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Breviate of the Lamentable Case of the late Sir William Dick in Scotland his Estate, and of his sole Son, Ex∣ecutor, and General Successor: With their numerous dispersed desolate Families, for the Commonwealth.
THe late Sir William Dick in the beginning of these troubles and com∣motions in the Commonwealth, did appear first of all men of his quality in the three Nations, to stand in the gap; and for preserva∣tion of pure Religion from carnal Prelacy, and the thousands of Israel from Arbitrary Government, and the just priviledges of Parlia∣ments, their Representatives, in their due lustre and liberty, Did offer up Himself, Children, and Friends, at home and abroad, with all their Fortunes, Credit, and Estate, in Sacrifice to the service of the Publick, most chearfully, and constantly all the days of his life, in that Good old Cause, then the Prayers of the Saints, and scope and mark of all true Publick Spirits.
That for these his unparalleld disbursements, for the Nations, joyntly in the bonds of Brotherhood, and no otherways (and lately stated by the then Power and Government to Sixty seven thousand and three hundred pounds, to wit, Thirty nine thousand and five hundred pounds due by England, out of the Navy, Papists, and Delinquents Estates, and Twenty seven thousand and eight hundred pounds by Scotland out of the Excises and Assessments there.) He had all solemn Promises and Protestations, Rights and Securities of Parliaments, as Humane Faith, Christian Bonds, or Law could devise for his thankful payment. And more particularly, Orders of Parliament dated 28 November, 1648. and October 1, 1653. with several Reports of Committees of Parliament, in September 1649. and March, 1652. yet little or nothing recovered these Fifteen years past after all painful and expensive solicitation and attendance: But by such unexpected dis∣appointments of that well-deserving Debt, his precious time lost, his life weari∣ed, and died at last in the way through heart-break, in all misery and want. His Children, Executor, and Friends cast in all disgraceful prisons, their former plenti∣ful Estates seised upon by the Creditor for the Publick; and their numerous Fami∣lies, with their desolate Wives, Orphans, and Widows, ready to perish for want of Bread, by such eminent actions and services in that Good old Cause: Ah, let not this be heard in Gath, nor published in the streets of Askalon.
The sole Son, Executor, and general Successor, with these poor languishing Fa∣milies of the late Sir William Dick his Father, Do now, if not for Justice and Righteousness sake, Honors sake, general and particular Promises sake; yet hum∣bly pray for Christs sake (by whom this present Parliament, after long interruption in the secret purpose of Gods will, is now again by wonderful divine Providence, set down to judge his little ones, as their glory) That after so long delays and dis∣appointment, and so many unsupportable sorrows and pressures passing strength, right and equity may be done to him at last; Promises and Protestations perform∣ed, Ordinances and Orders of this present Parliament kept and obeyed, and he paid and satisfied of these unparalleld disbursements for the Publick, in all the possible ways as the present juncture of affairs may grant, and the deplorable con∣dition of the Executor may agree to. To the farther praise and commendation of Reformed Religion, the honor and glory of the Commonwealth, the greater en∣couragement of the godly and wel-affected party to the Government, to adven∣ture the like services presently, and hereafter, in the time of Publick streights and difficulties for the people, and the Cities of our God; and the undeniable proof and Sunshine-evidence of this honorable Parliament, their sincerity and upright∣ness of heart in their Declaration dated 7 May last, for the Work of Reformati∣on by their Righteousness and Justice to all men.