THE Groans of Kent: OR, An Humble REMONSTRANCE from divers well-affected in the County of KENT. To His Excellency the Lord General Fairfax, and the Army under his Command.  
LONDON, Printed for G. W. near the Exchange.   

The Groans of Kent: OR, An Humble Remonstrance from divers well-affected in the County of KENT.  
To his Excellency the Lord General Fairfax, and the Army under his Command.  
Humbly showeth,  
THat the pressures, miseries, distractions, and troubles of our Nation, our tedious and wasting Wars, with the sad effects and consequences thereof, the loss of Trade, Treasure, and Blood, the bitter and lamentable complaint of poor widows and fatherless, especially in our own County, and which is most piercing, the sad Omens of future troubles yet impending, the returning of the clouds again after the rain; as they call upon us to humble ourselves under the Almighty hand of God, so they provoke us humbly to address ourselves unto your Excellency, and the Honourable Army under your Command, as the hopeful instruments (under God) of a seasonable deliverance from our present miseries, and timous restauration (if the Lord will) unto our former felicity, that the oppressions, taxations, and vexations of our English Nation (through an Arbitrary and Tyrannical administration of rulers) were great and manifold before this present Parliament began, was the complaint of all; that a seasonable Parliament (our wont refuge in such cases,) would certainly relieve us, was the hopes of all; that the Protestations, Promises, Engagements, Vows, and Covenants, most happy beginnings, and prosperous proceed of this Parliament above all others, would make us a happy and free people, was the belief of all; but through the just and righteous judgement of God, and the unjust and unrighteous proceed of men, even of our own native people, of some by force and violence, of others by fraud and deceit, our expectations languish, our hopes perish, our estates impair, our treasure wastes, our blood runs out, our liberties are enthralled, our privileges threatened, our oppressions multiplied, our taskmasters increased, poverty, slavery, and tyranny coming upon us like a mighty flood, and our condition every way like to be worse than it was before this Parliament began; in this deplorable estate, we cannot but call to mind, and look back upon those hopeful expectations of a happy deliverance from our former troubles by several hands, and the unhappy frustration thereof from all; we have always observed that the most public ruin, and particular interests, have been always fomented under the plausible, and specious advantages of public and common good; we well remember under what pretences of common benefit, Monopolies, Ship-monies, Coat and Conduct-monies, oppressing Courts of Star-Chamber, high Commission, Ceremonies, Altars, Liturgies, and many other oppressions and grievances, in matters both of Church and State were imposed upon us; we cannot forget the primitive zeal, the professed resolution, and most promising beginnings of this present Parliament, in delivering the Nation from these sore and miserable pressures, together with the voluntary and free Contribution of moneys, horse, plate, servants, children, yea, and very lives of the well affected of the Kingdom in the Parliaments assistance unto these ends; together with the several Protestations, Oaths, Vows, Covenants, and mutual Declarations of Parliament and People, to live and die each with other in the mutual preservation each of other against the common enemy, all tyranny and oppression whatsoever, as also the most wonderful successes, deliverances, and victories, which by the right hand of the most high, have been wrought for us, the many and formidable Parties and Armies of the enemy broken to pieces, their multiforme, secret, and bloody plots. Counsels, Contrivances, and Projects, through the mercy and goodness of God, proving abortive and successlesse: but that which is as a sword, piercing through our very souls, is this, That after 7. years' labour and travel in fire and blood, the common Enemy fully suppressed and vanquished, all his Armies broken in pieces, his strong Holds and Garrisons reduced, we expected to reap in joy what we had sown in tears, yea, in blood, which (our record is on high) was not the lives and estates of our enemies, but that just liberty and freedom of this Nation, which is their natural, native, and proper right and due, so often, so zealously, so effectually promised unto us by our present Parliament, who did frequently engage themselves, that upon our endeavours to assist them in the common cause of the Kingdom's interest, they would make us as happy, and free a people as any Nation under the heavens, yet notwithstanding all advantages administered for the performance thereof, not only these promises are not performed, our hopes and expectations frustrated, but the oppressions, taxations, and troubles of the land in general, are multiplied, the well affected party in special is most of all molested, and vexed, the disaffected, viz. Commissioners of Array, & those that have been notorious enemies to the Parli. evidencing the same by their actual endeavours in Arms against the Parliament, and by their voluntary assistance with moneys, horse, plate, etc. admitted for Deputy Lieutenants of the Counties, and so betrusted with the Militia, and into several Committees, Offices, and places of trust, by means whereof, the well-affected party is most of all oppressed, vexed, and grieved in all the parts of the Kingdom, and that in a way of revenge, for assisting the Parliament in the late Wars, common justice obstructed, the cry of the poor, the fatherless, the widow, and oppressed of the land, against the maladministration of justice and judgement, and the complaint of all, as loud, as strong and piercing in the ears of God and men, as in the beginning of this present Parliament; the Peace and quietness of the Kingdom not only unsettled, but new and thick clouds of blood arising from several parts and Counties of the Kingdom, through that general distemper every where abounding, do still threaten more storms of blood and War, even unto our utter ruin and destruction; we have oftentimes addressed ourselves in humble Petitions and Representations of our grievances unto the Parliament, where (we confess) we have had candid receptions from time to time, with many fair, and most acceptable promises of a seasonable relief, yea, and sometimes Votes, Orders, Declarations, and Ordinances, giving us very great hopes hereunto; but alas (though we forget not the many good things done for us in the beginning of this Parliament) yet of late what have all our endeavours been unto us, but as sowing the wind, and reaping the whirlwind; our labours of this kind proving unto us not only vanity, but vexation of spirit; for when we have expected the actual performance of these Parliamentary Promises, Votes, etc. we have met with contrary Votes; Orders, and Ordinances, destroying those hopes and expectations which were begotten in us by their former expresses; by means whereof, the Parliament of England, the wont terror of evil doers, (though ever so great,) the relief of the oppressed, (though evers so mean) and the joy of the whole Kingdom, is ecome the derision of Delinquents, the grief of the innocent, and the complaint of all; In this condition, let not your Excellency be offended, if we humbly remind your Excellency, and most Noble Officers and soldiers under your Command, of your most worthy and acceptable Declarations, Proposals, Promises, and Engagements, which you were pleased also to make upon the earnest Solicitations, Petitions, and Complaints of the well-affected in several Counties, for the relief of the oppressed, the freedom of the Nation from its grievous pressures, the just satisfaction of all interests, and the settlement of the Peace and quietness of the Kingdom; nevertheless even here also our hopes, raised up by the public expresses of your Excellency, and your Army, have been (if not altogether frustrated) yet abundantly deferred, making our heart sick, and dejecting the spirits of those that did undoubtedly expect the performance thereof; notwithstanding when we consider,  
First, Your endeavours to procure the accomplishment of those things in a Parliamentary way, to the satisfaction of all, and stopping the mouth of scandal.  
Secondly, That nothing hath yet been done by your Excellency and Army (at least to our knowledge) repugnant with, and contrary unto the aforesaid Promises, Purposes, and Engagements.  
Thirdly, That neither your Excellency, nor Army, have made a prey upon the estates and treasure of the Kingdom, or any part thereof, though many opportunities hereunto have been frequently offered, which we may speak without the least suspicion of flattery, it being the general acknowledgement, even of the worst of your enemies; no Officers in your Army that ever we heard of, found guilty so much as of a false muster, to the everlasting honour of your Army.  
Fourthly, Your constant love, care, and faithfulness to the Peace and welfare of the Nation; as heretofore, so especially of late, eveidenced by the readiness, freeness and willingness of your Excellency, and your Army, (notwithstanding all discouragements, affronts, reproaches, dishonour, and abuses many ways offered, and the personal diseases and distemper of your own body) to interpose between the Peace and welfare of the Kingdom, and the malicious enemies thereof, who risen up like a Lion out of the thicket, and like so many Bears rob of their whelps, making several insurrections, openly committing murders, felonies, riots, and treasons in the great City, and in several parts of the Kingdom, as in the North, in Wales, Essex, and in our own County, which had they not been suppressed by the blessing of God, through the courage and faithfulness of your Excellency, and Army, the City and Kingdom had either been in blood, or (which is as bad) at the cruel mercies of bloody and violent men, whose design was doubtless the utter extirpation of the very life, and power of Religion, and just Liberty from amongst us, and to have made all honest and conscientious men, however distinguished, the objects of their revenge, rage, and fury, the most profane and malignant sort of people being the chiefest agents in these tumults, (unto whom the profession, and much more the practice of godliness under any form of Discipline whatsoever is an Abomination) which labour of love the Lord reward seven fold into the bosom of your Excellency, and Army; and for ever adored and magnified be that wisdom of the only wise God that prevented your disbanding contrary to the wisdom of men, and reserved you for such a season as this was; for we are now fully convinced of that hand of Grace and Mercy which so ordered your continuance in Arms.  
The consideration of these things most Noble Sir, hath strengthened our hearts and hands once more in our most humble address unto your Excellency and yove Army, to pray and beseech you upon all the bands of Charity, mercy, and compassion to your own native Country upon all Parliamentary Conjurations, Declarations, Vows, and Covenants, imposed upon you to defend the people's just Rights and Liberties, upon all your printed and published Declarations, Engagements, promises, & resolutions upon all the Victories, successes and appearances of God for you heitherto, in your upright endeavours for the common good, to assert the Liberties, and just interest of an oppressed people; your own Brethren and Countrymen against the Tyranny cruelty, and oppression of any party or parties whatsoever to sollicet the Parl. (by all just ways and to lay forth yourselves to the utmost of your power in the speedy settlement of this distemper, and afflicted Nation. Give us leave we humbly beseech you, to dictate to your Excellency: our humble thoughts of the most hopeful and promising means hereunto, and that (we conceive) is the speedy determination, and happy issue of these 4 things.  

1 The Differences touching the King.  
2 The Securing the Militia of the Kingdom in faithful hands.  
3 A just and prudent framing an act of Oblivion.  
4 The just satisfaction of all interests.   
FIrst concerning the interest of the King, be pleased to call to mind, your own exprssieons, printed and published to the world, filling the hearts of the Solicitors and perplexed people, with the expectation of your actions accordingly.  
In your Declaration and proposals of the 14. of June 1647. tendered to the Parliament, and printed and published to the world, you have these words. When his Majesty in these things (having proposed several good things for the public peace and benefit) and what else shall be proposed by the Parliament necesary to secure the rights, and Libertyes of the people; and for settling the Militia and peace of the Kingdom, shall have given his concurrence to put them past dispute, we shall then desire that the Rights of his Majesty and his posterity, may be considered of, and settled in all things so far as may consist with the Rights and freedom of the Subject, and with the security of the same for the future. And in your Declaration of the 2. of August 1647. And to these proposals which we here first tendered, as necessary to a peace, and upon which we desire a seal of prace in the restitution of his Majesty and others to their rights, and in an act of oblivion to be past etc. And in your proposals of the 1 of August 1647. in the 14 head of those proposals thus. That the things here before proposed being provided for the settling and securing the Rights, Liberties, Peace, and safety of the Kingdom, His Majesty's Person, His Queen, and Royal Issue, may be restored to a condition of safety, honour, and freedom in this Nation, without diminution to their personal Rights▪ or further limitation to the exercise of the Regal power, there according to the particulars aforegoing.  
These several promises and engagements of yours concerning the King, give very great satisfaction to the well-affected of the Kingdoms, and did put them into great expectations of the speedy performance thereof. We cannot conceive how the peace of the nation can be settled, and the differences, distempers, and jealousies of the people composed, until the differences between the King and people be (by some just and safe way) determined; for hear the flames of war at first broke out, and the fire (though seemingly quenched) will from hence (except timely prevented) kindle into higher flames of war and destruction. It cannot be our rational desire, that the King (or any others) should be advanced to the hurt, prejudice, and vassalage of the people; we knowing that there is no prerogative or privilege of King or Parliament, which is inconsistent with the just liberty and welfare of the people; we would therefore much rather choose an everlasting war, then everlasting bondage and slavery, as conceiving it more sntable to the principles of piety and humanity.  
And we humbly pray that the Parliament may be minded by you, that our Covenant (solemnly made, with▪ our hands lifted up to heaven, thereby calling the great God of heaven and earth to witness for our sincerity, and employing his divine aid for performance) was not made to King or Parliament: but to God the judge of all; And that therefore neither King, nor Parliament, can absolve us from the obligation of it; as therefore we were drawn into this bond at the instance, by the convincing arguments and good example of the Parliament: so we hope the Parliament will not commit so great wickedness, as to become Covenant breakers with their God themselves, much less require others, and least of all compel them to it, and thereby bring an heavy curse upon the whole Kingdom. Which yet, if they shall do, (and which our gracious God forbidden) we (knowing the terrors of the Almighty) beseech you to declare (in our behalf, that we cannot, we dare not, nay we will not join, or consent with them therein. Pardon us if again we beseech your Excellencies' endeavours in settling the great business of the King, by some just and righteous way: Let the people know what they shall trust unto and not be thus harrased by perpetual troubles, and war, as they are like to be if this business be not determined.  
And in case his Majesty shall refuse to give satisfaction to these just demands of the people, and so continue the Kingdom in this sad, unsettled raging distemper, so that we cannot enjoy peace and truth in security with him, (whose just rights together with our own we heartily desire) than we entreat that the Parliament may be minded, of their most reasonable and equal votes which they have made, and published to the world in print, viz. To settle the Kingdom without him. And our further hopes and desires to your Excellency and honourable Army are, that (until these things before mentioned shall be accomplished, one way or other) you will not lay down Arms, nor cease to use all just endeavours, according to those vows and engagements that lie upon you.  
And the sense of our own engagements together with yourselves hearin, enforce us to declare that we must, and shall stand by you with our lives and fortunes, in the speedy prosecution hereof, as choosing rather to die a thousand deaths, and to hazard the displeasure of all men in the world, then to be found false in the Covenant of our God, and so draw down divine vengeance on us and our posterity. And because the future peace and welfare of the Kingdom cannot be secured, except the Militia thereof be entrusted into safe hands.  
In the second place we humbly request, and beseech your Excellency and Army, to call to mind the second & third heads of the Proposals of your Excellency and Army, of the first of August 1647. concerning the disposing the Militia of the Kingdom both by Sea and Land, & the many particulars hereunto belonging (to long to be here inserted) that the said Militia may not be trusted in the hands of any but those, that have given most palpable evidence of their good affections to the common care, against the common enemy nor declined since in their faithfulness, as some most basely have done.  
And (that every root of bitterness, wars and divisions may be plucked up) in the third place we humbly desire your Excellency and Army, to take again into consideration the eighth particular of the Declaration, and Representation of your Excellency and Army of the 14. of june 1647. in these words, That public justice being first satisfied, by some examples, of the worst of excepted persons, and other delinquents having past their compositions, some course may be taken by a general act of oblivion or other ways, whereby the seeds of future war or fears, either to the prosent age, or posterity, may the better be taken away, by easing the sense of present, and satisfying these fears of future ruin, or undoing to persons or families who may drive men into any desperate ways for self preservation or remedy, and by taking away the private remembrances, and distinction of persons, as far as may stand with safery to the rights and liberties we have hithers a fought for.  
As also the 16 head of your Excellencies and Armies Proposals of the first of August 1647 in these words That there may be a general act of oblivion, to extend to all, (except the person: to be continued in exception) to absolve from all trespasses, misdemeanours &c. done in prosecution of the war, and from all trouble or prejudice for or concerning the same, after their compositions past, and to restore them to all privileges &c. belonging to other subjects provided as in the fourth Article, under the second general head afore going concerning security.  
In the fourth place (the seeds of future wars being taken away) that all interests may be satisfied, we desire your Excellency and Army to reconsider, what you were pleased to remonstrate to the Commissioners as St- Albans june the 23. 1647. to be by them humbly presented to the Parliament; You are pleased to declare for the King and his party (so far as can consist with common right or freedom, and with security of the same for future) in these words, And we do further clearly profess, we do not see how there can be any peace to this Kingdom firm and lasting, without a due consideration of, and provision for the rights quiet and immurity of his Maj sties Royal family, and late partakers, and herein we think that tender and equitable dealing (as supposing their cases had been ours) and a spirit of Common love and justice diffusing itself to the good and preservation of all, will make up the most glorious conquest over our hearts (if God in mercy se it good) to make them and the whole people of the land lasting friends.  
As for satisfaction in matters of Religion, you have been pleased to declare, (and we trust in the true and real purposes of your hearts) in your Declaration and Representation of the 14. of June 1647. in these words. And whereas it ha●h been suggested or suspected, that in our late or present proceed, our design is to overthrow Presbytery, or hinder the settlement thereof, and to have the Independent Government set up, we do clearly disclaim and disavow any such designs; we only desire, that according to the Declarations promising a provision for tender Consciences, there may some effectual course be taken, according to the intent thereof; and that such who upon conscientious grounds, may differ from the established forms, may not (for that) be debared from the common rights, liberties or benefits belonging equally to all as men, and members of the Commonwealth, while they live soberly, honestly, and inoffensively towards others, and peacefully and faithfully towards the State.  
Now may it please your Excellency, and Honourable Army, these things and many others of the like nature, you have been pleased (we trust) to represent and publish to the world, with a true and real intent and purpose of heart (and not to serve a present turn) that you might perform, and by all just ways put the same in execution, notwithstanding those clamorous objections, reproaches, and accusations cast upon you by the ignorance of some, and malice of others, that you should take upon you the ordering of the Parliament, and the Government of the Kingdom by the power of the Sword, the Parliament itself having often taught us, as you well observe in your Declaration of the 14. of June 1647. in these words, the Parliament hath declared it not ●esisting of Magistracy to side with the just principles and law of nature and Nations, being that law upon which (you say to the Parliament) we have assisted you, and that the Soldiery may lawfully hold the hands of the General who will turn his Cannon against his Army on purpose to destroy them; the Seamen the hands of the Pilot, who wilfully runs the Ship upon a Rock, (as out brethren of▪ Scotland argued who were justified and protected by their own and this Kingdom, when in the first beginning of their late differences associated in Covenant for the very same grounds and principles, having no visible form either of King or Parliament to countenance them. For it is not Salus Regis but Regni, that is Suprema Lex. As for Parliaments privileges, it cannot be presumed that they amount to any thing, directly contrary to the peace and welfarre of the Kingdom, the Parliament itself, (much more their privileges) having their very being as such for the peace and welfarre of the people. Your Excellency and honourable Council of War declared in your letter to the Lord Major, and Common Council of London June the 25. 1647. That the name of Privileges must not lie in the balance with the safety of a Kingdom, and the reality of doing justice. And in your Remonstrance of the 23. of June, 1647. We clearly find, (and all men may see it) that Parliament Privileges, as well as Royal Prerogative, may be perverted and abused, to the destruction of those greater ends, for whose protection and preservation they were admitted or intended; to wit, the Rights and Liberties of the People, and safety of the whole, and (in case they be so) the abuse, evil, or danger of them, is no less to be contended against, and the remedy thereof no less to be endeavoured then the other.  
We humbly pray your Excellency and Army that all due ways may be continually employed to maintain mutual amity, love, and correspondency between the Parliament, Cit●● and Army; but above all that the common interest of the people may be preserved from the violent hands of any, and that your Excellency and Army would improve your utmost wisdom and power in the just and speedy setlement of our common freedom from this perplexed condition in which we are. We desire your Excellency and Army to believe, that we are so far from declining the Parl. in our humble addresses, as that having frequently solicited them in our own persons. so now by your Excellencies implored mediation, we humbly pray their consideration of our afflicted condition, & utmost endeavours for a speedy relief herein. Alas Sr. what shall we do? in the beginning of these troubles he that did not engage for King nor Parliament was punished by both (if within the reach of either) he that engaged for the one was perplexed by the other, and of late the cross orders, votes, and ordinances of the Parliament itself, have been such that their most cordial friends know not where to fix.  
We humbly pray your Excellency and Armies serious consideration of the premises, and assistance in this extremity, and the Lord of Hosts bless and prosper your Excellency and whole Army, teach your hands to war and your fingers to fights, cover your heads in the day of battle, and at length give you to reap the fruit of jeoparding your lives in the high places, in making you the happy instruments in his hand of settling the unhappy differences of the Nation upon the pillars of peace and truth.  
FJNJS