A word in season: to all sorts of wel minded people in this miserably distracted and distempered nation.: Plainly manifesting, that the safety and wel-being of the Common-wealth under God, dependeth on the fidelity, and stedfast adherence of the people, to those whom they have chosen, and on their ready compliance with them. Also, that the destruction and bondage of the Common-wealth in generall, and of every good minded man in particular cannot be avoided, if the people, through want of consideration, shall give eare to any other counsels or counsellers. Published by authority for the publique good.

A word in season, TO ALL SORTS OF WELL MINDED PEOPLE IN this miserably distracted and distempered Nation.

SINCE, (as the Scripture speaketh) no man hateth his owne flesh, but loveth and cherisheth it; and that natu∣rally, every man seeketh his own good: It is very strange, seeing we have the helpe of Reason, of Ex∣••erience, of the Word of God) that ••he right way, which leadeth to that End, ••hould be so hard, and difficult, to bee found, certainly, it cannot be so in it self; God hath been more good to man, then to make ••hings necessary hard to come by.

The difficulty will rather be found to a∣••ise by our owne default, from our want of a patient, setled, serious, and religious consi∣deration

of things, whereby we are continu∣ally lyable upon all occasions to be mis-led either by our own evill and eager desires, o•• by the evill examples of others, or by evi•• (though long setled) customes; or by the perswasions of politique deceivers, into such wayes, which though they seem to be strew∣ed with Roses and perfumes, yet are the wayes of death, and when we least suspect, bring us to destruction.

Our blessed Saviour therefore bids us to b•• wise as Serpents, because whilst we live in this world we have to doe with Serpents, and to beware of Wolves that come to us in sheeps clothing, to be innocent as Doves, is a most blessed temper of spirit, but very unsafe and lyable to every ginne, and bird of prey, if the wisdom of the Serpent be not joyned there∣with: Now all the helps of reason, of expe∣rience or the Word of God, produce not this wisdome without consideration; advised de∣liberate consideration, (such as few in this Nation are accustomed unto) without which that which is called knowledge or under∣standing, is not true knowledge nor under∣standing, serving to no publique use at all, except to distract and distemper, and ve••••

and destroy a Nation. It is the voice of God himselfe; My people will not consider, they will not understand; without consideration it is ••mpossible to understand any thing as wee ought, and without understanding (true considerate understanding) man is like unto the beasts that perish: nor had this Nation ever been thus miserable as it hath been, is, and is like to be, but for want of this kind of consideration in the People; so that it may be as truly said of this, as of the perverse, rash, inconsiderate Nation of the Jewes; thy destruction is of thy self, O England. And if ever there were a cause to study and put in practice the wisdome of the Serpent, to be∣wa••e of Foxes that come to us in sheeps clo∣••hing: if ever there were a time requiring the uttermost of wisdom and consideration ••n all sorts of people, rich and poore, high and low, one with another; now there is a cause, now is the time.

For never to this day, were those who are trusted with the care of the Common∣wealth, so beset and surrounded with diffi∣culties; with unexpected appearances of strange things, such as no age can parralell, of so high and great concernment, as the

least miscarriage therein, may in a moment of time make void all their long, their faith∣full and painfull endevours, and involve us all into the most miserable bondage that ever over-whelmed any people.

And therefore (however any sort of men may delude themselves) if wee doe not al•• joyntly and unanimously (laying aside al•• dis affection for differences in judgement i•• Religion) patiently, setledly and seriously deliberate and consider what every one of us ought to doe, in reference to their preserva∣tion, abandoning all passion and wilfull prosecution of perverse and preposterou•• things, all jarring and repining at their pro∣ceedings; this Nation cannot be safe or hap∣pie, nay, cannot but bee miserable and wretched.

For the greatest and most superlative freedome, of this Nation (and wherin the safty and welbeing thereof doth reside) con∣sisteth in this; That Lawes cannot be made Government (Ecclesiasticall or Civill) cannnot be established or Altered: Warre cannot be∣levied, nor Peace concluded, nor monye•• raised, not any thing done; but by the Au∣thority of those whom the People them∣selves

doe chuse for Parliament: and intrust as their Commissioners, with full and com∣pleat power for their good. Had it not been by this just Authority, Wee had never been freed, from the tyrannies, oppressions and cruelties of the High Commission, Star-Chamber, and Councel-board: from the burthenous Execution of Forrest-law, Court of Honour, Commissions of Waste: from the Extortions, and Exorbitances, in the Courtes of justice, Chancery, Requests: from Shipmoney (for remission whereof, no lesse then twelve Subsidies were requi∣red) and from all those other innumerable Patents, Projects, Illegall warrants, and Im∣prisonments: Things which the whole Land long groned under; though (now re∣moved) the benefit be unworthily forgot∣ten, or mis-attributed to an Act of grace.

Had it not been for this Authority; the Court of Wards had never been abolished, that for many Ages hath oppressed the Land.

Had not this Authority opposed; the King had been furnished with monyes to have warred upon our Brethen of Scot∣••and, in his first attempt upon that Nation.

This Authority, in the worst of all for∣mer Times, when the strongest force and power was upon them▪ ever stuck closest to the intrest of the People, nor did the People in the worst of times, ever forsake them, but maintained Their power and priviledges, their Essence and Authority, whensoever they called upon them for helpe and assi∣stance, nor hath this just and powerfull Au∣thority been more true to the Commons that chose them, then to those worthy Lords and Patriots, that at any time have assisted them for the common good of the Nation, preserving their Honours with as true affection as the liberties of the People; no man can name the time that (intentional∣ly) this Authority ever did injury to any Just intrest either at home or abroad, but have borne and suffered much, from those that have made an ill use of their lenity and credulity.

All which is necessary to be remembred, and seriously considered in this instant of time, beause if these things be seriously laid to heart, it may happily expel those poy∣sonous vapors, with which our ayre begins to be infected, wee have a generation of for∣getfull,

ingratefull people, who because the Parliament cannot yeeld unto all they desire (without extreame thraldom to the people, in things Ecclesiasticall and Civill) are dege∣nerate into a malevolent disposition, mur∣muring and repining at all their procee∣dings, and making hard constructions of their Just endevours; and by politique and subtill meanes, labour to alinate the hearts of their friends from them, and to incline them to give eare to other Counsels, laying open their infirmities, (which they should rather go backward to cover) and would (if they could) possesse the world that there is a sort of men that would settle Religion more purely, performe and interpret the Cove∣nant more exactly, and doe justice more speedily, and more sincearely then this just Authority, whom the peoble themselves have chosen, nay, there are fames abroad, that there are catalogues taken of any thing that may possibly bear a bad or sinister con∣struction, to be shewed to the people, in the day of their extremity, if such a day can be procured.

And for what end all this? Why, you shall not faile to be told it is for the glory of

God, the setting up of the Kingdome of Je∣sus Christ, and the everlasting good of the soules of the people, and the like; but take yee heed how yee heare or give credit to these Syren songs? these charmes of Dalilah, are but to deprive Sampson of his strength, to rob the people of their Power: It is a sad proverb, but Court Logick hath proved it so frequently true, that it may be related without suspition of blasphemy, In nomine Domini incipit omne malum; When the Di∣vill transformes himselfe into an Angell of light, to make his delusion currant, he is ne∣cessitated to use such language: For which cause our blessed Saviour adviseth us to be Wise as Serpents, lest wee be beguiled by their subtill glosing dissimulations.

But as the Apostle saith in another case, If an Angell from heaven preach any other do∣ctrine, let him be accursed. So in this case, if any though in the shape of an Angell of light, of stength, of powers, or dominations, shall endevour, by any meanes whatsoever, to divide you from those you have chosen, either in affection, or assistance, you are to hold them for the most accursed Traitors that ever trode upon English ground, and to

use all lawfull meanes to bring them to con∣digne punishment; being well assured, that whatsoever is pretended; the intent can be no other then to extirpate for ever the foun∣dation of the freedom and safty of the peo∣ple: which once done, a ready way is made for any thing that can make a people wret∣ched and miserable, without hope of reme∣dy.

And therefore be advised in time, before you are ingaged too farre, and be confident, those inconveniences you have fancyed to your selves (and wherein you are like e∣nough to be mistaken) if they should in∣deed prove reall ones, yet were you better to have patience, and by loving discourses and prudent meanes endevour to worke a better information, (which time may pro∣duce, as by experience in your selves you cannot but know) rather then through im∣patience and violent importunity, to cast your selves upon a remedy that must neces∣sarily be destructive to the whole people of the Land: For once suppose or admit that any (pretending whatsoever, piety or au∣thority) may more properly judge of Law (or religion so far as concernes the publique)

or give interpretation of oaths or covenants, or treaties or transactions, or any thing which is of publick concernment, then those whom the people have chosen▪ and fare∣well common freedome for ever, who ever those are you would so prefer, as far as in you is, in so admitting or supposing, you be∣tray the great freedome of the Nation, and set Masters over the Parliament, then which there can be no greater Treason.

Be not flattered and deluded out of your Birthright: Consider, what ever you are, you are but apart of the whole people, it is impossible that you can give the sense and minde of all the Commons of England: Nay, if you could, it is not lawfull for you to doe it otherwise then by a becomming information, and to rest satisfied when you have so done: You are not intrusted by the people, you are not Chosen to that end: But this just Authoritie is a power chosen, and intrusted; and you are to know, that they are absolutely Free to follow the dictat of their owne Understandings and Consci∣ences, informed by the word of God, by principles of right Reason, and all other good meanes, as is most probable to con∣duce

to the safetie and weale of the People; which they lately and worthily have decla∣red to be the end of the Primitive Institution of all Government.

Whosoever shall tell you, that either themselves or any others, will ever doe you more good then those you have chosen; make no scruple to owne them for deceivers, that Absolon like, kisse, and wooe you, of purpose to enslave you.

What though some things may not be done so perfectly, or so inexcusably as you could wish: Consider, they are but men, subject to the same passions and infirmities as your selves; they are not like some anci∣ent Fraudulent great Councels, that have maintained the Canons and Decrees there∣of to be infallible: Nay, they are so farre from such delusion, that they have many times altered their owne Orders, Ordinan∣ces, and Acts, upon further or better infor∣mation, and doe not refuse, nor reject Peti∣tions and informations duly offered by any peaceable Persons, few, or many, and as rea∣dily follow the advices of others (which they approve) as their own immediate ap∣prehensions and Councels.

And as a sure testimony of their faithful∣nesse and sinceritie; doe but seriously con∣sider, how exceedingly God hath blessed them, viz. with the affections of the people; with power and strength in the field, with deliverance from many most desperate Plots, and out of many sore and difficult exi∣gents, that their enemies have bin as Chaffe before their Armies: What force hath bin to mighty, or place to strong for their Achie∣vement? And now, that they have all, as it were in their owne command (by the same good providēce of God) would you now be∣cause they cannot please you in every parti∣cular, except they shall go against their own Consciences, gladly see them troden upon and brought under: Surely, if you would but open your eyes, you could not but see; that the hand of God is still with them, and will not bee shortned: Hee hath already brought low the Mighty, and reproved, vanquished even Kings for their sakes, and for theirs whom they represent: And doe You now Thinke that Any shall be able to lay their honour in the dust? You cannot certainly be many, that have been thus blinded or deluded: Nor can you possi∣bly

long continue in so bad a mind. A little consideration must necessarily change your minds, and God, I trust, will prevent you with his converting grace, and will not suffer you to be tempted above your power. How∣ever, this is most visible to all considerate men, that there are multitudes of honest Re∣ligious people, that remaine immaculate in their affections to this Honourable Parlia∣ment, and are truly thankfull for their un∣wearied labours, in recovery of the long lost Liberties of this great Nation, and stand firmely resolved to maintaine and defend with their lives and estates, their just power and priviledges against all opposition, cir∣cumvention, or delusion whatsoever: And those who shall cease to doe this, through a∣ny conceived cause or provocation, they shall esteeme them the most treacherous up∣on earth, and not worthy the name of true English-men, or Christians.

This, by generall discourse and observa∣vation, is found to be a known truth; and therefore, it is earnestly hoped, the Honou∣rable Parliament will no whit abate of their resolutions, to make this Nation absolutely free and happy, notwithstanding the mani∣fold

new discoveries of strange Apparitions, if they but please to consider seriously the true Englishmans temper▪ they will find, they have multitudes more with them then a∣gainst them; and that in times to come this shall be an English proverb, As certain to pe∣rish, as those that openly oppose, or would secretly undermine a Parliament.

FINIS.