AN APPEAL TO THE WORLD IN THESE TIMES OF EXTREME DANGER.  
THe variety of dangers, unto which this Parliament, and in it this Kingdom is now subject, and the manifold distempers, which are the causes of these dangers, together with the multiplicity of those evil influences, which are the causes of these distempers, as also the great mischiefs and miserable destruction, not only threatened, but really intended, and at this time attempted against this Parliament by the Manassites of the times, hath necessarily occasioned this ensuing Appeal, as well to generations to come, as to those now present.  
The common and Epidemical disease wherein this Kingdom at this time lies now gasping under (being filled with nothing but fears, jealousies, and perplexities, as may be observed by the miserable complaints of all men, whose hearts are tender of the good and welfare of the Commonwealth) hath a Superior and universal cause from the evil Counsels & wicked designs of those, who under his Majesty threaten to carry all before them, against the Parliament, and all others who will not stoop to the illegal demands of the King: These evil influences hath been formerly the cause of the preparations for War wirh Scotland, and the procuring a rebellion in Ireland, and now is the cause of distractions and divisions betwixt the King and his faithfullest Subjects; and of procuring preparations of War here in England, by his Majesty seduced by wicked Counsel, principally aiming first at Hull, and then at London, which are become the objects of the King's hatred, not excluding the Parliament.  
The Parliament is the foundation and basis of Government, and consequently of the peace and happiness of the Kingdom; as it creates the Law by which we are ruled and governed in peace and quietness; so it preserves the Law in power and authority: It hath not only power and authority to preserve good Laws being made, but also to create such new Laws, as by which the Kingdom may be ruled and governed in peace, and also to repeal such Laws as are opposite to the peace and prosperity of the same, all Laws lying at their feet, to use them for the best advantage for the King and Kingdom. First for the King, to reduce him from that seduced condition wherein he is: And secondly, for the Kingdom, to rescue and deliver it from those dangers and miseries it is liable to at this time, by reason of his Majesty so seduced.  
For all the power which Princes have, is but derivative and secondary: The fountain and efficient cause is the people, and from hence the inference is just; The King, though he be singulis major, yet he is universis minor, for if the people be the true efficient cause of power; it is a rule in nature, Quicquid efficit tale, est magis tale, And hence it appears, that at the founding of Authorities, when the consent of societies conveys rule into such and such hands, it may ordain what conditions, and prefix what bounds it pleases, and that no dissolution ought to be thereof, but by the same power by which it had its constitution.  
And as for the final cause of Prince's power, or Regal Authority, his Majesty doth not in any of his papers deny, that the same people are the final cause, which is the efficient cause of it, and indeed it were strange, if the people in subjecting itself to command, should aim at any thing but its own good in the first and last place, Power originally being thus inherent in the people, which is nothing else but that might and vigour which such or such a society of men contains in itself, and when by such or such a Law of common consent and agreement it is derived into such & such hands, God confirms that Law, and so man is the free and voluntary Author, the Law is the Instrument, and God is the establisher of both: Therefore not that Prince which Tyrannizeth over his Subjects, but that Prince which ruleth, and is most Po●ent in his Subjects, is indeed most truly Potent.  
Now if Kings are so inclinable to follow private advice rather than public, and to prefer that which closes with their natural impotent ambition, before that which crosses the same, are without all limits; Then they may destroy their best Subjects at pleasure, and all Charters, and Laws of public safety and freedom are void, and God hath not left humane nature any means of sufficient preservation.  
But on the contrary, if there be any benefit in Laws to limit Princes, when they are seduced by wicked counsels, and will not hearken to the great Counsel of the Land, doubtless there must be some Court to judge of that seducement, and some Authority to enforce that judgement, and that Court and Authority must be the Parliament, or some higher Tribunal; now none are so ignorant to affirm, a King in his single person is a Court (either in time of Parliament, without his Parliament, or out of Parliament, in his own person alone) to judge in any cause, nor his mere fancy authority sufficient to enforce judgement in any cause, much less, nay altogether is he unfit either to judge of his own seducement, or to enforce such a judgement by any Authority, though he were not seduced, for the King is not above the Law, but in subjection to it, his mere will being not the rule of the Law, but the Law the rule of it, therefore the will of a King is not an unlimited will, and in case a King be seduced by wicked Counsel, and will not rule by Law, nor heathen to the Petitions of his three kingdoms, than the Law is free to reduce him.  
Now it is not unknown to all the world, how powerful & active the wicked counsellors about his Majesty hath been, and still are, for the accomplishment of their own ends, seeking to destroy and extinguish that power, the true Religion, the Liberty and Laws of the Kingdom, by many traitorous endeavours, from time to time. First to keep off Parliaments, then either to dissolve them when they are gathered, or to raise in his Majesty a disaffection to his Parliament, and so at last to draw him into the Northern parts from them, to prevent all their just and lawful designs, and now infusing into his mind such false reports, as hath raised in him an inveterate hatred against them and all others who will not assist him in his demands and designs, publishing in his name divers ignominious reproaches against the Parliament, in king his Majesty's Court a Sanctuary for all kind of Delinquents, against the justice and lawful privilege of Parliament, and drawing to Torke by Letters, and other means, divers Members of both Houses, whereby they set up a counterfeit imaginary visage of a Parliament, to the great danger, not only of the disturbance, but even of the subversion of the fundamental constitution and frame of this Kingdom.  
Now whether this Parliament hath not to this day watched over our Religion, the Liberty and Laws, of this Kingdom, the preservation of his Majesty's person from the wicked designs of his and our enemies; and that with great care, labour, and industry, to the hazard of their lives and fortunes, let the world judge. If they should call heaven and earth, God and man to witness the same, they might do it with a more safer and peaceable conscience then, etc.  
There needs no other Plea for them, than those good and legal Votes, Ordinances, Remonstrances, Declarations, and Pititions, which hath issued from them since his Majesty's absence; since which time he hath refused to assist them in their lawful Designs, for the settling of the three Kingdoms in peace and prosperity: but hath rather harkened to the destroying Counsels and reproachful speeches of the Ishmaelites of the Times, as the effects doth declare, to the saiving of the spirits of his best and most faithful Subjects of his three Kingdoms, laying all the blame upon the Parliament. Indeed, if there be any thing in them blame-worthy, certainly its only their too much lenity and patience towards those offenders, who have been the prime causers of all those distractions, namely the Prelates, who have been formerly accused of High Treason by both Houses of Parliament, and since they have taken bail for all or most of them; the evil effects whereof hath lately appeared, in the practice of one amongst the test, to wit, that Archenemy Jo. Eborac. who is ●ow gone to York in a Warlike manner, and for aught that can be gathered, to assist the King (seduced by evil Council) in his intended war against the Parliament, whose adherents have, and still do foment nothing but threats against those, whom the Kingdom of England confideth in, and hath chosen to be their guide, Resolving not only to obey them in all their just & lawful Commands; but also to defend them against all illegal oppositions what or who soever they are, witness their frequent free & large bring●ng in of money, plate, and horse, and also their acknowledgements, published in the Petitions of most of the Counties of Endland, as may hereafter (in time convenient) be printed together, and compared wi●h a few Collections of Pititions; many of which collections are pretended (though falsely) to have been delivered to his Majesty, and others to his Privy Council; To instance one amongst the rest (viz.) That false Petition of the Nobility, Gentry, Burroughes, Ministers, and Commons of Scotland, delivered to his Majesty's most honourable Privy Council; and printed at his Majesty's Printing House, to delude the world, and make them believe it was a true Petition. Now let all the world judge whether his Majesty's intentions can be good, and whether it be not below himself, to suffer such things to pass in silence, without requiring (from the Parliament) Justice to be execured upon such p●rsons.  
There hath been Printed divers times, many false, scandalous and invective Pamphlets against the Parliament, and those who stand for the public good, and they have never been inquired after▪ nor complained of to the Parliament from York, or those parts; To instance some few of late, (viz.) the New Orders of the Parliament of Roundheads, the Round Heads race, the Wardens Speech, the Declaration or Resolution of the County of Hereford, with many more, which might be named, and shall if need require; and as for the new Orders of the Parliament of Roundheads, it was observed that John Thomas, (for whom it was Printed, as is credibly reported) was known to set out of London for York that very day it was published, and there resides to send to his wife to Print here in London, whatsoever is there Printed in York; but as for such Books which ha●ve been Printed, or such Sermons which have been preached, for, and in the behalf of the Parliament, justifying their legal and righteous proceed; The Authors, Printers, and Publishers thereof, must be found out and proceeded against by Law, as Treasonable, Factious, Seditious, Schismatical, and I know not what persons.  
These things being premised and compared together, an Appeal is here made to the whole world, for the vindication of the Parliament, in Six particulars, to consider of and judge.  
1. Wither the Parliament hath protected any such Preachers & Pampheteers at any time (as is unjustly laid to their charge) (when it hath been discovered to them who and what they are) by stopping the course of Justice from taking place against them, it they have been proved Treasonable, Factious, Seditious, or Schismatical.  
2. Whether the end of such contrivance, or taking notice of such false scandalous Pamphlets, be not purposely intended to suffer the affections of his Majesty's subjects to be drawn away from the Parliament, that so an utter extirpation of the v●ry being of Parliaments, may be obtained, as well for future Generations, as for the time present. For it is well known, that if this Parliament could once, be either exringuished, or its power weakened, which is all one; Then all will be at the King's mere Will, and the mercy of His and the Parliaments Enemies. Nothing then will stand in their way to oppose them; but a flood of violence will run over and cover the whole surface of the Kingdom, and carry away all, both present enjoyments, and future hopes of Religion, Liberty, and whatsoever else is precious and dear to the whole Kingdom.  
3. Whether it hath not been (since this Parliament first begun) the policy of evil Councillors (who are the greatest enemies the King and the three Kingdoms can possibly have) to strike at Parliaments, or divide Parliaments, by making factions, and casting in Diversions and Obstructions to hinder and interrupt the proceed of the same, and to persuade the King so to do, whose advice and counsel he hath adhered unto, as evidently it doth appear by the evil effects that hath followed thereupon, to wit, the causeless division betwixt him & his Parliament continuing solong, that it hath caused a very great jealousy of much danger and misery, suddenly to come upon this Kingdom, if it be not speedily prevented by the wisdom of the Parliament, and the concurrence of the well disposed Subjects of the Kingdom; the which if they shall so do, they will manifest to the world, that they are carried by no other respect, but of the public good, which should always be preferred before their own lives and fortunes.  
4. Whither there hath not been a Succession of designs against the Parliament, first, to awe it, secondly, to take away the freedom of it by the terror of an Army, & then to bring force against it actually to assault it; witness his Majesty's coming to the House of Commons, in such a manner, & with such a troop to demand those five Members, which He accused of High Treason, and other misdemeanours, which is judged by both Houses of Parliament, to be a high breach of their Privileges. The deliverance of which Members at that time, the whole world is Appealed unto, whether an Annual day of Thanksgiving ought not to be kept unto God through the whole Kingdom of great Britain: for as much as at that time it was seared (and that not without cause) an intent was with the sword to cut in sunder this only Band, with ties, and knits up King & People together in one firm and indissolvable knot of Peace and Unity.  
5. Whether the Obstrucing the proceeding of the Parliament were not absolutely intended; first by the Rebellion in Ireland, to the consuming of that Kingdom; the heads of which Rebellion, many, if not most of them, were transported into Ireland by the King's special Warrants; the names of which Rebels may be seen in an Answer of both Houses to the King's Message, sent to him, March 16. 1641. which Answer was set forth by their Authority, to be Printed and published. Secondly, whether the hindering of the proceed of Parliament were not absolutely intended, by the distempers, distractions, and jealousies fomented here at home to tear out the bowels of this Kingdom; the Parliament being by that means disabled from helping it; witness that Master piece, whence all the rest receive countenance and support, (viz.) His Majesty's absence from, and not agreeing with his Parliament, but withdrawing his influence, whereby such remedies could not be applied as was necessary, but what was done, it was with infinite trouble to the Parliament, and excessive charge to the Subject, double and triple, what otherwise would have served the turn. So the Subject is grieved and oppressed with charge, and the blame of all is laid upon the Parliament, as being unjustly charged to be the cause of all those evils, which the Authors of them have made.  
6. And last Appeal, Whether the wicked practices of enemies at home and a broad are not the cause of hindering the Parliament from their Actings and Operating towards the settling of the great Affairs both of Church and State, and providing for the defence and safety of his Majesty and his Kingdom, both from foreign Invasions abroad, and secret stir of the discontented party at home.  

Unto this last Appeal, there are several particulars as gradations to Confirm the same, and left to the World to Judge.  
1. When the Parliament was in a fair way, by the blessing of God, to wade through, and overcome those difficulties which lay in their way. Then there was an Assay made by the Malignant party, to weaken the proceed and power of the Parliament, utterly to subdue it; first, by his Majesty's departing from his Parliament, in such a manner, as gives all his loving Subjects just occasion to suspect He intends not good to His three Kingdoms; and then by gathering of Forces, commanding a Garrison of soldiers to be put into New castle, under the command of the Earl of Newcastle, who should have formorly seized upon Hull, had he not by the providence of God, giving wisdom to the Parliament to prevent him, and sundry Commissions granted by his Majesty for the raising of Horse, and divers Officers being thereunto appointed; likewise his Majesty upon a Monday morning, being the fourth of July, came to Beverly with an Army of a considerable number, of horse and foot, and some Regiment of Trained bands commanded to be raised, amongst which Soldiers in this Army, are divers Papists, and other persons of desperate fortunes, ready to execute any rapine, violence, and opptession, besides several troops of horse were sent into Lincolnshire, to the great terror of the well affected people, who are thereby forced, either to forsake their dwellings, or to keep them with armed men. Now in these, and many more which might be instanced, here is an Appeal made to the world, whether his Majesty intends not the subversion of the Parliament, together with the distuction of the whole Kingdom, and hath not already begun the war.  
2. Consider under what vain pretences his Majesty is pleased to gather forces at York, (viz.) to have a Guard for his Person, as if his ordinary Guard was not as sufficient to protect his person there, as they were when he was at White-Hall, there being no other cause of fear than was here near London, unless himself produceth the causes. For if there be any cause of fear, it may rather arise from the Parliament, lest his Cavaliers and his Counsellors there about him take away his Majesty's life, when they have accomplished their own ends by his means, for fear lest he should not prove as faithful to them hereafter, as is feared he hath not to those now who have ever proved faithful to him at all times, and upon all occasions, and never gave cause at any time why he should be so opposite to the Parliament, and by a strong hand to support Delinquents, in such a manner, that no order of the Parliament can be obeyed, but rather slighted, and scorned: Witness the Report of his Majesty's Cavaliers upon Haworth Moor at York, June 3. 1642. as may be seen in a Letter sent from York to a friend in London, declaring that they were wholly for the King, against the Parliament. Whereupon the County of York being summoned by his Majesty to appear that day, to propound some things to their considerations, and nothing was then propounded to require their Answer, they went away very much unsatisfied and discontented. Yet before they departed, in answer to those Cavaliers they declared unto them, That they came not with any intent or resolution to divide the King and Parliament, nor would they ever condeseend thereunto.  
3. When the Parliament understood by evident demonstrations, that the King seduced by evil counsel, intended to make War against the Parliament, the doing whereof is enough to destroy both Himself and his posterity for ever, from enjoying any of his three Kingdoms hereafter. Then they petitioned his Majesty to disband all such forces as were by his command assembled, and to rely for security upon the laws and affections of his People, as his Predecessors have done before him, etc. notwithstanding it is evidently seen he proceedeth in his illegal courses against the Parliament, making good every day more and more the expressions of his Cavaliers, expressed upon Heworth-more, and now hath set forth a Paper in form of a Declaration, and printed at York, and reprinted at London for Robert Young, wherein is expressed, that He will defend every one of them, and all such as shall refuse any Commands, whether they proceed from Votes and Orders of both Houses, or any other way, from all dangers and hazards whatsoever, and yet he further declares in the same Paper, that He will not engage any in a War against the Parliament, except it be for his necessary defence, etc. If this be not to delude the World, as Himself is deluded, let the World judge whether his intentions are not to hinder the precedings of the Parliament in their Actings and Operating, towards the settling of peace and quietness in the Kingdom, and principally intends nothing less than War against them, and his Kingdom.  
His Majesty saith likewise, that He will defend the true Protestant Religion, etc. How can that possibly be believed of any wise man, seeing there is no other means so effectual as to advise with His Parliament, for if the Parliament would side with the King in whatsoever he would have them to do, then there would be no greater argument to aggravate the sin of disobedience in any person, then to disobey the Laws and Ordinances of the Parliament, which now he so contemns, and vilifies, as is obvious to the sight of the world in Print.  
But in stead of punishing offenders against his Parliament, he causelessly departs from them, and forbids any to obey them.  
Now let the world judge whether his Majesty's expressions (which he had often professed in his Papers) and his practices or Actions are not different; he professeth to maintain that Religion which is established by the Law of the Land, and ye● he is pleased to countenance and protect those against whom the Law is principal intended.  
Lastly, it appears that the enemies to the peace of the Kingdom are the cause of hindering the proceed of Parliament, by provoking and instigating his Majesty to senseverall Papers in form of declarations and messages, and in them expressing bitter invective speeches against the Parliament to perplex them, and engage them in the expense of time to answer those Declarations and Messages, now let the World judge, whether i● be not better to say less and do more, by a speedy proceeding (according to Law) against the offenders, who, or Whatsoever they are.  
The world now is wearied out with reading of Declarations, Remonstrances and Petetions from both Houses to the King, and with Declarations and Messages from the King to them again, together with their replies to the King from time to time. The Spirits of men begin now to languish, considering the malignant party daily increases, and according to their strength such are their designs; first cunningly to insinuate and infuse into the people (by false colours and glosses) an evil opinion and dislike to the Parliament, and then Jehu-like in a hostile manner to rise against the Parliament (and in it all other Parliaments) to the ruining of them, their wives and children.  
Now let the World judge, every man's conscience being appealed unto, as the case now stands, (his Majesty being seduced by the wicked counsel of such desperate persons, whose care, study, and industry is not only to provoke his Majesty to be the head of their Rebellion, but also to bring the King and Kingdom either to utter desolation, or to an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Monarchy) whether in these extreme distractions and distempers, your lives and all you have being in continual fear to be lost, it be better to obey a Seduced King, than the wise representative body of the whole Kingdom, so constituted by the Laws of the land to manage the affairs of the Kingdom. Judge ye whether it be not better and more suitable to a good conscience to stand or fall, live or die with the Parliament according to your protestation, and so with your hands upon your Swords be ready at their command to perform your vows to God, and your oaths of fidelity to his Majesty in rescuing him from his enemies, by taking up arms to descend yourselves against those false flattering Traitors, who abuse his Majesty's Royal favour, intending (under the glorious title of his name and Standard) to fight against the peace and Honour of their Sovereign, against Religion and the Laws, and so make a prey and spoil of three flourishing kingdoms at once.  
Therefore quit yourselves like men, and strengthen yourselves in the Lord your God, rouse up your drooping spirits, and strengthen your feeble knees, and resolve to spend and be spent in the defence of the lives and liberties one of another, a harmonious union in the cause of Jesus Christ is an astonishment to the enemy, and half the victory is then obtained, delays prove dangerous, and faint heartedness gives strength and advantage to the adversary, therefore now if ever stand fast, and show yourselves friend for your King and Parliament.  
Let it appear before God and all the Nations of the world round about you, that tru● generous blood runs in all your veins, consider the honour and cause of God, the good and happy success of this present Parliament, your lives, your laws, and liberties, your Temporal and Spiritual welfare lies all bleeding at your feet, earnestly supplicating your bes● assistance: give your consciences leave a while to expostulate with you: will you live, and the Parliament die, can it possibly go well with you, whilst it goeth ill with them O no, rather purchase their life by your death, so shall you be a good example to all generations yet to come, being confidently assured there was never a greater prize in your hands than at this time is in the Kingdom of England, (viz.) The Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the Peace of the Kingdom, each of which, in value and estimation (in respect of enjoyment) far exceeds all the wealth the whole world can afford: What comfort and contentment can you take in your health, wealth, houses, lands, wife, children and friends, when in the enjoyment of these, you are bereft of peace and quietness with them, when (on a sudden it may be, before you expect it) the enemy rusheth in upon you, and presently makes your habitation desolate, ravishing your wives, and ripping them up before your faces, using all violence and mischief upon you, as they have done to our neighbour Nations, Germany and Ireland, and have attempted the like upon Scotland. Therefore be entreated once more, and that without delay, letting no opportunity slip, join your heads, hearts, and spirits together with one consent, to present to his Majesty one Petition more, not in the name of some particular County, but in the name of the whole Kingdom of England, that he would be pleased to vouchsafe the influence of his Royal presence to his great Counsel, the high Court of Parliament, that so the bleeding wounds of this distracted England may be prevented.  
Let the Kingdom of Scotland and Ireland's practice induce you to it, but more especially you London, Show not yourselves so backward in this main work, you have showed yourselves most courageous and free in all other business, slack not therefore in this great work, seeing you, O London are the chiefest object upon whom the eyes of all the Countries are fised. Now O England help the Lord against the mighty, stand in your ow●● defence, but strike not the first stroke (in case it comes to such an exigency) lest you kindle such a fire in England, that will never be quenched, but rather manifest with humble boldness, your extreme unwillingness unto such a straight, that so the peace of God, and the God of peace may devil amongst us.   
FINIS.