IN the deepest sence of the sad di­straction of these selfe-consuming Times; too many envying the yet breathing hopes of a future hap­pinesse, thirst to have their hands as well as hearts, tinct with equall Dye of Innocent blood; whose vast and unbounded thoughts mix Policie with Practice, to the advancement of their wicked ends, though through the bowels of a bleeding King­dome; which by the seditious and over-strea­ming violence, with the selfe-honouring aymes of Many; hath lost so much Life-blood, that we lye [Page 2]gasping to the Death; few, or none condoling ou [...] distresse, as if a dead Apoplexie, an universall num­nesse had seized on all our Powers; both Nature and Religion, being turned Antipodes, acting all things in contrarieties; too monstrously evident, though in the subterraneous workings of close Con­spirators, hinged on by Pulpit-Incendiaries; all agitating to a bloody Deluge, and the fatall, finall Tragedy of this once so glorious a Nation: Which to prevent, our dearest Blood should become a loy­all sacrifice, and willingly we would exchange Mor­tality for the Kingdomes peace and Churches pros­perity.

And because there never wanteth Instruments, whose expans't desires second any Designes, be they never so pernicious; having nothing in their eyes but sinister ends, which oft times, reflect upon the Spectators as well as Actors.

Wee doe unfainedly (for our selves) declare to all, whose hearts were never tainted with disloyal­ty, that we never (since the dreadfull fire of this un­civill Civil Warre began to flash astonishment in our Faces) engaged in any Military employment but for the Parliarment, conscientiously adhering to their Cause, and faithfully performing their Commands, with the hazard of our lives, with­out the least desertion, untill our severall Dis­bandings.

And hearing of an Ordinance published for the payment of Arreares due to Officers and Souldiers, [Page 3]were induced thereby (many of us from the remoter parts of this Kingdome) to claime our Right, and equality of Priviledge (according to our severall re­lations) in the said Ordinance: but comming up too late, became incapable of that Benefit, by reason the Moneys extended by that Ordinance were insuf­ficient for the discharge the first List: Whereupon we were enforced (but with unparaleld patience and civility) to multiply our prayers at the Door of that high Court) humbly soliciting for respect unto our growing and prevailing miseries; but our ad­dresses were procastinated as our pressures daily en­creased, by many obstructions and intervals of Par­liamentary proceedings; yet not without some quickning hopes, untill that grand and unheard of piece of Barbarisme so rudely acted by the Appren­tices, to the abolition of authority, and most emi­nent violation of all Legall, Nationall and Parlia­mentall priviledges: In which act, we doe disclaim the least of correspondence, as knowing the end of Mutiny, and the merit of such bold Distactions.

And because the Innocent with Nocent oft share alike in shame and suffering, wee doe further de­clare, That under that generall notion of Refor­madoes, we have undergone no little detriment both in Reputation and Fidelity, occasined by some, we wish had been lesse active: for when the City used many enforcing cals (every Post presenting loud characters of their Intents) coloured over with the specious pretences of a publick Peace, Honour of [Page 4]his Majesty, settlement of Religion, defence of Par­liament, performance of Covenant, and a generall good; each particular of power to involve (we say nor to ensnare) thousands, and engage men (as many of us are) of meerly Military Fortunes; yet even then we lookt (without the least adhering) upon them as the author and actors of sedition, besotted with a happinesse to be miserable, and driving on a way through their owne Bowels to Prosperity: Neither did we side with the least of their resolves (our am­bition being onely with patience to attend our Pay) much lesse enterrain (within our worst of thoughts) any thing that might encourage or embroyle us in a new, but farre more fatall VVarre, oppose the Ar­my (having formerly been subject to the same Com­mand) or be destructive to the power, priviledge and proceedings of Parliament.

Yet were it lawfull for Subjects (as things are swayed) to challenge liberty of speech in a self-vin­dication, we durst appeale unto the meanest judg­ment, that if we had applyed unto the Cities Army (cryed up as onely defensive) it could not therefore render us as guilty, being then, through long atten­dance for our Pay, many of us ready to perish (and yet hopelesse of deserved Reliefe) especially seeing we could make no addresse to the Army, having for­merly sentenc't our departure from the City, as un­capable of that common liberty, and infus'd this jea­lousie into us, as unworthy that satisfactory influ­ence from the Parliament, which our merits may [Page 5]equally and justly claime; but rather reflect upon the first fomentors, who rising in a tempest was so soon calm'd by those base fears that first gave wings and being to their councels.

Therefore out of the integrity of our hearts and candor of our actions, we hope to find a faire con­struction in all truly enobled hearts, and correspon­dence with the most fidelious to the Publick-weale, not doubting but our honourable Masters the Par­iament, whom we have served in greatest dangers, will not dismisse us empty, but set such a character of their love upon us, in the retribution of our dues, as may speak them famous to Posterity, and not only encourage, but engage our best of fortune, even all we are, for the publick good, and their perpetuall preservation.