CAlling to minde the former Decla­rations of Parliament, and the grounds therein inviting us to take up Arms, and those many signal Providences, wherein the Lord hath owned you and your Forces both by Sea and Land, in asserting that [Page 2]Righteous Cause, wherein the civil and religi­ous Liberties of the People of these Nations were involved, so as all open opposition was beaten down before you; And likewise weigh­ing with our selves, how in the several late changes in Government, that Publique spirit which appeared in that work, hath since that time been discouraged, and another raised up, drawing back to the same things you had contended a­gainst, even to the hazzarding the essentials of that Cause; We did, upon serious thoughts of heart, think it our duty once more to appear against those backsliding waies; and providence having brought the state of affairs to the condition they were in some few days before your sitting, we found it necessary to assert amongst our selves, some of the fundamentals of our Good old Cause, with some other things conducing to the preservation thereof, with a full and fixed resolution, through the assistance of God, effe­ctually, even to the hazzard of our lives, to en­deavour the recovery and security of the same. And the same good Providence holding forth an opportunity to us, to open unto you a way for the further discharge of your remaining trust in Parliament, we did, by our Declaration of the 6 ^th of this instant May, humbly desire you would be pleased to return to the exercise and dis­charge thereof, as before the 20 ^th of April 1653.

And having, to our great rejoycing, seen your Declaration of the 7 ^th instant, shewing, That you are resolved, through the gracious assistance of Almight God, to apply your selves to the faithful discharge of the trust reposed in you, and to endeavour the settlement of this Common-wealth upon such a foundation, as may assert, establish and secure the Liberties of the people, in reference unto all, both as men and Christians, and that without a single Person, King-ship, or house of Peers, resolving vigorously to endea­vour the carrying on the work of Reformation, so much desired, and so often declared for, to the end there may be a godly and faithful Magistracy and Ministry upheld and maintained in these Nations; which so fully answers what our hearts were drawn forth to desire, that we could not any longer forbear to express our thankfulness, for this door of hope again opened towards the ob­taining a consummation of those things so much breathed after by the good people of this Com­monwealth. And however we finde our selves in some measure prevented by the late Declara­tion and resolves of this Parliament, yet never­theless we have judged it our duty to represent what was chiefly and unanimously upon our hearts, when we engaged in that which made way for your return, which we humbly, as be­comes us, lay before you.

I. That the Liberty of the persons, and Property of the Estates of all the Free people of these Nations be maintained, preserved, and kept inviolable, accord­ing to Law, under the Government of a Free State and Commonwealth, with­out a single Person, King-ship, or House of Peers.

II. That there may be such a just and due regulation of Law, and Courts of Justice and Equity, as that they may be a protection, and not vexatious or oppressive to the people of these Na­tions.

III. That by an Act of Oblivion, all and every person and persons, who have since the Nineteenth of April, 1653, [Page 5]mediately or immediately Advised, Act­ed or Done, or Commanded or Ap­pointed to be Acted or Done, Or by Commmand or Appointment, have Acted or Done any Matter or Thing whatsoever, in reference to the several Changes or Alterations in the Govern­ment of these Nations, since the said Nineteenth of April, 1653, or in order to the publick Service, Peace, or Safe­ty of these Nations, be indempnified and saved harmless to all intents and purposes whatsoever.

IV. That all Laws, Ordinances, Orders, De­clarations, and Establishments made in the several changes and alterations of Government that have been in these Na­tions since the Nineteenth of April a­foresaid, and not as yet particularly Re­pealed, be deemed good in Law until particularly repealed.

V. That such Debts as have been contra­cted for the publique Service and Af­fairs of this Commonwealth, and for the Charges of the Government, since the Twentieth of April, 1653, be care­fully Paid and Satisfied.

VI. That all persons who profess Faith in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ his Eternal Son, the true God, and in the Holy Spirit God co-equal with the Father and the Son, one God blessed for ever, and do acknowledge the Holy Scriptures, of the Old and New Testa­ment to be the revealed or written Word or Will of God, shall not be restrained from their profession, but have due encouragement, and equal pro­tection in the profession of their Faith, and exercise of Religion, whilest they [Page 7]abuse not this Liberty to the civil inju­ry of others, or disturbance of others in their way of Worship: so that this Liberty be not extended to Popery or Prelacy; nor to such as shall practise or hold forth Licentiousness or Profane­ness, under the profession of Religion: And that all Laws, Statutes, Ordi­nances and Clauses in any Laws, Sta­tutes, or Ordinances to the contrary, may be declared null and void.

VII. That a godly, faithfull, and painfull Gospel-preaching Ministry be every where encouraged, countenanced and maintained.

VIII. That the Universities and Schools of Learning be so countenanced and refor­med, as that they may become the Nur­series of Piety and Learning.

IX. That such persons as have at any time since the Twentieth of May 1642, aid­ed, or assisted, or adhered to the late King Charls Stuart, his Son, or any other person or persons whatsoever of that party, against the Parliament or Common-wealth of England, and all other persons whatsoever, that have made use of any Authority or Power, under pretence of Law or otherwise, to deprive or abridge any of the good People of these Nations of their Chri­stian liberty, or have, or shall express themselves in any way Mockers, Scoffers, or Revilers of Godliness, or of the Pro­fessours thereof, or are otherwise scan­dalous, or loose in their Conversations, or have not given good satisfaction of their affection and faithfulness to this Cause, may be speedily removed out of all places of Power or Trusty in the Ma­gistracy [Page 9]or other Management of the Publick Affairs of these Nations; and that no such persons may be admitted unto any such Place of Power, or Trust, for the future.

X. And forasmuch as no godly or other good interest can be preserved or main­tained, unless the persons, who are cheif­ly entrusted with the mannagement and exercise of the Government, be of suit­able spirits to those interests, That those who are or shall be intrusted therein be such Persons as shall be found to be most eminent for Godliness, faith­fulness and constancie, to the Good Cause, and interests of these Nations.

XI. That to the end the Legislative Au­thority of this Commonwealth may not by their long sitting become bur­thensome [Page 10]or inconvenient, there may be effectual provision made for a due succession thereof.

XII. And for the better satisfaction and more firm union of the Forces of this Commonwealth, in this juncture of af­fairs, for preserving and maintaining the principles and other matters thereunto subservient, we do unanimously ac­knowledge and own the Lord Charles Fleetwood, Lieutenant General of the Ar­my, to be Commander in chief of the Land Forces of this Commonwealth.

XIII. That, in order to the establishing and securing the Peace, welfare and freedom of the People of these Nations, for the ends before expressed, the Legislative Power thereof may be in a Representa­tive of the People, Consisting of a House [Page 11]successively chosen by the People, in such way and manner as this Parliament shall judge meet; and of a select Senate, Co-ordinate in power, of able and faith­ful Persons, eminent for godliness, and such as continue adhering to this Cause.

XIV. That the administration of the Exe­cutive Power of Government may be in a Council of State, consisting of a con­venient number of persons qualified in all respects as aforesaid.

XV. That all debts contracted by His late Highness, or his father, since the 15 ^th of December 1653, may be satisfied; and that an honourable Revenue of Ten thou­sand pounds per Annum, with a conveni­ent house, may be setled upon him and his heirs for ever; and Ten thousand pounds per Annum more upon him during [Page 12]life; and upon his honourable Mother, Eight thousand pounds per Annum du­ring her life; To the end a mark of the high esteem this Nation hath of the good service done by his father, our ever renowned General, may remain to po­sterity.

These having been the thoughts and desires of our hearts, unanimously agreed upon before your returning to si [...], and finding the spirits of divers of the honest faithfull People of this Common-wealth, led forth for the same things, and your selves, by your late Declaration and Resolutions in a great measure assisting them, we thought it our duty to the Nations, to You, and to the honest People, humbly to present these; and beg the blessing and presence of the Lord with you in the prosecution and bring­ing forth such a Settlement, as may be for the honour of God, the union, joy, and rejoycing of all the peaceable People of this Common-wealth.

And We shall pray, &c.