiracy succeeded, and Rome by wise Seneca's perswasion been reduced to their ancient Liberty; would the Apostles unwillingnesse have been more, to sub∣scribe to that, then the Title of Nero? Can you think he would have pretended antiquitated Oathes, Covenants, or I know not what Protestations formerly exacted? which if of∣fered, he could not have avoided; a refusall being as unsu∣table to his Doctrine as safety: For we never heard newes, till these times, of State-Martyrs; The primitive Saints think∣ing all Kingdomes too poore to dye for, but that of Hea∣ven.

Indeed Shimei of the House of Saul, would needs be cur∣sing where God blest; which gave occasion to Solomon to leave a Precedent under which you are sallen for the like luxuriousnesse of speech. And here note by the way, how short liv'd the love and forgivenesse of Princes are: Since the best, though he could forget Jonathan his friend, was sure to remember Shi∣mei his enemy: both secured by Covenant, the first of Amity; the latter of Charity, in acknowledgement of his kindnes in meeting him.

Now if David could not dye quietly intestate to Revenge, what huge Legacies may we expect from the Heire of a Fa∣her, who lost not only his Crowne, but the Head that ware

it? or if so much temperance might be found in his Successor as might mortify so high provocations; Yet the daily cryes and clamours of the Widows and Fatherlesse, whose Husbands, Fa∣thers, and Estates were lost in his defence, could not choose but call revenge up againe. It being an ordinary course for Princes to esteem that part of their assistance as is lost in ill successe, so little below enimies, as they oftentimes confis∣cate their Estates, only to encrease the encouragement of those, from whom they hope to receive better. And if it be not the complexion of Kings to be ingratefull, I pray give me the Reason, why Henry the 7^th cut off Stanlies head, after he had set the Crown upon his own?

Therefore let not the sound of your discontent be heard in other Nations, to the prejudice of the happinesse of your own: By which the eares of all that delight in warre are so tickled, that the Sea, this Iland is encompassed with, were too shallow to keep them out, but that tis assisted by a grea∣ter depth of Gods mercy.

Such as oppresse unnecessarily the people, shall never want enemies; nor those that truly stand for Liberty, friends: There∣fore have patience, and assure your selves, that God, which harh taught the Army the waies to so much miraculous successe, will suddainly (after this generall submission I per∣swade to) inspire them with an Enstablishment may make us happy: or in case they neglect it, undoubtedly send as exemplary a ruine upon their own heads.

Let me therefore entreat you to imitate your Ancestors, who suffered the Crown of England with more patience, to be transferred from one Strangers head to another, then you doe contribute to the setting it on your own and your childrens: There being nothing able to render you uncapable of it, but an unseasonable desire to wring it out of their hands, who, I hope, have no more ambitious ends in retaining it so long, then to make it fit and easy for you: Neither can any be in a right capacity to receive it, till brought to such a temper, as it is indifferent to them, either to obey or command.

If you are so desirous the letter of the Law should be

exactly observed, doe nothing contrary to the sense of it, which is the preservation of the Government in being; whose quiet it is now as naturally to intend, as it was formerly that of Kings: Alter but the Name, and contribute the like obedi∣ence, and you are just where you were. But if this be deni∣ed, doe not wonder, that new trials are opposed to new of∣fences: For if ordinary Jurers will assigne no punishment for them which act by the Kings Authority, it is fit the State should provide others to take care, that in case it be employed a∣gainst their safety, such as doe it may not escape without punishment: Since God, that hath given them such vast suc∣cesses, hath also endued them with more Prudence, then to be ruin'd by niceties.

Neither are they lesse resolved to defend themselves from unavoidable ruine, then you to obtaine a more uncertaine re∣ward. This makes me believe you would have as much rea∣son to bewaile an absolute victory, as they a totall losse. For in that case, if the Nation should escape the tyranny of Strangers, it were impossible to avoid falling into a greater of her own: It being the custome of all Princes, to proportion the weight of the peoples fetters, to their owne feares: Now how the Cavaliers can be free, when the Roundheads are slaves, is not to be found in the small volumne of my Politicks.

Though the High Presbyterian so suddenly swel'd with the hope he had swallowed of Soveraignty, that he brake in the o∣piniō of the people, before he was able to set up for himself, by indeavouring to lay to every single Parish, a power judg'd too unweldy for a Dioces; Yet I thought not to have taken him so soon in the habit of a Malignant; which suits better with his passion, then the gravity & piety he pretends to; or dis∣cretion, which cannot but dictate to him, that he hath sinned past forgivenesse, by reducing the Crown to the last extremity; And compelling the Army by an unparalleld ingratitude, to actions more sutable to his own, then the chiefe Commanders former deportment; in which if they lean'd too much on worldly po∣licy, it was to avoid falling into that visible pit, the heads of this party had contrived for them.

What religious observers of the Covenant, they have been, &

what enemies to the known faults of the Bishops, they with so much spleen, exploded, may appeare by the multitudes of preferments, and bunch of Steeples the have hung to their purse∣strings: Besides their ungratefull desertion of that Army, who, when they durst not trust their own side, for feare of being betrayed; expunged, by their faithfull valour, that sentence of death, which those they seem to adhere to now, had writ up∣on every wall against them.

Is it not a sad thing, to see Conscience like a cloake-bag, stuft with all carriages, be they foule or faire? Were not the Pa∣pists truer friends to their Countries peace; who upon a change in Religion, and more to their generall disadvantage, then this can be, to any at enmity with Rome, swore Allegeance to those of contrary Tenents; The truth of which they so far maintained, as in the year 88, many appeared with considerable forces, in favour of a Protestant Queen, against him they stiled the most Catholick King?

For those they call Levellers, so many of their Propositions as may concern the equall administration of Justice, and the Li∣berty of the People, ought no doubt to be harkned unto: But their Consciences being possibly agitated by subtiler heads then their own (the Divell never being in a greater capacity to act mischiefe, then when he is transformed into an Angel of light) it behooves them to be wary; least, pretending to a government more exact then humane corruption is capable of, they doe not fall into a worse then ever yet was establi∣shed: For if they create a division in the Army, they promote the ends of their enemies, and shall set up nothing but tyranny, and the destruction of themselves and their Party.

Then since this Nation hath endured so many severall changes, in these later years, without any considerable dimi∣nution of her splendor and felicity; I heartily pray it may not run a severer fortune hereafter; which cannot be better pre∣vented, then for all Parties in their severall relations, quietly to submit to this present Government: Which having the only power of Protection, cannot in justice be denied the duty of Obe∣dience. To perswade which the more easily, I most humbly beg of those in Authority, To concede to the just desires and Tears of the Nation.

FINIS.