IN these mysterious & dangerous times, we are to take speci­all notice of 3. severall parties, working to 3. several ends in this Nation, one party most deceitfully & unjustly giving di­vers bloody & deadly wounds, another party most innocently and lamentably receiving them, and the third, most faithful­ly promising and dutifully undertaking to cure them.

It cannot be justly denyed, but the party thus offending, is lyable to be censured by the Lawes both of God and man, chiefly if their notorious and grievous facts be proved to be of set purpose, and the party offended, not being able (for a time) to prosecute the mat­ter against the offending party, they being potent adversaries, able to stop the course of justice, yea and in effect both Judges and par­ties; the party offended do referre their just cause and innocent suffer­ings to God, unto whom belongeth vengeance, and chuse the best and most expert Surgions they (to their knowledge) could find, to use their best experiments in curing that parties grievous wounds; yea, and for those professors better encouragement therein, and buy­ing of all necessaries for the cure, gave them both ready monies and [Page 2]other rich presents at the agreement; whereupon, these Surgions faithfully promised and undertook to discharge an honest duty in all and whatsoever particulars requisite to the compleat and abso­lutecureing of that party so grievously wounded.

But it came to passe within a little space, that notwithstanding all these Surgions great professions, faithful promises, & dutifull un­dertakings, yea and their abundant receipts both of monies and o­ther guifts, (almost surpassing all account) they spent both their time and labours, far more in the enriching of themselves by those benefites, then in the conscionable performance of their duty, (by carefull using of their skill) towards the cureing of the wounded party; so by these deceitfull professors negligence in using the law­full ordinary meanes, those wounds and sores do begin so to cor­rupt and putrifie, that they have brought the offended party to a far more dangerous and desperate condition then at first they found them; for then any ordinary men of that profession, by the use of the ordinary means might possibly have cured such green wounds, but now they are grown so desperate, that nothing but desperate cure can be thereunto applyed.

Now the case being thus stated, a question hereby the way hath need to be resolved before we proceed; whether the offender or the curers were the greatest enemies to the offended, and wounded pa­tients? It can hardly be denyed but the curers are the greatest e­nemies, although the offenders were the first open and deadly ene­mies, giving the offended such mortall stroaks as could not easily be cured, though the best means had been never so timely and careful­ly used: and therefore the party offending are no wise to be excused, but justly to bear their own blame; yet in regard they professed not to be friends, but rather open enemies, and that they gave these mor­tall stroaks freely without either requiring or receiving any kind of recompence for their pains, and neither professing, undertaking, nor promising to cure them.

But these Surgions most deceitfully professing to be such true, re­all, and cordiall friends to these paients, as if they had been indeed (as they said they were) flesh of their flesh, and bone of their bones, & did faithfully and solemnly undertake, promise, imprecate, vow, swear, protest and receive, as great rewards as ever any Surgions received since these Warres (yea or the world) began; and yet not­withstanding [Page 3]all, have proved miserable comforters, yea and as false, corrupt, covetous, and deceitfull to those poor objects of pitty, the wounded, bloudy, needy, and cheated party, as ever any Physitions or Surgions were to their turmoiled and grieved patients since the world began, leaving that honest party, who recompenced them so liberally, even ready to perish in those putrified & festered wounds, they having far more respect to advance themselves and their po­sterities on their patients ruins, then any wise to discharge their du­ties, according to that trust those patients reposed in them for their recovery: so that if they be not condignely punished and dismissed, to the terrour of others, yea, and made to restore that recompence they unjustly received, and better Surgions chosen in their places, there is no hope neither of those patients recovery, nor of other pa­tients safety, but all to be thus cheated and abused continually by deceitfull, self-seeking and wicked men.

All which matters coming to this period, and the cruell party being so farre from repenting, that they have alwayes raged more & more, taking all advantages, and both seeking out and contriving many opportunities, plots, and conspiracies to act more and more mischiefe, against the same party whom they had thus wronged al­ready; insomuch, that besides all the distressed parties excessive con­tributions to those deceitfull Surgions to little or no purpose, they were forced not only to spend a great part of their own blood and estates besides; (both wounded and spoiled as they were) but like­wise, after they had freely guarded those Surgions a long time them­selves, even to hire divers very chargable guards for a longer time, almost to as little effect, except only the last guard of all, which proved both faithful and valiant indeed, & did help and assist them against the open cruelty, and unparalelled both plots and violences of those most bloody and unplacable enemies.

By which powerfull meanes and mutuall concurrance, they (by divine providence) through innumerable difficulties conquered, subdued, and captived their greatest enemies; so that both their de­ceitfull curers and malicious destroyers, were brought under the mercy of them and their Guard.

But yet here standeth the difference, those subtle Surgions (whom they chused to be their curers, both of the Kings-Evill, and all other nationall and abominable evills, sores and diseases, unto which they [Page 4](like their forefathers were subject) do presume upon some pretence of priviledge, to agreee with the violent party without either the pa­tient parties, or their valorous Guards consent, though all they can do, is but to speak and trea & prate, whereas the other offended par­ty with their victorious Guard, have the power & fortitude to act, & smite and prosecute, howsoever they at present lye lurking, like a Lyon in his Den, untill they see their own opportunity to catch their prey, prevent them and laugh them to scorn; for though guilty men may blesse and make peace, yea and forgive one another, like New­gate birds: now after they have received, destroyed, and murthered the just, yea protected, assisted, and justified the wicked, as being most abominable acts in Gods sight, yea and although hand joyn in hand, yet they shall not escape unpunished in his due time.

Now the great matters of state now in present difference, being under this simile discribed, as the Prophet Nathan did Davids fault, they are both so plain and evident in our daily sight and hearing, yea & palpable also by out feeling the smart thereof, that they need little or no interpretation, were it not for the plainer sort of people, who love that such needfull and remarkable matters in these distracted times, should be expressed in plain tearms, having too much wofull experience, how dangerous it is to be deluded and blind-folded, either with whispering in the eare or with dark or Court-like phra­ses and vain Complements.

The party who gave those grievous wounds, is the King and his Confederates, (even the Papists & rude multitude) the party who re­ceived them, is this whole distressed Nation, chiefly the most free minded and best principled thereof, and the Surgeons who under­took and promised to cure these bloody wounds, is the Parliament, and the Guard which the Nation chused, is the Army, unto which party whereof, instead of any further illustration, ye may easily joyn their own part in what hath been briefly spoken.

Only for their cause, who delight more in plain English, then either in doubtful or mysticall speeches, it is to be considered, that the King and his Consederates, have given many cruell and grievous wounds to this bleeding Nation, not only by multitudes of oppressions, enor­mities, persecutions, taxations, & monopolies alwayes grinding the faces of the poor, grieving the Consciences of the wel-affected, before this Parliament, but infinitely by more mortall, cruel, bloody, [Page 5]and destructive Warres, fire and Sword, throughout all these three bleeding Nations ever since, whereof the particulars would fill ma­ny Volums to expresse, but they are briefly comprehended in that little book, called The Scots Mist, lately come forth.

The Parliament, though both chosen and trusted by this bleeding Nation, to cure their wounds, and redresse their grievances, having received infinite treasures and unspeakable riches for these just and necessary ends, upon their manifold faithfull undertakings, promises, vowes, imprecation, Oaths, Protestations, and Declarations, yet have not in any competent nor correspondent measure, discharged that great and publike trust reposed by the whole Commons of England in them; but were more earnest & carefull to advance themselves on the peoples ruines, then (as they ought) to perform their promise, or discharge their duties, according to the end of their election, trust, and vocation.

And the Army, though they have been very valiant, constant, coura­gious, & victorious in all their practices against all the open enemies abroad, yet both themselves & we have felt that they have been negligent, in taking some happy and speedy course, both with those treacherous malignants and deceitfull friends when they were quiet at home: so that by their lenity, negligence, pittifull delayes, loosing many faire occasions, and precious opportunities the last year, even when none in England durst presume to stir nor beat a Drum) they might have been worthy instruments, both having the Sword still in their hands, and as many more in number, then now they are, to have seen justice (without respect of persons) executed, the publike treasures accounted, wicked Lawes abolished, good Lawes establish­ed, and the peoples freedoms restored.

But through the Armies failing herein, (though we should much more rejoyce in their conversion, then any wise in their con­fusion) and also by their declyning from their faithfull Engagement at New market, as was most apparant at their Randevou [...] near Ware, all these late insurrections have come to passe, these inviterate enemies still intending, and by all possible means seeking to have swallowed up both the Army and all the honest party, (according to that part of the Nationall Covenant, (howsoever they differ from the rest) and that by the craft and stratagems of the Armies deceit­full friends in Parliament, who although they failled in their mali­cious [Page 6]plot of disbanding them wholly, yet they prevailled after­wards in getting the half, both ingratefully and untimely carshired, and that by detaining from them their just wages and Arrears, that they might be necessitated to be burthensome to the Countrey, by taking free quarter, when no enemy durst any more appear.

By which deceitfull means, those subtle enemies of all goodnesse proved just like their Master Sathar, first by devising a temptation, next by using indirect means to bring honest hearted people under the power of that temptation, and last, in accusing the parties whom they had thus tempted and snared, to those who have any power to punish them, even for not preventing & overcoming that snare and temptation, though the devising, begining, proceeding, and ending, came all by those false accusers own means and procurement.

But since the Army hath not declared, what they intend now af­ter these their last viotories this year, as they did after their first victories the last year; and although they did, in regard they were not so punctuall in the pursuance of their Engagement, nor in pro­secution of the eleven Members, as they pretended and was expec­ted, they would hardly be trusted in words, without some reall per­formance in deeds, even besides their Martiall affaires, wherein (by divine providence) they are victorious, seeing most of all in any au­thority, have been so deceitfull during all these troubles, that scarce any more such trust will be given in haste, to any condition of men in this age, untill they bring forth more reall and ripe fruits, as well as leaves and blossomes.

Thus the enslaved people of this Nation, are in a more desperate as well as desolate condition every way, now after this eight years Parliament then they were 20. years agoe, when it was adjudged lesse then Treason in the highest degree, to mention the very word [Parliament,] so that the cure is become worse then the disease, and the last errour worse then the first.

And moreover, by means and occasion of their corrupt, deceitfull and underhand dealing, in not going through with the work for which they were chosen, divers others also are (by their example and permission) become great oppressors and underminers of this Common-Wealth; wherefore it wil be needfull here to expres some of the speciall particulars, wherein at present, each one of them ben­deth their chiefest endeavours for self interests, and no wise for ad­vancing, [Page 7](but altogether for destroying) the publike cause which tendeth to the peace, safety, liberty, property, and tranquility of the people.

And so by a mutuall harmony as brethren in evill, though hating others in most other things, yet like Pylate and Herod are familiar friends, by concurring together for their severall sinister ends (am­bition, covetuousnesse, or whatsoever else) to the utter ruine of this enflaved Nation, except the Lord of his undeserved mercy provide some speedy remedy, either by this Army, or by such other instru­ments or means, as he seeth most expedient for his own glory and the peoples safety; which speciall particulars do here follow in order.

1. The Kings deceitfull demands and other expresses now in his most extream need, towards the prosecution of this personall trea­chery, that by his and his confederates subtile mannaging of the bu­sinesses, and over-witting our wise Parliaments Commissioners, chiefly to finish this treaty at London, (the place of his chiefest joy) he may recover his wonted, and unlimited authority, & so not only revenge, & grow as glorious and great as any Monarch or Monster in Christendom, but preferre all his Cavaliers, and lay on such hea­vy burdens of taxations and oppressions on all estates, both in Coun­tries and Cities, as may so impoverish, enslave, and disable them and their posterities for ever, from any more rising or taking up Armes in their own defence, according to the tyrannicall custom and prac­tise of other Kings over their subjects, or rather slaves, such as Spaine and France.

2. The Parliaments deceitfull concurrance with his unjust desires therein, as the case of this Nation is now in a rottering condition, ap­prehending it much safer, easier, & speedier for saving their lives & estates, & avoiding account of the peoples treasures, to make their own particular safe and wel-grounded peace with him alone for all (who is both their prisoner, & guilty also like themselves, (whereas a just Judge would condemn & punish both) then with a multitude of honest people, who have far more accusations against both him and them, then ever he or they will be able to answer.

3. The people (meaning the rude multitude) having no good nor solid principles whereon to build or settle their resolutions, or to di­rect or avme their actions, and therefore they being light as the dust [Page 8]in the drought of Summer, are carried aloft, even with evrey small gale of wind, as well as by a great tempest, so that they are some­times for the King, and sometimes for the Parliament, and some­times for both, and sometimes for neither of them, yea or scarce for themselves, and not so much as once minding, for lesse duly consi­dering whats needfull or expedient either for their own particular or the publick good, but what they have either by a stinted or set forme, or by habituall custome or apish imitation of their Land­lords, Masters, Friends, or Neighbours; so that such time-serving and inconstant mens endeavours, do tend more to the ruine, then to the good of a Natiou, if they be not under the Government of more wise, discreet, and better experienced men then themselves.

4 The Priests sitting close at the helme, during all these troubles, as their Masters the Bishops did in former times, who though they could not answer the Parliaments 8. queries, had rather have other 7. years Warres throughout all the 3. Kingdoms, then to want one years Tithes.

5 Land-lords, exacting such intolerable rents both for ground, houses, and shops, now beyond all former times, and there­by so grind the faces of the poor, (who are heavy loaded with di­versity of burdens otherwise in these sad and troublesome times, both when Trades are decayed, Trading monopolized, and dearth of victualls increased and multiplyed) that many Thousands of fa­milies, (especially where there are many small Children) are ready either to starve, dispair, or run away and leave all, even for want of such course bread, and other necessaires, as Parl men, Commit­teemen, Priests, and Lawyers, will scarce offer to their Horses and Doggs.

6. The Lawyers, whereof some being usually Members of Parl, do endeavour not only to frame the Lawes so to their own minds and ends, as they may receive divers interpretations, to the great vexation and grief of the people, but by that means and occasion, such tedious and chargable, yea and sometimes endles Law-suites are at their unlimited wills and insatiable pleasures depending, that they abundantly enrich themselves, and impoverish the Common­wealth: so that now it is thought, yea and approved a more safe, ready, and easie course for any plantiffe, to acquite unto the defen­dant, the one half of whatsoever debts he justly acclaimeth, provided he get the other half without trouble, fraud, charge or delay, then at [Page 9]such excessive rates, delayes and uncertainties to prosecute any such action at Law against him.

7. The City, at least the turbulent domineering or conspiring party thereof, diligently beholding, and vigilantly attending, whe­ther at last the King, Parl. or the Army shall be victoricus, though not in the Warres, yet by personall treacheries, that they may par­take with them, and so be still glorious.

8. And the Scots, (chiefly the Royalist Party) like most of the English, chusing rather to destroy the Sectaries with the sword, then convince them by the Word, and to be still slaves and beggers, then either to break their ensnaring Covenant, which the best of them­selves, and far lesse the Papists and Athests whom they forced thereunto, were never able to keep, or to want one Tyrant or Idoll to sit on their old worn Throne, whiles Sunne and Moone indure in the Firmament. All these be Englands chief destroyers.

But contrary to the practices of all these eruell oppressors, the hope of all true hearted Englishmen, whereof many Thousands (both Londoners and others whom the Malignants call Leavellers) have lately presented a Petition to the Parl. for imparciall justice and true freedom is, that God will either by this Army; or some other instruments or means (according to his wonted mercies in all ages) preserve his people and destroy his enemies.

Vpon the Parliaments receipt of the aforesaid Petition (meaning only the Commons house, not knowing more then ignorant and runnegate Schoole boyes, what to say, or how to answer their les­sons) perceiving by the scope of the Petition, that the multitude of Petitioners were the very same persons in Citie and Countrey, whose former Petitions the last year for Englands just Freedoms, by their misorder of Parl. the common Hangman had burned, and that doubtlesse those considerate and wel-principled people, (who knew both their own due and the Parliaments duty) would importune them now as they did then, for a just and reall answer, and not rest upon their unjust sentence, or determination, but still present Petitiō after Petition, to make them more and more ashamed to the world, (if they were not hardened with sin and shame) they were forced out of meere policy after much dispute and debate, to adjourn for four dayes.

Surely this did shew as great wisdom in our wise, discreet, brave, [Page 10]and grave Parliament, now as when they were forced not long age, both to take down their second Excise house (which they built in Smithfield, and to quite their Excise of flesh there, after the Butchers had both burned down the first house, and would pay no more Ex­cise to their Officers, notwithstanding all their high Orders, Ordi­nances, threatnings, and penalties, but rather pay themselves when they saw convenient time, as they and many Thousands of others also, were in as good postuae, even to pay the Parl. mens pates, as they were to knock fat Oxen on the heads.

And it is no wonder that the Parl. of England, were so fearfull of the Butchers of London, because they had good reason so to be, for is there any sort, degree, or condition of men, yea Souldiers them­selves (who are esteemed most expert in killing) more desperate, bloody, aed dangerous then Butchers are, their hands being for the most part in blood, whereas Souldiers will rest many weeks and months without shedding of blood? and besides, Butchers do sur­passe Souldiers in these other most remarkable things, for as they are most perfect in knocking down, and beating out the brains, and letting of blood, so they are most skilfull in driving all away, clea­ving a sunder, hanging up, quartering, drawing, sleaing off the skin, and so in disposing of every thing in its own due order, time and season, as it becommeth wise, able and discreet men.

So in all the oppressions and desolations that this rich Parl. have made, since they left both selling of Lands in Ireland, and by cunning adulation and affectation, even faire & flattering speeches, obtained both the multitudes of Plate and Contributions, and be­gan to force and squize out more and more by foul actions, they ne­ver met with their match (in the way of ressistance) untill they be­gan to vex the Butchers of London, because the Butchers scorned to be enslaved, extorted, or have the gain of their toylsome labours ta­ken from them by the idle Parl. but as they were moved and oc­casioned, so they powerfully and couragiously stood in their own defence against the Parl. so that neither the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, nor trained bands of London could appease them, untill they had both burned the Excise house, terrified the Parl. and fought themselves free, like brave fellowes from paying any more Excise.

Only the Army are to be excepted (in this and many other things) who at that time had engaged, but had not declared, when the [Page 11]Butchers had thus opposed, and began most excellently both to re­fuse disbanding contrary to all high Votes and Ordinances, and to purge the Parl. untill they saw some difficulties in the way, which now they have past over, and doubtlesse (if they be either wise, pun­ctuall or provident) will accomplish their work, both for their own safety and the freedom of this Nation, according to their Engage­ments, Proposalls, and Declarations.

Now the reason wherefore the Parl. did adjourn for 4. dayes at the receiving of the aforesaid Petition, may be easily discerned, even to be the great & remarkable tryall they were put to at unawares, considering their rottering condition, being so hated of the people for their unjust dealing; and therefore they were necessitated to take 4. dayes, having 4 as speciall matters to debate and resolve upon in that limited space, as they have had these 8. years (except in 4. of their great and golden dayes, when they were in the greatest hate of parting and disposing the peoples Treasures, Plate, Taxes, Sequestra­tions, and Estates amongst themselves, their friends and relations; so that they wisely proportioned the number of the dayes, according to the number of their most urgent private affaires, what ever should become of the publick.

The first day, how they might proceed wisely and warily with the Treaty personally, though neither really nor actually at the Bar of Justice, but how the King may acquite them and they him, and so deceive and enslave the poor between them.

The second day, how to preserve their own lives, apprehending their own guiltiness, and how far short their practices came of the scope of that Petition, which tends to the just freedom of the people, for which mayn end they were chosen, trusted, maintained, and defended against all whom they made us think were their deadly e­nemies, but it seemes, will be their friends when they both please to enslave the people.

The third day, how to secure their ill gotten Estates, & whether to adventure their late received monies beyond the Seas with the former, or to put it in hazard with their lives at home, they being in danger every day to be questioned, called to account, and tryed, even by those whom they esteem their Servants, but may happily and speedily appear (as they are indeed) their Ma [...].

And the fourth day, whether to give a satisfactory or delatery an­swer [Page 12]to the Petitioners, knowing by experience their ingenuity and importunity to be such, that no congratulatory nor complementa­ry, yea nor usuall Parliamentary answer would be acceptable to them; and therefore (doubtlesse) these grave Senators hand­somely considered, that it was better to give them no answer, but keep them in hope of an answer, untill they have finished their per­sonall treachery with the King, then certainly they would not spare to tell them another thing.

Object. It may be objected, according to the Parl. own declared tenent to the same Petitioners the last year, in answer to one of the burned Petitions (which are all contained in that little book inti­tuled, Gold tryed in the fire,) that all the people are to rest satisfyed in the Parliaments determination, sentence, sence or answer, in what matters soever, or to this effect;

Answ. And its also answered, that these men told the Parl. with­all convenient speed by another Petition, that they would not rest satisfyed in what the Parl. pleaseth to determine, any further then their determination, sentence, sence, or answer, shall be right and just, according to the true end, intent, and meaning of their election, vo­cation and trust, chiefly the peoples freedom and safety, and so al­wayes for their weale, but never for their woe; for otherwise why should they be either chosen, called, trusted, or assembled, except it were only to be dissembled, as their deeds witnesse against them?

Quest. But could not some Parl. men, like some of those who were accused by the Army the last year, kick, threat, beat, and im­prison some of those Petitioners now as they did then, even for pre­senting the like Petition, yea and both vote and order the Hangman to burn their Petition too?

Answ. No indeed, for at that time the Army had not yet engaged nor declared unanimously, to stand or fall together, for the just free­dom of this Nation, but at that time, were taking these and the like unjust practices of Parl. into consideration, & preparing themselves to take the best and speediest course, both for their own and all their friends preservation, not being fully perswaded before that the whole house should so suddenly vote them Rebels and Traytors, without either consideration or cōmemoration of all their former victories, faithfull and remarkable services, for not presently disbanding, but [Page 13]that their only enemies had bin the King and his party, whom they had so lately & powerfully subdued, conquered and imprisoned.

So that the Parliament were but then in hopes, that the Army would disband, so soone as they were commanded, but now having undoubted proof and experience of the contrary, they dare not pre­sume to meddle any more with any, who are, or seeme to be of the Armies principles, lest they own both them and their cause, as well now as they did then, yea and revenge their quarrell too, not on­ly by more strict accusing those 11 Members, but the most part of the house, if not the whole house, and so put them all to the flight, for they are too lap-winged, they having sitten 7 yeares too long, to advance themselves and impoverish the Nation, that they may be more capable to be slaves to them, as both the same Parliament-men and the rest of the people have ben to the King.

For had these Representatives been as faithfull, reall and cordi­all to their representers, as they seemed and pretended to be at the first, when they relieved prisoners, abolished Bishops and divers unjust Courts and Monopolies, brought home the Banished, and made many element Speeches to gain the peoples affections, that they might obtain their rich oblations, persons and estates to defend them in these wars, they might have abolished more wicked laws, and established more good laws, yea and prevented, or at least shortned these bloudy & distructive wars, & unspeakable both loss­es & expences, to the Common wealth, punished evill doers, and rewarded them that do well, more in one year then they have done in all these greivous 8 years.

And therefore, seeing there is no grapes to be expected on thornes, nor figgs on thistles, it is high time that the Army who (through God have done so valiantly, & is the present and apparent safeguard of all the honest party in this distressed Nation) would make a more wise, happy and speedy use of this worthy opportu­nity, which God is pleased once more again to grant them, then they did the last year; for he hath made them his happy instruments of as great victories as ever he, hath made any others before them since the daies of Gidion, who only by 300, destroy'd many thou­sands of the Midianites, or of Ioshuah, who by the sound of Rams horns threw down the wals of Isrech, and before whom, both the inha­bitants of Canaan and the Kings of the Nations [...]dering about, whom God hath ordained to destruction, were but as stubble before the fire, or dust before the wind.

Therefore, in consideration of the present case of this distressed Nation, the Armies best, easiest, and speediest course (saving better advise) is, to use that power which God (in much mercy) hath put and reserved into their hands.

1. After they have declared their just reasons, desires, and resolutions to the whole Nation, concerning their duties in all publike affaires as the case now stands, even to dissolve this present Parl. lest to be free from present tryall them­selves, of all their unjust and double dealings, they involve both you and us all, in a greater gulf of misery and slavery, then ever you or any other Army after you can either comfort us in, or deliver us from, whiles the world stands: can it be justly denyed but that they (at present) having the Sword, may upon far better grounds of the peoples safety (being the chief of all Lawes) dissolve this deceit­full Parl. who have been 8 years surfetted; glutted, and fatned with all the best things that this Nation could afford, either without giving any account of the peoples treasures, or acting any thing towards their freedoms,) then he or his Father had, to break up many good Parliaments, meerly for their own preroga­tives, ambitious, and covetous ends, to the ruine, misery, and slavery of the people.

2. According to the Armies Proposalls, there may be not only a set time ap­pointed for the begining and ending of Parliaments every year of their own ac­cord, after the peoples election, with certain limitations therein for avoiding of Malignants (as in Parl. there be too many at this time) but forthwith, to call a just Parl. to a strict account of all the oceans of the peoples blood, and multi­tudes of their treasures that have been spilt and spent in all these long cruell and destructive VVarres, as both many thousands of faithfull witnesses, and many ten thousands of pittifull complaints will be produced from all places.

That justice now at last, without respect either of persons or states, being ad­ministred the cruel sting of Norman bondage removed, & an exact account of all the blood, treasures, estates, revenues, assesments, oblations, alienations, contribu­tions, sequest rations, compositions, and taxations made, then the publict debts may be paid, all kind of Taxes discharged, the Army and all publict charges by subsidues maintained, the peoples freedoms restored, wicked Lawes abolished, and good lawes established.

Otherwise, as the Parl. accused the King of many odious and haynous crimes, & did not prosecute their charge, & though the Army accused the 11 members of divers treacherous acts, & did not prosecute their charge; & though Lieut. Gen. Cromwell accused Manchester for many treacherous acts, and did not prosecute his charge, & though Mr. Lenthall the Speaker of the House, and his brother Sir Iohn were accused, for haynous crimes against the Common-wealth, and their charge not prosecuted, but as it seemes all did forbear one another, for ends best known to God and their own Consciences, yet it is neither feared nor doubted, but God knoweth very well how to reach both the height and deepnesse of mens policies, treacheries, and confederacies, and how to catch them in the midst of their sins, when they are ripe for his judgments, but we hope better things of the Army, though little of the chief Officers.