THough we cannot but see cause bitterly to bewayle our own great iniquities and failings, under the profession of Christ, both as King of Saints and Nations, and the abominations also of an haughty and abusive spirit, found in the late single Person (in a professed pursuite of Reformation) not distinguishing the precious from the vile, in the force he exercised upon the long Parliament (after the Lord had so long honoured them in his work, and preserved in the very fire a faithful Seed among them) which, with the like insulting and contempt, that afterward triumphed over a faithful people in the little Assembly that followed, hath returned in just reproach & shame upon their heads who so insulted, and could not, therfore in that spirit, make any blessed use of the best of men who cleaved to them, the most hopeful means bringing little forth, but meere confusion, yet we cannot but acknowledge to the glory of God on high, that such rebuke was justly poured out upon the prevailing party of the said Parliament; and none but the upright and truly penitent amongst them, in sense both of neglect of duty and great Corruptions, ought of right, or acceptably in our esteeme, to be sharers in the trust of Rule, over the so hardly ransomed People of this Nation.

First, Then we do in humility and feare, witnesse against the setting up or introducing any Person whatsoever, as King, or chiefe Magistrate, or a House of Lords, or any other thing of like import, under what name or title soever, or any power arising from the Nation, as a Nation upon the old corrupt and almost ruinated constitution, apprehending that the great work of taking the Kingdome from Man, and giving it to Christ, hath had its beginning in the revolutions wee have been under.

Secondly, Wee do humbly witnesse against the foundation of future Violence, of bringing into, or continuing in Au­thority any who joyned with the late single Person, otherwise then by first manifesting fruit meete for repentance, for such misdemeanors, by which our Rights, both as Christians and as men have bin so much betrayed, and the name of our hea­venly Father, after all his works of wonder with us, so much thereby prophaned, to our greatest griefe even throughout and beyond the bounds of these three Nations.

Thirdly, Wee do hereby humbly witnesse against the imploying in the Armies, or Navy, any Commanders who have been active in the Resignation of the Government to the deceased single Person, or in the abusing any Christians mett to mourne over their back-slidings and abominations, or that informed against or supplanted their dissenting Brethren, or were princi­pall in contriving or presenting any of the blasphemous or flattering addresses, or were Jaolers or Keepers of their Bretheren, in Holds or Prisons, or that received extraordinary rewards or titles of honour from the late single Person or his Successor, or any deriving power from them, or that acted by either of their Arbitrary Commands, to the banishment of any (without legall Tryall) out of the Nation, or that contrived or acted in the unrighteous and shamefull proceeding against such of the late E­nemy as lived peaceably, and had no hand in the insurrection, by decimating of them contrary to Articles and publique faith of the Nation, unlesse some good proofe of repentance in truth, be manifested for these, or such of these abominations, as they shall be found guilty of.

And positively, we do now desire witnesse for, and humbly assert, that the right of making and giving Lawes unto men, is originally in God, who hath given this power, as well as the execution thereof, unto Christ as hee is the Sonn of man, and See New-Havens Lawes in New-Eng­land, sold by L. Chapman, p. 12. & 17. therein made universall Lord and Soveraigne over the whole World, and under Christ as his Ministers, a certaine number of men qualified and limitted according to his Word, ought to be sett apart to the Office of chiefe Rule and Government over these Nations, as part of Christs universall Kingdome. And we do claim, that only men of courage, fearing God, and hating Covetousnesse, might be imployed in the trust of Rule, and in all places of publique Judicature; yea, if it be possible, in every place of publique Trust in these three Nations. And that all the Lawes respecting the right of men, might be so truly ordered by the Scriptures to the exaltation of Christ, our Lord, King, and Law-giver, as that in point of right no difference might be made betwixt good and bad, nor this or that profession in Religion, but by one right Role the offendor may be punished, and the injured effectually relieved with expedition: the said Lawes being first so plainely declared, as the poorest in the Land may understand their Case; and that it be dispensed so nigh their dwellings, as that Judgment might not be turned into Wormwood, as hitherto it hath been, through partiality, intricacy, vexatious delayes, and distances.

That as an intollerable burthen and oppression, inconsistent with the Rights aforesaid, or true liberty of Conscience un­to all, the Rulers over men forbeare for ever to impose any nationall, parochiall Ministry, so as to inforce any forme of Worship suited to their interest, or compell men of one perswasion, to maintaine any man of another, in the Ministry.

That thus doing Justice, loving Mercy, and walking humbly with our God, which is the good he hath shewed to us, as onely tending to true Settlement, the whole Nation may be blest, and all iniquity may stopp her mouth, is the Publique good Old Cause, we desire may be so revived in truth, as that all the upright in heart throughout the Land may follow it, against every private factious or Carnall (though nationall) spirit and opposition whatsoever, which under the shadowe of the Lord our God Almighty, we sett forth as our Testimony, and Subscribe