SIR GEORGE BOOTHS LETTER Of the 2d of August, 1659. showing the Reasons of his present Engagement.  
TOGETHER WITH An Answer to the said Letter, invalidating the said Reasons.  
LONDON; Printed in the year 1659.   

SIR GEORGE BOOTH'S LETTER Of the 2d of August, 1659. showing the Reasons of his present Engagement.  
Sir George Booth. 
SIR, I think myself, and the Gentlemen, and others you know to be now engaged with me, have no hopes, by new troubles, to better our present condition.   

Sir, What your thoughts are in this kind, whence they came, and whether they are going, are known unto God and your own Conscience, and not unto me, and therefore, are the object of my wonderment, not of my censure. Sure I am, that such thoughts, and purposes, as travel through the blood of your own brethren in the Flesh, and in the Faith, can hardly produce any authentic warrant from the word of God for their vourcher therein; whose condition you seek to better by these new troubles of your own making, except the condition of the Idolatrous Papists, the superstitious Prelates, and the old profane, conquered Cavaliers, and their wicked crew, I cannot well imagine; but if you, and the Gentlemen and others with you, 
Josh. 6.26. 1 King. 16.34.  shall like Hiel the Bethelite, endeavour to build up jericho, which the curse of God hath turned into rubbish: the foundation and gates thereof shall be laid, and raised in the destruction of your family's. No; you will find it no easy work, to bless, whom God hath cursed, to plant, what he hath plucked up, and to build what he hath thrown down.   
Sir George Booth. 
With thankfulness we may say it, God hath made our lot larger then our desires in that kind, and we suppose by that blessing put an obligation upon us, as we are considerable members of our country, to have more sober and courageous thoughts in time of extremity then other men have.   

The plentiful and large lot of your inheritance in the good things of this life larger then your very desires in that kind do call for a better and more acceptable thanck offering unto God, then the peace of your country, and the blood of your Country-men, and what ever your former practise hath been, to bless your neighbourhood with your earthly blessings; yet, you cannot but know, that your present proceeding in raising a war in the midst of the Nation, and in making your country the seat thereof, have a natural tendency to take away by the Ephah, what you have given by the Omer, and to pull down with your loins, what you have built up with your little finger. God never blessed you, to bless his enemies, and blast his people, that your abundance should be to their misery, and your plenty to their undoing. Which is the natural tendency of your present practise, and the very quarrel of the old enemy, whose part you take in the present action. How many( yet) happy, and plentiful familyes, men, women and children, and such as never saw the sun, are like to have cause to curse the day wherein you were born, and the night wherein you were conceived, the womb that bare you, and the paps that gave you suck; your name, your family, and the very mention thereof as loathsome and burdensome to them. And if you prosper in your present work, which( you cannot but believe) is against the strong cries, and deprecations of many thousands of such as are dear and precious in the sight of God: and whom he hath owned, and delivered from time to time, in the day of their fear] the most pious of all your party will most bewail it in the latter end. The Obligation which God hath put upon you, and the Gentlemen and others now engaged with you, in blessing and making you considerable members of your country, should have induced you to more sober thoughts of yourself in time of extremity, then to take upon you to raise up a war, to head parties, to summon the people to obey your commands, with the hazard of their lives, and fortunes, without the least pretence of any visible authority for your so doing. Is the greatness of your estate, and interest, above others, the warrant of your actions? then mere power is a good plea for practise, and potency for tyranny, is the impulse of your spirit, the ground of your engagement? is not this fanatic Quakeisme? and pure Munsterisme? have personal discontents, and revenge, upon presumed wrongs by denying your access to sit in Parliament, put you in arms? shall the root of your revenge be watered with the blood of your Country? is not this irreligion in extremity? if you have any other Commission; why is it concealed as matter of shane, let's understand it, that we may judge of it, the greatness of your estate above others, calls for your courage to secure your country in time of war; and not to raise up a war in time of peace.   
Sir George Booth. 
And though the indifferency that lies upon other mens spirits might flat ours; yet we cannot think, but if it were represented to them, how the present power doth oblige us to put out our right eyes when they require us to aclowledge them as a Parliament, and lay upon us such heavy and grievous burdens, and such deceitful ones as a yeares Tax in three moneths, besides the many other impositions of Excise, &c. and by raising among us a Militia, they cut off our right hand by subjecti●g us under the meanest and fanatic spirits of the Nation, under pretence of protection, their spirits would be warmed into the same zeal that ours are kindled with.   

It is other mens piety, peaceableness, and love to their Country's, and not their indifferency which way things go; that dispose them to peace; which might have been more expected from you( all things considered) then from many of them: what hath been represented unto you, more then unto others? what can you represent to others more, then others to you? why should you conceive that others have not their eyes in their heads, to discern times, and seasons, and their duty's therein, as well as you? whether the present powers be a Parliament or no Parliament, free or not free, full or not full, they are the higher powers, and so ordained of God, whether by his approbation, or mere permission, is unto them and not unto us. How they came by it concerns them, how they act in it concerns us. When? wherein? and how have they obliged us to put out our right eyes, by requiring us to own their action, and to justify the means of getting into their power? if they be satisfied; what is it to us? they must stand or fall to their own Master: they are the onely visible supreme Authority, by what name, or title soever distinguished, dignified, or vilified, under whom we may led a peaceable and quiet life in all godliness and honesty. And this is sufficiently obliging upon us( without the least touch of offence to the right eyes of our understanding) to pray for them, and submit unto them in all lawful commands, yea to defend, and secure them, and not to levy Forces, and war against them. The heavy and grievous burdens, and taxes, impositions of Excise, &c. are no more heavy, grievous, and imposing, then have been made by their Predecessors, and when your self made one of them in times of necessity. And whether this course which you now take by raising another civill war, when the Nation was in peace, be hopefully promising to render our burdens less heavy and grievous, let reason judge. Is not this a deceitful insinuation of complaint to declaim against a deceitful burden of a yeares tax in three moneths; not onely without mention of the known necessities and public debts of the Nation, but also to multiply their necessities and greaten their wants by new troubles, charges, and expenses, which you bring upon them? what is this but to quench fire with oil, and to put it out with gun-powder? And why blame you the present Authority for cutting off the right hand of power, that is so apt and dexterous in snatching up and using the sword to cut their throats? had they trusted the Militia in your hands, together with the Gentlemen and others engaged with you, well might you have called them fanatic and mean spirited men. Sir, if the glory of God, the love of your Country, the prosperity of the Saints, the progress and success of the Gospel be precious in your eyes, you will well examine the original of the zeal and indignation with which your spirit is warmed, and carried out in your present engagements, surely Sir, there is evidence of reason to suspect that this fire cometh not from heaven, but is subtly insinuated by the great enemy of Gods people, and his jesuitical agents, who have a long time endeavoured to sow the seeds of divisions amongst them, engaging each against his brother, to the ruin of them all, and the ushering in of Popery, Idolatry, superstition and profaneness in the end.   
Sir George Booth. 
Now consider what it is we ask, and consider whether it be not the same thing we have asserted with our lives and fortunes, A free Parliament.   

You ask that which is worthy to be considered and considered before it be granted in the sense by you explained, A free Parliament say you; a King say others, a kingly Parliament say all; for you tell us your meaning towards the close of your Letter; A Parliament freely chosen by the Nation, and freely sitting without force of soldiery, or an admission of the old members of both Houses. Now consider what it is you ask, whether such a free Parliament in the one sense, or the other, would not make a short work with those now in Power, the Army, and all persons that without defection have and shall persevere in the same things they have asserted with their lives and fortunes; would you have the choice of such a Parliament with restrictions, or without? if with restrictions; then is it not a free Parliament; if without restrictions; is that reasonable? who knows not that( by the subtle artifice of the Pulpit, the press, by the jesuitical influences of Papists, the discontents of the malignant party and suppressed adversary, and the great number of profane people) they will choose persons of their own characters, and principles, whose endeavours in Parliament will be the destroying of those things formerly asserted with our lives and fortunes in the great expense of so much treasure and blood. I beseech you Sir, deal ingeniously, do not you think in your conscience, that such a free Parliament, as you demand( the present state and temper of the Nation considered) will not be so chosen, and being chosen so act? And if so; why do not you ask the restauration of King, Bishops, High Commission Court, starchamber, Court of Wards? why do not you ask the restauration of High Altars, second service, Coapes, Crucifixes, Crosses, with all the rest of those superstitious trumperies? Why do not you ask the estates, liberties, and lives of the present Parliament, Army, and the total ruin and destruction of all those with their families that have any ways engaged in the late warres against the King? Why do not you ask the restauration of your idle, and profane superstitious, ignorant and scandalous suppressed Ministers, the restitution of unjust Judges, profane Magistrates, and oppressing Monopolizers? Why do not you ask the calling together of the most profane, cursing, swearing, drinking, blaspheming royal Reformadoes, and their cursed crew of Papists, Atheists, and bloody men, and form them into armies for the defence of laws, Religion, and liberties of this Nation, and the protection of the Saints and people of God therein? Why do not you ask the calling home of the banished Rebells of Ireland, and traytors of England and Scotland, that have fled from Justice, and that these may be encouraged, countenanced, and advanced? Why do you not ask the ears, the noses, the imprisoning, pillorying, whipping, banishing of all those that shall not conform their judgements, consciences, and practices unto the wills and pleasures of wicked men in the things appertaining to Gods worship & service? in a word, Why do not you ask the pulling down whatsoever hath been built up, and the building up, whatsoever hath been pulled down by all the Parliaments successses in the late warres? Now consider what it is you ask, and whether you can have any probable, yea possible security, that these( with many others of the like nature) shall not be the unavoidable successses and consequences of such a free Parliament, so chosen, so sitting, and whether the admission of the old members of both Houses of this present Parliament be not of the same consideration, and argument? For by the old members of both Houses, you must mean either some, or all of them; if some, then is it not a free Parliament, and so not the thing you ask; if all of them must be admitted; I demand again, is that reasonable? shall they that have deserted their trust, that did withdraw from the Parliament, joined with the King, in setting up his Standard, and wageing war with his people, sate with him at Oxford, assisted him in killing his Subjects, wasting their countries, burning their houses, and in bringing upon them all the sad and miserable effects of a long, chargeable, and destructive war; shall these be again admitted into the same honour, privileges, powers, capacities, and betrustments with those that have asserted their countries rights and liberties, and that with all constancy, during the whole time of the late long dangerous, and doubtful war. Good Sir, consider, was such a free Parliament the same thing asserted with our lives and fortunes? with your favour Sir, though that was sometimes a cause of difference,( as when the King demanded the delivering up of some members of Parliament, &c.) yet was it not the ground of the quarrel between him and his people, and the thing asserted with our lives and fortunes, the civill and religious just rights, and liberties of the people, and their common safety, defence, and protection in the enjoyment thereof were the things asserted with our lives and fortunes, in all the contests with the late King, and the same things still insisted upon by those, whose judgements, and consciences are not turned aside from their first just honourable, and English principles, and which will be always asserted by them with their lives and fortunes, to the last drop of blood in their veins, and denier in their purses. Sir, you are much mistaken; if you judge us mere creatures to hose in power, ready at other commands( like poor fauneing tenants at the beck of their Land-lords, at whose will and pleasure they enjoy what they have) to endanger our lives, and fortunes, to  shed other mens blood, or hazard our own. No Sir, public safety, and undoubted just liber●ies were, are, and ever shall be by all just ways and means asserted by us with our lives and fortunes, against all opposers.   
Sir George Booth. 
And what a stavory it is to our understanding, that these men that now call themselves a Parliament, should declare it an act of illegality and violence in the late aspiring general cronwell, to dissolve their body in( 53) and not to make it the like in the garbling the whole body of the Parliament from 400 to 40 in 1648. what is this but to act what they condemn in others.   

And what a slavery is it to our memories to tell us of garbling the whole body of the Parliament from 400 to 40 in 1648? I presume you might well have substracted above 100, from the 400, and added above 100, to the 40 by you mentioned, and have spoken the words of truth and soberness, which if you call to mind the Lords and Commons that went away with the King and sate at Oxford, and also the just number of those left after that garbling; you will not deny. I could hearty wish that he, whom you call aspiring cronwell, had not left behind him more aspiring spirits, tempers, and dispositions then his was: well, what ever he was, he was a true lover and Protector of all good men, though of different judgements, and in that respect, not unworthy the imitation of Sir George Booth himself. And what a slavery had it been both to the judgement and persons of the Army, the well affencted party of the Parliament, and to the whole Nation, had they not made that garbling of the Parliament at that time you speak off? Have you not red what David did when he was an hungry? viz. that, in that necessity, which otherwise was not lawful? would you have the Army to have suffered themselves, their friends in Parliament, the honest and well affencted party of the Nation, the just-religious, and civill interest, and liberties of the people, to be utterly ruined and destroyed by the Ay's and no's of an apostatising, evil, and disaffected spirited party in the house, after the expense of so much treasure, and blood? and at that time, when their enemies were quiter vanquished, and destroyed? should they have suffered all to be lost by a vote, which they had fought for so many yeares, and maintained by a war? and to be lead even by those whom they had conquered to the galleys or Gallowse? You seem even in this Letter to justify the Souldiers declaration of himself, no mercenary, but an English freeman. And therefore not to suffer himself to be lead into chains, and to be trust up with halters by a conquered enemy. And may not these men that now call themselves a Parliament, declare it an act of illegality and violence to dissolve their body without cause under no necessity, but through misprissions and mistakes suggested; and which have been since acknowledged by them that did it, and not make it the like in that garbling you mention under the foresaid circumstances, and necessities? And might not they then take upon them to be Judge of that necessity; as well as Sir George Booth now take upon him to be Judge of a necessity, even to raise a war, and put his Country into blood, and hazard the lives and families of many thousands of his honest and innocent Countrymen? Will you blame others for doing that, under importune necessities, to keep down a conquered enemy, and thereby to preserve their countries peace, after a tedrous, destructive, and chargeable war; and yet justify yourself in raising up a like dangerous, destructive, and chargeable war under no necessity, when the whole Nation was in peace? What is this but to act what( yea worse then what) you condemn in others?   
Sir George Booth. 
Why do they associate themselves to the present Army, or indeed to the present Commanders in chief, and keep out their numerous and fellow-members; if committing violence upon a Parliament be so notorious a crime?   

Because their numerous, and fellow-members deserted that good old cause when time was( viz. the bringing Delinquents to condign punishment, the asserting, and maintaining the civill and religious liberties of the people) in the prosecution whereof, the formerly united together,) as fellow-members in the same societies, and service, as also because, they are still apt, and ready, upon all occasions, opportunities, and advantages, to destroy that cause, to restore Delinquents, to power, and dignities, and to take away those liberties which have been so asserted and maintained: the safety and preservation whereof being the great and sovereign end, even of the Parliament itself.   
Sir George Booth. 
And how do they teach the Souldiers boldly to do that, which themselves practise, and make them instruments of? what is this but under another shape to act the condemned acts of Usurpation and Tyranny in their old general? what is this but to necessitate men to complain? And upon complaint to be invaded by their power, so to raise( if the English spirits be not dissolved into baseness and aptitude for slavery) a civill war; and to endeavour to water their own roote with the blood of many thousands of their Countrymen, or to gape after those confiscations, which by a victory upon presumption of the unity of their Army they hope to gain over all those that dare with danger assert their liberties,( which presumption yet may fail them; for the soldier hath and may declare himself no Mercenary, but an English freeman; which indeed though it be now contrary to his actions, may return to his thoughts again.   

And do not all these angry queries, and doubled interrogations, the same things over and over again, argue the violent ebullitions and fomentations of a present distemper, & the precipitate stearage of keen and raised passions and discontents, and that your spirits are warmed into that zeal and indignation, even unto the eating up of your wonted moderation, and deportment? Are not your , how's, and what's, retortable unto yourself? and your party? WHY did the Presbyterians drive away the Speaker, and the well affencted party of the Parliament, forcing them to fly to the Army for refuge and protection, and their party remaining in the House choose another Speaker( Mr Pellam) If committing violence upon a Parliament be so notorious a crime? HOW comes it to pass, that we never hear either yourself or any other of your party reprove them for it? By WHAT authority do you take up arms, raise parties, levy a war, kill and slay those that oppose you, and would impose terms and conditions upon those in present power and authority? WHAT is this but under another shape to act the eondemned acts of Usurpation and Tyranny of other men? Why do you invade men by force of arms, when the people were in peace; and join with the old Cavalier ( if the English spirits be not dissolved into baseness and aptitude for slavery) to raise a civill war, and to reduce us unto the old bondage and tyranny of those very familyes, and persons that( through fire and sword) have attempted our slavery's? WHAT is this, but to endeavour to water your own root, yea and the root of Tyranny, Popery, Prelacy, &c. with the blood of your Countrymen? and to gape after those confiscations, greatness, and preferments, which by a victory( upon presumption of the unity of the Cavalier, Popish, episcopal, presbyterial, malignant, profane party( all rising up as one man in the several County's and parts of the Nation) you hope to gain over all those that dare with danger still continue to assert their liberties? which presumption yet may fail you? for the soldier and the old well affencted party,( that have adhered unto the just, civill, and religious liberties of their Countrymen) have and will declare themselves, no Mercenary but English freemen, and which indeed( however you may judge, or hope the contrary) are still in their thoughts, purposes, and resolutions, unto the very last breath in their bodies. And WHAT a slavery is this to our understanding that you should pretend so much tenderness of your countries good, to so much care against another civill war, and yet be the first and principal promoter and asserter thereof? To speak of peace even then, when you prepare for war: to thrust the sword up to the hilts in the bowels of your Country with a pax vobis in your mouth? to treat of liberty, and yet assist the Scotch King, and his party by force of arms to reduce us to slavery's.   
Sir George Booth. 
And what will be the issue of all this? A mean and schismatical party must depress the Nobility, and understanding Commons, the land must wast itself, and foreigners or others must take the advantage of all?   

And what will be the issue of all this? a Tyrannicall, Popish, prelatical, profane and wicked party must depress the most pious and ingenious of the Nobility, religious Gentry, and understanding Commons? the land must groan and wast itself under its intolerable burdens, upon their persons, estates, and consciences, the flud-gates of Tyranny, Popery, Idolatry, and all manner of wickedness and blasphemy must be opened, the truly religious, and conscientious people of the land( of whatsoever form or judgement in matters of worship) must hid their heads in holes, and corners, fly to the remotest parts of the world, or take Sanctuary at the Gallowse. Such is like to be the issue of your present engagement( if you prevail, which God forbid) what ever you may flatter yourself to the contrary) as will make the hearts of all the godly party of the Nation to faint, their faces to gather blackness, their hands to hang down, their knees to wax feeble, and their spirits to sink within them. Surely Sir, you cannot but doubt[ at least] that this may be the issue of your present undertakings; and if so; how you can latisfie your conscience therein, is beyond my imagination. What private persuasions you may have that it shall not be thus, I know not, let not my soul enter into those secrets, yea let me rather die with the people of God by the sword of persecution for the keeping of faith and a good conscience, then live with those that shall be the unhappy instruments to bring it to pass. Your present actions have indeed a proper and most swift tendency to cause the land to wast itself by a bloody war, and to make way that foreigners and others may take the advantage of all at last.   
Sir George Booth. 
I dare say, I profess for myself, and the greatest part with me, have no aspect, but this singly, that we be not possessed as wast ground is, only by the title of occupancie, or that the next that gets into the saddle, ride us.   

I dare say, for myself, and the greatest part that differ from you, have no aspect but singly this, that we be not enslaved in our civill, and religious liberries, and privileges, that we be neither charmed, nor oudgel'd by the frauds, or force of any, out of hose public bleffings, and benefits, which have been the price of so much treasure and blood. We would not be possessed as vassals by their captors, or asses by their owners, nor suffer such to get into the saddle, as( we know) will ride us with whip and spur, like post horses, having( now) not so much title to us as some have unto wast ground, even that of occupencie. Sir, we are not either for Kings, Protectors, or Parliaments, for this government, or for that, but as it respects the end of all Governours, and governments, public safety, and just liberty. We are not fond of men, neither have we their persons in admiration for advantage, we wish, that all persons in authority, were such( every way) as God requires, and if any be otherways, that is our affliction, not our sin. But shall we engage the Nation in blood, because every thing doth not answer our desires? Would you have a good Parliament, good Magistrates, good Ministers, a good settlement of all things in Church and State? so would we, would you have errors, heresies, and blasphemies duly suppressed, the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ run, and be glorified amongst us? so would we. Are you troubled and afflicted in your minds, that all things are not as God would have them to be amongst us? so are we. We differ not in our desires, but in the means to attain them. We cannot imagine that a free Parliament as you speak of, is the way hereunto; that this new, and unhappy war, which you have now begun, can be our countries peace, that killing one another can be their safety. That Papists would settle the Protestant Religion, and that the profane party of the Nation( that are not with you in your present undertakings) would promote piety, that charles Stewart will be so great a friend, favourer, and Protector of those that assisted in the late wars against his father, either of them that brought him to the block, or that cut off his head. You may as soon persuade us out of our wits, reason, and understandings, as to believe these things.   
Sir George Booth. 
Let the Nation freely choose their Representatives, and they as freely sit, without awe, or force of Souldiary, and what ever, in such an Assembly, is determined; shall be by us freely and cheerfully submitted unto.   

Such a free Parliament, so freely chosen, so freely sitting, will doubtless be free enough of our English freedoms. You propound to choose a free Parliament without restrictions( for you name none) Mr Baxter( with a greater care of Religion and righteousness) propounds another way and manner of choice; some other perhaps propounds a third, what authority have you to force and cram your proposals at the swords point down the throats of those in authority, more then others to force others? I confess such arguments are forcible; but I presume through Gods assistance, you will not find them invincible. Well might the plausible and taking term of A free Parliament affect the mindes of the giddy multitude, that like Gudgeons, swarm in shoals with much greediness, and hast, to snatch at the bait, and discern not the hook that destroy's them at last: or like children, that will be cozened out of any thing, of true worth, and value, upon the bare promise, of a fine, new pair of nothings to hang about their necks. I have heard of a poor simplo Indian, that sold his wife and children for a fiddle, and having shipped them, being aboard the vessel, and received the fiddle, his chapman carried him also away into bondage with the rest, however the merry noise of the fiddle paid for all, and gave him great content: at last his fiddle was taken from him, the poor fellow then would have cast himself overboard, and had time enough after with his miserable self, wife, and children, to repent of his bargain. Of the truth of which story, my Author assured me he was an eye-witnesse being in the same vessel at that time. Sir, I hope you will not find all English men such Indians, that will sell themselves & posterity into bondage and slavery for the pleasant sound-sake of the siddle of a free Parliament. But will you indeed freely and chcerfully submit unto what ever in such an assembly, shall be determined? What? though it be the establishment of Popery? the extirpation of true Religion? the introduction of tyranny? the propagation of Idolatry? error, heresy, and blasphemy? the burning, butchering, and destroying of men and women truly fearing God, for keeping faith and a good conscience? Will you say, I suppose things not to be supposed, have not such things been the tragical effects of such free Parliaments, formerly so freely chosen, and so freely sitting? and have we not reason to suppose, that the Popish party, with all their interest, foreign, and in our own Nation, do contribute their concurrence, and assistance unto you in your present action, with hopes, to live to see such a Parliament, so acting? Although, you might have comfort in your active, or passive submission, unto what ever be determined in such an assembly, vested with the supreme Authority of the Nation; yet will you have little comfort in setting up such persons in authority, that shall so act. I would submit, actively or passively to the turk, or Pope, were I under either of their Jurisdictions; but I would not help either of them to that authority, and power over me.   
Sir George Booth. 
If this satisfy you, I am glad of it; for you are my noble friend. I use it not as an artifice either to engage you, or make other Counties follow our example, which if they do not, let their posterity judge of their action and ours; for we are born for our Country, and our Country, our Religion, and our lives are in danger; and we will not be unconcerned.   

How this hath satisfied your dissatisfied friends, you may perceive by their non-complyance with you herein. Who do not a little admire, that a person of your wisdom, and character, should ever be so ensnared by the subtle artifice of doubtless your enemies, as well as theirs, to take part with them in their bloody attempts upon the religion, liberties, and peace of the Nation. Surely this argues that the best of men are but men at best, and that the wisest are sometimes weak. Although I shall not conclude concerning yourself, from your many confederates of Papists, Atheists, and the profane people of the land, noscitur ex comite, yet may I so conclude concerning your cause, being theirs throughout, and am not a little troubled, that yourself, and such as you are, and( as I hear) several of your Ministers with you, that have done worthily in Ephrata, and been famous in Bethlem, should so readily comply with the desires of Balacke, and his Courtiers, to curse Jacob, and defy Israel; and so frequently, and freely contribute their estates, families, lives, and fortunes, for a sacrifice to that purpose. This is the fourth or fifth time, of Essay's, and attempts of this kind, wherein, the zealous, and most religious of your party,( Balaam-wise) have endeavoured in a way of sacrifice, and zeal for the worship, honour, and service of God, to curse Israel, have built Altars, and multiplied offerings at Kiriath-Huzoth, at Mount Pisgah, at Mount Peor, at London, Kent, Essex, Wales, Scotland, Worcester, and now at Chester, striving, if possible, in one place or other to curse them from thence. But God is not as man that he should lie, nor as the son of man that he should repent; he hath given commandement to bless, and he hath blessed and will not reverse it. I shall not say, you have made use of your Letter as an artifiece to make other Counties to follow your example, though the printing and publishing thereof,( throwing them up and down the streets, and into mens houses and shops, as fishers do their baits when they are about to angle,( though perhaps not by your order) could have no other design. The truth is, there is too little of art, and less of argument therein to make it effective that way; viz. to follow your example, which if they should, their posterity with abhorrence, and amazement, would bewail and censure the same, viz. that when God and their Country by a long and bloody wa●re, at last had made them the freest people under the heavens, and had possessed them with the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ, in the greatest liberty, and power thereof that ever was in any part of the world since the coming of it into the world, even their ancestors, their unhappy ancestors, of their own accord, in time of peace, and settlement, did rise up and levy a war, striking hands together with Papists, and all sorts of wicked men, and by means thereof subjected both their miserable selves and posterity under the insupportable yoke of slavery and Popery. But you will( I hope) find that the ston wherewith you have begun to burden yourself, will be too heavy for you, for hitherto all that have burdened themselves with it have been broken in pieces by it, for there is a considerable party in England full of that truth you speak of, viz: We are born for our Country, and our Country, our religion, and our laws are in dangtr of Tyranny Popery and slavery, and we will not be unconcerned.   
Sir George Booth. 
But we are faithful and peaceful in the land, and if they in authority will decline hostility, and agree of a means to admit the old members of both Houses, or to call a new free Parliament, let him be, and he onely is truly a Traitor that resolves not his judgement, and obedience into their determinations. I am  
Sir Your humble servant, 
 George Booth. Chester August 2d. 
 1659.   

UNto whom you are faithful and peaceful in the land, is now well known, faithful and peaceful unto the old Royalist, and their crew of Papists Atheists; &c. on whose behalf you have now engaged, having( it seems) quitted your old faithfulness unto the contrary party, and disturbed, yea destroyed the public pe●ce of the land, what authority you have to impose terms upon those whom you confess and subscribe to be in authority, and who gave you that authority I would gladly know; the persons you resist you aclowledge to be in authority, and cannot deny, but that under them, you may led a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty, and if so, those Ministers and others that have provoked you unto this hostility, have manifested but little divinity, and soundness in the faith. It was little expected, that the Ambaptists of Munster should thus appear in the Presbyters of Cheshire, taking up arms against their superiors in authority, and at the same time with their swords in their hands writ themselves the falthfull and peaceful in the land, but your terms are considerable, If they in authority will decline hostility( and suffer you to continue yours) and agree of a means to admit the old members of both Houses,( to undo all, that they in authority have done, build up what they have thrown down, throw down what they have built up, and at last cut off the heads of them, that shall so admit them) or call a new free Parliament( for the ends aforesaid) let him be( and he only is truly) a Traitor thet resolves not his judgement and obedience unto their determination, yea rather let him be( for he is truly) a Traitor that shall attempt by force of arms, to bring this to pass, and that resolves his judgement and endeavours according to such determinations.  
Sir, You have had( and I believe very desetvedly) the reputation of a Gentleman of honour, prudence and piety, and therefore can savour things, as well religious, as reasonable, for my part, I know you not so much as by face, but by famed, and had not supposed myself at all concerned in your Letter, had I not very lately met with it in Print, endeavouring to proselyte all that red it( but they are but flies that are catched by cobwebs) the report I hear of you, doth much encourage me to be free with you. Sir, Be pleased to consider your present standing, before you make any further progress. And whether you have not levied, and raised a war, for those ends( for I presume them good) which may be more hopefully attained by a victory against you, then on your side. I beseech you Sir, what are your aims? Is it public PEACE? the Nation had it; why did you disturb it by a public war? Is it public SAFETY? Is that to be had in fields of blood? Is it public PLENTY? Peace brings plenty, but wars wants, Is it public LIBERTY? Is there any tyranny to that of war? Is it to ease the people of public burdens? what burdens to those of war? Is it public SETTLEMENT of religion and laws? war is the confusion and ruin of both, if these be not your aims; what are your Ailments? ARE YOU DISSATISFIED WITH THOSE IN AUTHORITY HOW THEY CAME TO IT? Will you purchase this satisfaction with the price of blood? by what command from Gods word is it incumbent upon you, to seek satisfaction in that particular upon those terms? ARE YOU TROUBLED AT OUR STATE UNSETTLEMENT? why do you interrupt the settlement thereof? though our Governours have been unsettled and our governments unsettled, yet have we not had settled laws and executions thereof, under them all? and is not unsettlement of Governments, and Governours, where the Laws notwithstanding are duly executed, better then a coercive settlement, under tyranny, where the wills and lusts of men must go for laws? ARE YOU TROUBLED AT OUR CHURCH UNSETTLEMENT? so am I, as well, as you, and could hearty wish, we were all settled in the unity of faith, truth, and love; but is war the way to this settlement, is not unsettlement about the truth better then settlement in error, Popery, Idolatry, and suspersticious formality? may not a pious mind be of an unsettled judgement, about some particulars in faith and worship? Is war the way to set le mens judgements in the things of God? what? by beating their brains together like addle eggs? what would you have those in authority to do about this settlement, which they have not done? Have they not settled Presbyttery( your own religion and form of Government) by a Law, as the onely National Church governmentst Hath not that form only the civill sanction of Parliamentary authority, and public maintenance for the encouragement thereof? Is there any thing wanting but compulsive power to enforce all men unto that form? and is that such a grievance? Is other mens peace their perfecution, other mens liberty, their bonds? Are there not pious persons of the Episcopal, Congregational, Anabaptistical, as well as of the Presbyterial way? ARE YOU afraid THAT THOSE IN AUTHORITY WILL PUT DOWN THE MINISTERS( for that's the clamour among some) have not those in authority 〈◇〉 other to fear, that the Ministers will destroy them? What have the Parliament done against them? have they not established their government by a Law? put out many of the episcopal party from their livings, and placed them in their rooms? have they not confirmed their tithes, notwithstanding the Petitions of many well affencted to the Parliament, to the contrary? have they not settled many thousands( if I am not much mistaken, above one hundred thousand pounds per annum) augmentation, where their livings have been small? have they done for other Ministers, or people, of any other way, or form of Government, as for them? and have the Ministers, or people of any other form( since their establishment) engaged against those in authority, as these have done? have not many of them( I speak not of all, no, some are of more holy, meek, merciful, moderate, quiet, and of good tempers, spirits, and deportments, whom I love, and honour in my heart, and the Lord increase their number) but( I say) have not many of the Presbyterian way, yea and some, that have received greatest favours from the Parliament, fomented, levied, and raised actual wars against them? and have been the principal contrivers, complotters, and promoters thereof? Have they not joined with Cavaliers, Papists, Atheists, any whosoever would lend them their hand unto that work, and hath not this been their practise not once or twice but 4 or 5 times, as oft as any possible opportunity, or advantage occurs them hereunto? Have not these things a tendency in them to beget such a thought as this in the hearts of those that are in authority; that either these Ministers will down with us, or we must down with them, for they are not obligeible, but do always return evil for good, I verily believe, nothing doth more weaken the authority, and shake the very standing of those men in the thoughts of several thousands in the Land, then these ways of theirs, for who can abide a bloody Ministry, that stirs up the people( instead of being Gods to one another, in mercifulness, kindness, and goodness) to become even Devils, and Furies to one another, cutting the throats, and knocking out the brains one of another, but blessed be God it is not thus with them all, for tho several intelligences do impute our present commotions unto many of their Ministers in their several Counties; yet is there a considerable party of the Presbyterian way that are not guilty of these things.  
Lastly, ARE YOU OFFENDED AT THE GREAT GROWTH, OF ERRORS, HERESIES AND BLASPHEMIES IN THE LAND? so am I as well as you. But is that war, which is assisted by Papists, Atheists, and open blasphemers, that against their principles of their own professed faith, do blaspheme, and curse God, any way hopeful unto the destroying of these errors, heresies, and blasphemies? It is true, errors were never( in our dayes at least) more progressive then now. It is as true, that the truths of the Gospel were never more freely preached then now; neither were there ever in former dayes here in our own Nation, or in all the world so many good Ministers, with such freedom of truth as at this time in these countries; nor ever such advantages put into the hands of those duly and in Gods way to suppress errors, heresies, and blrsphemies,( I say) if they whose work it is so to do, would make it their work to do it. Sir, upon an impartial perusal of all, that you affirm, for the justification of your present engagement, in raising a war; I cannot perceive the least iota of Gods holy word, or good reason, for your vourcher therein. To begin a war in times of peace( especially the blood of thousands of the Saints of God of both parties being in danger thereby) requires a call from the mouth of heaven, as audible, as the very thunder. And blessed be God, that we are nor the beginners of this war, but on the defensive side. Sir, we are for your liberties, though you against ours; we pray for you, though you war against us: your liberties, for your sakes, are as dear unto us, as our own, for our own sakes, That the cause of God, and his truth, whether it be on your side, or on ours, may take place and prosper, and that you, and we, and all the people of God with you and us,( if it will stand with the good pleasure of God) may be preserved from violence, and blood, and blood-guiltiness, is my most solicitous, and habittuall desire, and for which I shall  
CRI IN HOPE. 
 Sir, I am your humble servant, 
 unknown to you, and therefore unnam'd. 
 ● S. 20th August. 1659.  
FINIS.