THis Court having taken notice of divers Affronts put upon the Right Honorable Thomas Alleyn, the present Lord Mayor of this City, with many false and scanda­lous Aspersions cast upon his Lordship, and the Committee ap­pointed by this Court to confer with the Lord Fleetwood touch­ing the Peace and Safety of this City: as if they had deserted their Trust, or betrayed the Rights and Liberties of this City. And in particular, that the said Committee seemed satisfied with the Limitations of Parliament, called The Seven Principles, or unalterable Fundamentals, printed in a late scandalous Pam­phlet stiled, The Publick Intelligencer. The said Committee here openly declaring; that they never heard the said Principles, or had them any way communicated to them, much lesse ever con­sented to the same, or any of them.

This Court being deeply sensible of these great Indignities, doth declare, That the said Lord Mayor is so far from deserving any of the said Affronts or Aspersions, that he hath highly merited the great Honour and Esteem of this Court and the whole City, having in all things demeaned himself with much Prudence and faithfull Integrity to this City and Court, which doth therefore return his Lordship their most hearty thanks.

[Page 8]And that the said Committee in all their Transactions, touch­ing the Peace and safety of this City, have also discreetly and faithfully discharged their Trust, to their own trouble, and great satisfaction of this Court.

And whereas this Court and City hath been lately represen­ted by some, as having deserted their first Cause and Declara­tions in the use of all lawfull means for the maintenance of the true reformed Protestant Religion according to the Scriptures; The support and maintenance of a settled lawfull Magistracy, a learned pious Ministery, and publick Universities, with the ancient fundamental Laws of the Nation, Just Rights, Proper­ties and Liberties of all Persons: And for these ends will en­deavour, all they lawfully may, the speedy convening of a Free Parliament to sit and Act without Interruption or Molestation, by any persons whatsoever.

IT hath pleased the good and only wise God, for our and the Nations crying sins, to manifest his displeasure for many years together against these our flourishing, now sadly divided, di­stracted [Page 9] and almost ruined Nations: and yet blessed be God, this honorable City hitherto hath been no proportionable sha­rer in the Calamities which our Brethren in other parts of these now miserable Nations have suffered, which are now aggrava­ted by our Divisions, and such a general decay of trading, as doth exceed the worst of former times; all which we look upon as a most sad presage of some art, and dismal judgement very near at hand, if not our sudden ruine; together with the de­struction and utter dissolation both of Church and State, which will inevitably ensue as a just reward upon our multiplied pro­vocations, under the most signal manifestations of Gods most gracious presence, and the most engaging Mercies that ever People did enjoy (unlesse it please our most gracious God whose Name hath been exceedingly dishonored, by the violation of many sacred and solemn Oaths) amongst us to work our delive­rance out of this contexture of dangerous mischiefs, into which we have already wound our selvs: or which as the innundations of mighty Waters may suddenly break in upon us: and being sadly sensible of the Calamities under which the three Nations groan, for want of a well-ordered and established Government. We being members in the same pollitical Body, cannot but sympathize with the rest of our Brethren: and forasmuch as our endeavours may contribute very much thereto, and the well or ill management of your talents in the discharge of your Trusts may now make these Nations happy, or else make them irrecoverably miserable. We hold our selves obliged in con­science to God and our Countrey, both by the Laws of God and the Land, in the behalf of our selves, and all good and peaceable People in the Land, and the many thousands that know not their right hand from their left; and in the behalf of the Children unborn, who in time to come may have cause to blesse or curse the day of their birth for your sakes, do make this humble Addresse to you, as the only means under God now left us to redresse these growing mischiefs which make us and the three Nations in these times of our great trouble cry unto you (as those of Macedonia did in the Apostles Vision) Come and help us. And we beseech you, our most grave and worthy Senators, as you tender the welfare of these bleeding Nations, to stand in [Page 10] the wide gap of our breaches, with your Prayers, improving your Councils, and every Talent (which God hath reposed in you) for the honour of God, and the peace of his Church, by a reall reformation, and we question not but our most gracious God will then break through the thick Clouds of these black and dark providences, and return unto us our Judges as at the first, and our Counselors as at the beginning, with the abundance of the blessings of peace, that Judgement may run down our streets, and Righteousness as a mighty stream. And we humbly de­sire the two great Pillars of the Land, Magistracy and Ministry may be asserted and encouraged: in order unto which, we humbly present unto your grave and serious considera­cions.

First, the Priviledges of the Gospel which we do enjoy at this day, in the faithfull preaching and dispensing of Gods holy Word and Sacraments, together with the labours of so many of his faithfull Servants in the Ministry, and the liberty of these sacred Ordinances, being the best and choicest of our National blessings; in respect of which, we may well say (with holy Da­vid) God hath not dealt so with any Nation: which with thank­fulnesse we desire to ackowledge as a great mercy to this Land: And should the Lord remove this Candlestick out of its place, as we have just cause to fear he will, unlesse we do repent) Then may we indeed complain with Phineas his Wife, the glory is departed from our Israel, and a dark and dismal night of black and gloomy Ignorance, Error and Prophanenesse will envelope our Valley of Vision. And to the end that this choice Blessing (which we account more precious than our lives) may be con­veyed to Posterity, we most humbly desire the Ministry may be Countenanced and encouraged, the Universities upheld and maintained, which have nursed many famous Preachers for Pie­ty and Learning in this and former Ages, and your Authority used for the terror of evil doers, but the praise of them that do well.

Secondly we esteem and assert, as our undoubted birth-right, the Freedom and Priviledges of our Parliaments, as being the great Charter of the people of England, which we account equally dear with our lives; in the enjoyment of which we yet [Page 11] hope, under God, to see a happy and lasting settlement both in Church and Scate. Therefore we most humbly desire, that a new Election may be made, or else that those worthy Gentle­men chosen to serve as Members in the late free Parliament, may be restored to their priviledges, and sit without disturbance or force from the Army, that they may consider in this evil time, what England, Scotland, and Ireland ought to do, which (with submission to your grave judgements) we humbly conceive to be the most probable means under God to establish the true Protestant Religion, reform the Laws, secure our Liberties and preserve our lives and outward concernments, to promote Learning end encourage Vertue, whereby peace with our neighbour Nations may be renewed and established, the Army satisfied, their Arrears paid, and Trading restored. In all which, most grave and worthy Senators, your own concern­ments (as well as ours) are so deeply engaged, that we perswade our selves you will be instumental to further our desires, by all peaceable and lawfull means, and we hope it will put an end to our Divisions, which (if God in mercy prevent not) may soon break out into another civil War, and render us as a prey to a forreign enemy, For a Kingdom divided against it self cannot stand.

Now we leave it unto you our most grave and worthy Sena­tors, duly to consider, if you part with these our great Na­tional Blessings, whether you will not discover a palpable breach of trust, and leave your names for a reproach to the generations following, who will in the Ages to come rise up and call you blessed, if you be carefull to preserve them now, and convey them to Posterity: And now we beseech the Lord to strengthen both your hearts and hands, and give you wisdom from on high to direct you in all your Con­sultations, as may be most for the honour of God, the peace of his Church throughout the world, and the settlement, safety and happinesse of these poor Nations: And by his assistance we resolve to stand by you and with you, to the utmost hazzard of our lives and all that is deare unto us, to promote the same.

THat the Glory of our Nation, and the greatest Comfort of our Lives in our Civil Interests, consists in the Privi­ledges and Liberties to which we were born, and which [Page 13] are the undoubted Inheritance of all the free people of England, among which the grand and essential Priviledges which discri­minates Free-men from Slaves, is the Interest which every man hath in the Legislative power of the Nation, by their Represen­tatives assembled in Parliament: without which, however we may flatter our selves, or be flatter'd by others, we are truly no better than Vassals govern'd by the will and pleasure of those who have no relation to us, or our common Interest.

Now how much this dear Priviledge of the People hath been assaulted by the open violence of some, and secret artifice of others, and to what a deplorable condition we are brought at this present period, when heavy Taxes are imposing upon mens Estates, and new Laws upon our Persons, without any consent of the People had in a free Parliament, and how gene­rally, through the said distractions in Government, Trading is decayed, and how much we are likely to suffer thereby in our times and places, we cannot but remonstrate to your Excel­lency, constrain'd through the sense of our present sufferings, and apprehensions of greater, to implore your assistance, most humbly beseeching your Excellency, by that ancient love you have born to your Native Countrey, zeal to our Liberties, by that great Renown you have lately gain'd in opposing the cruel raging of the Sword, by the common Cries of the People, and by the hopes and cheerful expectation of all England now fix'd upon you; and lastly, by your own Personal Concern in the same common Cause as a free-born English man, that you would be pleased to use those great advantages Divine Provi­dence hath now put into your hands, to the securing your Na­tive Countrey from those dangerous usurpations, and preser­ving us in those Liberties to which we were born. That no Tax may be imposed, nor new Law made, nor old abolisht, but with the consents of the People had by their Representa­tives in Parliament, freely to be chosen without terror or limi­tations, and freely to sit without any Oath or Engagement previous to their entrance, without which special Liberties the Parliament cannot in any construction be esteemed the free Assembly of the People; and by your Excellency's asserting of those our undoubted Rights in your present advantages, you [Page 14] will certainly, by the blessing of God, and unanimous concur­rence of the People, accomplish our ends, and will thereby gain the hearts and hands of the whole Nation, and the City in particular, and purchase to your self a Name that shall make every true English man call you blessed, and Posterity shall hereafter delight to recount the famous Acts of their worthy Patriot.

This was delivered to his Excellency at S. Albans, on Thursday Febr. 2. 1659. by persons elected for that purpose, and had a very cheerfull Reception.

HAving with sadnesse weighed the multiplied calamities wherein we are at present involved, how friendlesse we are abroad, and how divided at home; the loud and heart-piercing cries of the poor, and the disability of the better sort to relieve them; the total decay and subversion of Trade, together with the forfeiture and losse of the Honour and Repu­tation of the Nation (what is more dear to us than all these) the apparent hazzard of the Gospel, through the prodigious [Page 15] growth of Blasphemies, Heresies and Schism, all which own their birth to the instability of our Governors, and the unsettlement of our Government. Lastly, how in all these an universal ruine threatneth us, and will (if not timely prevented) doubtlesse overwhelm us. We thought it our bounden duties, both as Christians, out of tendernesse to our Religion; as English men, to our Countrey; and as Friends, to our selves and our Rela­tions, to represent and publish to the world our just griefs for, and our lively resentments of this our deplorable condition, and to seek all lawfull and probable means to remedy and redresse the same.

Wherefore having the leading Examples of the renowned Ci­ties of London and Exeter, together with the Counties of the West, before our eyes; and the clamors and out-cries of the People always in our ears, (whereof the one encourageth, and the other enforceth us to this our Declaration) we thought that we would not be silent at such a time, when our silence would speak us to be Assentors to our own ruine, or Abettors of such proceedings as have neither Law nor Equity to support them.

We therefore the Nobility, Gentry, Ministry, and Commonalty of the County of KENT, together with the City and County of Canterbury, the City of Rochester, and the Ports within the said County, do by these Presents unanimously declare, That our desires are for a Full and Free Parliament, as the only pro­bable means, under God, to lead us out of this Maze and La­byrinth of confusions in which we are at present engag'd; that is, that the old secluded Members, so many of them as are sur­viving, may be re-admitted into the House, and that there may be a free Election of others to supply the places of those who are dead, without any Oath or Engagement previous to their entrance; these we shall own as the true Representatives of the People; these we shall with our Lives and Fortunes, to the uttermost of our power, assist, and with all cheerfulnesse submit to, and acquiesce in whatsoever they shall Enact or Or­dain.

Thus concluding, that all publick spirited men, and good Patriots, will with all readinesse joyn and concur with us in a [Page 16] matter of so universal concernment, and that we shall finde opposition from none, but such as prefer their own private In­terests, and temporal respects, to their Religion, and Laws of the Land; we shall as bodily subscribe our Names, as we do heartily declare our Desires.

UNderstanding that the late procedure of some of the principal Gentlemen and Citizens, Inhabitants of the City of Canterbury hath been represented above as a Malignant Design, tending to Tumult and Sedition; We thought fit to publish to the World a brief Narrative of the same, together with the Declaration it self, that both the one and the other being cleared from the malicious aspersions and calumnies of our Adversaries; the whole Nation may judge between them and us, and so give sentence according to the merit of the cause.

Whereas some peaceable and well-minded Gentlemen with some godly and sober Ministers, perceiving the people generally bent for a free Parliament (as in the following Declaration is expressed) and hearing that the Cities of London and Exeter had lately declared for the same, thought it neither unmeet to [Page 18] follow so leading Presidents, not unseasonable to joyn their Votes with the general desires of the whole Nation; to which end it was resolved to present this following draught to the Common Burghmoote, and to desire their concurrence therein. Thus in an orderly manner, without tumult or noise, without Arms in their hands or thoughts, or without Anger or Threats in their looks; divers Gentlemen, Ministers and Citizens went to the Town-hall on Jan. 24. the Mayor, Aldermen and Com­mon Councel then sitting, and presented the Declaration at the door, desiring that after a serious perusal thereof, they would be pleased to joyn with them, in a business which they judged agreeable, not only to the sense of that Court, but also of the whole County and Nation: But when it was men­tioned to be put to the Vote, whether the paper should be read or not; some of the Bench protested against it, although they knew nothing of its contents; and in conclusion (having a long time rather wrangled than debated) the Dissenters (being but seven of twenty four) quitted the Court, not leaving e­nough to make a Burghmoote Quorum; whereupon, the Gentle­men (who though rudely treated, had quietly attended) with­drew Re infecta, and returned home with as little tumult as at first they came: Thus was there nothing done to surprise or disturb the Court, nothing to raise a tumult, nothing to cause a second Kentish Insurrection, as our Adversaries give it out: No, the design was not Arms, but Peace; not tumult, but settle­ment; not to surprize and disturb the Court, but to desire an amiable correspondence with the same, to the end that the in­tended Declaration might be made the more authentick by the formal intervention and assent in open Court, of the Magistracy of so considerable a Corporation; and that the Declarers them­selves might not be thought to tread in any oblique Paths, or to proceed in a Clandestine manner: But being disappointed (as you see), herein, it was thought fit to strengthen and confirm our Declaration, and to make good the Title it bears, by private subscriptions, as well through the whole County as this City; wherein we had, in three dayes time, proceeded so far, that many thousands were then collected; whereupon, some Gentle­men (from the slie insinuations and false representations of [Page 19] our Aversaries) were secured in several prisons, to the discou­ragement of well-begun, and well-meant undertaking; neither can the Gentlemen understand wherein they have offended, or how they should merit imprisonment, since there was no order, nor prohibition to the contrary: Although they conceive, that had they proceeded therein, they had not trangressed any known Laws of the Land; it being the Subjects Birth-right mo­destly to represent their grievances by way of Petition, Re­monstrance or Declaration. Wherefore lest (through our silence, and the present suppression of our Declaration) the aspersions of our Adversaries might be thought deservedly cast upon us; we thought fit to publish the same, together with this Narrative, deeming that as we have done nothing herein worthy the pre­sent severity, so the impartial Reader will in his private judge­ment, absolve us from all guilt or demerit. Neither shall we answer our Adversaries by way of recrimination, nor (al­though we can by undoubted testimonies sufficiently prove it) say, that the same men who now appear so zealous assertors of the Parliaments interests and proceedings, did as eagerly joyn with the Army, crying them up as much, with whom they would live and dye, as they decryed this present Power in their late interruption, as not consisting with the interest of the Na­tion. No, though this might serve to invalidate their Testimo­ny, we shall enlarge no further, but refer to the Declaration it self.

WHereas We the Gentlemen and Freeholders of this County of Berks, were generally met together at Abingdon, upon some intimation of an Election of a Knight of the Shire, in pursuance of your Order, for the filling up of this Parliament; and that some solicitations were used throughout the County for Voyces, and being jealous to be surprised therein by any Clandestine carriage of the Writ: And whereas at this Meeting it was further taken into conside­ration, that this County have with the rest of this Nation been deeply sensible of many insupportable grievances and oppressions of late dayes, occasioned through the want of a real, setled, and regular Government; and in particular, that the Commissio­ners for the Militia having formerly charged the Country to provide Arms, which was done accordingly, the said Commissio­oners do yet direct their Warrants for the bringing in of Twenty shillings for every Foot Arms; which we are very confident is be­sides the intent of the Act which impowers them, and are igno­rant otherwise by what Authority they proceed therein; That therefore having seriously consulted the Remedies which might be proper for these and the like Inconveniences for the future, and by Gods blessing reduce us unto a firm, free, and le­gal settlement of our Rights, Civil and Religious: Wee con­ceived it to be our duty towards God and our Country, without [Page 21] any private ends whatsoever, to declare our selves in this sense, That we take it the most satisfactory expedient for it, will be the re­calling of all those members that were secluded in 1648. And that before the first force upon the Parliament. And, that in the Elections which shall bee of any other Members in the vacant places, such due course may be taken, as that the Country may not any way be sur­prised, or over-awed therein: And that the secluded Members may be admitted to Sit without any Oath or Engagement to restrain their Freedome in the least; Wherein we shall be ready to defend You and Them with whatsoever is dearest unto us, against all opposition: And pray unto Almighty God for his assistance to the happy ac­complishment of what may best conduce to the Peace and Safety of this Nation.

WHereas by a wonderful Revolution of the Divine Providence, those Members of the long Parliament which were strangely brought in by the Army ( May the 7. 1659.) and as strangely outed by them ( Octob. the 13. 1659.) are now strangely returned to sit in the House as before, we judge it our concernment to call to minde the Act by them made and published, immediately before their forcible Inter­ruption, intituled, An Act against raising of money upon the people [Page 22] out their consent in Parliament: Which Act of theirs proceeds in these words, And be it further enacted, that no Person or Persons shall after the 11. of October, 1659. Assess, Levy, Collect, Gather or Receive any Custome, Imposts, Excise, Assesment, Contribution, Tax, Tallage, or any sum or sums of Money, or other Impositions whatsoever, upon the people of this Commonwealth, without their con­sent in Parliament, or as by Law might have been done before the 3. of November, 1640. And be it further enacted and declared, that every person offending against this Act shall be, and is hereby ad­judged to be guilty of High Treason, and shall forfeit and suffer as in case of High Treason. Hereupon we judged it meet and equitable to make this following Declaration.

We do therefore declare that we do freely, cordially, and unanimously assent to the equity of this Act, as consonant to the fundamental Laws of our Nation, the benefit whereof we doubt not but we may justly claim, as our birth-priviledge in all such cases and concernments.

And accordingly we do declare that we are ready and wil­ling, as soon as an opportunity is given us, to make choice of such Persons as may Declare our consent in Parliament, for the raising of such sums of Money, as by them shall be thought ne­cessary to defray the publick charges, and manage the publick concerns of the Nation, seeing most of those persons that were formerly chosen by us for this purpose, are either taken away by death, or by seclusion debarred from sitting in the House.

And we do hereby declare further, that we neither do, nor shall ever give our consent, that any Assesment should be made, or imposition laid upon us by any person or persons whatso­ever, until our consent be so declared by persons thus chosen and intrusted by us for this end and purpose.

And therefore if any person or persons whatsoever shall con­trary to the forementioned Act, and the Fundamental Laws of this Nation, lay any Assesment or Imposition upon us before our consent is thus declared, under what pretence or colour soever of authority or necessity it shall be done, we do hereby declare to the World, that we are under manifest constraint and force, and our Goods and Estates are violently extorted from us, con­trary [Page 23] to Law and Justice, which injuries we shall no longer bear than an opportunity shall be offered us to right our selves, and repossess those priviledges that pertain to us by the Laws of our Nation.

And hereunto so universal and unanimous is our Concur­rence, that it would be endless for us to subscribe our Names (which neither this, nor any such papers could contain) but yet if any doubt or mistrust of the truth of the matter hereby declared should be conceived or pretended by any, and the Members of Parliament now (whom we conceive it doth in a special manner concern) shall desire a visible Testimony here­unto, for their further satisfaction and more full assurance of the truth and realty hereof, we shall be ready upon the least inti­mation thereof by them given us, in the several Cities and Counties of the Land, to own and subscribe to what is hereby declared, and act accordingly.

For some proof of the premises, We the Inhabitants of the City and Liberty of Westminster, capable of the choice of two Burgesses to serve in Parliament, have to this present Delara­tion subscribed our hands, and so much the rather that we might hereby take occasion to signifie to the whole Nation our cordial concurrence with the Common Councel of London, in what was done by that Honourable Court, in the behalf of the City of London in their Declaration of 20. Decemb. for a Free Parliament.

WE the Knights, Gentlemen, Ministers, Free-holders, and Inhabitants of the County of Leicester, humbly conceiving, that the first Force put upon the Parlia­ment, hath been an encouragement and occasion to all the rest: And finding that your Excellency (under God) hath been the principal means, for repairing the last interruption, are the more encouraged to desire your assistance, in the promoting of these our just desires as a visible means of an happy Peace and Settle­ment of these Nations. And whereas every free-born person of England is supposed to be present in Parliament, by the Knights and Burgesses of the place where he liveth, and thereby is pre­sumed to give his consent in all things that pass in Parliament; There is not (as we are credibly informed) one Knight for all the Counties in Wales, nor for divers Counties in England, and some of them the greatest in England, as that of Yorkshire. We therefore desire, that all vacant places be supplied, whether [Page 25] they became vacant by death, or judgment of Parliament: And that those that were secluded by force in the year 1648. may sit again. And that no previous Oath or Engagement be put upon any, that is chosen by his Countrey to sit and vote freely in Parliament.

That the fundamental Laws of England, the Priviledges of Parliament, the Liberties of the People, and the Property of Goods, may be asserted and defended, according to the first Declaration of Parliament, when they undertook the War; and no Taxes or Free-quarter imposed upon any, without Au­thority of Parliament.

That the true Protestant Religion may be professed and de­fended, all Heresies, Sects and Schisms discountenanced and suppressed; a lawfull succession of Godly and able Ministers continued and encouraged; and the two Universities, and all Colledges in both of them, preserved and countenan­ced.

That a fitting and speedy course be taken, for the paying and discharging the Arrears of such Officers and Soldiers as submit to Authority of Parliament, and that they may be spee­dily reduced to a lesser number, for the easing of the great Taxes and Burthens of these Nations.

WE the Gentlemen, Ministers, and Free-holders of the County of Northampton, humbly conceiving, that the first force put upon the Parliament hath been an en­couragement to open the way to all the rest; and finding that your Excellency under God hath been the principal means for the repairing of the last Interruption, are the more encouraged, and (having the conveniency of your presence now amongst us) to desire your assistance in the procuring these our just desires, as the visible means of a happy Peace and Settlement of these Nations.

1. That whereas every free-born Subject of England is sup­posed to be present in Parliament by the Knights and Burgesses of the place where he liveth, and thereby is presumed to con­sent to all things that passe in Parliament: So it is now, that there is not one Knight for all the Counties in Wales, nor for divers Counties in England, and some of them the largest in England, as that of Yorkeshire.

2. That no free-born Subject of England may have any Taxes levied upon him, without his consent in Parliament.

[Page 27]3. To that end, That all vacant places may be supplied, whe­ther they became vacant by Death or Seclusion; and that those that were secluded by force in the year 1648 may sit again; and that no previous Oath or Engagement may be put upon any that is chosen by his Countrey to sit and vote freely in Parlia­ment.

4. That the fundamental Lawes of England, the Priviledges of Parliament, the Liberty of the Subject, and the Property of Goods, may be asserted and defended, according to the first Declarations of the Parliament, when they undertook the War.

5. That the true Protestant Religion may be professed and defended, all Heresies, Sects and Schisms discountenanced and suppressed, a lawfull succession of Godly and able Ministers continued and incouraged, and the two Universities, and all Colledges in both of them, may be preserved and counte­nanced.

6. That all the Soldiery that will acquiesce in the Judgment of a free and full Parliament, in the promoting and setling a happy Peace upon those foundations, may have their Arrears paid, and as many of them as the Parliament shall think neces­sary, may be continued in the publick service; and that as many of them as have been Purchasers of Lands from the Par­liament, may either enjoy their Bargains, or their Money paid back with Interest, and some considerable advantage over and above, for their satisfactions, as the Parliament shall judge ex­pedient for the publick good of the Nation.

THat with all possible Gratitude we admire the wise and gracious dispensation of things by Almighty God, who hath moved your self, and other the worthy Officers with you to such just and honorable Resolutions, as to put your selves into the breach then, when Tyranny, Irreligion, and all Confusion, like a mighty Flood were ready to break in upon us. An occasion in which, whether the noblenesse of the Attempts, or the Happinesse of the Successe were more considerable, after times will take pleasure to discourse: and we at present con­gratulate these your Sentiments of Honour and Conscience. Sir, Our credit abroad is impaired, our Trade at home is de­cayed, our Fundamental Laws are violated, our primitive A­postolick Religion endangered: The cause of all which we hum­bly conceive is the force and violence put upon the Parliament in the year 1648. and since to obviate all which evils we request the total removal of that force, and that all surviving Members so secluded, be restored to the discharge of their Trust Vacan­cies be supplied by free Elections according to Law, that no previous Oaths or Engagements be put upon any of them that shall be chosen to sit and Vote in Parliament. Sir, this is our [Page 29] desire, and as we observe 'tis the voice of the whole People, and that is the voice of God; we doubt not but that you have been reserved for such a time as this: in pursuance of which we are ready to hazard our Lives and Estates.

BEing deeply affected, and most sadly sensible of the pre­sent Miseries, which both our selves and the whole Na­tion lie under: We cannot be altogether silent in the expressions of our Griefs, and Declaration of our Desires and Thoughts of the most probable means (by Gods assistance) to give some remedy to our present Sufferings, and prevention of our yet greater Calamities, which threaten our speedy ruine: The cause of all proceeding (as we conceive) is from that un­happy Disorder in that great Wheel of Government. And that after all our great Sufferings and Trials, the vast expence of Treasure and Blood for our Rights, Liberties, and Priviledges of Parliament, (which we take to be the Good old Cause) such persons in whom we have already lodged our Trusts, and who have sufficiently manifested their endeavours to perform the same, namely, Nathaniel Stephens, Esq Sir John Seymore, Kt. Edward Steephens, Esq John Steephens, Esq and the Right Ho­norable Thomas Lord Fairfax, have been since December 1648. and still are denied the freedom of sitting, and voting in Par­liament.

The Restauration of which Members we desire with all free­dom to their former Capacities.

[Page 30]And Declare we shall not otherwise consent to pay Tax, or other Impositions, or hold our selves bound by any Law to be made, without a Restitution of these our Representatives, with a supply of all Vacancies, by a free Election, according to the Fundamental Laws and Constitutions of this Nation, it being the undoubted birth-right of all the Free-born people of Eng­land, that no Tax or other Imposition be exacted from them, or any new Law imposed upon them, but by their consents had by their Representatives, in a full and free Parliament.

And we further declare our hearty desires, for the burying all former Animosities and Differences, by a full and general Act of Oblivion and Indempnity, with satisfaction to be given to Purchasers, under any Act of Sale; as by Parliament shall be thought fit.

And that no Officer or Soldier, that hath ventured his life for the freedom of his Countrey, and shall continue faithfull to those Principles, may hereby receive any Discouragement.

We also declare, That we shall freely and willingly consent, that all such shall receive their Arrears, and be continued so long as the Parliament shall think fit, in order to the safety and preservation of the Nation, and that such liberty be allow­ed to tender Consciences, as is not opposite to the Scriptures, or the established Laws of this Nation.

We also Declare, That in pursuance of these our just Desires, we shall not be wanting to the uttermost of our powers, to en­gage our selves by all lawful ways and means, with our Fel­low Brethren, in the just Vindication of our Liberties, and shall neither count our Lives or Fortunes too dear to hazard for the Redemption thereof, and herein we shall not doubt the ready Concurrence of all those in the three Nations, whose Peace, Prosperity and Safety is equally concerned with ours.

This Declaration being subscribed by great numbers of considerable persons of that County, was to have been presented to the Speaker by some of them; but considering how Sir Robert Pye, and Major Fin­chers handsome behaviour was unhandsomly re­warded [Page 31] with imprisonment, for a particular of the same nature, it was thought more proper to preserve the liberty of Personages of so much worth til a bet­ter opportunity, and therefore it is thought fit thus to communicate this, for the vindication of this County and satisfaction of the whole Nation.

WE do claim and avow it to be our undoubted Birth­right and Liberty, That no new Laws, much lesse any new Government, can or ought to be imposed upon us; nor any Taxes, Contributions, or Free-quarter ta­ken of us without [...]he consent of the People of this Nation in a Free-Parliament Assembled; which Liberties have been often confirmed to us by the great Charter, the Petition of Right, and many other Statutes: And Parliaments being the only Bulwarks and Defence of our Liberties, as men and Christians ought to be, freely elected, and to sit and Vote without inter­ruption or opposition by any persons whatsoever: The Privi­ledges whereof we are all bound to maintain and defend, and to assist and maintain each other in the defence thereof. And therefore we resolve, according to our bounden duty, to joyn with the Lord Mayor and Common-Councel of the City of Lon­don, and all other Counties in England in pursuance thereof. And we do not doubt but all true hearted English men who love their own Liberties, and are not willing to be made slaves, or to enslave their Brethren, will joyn with us herein.

PLease you to accept this Paper as a testimony, that we are highly and gratefully sensible of those breathings and Essayes towards peace, which your renowned City hath lately declared to the World: As we earnestly wish, that our serious and unanimous concurrence may ripen them to a perfect Accomplishment. We are willing to consider it as an Omen of Mercy, when we observe the Nation in general, lift­ing up its Vows to Heaven for a free and full Parliament; 'tis that alone in its genuine sense which our Laws prescribe and present to us, as the great Patron and Guardian of our Persons, Liberties, and Properties, and whatsoever else is justly pre­cious to us. And if God shall by your hand, lead us to such an obtainment, after-Ages shall blesse your memory. 'Tis super­fluous to spread before you, your Merchandise decay'd, your Trade declin'd, your Estates wither'd. Are there not many within your Walls, or near them, that in your ears deplore such miseries as ehese? Your Lordship may believe, that our prayers and persons shall gladly promote all lawfull means for our Re­covery. And we entreat, that this cheerful suffrage of ours may be annex'd as a Label to your Honorable intendments.

WE the Gentry of the County of Norfolke, and County and City of Norwich, being deeply affected with the sense of our sad Distractions and Divisions, both in Church and State, and wearied with the miseries of an unnatu­ral Civil War, the too Frequent Interruptions of Government, the Imposition of several heavy Taxes, and the loud Out-cries of multitudes of undone, and almost Famished people, occasio­ned by the general decay of Trade, which hath spread it self throughout the whole Nation, and these Counties in particular; and having met together, and consulted what may best re­medy, and remove our, and the Nations present Grievances and Distractions, Do humbly conceive, that the chief Expedi­ent will be, the recalling of those Members that were secluded in 1648, and sate before the Force put upon the Parliament, (We of the County of Norfolk) being by such Seclusion, de­prived of any Person to represent us in Parliament) and also by filling up the Vacant places thereof, and all to be admitted without any Oath or Engagement, previous to their Entrance; which being done, We shall be ready to acquiesce, and submit in all things, to the Judgement and Authority of Parliament, without which Authority, the People of England cannot be obliged to pay any Taxes.

[Page 34] This Declaration, subscribed by three hundred Gentlemen, was de­livered to the Honourable Will. Lenthall, Speaker of the Parlia­ment, on Saturday the 28. of Jan. 1659. By the Lord Richardson, Sir John Hobart, and Sir Horatio Tounsend, Baronets.

HAving taken notice of some vigorous inclinations of your Lordship and the City, towards the asserting your common Freedomes as English men, too much of late violated, and be­ing now also our selves constrained, from a like sense, to ma­nifest our Resolutions to the same effect, in a Declaration sent to General Monke, whereof the Inclosed is a Copy; We have thought good to give your Lordship an account of our inten­tions, as that to which we are most firmly resolved to adhere, wishing it may effect the end by our selves, and (as we are per­swaded) by your Lordship, and all good people of that City in­tended. We remain,

WE the Gentry, Ministers, and Free-holders of the County and City of Lincolne, being truly sensible of our Miseries and Grievances, namely the sad con­sequents of Intestine War, the fear of Invasion from abroad, at this time of our Distractions and Divisions both in Church and State, the violent alteration of Government, the heavy impo­sition of unheard of Taxes; All which of late years hath ruined our Trade, and impoverished the whole Nation, and are all occasioned by reason of the many Violences and Breaches made upon our known established Laws and fundamental Li­berties, Do therefore humbly propose and declare (having first met and consulted, as other Countries have done) that the onely remedy for our said Grievances, will be for a Free, Full Parliament, speedily to be called and assembled, to sit accord­ing to our said known established Laws, wherein the Free Votes of all Free People of this Nation might be included, since that such onely have a legal capacity to enact Laws and Statutes that may equally binde all the Free people of this Nation; And therefore if any persons (how ever impowred) not having the Authority of such a Parliament, shall take upon them to lay im­positions upon the Free people of this Commonwealth, or to prescribe or enjoyn any Limitations, Restrictions, or Quallifi­cations whatsoever, not formerly agreed upon in full Parlia­ment. We do declare our selves not obliged thereto, as being destructive to the freedome and undoubted Priviledges of Par­liament.

WHereas it hath been seemingly by the insinuatious of some few of us, cast on our whole Company, that we would lay our shoulders, and stretch out our helping hands, for the upholding of something, which to our selves is both unknown and uncertain, and may likewise in probability be a cause of disturbance, if not breaking the peace of the Na­tion: We, to manifest Our innocency in the one particular, and vindicate our selves from the scandal thereof, as also to shew our real and hearty concordance with all other, Noblemen, Gentlemen, Citizens and others, of the several Counties of Eng­land, whose Declarations are exposed to the publick view, doe cordially, unanimously, and freely declare.

That the List annexed of our names to a Petition pretended by our consent to be presented to the Members sitting at Westmin­ster, is not at all by us owned, neither doe we know any other Authors or Abettors thereof, than some few here under-mention­ed our names in truth being gained by Colonol Whitton, under the pretence to put down Hackny Coachmen; but by him con­verted to another use, and that so contrary to our thoughts and intentions, that we would sooner have quitted our near­est [Page 42] relations, than have consented to such ebulliences. For the undeceiving therefore of the Gentry of this Nation, to whom many, yea, most of us are obliged, and consequently not un­known; for the rectifying the judgments of such as know us not, and for the satisfaction of the whole Free-born Subjects of England who with us claim a birth-right in Magna Charta, and the Petition of Right, we doe further, with one Consent, de­clare.

That we conceive it fitting, for the redressing the grievous wants and pressures that lie upon all the good people of this Nation, that according to Fundamental Right, the People in Parliament may have their Representatives, who may receive their grievances, and present them in their behalf, whereby to obtain a remedy.

And because Faction and Schism hath already too great a root, that honest and prudential men may be Elected, whose Estates (as to Temporals) and Religion (as to Spirituals) may ob­lige them sincerely to endeavour a Settlement both in Church and State.

The onely meanes for attaining of which ends, we conceive by the blessing of God, to be a full and free Parliament, which as we know the Nation groans for, so we cordially desire, and we shall not acquiesce, till we have regained that our undoubted Right, hitherto unquestioned Priviledge, and never to be de­nied Lawful Demand. In the defence whereof we shall ac­count nothing too dear to lose, being ready to quit not one­ly our Employments, but to lay aside our relations, and lay our lives at stake.

This Representation is owned by Ten Thousand of us (which if desired) shall be acknowledged both with our hands and hearts, against all the malicious underminings of Col. Whitton the Painter, and his Decoys: Who upon the tendring that for­ged Petition to the Watermens Hall, being conscious that the rankness of the Trepan would be presently sented, addrest them­selves to Mr. Pryn, to en their Protest against it, their names are hereunto annexed.

WE the Noblemen, Knights, Gentlemen, Clergy­men, Freeholders, Citizens, Burgesses and Commons of the late Eastern, Southern, and Western Associations of England, whose names are hereunto subscribed, having for a long season with bleeding hearts, perplexed spirits, weeping eyes, and over-much patience and silence, beheld the miserable publick Distractions, intollerable Oppressions, various Revolu­tions, great Tumults, and destructive Confusions, wherewith our former most glorious, flourishing Churches and Nations [Page 44] (for want of a setled Government, and Free Parliament) have many years by-past been violently rent in pieces, wasted, con­sumed, made the very hissing, scorn, laughing-stock of all Neighbour Countries, whether Friends or Foes, Christians or Infidels; and thereby exposed to the justly dreaded hostile In­vasions of combined forraign Romish Adversaries, whose Emis­saries have been very active, instrumental in our late Combusti­ons and Changes; being now deeply sensible of the deplora­ble, desperate condition and imminent ruine, not onely of our own Persons, Families, Posterities, but of our dearest, exhau­sted, enthralled, dying Native Country, and Protestant Religi­on too, far dearer to us than our Lives or private Interests, the preservation whereof is the Supreamest Law; and calling to our minds the first publick ends and causes for which we took up arms (since totally perverted, subverted, oppugned by ambiti­ous, self-advancing Commanders, Officers of the Army, and others contrary to their Trusts and Commissions) with the ma­nifold Oaths, Protestations, Vowes, Solemn League and Cove­nant, and other Sacred as well as Civil Obligations lying upon our Consciences, engaging us all in our several places and cal­lings in this day of Englands trouble, and extream danger, to put our helping hands and best advice to obviate those Perils, and remove those Disorders, Grievances, Confusions, which me­nace utter desolation both to her and us, if we should any lon­ger fit stupidly silent, or unactive in our spheres, like persons altogether uninterested or unconcerned in these perillous times of unprefidented exorbitancies, usurpations, tyrannies over our Persns, Estates, Lawes, Liberties, and Parliaments them­selves, by ambitious, turbulent Self-seekers and Incendiaries, and of universal decay of trade by Sea and Land; Have there­upon conceived it our necessary bounden duties in this sad po­sture of our Sacred and Civil Concernments both as Christians and English Freemen, by this our joynt REMONSTRANCE to tender to the rest of our English Brethren throughout the whole Nation, of what rank, calling, or condition soever; such just, legal, safe, rational, honest and Christian Proposals, as through Gods blessing upon our and their unanimous, vigo­rous prosecution of them against all self-ended Opponents, [Page 45] may redeem us from our present Bondage, Dangers, Schisms, Confusions, frequent Rotations of publick Government, and restore our tottering Church, State, Kingdoms, Religion, to their pristine Unity, Tranquillity, Purity, Stability, Dignity, Feli­city, and secure them against all future Concussions and Con­vulsions.

For which end we all passionately desire, and shall unani­mously and cordially endeavour by all lawful meanes within our Orbs,

1. That a legal, full and free Parliament of England may be speedily summoned, according to the prescription of 16 Caroli, c. 1. enacted for this purpose, not hitherto put in execution; and that free Elections of able Knights, Citizens and Burgesses, by and of all well-affected persons to Peace, and the old Par­liaments good Cause, to represent them therein, may be no wayes disturbed, nor restrained by force of Armes or other­wise.

2. That the said Parliament may safely, freely meet at West­minster on the third Monday in January next, to consult of, vote, and settle the Peace, Government of our distracted Chur­ches and Nations, without the interruption, disturbance, force or dissolution of any Commanders, Officers or Souldiers of the Army, or other tumultuous persons whatsoever, under pain of being declared, prosecuted, executed as Traitors and Enemies to the Publique.

3. That the full power of the Militia both by Sea and Land be delivered up to this Parliament, on the first day of their Convention therein, for the better assurance of their free and peaceable Session, and not continued as a distinct body or inte­rest in opposition, contradistinction, or super-inspection, but in real subordination to the Parliament and people.

4. That the whole frame and settlement of the Government of our Nations be entirely referred to the Parliaments unan­ticipated consideration, the proper Judges thereof, without any antecedent restrictions, presciptions, or impositions, by the Ar­my-Officers, or any others.

5. That the Supreme▪ Management of all Civil, Politique, Military Affairs, and appointment of all great Officers of State, [Page 49] and Ministers of Justice, shall be in all the surviving Members of the long Parliament, without secluding any, as in a Ge­neral Council of State and Safety only (who are all desired to meet for that purpose) till the New Free Parliament shall assem­ble, and no longer.

6. That the preservation of the Peace, Government of each County, shall be in the hands of such Sheriffs, Conservators of the Peace, and other antient Officers, as the Free-holders of every County, shall publickly elect in their County-Court, accord­ing to their antient Rights and Liberties; and of every City and Corporation in the Mayors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, and other Of­ficers elected by them, according to their Charters, Customs, and in none other Officers imposed on them, till the Parliament shall take further Order therein.

7. That no Taxes, Contributions, Excises, Imposts, New Cu­stoms, Militiaes, or other Payments whatsoevet, shall be hence­forth imposed, assessed, levied upon, or paid by the people, but by their common grant and consent in free and full Parliament, by Act of Parl. under pain of High Treason in the Imposers, Asses­sors, Collectors, and voluntary payers thereof; this being the peo­ples indubitable Birth right, acknowledged, declared, confirmed by manifold Acts and Declarations old and new.

8. That such an Act of Indempnity may be agreed on and assented to in this Parliament by common consent, as may se­cure and indempnifie all persons, whose future peaceable de­portment till this Act passed shall demerit it.

9. That care may be therein taken for the speedy satisfaction of all just arrears of all Officers and Souldiers, duly listed before the 7. of May last, who shall peaceably and dutifully submit to the free convening and safe sitting of this desired Parliament. That all others who shall tumultuously oppose or interrupt the Summoning, Assembling, or Sitting thereof, shall forfeit all their Commands, Arrears, Indempnity, and incur the penal­ty of Traitors and publick Enemies to the Parliament and Na­tion.

10. That an effectual course may be taken for the setled old maintenance, succession, protection and encouragement of a godly, learned, painful Orthodox Preaching Ministry▪ through­out the three Nations.

[Page 47]11. That due care and order may be taken for the speedy detection, banishment, and execution of the Lawes against all Jesuits, Seminary Priests, Freers, and other Romish Emis­saries, or Seducers whatsoever, employed to divide, corrupt, seduce the people; and the Oath of Abjuration duly tender­ed by Justices of Peace and other Officers, to all persons who shall be accused and justly suspected to be such, for their bet­ter detection.

12. That the causes of the great extraordinary decay of all sorts of Trade, Merchandise, Shipping, Scarcity of Bullion, Coin, with all frauds and abuses in Manufactures, dilatory vex­atious proceedings, extortions in Courts of Law and Equity, may be diligently enquired into, redressed, punished, and the great destruction and waste of Timber in all parts inhibited under se­vere penalties.

13. That all Treasurers, Receivers, Collectors, Farmers of any Monies, Customes, Excises, Rents, Revenues, Taxes, Im­posts, Sequestrations, or other goods, profits whatsoever to the use of the publick, may be speedily called to account in each County, by fitting unaccountable persons appointed for that end, and all their frauds and abuses therein enquired of, and condignly punished.

14. That all good Laws formerly enacted for the preservati­on and defence of the Persons, Lives, Liberties, Properties of the Subjects, against illegal Imprisonments, Banishments, Re­straints, Confinements, corporal punishments, execution by a­ny Person or Persons, Powers, Committees, Council of State, Military, Civil Officers, or Judicatures whatsoever, and against all unjust Taxes, Confiscations, Sequestrations, Rapines, Plun­ders, may be ratified; and the late and future violations of them exemplarily punished.

15. That every person who shall from henceforth Canvas for voices to make himself a Knight, Citizen, Burgess or Baron of the Ports, in the next, or any ensuing Parliament, either by Letters of Recommendation from Great men, feasting the Ele­ctors before, at, or after Elections, Gifts, Bribes, or otherwise, shall upon due proof thereof, be made uncapable to sit or serve in Parliament.

[Page 48]16. That all Members of Parliament, Officers of State, Ju­stices, Sheriffs, Mayors, Recorders, shall henceforth take a Corporal Oath, to the best of their knowledge, skill, power, inviolably to preserve the Fundamental Laws, Liberties, Fran­chises of the Free-men of England, and to give all Lawes for the defence of them in charge to the Grand Jury, in their re­spective Assizes, and General Sessions of the Peace, that they may enquire and present all offences against, and violations of them, to be condignly punished according to Law.

17. That all unnecessary Garrisons, Supernumerary Souldi­ers, and Sea-men, may be speedily paid off, dismantled, dis­banded, and all superfluous Officers, excessive Fees, and extor­tions whatsoever, taken away, for the impoverished peoples ease: and the manifold extortions, abuses of Gaolers, Marshals, Messengers, and other detainers of Prisoners, punished and re­dressed.

18. That Able, Faithful Consciencious, fitting Persons, fear­ing God and hating covetousnesse, may be preferred to all Of­fices, Places of publick Trust, and Administration of Justice; and detur digniori, made the only rule in all Elections and Pre­ferments whatsoever.

19. That all Universities, Colleges, Schools of Learning in our three Nations, with all Lands, Rents, Annuities, Gifts, Revenues, for their support, may be constantly maintained, preserved from rapine, and all mis-imployments, substractions of them, and of any Lands, Rents, Ann uities, Monies, Gifts, Legacies to them, or any other publick or charitable use whatsoever, diligently enquired after and reformed.

All which Proposals we are resolved by Gods gracious assi­stance with unanimity, constancy, and activity, in our several stations, with our lives and fortunes, to prosecute and accom­plish, to our powers, by all just and legal wayes, with what e­ver else may conduce to the Peace, Safety, Unitie, Wealth, Prosperity of our Lacerated, Macerated, Naufragated Church and State; wherein as we shall constantly pray for Gods Di­vine assistance and blessing upon our weak endeavours, without which they will be altogether succeslesse: So we cannot but confidently expect, and shall importunately desire the cordial [Page 49] concurrence, assistance, prayers of all other Noblemen, Knights, Gentlemen, Clergy-men, Free-holders, Citizens, Burgesses, and English Freemen, without the smallest opposition, that fo Righ­teousness and Peace may kiss each other, and glory once more dwell within our Land, wherein they have been strangers over-long: And let all the People (by their joynt subscriptions) say, Amen, Amen,

Amen.

WE the Gentlemen, Free-holders, and Inhabitants of the County of BEDFORD, being truly sensible of the heavy pressures that we lie under, having all our Civil and Religious Rights and Liberties daily inva­ded, cannot in this common day of Calamity, be silent, but with the rest of the Nation, make some enquiry after the way of Peace and Settlement: And having met, and considered, thereof, doe humbly Propose, as the most probable meanes, under God, to compose all our Differences, and cement all our Breaches both in Church and State, the Assembling of a Full and Free PARLIAMENT, without any previous Oaths, or Engagements, or Qualifications whatsoever (saving what was in the year 1648. before the Force put upon the Parliament.) Or the re-admitting of the Secluded Members to the Execution of their Trusts, with a full and free Supply of their Vacancies by Death. And until one of these be done, we do declare, We shall not hold our selves engaged to pay the Taxes imposed upon us, without our Consents so first had in Parliament.

WEre it not that our former too unhappy Zeal (in Idolizing those persons who are now become, by far more oppressing than the Egyptian Task-masters) at this time seconded with silence, would bespeak us stupid and insensible; we needed not to repeat the Sighs and Groans of an Oppressed and almost Ruined Kingdome: But lest a tacit silence should render us complaint with Their Sacrilegious and Regicidious Proceedings, we are necessitated to declare our present Thoughts and future Resolutions. We cannot look up­on our present Rulers without casting an Eye upon a Militant Church, and there we finde them converting a House of Prayer into a Den of Thieves; an Orthodox, Learned and Reverend Clergy, by them reduced to the extremest want, under pretence of pro­pagating the Gospel; and those (who are yet permitted to exer­cise their Ecclesiastical Function) treatned to be deprived of Gods Allowance, except in effect, they will forsake Him, and fall down to their Baal. We cannot look into our Cloathing Towns, but we behold Famine ready to assault them, the poor and diligent Labourer, for want of work, not able to buy him bread, so that those, who before wrought with their hands at home, are now forced to wander abroad, and work with their tongues to beg life, whilst we, who although willing, are hardly able (through the Oppression which lyes upon us) to relieve them: And when we look upon the Instruments of these our [Page 51] Miesries, and consider their Persons and Qualifications, we cannot finde one publick Spirit (not one wise man) among them; Their number is inconsistent with our Laws, and a large part of that small number are reputed Relatives to Gaoles and Brothil-houses: Persons who outwardly profess God, but in their lives and actions utterly deny him, who through their most perfi­dious Treacheries, and reiterated Perjuries, have blasted the honour of our Nation, and rendred our Religion contemptible to all our Enemies; Who (while they pretend to strive for Religion and Liberties of the people) have no other Cause but Cains, thinking their Sins greater than can be forgiven; and therefore per fas, aut nefas, they endeavour to lay a foundation for their own Security, although in the Church and Kingdomes desolation. These Premises considered, we conceive our selves obliged, and therefore readily and unanimously we do declare, That with our Lives and Fortunes we will protect, abet, and assist all tho e worthy Remonstrators of the most Renowned City of London, ansd the several Counties of this Kingdome, in the pursuance of their se­veral Declarations for a Full and Free Parliament; which is the onely means (under God) to bring us out of this miserable Confusion, in which at present we are plunged. And we further declare, That we will pay no Tax, or other Imposition whatsoever, but by Authority from our Representatives in a Full and Free Parlia­ment: Into whose hands we shall commit our Lives and For­tunes, and into whose Results we will ever acquiesce.

Our eyes are up unto our God for Help, and thence our Hopes are fixed on General Monke, that God hath called him forth to be the Ʋmpier and Determiner of our Divisions and Oppressions, by whom he will lead us through the Wilderness of our present Confusion, and bring us to our desired Canaan. In this Confi­dence we pray to God to Bless, Direct, and Keep Him.

WHat the people of this Land have suffered in their greatest Concernments, both Religious and Civil, by the late Disorders, and frequent change of Go­vernment, hath for a long time been the Argument of a gene­ral and sad complaint both to God and Man: What the most publick sense of the Nation is, as to the means of setling it in the possession of its antient and native Liberties, is sufficiently known by the several Declarations of so many Counties al­ready presented and published: What God in great mercy hath done by your Excellencies means, as his chosen Instru­ment, to revive our dying hopes, in plucking us as a brand out of the fire, and that with so gentle a hand, is the wonder and rejoycing of our souls.

In testimony therefore of our thankfulness to God, and our grateful sense of your Excellencies most valiant and wise man­agement of the Power he hath intrusted you with: As also to [Page 53] evidence as Fellow-members our concurrence and sympath, with those other parts of this great Body: We the Nobility Gentry, Ministry and Commonalty of the County of Not­tingham, and of the County of the Town of Nottingham do Declare,

That as it is our Judgement that the Nation ought, so it is our earnest desire, and shall be our endeavour by the use of all lawful means that it may be free in its Members in Parliament, deputed from all parts, impowred by antient and undoubted right to elect, the best Expedient whereto, at present, we con­ceive to be either an admission of the Members secluded in 1648. and a filling up of Vacancies by new Elections, or the speedy calling of another Parliament with such Qualifications as were then agreed on before there as a force upon the House.

We also claim it with the rest of the Nation as our unique­stionable right, That nothing be imposed upon us by way of Tax, or otherwise, but by our consents first given and declared in a Full and Free Parliament.

And now, considering how great things in prosecution of these just ends are already done for us, as we do in most humble manner bless and praise his glorious name that hath thus far answered our desires, so we do most earnestly beseech him to perfect in his due time what is so happily begun, and in order thereto to bless and conduct your Excellency through all the remaining difficulties that may obstruct our present necessary Settlement upon the true lasting foundation of our known Laws and Priviledges.

In the vindication whereof we beseech your Excellency to be confident, not only of our best wishes and thanks, but also of our utmost assistance to the hazard of our lives and fortunes.

SInce the Authority of Parliament became openly violated, and that by their own waged servants of the Army in England, by whom 41. of the Members of Parliament were torn from the Parliament House in Dec. 1648. and imprisoned, and a 160. other Members denied entrance into the House, and about fifty more voluntarily withdrew themselves to avoid vio­lence, making in all of secluded Members about two hundred and fifty, when the remaining Members charged the Army [Page 56] with the guilt of that force, and sent to the then General of the Army for the restitution of those excluded Members which was denied them, how many and manifold have been the mi­series and calamities under which these Nations have laboured, and do stil labour, is evident to all equal minded men. The godly Ministers of the Gospel despised: The Ministry it self villified: Tythes, and other means of their maintenance (particularly in Ireland) taken from them, and mis-applied; the Protestant Religion shaken, and almost overturned; Anabaptists, Quakers, and other Sectaries set up and countenanced; Heresies and Schisms increased; The fundamental Laws of the Land tram­pled upon, and an Arbitrary Government endeavoured to be introduced; The Civil Rights, Properties and Liberties of the people in their persons and estates broken in pieces; Impositions and Taxes on the people without example laid and increased in an excessive manner and measure, whereby thousands of Families have been ruined, and enforced to beg their bread; Manufacture at home discouraged, publick Trade and Commerce abroad interrupted; The Nations become deeply indebted, and generally impoverished; the reformed Protestant Churches abroad exposed to great danger, wanting the wonted support of England, which (under God) was the Bulwark and chief strength of the Protestant Religion throughout all Christen­dome, and finally the English Nation (which was alwayes de­servedly) in so high honour and estimation at home and a­broad, as it was a bridle and terrour to their Enemies, and a countenance and support to their Friends, and Allies, is now become (we tremble and grieve to have so just cause to speak it) a scorn and dersion to all Nations round about us; and all this is brought to pass to satisfie the Avarice, Ambition, Lusts, and fears of a few inconsiderable persons of Anabaptistical and o­ther Fanatique spirits, who have made it their business to oc­casion still one trouble on the neck of another, so to imbroil and continue the Nations in Division, War, and bloody con­fusion, that sober men might not have time or leisure (with maturity of judgement or counsel) to look into the inwards of their designs or actings; And after we had beheld all this with bleeding hearts, and calling to minde that when in December [Page 57] 1648. the said force was put upon the Parliament, the then re­maining Members sent sundry times to the General to know why he imprisoned their Members, and desired him to set them at liberty, which was not done; and we gathering from all this, that if the House were once freed from the force of an Army, and they again restored to Freedome and Liberty of sitting and and acting, they would then upon the firmer grounds (in con­science of their duties to God and their Country, and in te­stimony of their high resentment of that breach of priviledges of the Parliament, have taken into the House those excluded Members, and filled vacant places by due and orderly Elections of the People (and after so many years unhappy interruption unite again in a full and free Parliament, and there assert the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament, and Liberties of the people, which from the very beginning of the War of England have been not the least ground of their contest with the late King, and ever since, and joyn their counsels and endeavours for restoring these Nations to peace and tranquillity.

And thence it was, that on the 14. day of December 1659. se­veral Officers of the Army here, on the behalf of themselves, and those under their Commands, by their joynt Declaration, declared and published their stedfast resolutions to adhere to the Parliament in defence of its Priviledges, and the just Rights and Liberties of the people of these Nations as Men and Chri­stians; In which Declaration afterwards concurred the whole Army of Ireland, but now finding much contrary to our ex­pectations, that when the Members of Parliament now assem­bled at Westminster, were in Decemb. 1659. (by an extraordinary providence) restored to their Freedome and Liberty of sitting and acting as in Parliament; and that divers of those formerly excluded Members of Parliament on the 27. of Decem. 1659. (as they had formerly done in May 1659.) offered themselves to discharge their Trusts for the several Counties and places for which they were Elected, and formerly served those their Fellow-members assembled at Westminster, did not onely deny them admittance, but also voted and ordered the utter ex­clusion of all the excluded Members with this further addition, that none of them should be chosen in future Elections to sit in [Page 58] this Parliament, whereby they have a more unnatural vio­lence taken away from above the one half of the people of England, their Representatives in Parliament, and limited and abridged in a high degree the Liberty and freedome of the people in further Elections, which denial and order of theirs in a time when they were under no force, is so much the more strange, in regard that in December 1648. when they were under a force, they transferred that guilt for themselves to the Army, and pretended a willingness to re-admit those Members if it were in their power, as is formerly mentioned.

And whereas Lieut. Gen. Ludlow had placed in Ireland several Officers who are Anabaptists, and persons of the like fanatique spirits, (many of whom had been very active in the late con­spiracies and actings of the factious part of the Army in Eng­land, even against those Members of Parliament now sitting at Westminster; of which Officers so placed by Lieut. Gen. Ludlow, it was found necessary to purge the Army, and to put in their places persons more soberly minded and well affected to the Parliament; yet after all that done, and after Lieut. Gen. Ludlow stood justly deservedly charged with High Treason, the said Lieut. Gen. Ludlow himself, and some others of the like prin­ciples with him, were by a report from the Councel of State proposed to be appointed to governe not onely the Army, but also the whole Nation of Ireland, to the astonishment of the people and Army here, to the unsetling of those persons so well deserving, to the hazard of the peace of the Nation and Army (and which is above all) to the en­dangering even of Religion it selfe. And here it is observable, that those Members now sitting at Westminster, by their Decla­ration of 23. of January 1659. since their restitution to their present liberty of sitting) have published that extravagant Councels and actions, have engaged the Nations in a great debt and charge, which it seems necessitates their laying a new in­crease of charge on the Nations, and yet so indulgent they are to those persons, that in a high degree created that necessity of so unreasonably charging the people, and whose estates might well bear a great part of that burden, as without so much as any suit made to them by those Delinquents, they granted them in­dempnity [Page 59] for their persons and estates, whereby it seems the said Members now sitting at Westminster, hold it fit, that those who are of sober spirits, and offended not the Parliament, should out of their estates pay for those extravagant mens De­linquency, rather than the Delinquents themselves. And al­though the said Lieut. Gen. Ludlow, and Miles Corbet Esq. together with Col. John Jones, and Col. Mat. Tomlinson, stand impeached from hence most justly of High Treason, and that charge against them, being known to the House, and there re­maing, yet they have admitted two of those persons, namely the said Lieut Gen. Ludlow, and Miles Corbet actually to sit in the said House.

And now the greatness of those miseries which have befaln these three Nations in General, by such late actings in Eng­land, and those heightned with many aggravations in the cir­cumstances of them (too many and too long to be repeated) as it hath begotten in us, and in all good men in the three Nati­ons deep impression of astonishment and horror, so it is evident, that if it be any longer continued, it will perpetually nourish dishonour to God, grief to all god men, and (we doubt and fear) utter infamy and destruction to the three Nations.

In contemplation whereof, and considering how God hath in his justice blasted all attempts that since the year 1648. have been made for re-setling of these Nations in peace and tran­quillity, and that after all the trials and various changes of Government which we have in all that time with much long­suffering and patience endured, there is no way visible to us under Heaven whence deliverance may be probably wrought or expected, but from the care and wisdome of a Free and full Parliament in England, which (by the experience of all former ages hath been found the best and only expedient for providing remedies to be applied to so great and general mischiefs arising in Church or State. And considering also that the marks of the true Reformed Religion according to the Word of God, and of the fundamental Laws of the Land, and of our now dying Liberties and Freedome, are not yet so utterly razed and de­faced, but that some footsteps of them do yet remain, so as (by the wisdome of a full and Free Parliament) they may be [Page 60] again renewed and firmly re-established; and considering like­wise that our hopes of having the said excluded Members re­stored, and of new Elections to be made for vacant places, whereby there might be a full and free Parliament, as there was on Decem. 5. 1648. and the antient and long contested Li­berties of the people might be asserted, are much contrary to our expectations, and contrary to the fundamental Laws of the Land, and indeed contrary to all justice and become fru­strated; and considering further how unjust and unreasonable a thing it is, that of above five hundred Members, whereof the Commons House of Parliament usually consisted, there were but four and forty or thereabouts, when that fatal Vote passed for the keeping out the aforesaid excluded Members by the pre­valency of a major part of the said 44. persons (not much ex­ceeding those who voted then on the contrary side) which as­sumes to it self the Supreme Authority, not onely of England, but also of the three Nations, without president or example of any former age, there being above two hundred and fifty which stand eleven years excluded, without so much as the least offer of an Impeachment against them in all that time; which unexampled and unparallel'd assumption in those men is not possible to continue but by the force of an Army poisoned with Anabaptistical and corrupted principles, to the continual grief and unsupportable burden and charge of the three Nati­ons.

And besides that act of the aforesaid persons chasing away (for so it now appears) about two hundred and fifty Members, of above five hundred chosen by all the several parts of England, according to the known Laws of the Land, to represent the whole Nation in Parliament; and after the forcible exclusion of so many, that the four and forty persons remaining (amongst whom we believe there are some worthy Patriots who are not so fully concurring in the actings of the rest of their number, as violently over-voted them, which is a further aggravation of the others guilt) should dare to usurp to themselves as is for­merly mentioned, contrary to all the Laws, the Supreme power not only of England, but also of Ireland and Scotland, is a thing which none but Conquerors or Tyrants would attempt, and in [Page 61] all circumstances is so hideous and monstrous to be endured by a Free people, formerly famous to all the world for wisdome and valour, as the English Nation have been, as it will be incre­dible to all posterity

And lastly considering, that as in all Ages, and more particu­larly since the beginning of the late horrid Rebellion in Ire­land, our Brethren in England have abundantly manifested a tender and compassionate sense of the condition in Ireland, and were careful to relieve us in our lowest estate, as bone of their bone, and flesh of their flesh; which we do, and shal ever ac­knowledge with humble thankfulnesse, and (as a debt which we well know to be due from us to them above all people in the world) shall be for ever as tender of their happinesse and welfare, as of our own, which indeed is involved in theirs, and without whom Ireland cannot be happy. We therefore remaining constant in the reasons of our said Declaration of Dec. 14. 1659. for adhering to the Parliament in defence of its Priviledges, and the just Rights and Liberties of these Na­tions; all which we see now are apparently more and more vi­olated by the▪ not admission of the said excluded Members, and by not filling the vacant Places, whereby the House might be full; and being freed from force, might uninterrupted­ly Act according to their Judgements and Consciences, to­wards re-setling the peace of these Nations, which otherwise in all humane probability can never be restored to Peace and Tranquillity.

We do therefore declare for a full and free Parliament in England, consisting not only of those that sate on Oct. 11. 1659. but also of all such of the Members of Parliament imprison­ed, excluded, or withdrawn in December 1648. as are yet li­ving, whom we desire may be restored to the freedome and li­berty of sitting, and acting according to the Trust committed to them by the several Counties and places which did chuse them, that so they may be no longer debarred from discharg­ing their said Trust, and that vacant places may be speedily supplied by free and due Elections of the people, yet so as none of the persons to be Admitted or Elected, be any of those who have been in Arms, or otherwise aiding, abetting, or assisting [Page 62] the late King or his Son in the late War against the Parliament, and that the House being so filled, may proceed unanimously to consult the best meanes for re-setling the Peace of the Nati­ons, the re-establishment of true Religion (the surest founda­on, as of all righteous Government, so of all the happinesse of a Nation;) the fundamental Lawes of the Land (whereby all mens rights and properties are preserved) and the liberties and freedom of the people which are supported by those Lawes.

And for those ends, and in discharge of our duty to God, and to our Country, We do resolve, by the blessing of Almigh­ty God) to joyn with our Brethren in England, Ireland, and Scotland, who have or shall joyn with us for the ends aforesaid; and do resolve, for the maintenance and preservation thereof, to hazard our Lives and Estates, and all that is dear to us: And we doubt not but all our Brethren in the said Nations, who disdain to be made Slaves, will joyn with us herein, as being with wisedom and reason desirous to deliver over to their Poste­rity that Liberty and Freedom which was conveyed to them at so dear a rate by our Ancestors. And then we trust, that by the great mercy of God, will speedily follow a happy settle­ment of these yet miserable and distracted Nations; and conse­quently that the true Protestant Religion, in the power and pu­rity thereof, may be established; the Godly, Learned, and Or­thodox Ministers of the Gospel maintained by their Tythes, and other their accustomed rights; their persons supported and countenanced; the Universities and all other Seminaries of Lear­ning cherished; Heresies and Schisms suppressed, needless Im­positions and Taxes on the people removed, and no charge to be laid on any of the Nations, without their own free con­sents, given by their Representatives, in their several and re­spective Parliaments; Manufactures, and Publique Trade and Commerce, at home and abroad advanced; Justice in its due and wonted course administred; the just debts of the Nation satisfied; the Treasure and Revenues thereof preserved, and returned to their right and proper Channels; the Arreares of the Army, and other publique debts duly satisfied; the Armies and Forces continued in due obedience to the Supreme Au­thority, and not presume as some have done, to give Lawes [Page 63] thereunto, which hath been the root of a great part of our mi­series; the Nations enriched, united and strengthened; the Re­formed Protestant Chuches abroad supported and countenan­ced; the honour of the English Nation restored, to the com­fort of Friends, and terror of Enemies; the Plantation of Ire­land in the hands of Adventurers and Souldiers, and other English and Protestants advanced, as a farther accession of ho­nour and greatness to the English Nation: and so by the bles­sing of God, all will shortly terminate in the glory of God, the Peace and Tranquillity of these Nations, the strengthening of them against forreign Invasion, and intestine Rebellion, and the comfort, contentment of all the good People in these Na­tions, Which the Lord of his mercy grant.

WHereas God by many gracious Appearances ha [...]h raised the hearts of this Nation to a great confi­dence, that their tottering condition draws near to an Establishment, by the Re-settlement of their antient, just, and solid Foundations; We doe Declare, That in thankful­ness to our great and good God, we hold our selves bound to look upon, and with humble longings; to wait for the accom­plishment of this great Work, as the largest National blessing we are capable of (being presented to our hope without blood and ruine.) And likewise that we set up Pillars in every of our hearts to the honour of his Excellency the Lord General Monck, who hath not as others, either feared or affected the Tyrannical greatness of our Oppressors; but as he undertook the Redemption of his Countrey with singular Resolution, and hath carried it on hitherto with unparallel'd prudence, so we doe not in the least doubt, but that by the good hand of God he will perfect it with shining and glorious sincerity.

And because we finde (as we hope) the last Engine of the Enemies of our Peace now set on work for the embroiling of the spirits of the well-meaning people of England, by suggest­ing an unchristian inclination remaining in us, of waiting op­portunities of Revenge: We do here in the sight of God, and [Page 65] to all the world, disown and abhor all Animosity and Revenge­ful remembrance of Sides and Parties in the late War: And do promise and resolve to co-operate within our Sphere to­wards the publique Settlement, with such faithfulness and con­stancy, as neither to occasion or entertain the least jealousie up­on the account of any past difference whatsoever, fully resol­ving to submit to the Determinations of the Parliament both in Ecclesiastical and Civil Affairs, which we hope will remove all occasion of Jealousie and Distinction for the future.

OUr Nation, which long since hath lost the Lustre and Well-being, now at last-strugleth for the Life and Be­ing thereof. Our many [ temporal] miseries are reduci­ble to two principal Heads.

• 1. Decrease of Trading.
• 2. Increase of Taxes: So that every hour the Burden groweth weightier, and the Back of our Nation weaker to support it.

[Page 67]2. 'Tis sad to see, in Cloathing Countreys, what swarms there are of poor people, the true objects of Charity; if any were as able to give, as they worthy to receive relief: for they would work, and can work, yet cannot work, because there are none to employ them.

3. As for the Sea (which is the Land of Port-Towns) it returneth small benefit; for since Dunkirk was ours (more to the credit than benefit of our Nation) the fire of Sea­robberies is removed out of the Chimney, and scatter­ed about the House, not lesse destructive, but more diffu­sive: So that our Merchants could better guard them­selves against that Single Staple of Pirates, than many lesser ones sprung since every where, the cause why rich men will not (as poor cannot) adventure.

4. Our second misery is, increase, yea, superfetation of Taxes, so long as so numerous an Army is maintained: For though some of their Souldiers will preach gratis (conscientious to take nothing for that which they know is worth nothing) yet none will fight at so cheap a rate.

5. Some will say, that what the Souldier receiveth with one hand, he returneth with another, expending his pay in Victuals, Cloaths, &c. whereby Coin, by circulation, is con­tinued in our Country. This I deny; for some Grandees greatned by the Times, have made their Monies over in Banks beyond the Seas, which are put into MORTMAIN, or a Dead hand, whereby no profit accreweth to our Com­monwealth. Others having gotten the Estates of Lords, live after the rate Yoomen, whose discretion therein is to be commended, for proportioning their expences (for fear of afterclaps) rather according to their original, than present condition.

6. The increase of Taxes must inevitably cause the ruine of our Nation: For though still there be wealthy men left [Page 68] (as they shew it in their cowardise, and fear to engage for the general good) yet they grow thinner every day whilst such as are left no root of their own, rather than they will wither will turn Suckers on the Stock of others. So that the greatest happiness rich men can promise to themselves, is only to be last devoured, though the comfort of the lateness will not countervail the sadness for the certainty of their destruction. Indeed it is miraculous that our Nation hath subsisted so long, and few there are that would believe that the whole Candle of our English wealth could last so long, as we have beheld it burning in the Socket, but now giving the last blaze, if God be not merciful, and men discreet to prevent it.

7. Pass we from the sad Malady, to the sole Remedy thereof, I say sole, not exclusively of divine miraculous power, but according to humane apprehension, this is a Free and full Parliament. Indeed Free-Parliament is a Tau­tology, like a Reasonable-man, who, if not reasonable, is no man; as the other, if not free, no Parliament. But the late frequent forces put on Parliaments hath made the needless Epethite become necessary, to express what kinde of Parlia­ments we desire. Not such in which every word must be spoken under correction of the Sword, but wherein every Member, without fear of violence (to interrupt or dissolve them) may follow the dictates of their own judge­ment.

8. Nor ought a Parliament onely bee free from Force, but also from any Abjurations, or previous Engagements. Let them take heed of renouncing any thing, save what is simply sinful in it self, as the forsaking of the World, Flesh, and Devil, as was solemnly promised for them in their Baptism. But it is bad to bee busie with other Ab-renuncia­tions, especially of the Royal Family.

[Page 69]9. Look backward, and we may say with David, The Vows of the Lord are upon us; I mean on so many of us as are of fifty years of age. The Oath of Supremacy (not to mention the Covenant) is the eldest Brother, to whom the inheritance of our Consciences do belong.

10. Look forwards, it limiteth Gods Providence, which is an hainous offence; wee know not what a day, month, year, &c. may bring forth. This Age hath the least reason of any to meddle with the edge-tools of such Oathes which in a short (but strict) time hath seen so many strange things, that now nothing is strange unto us. Have wee not seen O. Cromwell from a private Gentleman gradatim ascend to bee Protector of three Nations, and by his Cou­rage and Wisdome rather than any right) a more abso­lute Power possessed by, and larger Tribute paid unto him than to any King in England. His Son and Successour (counted bad by many for his goodness and milde spirit) for eighth months was congratulated by the most con­siderable Persons of our Nation. Now if some twenty years since an Oath had been tendred unto us to abjure the Fa­mily of Cromwels from ever having the Supream Magistra­ey in our Nation; such an Oath would have seemed safe, but yet it was not lawful to take it, because none knew what was in the Womb of Teeming Time, though utterly im­probable to our belief.

11. Besides, the Imposers of this Oath may miss the mark they propound to themselves, viz. assurance of their own, and discovery of the opposite Party; for many now pass not for the taking or breaking of any Oath, and assurance of such is hard in keeping, and indeed not worth the having. Other will behold the Oath as temporary, and expiring with the power of the Imposers. As for the conscientious indeed, Esfusing it out of pure principles of piety, it is a barbarous act for persons in power, to turn [Page 70] Executioners to strangle tender Consciences, whose cordial fear of an Oath should be encouraged.

12. As the Parliament must be free, no Vassal, but enfran­chised from the Sword, so must it bee full, no Cripple, but entire and compleat in all the Members thereof. Our Land hath lately groaned under the most grievous Monopoly as ever was, or can be, when a handful of men have grasped to themselves the representing of a whole (not to say three) Nation, most of them being but Burgesses, who though equal in Votes, are not equal in their Representation with the Knights of the Shires. If they presume that the rest excluded by them (far more considerable for Birth, Estates, Num­ber, Love of the People, and what not?) are vertually included in them, it is an intollerable PRESUMPTION. That what pertaineth to all should be handled by all, is a Truth so clear and strong, that they must offer a Rape to their own Reason that deny it. Such also is this Maxim, Ʋnrepresented, Ʋnconcluded: So that if so few have in them the notion of a Parliament, it is a bare Notion in­deed, especially seeing this handful of men were (say the Cavaliers) dissolved by the death of the King; dissolved (said Cromwell) by his Sword; dissolved (say some Great ones) by an Act of their own (entred into the Journall Book of the Parliament) dissolved must their own Consciences say, by their voluntary accepting of Elections in later Parlia­ments.

13. Now the Members of a Free and full Parliament (the onely Hope of Humane help) ought thus to be quali­fied:

• 1. Let them be Godly, and Well-affected in­deed, and not in the canting language of the Times.
• [Page 71]2. Men of Estates, who will be tender in taxing others, as striking them thorough themselves, whilst such who bear nothing care not how much they burthen others, as if paying were as easie as voting, and Money as free as words.
• 3. Men of spirits, no dull Souls, all the sparks of whose activity are quenched in their own flegm.
• 4. No Gainers by the continnance of the Army. Demetrius the Silver-smith was no fool (what ever else he was) so sticking for the shrine of Diana, by which Craft he got his Gain.
• 5. Men of Moderation, a quality not opposed to Diligence, but to Violence, not unactiving men, but regulating their Activity.

14. This their Moderation must appear in consider­ing all Interests, seeing there be no two Interests in the Nation so contemptible, which if united, and twisting their discontents together, cannot draw trouble on all the rest: Especially the Sectarian (though presented I beleeve by their party, through a multipling Glass) are considerable on a politick score of their numbers and pious account of their conscience; for, though many of them carry the latter in their Purses, who when they finde the moisture of Profit to fail them, will fall off like leaves in Au­tumn; yet can I not be so uncharitable, but to beleeve that many of them (having the heat of their affections above the light of their judgements) follow erroneous Consciences; Besides, having gone loose so long, they must needs swell, if hardly girded on a sudden.

[Page 72]15. This moderation also must be used by all other Per­sons, to work themselves to be (if not pleased) contented with the decisions of a free Parliament. All must sit down Losers save such alone, who can plead, that they have been no Sinners in our Nation. The Grand design must be to have none, or, (if that be impossible) as few as may be, utterly ruined. I confess two hungry meals makes a third a Clutton, and such who have long fasted from their detained Estates, will be not onely greedy but ravenous to recover them. Yea, such will shrewdly plead, that they now expect moderation from them, who never used moderation to them. However, in such a general danger, men must depose their animo­sities, labouring, first, to reconcile their spirits, then, their perswasions, the later being at less distance than the former. And men must divide, where they cannot get the whole, seeing few will pity his starving who will eat no bread at all, because he can recover but half of his own loaf.

16. It will be objected that such a full P. is still but an empty Parliament, having no House of Lords therein: But know, if both hands of a man be bound, no hope of liber­ty from himself; but if one be untied, it may do the bro­therly office to unloose the other: Let us be content to row in a Sculler till we can get a pair of Oars. And such surely is the Ingenuity and publick spiritness of the Peers, that laying aside personal Interest (which upon debate may appear more) they will suspend their Rights, Immunities, and priviledges, and submit all to the determination of a Free Parliament to acquiesce therein.

17. God give our Nation seasonably to understand their own strength, that the Wars begun may be ended amongst our selves before Forreigners become the Arbitrators of our differences, who will demand great wages for little work, yea and turn their owne Paymasters thereof. And may that great General (whose Intentions long have stood in the dark to our Nation, whilst our Nations desires were all the while in [Page 73] light to him, understand that Vox Populi is Vox Dei, and interpret, that God calleth unto him by the Declarations of all Counties, to be chiefly instrumental in asserting our Li­berties, and we shall have cause for ever to bless the day of his Nativity.

18. Indeed had Providence fixed our Nativities under the Duke of Muscovy, whose List is his Subjects Law, we would (because we must) work our selves patiently to the obedience of his power. But seeing God hath given us, with St. Paul, to be free-born, Acts 22. 28. (though al­so, with the Centurion, we have given great summs, not to obtain, but contrive this freedome) let us not tamely lose our Birth-right, and vigorously endeavour their preservation.

19. The Story is well known of the old Woman, who having but a small parcel of Wood, would leasurably roast her Goose▪stick by stick, till her wood was all burnt, and her Goose still raw. If the several Counties singly engage one after another, all will be overthrown, and nothing effected as to our relief. Let the two and fifty Shires of ENGLAND and WALES (with the Ci­ty of LONDON, which eminently is two and fifty more) be all as one, and unanimously advance the Work, and not doe as they dealt with poor CHESHIRE, using it as Joab used Ʋriah, putting him forward on a­ction, then falsly ret, eating from him, and leaving him a prey to his enemies. But I hope our old Shipwracks will be new Sea-marks to us, documented by former nocu­ments, to steer a course for the general good.

20. There is so Englishman so inconsiderable, but he may, at the least in a single capacity, be contributive to the happiness of his Native Country, the Wise with their Brains, the Rich with their Purses, the Learned with their Pens, the Strong with their Persons, all with their Prayers. And if now they suffer this opportunity which God puts into their hands, to slip through their fingers, they may hereafter have more years to bemoan their folly, than minutes to amend their misery; it being better now to say, We will not, than three years hence to say, We cannot pay our Taxes.

UPon a due consideration of the dangerous jea­lousies which are promoted; partly, by the cunning of a close, and malicious Faction of Separatists, and partly, by the unwarranted Liberties of an heady and intemperate sort of People, which falsely tearm them­selves Royallists:—to the great dissettlement of Sober and well-minded persons, and sufficient to blast the hopes we have of returning to our Antient Freedomes, without a more than ordinary appearance of Divine aid, to sup­port, and re-unite us in this our Critical necessity.

We have thought it highly expedient to declare our Seuse, and Resolves, in the particular of adherence to the largest Assurances of Amicable Agreement, and Corres­pondence Imaginable: Looking upon our selves as Obli­ged by an Indispensible Tye of Religious Charity, to com­passionate and forgive one another, as we expect to be for­given: And we do further Declare, that we are so far from justifying those Unchristian Animosities, which reign in di­vers [Page 78] turbulent Spirits, even of our own Party (by Repu­tation at least) that we disclaim any Society with men of those wilde Principles; and that to all honest purposes, we will never put any difference, betwixt such as shall now unite with us, in Order to the Publick Peace, and those who first engaged in the same perswasion with our selves, Submitting all to the Resolves of Parliament, upon whose Determinations we beseech God to bestow his Bene­diction.

WHereas it hath pleased Almighty God, after so many Trialls, and so long Distraction, to raise us to large hopes of Resettlement of this Nation upon Just, Known, and lasting Foundations; Wee there­fore desire from our Hearts to render to God the glory of his Mercies, and a full tribute of Honour to his Excellency the Lord General Monck, who hath been so eminently In­strumental in these beginnings of Deliverance.

And forasmuch as we understand that some malicious and desperate persons (regarding neither the mercies of God, nor the miseries of their Country) have endeavoured to beget a pernicious Jealousie, That those who adhered to the King, do still retain a spirit of Revenge against all that were of a contrary Party: We do therefore declare in the presence of God, that we utterly abhor all Revengeful Thoughts and Actions against any Party or Persons whatsoever. And as we have great reason to wish those Divisions had never been born, so we hope, and will do our utmost they may never be remembred, and shall look on all persons as the worst and [Page 80] Common Enemies of this Nation that shall offer to revive them. In pursuance whereof we further Declare (as his Excellencies Army hath given us a noble Example) that we will thankfully acquisce in the Resolutions of the next en­suing Parliament for a due and just settlement of Church and State.

AFter the miseries of a Civil War, and the many vain and fruitless Attempts toward Settlement up­on several Interests and Imaginary Forms of Go­vernment, It having pleased Almighty God by unexpe­cted and wonderful meanes to give these Nations a Pro­bable hope of being restored to those Lawes and Privi­ledges which have been transmitted to them from their Ancestors.

We doe Declare, That we think our selves obliged, next to Divine Providence to attribute this Glorious Work to his Excellency the Lord General MONCK, who as he had the Courage to assert the Publick Liberty, And the Prudence to carry it on against so many difficulties, has also had the happinesse to lead us thus far through the Wilderness of Confusion, without Passing the Red Sea of Blood.

And because the Enemies of the Publick Peace have en­deavoured to represent those of the KING'S Party as men implacable, and such as would sacrifice the common Good as their private Passions. We doe sincerely profess that we doe reflect upon our past Sufferings from the hand of [Page 82] God, and therefore doe not cherish any violent Thoughts or Inclinations to have been any way Instrumental in them; And if the indiscretion of any Spirited Persons transports them to Expressions contrary to this our Sense, we utterly disclaim them, And desire that the imputation may extend no farther than the folly of the offenders.

And we farther declare, that we intend by our Quiet and Peaceable behaviour to testifie our Submission to the present Power, as it now resides in the Council of State in expectation of the Future Parliament, upon whose Wisedome and Determinations, we trust God will give such a Blessing, as may produce a perfect Settlement both in Church and State.

And as his Excellency hath not chosen the Sandy Founda­tion of Self-concernment, but the firm Rock of National Interest, whereon to frame our Settlement: It is our Hope and Prayer that when the Building comes to be raised, it may not like Rome have its beginning in the Blood of Brethren, nor like Babel be interrupted by the Confusi­on of Tongues. but that we may all speak one Language, and be of one name, That all mention of Parties and Fa­ctions, and all Rancour and Animosities may be thrown in and buried like rubbish under the Foundation.