THE ARMY'S DECLARATION Examined and Compared WITH Their DECLARATION May 6. Their PETITION and ADDRESS May 12. AND Their PETITION and REPRESENTATION. Discovering some of their Contradictions, Lies, Calumnies, Hypocrisy, and Designs. Well worthy Observation.  
LONDON, Printed, 1659.   

THE ARMY'S DECLARATION EXAMINED, etc.  
IT was the serious wish of some who were very careful for the reputation of the Army, after they understood how well the Army had made good their most Christian Declaration of the Sixth of May past, by forcing the Parliament a second time, according to their wont way of Exposition or doing clean contrary, that now they would no more declare, to make themselves and friends, the scorn of Heathens for falseness and ficklenss, but leave themselves a sufficient latitude and field to ramble in, who could never yet be kept within the limits they had set out for themselves; however they have pleased me better as it falls out, for without peradventure many men who but the other day excused, extenuated (or at least respited their judgement upon) the strange practice of the Army in keeping out the Parliament, deamed that those worthy Persons had miserably violated their trust, or had practised some unheard of mischief against the good people of this Nation, that should necessitate this extravagant, and indirect proceeding of the Army, contrary to their own Declaration of a very late date, and all Humanity and Christianity; who by reading this New Declaration, or at least by taking the Examination thereof along with me, must needs be undeceived by little and little, till they understand the naked reason of these Masters of misrule; wherein, the better to help thy observation, take here verbatim their Declaration of May Sixth, which will take up but little room, which I re-print, that you may see I mean to deal fairly, and it will be of some use in the sequel. It gins thus:  
THE Public concernments of this Commonwealth being through a Vicissitude of dangers, deliverances and backslidings of 〈◊〉 brought into that state and posture wherein they now stand, and ourselves also contributing thereunto, by wandering divers ways, from righteous and equal paths; and although there hath been many essays to obviate the dangers, and to settle these Nations in Peace and Prosperity, yet all have proved ineffectual, the only wise God in the course of his providence disappointing all endeavours therein.  
And also observing, to our great grief, that the good Spirit which formerly appeared amongst us; in the carrying on of this great work, did daily decline, so as the Good old Cause itself became a reproach; We have been led to look back, and examine the cause of the Lords withdrawing his wont presence from us, and where we turned out of the way, that through mercy we might return and give him the glory.  
And amongst other things, calling to mind, that the long Parliament consisting of the members which continued there sitting until the 20th. of April 1653. were eminent Assertors of that Cause, and had a special presence of God with them, and were signally blessed in that work (the desires of many good people concurring with ours therein) we judge it our duty to invite the aforesaid Members to return to the exercise and discharge of their trust, as before the said 20th. of April 1653.  
And therefore we do hereby most earnestly desire the Parliament, consisting of those Members who continued to sit since the year 1648, until the 20th. of April. 1653. to return to the exercise and discharge of their Trust, and we shall be ready in our places, to yield them, as becomes us, our utmost Assistance to sit in safety; for the improving the present opportunity for settling and securing the Peace and Freedom of this Commonwealth: praying for the presence and blessing of God upon their endeavours.  
Signed by direction of the Lord Fleetwood and the Council of Officers of the Army. Tho. Sandford Secret. 6. May 1659.  
I shall trouble your Memory but little to look further back, having taken notice how apt your are to forget yourselves: Look you now! whose was this Bracelet? Was this the Army's Declaration, or no? surely that and this now to be examined, never came from the same men; or those men, are not the same they were— You begin with telling how unpleasing it is to you to be necessitated to justify yourselves or your Actings to these Nations;— we never yet found you backward to say all that could be said for your-selves: but I think it will be a hard matter to justify yourselves, or your Actings since 1652. and that may make it a little displeasing, if you, or any body for you can do that, we will all go to School again; when you can justify yourselves, and actings: In first turning out this Parliament, then opening the Door for them again, as you say, you were bound in duty; and now shutting them out again, and setting up Three and twenty Persons, unto whom you have delegated such Power, as most honest men say, is not yours to give. I say, when you can justify yourselves herein, you shall be forgiven your former Trespasses, and have as full Indemnity as your hearts can wish;— You go on— to do ourselves Right, we must necessarily insist upon the Miscarriages of Others; of which we hold ourselves obliged to give the People an Acount, and of our Proceed— verily the People are much beholding to you: I doubt you would make a bad reckoning on'nt, if the People were enabled to call you to account: We see the ARMY to justify themselves; resolve (as they are obliged by necessity) to insist upon the Failings of the Parliament, and let them not spare: they have done their worst; let every sober minded man be assured; that the Parliament are free from any Imputations that malicious Tongues and Pens have uttered against them, which are not found in this black Bill: who are so sure to say all that could be said against them (and all little enough to justify themselves) that they strain hard to charge them with some things, that though they were true, yet are of little consequence to justify such a proceeding in the Army; they turn every Stone to make Matter against them: But I must not anticipate thy Judgement; you shall see by and by, what the Mountain brings forth, and as you go along pray note how much they insist upon their own Miscarringes and Failings. Having thus Prefaced, you declare in these Words— Before the recalling of the [late PARLIAMENT] Observe, it was the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, the Fifth of October last, as they style them in their Petition, and Representation: But now the late Parliament! surely they are as much a Parliament now, as then; and if Six years' force could not hinder them of being a Parliament, much less can Three week's force: but the Jest is, they are the supreme Authority of the Nation, when the ARMY please to christian them so: if the Army have any hopes they will serve their turn, than they are the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England: If they keep close to the good of the Nation, than they are the (late Parliament—) We had divers Consultations and Thoughts of heart, in what way and manner we might provide for the Peace and good Government of this Commonwealth,— truth is, you have been very busy all along; you break our Heads, and then think of Plasters for us: you broke this Parliament formerly, and after six years, when you found your own dirty Interests going down, than you had many Consultations, how to keep them up: and when you could not go on your own way, the way you are now going, for the Clamours of the People, and the interposing of your own inferior Officers, you had some Conferences with some of the late Parliament, as you call them, from whom, it seems, receiving some good hopes of doing your Journeywork, you resolve to put it to the Trial, Whether they will be your Slaves, or the faithful Servants of the People? Who having failed your Expectation, can be a Parliament no lo longer:— at length, calling to mind (no sure, it was put in your Heads much against your Minds) those many great Things that had been effected for the good of these Nations, during the sitting of the said Parliament: Look back upon the Declaration of May 6. and see how it is there expressed,— Calling to mind, That the long Parliament consisting of the Members which continued there sitting until the Twentieth of April, 1653. were eminent Assertors of the GOOD OLD CAUSE, and had a special presence of God with them, and were signally blessed in that Work. Read the very Words and observe a Juggle: That may be done during their sitting, that is not done by them. Make your own Observations,— and being likewise fully persuaded, that the Government of these Nations might be most happily placed upon the Foundations of a Commonwealth [and that upon such Principles as was then agreed upon by us]— this is the Plague on'nt, they that for the most part of them, (Viz. The General Council of Officers) must make a Mark for their Names; think themselves so wise as to agree Principles among themselves, which are best for the Government of this Commonwealth: and what are these Principles? You shall find them in their Petition and Address, May 12. 1659. the chief Corner Stones whereof are these;  
Article 12. We do unanimously acknowledge and own the Lord Charles Fleetwood to be Commander in chief of the Land Forces of this Commonwealth.  
Article 13. That there be a select Senate  in Power with the Parliament.  
Article 15. That all Debts contracted by his late Highness, or his Father, since the Fifteenth of December, 1653. may be satisfied, and that an honourable Revenue of Ten thousand pounds per annum, with a convenient House, may be settled upon him and his Heirs for ever, and Ten thousand pounds more per annum, during his life, and upon his honourable Mother, Eight thousand pound per annum, during her life: To the end, that a mark of the high esteem this Nation hath of the good service done by his Father, our ever renowned General, may remain to Posterity.— It concludes thus:  
These having been the thoughts and desires of our hearts, unanimously agreed upon, before your returning to sit, etc.  
You may judge whether these are not rare Principles to brag of A Senate to control the Parliament: And Ten thousand pound per annum, and a convenient House for ever: Ten thousand pound per annum for life for the Protector; and Eight thousand pounds per annum for the old Dowager.— Upon my word, I do not know who contrived this so rarely; but 'tis a good Reward for making bold to rule us by his Will and pleasure, to pay his Son and his Wife so well for it; besides what Rewards he took out of the Earl of Worcester's Estate, and what besides he converted to his own Coffers. If I were Lord Lambert, I should venture hard to make myself somebody, if when the worst came, my Heirs and Wife should be so well rewarded: If when I could keep my Kingdom no longer, I should be so well cared for, that my Son should live like a Prince. These are brave Principles for a Commonwealth, that the Council of Officers should boast of:— You proceed,  
And hoping through their experience of Affairs of Government, we might most safely deliver the Power, and Trust of these Nations into their hands, (pardon me, you have done all you can to keep both in your own hands) and having those further encouragements, that they having lain under that rebuke for some years, which God hath given them for their former miscarriages: That is, the Rebuke you had given them, when you turned out of the way; and turned them out of the House, who you say yourselves, Decl. May 6. were such eminent Assertors of the GOOD OLD CAUSE, and had such a special presence of God with them, that you judged it your Duty, to invite them again to discharge their Trust; and really, 'tis their eminent asserting the GOOD OLD CAUSE, (and nothing else) that are the miscarriages for which you so rudely rebuke them:— And also from some previous meetings with some worthy and leading Members of that House, (these were I hope, none of those the Army is now so angry at) who upon debate with us, approved of the Principles aforesaid, and communicated them to some of their Fellow-Members.  
Mark here their debate, and the agreement of some Members with them in their Principles, of their Address, is a grand argument to persuade them to readmit the Parliament. You find no such matter in Decl. May 6. But there it seems to be only conscience of their sin in disturbing the Parliament, and wand'ring from equal and righteous paths; together with a sense of their duty as bound to call them again, being such eminent Assertors of the GOOD CAUSE. This is strange prevarication: It seems too, they were not so unseigned in the shame they took to themselves, for all the disfiguring of their faces, that they durst trust. God having done their duty; but must feel the Pulse of some Members first, and give them their Lessons, or the Principles they meant to insist upon: So that they can take shame to themselves, and yet drive on their Design; they are Masters of Art in Dissimulation, and can make Religion a Nose of Wax to serve their Interest: We were like to have our business well managed by this praevious Meeting, if the Parliament had had so little honesty, as the other wit.—  
That not only old displeasures would have been forgotten (so they were) but that the single, and settled Government of this Commonwealth would have been only aimed at.— So most men believe it was, having understood nothing to the contrary, but observed the Parliament very earnest in contending for it; and had made a large progress in it, even to admiration; though they had met with many Disturbances, and not a few from yourselves; but the mischief is, that all this was not done in two months, that they might have died in Mount Nebo before now: But to show what they might have done, and that two months was long enough in conscience; their new 23 must settle a Government in six Weeks, and then I trow they may go to Mount Nebo and die too:— And although we were not ignorant, that by their former interruption, it was the opinion of many able, and learned persons, that the late Parliament was wholly dissolved— Speak out Gentlefolks, Mr. Pryn told you so; and what did he tell you besides? Tell the whole truth. Doth not he tell you, You are Rebels, perjured persons, Papists, Jesuits, Sectaries: And is not this last as true as the first? If you knew them really dissolved, why did you conjure them up again? Why would you put such an abuse upon the Nation? Why did you resist Sir George Boothe to blood, for denying them to be a Parliament? Surely, if this be true, you laid a Stumbling-block in your Brother's way, whose Blood and Estate you yet seem vigorously to pursue: Certainly upon your heads must fall all the blood that hath been spilt in this Quarrel: it is your sin to set up an unjust power, not Sir George Booths to resist such a power. But why if this be true, do you so often style them The Supreme Authority? why do you say, 'tis your duty to call them again to their trust: that it becomes you to yield them your uttermost assistance to sit in safety. Doth it become you do you think, to juggle thus before God and men; especially since you were so well instructed of their being wholly dissolved?  
Good Lord, to what impudence shall we arrive ere long? and what may not profane Wretches do, if men that pretend so highly to Saintship dare deal thus? Lord, what wilt thou do for thy Great Name? What a Reproach lies upon the Protestant Religion? Lord, roll away this Reproach from us. And to this wretched shift is the Army driven, lest they should own them to be a Parliament: For if they were a Parliament, than they have no way of escape, but are Traitors with a witness;— Yet being desirous, like Drowning men (who are ready to catch hold of every twig) to lay hold on any thing that had the least appearance of Civil Authority— This is pretty, so it seems, you now lay hold of another twig, I mean your 23. but that they want the least appearance of Civil Authority— But do you think this is Christianlike, to do evil that good may come of it? is this to abstain from all appearance of evil? I cannot tell but this Twig may in time make you smart for your folly and wickedness,— Thereby hoping to see the Nation established upon the Basis aforementioned. Mark that, They laid hold on this Parliament, hoping they would settle the Nation as the Army had contrived it in their Petition, and Address before mentioned: This is rare good sport, is it not? Therefore— we did think fit in our Declaration of the 6 of May, (nay, you say there, You judged it your duty, it is one thing to think fit, another thing to think it your duty) to invite the Members of that Parliament, etc. Look back a little, and observe, whether the reasons they allege there, that persuade them of their duty to call the Parliament; and the conceits they mention here, which made them think fit to invite them, do well agree: I think you find few of the former reasons in this Declaration, and as few of th●se Conceits in the former Declaration. Pray stay here a little, and meditate, it will be worth your while: There you may observe, they confess, they had wandered divers ways from equal, and righteous paths; and that God disappointed all Essays for settlement; that the GOOD OLD CAUSE became a Reproach, and the good Spirit that formerly appeared among us began to decline, and did daily decline; and being led to look back and examine the cause of Gods departing from them, and where they turned out of the way, that they might return, and give him glory. And calling to mind, that this Parliament were eminent Assertors of the GOOD OLD CAUSE, and had a special presence of God with them, and were signally blessed in that work; therefore they judged it their duty to invite, and did most earnestly desire them to return to the exercise of their Trust.  
What is all that? is it no more than this, calling to mind what great things were effected during their sitting? or is there ever a word of your own thoughts of heart; that they were the best Principles and fittest to bottom the Commonwealth upon, that you agreed among yourselves. No, we immediately saw it was but a feigned Repentance, and a partial shame, when we read your Address of the 12. May, of which I gave you notice in Print: Have you any such motive there, as the experience of this Parliament in affairs of Government, that you mention in that Declaration, May 6. to induce you to deliver the power and trust of the Nation into their hands; not a word I warrant you to this purpose, nor yet of such an encouragement us this, that the Parliament having lain under the rebuke of God, for their former miscarriages, would be like to follow him more close now in the ways leading to peace and righteousness; nor a word of any previous meetings with any Leading Members of the House, and their approving of the Armies thoughts of heart; nor yet of laying hold upon them only as that which had only an appearance of Authority. I am sorry to have occasion for such work as this— Mind your Preface in your Address, May 12.— Calling to mind the former Declarations of Parliament, and the grounds therein inviting us to take up Arms; and those many signal providences wherein the Lord hath owned you, and your Forces by Sea and Land, in asserting that Righteous Cause; wherein the Civil and Religious Liberties of the People are involved, so as all open opposition was beaten down before you; and likewise weighing with ourselves, how in these several Changes of Government, that public Spirit that appeared in that work, hath since that time been discouraged, (that is, since the Parliament was first disturbed by Cromwell) and another raised up, drawing back to the things you had contended against, even to the hazarding the Essentials of that Cause: We did upon serious thoughts of heart think it our Duty to appear against those back sliding ways once more; And the good Providence of God holding forth an opportunity to us to open unto you a way for the further discharge of your remaining Trust, in Parliament; we did by our Declaration May 6. humbly desire you would be pleased to return to the exercise & discharge thereof. I only lay these things before thee: Judge righteous judgement.— Soon after their sitting, We presented our Address, to which we had to our great content, ample assurance of their good acceptance, expressed not only by their hearty thanks, but by approving many things therein contained, and referring the rest to Committees of their Members.— Mark— 'Tis most certain the Parliament did all man could do, to keep fair with them, and did grant any thing they desired, so fare as they might not enslave the people, by a Senate; or give away their Money against all reason; to maintain them in Pomp, who risen to such a height by the ruin of the Nation.  
'Tis true, they petitioned that a godly, faithful and painful Ministry be every where encouraged, countenanced and maintained; but the Parliament could not presently find a better maintenance than Tithes for that purpose; neither did the Army petition to have Tithes taken away, though now it seems they are resolved upon; though I doubt, they do not yet know, which way to provide so well for them: nor could the Parliament think taking away Tithes could be a likely means that every where such a Ministry be encouraged, countenanced, 〈◊〉 maintained.  
— But now comes on the Charge, now it is that they justify themselves, by insisting upon the Miscarriages of the Parliament,— First and foremost the Act of Oblivion was long before it was passed, and then most imperfect and ineffectual for the Ends expected,— that it stuck long in hand is no great wonder, for if it had easily passed, it might have given too much encouragement for new Designs upon the Government; but it came out at last, that is sure enough, but now 'tis miserably imperfect, and ineffectual to the Ends expected: though this were true, yet 'tis scurvy dealing on your side; why did you not put the Parliament in mind of it in your Petition, and Representation, and desire its amendment? you have had time enough to do it, as doubtless you would have done, if that Act had not done its business pretty well: but we do not know what you mean by the Ends expected, unless you would have had full Indemnity for what ever you have done, or shall do amiss to your lives end: Indemnity for keeping out the Parliament formerly, and Indemnity for shutting them out now, and Indemnity for turning out every Authority that shall not please you: this would do wondrous well indeed to the Ends expected; but I hope this Imperfection is only the opinion of those Learned and able men that persuaded you the Parliament was wholly dissolved: notwithstanding which you made every body to own them for the supreme Authority, and took the Money they levied for you, as if they had been a Parliament; and no question their Act of Indemnity will serve your turn one time or other, one way or another,— and for what concerned our twelve Proposals, wherein we owned the Lord Fleetwood to be Commander i● chief of the Land Forces of this Commonwealth, and concerning which we had assurance given, that the same should be granted in Parliament;— verily this is excellent, who could give you assurance? these General's signify nothing: was it Sir Henry Vaune, who promised and vowed this thing in their Name? you are hard put to it I perceive,— we were not less deceived in our Expectation (very strange the Parliament durst do any otherwise then as you should direct them: to what a pitch of Pride are these Men grown! who but a while since a great many of them I should hardly have numbered with the Dogs of my Flock) his Commission being restrained to England and Scotland (verily this is a critical piece, we would have him Commander in chief of the Land Forces of the Commonwealth, and his Commission is restrained to England and Scotland: he should have been Commander in chief of Jamaica too one would think by the story— upon my word you make hard shift to pick Quarrels: Doth any body think if the Parliament had gone about to oppress the Nation in the least, that they would have routed in such Holes as these to have found out the Sluts corner? Verily I am much pleased to see them in these straits— his Commission was limited to the sixth day of May, or to be revoked at pleasure— was this ever till now thought to be such an heinous Crim? what should tho Parliament give such a Power that they could not recall? this would make the Commander in chief Cosm German to a single PROTECTOR: What give a Sword into mad men's hands! You have used the Sword so well formerly, that 'tis not good trusting you further than we can see you; still 'tis better and better: you see the Miscarciages the Parliament were guilty of— and the further to abridge him of his Authority, necessarily belonging to him, to keep the Army in good order (that is, to make them for his own interest—) and to make the Army wholly subservient to their Will; I pray to whose Will should they be subservient? to the Parliaments, or my Lord fleetwood's: (O gross Miscarriages of the Parliament) they resolved that all Commissions should be given by Mr. Speaker, this indeed is a grievous one, but I think pretty well agreeing with the Principles of a Commonwealth, which nevertheless was submitted unto by the Army for Peace sake, not for Conscience sake it seems; that is to say, rather than lose their sweet Offices and Commands, they submitted for Peace sake, as no question they would to the Turk rather than fail; though not a few of these Sparks made very learned Speeches, and fair Promises of their faithfulness to the Parliament, and seemed highly to resent the Parliaments Favour in thinking them worthy of such Employments; and yet after all this you see what 'tis come to, and a rare Principle you have introduced to be a Foundation for your Free State, that I may take a Commission from you, and receive your Pay, and yet when I see my time, turn your own Swords upon you: If some men should deal thus with you, they paid you in your own Coin: and you could not refuse to take it in currant payment— What Factions hereupon grew up in the Army? what new moulding, changing, and transforming thereof, to the discomposure of the whole? how Parties were made and headed, and encouraged by divers Members sitting in Parliament— This is excellent; was that ever counted Faction before, which is only Conscience of duty and honesty: some of the Commanders of the Army having bewailed their Apostasy among the rest, thought it too much smelling of hypocrisy to go over their old Lesson again, and dictate a Government to the Parliament, having been sensible of their little good speed before, yea, and bewailed it too in these very words, Declare, May 6. although there have been many Essays, (that is, they had made many Essays since the disturbing of the Parliament, as by the sense of that Declaration you must needs understand it) to obviate dangers, and settle these Nations in Peace and Prosperity; yet all have proved ineffectual, the only wise GOD in the course of his Providence disappointing all Endeavours therein: I say, these men observing upon what Rocks you had run by your own confession, thought it good Christianity to acquiesse in the wisdom of the Parliament, whom you had so earnestly desired to return to their Trust; yourselves hoping that through their Experience in Affairs of Government, as you still say, you might safely deliver the Trust and Power of the Nation into their hands: These are the very words of your new Declaration: is this Faction to be satisfied in their Resolutions to whom you had committed the Power and Trust? yes verily that is Faction, that will not turn with every wind and breath of your changeling Council of Officers: they had taken their Commissions from the Parliament, and were not well convinced of the necessity that lay upon them to be perfidious, but thought fit to be constant to their Faith and Trust, and this is Faction; upon my word 'tis well defined: I did not so throughly understand Faction before; the new moulding, changing, and transforming, you make such ado about, is no more but this, you put out som● single person men out of your Army, as Gough, Ingoldsby, Whaly, Mills, Falconbridge, Howard, and in their places the Parliament put in such as had been right for a Commonwealth (except Lambert and Packer, two of your own Creatures) as Okey, Rich, Overton, Alured Saunders; none were put out but Protectorians, such as you had pointed at, or put out before; and none brought in, saving only those you over-rul●d them in, but such as had declared themselves sufficiently for a Commonwealth: most of whom you approved, unless Rich and Overton, and one or two more, whom you thought would not comply enough, but were too honest for such Company— Parties were made, headed, and encouraged, by Members of Parliament; Made, Headed, and encouraged! here are a great many words together to make up this Crime; that is to say, Colonel Morley, and Sir Arthur Hasterigge, the latter of whom was laid by formerly by the Protector, for being a true Friend to the Liberties of this Nation, and an Eminent Assertor of the Principles of a Commonwealth, who exposed himself to the fury of the Court, by contending for England's Birthright, when the best H E in the Army durst not speak a word for it, and hath ten thousand times more Honesty than all these Officers together, who never yet had occasion to bewail his Apostasy, since 1653. for complying and acting under every Government: and Morly I think is one of those Eminent Assertors of the Good Cause your Declaration, May 6. speaks of, and one of those whose Experience in the Affairs of Government, gave you hopes you might give the Power and Trust of the Nation into their hands: Me thinks then he might be trusted to Command a Regiment; and this is the sad story they tell, of making and heading Parties, unless Lieutenant General Ludlow's Command in Ireland stick in their stomaches, who is as honest as the best Commander of your now Council: a sad Crime indeed, that two or three Parliament Men should have Commands in the Army, when we remember how marny Commanders of the Army got in the late Protect●rrs Parliament: and what sin is the one, more than the other? but all the Mischief is, that Word (Encouraged) the Parliament did all that could be done to pay the Army, and therein gave them great Encouragement, that they should not be so in Arrear, as they had been used to be: and this was the Crime, so that the Army began to see they had mended their Masters, and generally were much satisfied with the Parliaments Proceed, which it seems began to steal away their hearts from the Interest of the Great Officers, which in time might have made them too well to understand themselves, to turn with every pretence of the Great Officers, and believe me 'twas time to look to this; 'tis not fit any body should encourage the Army but themselves: Lambert may give them a thousand pounds at a time to Encourage his Officers to be his Jannisaries: but the poor Soldiers must not be Encouraged by the Parliament. What a sad Predicament are our Parliaments brought into; if they had not Encouraged the Soldiers, then that had been a Crime with a witness: What take no Care of them that venture their Lives for you? how often are the Parliament twitted in the Army's Representation and Petition for their Rebukes upon the Proceed of some of the Northern Brigade; what misunderstand their humble Servants that had ventured their Lives for them with so good Success, and now 'tis their Crime that they Encouraged the Soldery: Good Lord! what is not a Crime, if the Army please to call it so? We have brought our Hogs to a fair Market— and strengthened, not only by bringing divers persons into Commands of prejudiced minds; you would do well to instance in any one man brought in of a prejudiced mind to a Commonwealth Government, but a few of your own Creatures; As the Instrument Maker, and that Valiant Decimator, Colonel Packer: unless you mean men of prejudiced Minds to your former Ways, who were turned out because they would not bow their Knees to Baal: As Okey, Rich, Overton, Alured, Saunders, and some others: these did strengthen the Common wealth's Principles, though very like they might believe the Parliament would provide better for the Nation, than your thoughts of heart and Consultations had agreed among yourselves: these strengthen Faction, because they would not strengthen your Hands to set up the Brat of your own Brains, but thought it better wisdom to expect settlement from the Parliament, who, as you say yourselves, were signally blessed of God, when yourselves never thrived in any Design, but in unsettling and ruining us— And by removing faithful Officers into remote parts of this Common wealth, without any cause shown, or Consultations had with the Commander in chief thereupon, which is not only notoriously known unto all that are concerned in Military Affairs, but obvious to common Observation— O brave, Here is a Charge with a witness; What is the mystery of this Business? I think few are acquainted with the History of it. the Parliament may not order the Forces they Pay, where they think most fit to dispose of them, for the security of the Nation; but must ask their Lieutenant General leave first: surely if this had been a matter of any moment, their Petition and Representation would have rung a Peal in the Parliaments eans about it; and they would have been more express, and particular in the Charge; But 'tis an Old Cheat to put things into General terms, and to seem mighty confident of what is said; that by the former one might more hardly undeceive one's self, by examination of particulars; and by the latter might be more obliged to believe that which they lay down as a matter notoriously known, and so not worthy of particular instance: I profess my own ignorance in the matter, so as it may make a Charge, and defy you to instance in particulars; which till you have done, I tell you, You lie.  
— By which means the aforementioned design of a general Insurrection took further encouragement, spreeding itself into every part of this Nation, and being now grown ripe (though by the wonderful goodness of God prevented in other places) broke out in Cheshiere—  
O malice, maliced you had best say, as some of your Sneaking Creatures have said, That the Parliament had a hand in Sir George Booths Plot. It had been better for the security of the Nation, if more of those seditious Officers, and their Forces, had been disposed into every Quarter of England, and not kept loitering about London, to have awed the Parliament, and kept their Counsels to dictate to them. This was that gave so much encouragement to the Plot; the Officers of the Army lie plotting at London, and neglect their Charge, and in the mean time they took opportunity to plot in the Country: And this must be laid at the Parliaments door. And whereas the Plot in most places was prevented, this, snith the Declaration, was by the wonderful goodness of God; but never a word of the Parliaments or Council of State's wisdom, in disposing of our Forces so as thoy were almost every where in readiness to attend them: And if the Officers of the Army had been as they should be, many of those Forces that lay at London, might have been in Chesh ere, and prevented that danger too.  
— For the suppression of which, a convenient number of the Army were appointed to march under Lambert, (Who appointed them?) and through the Blessing of God, etc. were routed, and subdued. See, here is never a word of the Parliaments, or the Council of States quick and almost miraculous bringing over the Forces from Ireland and Dunkirk; no, their business now, is not to commend the signal presence of God with the Parliament: these are Brave Youths.  
— The full seance of which Mercy, put it into the hearts of some of the Officers of that part of the Army, to meet, and consider how the same might be improved to the glory of God, etc.  
This makes my hair stare, that men dare speak after this rate; but 'tis the Old Cheer with which we have been too long bewitched; the Officers met, to consider how they might improve their mercies to the glory of God; and they roated this Parliament; and did so again; and called the Mock-Parliament; and again too and routed them; once more, and made their Protector; yes, and they improved that to the glory of God too, and made him Protector for ever, thought fit for the glory of God, that he should nominate his Successor; yes, and for the glory of God too set up the Other House, and many of them were Members thereof: Aye, and for the glory of God too pulled down the Protector, and both his one House and his other House; and then for the GOOD OLD CAUSE, and the glory of God, who, they say, had withdrawn his wont presence from them, invite this Parliament to sit again, because when they were turned out before, the Army then thought, and say, they turned out of the way; and now, through mercy, they return to give him the glory: Very good, and now the Northern Brigade, for to improve the glory of God, must improve the glory of their Great Commander; must have a General, and Lieutenant General, and Major General, etc. Yes too, and to improve the glory of God, they must turn out the Parliament again; vote all null and void that the Parliament did which displeased them; yes, and for the glory of God too, they must have the sole power of placing and displacing their Officers; yes, and for the glory of God, they must act without Commissions, and against Commissions; take the whole care of the Nation into their own hands, make Flcetwood Commader in Chief, that is in English, General; Lambert the next man to him, and Desborough next to him; yes, and for the glory of God too, it was set upon their Spirits, after seeking of God, to create a Council of State, or Committee of Safety, into whose hands they have given all power; that whosoevers sins they remit, shall be remitted; and whatever they bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven, or among the Saints at Wallingford-house, if they like it, that must be always understood: And I dare lay odds, that ere long, for the glory of God, it will be put upon their hearts to lay them aside too: 'tis for the glory of God too, no doubt, that it is now upon their spirits, to find a Better maintenance for the Ministry than Tithes; to reform the Law, or rather to be a Law to themselves. But 'tis no wonder if they mend the Law, since the Articles of War, it seems, want some Reformation; yes, and 'tis for the glory of God too out of all question, that to justify themselves, they must not only insist upon the failings of others; but make the World believe strange things, when they cannot say one word to the purpose to condemn the Parliament, or justify themselves, but in such a way of juggling, dissembling and double meaning, that no Christian durst declare at such a rate. These are so notoriously the Products of your Consultations for the improvement of God's glory, that not a Child in the Streets almost but will say, Is the Army a fasting? surely some mischief is a working; and they have Prophesied for the most part. For God's sake either be more bonest, or boast not so much of your Religion; those things that have been done by you, had been horrid Crimes in them that never heard or believed in a Jesus. O this Religion, these pretences of yours, wherein you are wondrous dexterous, hath done your work hitherto, and fooled many honest hearts to a compliance with you; For which perhaps the next Age may fame you, with, The most infamous Crew of Munster.  
— Whereupon they resolved upon a Paper, etc. that is the Paper wherein they desire a General, and other general Officers; This is for the glory of God: but it will never be better as long as those busy bodies take so much upon them; there is no doubt but as long as you essay to obviate dangers, and settle the Nation, by such Principles as you agree among yourselves, you will have ever now and then occasion to look back where you turned out of the way; as long as you say to the Parliament— You take too much upon you, all the Congregation or Camp are holy, we shall never see a better World; 'tis your meddling hath done all our Mischief: This Paper, saith the Declaration, was sent to Fleetwood, and his Excellency desiring to put the same into such a way, as might not savour of Offence to the Parliament, Consulted with Sir Arthur Hasterigge thereupon, as also with Vaune, and Salway; all which were to consult what was fit to be done: Mark how fain they would have drawn in honest Sir Arthur, who could never yet be drawn off from the Interest of his Country, and his faithfulness to them; and judge what course was like to be taken in it, by what course hath been taken since, notwithstanding the dislike the Parliament manifested against it, being also to be counselled by Vane and Salway, two very precious Pieces  
— But the next day Sir Arthur informed the House of the said Paper; Yes, and I think he had been a Knave if he had not.  
— Whereupon the House possessed with prejudice upon this misinformation: Mark that here, and in some places afterwards they would needs persuade us the Parliament are such Fools, (as themselves) to be led by the Noses by two or three Grandees. 'Tis well we know them better: and the consequence proves them to have been in no mistake about this matter; None but such Woodcocks would make themselves so ridiculous as to go about to persuade us that the Parliament did not understand themselves as well as the General Council— fell into high Debates, expressing great heat and anger against the Lord Lambert (I wonder how he came to be a Lord) and several, other faithful Officers of the Brigade, from whence the Paper came. I wonder who told you this News, he was a worshipful Member that thus told Tales out of Shcool, and knows, or should know what he deferves for his pains? 'tis fit this were a little redressed; but was it ever denied a Member to speak his Mind in the House, though it were against the King himself, or rather his Council? I think the House is free, some spoke freely enough in the House not long since against Protectorship, and again the other House, & yet I never heard that sin laid to their charge: what is it an unpardonable sin to express some anger against Lambert in Parliament? I think they were too tender of him; And if they could have done more, and said less it had been better for the Nation— although they were truly informed by the Lord Fleetwood, That Lambert gave no consent, nor had any hand in it. ('Tis true he went into Yorkshire on purpose, as it is said, that he might dissemble it the better) but do you think any man in his right wits will believe it: no question, he that made a former Instrument, played a little upon this too— But endeavoured the suppression thereof, both before and after his coming to Town: Did you ever read the like Impudence? do you imagine he that could suppress the Parliament could not suppress a poor Paper; sure you take us to be very blooks— so that now it was apparent that those Factions already said (Castles in the Air) began to pursue what they had in prospect, and design (what was that? why a free Commonwealth) more openly and vigorously then before: as how for example, Why by Voting that any other General Officers then what were already, were chargeable, dangerous, and unnecessary: for that was the design of the Paper to have a General and general Officers; if that had not been the business, you would have heard of it in the Petition and representation you may be sure: nor do they deny it (but dissemble it) here, and make you believe they will expose it to public View; I believe so at latter Lammas, or when they have licked it into another shape: and yet these men are utterly against a single Person, or Peers; mark the issue on't, if they be not stopped in their Career—  
Hereupon the Officers of the Army thought it their duty to represent to the Parliament (what your duty, when you knew that before they were wholly dissolved) their Innocency; and to obviate the aforementioned Designs (you have understood before what those Designs were) to desire (or rather to will and require) that the Army might receive their Commissions, with the Advice of such persons, who by experience had the knowledge of their Abilities, and fitness for service: See now how much concerned they are to shrink away the shoulder from the Parliament; O this taking Commissions from the Parliament went to their hearts, but yet 'tis no bar against turning them out: I wonder who were more fit to judge of the Ability of any persons for Employment then the Council of State? why might they not serve turn for a Committee of Nomination? and I think you can rarely name a man that had any Commission, but who were first presented either by the Committee of Nominations, or the Council of State, unless some men that were too well known to be suspected of unfitness for such an Employment— And that they might not be turned out Arbitrarily (give an instance of one that was so turned out if you can) but by the usual and known way of a Court Martial: was this ever an usual or known way, that the Court Martial should be above the Parliament, if a Parliament think fit to put out a Commander, and the Court Martial think it not fit, than that Commander shall keep his place in despite of the Parliament: and yet these be the men that intent not to set up a Military Power in this Nation: I wonder whether the Parliament asked the Court Martial leave, when they at one clap Voted all the Membert of the Parliament too out of their Commands in the Army: when they took away Essex his Commission, and all the Officers of his Army, and form a new Army, displacing any Officer as they saw occasion; and if this be denied the Parliament now, 'tis because their Servants are their Masters: for whoever hath this Power, if the Court Marshal must have it, I'll warrant them the Supreme Authority of the Nation—  
And lastly, Asserting the Liberty and Rights belonging to the People, etc. Surreverence in your Teeth: you assert the Liberties of the People: that's a very good one; if we had no better Assertors of our Liberties then you, we might think ourselves happy under WILL. the Conqueror, you assert our Liberties bravely by doing what you please, setting up what Power yourselves please, and pulling down as often as they displease you: you have beggared the Nation almost, and tell us stories of asserting our Liberties: but since you mock God, we take it the less to heart that you mock us, for the Servants are not greater than their Masters— of presenting in a peaceable way their desires to the Parliament, was humbly presented in our Representation and Petition, Oct. 5.11. we understand with what Spirits, and what were the matters contained therein, and how well they agreed with a peaceable and submissive Spirit: indeed you are very submissive men who have taken upon you to Rule the Nation, almost time out of mind, and I perceive you are very unwilling now to become our Servants, though you do not think it below you to take the Wages of your hire: you present your Pelition very submissively, but you resolve to have what you ask for—  
The general Council of Officers (that is half a score of the high and mighty Officers, the rest being led like a blind man by a Dog and a Bell) when they agreed the foresaid Representation resolved then to the end, that the true state of Affairs might be communicated to those of the Army who were equally concerned with them That Copies should be sent to every Regiment, etc. inviting them in case they were free, to concur with them in their just desires: See now if this be not a submissive way of Petitioning: for as Monk and Overton very well write: If your Representation be already delivered, to what purpose is it that we subscribe: to no purpose in the world, but knowing that the Parliament would never yield to this unreasonable Request; they would feel the Pulse of all the Forces in England, Scotland, and Ireland, to see what numbers they could engage for them, and see who would not that they might have an eye upon them, till they could turn them off: and by this means if they could not fright the Parliament, yet they could source them out when they saw their time; that is to say, As soon as they had settled the Monthly Assessment, and furnished them with a legal course of gathering Money—  
The Parliament upon the Tenth of October resolved, That the Officers of the Army had received and should receive from time to time Marks of the Favour of the Parliament, and Countenance answerable to their Merit— A fair Answer I think: but it seems very far short of what they meant in their first Proposal; it is pity but the Parliament should be bound to answer them to an hair: this is a gross fault indeed: but it seems the next is worse; Resolved, That it is the duty of all persons, especially Members of Parliament, to inform the House of any thing which in their apprehension may concern the public safety; and that it is the undoubted right of the Parliament to receive and debate those Informations, and resolve what they think sit thereupon— a most incomparable generous and truly English Resolve; and yet it seems being applied to the Armies second Proposal (never were Parliament thus bound to humour a company of Mercenary Soldiers, that they must have the length of their foot to a hair) it asserts that it is the duty of all persons to inform the House of any thing, be it never so frivolous and false, and to resolve thereupon the ruin and destruction of persons and Families: the Parliament should have Voted their Insormation frivolous and false, and punished the honest Member that informed them, and then they would never have complained of their Resolution: It is a hard matter to please every fool.—  
Upon Tuesday, the next day after a Bill was brought into the House, and contrary to the usual Orders of Parliament, thrice read in one and the same day: this is that Act that cuts them to the heart, and if it had been read in the House two several days, you may be sure an Order would have been taken it should not have been read a third time: men must be quick in case of necessity; there was no trifling now, they had found out your Design, and it was fit they should nip you a little? and you must note, that this was not done before they had notice of this Conspiracy, of getting hands after the Petition was debated in the House: There is no reason the Parliament should take care for them who take so little care for our Parliaments, but call them and break them at their pleasure: however, you are not lest without remedy, Parliaments may give you money when they please, and I do not hold it reason you should have it any other way: yes, but by this means the godly Ministers will suffer: Pray take no care for that; you are resolved to take away their Tithes, and then it matters not much who gets their places:  
Many other mischiefs you reckon up, but they will fall upon you, own heads; when you foresaw these dangers that would arise, what made you such mad men as to break the Parliament; if they had continued, here had been none of all this difficulty; But the Commissions of your nine Tories, or Bandits (for such they are having no Commissions) are a valuable consideration for all this hazard; yea, this Nation must wallow in blood rather than Lambert must not be Lord Lambert: Can you think the Parliament were such Novices, as to be only your Tools and Engines? we should have laughed at them for their wisdom, if they had been such Noddies; they had experience of your faithfulness once before:— Concerning which we add, That had not strange precipitancy, and design driven it on; it could never have been imagined that any Supreme Authority would ever have exposed a people to such inconveniencies— What do you now abuse them with the Supreme Authority? It seems, it was their design to be the Supreme Authority, which they could never be while you were the Supreme power. See how they are at it with Precipitancy again; indeed I think they were too nimble for you; and I am betten pleased, you should spite them, then pity them; but I think it was your precipitancy that exposed us to all these inconveniencies; and I believe if they had been ten times more, you would have ventured them, rather than part with the Supreme power.— Things being thus prepared, the next day the Parliament hoping they had a great influence upon part of the Army, and conceiving by their late Acts they had sufficiently perplexed them, who they doubted might oppose them. (Mark, you see by their own confession, those acts were made only in defence;)— and that the Government of the Nation was so sure in their own hands, as in all probability things must run into consusion, except managed by themselves; as indeed by your own confession they did, after you first forced them, till you restored them again; & will in all probability still run into disorder till they are called back to settle them; and although you scoff at them, while you tell them they thought the Government sure in their own hands; yet I think any body that had nor been acquainted with your falseness, would have thought it had been so indeed, when they read in your Papers, that you were their servants, their faithful servants; that you were their Army, that it was your Duty to obey their Commands; who would have doubted but the Government had been sure in their hands; till they could have secured the Rights of the Nation, and fairly have delivered the power into other hands, by the Sixth of May next.  
But if you look back upon your Declar. May 6. and Petition and Address, May 12. you yourselves give them such high Characters, as one would think they were the fittest men to have the Government in their hands. Reader, look back, and ponder, I will not repeat.— In the morning the doors of the Lobby by their appointment being fast shut and guarded, that none might by any means come near the House, or understand their proceed,— And but good reason; for you have seen before, there are Tell-tales Members.— Occasion is ministered from one of the Letters which was signed by several Officers, according to appointment of the General Council.— It should seem whatever the General Council Orders must be done, Right or Wrong; but 'tis pretty sport, these Signers put the General Council upon this work, and then the General Council order them to Sign; and the very truth is, a few of them rule the General Council, and some of their wives rule them, and who do you think Rules the Nation?— sent to a Regiment of the Army, and produced by a Member of the House, (it being of no other purpose then the sending of the said Representation to one of the Regiments, as is before mentioned.— That is to say, to get their Subscriptions, after it had been debated in the House for the ends I mentioned before:— Nevertheless they fell soul upon the said Officers who subscribed it,— That is very true, and bravely done, for they made no Difference of persons; but fell foul (if you term it so) upon every one of them according to the merit of their Confederacy:— and took this rise, in pursuance of their former intent, to make a plain breach upon the Army; the question is, whether they were to be blamed for falling foul upon them without just cause shown; I appeal to any sober man. Doth any body think the Parliament sought any occasion of breach? did not the Army give them this occasion? There were Fifty Members against Fifteen in this business; and those Fifteen had not a word to say to excuse the business; but some of them were silent, as not knowing what to say, or not daring to speak what they thought; and those that spoke, had no better arguments than this; the Army could not bear your Rebukes the other day, when you voted against a General, and how do you think will they bear this? What is it a plain breach upon the Army to punish Treacherous Servants? to punish them did I say? to put them out of Service:— and thereupon vote out of their commands, (without hearing, etc.) This was no time to observe Formalities; they might have been heard next day if they had pleased, but that they had nothing to say for themselves, nor would come at the Parliament, (who upon submission might have made their peace,) or the General Council might have represented to the Parliament the state of the case, if it was misunderstood, as sure enough it was not; else they would not have betaken themselves to their Old Shift of Disturbing the Parliament— and as they did the other day, they hastily Now passed the Act for the Seven Generals— Which had not been done, if Fleetwood had not declined being faithful to the Parliament; but they were rather to take care of things than persons; to keep up the Reputation of the Nation, than the Grandeur of the Old Protectors Son-in-law; and therefore if he would be careless of the Interest of the Nation, and prefer the Governing of the Nation by the Sword, before the real Welfare of so many Millions of Souls as were concerned in this Affair: The Parliament were not to be blamed, if they put them into command that would be more firm to the Interest of the Nation, and into so many hands, as might not easily agree to enslave us.— Whereupon three of the said number (the House adjourning) immediately repaired to the Speakers Chamber; and having provided Six Barrels of Powder, (If this were true, 'twas in their own defence, suspecting you would force the House; though I have heard say you brought them thither, and then gave out, that the other did it) forthwith gave out Orders for Coll. Morleys' Regiment to march thither, (and need enough) as also divers others that they thought would be most sure to them: and likewise gave order to Okey to draw his Regiment to the Palace-yard, upon which he marched to Tuttle-fields with Four of his Troops, and from thence having sent one to the Palace-yard, he marched with the other three into London. Pray mark how exact they are: they tell you where he marched, first into Tuttle-fields, then sends one into the Palace-yard, himself with three more marched into the City: When they tell truth, you have the exact time, place, number, every circumstance that you may trace it to a tack: But as I noted before, when they juggle, there is no such exactness, if many things before recited had been true, you should have been sure to have had then every circumstance to a tittle; being hardly of less consideration, and more unworthy of our knowledge, than that Coll. Okey marched into Tuttle-fields;— he marched into London, for countenancing the drawing together the Militia Forces in order to a conjunction with him (and may his Posterity be your Vassals, that might have done it, and did not) it might have saved what we may now pay more dearly for;— But this had better success in Southwark, where Thomsons Regiment drew together; and indeed they are highly to be honoured for the only English Spirits within the Lines of Communication; it was time for the Parliament to look about them.  
— The Officers of the Army having received notice of these things thereupon judged it their duty to draw together in Arms; and march to the Palace-yard, the place they had appointed for their Rendezvous; that was the place of their Rendezvous formerly upon the like occasion;— to understand the grounds of their so assembling themselves together; and does any body think this was all the business? no sure 'twas for no good that this was their place of Rendezvous; the Parliament knew their old tricks, and where to expect them the next morning; they do not tell us what time of the night or day it was, when they came to the Palace-yard, nor when they came to the Lord Majors; but Captain Pride can tell you who met them in the way. One would think as they tell the story, that Okey had been in the City before them; and that Thompson's men were up before they thought of Arming themselves;  
— And being arrived there, and finding several Companies of Morleyes' Regiment were placed in the Hall, (whom it should seem you did not expect to find there, falling into their power before you were well ware, who might have spoiled you, if they had intended any thing more than to defend their Masters the Parliament, whom you came to force from their trust)— and for the grounds and reasons aforementioned (as also that they might not be encouraged in such a dangerous opposition, to the apparent hazard of the public peace,) There needed have been no opposition nor breach of peace if you had not made it; your Fellow-Soldiers intended only to guard the Parliament, as in all duty and conscience they were bound— therefore upon you be the breach whatever yet may happen:— We found ourselves necessitated to put a period and determination to the Parliaments meeting together. Your ever Renowned General taught you this prank, you are very towardly Babes of Grace.  
— And think ourselves yet further obliged (sure you do but think so) to declare all Orders, Acts, pretended Acts, or other Declarations, or any of them, made, enacted or passed on Monday the 10 of October, and on Tuesday and Wednesday following, them and every of them null and void, to all intents and purposes; (this would do very well, if it were so easily done) and do hereby declare them and every of them, and every Clause and sentence of them, invalid, null and void to all intents and purposes; and likewise all Acts and Orders and proceed thereupon had or done, in as full and ample manner, at if the said Orders, Acts, pretended Acts, or Declarations, and every of them had never been done.  
Very gallant, and I Declare you and every of you, stark mad, in as full and ample manner, as if you were of the Congregation of Bedlam; or as any there are, to all intents and purposes.  
— All which we thought fit to publish, hoping all unprejudiced persons will acquiesce in the justice and necessity hereof.  
I do not know what you hope, but I dare say, no  rational man can either approve the justice, or dare justify the necessity thereof; upon my conscience you can no more justify this action before indifferent judges, than I can, if I should break open my neighbour's house, and rob his chest.  
Reader, I leave thee free to judge, you have seen what the Army say for themselves, and how double tongued they are; you have seen them compared with their former selves, and how unlike themselves they look. You have seen what they have said against the Honourable Parliament, or any members thereof, which is so far from any miscarriages, that they have done the Parliament this kindness, to let the Nation see a little how much they are indebted to them and generally men are well assured that the Parliament meant the Nation a very happy Government, in the enjoyment of their ancient Birthrights: and who ever he be that can show us wherein they have broke their Trust reposed in them in the least, since they sat, Let him cast the first stone at them: and I will stand still and hold my peace; they would have been sure to hear of it in this Declaration, if any such thing had been true: and let me tell you here (which I forgot before, for all what the Declaration saith) That the Parliament in the Act before mentioned, did expressly take care of the Act of Oblivion, and the Adventurers for Lands in Ireland, excepting them particularly in the said Act, that nothing in the said Act should be construed to the Impairing thereof.  
I will only now rightly state the Case between the Parliament and Army very briefly and impartially, because you have seen how the Army falter and mince the matter.—  
The Army having made a Rod for their own Breach, by agreeing to the Protectors nominating his Successor (as they had agreed him to be King, if he had lived a little longer) the old Man dying, up starts his Son to Reign in his stead (whom God made an honester man than his Father) the Army soon finding him too careful of the Liberties of England (though Principled for Kingship: an Epidemical Disease among them at that time) they were desirous to have Fleetwood their General (fearing else their Kingdom would not last long) but the Protector was persuaded it was better for him to be General, and let Fleetwood be Protector (I think so too) but if a General, he was as willing to trust Falconbridge, as Fleetwood.—  
In this Juncture of Affairs, the Protector hastens a Parliament, as they called it; which though it was thwacked with Officers of the Army and many Pensioners of his Highness, yet could not endure to be Bearded by Wallingsord house, nor will any Parliament ever e●…ure it till the World's end.  
Hereupon followed those Votes for the discontinuing their General Counsels: which put them in such a Rage, that nothing would serve them but its Dissolution, which accordingly was effected: now all the Power falls into the hands of Wallingford-house, who had many thoughts of heart, and Consultations how to settle the Nation in the way they are now going; merning nothing less in the World, than the recalling this Parliament: but so it fell out, that some honest Hearts set this Design a going among them, which took so with the small Officers of a sudden, that there was no way (though enough against the minds of some Grandees) but this Parliament must be called. The Great men seeing things thus run against them, and their Interests were forced to each hold of this Twig to save themselves from drowning (as they now tell us, with is the truest word in all their Declaration) to keep their Heads above water: To this end they had the previous Meetings with some leading Members, (as they call them) to Cog them into a subserviency of their Interest; and hoping well that this Twig might keep their Interest from sinking a while: They most Christian like dissemble their Repentance in their Declaration, May 6. and invite the Parliament to return: but 'tis well known, they did but lie in their hearts, when they took shame to themselves: unless they were convinced, and converted in the very minute of penning that Declaration. the Parliament being Assembled, it was soon manifest by their Address of May 12. what Designs they drove at, Viz. A Senate to check the Parliament, and Eight and twenty thousand pounds per annum for the Protector and his Mother, and to have Fleetwood Commander in chief, of England, Scotland, and Ireland; to say nothing of the Two latter: The Honesty of the Parliament is for ever to be had in Memory, that they did not agree for a Senate: such a Temptation as hath hardly ever been resisted by men: for by this means most, or all of the Parliament might have been joined with the Ringleaders of the Army, and been a Senate for ever; called Parliaments and made Fools of them, having no Power left them to do any thing but by concurrence of the Senate: thus they might have been an Everlasting Parliament, and they and their good Servants have ruled for ever and ever: this Proposition of the Army not being answered to their Expectation; for this was the main of the matter— together with their receiving Commissions from the Parliament, which was put upon them, to oblige their Consciences to that duty, which they declared they owed unto the Parliament: the Parliament finding them not altogether such humble Servants as they declared themselves; which Commissions they accepted for Peace sake, till they should find an opportunity to turn over a new leaf: Much regret was discovered against this by many Principal Blades, and many thoughts of heart there were, how to get their Necks out of this Yoke, that they might the better go on for a Senate.  
In the mean time Sir George Booth's Rebellion breaks out, which being quelled, some of the Officers of that Brigade (for you must believe Lambert had no hand in it) found it upon their hearts to consult how they might improve this for the Glory of God (you know what I mean) then up comes this Paper for a General, and general Officers, the only means to effect their Designs: but this (with it may be some other particulars) were too gross: and had been grievously rebuked by the Parliament: However this Design must not be laid aside (for their Good old Cause would down if it did) although Fleetwood had undertaken great Matters to the Parliament to still this noise of the Waters, and tumult of his People.  
But after long Banding among the General Council, and rancour enough against the Parliament; to the Parliament they came with a Petition and Representations, full of sweet Expressions of Obedience and Duty (to have drilled out the Act of 100000 l. per mensem, and the Custonics and Excise, which was well enough understood) but their Representation abusing the Information the House had received, and their Petition calling for some things of dangerous consequence, they could not then receive an Answer thereunto, but had the thanks of the House for the good Expressions of their Affections.  
In the mean while it must not sleep, but the said Petition must be dispatched to every Regiment and Garrison, as was said before: the Parliament in the mean while go on to consider their Petition, and resolve very honourably upon several heads thereof: during this Juncture, the Parliament having certain assurance of the said Conspiracy of going about to engage all the Forces of this Commonwealth to side with them in their said unreasonable Desires, and a Letter being produced with the Names of several Officers, wherein was enclosed one of the said Petitions to be subscribed by the Regiment, to whom it was directed.  
The Parliament also taking notice of the mischievousness of their Desire, That no Officer might be Disbanded but by a Court Martial; whereby they would have been enabled to Cashier any Officer that was faithful to his Trust, they having no other way to suppress that Conscience that was in many Commanders, That they ought to be faithful to them from whom they had received their Commissions: Nor had they any other way to carry on their Design of a Senate, the most horrid Villainy that ever was mentioned among us; and there being no other Construction to be made of it, but the Army by doing thus after their Petition was delivered, and Debated, intended to force their Desires; their faithful Servants going about to play REX, the Parliament could not but find it a Duty highly incumbent on them, if they would be faithful to the Interest of their Country, to use their best Endeavours to stop this Carrier.  
Hereupon it was (with good reason) resolved, That no Money should be levied upon the people of England, without their consent in Parliament, and other things in that Act contained, of very great prudence to the end forementioned: and then with much Justice discharged the said Officers, who had signed the said Letter from their Employments.  
The Parliament knowing how well some of the Army stood affected to them, and how this would ripen and whet that violence that would nevertheless shortly have been acted upon them, hoped well that Fleetwood would have been faithful to his Trust— (whose Commission was altogether, or very near of as long continuance as the Parliament had resolved the uttermost of their Session, Viz. (till May next) but he than lost that Reputation of Faithfulness which he had with many men before, and declined the securing of the Parliaments Privileges, and after acted against them; Of which I hope he will repent one day.  
The Parliament being at this loss, Created seven Commissioners, (of which nevertheless he was one) but this was below him forsooth; Three whereof began to act for Guarding the Parliament, expecting that a Force should be put upon the House, which was soon endeavoured; for it was not long before a considerable Party came into the Palace Yard for the same purpose: but being prevented of taking possession of the House, they intercepted the Speakker, and after Affronts given him, turned him back: and so they say they have put a period to the Parliament.  
I appeal whether this be the naked state of the Case, and truth of the Matter yea or no to their own Consciences.  
You will judge then, they have well told their own Tale; the rest of the story every body knows; and I hasten to the Press.—  
It remains now, that I should make some Observations upon what, they declare, is upon their hearts to do, but because what is upon their hearts to day, or what they tell us is upon their hearts to day, will be at their Heels to Morrow.  
I hold it not at all worth my Labour, but resolve henceforward never ot believe what they declare for the Good of the Nation, till I see it done, and then I shall never believe it: and for what they resolve to do, which tends only to Ruin, as some things they now have upon their Hearts; look sturvily that way. I shall hearty wish that some wiser men may take the WORK out of their Hands: Or if I should take them a little to Task, I should but make sport, and I am loath to be a Fool in the Play: Doth any body think that they will endeavour that a (Due) I do not understand what they mean by that Word Due; I doubt it comes from a Root that signifies something else besides Just) Liberty may be assured to all the Freeborn People of these Nations: Freeborn People of the Nations, who are they? they must be twenty years old and upwards I think, but if they were not born Fools, I am sure they are made Fools, what pretty Work are they like to make with the Reformation of the LAW? sure no body doubts but you will do more hurt then good—  
That a faithful, godly, and painful Gospel Preaching Ministry may be maintained; a long story, but not a word of Learning, no that is superstitious He warrant you: they can tell you the mind of Christ peremptorily enough, without consulting the Original: not a Wise man among them at their Devotions in Whitehall: And the truth is, if they would make all of our Ministers Officers of the Army, they might be maintained in a more certain and honourable way, than that scurvy way of Tithes; which will yet be more vexatious to the People ten thousand times, when you can bring it into the Exchequer, as I really believe that to be the Design.  
But here comes a most certain Truth, no body questions it, Why do you trouble yourselves about it? We have no Aims or Ends to set up a Military, or Arbitrary Power— but I hope Necessity may put you upon it, if the People prove unruly, and will not submit to those Principles you have agreed among yourselves— But have already provided (you shall have no thanks for your pain) that the Civil and Executive part of Government may be lodged in a Committee of Safety: This is a fine new Name indeed; this is no Military Government: Whose Deputies are they trow, if one should Carechise them?  

Question, Who made you?  
Answer, The General Council of Officers.  
Quest. Who gave you your Name?  
Answ. The General Council of Officers.   
How many Colonels, Generals, and Lords of the Army are there among them? what are they no Military Power, because they are not all of the General Council of Officers? yet there is one Lawyer among them, it seems, and that makes them a Civil Power, I think half of this Committee of Safety, are of the General Council of Officers; and yet they have no Aims to set up a Military Power— and they obliged in a short time (I thought it bade been just six weeks) to prepare such a form of Government, as may best suit with a Free State and Commonwealth: that is wisely done He promise you; I hope they have more wit then to be obliged to it: can you tell what is that form that will best suit? or will you take their words for it, That what they prepare is the best? if they should have so good a conceit of their own Contrivances, as to promise you that it is such? No, It must be according to the Principles agreed upon at Wallingford House, must it not? wherein, no doubt all that know you, will say on your behalves, You are not sufficient for these things: and will cry unto the Lord (not to carry on the work in your hands) no honest men dare do that; That he will arise from his holy Habitation, and judge the Cause of the oppressed, of the Father less, and the widow: That he would judge between them that fear God, and them that fear him not: That he would make bare his holy Arm, and witness against the ungodliness and unrighteousness of them, even those that have made void his Law. That he would scatter the people that delight in War; And that they that take the Sword, may perish by the Sword: And that he would restore us Judges as at the first, and Counsellors as at the beginning; Men fearing God and hating Covetousness: To be Repairers of our breaches, and Restorers of Paths for us to dwell in: That we may never want Parliaments to Rule over us: lest we become a Prey to the Teeth of unreasonable men, whose tender mercies are cruelties.  
And for you, Soldiers, that you may do no Violence, but be content with your Wages; and if for this we become your Enemies, and you count us evil men, because we cannot say as you say: Let God, the righteous God, judge between US, and YOU.  
FINIS.   

POSTSCRIPT.  
REader, Take notice there is two sheets of Paper, Entitled, A Parliamenters Petition to the Army: which is verbatim the latter part of a late Book, Entitled, The Grand Concernments of England Insured: To which some body hath added one Page of Notes, stolen out of a Sermon, which I utterly disown and dislike. All which is done without any knowledge of mine, and I fear with no good design:— Besides some expressions of those prophetic Notes (as they are styled) were severely censured by learned, and godly men, as savouring of too much Levity, and for his Sermon, I think the Parliament gave him no thanks.