The Fifth Monarchy, OR KINGDOM OF CHRIST, In opposition to the BEAST'S, Asserted, By the Solemn League and Covenant, several learned Divines, the late General and Army, (viz.) in their Declaration at Muslebrough, August 1650. wherein the Old Cause is Stated, Appeals made, the Scotish blood spilt, and the Banners yet in Westminster-Hall witnessing the great decision then given on Christ's side. Also, by a Letter from the Officers of the Army in England, to their Brethren in Ireland, the 11 of May, 1653. justifying on Christ's account, the Dissolution of the Parliament; and consonant thereunto, the General's Speech to those that succeeded in the Government, the fourth of July following. With a short Application, and some brief Proposals grounded on Scripture, in order to a lasting Settlement in this hour of distraction, the Foundations being out of course.  Luk. 17.32. 
Remember Lot's Wife.  Zach. 12.23. 
Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all people; and in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.  
LONDON: Printed for Livewel Chapman. 1659.   

PREFACE.  
IT being manifest, that very many formerly engaged in the work of God, with their lives in their hands, in much appearing zeal and self-denial, have (as their own expression is) warped aside, soon forgetting his works, with their vows and promises in the day of distress, and falling in love with this world's glory, the profitable pleasant things thereof, have some of them in the last past years set themselves in opposition to such as plead for the prosecution of the Lords work, and full following of him therein, sometime loading them with reproaches of discontented, giddy, fanatic, Munster-spirited people; It may not be unseasonable, when the least ground of hope is given that they are not wholly fallen under the Lord's displeasure, so as no more to be owned in his work, in sincere and unfeigned love to present to their view (if the Lord please to improve and bless it for their further recovery) what was held forth formerly by the Parliament and Army, and some who in those days were esteemed Seers; consented unto also in solemn Engagements by the dispersed throughout the Land, lovers of God, his Ways and People, in asserting The Cause then contended for unto blood, and which still remains as an Obligation unto others to be pressing after.   

England's Engagement by all sorts in the Solemn League and Covenant.  
WE Noblemen, Barons, Knights, Gentlemen, Citizens, Burgesses, Ministers of the Gospel, and Commons of all sorts, of the Kingdom of England, Scotland and Ireland;  
Having before our eyes the Glory of God, and the Advancement of the Kingdom of JESUS CHRIST,  
Each of us for himself, with our hands lifted up-to the most high God, do swear that we shall sincerely, really, and constantly, through the grace of God, in our several places and callings, endeavour,  
The Reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland, in Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government, according to the Word of God, and the Example of the best Reformed Churches: and that we shall in like manner, without respect of persons, endeavour the extirpation of Popery, Prelacy, (that is, Church-Government by Archbishops, Bishops, their Chancellors and Commissaries, Deans, Deans and Chapters, Archdeacon's, and all other Ecclesiastical Officers depending on that Hierarchy, Superstition, Heresy, Schism and Profaneness, and whatsoever shall be found contrary to sound Doctrine and the Power of Godliness: lest we partake in other men's sins, and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues; and that the Lord may be one, and his Name one, in the three Kingdoms, etc.  
And this Covenant we make in the presence of Almighty God, the Searcher of all hearts, with a true intention to perform the same, as we shall answer at the great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed: most humbly beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by his holy Spirit for this end, and to bless our designs and proceed with such success, as may be deliverance and safety to his people, and encouragement to other Christian Churches groaning under or in danger of the yoke of Antichristian Tyranny, to join in the same or like Association or Covenant, to the glory of God, the enlargement of the KINGDOM OF JESUS CHRIST, and the peace and tranquillity of Christian Kingdoms and Commonwealths.  
And consonant hereunto, the Army in their Declaration of Muslebrough, tell the Scots, We did many of us rejoice at the Covenant, because we found in it strains towards these ends, viz. 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 us according to his Word, and the just civil Liberties of English men; although some being more enlightened, did apprehend it to be so mixed with worldly interest, that they justly seared the INTEREST OF JESUS CHEST would be but only pretended to, and the interest of this world, and of Antichrist himself, carried on in a vizard, as we have since had abundance experience of. And let us in the presence of the Lord further assure you, that we have already examined our Conscience 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 would be content (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, we or you.  
In Mr. Burrough's Sermon before the House at the public Thanksgiving, Sept 7. 1641. for the peace concluded betwixt England and Scotland, he hath this passage:  

Page 44.  God in this latter age is about to raise himself a glorious Name in the world, to set up his King upon his holy Hill, to make Jerusalem the praise of the whole earth.  
This that hath been already done, (viz. by the Scots and Parliaments Conjunction against King and Bishops) is a preparation for, a forerunner of, and a furtherance to, this great and glorious work of God: and blessed are those men whom God shall please to make instrumental herein.  
The greatest-blow that ever was given to the Antichristian Government, is that which now it hath had. Babylon is fallen, is fallen; so fallen, as it shall never rise again in power. We hear a noise not only from many waters, but from the thunder, saying, Hallelujah, the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth, Rev. 19.6. The voice from the many waters, was from the people; but that was despised, contemned: but the voice from the thunder, is from those in places of dignity and power; and this voice is terrible to the Adversary.  
Mr. Thomas Goodwin in his Sermons many years since at Antholins, upon Ephe. 1.21,22. called, The world to come.  

Page 28, 29.  This Kingdom of Christ shall break in pieces and consume all other Kingdoms; this will eat out all the Monarchies and glory of the world.  
And not only destroy Heathenism and Judaisme, but will not cease till he hath thrown down every rag, all that dross and defilement that Antichrist and Popery brought into the world: which dispensation we are now under; we are working up still to a purer world, it is still this new world working up to its perfection, and Jesus Christ will never rest till he hath not only thrown out all the dross of this world both of Doctrine and Worship, which conformity to the world ha●h brought in; but for a further degree of this work, Jesus Christ will not rest till he hath brought in the generality of men in the world to be subject to himself. The world (according to Scripture) consists of Jews and Gentiles; and how bitterly doth the Apostle complain in his time of Gods outting off the Jews, the generality of the Nation being cast off? and for the Gentiles, saith he, Who hath believed our report? There was a very few of them in comparison, that did come in to Christ; but there will come a time when this new world shall have a further perfection, when the generality of mankind, Jew and Gentile, shall come in to Christ. The world was made for him, and he shall have it before he has done. Rom. 11.26. All Israel shall be saved: there he tells us of a new world of the Jews; and for the Gentiles he tells you, They shall be cast in. The vail shall be taken from off all Nations, Esay 25.1. There shall be one shepherd and one sheepfold, of Jews and Gentiles; and that as large as all the world, John 10.16. This was never yet fulfilled. Read the Prophets, and you shall read strange things of glorious times that shall be here on earth of all Nations coming into the Church, the mountain of the Lords house being set on the top of the mountains, and all Nations flowing unto it; and of the great Prosperity that shall be: which was never yet fulfilled.  
Further, Mr. Thomas Goodwin in his Sermon before the House, Feb. 25. 1645. called, The great Interest of States and Kingdoms.  

Page 8, 9  Having been giving some instances how God had reproved Kings for the sakes of his people, mentions that eminent instance of Abraham's subduing the four Kings, Gen. 14. the Type of the four Monarches, and the Saints subduing of them.  

Page 10.  Thus, saith he, he began the world at first, and this very Victory is made a leading case, a standing encouragement to the sons of Abraham, the Saints, for ever after, Esa. 41.2. Who raised up the righteous man from the East, (namely, this Abraham) and called him to his foot, gave the Nations before him, and made him rule over Kings? (he means those very Kings in the 14 of Genesis:) he gave them as dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow: he pursued them, and passed safely. Did God do this for one or two of the Saints, and will he not go on? What saith the fourth verse? Who hath wrought and done it, calling the Generations from the beginning? I the Lord am the first, and with the last I am he. I began to do thus with Abraham, and I will go on to do so even to the last for the sons of Abraham: and that this is his meaning, read 8, 10, 14, verses.  

Page 32.  As he caught the Jewish Princes and Priests in their craftiness against Christ; so will he for ever do those that offer violence to his Saints, especially when out of state and worldly ends and interests.  

Page 39  And he shall overcome; for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings; and they that are with him are called, Chosen and faithful: you know the little Stone, Christ and his Saints, shall dash all to pieces.  

Page 45.  Christ being peculiarly the King of Saints his interest is to maintain, defend and take part with them against all those that do malign them, as he did the Nation of the Jews. It is his title, and his most royal title, and the greatest title, that he is King of Saints: he preferreth it to his title of being King of Nations; that vanisheth, and is not mentioned in comparison of it. This therefore answerably must be his greatest interest, which of all other he now pursueth. And therefore, if all those Nations in which his Saints are, do not bow to, and comply with it, he will show himself that he is King of Saints and of Nations by ruining of them. As the greatest interest of the Devil's Kingdom is to persecute those that keep the Commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus; so is it the greatest interest of the kingdom of Jesus Christ to preserve his Saints, and to confound those that injure them: for he is King of Saints.  
And further, in the old Testament, when this his Kingdom was further off, and longer to come, yet you see how strongly he drove on this design then; but in the New Testament he is ascended, and personally as man invested into it. We see Jesus crowned with glory and honour, Heb. 12. whose faith was as real in this, as our sight can be; and he sits there expecting, as thinking the time long till all his enemies are subdued, Heb. 10.13. which the same Apostle elsewhere interpreteth, and therein speaks home to the point in hand, the putting down all Rule and Dominion that are opposite to his Saints, 1 Cor. 15.24,25. And accordingly in all those Psalms where ever his ascension and investiture into his Kingdom at God's right hand is prophesied of, there the ruin or conversion of Kings and Kingdoms are also spoken and prophesied of: read Psalm 2. Psalm 68 Psalm 110. And let me add this to all, That as the shorter time Satan hath, the more is his rage; so the shorter time Christ hath, and the nearer he is to the possession of his Kingdom, the more is his zeal for his Saints, and indignation against his Enemies. His heart is set upon it, and the more eager doth his desire become every day to attain his long-expected Kingdom, and to throw down all that oppose it; and therefore we see that in this latter age he hath made such changes in the world; we have seen him do that in a few years, that he hath not done in a hundred years before: for he being King of Nations, he pursues his interest; and being more near his Kingdom, he takes it with violence: we are now within the whirl of it, therefore his motions are rapt. Hence therefore all States and Kingdoms had need now (of all times else) to be instructed, and accordingly comply with this interest of Christ: it is more especially now then ever, their greatest interest: it is well for us that Jesus Christ is our King, who is the King of kings, and King of Saints; and withal, that he is so near the enjoyment of his Kingdom.  

Page 44.  Jesus Christ wins ground of us every day, and works us up age after age to a further Reformation, to more light and holiness; and so he will do, till he hath perfectly overcome every Popish Principle out of them.  

Page 57  I am confident of it, that Christ, that King of Saints, that is in heaven, he will not rest till such time as he hath made us one; if not injudgment, yet in forbearance; and that if we will not take warning, and will not agree it, that either Antichrist or Jesus Christ himself will come in upon us, and we shall be made to do it one way or other.  

Page 58.  I will make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it. And you that are the Governors of Judah, shall be as a hearth of fire amongst the wood, and a torch of fire in a sheaf, all that oppose you, and rise up against you, shall be but as so many straws. Take a sack of Straw great for Bulk, and lay it upon a few coals of fire upon a hearth; and what will become of them all? though they cover the fire a while, yet they will soon be consumed and burnt up.  

Page 42, 43.  The Saints have vouchsafed them by God a privilege in ruling and governing this world, and the Providences of God therein: they are Privy-Counsellours to the great King of kings, who governs all the States & Kingdoms of this world: And God doth give the Saints a Commission to set up and pull down by their prayers and intercessions. The old Testament speaks in a high language, Esa. 45.11 Concerning the work of my hands command you me. Who speaks this? the words before are, Thus saith the holy One of Israel, etc. it would have been blasphemy for us to have said it. Then he goes on, bringing in the Lord speaking thus; Behold, I that am thus your Maker, give you leave to dispose by your prayers the great works of my hands which concern my children, my sons; the affairs of Kingdoms, even so far as they relate to their good: and saith, upon this occasion he raised up Cyrus, and pulled down the Babylonian Monarchy, because they by their prayers had sought this.  
Further, Dr. Owen in his Sermon, Heb. 12.27.  

Page 14.  All the present States of the world are cemented together by Antichristian lime; and unless they be so shaken as to have every cranny, searched and brushed, there will be no quiet habitations for Lord Christ and his people.  

Page 25,  The Heavens and the Earth of the Nations in their present constitution, are directly form to the interest of Antichrist, which by notable advantages at their first moulding, and continued insinuation, ever since, hath so riveted itself into the very Fundamentals of them, that no digging or myning without an Earthquake will cast up the Foundation stones thereof.  

Page 35.  Is it not evident to him that hath but half an eye, that the whole present constitution of the Governments of the Nations, is so cemented with Antichristian Mortar from the very top to the bottom, that without a thorough shaking, they cannot be cleansed? And a little after: This only is certain, it (the said shaking) shall not stop nor receive its period, before the interest of Antichristianity be wholly separated from the power of these Nations.  
And further saith, that no Atonement shall be made for the blood of the Saints slain under the notion of Heretics, nor expiation be allowed, whilst a toe of the Image; or bone of the Beast, is left unbroken. And again, that which doth and shall stick upon Potentates to their ruin, is not so much their own, or any other interest, as the very dregs of this Papal Antichristian interest thrust into their Oaths and Obligations, for no other end in the world but to keep the Lord Jesus out of his Throne.  
In the Book that gives an account of New England's settlement, and some Laws for Government, published for the use of that Colony, printed London— 56.  
Though they humbly acknowledge, that the supreme power of making Laws, and of repealing of them, belongs to God only; and that by him this power is given to Jesus Christ as Mediator, Mat. 28.19. John 5.22. and that the Laws for holiness and righteousness are already made & given us in the Scriptures, which in matters moral, or of moral equity, may not be altered by humane power or authority; Moses only showed Israel the Laws and Statutes of God; and the Sanhedrim (the highest Court amongst the Jews) must attend those Laws: Yet Civil Courts and Rulers are the Ministers of God, for the good of the people, and have power to declare, publish and establish the Laws he hath made.  
In Fox's Martyrol. 1 Volume p. 139. is recorded an Epistle of Eleutherius, Bishop of Rome, sent to K. Lucius, the first Christian K in England. 169.  
You require of us the Roman Laws, and the Emperors to be sent over to you, that you may practise the same, and put them in ure within your Realm.  
The Roman Laws and Emperors we may reprove, but the Law of God we may not: ye have received of late through God's mercy in the Realm of Britain, the Law and faith of Christ; you have with you within the Realm, both the parts of the Scriptures: out of them, by God's grace, with the Counsel of your Realm, take ye a Law; and by that Law, through God's sufferance, rule your kingdom, according to the saying of the Psalmist, O God, give thy judgements to the King and thy justice to the King's son▪ he said not The judgement and 〈…〉   

The Letter of the General Council of the Army to their Brethren in their several Quarters and Garrisons, upon their march into Scotland, 1650.  
Dear Christian Friends,  
AS it hath pleased our heavenly Father to call both you and us in these latter days to wait upon him in his great and terrible works, so the glory of his appearances hath been exceeding great in those Services. And we trust the record of his Love is kept with delight in your heart, as we desire it may be upon our own for ever. And surely, the true use of those precious Experiments wherewith he hath enriched us in this work, is to strengthen our Faith, and quicken our hearts to a more cheerful attendance on Christ in what further Service he shall appoint us. To what End cends that wonderful return of the Pr●…ers of his people in those continued and swift Successes God hath afforded our Brethren in IRELAND, but to quicken us to a lively improvement of our interest in Christ, by taking those pledges of his Love as means to raise our hearts to expect much more? And what can be expected less from us after all such full meals of Mercies, but to be strengthened to Conflect with greater difficulties, and to follow the LAMB more fully than ever? We nave had a breathing time, while our Brethren have been bringing forth the deliverance of IRELAND through sore pangs: And now the Symptoms of travelling pain begin to take hold upon us; and as that glorion birth hath been thus far brought forth in IRELAND through the Prayers of the Saints, so we are encouraged to believe (while we find the spirit of Prayer crying earnestly for the accomplishment of CHRIST'S designs thorough all these dark dispensations) that the Close will be the bringing forth of Zions' deliverance: And to that end (dear Friends) we are hold in the Name of our Lord whom ye love, to provoke you to fervent Prayer (at this time) for the clear manifestation of the presence of Christ with us, in whatever service he shall call us unto. We are now again alarmed by him to come forth into the field; but both our Work and the Issue is only and wholly known to himself. Pray for us, that we may not ●ant that Pillar of five before us, and the Cloud behind us; and that we may be found faithful Servants waiting only upon our Lords good pleasure, and ler both you and us be instant in Prayer, for the uniting of the hearts of all that fear the Lord in this and our Neighbour Nation of SCOTLAND, that there may not be found any of the generation of the Just, joining Issue with those that support the Beast, and oppose the advancement of the KINGDOM of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the King of Saints: But that some special and signal discovery of the good Will of God to his people may now appear, in separating the precious from the vile, both in their counsels and actions: And it is most earnestly desired, that ●ervent Supplication and Prayer be made for all such of us as shall be called to the management of Public Affairs, that the Lord would make his way plain before us; That so in all our undertake we may be subservient to the affairs of Jesus Christ, and walk in love (as becometh Saints) towards all dissatisfied Brethren both in ENGLAND and SCOTLAND, that our endeared affection to them, as to the lot of God's inheritance, may appear in all our demeanours towards them, and in theirs towards us; That so the enemies of CHRIST may be disappointed, and these Clouds of Division scattered, to the abundant Glory and Praise of God, and comfort of all his people. Who knows but yet (after the late too great Unchristian Differences between the Children of the same Father) this may be the day wherein shall be begun the fulfilling of those glorious promises (which God hath made to his people) in the last days, And I will give them one heart and one way, Jer. 32.39. and, That Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judah shall not vex Ephraim, Isa. 11.12,13,14 And that we may be active and constant in the work of the Lord, we farther provoke you to be earnest with him on the behalf of all the Saints, and particularly for us, that our hearts may be taken off from the poor low things of this world: That we may not seek ourselves, nor great things for ourselves, but the glory and honour of JESUS CHRIST, who hath so graciously owned us, and manifested his glorious presence with us, through all the many temptations and trials that we have been exercised under, and the sore trouble our eyes have seen; All which he hath done, that he might humble us, and that he might prove us, to do us good in the latter end.  
And for all these ends, the Lord hath stirred up our hearts to set apart the Fifth day of the next week, being the Thirtieth of this present Month, (May 30. 1650) as a solemn time to seek his Face, in and about this work. Wherein (hoping you will join with us) we desire that both you and we may be humbled before the Lord, for all our former and latter evils that we have committed, notwithstanding the multitude of his tender mercies towards us. It may be, since we have been at ease, we have contracted rust; the Lord make us every one sensible of the plague of his own heart, and grant that this may be a cleansing day; that he would both reprove, and enable us to turn at his reproof; that so what employment soever the Lord calleth us unto, we may go to it leaving our sins behind us: And let us with all fervency of spirit pray that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ would so pour out his Spirit upon us, that thereby our hearts being purged from all filthiness of flesh and spirit, our holy conversation may declare us to be the people of the Lord, yea, the Army of the LAMB, who is King of kings, and Lord of lords, whose followers are called, Chosen and saithful.  
And since the Lord hath taught us, that to hang down the head as a Bulrush for a day, is not such a fast as he hath chosen; we do further therefore lay it upon our own hearts and yours, that if any (either Officer or Soldier) be guilty of any prosaneness, to the scandal of the Gospel; discovery thereof may be made, and such course therein ●…ken, as may be agreeable to the Gospel, and Discipline of the Army.  
Further, that we use our utmost endeavours in our several places to reform those gross Enormities of Drunkenness, Swearing, open Profanation of the Lords day, and contempt of the Ordinances of Jesus Christ, which are too much to be sound in the Army; that so as much as in us lieth, we may purge out every accursed thing from amongst us.  
Dear Brethren, let us labour (through the power of the Spirit of Christ) to sanctify ourselves and the Camp, for the LORD that is in the midst of us, is a holy God; & let us not too much presume upon our former mercies, but well consider what the Lord hath said to his own people that were as nearly related to him as we can be, Josh. 24.19 The Lord he is a holy and a jealous God, he will not forgive your transgressions and your sins: if you forsake the Lord, and serve strange Gods, than he will turn and consume you, and do you hurt, after that he hath done you good: and again, Josh 7.12 13. Read the words: as also Isaiah 63.8,9,10. (Read the words:) Oh let these Scriptures and others to the same purpose, deeply ●ffect us; that so, whilst we are used as a Rod of iron in Christ's hand to dash his enemies in pieces, we ourselves may serve him with fear, and rejoice with trembling. All that now seem to be on Christ's side, will not hold out unto the end. Be we faithful unto death, and Christ will give us a Crown of life.  
Dear Friends, we shall earnestly long to hear from you, to the end we may know how the Lord is pleased to affect your hearts with these things, and what impressions of his Spirit he shall (through his Word) set upon you after you have sought his face with us about the same, that so we may further know (through you) his will concerning us. And we shall not fail in this and all other opportunities to seek the Lord for you, that you may be preserved from every evil to his glorious Kingdom, that you may be kept blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke. And we beseech you in the spirit of love and meekness, to stir up all that fear God, amongst whom you converse, (yea, though of different judgements, as to the form of Church-government) to seek the Lord with us in these things: for sure it cannot but be the desire of every one that is a living member of Christ's body, that the work of Christ should prosper, and that all that fear the Lord may be of one heart and one mind, in the things that concern his great affairs, in a time when his work is to establish his own Kingdom in the ruin of BABYLON, as (in the apprehension of many of his people) it is this day. Thus presenting our most endeared affection to you, we hearty recommend you into the Bosom of Jesus Christ, and rest,  
Your Christian Friends and fellow Soldiers. Whitehall, May 20. 1650. To all our dear Friends and fellow-soldiers that fear the Lord. 

Will. Constable  
William Roe  
Rich. Sa●key  
Griffith Lloyd  
T. Harrison  
Herald Haynes  
Will. Style  
Stephen White  
Nath. Rich  
W. Stane  
Tobias Bridge  
Nic. Lockier  
Edw whaley  
Will. Goffe.  
Jo. Merreman  
Thomas Hancock  
Charles Fleetwood  
Azariah Husbands  
Will. Gough  
George Joyce  
Tho. Pride  
John Blackwel  
Edw. Orpin  
Tho. Else  
Math. Tomlinson  
Jo. Mason  
Robert Barrow  
Tho. Bayley  
John Okey  
Jenkin Lloyd  
Samson Lark  
Isaac Knight  
Paul Sismey.    
We desire that what Return you make hereof, be directed to Colonel Barkestead at White-Hall, to be by him communicated to the Officers at the Headquarters.   

A DECLARATION OF The English ARMY now in SCOTLAND.  

TO The people of SCOTLAND, especially those a 'mong 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 these two Nations of England 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 late King and his Prelates, over the Coxsciences, 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 Puritans, 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 and night, that he would Arise to dectroy 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 upon them a Popish Service-Book, which was through the great goodness of God, by his people in Scotland, rejected; 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 had 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 overthrew 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 inseriout Officers and Soldiers of this Army, (then 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 Reiormation of his Church, in the Establishment of his Ordinances amongst them in purity according to his Word; and the just civil 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 idoliz; 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 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 late King's 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 is 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 prevent 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 contrived by him, and his Son now with you, together with those in Scotland that ●…ated 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 proceed 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 suare: 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 sacing them at the very gates. We wish our Brethren of Scotland, especially those that truly fear the Lord, would consider these things, and not slight 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 had 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 speaks 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, Psa. 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 his Enemies, and preserve his people. You have acknowledged us in your own papers to be a rod of iron to dash in pieces the Malignants: but withal say, We must now be broken in pieces, because we now set our selus against the Lord of God's inheritance. Let us here speak for ourselves; yea, the Lord speak for us, who knows our hearts, and all our ways: we value the Churches of Jesus Christ, who are the Lot of God's inheritance, ten thousand times above our own lives; yea, we do bless the Lord, we are not only a Rod of Iron, to dash the common enemies in pieces, but also a hedge (though very unworthy) about Christ's Vineyard; and if we know our own hearts, where ever the Lot 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 the 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, & 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 Declaration 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 have 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 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 day 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 out 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 evildoers, 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 pooest 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 Kingdom: 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 Muslebrough, August 1. 1650.   

Which said Declaration, was sent to the Scots, enclosed in a Letter of the General to this purpose, viz. That the under-Officers and Soldiers in the English Army had desired him to send to them this their Declaration; which he tells them was not a crafty politic one, but a plain simple spiritual one, such as it is, God knoweth; and God also will in due time make manifest. And do we multiply these words as men? Or do we them for the Lord Christ and his people's sake? etc. concluding, Your humble Servant, O. Cromwell.  
And further, in their Declaration, Agust 16. in answer to the Paper of the general Assembly, they conclude thus: We shall close with our hearty supplications, That the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ would in due time cast down all the Earthly Combinations of all sorts of men that set up themselves and their own corrupt interest in the room of that Sceptre of Righteousness which he hath given into the hands of his Son. Published by the special appointment of the Council of State.    

For the Right Honourable, Charles Fleetwood Esq; Commander in chief of the Forces in Ireland, to be communicated to our dear friends the Officers under his Command.  

Right Honourable, and our dear Christian Friends!  
WHen we consider the many and wonderful things, which the Lord hath of late years brought to pass in these three Nations, in the subduing of great Armies, and casting down all the strong Holds of the Enemy, in pouring contempt upon Princes, and great men, that have not kissed, but opposed the Lord Jesus, in the work he hath been and is still carrying on in the World; and in taking down and altering forms of Government, that have been in these Nations, both Civil and Ecclesiastical, we cannot but cry out, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty: just and true are thy ways, thou King of Saints; who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy Name? for thy judgements are made manifest.  
As you were witnesses of, and active in some of those great changes that have formerly been made, so we doubt not but you have (though at a distance) felt the late Earthquake, and have heard of the sudden Dissolution of the Parliament: which yet being so great a Revolution, we thought it our duty to send you this Letter, to the end we might therein let you know the frame of our hearts, and how desirous we are, that you and we, may, in the midst of the great dispensations of God, still continue steadfast in one spirit; that so, if it be the Will of t he Lord, we may be further instrumental in bringing about those things which may be to the glory of God, the good of his people, and the peace and welfare of the Commonwealth.  
It would require more time than we have now to spare, to give you a particular and full account, of all the grounds and reasons upon which this great Action was undertaken; and therefore therein we shall refer you to the Declaration of the Lord General and his Council of Officers, of the 22 of April last, and to your own observations, concerning the ill management of Affairs by the late Parliament: only we shall say, that this last dangerous remedy of a Dissolution, was not used, till all other ways had been by us assayed, and by them rejected. And therefore, after four years' expectation (since the change of the Government) finding no performance of those things that tend to the settlement of the Commonwealth, in Peace and Righteousness: and being abundantly satisfied upon long experience, That the Parliament, as it was constituted, were so far from being the instruments of perfecting the work of the Lord, that this whole Cause was in great danger to perish under their hands, for which there hath been so vast an expense of Blood and Treasure. After much seeking the Face of God, & taking counsel one with another, it was generally apprehended, that the only way left us, was, To endeavour a speedy Change in the Supreme Authority, that so the perpetual fitting of the Parliament may be prevented; and the Government laid upon the shoulders of such men as might hopefully give us the fruit of all our Labour and Blood, and encourage good men to be still willing to hazard their lives against the common Enemy; which, as things lately stood, many had little heart to do. And it was in our hearts, to seek this thing in such a way, that the Parliament might have had the honour of it; but it pleased not the Lord to give them an heart to incline to the Motions made in order thereunto, by the General, in the name of himself and his Officers, many of which were present; but rather to endeavour a hasty and inconsiderate passing of an Act for a new Representative; the danger whereof, was very evident, and was by the General, at a Meeting with many of the Members of Parliament, and Officers of the Army, abundantly demonstrated to them, which yet the next day was so earnestly and precipitantly persisted in, that it was found necessary to put them to a sudden Dissolution, which also we hope the Lord will make the Medium to future good: of which there is the more expectation, because it hath pleased God, who hath the hearts of all men in his own hand, so to order the spirits of men, that not only the Army and Fleet, do most unanimously concur and agree, but also the generality of all sorts of people do rejoice therein; insomuch that there is not the appearance of the least disturbance. And it is the continual and fervent prayers of all the people of God, that this great Change, may have the extraordinary blessing of God upon it.  
By this enclosed Declaration, you will perceive what provision is made for the present management of Affairs, till persons of approved Fidelity and Honesty may be called to take upon them the Supreme Authority of this Commonwealth: which being done, we may have cause to hope, the Lord will make them a future blessing to us.  
Dear Friends, we are persuaded this is the Lords own work, and aught to be mavellous in our eyes: the Lord hath once and again pulled down the Mighty from their seats, and we trust it is that himself may reign: and therefore, let the earth rejoice, and these our Islands be glad thereof; for though clouds and darkness be round about him, yet Righteousness and Judgement are the habitation of his Throne. The Lord is terrible in his do, therefore the guilty world will tremble, but Sionshall hear and be glad, and the daughters of Judah shall rejoice because of his judgements. Let us therefore (dear Brethren) serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling; for we are not without hope, that our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the King of Saints, will henceforth show himself to be the King of Nations also.  
We do not doubt but the Lord will make your hearts as ours, in this great business, and that as the Lord hath wonderfully stirred up the heart of his Excellency the Lord General, to put himself upon God, in this great undertaking, for the interest of Jesus Christ and his people; so we shall adhere to him and one to another therein. We know your sincere love to Christ and his people is such, that we shall use no Arguments unto you, but only mind you, That when the Lord called you to the service of Ireland, at a solemn meeting of the Officers designed for Ireland, with those that remained here, after that we had, with many prayers and tears recommended one another into the bosom of Christ, we did also in the presence of each other, and before the Lord, solemnly submit ourselves and all our affairs to be whollyat his dispose; resolving through the influence of his Spirit in all our politic undertake, not to seek ourselves but the advancement of the affairs and kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this Spirit, and with these Resolutions, we parted with one another, and the Lord hath blessed us hitherto, and lo! we are yet alive, though thousands of our dear Brethren who engaged with us, are dead. The Lord grant we may with our lives be instrumental to carry on and preserve that Cause and Interest, which was by them valued above their lives; and whose blood cryeth loud to us to persevere therein unto the end.  
Let us therefore, we beseech you, provoke both you and ourselves, not to consult with carnal reason in these great Mutations, but let us labour by faith to see the Lord carry on his own work, and to manifest ourselves, whom God hath called and chosen to these stations wherein we stand, to be also faithful in doing the work unto which he shall appoint us.  
Dear Brethren, the work hath hitherto been to break and pull down, which every one almost seemeth to be good at; but it's now the expectation of good men, that Building and Establishing work shall follow; for which yet, there are not in our view many fit, and therefore it will be your duty and ours, to pray without ceasing, that those whom God shall call to the Government, may be men full of the Holy Ghost, and of Power, and may have his continual presence in the carrying on of so great a work, on the issue whereof depends (as we are persuaded) the interest of the Saints, throughout the whole world.  
Now the Lord keep our hearts close to himself, that so, however things go about, we may be found walking as becometh the Gospel of Christ, in faith towards God, in love one towards another, and in Peace and Righteousness towards all men. Which that we may do, let us earnestly beg your continual and servant Prayers, even as we desire to make mention of you, as often as we encompass the Throne of Grace, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we are,  
Your most affectionate Friends and Brethren, 

John Lambert  
John Disbrow  
Edward whaley  
Thomas Harrison  
William Constable  
Adrian Scroop  
Nathaniel Rich  
Matthew Tomlinson  
Philip Twisleton  
Thomas Pride  
Thomas Cooper  
William Goffe.  
Ralph Coblet  
Francis Hacker  
Charles Worsley  
Francis White  
Thomas Kelsey  
Thomas Biscoe  
Robert Swallow  
Roger Alsopp  
Arthur Husbands  
Griffith Lloyd  
John Mason  
Thomas Saunders  
John Hodgson  
Jeoffrey Elatson  
Edward Orpin  
Samuel Lark  
John Caitnes  
John Wigan  
Edward Walley  
Richard Merest  
John Robinson  
Edmund Chillenden  
George Smithson  
William Packer  
William Style  
Francis Allen  
William Farley  
William Malin  
Richard Hatter.     
Phil. 1.18. 
What then? notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is preached, and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.  
The spiritually wise cannot but soon discern, whether the breathe of the Lords holy Spirit are more visible in this, than the Armies late (as it's called) repentance; and the chief Officers may do well to consider, whether it were not better with them, when they avouched the Lord to be their God, even Christ to be the King of Nations, then since (changing their glory into shame) they are found amongst the scoffers, saying, Where is the promise of his coming? and they may observe the dissolution of the Parliament: however many now would have it accounted only a precipitate Act of their General, yet it had a very serious and deliberate owning by them, who can not otherwise be justified in that or formet undertake, thereby following the Lord in paths untrodden, contradictory to this old Antichristian world's frame and constitution, or as their own expression in their Letter is, By resigning themselves and all their affairs to be wholly at the Lords dispose, resolving through the influence of his Spirit in all their public undertake, not to seek themselves, but the advansement of the Affairs and Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ. But how faithfully this hath been observed, the light in their own consciences can best satisfy them, if they dare ask the question.    

The Lord General CROMWELL His SPEECH, At the Council-Chamber, to the Persons then Assembled by Summons, July 4. 1653.  
GENTLEMEN,  
I Suppose the Summons that hath been instrumental to bring you hither, gives you well to understand the cause of your being here. Howbeit, having something to impart, which is an Instrument drawn up by the consent and advice of the principal Officers of the Army, which is a little (as we conceive) more significant, than that other of Summons; we have that here to tender you. And we have somewhat likewise further to say to you, for our own exoneration; and we hope it may be somewhat further to your satisfaction. And therefore seeing you sit here somewhat uneasy, by reason of the scantness of the Room, and the heat of the weather, I shall contract myself with respect to that.  

Series of Providence in the Nation.  I have not thought it amiss, a little to mind you of that Series of Providence, wherein the Lord hitherto hath dispensed wonderful things to these Nations, from the beginning of our Troubles to this very day. If I should look much backward, we might remember the state of affairs as they were before the short, and that which was the last Parliament: in what a posture the things of this Nation stood, doth so well, I presume, occur to all your memories and knowledges, that I shall not need to look so far backward, nor yet to the beginning of those Hostile actions that past between the King that was, and the then-Parliament. And indeed, should I begin this labour, the things that would fall necessarily before you, would rather be fit for a History, then for a Discourse, at this present.  
But thus far we may look back: 
Winnowing the Army.  You very well know, after divers turn of affairs, it pleased God, much about the midst of this War, to winnow, as I may so say, the Forces of this Nation, and to put them into the hands of men of other Principles than those that did engage at the first. By what strange providences that also was brought about, would ask more time than is allotted me, to remember you of. Indeed, there are Stories that do recite those transactions, and give Narratives of matter of fact: but those things wherein the life and power of them lay, those strange wind and turn of Providence, those very great appearances of God, in crossing and thwarting the designs of men, that he might raise up a poor and contemptible company of men, neither versed in Military affairs, nor having much natural propensity to them, 
The life and power of the work, lay in the Armies owning a principle of godlieness.  even through the OWNING OF A PRINCIPLE OF GODLINESS, of Religion: which so soon as it came to be owned, the state of affairs put upon that foot of account, how God blessed them, and all undertake, by the rising of that most improbable, despicable, contemptible means, for that we must for ever own, you very well know.  
What the several successes have been, is not fit to mention at this time, neither; though I must confess I thought to have enlarged myself upon this Subject, 
Considering Providence a special duty, and a means to strengthen faith for future.  forasmuch as the CONSIDERING the WORKS of GOD, and the OPERATION OF HIS HANDS, is a principal part of our duty, and a great encouragement to the strengthening of our hands, and of our faith for that which is behind. And then having given us those marvellous dispensations, amongst other ends, for that was a most principal end, as to us, in this revolution of affairs, and issues of those Successes God was pleased to give this Nation, and the Authority that then stood, were very great things brought about; besides those dints that were upon those Nations and places where they were carried on, even in the Civil affairs, to the bringing offenders to justice, even the GREATEST; to the bringing the state of this Government to the Name at least of a Commonwealth; to the searching and sifting of all Places and Persons; 
Proceeds with King, Peers and Commons.  the KING removed, and brought to justice, and many great ones with him; the House of PEERS laid aside; the House of COMMONS, the Representative of the people of England, itself, winnowed, sifted, and brought to a handful, as you may very well remember.  
And truly, God would not rest there, (for, by the way, although it be fit for us to entitle our failings and miscarriages to ourselves, yet the gloriousness of the work may well be attributed to God himself, and may be called His strange work.)  
You may remember well, that at the change of the Government there was not an end of our Troubles, although that year were such things transacted, 
Memorable 1648.  as indeed made it to be the most MEMORABLE YEAR (I mean, 1648.) that ever this Nation saw; so many Insurrections, Invasions, secret Designs, open and public Attempts, quashed in so short a time, and this by the very signal appearances of God himself, I hope we shall never forget.  
You know also, (as I said before) that as the effect of that Memorable year, 1648. was to lay the Foundation of bringing Delinquents to punishment; so it was of the change of the Government: although it be true, if we had time to speak, the carriages of some in trust, in most eminent trust, was such, as would have frustrated to us the hopes of all our undertake, had not God miraculously prevented: 
Closure with King, God prevented.  I mean, by that Closure that would have been endeavoured with the King, whereby we should have put into his hands all that Cause and Interest we had opposed, and had had nothing to have secured us, but a little piece of Paper.  

Nations exercise finished at Worcester, 1651.  But things going on, how it pleased the Lord to keep this Nation in exercise both at Sea and Land, and what GOD wrought in Ireland and Scotland, you likewise know, until the Lord had finished all that trouble, upon the matter, by the marvellous salvation wrought at WORCESTER.  
I confess to you, I am very much troubled in my spirit, that the necessity of affairs doth require that I should be so short in these things, because I told you before, This is the leanest part of the Transaction, to wit, an Historical Narration; there being in every Dispensation, (whether the Kings going from the Parliament, the pulling down the Bishops, purging the House at that time by their going away to assist the King, change of Government) whatever it was, not any of those things, but hath a remarkable point of Providence set upon it, that he that runs may read. Therefore I am hearty sorry, that in point of time I cannot be particular in those things, which I did principally desigue this day, thereby to provoke and stir up your hearts and mine to gratitude and confidence.  

Passages since Worcester.  I shall now begin a little to remember you the PASSAGES that have been transacted since WORCESTER sight; whence coming with my Fellow-Officers and Soldiers, we expected, and had some reasonable confidence, that our expectations should not be frustrate; That the Authority that then was, having such a History to look back unto, such a God that appeared for them so eminently, so visibly, that even our enemies many times confessed that God himself was engaged against them, or they should never have been brought so low, nor disappointed in every undertaking: [for that may be said (by the way) had we miscarried but once, where had we been?] 
Expectations of returns worthy such mercies, advancing the true interest on the three Nations.  I say, We did think, and had some reasonable confidence, that coming up then, the mercies that God had showed, the expectations that were in the hearts of all good men, would have prompted those that were in Authority to have done those good things, which might by honest men have been judged a return fit for such a God, and worthy of such mercies; and indeed, a discharge of duty to those, for whom all these mercies have been showed, that is, the Interest of the three Nations, the true interest of the three Nations.  
And if I should now labour to be particular in enumerating some businesses that have been transacted from that time, till the dissolution of the late Parliament, indeed I should be upon a Theme would be very troublesome to myself. 
The necessity and duty on the Army for dissolving the long Parliament.  For I must say for myself and Fellow-Officers, we have rather desired and studied healing, then to rake into sores, and look backward, to render things in those colours that would not be very well pleasing to any good eye to look upon. Only this we must say, for our own exoneration, and as thereby laying some foundation for the making evident the necessity and duty that was incumbent upon us, to make this last great Change, I think it will not be amiss to offer a word or two in that, not taking pleasure to rake into the business, were not there some kind of necessity so to do.  

Which they sought to heal and prevent,  Indeed we may say, without commending ourselves, I mean myself and those Gentlemen that have been engaged in the Military affairs, that upon our return, we came fully bend in our hearts and thoughts, to desire and use all fair and lawful means we could, to have had the Nation to reap the fruit of all that blood and treasure that had been expended in this cause; and we have had many desires and thirstings in our spirits, to find out ways and means, wherein we might any ways be instrumental, to help it forward; 
1. By Petition of August, 1652.  and we were very tender, for a long time, so much as to Petition, till August last, or thereabouts, we never offered to Petition. But some of our then Members, and others, having good acquaintance and relation to divers members of the Parliament; we did from time to time solicit, that which we thought (if there had been no body to prompt them, no body to call upon them) would have been listened to, out of ingenuity and integrity in them that had opportunity to have answered our expectations: And truly, when we saw nothing would be done, we did (as we thought, according to our duty, remind them by a Petition; which Petition, I suppose the most of you have seen, which we delivered either in July or August last: what effect that had, is likewise very well known; the truth is, we had no return at all; all the satisfaction for us, was, but a few words given us; the businesses petitioned for, most of them (we were told) were under consideration; and those that were not, had very little or no consideration at all.  
Finding the people dissatisfied, in every corner of the Nation, and bringing home to our doors the non-performance of those things that had been promised, and were of due to be performed; we did think ourselves concerned; we endeavoured as became honest men, to keep up the reputation of honest men in the world; 
2. By a meeting with some of the Parliament; 10 or 12 times beseeching them to discharge their duty and trust to God and Man freely: But all in vain.  and therefore we had divers times endeavoured to obtain a meeting with divers Members of Parliament; and truly we did not begin this, till October last; and in those meetings did in all faithfulness and sincerity, beseech them, that they would be mindful of their duty to God and man, and of the discharge of their trust to God and man: I believe these Gentlemen that are many of them here, can tell, that we had at the least ten or twelve meetings; most humbly begging and beseeching them, that of their own accords, they would do those good things, that had been promised; that so it might appear, they did not do them by any suggestion from the Army, but of their own ingenuity: so tender were we to preserve them in the reputation and opinion of the people, to the uttermost. And having had many of those meetings, and declaring plainly, that the issue would be the judgement and displeasure of God against them, the dissatisfaction of the People, and the putting things into a confusion: Yet how little we did prevail, we well know, and we believe is not unknown to you.  

3. By close considering what other way to have. recourse unto.  At the last, when we saw indeed that things would not be laid to heart, we had a serious consideration amongst ourselves, what other way to have recourse unto; and when indeed we came to those close considerations, they began to take the Act of the NEW REPRESENTATIVE to heart, and seemed exceeding willing to put it on; the which, had it been done, or would it have been done, with that integrity, with that caution, that would have saved this Cause, and the Interest we have been so long engaged in; there could nothing have happened to our judgements, more welcome than that would have been: 
Necessity of their dissolution. 1. From their endeavours to perpetuate themselves.  But finding plainly, that the intendment of it, was not to give the people that Right of choice, although it had been, but a seeming right, either the seeming to give the people that choice intended and designed, to recrute the House, the better to PERPETUATE THEMSELVES: And truly, having divers of us been spoken to, to that end, that we should give way to it; a thing to which we had a perpetual aversation; which we did abominate the thoughts of; we always declared our judgements against it, and our dissatisfaction; but yet they would not hear of a New REPRESENTATIVE, before it lay three years before them, without proceeding with one line considerably in it: They that could not endure to hear of it; then, when we came to our close considerations, than instead of protracting, they did make as much preposterous haste, of the other hand, and ran into that extremity; and finding that this spirit was not according to God, and that the whole weight of this cause (which must needs have been very dear unto us, who have so often adventured our lives for it; and we believe is so to you) when we saw plainly that there was not so much consideration how to assert it, or to provide security for it; and indeed to cross these, that they reckoned the most troublesome people they had to deal with, which was the Army, which by this time was sufficiently their displeasure: when we saw this, that had power in our hands, truly to let the business go to such an issue as this, was to throw back the cause into the hands of them we first fought with; we came to this first conclusion amongst ourselves, that if we had been fought out of it, necessity would have taught us patience; 
2. That the Army might not be found Traitors to God & Man  but to be taken from us so unworthily, we should be rendered the worst people in the world, and we should become TRAITORS BOTH TO GOD AND MAN. And when God had laid this to our hearts, and that we found the interest of his people was grown cheap, and not laid to heart, and if we came to competition of things, the cause even among themselves, would (even almost in every thing) go to the ground: this did add more consideration to us, that there was a duty incumbent upon us. And truly, I speak it in the presence of some that are here, that were at the close consultations (I may say) as before the Lord, the thinking of an act of violence was to us worse than any Engagement that ever we were in yet; and worse to us than the utmost hazard of our lives, that could be; so unwilling were we, so tender were we, so desirous were we if it were possible, that these men might have quit their places with honour: And truly, this I am the longer upon, because it hath been in our hearts and consciences, our Justification, and hath never yet been imparted thorough to the Nation; and we had rather begin with you to do it, then to have done it before; and do think indeed, that these transactions be more proper for a verbal communication, then to have put it into writing: I doubt, whosoever had put it in writing, would have been tempted to have dipped his pen in anger and wrath. But affairs being at this posture, that we saw plainly and evidently in some Critical things, 
3. The cause of the people despised by them.  that the Cause of the people of God was a despised thing; truly than we did believe, that the hands of other men, must be the hands that must be trusted with it; and then we thought high time for us, to look about us, and to be sensible of our duty. If I should take up your time, to tell you, what instances we have to satisfy our Judgements and Consciences, that these were not vain imaginations, and things that were petitioned for; but that fell within the compass of our certain knowledge and sense; should I repeat these things to you, I should do that which I would avoid, to take into these things too much: 
4. A corrupt selfseeking Spirit in them.  only this, if any body were in competition, for any place of real and signal Trust, how hard and difficult a thing it were to get any thing to be carried, without making parties; without things indeed, unworthy of a Parliament. And when things must be carried so in a Supreme Authority; indeed, I think, it is not as it ought to be. But when it came to other Trials, in that Case of Wales, which I must confess, for my own part, I set myself upon, if I should inform what discountenance that business of the poor people of God, there had; 
5. Discountenance upon the people of God in Wales.  who had watching over them, men like so many wolves, ready to catch the Lamb, assoon as it was brought out into the world: how signally they threw that business under foot, to the discountenancing of the honest people there, and to the countenancing of the malignant party of this Commonwealth. I need but say, it was so; many have felt by sad experience it was so, who will better impart that business to you, which (for myself and fellow-Officers) I think it was as perfect a trial of their spirits, as any thing; it being known to many of us, that God kindles a seed there: indeed hardly to be paralleled since the Primitive times. I would this had been all the instances; 
Good to God's people under the several forms never intended.  but finding which way their spirits went, and finding that good was never intended to the people of God, (I mean when I say so) that large comprehension of them, under the several forms of godliness in this Nation; when I saw that tenderness was forgotten, to them all (though it was very true, that by their hands and means, through the blessing of God, they sat were they did) and affairs, (not to speak it boastingly) had been instrumentally brought to that issue they were brought to, by the hands of those poor creatures; we thought this an evil requital. I will not say they were at the uttermost pitch of Reformation, although I could say, that one thing, the REGULATION of the LAW so much groaned under in that posture it now is in; there was many words spoken for it, we know many months together, was not time enough, to pass over one word called Encumbrances: I say, finding that this was the spirit and complexion of them, that though these were faults, for which no man should have dared to lift his hand, simply for their faults, and failings, 
Neglect of reforming the Laws.  when yet we saw their intendment was to perpetuate themselves, and men of this spirit, for some had it from their own mouths, from their own designs, who could not endure to hear of being dissolved; this was an high breach of Trust, if they had been a Parliament never violated, fitting as free, and as clear as ever any sat in ENGLAND; yet if they would go about to perpetuate themselves, we did think this to be so high a breach of trust, as greater could not be. And we did not go by guess in this; and to be out of doubt in it, we did (having that conference among ourselves, whereof we gave account) we did desire once more, the night before the difsolution, [and it had been in our desires, some two or three days before] that we might speak with some of the principal persons of the house, that we might with ingenuity open our hearts to them, to the end we might be either convinced of the ground of their principles and intentions, to the good of the Nation; or if we could not be convinced, they would hear our offer, or expedient to prevent this mischief; and indeed we could not prevail for two or three days, till the night before the dissolution: there is a touch of this in that our DECLARATION; we had often desired it, at that time we attained; there were above Twenty of them who were members not of the least consideration, for interest and ability, with whom we desired to discourse those things, and had discourse with them; and it pleased the Gentlemen Officers of the Army to desire me to offer their sense to them; and indeed it was shortly carried thus; we told them, that the Reason of our desire to wait upon them, was, that we might know from them, what security lay in the way of their proceed so hastily with their Representative, wherein they had made a few qualifications, (such as they were) and how the whole business should be executed, we have no account of; and we desired them they would be pleased, and we thought we had an interest in our lives, estates, and families, as well as the worst people of the Nation; and that we might be bold, to ask satisfaction in that; and if they did proceed in honest ways, as might be safe to the Nation, we might acquiesce therein: When we pressed them to give satisfaction in this, the Answer was made, that nothing could be good to the Nation, but the continuance of this Parliament. We wondered that we should have such a return: we said little to that.  
But seeing they would not give us that which might satisfy us that their way was honest and safe, they would give us leave to make our Objections; We did tell them, that we thought that way they were going in, would be impracticable: we could not tell them how it would be brought to pass, to send out an Act of Parliament into the Country, to have qualifications in an Act to be the Rules of Electors and Elected, and not to know who should execute this; desired to know whether the next Parliament were not like to consist of all Presbyters? 
No qualifications to seclude Presbyters & Newters  Whether those Qualifications would hinder them? or Newters? and though it be our desire to value and esteem of that Judgement, only they having been as we know, having deserted this cause and interest, upon the King's account, and upon that closure between them and the Neighbour-Nation; we do think, we must confess, we had as good have delivered up our Cause into the hands of any, as into the hands of interessed and biased men; for it is one thing to live friendly and brotherly; to bear with, and love a person of another judgement in Religion: another thing to have any so far set into the saddle upon that account, as that it should be in them, to have all the rest of their Brethren at mercy. Having had this discourse, making these Objections, of bringing in Neuters, or such as should impose upon their Brethren, or such as had given testimony to the King's party: and objecting to the danger of it, in drawing the concourse of all people, to arraign every individual person, which indeed did fall obviously in, and the issue would certainly have been, the putting it into the hands of men that had little affection to this Cause. The Answer again was made, [and it was confessed by some, that these Objections did lie; But answer was mde] by a very eminent person, at the same time, as before, that nothing would save the Nation, but the continuance of this Parliament. This being so, we humbly proposed an expedient of ours, which was indeed, to desire that the Government being in that condition it was, & things being under so much ill sense abroad, and so likely to come to consusion in every respect, if it went on; so we desired they would devolve the trust over to persons of honour and integrity, that were well known, men well-affected to Religion, and the interest of the Nation: which (we told them, and was confessed) had been no new thing, when these Nations had been under the like hurly-burly and distractions; and it was confessed by them, it had been no new thing; we had been at labour to get precedents to convince them of it. And we told them these things we offered out of that deep sense we had of the good of the Nations, and the Cause of Christ; And being Answered to that, nothing would save the Nation but the continuance of that Parliament (although they would not say, they would perpetuate it) at that time least of all.  
But finding their endeavours did directly tend to it, they gave us this Answer, That the things we had offered, were of a tender and very weighty consideration. They did make Objections how we should raise money, and some other Objections: we told them, that that we offered as an expedient, because we thought better than that for which no reason was, or thought would be given; we desired them, to lay the thing seriously to heart: they told us, they would take consideration of these things till the morning, that they would sleep upon them. And I think that there was scarce any day, that there sat above 50 or 52 or 53. At the parting, two or three of the chief ones, the very chiefest of them, did tell us, that they would endeavour the suspending the proceed of the Representative, the next day, till they had a further conference; and we did acquiesce; and had hope, if our expedient would take up a loving debate, the next day we should have some such issue of our debate, as would have given a satisfaction to all.  
They went away late at night: and the next morning we considering how to order that which we had to offer to them; when they were to meet in the Evening, word was brought, they were proceeding with a Representative, with all the eagerness they could: we did not believe persons of such quality could do it: a second and a third Messenger told us, they had almost finished it, and had brought it to that issue with that haste, that had never been before; leaving out the things that did necessarily relate to due qualifications, as we have heard since, resolved to make it a paper Bill, not to engross it; that they might make the quicker dispatch of it. Thus to have thrown all the liberties of the Nation into the hands that never bled for it; upon this account, we thought it our duty not to suffer it: and upon this the House was dissolved.  

Old Parliament dissolved to preserve the Cause.  This we tell you, that you may so know, that what hath been done in the dissolution of this Parliamont, was as necessary to be done, as the preservation of this cause; 
1. The Assembly called.  and that necessity that led us to do that, hath brought us to this issue, of exercising an extraordinary way, and course, to draw yourselves together upon this account, that you are men who know the Lord, and have made observations of his marvellous dispensations, and may be trusted with this cause. It remains, for I shall not acquaint you further with that that relates to your taking upon you this great business, that being contained in this Paper, in my hand, which I do offer presently to you, to read, having done that which we thought to have done upon this ground of necessity, which we know was not feigned necessity, but real and true, 
2. That the Government might not fall.  to the end the Government might not be at a loss, 
3. To manifest the self-denial of the Army.  to the end we might manifest to the world the singleness of our hearts, and integrity, who did those things not to grasp after the power ourselves, to keep it in a Military hand, no not for a day, as far as God enables us with strength and ability, to put it into the hands that might be called from several parts of the Nation; this necessity I say, and we hope may say, for ourselves, this integrity of labouring to divest the Sword of the power and authority in the civil administration of it, hath been that that hath moved us, to conclude of this course; and having done that, we think we cannot with the discharge of our consciences, but offer somewhat unto you, as I said before, for our own exoneration, it having been the practice of others who have voluntarily and out of sense of duty devested themselves, and devolved the Government into the hands of others, it having been the practice, where such things have been done, and very consonant to reason, together with the authority, to lay a charge, in such away, as we hope we do, and to press to the duty, which we have a word or two to offer to you. Truly GOD hath called you to this work, by (I think) as wonderful providences as ever past upon the sons of men in so short a time. And truly, I think, taking the Arguments of necessity, (for the Government must not fall) take the appearances of the Will of God in this thing, I am sure you would have been loath it should have been resigned into the hands of wicked men and enemies. I am sure, God would not have it so: It comes therefore to you by way of necessity, it comes to you by the way of the wise Providence of God, though through weak hands; and therefore, I think, it coming through our hands, though such as we are, it may not be taken ill, if we offer to you something as to the discharge of that trust which is incumbent upon you: And although I seem to speak that which may have the face of a charge, it is a very humble one; and he that means to be a servant to you, who are called to the exercise of the supreme Authority, to discharge that, which he conceives is his duty, in his own and his fellows names; to you I hope who will take it in good part. And truly, I shall not hold you long in that, because I hope it is written in your hearts, to approve yourselves to God only; This Scripture I shall remember to you, which hath been much upon my spirit, Hosea 11 and 12 verse, Yet Judah ruleth with God, and is faithful among the Saints; 
Charges the old Parliament in their fasting and praying to compass God about with lies.  it is said before, Ephraim did compass God about with lies, and Israel with deceit: how God hath been compassed about with Fast and Thanksgivings, and other exercises and transactions, I think we have all to lament: why truly you are called by God, to rule with him, and for him; and you are called to be faithful with the Saints, who have been somewhat instrumental to your call: he that ruleth over men, (the Scripture saith) he must be just, ruling in the fear of God.  
And truly, it is better to pray for you, then to counsel you in that, that you may exercise the judgement of mercy, and truth; I say, it is better for you to do it, then to advise you, to ask wisdom from heaven for you; which I am confident many thousands of Saints do this day, and have done, and will do, through the permission of God, and his assistance, to advise you; only truly I thought of a Scripture likewise that seems to be but a Scripture of common application to every man as a Christian, wherein he is counselled to ask wisdom; and he is told what is that wisdom that is from above, it is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of good fruits, without partiality, without hypocrisy; and my thoughts ran thus upon this, that the executing of the judgement of truth, [for that is the judgement that you must have Wisdom from above for, and that is pure, that will teach you to execute the judgement of truth, and then] if God give you hearts to be easy to be entreated, to be peaceable spirits, to be full of good fruits, bearing good fruits to the Nation, to men as men, to the people of God, to all in their several stations; this wisdom will teach you to execute the judgement of Mercy and Truth. And I have little more to say to this; I shall rather bend my prayers for you in that behalf (as I said before) and I know many others do also. Truly, the judgement of truth will teach you, to be as just towards an Unbeliever, as towards a Believer; and it is our duty to do so. I confess, I have often said it foolishly, If I would miscarry, I would rather do it to a Believer then to an Unbeliever; perhaps it is a Paradox; but let us take heed of doing it to either, exercising injustice to either: if God fill our hearts with such a spirit as Moses and Paul had, which was not only a spirit for the Believers among the people of God, but for the whole people, he would have died for them; and so Paul to his Countrymen according to the flesh, he could have died for them: truly this will help us to execute the judgement of Truth and Mercy also.  
A second thing is, to desire you would be faithful with the Saints; and I hope, whatever others may think, aught to be to us all matter of tejoycing, that as one person our Saviour was touched with our infirmities, that he might be pitiful: I do think this Assembly thus called, is very much touched with the common infirmity of the Saints; and I hope that will teach you to pity others; that so Saints of one sort may not be our interest; but that we may have respect unto all, though of different judgements; And if I did seem to speak any thing that might seem to reflect upon those of the Presbyterian Judgement, I think, if you have not an interest of love for them, will hardly answer this faithfulness to his Saints. I confess, in my pilgrimage, and some exercises I have had abroad, I did read that Scripture often in Isaiah 41 and 19 When God gave me and some of my fellows, what he would there and elsewhere, which he performed for us, and what would he do? to what end? That he might plant in the wilderness the Cedar, and the Shitta tree, and the Myrtle tree, and the Palm tree together. To what end? That they might know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this; And that the Lord hath created it, that he wrought all salvation and deliverance, which he hath wrought, for the good of the whole flock; therefore I beseech you (but I think I need not) have a care of the whole flock, love all the Sheep, love the Lambs, love all, and tender all, and cherish all, and countenance all, in all things that are good; and if the poorest Christian, the most mistaken Christian, should desire to live peaceably and quietly under you, soberly and humbly desire to lead a life in godliness and honesty; let him be protected.  
I think I need as little advise you concerning the propagation of the Gospel, and encouraging such Ministers and such a Ministry, as be faithful in the Land, upon whom the true character is, Men that have truly received the spirit for such a use, which Christians will be well able to discern, and do; men that have received Gifts from him that ascended on high, and led Captivity Captive, for the work before mentioned: and truly, the Apostle, Romans 12. when he had summoned up all the Mercies of God, and the goodness of God, (and hath discoursed of the foundations of the Gospel, and of the several things that are the subject of his discourse, in the 11 first Chapters) after he hath besonght them to offer up their Souls and Bodies a living sacrifice to God, 
Rom. 12.  he beseecheth not to esteem more highly of themselves than they ought, but that they would be humble and sober minded, and not stretch themselves beyond their line; but they would have a care to those that had received Gifts to these uses there mentioned. I speak not (it is far from my heart) for a Ministry deriving itself through the Papacy, and pretending to that which is so much insisted upon to be succession: the true succession is through the Spirit, given in that measure that the Spirit is given; and that is a right succession; but I need not discourse of these things to you; I am persuaded you are taught of God, in a greater measure than myself in these things; indeed I have but one word more to say, and that is, though in that perhaps I shall show my weakness, it is by way of encouragement to you, to go on in this work.  
And give me leave to begin thus: I confess I never looked to see such a day as this, it may be nor you, 
Owning Christ in accepting the Call.  when Jesus Christ shall be owned as he is this day, and in this world Jesus Christ is owned this day by you all, and you own him by your willingness in appearing here, and you manifest this (as far as poor creatures can) to be a day of the power of Christ by your willingness: 
Psa. 110.1.  I know you remember that Scripture in Psalm 110.3. The people shall be willing in the day of thy Power; God doth manifest it to be a day of the power of Jesus Christ.  
Having through so much blood, and so much trials as have been upon these Nations, made this to be one of the great issues thereof, 
The Saints called to Rule.  to have a people called to the Supreme Authority upon such an avowed account, God hath owned his Son by this, and you by your willingness do own Jesus Christ; and therefore for my part, I confess I did never look to see such a sight: perhaps you are not known by face one to another; but we must tell you this, that indeed we have not allowed ourselves in the choice of one person, in whom we had not this good hope, that there was Faith in Jesus Christ, and love unto all his Saints and People: And thus God hath owned you in the face and eyes of the world, and thus by your coming hither have you owned him, as it is in Isaiah 43.21. It is an high expression, and look to your own hearts, whether now or hereafter God shall apply it to you: 
Esa. 43.21  This people (saith he) I have form for myself, that they might show forth my praise. It is a memorable place, and I hope not unfitly applied, God apply it to each of your hearts. 
Why these called of God. 7. Reasons:  I shall not descant upon the words, they are plain, you are as like the forming of God as ever people were: 
1. Their not seeking to come into Power.  if any man should ask you one by one, and should tender a Book to you, you would date to swear, that neither directly nor indirectly did you seek to come hither; you have been passive in coming hither, in being called hither, and that is an active word, This people I have form. Consider the Circumstances, by which you are called together, through what dissiculties, through what strive, through what blood you are come hither; Neither you nor I, nor no man living, three months ago, had a thought to have seen such a company, taking upon them, or rather being called to the supreme Authority; and therefore own your call.  
Indeed, I think, as it may be truly said, that never was a supreme Authority, consisting of so numerous a Body as you are, which I believe are above 140, were never in the supreme Authority, under such a Notion, in such a way of owning of God, and being owned by him; and therefore I say also, never a people form for such a purpose (so called) if it were time to compare your standing with those that have been called by the suffrages of the people, who can tell how soon God may fit the People for such a thing, and who would desire any thing more in the world, but that it might be so? I would all the Lords people were Prophets, I would they were fit to be called, and fit to call; 
The Reason why the Nation is not fit to choose, because not owning Christ's interest.  and it is the longing of our hearts to see them once own the INTEREST OF JESUS CHRIST; and give me leave to say, if I know any thing in the world, what is there more like to win the people to the Interest and love of God? Nay, what a duty will lie upon you to have your conversation such, as that they may love you, that they may see you lay out your time and spirits for them? Is not this the most likely way to bring them to their Liberties? and do you not by this put it upon God to find the time and the season for it? by pouring forth his Spirit, at least by convincing them, 
Regal power, thraldom & bondage.  that as men fearing God have fought them out of their thraldom and bondage under the Regal Power, so men fearing God rule them in the fear of God, and take care to administer good unto them; but this is some digression. (I say) own your call; for indeed it is marvellous, and it is of God, 
2. Reason, unthought of, unprojected by them  and it hath been unprojected, unthought of by you and us; and that hath been the way God hath dealt with us all along, to keep things from our eyes; that what we have acted, we have seen nothing before us; which also is a witness in some measure to our integrity; (I say) you are called with a high Call, and why should we be afraid to say, or think, 
3. Because agreeable to the Word of Promise  that this way, may be the door to usher in things that God hath promised and prophesied of, and to set the hearts of his people to wait for, and expect? We know who they are that shall war WITH THE LAMB against his enemies. 
Rev. 17.14 19.14.  They shall BE a people CALLED, CHOSEN AND FAITHFUL, and hath in the Military way, (we must speak it without flattery) I believe you know it, he hath acted with them, and for them, and now in the Civil Power and Authority, and these are not ill Prognostications for that good we wait for: 
4. Because called upon the account of godliness, the way that God did all thy work in the Army.  indeed, I do think something is at the door, we are at the threshold, and therefore it becomes us to lift up our heads, and to encourage ourselves in the Lord: and we have some of us thought it our duty to endeavour this way, not vainly looking on that Prophecy in Daniel, 
Dan. 2.44.  And the Kingdom shall not be delivered to another people. Truly, God hath brought it into your hands, by his owning and blessing, and calling out a Military Power, God hath persuaded their hearts to be instrumental in calling you, and this hath been set upon our hearts, and upon all the faithful in the Land, 
5. Called by the Saints.  it may be that it is not our duty to deliver it over to any other people, and that Scripture may be fulfilling now to us, but I may be beyond my line.  
But I thank God, I have my hopes exercised in these things, and so I am persuaded are yours: truly, seeing that these things are so, that you are at the edge of the Promises and Prophecies, at least if there were neither Promise for this nor Prophecy, your coveting the best things, endeavouring after the best things, and as I have said elsewhere, if I were to choose the meanest Officer in the Army or Commonwealth, 
The most Prudential way.  I would choose a godly Man that hath Principles, especially where trust is to be committed, because I know where to have a man that hath Principles. I believe if any man of you should choose a Servant, you would do so, and I would all our Magistrates were so chosen, that may be some effect of this; it is our duty to choose men that fear the Lord, to praise the Lord, yea, 
6. Because such should praise the Lord in their work.  such as the Lord forms for himself, and he expects not praises from others: this being so, it puts me in mind of another Scripture, Psalm 68.22. which indeed is a glorious Prophecy, and I am persuaded foe the Gospel, or it may be of the Jews; also there it is prophesied, He will bring his people again out of the depths of the Sea, as once he led Israel through the red Sea; and it may be some do think God is bringing the Jews home to their station from the Isles of the Sea: surely when God sets up the glory of the Gospel-Church, it shall be gathering people out of deep waters, out of the multitude of waters; such are his people, drawn out of the multitudes of the Nations, and people of the world. And that Psalm will be very glorious in many other parts of it, When he gave the word, great was the company of them that published it; Kings of the Armies did flee apace, and she that tarried at home divided the spoil: and although ye have lain among the Pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a Dove covered with siver, and her feathers with yellow gold. And indeed, the triumph of that Psalm is exceeding high and great, and God is accomplishing it; and the close of it, that closeth with my heart, and I am persuaded will with yours also; That God shakes Hills and Mountains, and they reel, and God hath a Hill too, and his Hill is as the Hill of Bashan, and the Chariots of God are twenty thousand of Angels, and God will dwell upon this Hill for ever. Truly, I am sorry that I have troubled you, in such a place of heat as this is, so long; all that I have to say in mine own Name, and in the Names of my Fellow-Officers, (who have joined with me in this work) That we shall commend you to the Grace of GOD, and to the guidance of his Spirit, having thus far served you, (or rather OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN IT) we are, as we hope, and shall be, ready in our stations, according as the Providence of God shall lead us, 
Promising Subjection.  to be subservient to the Work of God, and the Authority (which we reckon) God hath set over us. 
7. Because the Officers both by Sea and Land, the Churches and godly people of the Nation, (unsought for, unprojected) gave their hearty concurrence and desire, herein.  And Although we have no Formal thing to present you with, to which the hands and outward visible expressions of the hearts of the Officers of the three Nations are set, yet we may say for them, and we may say also with confidence for our Brethren at Sea, with whom neither in Scotland nor Ireland, nor at Sea, hath any Artifice been used to persuade their Approbations to this work: yet we can say, That their consent and affections hath flowed in to us from all parts beyond our expectations; and we are confident we may say with all confidence, That we have had their approbations, and full consent, unsought indeed to the other work, so that you have their hearts and affections in this; and not only they, but we have very many Papers from the Churches of God, throughout the Nation wonderfully both approving what hath been done in removing Obstacles, and approving what we have done in this very thing. And having said this, I shall trouble you no more; but if you will be pleased that this instrument may be read, which I have signed by the advice of the Council of Officers, we shall then laave you to your own thoughts, and to the guidance of God, to order and dispose of yourselves for further Meetings as you shall see cause.  Acts 11.51. 
And this spoke he, not of himself; but being high Priest that year, he prophesied.  
FINIS.   

A Brief Application ON The Foregoing PAPERS.  
ARe these things so? Have we been, and are we so solemnly engaged to the advancement of Christ's Kingdom, by carrying on a thorough Reformation according to the Word of God?  
Has there been a Cause of Gods and Christ's pleaded and asserted, which the upright-hearted in these Nations have owned and adhered to, and which the superstitious, wicked and profane have scorned and opposed?  
Have we been pleading and engaging to blood for Christ against Antichrist? And is it so, that the Military work never throve until it was put upon that avowed account, (viz.) men of Principles, fearing God, engaged in it, and making that the avowed qualification to admit into Office and Trust amongst them?  
Hath Charles the Father, and his Bishops? Charles the Son, and his Scotish Presbytery, as Tyrannous and Antichristian, beastly and whorish, as the heads of the false Magistracy and Ministry, as Enemies to the Kingdom and Interest of Jesus Christ, and Supporters of the Throne of the Beast; been, with all their Adherents by Sea and Land, engaged with, vanquished and subdued, broken like Potter's vessels, and the righteous judgements of God executed upon many of the heads of them as Traitors and Rebels?  
Was King and Kingship, as standing in opposition to the Kingdom of Christ, being as was said, one of the ten horns of the Beast, Rev. 17. taken away?  
Was the Parliamentary Authority defaced, garbled, purged, and at last utterly broke, as Obstructers hereof, and that by the Army at their desire, and to the great joy of most of the godly in the Land, as having lost the Spirit of the Cause, and so far degenerated into a selfish and persecuting Spirit, that there appeared an enmity thereto?  
And lastly, was there another people called eminently by the Lord, to own, assert and carry on this cause and interest of Christ's Kingly Authority, to whom all due subjection was promised for Christ's sake, as to an Authority God had set over them to such an end?  
1 Quest. Whether it will not necessarily follow, that either the Parliament, Army, Ministers, and others, that have thus stated, asserted, engaged in such a cause as Gods and Christ's, and founding it upon the Word of God, to the shaking and breaking all visible Rule and Government, which for so many hundred years hath in Church and State been over us in these Nations, have either been grossly deluded, and so become guilty of all the blood that hath been spilt in this quarrel, and consequently a company of Munster-spirited Tyrants, Traitors and Murderers, as it hath been reflected upon them, and so ought to repent in dust and ashes, and to endeavour all due satisfaction possible to Cavaliers, Scots, Prelates and Presbyters; or if stated upon sound principles of Truth and Righteousness, which the Lord hath eminently owned and led to, step by step, and that all this shaking, overturning, that hath been made in Church and State, in order to the pulling down of Babylon, and exalting the Kingdom of his Son, is warranted and justified by the holy Scripture; then doubtless ought this Cause to be owned, adhered unto, and pressed after, with all zeal and fidelity, and they are to be esteemed Apostates, Revolters and Backsliders, that shall decline or turn aside herefrom?  
2 Quest. Whether the Army, who in so much seeming light and love to God, bringing this glorious cause into the hands of his people, (having broken down the National constitution) with a declared subjection to them for Christ's sake, are not guilty of most dreadful Apostasy and Rebellion against him, his Crown and Dignity?  
First, in breaking that Assembly so by the Lord in that eminent manner called together, whilst in the faithful prosecution of the said cause.  
Secondly, in setting up their Apostate General, and afterwards his Son, even in contradiction to all the Lords wondersul works amongst us, as heads of Church and State, and to whom were made all those blasphemous dreadsul Addresses, Oaths and Engagements, to the licking up their vomit again, owning and establishing all the Pride, Tyranny and Idolatry under new names and pretences, that had been so contemptuously cast down amongst us, (viz.) Kingship, Peerage and Prelacy, under the terms of Protector, a Other House and Tryers, who being set up, and an assay made to confirm all by Parliament, their Counsel being confounded, so that they could not bring about their Enterprises, as a further fruit of backsliding, the Army have sought out another invention to withstand the true heir the Lord Jesus, and kept him from his right, by calling together such as formerly were by them dissolved, for want of spirit, and being in opposition to the Lords work; and that it was so in truth, have not very many of them given sufficient evidence, by being Principals in the late Apostasy? and the generality such as stuck not to lift up their hands to the most High, that they would be true and faithful to the now deposed Usurper? And those few of renown amongst them, whose integrity was tried, it 's to be feared, in the conclusion, may serve for little more than to give countenance to what further their deceived hearts are lusting after, of which some proof is already given in their votes for continuing the oppression in paying Tithes, keeping from sale Hampton Court and White hall; but more especially their Act of Indemnity sufficiently justifying the wicked, and consequently condemning the righteous.  
3 Quest. Whether they who have owned the Lord in all his dispensations in the midst of all these oppositions and declension of others, ought not to be esteemed the well-affected to the Cause of God, his people and this Nation? rather then slanderously reported Munster-spirited and fanatic?  
Obj. What would these people have? The Cavaliers old and new, with the Commonwealthsmen, have somewhat to offer; but these neither know what they say, or whereof they affirm.  
Answ. Were it granted they were so weak as not to be able to hold forth some well-composed Model of Government, being still it may be better at pulling down, as is said page 24. line 10. then building up and establishing works; is this a good Argument to slight any rational dissatisfaction to what is now set up? If Episcopacy had never been taken away until some well ordered Church Government had been offered to succeed it by the Puritans, (who were then esteemed as ignoraut, giddy and fanatique because they did not) would it not have remained to this day? But for further satisfaction, there are four things in the Assirmative, wherein there seems to be a general agreement amongst this people, tending much to settlement upon a righteous Foundation.  

1. In reference to their Sovereign,  
That the Lord Jesus Christ (in whose Name, and by whose blessing and strength the mighty works have been effected amongst us, against Tyranny in the Civil, and Antichristianism in the Ecclesiastic State) may be publicly owned Our only Lord and King; from whom, as the head, all Power, Rule and Authority in Church and State, is to be derived, in opposition to every other Title; without which alteration, since the Foundations are out of course, it will be utterly impossible there should be any subsistence for that: the Image-Government, or fourth Beasts constitution, must as certainly be overturned and broken, to give way to this Fifth Kingdom, as the other were broken to give way to the fourth, Dan. 2.  
1 Tim. 6.15. He is the blessed and only Potentate, King of kings, and Lord of lords.  
John 5.27. And hath given him Authority to execute judgement also: because he is the Son of man.  
Isaiah 9.6. The Government shall be upon his shoulders.  
Obj. How can Christ be said to be our King? is he not in heaven?  
Answ. God was Israel's King of old, though heaven was his habitation, 1 Chron. 29.23.  
Solomon sat on the Throne of the Lord, 1 Chron. 29.23. 2 Chron. 9.8.  
When Israel would imitate other Nations in making them a King, they did not reject Samuel, but the Lord from reigning over them, 1 Sam. 8.7.  
And Gideen said unto them, I will not rule over you, neither shall my Son; the Lord shall rule over them.  
Why therefore should it be thought strange, that Christ Jesus should be admitted to his regal Authority, though in Heaven, to whom the Father hath given all power in Heaven and Earth? And why may not Christ be owned Head of the State as of the Church, there being hundreds of Congregations through grace in these Nations, that admit of no other Head or Lawgiver in the Church? And why may he not as well Rule over and amongst us, as suffer with us all the time of Antichrists Reign, all that is done to his, being done unto himself? And these things are asserted in the Covenant, but more fully by the General and Officers of the Army in their  Letters and Declarations.   

2. In reference to Laws,  
That the Laws of this great King, as they are recorded in the Old and New Testament, remaining in force since his death, be the declared Laws of this Nation, in opposition to the Heathenish, Tyrannous and Popish Laws yet in force amongst us.  
Isai. 8.19. Should not a people seek unto their god? to the Laws, to the Testimonies?  
Isa. 23.22. The Lord is our Lawgiver, he is our King, he will save us.  
Jam. 4.12. There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy.  
Deut. 4.8. What Nation so great as hath statutes and judgements so righteous as all this Law set before you?  
Keep therefore and do them: for this is your wisdom and understanding in the sight of the Nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this generation is a wise and understanding people.  
Deut. 17.18,19,20. And it shall be when he sitteth upon the Throne of his Kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this Law in a book: and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren.  
It's a Maxim in the Law, asserted by Finch the great Lawyer, Cook and others, that no Act of Parliament, or Law repugnant to the Law of God, is of any force: but how well our Lawmakers have lived up hereto, read Mr. Boon's Examen legum Angliae; who comparing our Laws with the Scriptures, finds 68 Laws expressly contrary to the Scriptures.  
Read that excellent Letter of Eleutherius to King Lucius, page 8. what light herein was declared for in that day.   

3. In reference to the Administrators.  
That the people most read, and best practisers of this excellent and perfect Law, be chosen out to the Administration thereof under Christ, in opposition to the ignorant, profane and scandalous; and all, both old and new Malignants, that have visibly opposed him in his Word and Works, and not given some suitable testimony of repentance.  
Exod. 18.21. Num. 11.16. Deut. 1.13. Thoushalt provide of all the people, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be Rulers.  
2 Sam. 23.2,3,4. The Spirit of the Lord spoke, and the Rock of Israel said, He that rules over men, must be just, ruling in the fear of God.  
Isai. 1.26. And I will restore thy Judges as at the first, and thy Counsellors as at the beginning.  
Which principle is further asserted,  
1. By the Army's Petition, 13 August, 1652. who pray, that only men fearing God, and hating covetousness, should be put into places of Authority and Trust, and that all profane, scandalous and disaffected persons should be outed; and the neglect hereof, given as one of the grounds of the Parliaments dissolution.  
2. By the present Assembly at Westminster in their Declaration May 9 1659. That all such as shall be in any place of Trust and Power within this Commonwealth, be able for the discharge of such Trust, and that they be persons fearing God, that have given testimony of their true love to all the people of God, and of their faithfuiness to the cause of this Commonwealth, according to their Declaration of the seventh of May, 1659. in which Declaration they further say, That they shall vigorously endeavour the carrying on of Reformation so much desired, and so often declared for, to the end there may be a godly and faithful Magistracy and Ministry upheld in these Nations, to the glory and praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the reviving and making glad the hearts of the upright in the Land. But how well these good words are put in practice, look within their own walls, and may you not find divers of the late Tyrant's Council, that persecuted and imprisoned so many of God's people for their faithful witness to the Cause?  
Is not their Speaker one of the new upstart Lords? and are there not many others of the same stamp that sat in the Other House?  
How many are there that swore Allegiance and fidelity, both to the deceased and late deposed Protector?  
How many scandalous persons?  
How many unworthy Mercenary Lawyers?  
And will these men pass for men fearing God, true Lovers of God's people, and faithful to the Cause? Are such like to carry on a vigorous and thorough Reformation so much desired, to the glory and praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, and making glad the hearts of the upright?   

4. In reference to the Ecclesiastical State.  
1. That a thorough Reformation be pressed after, according as is expressed in the Covenant, agreeable to the Word of God, and best reformed Churches.  
2. That such a Ministry may without restraint go forth, as are faithful, and have received the Spirit, and gifts from on high for such a work, and that are made able Ministers of the New Testament, accepting Christ's work out of love to souls, together with such wages as he hath left in his word.  
3. That all Ecclesiastical Officers and Offices (so called) depending upon the Hierarchy, may be extirpated root and branch, whether Parsons, Vicars, Curates, Patrons, etc. with their Maintenance, Tithes, Offerings, Oblations, Obventions, Tenths, First-Fruits, as deriving their Rise and Authority from Antichrist, supported by the Beast, and for which there is not the least footing in the Word of God.  
4. That the Magistrate intermeddle not in the matters of Christ's Church, or Spiritual concernment, imposing either Ministry maintenance, or forms of worship, suited to his interest; which hath been the ground of all body and soul-oppression.  
These being faithfully observed, will administer equal and impartial justice to every one, and tend to the recovery of the primitive (and prophesied to be restored) Ordinance of Magistracy, making it a terror to evil doers, and a praise to them that do well, so that none in well-doing, of what persuasion soever, can have cause to doubt of being protected in their persons and proprieties from such as shall attempt upon any pretence whatsoever to invade the same, or of being in an equal capacity with others qualified for electing or being elected to a participation of Rule, as any ability for the same may be given to them.    


Page 23. line 35. for politic, read public.  
Page 25. line 16. for thereby, read then by.  
Page 33. line 8. for petitioned for, read pretended to.   
There are other lesser faults; but these needfully require amendment with the Pen, or mention of them in an Errata.  
FINIS.