THE Intentions of the Army Discovered in a LETTER From a Gentleman residing there, to a Friend of his in LONDON: Made public for the better Satisfaction of those who desire to be truly informed of their proceed, tendered to the view of all impartial Readers.  
Written at the head Quarters, junii. 21. 1647.  
LONDON, Printed. 1647.   

The Intentions of the Army discovered in a Letter from a Gentleman residing there to a friend of his in LONDON.  
DEAR FRIEND,  
I Much wonder at the Rage of some men, all people Rational may understand that our Intentions are Cordial: it is not the Advancement of our selus that we seek after, but the peace & welfare of this bleeding Kingdom, which groans under injustice and oppression: far be any thing from our thoughts, which is or may be repugnant to truth and peace: we are not Ignorant how Contemptible we are in the eyes of some of your City, but blessed be God, otherwise thought of by the more prudent, both in City and Country: We have not so deported ourselves as Justly to Incur the Rage of any men (our enemies themselves being Judges) though we sooner feel the sting of some, then taste their Honey: there is no great reason why I should greatly wonder, either at the Rage of men, or the Mutabillity of the times, since there is a divine hand of providence in all things, which so order all actions, as in the end they may be conducible to his Glory & our peace: but how many are there entirely Ignorant of these things which is the grand ●au● why men drive at their own designs without respect to the Kingdom's peace: had the army driven at this design they had not been so od●ous in the eyes of some men as now they are: but as our thoughts are not finister, so our actions are not irregular, though so adjudged by censorious persons: we have sufficiently declared to the world that we neither intent to pu●l down Presbytery nor erect Independency, but attempt to implore the Parliament to 〈◊〉 a lasting peace and civil liberty of the Kingdom, which in the pursuit whereof we doubt not but the Lord will so direct us as to 〈◊〉, not upon any thing but what is really just: wonder not greatly either to see or hear of the Malignity of the spirits of men, but rather bless God who hath in so great a proportion poured forth his spirit upon a handful of men, to see Peace and truth established, Justice executed. I make no doubt but we undergo many hard censures, but since we have so glorious a pattern (the Lord jesus) who preceded us, we shall not much value them; he was ill spoken of by the righteous Pharisee; Hemlock where ever planted will grow pestilent, that is truth; and it is as true that the serpent with the brightest scales shrouds the most fatal venom; I wish it might not be said that men underpretence of doing justice did not tyrannize and oppress: I beseech the Lord so to direct the great Council of the Kingdom, as speedily to settle the quiet thereof, that we might not so jar against each other as to render ourselves unwise to present, future gone generations both foreign and domestic: this poor Kingdom seems to the eye of reason to parallel a man who is dangerously wounded incurable by any but the best of Physicians, who will not heal the wound though he sees it in a capacity of being closed before he searcheth to the bottom; the State of this Kingdom is deplorable, the poor Country crie● out of being oppressed, and demand Justice; it would much satisfy the people if a course were taken whereby Justice were executed with truth and righteousness: the Lord so order all our affairs as that our Jars may procure the firmer peace; no medicinal plaster can heal a wound if there be any Iron sticking in it: as the air by the great showers and storms of rain is cleansed, so I doubt not but that all our differences will be soon appeased and truth advanced: I dare be bold to affirm that the only Aim of the body of the Army is very cordial: Dear friend I pray do me the favour as to let me understand how the wise, godly, both of the Presbytery and Independency stand affected to our proceed, we care not aught for what the rest of the world speak of us: So having not else, I commit you to the safe protection of him who is Universally present; remaining in great haste  
Your affectionate friend to serve you. W.C. S. ALBAN Junii 21. 1647.   
FINIS.