TO THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OF ENGLAND, the PARLIAMENT assembled, The SCOPE of the humble REMEMBRANCE Of that Prodigious CONSPIRACY, CALLED The BLOODY PETITION, To be Humbly presented By DAVID BROWN and his Family, as Discoverers thereof, BESIDES, Many other Discoveries and faithful Services:  
Whereunto is annexed, Their humble Petition for Assistance towards the Repairing of certain Wrongs, done unto them by Lieutenanant Colonel John Lilborn, Samuel Chidley, John Musgrave, and some others.  
London, Printed by John Field, Printer to the Parliament of ENGLAND, 1652.   

TO THE SUPREME AUTHORITY OF ENGLAND, the Parliament assembled:  
The Scope of the humble Remembrance of that most prodigious Conspiracy, called the Bloody-Petition, to be humbly presented by David Brown Gent. and his family, as discoverers thereof, besides many other discoveries and faithful services; whereunto is annexed, their humble Petition for assistance, towards the repairing of certain Wrongs done unto them by Lieutenant Colonel John Lilburn, Samuel Chidley, John Musgrave, and some others,  
SHOW,  
THat in consideration of the manifold unexpected Victories which it hath pleased the Lord of Hosts (in his undeserved mercy) to vouchsafe upon this Nation, and chief upon your Honours, whom He hath so highly advanced as to represent the Face and Authority thereof against all Opposers, during all these cruel and destructive Wars, in reference to the Recovery and Defence of all our just Freedoms.  
Which days of so great troubles, though they were the Seedtime of Tears and Sorrows in their dark evening, yet now in regard of the happy Harvest thereof, reaping so great fruits of Joy and Comfort in this bright morning, as our blessed Redeemer said to the Jews in another case, Many of the best Prophets and most righteous of our predecessors (who only for his Cause have been driven to wildernesses) would have much rejoiced to see, but could not see them, and to hear the things which we hear, but could not hear them.  
And also in consideration of your Honours dutiful Remembrance of every special Victory and Delivery, at least, which God hath been pleased to give you throughout all these Wars, by an appointed day of Thanksgiving to that purpose; and now of late by a commendable Act, Ordaining a constant day every year to be kept in commemoration of the last; but yet still (through the multiplicity of your weighty and urgent affairs) seeming to forget, or (at least) not so effectually to remember the first.  
In order therefore, to the reviving of that prime and original Victory and Delivery out of the grave of oblivion, as the chief terrestrial fountain from which all the rest have flowed, and that it may have as durable a continuance (at least) as the last, which is now so recent and in most men's esteem so excellent; though neither it, nor any other, for many hundreds of years (as we humbly conceive) was so dangerous, imminent, and inevitable as the former, which (God willing) in the Remembrance itself, by comparing thereof with any of the greatest, shall be made to appear.  
We your Honour's humble servants, by whose instrumental means of Discovery by word and writing, your Honours had that matchless Victory and Delivery, which the great God of Battles (out of the ocean of his infinite compassions) was graciously pleased to give you, and this long enslaved Nation by his Almighty power, without any weapons of War; even when ye had neither Strength, Instruments, nor Means to resist your numerous and mighty Adversaries, nor so much as the least apprehension of your own dangers; do in all due respect, humbly beseech your Honours, that ye will be pleased never to let slip out of your memories, whiles ye enjoy your natural lives, this so gracious and special a favour, which both is still to many thousands so conspicuous and remarkable, & was then to yourselves and all your adherents so joyful and acceptable, that ye sent Sir Henry Vane junior, to give us the Thanks of the House; even when all was finished, and the chief Conspirators imprisoned: saving only ye were so overacted, that no Conspiracies yet durst be so entitled, until afterwards that upon their miscarriage (through discovery of this their main hope) they break out first into bold Insurrections, and then into bloody Wars, which have continued to this day.  
But that unanimously according as ye see your own duties, and wish a further increase of blessings from heaven upon all your earthly endeavours, your Honours will be pleased with all the convenient speed that may be (in this so happy an opportunity, which so many years with so great patience we have expected) first, to search your own Records of Parliament for the true Relation thereof, beginning on the 28. day of the first month (called March) in the year of Christ, 1642. and continuing all the second Month following, as it was by word and writing faithfully discovered by us unto you, upon divers occasions in public when ye were assembled in the House: next, to search those of the late House of Lords; and last, of the general Committee of both Lords and Commons.  
All which being likewise truly extracted, read, considered, and compared with any other Victory or Delivery, either over a mighty Army by foreign Invasion, dangerous Insurrection, or treacherous Conspiracy that hath been since that time (of which most probably none had been at all, but both ye and all your truest friends and well-willers suddenly destroyed, without any the least means used either of Defence or Resistance, if that infernal Conspiracy had not been so timely discovered and happily prevented) yea, and notice being likewise taken of what is here in brief, and of what will follow in the Remembrance itself at large, than we doubt not but your Honours shall find as great cause, at least, to make an Act for keeping a certain day of Thanksgiving every year most solemnly unto the Infinite Majesty of our good and gracious God, for that great Victory and Delivery, as ever ye had for any Victory or Delivery since these Wars began, yea, or your Predecessors before you, since England was a Nation.  
But for some further Information at present, unto such of your Honours as were not then chosen Members of the House, than the bare title of the Bloody-Petition (which though discovered and burned, yet a rectified Copy thereof (to face out the matter with some show of goodness) was presented by three hundred men, upon delivery of their Swords and drawing up of London Bridge, lest the number had multiplied) this Conspiracy should have been acted (if God had permitted) both upon the Parliament and Well-affected People throughout all the three Nations, even when it would have been accounted Treason for them in the highest degree, to call either Army or Guard for their own Defence; and that by forty thousand armed Malignants out of Kent, with the assistance of all their numerous and mighty Confederates both in the City and Country, under pretence of presenting a just Petition to the Parliament, which (in reference to the matter and end) was forged by the Popish Faction then at York, and presented by Sir Edward Deering (who then had been lately expelled the Parliament) even in a dissembled imitation of those five thousand men who brought a just Petition indeed out of Buckinghamshire, on that glorious Sunshine day (to all persecuted and well-principled people) that the Parliament was honourabl● released from their unnatural Exile at Grocers-Hall, London, (as they had justly released both the Exiled and Captivated ●●fore) and returned home to sit in their wont place, it being the very next day after the late king went from the Parliament, and slighted that presumptuous Court of Guard at White-Hall, which was so unjustly set up (when Sin was ripe for the sickle) to make all honest Petitioners who brought just Petitions to your Honours for redress of their Grievances, stand.  
And for your Honours better receiving both of what Truth is here declared, and will be more at large (with God's assistance) upon further occasion manifested, we humbly desire (among other things) it may be seriously considered, that we your humble Remembrancers are not merely Discoverers of this one Business, as some have been of one particular, or other, since that time, and have willingly done no more, neither before nor after in reference to the Public good; which notwithstanding was no small service, more than that of Mordecai, concerning the saving of one life, which king Ahashuerus, though both he a Heathen and the other a stranger, was so far from slighting or despising, like that poor wise Man's service spoken of by the wisest of men, who by his wisdom delivered a little Cith wherein there was but few men, from all the Forces of a great King; that he out of his ingenuity and noble disposition for his own honour and crecit, so respected that worthy instrument of his safety, that he without the least request of any, both naturalised him, and eternised his favour towards him and all of his Nation, as well as Religion for his sake unto all posterities, so far as lay in his power: But we have made many other Discoveries, and done abundance of other Services, which although they were never published in Books, at least under any of our names, always choosing rather to advance the Public Cause in secret, then to be eminent either for popular applause, or private respect; yet now being forced by the manifold Caluminations, corrupt Practices and unjust Deal of some Deceitful, Ambitious and Covetous people, to make some Vindications of our own Integrity, Actings and Sufferings, even in the worst of times, and greatest of dangers, both for the Public good of these Nations in general, and even of the same men, and others of the like principles, as well at least, as of ourselves in particular; which being more grievous to us (in regard those men were as near and dear to us, almost as Jonathan was to David) then thrice so many afflictions for the Public, like those which David suffered of his own son Absolom, and of Achitophel with whom he conversed, being worse than man of the rest; All which (we hope) shall be made at large to appear, as they are only mentioned in the Frontispiece and Contents of a Book, here following briefly in order.  
Seventy years' Memorial of a resolute Soldiers warfare, both in England, and Scotland, first against Corruptions, Delusions and Frailties, and next against the Abominations of Churches, and Iniquities of States, showing to the great praise of God's rich Grace; In order to the one, His manifold happy Victories after divers sad surprisals; and to the other, His and his Families matchless Discoveries, mighty Attempts, grievous Sufferings, manifold Losses, great Hindrances, and excessive Charges, (besides their unavoidable share of all the general Calamities, even death itself; some of their children being stoned in the streets for their Cause, and others left for death, yea, and above a hundred times driven from their Habitations and Possessions; some whereof, were Three hundred miles by Land with small Children a whole Month on the way divers times) all in relation to the Recovery and Defence both of Spiritual and Temporal Freedoms, and that throughout all Dangers and Difficulties in the Revolution of States, Necessities and Extremities in the alteration of times.  
And likewise, through the same Grace, with what Fidelity, Magnanimity and Constancy (yea, and resolved Perseverance also to the end) both during all these cruel Wars, and thrice so many years before (even when the very word [Parliament] dared not be so much as mentioned) they have not only assisted, encouraged and incited other Actors and Sufferers, yea, and helped to defend the Parliament both day and night when they could have none others, but a few such free Volunteers, against multitudes of strong cruel Enemies; but likewise, by means of Printing, both informed the generality of the people, who were always readier to be deceived then recovered, and vindicated the Parliament and Army, when they were unjustly opposed, traduced, and in great danger to be deluded by fair pretences of Covenant, known Laws, Protestant Religion and Reformation, even when no other means, either of the Word or Sword could avail, far less prevail in the prosecution of the Public Cause; for which all the Millions of Lives, Treasures and Estates have been spent.  
Though always with little earthly encouragement, less Maintenance or Assistance, and not any the least measure of reparation or degree of satisfaction; nor in reference to either, any kind of due or competent consideration, but large addition of trouble and affliction, by the indirect means of false Brethren, and policy of selfseeking, crafty and deceitful People, one of whose lives we have preserved, another to a great Estate preferred, and of the third to the last great kindness have deserved, but with many evils have been rewarded, howbeit, none of them (saving one woman) be so old in years as we have been sufferers, in order to that long expected Freedom, which is now (by Divine Providence) in Agitation, Gal. 5.1. Acts 22.28. Esther 6.3. 2 Sam. 2.5. Solemn Declaration of both Nations, january 30. 1643.  
Moreover, we in all due humility beseech your Honours to bear with our Prolixity, because it is the first Suit in writing that ever we made to your Honours (either since the aforesaid discovery, or before, for that deliverance of a Pastor and Church then in Prison, was granted by your Honours only upon my word, at Mr. Lilborns Request to me, he seeing me able to be heard, though it had been in a greater matter) and likewise, That your Honours will be pleased the rather to vouchsafe your Audience and Patience to hear and consider these few other needful Particulars.  
As your Honours (to your endless Fame) upon the Victory at Dunbar, were moved so thankfully to acknowledge Gods inestimable and unexpected Mercy then (amongst multitudes of his tender Compassions before) as to grant unto his Church and People under your Authority, so happy a Deliverance from all Spiritual Slavery, that scarce the like is any where without your Dominions, even that worthy Act for tender Consciences: so we humbly beseech your Honours to proceed and persevere in all the Particulars of well-doing, both concerning Religion and Prosperity of the Nation, especially the abolishing of Tithes and all Popish Innovations, with all corrupt, unjust and tedious Laws; as also the subjecting of all Entailed Lands, to the payment of all the owners just Debts, beginning at the decease of Queen Elizabeth, and establishing that Office of General Remembrance, both which being already Voted; and doing of whatsoever things else which may best and spediest bring this Nation to a happy condition of Ereedom, Trading, Prosperity and Tranquillity, that the adjoining Nations may reap the like benefit, chief the poor Commons of Scotland, who have been enslaved, blindfolded and impoverished for many hundreds of years, by means of their cruel Taskmasters, and that ye may gain the People's Affections of all the three Nations; which with some other matters of public concernment, I sum up and refer unto another Remembrance; likewise, even of that remarkable Passage in his Excellencies the Lord General's Letter from Dunbar, as it is printed on the Tenth page, beginning at the third line, and ending at the One and thirtieth: The words are these,  
It is in your hands, and by these eminent Mercies, God puts more into your hands to give glory to him, to improve your Power and his Blessings to his Praise; we that serve you beg of you, not to own us but God alone; we pray own his People more and more, for they are the Chariots and Horsemen of Israel; disown yourselves, but own your Authority, and improve it to curb the Proud and Insolent, such as would disturb the Tranquillity of England, though under what specious Pretences soever, relieve the Oppressed, hear the Groans of your poor Prisoners in England; Be pleased to reform the abuses of all Professions, and if there be any one that makes many poor to make a few rich, that suits not a Commonwealth. If he that strengthens your Servants to fight, pleases to give you hearts to set upon these things in order to his glory, and the glory of your Commonwealth, besides the benefit that England shall feel thereby, ye shall shine forth to other Nations, who shall emulate the glory of such a pattern, and through the Power of God turn into the like. These are our desires, and that ye may have liberty and opportunity to do these things, and not be hindered, we have been and shall be (by God's assistance) willing to venture our lives, and not desire ye should be precipitated by importunity from your care of Safety and Preservation, but that the doing of these good things may have their place amongst those which concern well-being, and so be wrought in their due time and order.  
The premises being seriously read and considered, our humble and earnest Desires are, That as your Honours out of your discretion and ingenuity shall see just cause, the same may be accordingly acted, answered or referred; and withal, That as we have (to our utmost abilities) faithfully & constantly adhered to your Honours in all your Extremities, so ye will be pleased in much compassion (because of our greater affliction now then ever heretofore, by the indirect means of the aforementioned People; and being out of breath also by multitudes of former afflictions for the Public) to vouchsafe your best assistance in protecting us, not only from all such further Arrests for such Debts in reference to the Commonwealths, which may be justly called theirs, because they and their Associates did unjustly dispose of the privy Contributions of many well-affected People (chief those whereof the second party above specified was Treasurer) on Printing some idle Projects when the Army lay at Putney, and when the Parliament was called a Juncto, which should have paid those former Debts, with our Disbursments and Engagements above our power, to Printers, Stationers and others, upon that account, for Printing abundantly to the Vindication of both Parliament and Army against all railing Pamphlets; as also to the inciting of the People to adhere unto them, when no other means was so forcible, but likewise from all other Indempnities, Troubles and Dangers, in the prosecution of this our just Cause, both for these and other matters, especially, because they count us Strangers; although they themselves (by those and the like fruits) shall appear much more to be both Strangers and Enemies to all goodness; for as in a spiritual sense, Egyptians and Ethiopians walking faithfully, are esteemed in the word of God to be born in Zion; so in a temporal sense, all Scots or others, who have been all along these Troubles (at least) true and faithful to this Commonwealth; chief such as have both adventured their Lives and spent their Estates in defence thereof, may be justly esteemed in all respects, as if they had been born in England, yea in the chiefest and best place of London itself.  
And because Printing hath been their chiefest Weapon, and by that occasion they having great correspondency with the Printers; and some of them ready enough to Print what they please against us, even with the same Moneys which shall be made appear they unjustly detain from us. We humbly beseech your Honours to give Order, either to your own Printer or any other in our behalf, to Print both by way of Quere and otherwise, such things as we have against the aforesaid persons, and other their Associates; which with their positive Answers may be an effectual means, not only to procure us Justice and Reparations of their deceitful and wrongous deal, but to undeceive the people who had some further conceit of those men's love to the Public, then merely obtaining their own private ends; and it may be, bring some truth to light for the good of the Public, which hath been long obscure or doubtful. Humbly protesting here, before your Honours, against them, That whatsoever Queres we propound, shall not by them in sufficient time (not exceeding Three Months) be punctually answered, shall be holden thenceforth as confessed; promising hereby unto them the like condition against ourselves, we having the equal benefit of the Press, competent means of Subsistance and Moneys to Printers.  
By which means their manifold deceitful deal and unjust Leveling, chief of the second Party abovementioned, not only in spiritual Matters against me, though he was preferred to an Office at Worcester-house by my procurement, but likewise in Civil matters there, against many both poor and rich; for which he was most justly, by direction of the trusties, expulsed both from his Office and Lodgings, shall in short time be made to appear; yea, and whether he with the rest above specified, or we, have acted and suffered most, sought their own profit least, of walked according to their principles best, in relation to the Public, both before and during all these troubles; and so by consequence of such trying of Titles, it will likewise appear, Whether they or we deserve best, to be called True, Constant, Faithful and Honest.  
So by this Your Honours just assisting and protecting the Weak in their just cause against the strong, chief in that they are made weak by the others strength obtained by their means; both we and all others will be the more encouraged still to adventure our lives, and all that's either nearest or dearest to us in advancing the Commonwealth; and pray for your Honours whiles we enjoy life or breath.  
DAVID BRWON.  
For himself, and in the behalf of his Family, viz. His Wife, Daughters and Servants, whereof Francis Jones (who deceased about Seven years ago) was one at that time.   

This was delivered (closely and curiously Written on a quarter sheet) to a Honourable Member of the Parliament, to be presented unto them upon the 19th day of the Tenth month (called December) 1651. Without soliciting of any, both the Matter and Desire being so equitable.   
FINIS.