The Protector, (so called,) in part vnvailed: by whom the mystery of iniquity, is now working. Or A word to the good people of the three nations of England, Scotland and Ireland, informing them of the abominable apostacy, backsliding, and underhand dealing of the man above mentioned; who having usurped power over the nation, hath most wofully betrayed, forsaken, and cast out the good old cause of God, and the interest of Christ; and hath cheated and robbed his people of their rights and priviledges. / By a late member of the Army, who was an eye, and an ear witnesse to many of those things.

I shall now proceed to that which should have come in before, had I not been hindred by the several digressions which are occasioned from those seeming Objections which might be made to what I have laid down; as also upon some other accounts: which things are of as great use to discover the Mystery of Iniquity now working, as any that have gone before; it being taken for granted, that the things risen up among us, are abominable and wicked, and have produced very evil effects.

The colour and cloak which the Protector and his Party hath, and makes use of to cover this abominable Treachery, Apostacy, and Back∣sliding withal, is, they pretend necessity for the doing of it, as if the In∣dependents and Anabaptists were going together by the ears: and to hinder it, he sayes, He was necessitated to take upon him the work of a Constable, that he might keep the peace. Which is a meer fals∣hood; for the Lord knows there was no likelihood of such a thing as their falling out: as also, that the Anabaptist-Spirit and Principle, was like to carry all in the little Parliament; whenas there was not above five (if so many) of them in the House; and that they would be throw∣ing down every thing, and building up nothing, and would in so do∣ing, bring the people about our ears.

But these are but meer excuses to blinde the world withal, the better to carry on his own design sutable to the Mystery of Iniquity, 2 Thess. 2.9. The plain Truth of the Business is, he hath jugled all a∣long for some time together, especially since the war was ended at Wor∣cester 〈…〉〈…〉

and its verily believed did designe before the old Parliament was broken, or the new chosen, to set up himself, though he pretended otherwise: when he made use of some few of the members thereof to help him do it, and to chuse the other, with out whom he knew it could not well be done. When the Lord knowes, that though he pretended to be of one heart, and soule with them whom he called into his assistance, yet he did not before, nor at that time, truly love, and owne that spirit, and principle, in them who pressed for righteousnesse, and true liberty, which was expected, to have been obtained, when the old Parliament had been dissolved. For it was said by some of the old Parliament, (who well knew what they said) to some, who at that time were instruments in helping him to do his work, that his heart was not right in that, which he so much then pretended to them, and that he onely made use of them, but as instruments, the better to carry on his own designe, and that he had some other thing in his ey, (viz. the setting up of himself) then they did imagine he had, and that he would d••ceive them: though it was replyed again, with much confidence, that they believed his heart was right, and that he had no intention to set up himselfe. But it hath since appeared, that the words then spoken to them, who are now de∣ceived were true. And to say the trueth, there appeares much plainnesse in the thing, (if you compare things formerly spoken with present actions.) That the Protector and some with him had it in their eye, to preserve themselves in▪ and with an increase of that power, which they for so long time together had tasted the sweetnesse of, and therefore were now unwilling to part with all. And considering that the old Parliament would not answer that end, but would rather be a clipping their wings, they saw a ne∣cessity to lay them aside, as also they knew on the other hand, that those people who were highest for a new Representative, were so principled, as that they wou••d be pressing on to further things, then those which the great man and his party had propounded to themselves, and had a desire to have set down in, therefore to provide for this, though they made use of them to break the old Parliament, pretending all the while to do it from the same prin∣ciple, to the same end, which was in them, whom they called in to their assistance, yet to make it sure that that spirit, and prin∣ciple should not carry it, when they came to sit in the next Parli∣ament; they did endevour so to ballance them, with men of con∣trary

principles, that when they came to do any thing, they could doe very little: yet notwithstanding this, it came to that in a while, by the honest parties laying down things, with that plain∣nesse, and evidence of truth, that some of them who at first were contrary to them, began to close, & vote with them, & presently upon this from the fear they had that this party would increase and so prevail, as to over vote the others, and so after a while the man in power, & his party would come to be laid aside, as also that things would be so ordred that the Officers of the Army who have bin enriched by the war (should not take the wages of war in time of peace) should be desired to serve the State a year for nothing (as the members of the little Parliament did, the time they sat) which was but reason, considering how well they have feathered their nests already; as also fearing they would go roundly to worke with Tythes, and Lawyers, and in cutting off all other the bran∣ches growing upon the stock of Antichrist, and for such things as these were our Friends (before mentioned) who were left behind in the house turned out by Colonel Goffe, and Lt. Colonel White, &c. As vassals to mans interest, like the Turks Genesaries, which act they did presently after the other party of the House and their Speaker (who as it is confidently believed, and may honestly be reported, contrived the thing sometime before, with the knowledge and approbation of the now Protector) came cun∣ingly betime in the morning, without the honest parties knowleg and before they could 〈◊〉〈◊〉 get together, and taking them at this advantage and without their consent, so ordered the matter as to bring the power to him; and there is a very great appearance of truth that the Protector did know of and advise in it before∣hand; because the forementioned Collonel and Lievtenant Coll. came so suddenly after, to turn out the others; truly, the more I consider of it, the more jugling and deceipt I find in it: Yet in his Speech to the last (called) Parliament, you may see how he boasts of the Providence of God, in their bringing the Power to him. Surely though the King of feirce countenance and under∣standing dark sentences, may through his pollicy cause craft to prosper in his hand, and thereby magnifie and strengthen him∣self, against the prince of Princes, to persecute, imprison, and destroy the Saints for a time: Yet the same word which sayes, He shall do so, doth also say, That he shall be broken without hands: 8 Dan. 23, 24, 25.

And from hence it is, that he now turns in with the present Magistrates, Clergy and Lawyers, which would detain the people in the Norman yoak in Civils, and Antichristian bondage in spiri∣tualls, which is very unsuitable to his former principles; and he doth this, not so much that he cares for them, but because he knows, that if he stand up for them; though they care as little for him, yet their interest being concerned, and most likely to be upheld therein, they will again stand up for him, and so will help to keep down those of the Fifth Monarchy principle, whom he onely fears. Just as the old Parliament took in and made use of the loose sort of Commanders, in that day, who were turned out of the Army, or deserved to be turned out, for their miscar∣riages, thereby to keep down the now Protector (so called) who was then Lievt. General, and those of his Principle, who then joy∣ned with him.

And as the Presbyterians since, who cared not for the King, nor his posterity, no more than he or they did for them; yet did very much appear to stand for him, because in so doing, they judged it most likely to carry on their own designe, of settling Prebyte∣ry, and of curbing all others, who were not of their judgment; & they apprehending that the Independents & other Sectaries would oppose, rather than close with them in these things; therefore did they endeavour all they could to keep them down, and so went down to Aegypt, to close with the King and his Family, whom the Lord was destroying: the like to which the Protector (so called) doth at this day. And here is plainly the bottom and rise of this abomination, which is broken in upon us, whether we will or no. But let them go on, we have sufficient examples, and experiences before us, for our encouragement; from what the Lord hath done already, with those who close with Persons or Things, which either are not at all for God, or are lesse for him, than their brethren, thereby to strengthen themselves against those who were getting out of Aegypt, and were more for him and his work than themselves were: And I am fully assured, that as he hath be∣gun already, so he will go on yet fu••••••••r, to lay every thing else a side, which stands in his way, and hinders the Carrying on of his work, & let the mistery of iniquity work never so much in secret, & closly yet the Lord will discover & destroy him, & will secretly come upon them (as he hath in a good measure begun to doe al∣ready) as a moth into a garment, and will eate up, and consume

their counsels, as the Woorm doth wooll. 51. Isa. 8. Insomuch that all those wayes they take for their more firm establishment in their Apostacies and backslidings shall be those very things which will destroy them, 30 Isa. 1.2, 3. verses. Isa. 29.15.

And therefore dear friends, I pray you take heed, that ye are not carried away by the subtilties and fair pretences of these men, who are so wofully departed from God, his Cause, and that ho∣nest spirit and principle, which once they had; and from those many Declarations, and Engagements, which they set forth in the day of our streights, against these very things they now take up and live in; by which they did encourage so many to go forth who have since been slain. For what ever they say and plead for themselves, the late King & his Councel being taken away, there is no more need, as to the well government of the Nation; to have a Protector and his Councel in their room, which is the same and worse, (with his Court, pompe, vanity, building fine houses, planting Gardens, and making Rivers and Ponds, with the States money, for pleasure and delight, more then formerly, which cannot but be very chargeable to the people) then there is need to set up Bishops with their attendants, and to build up Pauls if it were down, for the advancement of Religion and the Gospel.

I say again, take heed that you are not led away and d••c••ived by these men, but be faithfull to the Lord his work and people, and be sure you endeavour to carry it so, as that the present, and the generations to come, may blesse God for you: because that in your day, you stood up in your Lot to uphold the just Rights and Liberties of the Nation; and if you would follow the Lord fully, then away with Father, Mother, Wife, Brethren, Sisters, Kindred, Master, P••stor, or eminent member of the Congregation to which you do belong, Estate, Life, every thing, and know nothing that will in the least hinder you from being faithfull to the light you have received from God; but stand clear before him; and ap∣prove your hearts to him, and blesse his name if he hath given you such a frame of heart for I tell you it is better then ten thou∣sand worlds: and in the ••••••••ing of this you do no more then the Saints of old have done before you, as in 11. Heb. throught the whole chapter. Freinds I speak my very heart, this Spirit is al∣most, if not altogether gone out of the world, & I tell you plain∣ly we shall never be right indeed til it be redeemed againe; and therefore I pray looke about you, and consider what Jesus Christ

sayes 14 Luke 26.27. If any man come to me, and hate not his father and mother, and wife, children, and brethren, and sisters, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple &c. there is nothing doth so much dishonor the Lord and weaken his cause and strenghten the hand of Antichrist, like the ••ying, and pleasing of my father, mother, wife, and Pastor or eminent member of the Congregation and the feare of losing estate and life: for shame away with this base, low, baggerly spirit, for it is not fit to be named or found among Saints in this day.

I say presse on hard after the Lord and his worke in your generation lest you loose the honest frame which was once, and I hope is yet upon your hearts for him his work and people, and as you grow in grace in reference to the kingdome of Christ within so grow and be more refined in the knowledge of, love to, and zeal for the kingdome of Christ, and righteousnes without you, and know this, it is very suteable to the teachings of the Spirit, to forget the things which are behind and to presse on to that which is before, and not to be building again the things which have been destroyed, by such an eminent hand of the Lord, and the shedding so much of the blood of his people.

And what though Mr. Kiffin, and severall members of the Bap∣tized Churches, and others, through their simplicity, and igno∣rance, being led by other mens light, and the remainder of the tincture of that spirit yet within them, which seeks the riches & honour that comes from man, do seemingly, or indeed own the power; by serving in the Militia, and therein joyning with Ma∣lignants and others, unsuitable to their principles, to the griev∣ing ••earts of many of their brethren, whilst the same spirit which they have, if they would be faithfull to their light is persecuted and imprisoned; let not this, nor the consideration that they have all the power of the Nation in their hands, and the little de∣spised Remnants being low, in the least dishearten, and make you to draw back, for the Lord who hath done excellent, glorious, & wonderfull things already, in order to the carrying on of his work thus far, is on his way, and is one step after another, taking out of the way, what ever lets, and doubtles will be more refined and glorious, in his dispensations for the future, for he having be∣gun to be so alredy, it is very suitable to him who hath a fulnes of the spirit, and love to his work, & all power in his hand to do it, having also promised he will do it, to go on & in that way where in he hath gone already by his spirit, in, & by the hands without,

of the foolish, base, despised, nothing things. 1. Cor. 1.27, And so will one time after an other, overturne overturne, overturne, till he comes whose right it is, and then will give it him. And he shall raign in righteousnesse, and his Saints with him. Isai. 32.1.2. Therefore all you who are the sonnes, and daughters of Syon, who by the spirit of the Lord, coming in upon you, do love him, and his work, and who accor∣ding to his will, Mich. 4.10. are in panges, and travaile, from some tasts of the sweetnes, and glory of it, which you have had already and from thence cannot be satisfied untill it be brought forth, know this for your encouragement that these breathings, and pantings in yee are from the Lord, who is more concerned in, and in love with, that worke which yee are so much in panges, and trawaile for, then you are your selves, and therefore will, beyond your desires, and in that time (which ye shall all acknowledge is the b••st) bring it forth, only according to his command you must continue in your panges, and travaile. And if in the meane time whilst yee are waiting upon him, in these things, he sweetely refresheth your spirits, in the manifestations of his love, and the enjoyments of his presence, which is a decla∣ration and seale from him that he ownes you, in this worke as for ever blessed be his name he doth) and which is a secret hint from him, which the world, and many professors, yea pastors, and members of Churches, understand not, and a forerunner, of his being nigh at hand, and comming forth: which enjoyments are so sweet, and glorious, especially at that time, when the spirit of the Lord is most powerfull upon you (which may be also a further confirmation to you, that the Lord is in the work) as is wo••th all your waiting upon him; if you had nothing further in your expectation: Therefore lift up the weak hands, which hang down, and chear up the hearts which are ready to faint; and confirm the seble Knees which are weary and ready to strike toge∣ther: For your God will come wi••h vengeance upon Apostates, and backsliders, if they repent not, and with a recompence to you; for all that, which by his spirit in you he hath enabled you to do, or suffer for him: He will come and saye you, 35 Isa. read from 3. to the end: For he that shall come, will come, and will not tarry, 10. Heb. 37. Even so doth, and let the spirit in the Saints, who are the Bride mentioned, 22 Rev. 17. cry out in faith and prayer, with strong cryes, Come Lord Jesus, come quickly, Amen.