A DECLARATION OF THE OFFICERS OF THE ARMY, Inviting the MEMBERS OF THE LONG PARLIAMENT, WHO Continued Sitting till the 20th of April, 1653. to return to the Exercise and Discharge of their TRUST.  
Friday 6 May, 1659.  

Ordered by the Lord FLEETWOOD, and the General Council of the Officers of the Army, That this Declaration be forthwith Printed and Published.  
Thomas Sandford Secretary.   
LONDON, Printed by Henry Hills, for him and William Mountfourt, 1659.   

A Declaration of the Officers of the Army, inviting the Members of the Long Parliament, who continued sitting till the 20th of April 1653 to return to the exercise and discharge of their trust.  
THE public concernments of this Commonwealth being, through a vicissitude of dangers, deliverances and backslidings of many, brought into that state and posture wherein they now stand, And ourselves also contributing thereunto, by wand'ring 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 present opportunity for settling and securing the Peace and Freedom of this Commonwealth; praying for the presence and blessing of God upon their endeavours.  
6 May, 1659. Signed by direction of the Lord Fleetwood and the Council of Officers of the Army. Tho. Sandford Secret.  
Which Declaration was this day presented to the Speaker by 

The Lord Lambert.  
Lord Berry.  
Lord Cooper.  
Sir Arthur Hesilrig.  
Major General Lilburne.  
Colonel Ashfield.  
Colonel Salmon.  
Sir Jerome Sankey.  
Major General Kelsey.  
Colonel Okey.  
Captain Blackwell.  
Major General Haynes.  
Lieutenant Colonel Allen.  
Major Packer.  
Lieutenant Colonel Pierson.     
FINIS.