PLAIN ENGLISH To his excellency THE Lord General monk, And the OFFICERS of his ARMY: Or, A Word in season, not onely to them, but to all Impartial Englishmen.  
To which is added, A DECLARATION OF PARLIAMENT In the year 1647. setting forth the Grounds and Reasons, why they resolved to make no further Address or Application to the King.  
Printed at London, in the Year 1660.   

To his Excellency the Lord General monk, and the Officers of the Army under his Command.  
My Lord and Gentlemen,  
IT is written, The prudent shall keep silence in an evil time; and 'tis like, we also might hold our peace, but that we fear a knife is at the very throat, not onely of our and your Liberties, but of our persons too. In this condition, we hope it will be no offence, if we cry out to you for help; you that( through Gods goodness) have helped us so often, and strenuously maintained the same Cause with us, against the return of that Family which pretends to the Government of these Nations. It is the public interest and yours, that we hitherto fought for, and for which we now pled; therefore we insist upon it with the greater confidence before you, because we are all equally concerned in the good or ill of your transactions: We cannot yet be persuaded, though our fears and jealousies are strong, and the grounds of them many, that you can so lull asleep your Consciences, or forget the public Interest, and your own, as to be returning back with the multitude to Egypt, or that you should with them be hankering after the Leeks and onions of our old bondage. Though it were possible you should forget, yet certainly God will not, all the injuries and oppressions done by that Family to his Church and people in these and other Nations: Though the Inscription [ Exit Tyrannus,] which was fixed over the place where the Statue of the late King formerly stood at the Exchange, hath been blotted out by the Rabble, yet it is written with the Pen of a Diamond in the hearts of many thousands, and will be so hereafter in the adamantine Rolls of famed and History. No matter then, though the profane Vulgar take a liberty to proclaim him both Saint and Martyr in the midst of their Bon-fires, and their Tipple. All the good Fellows were ever at his Devotion, because he was for theirs, and commanded it to be observed upon the Sundays. But to the end it may be better known how good a King, and how great a Saint he was, we have taken the boldness at this instant to offer you an account of some part of the transactions during his reign: and because there are too many in the City who wait the good time to re-erect his Statue, we desire in the first place to present you his Picture, as it was drawn by a good hand, the Parliament, in the year 1647. at which time it was resolved upon the Question jointly by Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That they would make no further Addresses or Applications to the King, nor receive any Message from him. We revive this the rather, because the memories of men being frail, cannot retain all particulars; which is the reason( we fear) why so many formerly engaged against him as high as any, upon conscientious accounts, both Religious and Civil, are staggering and backsliding, and have need of some quick and faithful Monitor to mind them of things past, and make them beware of the present, lest they return with the Rout, and cry, Let us make ourselves a King again of that Family; that Family which so cruelly persecuted us and our Brethren, and which still remains engaged by reason of State, and ancient Principles of Enmity and Interest, to plough up the old Furrows upon our backs, and redeliver our persons and consciences into the hands of our old Tormentors; and our men of might, and our counsellors, to become sacrifices to the revenge of an implacable Party. March on then,( my Lord and Gentlemen;) for believe it, there is in point of Safety no possibility of retreat, and much less in point of Conscience or Honour: For, if you respect Conscience,( as we hope you do) lay your hands upon your hearts, and tell us what hope you or we can have, that the reformed Religion and Cause will be protected and maintained by the Son, which was so irreligiously betrayed both at home and abroad by the Father. It may be you do not readily remember these things, nor how much blood was spilled by royal treachery, nor the manifold usurpations and designs by him projected and acted upon our Liberty, the like never done by any Prince before: and for Blood, the Scotish Ministers employed hither Anno 1644. proclaimed and published in print, That the late King had spilled more blood then was  shed in the ●●n Heathen Persecutions of the Christians: and the Ministers of London( as we can show you by several Prints of theirs) declared, That satisfaction ought to be had for blood; that he was a man of blood, and not capable of accommodation with the Parliament ▪ We mention not this to upbraid them; for, we reverence their ancient Zeal in this particular, and humbly entreat them, as w●ll as your excellency, and the Officers, and all the good people of these Nations, to observe the forementioned Resolves of the Lords and Commons, which were introductory to that most noble Act of Justice afterwards executed upon the King.  
And that it may appear to be such, in despite of Ignorance and Envy, we have been bold here to present you in print that most remarkable Declaration of the Commons assembled in Parliament, in pursuance of the said Resolve of both Houses, wherein they declare the Grounds and Reasons why they passed the Resolves of no further Address; and therein you will see also, how well he deserved to lose his head, and his Family the kingdom; whose corrupt and irreconcil●ble interest had been the head and fountain of those Rivers of blood and misery which had flowed so many years about these Nations.  
Would you see how and by whom the Irish Rebellion began, and upon whose score those unparalleled barbarous Massacres of hundreds of thousands of the Protestants in Ireland, do lye? Would you know who it was that interposed betwixt the Parliament and the Duke of Buckingham, and would not permit the Proofs to be made against him concerning the death of his own Father? Would you hear who it was that made so light of Parliaments, killing them as soon as born, and making them a scorn by dissolution at pleasure; and at length designed, and in fine drew sword against the very Parliamentary Constitution, after he had by imprisonments destroyed several eminent Patriots for their freedom of speech in the Parliament on the behalf of the public; and in particular, touching the death of his Father? Would the Scots know who it was that designed them to be the first Subjects of Slavery in Spirituals and Civils, who hated their very Nation, though the Land of his Nativity; who made a Pacification with them, with a treacherous intent to break every Article; and manifested it as soon as he returned from Edinburgh to London, giving special command to burn the said Articles by the hand of the common Hangman, and it was publicly done? Would you hear the Cries of the blood of Rochel, and of his own people sacrificed in that Expedition to a foreign Interest, and of all the Protestants in France, for his barbarous betraying of them? Would you cast your eye on past miseries, and recollect the manifold intolerable Oppressions of people both in matter of Estate and Conscience, and compare them with the indulgencies at the same time towards Papists, yea, and the designs laid to make use of Papists, to destroy both Parliaments and godly people together? Would you understand the correspondencies maintained with, and the encouragements given to, the bloody Irish Rebels, for the effecting his design; together with the Correspondencies and solicitations settled in foreign Countries to the same purpose, with all the Circumstances evincing the truth? Would you be informed how often, and with how much solicitude the Parliament, notwithstanding all these things, did, for peace sake, in a manner prostitute themselves, and hazard the whole Cause, by appointing Treaty after Treaty, which he never entertained but with intent of treachery, and thereby frustrated all their good intentions and endeavours, before ever they passed the Votes of non-Address? Then, we beseech you, red the following Declaration, and be satisfied to the full, whether or no the late King and his Family deserved death and extirpation.  
As for our parts, we very well recount the Series of past transactions, and do remember that in February 1647. when the two Houses of Parliament passed their Resolves of making no further Address, but determined to lay him wholly aside, they never were in a greater state of security and freedom, never passed any thing with greater deliberation; and never the least disturbance or alteration arose in either of the Houses against those Resolves, until some persons in the Commons House, other ways affencted, and who by procuring Elections of Persons fit for their turn to serve in Parliament, in vacant places, brought in new men of the Cavalier stamp( as is known) like themselves; and thereby out-balancing the old Patriots, gained the mayor Vote of the House; and so with heat, and by design, obtained a revoking of those Resolves which had been passed by both Houses in a time of temper, upon most serious Consideration: so that though we shall not take upon us ex absoluto to justify the interposure of the soldiery afterwards, and their Exclusion of the Adverse Members,( it being a transcendent Act, not to be measured by ordinary Rule, and which nothing can justify but Supreme necessity) yet this we can truly say in their defence: In Judgement and Conscience there was so indispensible a necessity, that had they not interposed, those Principles, and the Concernments of the Commonwealth, upon which the aforesaid Resolves of both Houses were founded, had been utterly shipwrecked, and the whole Cause and its Defenders must inevitably have sunk together; seeing the same heady confidence in treaty was then given to the Father, which too many now incline to allow unto the Son, who were first engaged against them in the War, and held out to the time of the last treaty; whom( of all other men) his party do hate upon that account; and, if they had an opportunity, would be sure to make them fall the severest Sacrifices to the Revenge and Memory of his Father.  
We urge not these things, with any intent to make the least reflection upon your Excellency, and our Brethren the Officers under your command, as if we suspected your sincerity and constancy, after so many plain and positive Declarations against returning to our old Bondage under that Family which God so wonderfully cast out before us, & wherein we are confident he, for his own Name and peoples sake, will never more take pleasure: but in regard the old Adversaries behave themselves insolently and proudly, and publicly give our, the time is coming wherein they shall satisfy their lusts upon us, we thought it convenient to whet your spirits with a repetition of these things, as we have done our own, that the world may see we yet own our Cause; and do believe, that what we have done as Instruments in driving out that Family, we have done in Judgement and Conscience; and that you take a convenient time to let men understand plainly that you also will continue of the same persuasion with us, for as much as there are none of the particulars charged upon the late King in the following Declaration, which would not, with many more, have been proved to his face by a Cloud of Witnesses, if he would have put himself upon trial, when he was called to answer for his actions.  
Give us leave( we beseech you) to add one thing more, which we had almost forgotten, to show the madness of those men that canceled the Votes of non-Address, and would have brought back the late King by the Isle of Wight-Treaty, and would now( if they might have their wills) bring in his Son by the like, viz. that at the very time when that Treaty was on foot, though this young man, who was then at Sea in the revolted Ships, declared all to be null which should be agreed on by his Father; yet, hand over head, in they would have had him, as others would now restore the Son upon the very same terms which he so positively declared himself an enemy to in his Fathers days. Good God! what a spirit of slumber hath seized such men, who were once deeply engaged with us in the common Cause!  
As for your excellency, far be it from us to entertain any suspicion concerning you; supposing you must needs have upon your heart the true interest of Religion, and your own too; and how much it is concerned in the keeping out of that Family, whose restitution we believe God will not now permit unto any Designers, seeing he hath from time to time so signally blasted all former undertakings. As to what concerns Religion, you know what hath been their Educaticon and Dependency abroad; and should they return, 'tis obvious, all other parties would be put upon their guard to defend themselves against him and his clergy at home; and so all sorts of religious Parties being constrained to combine for mutual preservation and liberty, the War will soon be renewed upon the point where it at first began.  
As to your own interest in the station where God hath placed you, 'tis well known what the private sense and opinion of that Party is concerning your Excellency, because you have been an Instrument in keeping Scotland many years with so great vigilance and prudence, free from the attempts of that irreconcilable Enenemy. Admit such a thing were possible, which some fancy, that you should be the man that would put the Crown again upon the head of that Family; is it not plain what fate( setting aside all other Considerations) you might expect from a seeming reconciled Enemy, and a King too? it being the guise of Kings( as the Historians from innumerable Examples do observe) ever to recompense with hate their most meritorious Servants; making no difference in return, betwixt the highest Obligation, and the greatest Injury. The examples are so frequent in our own Chronicles, as well as foreign, that he who runs may red it; and 'tis not proper here to recite them.  
Alas,( Sirs) 'tis not an Army that shall secure you, nor the power of the Militia that can secure our ancient Senators,( if any who have been engaged can be so fond as to think of security) for, let the young Man come in with freedom to encounter both Army and Militia with the bare title of King, and actual possession of the Throne, the eyes of Army and Militia will soon be dazzled with the splendour of that Gay Thing, and fall down and worship at the sight and hope of the Kingdoms of this world, and the glory of them; and then all Bonds of Agreement( if any be) will prove but Rushes.  
Oh, for God and his peoples sake, yea, and for the City of Londons sake, whom Charles the Father branded in his Papers with the Character of Disloyal and Rebellious City,( though at that time most renowned in her actings) set an end to the expectations of malicious enemies, and staggering friends, by clearing up yourselves, that we may see you in the light, vigorously asserting the good Cause of these Nations; yea, for the sake of Parliaments we ask it: and we doubt it not at your hand, seeing the people are not like to be brought to contend any more for Parliaments, if after so long a Contest he should gain an opportunity of improving a possession of the Crown to an usurpation over the privileges and Majesty of Parliaments.  
But( my Lord and Gentlemen) leaving these things which touch onely upon your worldly Interests and Concernments, we are bold to say,( though the jealousies of weaker Brethren be great and many) we believe ourselves to be sure of you, because we have your souls as well as your personal interests at pawn for your fidelity to the public. We remember your Declaration sent from Scotland to the Churches, and other Declarations at the same time. We might mind you, if it were needful, how you have called God to witness, That the ground of your late undertaking in Scotland was, The vindication of the Liberties of the People, with the protection and encouragement of the godly and faithful therein, &c. and that you have no intention or purposes to return to our old Bondage; but that the Providence of God having made us free at the cost of so much blood, you will never be found so unfaithful to God and his people, as to loose so glorious a Cause; but do resolve, with Gods assistance, to endeavour a maintaining of our dear-purchased Liberties both Spiritual and Civil. But seeing these Declarations made before God, Angels and Men,( as yourselves have said) do so much concern your souls in the o●servation of them, that they cannot but be much upon your hearts; therefo e we mention them, not as doubting you, or endeavouring to persuade you, but to ease our own minds, and comfort the hearts of our Brethren, who have need to be comforted: And do wait for a good time when your Excellency shall break forth, and more visibly appear( through all the Clouds of Fear and jealousy) a Defence and Protection( through the goodness of God) to all his people that fear him in these Nations; and so their hearts universally will return unto you. In assurance whereof, and that you will be very much confirmed and encouraged after the reading of this Declaration, We remain,  
( My Lord) Your Excellencies most faithful Friends and Servants in the Common Cause. March 22. 1659.   

A DECLARATION OF THE COMMONS of ENGLAND In PARLIAMENT assembled.  
HOw fruitless our former Addresses have been to the King, is so well known to the world, that it may be expected we should now Declare, Why wee made the last, or so many before, rather than why wee are resolved to make no more.  
Wee cannot aclowledge any great Confidence that our words could have been more persuasive with Him, than Sighs and Groans, the Tears and crying Blood( an heavy Cry!) the Blood of Fathers, Brothers and Children at once, the Blood of many Hundred thousand Free-born Subjects in Three great kingdoms, which Cruelty itself could not but pity to destroy.  
Wee must not be so unthankful to God, as to forget wee never were forced to any Treaty; and yet wee have no less than Seven times made such Applications to the King, and tendered such Propositions, that might occasion the world to judge, Wee have not onely yielded up our Wills and Affections, but our Reason also, and Judgement, for obtaining any true Peace, or good Accommodation.  
But it never yet pleased the King to accept of any Tender fit for us to make, nor yet to offer any fit for us to receive.  
It is very well known, That the Propositions sent to the King at Oxford, and Treated on at Uxbridge, were agreed by the Parliaments of both kingdoms, not onely as Just, but Necessary also for the very Being of these kingdoms in a settled Peace and Safety.  
And although the Kings persisting in his wonted ways and Denials, might have caused us to improve the Advantage of that great Success( which it pleased God to afford us) Yet when His Armies were all broken, so that in Disguise he fled from Oxford to the Scots at Newark, and from thence went to Newcastle; and that Oxford, and almost all His garrisons were taken, We tendered at Newcastle Propositions, the same in effect, which had been presented before in the midst of all His Strength and Forces.  
And notwithstanding this Change of His Condition, and Denial of those Propositions, after he was left to the Commissioners of Parliament, and our Brethren of Scotland quietly departed home; after all His garrisons taken, and no visible Force in the whole kingdom appearing for Him, the King being at the sole Dispose of the Parliament without Dispute; yet even then the same Propositions were again presented to Him at Hampton-Court.  
In all which Addresses, the Commissioners of Scotland agreed with us, and joined with our Commissioners in attending the King.  
The King not granting our Propositions, but still giving such strange unexpected and conditional Answers or Denials, as might justly have made us consider some other course for settling the kingdom in Peace and Safety, without any further Application; which was also so far agreed by our Brethren of Scotland( at their leaving Newcastle) that their Commissioners Declared, in case the King consented not to the Propositions, Yet they would maintain the Treaties and Union made between the kingdoms.  
But so desirous were wee of His Concurrence in the Settlement of the kingdoms Peace, that wee yet again resolved upon another Address; and did so qualify the said Propositions, that, where it might stand with the public Safety, His wonted Scruples and Objections were prevented or removed.  
And although wee could not forget how dangerous and voided of Success our former Treaties had been, and that a Personal Treaty had been Declared by both Houses, and the Commissioners of Scotland to bee unsafe, without Security and Satisfaction first given; yet wee also yielded to that, on condition the King would Sign but Four Bills, which wee j●dged not onely Just and Honourable, but Necessary even for present Peace and Safety, during such a Treaty.  
Wee have cause enough to remember, That he sometimes denied to receive our Humble Petitions for Peace; and when wee desired Him to appoint some place for a Committee of both Houses to attend Him with Propositions for Peace, he name Windsor, promising to abide thereabouts, till they came unto Him: But presently marched forward( that very night) so near London, that he had almost surprised it, while he had so engaged himself for a Treaty, had not some few of our Foot at Brainford, with invincible Courage, exposed themselves to apparent Death, Till His Army was forced to retire in Fear and shane, with the Guilt of most inhuman and Barbarous Cruelties committed at Brainford, to assure London what it must have expected, had not God prevented those Bloody Designs.  
And wee well remember, That the King once sent us a specious Message of renewing a Treaty, when at the same time His Messenger was instructed how to manage that Bloody Massacre in London, which was then Designed by virtue of the Kings Commission, since published.  
And about the time of the Treaty at Uxbridge, he excused Himself to the Queen by a Letter under His own Hand, as forced to that Treaty by the mutinous Motions of His mongrel Parliament at Oxford; and that he could not find any two of them of His mind, else he would not have acknowledged us for the Parliament of England; which yet he did with a Protestation, entred into the Council-Books, That His calling us so, did not make us a Parliament.  
All which was but small Encouragements, again to make ourselves His Sport or Scorn by any other Treaty; yet wee now yielded to this also.  
But notwithstanding this, and all former Tenders, Wee have now received such a Denial, that wee are in despair of any good by Addresses to the King, neither must wee bee so injurious to the People, in further delaying their Settlement, as any more to press His Consent to these or any other Propositions.  
Nor can wee see why it should bee expected a new Engagement could prevail on Him, or oblige Him more strongly to the kingdom, than the Solemn Oath of His Coronation, and the several other Vows, Protestations and Imprecations so frequently by Him broken, during His whole Reign, and so often renewed before God and the whole World.  
Wee may be the more justified herein, by those that know what passed between the King and our Brethren the Scots, when those Articles were agreed and confirmed in the first Pacification not long before these Wars; which, as soon as their backs were turned, and their Armies out of sight, were disavowed again by the King, and by His Command publicly burnt ●t London by the Hands of the Hang-man.  
Which yet might have been forgotten, had not a continued tract of Breach of Trust in the Three kingdoms, since he wore the Crown, made us( though unwilling) to remember it.  
Wee take no pleasure to repeat our own Miseries, or others Mischief, if it might be hidden or forgotten; But wee are now forced to speak what hath long been suffered in too much silence.  
Himself in public Speeches and Declarations, hath laid a fit foundation for all Tyranny, by this most Destructive Maxim or Principle, which he saith he must avow, That he oweth an Account of His Actions to none but God alone; and, That the Houses of Parliament, joint or separate, have no power either to make or Declare any Law.  
The Private Articles agreed in order to the Match with Spain, and those other Private Articles upon the French Marriage, so prejudicial to the Peace, Safety, Laws, Religion here established, and the continued Correspondence which hath since been carried on with Rome, are so evident as cannot bee denied.  
Wee cannot but call to mind the Proceedings and Passages of the Parliament held in the second year of this Kings Reign, concerning the Death of his Royal Father.  
The Tenth of May, 1626. the House of Commons charged the Duke of Buckingham, among other things, in these words, ( viz.)  
WHereas the sworn Physicians of our late sovereign Lord, King James of blessed Memory, attending on His Majesty in the month of March, in the Two and twentieth of His most Glorious reign, in the times of His sickness, being an Ague, Did in due and necessary care of and for the recovery of His health, and preservation of His person, upon and after several mature Consultations in that behalf had and holden at several times in the same month, resolve, and gave direction, That nothing should be applied or given unto His Highness, by way of physic or Diet, during His said sickness, but by and upon their general Advice and Consents: And after good deliberation thereof first had, more especially by their like care, and upon like Consultations, Did justly resolve, and publicly give warning to, and for all the Gentlemen and other Servants and Officers of His said late Majesties Bed-chamber, That no Meat or Drink whatsoever should bee given unto Him within two or three hours next before the usual time of, and for the coming of His Fit in the said Ague, nor during the continuance thereof, nor afterwards until His could Fit were past. The said Duke of Buckingham being a sworn Servant of His late Majesty, of and in His Majesties said Bed-chamber, contrary to his duty, and the tender respect which he ought to have had of His Majesties most Sacred Person; and after the Consultations, Resolutions, Directions, and Warning aforesaid Did nevertheless, without any sufficient warrant in that be●alf, unduly cause and procure certain plasters, and a certain Drink or Potion to bee provided for the use of His said Majesty, without the direction or privity of His said late Majesties Ph●sicians, not prepared by any of His Majesties sworn Apothecaries or Chirurg●ons, but compounded of several Ingredie●ts to them unknown; Notwithstanding the same pla●ster, or some plaster like th●reunto, having been formerly administered unto His said Majesty, did procure such ill effects, as that some of the said sworn Physicians did altogether disallow thereof, and utterly refused to meddle any further with His said Majesty, until those plasters were removed, as being prejudicial to the health of His Majesty. Yet nevertheless, the same plaster, as also a Drink or potion, was provided by him the said Duke, which he the said Duke, by colour of some insufficient and slight pretences, did upon Monday the One and twentieth day of March, in the Two and twentieth year aforesaid, when His Majesty ( by the judgement of His said Physicians) was in the declination of His Disease, cause and procure the said plaster to be applied to the breast and Wrists of His ●aid late Majesty; and then also, at and in His Majesties Fit of his said Ague the same Monday, and at several times, within two hours before the coming of the same Fit, and before His Majesties then could Fit was passed, did deliver and cause to be delivered, several quantities of the said Drink or potion to His late Majesty; who thereupon, at the same times, within the seasons in that behalf prohibited by His Majesties Physicians as aforesaid, did by the means and procurement of the said Duke, drink, and take divers quantities of the said Drink or potion, applied and given unto, and taken and received by his said Majesty as aforesaid, Great distempers, and divers ill symptoms appeared upon His said Majesty; insomuch that the said Physicians finding His Majesty the next morning much worse in the estate of his health, & holding a Consultation thereabout, did by joint consent sand unto the said Duke, praying h●m not to adventure to minister unto His Majesty any more physic without their Allowance and Approbation; And His said Majesty himself, finding himself much diseased and afflicted with pain and sickness after his then Fit, when by the cou se of his Disease he expected inte●mission and ease, did attr bute the cause of such his trouble unto the said plaiste● and drink which the said Duke had so given, and caused to be administered unto him; which said adventurous act, by a person obliged in duty and thankfulness, done to the person of so gr● t ae King, after so all success of the l●k formerly admin●st●●d, contrary to such directions as aforesaid, and accom nied with so unhappy an event, to the great grief and discomfort of all His Majesties Subjects in general is an Off● ce and Misdemeanour of so high a nature, as may justly be called, and is by the said Commons deemed to be, An act of transcendent presumption, and of dangerous consequence.  
And delivered it at a Conference to the Lords.  
After dwhich the King came into the Lords House and took notice of that Charge, and  told them he could be a witness to clear him in every one of them; unto which charge, no answer came in unto the eighth of June following, and the tenth day after it was ordered by the House of Peers to be communicated to the House of Commons: But while the House was preparing to sand up their proofs upon which they declared, that they doubted not but to have judgement against the said Duke, the King, expressed a sudden purpose to dissolve the Parliament, and although the House of Peers petitioned for its continuance, expressing their great and universal sorrow for his intentions to dissolve it, yet, notwithstanding all this the said Parliament was dissolved the fifteenth day of the same June.  
At the same time also during the Parliament, Sir Dudley digs and Sir John eliot, who especially managed that Conference and Examinat●ons, were comm●tted close prisoners to the Tower within two days after the said Charge, by warrant under the Kings own hand.  
And Messages and interruptions were constantly sent from the King to the Houses while they had the said Charge in Agitation, and the Parliament being dissolved before Justice could be done, there never was any legal enquiry made at any time since, concerning the death of the said King.  
We leave the world now to judge where the guilt of this remains.  
We can fully show how Rochel was by him betrayed, and thereby a fatal blow given to the Protestant Cause in France: how also he lent divers of the navy Royal, and other Merchant-ships, to the French to be employed against those whom he was engaged to have assisted. And when some of the Commanders and others in those ships, were so much English as to dispute those Orders; wee can show the King's Letter under his own hand to Captain Penington, to put them into the service of the French King, or to sink them in case of refusal.  
We cannot forget the designs to enslave us by the German-Horse,( that we say nothing of the late Spanish Fleet, with a great Army therein, brought into the Downs, 1639.) and to grind us by enforced Loans, Privie-Seals, Coat and Conduct-money, enlarging of For●sts, enclosing of Commons, engrossing of Gun-powder, with innumerable Patents and Monopolies of Malt, Salt, Sea-coal, soap, Leather, Wine, Sugar, alum, Farthings, Pins, Tobacco, and almost all things else; together with that one Compendium of all Oppression and Slavery, called shipmoney.  
The torture of our bodies, by most cruel whippings, slitting of noses, cutting off ears, branding of cheeks, Racks and Pillories, with c●ose Imprisonment at pleasure, might be the sooner forgotten, had not our souls been also Lorded over, lead captive into Superstition and Idolatry, triumphed on by oaths ex Officio, Excommunications, Ceremonious Articles, new Canons, Canon-Oathes, &c.  
One thing more was found, to make us worse than Slaves, in that we might not hope for liberty: The very name of Parliament became so odious at the Court, that if in twelve years time there was so much as one summoned, it served but to show the lawless power of those that could not be content only to dissolve it at pleasure, but we must be forbidden by Proclamation to speak or hope for another Parliament: And at such dissolutions, there was no privilege strong enough to secure the closerts, cabinets, pockets, and persons of those that in duty and conscience did but vote or act as men, above mere slaves: this was fault enough for close imprisonment and death; for that hath also followed.  
Nor was it enough thus to enslave one Kingdom, but the same Projectors who had so enthralled England, must contrive also to reduce Ireland, and comform Scotland, that so the mingling of Neighbour-tears, might by sympathy increase each others wo.  
Scotland was to be the first Scene, where a new liturgy, with new Canons, are to make the Prologue to the following Act.  
This not succeeding as was hoped, an Army must be raised to force compliance; but by the mediation of the english Lords, a Pacification is concluded; and it held till the Kings return to Court made him forget and disavow it: but the burnt Articles left ashes enough to beget a new flamme.  
There wanted but a form of Law to make all just: For this, and for supply; not for advice, a Parliament is ventured on; yet with Proviso, that it should not hurt, although it would not help; and not complying( as was hoped to assist that war against the Scots) was Crime enough to merit dissolution with a false and scandalous Declaration in the King's Name.  
The Parliament being dissolve, the King took from his subjects by power what he could not otherwise obtain.  
Wee need not tell the world how in the midst of all our miseries the Scots( our Brethren) entered with a powerful Army, marching on as Friends, till they were forced to make their passage over Tine.  
It was then thought necessary by the King to summon this present Parliament; in which we did proceed with ease, so long as there was but any hope we would comply with him against the Scots, and give assistance to that war.  
But he quickly found it vain to hope to bee supplied by us against the Scots; And when we began to consider how we came to bee again involved in a new war( notwithstanding the late Pacification) we saw it impossible to quash those pernicious counsels at the present, or to prevent them for the future, without questioning their Authors: At this t●e King discovered himself so strongly and passionately affencted to such malignant counsellors and their counsels, that he would sooner desert or force this Parliament and Kingdom, than alter his course, and deliver up his wicked counsellors to Law and Justice.  
By this time the Queens pious design( as they termed it) to advance Popery was almost ready for the birth, being helped much by a Popish Fast, enjoined weekly by the Popes Nuncio, and by Letters from Secretary Windebanck, who durst not abide examination, but after he was questioned by the House of Commons, got a pass from the King to go beyond sea.  
What was done abroad will hereafter appear: although the K●ng made light of all our intelligence from foreign parts; yet he could not so well avoid or deny the Commissions given at Court to Popish Agents for private levies, or that the Papists began to rise and arm themselves in the North-west of England and Wales, till they were suppressed; or that there were Regiments raising and listing in London, and parts adjoining, under pretence of Souldiers for Portugal; or that some of these came to seize and possess themselves of the Tower, and the Lieutenant threatened for refusing them; all which he knew might be sufficiently proved.  
To the like pious design we may refer the great Cabal for bringing up the Northern Army to overawe the Parliament, which the King did so often and solemnly disavow, as nothing but loose discourses of a modest Petition, which also vanished two or three months( he saith) before we knew it.  
But he now knoweth we can prove the chief part of that Cabal ●ame from himself to the main Actors, and that some of them did dissuade him from his way, because it was so sharp and high, exceeding the limits of Honour and Law: And yet their propositions which were the lower way, were much above the size of Petitions, as they are already published in their own Confessions. And it is very strange, Mr. Percy, Sir John Suckling, and Mr. Germin( sent away by the King's special Warrant) should flee beyond Sea only upon discovery of a modest Petition.  
But notwithstanding any dissuasions, yet the King persisted in his way; so that after this, there was appointed a Meeting of Officers at Burrough-bridge, and Propositions made, with private Instructions brought from the King, by some that  told them they were unwise to show their teeth, except they would bite; and that the King would pawn his Jewels for them, ●ould they be faithful to him; & if they marched forward, they should be met by the Prince and the Earl of Newcastle with a good body of Horse; and that the French also would be ready to assist them.  
Th●s was in April, and we had notice of this in the beginning of May, when also there was a design for some French to have seized on Portsmouth, whither the Queen was then going: but the Ports were better secured, by a special Committee.  
So far was it also from vanishing divers months before our notice, that some of our Cabalists, after examination by us, were again attempted by the King, and some of them sent again to the Army with new instructions and directions signed by the King himself, as most clearly appeareth by comparing the Journals of May 1641. with the months following; together with the time specified in the confessions of Sir Jacob Astley, Sir John Conyers, Col. leg and others, already published.  
And when there was yet demur among the chief Officers, there went another Agent from Court, to quicken them, and treat of some directions signed by the King: But he was to go fa●ther, the Scots Army being then at Newcastle.  
What offers were made to them of the Plunder of London, if they would advance, or of four Northern Counties, with three hundred thousand pounds, or Jewels of great value, to stand Neuters in that design, is already declared by some who may better know the propositions made by O Neal( who broke prison here) Sir John Hinderson and others with Letters of Credence from the King; After that he was so resolute to go into Scotland, that he could not be persuaded by our Petitions to defer that journey, and though in the year 1641. he was not pleased to leave such a Commission as the Parliament desired of him, yet was he pleased before, in the year 1639 to entrust Secretary Windebanke a known favourer of Papists, with blank sheets both of Parchment and Paper signed with his sign Mannual, which were employed by him for disposing great commands by Land and Sea.  
It is well known what Letters the King sent into Ireland by the Lord Dillon immediately before the Rebellion, and where the great Seal of Scotland was, and in whose hands when that Commission was sealed at edinburgh to the Irish Rebels, who dispersed Copies thereof in Ireland, with Letters or Proclamations, and we have a Copy thereof attested by Oath, with depositions also of those who have seen it under the Seal  
Which Commission was promised( as some of the chiefest Rebels confessed) to the Irish Committee at London, for the most part Papists,( which was thought a good Omen) and since most active Rebels, upon whose private meditation the King gave away more than Five Counties, saying, that he expected they should recompense him some other way; and, That he would willingly grant all their desires, but he was oppressed by the Parliament in England, of whom he wished that he could be revenged.  
It hath formerly been declared, how we desired and pressed the King to disband that Irish Popish Army, which( as was cleared at the Earl of Strafford's trial) was raised to reduce the Kingdoms: But sometimes he would give no answer at all, and sometimes did plainly tel us, He could nor disband it for reasons b●st known to himself: Sometimes the Scots must first disband; and then there was a new pretence of divers Regiments promised to Spain, for which the King was engaged, and could not go back.  
Which we now wonder not at, for by the Confession of Mac cart and Macquire, with others, it is clear, that this pretence of men for the King of Spain's service, was but a colour to keep some in Arms for a foundation of that Rebellion; and that some of the Committee coming from Lond●n contrived this Plot for defence of the King, who was then( they said) so much injured in England and Scotland.  
And the first clause of that Oath enjoined by the Gen●ral council of Reb●ls, was, To bea● true Faith and Allegiance to King Charles, and by al● means to maintain his Royal Prerogative against the Puritans in the Pa●liament of England.  
And although we declared to the King, That they styled themselves the Kings or Queens Army, y●t we could not obtain a Proclamation against them in divers months, and then also but Forty Copies might be P●inted, and express Order given, that none should be published till his further directions, as appeare●h under his own Secreta●ies hand.  
Which might very well stand with the Letters from Court to the Lord Muskery( a great Rebel in master) who was assured, his Majesty was well plea●ed with what he did, and would in time give him thanks for it, although for the present it did not then stand with the convenience of the Kings affairs, to give him public countenance; and this was afterwards made good by the King, who in one of the Letters taken at Naseby, commandeth the Earl of Ormond to give particular thanks to the said Muskery and Plunk●t.  
We may yet remember how the Earl of Leicester was delayed and detained by the King( beyond all pretence) from going against the Rebels.  
How also the King refused a Commission( often asked by both Houses) for the Lo●d Brooks and Lord Wharton, when at several times there were large Provisions made for relief of Munster, and other parts so much distressed, that Linerick was wholly lost.  
But when the Rebels wanted Commanders at their very beginning, we have long since name divers Papists and persons of quality that by the Kings special Warrants after the Ports were shut by both Houses of Parliament, passed hence, and headed the said Rebels.  
And we likewise name Commanders and Officers, whom the King called off from their Trust against the Rebels, and Ships from their Guards at Sea, that so the Rebels might be supplied with foreign aids, besides all the Arms and Ammunition they had from the Kings Magazines there, and from hence also, by the Earl of Antrim, Lord Aboin, and others from the Queen, although the council of Ireland desiring some pieces of Battery from hence for the poor Protestants there, could not obtain them from the King: But some of our Ships sent to relieve them, were seized by his Men of War,( as the clothes and other Provisions by Land) and sold or exchanged for Arms and Ammunition for the King: and the Rebels gave Letters of Mart for taking the Parliaments Ships, but freed the Kings as their very good friends.  
Let the World now judge, how much reason we had to believe the Rebels, when they did so often swear they did nothing without good Authority and Commission from the King, so that Sir Phelim O Neal would not be persuaded, General Lesley had any Authority from the King against the Rebels.  
Divers months also before it began, there was information given upon Oath, to the Arch-Bishop and others of the Kings council, That there was a great design among the Papists for a General Massacre of all the Protestants in Ireland and England also, and that a great Royal Person had a hand in it, but it was to be managed by direction from the Pope.  
And besides the Kings Letters to the Pope when he was in Spain, and others long since his return, on the behalf of the Duke of Lorraign( which must be requited by the said Duke with a Foreign Army to invade England upon the Kings d●sign. It is clear, that some months before the Irish Rebellion, the King had an Agent in Rome, as by divers of his own Secreta●ies papers appeareth.  
And that the same designs were laid for England also at the same time, if we might not believe the confession of the Queens Mothers Servants,( attested upon Oath) that there were many thousands appointed to cut the Protestants throats in this kingdom also, when the King went to Scotland: y●t we may rem●mber it was confessed by some of the principal Rebels, that th●ir Popish Committee here with the King, had communicated that design to many Papists in England, by who●e advice, though some things were altered, y●t it was generally concluded, that about the same time there should and the like p●oceedings of the Papists here; insomuch that when Cha●le Mount was ●eized in Ireland, Sir Phelim O Neal and other great Rebels did with much confidence affirm the Tower was also seized at London, and the Arch-Bishop released by their party here, where they said, there was as much blood running as in Ireland.  
And it is ve●y well known that upon the Kings return from Scotland, besides the unusual preparations of Ammunition and Arms, with new Guards within and about Whitehall: and besides the great quantity of Fire-works found and taken in Papists Houses, the Tower was also filled with new Guards, many Cannoneers, G●anadoes, and all sorts of Fire-works, mortars, with other great Pieces of battery, ready prepared and mounted against the City. Sir William Belf●ur, who was formerly th●eatned, for refusing the new Guards while the Earl of Strafford lived, was now displaced, and such Officers placed by the King as were not only suspected by us, but the whole City,( who du●st not abide in their own Houses, as by their several Petitions is manifest.  
From this time the tract of open force against this Parliament and kingdom did appear more visible.  
The Charge of Treason against some of both Houses, and that unparallelled Act of violence by the Kings coming so attended to the House of Commons,( after he had discharged our Guards, denying us any, but what might restrain or overawe us) was but the Prologue to a bloody Tragedy, had not the Parliament, and good affections of the City interrupted that design, and caused the Kings new Guards( al●eady listed and moulded under Colonels and other Officers) to withdraw a little to another service.  
Neither would the country more comply with these designs, although they were attempted with unu●ual arguments, and armed Troops in warlike manner to compel them; which succeeded yet so ill, that the Lord Digby durst not abide the trial, but was sent away upon a special Errand by the Kings own Warrant.  
What his E●●and was b●yond Sea, we may w●ll conclude from the List of A●ms and Ammuni●ion( for which w● can p●oduce the Kings own hand) taken amongst his Pape●s, and p inted with his Letters to the Queen, at her first landing in H●●●and.  
What advice he gave for the Kings reti●ing to some safe place, and declare himself, and how th● King follow●d it, it is known well enough.  
But before the Kings settling at York●, the notice we had of his Commissions to the Ea●l of New●astle, and Colonel leg, for att●mpting Newcastle and Hull, may justly occasion us to provide for their security, especially when we had certain intelligence from the Low-Countries of foreign Forces from denmark, to come in about Hull, whither also came with the Lord Digby, divers Commanders, with much Ammunition and Arms from other Foreign parts.  
And had not the Swedes at that time invaded part of the King of Denmarks Dominions, we had had reason enough to expect a storm that way, to have fallen also on Hull, where was then a great Magazine; and before we ever asked the King to remove it, we represented to him, that besides all other intelligence of former Negotiations, we had good notice of a Fleet prepa●ing in denmark, and that one of the Lord Digbies servants had sol●icited a master( or Pilot) to conduct it into Hull.  
And before that time, the King had di●patched an Agent into denmark, with Letters of Credit, complaining against the Parliament as unjustly fixed on the destruction of one man( the Earl of Strafford then living) but he was resolved to take another course, and therefore desired aid.  
And there came such an answer, that among the large offers made to the Scots before the Kings going into Scotland. They were  told, the King was assured of Horses and Money from Denmark. And by intercepted Letters from the Hague to Secretary Nich●l●s, long since published, we found, that( besides many Arms and Cannon then provided in Holland) There were also coming from Denmark Ships with ten thousand Arms for Foot, and fifteen hundred Horse for the Kings use: And that Cockran very handsomely evaded, that which was like to have frustrated all their expectations from thence.  
And in Cockrans latter Instructions( for there had been others before sent into Denmark) long since printed; The King saith, We were then beginning to make head against him, and were then levying Forces, and therefore he presseth for Men, Money, Arms, and Ships from denmark, for which also he useth many Arguments, and among others one in these words: That in pursuance of their great Design of extirpating the Royal Blood and Monarchy of England, they have endeavoured likewise to lay a great blemish upon his Royal Family, endeavouring to Illegitimate all derived from his Sister, at once to cut off the Interest and pretensions of the whole Race; which their most detestable and scandalous Design they have pursued, examining witnesses, and conferring circumstances and times to colour their pretensions in so great a fault; and which as his sacred Majesty of England in the true sense of Honour of his Mother doth abhor, and will punish; so he expects his concurrence in vindicating a Sister of so happy memory, and by whom so near an union and continued League of Amity hath been produced between the Families and kingdoms.  
A most false scandalous charge of that which never entred into our thoughts; So that we believe there never was a more unworthy Act done by any Prince, so to betray his Trust and People to a Foreign Nation, by incensing them with such an odious slander, to the shane of his own Mother.  
Which we repeat the rather, because when we declared our Intelligence, that Cockeran was sent into Denmark to procure Forces thence, The King disavowed it, calling it a vile scandal, in his Answer to our Declaration of the 22 of October, 1642.  
In the same Instructions to Cockeran, he declareth also, That he then expected assistance from all his neighbour Princ●s and Allies, in particular the greatest pa●t of the States Fleet from Holland, whither he confessed he had then sent the Queen.  
He might also have added, that with the Queen( contrary to his Trust) he had sent the anci●nt Jewels of the Crown of England( of a very vast value) to be pawn●d or sold for Ammunition and Arms, of which we had cartain knowledge before we took up Arms.  
Neither had we so much as once asked the settling of the Militia till the Queen was going into Holland.  
And it may be remembered, that many months before the Voyage to Holland She was going beyond Sea, had not our motions to the king stayed her,( And that amongst other Reasons given) because we then also heard, she had packed up the Cown Jewels and Plate, by which we might see what was then also intended by that Journey, had we not prevented it till the Winter.  
But at burrow Briggs before the Earl of Straffords death the Officers were  told, the King would pawn his Jewels for them, and the French were promised to assist them.  
All this and much more yet to be said, maketh us stand amazed at the Kings solemn Protestations, so of●en made, calling God to witness, and revenge it also, if he had any thought of b●inging up the Northern Army, or of levying Forces to wage war with his parliament, or to invade the Rights of his Subjects, or of bringing in foreign Forces or Aids from beyond Sea, which( as himself says in his Declarations) would not only have butted this kingdom in sudden destruction and ruin, but his own Name and posterity in perpetual scorn and infamy.  
Yet at very first, when himself and the Lords made such a Protestation at York against levying Forces, he commanded his Subjects by Proclamation to resist the Orders of Parliament: And had signed that most illegal Commission of Array. And did privately contrive the g●tting out of th● Stores, Ship, or otherwise such Ordinance, Powder, Shot, and Ammunition, as could be possibly got and provided, for which we can produce a Letter of 20 June 1642. under his own hand to Sir John Heydon lieutenant of the Ordnance to convey it secretly in Ballast of Ships, and required Subsc●iptions for Plate, Horses and Arms; and had also raised such Guards of Horse and Foo● about him, that by them he did not only abuse our Committees sent unto him, beat our public Off●c●rs and M●ssengers, protect notorious Papists, Trayto●s or Felons, such as B●ckwith, and other from Posse Commitatus, but also with those Guards, Cannons and Arms from beyond Sea, did attempt to force Hull in an Hostile manner, and that within few dayes after that solemn Protestation at York.  
It was not long before he proclaimed us Rebels and Traitors, sett●ng up his Standard against the Parliament, which never any King of England did before himself.  
Nor did ever any but King Charles set up a mock Parliament at Oxford, or any other place, to oppose and protest against the Parliament o● England, which himself and both Houses had continued by Act of Parliament.  
And when he had made those pretended Members at Oxford to falsify their faith and trust they owed to this kingdom, finding that by them he could not carry on his pernicious designs, he derided their meeting in a letter to the Queen, and called them a mongrel Parliament, whereby his own party may perceive what reward they must expect when they have done their utmost to shipwreck their faith and conscience to his will and Tyranny, and for calling in of foreign Forces, ● besides that which we have said already, it is very well known by his own Letters taken at Naseby, and the Lord Digbies Cabinet, what negotiations he hath long had in all States round about us; we have also remaining with us an authentic Copy of his Commission for calling over ten thousand of the Irish Rebels to subdue this Parliament, the disloyal and Rebellious City of London( as he calleth it) and for this purpose( expressly against an Act of Parliament) he made a pacification first, and since a Peace with those most cruel bloody Rebels, on such odious, shameful, and unworthy conditions, that himself blushed to own or impart them to his own lieutenant the Earl of Ormond, but a private Commission was made to the Lord Herbert( called Earl of Glamorgan) commanding him to manage it with all possible secrecy.  
And for letting us see this secret Commission( which was taken at Sligo) the said Lord did endure a specious confinement.  
Neither do we by this time wonder he should forget his vows and Protestations, that he would never consent( upon whatsoever pretence) to a toleration of the Popish profession, or abolition of the Laws then in force against Recusants, with most solemn imprecations, that God would so deal with him and his, as he continued in such professions, and inviolably kept those P●otestations, notwithstanding about the very same time, it appears by Letters under his own hand to the Queen and the Earl of Ormond, that he would consent to the taking away all penal Laws against Papists both in England and Ireland.  
And also we had sufficient notice and proofs of most of these things before, notwithstanding all his breach of trust with the Protestants in France, Scotland, Ireland, and this kingdom, which( besides all other oppressions by unjust Prerogative) he hath so oft endeavoured to enslave by german, Spanish, French, Lourain, Irish, Danish, and other foreign Forces; yet so really we sought his own as well as the Kingdoms peace and happiness, that after so many denials we made this last application so just and honourable, that we cannot but now conclude, he hath wholly forgotten not only his duty to the Kingdom, but also, the care and respect he owes to himself and his own family.  
These are some few of the many Reasons why we cannot repose any more trust in him, and have made those former resolutions; yet we shall use our utmost endeavours to settle the present Government as may best stand with the peace and happiness of this kingdom.  
FINIS.   

Die Veneris, xi. Februarii, 1647.  
ORdered by the Commons Assembled in Parliament, that a competent number of this Declaration be printed for the Service of the House; And the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, and Barons of the Cinque-Ports that serve for the several Counties, Cities, Burroughs, and Ports, are required to sand Copies thereof, to be published and dispersed in the several and respective places for which they serve.  
H. elsing clear. Parl. Dom. come.