A Declaration of the English Army now in Scotland. TO The People of Scotland, especially those among them, that know and fear the LORD;  
We the Officers and Soldiers of the English Army do send Greeting.  
AT the beginning of the great and wonderful workings of God in the●e two Nations of E●gland and Scotland, We the Under Officers and Soldiers of the English Army now in Scotland, were most of us, if not all, men of private Callings, and not at all interested in Matters of Public and State Affairs▪ but yet very many of us, in whom the Lord had begun to reveal himself in the Face of Jesus Christ, were sensible of the Antichristian Tyranny that was exercised by the lare King, and His Prelates, over the Consciences, Bodies and Estates of the True Spiritual Church of Jesus Christ; namely, those that were born again, and united to him by his Spirit; who were then by that Antichristian crew, termed Puritants, Sectaries, Schismatics, etc. And for not conforming to all the Canons and Ordinances of their Nation Church, were frequently imprisoned, banished and otherwise grievously molested at the pleasure of those that then ruled amongst us. Under these sad sufferings of the people of God, our souls mourned: and understanding by the manifold gracious promises in the Word of God, that a time of deliverance was to be expected to the Church of Christ, and destruction and ruin to Babylon; Our hearts, together with all truly godly in England, were exceedingly stirred up to pray to the Lord, even day & night, that he would arise to destroy Antichrist, and to save his People: Whilst this Spirit of Prayer was poured forth upon God's people in England, attempts are made upon Scotland, to bring them to a conformity in religious worship, by endeavouring to impose upoe them a Popish Service-Book, which was through the great goodness of God, by his people in Scotland, reserted; which made the wrath of the late King and His Prelates, wax so hot against them, so as Scotland had no other way to preserve itself, but by coming into England with an Army; which the godly in England did not then count an Invasion to destroy England, no more than they do this our present march for the ruin of Scotland but rejoiced to see some appearing against that Antichristian power that had persecuted the Saints, and were assured, That the Lord was come forth to answer the many Prayers and Tears that were then poured and pouring forth for that purpose; and therefore so far as we have any opportunity farthered the designs of that Army, some of us hazarding our lives by spreading their Book, entitled, The Scots Intentions, and pleading for the justness of their Proceed.  
Let us remember how the Lord was pleased graciously to answer the prayers of his people at that time, in their Deliverance from the Army raised by the late King, and his Prelates, for the destruction of all the people of God in England and Scotland; insomuch, That soon after Scotland sits in Peace, enjoying their former Liberties, without being imposed upon by the Antichristian Prelacy in England; and England obtains a Parliament, to whom they have opportunity to complain of their grievances, and through the great goodness of God so constituted, that grievances are heard, and overtures made to the late King for their redress: which was so irksome to His Oppressing, Tyrannical and Bloody spirit, that he again betook himself to overthrow the Parliament by force, and to that end entertains the Officers of the Army that had gone forth against our Brethren of Scotland; and withdrawing himself from his Parliament, an appearance of a Civil War gins; which being made known to us, the inferior Officers and Soldiers of this Army (than in our Private Callings) we found our hearts extraordinarily stirred up by the Lord, to assist the Parliament against the King; being abundantly satisfied in our judgements and consciences, that we were called forth by the Lord, to be instrumental to bring about that, which was our continual prayer to God (viz.) The destruction of Antichrist, and the Deliverance of his Church and people. And upon this simple account we engaged, not knowing the deep policies of worldly Statesmen, and have ever since hazarded our lives in the high places of the field (where we have seen the wonders of the Lord) against all the opposers of this work of Jesus Christ, whom we have all along seen going with us, and making our way plain before us. And having these things singly in our eye, namely, the destruction of Antichrist, the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Deliverance and Reformation of his Church, in the Establishment of his Ordinances amongst them in purity according to his Word, & the just civi● Liberties of Englishmen: We did many of us rejoice at the Covenant, because we found in it a strain towards these ends, although some being more enlightened, did apprehend it to be so mixed with worldly interest, that they justly feared the interest of Jesus Christ would be only pretended to, and the Interests of this world, yea, of Antichrist himself carried under a vizard, as we have since had abundant experience of; which hath made us (we confess) not to idolise the Covenant (as we fear too many do) though we trust it will appear before God, Angels and Men, that we shall ever pursue its true and Lawful ends, according to the plain and candid meaning thereof; though we do not upon every occasion urge the Covenant, (as we see every party, though as far different as light and darkness apt to do,) the Lord having by his Word, and by his Spirit convinced us of our duty therein, though there had been no such Covenant at all entered into.  
But when we saw that under pretence of the Covenant, a corrupt party in Parliament, by their worldly policy, after the war was ended in England, and the lare Kings party subdued, with the loss of Thousands of the lives of Saints (whose death is precious in the sight of the Lord) did endeavour to set up the King upon his own terms, and with him to establish a National Church-Government, not in all things agreeable to the Word of God, but it destructive to the just Liberties of the True Spiritual Church of Christ, which he hath by his own most precious blood purchased for them, and is now come forth to bestow upon them: which did sufficiently demonstrate itself by the deal of the then Master-builders with the Churches of Jesus Christ, in, and about London, that were then threatened to be dissolved, and Laws made to pr●v●nt the Communion of Saints with one another, except only in that one Public Form then about to be established, to the astonishment of many of us that had lifted up our hands to God, and sworn to endeavour a Reformation according to the Word of God; and therefore after much waiting upon God by prayer, and examining our own hearts, about the ends and sincerity thereof, we were abundantly satisfied, that it was not only lawful, but our duty to keep our Arms in our hands, till the ends beforementioned should be accomplished; and to that purpose, the Army, whereof we are a part, did refuse to disband, did march up to London to propose to the Parliament a way of Establishment that might be more for the carrying on of the ends of Religion and Liberty, though therein we were not at that time successful, yet most wonderfully and graciously preserved by the Lord, and extraordinarily convinced, after much seeking the Face of God, that our failing was in endeavouring to set up the King upon any terms, he being a man of so much blood, that the Lord would have no peace with him, nor any that should go about to establish him: Whereupon after his own hard heart had hindered him from yielding to any overtures that were made to him by the Parliament, through whom all the Armies Proposals were to be tendered, and a second War more dangerous than the former contri●ed by him, and his Son now with you, together with those in Scotland th●t hated us of the Army of England under the name of Sectaries, being by the unspeakable goodness and mighty power of God waded through, and a second testimony given from Heaven, to justify the proceeding of his poor servants against that bloody Antichristian brood though with the loss of many precious Saints; we were then powerfully convinced, that the Lords purpose was to deal with the late King as a man of blood: And being persuaded in our consciences, That he and his Monarchy was one of the ten horns of the Beast spoken of, Rev. 17.12, 13, 14, 15. And being witnesses to so much of the innocent blood of the Saints that he had shed in supporting the Beast; and considering the loud cries of the souls of the Saints under the Altar, we were extraordinarily carried forth to desire Justice upon the King, that man of blood: And to that purpose petitioned our Superior Officers, and the Parliament, to bring him to Justice: which accordingly, by an high hand of Providence was brought to pass; which Act we are confident the Lord will own, in preserving the Commonwealth of England against all Kingdoms and Nations, that shall adventure to meddle with them upon that account: When God executes his judgements upon Malefactors, let none go about to resist: When he brings forth those his enemies that will not suffer Jesus Christ to be King in the midst of his Saints, and breaks them in pieces like a Potter's vessel; let not Scotland, nor any other Nation say, What dost thou? We fear they have been too busy already: the Lord that sees the secrets of all hearts, knows the compliance of Scotland with the late King's Issue now with you, was in order to disturb the Peace of England, for being God's Executioners upon a bloody Tyrant, and a supporter of the Throne of the Beast: But blessed be the Lord, the crafty are taken in their own snare: England sits in peace, whilst Scotland receives into their chief City, their new King, at the very hour wherein an Army had marched 300 miles, is facing them at the very gates. We wish our Brethren of Scotland, especially those that truly fear the Lord, would consider these things, and not flight the providences of God so much as they do: When Scotland chose new gods, and would have a King out of a Family that God bade rejected, then was war in the gates: And though we do not think providences alone, a sufficient rule for God's People to walk by, yet we do know that the Lord sp●●ks to his people by his Providence as well as by his Word; and he is angry with his people that do not take notice thereof, and promiseth blessing to those that do, Psal. 107. and the latter end.  
And here give us leave (not in a boasting spirit, but in meekness and fear) to tell you, That we are persuaded we are poor unworthy instruments in God's hand to break hi● Enemies, and preserve his people. You have acknowledged us in your own Papers to be a Rod of Iron to dash in piec●● the M●lignan●●: but withal say, We must now be broken in pi●●●● because we now set ourselves against the Lot of God's inheritance. Le● us here speak for ourselves; yea, the Lord speak for us, w●● k●ows our hear●●, a●d all our ways: we value the Churches of J●su● Christ, who ●re the Lot of God's inheritance, ten thousand tim●● ab●ve our own li●e●; yea we do bless the Lord, we are not only a Rod of ●ron, to d●sh the common enemies in pieces, but also a hedge (though very unworthy) about Christ's Vineyard; and if we know ou● own heart's, where ever the Lord of God's inheritance shall appear to be found in Scotland, we shall think it our duty to the utmost hazard of our lives, to preserve the same: But if there be any that have taken counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed, whom the Lord hath decreed to set upon his holy hill of Zion; we are persuaded the Lord hath brought us hither as instruments, through which he will speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure, We desire it may be known to you our Brethren of Scotland, that we are not Soldiers of Fortune, we are not merely th● servants of men, we have not only proclaimed Jesus Christ, the King of Saints, to be our King by Profession; but desire to submit to him upon his own terms, and to admit him to the exercise of his Royal Authority in our hearts, and to follow him whithersoever he goeth, he having of his own good will entered into a Covenant of Grace with his poor Saints; and be assured, it is he that leadeth us into Scotland, as he hath done in England and Ireland. And therefore we do in the spirit of brotherly love, and of the fear of the Lord, beseech you to look about you; for our Lord Jesus is coming amongst you as a refiners fire, and as Fuller's soap: and blessed are those in whom the least dram of sincerity shall be found.  
We have a Paper directed to us from the people of Scotland, it having been publicly made known to us at the head of our Regiments; wherein we are first desired to consider the lawfulness of our marching into Scotland. We bless God, we did that before we came; and are abundantly satisfied, that we are brought hither by the Lord: nay, many of us lying under temptations of flesh and blood, and going about to frame excuses to take us from this march, found, that to have stayed behind, had been to have turned our backs upon Jesus Christ, and to have deprived ourselves of much sweet communion with God, that now through his goodness we do enjoy.  
We have also considered the Arguments, by which you go about to weaken the grounds of the Parliaments, and our Superior Officers, leading us into Scotland; and must needs give you this return: That we are still abundantly established in this belief, that what the Parliament of England hath done in sending us into Scotland, hath been of absolute Necessity to preserve themselves from being destroyed in their Religion and Liberties, which they have been at so much cost both of Blood and Treasure, to purchase and preserve: and therefore by the way we must needs tell you, that we cannot endure to hear them called A pretended Parliament; which we desire you to take notice of, that if you writ to us again, you would speak more reverently of the Authority of our Nation, or else we shall easily think you will upon every occasion be ready to invade England, that you may set up an Authority, which you may call lawful.  
And let us, as in the presence of the Lord, further assure you, That we have already examined our consciences, as before the Lord, and have a clear assurance in our hearts, That he will countenance us in this action, and that we do not break any Covenant which we have sworn before God, Angels and Men; but could be contented should we not thereby Idolise the Covenant, to march to any Engagement with you, if called thereunto by the Lord, with the Covenant on the tops of our Pikes; and let the Lord judge who hath observed the Ends of the Covenant best, you or we? Yet we do acknowledge, We have not been the exact Performers, though not the wilful breakers thereof: Our consciences also bear us record, We do above any thing in the world, desire the Union of the two Nations; and it is our prayer daily, That those that fear the Lord in England and Scotland, may become one in the hand of the Lord, and join together in the advancement of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, and throwing down, and trampling upon the Seat of the Beast. Why should not Scotland as well as England, rejoice to see the Horns of the Beast cut off, that we may join together, to hate the Whore, and to burn her flesh with fire? The Lord is our witness (whom we fear) we come not to oppress you, or shed your blood; we have cried to the Lord, again and again, to prevent it: we have sent you our Declarations of Love to the People of God in Scotland, which some amongst you, though they pretended to Answer, yet do most injuriously and unchristianly keep from their sight, nay, most falsely misrepresenting us as a people come with intentions to destroy the poor inhabitants, and that we are left of our God to be destroyed: but we have made our prayer to the Lord, and made known before him their say, who hath told the people of Scotland, That God hath forsaken us; and therefore bid them persecute and take us, for now the Sectaries day is come, etc. But the Lord is still with us, he is our Refuge, and a present help in trouble, ready to be found: we do believe, the cry of the oppressed in Scotland will be heard, and woe be to those that are the Cause thereof. Our Quarrel is still against Malignants, the Root whereof is now, through the evil Policy of some Statesmen, become the Head of Scotland. We dare not quarrel with those whose hearts are upright with Jesus Christ, and faithful and loving to England, but with those who are most treacherous and false to both; and therefore we dare not any of us, though tempted thereto by your papers, be so carnally wise, as to desert the Cause and Work of Jesus Christ, in which we have hitherto been so long and so miraculously carried on. Do you think we are men so weakly principled, as to be persuaded without the least strength of Argument to desert the Interest of our own Nation, and expose thousands of the precious Saints of Jesus Christ, to be trampled upon as the dirt in the streets, when the Lord is about to put on their beautiful garments, and to make them a praise in the earth? Or can we (think you) betray our superior Officers, in whom we see so much of the sweet Spirit of Jesus Christ, into your hands, whose mouths are opened wide to devour them? we pray you not to wait for such a thing. The Lord hath brought us hither by his Providence, and upon him we shall with confidence depend, till we see a glorious issue, which we humbly and hearty desire may be without the effusion of any more blood; and (if it be the will of God) both speedy and comfortable to you and us, that we may return with joy into England, and leave Scotland rejoicing that an English Army hath been amongst them: which possibly may be the sooner effected, were you and we suffered to confer, and open our hearts one to another: We do believe much of the bitterness of spirit would be allayed in our Brethren of Scotland, did they know how exceedingly we are slandered by the pens and tongues of many of your Kirk-men, concerning our Religion and faith towards God, which though we may not vainly boast of, yet according to the Apostles direction, we are ready to give an answer to the meanest Christian in Scotland, that shall ask a Reason of the Faith and Hope that is in us, with meekness and fear. And indeed, we account our best way of contending with those slanders, is to pray the Lord to make our hearts sound in his statutes, that we be not ashamed, that so we sanctifying the Lord God in our hearts, and having a good conscience, they that speak evil of us as of evil doers, may be ashamed whilst they falsely accuse our good conversation in Christ.  
And thus have we in the naked plainness of our souls opened our hearts unto you our dear Brethren that fear the Lord in Scotland, where ever you be found, whether in the highest Councils or the poorest Cottages, who though you now be scattered, the Lord will in his due time bring you together, and bind you up as his Jewels, and make you one with those that fear the Lord amongst us: which the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in him our God and Father also, bring to pass in his due time; and in the mean time make both you and us wise to understand the things that concern the exalting of Christ's Kigdom: That in all our undertake we may be subservient to the Affairs of Jesus Christ, and above all things take heed how we stir up any of the powers or strength of this world to destroy one another. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, be with you. AMEN.  
From the Leaguer at Muscleborough, August. 1. 1650.  
FINIS.