A DECLARATION Of some of those People in or near London, called ANABAPTISTS, That own, and believe, that God's love, in the Death of his Son, is extended to all men; and that are in the belief and practice of the doctrine of Christ, contained in Hebrews 6. 1, 2.  
Humbly presented to the High Court of PARLIAMENT, and the People of this commonwealth.  
WHereas the people in this Nation called (though falsely) ANABAPTISTS, are represented as the only men causing those sad, and much to be lamented troubles, that hath lately happened in the commonwealth; and as if they were such, who would endeavour the setting up their own Interest and Religion, by taking away the Lives, and shedding the Blood of others; yea, and as if they were utter Enemies to Magistracy: These, and such like Calumnies, being by the Tongues of the Malicious, or Ignorant cast upon them, we think it our duty, being as well as others concerned, to publish to the world our Innocency therein, though in this we have peace, that in our Consciences we know, (the most high God bearing-us witness) that in those things we are wholly misrepresented. And truly, in this we can rejoice, (we knowing ourselves falsely reported of, and reproached) that we should be so accounted, considering that God's People in no Age did escape such foul Aspersions: for who was accounted the troubler of Israel but Elisha? and who a Pestilent Fellow, and a mover of Sedition but Paul? We do therefore, in behalf of ourselves, declare, (before the Lord, who, should we not speak the truth, would be a swift witness against us) to Magistrates and People, that all men may have a right understanding touching us.  
I. That we have not, neither do we desire, or seek the Blood of any; no, not of our greatest Enemies that hate us, and do, or shall despitefully use us: but desire their good as our own, and believe it our duty to seek it by all lawful means we can, desiring to be found followers of Christ, who came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them, who accordingly laid down his life for his Enemies, and hath commanded us that we love our Enemies, and do good to them that hate us. And although we have been represented as men thirsting after blood, and designed to cut our neighbours throats; We do hereby declare, that we are so far from such a wicked thing, and do so much abominate the thoughts thereof, that the Lord, who is our Record, knoweth that it is upon our hearts, as our bounden duty, to assist and defend the Nation, this City, and our Neighbours as much as in us lie, from such violence, against whomsoever they are that shall at any time attempt it, if called thereunto by the Magistrates of this Nation.  
II. We do declare, that, as for Magistrates, we own them to be God's Ministers, and that they bare not the Sword in vain, but have their power given them by the Lord, to the end, they might be a terror to them that do evil, and a Praise to them that do Well.  
III. We Declare, that it's our Duty, enjoined us by the Lord, to submit to them in all things, and to obey every Ordinance of Man for the Lord's sake, viz. when they shall command things civil and lawful, then in those things actively to obey them; and when they shall command us to do things relating to Religion, and contrary to the light of our Consciences, then (though we cannot actually obey them) we ought (and doubt not, but through the strength of Christ Jesus our Lord, we shall) passively obey by sufferings, and that joyfully, when called to it, without resisting.  
IV. We Believe, and Declare, that it's not our business to meddle with their State affairs, or the Government of the commonwealth, unless by them duly called thereunto, further, then according to the will of God, to pray that we may live a peaceable life under them, in all godliness and honesty.  
V. We Declare, that the National Ministers we disown, as not being the Ministers of Christ, and their ways and worship, as not the true worship appointed by Christ now in the Gospel; and in particular, we declare against their sprinkling Infants, and their cruel, and inhuman forcing of maintenance by Law, or otherwise from any: yet notwithstanding, we declare, that we do desire their good, and that they may enjoy Common Freedom in the Nation, equal with others.  
VI. We believe, and Declare, that all men whatsoever, aught to have their liberty in point of Conscience; and that no Magistrate hath received power from Christ to punish for, or to compel any to this or that form of Religion.  
VII. We do Declare, that we ourselves, and all other of what persuasion soever they are, if found to walk contrary to the Just laws of the Nation, aught by the magistrates thereof to be punished, according to the demerit of his or their transgression, and not in the least to be tolerated therein.  
VIII. We Believe and Declare, That we ought not; yea, and that it were sinful for us to maintain our Religion by a Carnal Sword, or to assert any spiritual cause or thing thereby.  
Lastly, We Believe and Declare, that all the kingdoms of the earth, are by right Jesus Christ's, and his Saints; and that He, and They, shall one day possess them, which shall be the Fift, and Last MONARCHY upon Earth; for which time we wait, as pilgrims and strangers: and do again Declare, that in the mean time, it's our duty to obey the Powers that are, (as above said) and not to assert his Kingly Power, and Authority by any other Sword than the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; and do hereby Declare against all such as shall so do, as not owned by us in such a practice: So far are we from setting up ourselves, or asserting our Religion, by taking away the lives, or shedding the blood of any.   

Postscript.  
PEradventure some may question why we should publish this Declaration, seeing there was two published before it; to such we give these Reasons for satisfaction.  
I. Because that, dated December the 12. 1659. we cannot in all things close with, Therefore, forasmuch as we, who go under the same Notion with them of being ANABAPTISTS, thought it our duty to manifest our non-consent with them, in their sewing pillows under the elbows of the Ministers of the Nation; and their want of boldness, to witness against their Babylonish Worship; which is also the reason why we Declare against those National Ministers, more than against any other.  
II. Secondly, because in that Declaration, bearing date December 29. there is not every thing that was upon our hearts to Declare; yet, this we testify to all men, That what they do Declare, we own as avery honest thing, and in nothing dissent from it; but do Judge that they have used much plainness, and manifested much fidelity to Jesus Christ; and do bear the same testimony against the first, dated the 12. of December, as they do.  


John Griffith  
William Gurney  
Charles Latham  
William Daniel  
James Eachell  
John Foxwel  
Joshua Palmer  
William Williams  
William Purver  
Thomas Field  
William Tomkins  
Edward Stevens  
John Bull  
William Martin  
Francis Wilcocks  
John Howard  
George Cooper  
Thomas Hinton  
John Knight  
Thomas Hull  
Richard Groom  
Edward Hull  
Randal Emerton  
Will. Tomlinson  
William Tiddman  
Mich. Butterfield  
John Ridal  
John Grace     

London, Printed by Thomas Milbourn for Samuel Cleaver, near the stone-chapel in Pauls-Church-yard.