THE Earl OF ESSEX HIS loyalty and love TO HIS KING and country. with his five Propositions propounded to his army, at his late Siege at SHREWSBURY. Wherein is apparently manifested his faith and love to God and his country.  
London Printed for G. K. oct. 20. 1642.   

The Earl of Essex, his loyalty and love to his King and country, with his propositions propounded to his Army, at his late siege at SHREWSBURY.  
HIS Excellence the Earl of Essex, still endeavouring for the good & welfare of his King, and a peace and fraternity to and amongst his Subjects, having had several parties, and more debates concerning our now conditional estate, yet finding no love from thence but mere opposition, and still thirsting more and more for the effusion of blood, of the Malignants of this now distressed Kingdom of England, and still craving from our sovereign Lord the King a fair reconciliation, (without more effusion) between himself and his Parliament, and having informarion that the Kings most excellent Matie. intends with all expedition to seize into his custody, as many and so many of the strongest holds and forts of this kingdom, as possibly he may, leaving therein a sufficient garrison of men and Arms to oppose the happy and hoped proceedings of this Parliament, our lives, liberties, estates and privileges are more and more endangered. His Excellence out of his especial love, and abundant care of the good of his King, parliament, & kingdom, caused sufficient aid of men and Arms, to be dispatched and conveyed to all such Cities, Ports, Forts, and strong holds as night prejudice the good effects of this Parliament, and therein sufficient Garrison, to oppose the Malignants of this aggrieved kingdom, to the comfort and good of all countries, especially the well affected party of this commonwealth.  
And therefore in especial wise did admonish and impart these ensuing particulars, for the better satisfaction of every particular conscience:  
1. That the sufferances we have undergone are reduced into two heads: The first concerning God, the next the commonwealth.  
2. And as it is the first cause concerning God, so it deserves to be the first fruits of our labour, being the first and immediate honour due to God, and of great weight and validity, and more inestimate than this vast universe. Therefore we ought to serve in God's cause to draw a blessing on our King and kingdom's cause.  
3. The commonwealth hath for a 
A Tyrannical Government, if perfected.  long time groaned under a most heavy burden; and the poor distressed Subject sadly laments, still hoping to be relieved, he being scarce able to distinguish between Law and Power: the one of great consequence, and a branch of tranquillity, Law and Government, yet abused; the other a Power which overruled that Law and Government cum privilegio.  
4. That God having weighed his cause, finding it stuffed and rammed with manifold works of Satan, and more and more endeavouring still to creep in, he in especial wise took upon him his own just and irreprovable cause, and raised us as instruments for so good a work. And that being performed, our King is not only blessed by a rich possession, in enjoying the blessed and plenteous flowing of the Gospel, but also an eternity hereafter.  
Therefore as you are Members of God, and Subjects to our sovereign Lord the King, first in God's name put to your helping hands for God's cause, your King and kingdom's cause, and for a confirmation of that hoped blissful comfort (the Gospel) which shall bring us and our posterity in the future to eternity, and for a blessed and comfortable reign to our dear sovereign, and his royal progeny, the good and comfort of our present condition, the liberty, privilege, and freedom of a Christian Subject, and for a happy and blessed union between King and people: and therein we are ever honoured, and ourselves worthy to be called God's children.  
Here in is manifested and made known the faith and love of so good a Subject, both in God's cause, his King and kingdom's cause, and it is hoped that no honest indifferent Subject, that aims at the well and peaceful reign of our sovereign, and the peace & welfare of this commonwealth, can any way repine or be offended, but rather add to their love and loyalty, from hence a better portion.  
God save the King and Parliament.  
FINIS.