A COPIE OF THAT LETTER Mentioned in a Letter printed Ju­ly 12. written out of Lancashire.

Which was sent in the name of the Army by two Souldiers, to the Souldiery of Lancashire, to invite and draw them in to adhere to the Army.

Together with a Postscript.

MATTH. 23.15.

VVoe unto you Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for ye com­passe sea and land, to make one Proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him two fold more the childe of hell then your selves.

Printed in the yeere, 1647.

A Copy of that Letter, mentioned in a Letter printed July 12. written out of Lancashire, &c.

Honoured friends and fellow Souldiers:

WE doubt not but various re­ports of this Armies procee­dings, are come to your eares, which may beget strange interpretations of us and our actions; for prevention whereof, as also (to unfold our real intentions unto you) we have here indeavoured to possesse you with the truth, and right understanding of us.

We are very sensible how ready your envious and malitious are to suggest evill of us undeserved­ly, and to blow up the coales of discention betwixt the Parliament and this Army, by mis-represent­ing all our proceedings, though never so just, mo­dest, and humble; as witnesse the harsh, and in­deed unjust proceedings lately against us, for no other thing, then intending to present our necessa­ry requests to our Generall by way of Petition, which (though but intended) so highly crossed the [Page 2]spirit of some, as ye prevailed to have us declared against as enemies to the State; which dealing of theirs is nothing correspondent with our deserts, or suitable to the nature of our Petition; and there­fore may (if such ambitious men continue in their as yet uncontrollable power) equally extend both to you and any other Members of this Kingdom, with the absolute losse of their Rights and Privi­ledges which were doubly his, viz. both by birth and conquest: And as at first you and we took up Armes to free our selves from Tyranny and Op­pression; so we doubt not but you resolve to per­severe with us in our humble desires of Justice and equity, the impartiall administration whereof is without doubt, essentiall to this Kingdoms hap­pinesse.

Friends, we hope our diligence and faithfulnesse in the late service, are sufficient evidence of our cordiall affections to this Kingdomes welfare, they which we so much tender beyond all other Rela­tions, as that we could willingly deny our own par­ticulars for a happy and peaceable settlement there­of, that the Subjects might freely injoy their pro­per Rights, without such apparent checks of Ty­ranny and Oppression, as this poore Kingdome at present is more subject to then ever. Our humble addresses have been slighted and rejected (though reasonable) and had no other answer then a Vote to disband the Army, with an inconsiderable sum of eight weeks pay; not sufficient to maintaine the private Souldiers in their journeyes home, which so discontented them, as that at the Generall Ren­dezvouze [Page 3]the Army contracted and ingaged not to be disbandrd or divided, but intirely to preserve themselves from such distractions as appeared to be plotting against us by our malitious Enemies: And if an Army whose faithfulnesse hath been sea­led with their blood, shall be so slighted, as to be declared Enemies whilest they have Armes in their hands, for onely intending an humble addresse by Petition, for but what is their due, and no more then was frequently promised at their first ingage­ment; what may not be done against them when they shall be disbanded, and so dispersed one from another, we leave you and the whole world to judge; especially when those men remaining in the same Power and Authority, who first mis-re­presented our intentions to the Parliament, and who begot that undeserved brand upon us, of being Enemies, so that neither we nor the King­dom can injoy freely peace and justice, when such unjust men shall be Judges still, having the liberty to persist in their indeavours, to set division be­twixt us and the Parliament and Kingdome, by their raising scandals upon us, and so farre as ye can to ingage the City of London and Kingdom of Scotland against us.

And least that you upon mis-information should be induced to strengthen the hands of these Incendiaries against this Army, whereby they may be better inabled to tread Justice under foot, nd advance their own unjust proceedings; We hold it our Duty, as members of one and the same Kingdome with you, to let you understand both [Page 4]of our just proceeding, and their violent inten­tions, and we doubt not but as hitherto you have appeared publike friends in this Kingdoms distresse, so you will now demonstrate your selves faithfull members thereof, in endeavouring its preservation from a tyranny and oppression, trusting your fidelity to the Publike good is such as neither the frownes, favours, nor subtill policies of any whomsoever can move you from your former acknowledged stedfastnesse, so as to ingage with the Scots, or any other forces against the Army, whereby to im­broyle this now poore Kingdome in a new and bloody warre, whose former glory hath been ter­rour and amazement to its neighbours and other forraigne parts; so hoping God will direct you in improving your utmost endeavours and abilities for the use of the Publike, which if not looked to will be made sub-serviant to the private interests and designes of particular men, who intend to raise themselves by its owne ruine, which we in our places (and we hope you in yours) will endeavour to keepe off; and to that end the Lord direct you; so we bid you heartily farewell, resting yours and the Kingdomes faithfull friends and servants, agi­tating in behalfe of the Army.

We have sent you herewith the Declarations of the Army, more fully to satisfie you of our intenti­ons, with other Papers.

  • Hdw. Siegeby, John Taylor, Generalls Regiment of Horse.
  • William Allin, Sam. Whiting, Lieutenant Gene­rall Cromwells Regiment.
  • [Page 5] Anth. Nichson, Tho. Shepheard, Commiss. Gene­ralls Regiment.
  • William Jones, Col, Fleetwoods Regiment.
  • Nich. Lorkins, Jo. Brachan, Col. Rich his Regi­ment.
  • Jo. Wllloughby, Tobias Cox, Col. Nortons Regi­ment.
  • Edw. Sterr, Edw. Githings, Col. Harris Regiment.
  • Burton Wilcock, Rich. Clarke, Col. Tomlinsons Regiment.
  • Rich. Salter, Geo. Stephenson, Col. Scroopes Re­giment.
  • Jo. Wilson, Nath. Seuster, Col. Rositors Regiment.
  • Daniel Abot Major, Iohn Carler, Iohn Cleack, Edm. Rolph, Alex. Brafield, Hen. Audley, Amos Stoddard, Edw. Twigg, Captaines.
Foot Regiments.
  • Io. Newson, Edw. Vahan, Col. Gerands Regiment.
  • Nath. Forgill, VVill. Bridgeman, Col. Hamonds Regiment.
  • Iohn Millers, Rich. Coulbrand, Col. Lambards Re­giment.
  • Robert Mason, Hen. Anderton, Col. VVhalers Re­giment.
  • Iohn Field, Edw. Swalbie, Col. Lilburnes Regi­ment.
  • Rich. Andrewes, Ra. Prentice, Col. Prides Regi­ment.
  • Edw. Garner, Col. Hughsons Regiment.

A Postscript, shewing what successe this Letter from the Army had among the Souldery in Lancashire.

THe generall Committee of our County, and all the Commanders had a meeting this week, the Commanders generally have declared their well affection to the Parliament, and have exprest themselves in high Language to one of the Troo­pers that came from the Army in dislike of his course.

FINIS.

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