THE HUMBLE REMONSTRANCE AND PETITION OF CERTAIN CHURCHES working in the fellowship of the Faith, and in the Order of the GOSPEL, with the CHURCHES of CHRIST in AMERICA.  
Who join in this REMONSTRANCE and PETITION with many other Godly Persons( includ●ng some of our English BRETHREN now in SCOTLAND.)  
Having also the full consent and concurrence of many others elsewhere,( professing the Truth which is after godliness) who( with the rest above-named) are all as one Man, jointly and severally well-affected to the settling of such a Government in this Common-wealth, under which we may live a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty.  
Printed 〈…〉   

TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE LORD-GENERALL CROMWELL, And( by His Lordships goodness ●nd favour) to be communicated unto all now acting, and immediately concerned in the highest Affairs of this COMMON WEALTH, who are called, and chosen, and faithful.  
May it please Your EXCELLENCY,  
THe LORD only wise, who is great in counsel, and wonderful in working, hath been pleased oftentimes in this Age, to appear unto us as a GOD of glorious Majesty; and not only so, but as the GOD of our Mercy, riding( as the Prophet speaks) for our deliverance, upon his horses and chariots of salvation; who in our low estate hath looked upon us, and in our deepest distresses hath made answer to us,( though by terrible things in righteousness.) The means he hath used for this end, and the Instruments whom he hath honoured and anointed above their fellows; for the Execution of his purpose and good pleasure in such a case, hath put us( both in former times, and now of late more especially) upon the serious consideration of that which is some-where said by the Prophet Daniel, The people that do know their God, shall be strong and do exploits. We may well and truly say, To day is this Scripture fulfilled in our eyes; and fulfilled in that late Exploit of driving out the Buyers, Sellers, and Money-changers of these times, from the supreme Seats of Justice,( reserving always all due Honour and acknowledgement, with most humble thankfulness for all those Worthies in that late Authority, who have acted purely & sincerely for the public Interest, not seeking great things for themselves.  
Upon that Act of our Saviour in cleansing the Temple, was brought to mind this saying, The zeal of thy house hath eaten me up; and it well becomes that charity( which according to the sense & meaning of the Apostle) believeth al things, and hopeth al things; to believe and hope concerning this act of dissolving the Parliament, that it is a true effect and expression of the very same zeal▪ proceeding from the same mind and Spirit which was in CHRIST JESUS.  
The dissolution of the Parliament having made so great a change, and there being at this day in this Nation, so many Grievances left upon us,( if not laid upon us by that Government, whom the LORD hath now removed) & such YOKES upon our necks, as neither we, nor our fathers are able to bear; it is like( ere long) to be the common cry from al parts & quarters of the Land, which was sometimes remonstrated by the people of Israel, upon the death of Solomon.  
Thy father made our YOKE Grievous; now therefore ease thou somewhat of the Grievous servitude of thy father, and the heavy YOKE that he put upon us, and we will serve thee.  
In this case it is not hard to prescribe the best and safest course, considering what is said therein by Solomons old Counsellors, which is thus recorded in the Story;  
If thou wilt be a servant to this People, if thou wilt be kind, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants for ever.  
In the late Kings Reign, there was a very grievous YOKE upon the neck of this Nation, by reason of the LAW,( as relating to Episcopacy, and many other Constitutions,) in all which cases, the Law in those times, was not unlike the Statutes of Omri; and notwithstanding all that Reformation which hath passed upon the Law,( except in some particulars) to the shane of some it may be spoken, that the high places are not yet removed to this very day: the Law of England( considered in the whole frame and body of it) being far short of holding forth the true and lively Character of His Authority, Image and Superscription, who is the Only POTENTATE, the KING of Kings, and LORD of Lords.  
We have not hitherto had the honour and happiness of taking His YOKE upon us, who is, and ought to be for ever owned as our only JUDGE, our LAW-GIVER, and our KING; not only in Spiritual, but in all Civil Constitutions and Administrations whatsoever: and it is our lamentation, and shall be for a lamentation, that other lo●ds have ruled over us, whose hard and heavy YOKES have been laid upon us, and yet( as relating to the Government of CHRIST in the Civil part of it) it is a Truth established upon a better Foundation then the pillars of Heaven and Earth, that His YOKE is easy, and His Burden is light. And in this sense, upon this occasion, we may safely use the same words, which Job unsafely uttered in his paroxysms; Oh, that we might have our request, and that GOD would grant us the thing that we long for!  
We have designed brevity, for fear of being tedious; in which respect( though, as confiding in the Cause, most willingly we would engage; yet on the other hand) we are constrained to decline the close and narrow disquisition of that great enquiry, Whether the judicials( we do not say of Moses, but) of the Word of GOD be extended to all Ages by Divine Appointment?  
To which we shal say thus much only at the present as we pass along;  
If every word must stand in the mouth of two or three witnesses; we may then conclude( without the leave of any Adversary) that the affirmative part of this Question will be settled upon a firm foundation by more then two or three Arguments, offering themselves without the least obscurity from those two famous and faithful Scripture testimonies( Deut. 4.6, 7, 8. Mal. 4.4.) which speak in this case as the lively Oracles of GOD unto all men who have ears to hear, and hearts to entertain a truth in the love of it.  
In the next place, we humbly remonstrate to your Excellency, That there are other Grievous YOKES upon us;( which are woeful demonstrations of our late mis-government) by those swarms of useless Officers which have been erected and established with respect of persons, against the public interest; and these YOKES of IRON are yet more grievous, both by excessive salaries, and by the extreme unfaithfulness of men entrusted, who act about the EXCISE, customs, assessments, and other Revenues of the Commonwealth in the accounts they give of their Stewardship,( if any at all be given, which we have great cause to question) as the unfaithful servant in the Gospel, who for one hundred measures of oil which was due unto his Master, took his bill and set down fifty; and for one hundred measures of wheat, took his bill and writ fourscore.  
Besides these YOKES above mentioned, We might add many more, and subscribe at the foot of that account, the one half hath not been  told: But among the rest, we humbly Remonstrate to your Excellency, the sad Oppression of this Nation, by a generation of Men in Civil Power, who have both out lived; and( in some respect;) out-sinned our late wicked Clergy, in plurality of places; These are they who reap where they have not sown, and gather where they have not strawed. And these are they who do not one●y cumber the ground as barren figtrees,( ●●using many who m ght be useful, to stand idle in the Ma●ket-place) but as briars and thorns they choke those better f●uits that otherwise would be produced. These Caterpilla●s of th● COMMON WEALTH, like the Locusts of Egypt, have( as much as in them●●l●es) devoured and destroyed that which other Plagues had left.  
But though all this be come upon us, we must profess for ever that th● Lord is holy; acknowledging to the praise of H●s long-suffering and patience, that He hath punished us less then our iniquities deserve. And though we have sometimes mourned sore like doves, and been in desolate places as dead men, stumbling at noonday as in the night, and have looked long for judgement, but behold oppression; and for righteousness, but behold a cry; Yet when we call to mind the years of the right hand of the most High, and consider his wondrous works both in our times, and in the dayes of old; we cannot but conclude with Sbecaniah( in a very l●ke case) There is hope in Israel concerning this; And we may say( by what we have observed) There is a general expectation that Deliverance shall arise to this distressed Nation; and who knows whether your Lordship is come to this height of Honour for such a time as this? Who knows but that your Lordship may be used and accepted as most eminently instrumental, in building the old wast places, and in raising up foundations for many generations.  
In such a case as this, we humbly offer to your Excellency, as most worthy of imitation, that which is recorded of Hezekiah in 2 Chro. 31.20. Thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, working that which was good, and right, and truth before the LORD his GOD, and in every work that he began in the SERVICE of the HOUSE of GOD, and in the LAW; he did it with all his heart and prospered.  
We have good hope, through grace,( considering what the Lord hath spoken, Jer. 5.1. and what good proof of such a Christian character hath appeared in your Excellency) that by the favour of our GOD unto His People, your Lordship is accounted worthy( as a means of our Mercy) to save and recover the Commonwealth of England. Hence, the consideration of that saying in the prophesy of Obadiah, will be of high concernment to your Excellency( which being as a word in season to the point in hand, is like apple of Gold in Pictures of Silver) Saviours shall come upon Mount Zion, they shal judge the Mount of Esau; and the Kingdom shall be the LORDS.  
The gracious accomplishment of so great a Promise, would give a full redress and freedom from those evil Pressures, of which we most complain.  
Now for Zions sake we will not hold our peace, and for Jerusalems sake we will not rest; until the righteousness thereof break forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. Wherefore,  
We most humbly beseech your Excellency, That by the utmost improvement of your powerful Interest, The LORD alone may be exalted this day; and exalted in all the consequences of this great Change, relating both to Sacred and Civil Government; that( as the Prophet speaks) the Mount of Esau may be judged, the oppressed People of England may be at last relieved, the Iron YOKES of cruel bondage may be broken: that all Arbitrary Impositions and Exactions may from henceforth be abandoned; which( as hath been found by woeful experience) have not onely out-lived Laud and Strafford, but out-reigned their Master: That a Civil jubilee from all unjust and unequal servitude being now proclaimed, and the YOKE of JESUS CHRIST accepted,( who is our only Judge, our Law-giver, and our King) The Kingdom may be the LORDS, the Commonwealth of England may be the LORDS; and being his peculiar People, it will soon be said of us, by all that are about us, as is foretold of Israel, and to be fulfilled upon them in their best and most blessed times, The LORD bless thee, thou habitation of justice, and mountain of holiness.  
We most humbly beseech your Excellency to continue following the LORD, as you do this day, ( for now we live, if you stand fast in the LORD.) And we beseech your Excellency to continue seeking the wealth and welfare of this Nation, and to seek it with all your might, in all that you put your hand unto; And let it be the Alpha and Omega of all your designs( which will be the Alpha & Omega of all our mercies) that the Lord JESUS CHRIST ( whose right it is) may have the pre-eminence in all things;( all Crowns, Powers, Governments, Dignities and Dominions, being duly subjected to Him, and cast down before Him, at His Footstool) that in all cases and concernments whatsoever, we may be ruled only by a sceptre of Righteousness, which is the sceptre of His Kingdom. And thus to sit down, and dwell safely( as they did in the dayes of Solomon) under our own Vines, and under our own Figtrees, can never be attained fully and in all respects, but where persons in Government are Ministers of righteousness, ruling in the fear of God, men of truth, and hating covetousness.  
These, and only these, are the truly Noble and Right Honourable Ministers of State, the Keepers of the Liberties of the Political Kingdom of our Lord JESUS CHRIST( of all other men most worthy to be entrusted as Keepers of the Liberties of the Commonwealth of England.) These are like the threescore valiant men ( of the valiant of Israel) who stood about the bed of Solomon: These are they who will attend the Lord JESUS( with all faithfulness) in all the political motions and administrations of His Government; Like those Worthies in Israel, of whom we red, who came with a perfect heart to make David King, and were not of a double mind. Other men,( acting merely by moral principles) though they may at times pretend much in such a case as this, yet at the last they will appear to be, but as deceitful brooks, and as waters that fail.  
The Foundation Corner-stones of our Political fabric, being made up of such materials, as sometimes Moses( that skilful Master-builder) did make use of by the LORD'S appointment: We shall not only for the present enjoy the blessing of such Judges as at the first, and counsellors as at the beginning, but by the skilful guidence, and safe conduct of such a good Establishment, we shall go on in building, and the GOD of Heaven will prosper us, so as in his due time we shall lay the Top-stone with shouting, and cry, Grace, grace unto it.  
We are now upon the borders of a very great Question, which( like the dead body of Amasa) hath put many to a stand; and because it is a part of our profession in these contentious times, to follow peace, studying to be quiet( as we are admonished) and have accordingly declined all disputes, controversies, and contentions,( excepting such as are about that faith, which was once delivered, for which we must contend, and the vitals of that mystery of godliness, which is in itself without controversy.) We are therefore most unwilling to engage in this, if by any means we might have waved it without the danger of detaining such a truth in unrighteousness, as may much conduce to the present and most necessary service of the Common-wealth, in the two main points of Religion and Righteousness: Being therefore thus put upon it, and now, that we may with some clearness of satisfaction proceed in this debate, we shall make way towards the Question by these following Propositions.  

PROPOS. I.  
THe necessary, adequate, and immediate End and object of Civil Government, and consequently of Civil Governors and Magistrates,( by the rule and reason of their primitive constitution and appointment) is the peace and quietness of their People, in all godliness and honesty.  
The proof of this Proposition is plain and easy, lying open to the view of all men in the very letter of the text, so as he that runs may red it, 1 Tim. 2.1, 2.   

PROPOS. II.  
CIvil Governours and Magistrates, being qualified for the End and Object of their Constitution and Appointment, are no less necessary to a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty; and consequently to the wel●fare and prosperity of their people, then the means is necessary to the attaimment of their end.  
This Proposition being justly inferred from the former, will need no further proof; though it might be cleared( and that without difficulty) by such an induction of Particulars as would make up a cloud of witnesses.  
Famous is that saying of the Queen of Sheba, 2 Chron. 9.8. Because the LORD thy GOD hath loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore hath he made thee King over them, to do judgement and justice: Happy are thy men, and happy are thy servants. The prosperity of Judah was very great in the reign of that good King Jehoshaphat, concerning whom we red, that he walked in the first ways of his father David; and( it is expressly said) that therefore the LORD established his Kingdom. The goodness of Jehoshaphat had such a powerful and blessed influence upon his People, that( as we read in the story) He went out from Beersheba to Mount Ephraim, and brought back the People to the LORD GOD of their Fathers.  
The contrary may be seen in the reign of Rehoboam, who was an evil-doer in the sight of the LORD: It is said of him, That when he had strengthened himself, and established the Kingdom, he forsook the Law of the LORD, and all Israel with him; and because of this, Shishack King of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took all the fenced Cities of Judah.  
It is said of wicked Ahaz, That the LORD brought Judah low because of Ahaz, for he transgressed sore against the LORD.  
The like is said concerning Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.   

PROPOS. III.  
THe welfare and prosperity of a People being bound-up in such qualified Governors and Magistrates, as the end is bound up in the use of means; it must needs follow, That the Choice and Election of Governors and Magistrates( especially of supreme) is an act of highest concernment unto any People; and as an Act of such concernment, ought accordingly to be attended, in respect of care and counsel.  
It was highly commendable in Ahasuerus, that in all matters of importance, he applied himself unto the wise men who knew the times; and this( as is recorded of him) was the Kings manner towards all that knew LAW and judgement.  
Excellent and most pertinent is that of which we red concerning some of the Tribes, who( in a case of such choice and election, as is the very subject of our present discourse) did not trust a promiscuous inconsiderate mixed multitude, with Affairs of such transcendent Consequence, but that the business might be managed with all wisdom, care and counsel requisite, they employed a certain number of select men ( being heads of the Tribe.) who were such as had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, and all their brethren were at their commandment, 1 Chron. 12.32. 
1 Chron. ●●  and( as in this abovementioned) so the like care and course was taken, in these following instances, which do directly argue to the point in hand. When David was elected King over Israel,( 2 Sam. 5.) in that case, the common people acted mediately, and in some sort; 
2 Sam. 5  but the Elders of Israel acted eminently and immediately, ver. 3. For it is said expressly, the Elders of Israel came to the King to Hebron, and King David mad● a League with them in Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David King over Israel. 
Exod. ●●   
The Election that was made of Governours and Magistrates, Exod. 18. was partly by the People, but especially by Moses.  
The Election that was made of Jephtah to be a Judge in Israel was eminently and immediately by the Elders of Gilead, as appears at large in the 11. of Judges, 
judge. ●●  to which Act of theirs they had the approbation and concurrence of their People, ver. 11.  
The safety, and welfare of a People is thus provided for, not only by the LORDS express appointment, and prescription, but by the common rules of Policy, and principles of Reason. Hence is that old approved Axiom; Salus populi suprema Lex. Summa salus Rei-publica non est periclitanda.   

PROPOS. IV.  
A Promiscuous mixed multitude of people( considered as a multitude) are not qualified with requisites for any Act of council in a case of highest concernment.  
It is somewhere said in the Proverbs, that every purpose is established by counsel: that without council purposes are disappointed, and that in a multitude of counsellors there is safety; But in a multitude of common people there is nothing else but faction, contradiction and confusion.  
The Commonwealth of Israel were a peculiar people in respect of other Nations; yet it is expressly said of them( being collectively considered) They are a Nation voided of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them, Deut. 32.28.   

PROPOS. V.[ And so we fall upon the point in question.]  
THe choice and Election of Governours and Magistrates being an Act of council, in a case of highest concernment, ought not to be committed merely, eminently, or immediately, to the ordering and managing of a mixed and promiscuous mulitude.  
This Proposition, considering the premises, will be very clearly proved both by Scripture-Presidents, and by the rules of Reason.  
And thus much may be interposed not unseasonably, that by the LAW of England, the choice and election of supreme Magistrates is not in the People, as people of England, for then it would extend to all, according to that approved Rule, à quatenus ad omne, valét consequentia; But all the People of England are not under the qualification of choosing and electing their supreme Magistrates; for many thousands are excluded by not having so much Land or Estate as the LAW requires; which yet being duly weighed in the balance of equity, doth not so much unfit a man for such a privilege, as defects falling under a moral consideration; and if the Law of England which hath excluded these, shall admit of other multitudes;( acting in such a case, both immediately and promiscuously) we must crave leave,( in a time of so much liberty) to declare and enter our dissent against it, for these following Reasons.  

REASON I.  
An Act of council, in acase of highest concernment, ought not to be committed merely, eminently, or immediately, to a mixed and promiscuous multitude.  
But the choice and election of supreme Magistrates is an act of council in a case of highest concernment.  
Therefore the choice and election of supreme Magistrates ought not to be committed merely, eminently, or immediately, to a mixed and promiscuous multitude.  
In this Argument the mayor is clearly proved by the fourth Proposition: To which we may add for further confirmation that which is said in Ecclesiastes, The words of wise men are heard in quiet, more then the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Acts of council do proceed from Counsellors, not from the common sort of people. A counselor doth denote and signify a man of wisdom, worth, and honour; Hence is that which we red of Zechariah, he was a wise counselor. And to the same effect it is said elsewhere, The Law shal not perish from the Priest, nor counsel from the wise. And if counsel be a PROPER ADJUNCT of wisdom and prudence, it cannot be expected from confused multitudes.  
The Minor needs no further proof then is contained in the third Proposition, wherein this above the rest is worthy to be reminded, They who sent the Heads and Elders of their Tribe, to elect and choose a King over Israel, did surely look at it as an Act of council in a case of highest concernment. And hence it was, that for such a special service they did select and employ such,( and only such) who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do; and all their brethren were at their commandment.   

REASON II.  
That wherein the wel-fare and prosperity of a people is bound-up, and doth especially consist, ought not to be committed unto any by whom it is exposed to apparent prejudice. ( For, as is already said in the third Proposition) Summa salus Reipublicae non est periclitanda.  
But the welfare and prosperity of a people is bound up, and doth especially consist in the choice and election of their Governours and magistrates, being qualified as aforesaid; which is clearly and fully proved in the fore-going Propositions.  
Therefore the choice and election of Governors and Magistrates ought not to be committed unto any by whom it is exposed to apparent prejudice.  
And by the force of such a consequence, as is very evident, it clearly follows, That the choice and election of Governors and Magistrates ought not to be committed to a mixed and promiscuous multitude: ( the hazard and prejudice of acting by such means, and in such a manner, having been so fully demonstrated both by the fourth Proposition, and by the proofs subjoined to the former Argument.)   

REASON III.  
The best presidents and patterns( as most worthy of imitation and acceptance) ought always to be observed; and consequently in the choice and election of Magistrates.  
We cannot but conceive, that this Proposition is without exception, and will pass for current, unless it fall into the hands of men bereaved of reason, and so far destitute of the truth, that they call good evil, and evil good, putting darkness for light, and light for darkness.  
But the presidents and patterns already offered in the fore-going Propositions, for the choice and election of Governors and Magistrates are best( as being Scripture-presidents) and best, as most agreeable to rules of Policy and reason.  
Therefore the presidents and patterns( offered as aforesaid) in the present case, ought accordingly to be observed.    

PROPOS. VI.( And so we shall conclude with the offer of a meet accommodation, and expedient for the peoples liberty.)  
THe choice and election of Governors and Magistrates( to supreme Authority) though it ought to be committed eminently and immediately to some selected persons, being men of counsel, who have understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do; yet it ought to be committed to them by the vote and suffrage of the people; so as the people may be truly said to act by them: for, so it was in the fore-going instances,( Proposition the third) and this agrees with that approved rule in reason, Quod tangit omnes, debet approbari ab omnibus.  
We foresee and consider, that in the further prosecution of this point we may be drawn to wade beyond our depth, and therefore we shall forbear to undertake the explication and application of it, so as it may be practicable in our next Establishment, which we trust will be, not only by an equal Representative,( without King or House of Lords, concerning which, many things to little purpose have been long pretended) but by a godly Representative of just and righteous men, ruling in the fear of GOD, who shall be to us in this Nation, as the light of the morning when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds, and as the clear sunshine after rain.   

And now, having done with this digression, we return to that which yet remains of our Petition. And in the next place, we beseech your Excellency, in our Saviour's words, To beware of men; and to beware of all designing men; of ambitious-covetous men; of pretending-flattering men; of self-loving, and self-seeking men;( and more especially, in order to our next Establishment, for prevention of such Grievances in, or by the same, as we have sometimes groaned under.) There are many in these times, who for their own ends, at such a turn as this, will be free and forward( as ever Jehu was) to show their Zeal for the LORD; but when they find themselves confirmed and established in a trust of highest concernment, they will worship the golden calves of gain and profit, which were the bane and ruin of their Predecessors.  
We shall presume no further at the present, upon your Excellency, but to continue our Petition in this one particular:  
That equal care may be had, aswell for purity and simplicity of GOSPEL-ORDINANCES, as for LIBERTY. That( on the one hand) no Doctrines, Practices, Traditions, and Inventions may be any way allowed, maintained, or admitted, which the Lord JESUS hath professed his dislike and hatred of.  
If Magistrates, as Magistrates be deprived of that power at this day, which formerly they had in cases of this nature; it is worthy to be considered both when, and how they lost it. In the Apostle Paul's time they were not merely and only tied to a cognizance of Civil Cases: for, we find in 1 Tim. 1.9. that the LAW( which of necessity must be put in execution by those who bear the Sword of Justice, according to the nature and quality of the offence) was not then confined and limited to the punishment of Murders, Adulteries, and such transcendent enormities, only of a civil nature, but that it was as well extended to WHATSOEVER IS CONTRARY TO SOUND DOCTRINE,( and especially were such a contrariety was aggravated and attended with professed contumacy.)  
It is evident and undeniable, That Magistrates under the old Testament were not confined to Civil Cases within the compass of the second Table, but that they acted as well in Cases of a Religious Nature, and within the compass of the first: For, in those times the Idolatry of Micah was charged upon a deficiency and privation of Government, as the blamable cause of that accursed practise: for it is expressly said, There was no King in Israel, and therefore every man( as well in matters of the first Table, as in matters of the second) did what was right in his own eyes; which implies, that if there had been any King in Israel, doing his duty, such disorders in Israel had not been suffered.  
The adequate object of Civil Governours and Magistrates, is, The peace and quietness of their People in all godliness and honesty: Ergo, to confine and limit them merely and only to Moral righteousness, and Common honesty( as their adequate object) is an error of pernicious consequence.  
In the last place( and on the other hand) concerning LIBERTY. Though we may allow ourselves to say the less, seeing, by the help of many powerful ADVOCATES, it hath had, and obtained more favour in this Age then any other truth; yet( on this behalf) we most humbly and unfeignedly desire, The exercise and Improvement of all holy care, for the preservation of that Liberty wherewith CHRIST hath made us free, that we may not be again entangled in any Yoke of Bondage.  
For these ends, We commend your Excellency to the grace of CHRIST JESUS, most humbly desiring, that( for the further service of your generation, according to the will of GOD in such a case as this, and at such a season) the power of CHRIST may rest upon you, that you may not onely hold on your way, but grow stronger and stronger; and that Your Works( both in seeking and procuring the Peace and welfare of the commonwealth) may be more at last then at the first: that( as the LORD hath promised in a time of special favour to his people) he may delight to accept and honour you in building the old wast places, and in laying the foundations( even such as are of sapphire) for many generations; that so you may be called, The Reparer of the Breach, the Restorer of Paths to dwell in.   
FINIS.   

This REMONSTRANCE and PETITION was enclosed in a Letter, directed to His EXCELLENCY; A Copy whereof here followeth.  
May it please Your EXCELLENCY,  
ALthough we judge ourselves,( as we have just cause) to be less then the least of all those Saints and Servants of the LORD, who act in this Remonstrance and Petition as Authors of it; Yet we only are appointed in their name and behalf, to present the same unto Your EXCELLENCY; and if in such a critical time, and under such a Revolution as this, it should be demanded of us by Your Lordship, as sometimes David did of Amasa, when he said unto him, Comest thou peaceably? We would make Answer to Your EXCELLENCY in the words of Amasa, and we hope( through the grace of CHRIST) with the very same spirit; Thine are we, David, and thine thou son of Jesse; peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers, for thy GOD helpeth thee. Having given this account of ourselves, and of them whom we represent,( which at this time is not impertinent) we shall no longer detain Your EXCELLENCY from perusing this enclosed; wherein, though we give Your Lordship but a short Synopsis of those Pressures and Grievances which are oppressive to this Nation; yet in the reformation and redress thereof, Your EXCELLENCY may expect to meet with no less work and labour, then H●z●ki●h had in cleansing of the Temple; But this may be abundantly enough to sweeten the toil and travel of all Your Holy Under-takings( in this wearisome Pilgrimage) that Your labour shall not be in vain in the LORD; and that he is faithful who hath promised, he will never l●ave you, nor forsake you.  
At this present time, wherein( we trust and will believe) the Day of Reformation doth begin to dawn; it is fully in our hearts to be engaged for the LORD; and with his faithful Servants, as it was in theirs upon the like occasion, when they said to Ezrah; Arise, for these matters do belong to thee, we also will be with thee; be of good courage, and do them.  
Your EXCELLENCIES most faithful and most willing Servants  
FINIS.