Timely Advice, From the Major part of the old SOLDIERS In the ARMY, To all the rest of our Fellow SOLDIERS, Wherein is held forth the Politically intended Destruction of the whole SOLDIERY By our new Masters. From an Officer out of Scotland.  
Printed in the Year of our Lord, 1659.   

Brethren and Fellow-soldiers,  
UPon the serious and sober review of all our pristine magnanimous, and undaunted Actions in the Army in time of War, And that while we were all unanimous and zealous for the common good and welfare of this Nation, We were a Terror to all our Enemies round about, though now become a laughingstock to all our enemies that see our inconstancies, whom nothing can please; but what we cry up to day, we cry down to morrow, only led thereunto by the Capricious brains of a few weak single persons, Who without us, are nothing; yet we look not into our own Abilities and Power, but like heedless Children cast our dearly bought Honour at our heels: So we are emptied from Vessel to Vessel, and every day made more and more Slaves to to our own Countrymen, which is as dishonourable in every true English man to suffer, as it is unworthy in them to impose; and yet all must be done politically, under pretence of Religion, and the Liberties, and Privileges of the People, when daily Experience shows us, that nothing less is intended: Is it not then a shame the Power and change of Government being in us, that we cannot see and prevent our own Ruin and Destruction? when every Man can clearly discern the Face of Fallacies, in the Glass of his own Woes, and that we are headlong running to Confusion. In the abundance therefore of our zeal and Cordial Love towards the rest of You our Fellow-sufferers, and Soldiers in the Army, We have thought very fit to acquaint you, as well with what we have Discovered, and Collected from the Actings of our Superiors, as our resolutions to let lose the Rains of our Power and Liberty. For it is not a Time for our Superiors to strive who shall be Greatest, and perpetuate themselves a Multitude of Princes, Feeding upon the Ruins of the People, and Fat of the Nation, when We, our Families, Wives, and Children, and all that is near and dear unto us, may beg, starve, and perish: Therefore as stout Soldiers, whet and rouse up your Spirits, Let us not any longer with great Words be overawed, like Dogs with a Cudgel.  
It is well known that we are all very much in Arreare of Pay, And that the Monthly Taxes have been paid beforehand, with the the Excise in all the Counties, Customs, Delinquents Estates, besides many other Advantages, whereby fare greater sums have been raised, then would satisfy all our Arrears, through want whereof, our Wives and Children have been so much destitute of Bread and Drink, that we have been forced to sell and pawn what we had for Bread to satisfy their hungry stomaches; yet no care or provision is made for our payment by our present Masters, who will still exact Taxes, though they distract Trading, and make many thousand Beggars, as well in the City, as Country; nor care they how despicable, or to what extremities they expose us, so they make themselves great.  
In the time of Oliver late Protector, there was constantly some reasonable time taken for payment of us: And do but consider how careful was Richard the Protector, for paying off all our Arrears to which purpose he was very earnest with the late Parliament, and they thereunto with him did Comply, so that we are truly sensible to have been paid off clear, before this time, if they had been suffered to sit, for which we now repent at our own weakness, in suffering the Dissolution thereof, by a few Ambitious selfended persons, who daily study new Forms of Government thereby to Advance themselves, though to the ruin of a Nation: When time and experience hath taught all Ages, that a Government in a single person lawfully Elected, is most safe, most for the ease and appeal of the Oppressed, most Honourable, most Peaceable, most Heaven-like; and most Consentaneous to an English heart.  
That we well understand the Resolves and Intentions of Parliament, are first to settle the Militia, as stalking Horses for them, the the better to catch their Game, then after that, either to send us beyond Seas, out of our Native Country, to be destroyed like Vagabonds in a strange Country at their pleasures, Contrary to the Liberty of Freeborn People, or else Disband us at Home, and leave us with our Wives and Children to beg our Bread in our own Nation, where we shall be quickly destroyed and our Posterities, by such as have been, and are inveterate Enemies to us and the Commonwealth; And which shall be all our reward, after shedding of so much blood as hath been lost, for regaining our lost Liberties; And therefore is it not pertinent we all in time provide for our own safety, which we shall never enjoy without the Government of a single person, our absolute and chief preservation?  
That Richard Protector, nominated by his late Father, according to the humble Advice, Chosen and Proclaimed, by Consent of Council, Parliament and Army, is undoubtedly the Lawful Successive Governor over these Nations, and acknowledged by the many Addresses from most Counties and Corporations in England, and also from the Armies in Scotland and Ireland, looking upon him as their Lawful and Supreme Governor, which we are Unanimously resolved to maintain, being well assured of the City of London's Faithful Compliance with us; And do therefore require your willingness, and undaunted Spirits of Assistance to join with us.  
That we are not resolved to pass any Musters, (though we may draw to the Field the better to be informed of all your freeness, and willingness herein) until our present Masters shall, and have paid all the Arrears due unto us.  
That so soon as the Lord Henry Cromwell, shall appear with an Army in England, We are, and shall be generally resolved to join with Him, for Re-establishing Richard, Lord Protector, in which Resolution we hope you will be as free to join with us as the City; And chief it being the only way for all our Advancements, and Preservations of ourselves and you, yours, and your Wives and Children from the intended Destructions.  
And lastly, The whole Country being gererally sensible, our new and present Masters act no good or settlement of Trade in the Common wealth, nor for relief of the Oppressed; We are resolved to Dissolve them (without advice or consent of Officer) at such time as shall be concluded upon at our next general meeting, having many thousands with and about the City in readiness to join with us; And do there desire your Appearance and Compliance at the time, for doth not the power of change of any Government test upon us? Then let us act like Men and Christians, not fearing any, so shall we bring a settled Government in a single person again, and perfect Liberty as Freeborn People, which at present is enjoyed but by some particular persons.  
FINIS.