DEAR Sir, Your Humble Servant, you are Welcome to Town; Pray how long have you been arrived.

Sir, I came but laſt Night, and thought my ſelf oblig'd to pay my Reſpects to you in the firſt place: I hope all your Noble Family is well.

I thank you Sir, they are very well; But pray how does your good Lady? And how do Matters go in the Country?

Why we are all reaſonable well in Health, but out of Order every way elſe; For the Taxes are ſo high, Money ſo ſcarce, Trade ſo dead, &c. That I Proteſt my Eſtate is ſo Cultivated, 'twill hardly maintain my Family.

Come, Sir, you are my Worthy Friend, and therefore I would not have you find Fault with any thing; for, if you are willing, I doubt not, but you may ſoon have ſuch an Employment, that you will not feel the weight of the Taxes; nay, you may be a Great Gainer by the War; and I would fain have you in the Government. What ſay you, Will you Advance a ſmall Summ.

Sir, I give you many Thanks for your kind Offers which at this time-a-day I can by no means accept; and I am deſirous to be plain with you in my Reaſons for Refuſal: but you being a Privy-Councellor, and Member of Parliament, &c. I know not whether 'twill be Convenient to uſe Freedom of Speech; for, you may Interpret ſome things I may ſay, as Reflections on your Self.

Sir, I aſſure you, what I Offer is deſign'd for your Intereſt; but, if you don't approve on't, you may uſe what Freedom of Speech you pleaſe; for, though I am Honour'd with thoſe Offices you mention, yet that ſhall not, in the leaſt, be any barr to the freedom of our Diſcourſe, neither ſhall I take any thing Ill, for I perceive you have a deſire to Talk about Publick Affairs.

Sir, I heartily Thank you for the Liberty you have given me; And now I muſt tell you, that I am of Opinion, there is ſuch a Caball of Corrupt Men in the Government, that 'tis impoſſible for an Honeſt Man to live and act amongſt them, unleſs he will renounce his Duty to God and his Country; For (as one well obſerves) Good and Bad Men Joyn'd in a Government, are like the Iron and Clay in the Toes of Nebuchadnezar's Image, they may Cleave, but they will never Incorporate.

Why truly, what you Alledge▪ is a good Reaſon for not taking an Employment, provided there be any Juſt Grounds for your Opinion about the Corruption in the Government.—I Confeſs there is, and has been a Great Noiſe and Clamour about Corruption and Miſmanagement and I have always endeavoured, as narrowly as I could to ſearch out the Truth of Matters, but cou • d never yet find any thing ſo Material, as to be worthy the Cogninance of either King or Parliament. However, Great Clamours have been made by ſome Private-Men, who (I ſuppoſe) were Male▪Contents, they have Promis'd Vaſt Diſcoveries of Treachery and Fraud, but when it has come to Examination, I never found that the Accuſers could make out their Allegations, but Mountains dwindled away into Mole-hills, and, as I ſaid before, nothing appear'd that was thought worthy of Cognizance.

I find, by your Diſcourſe, you endeavour not only to Evade, but Cover thoſe Groſs and Monſtrous Evils that have been the Cauſes of the Length of the War, and of our Preſent Diſtreſs: Sir, I know not what kind of Miſcarriages you think are worthy of Cogniſance, but, I fear, upon Examination, 'twill be found, that the Crimes already prov'd in the Faces of our Rulers, will Amount to the Degree of ROBBERY and MƲRDER; and, which makes them more Hainous, they have not been done in a Hoſtile Manner, in Open Defiance of the Law, as the High-way-man takes away your Money on the Road, But with the Audacious Face of Authority, under the Sacrilegious Mask of Law, Juſtice and State-Pollicy: The Authors and Upholders of theſe Miſchiefs in the mean time blowing the Trumpet of Fame in each others Praiſe, as Long-headed Councellors, &c So that I do not wonder theſe matters ſhould be Rejected, and not thought worthy of Cognizance, when I conſider that Infallible Maxim, That the Inferiours cannot be Knaves, and be Protected by the Superintendants, unleſs thoſe Superintendants be as bad. And thus it appears almoſt Impoſſible any Fault could be Puniſhed, but that all Criminals muſt be Protected, and their Crimes hid from the King, when Corrupt Men ſat Judges of each others Actions—Therefore 'twas not likely they wou'd hurt one another; For the very Scripture tells you, That Satan cannot caſt out Satan, if he ſhould his Kingdom would fall.

Sir, you have Charg'd the Court with a 〈◊〉 yet 'tis but a General and bare Aſſertion; and let me tell you (being ſomething Concern'd) there's a great difference between Aſſerting and Proving, and therefore I'd fain have you (if you can) branch out your General Charge into ſome particular Inſtances, as for what may ſeem to Reflect upon me, as I told you before, pleaſe to uſe your Freedome, for I ſhall not Reſent any thing that ſhall happen in Diſcourſe at this time.

Why then, Sir, for your Satisfaction, I ſhall give you ſome Inſtances, that have accidentally fallen under my Obſervation, which I fear, in Reference to the Mighty Maſs of Corruption in the Government, will be found only as a ſmall Pattern or Sample of a vaſt quantity of Goods, that the Whole Parcel is of the ſame Sort, otherwiſe there cou'd never be ſuch an agreeable ſweet harmony among all the Offices, in Crying up the Parts, and hiding the Crimes of each other from King and People: But having more than one Office to ſpeak of, I think I ſhall begin firſt with that of the Navy.

The Commiſſioners of that Office have been accus'd of making moſt horrible Waſt of the Publick Treaſure, by a long Practice of Fraudulent Contracts for Naval-Stores, and driving Trades in Embezelling all ſorts of Stores, as well as Foul and Shameful Extravagance in Building and Repairing the King's Ships: Theſe things have been Fully Prov'd againſt them before the Lords of the Admiralty, and before the Lords of the Council, and afterwards openly ſet forth in Print to both Houſes of Parliament, and yet the Delinquents are ſtill Continu'd in their Employments. So that by this Open Villany, the Neceſſary Charge of the Navy is more than doubled, and the King Shamefully Betray'd and Cheated, and His Subjects made Beggars by Heavy Taxes. But there is one thing more that is a moſt Dangerous and Curſed Evil, and that is the Uſage of the Poor Saylors, whoſe Number is about Forty Thouſand Employed in the Service of their King and Countrey: Their DEPLORABLE CASE has been often at Large ſet forth in Print, and made known to the Parliament, Council, Admiralty, &c. And to Relate all their Grievances, and the Curſed Arts us'd to Ruin and Deſtroy them and their Families would be Endleſs: Therefore to avoid being Tedious, I ſhall only give you a ſhort Account of their MISERIES, as I find it Inſerted in a BOOK, Entituled, Juſtice Perverted, &c. Printed and Publiſhed laſt Year by Mr. Crosfeild, and Dedicated to Both Houſes of Parliament. The BOOK contains beſides this a Great Maſs of Flat Down-right Knavery; and the Commiſſioners of the Navy, and others, are Named therein to the particular Facts: But I find, it has all been paſs'd over and Stifled. However, I ſhall Relate it as follows, in his Own Words, having, by Good Luck, the BOOK in my Pocket to Aſſiſt me.

This is the Account he gives; and 'tis certainly very amazing to conſider that the Government ſhould be ſo wretchedly Corrupt, as to paſs over Crimes of ſuch fatal Conſequence.

But you may ſee that by this Cheating and Robbing there are vaſt Summs of Mony gotten for ſome body, and certainly the Actors in it cannot have the whole profit to themſelves, but it muſt be diſtributed elſewhere, to perſons of higher Rank; Becauſe their Intereſt is ſo great, that even after Conviction, they have power enough to Chain up Law and Juſtice from doing their proper Offices. And now Sir, what think you, are theſe Crimes worthy of Cognizance or not? but I have many more to add

Why then, Pray Sir proceed, for this is ſomething more than I knew before; I confeſs, one of Crosfeilds Books was given me at the Houſe of Commons, it lies ſomewhere about the Houſe, but I had never time to read it over.

Indeed I thought as much, for it appears all things of that kind have hitherto been ſhamefully thrown aſide as waſt Paper, as if the perſons to whom they were Dedicated did not deſire to be Informed: But I ſhall go on and give you ſome Account of the Commiſſioners of the Admiralty.

Their Lordſhips have been accus'd of Concealing and Advocating the Crimes of the Navy-Board, and Diſcouraging and Ruining ſuch of the Kings faithful Officers and Subjects, that laid them open▪ this has been prov'd againſt them before the Council, but all things lie dormant and unregarded: So that here is three degrees of ſuch fatal Corruption, from the Navy to the Adm • raity and from them to the Council, that alone is ſufficient to ſhake the very Foundation of the Government.

It were endleſs, to tell you the reſt of the Admiralties Crimes, who thro' Corruption and Ignorance, have not been able with about two hundred Sail of Ships to Guard our Navigation; whereby Trade has been deſtroy'd, and our Merchants undergone Infinite Loſſes, which our Enemies have had the Benefit of; and then further, the Admiralty have all along plac'd Commanders in the Fleet without any regard to Merit. So that this War we have loſt above a hundred Ships, the greateſt part of which have been fool'd away, by the Ignorance of the Commanders; and ſome by Cowardice without fighting, beſides the horrid Miſcarriages in Expeditions againſt the Enemy, as the ſhameful Expedition to Breſt, &c. Which ſerves only to diſpirit the People, and Increaſe their Taxes. Certainly a Man would think, that theſe Gentlemen have a deſign Totally to deſtroy the Navigation of England, for tho the Crimes of the Sea Commanders are ſo Hanious and Numerous; yet has not one of their Sea Journals been Examin'd all this War, to ſee how they have perform'd their Duty, tho there is no other way to Judge of their Fidelity and Ability in their Stations but by Traceing their Journals; and thus Ignorance and Negligence, as well as horrible Profaneneſs and Debauchery has generally over-ſpread the Sea, as well as the Land. But what ſhould I ſpeak any more of this Admiralty, for every one knows their Wickedneſs and Ignorance, yet I have often wonder'd there has not been more Complaints againſt them, from the Eaſt▪India and Guinea Company and others, who are almoſt Ruin'd with Loſſes: Certainly our Merchants are like the Fools ſpoken of by Aeſop, that none would meddle to remove the Stone from the Mouth of the Bath, tho every Man ſtumbled, and broke his ſhins over it at going in, till at laſt a Wiſe Man came and Roll d it away; God grant we may have ſome VViſe Men by the next Parliament, that will ſtand up for the publick good, or elſe in ſhort we muſt prepare for foul VVeather.

I confeſs, the Council of Trade was excellently propos'd at firſt to the Parliament; But the Intereſt of the Court quickly beat out it's Brains, and from this Eſtabliſhment I doubt little good will ariſe, my reaſons for it are theſe. Firſt, They do not underſtand Trade, 'tis Forreign to them, and out of their ſphere. Secondly, I cannot but obſerve, that the Major part of theſe perſons are the ſame that ſit in Council; and from time to time have heard the Crimes of the Admiralty and Navy▪ and wanted no Power to redreſs thoſe Grievances there: So that the Regulation is no more than removing theſe Gentlemen from one Room to another, as the Barons of the Exchequer paſs from the Law to the Chancery ſide, now certainly if I am a Corrupt or Ignorant Man in the Parlour, I am the ſame in the Dineing Room.

Put Sir, there you flatly Arraign the very Wiſdom of the Government.

Yes, certainly and their honeſty too (if by the Government you mean the Court or elſe what d' think I have been talking of all this while or how is it poſſible I could ſpeak at all of any publick Grievances, unleſs I Arraign'd both, without you would have me ſay we are all Ruin'd; and at the ſame time affirm, that no body did it: But I muſt beg your patience a little further, becauſe you did as it were, Challenge me to give you ſome Inſtances of Corruption.

Sir, Then you may proceed if you pleaſe; I am ſorry to hear ſo much, tho I think none of it do's Actually relate to me, for I'm ſure, I always did what I cou'd.

Why, then in the next place, I ſhall give you ſome Account of the Commiſſioners, for taking Care of Sick and Wounded Seamen, and Exchanging Priſoners of War, and theſe you will alſo find to be a wretched Pack: For one of their Clerks who laid down his Employment, has prov'd Notorious Crimes againſt them.; as holding a Pernitious and Unlawful Correſpondence with the French all this War, So that there has been an open and quick paſſage to give Intelligence to the Enemy of all our Affairs and Deſigns, and to betray the Kings Councils from time to time, alſo he has prov'd that they have Cheated the King in their Accounts; and Cheated the poor Sick and Wounded Seamen in Plymouth Hoſpital out of their Proviſions, and that they have all along Cheated the Poor French Priſoners under their Care, out of part of their Allowance, and treated them in a very Barbarous manner. For it ſeems their whole Allowance was but four pence each Man a day, and they deducted three farthings out of that four pence: It was alſo prov'd that the French Intendant General Marine, writ diverſe doleful Letters of Complaint to theſe Commiſſioners, telling them how Barbarouſly and inhumanely the poor French Priſoners were us'd, whereby many of them Periſhed; And that he had Orders from the French King to uſe our Engliſh Priſoners in like manner if it was not rectify'd; But no Regulation being made, but the Evil rather Increaſing▪ was the true Cauſe that the French have all along us'd our poor Engliſh Captives in ſuch a dreadful and Barbarous Manner: For by reaſon of their Miſerable ſhort allowance and lying diverſe Months in Filthy and Loathſome Priſons, and others by being driven like Gally Slaves ſeveral hundred Miles Naked through the Country, I ſay from theſe Cauſes many hundreds of them have Periſhed, and many Familys have thereby been brought to utter Ruin: Nay theſe Men have Committed Murther on both ſides of the Water; For, beſides the Engliſh, they have baſely and Cruelly deſtroy'd many of the poor French priſoners, which doubtleſs is no leſs Murther in the Sight of God notwithſtanding the War.

Theſe and Diverſe other Crimes were Examin'd and prov'd before the Admiralty by the Kings Special Order above two years ſince, and a Report thereof was made to his Majeſty and Carry'd by the Admiralty to the Cabinet-Council, but the Matter was ſo manag'd, that the Report was Stifled and not Read to the King: ſo that the Commiſſioners, upon their Petition, were granted a Re-hearing before the Council in Publick, where theſe Matters were Fully Prov'd over again; but the buſineſs was delay'd from time to time, till the King was gone for Flanders, ſo that the Report of the Council was alſo kept from his Majeſty, and how that Report was afterwards curry'd in his Majeſtys abſence I know not, but this I know, the Commiſſions are ſtill in their places with power to purſue their Villainy▪ ſo that what I told you juſt now appears again to be true. That Satan cannot Caſt out Satan.

There may many things more be ſaid of theſe Mens horrid Wickedneſs, as their deſtroying the poor Sick and Wounded Seamen with bad Medicines for the Lucre of gain, which with many other Crimes were fully prov'd againſt them before the Comiſſioners for Stateing the publick Accounts, where ſome Witneſſes they brought appear'd moſt Willfully and Notoriouſly perjur'd, and Eſcap'd puniſhment. But for a more plain and particular Information herein, I ſhall refer you to a Book Printed and Publiſh'd laſt year, by the Perſon that brought the Complaint againſt theſe Men, and Dedicated to the houſe of Peers, It is Entituled Baſtons Caſe (for ſo was the Clerks Name) or a Brief Account of the Evil Practices of the preſent Commiſſioners for Sick and Wounded, as they were prov d. 1ſt▪ Before the Lords of the Admiralty. 2ly. Before the Lords of the Council, and 3ly. Before the Commiſſioners for Stateing the publick • counts. For there is Contain d the Admiraltys and Councills Report, and there the Crimes of theſe Commiſſioners for Sick and Wounded lye barefac'd to the World.

And now Certainly it would Stir up a Mans Zeal for the publick good, if he did but Conſider in what Jeopardy and peril the poor Saylor Serves his King and Country; For beſides the hazard of his Life in open Fight) if he continues in the Kings Service without being Sick or Wounded or Taken by the Enemy, why then he's lyable to be Query'd, or Run'd out of his pay, or oblig'd for Neceſſity to ſell his Ticket for half loſs (or more) to ſome of thoſe Curſed Monſters, call'd Ticket-buyers, who (as it has appear'd too plain) are but Deputy's or Journy-men to the Navy-Board. If he is ſet on Shoar Sick and Freſh dyet and Broath will not Cure him, why then he runs a great hazard of being Poyſon'd with his Phyſick, but if he recovers 'tis ten to one but he's prick'd Run; And if he's taken by the Enemy 'tis a great Chance if ever he returns to his Native Country.

Certainly it muſt ere long be Counted hard Meaſure, that for ſuch petty Retail Robbery and Murther, as taking away a ſmall Matter upon the Road, or for killing another in a Duel for an Injury receiv'd that a Man ſhou'd be hang'd like a Dog; When ſuch wholeſale Murtherers and Robbers as theſe are protected and Flouriſh in their Villainy, though their Actions tend to the utter Subverſion and overthrow of a State: But this is an Age full of Wonders; For from the Court proceeds Abundance of Praying and Preaching and Faſting, but hardly a Grain of Integrity, Honeſty, Juſtice or Humanity, as if theſe were Accounted Needleſs Ingredients in Religion.

But I am unwilling to try your patience any further with theſe unpleaſing Relations, otherwiſe I could add ſeveral other things and particularly of the Commiſſioners of the Poſt Office, how they have been lately prov'd Horribly Corrupt and unfaithful before the Lords Juſtices; likewiſe more might be ſaid of other Offices, and alſo of the great Corruption in the Army and abuſe of the poor Soldiers, by the Agents and others, which was alſo plainly prov'd; But I think this is Enough at preſent to ſhew you what a Condition the Nation is in: For any one may Judge by theſe what the other Offices are, They being all Streams that proceed from the ſame Fountain (I mean the Court) and muſt conſequently afford the ſame Bitter Water. And now I hope you are throughly convinc'd that the Complaints of Grievances have not been meer Clamour, as you were pleaſed to ſay in the beginning of our diſcourſe.

I Confeſs Sir theſe things do look with an Ill face: Yet 'tis the greateſt Riddle in the World to me, how ſuch Miſcarryages as theſe cou'd be carry`d on, when we have had for ſome years paſt a Commiſſion Eſtabliſh`d by Act of Parliament to Take, State and Examine the publick Accounts of the Kingdom, and they have Power by the Act to Adminiſter Oaths and to Call all Perſons to an Account that have the Receipts or Iſſues of the Publick Revenue and that Commiſſion conſiſts only of Members of the houſe of Commons, who are utterly unqualifyd for any Employments at Court▪ and conſequently unbyas`d Men; And therefore I wonder how theſe things can be.

Why I Confeſs, this is a Myſtery of Iniquity that has darken'd the underſtandings of ſome, however 'tis a matter eaſily unriddled, for 'twill be found that theſe are alſo a pack of Gentlemen, nothing Inferiour to the worſt of thoſe already ſpoken of; for as the Court have hid the Grievances of the People from the King, ſo theſe have kept them from the Parliament, and have us'd ſuch Arbitrary Arts, Tricks, and Devices to acquit and Juſtifie the worſt of Villains that have come before them, and to blacken the Reputations of Honeſt Men, that certainly the like has not been known, for an Inſtance of which I refer you to the Printed Book I ſpoke of juſt now▪ about the Crimes of the Commiſſioners for Sick and Wounded, Entituled Baſtons Caſe, &c. There you will ſee in what an Arbitrary manner they heard that buſineſs, and Endeavoured by all the ſhameful ways Imaginable, to acquit thoſe Commiſſioners of Crimes they had been prov'd Guilty of twice before, Viz. At the Admiratly and Council. They allow'd Criminals to ſwear in their own behalf contrary to Law, and when Baſton made them appear Notoriouſly perjur'd, they Barbarouſly Encourag'd one of them to ſwear on, (whoſe Name was Nicholas Sharrack) which he did, and was perjur'd again, and again, as plain as the Sun, and as black as Hell; and then they diſcharg'd him any further Attendance, with as much Commendation and Applauſe as if he had Sworn right, but I refer you to the Book for that and much more, for by this Illegal and Ungodly Method of Swearing Criminals in their own behalf; with diverſe other new Invented Arbitrary ways in hearing the Peoples Grievances, theſe Gentlemen can at pleaſure make the Devil white. However, it ſeems this buſineſs of the Commiſſioners for Sick and Wounded was ſo plain being twice before both prov'd and Reported) that they were not able to wipe off their Guilt and Infamy: But this they were able to do for them, to bury it in their Office and keep it from the knowledge of the Houſe of Commons, which they have accordingly done: And when it was afterwards brought into the Houſe of Lords to be heard, they prevented it there alſo by a Trick, and got it out of the Houſe, for they Acquainted their Lordſhips that the matter was then depending before their Board; and pray'd it might be Recommitted to them to finiſh the ſame, and make their Report, which the Houſe accordingly did; but the Report is not made to this day, neither will be I ſuppoſe till the day of Judgment: And as to what they told the Houſe of Lords, that the matter was then depending before them, 'twas a great falſity, and deſign'd only as an Excuſe to diſappoint the hearing of the matter in Parliament. Much more might be ſaid of theſe Men concerning the Navy and Army, how they have brow-beat and diſcourag'd Witneſſes, and Incourag'd Knaves and Villains, ſtifled, Complaints, &c. So that theſe Men inſtead of being a Checque to Corruption; have been the Props and Pillars to ſupport it, as true Servants and Vaſſals to the Court.

Certainly ſuch a Commiſſion might have been of exceeding uſe to the publick, had it conſiſted of true Engliſhmen, and been Wiſely and Honeſtly manag'd; for 'twou'd have been a place to Puniſh and reform Knavery and Villany, and Rogues and Cheats, with Tears in their Eyes, might have call'd it the terrible Office of Inquiſition, but now, on the contrary, they may Rejoyce, and truly ſay, 'tis an Office of Abſolution; For they have Examin'd no Accounts, nor ſav`d the Nation a penny of Mony this War, but Knaves, Knavery and Taxes have conſtantly Increas`d; all that they do, as I know of, is, they receive the Accounts of the Receipts and Iſſues of the Kings Revenue from all Offices and Perſons, and them they take the pains to Tranſcribe in Books and Methods of their own, ſo as to be able to Anſwer any Queſtion of the Houſe of Commons, relating to the Receipts of the Revenue or Charge of the War, but to detect Frauds, is ſo ſmall a part of their work that they hardly Regard it. Sure, in this mighty Maſs of Corruption the parties concern`d, could not have ſubſiſted without the help of this Office; for it is a Receptacle for all their Knaviſh Accounts, where being New-Moulded (without Alteration) they receive a Vizard of Honeſty; In ſhort, this Office, as tis manag`d, has been a great Blind to the Nation, and may (for its Abominable foulneſs) be fitly compar`d to a Capital Common-ſhoar, into which abundance of other Common-ſhoars and little petty Sinks do Empty themſelves.

But Sir, I tell you again, They are Men utterly unqualify`d for any Employments at Court, to what end therefore can this Corruptien be among them? really 'tis ſtill a Riddle to me.

Why Sir, to the ſame End that all other Corruption is, Namely to get Mony and I muſt tell you they are in a moſt Excellent way for 〈◊〉 because they have it in their power to Cruſh or Protect ſuch a great Number of Knaves of all ſorts and ſizes: And I hope Sir, you don't queſtion▪ but that they have Pockets and Coffers enough to put their Mony in, as well as the Courtiers. Therefore pray where the Riddle on't, for my part, I ſee none at all; For it plainly appears, theſe Gentlemen have been ſo far from obſtructing, that they have afforded great help, and performed their part towards the Deſtruction of their Country, as well as the reſt.

Well, admit all you ſay is true, and that there is ſuch a General Corruption as you ſpeak of; How can you help it at preſent, pray would▪ you have the King at this juncture Immediately go to Turning out▪ and Puniſhing ſuch a great Number of Men? Certainly, 〈◊〉 make ſuch Diſorder and Confuſion, as would ſoon 〈◊〉 up the very Foundation of the Government, and than would be a Remedy with a Witneſs.

Why then, I find you have Changed your Opinion, and own at laſt that the Nation is Sick, But now to ſave the Court, you would have the Diſtemper ſo far gone, that there is not ſtrength left to undergo a Courſe of Phyſick, without Imminent hazard of Life: I confeſs the Court of all ſorts of Phyſick, ever hated Purges. They will take Gold Cordials, and they are great Admirers of Quieting Pills, but Purging they mortally hate, and will have it to be a Vile and Dangerous way of Practice But, to ſpeak in your own words—Admit what you ſay is true, that the Government is brought to this degree of Feebleneſs, Pray how highly then is the King and Nation Oblig'd to theſe▪ Long-headed STATES-MEN and COƲNCELLORS (whoſe Parts and Honeſty, for ſome Years paſt, it has been almoſt Treaſon to Queſtion) Or what Satisfaction can they render to His Majeſty, and the People of England, for bringing upon them this Incurable Diſeaſe?

But now, Sir, pardon me, if I differ a little from you in Opinion: I do not believe the Government is ſo weak, but that a Fit Remedy might be apply'd for all theſe Evils, and that is, to Turn Out in the firſt place ſome of thoſe that have been moſt Obnexious to the People, and put in their Rooms Men of Publick Spirits, Fearing God, and Hating Covetouſneſs, and they will have Courage ſufficient to Ballance the reſt of the Wicked Party, till the Law is let looſe to do its Proper Office upon them that are Turn'd Out, whoſe Puniſhment will ſtrike others with Great Terror, and make them fearful how they Offend: But if they eſcape, 'twill be a moſt Pernicious Example to Encourage and Excite all Men to become as Corrupt 〈◊〉 they; 'twill alſo be highly Diſpleaſing to God, and 'twill greatly Incenſe the People; and indeed none has any Rightful Power to Pardon them, becauſe their Crimes have been Univerſal, and committed not only againſt the King, but againſt the Whole Body of the People of England. In this manner the Court may be ſoon Gradually Purg'd, and then the Inferiours will of conſequence be purg'd alſo. The Scripture ſays, Reſiſt the Devil, and he will flee from you: and no doubt the ſame Rule holds for thoſe that have Acted like his Children; Therefore why ſhou'd we fear to Execute JUSTICE upon them? Alas, they are but poor Feeble Creatures, not worth mentioning, in Compariſon of the Force of the Law: 'tis true, they have Power to do great Miſchief in their Stations, as we have found to our Coſt, but when the Law lays hold on them, their Power ceaſes like the Power of a Witch, when She • Seiz'd by a Conſtable: Certainly he that knows their Actions, and Contributes to Save them from the Juſt Cenſure and Sentence of the Law, makes himſelf an Approver, before God, of all the Ruin and Deſtruction they have brought upon this Nation, and of all the Innocent Families they have Deſtroy'd and Blood they have Spilt▪ Therefore, unleſs the Law is put in Execution, there can be but a Half fac'd Regulation, or a Palliative Cure, that will ſoon Relapſe, and become Incurable. For, let none Abſurdly and Fooliſhly Dream, that God will-ſuffer us to Proſper in the midſt of thoſe Oppreſſions, Frauds, and moſt Hainous Immorallities, that we are▪ Bound in Duty, and Able by Authority to Puniſh and Hinder. 'Tis a Falſe and Villanous Saying, to Whiſper in the Ears of Princes, That VVholeſome Laws have any Antipathy to True Policy: The Law, when 'tis Upheld, is the Princes beſt Friend, it cannot Diſſemble, but always faithfully ſtands by Him, ready to Oppoſe His Enemies: It gives Him His RIGHT, and His Subjects theirs, and ſo makes a powerfull prince, and a Vertuous VVealthy and peaceable Government. But 'tis Natural for Corrupt Men to Hate Good Laws, and that makes it and the Nation have ſo many Enemies at Court. And now, after all, when theſe Long-headed Men have brought the Nation to this Pitch of Ruin, for them Cunningly to Inſinuate, That 'twill be Dangerous to Call them to an Actount for their CRIMES, and Adminiſter Help to our ſelves, purſuant to the Laws of God and the Nation; is an Unparallel'd Audacious Abſurdity: But I confeſs, we can expect no better Advice from that Party, becauſe the King, and Kingdoms Safety, ſeems Oppoſite to Theirs; For hitherto they have Pernitiouſly and Pittifully made Themſelves the Center of all Their Actions.

As for Staying a Year longer 'twill be highly dangerous; Why ſhould God be Provok'd, and the Nation Oppreſs'd a Year Longer? perhaps a Year hence we ſhall not have ability to help our ſelves. 'Tis ſaid in the Law of Moſes, Thou ſhalt not delay Juſtice, as if the Legiſlator had ſaid, Thou ſhalt not put it off to a further time. The poor Mans Cauſe ſhall not be delay'd an hour. God knows by willful and Needleſs delays Multitudes of private perſons are Barbarouſly Robb'd of their Right and utterly Ruin'd by the horrid, delaytory, Expenſive unrighteous practice in our Courts of Law and Equity; therefore let that Suffice, and let not the, whole Body of the People have a General Ruin, by a Delay in the State; Certainly 'twill be very Dangerous to delay the Cauſe of this drooping Nation any longer. A Learned States-man Speaking of foreruners of Troubles, ſays, That when any of the four Pillars of Government are Shaken or Weaken'd (which are Religion, Juſtice, Council, and Treaſure) Men had need pray for fair Weather: Now certainly with us not only ſome, but all theſe Pillars are Shaking and Ready to fall; As for Religion we have none, though we have much Preaching, Praying, &c. for had we any Real Religion, we ſhould have Juſtice and Morallity. Juſtice it plainly appears has almoſt quite left us. And as for Council or Pollicy, I Confeſs we have abundance of that, but it is of a VVretched Stamp, being ſuch as is oppoſite to Divine and Humane Law. And for our Money on Treaſure, we may Reckon that gone alſo; For though there may ſtill be a great Stock in the Nation, yet the people may Starve, becauſe by a long devouring Corruption it's almoſt all gather'd into the hands of a few Court-huxters, that neither do nor will uſe it.

'Tis no hard Conjecture to ſay that a General Poverty, Oppreſſion, Breaking of Laws, and Advancement of Ʋnworthy Perſons to Great Offices, are Common Motives to, and Forerunners of Seditions and Troubles; and the▪ certain way to prevent theſe Evils, is to take away the Cauſe and Matter of them, which the Adminiſtration of Juſtice, and Suppreſſing of Vice and Wickedneſs will Effectually do; For God will ſurely give Succeſs to all ſuch Remedies, if they be Sincerely and Faithfully apply'd, and all contrary Policy, in this Caſe, muſt certainly prove very Fooliſh, if not Fatal.

How Ridiculous is it to Delay this Matter, and to think that theſe Perſons now upon the Stage, can ever make this a Flouriſhing Nation, when they have neither Parts nor Moral Vertues equal to other Men • 'Tis true, they are Gifted with a little Cunning, which a Learned Stateſman (truly) ſays, Is only a Crooked ſort of Wiſdom. Beſides, it does appear by above Seven Years Experience, that the very Talent of theſe Gentlemen lies not to Enrich or Increaſe, but to Impoveriſh, and bring a Flouriſhing State to Ruin and Decay, and to Trample upon Law and Juſtice▪ and all Good Men, and (as one excellently obſerves) to make Magiſtracy, which was Intended for the Benefit of Mankind, prove a Plague and Deſtruction to it. But the Honour of God, and the Good of their Prince and Country is the leaſt of their Care. They Level their Councils and Polliticks to their own Advantage, and Slyly Study rather be throughly acquainted with their Maſter's Temper, than to be Skilful in His Buſineſs. I Pray God that all the Enemies of our King and Nations Happineſs may be Plentifully Stock'd with Stateſmen of ſuch Parts and Honeſty, and be ſo▪effectually blinded as not to perceive them.

Certainly at this time a Day, when Poverty, and conſequently Diſcontentment is ſo Univerſal, 'tis Highly Dangerous to make any Delay in Juſtice; For, of this you may reſt Aſſur'd, That as many as are Ruin'd, or Impoveriſh'd in their Subſtance, by Injuſtice, or Male-Adminiſtration, ſo many VOTES there is for TROƲBLES.

Why really I know not well what to ſay to't; I wiſh all things were done for the Beſt: But yet methinks 'tis ſtrange to Obſerve, That all theſe Complaints have been brought upon the Stage, by a few Inconſiderable Men, ſuch as had generally Bad Characters, and were Reported to be veey Ill Men in themſelves, and that they did theſe things with Ill Deſigns, and I believe that was one Reaſon why they were no more taken Notice of, as likewiſe becauſe none of any Great Figure appear'd with them.

Why that's no Wonder at all: For it may be obſerv'd, that the Generality of the World is ſo Fooliſh, that they regard more the Outward Manner of things, than the Inward Matter of them. It is ſo in Religion it ſelf (to our Eternal Shame be it ſpoken) as appears by the Vaſt Troops of Pious Hypocrites, Overſeers, Paſtors, and Members of all Churches, who take Great Pains by abundance of Praying and Preaching, and Faſting, to make an Outward Gaudy Shew of Godlineſs, but uſe no Hearty, nor Sincere Endeavours really to Suppreſs Vice and Wickedneſs: As if Religion was a Noun Substantive, that cou'd ſtand by it ſelf, without requiring Morallity to be joyn'd with it.

As for the Ill Characters theſe Perſons generally have, that's no wonder neither; For, 'tis one great Maſter-piece of this Corrupt Party's Policy, in their Fencing with Law and Juſtice, to ſerve all thoſe that Complain of Grievances, as the Perſecuting Pagans did the Primitive Chriſtians, who put them into Lyons and Bears Skins, that the Dogs might ſeize on them, and Bait them to Death; So theſe Monſters, after they have Perverted, Delay'd, Deny'd, or otherways Baffled Juſtice, give an Honeſt Man a Curſed Character, and in that Maſquerade turn him looſe to the Mercy of a Miſtaken Multitnde: But certainly 'tis a high degree of Preſumption, as well as Deceiving and Wronging the Publick, thus falſely to Brand thoſe (that ſtand up for the Intereſt of their Country, to preſerve their Laws and Liberties) with ſuch Baſe Characters, as perſons Diſaffected to the King and Government, as tho' by ſuch Complaints they only deſign'd to ſtir up the Minds of the People to Sedition and Rebellion; when, in Truth, 'tis themſelves that only Bid Fair for REBELLION, by their Corrupt and VVicked practices: For he that Endeavours to Inform King and People of ſuch Dangerous Diſtempers in the STATE, certainly does nothing but his Duty, and therefore cannot deſerve ſuch an Odious Character, for endeavouring to Preſerve, Support and Defend the King, Government and Laws he lives under. But he, that by his horrible Male-Adminiſtration, and Oppreſſion, endeavours to overthrow all, let him be in ever ſo great a Place to paſs his Crafty Cenſures on others, does certainly himſelf deſerve the Name and puniſhment of a Rebel and Traytor.

But, pray Sir, Anſwer me one thing, How can the Government be ſo corrupt, as you ſay, and ſo regardleſs of Juſtice, when there has been divers Great Men turn'd out this Reign for Miſmanagement? Theſe muſt be Acts of Juſtice, unleſs you'l ſay, they were all Turn'd out only for their Honeſty.

Not I indeed Sir, If I ſhould ſay ſo, I ſhould wrong my Conſcience, But I believe I can unfold the Miſtery, which generally I take to be only this; all Men know the Court is divided into Factions, which ſometimes have a difference, either about their Profit or Preferment or ſomething of like Nature, when the Quarrel is broach'd one muſt overcome and perhaps the others fall into diſgarce; But they are not turn'd out for any of their Crimes, or through any principle of Juſtice in their Adverſarys, but only through a private peake and Quarrel, wherein Vertue, Honeſty, and the Publick Good has no Concern; For you may obſerve in the Courſe of this War that though there has been great Crimes alleag'd againſt ſome of thoſe that were turn'd out: Yet after they were diſmiſs'd their Adverſarys made no proſecution againſt them, Not for want of Malice or Proof, but as if both partys were alike Concern'd and ſo Equally afraid of the Law. Juſt as two Harlots (Pardon the Compariſon) that live together, and falling out about their Profit, the Strongeſt turns the Weakeſt out of doors; Why this is no Argument that ſhe's Vertuous that Remains in the Houſe: For both of them were Harlots before they met, Harlots while they liv'd together, and Harlots after they parted; Neither does the Prevailing Harlot follow the other with Warrants to ſend her to the houſe of Correction, becauſe 'twill alſo bring her ſelf into Jeopardy: For the ſame Law will Whip them both.

Sir, I could wiſh with all my Heart that things were better, yet ſure they cannot be ſo very bad as you ſay, becauſe there are in Office perſons of different Opinions, part Churchmen and part Diſſenters, and no doubt it has been Wiſdome ſo to do: For they wou'd be forward, and glad of an Opportunity to tell each others Faults, to Weaken the Contrary party, and Strengthen their own; So that there's Cauſe to believe they have hitherto been a perfect Checque upon each others Actions, and therefore it do's not ſtand to reaſon there can be ſuch a United Cabal as you ſpeak off.

Why Sir, this is only another Court Riddle much like the former, which has alſo Confounded the Judgments of the people; yet if a Man will but Conſult Reaſon 'tis Eaſily unfolded. I believe there is at Court the Church-party and the Diſſenting-party (as they call themſelves) and I Confeſs the Argument that you bring from it ſeems ſomething plauſible, though I can by no means allow it to be true.

The Philoſophers ſay, That one Experiment will knock a hundred Arguments in the head: Then Certainly your Argument cannot ſtand, For we have ſeen by long and Woful Experience that theſe partys have had no differences in the State for promoting the Honour of God, the good of their Prince and Country, and Suppreſſing Vice and Wickedneſs; For theſe indeed wou'd have been glorious Quarrels, But all their differences have been Independant of this only to promote Private Intereſt.

What though they ſeem to be at Variance one with another, It has hitherto been found, If any Man offers to do his Duty, and Stand up for the Publick Good, he finds no difference in them, but they are all his Mortal Enemys: Church and Diſſenters all alike, all ſtand firm for the Profitable Cauſe of Corruption, to Betray their King, and Ruin their Country; This I ſay we have found by Experience, and therefore all the Arguments in the VVorld will never Refute it.

VVhat though they pretend to diverſe Opinions in Religion, VVhat then? Do not Harlots do the ſame? Yes Certainly, there are Church of England Harlots, Diſſenting Harlots, Roman Catholick Harlots, &c. Though theſe pretend to different Religions, yet they are all of one Trade, and no doubt wou'd Unanimouſly agree in the Main that all Juſtices of Peace, Conſtables, Houſes of Correction, &c. ſhould be Suppreſs'd, becauſe by them their Trade is Obſtructed: So in like manner theſe Men notwithſtanding any petty Differences, Stand together in a body againſt Law and Juſtice, becauſe it tends to Mortify their Ambition and Luſts, and to hinder their Profit.

But Sir, I am afraid after all that you and I are Miſtaken, and that the Court do's not Conſiſt ſo much of a Real Church of England and Diſſenting-party as of a Predominant Atheiſtical Party, for ſo indeed they appear to be by their Actions, and it alſo agrees with our Saviours Rule, That the Tree is known by its Fruit; For 'tis Certainly very fooliſh, and Contradictory to ſay, That a Corrupt and Wicked Man has any real Religion, let him pretend to what he will; ſo that theſe that Divide themſelves into two diviſions, under the Maſquerade of Church and Diſſenters, do plainly appear to be but one and the ſame party, whoſe Moralls and Practice is ſuch that they can truly be of no Religion or Church, unleſs they be of the Synagogue of Satan.

Why Sir, I know not what to ſay to it, you have ſuch an odd way of Arguing; yet methinks 'tis Strange the Nations Grievances ſhou'd arrive to ſo great a pitch (as you ſay they are at) with ſo little Oppoſition; Why 'tis in Effect Charging the whole Body of the People to be a Company of Sleepy, Senceleſs, Sotts and Fools, that haveing Laws and Priviledges, they did not make more Powerful and Formidable Complaints to the Parliament: Therefore I muſt ſtill tell you 'tis very unintelligible to me to believe that Matters can be ſo bad as you ſay, and the People ſo quiet, Who ſo bravely like Engliſhmen Stood up for their Laws and Priviledges in the late Reign.

Certainly Sir, the Peoples Patience ought not to be us'd as an Argument to Continue their Grievances, I'm ſure that is an odd way of Arguing: However I Wave it, and for your Satisfaction ſhall give you ſome Reaſons why they have hitherto been ſo quiet under their Burdens.

The Revolution (you know) was wrought by the General Conſent of the People who for many Years paſt have had great and Juſt Apprehenſions, and fears, of Popery and Slavery: The War was alſo Engag'd in by our general Approbation, ſo that having a King after our own Heart, ſo generally Belov'd, a known Proteſtant, and Engag'd in a War that we ſo long wiſh'd for, every Man then ſlept Secure, thinking all things were ſafe, becauſe the Head was Sound; and the Court likewiſe, and all the vaſt Troops of their Dependants Cry'd up the ſame thing (as indeed they had good Reaſon) for Matter's went well wish them; So that the generallity of the People being Voyd of Miſtruſt never Troubled themſelves about State Matters, but minded their Private Affairs, and with great Willingneſs paid the Taxes.

Whereas in the late Reign, the King being a known Papiſt, all the People in general were poſſeſt with Jealouſy, and even the very Cobler in his Stall wou'd Eagerly Enquire after News, and thought himſelf Concern'd to know the Affairs of the Court: So that the Actions of the State, and the Peoples Knowledge of it, went hand in hand, For we ſee they were forewarn'd to make ſuch proviſion as they did to diſappoint their deſigns; For then the King Acted openly with his Court, but now the Court Acts privately without the King, by hiding each others Crimes, and the Peoples Grievances from him, having had the great advantage of His Majeſty's Abſence about Six Months in every Year during the Courſe of this War. And this I take to be a Principal reaſon why the generallity of the People have been ſo quiet from making any Publick complaints.

But then it may be further obſerv'd there's a great Difference between the Grievances of the la 〈◊〉 e, and thoſe of this Regin; The one was the Endeavouring to take away our Laws, to bring in Papery, which all the Nation were Enemies to: Rich and Poor, Good and Bad, Vertuous and Vitious, Saint and Sinner, all were • ti •• Enemys to Popery: Beſides it would take away abundance of Eſtates of Abbey-lands which was ſo great and general an Allarm to the whole Nation, but Eſpecially to the Clergy, That thoſe Celebrated, Simple, Threadbare Doctrines of Paſſive-Obedience, Non-Reſiſtance, &c. were Inſtantly frighted out of the Kingdom, and never heard of ſince: Nay, I dare Affirm, the very Papiſts themſelves (tho 'twas to Introduce their own Religion) wou'd ha been very unwilling to part with any of theſe Eſtates.

But what are our Grievances now! VVhy not about Popery; They only conſiſt of Pure Downright Cheating the Publick; And, Sir, to our Eternal Shame and Infamy, I muſt tell you, That multitudes of Poperies Zealous and Mortal Enemies, are Dear and Intimate Friends to this. Nay, to ſpeak in General, there are few Men but what will much rather chuſe to take Part in it, than make Complaint againſt it; for indeed the Nation is miſerably Debauch'd by the horrid Naſty Fogs and Fumes of the Courts unſavoury Noyſome Luſts.

But now, after all this Mighty Hate to Popery, and Love to Cheating, the Conſequence of both is much alike; For if our Preſent Grievances, viz. Cheating the Puhlick, be well follow'd, the People will ſoon be made Beggars and Bankrupts, and then Poverty and Slavery will be found as True and Proper a Saying, as Popery and Slavery: And therefore, (to Speak in your own Stile) I think there's many that do well deſerve the Character of Sleepy, Senceleſs Sots and Fools; But eſpecially thoſe Great Ones that have got Vaſt Eſtates by Fraud, Treachery, &c. Sure they are Beſotted with a WITNESS, Fondly to Fancy, that they ſhall hold their Ill-got-Goods by Vertue of thoſe Wholeſome Laws that they have Conſtantly broke to Get them, This, I ſay, is a ſtrange Paradox.

And now, pray, Who wou'd you have to omplain of Grievances, and eſpecially of theſe ſort of Grievances, that are ſo generally Belov'd by thoſe that ſhou'd Redreſs them: You ſee a very conſiderable part of the Nation are Silent, for Reaſons I ſpoke of juſt now; and as for the Popularity, or Middle ſort, viz. Traders, Husbandmen, &c. who are the Main Body of the People, they know their Grievances in General, but can tell nothing in Particular, where to fix the Fault; and ſo cannot Complain, but only Grumble, Mutter and Murmur.

And now, if a Self-intereſted Man won't Complain, and if an Ignorant Man can't Complain, and if a Wiſe and Honeſt Man (that knows the Strength and Power of the Corrupt Party) dare not Complain; Pray, Who wou'd you have to Complain at all? Certainly, 'tis ſo far from being ſtrange (as you ſay) that ſo few have Complain'd, That 'tis a great wonder to me, how any have had ſo much GRACE or COƲRAGE to open their Mouths againſt Corruption.

For who d'think ſhou'd Complain of a Ʋniverſal and Gainful Grievance? You ſee the Deſtruction of our Coyn went forward all this Reign, and had even juſt destroy'd the Government before our Long-Headed-Stateſmen did take the Pains to put King or Parliament in Mind to Redreſs it; This cou'd not poſſibly be through Ignorance: no, there was too much Money got by the Evil: and when the Trade cou'd be carried on no longer, Then they all Cry'd out, like Patriots of their Countrey, to have it Redreſs'd. So that for this Branch of the Nations Ruin, we may alſo Thank the Court, and Pray God we get well over it.

Theſe are all Miſerable and Deſtructive Evils, that this Poor Nation at preſent Staggers under, only for want of the Early, Conſtant and Impartial Execution of Juſtice to Encourage Virtue, and Suppreſs Vice. But it ſeems this has been contrary to the deep Maxims of our Pollicy, and ſo has hitherto been omitted: And thus I think I have ſhew'd you, why ſo few have Publickly Complain'd, tho' the Nation is ſo Loaded with Grievances. But I had almoſt forgot one Party▪ and that is the Jacobites; and, I hope, you wou▪d not have them Complain againſt theſe Grievances: no, they had much rather forward them. For, 'tis upon theſe Shameful Corruptions they build their Hopes, and for which they Contemn and Scoff at the Government in all Publick Places, and Encreaſe their Party by many Proſelytes: For no Honeſt Man is capable to Contradict them, being able to ſay nothing that is Good of the Court: Whereas, had Juſtice been duly Adminiſtred, and Vice and Wickedneſs Puniſhed and Suppreſs'd (which we had, and have Power enough to do) there cou'd not have been at this day a Proteſtant Jacobite left in the Nation; For, the Juſtice and Equity of the Government muſt needs long before this, have Brought them all over from Stubborn Folly, and made them Proſelytes to their own Intereſt, and to Common Sence, as well as Loving and Loyal Subjects to His Majeſty.

And now, Sir, ſince you have Ask'd me ſeveral Queſtions, I ſhall beg leave Calmly to Ask you one, and, that is, Pray to what end were your Honours and Employments Conſerr'd upon you? Were they, d'think only to get a Great Eſtate to leave to your Posterity? Certainly the Duty's Incumbent on ſuch Offices cannot have ſo poor a Center, but muſt aim at much Higher and Nobler Objects, if a Man wou'd rightly conſider them; But I ſhall not detain you at preſent with an Account how Great and Extenſive they are, not doubting your Knowledge therein; however, in point of Friendſhip, I cannot but put you in Mind▪

That (as a Privy-Councellor) you have Power to Adminiſter Juſtice, but no Power to Obſtruct it.

You have Power to put the Law in Execution, but you have no Power to Pervert it, or render it uſeleſs.

You have power to puniſh any Capital Publick Offender, but you have no Power to Conceal his Crimes, Protect him, and let him Eſcaps Puniſhment: For, in doing it, you betray the King, and take from Him▪ His Regal▪ Power, and Rob the People of their Laws and Liberties. For you are to conſider, that in hearing the Crimes of a Publick Offender, your Power only extends to Hear and Examine that Cauſe in Truſt for your King and Country, that Law and Juſtice may take place; and a Lord Chief Juſtice may as lawfully preſume to Pardon MURDER, or Forgive one of my Debtors, or a Juſtice of Peace to Compound that Fellony whereby I am Robb'd, as you to Protect, or Acquit any Publick Offender.

In ſhort, In all your publick Stations, you'r only a Truſtee for your Prince and Country, to promote the Intereſt of both; and you are Anſwerable to both, in this World, as well as to God in the next, how you Diſcharge theſe Truſts; and▪ I fear many MEN have moſt Dreadful Reckonings to make on this Account.

Therefore Sir, I do Earneſtly Adviſe you to take a Reſolution to Save your Self from the Terrible Burden of this Guilt, and Rouſe a Noble Engliſh Genius, and ſtand up for the Honour of God, and the Good of your Prince and Country (whoſe true Intereſts are Inſeparable) that Juſtice may be Adminiſtred, Vertue Incourag'd, and Vice and Wickedneſs Puniſh`d and Suppreſs`d: For if you Sincerely Study True Pollicy; God will ſurely Inſtruct, and put you in the Right Way; Otherwiſe, you may ſtill Continue to Wander, as you have Hitherto done: But after all, do not Entertain any fond opinion, that a Private Company of Men can poſſibly hold their Riches in the midſt of a Ruin'd Nation; No, Certainly they muſt be Ruin'd alſo: For if there's any Law, that will do their buſineſs; if not, They'l only have the pleaſure of being Plunder'd laſt, by an Inrag'd and Furious Popularity: For (as 'tis ſaid in Job,) Fire ſhall Conſume the Tabernacles of Bribery. If God has ſaid it, We may affirm it; and Pawn our Lives and Souls, 'twill be done if Attonement be not made.