THE ARMYS PLEA FOR Their present practise: Tendered to the consideration of all ingenuous and impartial men.  
Printed and published by special command.  
LONDON, Printed by Henry Hills, Printer to the ARMY, dwelling in Aldersgate Street next door to the Peacock. 1659.   

THE Armies Plea, FOR Their present practise.  
THat the principal end of public Government( next unto the Glory of God) is the Protection and Preservation of all good men, in their peaceable & quiet living, in all Godliness and Honesty; and that the Magistrates Duty in all Forms of Government gistrates Duty in all Forms of Government whatsoever, is to defend all men from all injuries, while they so live, will doubtless be granted by all that consult the Oracles of God, and Principles of Reason.  
That the late Parliament did always pretend to this great End, in all their public Expresses, Remonstrances, Declarations, and Answers between the late King and them, will evidently appear to all men that shall peruse the same; the very design and tendency of many whereof, was to distill into their diligent and considerate Readers, an undoubted belief and persuasion thereof: The light of which, hath so shined into the minds and judgments of many sober and discreet men, that neither their former darkness therein, nor any subtle endeavours of deceitful Impostors, to obscure the same, will ever be able to extinguish that Light.  
That the Peoples Safety is the chief sovereignty; that Kings, and all that are in Authority, are Gods Ministers for his Peoples Good; that Governours were made for the People, and not the People for them; that they must not reign in the Peoples ruin, and be lifted up in Authority, but what( under God) they have from the People, and for their use; that uncontrollable Power, and absolute Authority, do become none but onely Him, whose Nature is perfect, and can do no wrong; that though the Supreme Magistrates be above every individual, yet are they beneath, & inferior unto the whole; that they ought not to do their own wills, against the just desires of those that betrusted them; that the Powers, Honors, and Dignities of Governors, do respect the Peoples Interest above their own, and therefore being relatives, are always obligatory; that the essential end of all Kings, Rulers, Laws; and Governments, is the common Peace, Justice, and Safety of the People; that Laws, Acts, and Statutes, are binding, or not binding, as they are evidently and apparently relative, and conducing to common and public Right, or Wrong; that no Governours or Governments are to be continued and tolerated, which are directly and plainly destructive unto the chief End of their Original Appointment, viz. Common Good, the Commonwealth being never obliged by any Laws( though made by their own Representatives and Trustees for making Laws) to their public destruction, which is contrary to the Laws of God, Universal Reason, and Nature itself; That the Power and disposition of the public Militia, and of the public Treasury, were never vested by the People in their Supreme Governors, but for their Use, Peace, and Safety; That whatsoever Laws, Usage, or Customs, are against the Laws of true Religion, Reason, Nature, and Grace, are irreligious, unreasonable, unnatural, and graceless, and therefore null and voided in their very making, and cannot oblige. These and many the like Principles of common reason have been distilled into the judgments and considerations of the free People of this Nation, by means whereof it will not be an easy matter for any Rulers in any Form of Government whatsoever, to reduce them again unto their former yokes of bondage and slavery.  
From hence it is, that when those in Authority shall neglect the great ends of Government, and improve all opportunities, and advantages, by means of their power and grandeur, unto their own personal and family-interest; especially when they shall wilfully, and against common and universal reason, act contrary hereunto; to the apparent danger of common safety, they determine their Authority; and having in such cases quitted their care and respects to the peoples protection and welfare, they likewise quit the people from their allegiance and obedience.  
And as all Laws, Statutes, Acts, and Ordinances, so all Covenants, Engagements, Promises and Protestations, all acknowledgements, subscriptions, Vows, and Oaths, all, and all manner of obligations and expressions thereof, are only binding unto the public safety, and not at all to the persons of the Governours, or forms of Governments, but with reference thereunto.  
These and the like principles of Truth and right reason, have been brought to light by the late Parliament, in their many Printed Expresses, and public Disputes, between the late King, and them, with which the apprehensions, judgements, and consciences of many thousands ingenuous, sober and religious persons, were occupied and instructed, and unto the defence, and maintenance whereof, against the said King and his Party, they devoted their Estates, Horses, Arms, Plate, moneys, Servants, Children, their own persons, blood, limbs, and lives in the Service of the Parliament.  
And upon the aforesaid principles of public Liberty, Peace, and Safety( and nothing else imaginable) the late Parliament did argue and plead on behalf of themselves, and their Party, their discharge from all their former protestations, engagements, solemn Vows and Covenants, with hands lifted up to the most high God; as also, their Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, when the King engaged himself against the public Rights, and just Liberties of the People, and when the keeping thereof was destructive thereunto, and did also justify many extraordinary, strange, and( doubtless in respect of the Letter of the Law) very illegal actions, viz. their taking up Arms, raising and forming Armies against the King, fighting against his Person, imprisoning, impeaching, arraigning, trying, and executing him, cutting off his head, banishing his Children, abolishing Bishops, Deans and Chapters, took away Kingly Government, and the House of Lords, broken the Crowns, sold the Jewels, Plate, Goods, Houses and Lands belonging unto the Kings of this Nation, erected extraordinary High Courts of Justice, and therein impeached, arraigned, condemned, and executed many notorious enemies to the public Peace, when the Laws in being, and the ordinary Courts of Justice could not reach them; these were strange and unknown practices in this Nation, and not at all justifiable( as is conceived) by any known Laws & Statutes, but only by the light of the aforesaid principles of common reason, justice, and equity, for the conservation of the public quiet and peace of the people.  
And for this cause also was the Army at first raised, formed, and commissionated, namely, for the defence of the just, civil, and religious Rights, Liberties, and Safety of the good people of this Nation; and not as mere Mercenaries, and Hirelings to serve any Arbitrary power whatsoever; but were invited, and called together by the late Parliament, and conjured by their several Declarations, Remonstrances, and Expresses, printed and published in the several Market Towns, Churches, chapels, and places of public Meetings, for the defence of themselves and the people, in the vindication and preservation of their said just Rights and Liberties, by which said public Expresses, they have been frequently instructed, as well as by the Dictates of common reason, that it is no resistance of Magistracy to preserve the public, natural, and undoubted Rights of the People, against those, the very nature of whose office and place of trust( as Magistrates) is to preserve, and not to destroy the same; That the soldiery may lawfully hold the hands of their General, that shall turn his Canon against them, and the Sea-men the hands of their Pilot, that shall apparently steer the Vessel, wherein they are, upon shelves and rocks, for the ruin of all.  
And as the Army was first raised for the ends aforesaid, instructed, provoked, and encouraged by the Parliament unto the defence and security thereof; so have they asserted the same, in fields of blood against all opposers whatsoever, and have not at all declined any hazardous attempts when they have been called thereunto; but from time to time, in England, Scotland, and Ireland, have jeoparded their lives, in the high places of the field, against all discouragements and disadvantages whatsoever, and, committing themselves and the righteousness of their cause unto the God of their Armies, have fought many bloody battels, with mighty, numerous, resolute, valiant and potent Adversaries and Armies, whose numbers, strength, and several advantages( though frequently, and in many respects) did exceed theirs, yet was the Lord of hosts continually with them, and the God of Jacob their refuge, teaching their hands to war, and their fingers to fight, and covered their heads in the day of battle, giving their enemies as dust unto their sword, and as stubble unto their bow.  
And since it hath pleased God to give them the victory over their enemies, they may without vanity affirm that they have still pursued and asserted their first Cause, viz. The just Rights and Liberties of all honest and good men in their peaceable and quiet living, and not at all indulged either themselves, or others, in the troubling, suppressing or abridging any, though keen, and froward against the Army, in the free use and enjoyment of their just Rights and Liberties; yea though their zeal hath transported them, unto the most fierce, fiery, and sharpest oppositions against them, as their tongues, pens, yea and their hands also, from time to time, could possibly make against them, the charity of the Army inducing them to believe, and hope, that their intentions in the main were good, and honest, although by the subtle Artifice of an ill spirited and cunning adversary, they have been seduced, and provoked frequently to attempt the ruin and destruction of the Army.  
With what simplicity, impartiality, and uprightness of heart, this Army hath always prosecuted the aforesaid great end of their first erection, and formation, viz. The public peace, and quiet of all men in general, and the just Rights, and Liberties of pious people in special, though of several forms, judgements and apprehensions in some points of Religion,( if of honest and peaceable conversation) is sufficiently known, as by their constant, and uniform endeavours in this particular, against all discouragements, scandals, and reproaches, which the sharp and virulent tongues, and pens of some men could reflect upon them for the same; so also by their constant refusal to join, and close with any one party, or interest whatsoever, though tempted by the most prevailing allurements of honours, profits, preferments, and encouragements, whereof the officers and souldiers could imaginablely be capable: and whether, if even at this time, they could dispense with their consciences, and accept of the wages of unrighteousness, and for their own ends and interest sakes, quit that good end and cause of their first undertaking, and fall in with some single interest against the rest, they might not have all the encouragements of profits and preferments, that could be offered, or received by an Army in this kind, is tendered unto the consideration of all ingenuous and impartial men.  
But because this Army,( what ever defection hath been made by others) neither can, nor( through the implored assistance, and grace of God) ever will fall away from that good cause, which at first they undertook, and in the defence whereof, they have always experienced the presence and assistance of the most High, carrying them through all difficulties and dangers, breaking the forces of their enemies, and making all mountains to become plains before them; the memory whereof is still fresh upon their hearts; and the praise and glory whereof, they most feelingly and hearty ascribe unto God; therefore it is, that all possible endeavours( that the malice of their adversaries could imagine, or invent) have been used to divide, break and destroy this Army, though the Lord, that knoweth their hearts, hath hitherto mercifully prevented their desired issue, causing all hands that have been stretched out, or lifted up against them, to whither, and all contrivances, plots, and projects whatsoever, to fall upon their own heads.  
Hence it hath been, that some have sharpened their pens, and whet their tongues like swords, bent their bows, and shot out their arrows, even bitter words, scandals and reproaches against them, as if their designs were to throw down the Ministers, destroy Learning, countenance and promote all manner of errors, heresies, and blasphemies, depose Magistracy, and all civill Government, and ravel all into confusion; though God, the discerner of the secret thoughts and intentions of men, knoweth, that these are all false and scandalous, and as far from the thoughts and purposes of their hearts, as the East is from the West, and all ingenuous, and impartial men, that without prejudice have observed them, cannot but judge those charges against them to be false and frivolous. For, as for the Ministry, they have as able, and as honest ministers of their Regiments, as they could procure, and who have received Commissions from the late Parliament, for that purpose, and they could hearty wish, that they had more such among them; they never had it in their hearts to discourage, much less to destroy Learning; and they do challenge any to prove what words, or actions did ever proceed from the Army, or any considerable Members thereof, to justify such a charge against them; neither doth the Army countenance, much less promote such errors, heresies, and blasphemies, as the malicious tongues, and pens of evil minded and peevish spirited men, have suggested; though they do not judge it their duty, to discountenance well disposed, and pious men amongst them, differing from one another in some points of Religion, whilst they demean themselves in their places, as becomes them, and the known discipline of the Army; and their severe proceedings against open, and profane swearers, and blasphemers, as also against known wickedness amongst them, will sufficiently vindicate their innocency in that respect. Neither can they justly be charged to depose Magistracy; for although they cannot in judgement and conscience permit( much less assist) Governors, to destroy the very end of civil Government itself, viz. the just interest, and rights of good men; yet did they never assume the power and exercise thereof to themselves, but left it to others; some of the Army perhaps, as well as others, being in like manner with others, called thereunto, have acted therein, there being no reason to the contrary; it is not Government, but the evils thereof, that the Army hath opposed. To rectify Governors in the administration of common right and justice, is to fasten the crowns of Government upon their heads; for although it is better to have any government then none; yet doth the Army judge it better, to alter such Governours, or Governments that seek the ruin and destruction of the very end of Government, then not to relieve the common safety of good men, to avoid the scandal of disturbing such Governors or Governments in that case. Better it is to alter and remove destructive powers, then to permit the destruction of the people in their just rights by them.  
And as some have employed their tongues and pens against this Army, to render it odious unto the people; so others have employed their several capacities, opportunities, and advantages which they have had in the several late Councils and Parliaments, to break the Army in pieces, and thereby( that still being the great obstacle and block in their way) to bring about their particular designs, according to the various principles, by which they have been acted: some for one interest, others for another, and both against the interest propounded and pretended, as the main cause of the first quarrel between the late King and Parliament.  
As it would be too tedious to insist upon all the particular transactions( with their circumstances) that( within some few years last past) have passed between those that have exercised the supreme civil powers and the Army, and the several revolutions, changes, and alterations that have fallen out thereupon; so the Army takes no pleasure to revive the memory, and mention of those things, which it were to be wished had never had their being, both in their unhappy causes, and undesireable effects, and wherein the Army do not pled a justification of all, and every particular act, done by them, nakedly considered without their circumstances; having been necessitated sometimes, to walk in untrodden paths in their way, as the Parliament did also in theirs. But in this particular, viz. their constant aim, and endeavour to preserve and secure the great end and cause of their first undertakings, viz, the just, civil, and religious rights of the good people of this Nation, in danger to be quiter lost and destroyed, according to the best of their perceptions, in this their hearts do not condemn them, and therefore have they boldness before God, and assurance of his favour, in pardoning their ignorances, and infirmities, and to implore his presence, direction, and assistance, in preventing, guiding, and blessing them in their future undertakings.  
When the common adversary perceived that all their endeavours to break this Army by their friends and allies, in the several Councils and late Parliaments, were still frustrate, and without effect( God turning all their counsels thereabouts into foolishness) they then betook themselves unto their Arms( not to speak of their attempts to engage one part of the Army against the other, a little before the dissolution of the Parliament, in the last Protectors time, and the great hopes they had thereof, by the presumed power and interest of mayor General Brown, to get assistance from the City, &c.) And that they might not be discovered in their intended expedition, until the prevention thereof( in all conjecturable probabilities) were altogether impossible, they managed their design with such subtlety and secrecy, as if they had consulted the politic wits and heads of the cunning contrivers of the first rebellion in Ireland, hardly suffering their left hand to know what their right hand did; insomuch that their conspiracy had reached the ears, and summoned the appearance of their great and numerous parties in all parts, Towns and Counties of the Nation; Officers commissioned, Armies concluded upon, their generals, field Officers, and Captains appointed; their particular stations and work designed; their whole party, Noble men, Knights, Gentlemen, Magistrates, Ministers, and commonpeople, enemies of all sorts, both the old Royalists, and others, were made acquainted therewith, and engaged therein; they day of their meeting throughout the whole Nation concluded upon, and almost at hand before the discovery thereof; the success whereof on the adversaries side was so probable, and promising, as that they feared not to issue out at last their declarations and expresses in print, inviting the people to join with them; their confidence thereupon was so great, as that they spake much after the rate of Pharaoh and the Egyptians, upon their march after Israel, when they thought they could not escape, We will pursue, we will overtake, we will divide the spoil, our lust shall be satisfied upon them, we will draw our swords, and our hand shall destroy them.  
But it pleased the Lord, out of his accustomend mercy and goodness, by small parties of his people, in several Counties and Cities, to prevent the gathering together of the Enemy in most places, onely in and about Chester, a great party of them, Horse and Foot, in good equipage, were met together, formed themselves into a considerable Army, who were indeed like a black and thick cloud, that threatened to vent itself in dismal storms of fire and blood upon the Parliament, against whom they manifested their keenest resolutions, as also against all those that still adhered unto their first Principles, and that Old Cause wherein they at first engaged with the Parliament against the late King.  
Upon which it pleased the Parliament to command the Lord Lambert with a Brigade to suppress the said Enemy, who with much readiness of mind, cheerfulness and resolution, did undertake that Service, and marched away with all possible expedition; who( through the blessing of God) managed that Affair with such Wisdom, Courage, and Resolution, as that the Enemy was totally routed, dispersed, and suppressed, with very little loss of blood; his endeavours being, as much as could be, to prevent the shedding of blood.  
The Officers of the same Brigade, being full of the sense of that seasonable Mercy and Success, considered how they might improve the same unto the Glory of God, and good of the Nation; and withal, calling to mind how craftily their Adversaries and their Abettors in former times, by fair speeches and feigned words, pretences and suggestions, deceived them, and the rest of the good People of the Nation, of the benefit of such successses and Victories; and finding the Peoples disaffection to be more general than was conceived by the Parliament, did agree upon an humble Petition and Proposals unto the Parliament, and together with a very sober and Christian Letter, sent the said Petition and Proposals unto the Lord Fleetwood, with a desire that( if he thought fit) it might be communicated to a General Council of Officers, for their approbation.  
His Lordship forthwith communicated the said Letter and Paper to Sir Arthur Hesilrig, with a desire that himself, Sir Henry Vane, and mayor Salwey, would give his Lordship a meeting, to consider what was fit to be done therein. But instead thereof, the next day Sir Arthur Hesilrig( upon what account is unknown) acquainted the House with the said Paper, and that there was a dangerous design among some in the Army, &c. upon which rumours were spread abroad of new attempts to introduce a Government by a single person again; which was directly contrary to the very scope and design of the said Paper. Whereupon the House presently ordered an Admonition to be given to the Officers of the Army, reproachful speeches were cast up and down, of sending the Lord Lambert to the Tower; that some of the Chief Officers of the said Brigade deserved to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, with many the like keen and angry reflections: by all which it did appear to the Army, my, that there was a design either to divide between the Parliament and the Army, or between the Army and the good People of the Nation, or to make divisions and contrary parties in the Army itself. Whereupon, the Officers of the Army that were in Town, being between two and three hundred, met together, and agreed upon an humble Representation and Petition, which was delivered to the Parliament, and they had the thanks of the House for the same, with a promise that their Proposals in the said Petition should be taken into Consideration, all which have been printed and published.  
At the said General Council of Officers( that nothing might be done by them that were in Power, but that the rest of the Officers that were absent, and equally concerned, should have the cognizance thereof, Directions were given for sending the said Representation and Petition enclosed in a Letter to their respective Regiments and garrisons, one of which Letters being sent to Colonel Okey's Regiment, was brought unto the House by a Member thereof; upon reading of which, the House immediately declared the Lord Fleetwood's Commission voided, together with the Commission of the Lord Lambert, General Disbrow, and of six Colonels and one mayor: and all this, without so much as causing them to come before them, and hearing them speak one word for themselves, or examining whether the Names subscribed therein, were the hand-writings of the said Officers; and all arising from that very matter, for which the Army had the thanks of the House but a little before.  
And not only so, but things were so contrived, that a Regiment commanded by Colonel Morley( who with six others were appointed to command the Army) was brought for a guard to the House, several Barrels of Powder laid in, together with provision of victuals, in order to the effectual carrying on of some design.  
The Officers of the Army having knowledge of these things, and perceiving such strange and violent courses and proceedings against some of the chief of them, without any just cause, examination and trial, considering and expecting that it would be their own cases the next day, they being all alike concerned in the same thing: the said Officers so put out, having done nothing for which they were so censured but by their order; And observing further the zeal of many in the House for the punishment of those, for no just cause, who( but as yesterday) ventured their lives to suppress a potent and dangerous Enemy in the field, and how could and backward they were unto the trial and punishment of the said Enemy whom they subdued; and clearly perceiving a resolution either totally to destroy, or quiter change and alter the very spirit and temper of this Army, and to form another for their own ends and purposes: And lastly, discerning that by such proceedings against them, as aforesaid, in turning them out of their Commands and Trust for no just cause at all, and that they must neither present innocent Petitions to them, nor writ innocent Letters to one another, for the promotion of things honest, just and meet, worthy of their own acceptance and thanks: The Army( perceicing these things) had little hopes that the public Liberties and Interest of this Nation, and the people of God therein, could be long freed from violation and utter destruction, and therefore, they did put a stop unto the sitting of the Parliament, concluding it betraying of that trust and Cause( for which they were first raised) which is more precious unto them then their lives, should they neglect their present opportunity to preserve the same. With what purposes, intentions, and resolutions the Army did invite the Parliament to sit again, after their long suspension from their sitting; What hopes they had of their doing great and excellent things for the happy settlement of this poor, harassed, and distracted Nation; With what promises and assurances from many principal Members of them, these hopes and expectations of the Army were begotten, fed, and nourished, are known unto God that judgeth right: But how these things have been performed, the settlement of the Nation endeavoured and hastened, how much can be done( if they be pleased) even in one day, against their faithful friends, and how little, in six moneths for the common and public good, is to apparent. The resolution as likewise the practise of the Parliament, to give all Commissions themselves unto the Officers of the Army, from the highest to the lowest, to continue the public Revenues of customs and Excise but for three moneths, the delay in their Act of assessments, &c. were not without the observation and jealousies of some, that the design hereof was their own continuance and perpetuity, creating a necessity thereunto, or the making voided the power and maintenance of the Army. And the inward did-favour, if not( since their sitting, though covertly carried) purposes of revenge against the Army, was more then conjecturable, by their backwardness to set out the Act of Indemnity; Notwithstanding which Act, they passed a Vote against mayor General Harrison, making him uncapable of future public employment, &c. for no new or other offence, but his joining with other Officers of the Army in the interruption of the Parliament, which the Army could not but judge to be against all Rules of Equity, and Justice, and a precedent, threatening all the rest of the Officers that had a hand in the said interruption, to fare alike, upon the first opportunity of politic conveniency thereunto; for that Act did either pardon him, or not; if it did pardon him, then that sentence against him was unrighteous and unjust, because against the public faith of the Parliament declared in their own Act, printed and published by their command, which formerly hath been the greatest security that the people of England could have for any thing: If it did not pardon him, neither did it then pardon any of the Army that had a hand in their foresaid interruption, and so it signified nothing at all; If the penning that Act was with such care, caution, and implicit Liberty left in the House, to punish any man that had a hand in the foresaid interruption, then did they only seem to pardon whom they did intend to punish, and so that Act was a mere collusion, and not comporting with that simplicity and uprightness of mind, and good affection to the Army which was pretended thereby, nor yet to that sincerity of love to them wherewith the Army did close and join with them; nor indeed answerable to that plainness of expression as might challenge the confidence and belief of the people in future times to depend upon the security even of an Act of Parliament: And lastly, their apt, forward, and severe proceedings against the chief of their Army, without any just cause given hereunto, and indeed straining and catching at an occasion of offence when not given, do not a little argue more then a tincture of secret discontents and purposes to reckon with them for their foresaid interruption.  
The Army is not insensible of the many angry, and impertinent reflections like to be cast upon them for this Act, by the petulancy and frowardness of some discontented and inconsiderate persons, whose self same tongues can, and frequently do, both bless and curse, commend and condemn the self famed actions( at several times performed) as their own interests are like to stand or fall thereby: Neither are they much solicitous or careful about that matter, being sufficiently furnished with satisfactory reasons in their own consciences, to cut the sinews of any material Objection that can be made against them.  
They are not likewise willing to enter into the controversy and debate of all that may be said with reference to the Parliament, for or against their Parliamentary authority, and the indissolvableness of them without their own consent, nor are they altogether ignorant thereof; That which did encourage the Army to invite them to sit again, was the consideration and remembrance of what great things God did do by them, their many years knowledge and experience which they had of the complexion, temper, and state of the Commonwealth, and their presumed abilities and disposition to endeavour and bring about a safe and happy settlement thereof, to the great contentment of the people, and equitable satisfaction of all honest interests, and the many hopeful promises and assurances that were given thereof: And the Army was resolved to adhere unto them to the utmost of their power to assist them therein, and did therefore judge it their duty to invite them to sit; but alas, their hopes herein, hav●●anished like smoke: they looked for peace, b●… behold a rent, and for a time of healing, but no good came.  
If this Army, and the continuance thereof be necessary to preserve that first just Cause, for the preservation whereof they were first raised( there being scarce any thing obstructions unto the ruin of it, but the Army) it was then necessary for them to take that course which they have done; for who seeth not, that if so be three of their Chief Officers, and seven Field Officers, can be puffed away with a breath, for no cause given, without hearing, examination, trial, or proof made of any fault committed, and the rest of the Officers remaining every whit as much in the pretended offence as they, and therefore as much obnoxious to be destroyed( in respect of their standing in the Army) by the breath of their nostrils, as their superiors and Brethren were;( the case being so) who seeth not, but that the Army now must take its leave and last farewell of their old friends, and that Cause which they have maintained hitherto with good success( through Gods blessing) or take up new resolutions to try yet what possibly may be done for the conservation thereof, and not to deliver up that Sword out of their hands, for the smiting of that Cause, which God by his Providence did put into their hands for its Protection and Defence.  
It is not denied but the Officers of the Army did promise and engage to be true, faithful, and constant unto the Parliament, which they did with all uprightness and singleness of heart: and so did the Parliament when time was, in the solemn league and Covenant, in a most serious manner, with hands lifted up unto the most high God, to defend the Kings person, honour, and dignity, in the preservation of our Liberties and Religion, &c. and yet afterward did arraign, condemn, and execute him; and yet doubtless do believe that they have not broken their Covenant notwithstanding. In like manner, the Officers of the Army did engage to be true, faithful, and constant to the Parliament; but though the Parliament was not pleased to insert the Condition of that Engagement, viz. in the maintenance of that Old Cause, the preservation of the just rights and liberties of all the pious and good people of the nation, living a peaceable and quiet life in all godliness and honesty, yet must it be implied and understood: for either that condition was intended, or not; if not, then was it unlawful, and so null and voided in its very making; and as the making of such an inconditionate engagement and promise, is sin; so the keeping thereof is sin also, and so an adding of sin unto sin. If it were intended, though not expressed, then the Army hath not broken their Covenant with the Parliament, because their very judgements and consciences( upon arguments very convincing unto them, are satisfied, that( if this Army were out of the way, whereunto those Votes of cashiering the chief Officers thereof were previous) they are persuaded upon grounds and reasons too enforcing, that all the pious and good people of this Nation, should not enjoy a peaceable and quiet life in all godliness and honesty, but only some part of them; and that many thousands of good people in this Land, that differ in judgement and practise in some points of religion, and forms of worship from others, should be enforced either to sin in conformity against their consciences, or again, as in times of old, to seek their spiritual food, yea, and bodily also, in desolate places, or else submit themselves unto the intolerable yoke of persecution and fiery trials. And what is this, but to give up that Cause which for so many years hath, by Gods blessing, been asserted and maintained with good success, though with the loss of so much treasure and blood, that hath been expended thereabout?  
Again, the fore-mentioned Votes, discharging the said Officers from their places of command in the Army, were for something, or for nothing; if for nothing, then were they merely arbitrary, unreasonable, and unrighteous; yea, and contrary to the Parliaments promise to them, that the Officers of the Army from time to time, should receive marks of the favour of the Parliament, and countenance answerable to their faithfulness and merit; which faithfulness and merit doth respect either the time past, or to come; if the time past, and with an eye to their former act of interruption, and leavin a liberty in them, to punish them for the same, intending rather their presumed unfaithfulness and demerit, then their faithfulness and merit, then that vote was no promise, but a threatening under the vizard of a promise, and so still a very collusion.  
If it did respect the time to come, then that Promise hath not been kept, except cashiering be a mark of favour.  
Again, if their foresaid cashiering was not an arbitrary act of mere will and pleasure, but for just cause; what then was that cause? Why were they not called to an account, and heard before sentenced? which in all equity( especially their former gracious promise of marks of favour considered) should have been done.  
If it be said, That the Parliament thought it convenient for public good to take away the Commissions of those Officers, which they gave unto them of their free pleasure; and that they are no●e else are the proper Judges of what is convenient to be done for common Interest in that case: and that the said Officers ought to have submitted thereunto:  
For Answer; If it be granted, That the being of this Army, and the continuance also in the vigorous sense of their first just principles and resolution to protect all good men of honest and paceable lives and conversation, in their civil and religious Liberties, be absolutely necessary( which cannot reasonably be denied) then common and apparent reason must be the only judge.  
The Army grants, That in doubtful and disputable Cases, the Parliament is the onely Judge, and all must submit: but if the Parliament judge, and say that noon-day is midnight, or if they Vote that it is Liberty, and not Bondage, to be tied in chains, and cast into dungeons, and there kept, must men submit in that case? Suppose the Parliament should make their peace with the Scotch King, upon condition of security of their Lives, Liberties and Estates to themselves, families and posterity, and for quietness sake, for the settlement of the Nation, should resolve to Enact, That all men whatsoever shall submit and comform themselves in their judgements and practise, unto what doctrines, discipline and worship the said King and a free Parliament( to be hereafter chosen by his Writs) shall Enact, must the Army and all others quietly submit, and lay down their heads upon blocks to be cut off without asking any question for conscience sake? whatever is the opinion of the late Parliament in this point now; it is most certain, that was not their opinion in 1648. the sum then of this is, That as the late Parliament in one of their Declarations spake of their treating with the late King, viz. A declaration of the Lords and Commons of the 4th. of March, 1647. in answer to the Papers of the Scotch Commissioners; so may ●… e Army say of their submission to these Votes, viz. that they cannot suffer themselves to be Voted out of all that they have fought for, nor that under the pretence of public good, Voted so to be by the Parliament, for the satisfying of all Interests, one Interest should be set up, which should devour all the rest. Surely if this must be the issue of all, after so much expense of the Treasure and blood of the Nation: The Parliament and Army should have taken this into consideration, before they had engaged themselves and the Nation in so much Cost and Blood, which was not onely spent unnecessarily, but also very unlawfully. Who doth not see that this will bring upon them all the blood that hath been  shed in this War? neither do they think they ought to suffer themselves to be Voted first out of their Commands in the Army, and next unto the Gallows, with all their friends and Party, for nothing, but their adhering unto that first just Cause, whereunto they are Invited, conjured, and sworn so to adhere with their lives and Fortunes, even by them that so vote them.  
Again, by the Parliament must be meant the mayor part of the Parliament, and not the minor: and if so, it cannot be forgotten, that these very Gentlemen of Parliament, when they were a minor Party in the House, and could not carry on that great Cause of public Liberty, which at first they asserted, being overpowered by the contrary Party in the House, through the defection that many of them made from the same, that then they did rest satisfied in permitting the Army to be Judge in the Case, and( not to say, did invite and desire them to take away several of the leading Party of the said disaffected Members) did acquiesce and rest satisfied in the reasons given by the Army for their so Acting; the very spirit and life of which Reasons did consist in this, that they could not in conscience permit them,( that is, the mayor part of the House, for a minor part could not) to destroy the Cause, which they( by commands of Parliament, and in conscience of the Vows and Covenants imposed upon them by Parliament) did undertake, when they were first invited into Arms. And if they might be Judge of what was meet to be done to secure the common Cause of the good people of the Nation; then why may they not( the case being the same in their very judgements and consciences) be Judges of what is necessary for them to do now also?  
For conclusion, The Army desire all sober and judicious men, to stop their ears against all uncharitable jealousies, and unreasonable suspicions, which rancorous and evil-minded men may suggest against them, and to assure themselves, that all pious and just Magistrates, all godly, able, and peaceable Ministers, all honest, quiet, and sober-minded Christians, all the People of this Commonwealth, shall find the Army, according to their utmost abilities, ready to secure and defend them in their Persons, Possessions, just Rights, and Interests, against all persons whatsoever, that shall offer violence upon them; that through the implored blessing and assistance of the onely wise God, who bringeth light out of darkness, and good out of evil, such foundations of Government and hopeful Settlement will be now laid, after these late Revolutions and Changes: as also such a firm Union( not onely in the Army amongst themselves, who have now resolved and engaged, that they will never unadvisedly be seduced to divide into parties against one another, but also) between the Army and all queit and peaceable people of the Land, as shall for ever henceforth break the hearts and hopes of all those adversaries, foreign and domestic, that wait for their confusion by their divisions, that Righteousness, Charity, Justice, Truth and Peace, and the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ may altogether run, and be glorified.  
FINIS.