A SOLEMN Engagement of the Army under the Command of his Excellency Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX: With a Declaration of their Resolutions, as to Disbanding; and a brief Vindication of their Principles and intentions in relation to divers scandalous things suggested against them.  
Together with the representations of the dissatisfactions of the ARMY, in relation to the late Resolutions for so sudden Disbanding: showing the particulars of their former grievances; wherein they did remain unsatisfied: and the Reasons thereof, unanimously agreed upon, and subscribed by the Officers and soldiers of the several Regiments, at the Rendezvous near Newmarket on Friday and Saturday, June 4 and 5.  
Presented to the general, and by him to be humbly presented to the PARLIAMENT.  
With his excellency's Letter to the Speaker June the 8, sent with the same.  
LONDON, Printed for Richard Lownes, at the sign of the Unicorn, on Ludgate-hill, 1647.   

MASTER SPEAKER  
IN my last I promised to send you by the next an account of the proceedings and resolutions of the Army at the late rendezvous: I have sent you the same in two papers unanimously agreed on there, by both Officers and soldiers: I find in one of them divers things which your later proceedings since the resolution of disbanding may have given satisfaction unto: but the Army having then no knowledge thereof, it was thus passed and delivered to me, and I cannot but send it to them: you may see what they then did remain unsatisfied in.  
Understanding that his Majesty and your Commissioners were much straightened and disaccommodated in the house at Childerley, I went thither yesterday to advise with your Commissioners about the disposal of his Majesty, for more conveniency to himself and them, than that place did afford: The Commissioners were pleased wholly to refuse giving any advice or opinion at all in the business, and therefore the King declaring his resolution not to go back to Holdenby unless he were forced, yet complaining much of the inconveniency he suffered where he was, and pressing for a remove to Newmarket, and your Commissioners not judging it inconvenient for him to be there: I ordered colonel Whaley this day to attend his Majesty and the Commissioners thither, with a trusty and sufficient Guard of two Regiments of Horse, which accordingly was this day done, and his Majesty with the Commissioners, gone to Newmarket, but not through Cambridge. This business taking up the whole time yesterday, and it being necessary his Majesty should be disposed of: Before the place of randezvous could well be resolved on, this morning, at a counsel of War, it was judged inconvenient, & scarce possible to draw to a rendezvous to morrow early enough to dispatch any thing; therefore it is appointed on Thursday morning at nine of the clock: and in regard of his majesty's going to Newmarket, it was thought fit by the counsel of war, that the place of rendezvous might be altered from Newmarket Heath to Triploe Heath, five miles from this town: I shall take care that your Commissioners if they come to Newmarket, may have notice of this alteration from the former appointment. I remain  
Your most humble Servant T. FAIRFAX. Cambridge, June 8. 1647  
For the Honourable William Lenthall Esquire, Speaker of the honourable House of Commons.   

A Solemn Engagement of the Army, under the Command of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, Read, assented unto, and subscribed by all Officers and soldiers of the several Regiments, at the general Rendezvous, near Newmarket, on the fifth of June, 1647.  
WHereas upon the Petition intended and agreed upon in the Army, in March last, to have been presented to the general, for the obtaining of our due and necessary concernments as soldiers; the Honourable House of Commons being unseasonably prepossessed with a Copy thereof, and (as by the sequel we suppose) with some strange misrepresentations of the carriage and intentions of the same, was induced to send down an Order for suppressing the Petition; and within two or three days after, upon further misinformation, and scandalous suggestions, of the like or worse nature, and by the indirect practice of some malicious and mischievous persons (as we suppose) surprising, or otherwise abusing the Parliament; A Declaration was published in the name of both Houses, highly censuring the said Petition, and declaring the Petitioners, if they should proceed thereupon, no less than enemies to the State, and disturbers of the public peace. And whereas at the same time, and since, divers eminent Officers of the Army have been brought into question and trouble about the said Petition, whereby both they and the rest of the Officers were disabled, or discouraged for the time, from further acting or appearing therein on▪ the soldiers behalf; And whereas by the aforesaid proceedings and the effects thereof, the soldiers of this Army (finding themselves so stopped in their due, and regular way of making known their just grievances, and desires to, and by their Officers) were enforced to▪ an unusual (but in that case necessary) way of correspondance and agreement amongst themselves, to chose out of the several Troops and Companies several men, and those out of their whole number, to chose two or more for each Regiment, to act in the name and behalf of the whole soldiery of the respective Regiments, Troops, and Companies, in the prosecution of their rights and desires in the said Petition, as also of their just vindication and writing in reference to the aforesaid proceedings upon and against the same, who have accordingly acted and done many things to those ends, all which the soldiers did then approve as their own Acts. And whereas afterwards (upon the sending down of field-marshal Skippon, and those other Officers of the Army that were Members of the House of Commons, to quiet distempers in the Army, fresh hopes being conceived of having our desires again admitted to be made known and considered in a regular way, and without such misrepresentations as formerly, the Officers and soldiers of the Army (except some few dissenting Officers) did again join in a representation of their common grievances; and the Officers (except as before) did agree upon a Narrative account of the grounds, rise, and growth of the discontents in the Army, and their proceedings in relation thereunto, with an overture of the best expedients, to remove or satisfy the same, both which were presented to the same Members of the House, and by them reported to the House. And whereas the Parliament having thereupon voted, and ordered some particulars, only towards satisfaction of our grievances, hath since proceeded to certain resolutions of sudden disbanding the Army by pieces, which resolutions being taken, and to be executed before full or equal satisfaction given to the whole Army, in any of the grievances, before effectual performance of that satisfaction in part, which the preceding Votes seemed to promise, as to some of the grievances, and before any consideration at all of some others most material, (as by the result of a general counsel of War on Saturday, May 29. was in general declared, and is now more fully demonstrated, in particular by a representation thereupon, agreed unto by us:) We all cannot but look upon the same resolutions of disbanding us in such manner, as proceeding from the same malicious and mischievous Principles and intentions, and from the like indirect practices of the same persons abusing the Parliament, and is as the former proceedings against us before mentioned did, and not without carnal and bloody purposes (for some of them have not stuck to declare or intimate) after the body of the Army should be disbanded, or the soldiers divided from their Officers: then to question, proceed against, and execute their malicious intentions upon all such particular Officers, and soldiers in the Army, as had appeared to act in the premises in the behalf of the Army; and whereas upon a late Petition to the general from the Agitants, in behalf of the soldiers (grounded upon the preceding considerations, relating to the same resolutions of disbanding the same general council of war to prevent the danger, and inconveniences of those disturbings, or tumultuous actings, or confluences which the dissatisfaction and jealousy thereupon also grounded, were like suddenly to have produced in the Army to advise the general, first to contract the Quarters of the Army, and then to draw the same to an orderly rendezvous for satisfaction of all, and that his Fxc●llencie would immediately send up to move and desire the Parliament to suspend any present proceeding upon the said Resolution of disbanding, to resume the Consideration of the grievances, and desires sent up from the Army, and not to disband it in pieces before just and equal satisfaction given to the whole; And whereas some of the Regiments appointed for disbanding, upon notice thereof withdrawing themselves from the Quarters adjacent to the appointed rendezvous, and drawing towards the Head Quarters; and the contracting their Quarters according to the said advice of the council of war.  
We the Officers and soldiers of several Regiments hereafter named, are now met at a general rendezvous, and the Regiments appointed, as aforesaid, to be disbanded, have not appeared, nor can appear; but are resolved not to appear at the several and respective rendezvous, appointed as aforesaid for their disbanding; and divers other things have been done by several other parties or members of the Army, necessarily relating to the good and concernment of the whole in these affairs: now forasmuch as we know not how far the malice, injustice and tyrannical Principles of our enemies, that have already prevailed so far to abuse the Parliament and the Army (as is afore mentioned) in the past proceedings against the Army, may further prevail to the danger and prejudice of ourselves, or any Officers or soldiers of the Army, or other persons that have appeared to act any thing in behalf of the Army, or how far the same may further prevail to the danger or prejudice of the kingdom in raising a new War, or otherwise: Therefore for the better prevention of all such dangers, prejudices, or other inconveniences that may ensue; and withal for better satisfaction to the Parliament and kingdom, concerning our desires of conferring to the authority of the one, and providing the good and quiet of the other, in the present affairs of disbanding, and for a more assured way, whereby that affairs may come to a certain issue, (to which purpose we herein humbly implore the present and continued assistance of God, the righteous Judge of all) we the Officers and soldiers of the Army subscribing hereunto, do hereby declare, agree and promise, to and with each other, and to, and with the Parliament and kingdom as followeth.  
1 That we shall cheerfully and readily disband when thereunto required by the Parliament, or else shall many of us be willing (if desired) to engage in further Services either in England or Ireland, having first such satisfaction to the Army in relation to our Grievances and desires heretofore presented, and such security; That we of ourselves (when disbanded, and in the condition of private men) or other the freeborn people of England (to whom the consequence of our case doth equally extend) shall not remain subject to the like oppression, injury or abuse, as in the premises hath been attempted and put upon us while an Army by the same men's continuance, in the same credit and power (especially if as our Judges, who have in these past proceedings against the Army so far prevailed to abuse the Parliament and us, and to endanger the kingdom; and also such security that we ourselves, or any member of this Army, or others, who have appeared to act any thing in behalf of the Army in relation to the premises before recited, shall not after disbanding be any way questioned, prosecuted, troubled, or prejudiced for any thing so acted, or for the entering into, or necessary prosecution of this necessary agreement: (we say) having first such satisfaction and security in these things as shall be agreed unto by a counsel to consist of those general Officers of the Army (who have concurred with the Army in the premises) with two Commission-Officers and two soldiers to be chosen for each Regiment, who have concurred, and shall concur with us in the premises, and in this agreement. And by the major part of such of them who shall meet in counsel for that purpose when they shall be thereunto called by the general.  
2 That without such satisfaction and security, as aforesaid, we shall not willingly disband, nor divide, nor suffer ourselves to be disbanded or divided.  
And whereas we find many strange things suggested or suspected to our great prejudice concerning dangerous principles, interests and designs in this Army (as to the overthrow of Magistracy, the suppression or hindering of Presbytery, the establishment of Independent government, or upholding of a general licentiousness in Religion, under pretence of Liberty of Conscience, and many such things; we shall very shortly tender to the Parliament a Vindication of the Army from all such scandals to clear our Principles in relation thereunto, and in the mean time we do disavow and disclaim all purposes or designs in our late or present proceedings to advance or insist upon any such interest, neither would we (if we might and could) advance or set up any other particular party or interest in the kingdom (though imagined never so much our own) but shall much rather (as far as may be within our sphere or power) study to promote such an establishment of common and equal right and freedom to the whole, as all might equally partake of but those that do by denying the same to others, or otherwise render themselves incapable thereof.   

An humble REPRESENTATION OF The Dissatisfactions of the ARMY, in relation to the late Resolutions for so sudden Disbanding: showing the particulars of their former grievances wherein they did remain unsatisfied, and the Reasons thereof.  
unanimously agreed upon and subscribed by the Officers and soldiers of the several Regiments, at the Rendezvouz near Newmarket, on Friday and Saturday, June 4, & 5.  
Presented to the General, to be by him humbly represented to the Parliament.  
WHereas upon the Report made to the House of Commons on Friday, May 21. concerning the grievances of the Army, That House was pleased to pass several Votes seeming to tend towards the satisfaction of the Army in some particulars: and on Tuesday following (May 25.) to pass divers Resolutions upon a Report from the Committee at Darby-house concerning the disbanding of the Foot of this Army each Regiment apart at several times and places: We humbly declare, That the said Votes of Friday do come far short of satisfaction (as to the said grievances) or to the desires proposed by the Officers in the conclusion of their Narrative. And that the latter Votes of Tuesday importing a resolution to disband the Army in part, before equal satisfaction be given to the whole in the grievances or so much as any consideration had of some others that are most material, and also before any effectual performances of that Satisfaction with the Votes of Friday seemed to promise as to some of the Grievances, we cannot but be much unsatisfied and troubled at it, as in the particulars following it may appear we have cause.  
1. The proportion of but eight weeks' arrears to be paid at disbanding, as it is unreasonably short of what is most due, and what we conceive may be paid, or might easily have been provided, since the Parliament hath so long had the whole kingdom cleared, all trading and commerce opened, vast sums of money brought in upon Delinquents compositions and otherwise, and great foundations of security in their hands (besides those formerly engaged for the Scots.) And as it is but a mean reward for all our labours, hardships and hazards in the▪ kingdoms cause, and a very slender Supply to carry us to our homes in a condition suitable to the Parliaments honour and our success, and much less to enable those that have left good trades or other ways of livelihood, and suffered much in their trades or stocks by so doing, to set up again in their former callings and conditions; so it is but little (if any thing) more than what hath been due to us since that time that we first went about to have petitioned for our arrears, and so not to be accounted in Satisfaction towards former arrears, which the Petition was meant for.  
2. In the Orders given for the stating of our Accounts, giving Debentures for our arrears by the Committee of the Army, we find no consideration or regard had of our arrears incurred in former Army or Services, which to the most of us are much greater than those under the New model, intended to be stated by the Committee for the Army, as the Narrative of the Officers, Printed by mistake under the name of their Declaration, did intimate before.  
3. We cannot but consider, That (whatever the Officers expectances upon Debentures may prove) the private soldiers may well make little account of whatever part of his arrears he receives not before disbanding, as the Reasons express in the Narrative do show. And whereas we hear of some Instructions past in an Ordinance for stating of arrears, we understand that they direct 3 s. a week to be abated to foot-soldiers for quarter, which being 6d. or 8d, per diem▪ above the rate they should have paid for themselves, if they had timely had Pay where withal: It seems very hard the poor soldiers should allow interest for the forbearance of his own due.  
The like disproportion we find in the abatements to sergeants of Foot for their Quarters: in the abatement for Quarters to Officers of Horse and Dragoons, we find one third Part of the whole Pay to them due both for themselves and their Horses is to be defalked, though the full Pay for their Horses is not allowed in the Account, unless they make it appear by Musters that they kept their full numbers; and the third part of their full Pay, amounting to the half or near the half of their present Pay, seems an unreasonable allowance for Quarters, especially in the case of captains and Field-Officers. We find also no Provision made for private soldiers of Horse, or Foot, or any Officers in Commission or not in Commission, in relation to any Quarters discharged by them, but all such are left absolutely to abate the respective Rates for Quarters, during their whole time, whether they have paid Quarters for any part of the time or no, whereas we know assuredly, and can make appear, That all of them, during their Service in this Army (and most of them in their Service in the former Armies) have really discharged their Quarters for a very great part of the time, and many of them for more time then by the proportion of pay received, they were bound to have done, having without respects to that many times paid freely, as far as their money would hold out, partly out of desire not to be burdensome at all to the country as far as they could, and partly upon expectation (grounded on the many promises and often renewed of constant pay for time to come) that money would come in time to pay them up, and reimburse them their full pay again without defalcation for quarters; we find it also provided. That no Trooper is capable of allowance or Debenture for arrears unless he deliver in such Horse and arms with which he hath served, or a Certificate, that such Horse and arms did not appertain to the State, or else was lost in actual Service, which extends to the total taking away from them those Horse and arms of the States which they have used and preserved in the Service, contrary to the favour allowed, and never (that we knew of) denied in the disbanding of any other Army: And if that being but a matter of favour, the horsemen in this Service be thought unworthy of it, and must upon account for their arrears, rebate for such Horse and arms as upon disbanding they thought to have been given them, yet it seems hard that such as cannot deliver in those state's Horse and Arms, which at disbanding they so understood to be their own, and so perhaps have sold or otherwise disposed of, should for that lose their whole arrears, or be incapable of account or debenture for any part thereof.  
Fourthly, The visible security for what arrears should not be paid at disbanding (which the Votes of Friday May 21. seem to promise) as it stands propounded in the Votes of Tuesday May 25. appears not to be either a security sufficient or to us visible.  
1. Because that security of the excise in Course (proposed for the arrears of private soldiers and inferior Officers is knwne to be already preingaged for vast sums amounting to above a Million that are to take place before those arrears, nor do we know certainly that the Excise (which is yet but temporary) will be continued for so long time as till our Arrears shall come out in course after the preceding engagements satisfied  
2. Because that security proposed for Officers arrears, viz. the profits arising out of Delinquents estates in the first Exception (especially) being limited to such as are not already disposed of, it does not appear what they will amount unto, or what the pre-ingagemens' or pre-disposures by the Parliament may be, or what encumbrances of Debts, or limitations of Estates (as they were in the hands of the owners) may lie upon the same, none of which we would be any occasion to defeat or avoid, so as to have the curses and grudges of defrauded Creditors or ruined Families to lie upon us or our posterities.  
3. Neither the one security nor the other are yet, for aught we find, or could well before the appointed times of disbanding, be so settled by Ordinance to the uses proposed (as the other Securities for moneys borrowed by the Parliament have been) which we conceive requisite to render the same indeed visible security.  
The two first of these Reasons we should not urge so much, if we did not see other matters of security within the kingdom that would be much more clear, (as Cathedrals and their Revenues, Forrest-lands, &c.)  
5. The Ordinance voted to exempt from Pressing, first is not, for aught we understand, brought in and passed before the appointed Disbanding. Next, by the Vote it seems not to intend the exempting of Voluntier horsemen from being pressed for Foot-service. And lastly, we understand not how it can be effectual to particular soldiers (when dispersed about the kingdom, and so journing or travelling where perhaps their former relation to this Army, or condition as volunteers in it may not be known, or not credited upon their words) unless the Ordinance intended shall provide, That a testimonial of their service under the General's or their respective Field-Officers or captains hands (which they might ever carry about, or keep by them) shall be their sufficient discharge from any press (if they shall fall under it.) And whereas such Testimonials cannot easily be got by them after Disbanding, the said Votes for so sudden Disbanding, and at such distances, do not mention or admit any thing of that kind more than Passes from the Commissioners to carry them home.  
6. The Ordinance voted to give apprentices the benefit of their time spent in the Parliaments service, as also that for the maintenance of maimed soldiers, and the widows and Children of men slain in the Service were not brought in and passed before the appointed Disbandings, nor do we yet hear, that they yet are, though we hope they will be.  
7. The Ordinance passed for indemnity seems to make but slender provision for our quiet, ease, or safety, in relation to things done in the War as soldiers.  
1. Because the things it provides for throughout the Ordinance, comprised only in these terms (viz.) Things done by virtue of any Ordinance of Parliament, or for the service and benefit of the Parliament; We conceive, That upon every trespass, or other thing done in the War (which we may be questioned for) it will be very chargeable and difficult, either to derive a clear Authority for the same from Ordinance of Parliament, or to bring proofs sufficient to make up such a constructive conclusion, as that it was for the service and benefit of the Parliament, especially to do this so fully, as to meet with all the evasions and elusions of a subtle Lawyer, or to convince the senses of a country-jury, whom we know not by what rules or measure they may go in judging what was for the service and benefit of the Parliament, or what not, perhaps some of them may be of that mind, That it had been for the service and benefit of the Parliament, to have had no War at all, or to have had fewer or no such Garrisons or Forces as some of us have been engaged in. In sum, We cannot think it safe to be left to the fence or construction of a country-jury, concerning the exigencies of War, or duty of a soldier upon so doubtful an issue; we should rather think, That the old issue, which (as we understand) ancient laws have provided for in such cases, viz. (Whether the thing were done tempore & locobelli) was much more clear and sure; and an Act or Ordinance of Oblivion for all trespasses or other things so done by soldiers in this War, would be most safe and satisfactory.  
2. That the provision in the said Ordinance now past for relief, by complaint to a Committee of Parliament at London, (which seems to be meant for saving of charges to poor men) we doubt will prove a very remote help, and far more chargeable for a poor soldier imprisoned or Arrested in the country, than the former: and though we highly honour that Committee named in the Ordinance (for the major part of it) yet we confess we shall be sorry that our relief (if it may otherwise be provided for) should be the occasion of setting up more Arbitrary Courts than there are already, with so large a power of imprisoning any Free men of England, as the Ordinance gives to that Committee, let the persons entrusted appear at present never so just and faithful, or though all that Committee were as good Patriots as we hold the major Part to be.  
3, In the matter of accounts, we are wholly left (as before) to the mercy of the Committee for accounts, and their subcommittees, whose constitution (in most Counties) being a least of Neuters (disaffected to the war, and consequently to the soldiery) and whose vast and arbitrary power to vex, delay, fine and imprison at their own pleasure or judgement, any that they can bring within the compass of accomptants, and to proceed upon their own judgement of the default, to sequester, sell and dispose of his Estate; as upon a Commission of Bankrupt (we confess) we tremble to think of more than of any Enemy. And though we are as jealous as any to have all men brought to an account, for what may clearly be accounted for (as Treasurers, Keepers of stores, Sequestrators, or such like accomptants) yet we cannot but think it hard for us, or other the Parliament soldiers, to be required to so strict accounts for all things received, taken, and used in the War by ourselves, or any under our command (though but temporally upon a part) for many of which things neither we nor any other that minded the public service, and have been engaged in hazardous services, where many have lost those accounts they did keep, can give or could keep so strict account, or for want of such account to be so cruelly vexed & prosecuted, even to utter undoing, as any man that's accountable for any thing that may be, and divers of the Parliaments most faithful and active Servants in our condition have been before our eyes: And though we would not wish that any soldiers or Officers who have by Plunder, or other Injury to the country, abused the name of the Parliaments Service, and converted any thing they have taken or received to their own private benefit or advantage, (more than for necessary subsistence or supplies) should go away with it, in being exempted from account; yet we cannot but think it reasonable and necessary, That for those many others that have not done so, but have employed all faithfully for the public service, such provision should be made, as that what arms, Ammunition, Horses, Furniture, or other things received or taken by them, they could not keep, or cannot give a clear and distinct account for, it should be sufficient for their discharge, if they make Oath, That they have not embezzled, or wittingly converted to their private benefit or advantage, any part thereof, more than what things, or to what value they do or shall (for saving of their Oath) charge upon themselves in their account.  
We find another thing mainly necessary for our and other men's indemnity (for which there is no provision at all made in this Ordinance) viz. That all Acts of counsels or Courts of war, either in censure or discharge of any person, for any cause subject to their Judgement, and the Warrants of the general, or chief Commander, for execution or remission of such censures, may be valid and good, both as to the Justification of those that have been employed in execution of such censures, and also the full & final acquittal of the persons so discharged or remitted.  
Eighthly, Though those Officers of the Army at several times sent for, or sent up to attend the Parliament as Delinquents, have been indeed discharged (for which we render our thanks & acknowledge the Parliaments Justice in the discharge) yet for men of such credit and integrity to have their names brought so highly into public question or suspicion, and the cause not known (which might make it imagined greater) to be kept long in attendance under that notion▪ and not obtain by their daily solicitations to know their Accusers, or any Charge (and for one of them) to be made a Prisoner, searched and sent up so far in a disgraceful manner, without Authority (against the right both of a soldier and Subject) and at last to be only dismissed (without any word of Vindication or clearing) seems but a slender Reparation.  
Ninthly, There hath yet been nothing declared by the Parl. (as in the Narration or Declaration of the Officers was desired) to clear us, as to our right of Petitioning, or to clear the fence and intention of the Parliament in their Order for suppressing the Petition, or the ground of their censure in the Declaration against it; Though we think no man can deny the matter of the Petition to be just, and Parliament-proceedings, since upon the several heads of it does imply as much: And if our liberty of Petitioning for our due be denied us now, & the attempting of it rendered such a Crime (as by the said Order and Declaration appears to be, while the ground or intention of them stands not explained otherwise) we cannot but expect the same or worse hereafter, not only to ourselves (when being disbanded and dispersed, we shall have the like occasion to Petition as private & single men) but also to all the free-both people of the land in the like case; and so this precedent (if it stand good) would eextendin the consequence of it, to render all soldiers under the Parliament, the worst of slaves, and all Subjects little better▪ And though there have been of late in other men's Cases too many dangerous precedents of suppressing Petitions, and punishing or censuring the Petitioners, yet (we think) few or none so full and clear against all just Liberties, as this in our case whose Petition was not, as many (that yet have been received with large thanks) without any foundation in real grievances or dues, tending and serving merely to declare the Petitioners opinions and inclinations in relation to matters of State (then in transaction, or intended to be put on in the Parliament) nor yet subject to any of those exceptions, which at other Petitions (seeming better grounded, more necessary or concerning then the former, and yet rejected) might be; But ours not meddling with matters of State, with proceedings of Parliament, or anybody's concernments but our own, tended but to obtain particular dues (often promised, dearly and fully earned, long forborn) and some of which (viz. the matter of indemnity) we could not (without danger of utter ruin) want after disbanding; and these but desired in an humble and submissive way, without any language, scandalous or offensive, or any other particular exception (for matter or form) that we have ever yet been told of, or could any way learn; so as though we are willing to believe the Parliament was misinformed, abused or surprised in the businesses (as the Narrative does express) yet we cannot hitherto understand▪ from whence such proceedings against such a Petition, or against us for it, could arise, except (in those that moved and drew the Parliament thereunto) from some principles of malignant's envy or dislike against us, the Petitioners for the things God hath done by us, carrying them (above all other considerations of just or unjust, dangerous or safe) to this end, as the greatest good, that this Army must not pass with that Reputation God hath given it, but must (upon any occasion that could be catched hold on) have a dishonour put upon it, and by discontents and provocations be put into distemper, so as to do something that might render it ●dious, or bring a blemish upon it.  
Tenthly, the Declaration yet standing in force, and nothing published by the Parliament to clear the Army from the censure it thereby lies under, there remains a brand of Ignominy upon this Army to Posterity: And those soldiers that have proceeded to act any thing in pursuance of their just Desires in that Petition, or in Representation of their just Grievances thereupon; as also those Officers that have any way concurred with,