State a certaine summe of money, nor likewise silver and gold lace shall
not bee so frequently worne, unlesse those who weare it will pay for
their pride; sure the greatest of this excise will lye on the Souldiers and
State-men; for not long since there was a valiant Collonel of the Army
did bestow no lesle then three-score and fifteene pounds in a set of
gold and silver points, and foure pounds then shillings a yard for lace
to his wifes petricoat; they want no money though the poore famish
ans starve for bread, they care not where the tax lye; if they pay deare the
Kingdome must repay them, they will have it whoever want it; this is
part of the freedome which the inlightened Saints of Westminster have
brought upon us, then mark wel ô England thy present estate under these
Tyrants, how they Lord it beyond all limits, and by their exactions and
Tyrannnies make their yoake insupportable; therefore seeing no amendment,
but all worse and worse, unlesse you bee absolute Asses to beare
all burthens till your backs bee broken: arise shew your teeth and bray
no longer, bite the Traytors till blood comes, and with firme resolutions
kick off their unlawfull authoritie, and againe make your selves free
under your lawfull King, and then you are happie.
But what shall I say? Your insensibilitie of happinesse under a Monarch
cannot diswade you from Rebellion, 'tis a general disease, and like
a Gangrena eates into the flesh of many, perswasions of State freedome
workes you into a strange metamorphasis, and generally there is supported
tanquillitie can bee obtained from a People Sway: which is neere
an impossibilite as may appeare by the Hollander: who esteemed nothing
like a State, but are like to find a Ruine proceeding from that account;
selfe interests being advanced in everie Province and Cittie, without Respect
had to the reputed chiefe (I meane the Prince of Orange, who being
denyed what hee demands to satisfie his Army (by the States) tells
them hee hath a key will open their Chests) the point of a Sword is his
pick-lock; Spaine upon such divisions is likely their Enemy, France in
a conjuncture with Spaine, so consequently the wheele turnes round upon
Rebellion, and Holland which hath so munch flourish by Treason, will
put a period to it's Raigne of a State by it's ambitious divisions, which
cannot bee avoyded, a surrounding Enemie upon the least occasion being
imployed, upon the greatest Interests.
This is like to bee the fruits of Rebellion; above three-score yeares
past Holland revolted; since when Gods permission hath let them Rule;
their Dominion hath beene most amongst themselves, the only place
where a Republique hath beene exercised in Chistendoms to that latitude
of theirs; though Venis is a State, yet there is a tribute paid, others are
likewise: and though Holland hath had it's scope by Neighbours, yet