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A85018.xml
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<title>A happy handfull, or Green hopes in the blade; in order to a harvest, of the several shires, humbly petitioning, or heartily declaring for peace.</title>
<author>Fuller, Thomas, 1608-1661.</author>
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<title>A happy handfull, or Green hopes in the blade; in order to a harvest, of the several shires, humbly petitioning, or heartily declaring for peace.</title>
<author>Fuller, Thomas, 1608-1661.</author>
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<extent>[4], 83, [1] p. </extent>
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<publisher>printed for John Williams at the sign of the Crown in St. Pauls Church-yard,</publisher>
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<note>Epistle dedicatory signed: John Williams.</note>
<note>A collection of petitions, remonstrances and declarations from various parts of the Kingdom. -- Thomason catalog.</note>
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<term>Great Britain -- History -- Commonwealth and Protectorate, 1649-1660 -- Early works to 1800.</term>
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<p>A Happy Handfull, OR Green Hopes in the <hi>BLADE;</hi> In order to a HARVEST, OF THE Several <hi>SHIRES,</hi> humbly Petitioning, or heartily Declaring for Peace.</p>
<figure>
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<bibl>Pſal. 34. 14.</bibl>
<q>
<l>Seek Peace, and follow after it.</l>
</q>
<p>
<hi>LONDON,</hi> Printed for <hi>John Williams</hi> at the Sign of the Crown in St. <hi>Pauls</hi> Church-yard, 1660.</p>
</div>
<div type="dedication">
<pb facs="tcp:119729:2"/>
<pb facs="tcp:119729:2"/>
<head>TO His Highneſs The Lord General MONCK.</head>
<opener>
<salute>MY LORD,</salute>
</opener>
<p>WHat formerly was in <hi>ſingle Arrows,</hi> is here bound in a Sheaf, I conceive it good that by ſuch conjunction, they might mutually reflect light one on another. Poſterity will probably be pleaſed to look back on ſuch paſſages. Some love to ſee the little coats they then did wear when children. Alas, theſe all were the Eſſayes in the <hi>Infancy</hi> of our Li<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>berty, now grown a ſtripling, God ſend it to be a Man! yet they differ rather in <hi>Sound</hi> than in <hi>Senſe,</hi> variouſly expreſſing the ſame matter. So <hi>many men,</hi> and <hi>but one minde,</hi> is admirable; prompted certainly by the Spirit of unity inditing them. Factious Petitions, gave the beginning, and <hi>Loyal Declarations</hi> muſt give the end to our
<pb facs="tcp:119729:3"/>
Miſeries. But here is the difference, the firſt were made by the <hi>Scum,</hi> theſe by the <hi>Cream</hi> of the Na<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tion. <hi>Aeneas</hi> did beg the Boon of the <hi>Sybil,</hi> that ſhe would not write her Oracles (according to her uſual courſe) in leaves of Trees blown away with every wind.</p>
<p>Theſe <hi>Declarations</hi> formerly were printed in <hi>Leaves</hi> or <hi>ſingle Papers,</hi> which are ſoon loſt, not to ſay, The beſt of Papers ſo printed, are oft con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſigned to the <hi>worſt of uſes.</hi> This is a way to pre<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſerve, and to propagate them. I remember the Verſe of the Poet,</p>
<lg>
<l>
<hi>Singula cum valeant ſunt meliora ſimul,</hi>
</l>
<l>Take each of them aſunder, good as either,</l>
</lg>
<p>Then needs they muſt be beſt, all put together. What (as ſingle Stars) was good, muſt be beſt in a Conſtellation.</p>
<p>
<hi>God happily perfect what is ſo hopefully be<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gun by your Honour, though my voice is too weak to be the Eccho to the ſound of the whole Nation:</hi>
</p>
<closer>
<signed>Your Honours moſt humble Servant,
JOHN WILLIAMS.</signed>
</closer>
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<body>
<div type="letter">
<pb n="1" facs="tcp:119729:3"/>
<head>AN EXPRESS FROM THE KNIGHTS and GENTLEMEN OF CHESHIRE, Now Engaged with Sir George Booth: To the City and Citizens of <hi>London,</hi> and all other Free-men of <hi>England.</hi>
</head>
<opener>
<salute>Worthy Citizens, and all other our Engliſh Free-men and Brethren,</salute>
</opener>
<p>
<seg rend="decorInit">A</seg>S we are <hi>Engliſh-men</hi> we are all incorporated into one Body, and though diſtinct and different Families, Fortunes, and Qualities, yet <hi>fellow Members</hi> and <hi>Coheirs</hi> of one and the ſame <hi>Birth<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>right;</hi> not onely by <hi>nature,</hi> as we are the Sons of men (nature obliging all in one common and equal Bond of Freedom and Unity,) but by certain <hi>ſacred Laws and Cuſtoms</hi> of peculiar and inherent Right to this Nation; <hi>general, equal, and impartial to all,</hi> with<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>out reſpect of perſons, rank, quality, or degree, derived through all ſucceſſions of Ages, by the Blood, Juſtice, and Prudence of our <hi>Fore-fathers</hi> to us their Poſterity, as <hi>ours,</hi> and the <hi>Right</hi> of
<pb n="2" facs="tcp:119729:4"/>
our <hi>Children after us,</hi> not diſ-inheritable: though this Age were wholly made up of Apoſtates and Traytors to Common Juſtice and Freedom, and ſhould make ſale of, and deliver up their Children as ſlaves and Vaſſals, yet <hi>Engliſh Right abideth,</hi> to wit, <hi>our juſt Laws and Liberties,</hi> and may juſtly be re-inforced as op<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>portunity may preſent; <hi>Sometimes they ſleep, but never die,</hi> their <hi>total Extinguiſhment</hi> is not to be imagined, ſo long as any <hi>Engliſh<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>man,</hi> or <hi>Engliſh blood</hi> abideth: and whoever undertaketh (though by Arms or otherwiſe) their recovery and redemption is juſti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fied in that very Action by the Laws of God, of Nations, Nature, Reaſon, and by the Laws of the Land; and within the Bowels of our Nation amongſt our ſelves no War can be juſtified, but upon <hi>that ſcore,</hi> the contrary is Sedition, Murde<gap reason="illegible: blotted" extent="1 letter">
<desc>•</desc>
</gap> Treaſon, Ty<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ranny and what not, and the Inſtruments thereof no other in the Eye of <hi>Engliſh</hi> Freedom and Right, but as Bears, Wolves, and other Beaſts of prey.</p>
<p>Now right worthy and noble Citizens, and all other our <hi>En<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gliſh</hi> Brethren, let us conſider and lay to heart the ſad and de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>plorable condition of our native Countrey: Oppreſſion, Inju<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtice, and Tyranny reigneth; diviſion, diſcord, and diſtimulation fomented and foſtered; Trade and induſtry diſcouraged, our Land rent into Parties and Factions, and the common Band of Unity Cancell'd, our fundamental Laws ſupplanted, High Courts of Juſtice introduced, the blood of War ſh<gap reason="illegible: missing" extent="1 letter">
<desc>•</desc>
</gap>d in times of Peace; Arbitrary and illegal impriſonments, Patents, Mo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nopolies, Exciſe, and other payments brought upon us, and continued contrary to <hi>Magna Charta,</hi> and the Petition of Right; no form or face of Government of <hi>Engliſh Conſtitution</hi> amongſt us; the Name and Athority of the People in Parliament uſur<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ped and abuſed, and the ſtamp thereof put upon ſtrange and prodigious Actions, vexing and oppreſſing the People with dayly Changes and Alterations in government, as the Intereſt of ſome few ambitious Grandees alter and change, or get ad<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vantages one of another, and all under the <hi>Name of a Common<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>wealth,</hi> when as the <hi>Nature</hi> is not practiſed or intended at all, it being utterly inconſiſtent with their very temper and intereſt; they are wrapt up and compounded of nothing but guilt-blood, and Tyranny; and equal and common Juſtice (the eſſence of
<pb n="3" facs="tcp:119729:4"/>
a Common-wealth) are utterly repugnant thereto; and what<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſoever they can do muſt be planted and maintained by Sword and violence againſt the very Heart and Sence of the Nation; and they know not where or how to centre an Oligarchy, or ſomething they would have to be Maſters of the People, and perpetuate their power and Tyranny, and therefore would amaze and confound us with their New Debares of a <hi>Coordinate Power,</hi> or <hi>Senate for Life,</hi> ſuch as our <hi>Engliſh,</hi> Laws and Liber<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ties know not of, and of pernicious conſequence to this Nation; ſo that from theſe men that thus handle the Stern at <hi>Westmin<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſter,</hi> there is no expectation of any juſt ſettlement of Peace, or Freedom from Oppreſſion; eſpecially conſidering the Apoſtacy, Hypocracy, Deceipt, and perjury of thoſe men, their manifold ſolemn Engagements, Oaths, Vows, Proteſtations, Appeals un<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>to Heaven; Promiſes, Remonſtrances, Declarations, all by them broken again and again, never keeping Faith, Truce, or Oath, being unbounded, unlimited, certain to nothing, not to be held either by the Law of God or Man, of Conſcience or Reaſon; <hi>And from ſuch Perſons in Government, Good Lord deliver us,</hi> and all the good People of <hi>England;</hi> and that all this is true of them, your Conſciences (Noble Citizens, and all other the Free-People of <hi>England</hi>) can witneſs, there is no tongue, no pen is able to vindicate them in this point; it is known of all, owned by all, and can be denied by none; how then can any honeſt or juſt man ſhed any blood in their Quarrel, or lend them aſſiſtance? ſurely that blood will be required at their hands, and we doubt not but you will be carefull what you do.</p>
<p>And therefore from thoſe Conſiderations and juſt provoca<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tions, that we have taken up Arms in purſuance of, and Inqui<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſition after our Government, Laws, and Liberties, that every <hi>Engliſh-man</hi> may be protected and ſecured in his Religion, Li<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>berty, and Property; and though it may be ſuggeſted, that we intend to introduce <hi>Proſecution for Conſcience</hi> into the Land a<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gain, we do hereby (in the preſence of Almighty God) proteſt and Declare <hi>against all Coercive power in matters of Religion,</hi> and that to the utmoſt of our ſtrength (through Gods aſſiſtance) we will endeavour, to the hazzard of our Blood and Fortunes, the
<pb n="4" facs="tcp:119729:5"/>
Freedom and Protection of all vertuous and religious People, by what Name ſoever differenced from us, equal with our ſelves: and that no forreign, or other Authority, ſave only the Civil be exerciſed in <hi>England:</hi> That the Practiſe of the Law be reformed; all corrupt Statutes repealed; Annual Elections of all Officers and Magiſtrates, with the conſtant Succeſſion of Parliaments reſtored; our fundamental Laws cleared and aſſer<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ted; and whatever is contrary there to be aboliſhed: That no Trials be admitted in <hi>England</hi> for Life, Limb, Liberty or Eſtate, but by the good old way of <hi>Juries;</hi> and that they be reſtored to their original power and purity: That all Extrajudicial and Illegal proceedings by High-Courts of Juſtice, or otherwiſe, with all Illegal and Arbitrary Committees, be ſtrictly provided againſt: that the Exciſe, and all other Payments and Taxes, (ſuch as our Anceſtors never knew of) together with all Mono<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>polies and Patents deſtructive to Trade and the Common good of the Nation be alſo aboliſhed; And, that our Parliaments and Magiſtrates be ſecured from all Force and Violence; and utterly cleared from all boundleſſe Prerogative, and unlimited Priviledge: That the Right of the Poor in the Commons of <hi>England,</hi> all Donations for Charitable Uſes, and all Lands formerly belonging to the People, be reſtor'd again: And that Mercy and Juſtice be truly eſtabliſhed amongſt us. And for theſe ends, and what elſe may be of publick good to the Nation, we do deſire, and indeed challenge, as of <hi>Engliſh</hi> Right, the ſpeedy Election of a <hi>New Free Parliament.</hi>
</p>
<p>And thus, moſt Noble Citizens, Brethren and fellow Free<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>men of <hi>England,</hi> we have dealt truly and plainly with you, and given you the real Grounds and Reaſons of our taking up Arms; looking upon you as the moſt concern'd in the Nation, and therefore hold our ſelves the more obliged to give you this <hi>Early Advice</hi> of our Candid and juſt Intentions in this under<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>taking, that you may not be deluded or frighted (though falſly) into any ſtrange opinion of us, either through your own miſtake, or by the pollicy of thoſe men who will leave no means unat<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tempted to render us as publick Enemies, Rebels and Traitors, Plunderers, Tyrants and Perſecutors, or whatever is odious and monſtrous, to engage you in Blood.</p>
<p>
<pb n="5" facs="tcp:119729:5"/>Believe us, right worthy Citizens, and Free-born Engliſh Brethren, we have no Deſign of <hi>Fire or Sword,</hi> or of Evil to<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ward you or your City, or any part of the Nation, or any Perſon in it: We know there are thouſands amongſt you that are ſatisfied in us; it may be indeed that many or moſt of the Gathered ſeparate Churches may be fearfull and jealous of us, and ſo may be induced to Arms againſt us; but we do again and again proteſt before Almighty God, and the whole World, that we have no other purpoſe towards them, but that they with us, and we with them, may be bound up as Friends and Brethren in the Common Cauſe of our Countrey, that every <hi>Engliſh-man</hi> may have <hi>Engliſh</hi> Freedom and Right; and we do not deſire to wrong Man, Woman, or Childe the worth of a Shoo-latchet: Therefore we hope you will firſt well adviſe be<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fore you proceed in a new War, leſt you bring not only your own, but others blood on your heads, (for we are reſolved to preſecute this to the laſt drop of our blood.) The <hi>Caſe of En<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gland is laid before you, our Laws and Liberties,</hi> they are yours as well as ours, and for which we have all engaged in the firſt War, and not to be ſo ſlightly valued as to be ſet at ſtake againſt the private ends of ſome ambitious and corrupt perſons: <hi>Salus Po<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>puli, Suprema Lex;</hi> let the People live, and their Enemies pe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>riſh.</p>
<p>Therefore we beſeech you, we conjure you as <hi>Engliſh</hi> men, to ſtand by your <hi>Native</hi> Countrey, and your Countrey's Cauſe: Our Voice is, and it is no other than the Conſent and Voice of the People, <hi>A new free Parliament, A new free Parliament;</hi> it is the <hi>Engliſh</hi> man's <hi>main Birth-right,</hi> which we are reſolved to put the People in poſſeſſion of, or to periſh with our Swords in our hands. But if you will not joyn, but degenerate, we hope notwithſtanding (by Gods bleſſing) to carry on this Work: Yet to that juſt and glorious Work we may challenge your con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>currence, it being your duty as well as ours to endeavour the procurement thereof? And therefore to you make it our Pro<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>poſal, to your <hi>Militia,</hi> to the Army, and the whole People, for the prevention of a New War, and the effuſion of Engliſh blood, that you would be inſtrumental with us for the ſpeedy Election of a <hi>New Free Parliament,</hi> for the ends aforeſaid; and
<pb n="6" facs="tcp:119729:6"/>
in the <hi>interim</hi> all hoſtility to be forborn; and that a day may be appointed, and the People ſuffered to go to their free Elections, and we ſhall quietly ſubmit to their Authority; heartily deſi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ring, that all revenge, diviſion, rancor, and animoſity of ſpirit may be for ever buried in one General <hi>Act of Oblivion;</hi> And that all Parties, Sects, and ſorts, (now jarring and making up intereſts one againſt another) may reconcile, cement, and concenter in the common Brotherhood of <hi>Engliſh</hi> Freedom and Right; in, and for which we are.</p>
</div>
<div type="letter">
<head>Sir <hi>George Booth</hi> to a Friend of his in <hi>London.</hi>
</head>
<opener>
<salute>SIR,</salute>
</opener>
<p>MY laſt to you of the ſecond inſtant, I underſtand you have committed to open view, the Publica<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tion whereof was of general Satisfaction to your Friends here, and for which we all hold our ſelves obliged. I have ſent you here incloſed an <hi>Expreſs</hi> from the Knights and Gentlemen engaged with me, and beg this further addition to your former many Favours, that you would pleaſe to take the care upon you, to get the ſame Prin<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ted and publiſhed, for the undeceiving of thoſe amongſt you, and all other that are yet doubtfull or unſatisfied in us. The Meſſenger will inform you of the preſent State and condition of Affairs with us, to whom I refer you. In haſte I reſt,</p>
<closer>
<salute>Sir,</salute>
<signed>
<hi>Your moſt affectionate Friend and Servant,</hi> George Booth.</signed>
<dateline>Manchester <date>Aug. 9. 1659.</date>
</dateline>
</closer>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="7" facs="tcp:119729:6"/>
<head>Alleyn Mayor.</head>
<opener>
<dateline>At a Common-Council holden in the Guildhall, <hi>LONDON,</hi>
<date>On Tueſday the 20. of December, 1659.</date>
</dateline>
</opener>
<p>THis Court having taken notice of divers Affronts put upon the Right Honorable <hi>Thomas Alleyn,</hi> the preſent Lord Mayor of this City, with many falſe and ſcanda<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>lous Aſperſions caſt upon his Lordſhip, and the Committee ap<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pointed by this Court to confer with the Lord <hi>Fleetwood</hi> touch<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ing 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 <hi>The Seven Principles, or unalterable Fundamentals,</hi> printed in a late ſcandalous Pam<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>phlet ſtiled, <hi>The Publick Intelligencer.</hi> The ſaid Committee here openly declaring; that they never heard the ſaid Principles, or had them any way communicated to them, much leſſe ever con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſented to the ſame, or any of them.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>
<pb n="8" facs="tcp:119729:7"/>And that the ſaid Committee in all their Tranſactions, touch<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ing 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.</p>
<p>And whereas this Court and City hath been lately repreſen<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ted by ſome, as having deſerted their firſt Cauſe and Declara<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tions 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, Proper<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ties and Liberties of all Perſons: And for theſe ends will en<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>deavour, all they lawfully may, the ſpeedy convening of a Free Parliament to ſit and Act without Interruption or Moleſtation, by any perſons whatſoever.</p>
<closer>
<signed>Sadler.</signed>
</closer>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<head>To the Right Honorable, our worthy and grave Senators, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Comonalty of the City of <hi>London,</hi> in Common Council aſſembled.</head>
<head type="sub">The humble Petition and Addreſs of divers Young Men, on the behalf of themſelves and the <hi>APPRENTICES</hi> in and about this honorable City.</head>
<opener>Moſt humbly ſheweth,</opener>
<p>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, di<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtracted
<pb n="9" facs="tcp:119729:7"/>
and almoſt ruined Nations: and yet bleſſed be God, this honorable City hitherto hath been no proportionable ſha<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rer in the Calamities which our Brethren in other parts of theſe now miſerable Nations have ſuffered, which are now aggrava<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ted 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 de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtruction and utter diſſolation both of Church and State, which will inevitably enſue as a juſt reward upon our multiplied pro<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vocations, 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 delive<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rance 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 con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſcience 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 <hi>Macedonia</hi> did in the Apoſtles Viſion) <hi>Come and help us.</hi> And we beſeech you, our moſt grave and worthy <hi>Senators,</hi> as you tender the welfare of theſe bleeding Nations, to ſtand in
<pb n="10" facs="tcp:119729:8"/>
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 <hi>our Judges as at the firſt, and our Counſelors as at the beginning,</hi> with the abundance of the bleſſings of peace, that <hi>Judgement may run down our ſtreets, and Righteouſneſs as a mighty ſtream.</hi> And we humbly de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſire the two great Pillars of the Land, <hi>Magistracy</hi> and <hi>Miniſtry</hi> may be aſſerted and encouraged: in order unto which, we humbly preſent unto your grave and ſerious conſidera<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cions.</p>
<p>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 <hi>Da<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vid) God hath not dealt ſo with any Nation:</hi> which with thank<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fulneſſe 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 <hi>Phineas</hi> his Wife, <hi>the glory is departed from</hi> our <hi>Iſrael,</hi> 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 con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>veyed 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 Pie<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ty 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.</p>
<p>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 <hi>England,</hi> which we account equally dear with our lives; in the enjoyment of which we yet
<pb n="11" facs="tcp:119729:8"/>
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 Gentle<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>men 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 <hi>England, Scotland,</hi> and <hi>Ireland</hi> 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 <hi>Senators,</hi> your own concern<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ments (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 <hi>a Kingdom divided againſt it ſelf cannot ſtand.</hi>
</p>
<p>Now we leave it unto you our moſt grave and worthy Sena<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tors, duly to conſider, if you part with theſe our great Na<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tional 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 Con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſultations, 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.</p>
<div type="response">
<pb n="12" facs="tcp:119729:9"/>
<opener>
<dateline>
<date>Munday 5. <hi>December.</hi>
</date>
</dateline>
</opener>
<p>This day the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common Council being aſſembled, the fore-recited Pitition was preſented by ſeveral Young-men and Apprentices, in be<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>halfe of themſelves and ſeveral thouſands which have ſubſcribed the ſame; the which being received, was or<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dered to be read, and thereupon a Committee choſen to conſider thereof, and to give their ſpeedy Report unto the next Court concerning the ſame.</p>
<p>At the ſame Court it was likewiſe Ordered, that the Lord General <hi>Fleetwood</hi> ſhould be deſired to draw off the Soldiers, unto their ſeveral Quarters; it being then alſo Ordered, that every <hi>Common Council man</hi> in his ſeveral Precinct, ſhould give notice to the Houſe-keepers within the ſame, that they ſhould keep their Servants and Apprentices at home, thereby to preſerve the peace of the City.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<head>To his Excellency the Lord General <hi>MONCK.</hi>
</head>
<head type="sub">The <g ref="char:V">Ʋ</g>nanimous Repreſentation of the <hi>APPRENTICES</hi> and Young-men inhabiting in the City of <hi>LONDON.</hi>
</head>
<opener>Humbly ſheweth,</opener>
<p>THat the Glory of our Nation, and the greateſt Comfort of our Lives in our Civil Intereſts, conſiſts in the Privi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ledges and Liberties to which we were born, and which
<pb n="13" facs="tcp:119729:9"/>
are the undoubted Inheritance of all the free people of <hi>England,</hi> among which the grand and eſſential Priviledges which diſcri<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>minates Free-men from Slaves, is the Intereſt which every man hath in the Legiſlative power of the Nation, by their Repreſen<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tatives 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.</p>
<p>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 gene<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rally, 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 Excel<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>lency, 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 <hi>England</hi> 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 Provi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dence hath now put into your hands, to the ſecuring your Na<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tive Countrey from thoſe dangerous uſurpations, and preſer<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ving 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 Repreſenta<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tives in Parliament, freely to be choſen without terror or limi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tations, 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
<pb n="14" facs="tcp:119729:10"/>
will certainly, by the bleſſing of God, and unanimous concur<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rence 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.</p>
<closer/>
<postscript>
<p>This was delivered to his Excellency at S. <hi>Albans,</hi> on <date>
<hi>Thurſday Febr. 2. 1659.</hi>
</date> by perſons elected for that purpoſe, and had a very cheerfull Reception.</p>
</postscript>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<head>THE DECLARATION <hi>Of the Nobility, Gentry, Ministry, and Commonalty of the County of</hi> KENT.</head>
<head type="sub">Together with the City and County of Canterbury, the City of <hi>Rocheſter,</hi> and the Ports within the ſaid County.</head>
<p>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 Repu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tation of the Nation (what is more dear to us than all theſe) the apparent hazzard of the Goſpel, through the prodigious
<pb n="15" facs="tcp:119729:10"/>
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 Rela<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tions, 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.</p>
<p>Wherefore having the leading Examples of the renowned Ci<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ties of <hi>London</hi> and <hi>Exeter,</hi> 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.</p>
<p>We therefore the <hi>Nobility, Gentry, Miniſtry,</hi> and <hi>Commonalty</hi> of the County of <hi>KENT,</hi> together with the City and County of <hi>Canterbury,</hi> the City of <hi>Rochester,</hi> and the Ports within the ſaid County, do by theſe Preſents unanimouſly declare, That our deſires are for a Full and Free <hi>Parliament,</hi> as the only pro<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>bable means, under God, to lead us out of this Maze and La<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>byrinth of confuſions in which we are at preſent engag'd; that is, that the old ſecluded Members, ſo many of them as are ſur<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>viving, 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 Or<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dain.</p>
<p>Thus concluding, that all publick ſpirited men, and good Patriots, will with all readineſſe joyn and concur with us in a
<pb n="16" facs="tcp:119729:11"/>
matter of ſo univerſal concernment, and that we ſhall finde oppoſition from none, but ſuch as prefer their own private In<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tereſts, 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.</p>
</div>
<div type="notice">
<head>ADVERTISEMENT.</head>
<p>THe forward zeal of ſome wel-diſpoſed perſons, to expreſse their cordial and unanimous concurrence with their Countrey-men of the ſeveral Counties and Ci<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ties of <hi>England,</hi> having cauſed a Declaration, imperfect in a very weighty and material Clauſe thereof, to be prin<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ted and publiſhed, in the Name of the County of <hi>Kent,</hi> &c. It was thought fit that the genuine and true Copy of the ſaid Declaration ſhould be ſet forth, as it was intended to be preſented to the <hi>Speaker,</hi> and to the preſent great <hi>Arbitrator</hi> of the Nations peace and happineſſe, <hi>General MONCK;</hi> but through the miſ-informations of ſome unquiet ſpirits, (who while they may have leave to accuſe, will leave no man innocent, nor the State without trouble) the perſons of many Gentlemen are ſecured, and others threatned, by a great force march'd into the Countrey, the Preſentation was neceſſarily omitted, and the Names and ſubſcriptions not expoſed to publick view, for rea<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſons very obvious and evident.</p>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="17" facs="tcp:119729:11"/>
<head>A NARRATIVE Of the meeting of ſome Gentlemen, Miniſters and Citizens at the Town-Hall in Canterbury.</head>
<head type="sub">Together with their Declaration preſented to the Mayor at the common <hi>Burghmoote.</hi>
</head>
<p>UNderſtanding that the late procedure of ſome of the principal Gentlemen and Citizens, Inhabitants of the City of <hi>Canterbury</hi> 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.</p>
<p>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 <hi>Declaration</hi> is expreſſed) and hearing that the Cities of <hi>London</hi> and <hi>Exeter</hi> had lately declared for the ſame, thought it neither unmeet to
<pb n="18" facs="tcp:119729:12"/>
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 <hi>Burghmoote,</hi> 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 <hi>Jan.</hi> 24. the Mayor, Aldermen and Com<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mon 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 men<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tioned 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 e<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nough to make a <hi>Burghmoote Quorum;</hi> whereupon, the Gentle<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>men (who though rudely treated, had quietly attended) with<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>drew <hi>Re infecta,</hi> 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 ſettle<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment; not to ſurprize and diſturb the Court, but to deſire an amiable correſpondence with the ſame, to the end that the in<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tended 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 them<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſelves 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 <hi>Declaration,</hi> 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 Gentle<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>men (from the ſlie inſinuations and falſe repreſentations of
<pb n="19" facs="tcp:119729:12"/>
our Averſaries) were ſecured in ſeveral priſons, to the diſcou<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ragement 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 mo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>deſtly to repreſent their grievances by way of Petition, Re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>monſtrance 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 pre<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſent ſeverity, ſo the impartial Reader will in his private judge<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment, abſolve us from all guilt or demerit. Neither ſhall we anſwer our Adverſaries by way of recrimination, nor (al<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>though 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 Na<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tion. No, though this might ſerve to invalidate their Teſtimo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ny, we ſhall enlarge no further, but refer to the Declaration it ſelf.</p>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="20" facs="tcp:119729:13"/>
<head>To the Right Honourable WILL LENTHAL Speaker to the PARLIAMENT.</head>
<head type="sub">By him to be Communicated to the MEMBERS ſitting at <hi>Weſtminſter.</hi>
</head>
<p>WHereas We the Gentlemen and Freeholders of this County of <hi>Berks,</hi> were generally met together at <hi>Abingdon,</hi> upon ſome intimation of an Election of a <hi>Knight</hi> of the <hi>Shire,</hi> in purſuance of your Order, for the <hi>filling up of this Parliament;</hi> and that ſome ſolicitations were uſed throughout the County for <hi>Voyces,</hi> and being jealous to be ſurpriſed therein by any Clandeſtine carriage of the <hi>Writ:</hi> And whereas at this Meeting it was further taken into conſide<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ration, that this <hi>County</hi> have with the reſt of this <hi>Nation</hi> been deeply ſenſible of many <hi>inſupportable grievances</hi> and <hi>oppreſſions</hi> of late dayes, occaſioned through the want of a <hi>real, ſetled,</hi> and <hi>regular Government;</hi> and in particular, that the <hi>Commiſſio<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ners for the Militia</hi> having formerly charged the Country to provide <hi>Arms,</hi> which was done accordingly, the ſaid <hi>Commiſſio<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>oners</hi> do yet direct their Warrants for the bringing in of <hi>Twenty ſhillings for every Foot Arms;</hi> which we are very confident is be<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſides the intent of the Act which impowers them, and are igno<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rant 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 <hi>firm, free, and le<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gal ſettlement</hi> of our Rights, Civil and Religious: Wee con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ceived it to be our duty towards God and our <hi>Country,</hi> without
<pb n="21" facs="tcp:119729:13"/>
any private ends whatſoever, to declare our ſelves in this ſenſe, <hi>That we take it the most ſatisfactory expedient for it,</hi> will be <hi>the re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>calling of all thoſe members that were ſecluded in</hi> 1648. And <hi>that before the firſt force upon the Parliament.</hi> And, <hi>that in the Elections which ſhall bee of any other Members in the vacant places,</hi> ſuch due courſe may <hi>be taken,</hi> as that the <hi>Country may not any way be ſur<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>priſed, or over-awed therein:</hi> And <hi>that the ſecluded Members may be admitted to Sit without any Oath or Engagement to reſtrain their Freedome in the leaſt;</hi> Wherein we ſhall be ready to <hi>defend You and Them</hi> with whatſoever is deareſt unto us, <hi>againſt all oppoſition:</hi> And pray unto Almighty God for his aſſiſtance to the happy <hi>ac<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>compliſhment of what may beſt conduce to the Peace and Safety of this Nation.</hi>
</p>
<argument>
<p>[This is ſubſcribed by moſt of the chief Gentle<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>men and Freeholders of the County of <hi>Berks.</hi>]</p>
</argument>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<head>A Concurrent Declaration of the Inhabi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tants of the City and Liberties of WESTMINSTER: With the Declaration of the People of <hi>England</hi> for a <hi>Free Parliament.</hi>
</head>
<p>WHereas by a wonderful Revolution of the Divine Providence, thoſe Members of the long Parliament which were ſtrangely brought in by the Army (<hi>May</hi> the 7. 1659.) and as ſtrangely outed by them (<hi>Octob.</hi> 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 Inter<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ruption, intituled, <hi>An Act againſt raiſing of money upon the people</hi>
<pb n="22" facs="tcp:119729:14"/>
<hi>out their conſent in Parliament:</hi> Which Act of theirs proceeds in theſe words, <hi>And be it further enacted, that no Perſon or Perſons ſhall after the 11. of</hi> October, 1659. <hi>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 con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſent in Parliament, or as by Law might have been done before the 3. of</hi> November, 1640. <hi>And be it further enacted and declared, that every perſon offending againſt this Act ſhall be, and is hereby ad<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>judged to be guilty of High Treaſon, and ſhall forfeit and ſuffer as in caſe of High Treaſon.</hi> Hereupon we judged it meet and equitable to make this following Declaration.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>And accordingly we do declare that we are ready and wil<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ling, 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 ne<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ceſſary 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.</p>
<p>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 whatſo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ever, until our conſent be ſo declared by perſons thus choſen and intruſted by us for this end and purpoſe.</p>
<p>And therefore if any perſon or perſons whatſoever ſhall con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>trary 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, con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>trary
<pb n="23" facs="tcp:119729:14"/>
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.</p>
<p>And hereunto ſo univerſal and unanimous is our Concur<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rence, 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 here<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>unto, for their further ſatisfaction and more full aſſurance of the truth and realty hereof, we ſhall be ready upon the leaſt inti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mation 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.</p>
<p>For ſome proof of the premiſes, We the Inhabitants of the City and Liberty of <hi>Weſtminster,</hi> capable of the choice of two Burgeſſes to ſerve in Parliament, have to this preſent Delara<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tion 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 <hi>London,</hi> in what was done by that Honourable Court, in the behalf of the City of <hi>London</hi> in their Declaration of 20. <hi>Decemb.</hi> for a Free Parliament.</p>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="24" facs="tcp:119729:15"/>
<head>The humble deſires of the Kinghts, Gentle<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>men, Miniſters, Freeholders and Inhabitants of the County and Burrough of LEICESTER.</head>
<head type="sub">Delivered to His Excellency, the Lord General <hi>MONK,</hi> At St. <hi>Albans</hi>
<date>the Thirtieth of <hi>January,</hi> 1659.</date> by <hi>George Fawnt</hi> Eſquire, High Sheriffe of the ſaid County, <hi>Willam Boothby, Richard Orton,</hi> and <hi>Richard Halford</hi> Eſquires, entruſted for that purpoſe by the whole County.</head>
<p>WE the Knights, Gentlemen, Miniſters, Free-holders, and Inhabitants of the County of <hi>Leiceſter,</hi> humbly conceiving, that the firſt Force put upon the <hi>Parlia<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment,</hi> 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 Settle<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment of theſe Nations. And whereas every free-born perſon of <hi>England</hi> is ſuppoſed to be preſent in <hi>Parliament,</hi> by the Knights and Burgeſſes of the place where he liveth, and thereby is pre<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſumed to give his conſent in all things that paſs in <hi>Parliament;</hi> There is not (as we are credibly informed) one Knight for all the Counties in <hi>Wales,</hi> nor for divers Counties in <hi>England,</hi> and ſome of them the greateſt in <hi>England,</hi> as that of <hi>Yorkſhire.</hi> We therefore deſire, that all vacant places be ſupplied, whether
<pb n="25" facs="tcp:119729:15"/>
they became vacant by death, or judgment of <hi>Parliament:</hi> 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 <hi>Parliament.</hi>
</p>
<p>That the fundamental Laws of <hi>England,</hi> the Priviledges of <hi>Parliament,</hi> 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 Au<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>thority of Parliament.</p>
<p>That the true Proteſtant Religion may be profeſſed and de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fended, 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 countenan<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ced.</p>
<p>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 ſpee<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dily reduced to a leſſer number, for the eaſing of the great Taxes and Burthens of theſe Nations.</p>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="26" facs="tcp:119729:16"/>
<head>The humble Addreſs, and hearty deſires of the Gentlemen, Miniſters, and Free-holders of the County of Northampton.</head>
<head type="sub">Preſented to his Excellency the Lord General <hi>Monck,</hi> at his arrival at <hi>Northampton,</hi>
<date>January 24. 1659.</date>
</head>
<p>WE the Gentlemen, Miniſters, and Free-holders of the County of <hi>Northampton,</hi> humbly conceiving, that the firſt force put upon the Parliament hath been an en<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>couragement 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.</p>
<p n="1">1. That whereas every free-born Subject of <hi>England</hi> is ſup<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>poſed to be preſent in Parliament by the Knights and Burgeſſes of the place where he liveth, and thereby is preſumed to con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſent to all things that paſſe in Parliament: So it is now, that there is not one Knight for all the Counties in <hi>Wales,</hi> nor for divers Counties in <hi>England,</hi> and ſome of them the largeſt in <hi>England,</hi> as that of <hi>Yorkeſhire.</hi>
</p>
<p n="2">2. That no free-born Subject of <hi>England</hi> may have any Taxes levied upon him, without his conſent in Parliament.</p>
<p n="3">
<pb n="27" facs="tcp:119729:16"/>3. To that end, That all vacant places may be ſupplied, whe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ther 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 Parlia<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment.</p>
<p n="4">4. That the fundamental Lawes of <hi>England,</hi> 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.</p>
<p n="5">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 counte<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nanced.</p>
<p n="6">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 neceſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſary, may be continued in the publick ſervice; and that as many of them as have been Purchaſers of Lands from the Par<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>liament, 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 ex<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pedient for the publick good of the Nation.</p>
<argument>
<p>This Addreſs was prepared by the Gentlemen, &c. aboveſaid, to be preſented to General <hi>Monck,</hi> at his entrance into <hi>Northampton.</hi>
</p>
</argument>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="28" facs="tcp:119729:17"/>
<head>To his Excellency the Lord General <hi>MONCK.</hi>
</head>
<head type="sub">The Congratulation and Addreſſe of us the Knights, Divines, Free-holders, and others of the County of <hi>BUCKS.</hi>
</head>
<opener>Humbly ſheweth,</opener>
<p>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 con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gratulate theſe your Sentiments of Honour and Conſcience. <hi>Sir,</hi> Our credit abroad is impaired, our Trade at home is de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cayed, our Fundamental Laws are violated, our primitive A<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>poſtolick Religion endangered: The cauſe of all which we hum<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>bly 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 Vacan<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cies 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. <hi>Sir,</hi> this is our
<pb n="29" facs="tcp:119729:17"/>
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.</p>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<head>A DECLARATION Of the CITY and COUNTY of Glouceſter.</head>
<p>BEing deeply affected, and moſt ſadly ſenſible of the pre<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſent Miſeries, which both our ſelves and the whole Na<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tion 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 un<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>happy 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 <hi>Good old Cauſe</hi>) ſuch perſons in whom we have already lodged our Truſts, and who have ſufficiently manifeſted their endeavours to perform the ſame, namely, <hi>Nathaniel Stephens,</hi>
<abbr>Eſq</abbr> Sir <hi>John Seymore,</hi> Kt. <hi>Edward Steephens,</hi>
<abbr>Eſq</abbr>
<hi>John Steephens,</hi>
<abbr>Eſq</abbr> and the Right Ho<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>norable <hi>Thomas</hi> Lord <hi>Fairfax,</hi> have been ſince <hi>December</hi> 1648. and ſtill are denied the freedom of ſitting, and voting in Par<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>liament.</p>
<p>The Reſtauration of which Members we deſire with all free<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dom to their former Capacities.</p>
<p>
<pb n="30" facs="tcp:119729:18"/>And Declare we ſhall not otherwiſe conſent to pay <hi>Tax,</hi> or other <hi>Impoſitions,</hi> or hold our ſelves bound by any Law to be made, without a Reſtitution of theſe our Repreſentatives, with a ſupply of all <hi>Vacancies,</hi> 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 <hi>Eng<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>land,</hi> 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.</p>
<p>And we further declare our hearty deſires, for the burying all former Animoſities and Differences, by a full and general <hi>Act</hi> of <hi>Oblivion</hi> and <hi>Indempnity,</hi> with ſatisfaction to be given to Purchaſers, under any Act of Sale; as by Parliament ſhall be thought fit.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 allow<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ed to tender Conſciences, as is not oppoſite to the Scriptures, or the eſtabliſhed Laws of this Nation.</p>
<p>We alſo Declare, That in purſuance of theſe our juſt Deſires, we ſhall not be wanting to the uttermoſt of our powers, to en<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>gage our ſelves by all lawful ways and means, with our Fel<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>low 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.</p>
<closer/>
<postscript>
<p>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 <hi>Robert Pye,</hi> and Major <hi>Fin<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>chers</hi> handſome behaviour was unhandſomly re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>warded
<pb n="31" facs="tcp:119729:18"/>
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 bet<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ter opportunity, and therefore it is thought fit thus to communicate this, for the vindication of this County and ſatisfaction of the whole Nation.</p>
</postscript>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<head>
<hi>THE REMONSTRANCE</hi> Of the Knights, Gentlemen, and Free<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>holders of the County of <hi>GLOUCESTER.</hi>
</head>
<p>WE do claim and avow it to be our undoubted Birth<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>right 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 ta<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ken of us without <gap reason="illegible: blotted" extent="1 letter">
<desc>•</desc>
</gap>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 inter<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ruption or oppoſition by any perſons whatſoever: The Privi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ledges 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 <hi>Lon<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>don,</hi> and all other Counties in <hi>England</hi> 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.</p>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="32" facs="tcp:119729:19"/>
<head>A Letter agreed unto and ſubſcribed by the Gentlemen, Miniſters, Free-holders and Sea-men of the County of <hi>SUFFOLK.</hi>
</head>
<head type="sub">Preſented to the Right Honorable, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Common-Councel of the City of <hi>Lon<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>don,</hi> Aſſembled <date>
<hi>January 30. 1659.</hi>
</date>
</head>
<opener>
<salute>Right Honorable,</salute>
</opener>
<p>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 <hi>Omen</hi> of Mercy, when we obſerve the Nation in general, lift<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ing 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 pre<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cious to us. And if God ſhall by your hand, lead us to ſuch an obtainment, after-Ages ſhall bleſſe your memory. 'Tis ſuper<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fluous 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 Re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>covery. And we entreat, that this cheerful ſuffrage of ours may be annex'd as a Label to your Honorable intendments.</p>
<argument>
<p>
<hi>This Letter was delivered according to its Superſcription, by</hi> Robert Broke, Philip Parker, <hi>and</hi> Thomas Bacon, <hi>Eſquires.</hi>
</p>
</argument>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="33" facs="tcp:119729:19"/>
<head>THE Declaration of the Gentry of the County of NORFOLK, And of the County and City of NORWICH.</head>
<p>WE the Gentry of the County of <hi>Norfolke,</hi> and County and City of <hi>Norwich,</hi> being deeply affected with the ſenſe of our ſad Diſtractions and Diviſions, both in Church and State, and wearied with the miſeries of an unnatu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ral 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, occaſio<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ned 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 re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>medy, and remove our, and the Nations preſent Grievances and Diſtractions, Do humbly conceive, that the chief Expedi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ent 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 <hi>Norfolk</hi>) being by ſuch Secluſion, de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>prived 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 <hi>England</hi> cannot be obliged to pay any Taxes.</p>
<p>
<pb n="34" facs="tcp:119729:20"/>
<hi>This Declaration, ſubſcribed by three hundred Gentlemen, was de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>livered to the Honourable</hi> Will. Lenthall, <hi>Speaker of the Parlia<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment, on Saturday the</hi> 28. <hi>of</hi> Jan. 1659. <hi>By the Lord</hi> Richardſon, <hi>Sir</hi> John Hobart, <hi>and Sir</hi> Horatio Tounſend, <hi>Baronets.</hi>
</p>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<head>A Declaration of the Gentry of the County of DEVON, Met at the General Quarter Seſſions at <hi>Exeter,</hi> for a Free Parliament: Together with a Letter From <hi>EXETER.</hi>
</head>
<div type="part">
<head>To the Right Honourable <hi>William Lenthall</hi> Speaker of the <hi>PARLIAMENT.</hi>
</head>
<p>WE the Gentry of the County of <hi>Devon,</hi> finding our ſelves without a Regular Government, after your laſt interruption deſigned a publick Meeting, to conſult Remedies, which we could not ſo conveniently effect till this Week, at our <hi>General Quarter Seſſions</hi> at <hi>Exon:</hi> Where we finde divers of the inhabitants groaning under high Op<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>preſſions, and a general defect of Trade, to the utter ruine of many, and fear of the like to others, which is as viſible in the whole County, that occaſioned ſuch diſorders, that were no ſmall trouble and diſturbance to us; which, by Gods bleſſing upon our endeavours, were ſoon ſuppreſt and quieted, without Blood. And though we finde, ſince our firſt purpoſes, an alte<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ration in the ſtate of Affairs, by your Re-aſſembling at the Helm of Government, yet conceive, that we are but in part Redreſt of our Grievances; and that the chief Expedient for it will be the recalling of all thoſe Members that were ſecluded in 1648. and ſate before the firſt Force upon the <hi>Parliament.</hi> And
<pb n="35" facs="tcp:119729:20"/>
alſo by filling up the vacant places. And all to be admitted, without any Oath and Engagement, previous to their En<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>trance. For which things, if you pleaſe to take a ſpeedy courſe, we ſhall defend you againſt all Oppoſers, and future Interrupters, with our Lives and Fortunes. For the Accom<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pliſhment whereof, we ſhall uſe all Lawful Means, which we humbly conceive may beſt conduce to the Peace and Safety of this Nation.</p>
<closer>
<dateline>
<hi>Exon</hi>
<date>14. of <hi>Jan.</hi> 1659.</date>
</dateline>
</closer>
</div>
<div type="part">
<opener>
<salute>SIR,</salute>
</opener>
<p>THE Incloſed Copy of what this <hi>Grand Meeting,</hi> to which the moſt Conſiderable of the Gentry have Subſcribed. Mr. <hi>Bamp<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>field,</hi> Recorder of <hi>Exon,</hi> is gone this night Poſt to deliver it to the Speaker. That the <hi>Corniſh men</hi> have done more, is no News.</p>
<p>This City in very great numbers, Lordly expreſt their deſires for a <hi>Free Parliament.</hi> The Apprentices and Young men of the City, got the Keys of the Gates, and keep them lockt, without taking notice of the Magiſtrates, and leſs of the Souldiers.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="36" facs="tcp:119729:21"/>
<head>A Letter and Declaration of the Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, and Miniſters of the County of YORK, And of the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and Com<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mon-Councel of the Gity of <hi>YORK.</hi>
</head>
<head type="sub">Preſented to General <hi>Monck</hi>
<date>Feb. 17. 1659.</date> at His Quarters at <hi>Drapers-hall London,</hi> by Sir <hi>Thomas Wharton</hi> Knight, Brother to the Lord <hi>Wharton, John Dawney, Thomas Harriſon,</hi> and <hi>John Legard</hi> Eſquires.</head>
<head type="sub">As alſo a Letter, with the ſaid Declaration incloſed, delivered by the ſaid Gentlemen to the Lord Mayor directed to him, and to the Common-Councel of the City of <hi>LONDON.</hi>
</head>
<div type="part">
<head>To His Excellency the Lord General <hi>MONCK.</hi>
</head>
<opener>
<salute>My Lord,</salute>
</opener>
<p>WE finde our ſelves conſtrained by writing to ſupply the Omiſſion of acquainting your Lord<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſhip with our thoughts and deſires when you paſſed through our County, which we had then done, if upon ſo ſhort notice we could have met for a mutual <g ref="char:V">Ʋ</g>n<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>derſtanding; Your Lordſhip will finde in the Incloſed Declaration the ſum of our Apprehenſions. We thought it not neceſſary to multiply particulars, but leave all
<pb n="37" facs="tcp:119729:21"/>
other things to a duly conſtituted Parliament; neither have we been ſollicitous to multiply Subſcriptions, truſting more to the weight of the Propoſals, than to the number of Subſcribers; yet we may ſafely affirm this to be the ſenſe of the Generality of the County and City, as your Lordſhip ſees it is of others. We have onely to add our earneſt deſires to your Lordſhip, that you would be pleaſed to further the Accompliſhment of what we have repreſented with ſuch ſeaſonable ſpeed, as that the fear of Friends, and the hopes of Enemies concerning a dangerous Confuſion amongſt us, may be prevented.</p>
<closer>
<signed>Your Lordſhips very humble ſervants,
<list>
<item>Thomas Fairfax,</item>
<item>Faulconberge,</item>
<item>Bar. Bouchier,</item>
<item>Vicecomes.</item>
<item>
<hi>Chriſtopher Topham,</hi> Mayor, &c.</item>
</list>
</signed>
</closer>
</div>
<div type="text_of_statement">
<head>The Declaration.</head>
<p>WE being deeply ſenſible of the grievous Preſſures un<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>der which we lye, and the extream dangers we are expoſed to at this time, through the violent altera<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tion of our Government, the Mutilation and Interruption of Parliaments: And having no Repreſentatives to expreſs or remedy our grievances, have thought it meet (according to the example of other Counties) to Declare and Deſire, That if the Parliament begun <hi>November</hi> 3. 1640. be yet continued, The Members that were ſecluded in the year 1648. be forthwith re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtored to the Exerciſe of their Truſt, and all Vacancies filled up, that right may be done to their Perſons, to Parliaments, and the People that have choſen them. If otherwiſe, That a Parliament may be preſently called without impoſing of Oaths or Engagements (the greateſt prejudice to Civil or Chriſtian Liberty) or requiring any Quallifications, ſave what by Law or
<pb n="38" facs="tcp:119729:22"/>
Ordinance of Parliament before the Force in 1648. are already eſtabliſhed. And untill this, or One of theſe be done, We can<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>not hold our ſelves obliged to pay the Taxes that are or ſhall be impoſed. We not enjoying the Fundamental Right of this Nation to conſent to our own Laws by equal Repreſentatives.</p>
<closer>
<signed>Subſcribed by
<list>
<head>Eſquires</head>
<item>Thomas <hi>Lord</hi> Fairfax,</item>
<item>Tho. <hi>Lord Viſcount</hi> Fauconberge,</item>
<item>Barrington Bourchier <hi>Eſq. High Sheriff,</hi>
</item>
<item>Chriſt. Topham, <hi>Mayor,</hi>
</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Thomas Wharton, <hi>Knight of the Bath.</hi>
</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Christ. Wivel <hi>Bar.</hi>
</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> John Hotham, <hi>Bar.</hi>
</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Tho Slingsby, <hi>Bar.</hi>
</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Wil. Cholmly, <hi>Bar.</hi>
</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Fran. Boynton, <hi>Bar.</hi>
</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Roger Langly, <hi>Bar.</hi>
</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Hen. Cholmly, <hi>Kt.</hi>
</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Tho. Remington, <hi>Kt.</hi>
</item>
<item>John Dawney,</item>
<item>Henry Fairfax,</item>
<item>Tho. Harriſon,</item>
<item>John Legard,</item>
<item>William Fairfax,</item>
<item>William Gee,</item>
<item>William Osbalſton,</item>
<item>Robert Wivel,</item>
<item>Thomas Hutton,</item>
<item>Guſtavus Boynton,</item>
<item>Henry Bethel,</item>
<item>Metcalf Robinſon,</item>
<item>Henry Stapleton,</item>
<item>George Marwood,</item>
<item>Robert Redman,</item>
<item>William Adams,</item>
<item>
<hi>Col.</hi> Lancelot Parſons</item>
<item>William Daulton,</item>
<item>James Moyſer,</item>
<item>Robert Belt,</item>
<item>Henry Marwood,</item>
<item>John Vavaſour,</item>
<item>John Gibſon,</item>
<item>John Micklethwait,</item>
<item>Bryan Fairfax,</item>
<item>Bryan Layton,</item>
<item>Thomas Lovel,</item>
<item>Wil. Rooksby, <hi>Capt.</hi>
</item>
<item>Nicholas Bethel,</item>
<item>John Jackſon,</item>
<item>Thomas Yarborough,</item>
<item>Walter Bethel,</item>
<item>John Riccard,</item>
<item>John Adams,</item>
<item>Richard Levie,</item>
<item>Cregory Crake,</item>
<item>James Driffeild, &c.</item>
</list>
<list>
<head>Miniſters.</head>
<item>
<hi>Mr.</hi> Edward Bowles,</item>
<item>
<hi>Mr.</hi> Nath. Jackſon,</item>
<item>
<hi>Mr.</hi> Witton,</item>
<item>
<hi>Mr.</hi> Waterhouſe,</item>
<item>
<hi>Mr.</hi> Bentley,</item>
<item>
<hi>Mr.</hi> Naſebit, &c.</item>
</list>
<hi>The ſaid Declaration was alſo ſubſcribed by the Alder<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>men and Common-Councel of the City of</hi> York.</signed>
</closer>
</div>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="39" facs="tcp:119729:22"/>
<head>To the Right Honourable, the Lord Mayor and Common-Councel of the City of <hi>London.</hi>
</head>
<opener>
<salute>My Lord and Gentlemen,</salute>
</opener>
<p>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 be<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ing now alſo our ſelves conſtrained, from a like ſenſe, to ma<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nifeſt our Reſolutions to the ſame effect, in a Declaration ſent to General <hi>Monke,</hi> whereof the Incloſed is a Copy; We have thought good to give your Lordſhip an account of our inten<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tions, as that to which we are moſt firmly reſolved to adhere, wiſhing it may effect the end by our ſelves, and (as we are per<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſwaded) by your Lordſhip, and all good people of that City in<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tended. We remain,</p>
<closer>
<dateline>York <date>Feb. 10. 1659.</date>
</dateline>
<signed>Your Lordſhip's very humble Servants,
<list>
<item>Thomas Fairfax</item>
<item>Faulconberge,</item>
<item>Bar. Bouchier, <hi>Vicecomes.</hi>
</item>
<item>Chriſtopher Topham, <hi>Mayor, &c.</hi>
</item>
</list>
</signed>
</closer>
<argument>
<p>Which Letter, with the Declaration therein incloſed, was alſo the ſame day delivered by Sir <hi>Thomas Wharton,</hi> and the reſt of the ſaid Gentlemen, to the Lord Mayor of <hi>London,</hi> deſiring it might be communicated to the Common-Councel, according as by the Letter it was deſired.</p>
<p>The ſame day alſo a particular letter was preſented to the Lord General <hi>Monke</hi> from the Lord <hi>Fairfax,</hi> dated <hi>Feb.</hi> 14. in confirmation of the ſaid Declaration, which was delivered by Mr. <hi>Bryan Fairfax,</hi> who was ſent up on purpoſe with the ſaid Letter.</p>
</argument>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="40" facs="tcp:119729:23"/>
<head>THE DECLARATION OF THE Gentry, Miniſters, Free-holders of the County and City of LINCOLNE.</head>
<p>WE the Gentry, Miniſters, and Free-holders of the County and City of <hi>Lincolne,</hi> being truly ſenſible of our Miſeries and Grievances, namely the ſad con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſequents of Inteſtine War, the fear of <hi>Invaſion</hi> from abroad, at this time of our Diſtractions and Diviſions both in Church and State, the violent alteration of Government, the heavy impo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſition 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 Li<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>berties, 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 accord<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ing 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 im<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>poſitions upon the Free people of this Commonwealth, or to preſcribe or enjoyn any Limitations, Reſtrictions, or Quallifi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cations whatſoever, not formerly agreed upon in full Parlia<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment. We do declare our ſelves not obliged thereto, as being deſtructive to the freedome and undoubted Priviledges of Par<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>liament.</p>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="41" facs="tcp:119729:23"/>
<head>A DECLARATION Of all the WATERMEN In about the City of <hi>LONDON,</hi> be<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tween <hi>GRAVESEND</hi> and <hi>STANES.</hi> OR, A Hue and Cry after Col. <hi>WHITTON</hi> and his Decoys.</head>
<p>WHereas it hath been <hi>ſeemingly</hi> by the inſinuatious of ſome <hi>few</hi> of us, caſt on our <hi>whole</hi> 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 Na<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tion: <hi>We,</hi> to manifeſt <hi>Our</hi> innocency in the one particular, and vindicate our ſelves from the <hi>ſcandal</hi> thereof, as alſo to ſhew our real and hearty concordance with all other, <hi>Noblemen, Gentlemen, Citizens and others,</hi> of the ſeveral Counties of <hi>Eng<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>land,</hi> whoſe Declarations are expoſed to the publick view, doe <hi>cordially, unanimouſly, and freely</hi> declare.</p>
<p>That the <hi>Liſt</hi> annexed of our names to a Petition <hi>pretended</hi> by our conſent to be preſented to the <hi>Members ſitting at Weſtmin<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſter,</hi> is not at all by us owned, neither doe we know any other Authors or Abettors thereof, than ſome <hi>few here under-mention<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ed</hi> our names in truth being gained by Colonol <hi>Whitton,</hi> under the pretence to put down <hi>Hackny Coachmen;</hi> but by him con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>verted to another uſe, and that ſo contrary to our thoughts and intentions, that we would ſooner have quitted our near<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>eſt
<pb n="42" facs="tcp:119729:24"/>
relations, than have conſented to ſuch <hi>ebulliences.</hi> For the undeceiving therefore of the <hi>Gentry</hi> of this Nation, to whom many, yea, moſt of us are obliged, and conſequently not un<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>known; for the rectifying the judgments of ſuch as know us not, and for the ſatisfaction of the whole <hi>Free-born</hi> Subjects of <hi>England</hi> who with us claim a birth-right in <hi>Magna Charta, and the Petition of Right,</hi> we doe further, with <hi>one Conſent,</hi> de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>clare.</p>
<p>That we conceive it fitting, for the <hi>redreſſing</hi> the grievous wants and preſſures that lie upon all the good people of this Nation, that according to <hi>Fundamental Right,</hi> the People in <hi>Parliament</hi> may have their <hi>Repreſentatives,</hi> who may receive their grievances, and preſent them in their behalf, whereby to obtain a remedy.</p>
<p>And becauſe <hi>Faction</hi> and <hi>Schiſm</hi> hath already too great a root, that <hi>honeſt and prudential men</hi> may be Elected, whoſe <hi>Eſtates</hi> (as to Temporals) and <hi>Religion</hi> (as to Spirituals) may ob<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>lige them ſincerely to endeavour a Settlement both in <hi>Church</hi> and <hi>State.</hi>
</p>
<p>The onely meanes for attaining of which ends, we conceive by the bleſſing of God, to be a <hi>full and free Parliament,</hi> which as we know the Nation groans for, ſo we cordially deſire, and we ſhall not acquieſce, till we have regained that our <hi>undoubted Right,</hi> hitherto <hi>unqueſtioned Priviledge,</hi> and never to be de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nied <hi>Lawful Demand.</hi> In the defence whereof we ſhall ac<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>count nothing too dear to loſe, being ready to quit not one<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ly our <hi>Employments,</hi> but to lay aſide our relations, and lay our lives at ſtake.</p>
<p>This Repreſentation is owned by <hi>Ten Thouſand of us</hi> (which if deſired) ſhall be acknowledged both with our hands and hearts, againſt all the malicious underminings of Col. <hi>Whitton</hi> the Painter, and his Decoys: Who upon the tendring that for<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ged Petition to the Watermens Hall, being conſcious that the rankneſs of the Trepan would be preſently ſented, addreſt them<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſelves to Mr. <hi>Pryn,</hi> to en their Proteſt againſt it, their names are hereunto annexed.</p>
<closer>
<pb n="43" facs="tcp:119729:24"/>
<signed>Viz.
<list>
<item>Wil. Lemond.</item>
<item>Joſias Smith.</item>
<item>Wil. Crop.</item>
<item>Wil. Goodale.</item>
<item>Thomas Slator.</item>
<item>Tho. Wasborn.</item>
<item>John Howard.</item>
<item>Wil. Bugby.</item>
<item>Robert Crop.</item>
<item>Tho. Vincent.</item>
<item>John Foſter.</item>
<item>John Lee.</item>
<item>Wil. Sound.</item>
<item>Jacob Meade.</item>
<item>Wil. Clerk.</item>
<item>Martin Craul.</item>
<item>Roger Phillips.</item>
<item>Fran. Borrick.</item>
<item>Richard Thuſee.</item>
<item>Wil. Butler.</item>
</list>
</signed>
</closer>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<head>The Remonſtrance of the Noblemen, Knights, Gen<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tlemen, Clergy-men, Free-holders, Citizens, Bur<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>geſſes, & Commons <hi>of the late</hi> Eaſtern, Southern, & Weſtern Aſſociations, <hi>who deſire to ſhew them<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſelves</hi> Faithful <hi>and</hi> Conſtant <hi>to the</hi> Good Old Cauſe, <hi>the</hi> Priviledges and Freedom of Parli<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ament, <hi>the</hi> Liberty <hi>and</hi> Property of the Subjects, Laws of the Land, and true Reformed Religi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>on, <hi>which they were formerly called forth and engaged to defend by</hi> Declarations of Parlia<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment, <hi>the</hi> Proteſtation, <hi>and</hi> Solemn National League <hi>and</hi> Covenant.</head>
<p>WE the Noblemen, Knights, Gentlemen, Clergy<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>men, Freeholders, Citizens, Burgeſſes and Commons of the late <hi>Eaſtern, Southern,</hi> and <hi>Weſtern Aſſociations</hi> of <hi>England,</hi> 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 Revolu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tions, great Tumults, and deſtructive Confuſions, wherewith our former moſt glorious, flouriſhing Churches and Nations
<pb n="44" facs="tcp:119729:25"/>
(for want of a ſetled Government, and Free Parliament) have many years by-paſt been violently rent in pieces, waſted, con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſumed, 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 In<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vaſions of combined forraign Romiſh Adverſaries, whoſe Emiſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſaries have been very active, inſtrumental in our late Combuſti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ons and Changes; being now deeply ſenſible of the deplora<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ble, deſperate condition and imminent ruine, not onely of our own Perſons, Families, Poſterities, but of our deareſt, exhau<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſted, enthralled, dying Native Country, and Proteſtant Religi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>on too, far dearer to us than our <hi>Lives</hi> or private Intereſts, the preſervation whereof is the <hi>Supreameſt Law;</hi> and calling to our minds the firſt publick ends and cauſes for which we took up arms (ſince totally perverted, ſubverted, oppugned by ambiti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ous, ſelf-advancing Commanders, Officers of the Army, and others contrary to their Truſts and Commiſſions) with the ma<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nifold Oaths, Proteſtations, Vowes, Solemn League and Cove<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nant, and other Sacred as well as Civil Obligations lying upon our Conſciences, engaging us all in our ſeveral places and cal<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>lings in this day of <hi>Englands trouble,</hi> and extream danger, to put our helping hands and beſt advice to obviate thoſe Perils, and remove thoſe Diſorders, Grievances, Confuſions, which me<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nace utter deſolation both to her and us, if we ſhould any lon<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ger 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 them<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſelves, by ambitious, turbulent Self-ſeekers and Incendiaries, and of univerſal decay of trade by Sea and Land; Have there<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>upon conceived it our neceſſary bounden duties in this ſad po<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſture 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, vigo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rous proſecution of them againſt all ſelf-ended Opponents,
<pb n="45" facs="tcp:119729:25"/>
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, Feli<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>city, and ſecure them againſt all future Concuſſions and Con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vulſions.</p>
<p>For which end we all paſſionately deſire, and ſhall unani<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mouſly and cordially endeavour by all lawful meanes within our Orbs,</p>
<p n="1">1. That a legal, full and free Parliament of <hi>England</hi> may be ſpeedily ſummoned, according to the preſcription of 16 <hi>Caroli,</hi> 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 Par<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>liaments good Cauſe, to repreſent them therein, may be no wayes diſturbed, nor reſtrained by force of Armes or other<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>wiſe.</p>
<p n="2">2. That the ſaid Parliament may ſafely, freely meet at <hi>Weſt<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>minster</hi> on the third Monday in <hi>January</hi> next, to conſult of, vote, and ſettle the Peace, Government of our diſtracted Chur<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ches 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.</p>
<p n="3">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 inte<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>reſt in oppoſition, contradiſtinction, or ſuper-inſpection, but in real ſubordination to the Parliament and people.</p>
<p n="4">4. That the whole frame and ſettlement of the Government of our Nations be entirely referred to the Parliaments unan<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ticipated conſideration, the proper Judges thereof, without any antecedent reſtrictions, preſciptions, or impoſitions, by the Ar<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>my-Officers, or any others.</p>
<p n="5">5. That the Supreme<g ref="char:punc">▪</g> Management of all Civil, Politique, Military Affairs, and appointment of all great Officers of State,
<pb n="49" facs="tcp:119729:26"/>
and Miniſters of Juſtice, ſhall be in all the ſurviving Members of the long Parliament, without ſecluding any, as in a Ge<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>neral Council of State and Safety only (who are all deſired to meet for that purpoſe) till the New Free Parliament ſhall aſſem<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ble, and no longer.</p>
<p n="6">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, accord<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ing to their antient Rights and Liberties; and of every City and Corporation in the Mayors, Sheriffs, Bailiffs, and other Of<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ficers elected by them, according to their Charters, Cuſtoms, and in none other Officers impoſed on them, till the Parliament ſhall take further Order therein.</p>
<p n="7">7. That no Taxes, Contributions, Exciſes, Impoſts, New Cu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtoms, Militiaes, or other Payments whatſoevet, ſhall be hence<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>forth 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, Aſſeſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſors, Collectors, and voluntary payers thereof; this being the peo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ples indubitable Birth right, acknowledged, declared, confirmed by manifold Acts and Declarations old and new.</p>
<p n="8">8. That ſuch an Act of Indempnity may be agreed on and aſſented to in this Parliament by common conſent, as may ſe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cure and indempnifie all perſons, whoſe future peaceable de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>portment till this Act paſſed ſhall demerit it.</p>
<p n="9">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 <hi>May</hi> 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 penal<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ty of Traitors and publick Enemies to the Parliament and Na<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tion.</p>
<p n="10">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<g ref="char:punc">▪</g> through<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>out the three Nations.</p>
<p n="11">
<pb n="47" facs="tcp:119729:26"/>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 <hi>Romiſh</hi> Emiſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſaries, or Seducers whatſoever, employed to divide, corrupt, ſeduce the people; and the Oath of Abjuration duly tender<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ed by Juſtices of Peace and other Officers, to all perſons who ſhall be accuſed and juſtly ſuſpected to be ſuch, for their bet<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ter detection.</p>
<p n="12">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 vex<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>atious 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 ſe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vere penalties.</p>
<p n="13">13. That all Treaſurers, Receivers, Collectors, Farmers of any Monies, Cuſtomes, Exciſes, Rents, Revenues, Taxes, Im<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>poſts, 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.</p>
<p n="14">14. That all good Laws formerly enacted for the preſervati<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>on and defence of the Perſons, Lives, Liberties, Properties of the Subjects, againſt illegal Impriſonments, Baniſhments, Re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtraints, Confinements, corporal puniſhments, execution by a<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ny Perſon or Perſons, Powers, Committees, Council of State, Military, Civil Officers, or Judicatures whatſoever, and againſt all unjuſt Taxes, Confiſcations, Sequeſtrations, Rapines, Plun<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ders, may be ratified; and the late and future violations of them exemplarily puniſhed.</p>
<p n="15">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 Ele<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ctors before, at, or after Elections, Gifts, Bribes, or otherwiſe, ſhall upon due proof thereof, be made uncapable to ſit or ſerve in Parliament.</p>
<p n="16">
<pb n="48" facs="tcp:119729:27"/>16. That all Members of Parliament, Officers of State, Ju<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtices, Sheriffs, Mayors, Recorders, ſhall henceforth take a Corporal Oath, to the beſt of their knowledge, skill, power, inviolably to preſerve the Fundamental Laws, Liberties, Fran<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>chiſes of the Free-men of <hi>England,</hi> and to give all Lawes for the defence of them in charge to the Grand Jury, in their re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſpective 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.</p>
<p n="17">17. That all unneceſſary Garriſons, Supernumerary Souldi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ers, and Sea-men, may be ſpeedily paid off, diſmantled, diſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>banded, and all ſuperfluous Officers, exceſſive Fees, and extor<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tions whatſoever, taken away, for the impoveriſhed peoples eaſe: and the manifold extortions, abuſes of Gaolers, Marſhals, Meſſengers, and other detainers of Priſoners, puniſhed and re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dreſſed.</p>
<p n="18">18. That Able, Faithful Conſciencious, fitting Perſons, fear<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ing God and hating covetouſneſſe, may be preferred to all Of<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fices, Places of publick Truſt, and Adminiſtration of Juſtice; and <hi>detur digniori,</hi> made the only rule in all Elections and Pre<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ferments whatſoever.</p>
<p n="19">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.</p>
<p>All which Propoſals we are reſolved by Gods gracious aſſi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtance with unanimity, conſtancy, and activity, in our ſeveral ſtations, with our lives and fortunes, to proſecute and accom<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pliſh, to our powers, by all juſt and legal wayes, with what e<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ver 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 Di<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vine 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
<pb n="49" facs="tcp:119729:27"/>
concurrence, aſſiſtance, prayers of all other Noblemen, Knights, Gentlemen, Clergy-men, Free-holders, Citizens, Burgeſſes, and Engliſh Freemen, without the ſmalleſt oppoſition, that fo <hi>Righ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>teouſneſs and Peace may kiſs each other, and glory once more dwell within our Land,</hi> wherein they have been ſtrangers over-long: <hi>And let all the People</hi> (by their joynt ſubſcriptions) <hi>ſay, Amen, Amen,</hi>
</p>
<closer>Amen.</closer>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<head>THE DECLARATION Of the Gentlemen, Free-holders, and Inhabi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tants of the County of BEDFORD.</head>
<p>WE the Gentlemen, Free-holders, and Inhabitants of the County of <hi>BEDFORD,</hi> being truly ſenſible of the heavy preſſures that we lie under, having all our Civil and Religious Rights and Liberties daily inva<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ded, 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 <hi>PARLIAMENT,</hi> without any previous Oaths, or Engagements, or Qualifications whatſoever (ſaving what was in the year 1648. before the Force put upon the <hi>Parliament.</hi>) 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 <hi>Parliament.</hi>
</p>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="50" facs="tcp:119729:28"/>
<head>THE DECLARATION OF THE Gentry, Clergy, and Commonalty of the County of ESSEX.</head>
<p>WEre it not that our former too unhappy Zeal (in Idolizing thoſe perſons who are now become, by far more oppreſſing than the <hi>Egyptian</hi> 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 <hi>Kingdome:</hi> But leſt a <hi>tacit</hi> ſilence ſhould render us complaint with <hi>Their</hi> Sacrilegious and Regicidious Proceedings, we are neceſſitated to declare our preſent Thoughts and future Reſolutions. We cannot look up<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>on our preſent Rulers without caſting an Eye upon a <hi>Militant Church,</hi> and there we finde them converting a <hi>Houſe of Prayer</hi> into a <hi>Den of Thieves;</hi> an <hi>Orthodox, Learned and Reverend Clergy,</hi> by them reduced to the extremeſt want, under pretence of <hi>pro<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pagating the Goſpel;</hi> and thoſe (who are yet permitted to exer<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ciſe their <hi>Eccleſiaſtical Function</hi>) treatned to be deprived of <hi>Gods Allowance,</hi> except in effect, they will forſake <hi>Him,</hi> and fall down to their <hi>Baal.</hi> We cannot look into our Cloathing Towns, but we behold <hi>Famine</hi> 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
<pb n="51" facs="tcp:119729:28"/>
Mieſries, and conſider their Perſons and Qualifications, we cannot finde one publick Spirit (not <hi>one wiſe man</hi>) among them; Their number is inconſiſtent with our Laws, and a large part of that ſmall number are reputed Relatives to <hi>Gaoles and Brothil-houſes:</hi> Perſons who outwardly profeſs <hi>God,</hi> but in their lives and actions utterly deny him, who <hi>through their moſt perfi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dious Treacheries, and reiterated Perjuries, have blaſted the honour of our Nation, and rendred our Religion contemptible to all our Enemies;</hi> Who (while they pretend to ſtrive for <hi>Religion and Liberties of the people</hi>) have no other Cauſe but <hi>Cains,</hi> thinking their Sins greater than can be forgiven; and therefore <hi>per fas, aut nefas,</hi> they endeavour to lay a foundation for their own Security, although in <hi>the Church and Kingdomes deſolation.</hi> Theſe Premiſes conſidered, we conceive our ſelves obliged, and therefore readily and unanimouſly we do declare, <hi>That with our Lives and Fortunes we will protect, abet, and aſſist all tho e worthy Remonſtrators of the moſt Renowned City of</hi> London, <hi>anſd the ſeveral Counties of this Kingdome, in the purſuance of their ſe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>veral Declarations for a Full and Free Parliament;</hi> 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, <hi>That we will pay no Tax, or other Impoſition whatſoever, but by Authority from our Repreſentatives in a Full and Free Parlia<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment:</hi> Into whoſe hands we ſhall commit our Lives and For<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tunes, and into whoſe Reſults we will ever acquieſce.</p>
<p>Our eyes are up unto our God for Help, and thence our Hopes are fixed on General <hi>Monke,</hi> that God hath called him forth to be the <g ref="char:V">Ʋ</g>mpier 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 <hi>Canaan.</hi> In this Confi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dence we pray to God to <hi>Bleſs, Direct, and Keep Him.</hi>
</p>
<div type="notice">
<head>Advertiſement.</head>
<p>THis our Declaration had came forth a week ſince, had not the Trappanning Diligence of an unworthy Member of our Country endeavoured the ſurprizal of it and us: Let not three
<pb n="52" facs="tcp:119729:29" rendition="simple:additions"/>
hundred and thirty hands (an inconſiderable number for ſo great a County) beſpeak this Declaration forged, we being forced to do in one day the work we had cut out for ſeven; had we had time, we had brought ten thouſand hands, ſuch as upon a good occaſion, will bring hearts ſuitable to the merits of their Cauſe.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<head>THE Declaration of the Gentry of the County of NOTTINGHAM.</head>
<head type="sub">And of the Town of <hi>Nottingham,</hi> preſented by way of Addreſs to his Excellency the Lord Gene<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ral <hi>MONCK,</hi>
<date>the 28. of <hi>February,</hi>
</date> With a Let<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ter to his Excellency, and another to the Speaker of the PARLIAMENT.</head>
<p>WHat the people of this Land have ſuffered in their greateſt Concernments, both Religious and Civil, by the late Diſorders, and frequent change of Go<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>vernment, hath for a long time been the Argument of a gene<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ral 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 al<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ready preſented and publiſhed: What God in great mercy hath done by your Excellencies means, as his choſen Inſtru<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment, 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.</p>
<p>In teſtimony therefore of our thankfulneſs to God, and our grateful ſenſe of your Excellencies moſt valiant and wiſe man<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>agement of the Power he hath intruſted you with: As alſo to
<pb n="53" facs="tcp:119729:29"/>
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 <hi>Not<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tingham,</hi> and of the County of the Town of <hi>Nottingham</hi> do Declare,</p>
<p>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 con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ceive 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.</p>
<p>We alſo claim it with the reſt of the Nation as our unique<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtionable 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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<div type="postscript">
<opener>
<salute>My Lord,</salute>
</opener>
<p>THis encloſed was intended to be preſented to your Excellencies before we had notice of your Excellencies happy removal of all Force, excluding Members from ſitting in Parliament wherein though our deſires are thereby granted, yet we can<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>not but addreſs the ſame to you, that it may appear what your Excellency hath done therein is according to our ſenſe and deſire, as
<pb n="54" facs="tcp:119729:30"/>
well as thoſe of other Counties that have gone before us in time, though not in affection, and that we ſhall in our places and callings be ready to make good what we have publickly declared for, as the Parliament and your Excellency ſhall command us, and remain</p>
<closer>
<dateline>Nottingham, <date>
<hi>Feb.</hi> 23. 1650.</date>
</dateline>
<salute>My Lord,</salute>
<signed>your Excellencies moſt humble and faithful ſervants.</signed>
</closer>
</div>
<div type="response">
<opener>
<salute>Mr. Speaker,</salute>
</opener>
<p>WE being deſirous amongſt other Counties to expreſs our thanks to the Lord General <hi>Monke,</hi> for his endeavours in our reſti<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tution to Peace and Settlement, and to manifeſt our adherence to him, and thoſe under his command, in the further proſecution of thoſe good ends mentioned in our Addreſs to him, after we had ſub<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſcribed and ordered theſe Gentlemen to wait upon him with the ſame, We received the joyful news, that all force was removed, and a free admiſſion given to all Members to ſit in Parliament, whereby our de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſires are ſo far accompliſhed, that we might have acquieſſed therein, but only that we would not have our intentions and deſires, though obtained, buried in oblivion, We thought fit to preſent that Addreſs to the Lord General, and judge it our duties to expreſs our thank<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fulneſs to God for your re-admiſſion, and our readineſs in our places and callings, to aſſiſt you in what you have ſo happily begun, and humbly deſire that by your Authority our Militia may be ſo ſetled that we may be ſerviceable to your Commands, and capa<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>citated to defend our ſelves againſt any diſcontented perſons that may upon this change endeavour a diſturbance of the publick Peace, or de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ny your Authority.</p>
<closer>
<dateline>Nottingham, <date>
<hi>Feb.</hi> 23. 1659.</date>
</dateline>
<salute>Sir,</salute>
<signed>Your humble and faithful ſervants.</signed>
</closer>
</div>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb facs="tcp:119729:30"/>
<head>THE DECLARATION OF Sir Charles Coot Knight and Baronet, Lord Preſident of the Province of <hi>CONNA<g ref="char:V">Ʋ</g>GHT:</hi> And the reſt of the Council of <hi>Officers</hi> of the Army in IRELAND.</head>
<head type="sub">Preſent at DUBLIN <hi>Concerning the Re-admiſſion of the</hi> Suclu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ded Members.</head>
<p>SInce the Authority of Parliament became openly violated, and that by their own waged ſervants of the Army in <hi>England,</hi> by whom 41. of the Members of Parliament were torn from the Parliament Houſe in <hi>Dec.</hi> 1648. and impriſoned, and a 160. other Members denied entrance into the Houſe, and about fifty more voluntarily withdrew themſelves to avoid vio<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>lence, making in all of ſecluded Members about two hundred and fifty, when the remaining Members charged the Army
<pb n="56" facs="tcp:119729:31"/>
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 mi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſeries 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 <hi>Ireland</hi>) 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 tram<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pled 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 <hi>England,</hi> which (under God) was the Bulwark and chief ſtrength of the Proteſtant Religion throughout all Chriſten<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dome, and finally the Engliſh Nation (which was alwayes de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſervedly) in ſo high honour and eſtimation at home and a<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>broad, 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 o<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ther Fanatique ſpirits, who have made it their buſineſs to oc<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>caſion ſtill one trouble on the neck of another, ſo to imbroil and continue the Nations in Diviſion, War, and bloody con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fuſion, 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 <hi>December</hi>
<pb n="57" facs="tcp:119729:31"/>
1648. the ſaid force was put upon the Parliament, the then re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>maining 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 con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſcience of their duties to God and their Country, and in te<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtimony 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 <hi>England</hi> 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.</p>
<p>And thence it was, that on the 14. day of <hi>December</hi> 1659. ſe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>veral 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 Chri<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtians; In which Declaration afterwards concurred the whole Army of <hi>Ireland,</hi> but now finding much contrary to our ex<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pectations, that when the Members of Parliament now aſſem<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>bled at <hi>Weſtminſter,</hi> were in <hi>Decemb.</hi> 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 <hi>Decem.</hi> 1659. (as they had formerly done in <hi>May</hi> 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 <hi>Weſtminſter,</hi> did not onely deny them admittance, but alſo voted and ordered the utter ex<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cluſion of all the excluded Members with this further addition, that none of them ſhould be choſen in future Elections to ſit in
<pb n="58" facs="tcp:119729:32"/>
this Parliament, whereby they have a more unnatural vio<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>lence taken away from above the one half of the people of <hi>England,</hi> 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 <hi>December</hi> 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.</p>
<p>And whereas Lieut. Gen. <hi>Ludlow</hi> had placed in <hi>Ireland</hi> ſeveral Officers who are Anabaptiſts, and perſons of the like fanatique ſpirits, (many of whom had been very active in the late con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſpiracies and actings of the factious part of the Army in <hi>Eng<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>land,</hi> even againſt thoſe Members of Parliament now ſitting at <hi>Weſtminster;</hi> of which Officers ſo placed by Lieut. Gen. <hi>Ludlow,</hi> 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. <hi>Ludlow</hi> ſtood juſtly deſervedly charged with High Treaſon, the ſaid Lieut. Gen. <hi>Ludlow</hi> himſelf, and ſome others of the like prin<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ciples 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 <hi>Ireland,</hi> 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 en<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dangering even of Religion it ſelfe. And here it is obſervable, that thoſe Members now ſitting at <hi>Weſtminſter,</hi> by their Decla<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ration of 23. of <hi>January</hi> 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 in<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>creaſe 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 in<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dempnity
<pb n="59" facs="tcp:119729:32"/>
for their perſons and eſtates, whereby it ſeems the ſaid Members now ſitting at <hi>Weſtminſter,</hi> 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 De<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>linquency, rather than the Delinquents themſelves. And al<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>though the ſaid Lieut. Gen. <hi>Ludlow,</hi> and <hi>Miles Corbet</hi> Eſq. together with Col. <hi>John Jones,</hi> and Col. <hi>Mat. Tomlinſon,</hi> ſtand impeached from hence moſt juſtly of High Treaſon, and that charge againſt them, being known to the Houſe, and there re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>maing, yet they have admitted two of thoſe perſons, namely the ſaid Lieut Gen. <hi>Ludlow,</hi> and <hi>Miles Corbet</hi> actually to ſit in the ſaid Houſe.</p>
<p>And now the greatneſs of thoſe miſeries which have befaln theſe three Nations in General, by ſuch late actings in <hi>Eng<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>land,</hi> and thoſe heightned with many aggravations in the cir<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>cumſtances of them (too many and too long to be repeated) as it hath begotten in us, and in all good men in the three Nati<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ons 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.</p>
<p>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 tran<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>quillity, and that after all the trials and various changes of Government which we have in all that time with much long<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſuffering 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 <hi>England,</hi> 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 de<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>faced, but that ſome footſteps of them do yet remain, ſo as (by the wiſdome of a full and Free Parliament) they may be
<pb n="60" facs="tcp:119729:33"/>
again renewed and firmly re-eſtabliſhed; and conſidering like<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>wiſe that our hopes of having the ſaid excluded Members re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtored, and of new Elections to be made for vacant places, whereby there might be a full and free Parliament, as there was on <hi>Decem.</hi> 5. 1648. and the antient and long conteſted Li<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>berties 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 fru<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtrated; 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 pre<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>valency of a major part of the ſaid 44. perſons (not much ex<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ceeding thoſe who voted then on the contrary ſide) which aſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſumes to it ſelf the Supreme Authority, not onely of <hi>England,</hi> 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 Nati<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ons.</p>
<p>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 <hi>England,</hi> 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 for<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>merly mentioned, contrary to all the Laws, the Supreme power not only of <hi>England,</hi> but alſo of <hi>Ireland</hi> and <hi>Scotland,</hi> is a thing which none but Conquerors or Tyrants would attempt, and in
<pb n="61" facs="tcp:119729:33"/>
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 incre<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dible to all poſterity</p>
<p>And laſtly conſidering, that as in all Ages, and more particu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>larly ſince the beginning of the late horrid Rebellion in <hi>Ire<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>land,</hi> our Brethren in <hi>England</hi> have abundantly manifeſted a tender and compaſſionate ſenſe of the condition in <hi>Ireland,</hi> 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 ac<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>knowledge 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 <hi>Ireland</hi> cannot be happy. We therefore remaining conſtant in the reaſons of our ſaid Declaration of <hi>Dec.</hi> 14. 1659. for adhering to the Parliament in defence of its Priviledges, and the juſt Rights and Liberties of theſe Na<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tions; all which we ſee now are apparently more and more vi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>olated by the<g ref="char:punc">▪</g> 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 uninterrupted<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ly Act according to their Judgements and Conſciences, to<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>wards re-ſetling the peace of theſe Nations, which otherwiſe in all humane probability can never be reſtored to Peace and Tranquillity.</p>
<p>We do therefore declare for a full and free Parliament in <hi>England,</hi> conſiſting not only of thoſe that ſate on <hi>Oct.</hi> 11. 1659. but alſo of all ſuch of the Members of Parliament impriſon<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ed, excluded, or withdrawn in <hi>December</hi> 1648. as are yet li<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ving, whom we deſire may be reſtored to the freedome and li<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>berty 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 diſcharg<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ing 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
<pb n="62" facs="tcp:119729:34"/>
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 Nati<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ons, the re-eſtabliſhment of true Religion (the ſureſt founda<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>on, 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.</p>
<p>And for thoſe ends, and in diſcharge of our duty to God, and to our Country, We do reſolve, by the bleſſing of Almigh<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ty God) to joyn with our Brethren in <hi>England, Ireland,</hi> and <hi>Scotland,</hi> 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 Poſte<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rity 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 ſettle<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment of theſe yet miſerable and diſtracted Nations; and conſe<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>quently that the true Proteſtant Religion, in the power and pu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rity thereof, may be eſtabliſhed; the Godly, Learned, and Or<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>thodox 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 Lear<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ning cheriſhed; Hereſies and Schiſms ſuppreſſed, needleſs Im<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>poſitions and Taxes on the people removed, and no charge to be laid on any of the Nations, without their own free con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſents, given by their Repreſentatives, in their ſeveral and re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſpective 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 Au<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>thority, and not preſume as ſome have done, to give Lawes
<pb n="63" facs="tcp:119729:34"/>
thereunto, which hath been the root of a great part of our mi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſeries; the Nations enriched, united and ſtrengthened; the Re<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>formed Proteſtant Chuches abroad ſupported and countenan<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ced; the honour of the Engliſh Nation reſtored, to the com<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fort of Friends, and terror of Enemies; the Plantation of <hi>Ire<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>land</hi> in the hands of Adventurers and Souldiers, and other Engliſh and Proteſtants advanced, as a farther acceſſion of ho<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>nour and greatneſs to the Engliſh Nation: and ſo by the bleſ<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſing 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 Na<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tions, <hi>Which the Lord of his mercy grant.</hi>
</p>
<closer>
<dateline>
<hi>Dated at</hi> Dublin, <date>Febr. 16. 1659.</date>
</dateline>
<signed>
<list>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Charls Coote</item>
<item>William <hi>L.</hi> Cawfield</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Theo. Jones</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Oliver St. Ceorge</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Hen. Ingoldsby</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> John King</item>
<item>
<hi>Col.</hi> Chidley Coote</item>
<item>
<hi>Col.</hi> John Cole</item>
<item>
<hi>Col.</hi> Will. Warden</item>
<item>
<hi>Col.</hi> Richard Coote</item>
<item>
<hi>Col.</hi> John Georges</item>
<item>
<hi>Col.</hi> Hen. Owen</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt. Col.</hi> Tho. Scot</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt. Col.</hi> W. Purefoy</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt. Col.</hi> Oliver Jones</item>
<item>
<hi>Maj.</hi> Tho. Barrington</item>
<item>
<hi>Maj.</hi> Alex. Staples</item>
<item>
<hi>Maj.</hi> Rich. Bingley</item>
<item>
<hi>Maj.</hi> George Pepper</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt. Col.</hi> H. Smithwick</item>
<item>
<hi>Capt.</hi> Henry Baker</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> Rob. fitz Gerald</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> Cha. Wenman.</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> Adam Molineux</item>
<item>
<hi>Col.</hi> Hum. Barrow</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> Sam. Foley</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> John Salt</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> Simon Garſtin</item>
<item>
<hi>Col.</hi> Cha. Blunt</item>
<item>
<hi>Col.</hi> Hen. Slade</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> Ant. Stamp</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> Art. Purefoy</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> George S<g ref="char:punc">▪</g> George</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> Peter Purefoy</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> Thomas Curd</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> Tho. Newcomen</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> Tho. Newburgh</item>
<item>
<hi>Cap.</hi> Hen. Thrimpton</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt.</hi> Hugh Clotworthy</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt.</hi> Peter Flower</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt.</hi> Her. Langriſh</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt.</hi> Rich. Morrick</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt.</hi> Brian Jaques</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt.</hi> Richard Butler</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt.</hi> John Ottway</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt.</hi> John Evelin</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt.</hi> Tho. Flint</item>
<item>
<hi>Lt.</hi> Edw. Harrington</item>
<item>
<hi>Corn.</hi> Art. <g ref="char:V">Ʋ</g>ſher</item>
<item>
<hi>Corn.</hi> Donw. Prothers</item>
<item>
<hi>Corn.</hi> W. Pinſent</item>
<item>
<hi>Enſign</hi> John Hiad</item>
<item>Tho. Sheppard. <hi>Mar.</hi>
</item>
<item>
<hi>Quarter-Maſter</hi> W. F.</item>
<item>John Payn <hi>Comptr.</hi>
</item>
</list>
</signed>
</closer>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="64" facs="tcp:119729:35"/>
<head>A DECLARATION Of the GENTRY of Somerſet-ſhire, Who were of the late KINGS Party.</head>
<p>WHereas God by many gracious Appearances ha<gap reason="illegible: missing" extent="1 letter">
<desc>•</desc>
</gap>h raiſed the hearts of this Nation to a great confi<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>dence, 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 thankful<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>neſs to our great and good God, we hold our ſelves bound to look upon, and with humble longings; to wait for the accom<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>pliſhment 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 <hi>Monck,</hi> 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.</p>
<p>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 <hi>England,</hi> by ſuggeſt<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ing an unchriſtian inclination remaining in us, of waiting op<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>portunities of Revenge: We do here in the ſight of God, and
<pb n="65" facs="tcp:119729:35"/>
to all the world, diſown and abhor all Animoſity and Revenge<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ful remembrance of Sides and Parties in the late War: And do promiſe and reſolve to co-operate within our Sphere to<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>wards the publique Settlement, with ſuch faithfulneſs and con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſtancy, as neither to occaſion or entertain the leaſt jealouſie up<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>on the account of any paſt difference whatſoever, fully reſol<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ving to ſubmit to the Determinations of the <hi>Parliament</hi> both in Eccleſiaſtical and Civil Affairs, which we hope will remove all occaſion of Jealouſie and Diſtinction for the future.</p>
<closer>
<signed>
<list>
<item>John <hi>Lord</hi> Paulett.</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Francis Paulett.</item>
<item>
<hi>Sir</hi> Amos Paulett.</item>
<item>William Paulett <hi>Eſq.</hi>
</item>
<item>Edward Phillips.</item>
<item>William Helliar.</item>
<item>Peregrine Palmer</item>
<item>Henry Barkley.</item>
<item>Charles Berkley.</item>
<item>Thomas Warr.</item>
<item>John Brice.</item>
<item>Robert Hawly.</item>
<item>John Bonvile.</item>
<item>Francis Windham.</item>
<item>Thomas Pigott.</item>
<item>William Wandrond.</item>
<item>George Waldrond.</item>
<item>Edward Berkley.</item>
<item>Francis Hawly.</item>
<item>George Speake.</item>
<item>John Tynt.</item>
<item>Sam. Gorges.</item>
<item>George Syddenham.</item>
<item>Francis Harvey, <hi>&c.</hi>
</item>
</list>
</signed>
</closer>
</div>
<div type="statement">
<pb n="66" facs="tcp:119729:36"/>
<head>AN ALARUM TO THE COUNTIES OF ENGLAND AND WALES.</head>
<head type="sub">With the Ab-renunciatiation of the OATH.</head>
<byline>By <hi>Tho. Fuller,</hi> B. D.</byline>
<p>OUr Nation, which long ſince hath loſt the <hi>Luſtre</hi> and <hi>Well-being,</hi> now at laſt-ſtrugleth for the <hi>Life</hi> and <hi>Be<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ing</hi> thereof. Our many [<hi>temporal</hi>] miſeries are reduci<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ble to two principal Heads.</p>
<list>
<head>Daily</head>
<item>1. <hi>Decreaſe</hi> of <hi>Trading.</hi>
</item>
<item>2. <hi>Increaſe</hi> of <hi>Taxes:</hi> So that every hour the <hi>Burden</hi> groweth <hi>weightier,</hi> and the <hi>Back</hi> of our Nation weaker to ſupport it.</item>
</list>
<p n="2">
<pb n="67" facs="tcp:119729:36"/>2. 'Tis ſad to ſee, in Cloathing Countreys, what ſwarms there are of poor people, the true objects of Charity; if any were as <hi>able</hi> to <hi>give,</hi> as they worthy to receive <hi>relief:</hi> for they <hi>would</hi> work, and <hi>can</hi> work, yet <hi>cannot</hi> work, becauſe there are none to employ them.</p>
<p n="3">3. As for the Sea (which is the <hi>Land</hi> of <hi>Port-Towns</hi>) it returneth ſmall benefit; for ſince <hi>Dunkirk</hi> was ours (more to the <hi>credit</hi> than <hi>benefit</hi> of our Nation) the fire of <hi>Sea<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>robberies</hi> is removed out of the <hi>Chimney,</hi> and ſcatter<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ed about the <hi>Houſe,</hi> not leſſe <hi>deſtructive,</hi> but more <hi>diffu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſive:</hi> So that our Merchants could better guard them<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſelves againſt that <hi>Single Staple of Pirates,</hi> than many leſſer ones ſprung ſince every where, the cauſe why rich men will not (as poor cannot) adventure.</p>
<p n="4">4. Our ſecond <hi>miſery</hi> is, increaſe, yea, <hi>ſuperfetation</hi> of Taxes, ſo long as ſo numerous an Army is maintained: For though ſome of their Souldiers will preach <hi>gratis</hi> (conſcientious to take nothing for that which they know is worth nothing) yet none will fight at ſo cheap a rate.</p>
<p n="5">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 <hi>circulation,</hi> is con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tinued in our Country. This I deny; for ſome Grandees greatned by the Times, have made their Monies over in <hi>Banks</hi> beyond the Seas, which are put into <hi>MORTMAIN,</hi> or a <hi>Dead hand,</hi> whereby no profit accreweth to our Com<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>monwealth. Others having gotten the Eſtates of <hi>Lords,</hi> live after the rate <hi>Yoomen,</hi> whoſe diſcretion therein is to be commended, for proportioning their expences (for fear of <hi>afterclaps</hi>) rather according to their original, than preſent condition.</p>
<p n="6">6. The increaſe of <hi>Taxes</hi> muſt inevitably cauſe the ruine of our Nation: For though ſtill there be wealthy men left
<pb n="68" facs="tcp:119729:37"/>
(as they ſhew it in their <hi>cowardiſe,</hi> 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 <hi>wither</hi> will turn <hi>Suckers</hi> on the <hi>Stock</hi> of others. So that the greateſt happineſs rich men can promiſe to themſelves, is only to be <hi>laſt</hi> 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 <hi>Candle</hi> of our Engliſh wealth could laſt ſo long, as we have beheld it <hi>burning</hi> in the <hi>Socket,</hi> but now giving the laſt blaze, if God be not merciful, and men diſcreet to prevent it.</p>
<p n="7">7. Paſs we from the ſad Malady, to the ſole Remedy thereof, I ſay <hi>ſole,</hi> not excluſively of divine miraculous power, but according to humane apprehenſion, this is a <hi>Free</hi> and <hi>full Parliament.</hi> Indeed <hi>Free-Parliament</hi> is a <hi>Tau<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tology,</hi> like a <hi>Reaſonable-man,</hi> who, if not <hi>reaſonable,</hi> is no <hi>man;</hi> as the other, if not <hi>free,</hi> no <hi>Parliament.</hi> But the late frequent forces put on <hi>Parliaments</hi> hath made the needleſs <hi>Epethite</hi> become <hi>neceſſary,</hi> to expreſs what kinde of Parlia<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ments we deſire. Not ſuch in which every word muſt be ſpoken under <hi>correction of the Sword,</hi> but wherein every Member, without fear of violence (to interrupt or diſſolve them) may follow the dictates of their own judge<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ment.</p>
<p n="8">8. Nor ought a <hi>Parliament</hi> onely bee <hi>free</hi> from Force, but alſo from any <hi>Abjurations,</hi> or previous Engagements. Let them take heed of renouncing any thing, ſave what is ſimply ſinful in it ſelf, as the forſaking of the <hi>World, Fleſh,</hi> and <hi>Devil,</hi> as was ſolemnly promiſed for them in their Baptiſm. But it is bad to bee buſie with other <hi>Ab-renuncia<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tions,</hi> eſpecially of the <hi>Royal Family.</hi>
</p>
<p n="9">
<pb n="69" facs="tcp:119729:37"/>9. Look backward, and we may ſay with <hi>David, The Vows of the Lord are upon us;</hi> I mean on ſo many of us as are of fifty years of age. The Oath of <hi>Supremacy</hi> (not to mention the <hi>Covenant</hi>) is the eldeſt Brother, to whom the inheritance of our Conſciences do belong.</p>
<p n="10">10. Look forwards, it <hi>limiteth Gods Providence,</hi> 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 <hi>ſhort</hi> (but <hi>ſtrict</hi>) time hath ſeen ſo many ſtrange things, that now nothing is ſtrange unto us. Have wee not ſeen <hi>O. Cromwell</hi> from a private Gentleman <hi>gradatim</hi> aſcend to bee Protector of three Nations, and by his Cou<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>rage and Wiſdome rather than any right) a more abſo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>lute Power poſſeſſed by, and larger Tribute paid unto him than to any King in <hi>England.</hi> His Son and Succeſſour (counted bad by many for his goodneſs and milde ſpirit) for eighth months was congratulated by the moſt con<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſiderable Perſons of our Nation. Now if ſome twenty years ſince an Oath had been tendred unto us to abjure the Fa<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>mily of <hi>Cromwels</hi> from ever having the Supream Magiſtra<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ey 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 <hi>Womb of Teeming</hi> Time, though utterly im<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>probable to our belief.</p>
<p n="11">11. Beſides, the Impoſers of this Oath may miſs the mark they propound to themſelves, <hi>viz.</hi> 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
<pb n="70" facs="tcp:119729:38"/>
Executioners to ſtrangle tender Conſciences, whoſe cordial fear of an Oath ſhould be encouraged.</p>
<p n="12">12. As the <hi>Parliament</hi> muſt be <hi>free,</hi> no <hi>Vaſſal,</hi> but enfran<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>chiſed from the Sword, ſo muſt it bee <hi>full,</hi> no <hi>Cripple,</hi> but entire and compleat in all the Members thereof. Our Land hath lately groaned under the moſt grievous <hi>Monopoly</hi> as ever was, or can be, when a handful of men have graſped to themſelves the <hi>repreſenting</hi> of a whole (not to ſay three) Nation, moſt of them being but <hi>Burgeſſes,</hi> who though equal in <hi>Votes,</hi> are not equal in their <hi>Repreſentation</hi> with the Knights of the Shires. If they preſume that the reſt <hi>excluded</hi> by them (far more conſiderable for Birth, Eſtates, Num<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ber, Love of the People, and what not?) are vertually <hi>included</hi> 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 <hi>Rape</hi> to their own <hi>Reaſon</hi> that deny it. Such alſo is this Maxim, <hi>
<g ref="char:V">Ʋ</g>nrepreſented, <g ref="char:V">Ʋ</g>nconcluded:</hi> So that if ſo few have in them the <hi>notion</hi> of a Parliament, it is a bare <hi>Notion</hi> in<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>deed, eſpecially ſeeing this handful of men were (ſay the Cavaliers) <hi>diſſolved</hi> by the death of the King; <hi>diſſolved</hi> (ſaid <hi>Cromwell</hi>) by his Sword; <hi>diſſolved</hi> (ſay ſome <hi>Great ones</hi>) by an Act of their own (entred into the <hi>Journall</hi> Book of the <hi>Parliament) diſſolved</hi> muſt their own <hi>Conſciences</hi> ſay, by their voluntary accepting of Elections in later <hi>Parlia<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ments.</hi>
</p>
<p n="13">13. Now the Members of a <hi>Free</hi> and <hi>full Parliament</hi> (the onely Hope of Humane help) ought thus to be quali<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>fied:</p>
<list>
<item>1. Let them be <hi>Godly,</hi> and <hi>Well-affected</hi> in<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>deed, and not in the <hi>canting language</hi> of the Times.</item>
<item>
<pb n="71" facs="tcp:119729:38"/>2. Men of Eſtates, who will be tender in taxing others, as ſtriking them thorough themſelves, whilſt ſuch who <hi>bear</hi> nothing care not how much they burthen others, as if paying were as eaſie as voting, and Money as free as words.</item>
<item>3. Men of ſpirits, no dull Souls, all the ſparks of whoſe activity are quenched in their own flegm.</item>
<item>4. No Gainers by the continnance of the Army. <hi>Demetrius</hi> the Silver-ſmith was no fool (what ever elſe he was) ſo ſticking for the ſhrine of <hi>Diana,</hi> by which Craft he got his Gain.</item>
<item>5. Men of <hi>Moderation,</hi> a quality not oppoſed to <hi>Diligence,</hi> but to <hi>Violence,</hi> not unactiving men, but regulating their Activity.</item>
</list>
<p n="14">14. This their Moderation muſt appear in conſider<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ing all <hi>Intereſts,</hi> ſeeing there be no two <hi>Intereſts</hi> in the Nation ſo <hi>contemptible,</hi> which if united, and twiſting their diſcontents together, cannot draw trouble on all the reſt: Eſpecially the <hi>Sectarian</hi> (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 <hi>Purſes,</hi> who when they finde the <hi>moiſture</hi> of Profit to fail them, will fall off like <hi>leaves in Au<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>tumn;</hi> yet can I not be ſo uncharitable, but to beleeve that many of them (having the <hi>heat</hi> of their <hi>affections</hi> above the <hi>light</hi> of their <hi>judgements</hi>) follow erroneous Conſciences; Beſides, having gone looſe ſo long, they muſt needs <hi>ſwell,</hi> if hardly <hi>girded</hi> on a ſudden.</p>
<p n="15">
<pb n="72" facs="tcp:119729:39"/>15. This <hi>moderation</hi> alſo muſt be uſed by all other Per<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſons, to work themſelves to be (if not <hi>pleaſed</hi>) contented with the deciſions of a <hi>free Parliament.</hi> All muſt ſit down <hi>Loſers</hi> ſave ſuch alone, who can plead, that they have been no <hi>Sinners</hi> in our Nation. The Grand deſign muſt be to have <hi>none,</hi> or, (if that be impoſſible) <hi>as few as may be,</hi> utterly ruined. I confeſs <hi>two hungry meals makes a third a Clutton,</hi> and ſuch who have long <hi>faſted</hi> from their detained Eſtates, will be not onely <hi>greedy</hi> but <hi>ravenous</hi> to recover them. Yea, ſuch will ſhrewdly plead, that they now expect <hi>moderation</hi> from them, who never uſed <hi>moderation</hi> to them. However, in ſuch a general danger, men muſt depoſe their animo<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſities, labouring, firſt, to reconcile their <hi>ſpirits,</hi> then, their <hi>perſwaſions,</hi> the <hi>later</hi> being at leſs diſtance than the <hi>former.</hi> 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.</p>
<p n="16">16. It will be objected that ſuch a <hi>full P.</hi> is ſtill but an <hi>empty Parliament,</hi> having no <hi>Houſe of Lords</hi> therein: But know, if both hands of a man be bound, no hope of liber<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ty from himſelf; but if one be untied, it may do the bro<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>therly office to unlooſe the other: Let us be content to row in a <hi>Sculler</hi> till we can get a pair of <hi>Oars.</hi> And ſuch ſurely is the Ingenuity and publick ſpiritneſs of the <hi>Peers,</hi> that laying aſide perſonal Intereſt (which upon debate may appear more) they will ſuſpend their <hi>Rights, Immunities,</hi> and <hi>priviledges,</hi> and ſubmit all to the determination of a <hi>Free Parliament</hi> to acquieſce therein.</p>
<p n="17">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 <hi>Arbitrators</hi> of our differences, who will demand great <hi>wages</hi> for little <hi>work,</hi> yea and turn their owne <hi>Paymaſters</hi> thereof. And may that <hi>great General</hi> (whoſe <hi>Intentions</hi> long have <hi>ſtood in the dark</hi> to our Nation, whilſt our Nations <hi>deſires</hi> were all the while in
<pb n="73" facs="tcp:119729:39"/>
light to him, underſtand that <hi>Vox Populi</hi> is <hi>Vox Dei,</hi> and interpret, that God calleth unto him by the <hi>Declarations</hi> of all <hi>Counties,</hi> to be chiefly inſtrumental in aſſerting our Li<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>berties, and we ſhall have cauſe for ever to bleſs the day of his Nativity.</p>
<p n="18">18. Indeed had Providence fixed our Nativities under the Duke of <hi>Muſcovy,</hi> whoſe <hi>Liſt</hi> is his Subjects <hi>Law,</hi> we would (becauſe we <hi>muſt</hi>) work our ſelves patiently to the obedience of his power. But ſeeing God hath given us, with St. <hi>Paul,</hi> to be <hi>free-born, Acts</hi> 22. 28. (though al<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ſo, with the <hi>Centurion,</hi> we have <hi>given great ſumms, not to obtain, but contrive this freedome</hi>) let us not tamely loſe our Birth-right, and vigorouſly endeavour their preſervation.</p>
<p n="19">19. The Story is well known of the old Woman, who having but a ſmall parcel of Wood, would leaſurably roaſt her Gooſe<g ref="char:punc">▪</g>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 <hi>ENGLAND</hi> and <hi>WALES</hi> (with the Ci<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ty of <hi>LONDON,</hi> which eminently is two and fifty more) be all as one, and unanimouſly advance the Work, and not doe as they dealt with poor <hi>CHESHIRE,</hi> uſing it as <hi>Joab</hi> uſed <hi>
<g ref="char:V">Ʋ</g>riah,</hi> putting him forward on a<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ction, then falſly ret, eating from him, and leaving him a prey to his enemies. But I hope our old <hi>Shipwracks</hi> will be new <hi>Sea-marks</hi> to us, documented by former nocu<g ref="char:EOLhyphen"/>ments, to ſteer a courſe for the general good.</p>
<p n="20">20. There is ſo Engliſhman ſo inconſiderable, but he may, at the leaſt in a ſingle capacity, be <hi>contributive</hi> to the happineſs of his <hi>Native Country,</hi> the <hi>Wiſe</hi> with their <hi>Brains,</hi> the <hi>Rich</hi> with their <hi>Purſes,</hi> the <hi>Learned</hi> with their <hi>Pens,</hi> the <hi>Strong</hi> with their <hi>Perſons,</hi> all with their <hi>Prayers.</hi> And if now they ſuffer this opportunity which God puts into their <hi>hands,</hi> to ſlip through their <hi>fingers,</hi> they may hereafter have more <hi>years</hi> to <hi>bemoan</hi> their <hi>folly,</hi> than <hi>minutes</hi> to amend their <hi>miſery;</hi> it being better now to ſay, <hi>We will not,</hi> than three years hence to ſay, <hi>We cannot</hi> pay our <hi>Taxes.</hi>
</p>