To his Highneſs OLIVER CROMWEL, Lord Protector of Great Britain and Ireland: The humble Service of Ariſe Evans pre­ſented to your moſt ſerious conſidera­tion, in theſe lines following.

A Month agone I ſhould have come to your Highneſs, but I was loth to be troubleſome: for then I had a Viſion to charge you not to ſeek the welfare of theſe Sectaries, whoſe ſpirits are fired to do evil, and to bring evil upon themſelves and you. And now after that, I had a Viſion which ſhewed that the King was come in to you upon an agreement, and that all the haters of the Lord were to be deſtroyed. I had alſo a kinde of a Viſion in the Chappel on the Lords day, Feb. 18. 1654. when the man preached upon 2 Chron. 15.2. who at length, as2 he mentioned the Rod of iron, I held up my Cane; and I believe you took notice of me: for you re­moved upon it, and ſate back, ſo that I could not ſee you. And there ſtood before me a young man with his ſword g•ded upon his thigh, much re­ſembling the King, Charles Stuart, to my thinking; who then asked me what is the text. And I an­ſwered, putting my hand upon the hilt of his ſword, ſaying, The Lord is with you, while you be with him. And upon that, a portly ancient man which was next to him, fell down flat as a dead man: and he took him up in his arms, and the man was revived again: and moſt in the Chap­pel ſaw the man fall, and taken up again, but few ſaw me hold forth my cane: nor could any that ſaw it, gather any thing from it, except your ſelf, it was ſo ſoftly and civilly done: and I had not thought much of it, had not God providen­tially compleated the Viſion, by thoſe actions in them two ſtrange men; what they were, I know not.

Now all that I thought by holding out my Cane toward you, upon the Preacher's mention­ing the Rod of Iron, was to put you in m•nde of what I had formerly delivered unto you touch­ing the bringing in of King Charles, and ſetling the Church-Government: but God gave you a further teſtimony of his will, by his providential actions in thoſe two men, as a ſigne to confirm what I had ſaid. For the man that had the ſword, and reſembled the King, ſignifieth that the King will come in. And the man which fell, ſignifieth your now tottering falling condition, and that the King is he that ſhall raiſe you up again. Let none deſpiſe theſe ſignes ▪ for that ſigne of Abra­ham's3 ſervant, by ſome would now be rejected as an accident, or as a fancie, Gen. 24.13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21. Neither would they count the ſigne on Gedeon's fleece but an accident, though Gedeon grounded ſo high a deſigne upon it, that he went out againſt the Midianites upon that ſcore, Judg. 6.36, 37, 38, 39, 40. And where­fore are theſe things written, but that ſometimes we ſhould uſe the like means, as occaſion ſerves? For Gedeon then had the Scripture to direct him, and an Angel was ſent to him, Judg. 6.11, 12. yet notwithſtanding the ſigne confirms him at laſt, and then he goeth on his way. My Lord, miſtake me not: I do not ſay that this was a ſigne as Gedeons ſigne was, of mans chuſing, to reſolve his doubts; but I ſay, This ſigne or viſion was given of God alone, to ſhew the things to come. And the Church deſireth to ſee ſuch ſignes of de­liverance, Pſal. 74.7, 8, 9, 10. Of ſuch ſignes our Saviour ſpeaks; Luke 21.25, 26. Acts 2.19, 20. Gedeons ſigne was a plain thing; but this ſigne or viſion is matter of judgement, much like that of Belſhazzar, Dan. 5 7. which needed an Interpre­ter: therefore, my Lord, lay it the more ſeriouſly to heart.

And, my Lord, know alſo, that Church-go­vernment is the foundation of all Governments; ſo that neither the Civil nor the Military Go­vernment can poſſibly ſtand without it: for by Church-government men are brought to be of one minde, and of one ſpirit, to unity and peace. So that it, and none elſe, is the Government of Chriſt; and he that wants it, (except he keep the Scripture from them) ſhall not be able to rule his people. You may as well think to make4 a rope of the drieſt ſand, which when you take a handful of it, do what you can, it will ſlip thorow your fingers, as think to rule this Nation without a ſtrait Church-government, even ſuch a Go­vernment as your Army hath; and that duely and diligently it be executed upon offenders.

But you will ſay, There was no ſuch Govern­ment in the Apoſtles time: I anſwer, No; for they were but as men that beat for Volunteers, and that liſt men to go into a ſtrange Iſland; which cannot preſcribe abſolute Laws for them whilſt they remain in their own native Land: but when they are come to the intended Iſland, then they have Laws given them, which if they tranſ­greſs, they muſt ſuffer accordingly, though it be to the death.

Or, to ſpeak more plainly, in your own Mili­tary language, the Apoſtles were as men when at firſt they are raiſing an Army, who put their Souldiers immediately in Companies under ſome inferiour Officers, and there they let them reſt a while; yet it is then intended, that the Souldiers ſhall not remain ſo always, but the intent is, that there ſhall be a General in chief over them, beſides Colonels and Majors, and a compleat Government among them. So likewiſe when the Church at firſt by the Apoſtles were in gathering, and put under ſuch Government as then (being perſecuted) they beſt could do, they doubtleſs then intended for it a Government that ſhould be compleat, even ſuch a Government as we had, not long ſince, here in England. Therefore ſtand for Church government, and for Charles Stuart, or elſe you cannot ſtand: proclaim him ſpeedily, leſt ſome Parliament-men do it before5 you, and then you be undone: for that party which proclaims the King now, ſhall increaſe like a ſnow-ball; and, I tear, all that you can do, ſhall not be able to diſſolve it.

My Lord, the people generally look upon you now, as one that can ſhew no colour for your Authority to rule them: for ſince the laſt Par­liament diſowned you, (whom we looked upon as honeſt men) all do diſown you; and the moſt judicious ſay, that nothing will bring you into favour with them again, but your ſpeedy reſto­ring of the Church and King.

Oh do not let your adverſaries prevail againſt you through your neglect. You know Samſon ſlept ſo long upon Dalilah's knees, until his locks were cut off, that when he, poor man, awaked, and thought to go out and prevail as at other times, alas, he was ſoon overcome, and had his eyes put out, and was put to grinde in a mill, like as if he had been a founder'd blinde horſe, Judg. 16. 19, 20, 21. So theſe Colonels dally with you, but in the mean time they cut off your locks in the Army; and they know already, that they have more of the Army on their ſide, then you have, beſides their furious party abroad; elſe would they not be ſo bold with you as they are. They ſay, Treaſon never proſpers; and why? be­cauſe if it proſper, none dare call it Treaſon: Therefore, what is Law to day, may be Treaſon to morrow. I know there is no truth among the Sectaries, but that of the Anabaptiſt, which did all: for rebaptizing is a truth, as I ſhall make it appear by Scripture, by Reaſon, by an­cient Records, and by Saint Auguſtine's own con­feſſion: but their denial of Infants baptiſm by6 their Sureties, is an errour, as I have and ſhall make it appear with as full proof, at large. There­fore the Cauſe (as we call it) is a controverſie which God had with his people for their ſins, Mic. 6.2. and though he gave them into your hands for a time, do not you go, as the Heathen did go beyond their Commiſſion in afflicting Gods people. Zech. 1.15, 16.

My Lord, to deal plainly with you; do you think that the people are ſo abaſed now through the fear of you, that they will maintain your 30000 men, beſides the great Navie, and a great Court for you, at their own coſt and charges? whereas they know, that by their exchanging you for King Charles, they ſhall be freed from all that coſt and charge; (judge with reaſon; is it wiſdom for you to think ſo?) for then the Kings Revenues and Church-Revenues running in their own chanel again, will make the people as free from Taxes as they were before theſe Troubles began. And many that have bought of the King and Biſhops Lands, to my knowledge, are ſo honeſt, wiſhing it were come to that paſs, though they ſhould loſe their money by it.

My Lord, I have been told by diſcreet men of all parts in England, which are no enemies to you, and therefore they bid me tell you, that they perceive there will be a ſudden general Raſing againſt you, at one day and hour, in all the Counties of England: and by Viſions alſo and Scripture it is confirmed to me, that it will be ſo, if you do not prevent it, by the ſpeedy pro­claiming of Charles Stuart. It is true, Jeremiah was favourably uſed by Zedekiah, (and ſo was I by you) therefore Jeremiah ſhewed him the way7 how to ſave himſelf, his City and family; and he ſeemed to be well pleaſed with it: but not­withſtanding, Zedekiah went in his own way to do it, and you ſee what became of him, and of his City and Family, Jer. 38. & Jer. 39. and I beſeech you conſider, that if the Country will not pay the Aſſeſments, as I hear many ſay they will not, becauſe you had no power, ſay they, from the laſt Parliament to raiſe money: I ſay, If they will not rate it, how can you raiſe it in equi­ty? And if you want money, what will become of you? The late King loſt all upon that ſcore, going to raiſe Ship-money without conſent of Parliament. Take heed what you do: for I be­lieve your Souldiers conſider all theſe things, as well as others, and that though for the pre­ſent they obey you, to ſee what you will do; yet they will not ſerve you to keep their native Country in ſuch bondage. Therefore truſt not to them upon ſuch an account; but do righteous things, and then they will gladly follow you.

My Lord, you are deſigned for higher things, then to live ſo diſhonorably at White-hall, as to, be counted a Tyrant, and the very enemy of your native Country. My Lord, you are to look higher then on ſuch a lowe contemptible way of living: you are to do the work of God, for which you were deſigned and called; and you are to have the dominion (though not for your ſelf) over the chiefeſt City in the world, afore it be long, as I told you in my former books. And wherefore was Darius his age•et down, Dan 5. 31. but that you might know when it ſhall be? your own age will tell you that; keep it ſecret. Come not ſhort in theſe vertues of a8 Heathen Captain, Alexander the Great, who did excellent things for his own vain-glory; but do you the like to the glory of God ▪ therefore you muſt exceed him in ſuch godly vertues, which he by nature did the things contained in the Law, as Saint Paul ſaith, Rom. 2. 13, 41, 15, 16. Three things which I have heard of Alexander, are moſt excellent and remarkable Chriſtian vertues, in which you ought to follow him.

Firſt, Alexander going out againſt a mighty King who fought ſtoutly, yet being overcome at laſt, he was brought before Alexander, who ask­ed the King what he would have him do to him. Said he, I would have you uſe me like o King. Whereupon, Alexander being taken with the va­lour and worthineſs of the perſon, he gives him his own Kingdom again, & two other great King­doms beſides. My Lord, here is a fair preſident for you, that have ſeen at Worceſter the valour and gallantry of King Charles. Do you alſo the like unto him: and if ye do it, be ſure you will have Kingdoms enough ere long be, at your pleaſure, as Alexander had: for God loveth ſuch noble actions, and giveth riches to ſuch as can part with them freely, and are valorous.

Secondly, Alexander being in his glory, a poor man, named Puplius, who had been an old ac­quaintance of his, came to ſee him: and he be­ing glad to ſee him, that he might do ſomething for him, he gives him a great City. Alas, ſaid the poor man, this is too great a gift for Puplius to receive. Alexander replied, Though it be too great for Puplius to receive, it is not too great for Alexan­der to give. Here is a gallant minde, my Lord; imitate him therein: for this is according to the9 rules of Chriſtianity in the higheſt degree, Luk. 6. 30, 38. And who is more worthy of the world then he that is liberal? As the Prophet ſaith, The liberal deviſeth liberal things; and by liberal things ſhall he ſtand, and be eſtabliſhed, Iſai. 32.8.

Thirdly, Alexander, when he had conquered the world, ſate down and wept. His friends ask­ed him wherefore he wept. Said he, Becauſe I have conquered the world, and now there is no more worlds for me to conquer. Here is a gallant heroick minde! What and if this man had been a true Chriſtian? ſurely he would not have reſted, un­til he had brought all the world under the Sce­pter of Jeſus Chriſt. And will you now leave the work of God, for to enjoy vanities and unrighte­ous mammon for a moment? Jonah 2.8. Luke 16.9. Your Sword hath been ever victorious; not that there was much need for you here, but that here you might have experience of Gods preſence with you, and that ye might know that he hath raiſed you up to conquer the world, and to bring it under his Scepter.

My Lord, it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgement. Heb. 9. 27. Death cometh upon all; we are mortal; and our lives now (though Sectaries think not ſo) are bound up in yours. Therefore I beſeech you, conſider, if God ſhould take you away, what confuſion and cutting of throats would be among parties in this Nation, who then will not acknowledge what your Councel do. And therefore, I be­ſeech you again, make your peace ſpeedily with the King; and to end all controverſie, proclaim him, and ſo ſecure your ſelf and all peaceable men. Which if you do, you will pleaſe God by10 it, and gain the higheſt repute as can be in the world, who cannot but look upon it as the high­eſt act of Godlineſs and Nobility in you, as can be in man.

If you think I can do you any ſervice, I am ready for you. However, I ſhall do what I can for you: and the Lord give a bleſſing to it. A­men.

IT is not eaſie for a tender-hearted man, to hear the voice of innocent blood continually ſounding in his Ears, and to ſee the Poor oppr•ſſed by the Mighty. Therefore being troubled with theſe things, and ha­ving abundance of revelations and viſions of late, by which God ſhewed me that now he was ariſing in all the Counties of England, to execute judgement for the Oppreſſed: I could not rest till I had wrote them as above ſaid, that his Highneſs might ſee them; who, the last time that I was with him, when I gave11 him thanks for the liberty that I had to eaſe my trou­bled ſpirit, that foreſaw theſe things, bade me write again, and let nothing trouble me. Whereſore I had reaſon, for that cauſe, to let him ſee them in the firſt place. And again, I had reaſon to let him ſee them, in regard he is moſt concerned in them. But with all that I could do, by waiting a whole week at Court, I had no admittance to him, neither could I have a perfect anſwer from one of his chief Gentlemen that attends him, which received my Writings, what was become of them; ſo that I by no means could have them again. Now if theſe Writings be gone forth, and divulged abroad, it is not onely a wrong to his Highneſs, but alſo to me; though the Gentleman that received them of me, might be ignorant of the conſe­quence following; for a mans enemies many times are of his own houſe. So that if he ſhewed them to ſome private enemy to his Highneſs, he did not well. And intentively to prevent the miſchief that may enſue, I do print them now: That again, while there is hope, his Highneſs may know how to ſave the blood of this Nation. which if not, I am free from their blood, and from the blood of all men. Let it fall upon the heads of them that will not ohey the truth manifeſted.