The mystery of the two ivntos Presbyterian and independent. Or, The serpent in the bosome vnfolded.

To the un-byassed Reader.

YOu that are byassed with self-respects I write not to, you have your aimes; and your ends before you are aware, like shot not feared, till felt) will come upon you. To the upright in heart, though mis led in judg∣ment I speak. Consider how by a prevaricating num∣ber of Grandees, our first Principles are altered; our Religion into Schisme, and Hypocriticall profanenes; Insomuch that the Lords Supper is now almost every where discontinued, for want of (I know not what) imaginary Ʋtopian holinesse. The Creed Lords Prayer, and Ten Commandements, (the instruments of Faith, Hope, Charity, teaching Omnia credenda, speranda, & facienda) left out of the Directory. Thus much for Religion.

Our known Laws (being the second Principle held out to the Peo∣ple by the Nationall Covenant, and many Declarations) are turned into Arbitrary, emergent, and upstart Orders and Ordinances of Parliament: every day rising, and every day withering like Mush∣romes. So that we are now governed Jure vago & incerto, by a lea∣den Lesbian rule, to which we cannot square our obedience and acti∣ons, but must stay till the Grandees that guide the Legislative power of Parliament make application of them to our actions. A great mi∣sery.

The third Principle is our Liberties. What is become of them, this little Treatise will tell you, as also of our Properties. But stay! me thinks I heare men say that the clamour and danger mutining at the Parliament door these two last weeks, hath humbled our Grandees, and made them seek the Lord with Fasting and Prayer. I answer, let mee tell you what succeeded in the House of Commons, when a Let∣ter and Declaration from the Army being tendred to be read, some of the Grandees answered, That if they should read those demands, they might chance to find them of that nature, as they can neither with justice deny them, nor with honour grant them, because it was not ho∣nourable for them to doe their duty upon admonition of their Army, being but their servants, and would savour of compulsion. To pre∣vent this, they resolved to take into confideration freely and of their

owne accord the Grievances which scandalized the people. They went therefore upon 3. Heads: The Self-denying Ordinance. Ʋpon which they Voted (as they said by a Preparatory Vote onely) That all Mem∣bers holding any Offices, Grants, or Places by concession of the Par∣liament, shall account for, and pay in the profits thereof to the Grand Committee of Accounts. This I conceive under favour of the Gran∣dees, who possesse those places, and contrived this Vote (to be a meer delusory Order, For who can beleeve that such self-seeking men, as all men know them to be, will execute these offices for nothing, and pay in to the use of the State their profits. Besides, it is apparent how subservient to these Grandees, their own creatures, the Committee of Accounts are.

2. They Voted, That no money hereafter should be given to any Member in compensation or recompence of his losses, untill the Publick Debts be paid. Here the Grandees were in earnest, because their owne turnes are already served, and the losse and inconvenience of this Vote falls only upon the much contemned Middle or Moderate Members.

3. They appointed a Committee to consider how to take off the Grievance arising from such Members as abusing the Priviledge of Parliament refuse to pay their debts.

Proh Superi, quantum mortalia pectora caecae Noctis habent; Ipse sceleris molimine Tereus Creditur esse pius; laudem{que} a crimine sumit.

Let not the Grandees be offended, that I discover those sicknesses which they labour to cover; Antea morbos, necesse est, cognitos esse, quam remedia eorum. God onely can be the Aesculapius and cure them. But I am afraid they desire rather a slight suppurating, then a perfect cure; and that they pray rather to hide, then help their evils.

Da fallere, da justum, sanctum{que} videri Noctem peccatis, & fraudibus objice nubem.

If this be their condition, quos perdere vult Jupiter, hos demen∣tat; quos tueri vult, suscitat. I have done my duty, even in this ge∣neration, quando dicere quod nolo miserum, quod volo & debeo pe∣riculosum. I leave the successe to God, resting,

Thine,

THEODORUS VERAX.