IT is not unknown unto these Western parts of the world, into what a deplorable condi­tion this Kingdom, together with Scotland, and distressed Ireland, of late yeers have been implunged; and what ease, relaxation, or as yet hope of peace, or reducement of an unhappy peo­ple, into their former safety, enjoyed properties, appeareth not yet so much as any shadow of hope.

From what principles, these bloody and unpa­ralleld differences had their first touch and pro­gress (except our sins) to the general ruin of ma­ny millions, both in person and estate, we know as little as the conclusion of them; neither (were they obvious to our knowledg) are we willing to rip up old sores, or uncharitably to uncover to the [Page 4] publike eye, the weakness (we say not wickedness) of our brethren; only thus, as co-partners of a most agreived Communalty, we are made sensible of our ruin, under the glorious outsides of a pro­mised happiness. We were not unacquainted of those innumerable and incessant revolutions of promises, often engagements, and too many pre­tences, and seemingly real Charracters of affecti­on, both from the Royal and Parliamentary Par­ties: We have not yet forgot the many Remon­strances, Declarations, Exhibitions, with their annext Commands, either to ingage or disingage us, which we have at several times, on al opportunitys, receivd unto a double interest; each tying us (accor­ding to their prevalence) to different respects, & the fatal Tragedy, and mutual destruction of each o­ther: We yet remember thereupon, the setling our selves upon a mixt-confused posture, to a de­fensive War; and how of united friends and neigh­bours (by dispartite affection to each cause) we were divided into enemies. It is yet fresh colou­red in our memories, the bloody issue of the King­dom, especially of these Northern parts; how when all passages of Peace were stopped up, we were enforced to swim through a red Sea, mixed with the blood of our dearest brethren, to repur­chase it. We are not insensible (looking back into our days, & comparing the former with the pre­sent condition of our being) that the burthens (which then we patiently indured) were but mole­hills to the mountanous pressures, which now we [Page 5] are crushed under; Nevertheless, we should ac­count it (though an embittered) happiness to loose our Parents, Children, Friends, Estates, could we but perceive the least beam of Redemp­tion from this miserable thraldom yet arise unto us; but alas! our eyes are even dim with expecta­tion, being as far from hope as we are far from hap­py. We have considered the many Oaths and Protestations tendred to us, approved and accep­ted of us; above all, that Solemn Covenant taken with hands (we say not hearts) lift up to heaven, as the instrument of mercy or misery, a blessing or a curse upon the violation of performance of it; but (to the sadding of our souls) we see the Pil­lars and Foundation of it shaken; and those un­hing'd from their principles, who first gave life and motion to it. This National sin, wil produce a National judgment.

We easily foresee the extirpation of Monarchy, under which we and our progenitors have enjoyed so many calmed years of external Freedom and Tranquility; we see the subversion of our Funda­mental Laws, Customary Immunities and Muni­cipal Priviledges deriv'd to us and our posterity as our proper Birth-rights, (if not prevented) by a mutatitious and tyrannical Equaity level with us, if not inferior to us. We see Religion turn'd out of her garments of needle-work and wrought gold, in­to a linsey-wolsey, stupious and an unclean vesture; painted over with resemblances & meer shadows of truth; precipitating into Anarchy, any thing, every thing that may speak this poor Kingdom the object of [Page 6] shame and pity; and all this (contrary to Cove­nant) countenanced, if not authorized, by that su­perior Power elected only for the establishing of our Peace, confirmation of our Priviledges, re­moval of our grievances, and the dissipating of all those thick fogs of Error, Tyranny, and Divi­sion, which hitherto dictates nothing but our ruin, and overclouds that glory yet deducible to an once flourishing Church and Commonwealth.

These things seriously and sadly debated in our hearts, and weighing our past and present calami­ties with our imminent destruction, impending for the future, not by accident but by evident de­monstration; we are bold to present the insides of souls to all our Brethren and Concomitants in this common misery.

First, That we do wish and ever shal endeavor the honor, safety and preservation of his Majesties person, power and just derived Rights, according to our Oaths and Covenant, without any mental evasions or secret reservations; desiring only to live under his Kingly Government and Protection, and the Government and Protection of his Royal Issue after him, according to the ancient Laws e­stablished in this Kingdom.

Secondly, We shal to our uttermost defend and maintain the power of Parliaments and their law­ful Priviledges, as being the only visible Interpo­ration of the Kingdom, from whom, and from his Majesty, as from the Fountain and pure Channel, may flow th [...]se wholesom Courses of good Laws [Page 7] and Justice, that we his people and our succeeding generations may live in peace all our dayes.

Thirdly, We shal with our best of power op­pose all Arbitrary and Tyrannical Usurpation, Government, or Dominion Military or Politick that may or shal produce alteration, detriment or nullity of any Fundamental Law, legal Act or Acts (yet unrepealed) heretofore confirmed by Autho­rity of King and Parliament.

Fourthly, We shal with our hearts profess, and with the hazard of our dearest blood protect the true and truly received Protestant Religion, in the truth and substance of it, as it hath been imbraced by, and communicated to us and our progenitors; desiring such holy Discipline may be exercised (hauing respect to Decency and Order) as may keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Moreover, seeing as we dayly grow, so we dayly groan under the unsupportable weight of Oppres­sion, Taxes, Free-quarter, (besides murders, ra­pines, robberies, not mentioning the deep exhau­stings during the late time of War, and since, both by the English and Scottish Forces, no part of the Kingdom being so infested) we humbly desire a speedy alleanement and retardation thereof; that yet (if it be possible) we may have bread to sustain the lives of our poor wives and children; many thousands being ready to perish through want, and unable to support themselvs, much less of power to supply the rigid desires and demands of an useless and insaturate Souldiery; else we shal be enforced, [Page 6] [...] [Page 7] [...] [Page 6] [...] [Page 7] [...] [Page 8] through necessity (heaven knows our unwilling­ness) to acquit our selves (by the readiest way) of our any longer tolerable calamities, and pur­chase freedom, though with the Sacrifice of our dearest blood. Nature obliging in the behalf of our selves and ours to exchange a miserable and disconsolate life, for a happy and honourable death. And we doubt not, but that all our faithful fellow Commoners, as wel in the South as Northern parts, being equally sharers with us in our suffer­ings, as joynt Members of one languishing body, wil not only be partakers in our firm resolves, (which no affliction shal cause us to desert) but al­so communicate their assistance; to the re-inthro­ning of his Majesty, the securing and protecting of Parliaments, the Maintenance of the Laws, the Con­firmation of the true Religion, the freedom of our Estates and Liberties from Usurpation, and the re­newing that ancient and sweet Peace (now viola­ted) to the Glory of God, the Honour of his Majesty, and the general rejoycing of all his faith­ful and loyal Subjects.