THat the pressures, miseries, distra­ctions, and troubles of our Na­tion, our tedious and wasting Wars, with the sad effects and consequences thereof, the losse of Trade, Treasure, and Blood, the bitter and lamentable com­plaint of poor widowes and fa­therlesse, especially in our own Countie, and which is most piercing, the sad Omens of future troubles yet im­pending, the returning of the clouds again after the rain; as they call upon us to humble our selves under the Almighty hand of God, so they provoke us humbly to addresse our selves unto your Excellencie, and the Honourable Army under your Command, as the hope­ful instruments (under God) of a seasonable deliverance from our present miseries, and timous restauration (if the Lord will) unto our former felicity, that the oppres­sions, taxations, and vexations of our English Nation (through an Arbitrary and Tyrannicall administration of rulers) were great and manifold before this present [Page 2]Parliament began, was the complaint of all; that a sea­sonable Parliament (our wonted refuge in such cases,) would certainly relieve us, was the hopes of all; that the Protestations, Promises, Engagements, Vows, and Cove­nants, most happy beginnings, and prosperous proceed­ings of this Parliament above all others, would make us a happy and free people, was the beliefe of all; but through the just and righteous judgement of God, and the unjust and unrighteous proceedings of men, even of our own native people, of some by force and violence, of others by fraud and deceipt, our expectations lan­guish, our hopes perish, our estates impair, our treasure wasts, our blood runs out, our liberties are enthral'd, our priviledges threatned, our oppressions multiplied, our task-masters increased, poverty, slavery, and tyran­nie coming upon us like a mighty flood, and our condi­tion every way like to be worse then it was before this Parliament began; in this deplorable estate, we can­not but call to minde, and look back upon those hope­full expectations of a happy deliverance from our for­mer troubles by severall hands, and the unhappy fru­stration thereof from all; we have alwayes observed that the most publike ruine, and particular interests, have been alwayes fomented under the plausible, and specious advantages of publike and common good; we well remember under what pretences of common benefit, Monopolies, Ship-monies, Coat and Conduct-monies, oppressing Courts of Star-Chamber, high Commission, Ceremonies, Altars, Liturgies, and many other oppressions and grievances, in matters both of Church and State were imposed upon us; we cannot forget the primitive zeal, the profest resolution, and most promising beginnings of this present Parliament, in delivering the Nation from these sore and miserable pressures, together with the voluntarie and free Con­tribution of monies, horse, plate, servants, children, yea, and very lives of the wel affected of the Kingdom in the [Page 3]Parliaments assistance unto these ends; together with the severall Protestations, Oaths, Vowes, Covenants, and mutuall Declarations of Parliament and People, to live and die each with other in the mutuall preserva­tion each of other against the common enemy, all ty­rannie and oppression whatsoever, as also the most wonderfull successes, deliverances, and victories, which by the right hand of the most high, have been wrought for us, the many and formidable Parties and Armies of the enemy broken to pieces, their multi-forme, secret, and bloody plots. Councels, Contrivances, and Pro­jects, through the mercie and goodnesse of God, pro­ving abortive and successlesse: but that which is as a sword, piercing through our very souls, is this, That after 7. years labour and travell in fire and blood, the com­mon Enemy fully supprest and vanquished, all his Ar­mies broken in pieces, his strong Holds and Garrisons reduced, we expected to reap in joy what we had sown in tears, yea, in blood, which (our record is on high) was not the lives and estates of our enemies, but that just liberty and freedome of this Nation, which is their naturall, native, and proper right and due, so often, so zealously, so effectually promised unto us by our pre­sent Parliament, who did frequently engage them­selves, that upon our endeavours to assist them in the common cause of the Kingdomes interest, they would make us as happy, and free a people as any Nation un­der the heavens, yet notwithstanding all advantages administred for the performance thereof, not only these promises are not performed, our hopes and ex­pectations frustrated, but the oppressions, taxations, and troubles of the land in generall, are multiplied, the well affected party in speciall is most of all molested, and vexed, the disaffected, viz. Commissioners of Array, & those that have been notorious enemies to the Parli. evidencing the same by their actuall endeavors in Arms against the Parliament, and by their voluntarie assi­stance [Page 4]with monies, horse, plate, &c. admitted for De­puty Lieutenants of the Counties, and so betrusted with the Militia, and into severall Committees, Offi­ces, and places of trust, by means whereof, the well-af­fected party is most of all oppressed, vexed, and grieved in all the parts of the Kingdom, and that in a way of revenge, for assisting the Parliament in the late Wars, common justice obstructed, the cry of the poor, the fa­therlesse, the widow, and oppressed of the land, a­gainst the male-administration of justice and judge­ment, and the complaint of all, as loud, as strong and piercing in the ears of God and men, as in the begin­ning of this present Parliament; the Peace and quiet­nesse of the Kingdom not only unsetled, but new and thick clouds of blood arising from severall parts and Counties of the Kingdom, through that generall distem­per every where abounding, do still threaten more storms of blood and War, even unto our utter ruine and destruction; we have oftentimes addressed our selves in humble Petitions and Representations of our grievances unto the Parliament, where (we confesse) we have had candid receptions from time to time, with many fair, and most acceptable promises of a season­able relief, yea, and sometimes Votes, Orders, Decla­rations, and Ordinances, giving us very great hopes hereunto; but alas (though we forget not the many good things done for us in the beginning of this Parlia­ment) yet of late what have all our indeavors been unto us, but as sowing the wind, and reaping the whirlwind; our labours of this kinde proving unto us not only vanity, but vexation of spirit; for when we have expe­cted the actuall performance of these Parliamentarie Promises, Votes, &c. we have met with contrary Votes; Orders, and Ordinances, destroying those hopes and expectations which were begotten in us by their for­mer expresses; by means whereof, the Parliament of England, the wonted terrour of evil doers, (though [Page 5]ever so great,) the relief of the oppressed, (though evers so mean) and the joy of the whole Kingdom, is ecome the derision of Delinquents, the grief of the innocent, and the complaint of all; In this condition, let not your Excellency be offended, if we humbly re­minde your Excellency, and most Noble Officers and souldiers under your Command, of your most worthy and acceptable Declarations, Proposals, Promises, and Engagements, which you were pleased also to make upon the earnest Solicitations, Petitions, and Com­plaints of the well-affected in severall Counties, for the reliefe of the oppressed, the freedome of the Nation from its grievous pressures, the just satisfaction of all interests, and the settlement of the Peace and quietnesse of the Kingdome; neverthelesse even here also our hopes, raised up by the publick expresses of your Excel­lency, and your Army, have been (if not altogether frustrated) yet abundantly deferred, making our heart sick, and dejecting the spirits of those that did undoubt­edly expect the performance thereof; notwithstanding when we consider,

First, Your endeavors to procure the accomplishment of those things in a Parliamentary way, to the satisfa­ction of all, and stopping the mouth of scandall.

Secondly, That nothing hath yet been done by your Excellency and Army (at least to our knowledge) re­pugnant with, and contrarie unto the aforesaid Promi­ses, Purposes, and Engagements.

Thirdly, That neither your Excellencie, nor Army, have made a prey upon the estates and treasure of the Kingdom, or any part thereof, though many opportu­nities hereunto have been frequently offered, which we may speak without the least suspition of flattery, it be­ing the generall acknowledgement, even of the worst of your enemies; no Officers in your Army that ever we heard of, found guilty so much as of a false muster, to the everlasting honour of your Army.

Fourthly, Your constant love, care, and faithfulness to the Peace and welfare of the Nation; as heretofore, so especially of late, eveidenced by the readinesse, free­nesse and willingnesse of your Excellencie, and your Army, (notwithstanding all discouragements, affronts, reproaches, dishonour, and abuses many wayes offered, and the personall diseases and distemper of your own body) to interpose between the Peace and welfare of the Kingdom, and the malicious enemies thereof, who rose up like a Lion out of the thicket, and like so many Bears robbed of their whelps, making severall insurre­ctions, openly committing murthers, felonies, riots, and treasons in the great City, and in severall parts of the Kingdom, as in the North, in Wales, Essex, and in our own County, which had they not been sup­prest by the blessing of God, through the courage and faithfulnesse of your Excellency, and Army, the City and Kingdom had either been in blood, or (which is as bad) at the cruell mercies of bloody and violent men, whose design was doubtlesse the utter extir­pation of the very life, and power of Religion, and just Liberty from amongst us, and to have made all honest and conscientious men, however distinguished, the objects of their revenge, rage, and furie, the most profane and malignant sort of people being the chief­est agents in these tumults, (unto whom the profession, and much more the practise of godlinesse under any form of Discipline whatsoever is an Abomination) which labour of love the Lord reward seven fold into the bosome of your Excellencie, and Armie; and for e­ver adored and magnified be that wisdome of the only wise God that prevented your disbanding contrary to the wisdome of men, and reserved you for such a season as this was; for we are now fully convinced of that hand of Grace and Mercy which so ordered your con­tinuance in Arms.

The consideration of these things most Noble Sir, hath strengthned our hearts and hands once more in our most humble addresse unto your Excellencie and youe Army, to pray and beseech you upon all the bands of Charity, mercy, and compassion to your owne native Countrey upon all Parliamentary Conjurations, Declarations, Vows, and Covenants, imposed upon you to defend the peoples just Rights and Liberties, upon all your printed and published Declarations, Engagements, promises, & resolutions upon all the Victories, successes and appea­rances of God for you heitherto, in your upright endea­vours for the common good, to assert the Liberties, and just intrest of an oppressed people; your owne Brethren and Countriemen against the Tyranie cruelty, and op­pression of any party or parties whatsoever to sollicet the Parl. (by all just wayes and to lay forth your selves to the utmost of your power in the speedy settlement of this distemper, and afllicted Nation. Give us leave we humbly beseech you, to dictate to your Excellencie: our humble thoughts of the most hopefull and promising meanes hereunto, and that (wee conceive) is the speedy determination, and happy issue of these 4 things.

• 1 The Differences touching the King.
• 2 The Securing the Militia of the Kingdom in faithfull hands.
• 3 A just and prudent framing an act of Oblivion.
• 4 The just satisfaction of all intrests.

FIrst concerning the interest of the King, be pleased to call to minde, your owne exprssieons, printed and published to the world, filling the hearts of the Sollici­tors and perplexed people, with the expectation of your actions accordingly.

In your Declaration and proposals of the 14. of June 1647. tendered to the Parliament, and printed and pub­lished to the world, you have these words. When his Majesty in these things (having proposed several good [Page 8]things for the publike peace and benefit) and what else shall be proposed by the Parliament necesary to secure the rights, and Libertyes of the people; and for setling the Militia and peace of the Kingdome, shal have given his concurrence to put them past dispute, wee shal then desire that the Rights of his Majesty and his posterity, may be con­sidered of, and setled in all things so far as may consist with the Rights and freedome of the Subiect, and with the secu­rity of the same for the future. And in your Declaration of the 2. of August 1647. And to these proposals which we here first tendred, as necessary to a peace, and upon which wee desire a seale of prace in the restitution of his Maje­sty and others to their rights, and in an act of oblivion to be past &c. And in your proposalls of the 1 of August 1647. in the 14 head of those proposals thus. That the things here before proposed being provided for the setling and securing the Rights, Liberties, Peace, and safety of the Kingdom, His Majesties Person, His Queen, and Royall Issue, may be re­stored to a condition of safety, honour, and freedom in this Nation, without deminution to their personall Rights▪ or further limitation to the exercise of the Regall power, there according to the particulars aforegoing.

These several promises and ingagements of yours con­cerning the King, give very great satisfaction to the wel-affected of the Kingdoms, and did put them into great expectations of the speedy performance thereof. We cannot conceive how the peace of the nation can bee set­led, and the differences, distempers, and jealousies of the people composed, untill the differences between the King and people bee (by some just and safe way) deter­mined; for heare the flames of war at first broak out, and the fire (though seemingly quenched) will from hence (except timely prevented) kindle into higher flames of warre and destruction. It cannot be our rationall desire, that the King (or any others) should be advanced to the hurt, prejudice, and vassallage of the people; we know­ing that there is no prerogative or priviledge of King [Page 9]or Parliament, which is inconsistant with the just liberty and welfare of the people; we would therefore much rather chuse an everlasting warre, then everlasting bon­dage and slavery, as conceiving it more sntable to the principles of piety and humanity.

And we humbly pray that the Parliament may be mind­ed by you, that our Covenant (solemnly made, with▪ our hands lifted up to heaven, thereby calling the great God of heaven and earth to witnes for our sincerity, and im­ploying his divine aide for performance) was not made to King or Parliament: but to God the judge of all; And that therefore neither King, nor Parliament, can absolve us from the obligation of it; as therefore we were drawn into this bond at the instance, by the convincing argu­ments and good example of the Parliament: so we hope the Parliament will not commit so great wickednes, as to become Covenant breakers with their God them­selves, much lesse require others, and least of all com­pell them to it, and thereby bring an heavy curse upon the whole Kingdom. Which yet, if they shall do, (and which our gratious God forbid) we (knowing the ter­rours of the Almighty) beseech you to declare (in our behalfe, that we cannot, we dare not, nay we will not joyne, or consent with them therein. Pardon us if again we beseech your Excelencies endeavours in setling the great businesse of the King, by some just and righte­ous way: Let the people know what they shall trust unto and not be thus harrased by perpetuall troubles, and warre, as they are like to be if this businesse be not determined.

And in case his Majesty shal refuse to give satisfaction to these just demands of the people, and so continue the Kingdom in this sad, unsetled raging distemper, so that we cannot enjoy peace and truth in security with him, (whose just rights together with our own we hartily de­sire) then we intreate that the Parliament may be mind­ed, of their most reasonable and equall votes which they have made, and published to the world in print, viz. [Page 10] To setle the Kingdom without him. And our further hopes and desires to your Excelency and honorable Army are, that (untill these things before mentioned shall be ac­complished, one way or other) you will not lay downe Arms, nor cease to use all just endeavours, according to those vowes and ingagements that lye upon you.

And the sence of our own engagements together with your selves hearin, enforce us to declare that we must, and shall stand by you with our lives and fortunes, in the speedy prosecution hereof, as choosing rather to die a thousand deaths, and to hazard the displeasure of all men in the world, then to be found false in the Covenant of our God, and so draw down divine vengeance on us and our posterity. And because the future peace and welfare of the Kingdom cannot be secured, except the Militia thereof be intrusted into safe hands.

In the second place wee humbly request, and beseech your Excelency and Army, to call to mind the second & third heads of the Proposals of your Excelency and Ar­my, of the first of August 1647. concerning the dispo­sing the Militia of the Kingdom both by Sea and Land, & the many particulars hereunto belonging (to long to be here inserted) that the said Militia may not be trusted in the hands of any but those, that have given most palpable evidence of their good affections to the common care, against the common enemy nor declined since in their faithfulnesse, as some most basely have done.

And (that every root of bitternes, wars and divisions may be plucked up) in the third place wee humbly de­sire your Excelency and Army, to take againe into con­sideration the eighth particular of the Declaration, and Representation of your Excelency and Army of the 14. of Iune 1647. in these words, That publick justice being first satisfied, by some examples, of the worst of excepted persons, and other delinquents having past their compositi­ons, some course may be taken by a generall act of oblivion or other waies, whereby the seeds of future warre or fears, [Page 11]either to the prosent age, or posterity, may the better be ta­ken away, by easing the sence of present, and satisfying these fears of future ruin, or undoing to persons or families who may drive men into any desperate wayes for self preservation or remedy, and by taking away the private remembrances, and distinction of persons, as far as may stand with safery to the rights and liberties we haue hithers a fought for.

As also the 16 head of your Excelencies and Ar­mies Proposals of the first of August 1647 in these words That there may be a generall act of oblivion, to extend to all, (except the person: to be continued in exception) to ab­solve from all trespasses, misdemeanours &c. done in pro­secution of the war, and from all trouble or prejudice for or concerning the same, after their compositions past, and to re­store them to all priviledges &c. belonging to other subjects provided as in the fourth Article, under the second generall head afore going concerning security.

In the fourth place (the seeds of future wars being ta­ken away) that all interests may be satisfyed, we desire your Excelency and Army to reconsider, what you were pleased to remonstrate to the Commissioners as St- Al­bans Iune the 23. 1647. to be by them humbly presen­ted to the Parliament; You are pleased to declare for the King and his party (so far as can consist with com­mon right or freedom, and with security of the same for future) in these words, And we do further clearly pro­fesse, we do not se how there can be any peace to this King­dom firm and lasting, without a due consideration of, and pro­vision for the rights quiet and immurity of his Maj sties Royall family, and late partakers, and herein wee think that tender and equitable dealing (as supposing their cases had been ours) and a spirit of Common love and justice dif­fusing it self to the good and preservation of all, will make up the most glorious conquest over our hearts (if God in mer­cy se it good) to make them and the whole people of the land lasting freinds.

As for satisfaction in matters of Religion, you have [Page 12]been pleased to declare, (and we trust in the true and re­al purposes of your hearts) in your Declaration and Re­presentation of the 14. of June 1647. in these words. ‘And whereas it ha [...]h been suggested or suspected, that in our late or present proceedings, our design is to o­verthrow Presbytery, or hinder the settlement there­of, and to have the Independent Government set up, we do clearly disclaim and disavow any such designes; we only desire, that according to the Declarations promising a provision for tender Consciences, there may some effectuall course be taken, according to the intent thereof; and that such who upon conscientious grounds, may differ from the established formes, may not (for that) be debared from the common rights, li­berties or benefits belonging equally to all as men, and members of the Common-wealth, while they live so­berly, honestly, and inoffensively towards others, and peacefully and faithfully towards the State.’

Now may it please your Excellency, and Honourable Army, these things and many others of the like nature, you have been pleased (we trust) to represent and pub­lish to the world, with a true and real intent and pur­pose of heart (and not to serve a present turn) that you might perform, and by all just wayes put the same in ex­ecution, notwithstanding those clamorous objections, re­proaches, and accusations cast upon you by the ignorance of some, and mallice of others, that you should take upon you the ordering of the Parliament, and the Govern­ment of the Kingdom by the power of the Sword, the Parliament it selfe having often taught us, as you well observe in your Declaration of the 14. of June 1647. in these words, ‘the Parliament hath declared it no [...]e­sisting of Magistracy to side with the just principles and law of nature and Nations, being that law upon which (you say to the Parliament) we have assisted you, and that the Souldiery may lawfully hold the hands of the Generall who will turn his Cannon a­gainst [Page 13]his Army on purpose to destroy them; the Sea­men the hands of the Pilot, who wilfully runs the Ship upon a Rock, (as out brethren of▪ Scotland argu­ed who were justified and protected by their own and this Kingdom, when in the first begining of their late differences associated in Covenant for the very same grounds and principles, having no visible forme either of King or Parliament to countenance them.’ For it is not Salus Regis but Regni, that is Suprema Lex. As for Parliaments priviledges, it cannot be presumed that they amount to any thing, directly contrary to the peace and welfarre of the Kingdom, the Parliament it selfe, (much more their priviledges) having their very being as such for the peace and welfarre of the people. Your Excel­lency and honorable Councel of Warre declared in your letter to the Lord Major, and Common Councel of Lon­don June the 25. 1647. ‘That the name of Priviledges must not lie in the ballance with the safety of a King­dome, and the reality of doing justice.’ And in your Re­monstrance of the 23. of June, 1647. ‘We clearly find, (and all men may see it) that Parliament Priviledges, as well as Royall Prerogative, may be perverted and abused, to the destruction of those greater ends, for whose protection and preservation they were admit­ted or intended; to wit, the Rights and Liberties of the People, and safety of the whole, and (in case they be so) the abuse, evill, or danger of them, is no lesse to be contended against, and the remedy thereof no lesse to be endeavoured then the other.’

Wee humbly pray your Excelency and Army that all due waies may be continually imployed to maintaine mutuall amity, love, and correspondency between the Parliament, Cit [...] and Army; but above all that the com­mon interest of the people may be preserved from the vi­olent hands of any, and that your Excelency and Army would improve your utmost wisdom and power in the just and speedy setlement of our common freedom from [Page 14]this perplexed condition in which we are. We desire your Excelency and Army to believe, that we are so far from declining the Parl. in our humble addresses, as that having frequently solicited them in our own persons. so now by your Excelencies implored mediation, we hum­bly pray their consideration of our afflicted condition, & utmost endeavours for a speedy relief herein. Alas Sr. what shall we do? in the begining of these troubles he that did not ingage for King nor Parliament was puni­shed by both (if within the reach of either) he that en­gaged for the one was perplexed by the other, and of late the crosse orders, votes, and ordinances of the Parliament it selfe, have beene such that their most cordiall friends know not where to fix.

We humbly pray your Excelency and Armies serious consideration of the premises, and assistance in this ex­treamity, and the Lord of Hoasts blesse and prosper your Excelency and whole Army, teach your hands to war and your fingers to fights, cover your heads in the day of battle, and at length give you to reape the frute of jeo­parding your lives in the high places, in making you the happy instruments in his hand of setling the unhappy differences of the Nation upon the pillars of peace and truth.