THE ESSEX Watchmen's Watchword To the Inhabitants of the said County respectively, dwelling under their several CHARGES, By way of Apologetical Account, OF The true Grounds of their first Engagement with them in The Cause of God, King and Parliament, for their Vindication from unjust Aspersions. Also by way of faithful Premonition of the dangerous evil latent in a printed Paper, entitled, The Agreement of the People, Intended to be Tendered to them for Subscription.  Ezek. 3.17. 
Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.  Ezek. 33.6. 
But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the Trumpet, and the people be not warned: if the sword come and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand.  2 Tim. 4.5. 
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an Evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.  
London, Printed for RALPH SMITH, at the sign of the Bible near the Royal Exchange. 1649.   

To the Religious and Well-affected, The Nobility, Knights, Gentry, Yeomanry and others, dwelling within our several and respective Congregations, The Spirit of Wisdom and Discerning, with love to Truth and Peace.  
THe success of the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ, depending much upon that esteem which the persons by whom it is dispensed have in the hearts of those to whom they are sent: It hath ever been one Masterpiece of the Devil's Policy, to cast out against them the sharpest Arrows of Slanders and Reproaches, that so he might through their sides wound the Gospel itself, and render it, if not contemptible and odious, yet fruitless, and without success. This design was never more furiously driven on by Satan, and his Instruments, then at this time, and in this Nation; wherein the Ministers of the Gospel are generally charged, by rigid Malignants on the one hand, as the men that have been the Authors of all the kingdoms Troubles, Fomentors of these unnatural Divisions and Bloody Wars; yea, as men who have had a strong influence into the contriving and effecting of the Death of our late Sovereign: and by severe Sectaries and Seducers on the other hand, as men who for their own mere Interest of Power and Gain, would embroil the kingdom in a new War, oppose and disturb the present Settling of Peace and Government in this almost ruined Nation.  
Therefore we whose Names are hereunto Subscribed, Ministers of the Gospel of Christ in the County of Essex, do hold ourselves necessitated, according to the Example of the Apostles, and others the faithful Servants of Jesus Christ in their generations, to clear ourselves from these unjust Accusations, by declaring to you of our respective Charges, whom we have been Instruments to engage with, and for the Parliament, what were the grounds of our first appearing for, and adhering to them, and what are our apprehensions of the present State of things, and of the intended and endeavoured Settlement, by some misled with Ignorance and false Zeal.  
We call the God of Heaven and Earth to Witness upon our souls, That it was not hatred to any Party or Person, much less to the person of our KING, that first drew us into this action: But clearly this, Some years before the assembling of this Parliament, we evidently saw the Affairs of Church and State in imminent and apparent hazard, Many and great Alterations made in Doctrine, Innovations in Worship, The Power of Godliness disgraced, True Religion undermined, The faithful and conscientious Professors of it persecuted, even to Bonds, Flight and Imprisonments, Popery Connived at, Countenanced, Courted: Besides many grievous Oppressions of the Subjects in their Liberties and Properties. These things we saw, and sighed for, but had no thoughts of inciting any to make resistance (though against the abused Name and Power of a misguided King, whom we much pitied in his Miscarriages) until it pleased God to bless us with a Parliament, the ordinary means which he hath appointed in this Nation, for the red ressing of such growing evils.  
The Parliament meets a first and second time, Declare their apprehensions of the danger of Church and State, the same which before had been upon our hearts, Apply themselves to all humble and submiss ways, by Petitions, Remonstrances, etc. 
See the Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdom, Dec. 15. 1641.  Speak nothing but honourably of the King, Lay the blame of all Miscarriages upon evil Counsellors, Require them to Trial: But God, for our sins and his, shuts up his Majesty's heart against these Addresses. In stead of yielding up those whom the Parliament demands, he demands some of their Members, seconds his demands with a face of Violence: And here began that most unhappy Breach, The Parliament upon this desire a Guard, their Guard is the Kings apprehended or pretended Terror, He leaves his Parliament upon it, and under shadow of a Guard for his Person, raiseth an Army, sets up his Standard, etc. The Story is too long and sad for us to relate: But hence arose that Fire which since hath burnt almost to the very Foundations, and who knows when it will be quenched?  
The Parliament seeing which way the Counsels of the King steered, apprehend a Necessity of raising Arms for the Defence of themselves and the kingdom; for the effecting whereof, they send out Propositions, 
Certain Propositions of both Houses of Parliament▪ concerning the raising of horse horsemen and arms for the Defence of the King, & both Houses of Parliament, pag. 8.  in particular manner call upon Ministers to encourage and incite their people to be forward and ready for their own and the Public good; Declaring (in those Propositions) their intendments in raising Arms to be no other, then To maintain the Protestant Religion, The King's Authority and his Person, in his Royal Dignity, The free Course of Justice, The Laws of the Land, The Peace of the Kingdom, and The Privilege of Parliament, against any force which shall oppose them, and this by the direction of BOTH Houses of Parliament: Yea, when the War was first commenced between the King and them, their Army carried a Petition in the one hand, as well as a Sword in the other; in which the Lords and Commons do, in the presence of Almighty God, profess, that If His Majesty will forthwith return unto his Parliament, etc. they will receive him with all Honour, 
The humble Petition of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, sent by his Excellency Rob: E. of Essex, to be by him presented to His Majesty, printed September 27. 1642. See also a Declaration of the Lords and Commons, in Answer to a Preclamation by the King, for suppressing the Rebels under the Earl of Essex, wherein the Lords and Commons, to witness their unshaken Loyalty and Affection to his Majesty, do solemnly Declare, That if his Majesty shall immediately disband all his Forces, and return, etc. they will really endeavour to make both his Majesty and his Posterity as much beloved at home, and feared abroad, as any Prince that ever swayed this Sceptre, which is their firm and constant Resolution. Declar. printed Aug. 16. 1642.  yield him all due Subjection and Obedience, and faithfully endeavour to secure his Person and Estate from all danger, and do the utmost of their Power to procure and establish to himself and his People, all the Blessings of a glorious and happy Reign: We did then verily believe, and yet do, That these were the Sincere and Cordial Intentions of the Lords and Commons then assembled in Parliament: And although the King was so unhappy as to reject that Petition, yet they persisted still in the same Loyalty of Intentions and Affections toward him, as appears in their many Messages to himself, and Declarations to the kingdom, and especially by their Solemn League and Covenant: The War having all along gone under the Name and Title of A War for the Defence of Religion, King and Parliament.  
Upon these grounds we engaged in this Ccause, being called to it by a lawful Authority, The Two Houses of Parliament being the Ordinance of God unto this Nation, for the preventing of Tyranny, and the regulating of the Exorbitancies of Regal Power; and being convinced in our judgements, both of the Equity and Necessity of the Parliaments Defensive Arms, and persuaded of the Loyalty of their Intentions towards his Majesty's Person, Posterity and Crown; and being fully assured of our own, having this witness in Heaven, and in our own hearts, That that Calamity which hath now befallen the King, and threatens his Posterity, was exceeding far from our desires or designs: And this our Tears and Prayers poured forth for him in the days of our Humiliation, will, we doubt not, testify for us.  
We Appeal to God, The Searcher of all Hearts, to whom we must give account of all our ways, That these were the grounds of our first Engagement, these our Intentions in it. But O how amazed are we, to behold the sad issue the War is now driven unto! To see a War begun for The Defence of Religion, likely to end in The Ruin of Religion; a War begun for The Defence of the King, even ending in The Death of the King; a War begun for The Defence of the Parliament, ending in The Violation of the present, and Mutulation of future Parliaments, both in point of Election and Constitution. This is a Lamentation, and shall be for a Lamentation, Ezek. 19.14.  
And that we may not seem to speak these things more out of Affection, than Judgement, We do for our fears about Religion and the Parliament (as for the matter of the King, our Fears are turned into Sorrows, but for the other) refer unto that Model or Draught, published in print under the Title of The Agreement of the People; 
See Petition, etc. concerning Agreement of the People. Title Page.  which had it been only offered to the Consideration of Parliament, we would not have taken the boldness to pass our judgements upon it suddenly, but have expected theirs with due patience: But being Tendered to the Consideration of the People, and that as we suppose, in order to a further Tender hereafter to be made unto you for Subscription, if the Authors may have their desires; and we in our Souls and Consciences looking upon sundry passages therein, as a Draught of Poison tendered to you in a gilded Cup, We cannot but hold ourselves obliged in Conscience of that duty we own to God, and that tender Love and Care which 〈◊〉 to you the People of our re-spective Flocks, to Testify and Declare,  
That as we ourselves cannot, so it doth not appear unto us, how any else should without sin Sign this Agreement, so manifestly, directly, necessarily tending to the Alteration of the Ancient and well founded Government of the Kingdom, and which our hearts tremble to think of, the Subversion of the true Reformed Protestant Religion, which are two of the richest Blessings that the God of Heaven did ever bestow upon any People, and which have made us, even us, the Glory of Nations, and the Envy of our Enemies; But the deprivation or depravation of these, what will it render us!  
The whole first Part, branched out into eight Articles, tends too far to a rearing up of our ancient Parliamentary Government: for the Power of Parliament here in England is without question Supreme, Absolute, Unlimited, extending to things of Religion, as well as to Civil things. But this Agreement takes away more than the half of their Power wholly denying them Power in matters of Religion, and lays several Restraints upon their Power in Civil things. We will not now say how safely or wisely in matter of State-policy, this may be either done or endeavoured: But our desire is, That all to whom this Agreement shall be tendered, would seriously, and in the fear of God consider, Whether a People that are under so many Oaths, Vows, Protestations, Covenants, for the upholding of the Established Form of Government, as we in England are, can agree to the Subversion of it, without incurring such guilt and wrath, as may with the very thoughts thereof overwhelm us with horror and astonishment.  
And for Religion, against which we conceive the main intendment of this Agreement lies, and that all these Contrivances of Alteration in our Civil Government, are but in tendency unto a greater and more destructive Alteration in Religion.  
For although this Agreement saith (in the first Branch of the Ninth Article, It is intended, That Christian Religion be held forth as the public Profession in this Nation, & ● 〈◊〉 it doth not say by whom it is intended, nor doth it tell us what is that Christian Religion, which is thus intended to be held forth; Whereas they know little, that do not know, That all the Errors and Sects that are or have been in the Church of Christ, since the Apostles days, do all lay claim to the Title of Christian Religion, and may all by this Agreement plead, at least, stand as Probationers for, the Privilege of public Profession, except Popery and Prelacy; which how far they are excepted, shall in due place be considered.  
We confess indeed, That which is added of desire to have Religion Reform to the greatest purity in Doctrine, Worship and Discipline, according to the Word of God; and also care for Instructing of People in a public way, and for the Confutation of Heresy and Error, etc. is necessary and good, and the Lord increase that care in us, and those desires in all: But we conceive the particulars which are annexed and added in this Agreement, are so inconsistent with this desire and care, as it is in vain to pretend either the one or the other, if those may obtain.  
For first, even in this Branch, which is the only Passage in the whole Paper that bears the least shadow of any Care for Religion; all the rest are plainly for Liberty: Yet even in this, there is one little Parenthesis, that like the fly in the Box of ointment, may make it an abhorring in the nostrils of every one who is knowingly judicious and ploughs. And that is, where the instructing of People in a public way so it be not compulsive is allowed, etc. which words SO IT BE NOT COMPULSIVE, do certainly undermine not only the power of the Civil Magistrate, but even of Family-Governours, in the things of God or of his worship. For upon this Agreement, no Governor of any Family may use any Compulsion to his Child or Servant, to cause him to attend upon the Public Means of Instruction; but must leave him free: Which, what an advantage it would be to unbridled Youth; what an inlet to looseness and profaneness in men's families; how contradictory it is to the iv Commandment, that makes the Governor of the family accountable for the Sabbaths of all that are under his roof; and how much worse then that once so much lamented and detested Declaration of the King's for the Toleration of Sports upon the LORDS Day, let Conscience speak.  
And secondly, It is in the next Branch expressly cautioned, That to the Public Profession so held forth, none may be compelled by Penalties or otherwise, but only may be endeavoured to be won by sound Doctrine; and the example of a good Conversation.  
Were England now in the state of Paganism, there might be some question of the lawfulness of Compelling men to the profession of the Christian faith: And yet even then, it were without all question, lawful for the Christian Magistrate to compel them to attend upon the Ministry of the Word, the ordinary means of working faith, if voluntarily they will not do it; for other wise, what possibility of their being won by sound Doctrine? But the People of England at least the Generality of them having given the hand to jesus Christ already, and taken upon them already the Profession of faith in Him: To desire, or engage now, that none may be compelled to the Profession of the Christian Faith; is indeed to desire that men may have liberty to apostatise, and cast off the profession of it, do despite to the Spirit of grace, Trample under foot the Blood of the Covenant, Crucify the Son of God afresh, put him to an open shame; turn Turks, or Jews, or Arrians, or Atheists, even after they have been baptised and have professed the Christian Religion. Which, how pleasing it would be to God, what a Blessing it would be unto the Nation, and how much it is to be desired and endeavoured by such as fear the Lord, and wish the prosperity of England, We leave to themselves to judge.  
The following Branch speaks little less, then that such a Liberty as this is aimed at; and in some respect it faith more; for it requires, That such as profess Faith in God by Jesus Christ, however differing in Judgement from the Doctrine, Worship and Discipline publicly held forth, as aforesaid, shall not be restrained from, but protected in the Profession of their Faith, and exercise of their Religion according to their Conscience in any place, (except such as shall be set apart for public Worship, where we provide not for them, unless they have leave) So as they abuse not this Liberty to the Civil injury of others, or to actual disturbance of the public Peace on their parts. Nevertheless it is not intended to be hereby provided, that this Liberty shall necessarily extend to Popery or Prelacy.  
We verily think there is so much Zeal for God and for his truth, yet living in the Breasts of his People here in England, as if it were but fully understood what the Persons are, for whom Liberty is here endeavoured, and what this Liberty is that is here attempted for them; they would be so fare from subscribing their hands to this Agreement, as at the very hearing of it, they would rend their clothes and cast dust upon their heads, yea rather give their right hand to the fire, as holy Crammer did after his subscription, than ever subscribe at all; for who are the Persons for whom the Liberty is provided? Such as profess Faith in God by jesus Christ. And who almost is there that will not profess faith in God by jesus Christ not only Anabaptists, Antinomians, Arminians, but Arrians, Sociniaus, Photinians, those that hold the most▪ blasphemous errors about the Godhead of Christ, and of the holy spirit, yea the Papists themselves who all will profess faith in God by jesus Christ, will come in for their share in this liberty, especially considering that it is added, however differing in judgement from the Doctrine, Discipline or Worship established, etc. That let the difference be of never so great a latitude, let them differ as much as light and darkness, yet professing faith in God by jesus Christ, they shall not be restrained from the Profession of their faith, and exercise of Religion, 
It is to be observed that in the close of this Agreement, where they show what particulars in it they resolve to maintain to the utmost, and what they only commend as useful & good for the Public; the second and third Branch about Toleration are cast in among the first, sort and the first about the Profession of the Christian faith is ranked n amongst the second.  though their faith be blasphemous, and the exercise of their Religion gross idolatry, yet they shall not be restrained from it: ray, that's too little, they shall be protected in it; which is more than this Paper speaks of: the Christian faith to be held forth in public, that is intended to only be recommended and instruction thereunto allowed to be provided for. But these shall be protected in the exercise of theirs, in any place except places appointed for public worship; where say they we provide not for them unless they have leave. But whether this be the leave of the supreme Magistrate or the leave of the inferior Magistrate, or the leave of the Minister, or of the People assembled in such place of public worship, or any part of them; who can tell? To be sure here is a door wide enough for the mass with all its equipage to come in at, though not altogether so publicly; so as this Liberty be not abused to the Civilli jury of others, and the ACTUAL disturbance of the public peace ON THEIR parts. That let them vent never so much blasphemy against God, Treason against the State, let them sow the seeds of never so much sedition, and lay the foundations of never so much disturbance, yet they forfeit not their Liberty, except there be an actual distu bance, nor then neither except it be on their parts, and they strike the first blow. Is then the civil injury of others a greater since, then the injury of the eternal Majesty of God, than blasphemy against jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, than infamy to the Gospel, than scandal to the Churches? But to clear themselves, they tell us it is not intended to be hereby provided, that this Liberty shall necessarily extend to Popery and Prelacy. The Penners or Promoters of this Agreement, would feign beget an opinion of themselves, that they are great enemies to Popery and Prelacy. But wherein? they had provided before that Popery or Prelacy, he not held forth as the public Way or Profession in this Nation; This denies not but that both may be tolerated in the Nation; and this third branch makes provision that they may; for both Prelacy and Popery make Profession of faith in God by jesus Christ, 
Compare the first part of the Agreement with the last.  and however they say here that it is not intended that this Liberty should NECESSARILY extend to Popery and Prelacy, that does not deny but that Arbitrarily it may; and though they tell us it is not intended that it should, yet those very words show it was never intended that it should not.  
But if this were not, yet for whom is that intended in the fourth Branch? That all Laws, Ordinances, Statutes, and Clauses in any Law, Statute or Ordinance to the contrary, of the Liberty herein provided for, in the two particulars next preceding concerning Religion, be and are hereby repealed and made void; where not to insist upon the power of repealing Laws and Statutes, of which the Parliament seems here divested, these Subscribers investing themselves with it, we offer it to serious consideration how more than probable it is, that the Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy being taken away, which was the usual Shibboleth, whereby discovery was made of Romish Priests and jesuites, (and taken away they are by this Agreement, that takes away the Crown itself) and all other Laws and Statutes for convicting and punishing of popish Recusants being repealed, we desire again it may be considered, how more than probable it is that all the English Seminaries in the world, will empty their forces of Priests and Jesuits into this miserable Kingdom: for they whose zeal did so transport them heretofore, as they would be among us, though with the hazard of their lives; what can stay them, now the way is thus cleared and smoothed for them? And being among us, they will be as forward as any in Signing this Agreement, as likely most of the Papists in England will and so are ipso facto made equally capable of Civil and Military Offices with the best of Protestants, yea more capable than any that do not subscribe this Agreement. And how easy is it for those active spirited men, in a little time, to work all places of Trust and Power into their own hands, and the hands of their party; and in the space of one fourteen years, pack a Representative fully to their minds? and what a Settlement they may make of things, Let him that doth not know, look back to Q. Marus days, and read in the Blood or our Ancestors.  
These things we have written, God is our Record, not out of any desire we have to hinder the Peace & Settlement of this poor Nation, for our own Interest of Power and Advantage; The Lord judge between us and them who lay these things to our charge: Much less have we written them with any intention of inciting you our People or others to make a forcible opposition without or against Lawful Authority; But only to clear ourselves, if not from prejudice, yet at least from guilt; and to discharge the duty of our place, by giving you this public and joint Warning of those snares we see prepared for you, to take you off from all those Oaths, Vows, Covenants, wherein you stand engaged to maintain the true Reformed Protestant Religion, and the Ancient Government of the Kingdom. We leave the whole to your Consideration; and do once for all appeal to your Consciences, and the Consciences of all to whom this premonition shall come: Is this provision which this Agreement would make in the things of God and of Religion; is this we say the fruit of an hundred years' enjoyment of the Gospel? Is this the Reformation of Religion according to the Word of God, and the pattern of the best Reformed Churches? Is this the Extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, Superstition, Heresy, Schism, Profaneness, which we have Covenanted and sworn with our hands lifted up to the most high God? Is this it which we have prayed for, waited for, engaged for, suffered, endured so many and great things for? That Popery, Prelacy, and all manner of Errors and Heresies, provided they profess faith in God by jesus Christ should be tolerated and protected among us by a Law? If in your Consciences you think it be, Go on, Subscribe this Agreement. Nevertheless we have delivered our own souls. But if this Agreement be contrary to your Covenant, (as without all perad venture it is) so contrary, as what our Saviour said of God and Mammon, may be said of these. You cannot love and cleave to the one, but you must hate and forsake the other; Then let us in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ beseech you, as you tender your present and eternal good, and the good of your dear posterities, yea, in His Name we require and charge you, as you would not be found guilty of all the Errors, Idolatry, Blasphemy, wickedness, Irreligion, that by this floodgate, if once opened, will break in upon this Nation, have nothing to do with this sinful ensnaring Agreement, avoid it, fly from it, as from the surest, if not only engine Satan hath now left him for the demolishing of the Beauty, yea Being of Religion; and the advancing of Popery, Error, Blasphemy, and whatever may make us an abhorring to God, a hissing to men, and an execration to all the Churches of jesus Christ.   

SOme of us whose names are here subscribed, have not such perfect memories, as to testify punctually all that is related concerning the beginnings and proceed of our late Wars: Some others of us were not then in the Ministry: And some, very few of us, we confess were not so apprehensive of the then present, and now ensuing evils, till God, and better information enlightened our minds. But all of us do freely and solemnly underwrite the substance of what is here published concerning the Honour of GOD, the Advice to our Congregations, and the Vindication of our Names traduced by unreasonable Malignants and Sectaries.  

Daniel Roger's Minister and Lecturer at Wethersfield.  
Sam Collins Minister of Brayntre.  
Nicolas Beard Pastor of Rochfort.  
Matth. Newcomen Minister of the Gospel in Dedham.  
George Smith Minister of the Gospel in Dedham.  
Israel Hewet Minister in Malden.  
Alexander Pigot Pastor of the Hithe-Parish in Colchester.  
John Edes Pastor of Lawford.  
Nathaniel Bugg Pastor of Horkslie mag,  
John Hubbert Minister of the Gospel at Boxtad.  
Robert Cole Minister of Great-Okely.  
Nath. Carr Minister of Ardley.  
James Moor Minister of Laynden.  
Edmund Brewer Minister of Castle-Heveningham.  
Robert Chadsley Minister of Yeldham parva.  
John Overed Minister of Toppesfield.  
Jo. Tharby Minister of Gestlingthorp.  
Zachariah Fitch Minister of Twinsted.  
Tho. Dearsley Minister of Wickham-Paul.  
Ralph Hills Minister of Ridgwell.  
Daniel Weld Minister at Wethersfield.  
Nathaniel Ranew Minister of the Word at Felsted.  
Sam. Aynsworth Minister of the Word at Stebbing.  
William Smethies Minister of rain parva.  
Edward Ford Minister of great Warley.  
Daniel Lathum Minister of Stifford.  
Richard Cardinal Minister of West-Horndon.  
Tho. Goodwin Minister of the Word.  
Thomas Rotheram Minister at Boreham.  
John Wilson Pastor at little-Baddow.  
John Bowyer Minister of Dagenham.  
Marmaduke James Minister ofVpminster.  
Walter Taylor Minister of Hutton.  
Samuel Bridge Pastor of Great-Bursted.  
Henry Esday Pastor of Gingrave,  
William How Minister of the Word at Dunton.  
Edward Clarke Minister of Bowers.  
Thomas Clerk Minister of Stysted.  
Abiel Rathband Minister of the Gospel at Writtle.  
John Parkhurst Minister of South-Showberie.  
Tho. Oresby Pastor of Hackwell.  
Tho. Peck Pastor of Prittlewell.  
John Gibson Pastor of Assindon.  
Abraham Caley Pastor of Rayleigh.  
John Man Pastor of Rawreth.  
John Argor Minister of Leigh.  
Josiah Church Minister in Seachurch.  
Christopher Scot Pastor of Wakering magna.  
James Norris Minister of Canwedon.  
Thomas Horrocks Minister of Stapleford-Tawny.  
George Bound Minister of the Gospel at Kelvedon.  
Philip Sanders Minister of Magdalon-Laver.  
Neh. Dodde Minister of Dodinhurst.  
Nath. Lacie Minister of Greensted.  
John Ferriby Minister of Thoydon-Garnon.  
John Lavender Minister of High-Ongar.  
Hen. haver's Minister of the Gospel at Fifield.  
Edward Whiston Pastor of Norton-Mandevile.  
William Guthrie Minister of Asheldham.  
Nathaniel Hewitson Minister of Woodham-Mortimer.  
Nebemiah Holmes Minister of South-Minster.  
Daniel Duckfield Minister of Childerdish.  
Nathaniel Ward Minister of the Gospel at Shenfield.  
FINIS.    

Febr. 15. 1648.  
Imprimatur.  
JA. CRANFORD.