The visions of government wherein the antimonarchical principles and practices of all fanatical commonwealths-men and Jesuitical politicians are discovered, confuted, and exposed / by Edward Pettit ...

THE Second VISION OF GOVERNMENT. (Book 2)

The CONTENTS.

The miserable state of the Christians un∣der the Turks: the happy condition of the people of England: Good Govern∣ment the reason of it: The Male∣contents described and exposed: The Argument that converted and confir∣med a Jew in the Christian Faith: He confutes and condemns the Fana∣ticks for their Rebellious Murmu∣rings and Practices: He proves Mo∣narchy to be of Divine Institution, and the best of Governments. The Monarchy of England the best in the

World. The design of Hobb's Levia∣than and of Nevil's Plato Redivivus, they are both in the extremes, and both exploded. The Ghosts of Hobbs, Machiavel, and some other modern Politicians, quarrel about Prehemi∣nence. Lucifer not able to decide the Controversie, referrs it to Bradshaw; He determines for Richard baxter, upon the account of that Maxim, that Dominion is founded in Grace. The Folly of it discovered in his Book entituled A Holy Commonwealth; and the Villany of it in the Practices of the late Commonwealth of En∣gland.

WE were now sailing for England as fast as the Winds, and swift as our Desires could carry us, when by the way (methoughts) we found a Ienizary floating upon the Seas, and half starv'd, who had at∣tempted to make an escape in a little Cock-Boat from Malta, where he had for some time been detained a Priso∣ner. As soon as he was refreshed with a few Cordials, Seignior Christiano

knew him very well: And turning to me, You cannot imagine (said he) how much I have been beholden to this poor Fellow all along my Travels in Turky; and with what fidelity he hath attended me through several dangers; and there∣fore out of meer gratitude I am bound to take care for his Preservation.

I thought Sir, (said I) there had been nothing in Turky but Tyranny, Perfidiousness and Cruelty to be met withal. Yes (replyed he) there is a certain thing amongst them called Good Nature by us (for none other Lan∣guage can express it) which influence's some of them with that Candor and Hu∣manity, as will make them stand fairer before the Great Tribunal, than the Mur∣therous Zeal of Treacherous and Fana∣tical Christians. But for this, we are rather beholding to the particular dispo∣sitions of men, than to the Constitu∣tion of their Government, which in it self is unnaturally Cruel and Barbarous: therefore because some may say, that I have represented the State of the Chri∣stians under the Turks to be more despe∣rately deplorable than really it is; I do confess that you may meet with Civilities from some particular persons amongst

them; and that they allow the Graecians the free exercise of their Religion; insomuch, that at Larissa, the chief City of Thessaly, the Arch-Bishop (even in the time of the Grand Seignior's residence there) appears in some splendor in his Cathedral Church of S. Achilleus; and at Tornovo a great Town and a Bishops See, not far from thence, there were not long ago, no less than Eighteen Christian Churches, and but Three Moschea's: But, as I told you before, these Churches must in time fall to ruine; and the reason they are allowed so many, is, because they being so numerous, might upon great ex∣tremities of oppression revolt, and recon∣cile themselves to the Latine Church for their Protection. However, they pay dear enough for that Liberty they have: and what do you think of a motion in the Divan, of putting most of the Chri∣stians throughout all their Dominions to death upon any memorable defeat? Therefore what a miserable condition are they in, who are like to lose their Reli∣gion if the Turks prevail, or their Lives, if they be routed? And indeed they are permitted to enjoy both, as the Caloires of Mount Athos do the Treasures of their Chappel, which the Turks can surprize,

and take away when they please. The de∣solation, waste and barrenness of those Countreys, formerly so rich, must needs be occasioned by the Tyranny of that Go∣vernment, wherein the Peasants durst not sow what they fear the Soldiers would reap: and they have a saying, That were it not for the Timariots, there would no Grass grow where the Grand Seignior's Horse sets his foot. 'Tis true, that the very Luxuriant Tem∣perature of some Grounds in so vast an Empire, produce Rich Vines, Rice, with most sorts of Grain, Cotton, Sesa∣mum, &c. with little Industry: but all the Provinces are vastly altered from that state we read of in Ancient Histories: and on the contrary, England as much for the better, from what it was in former times: So that those of England are very wicked, that wish the success of the Turkish Arms abroad; and very Igno∣rant, or what is worse, very ungrateful, that dislike their own Government, and mutiny against their Prince at home.

We were now come as far as Green∣wich, where we landed; and the calm and bright Sun-shine Day, in the most delightsome time of the Spring, invi∣ted us to take a walk to the top of the

Hill: as soon as I had breath'd a little, I observ'd, that the Turk we brought along with us, was almost ravish'd with delight and wonder: And surely, (said he) this is the Paradise of the Western World, and the Garden of all Pleasures: How thick is this Noble Coun∣trey set with shining Palaces in the midst of Verdant Groves intermixt with em∣broyder'd Plains of divers colours? and that vast and splendid City (pointing to London) stretching it self out in full ease beyond the reach of mine eyes, upon the Banks of this large and open Ri∣ver?

Methinks truly, (said I to Seignior Christiano) 'tis as Noble a Prospect as ever I beheld: yet I cannot forget that of Constantinople from Scutari or Galata; the Towring Moschea's, with their gilded Half Moons, over-topping the Cyprus Trees, put me in mind of the Hesperides of the Poets with Golden Fruit.

You might better (replyed he) have be∣stowed your hovering fancy upon the Apples of Sodom: for how finely soever that City appears at a distance, there is not a more confused dirty hole of the bigness, in the Ʋniverse, when you are in it; the

Houses resemble so many Prisons, and the Inhabitants are all Slaves.

'Tis our condition (said the Turk) to which we were born, and in which we must live and die, (and although some of our Order, have, like the Praetorian Bands of Rome, or the Mammalucs of Aegypt of late years, been somewhat too inso∣lent) yet the Grand Seignior is Lord of all we have on this side the Grave: we eat his Bread, and drink his Water, and breathe his Air; and therefore we must do and suffer his will; we may live as long as we can, but we must dye when He please: we must have Patienza sin a perder la testa e poi patienza. Pa∣tience to the loss of our heads, and pa∣tience after that. Since the case is thus with us, his other Subjects have little encouragement to build, plant, or sow, any more than what will protect them from the immediate Injuries of Hunger and Cold, or to provide for the next Generation, who are so miserable in their own. But pray, Sir, (said he to me) what is the reason that the people of England are so very Rich, so very Hap∣py, as they seem to be?

They really are so (replyed I) if they knew their own happiness. The

people of England by the Providence of God, and the Goodness of their Princes, from the Times that were before your Empire had a Name or Being, have en∣joy'd many great Priviledges under the Name of Property; and what may seem strange to you, the Prerogative of the King, is the very Property or Liberty of the Subject; a Mysterie as unknown to you in our State, as the Articles of the Christian Faith in our Church.

'Tis hard indeed I believe (said he) many of your own people do'nt under∣stand it.

I wish they did (said I), for our Government is so divinely temper'd, that the Honour of the King consists in the Happiness of his People; and the Happiness of the People, in the Honour of the King. He, by his good and wholsome Laws protects and encourages them, and they all ought to honour and defend him. By his Laws those Lands have those delightful limits and boundaries, which you see; and instead of Thorns and Briars, are rich in what is good for food, and pleasant to the taste. By his Laws, the Lusts, Ambi∣tion and Covetousness of men are kept

under; every one being confin'd to his proper Business and Station, to the en∣crease of Vertue, Honour and Ju∣stice. Hence 'tis, that you see the waters burden'd with the Fruits and Products of other Nations, and the Land with our own. Hence 'tis, that all Arts and Sciences flourish, and even from our improv'd Arts of War for our defence, you learn how to invade the effects of our peace. Look but in∣to that famous City of London, and see how vastly the condition of man∣kind is altered, from what you find it in Constantinople; here you will see the Markets crowded with fatted Sheep and Oxen, there with lean Slaves, whose only hopes depend upon the being bought by a good Master; here our greatest trouble is, to get a good Servant; and if they were but all good Subjects, there is not a better King in the World.

Not good Subjects (cry'd He)! then 'tis too good a Land for so bad a People; but methinks, they seem to have little ei∣ther of Business or Trouble, for they walk to and fro as they please: pray, Sir, let me be so happy, as to partake with them of their great freedom.

At this we went down into the Walks, and on a sudden fell upon two Persons that were talking together very earnestly: we were unwilling to interrupt them; yet kept at such a di∣stance as to overhear them (for they talk't very loud) one of them saying, well! well! I confess, I have pretty well feathered my Nest, but let the Kings affairs go how they will, I will e'en secure my self, I will e'en lie and Lowng (as they call it) let others stickle that have a great deal to get, and little to lose; for my part, I am for Cokesing of Mammon, I'll not hazard my For∣tunes; truly not I. Indeed, said the o∣ther, things are carried very strangely at Court; I wonder what becomes of all the money; I think they did well to vote that no body should lend him any upon any Branch of his Revenue. Of whom do they speak, said the Turk? Of the King (said I)—And who made that Vote? the Parliament (said I). And what is that replyed He? The Great Council of the Nation, into which, some Seditious persons crept in of late years, and promoted such a Vote. And who are these persons that talk at this rate, said He? Why, said I,

they have both of them very good Offi∣ces under the King; how many Aspers a day have they, said He again? As∣pers! (said I) do you talk of Aspers! they have at the rate of 4. or 5000. pieces of Eight of Yearly Revenues, be∣sides what they get by the bye. At this the Turk fell into such a rage, that he had like to have run over me, and looking sternly upon them,

Ye ungrateful Dogs! quoth He, do Ye eat your Masters Bread, to vomit it up in his face again? were ye in the Grand Seigniors Dominions, he would scorn to defile the meanest Slave he has, by being your Executioner, but would cram ye both into a hole, until ye either devoured one another for Hunger, or that those Mouths (that spoke those words) eat up those Hands that used to feed them. And then, turning to me, Are these, said he, the fruits of Virtue, Honour and Justice you lately talkt of?

You talkt, Sir, (said I) of Patience too lately, pray have a little now: I could rather (said he) indure to have my head cut off, than my ears on to hear what such ungrateful men say. But perhaps those other two Gentlemen that walk yonder, are of a better mind;

they too are hot in discourse, let us hear them. As soon as we came near them; What Justice, Tom, (cry'd one of them) can we expect from those Tory Lawyers, now they are got upon the Bench? the very name of Whigg, is enough to cast a man in any Suit or Trial that comes before them.—That is an hard case (said the Turk to me)—And what will become of the Protestant Religion, Jack, (said the o∣ther)? for Dr. Oates tells us, That most of the Bishops are Popishly inclin'd, and you know Popery is Image-wor∣ship, mere Idolatry—Poor men, said the Turk, I protest I pity them—But hark you, Tom (said he again) pray lend me 50. l. for a Fortnight.—I vow, Jack (reply'd the other) thou art a merry fellow, but thou hast such slip∣pery tricks with thee; you know how you serv'd Mr. L. N. t'other day, who was your good friend; and besides, if Fortune frown'd upon you, or your Friends were unkind to you, that you could not pay Your Debts, t'were a∣nother case; but you have got a trick of Borrowing Money, when you have a great deal by you, either for the sake of the use of it, or with a design

never to repay it. However, I have a Bottle of Wine or two, and a Wench at your service, but a pox on the pul∣ling down these Conventicles, a man cannot get a wholsom Wench half so con∣veniently now as formerly.——Prithee, Tom, don't stand fooling, said he, let me have so much Money, I'll be faithful to you.

At this the other began to Curse and Swear at such a desperate rate, that the Turk jumpt as if he had been fright∣ed out of his wits; and rolling his eyes to and fro, and looking upwards. Are we, said he, poor Turks, so careful of defiling that Sacred Name in a piece of Paper; and do these Christians make nothing to blaspheme it upon so trivial an account? Oh! Jesu, if thou be God, as the Christians say thou art; as thou by the hands of Amurath the Second, didst revenge the perfidious dealing of Ladi∣slaus the Hungarian King, and punish him for his Perjury; so look upon these people that dishonour thy Name, and take vengeance on them for their Blas∣phemy. Then turning to us, You are, said he, civil Persons, and I heartily thank you for your goodness towards me; but I'll return to Turky, and ra∣ther

endure the meanest slavery of that place, than the wickedness of this. So away he went in great hast and fury; putting me in mind of Hathny a No∣bleman of the Indians, who being told that the Spaniards went to Hea∣ven, renounc't his Baptism; protest∣ing that He would rather go to Hell with the unbaptiz'd, than to live in Heaven with so cruel a people.

He was no sooner gone, but we fell into the company of a Gentleman that was of the Reformed Church, and born in Romania. He had been throughly acquainted with all the Scruples and Controversies, which the Rigid and Factious Calvinists, and o∣ther Sectaries had raised in Bohemia, Hungaria, Misia, and Transylvania; and whilst He was in England, had a full account of our Ecclesiastical Govern∣ment given him to his full satisfacti∣on; and being withal a Person of good Learning, and fine Conversation, we were extremely glad to meet him; but our first Respects were interrupt∣ed with the loud talk of two Clergymen, one of them saying,—What a noise have we had this whole Age about a few insignificant Ceremonies? my Li∣ving

would be worth 40 l. per Annum more, were it not for these Ceremonies; 'tis they make so many Dissenters, they keep people from coming to Church. Then your Father had an hard Bar∣gain of it when He bought that Living for You (replyed the other) 'twas well it was not known that it was actually void when He bought the Presentati∣on. What was that either to him or me, (replyed he again) if there was any going to the Devil in the Case, his lit∣tle Atturney had his Fee for that Jour∣ney: besides, you know my Father is a Presbyterian, and so he did not act contra∣ry to his Conscience, because He thinks it Lawful. And to save my self, I told him, that if He let me know what it cost him, that I would not take it; for I would not break my Oaths for all the Prefer∣ments in England; but a deuce take these Ceremonies; I wonder at our Bishops and Governours, that they should stickle so much for them, for now the Plot is dis∣covered, they say, they are willing to come to Church but for them.

You are troubled about Ceremonies (said the other) and I have as much reason to be concerned for the Sub∣stance; for my part I can get no Pre∣ferment,

the Bishops are the most par∣tial men in the World, and where they take a fancy, think no preferments too much, whilst others may e'en lick their fingers and starve; I have had a good mind to Johnsonize, or Allsopize a long time. But now the Plot is dis∣covered, as you say, I am resolved to be a swinging Tory, for the dissenting Preachers are quite broke. How do you know that (said he)? Why! (re∣ply'd he) a Tradesman in London said, That he had about Fifty Pounds owing him by them, and when he lately went to demand it, he was told, that they wondered that he should be so impu∣dent, as come for money in time of persecution.

Mr. Halicius (for that was the Gen∣tlemans name) could no longer for∣bear them; but turning to him that last spoke. As for you, Sir (said he) it signifies not a farthing, whether you be of a Conventicle, a Mosch, a Syna∣gogue, or a Pagode; for you are re∣solved to be of no Church, until you see which way the Wind lyes by the Weather∣cock upon the Steeple: But for that Gen∣tleman that is Instituted and Inducted into the Nine and Thirty Articles of

the Church of England, let me advise him, when he parts with the Ceremonies, ee'n to throw the small Tythes too into the bargain: for I do assure him, they will scarce be contented with the great ones at last: If the experience of the late Plunderings and Sequestrations here in England, will not convince him, Dr. Ba∣sier can tell him what vexatious troubles and controversies they have from little beginnings, raised in all the Eastern Pro∣vinces of Christendom; and what a squabble they afterwards made about Episcopacy at Moras vaherheli in the year 1657. even whilst the Turks were knocking at the fore-door, and the Je∣suits at the back.

Sir (said I) without going over the Water, one would think, that what King Charles the First foretold would befall the Trimmers in his dayes, might forewarn those of our * 1.1 Those now called Moderate Men, they will then (said he) call Malignant; and the inequality, injustice and oppres∣sion they will then endure, will too late discover to them to their cost, that they have undone themselves with too much discretion; and obtain'd nothing by their unjustifiable cau∣tious

compliance, but to be destroyed at last. But for those people who raise and object these scruples upon the ac∣count of their Tender Consciences, it has been enough discovered, wherein that Tenderness consists: and 'tis as mani∣fest, that they have no Conscience at all; and they as little, who comply with them. I do verily from my heart believe, that there are some in the world, that make Objections, and dispute against some Ceremonies and Forms of Prayer in the Liturgy, wherein there are publick De∣votions appointed for every day of the year Morning and Evening, who do not once in a Month pray in private. I am very plain, I say, I do believe it: What signifies the Surplice to so black a Vil∣lain as Ferguson? Why should such a Messenger of Satan as Oates, scruple to pray for all that travel by Land or by Water? Do you think the Ring in Ma∣trimony any great Nusance to such an Hellish Cheat as Meed? Or that they value the Sign of the Cross, (the Ban∣ner of the Obedient and Holy Jesus) who are Rebellious Traytors at home, and joyn with impure Infidels abroad?

Whether they were both convinc'd or asham'd, I cannot tell; but they march'd off; and as they were going, This I must say (said Mr. Halicius) in all the world where ever I come, that there never was in any Church since the plan∣tation of the Gospel, more Pious, Lear∣ned, Ingenious and truly faithful Cler∣gy-men, than there are at this day in the Church of England; and if these and all other lukewarm Trimmers were spued out of it, it would be much better for the Body of it, and for the Head too.

We were now walking still onward until in a shady solitary place we saw a Non-conformist Preacher fall in a∣mong a company of women who were very Rich in their Garb; they seemed somewhat disconsolate: but as soon as they saw him, they cry'd, Welcome thou Man of God! Yea, very welcome art thou unto us! How hast thou been preserved in these dayes of tribulation? Indeed (said he) the persecution waxeth hot against the people of the Lord; the great Dragon is broken loose with his long tail, and vomits out whole floods of Popish Holy-water after the Woman in travail; the hunting Nimrods pursue us; the

Folds are broken down, and the Sheep are scattered: I am come therefore to refresh ye, O ye scattered Flocks; and since ye cannot hear the Gospel, pray read it in these godly Bukes. Here likewise take these holy things: here is S. Russel's Picture, and a Sliver of the Deal Board spotted with his Blood shed for the Good Old Cause: Here is like∣wise the Picture of S. Sydney, with an Inch of his Cane; and here are the works of Mr. Baxter and Mr. Doolittle, with their Effigies: These are excellent Antidotes against the Powers of Popery, and the Charms of Antichrist: Oh ye pretty little Lambs, that cry Meigh, Meigh, with earnest longings and groa∣nings: Here is Milk for Babes, and Meats for Strong Men, in four and twenty Sermons: when ye have digested these, the Man of Sin will never be able to prevail over the Babe of Grace.—

In exchange for this Trash, they privately crowded three or four Guinea's into his hand, which he meekly took, with his leave at the same time: But one of them was so overwhelmed with grief and trouble for his going away, that her sighs interrupted her speech for a long time;

at last a few broken sentences burst out, and she cryed, Oh how the Vision ceaseth, and the Prophets prophesie not! In the midst of this great Agony, a Bramble-Bush chanc'd to catch hold on a deep Lace on her Petticoat, and made a great Rent in it. Good God! what an alteration was there in a mo∣ment? She fell a scolding and railing at her Maid, that followed waiting upon her, as if she had been bewitch'd; cal∣ling her all the ugly Names, her fu∣ry could suggest; as if by her care∣lesness she had been the cause of it: when again spying us, and fearing that we over-heard her, she as artifi∣cially chang'd her Note: Thou simple Wench, thou dundernoles, quoth she, somewhat more softly, and with a smile, Canst thou not find the Chapter? Fie Mary, fie; here take the Bible again, look the Eleventh Chapter to the He∣brews and at the Thirty Seventh Verse, there thou shalt find an account of our sufferings.

At this a little Old Man, that stood behind her, burst out a laughing; and looking on me, Don't this place of Scri∣pture, said he, daintily suit their pre∣sent Garb and Conditions? Don't these look

as if they wandered about in Sheep∣skins and Goat-skins! You may soon imagine, how much they are destitute, af∣flicted or tormented. These are the genteelest mourners in Zion that ever I met with; all of them in the newest fashion: I believe truly these Martyrs are more troubled about their Taylors, than about their Executioners. Well, I little thought to find the women of England dissatisfied of all others in the world; I am sure their freedoms and priviledges are so extraordinarily great, that were there a Bridge from Calais to Dover, we should have them scamper hither in throngs from all parts of Europe: and had the last great Frost but lasted so long and sharp, as to have laid all the Waters be∣twixt those two places, they would have scrambled over in shoals, though they had sopt their Constitutions to some purpose.

Sir, said I to him, if you fully un∣derstood the Humours of some of the people of this Nation, and the happiness they enjoy, you would say, that the men have as little reason to be turbu∣lent and mutinous, as the women to be Peevish and Discontented.

They have less reason to be so (said he) than any people under the Heavens.

I think I have seen most of the Nations of Europe; and when I consider the sin∣gular advantages of peace and plenty, which you here enjoy, it infinitely ag∣gravates the base Ingratitude of a stub∣born and factious Generation of men among you, that endeavour to subvert so excellent a Government, and to disturb the peace of so noble ond flourishing a Kingdom. To deal freely with you, I am a Jew by Birth; I was born at Lub∣lin in Poland, but by the grace of God I am now a Christian; and I confess to you that the happy condition of the Christians of the Reformed Church of England, is a sufficient Argument fully to confirm me in my Conversi∣on: For, (besides the removal of those prejudices which the Church of Rome gives us by their Pictures, and Images) I find the People of England far to exceed the Ancient Israelites in all Temporal Blessings, even in the most prosperous Times, wherein they possest the Land of Canaan.

First, In the Situation. For besides the old Inhabitants of the Land that were left to be * 1.2 thorns in their sides, they were encompassed with Enemies round about; besides the Philistines, they had the Assy∣rians,

the Aegyptians, the Aromites, the Edomites, the Moabites, and Amorites; nay, the Tribe of Asher, that bordered along the Sea Coasts, were never Masters of Sidon: But they were governed by their own Magistrates, as was Tyre, till taken by Alexander, or rifled by Nebu∣chadnezzar to no purpose, sometimes be∣fore: But you have the Seas not only o∣pen unto you for traffick, but around about you for a Guard and Defence; and I look that the Union of the Kingdom of Scotland to England, might prove as great a Blessing to Great Britain, as the separation and revolt of the Ten Tribes was a Curse and Calamity to the whole Body of the Israelites in General. 'Tis true, Boccalin tells us, That in his Time, when England was in the Scales, that it weighed some hundreds of thousands of grains less, after Scotland was added to it, than it did before. But you know what Devil it was that plaied that para∣doxical Gambol, it was the frothy Spirit of Light headed Fanaticism, which is in such a fair way to be Conjur'd down, or Blow'n off, that it will prove heavy e∣nough to some body over the Water one of these daies (If I be not mistaken.) In the mean time well might one, speaking

of the Bloody designs of the Jesuits, Nov. 5th. say of Great Britain * 1.3 Non videba∣tur posse Tentari fundamentum tam bene vallati Imperii: That it did not seem possible that the foundation of an Em∣pire so well intrencht, could ever be shaken. But England exceeds the Land of Canaan.

Secondly, In all manner of plenty: though it does not feed such vast num∣bers of people for the small Circuit of Ground, yet her Valleys are like Eden, her Hills like Lebanon, her Springs like Pisgah, a Land which not only injoys those Blessings in the fullest extent, which God promised to the most exact Obedience of the Israelites: But by its successful Traffick to all the parts of the Terrestri∣al Globe, possesses several Delights and Treasures, which all the Four great Mo∣narchies of old never heard, or dream't of▪ And,

Thirdly, In the improvement of all Arts and Sciences; if Solomon had more Knowledge in natural Causes, than any man living, 'twas his Prerogative as King; for none of the Ancient Ver∣tuosi, neither Heman, nor Chalcal, nor Elcan, nor Darda, have left any Philo∣sophical Transactions behind them. If

He understood the nature of the Load∣stone, and taught the Tyrians, and Phoenicians, the use of it, as * 1.4 one of this Nation affirms: 'Tis a strange thing that the Graecians, a people so Curious, and Inquisitive, so near Neighbours to them, so famous for Shipping, and a∣mong whom it was first found, and had a name, should be utterly ignorant of so noble a Mystery. If He understood the Circulation of the Blood, and knew all Trees, and Plants, from the Cedar of Lebanon, to the Hyssop on the wall; his Philosophy vanish't with his Religi∣on: For, He little considered the nature of that wood, or of those Minerals, whereof those gods (He afterwards wor∣shipt) were made. But you have a nu∣merous Society of excellent Philoso∣phers, of whose knowledge there is more certainty, and greater variety; and that a Royal Society too, incouraged by a King, wise as Solomon in his Govern∣ment; and more Knowing both in Phi∣losophy and Navigation: Who need not to send to foreign Nations for Mari∣ners, for his Shipping, as † 1.5 Solomon did, or for Workmen to build his Temple. And were his Government so absolute and despotical; or his Tribute and Tax∣es

so * 1.6 heavy upon his People, would be as rich himself. Therefore when with these things, I consider the admirable frame of your Government, the wonders that have been wrought for its preserva∣tion and Continuance, I conclude, that the Doctrine of Jesus, is the last Will of Heaven, and that those that profess it, are in the favour of God, by the blessings they receive on Earth. And although my own condition be mean: yet (to the clear understanding of Types and Prophe∣cies) having by the same Doctrine learnt the admirable Lessons of Patience and Obedience, I wonder that men should not become better Subjects for the same reasons, for which I am be∣come the better Christian.

That very Plenty, Sir, (said I) that is an Argument to make you become an humble Christian, makes them proud Traytors: Nay, their very Plea for Rebellion, is the very same which the Apostle uses for Obedi∣ence, (viz.) for Conscience sake. Though the Government be never so good, yet a Kingly Government, they say, is against their Consciences; that 'tis not according to the will of God. They will rip you up a great

number of Kings, that did evil in the sight of the Lord; and are often buz∣zing in your ears, the sentence of the unjust King; they tell you, that the Apostles and Martyrs were brought before Kings, &c. and positively af∣firm, that the Israelites sinned very grie∣vously in asking a King.

They did so, (replied He very hasti∣ly) and what then? Do they know where∣in the nature of their sin consisted (that they apply it as a Rule to themselves) all their other Objections are ridiculously fri∣volous, but I will clear this by proving, that though the Israelites sinned in ask∣ing a King, yet it was the will of God that they should be governed by Kings; His Promise and his Blessing too. And this I'll do by considering wherein the sin of the Israelites con∣sisted.

First, Then it consisted in this, that they preferred the Government of an Earthly King, before * 1.7 having God for their King; for their Government under Judges, was Theocratical. They were confirm'd by Miracles, and rais'd immediately for their deliverance by God himself.

Secondly, Their sin consisted in that they, who were Gods chosen and peculi∣ar people, should ask to be govern'd by a King, like all the Nations. I do not speak Here of the Prohibition: * 1.8 Thou maist not set a Stranger over thee, [to be King]. (For that and Marriages, and all other Communion with the Nations was forbidden them, for fear of Idolatry). But they were not to be like all the Nati∣ons as to the Manner of their Kingly Government. 1. Because God had given a particular Rule for the King, He should set over his own people, Deut. 17. v. 18. 19. And 2. We read 1 Sam. chap. 10. v. 24. that Samuel told the peo∣ple, the Manner of the Kingdom, and wrote it in a Book, and laid it up be∣fore the Lord.

Thirdly, The sin of the Israelites con∣sisted, in that They [the People] askt a King: In that they would be their own Carvers, and Chusers: That they that were redeem'd from being slaves in Aegypt, should not depend upon the same Providence for their station and Condi∣tion in Canaan. By thus asking, they seem'd to chuse, before God had chosen and moreover, they who were prohibi∣ted to say, that they possessed the Land

through their own Righteousness, might be presum'd to say, they injoyed that Government by their own Wis∣dom. And,

Fourthly, Their sin consisted in that they Then askt a King, in that they would not wait Gods appointed time. Therefore because they preposterously askt a King, He gave them one in his wrath: one that was not qualified ac∣cording to the Prophecy, nor did He an∣swer their expectation. But in his A∣nointed Servant David, He fully con∣firm'd it to be his Time, his Will, his own Ordinance, and that Government which He foretold, and provided in his Law for his own People. And as the Condition of the Israelites both in Church and State, was the most flourishing and splendid under the Reign of his Successor King Solomon, that ever it was before, or after: So the Taking away their King, was the greatest Judgment that was threatened, Deut. 28. v. 36. the Lord shall bring thee and thy King which thou shalt set over thee, unto a Na∣tion which neither thou, nor thy Fa∣thers have known; and there shalt thou serve other Gods, Wood and Stone. And it was the greatest Judg∣ment

that ever was executed, La∣ment. 2. v. 9. Her King and her Prin∣ces are among the Gentiles. The Law is no more, the Prophets also find no Vision from the Lord. So that you see, that as the King was appointed by God in the Law, so with their King they lost that Law. But the severest Judgment of all was, that with the loss of their King, They lost the surest, and directest rule of finding out the Messias, given to them in Jacobs Prophecy, Gen. 49. v. 10. The Scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a Law giver from be∣tween his feet, until Shiloh come. For as by the Alterations, Change, and loss of the Law, they were deprived of the right understanding those Types, which fore∣shew the Manner of his Coming: So (though the Prophecy held good) by the loss of their King in their Captivity, the Changes of their Government; it had as it were a veil drawn over it, and became obscure to them, as to the Time of his Coming. In short, the giving the Jews a King, was the greatest Blessing, and the taking him away, the greatest Curse: the one the Righteous Ordinance of God, the other his just Judgment.

But, Sir, (said I) they will say, What signifies the Jewish Government to us Protestants?

Protestants (said he) do they call themselves! Mahomet has not more cor∣rupted the History, than they the scope and design of the Old Testament, where and when it may serve their turn. How many hundred Sermons have they preach'd against Monarchy, from this instance of the Israelites asking a King; the delu∣ded people swallowing these impudent Fal∣sifications with so much greediness, that they would gobble down Goliah for one of the Minor Prophets, if one of these lying ones did but bid them gape: and thus much it signifies to those True Pro∣testants, that if it was a sin in the Isra∣elites at that time to ask a King, it is ten times more a sin in the people of England at this day, to ask, or seek af∣ter a Commonwealth, for these three reasons.

First, Because under the Gospel there are particular, and especial Commands, for our Obedience to The King as Su∣preme; and consequently, for our con∣tinuance in that Obedience: but there was no prohibition under the Law po∣sitively forbidding the Jews to ask a

King, but there was a certain Promise, that they should be governed by Kings.

Secondly, Because after the full Re∣velation of Gods will, the ordinary course of his Providence joyned with the fore∣said Apostolical and Evangelical Pre∣cept, is as obliging and binding, as all the Miracles he wrought under the Theocra∣cy of the ancient Israelites; though I think the Preservation of the Kings of England of late dayes have been little less Miraculous.

Thirdly, Because such disobedience (of which deposing him, and altering the frame of his Government, is the highest) is threatned with a greater Curse and Punishment, than the Breach of all, or any of the Laws of Moses, even with Damnation, in that sense, wherein it is threatned to the Scribes and Pharisees, the scrupulous observers of small things of that Law, whilest they neglected the greater ones of Judg∣ment, &c.

But Sir (said I) they have as much abused the sense and meaning of the New Testament, as they have the scope and design of the Old: You may cloy them with Repetitions of Arguments

and endless Quotations out of both of them, and all to no purpose. You may tell them that God shadows the rewards of Heaven, with what he ac∣counts most excellent upon Earth, with Crowns, Scepters, Thrones, and Robes of Glory. That to fill us with an awful sense and veneration of the excellency of his Eternal Majesty, He stiles him∣self King of kings, and Lord of lords; that Heaven is his Throne, and Earth his footstool. You may tell them, that by him Kings reign, and Princes decree Justice: That they are stiled gods, and are his Vicegerents, who is the God of all gods. That Treason is a very great sin, and the breach of all the Command∣ments; because the highest offence a∣gainst him who is Custos utriusque Ta∣bulae, that beareth not the Sword in vain, but is to execute wrath upon all them that do evil, by the breach of any of them. But it will be in vain; they will be deaf as Adders, and still Rebellious as the old Serpent. You may urge them with the Laws of Nature and Nations; you may tell them, that there never was any Language spoken under Heaven, that have not some word, or other signi∣fying the Supreme Power in a single Person.

That the very Heathens acknowledg∣ed this power to be derived from God, and still 'tis much more in vain; when the Atheist cannot do the Business of the Rebel, the Fanatick shall; and when the Fanatick cannot, the Atheist shall; and when neither of them, the Politi∣cian.

The Politician (said he) what kind of Politician do you mean?

The Politician (said I) I here speak of, is a stranger Monster than any Beast of America. He is a Composition of Fool and Knave, of Hawk and Buzzard, Atheist and Fanatick, Beast and Devil, in the shape of a Man. His Father be∣gat Him, being at enmity with his Mother, when the Bells rung back∣ward for a great fire in a deep Snow; One, that never was long of one mind, nor ever a friend to any one body. He quarrel'd with his Milk Porrage the very first Breath he drew to cool it; beat his elder Brother by surprize; gave his Sisters black eyes; pist in his Mothers mouth when she was fast a∣sleep; and oft-times pull'd the Chair from behind his Aged Father, when he was going to sit down. These were the Domestick stratagems of his Child∣hood.

But no sooner is He come to Years of Rebellion, but you see him as rampant in Publick. He finds fault with every Ordinance of God and man; He is for knocking down of Monarchs, pulling Lawn Sleeves over the ears of Bishops. Altering and Changing the Government, and all this while, thinks himself won∣drous wise, and very Holy: And now his Freak is come to full Maturity, He lies, cheats, is perjur'd, writes, and fights, ventures to be Hang'd and then Damn'd.—And now what do you think of him? Is not such an he∣terogeneous Buffoon fit to make Laws for others, who would never be go∣vern'd himself? Is he not a dainty projector, to model the World; and of full growth, to become the Perpetual Dictator of all mankind; the standing Oracle of the Times, and in oppositi∣on to the wisdom and experience of twenty Ages, to prescribe new forms of Government for three Nations, and oblige them in all hast, to become a Com∣monwealth, who have been rul'd by Kings for above a thousand years?

Your very Character of him, (said he) has already set my teeth on edge, and so no more of him. But I must tell you, that

there has been so much said and written in defence of Monarchy, that a man might talk his Tongue to the stumps in the repe∣tition of other mens Arguments: And the Inconveniencies of Aristocracy and Democracy are so notorious; that they were no News above two thousand years a∣go; Old Aristotle hath so sufficiently de∣scribed them in his Book of Politicks, that we gather from thence, that He sooner found out the Madness of the people, than the Raging of the Sea. But one would think, that that Government for Christians, should be the most Authentick, which God for the Jews, thought most con∣venient.

More than one would think, (said I) that men should most of all desire to continue under that form of Govern∣ment, under which by all variety of experience, they have been most hap∣py. And if Seignior Boccalini would be pleased to lend us his Ballance, with which He weighed the Kingdoms and States of Europe, I dare venture to confute all the Republicans upon Earth, with this one Experiment: Let them put into one of the Scales, all the Commonwealths that have been under the Sun; let them clap in the Ephori

of Sparta, the Demarchi of Athens, the Tribunes and Consuls of Rome, the Gentle∣men and Senators of Venice, the Hoghen Moghen States of Holland, the Can∣tons of Switzerland, the Leagues of the Grisons, the Elders of Geneva, with whole Bundles of Hans Towns, and all the late Holy Brethren that are fled to them; and I will put but one single Monarchy into the other, and it shall as certainly weigh them all down, as the Bible does the Pope, and his Trinkets, the Devil and all his works, in the Book of Mar∣tyrs.

What Monarchy is that (said he)?

The Ancient and Flourishing Mo∣narchy of England (said I), a Mo∣narchy which has the singular advan∣tages of all the three known Forms of Government, without the Inconveni∣encies of any one of them; a Monar∣chy so divinely good, as neither Jew or Gentile knew of Old, and such an one, as none other Christians besides, enjoy at this day.

Pray Sir (said he) give me a short account of it.

As well as I can (said I) with all my heart. You must know that this Monarchy of England, is a Paternal, Hereditary Monarchy; the Kings thereof not using that absolute Despo∣tical Power, which the Kings of Judah sometimes did. No mans Life is taken away from him by any of the Kings Messengers; but he may clear himself if Innocent, or give better satisfaction to the world if guilty, by being tryed according to Law: And where the Chro∣nicles of England seem to speak the con∣trary, those persons, as Tho. Becket, &c. are to be considered as Traytors in the very act of open Hostility and Rebelli∣on, or protected from the proceedings of the Law by the Pope or the People: But our present Gracious Soveraign hath given such admirable instances of his great Justice, Clemency, and Patience, as no History can parallel; even the very Murderers of his Father (who would scarce allow him to speak before their impious Tribunal) were permitted to say what they could in their own de∣fence: And those very Barbarous Vil∣lains, that did not design to * 1.9 allow him time to say his Prayers, were not only legally try'd, convicted and justly

condemned, with all manner of regu∣lar proceedings, but had afterwards the charitable assistance of his own Chaplains. And although upon the relation of such an horrid design a∣gainst his Royal Person, if He had cut them all to pieces without any more ado, no mortal man could have que∣stion'd, or have call'd him to an account for it; yet such is the malice of that implacable Party, that for his great Clemency, they insinuate, that he wants Courage; and for his Justice, they do as much as say, he is a Tyrant.

But as the King, so are his Laws, so good for the People, that King James did as truly, as solemnly declare, That the Common Law of England was as pro∣per for this Nation, as the Law of Moses was for the Jews. But still, to supply the defects of the Common Law, we have our Statute Laws, which were made at sundry times, and upon di∣vers occasions in Parliament; and these Laws receive matter from the Lords and Commons, but form and life from the King: and then our Ecclesiastical and Maritine Courts are governed by the Civil Laws, which are the result of the Wisdom and Prudence of the best

Law-givers that have been in all Ages, and for the Good of others, as well as of our own Nation.

If your Laws (said he) be so very good, how comes it to pass, that there are so many Controversies, long and vexa∣tious Suits, such endless Differences and Quarrels among the Subjects? What is the reason, that those who have been Facti∣ous, Turbulent, and Seditious, should go so long unpunished?

The Reason, Sir, (said I) is, because the King will govern by Law, but they will not be ruled by it: But have a little patience, Hemp is not ripe in a day. 'Tis no Magical plant, rais'd by the sin of Witchcraft, and yet 'twill conjure down the Devil in Time. Easter Term is coming on a pace, and as some of their mouths have been pretty cool the last great Frost: So if others be not more quiet for the Future, they will not have so much money to burn in their pockets against the next. To your first Question, I might An∣swer, by asking you the reason of so many Disputes, and Janglings in Re∣ligion. I am sure you confess, that you are satisfied as to the excellency of the Christian Faith, and yet you might

as well object against the Truth of it, because there have been so many Here∣sies in the Church, as against the good∣ness of our Laws; Because there are so many peevish, subtil, and factious persons in the State. There are like∣wise Hereticks among the Lawyers, as well as among the Divines. For if the Laws of God are not free from the false Glosses, and Expositions of ambitious or covetous Casuists, how shall any Law of man escape them? To con∣clude, after all, our Government is a Miracle of a thousand years working. And although some will tell you, the Times and Occasions of Enacting, or Repealing any Statute Law, and the Originals of all our Courts of Judicature; Yet considering the many, and strange revolutions that attend all sublunary Principalities and Powers, 'tis a work beyond the reach of the most exqui∣site Judgment to unravel the whole Series of Affairs, that have brought this admirable frame of Government to perfection.

Truly, Sir, (said he) I do not per∣ceive that the People of England have any reason to fear Arbitrary Govern∣ment under so gracious a Prince, or to

he weary of a Monarchy so vastly differing from those four, which were so formi∣dably represented in the Ancient Vision of the Prophet Daniel.

I am sure, (said I) there is none in being, that may at this day compare with it; all the Eastern Empires and Monarchies, are absolutely Tyrannical; and of the West, the people of France have lost their Liberties; the King∣dom of Spain suffers extremely by the clashing Interests of the Jesuits with other Orders, and their treachery to the House of Austria; and so does the Em∣pire of Germany; the Kingdoms of Denmark, and Bohemia, have not been so long Hereditary, and the Kingdom of Poland is Elective to this day.

Now, (said he) you are come to my Native Country, I can assure you, that there are great Inconveniencies attending the Time of the Interregnum, and Ele∣ction too. And however our present Magnanimous and truly Illustrious King, has by his Conduct and Valour, gain'd himself immortal renown: Yet 'tis better for the people to have Peace, than a prosperous War. And the King of England has had as hard a Task (and which has required as much Courage and

Prudence) to subdue and quell his Turkish Protestants at home, as the King of Po∣land had, to conquer the Protestant Turks abroad. Against which sort of true Protestants, the true Turks shall arise in the Judgment, and shall condemn them. For they make Obedience to their Prince, a point of their Religion; but these make a Duty and a practice of Rebellion. The very Indians shall a∣rise in the Judgment with these Prote∣stant Barbarians, and shall condemn them. For the Noble Inhabitants of Ni¦caragua, made no Law for that person that should kill the King, thinking (like Solon in the Case of Parricide) that none could be so wicked as to do it; but these condemned their King, from whom they have their Law, and that contrary to all Law. Nar, the very Jews, the Scribes and Pharisees, shall arise in the Judgment with these Reformed Chri∣stians, and shall condemn them; for they offered Sacrifices for the prosperi∣ty of Caesar, but these Sacrificed Caesar himself, at his own Gate.

You have said enough to their im∣mortal shame, and confusion (said I). But thanks be to God who has restored the Son to the Throne of his Father, to

our great Comfort. And may He, in despight of all the Enemies of God, and the King, long continue to sit thereon, to our lasting peace. I am sure this Nation has under him injoyed three and twenty such years of plenty, and prosperity, as you cannot cull out, and shew together since the Conquest, enough to testifie that Monarchy is the best of Governments, that ours is the best of Monarchies, and King Charles II. is the best of Monarchs, whose Service (like his, whose Minister He is) is Perfect Freedom.

—Neque enim Libertas Tutior ulla est, Quàm Domino Servire bono.—

The Sun was now down, and it be∣gan to grow dusky, so my little Polan∣der took his leave, and Seign. Chr. who had been talking all this while with a∣nother man, came smiling to me, and said, I know (dear Friend) that you are a person very Curious and Inquisitive in∣to the Nature and Reasons of Human Affairs, and I have now an Extraordina∣ry Opportunity of pleasuring you at the highest rate. That Gentleman I now came from is a Magician, and He, with

two or three more, it seems, are to have an Action to night, wherein they design to raise the Ghosts of all the late Politicians that are dead, and to charm the Spirits of those now living, from their bodies whilst asleep, so that you may hear extraordinary Conferences about Polity and Govern∣ment, and may have occasion of ingaging your self in them, as you shall think conve∣nient.

The name of a Magician did a little startle me at first, but the bent of my fancy prevail'd above any scruple of Conscience, being in a Dream, where∣in honest men do those things some∣times, which they would abhor when awake. Indeed, I had no time to de∣termine with my self, for methoughts Seign. Chr. was very earnest with me, saying, See Yonder! the Gentleman calls us, let us go to him, I know you will be very welcome for my sake: [as soon as we came to him] I am apt to think (said he to me) that you, Sir, are some∣what afraid of Spirits.

I never see him tremble but once in all my life, (replied Seignior Chr.) and that was at the sight of a very pret∣ty Woman, and then indeed, He could neither sing nor say. But,

They who in Combate dare the Devil desie, Are sometimes vanquisht by a Ladies eye.

I do assure you, He neither sears your Spirits, nor yet your Politicians; for He is an Honest Fellow, and though I have known him mistaken, yet that Honesty of His, is better than the strength of Go∣liah, than the valour of Cromwell, than the wit and learning of Hobbs, or Mil∣ton, than the Policy of Shaftsbury, or the piety of Baxter. And therefore I will venture to set him upon whole Troops of Rascally Knavish Apparitions, and you will be satisfied, that he does not fear such Spirits. [Then turning to me.] What in the dumps, Friend? Chear up! I shall now give you an opportunity of seeing to what extrava∣gant excesses the late Politicians have run on both Hands; some swelling the Soveraign Magistrate into such a mon∣strous Bulkiness, that He bursts asun∣der with the shining venome they in∣fuse into him; others scattering the Su∣preme Power into whole Herds of Pha∣raoh's ravenous lean Kine. Some are

for Absolute Tyranny, others, for Disso∣lute Anarchy: Thus leaving us the dis∣mal choice of the Fire from the Bram∣ble, to devour us, or of the more scorch∣ing flames from whole Bundles of Jack Straws, to consume us.

We were now come to Fox-Hall, that renowned Magazin of Narratives and Gunpowder, and this was the place of Randesvouze for these famous Poli∣ticians.——The Lord knows which way we gat into a Vault, but me∣thoughts as soon as we were there, one of the Magicians speaking a sort of unintelligible gibberish, burnt a composition of strange Gumms in a Censer, which had such an odd smell, that a trilling damp seiz'd my spirits, and in that confusion, the place was chang'd into a stately long Portico, sup∣ported with several rows of Marble Pillars, upon which their hung a great many Trophies, and Spoils taken by surprize, or stratagem, and great num∣bers of Historical Pictures of Martial exploits that succeeded; this led us into a Magnificent Dome, almost as large as the Pantheon in Rome, in the rotunda (upon Pedestals of equal height) stood the Statuas of Famous Persons, who by

the strength of their own Genius's, from low beginnings, arriv'd to marvellous gran∣deur, and continued in it. As of Mar∣murius, Marius, Dioclesian, Justinus, and Tamberlain, and others. Turning on the left hand, we passed through a door into a ruinous Court, in which there were several antick Statuas Crowned with Mushrooms, as of Mas∣sianello, Knipperdolling, and several o∣ther excrescences of Fortune, who in her freaks had taken them from Stalls, and Bulks, to set them on Thrones, and then suddenly kickt them down again into their Graves. In a corner of this Court, we entred a narrow and winding passage, which led us at last into a large Room hung with black, and set around with dimm Tapers. I was strangely sur∣prized with this inchanted place: But much more astonish't, when at the upper end of it, I saw Oliver Cromwell sitting in a Chair of State, with two skeletons on each hand, attending him, which sometimes seem'd to move; whilst I was looking on him, there came out from behind the Hangings, an old Fellow in Boots, with a Book in his hand, who made his obeisance to Oliver, and as he presented it, He said,

You, Sir, are that unlimited and absolute Soveraign, that mighty Leviathan I have here endeavoured in this Book, to recommend to all mankind; suffer me therefore a poor Mackrel, to come under the shadow of your Finns, until this storm of Thunder be past.

Oliver took the Book, and after he had read a little of it, He returned him another, Intituled, Killing no Murder; telling him that by that Book (which had made him as fearful as himself) he might see how much he had been be∣holding to him for his own. For thou hast herein (said he) given me more pow∣er under thy hand, than the Devil ever did by word of mouth. Nay, thou hast carried me to the top of an higher Moun∣tain of Dominion, than ever he pretend∣ed yet to set his Cloven Foot upon, since his fall; but the height makes me giddy, and subject upon the least touch to drop after him into the bot∣tomless Pit. Therefore the Devil, who pretends to dispose of Kingdoms with the same Authority, thou pretendest to give Rules to govern them, take thee, and thy Book for thy pains.—And then rising up, and looking on us with a Gastly Visage; What (said

he) have I got by the sycophancy of this cowardly Paltroon, but real and everlasting shame and disgrace? What have I got by all the Hypocritical villa∣nies, that I have acted under the Sun, but Eternal and substantial Miseries; those that call'd me Gideon and Joshua, and I know not who forsooth, and made Poems and Panegyricks upon me, are themselves so ridiculously infamous, that their very Names outstink the Brimstone of Hell: My memory is scandalous, my Posterity dishonour∣able, this Politick head of mine, that was whilom so wondrous wise, is now nothing but a Whirl-gig to the winds, which, in consort with Ireton's & Brad∣shaw's, whistles tunes to Owls and Batts in gloomy nights; and this Heart of mine, formerly so stout and firm, is now as full of Infernal Vermin, as an old rot∣ten Holland Cheese is of Mites. The Atheists magnified me on Earth, the Fanaticks plac't me in Heaven, but the Devil was more sure of me in Hell. And now, Sir, You might better have stiled your Book the Salamander of unquenchable fire, and then I would have thankt you in my own Element. At this, His great red Nose bounc't

like a Cracker, and He vanisht with a stink and a smoak.

Hobbs was so affrighted, that he would have didled away in all hast, but that Seignior Chr. stopt him, saying, Is this, Sir, the Famous Leviathan, with whom you have made such a Bustle? Is this your renowned Behemoth? The greasie Villain indeed lookt as if he had been anointed with none other but Train Oyl▪ Bless me! How could a man of your parts and Education, condescend to slatter such a nasty and loutish Brute, with Titles and Prerogatives, overtopping all the Laws of God and Nature?

What! (said 1) do you wonder at this! What is it He will not say, or write, who has used his Pen as Arbi∣trarily, as Oliver did his Sword; and has cancel'd all the obligations that can be laid upon the soul of man, with the same insolence with which the other has trampled upon them. If this Mr. Hobbs had not so much valour as Crom∣well, He had no less Ambition, and took as much pride and pains to be thought an absolute Philosopher, as the other did to be an absolute Soveraign. Now when the Knave or the Fool prevails, what signifies the Scholar as to any thing, ei∣ther

of publick or private good? But such an one is in as ready a way to do mischief in the State, as Nestorius that eminent Heretick in the Church; In both cases it holds true what Castalio says, Nihil est tam absurdum quod non dicat quamvis doctus homo, si falsum de∣fendendum susceperit: There is nothing so absurd, which a man though otherwise learned, may not say, if He once under∣takes to defend that which is false. And indeed, nothing in the World can be more absurd, nothing more destructive of Human Society and Government, than the Principles and Positions in that wicked and ridiculous Book. What can be more absurd, than to make a man an absolute Prince, and an absolute Slave, in the same moment? I sup∣pose, He did not wade over the tops of his Boots, to descry the true state and condition of his unwieldy Leviathan; if he did, he might have found it as truly Miserable, as He has made it monstrously great: (to carry on his Metaphor) He might have found the True Protestant Flail Fish ready to give him mortal thumps on his Crup∣per, upon all occasions, whilst the Sword-Fish is playing the more dange∣rous

part of the Assassin at his Belly. And this is the true state of his Sove∣raign Lord Behemoth, by his wit, and the malice of the Devil, Ʋsurper of the great Deep: And this is the whole duty of all his loving Fishes, according to the Doctrine of Hobbs. And now, what can be more ridiculous, what more ab∣surd?

Now those Principles that are con∣tradictory, and destructive of them∣selves, must needs be very destructive of Human Society; I will cull out but two Propositions for a taste. No∣thing the Sovereign can do to a Subject, on what pretence soever, can properly be called injustice, or injury. On the other hand,

The obligation of Subjects to their Soveraign, is as long, and no longer than the Power lasteth, by which he is able to protect them.

Upon which, (and several other Propositions) saith the right Honoura∣ble Edward late Earl of Clarendon, in his excellent Book, Intituled, * 1.10 A Sur∣vey of the Leviath.——The view of these naked Propositions by themselves, without any other cloathing, or disguise of

words, may better serve to make them o∣dious to King and People. And the first will easily discern, to how high a pin∣nacle of power soever he would carry him, he leaves him upon such a Precipice, from whence the least Blast of Invasion from a Neighbour, or from Rebellion by his Sub∣jects, may throw him headlong to irreco∣verable Ruine; and the other will as much abhor an Allegiance of that Temper, that, by any misfortune of their Prince, they may be absolv'd from, and cease to be Subjects, when the Soveraign hath need of their Obedience. And since that Learned States man has so effectually confounded Leviathan with this issue of his Brain; We need not to fear that such an one will ever spring from his Loins.

The People of England (replied Seignior Christiano) have more reason to be afraid of a great many, than of a Great one. For they who are for turn∣ing this Ancient Monarchy into a Com∣monwealth, are for Complementing their Patriots with the same unlimited and unbounded power, which Hobbs gives his single Soveraign: and are not a Shoal of Sharks, damn'd devouring, eager, swift Sharks, as ravenous as a great lub∣berly

gorbellied Leviathan? Do you think that Cromwell's Divan, consisting of an hundred and four Godly, as He call'd them, were not as merciless as him∣self was Cruel? I do assure you, that the Authour of Plato Redivivus has out-done Mr. Hobbs, and from Mr. Har∣ringtons Oceana, has pilfer'd whole Shoals of the aforesaid Sharks, that will do more mischief in one day, than his wal∣lowing Leviathan ever could in a whole month. For 'tis that stump of a Politician, that sharking Politician (said he), pointing to the Authour of Plato Redivivus, who has nim'd all his santastical and rascally Notions from Doleman and Harrington, and stands leering in that Corner, that has been beating that Bush of his Blockhead, (that struts out like a Foxes tail, and wherein the Vermin are all of a quality) to reduce this Ancient Monarchy in∣to a Democracy, in order to which, He imploys the whole stock of his malice, to scoff and burlesque all the Sacred Or∣ders of the Church, [as the ready way to ruine the State]. The truth is, says he, page 98. I could wish there had never been any Clergy, the purity of Christian Religion, as also the good

and Orderly Government of the World had been much better provi∣ded for. And so says Mr. Harrington, An ounce of wisdom, is worth a pound of Clergy. Ocean. p. 223. And Mini∣sters of all others, least understand Po∣litical Principles. And then having vilisied Monarchy, as the worst of Go∣vernments, and the Corruption of all others, He very Dogmatically proclaims the State of Venice, to be the Perfectest pattern of Government now existent. And so did Mr. Harrington in his▪ Ve∣netian Ballott. To gain Authority and success to his Politick frame (He recom∣mended to this Nation) he Caresses the People with the same unlimited and transcendent power, which Doleman is most graciously pleas'd to bestow upon them; by which they are inabled to change, and depose their Princes at their Leisure, and alter and model the Go∣vernment at their pleasure; to prompt them to this, (with his Father the Devil, and Doleman) He slights the Plea of Monarchs Divine right; makes the King a sharer with, and Trustee of the Peo∣ple; and looks upon it as a pretence, that they have their power from God: And after all, with an impudence only

proper to himself. He would cully the King out of his Prerogatives, with the rusty Complement of giving him more Ease, and of making him more Glorious. These, and other wicked and ridiculous Positions, destructive both of King and People, make up the Politicks of this filthy Dreamer, who has more of Pytha∣goras his Ass, than of Plato's Spirit in him.

If the Devil (said I) be in him, I will make him come out of him, if I can: And with that I march't up to him.—You, Sir, (said I) that have so industriously laboured to change, and new model our Govern∣ment, did like a Politician indeed, to conjure up the Ghost of an Athenian, a sort of sickle, giddy headed people, that felt more fatal Changes, and Re∣volutions, than any Nation under the Sun: So like our present Fanaticks, * 1.11 That they spent their Time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing. But, Sir, when you were scraping in the rubbish of their City, for the Ghost of Plato, you had done well if you had brought along with you the Statua of Jupiter 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which they erected to deter men from

being perjur'd. Hence 'tis, that one of their Poets wondring that such per∣sons escap't, when the Oak is some∣times thunder-struck, said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 that the Oak is not for sworn. Hence it was that they termed a righteous per∣son, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; and that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a perjuri∣ous, signified a wicked man: insomuch, that I meet but one among them fit to make a Foreman of a true Protestant Ignoramus Jury, and that was Lysan∣der, who was so infamous for that say∣ing of his, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. That we ought to cheat Children with Cock alls, but Ene∣mies with Oaths. Now since your Friends at home are grown so scanda∣lous for breaking the Third and Ninth Commandments, which were given by Moses, who was a King among the righ∣teous: You cannot tell how far such a Statua might deter them, because set up by a Religious Commonwealth. But you have brought nothing with you from thence, but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. a Brazen face: And 'tis with this Bra∣zen face, you have the confidence to appear in defence of your many-headed Democracy, to vilisie the present Esta∣blisht Government, in despight of the

Fundamental Laws of this Kingdom; and when you have done, (as I am told) to appear in Westminster Hall, at a time, when one, a very little worse than your self, received Sen∣tence of Death for High Treason; And if the Platonick Year were true, a man might easily guess your fate every Re∣volution of Saturn: (But to the pur∣pose) Greece is not able to contain your Politicks, but you whip over in∣to Italy, and as the Painters of that Country use sometimes to summon the fairest Courtesans together, and draw a Beautiful face for the Blessed Virgin Mary, from the slagrancies of Harlots: So from the Charming Con∣stitutions of Rome in its Youth, and Ve∣nice in its old Age, would you model us a pure, sound, and glorious Govern∣ment.

I would so, (replied Nevil), For in the most turbulent Times of that Com∣monwealth, and Factions between the Nobility and People, Rome was much more full of vertuous and Heroick Ci∣tizens, than ever it was under Aurelius, or Anteninus. p. 43.

But, (said I) are there not as many vertuous and Heroick Persons under King Charles the Second in England? But now I think of it, the late Shafts∣buty's Conspiracy would have left us as few, had it taken effect, as Catalines would in Rome. And I believe, that such a Protestant as you are, who will al∣low of no Priests, but those of Mars, e∣steem a few Heathen Philosophers, be∣fore all the Ministers of the Gospel. He was a Conjurer like your self, that was ravisht with the love of Tully, for wri∣ting against Transubstantiation, in his third Book, de Natura deorum: Cum Fruges Cererem, vinum Liberum dici∣mus, genere nos quidem sermonis utimur usit ato, sed ecquemtam amentem esse put as qui illud quo vescatur Deum credat esse? When we call Corn Ceres, and Wine Bac∣chus, we only use a customary way of Speech, but whom do you think so mad, as to be∣lieve that with which he is sed, to be a God? And just such a true Pro∣testant! Politick Antiquarian is the Authour of Plato Redivivus; and just such a formidable enemy to Po∣pery.

But, Sir, if Ancient Governments do not please you, (said he) because out of Fashion, What think you of the Vene∣tian? I declare it to be the best in the World at this day.

Indeed, (said I), the Venetians, I confess, have not been altogether so Pope-ridden, as some others have; and their Dukes may marry the Adriatick Sea, without a Licence from the Bishop of Rome; but I hope you believe it cannot be done without the Rites and Ceremonies of the Church of Rome: And that the Pope has a great deal less Ju∣risdiction in England, (if ever you took the Oaths of Allegiance and Su∣premacy.) But you have lost your Eng∣lish Conscience, and no body values your Protestant Policy: For is not the King of England much better than a Duke of Venice? Is not the Succession in the right Line, as Authentick from Scri∣pture, as good by experience, as Bal∣lotting? Is not the King of England by the Grace of God, greater, and better than a Duke of Venice, by the vertue of Hocus Pocus.

He is greater (said he), but that greatness is not better, either for himself, or his people.

So sayes the Authour of Plato Redi∣vivus, (said I) but he does not think so. Believe me, in the Ballotting Ʋrns, are buried all the Liberties of the common people of Venice, they are there so far from chusing a Soveraign, that they can∣not chuse a Gentleman; and never by any art, merit, or industry become one. But the meanest Subjects of England have one advantage, which no Democracy in the World, much less the Aristocracy of Venice, ever afforded, That by their vertues, they sometimes arrive from the lowest condition, to an higher Sphere of Splendor, Honour and Riches, than any Commonwealth upon Earth affords.—I know some have argued for a Com∣monwealth, from the great successes, and long continuance of that Government; but they who look into the Original of it, will find better reasons from the place and Situation, from the occasions of its being inhabited, why it should fall into that Model; than why any others, especially the Monarchy of England, should condescend, and conform to it. But the Authour of Plato Redivivus, would have it so, or else He loses his longing. I wonder in this hatching Age, that no Politick Fop ever yet

stood up and demanded, or propos'd, that the Kings of England should be acknowledged by the same odd and fantastical Ceremonies, with which the Arch-Duke of Austria is confirm'd in his Dukedom of Carinthia: For, there is nothing so ridiculous, nothing so dangerous, as our Modern Hereticks and Politicians do not now-adaies as∣sert. Therefore, Sir, let me as a Friend advise you, to keep your Politicks to yourself; You may frame and model in your Study, as long as you please, with∣out breaking your shins; but if you put them either in writing or practice, you will indanger the breaking your Neck. And suppose you escape that, you may chance to meet with those (if you have one Grain of honour, or sense lest you) that will break either your brains or your heart. But if your head be so full of Politicks, e'en petition Jupiter to pluck thee up an Island somewhere in the Atlantick Ocean, as He is seign'd to have done Delos for the Birth of Apollo; there thou maist be delivered of thy Politick Conceptions; for I do not know any part of the Earth that hath long peep'd over the surface of the Waters, that will be plagued with them. I say,

e'en petition Jove; for such a restless Varlet as thou art, art not fit to pray to the God of the Christians, whose Vice∣gerent thou hast debas'd, and whose Ministers thou hast vilified. What Re∣ligion you are of, I cannot tell, but by your recommending to us the D∣mocratical Government of old Rome, I am apt to believe that you would bring us under the Jesuitical Discipline of the new. This was the advice of Parsons the Jesuit, alias Doleman, and of his Confederates in his High Court of Memorials for Reformation of En∣gland, at Sevil in Spain, Anno 1590. as Watson a Secular Priest relates in his Quodlibets, p. 94, 95. And of Tho. Campanella an Italian Friar, who in his Book de Monarchia Hispanica, c. 25. p. 204. informs the King of Spain, That nothing will so much conduce to weaken the English, as dissention and discord sown among them, First, by Instigating the swaying men in the Parliament House; Ʋt Angliam in Formam Reipubli∣cae reducant in Imitationem Hollan∣dorum: To reduce England into a form of a Commonwealth, in Imitation of the Hollanders. But they value not what sort of Commonwealth, whether

Dutch, or Venetian they model us to, so that at last they may but obtain their Ends of ruining our present establisht Government. For my part, Sir, I wonder that any English man of com∣mon sense, should be cajol'd to admire the Politicks of every whiffling Ras∣cal, who under the name of a true Pro∣testant, is managing the most malici∣ous Designs of our inveterate Enemies the Jesuits. I wonder that any man of the least reason, and experience, should not dread the desperate Hazzards that inseparably attend every change and revolution in Government: the Re∣stitution indeed of this Monarchy after the late Civil Wars, was the greatest wonder that I meet with in all Histo∣ry, since Dominion was founded on Earth, considering, that it was done without Violence, or Bloodshed; but it never was, nor ever will be chang'd without numberless Deaths and Cala∣mities; and suppose it should be done, what would the People of England get by being in the same Condition they were in twenty five Years ago: Or, which the common people of Holland are in at this day, who pay Customs for Foggs and Damps, and are Tax'd for

Quartane Agues; and who have no∣thing cheap among them but Heresie and Schism? I confess, you have a great deal of reason to admire the Funda∣mental Immunities and Priviledges of the Venetians, because very rare in a Christian Commonwealth; for they may whore and be clapt according to Law, and go to the Conventicles of Venus without any great danger of persecuti∣on for Righteousness sake. But how in the mean Time is this Liberty of the people consistent with the Purity of the Gospel (for which you so strenu∣ously stickle and make a noise)? Oh, pray pardon me, I forgot that you are a Politician! a Politician that is for obliging mankind with vertues a-la∣mode, and Morality and Divinity of the newest fashion; you Politicians hate the old dull phlegmatick grey-beard Apostolical Rules, you are for spick and span new Riddles, and Paradoxes; and therefore, Sir, to oblige you, I will tell you a piece of news.

What is that, (said he)?

I am heartily sorry, Sir, (said I) for the great loss you particularly had four thousand years ago: What an hard case was it, that the Records of Sodom

and Gomorrha, should be so unluckily burnt. Without doubt you would have gathered things of great Moment from them, and might have gratified a great many of your true Protestant Friends with surprising relations of the great Liberties and Priviledges of those people, of which we have a small hint, by the memorable clutter they made a∣bout Lots door, Gen. 19. vers. 4. And such a rabble of Catamites would most properly have raised the Ghost of Plato from the dead, who was so notorious a Sodomite when alive.

You are a railing, prating Boy, (reply'd he) who values your Judgment that have nothing of solid Learning, or substantial Politicks in you? You are a paltry quib∣bling insignificant Black Coat. Before I could answer him, Hobbs took cou∣rage, and fell in with him pellmell, calling me Pedantical Academick. His Ʋniversity-Learning (said he) has quite spoil'd him, and for want of my reason∣ings and conclusions, he is no better than a dull pragmatical Ideot. But yonder is a grave serious and Ancient learned man, I will be judg'd by him. Ay! and so will I too (replyed Nevil), For He is one of our Friends, an Holy man, and a

good Commonwealths-man, a great Enemy to Tyranny; Ay, to Popery too (said Hobbs).

I followed them and at some di∣stance I espied Mr. Richard Baxter walking very pensively, in a melancho∣ly and musing posture; but before we got half way to him, the two Politici∣ans fell out betwixt themselves: for Hobbs struck Nevil such a blow on the Head with his Cane, that, as if it had been a Magical Staff, it turn'd all his Hair into an Anarchy of Snakes and Adders; and he again return'd Mr. Hobbs such a Salute on the Cox∣comb, that his Head swell'd ten times too big for his Body; and yet as if proud of these extravagant Deformi∣ties, they strove who should appear first before that great Arbitrator: how∣ever it was pretty to see how they were both deceived: for Baxter no sooner saw Hobbs, but with an austere visage, You Sir, (said he) your * 1.12 Le∣viathan, or Absolute Impious Monarchy making us our Religion, &c. tendeth not to secure us of a Righteous Government; because you are so Irreligious, as not to pretend to any such thing as the securing a succession of the Christian Religion,

without which, a Righteous Government is not to be expected.

Hobbs was ready to rave with mad∣ness at this unexpected Reprimand from so redoubted an Oracle; and on the other hand, Nevil was insolent with joy; until Baxter turning to him, and mistaking him for Harring∣ton, You Sir, (said he) that think, * 1.13 Venice, where Popery ruleth, and Whoredom abounds, is the perfectest pat∣tern of Government for us now existent, intend not sure, that this Model shall keep us from the Reign of Popery and Whoredom; and therefore doubtless, you intend not, that this frame shall secure us the Christian Religion, without which there can be no happy Government.

At this they all three fell together by the ears, and fought the Changes, until an Officer that had a Tip-Staff in his hand, with a Deaths-Head on it, commanded them to keep the Peace, in the Name of the King of Terrors, and told them, that all their different pretensions should shortly be heard and determined before the High Court of Policy:—Baxter then again at liberty, and somewhat more calm, said, I doubt not, but the Model of Ve∣nice,

among better men, might do much against Popery and Whoredom too, which doth but shew, that it is not the Model, but the Better Men, that must do most: * 1.14 for it is no meer Frame or Mode of Government, whether Monarchy, Ari∣stocracy, Democracy, or Mixt; whe∣ther the Roman, Spartan, Venetian, or any other Mode, that will make happy a Commonwealth in the Hands of im∣prudent impious men, so much as one of the other Forms, supposed worse, will do in the hands of men of prudence, and fearing God.

Truly, (said I to Seignior Chr.) I think this old man talks very piously and Religiously, upon what grounds or designs, I cannot tell. (Oh replyed he) He is an Extraordinary man, he has but two faults, or else he was not to be match't in the world. Pray what are those (said I) that should blemish so Austere and Reverend a Person. Why (reply'd he) He is only a Knave and a Fool. Lord, Sir, (said I) I think he has got Fitts too; for now he has no bo∣dy to dispute and wrangle with, see how his hands cuff and fight with one another. What are they Convulsion fits?——. No, (said he) they are

Contradiction fits, they are the fits of Richard against Baxter. But let us leave him for a little time, because we shall know enough of him by and by.

We were now following Hobbs, and his Antagonist to the High Court of Politicks, with a great desire to hear their debates and claims adjusted, and to know the manner of that Court, and who presided in it. Going therefore through a long Cloyster, we came in∣to a great Hall, at the upper end of which, upon a kind of a Throne sate Lucifer, as I afterwards understood; but he was in so grave, so demure a shape, as if He had worn all the Hypo∣crisie of the Scribes and Pharisees at once, his Countenance was Phip, and very Judicious to behold, he had a lit∣tle starch't Band, with great Band∣strings, a long black Cloak down to his Cloven Foot, which now and then bob'd out, or else I had not known or suspected him.—The first Cause that was brought before him was, a great Controversie betwixt the Jesu∣its and Presbyterians, concerning the Doctrines of deposing and killing of Kings. The Jesuits claim'd it in ho∣nour

of their Society, saying, that they first invented it, that they first preach't, and practised it; that the Presbyterians stole it from them, and that they could prove it. The Presbyterians replied, that it was they who first preach't it, that they had more openly profest it, and proffered to drop Authours with them when ever they pleas'd, if they denied it. The Jesuits pleaded again, that though their Society indeed was not very Ancient, no more than theirs was, yet that they had it by Inheritance, by Tradition, and by Command from their holy Fathers the Popes, long before the Sect of the Presbyterians had a name, or were in being. The Presbyterians re∣ply'd again very hastily, that al∣though they were obscured (for some Centuries) yet they could prove that they were lineally discended from the Ancient, and famous Aërius.

At this last name, the Jesuits were almost quite down in the mouth, for a great many thought that that Aë∣rius was the Prince of the Air, and con∣cluded that Lucifer would be partial to so near a relation, and consequently that they had lost the day; upon which there was an hideous brawl betwixt

Goodman, Knox, Buchanan, Gilly, and the Jesuits; at last Lucifer commanded silence, and calling for a Bible said, Every Kingdom divided against it self, is brought to desolation; the Sons of Be∣lial should unite as Brethren in Iniqui∣ty; and so with several Arguments ad∣vised them to understand one another better, to be more moderate for the Fu∣ture; and not to fall out about that of which He himself was the first Authour, that none of them should want their re∣ward, that first or last preach't or pra∣ctised it. That he did not call himself the first Authour, for that he was am∣bitious of the honour of the Thing. But because they had on both sides such endless Evidences, and so much merit, that he was unwilling to disoblige ei∣ther of them, and that rather than be on one side or other, he thought it no dishonour to him for once and away to turn Crimmer.

They were willing to let the Con∣troversie fall, because the noise of such a thing at this time, might be equal∣ly prejudicial to them both; and Lu∣cifer advis'd, that it should rather be disown'd until a more convenient season. So silence being made, one

with a cast Horn of some decrepit Devil, sounded with so terrible and shrill a noise, that it rais'd the Ghosts of a great many Politicians presently; A Cryer called over their Names; and the first of them that came for∣ward, was the famous and renowned Nicolas Machiavel: He wondred at first, what the occasion of being so unexpectedly summoned to appear there, was: but being told, that it was the highest Court of Politicks, and that he was to give an account of his Wri∣tings, he began to tremble exceeding∣ly; and seeing so grave and venerable an Assembly, imagined they had been all Saints; and verily thought Lucifer had been one of the Apostles or Primi∣tive Patriarchs: therefore addressing himself with all submission;

I hope (said he) Reverend Fathers, that at this Time, and in this Place, I shall vindicate my self from those un∣just aspersions, which the subtlety and malice of some men have cast upon my Name and Memory for this whole Age last past, charging me with three things.

First, That I should vilifie Monarchy, and preser Democracy before it: To which I answer, * 1.15 That if I speak largely

in Commendation of the latter, it ought to be considered, that I was born, bred, and employed in a Free City, which was then under that form of Government; and if you read my History of Florence, you will find, that it did owe all its wealth, greatness and prosperity to it: what I said of the glorious Atchievements of the Commonwealth of Rome, was to shew the perfection of that Government in its kind, but not to propose it by way of Imitation for all other people; for how can any man pretend to write upon Policy, who destroyes the most essen∣tial part of it, which is obedience to all Government? therefore I protest, that the animating of private men, either di∣rectly or indirectly, to disobey, much less to shake off any Government, how Despotical so ever, was never in my Thoughts or Writings: and I alwayes did, and ever will declare, that in every Monarchy, the interests of the King and People are the same.

At this there was a murmuring all over the Court, and Lucifer seem'd somewhat displeas'd: upon which, some that stood by me said, as we have cheated the world above fourscore years about this man, and made his memory

stink among the True Protestants, who have at the same time an esteem for Po∣liticians vastly more Diabolical; so for diversion, we will ee'n sham the Devil himself for once and away.

Silence being made, Machiavel went on. The second thing objected against me, is, That I should encourage Princes to Perjury and Breach of Oaths and Pro∣mises: To which I answer, That any man that reads my Book entituled [The Prince] with ordinary charity, may per∣ceive, that 'tis not my intention therein to recommend the Government of those men (there described) to the world; much less, to teach them, to trample upon good men, and all that is sacred and venerable upon earth. If I have been too punctual in describing those Mon∣sters, and drawn them to the life in all their Lineaments and Colours, I hope mankind will know them the better, to avoid them; my Treatise being both a Satyr against and a true Character of them. I speak not of Great and Ho∣nourable Princes, such as the Kings of France and England, and others, who have the States and Orders of their King∣doms with excellent Laws and Constituti∣ons to frame and maintain their Govern∣ment,

and who reign over the Hearts, as well as the Persons of their Subjects: I speak only of those Vermin bred out of the Corruption of our own small Com∣monwealths and Cities, or engendred by the ill blasts that come from Rome, as Olivaretto da Termo, Borgia, the Bag∣lioni and the Bentivoglii.

At this Lucifer grew so impatient, that he had certainly broke loose, if some of his Counsellors had not ad∣vised him to Moderation and Hypocrisie for a little while; and then Machiavel went on.

The third thing, said he, laid to my charge, is, that I have vilified the Cler∣gy, and abused the sacred Orders of the Church of Rome: To this I an∣swer, That 'tis they have vilified and abused themselves; insomuch, that if the Apostles of Christ should be sent again into the World, they would take more pains to confute the Gallimaufry of Opi∣nions and Innovations in that Church, than they did to preach down the Traditi∣ons of the Pharisees, and the Fables and Idolatry of the Gentiles; and would in all probability suffer a new Martyrdom in that City, under the Vicar of Christ, for the same Doctrine which once animated

the Tyrants against them. As for Go∣vernment, this I must say, That whereas all other false worships even of Heathens, have been set up by some Politick Le∣gislators, for the support and preser∣vation of Government. This false, this spurious Religion (brought in upon the ruines of Christianity, by the Popes) hath deform'd the face of Government in Europe; destroying all the good Prin∣ciples and Morality left us by the Hea∣thens themselves; and introduc'd instead thereof, Sordid, Cowardly, and Ʋnpolitick Notions, whereby they have subjected mankind, and even great Princes, and States to their Empire, and never suf∣fered any Orders or Maxims to take place (where they have power) that might make a Nation Wise, Honest, Great or Wealthy.

Lucifer burst out into such a fury, that the fire flew out of his eyes for very wrath, crying, How aborninably am I cheated and abused by these Poli∣ticians? I thought that I had been sure of as good a Secretary, as ever managed the affairs of the Kingdom of Dark∣ness; and on the contrary, he is for bringing our whole Mysterie of Iniquity to light. For my part, I do not know

whom to trust, or which way to turn my self: Are you my friends? And is this your Politician, that has made such a noise in the world? How comes this to pass?

May it please your Mighty Darkness, (replyed one of the Jesuits) it was necessary that we should reproach this man to all the world, who had been so severe upon the Church and Court of Rome: and besides from his character of Tyrants and Usurpers, we took occasion to render Just Princes odious to their People, as if they observed those Maxims of Breach of Oaths and Promises; and in the mean time have taught the people to practise them in good earnest: So that in lieu of this one Politician, we can plea∣sure you with hundreds much more ser∣viceable to your Mighty Darkness. In the mean while we will strip him of all his Infernal Honours and Titles he has so long enjoyed; so that he shall no longer be called Old Nick 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, nor shall his Disciples be quibbled again into the highest form of Politicians, with the Honourable and Redoubted Pun of Match-less Villains. Take him away therefore, Guards, let him make room for persons vastly more deserving of this High Court.

The next that came was Hobbs, who seem'd infinitely vex'd, that Machi∣avel had had so long an Audience; and therefore with a kind of snarling scream he told them, That he thought truly, that he did not only deserve to be heard most of all, but first of all too; considering the great service he had done for the President of that Honourable Court: For have not I, Sir, (said he to Lucifer) made men Libertines and Atheists, by my Principles, Positions and Conclusions? and consequently by that means promoted the fundamental Vices of your Empire, Faction, Sedition and Rebellion, &c.? Have not I ob∣tain'd to that excellent Art of Reasoning, which like an Ignis Fatuus leads men into Bogs and Ditches, whilest it pretends to give them light? My reasonings, I say, and Positions, from which the un∣wary Sparks draw those Conclusions, which are most suitable to their Lusts and Ex∣travagancies, whilest to others, as bad Buzzards as the former, they make a shew of Tendency to the highest perfe∣ction of Nature, and most sublime Mo∣rality? Have not I the most admirable way of slurring an Argument, of any mor∣tal man? Could any body so dexterously

tack about with Times and Persons, as I have done, both in my Words, Writings and Actions; applying those things in my Defence against Bishop Bramhall, as if respecting the King in Banishment, when as your Lucifership full well knows that I designed them, by way of comple∣ment to Your Vicegerent Oliver then upon his Throne? Lastly, Most Mighty Lucifer, you know, that after your Forces were routed in Heaven, that the greatest Stratagem of yours, that ever took effect upon Earth, was, the corrupting Hu∣mane Nature, when it was in its Inno∣cency; and therefore do but consider, in imitation of your Great Self, to what a condition I have endeavoured to reduce mankind, even now they are under the Covenant of Grace, by that sublime speculation of mine; In the state of Nature, there is no difference be∣twéen Good and Evil, Right and Wrong; the state of Nature is a state of War, in which, every man hath a right to all things. For from this fundamental Point, in despight of all the Rules of the Gospel, I have drawn most powerful Topicks of Violence, Treason and Rebellion.

Lucifer seem'd extraordinary well pleas'd with him; insomuch, that he was ready to pronounce him Prince of all the Politicians; and the Garland was order'd to be brought for him: but Father Parsons stepping out, cal∣led to him the Author of Plato Redivi∣vus, telling him, that old Hobbs for all his Boots, had been too nimble for him; and that if he did not make haste, he would lose, what of Right did belong to him; and what through their Interest, they might procure for him. He made what haste he could; but when he came, there was no need of speaking himself; for after they had prevail'd with Lucifer to suspend his determination, they told him, that they had brought before him a Politi∣cian, that was as much more deserving than Hobbs, or any Philosopher of them all; as the practical part of Politicks is above the speculative. 'Tis true (said they) Hobbs's Principles may gain some few proselytes; but they signifie no more to the Rabble, than if he had com∣plemented them with Euclid's Ele∣ments; but this Gentleman has been pleas'd to condescend to furnish their weakest capacities with Arguments for

Rebellion; to encrease their Fears and Jealousies; to inflame their most bru∣tish Zeal; and to fit them in whole shoals for Hell and Damnation. Your Migh∣ty Darkness ought likewise to consider, that an Anarchy is far more destructive to mankind, than any Tyranny in one single Person whatever; as witness the late Civil Wars in England, wherein you gain'd almost, as much as you lost in the Ten Persecutions. And Lastly, We do assure you, that we your most faithful Friends and Privy Counsellors, have fur∣nish'd him with all those Rules and In∣structions, which are the most direct and ready way to revive the good Old Cause.

Lucifer was in so great suspence, that he spoke not a word of a long time: for indeed, he knew not how to determine the Controversie between them: Which both parties observing, began to be so clamorous, that he called to Bradshaw (who had heard the whole matter) and desiring him to sit Vice-President in his place, he privately sneak'd away. They were all so ex∣treamly well pleas'd with their New President, that there was a profound silence at the very first sight of him,

knowing him to be one that had far out-done the Devil; and indeed the very first glance of his eye gave them general satisfaction: For, rising up with a Politick smile; It is not the first time (said he) Men, Brethren and Fathers, that I have oblig'd and plea∣sur'd-you all. It is not the first time that you have all stood to my final Judgment, and therefore I do not question but you will as readily agree to my present deter∣mination. The difficulties that are ari∣sen here amongst us, are about the preten∣sions that are made by several persons to the Hell-grave of Policy, and you are not yet satisfied who most of all deserve to be the Head and Principal of our famous Soci∣ety. I must confess, that both Mr. Hobbs and his Antagonist, have made very fair, but not full claims to this high Dig∣nity. I confess, that there are many con∣siderable Friends on both sides, but as I will not extremely disoblige, so neither can I satisfie either of them in this point; For, according to the merit of the Cause, and the usual rule of ending Controversies of this nature, I must dispose of it to a third Person. And I do not question, but that even the Principals in this diffe∣rence, will be the most ready to confer this

honour upon him, when they shall have seen him, and heard the reasons I shall move in his behalf.

Every one was wondring, and im∣patient to know who this remarkable Politician should be, when to their a∣mazement, Mr. Baxter came creeping in, leaning upon a Staff, out of breath, and with so ghastly a Visage, that the most mortified Hermit in the World lookt like a Glutton to him; with a faint and low voice, Peace, Brethren, peace (said he) I have often laboured for peace, Why are you at Variance a∣mongst your selves? Why are these Dif∣ferences among you? Oh that ye would lay aside this pride, this contention! Oh, this selfishness! this selfishness! Oh, this pride! this selfconceit! Oh, my Bre∣thren, if you would but watch your thoughts, you would not be so fierce in your words and actions. I say, watch your thoughts.

• 1. Watch them that come in.
• 2. Watch them that go out.

First, Watch them that come in. Therefore, when you find thoughts arising one after another in your hearts, call them

all to an account, keeping a Sentinel at the door of your heart, saying, Who art thou for? If thou art for Christ, give me the Word, thou shall freely pass: If thou art not for Christ, and hast not his Word, stand; If thou come up one step further, I'le fire at thee. Thus if you keep down and suppress these Rebelli∣ous thoughts, this selfishness, this pride, this contention will not be found among you; but oh! I am faint, faint, worn out in the Vineyard of the Lord, and so my Brethren, farewel.

I could not sorbear smiling at this his slie Jargoon, and Seignior Chr. turning to me, said, did you hear? This old Fellow sayes, He is worn out in the Vineyard of the Lord, when as he has been sowing the Tares of Sedition and Heresie for above forty Years in the Field of the Church. He will certainly carry the Garland; for both Hobbs and Nevil do despair, and stand sta∣ring like two Scotch Runts, that have all to bedighted the Fair; but let us hear what the President is going to say.

At this Bradshaw stood up, and with a Countenance very compos'd, and grave, said; Gentlemen, we do adjudge,

pronounce, and declare this man (whose very looks bespeak him, what his words and actions aloud proclaim him) to be the great∣est of all Politicians, for these following Reasons.

First, Without the Help of his Poli∣ticks all ours had been insignificant, and in Vain; that good old Cause, You va∣lue your self so much upon, had never been brought to perfection, had not he mightily assisted us. You might as well have attempted to whistle the Moon under your Hats, as to have laid the Head of the King upon the Block, under the Axe of the Executioner, had not he the Preacher first sentenc't him from the Pulpit; 'twas the Magick of his voice that raised whole Legions of Reforming Zea∣lots, and preacht them into Rank and File against their Sovereign; 'twas He snivel'd the Rabble to the Devil in such mighty Shoals, as they crowded the High∣wayes to Hell, for several years together. This you Jesuits do so well know, that you venture drawing, hanging, and quar∣tering, for the sake of preaching in Se∣ditious and Schismatical Conventicles in his shape, and after his way; and there∣fore what signifies any other mans Wri∣tings, either Hobbs or Nevils, when in

competition with him, who has out∣preacht, outwrit, outdone, out-reform'd you all.

Secondly, He is most worthily to be accounted the chief Politician, upon the account of that singular and unparallelled Spirit of Contradiction, which is in him in a double portion, and in a double sense. And therefore when His Serene Darkness Lucifer askt me, with what Confidence I could bring King Charles before his own Bar of Kings Bench, when the ve∣ry form of the Writ runs (Coram no∣bis ubicunque) in his own name and Authority? My Answer was, That I brought the King before himself, by the same Rule that Richard is against Baxter.

Thirdly, We must, and do acknowledge him to be the most extraordinary Politi∣cian in the world, for he has not only de∣ceiv'd many thousands of people, but he has cheated himself, more than any body else. For, first, He thinks himself very Humble, when he is so very proud, that he is Proud of his Humility; a sort of pride, which Lucifer never dreamt of. Secondly, He thinks himself very meek and merciful, when as he is really more bloody, and cruel than any Ty∣rant,

he can either fear, or describe; wit∣ness his many sanguinary and virulent Sermons he has preach't; witness his be∣haviour to one Major Jenning, in the late Wars, in a Battle fought in the County of Salop, between Lynsel and Longford, where the Kings Party being unfortunate∣ly routed, the poor Major was stript al∣most naked, and left for dead, but He with one Lieutenant Hurdman, taking a walk among the wounded and dead Bodies, and observing some life in the Major, Hurd∣man run him through the Body in cold blood, Baxter all the while looking on, and taking off with his own hand the Kings Picture from about his neck, telling him that He was a Popish Rogue, and that was his Crucisix, and kept it some years after.

Thirdly, He thinks him very wise, fit to direct, rule and govern all mankind, whenas he mistakes that to be the Spirit of wisdom in his heart, which is nothing else but the whisperings of that Eating and Cancrous Wolf, that has possest the nape of his neck.

Lastly, If He, whose Faith is Facti∣on, whose Religion is Rebellion, whose Prayers are Spells, whose Piety is Ma∣gick, whose Purity is the gall of Bitter∣ness;

who can cant and recant, and cant again; who can transform himself into as many shapes as Lucifer (who is never more a Devil, than when an Angel of Light,) and like him (who proud of his perfections, first rebell'd in Hea∣ven) Proud of his Imaginary graces, pretend to rule and govern, and conse∣quently rebel on Earth, be the greatest Politician. Then make room for Mr. Baxter, let him come in, and be Crown'd with wreaths of Serpents, and Chaplets of Adders; let his Triumphant Chariot be a Pulpit drawn on the wheels of Can∣non, by a Brace of Wolves in Sheeps Cloathing. Let the Ancient Fathers of the Church, whom out of Ignorance he has vilified; the Reverend and Learned Prelates, whom out of Pride and Malice, he has abused, belyed and persecuted; the most Righteous King, whose Murder (I speak my own and his sense) contrary to the light of all Religion, Laws, Reason and Conscience, He has justified, then denied, then again and again justified: Let them all be bound in Chains to attend his Infernal Triumph to his Saints everlasting Rest. Then make room, Scribes and Pharisees, Hy∣pocrites, Atheists, and Politicians, for

the greatest Rebel on Earth, and next to him that fell from Heaven.

After this, the Court arose every one, even the two Antagonists going away very well satisfied. Seignior Chr. and I were left alone, and had a fair opportunity to reflect upon what we had heard. The first thing that came into my head, was the last part of Bradshaw's determination, wherein he compar'd the Motives and Grounds of Baxter's Rebellious Politicks, with Lucifers. For my part, (said I) in his Preface to his Holy Commonwealth, He seems to deny that Position, That Dominion is founded in Grace; and proves, that Godliness is not Authority; And that the Saints are not the rightful Rulers of the World. And many peo∣ple that read that Book would think, that he wrote it with a great deal of Zeal and Piety, for the promotion of Gods glory, and the improvement of all virtues. He condemns both Trran∣ny and Democracy; shews a bloody Ty∣rant in his proper Colours, peppers the Rabble with whole Vollies of stinging Epithetes: is very earnest for the Reign of Christ, the dignity of Saints, and the Reformation of the World. He seems

not so much concern'd for any parti∣cular sort of Government, as that we may be secured in the Main; and yet judges a Mixt Monarchy the best: He layes open the Contrivances of the Jesuits, exposes the Papal Ʋsurpations over the Civil Magistrate; has gar∣nisht his Book all over with Quotations from good Authors, and confirm'd his Propositions with numberless authori∣ties from Scripture.

From Scripture, (reply'd Seignior Christiano smiling) Did you never read, that Satan is transform'd into an Angel* 1.16 of Light? and therefore 'tis no marvel, if his Ministers also be transform'd as the Ministers of Righteousness. And Vincentius Lirinensis tells us, Nullam esse ad fallendum faciliorem viam, quam ut ubi nefarii erroris subinduci∣tur fraudulentia, ibi divinorum ver∣borum praetendatur Autoritas. And Bishop Davenant (in his twelfth de∣termin'd Question) sayes, Induant quam velint isti Magistratuum Reformato∣res, &c. Let those Reformers of Magi∣strates mask under what vizor they please, Religion may be their Plea, but Rebellion is their Practice. And this is so true of Mr. Baxter, that as far

as I can perceive, he will confirm it with his last breath: But the Mask he has on, will appear to be that of the Fool, as well as of the Knave: for whatever he in one place denyes, he most strictly and ri∣gidly maintains in another; and there is not a more ridiculous Book of Polity in the world. He confesses indeed, that he did not design an Accurate Tract of Po∣liticks; not a discovery of an Utopia, or City of the Sun. And indeed I am apt to believe him; for it rather dropt from the concavities of the Midsummer Moon. Had he spent his Itch of Scribling in writing his Wifes Life, the History of Stew'd Prunes, or the Pedigree of his Gib-Cat, he had done much better, than to have defiled so much good Paper with the indigested Excrements of his Brain upon such a subject: For Mr. Baxter did not either honestly or seriously enough consider, that his whole Pile of Politicks stands tottering upon a false and rotten foundation: For he holds, that the So∣veraignty of England is in the three Estates, viz. King, Lords and Commons; that the King has but a Co-ordinate Power, and may be over-ruled by the other two. This is the fundamental Maxim of all his Po∣liticks,

without which, he never could have pretended to the framing his Theo∣cratical Government (as he calls it) or have made such a Bustle for his pecu∣liar godly Friends and Associates; but if this were true (which is utterly false) why may it not as well happen, that the King and Lords should over-rule, and consequently exciude the Commons? And then what thanks is that House bound to give such a notable Aphorism∣monger? The Counsellors in that Au∣gust Assembly, are of three sorts by the Fundamental Laws of this Kingdom: Some are by Birth, as the Barons; some* 1.17 by Succession, as Bishops; and some by Election, as Knights and Burgesses; and these be all (for the time) the Kings Council:) Did ever any King call a Council to depose him? But suppose, ac∣cording to Mr. Baxter, they might or should do so, who should then hinder the two that are by Birth and Succession, from over-ruling and excluding the third, that are by Election? But the Bi∣shops, it seems, must troop out after the King, for fear Mr. Baxter should stumble upon such an horrid piece of non-sense, as the making two Estates become three, by the taking away of one.

No less ridiculous is Mr. Baxter in this deposing humour of his: for he does like the Abbess, who chid the Nun for Fornication, when she her self had the Monks Breeches on her head, instead of her Veil, at the same time. He pronounces very terribly, Thes. 327. That it is a most impious thing, for Popes to pretend to disoblige Christians from their Oaths and Fidelity to their Sove∣reigns, and to encourage their Subjects to rebel and murder them: But as if it were a most pious thing in a Jack Pres∣byter, he breathes nothing but perfidious Covenants, Engagements, Associati∣ons, Seditions and murdering Treasons, for several Pages together immediately after.

Like a Fool as he is to his own Good Old Cause, he confesses, pag. 461. that God has no where in Scripture told us, whether England should be governed by one or two, or an hundred; but that where the King is Supreme, it is the will of God that the people should obey him. A strange things, that the Po∣litick Saint should want Scripture upon so material an account, who is used to squander it away so plentifully upon every trivial occasion. Well! since Scripture

(as he sayes) cannot, nothing more or better can declare the King of England to be Supreme, unaccountable to none but God, than the fundamental Laws of this Ancient and Just Monarchy. But because Mr. Baxter, who would never be govern'd, has little or no knowledge of the Laws, he sends his Reader in p. 458. to Bacon and Prynn, who were as great Hereticks for Lawyers, as he is for a Divine: I wish that Mr. Baxter, who has deserv'd to lose his Tongue, as much as Prynn did his Ears, would take example by him, and lay things seriously and impartially to his heart, that by bet∣ter Aphorisms of Humility and Obedi∣ence, he would grow so good a Politician indeed, as at last to cheat the Devil. For 'tis a strange thing, that a man who has taken so much pains for the salvation of other mens souls, should so carelesly run on tick for the damnation of his own; If it be true, that the King is Supream, and that they who resist him, as Mr. Bax∣ter has done, shall receive damnation to themselves, and, as Mr. Prynn him∣self* 1.18 sayes, they shall. But I fear he will never be of so good a mind.

For like a Knave as he is, by his Politicks in this Book, and by

his Schism and Separation to this day, he practises those very Rules, which in the beginning of this Book he dis∣covers and declares to be the Jesuits Directions for preserving Popery, and changing Religion in this Nation. I do not wonder, that the late Colonel Sidney (who was so great a Crony of Father Oli∣va's, the General of the Jesuits at Rome, for several years together) should bor∣row part of his Speech he left behind him, out of Baxter's Holy Commonwealth: for sayes he, pag. 377. No Man or Fa∣mily hath originally more right to govern a Nation than the rest, till Pro∣vidence and Consent allow it them. Few Princes will plead a Successive Right of Primogeniture from Noah. And this, without doubt, was the Original of that politick strain in Colonel Sidney's Speech, as the directions of the Jesuits are of Mr. Baxter's Politicks and pra∣ctices: For sayes he himself, the summ of Campanella's Counsel (for promoting the Spanish Interests in England) was in Queen Elizabeths daies, 1. Above all to breed dissentions and discords a∣mong our selves: To exasperate the minds of the Bishops against King James, by perswading them that he

was in heart a Papist, and would bring in Popery: To make the Kingdom Elective: And lastly, To perswade the chief Parliament men, to turn En∣gland into the form of a Common∣wealth.

Pray, Sir, (said I) do but hear what Mr. Baxter sayes for himself at the latter end of his Book, p. 489. If any one (saies he) can prove that I was guilty of hurt to the Person, or destruction of the Power of the King, or of changing the Fundamental Constitutions of the Commonwealth, &c. I will never gain∣say him, if he calls me a most perfidious Rebel, and tell me that I am guilty of far greater sin than Murder, Whoredome, Drunkenness, or such like; or if they can solidly confute my Grounds, I will thank them, and confess my sin to all the world: but Malicious railings, I take for Rebel∣lions themselves, I shall not regard.

I will not rail on Mr. Baxter (replyed Seignior Chr.) (for 'tis a difficult thing to nickname Schism, Sedition, Murther, and Treason) but this I must say of his writings, If they were made hangings to his House of Office, as Olivers Porters Papers are to his Cell, he might do him∣self the kindness of hiding the one side

of them that contradict the other. for certainly no man living, ever gave himself the lie so often, or complemented himself into so many titles of Infamy in one breath, since the world began; no man ever took so much pains to justifie himself, as Baxter has to expose and condemn himself. For would you know what sin he is most guilty of, (that is so ready to make his Confession) 'tis certainly that which he most declaims against, how dange∣rous a thing (in his most serious Medita∣tions upon these his superfine Politicks) (saies he) is pride of heart? When once it grows to an enormous height, it will make men swell with self con∣ceit, and think none so fit to govern Countries and Nations as they: nor a∣ny so fit to teach the Church: nor any so meet to judge what is good or evil to the Commonwealth. This he saies at the end of that Book, wherein he dog∣matically prescribes rules of Polity for the State (as since he has done for the Church) in opposition to all the rules of Modesty and Obedience, and contrary to all the Laws of God and man. To conclude for all Mr. Baxter's pretences to Gods glory, and the increase of Religion; these his impracticable whimsies would be so far

from procuring that good to this Nation, which he promises to himself, and pre∣tends to us; that they would certainly over-run us with Enthusiastick Knaves and Hypocrites: and from Elihu in Job, we may learn the fatal consequences of his ridiculous Politicks: for we gather from Job 34. 30. that He maketh an hypocrite to reign, when he is minded to scourge a sinful people.

We have learn't, said I (dear friend), we have sufficiently learnt the truth of this, by late and sad expe∣rience: we have found the wicked and dismal Conclusions of this and other villanous Maxims of Fanatical and Hypocritical Policy for twenty years together; wherein the Courts of Ju∣stice were fill'd with Violence and Oppression; the Churches with Sacri∣ledge and Blasphemy; the Earth with the dead bodies, and Hell with the souls of Rebells: wherein there was more wickedness committed in this one Island, than in all the world besides; so that Foreigners said, that the King of England was King of Devils; and I will swear, that there is none to compare with the white ones.

Notes

• * 1.1

  See Pryn Repub. p. 16.
• * 1.2

  Judg. 2. v. 3.
• * 1.3

  Barclai. de Conj. Ang.
• * 1.4

  Fuller.
• † 1.5

  2 Chron. c ••. ••. 18.
• * 1.6

  2 Chron. 10. v. 11.
• * 1.7

  1 Sam. c. 8. v. 7.
• * 1.8

  Deut. 17. v. 15.
• * 1.9

  at the Rye••
• * 1.10

  Pag. 193.
• * 1.11

  Acts 17. ••1.
• * 1.12

  Holy Com∣monwealth, p. 225.
• * 1.13

  Holy Com∣monwealth, p. 226.
• * 1.14

  Holy Com∣monwealth, p. 224.
• * 1.15

  In a Letter to Zenobius Buon-delmon∣tius.
• * 1.16

  2 Cor. 11. 14, 15.
• * 1.17

  Lambards Ar∣chion. p. 118.
• * 1.18

  Prynn's Repub. or spurious Good Old Cause.