A Letter to the kingdom of ENGLAND, To stand upon their Watch, lest the dark winter nights (by the lightning of Cannons) prove terrible to their Spirits.  
To all that wish well to the Church and commonwealth, greeting, with desire that the multitude of frivolous Pamphlets, may not hinder them from reading, or perusing of this affectionate Letter from a Friend, or Brother of theirs.  
Dear countrymen.  
MY Prayer to God, and hearts desire is, that you may be safe in this life, and saved in the world to come. Are not good Laws the Life of a kingdom, and the gospel in its purity the power of God unto salvation? Can you be in safety, if the streams of Law, running through the channel of Equity should be damned up by black envy, and desperate Malignity? What will become of your Liberties and Estates, yourselves and your Posterities, if boundless Prerogative sore aloft; And the wholesome Statutes enacted, and good Laws prepared, be so depressed, that their depression prove no less than their annihilation? It is the Word that begets Faith, and God's Ordinance that instrumentally vivify our dead, and refoscilate our drooping and distressed spirits: Can the Vision therefore fail, and you not be in danger to perish? It is the boldness of God's Messengers, and the late enlargement of their bounds, that now enrageth nefarious and Malevolent persons. That the Law may not be your Protection, that the light of Sacred Truth may not shine so clearly; that they may be advanced, and you and yours for ever enslaved, diverse corrupt Men, Men of corrupt spirits have persuaded His Majesty to desert His Great, His Wise, and His faithful council, the council of Parliament: yea, I wish they may not (if they have not) prevailed with Him to take up arms against those, who are and will ever be found to be his loyal Subjects: But what meaneth the sounding of the Trumpets, and the striking up of Drums in several Counties, by virtue of his majesty's Commission, if war was not intended in this our Nation? It may be you are, or shortly will be sent unto, for Men, Moneys, Horse, and other Warlike Ammunition, and if not to bear at least to lend your arms, which you have provided for the good of your Countries, that under pretence of Defence of his Majesty, and the maintenance of your own Peace they may be borne by others. It is not his majesty, but his Majesty misinformed, that calls for this from you, not himself, but his ill affected councillors and the Cavaliers, who follow them at the heels, and (as it may be thought) many of them, not only criminous, but of desperate Fortunes, desiring through the Sea of your blood to swim to their hoped haven that put him on upon these strange and unheard of courses. The wise man's eyes are in his head, stand upon your Watch, look about you, the Romish party and the malcontented Courtiers would ensnare you; Sleep not, Security precedes Misery: it is ill resting in a Sirens arms; fair Pretences sometimes open the door to let in a Troop of evils. You have of late had many goodly Protestations, but few real actions: take heed what you do, you have cause to fear, not to Confide, and if to Confide, not in a Prince carried away by private council, but in the great council of State, that council is his Majesties; they were Summoned by his own Writ; They are yours; they came together by your own Election; should you do contrary to their Advice, you would desert both your King and yourselves. It is for God and the Common good that they stand. Meroz Curse will be your portion, if you come not out to help Them, much more if you should go forth or send any Force against them. The Lords and Commons intend nothing but Loyalty to his majesty, and the continued and continual preservation of your Safety: therefore help them with your Prayers, neither let your Estates and Lives be dear unto you for their sakes; and see that you lift not up a hand against them, lest you be sound fighters against the Lord. Defend his majesty's royal person to the last drop of blood in your veins; maintain his Dignity, with the privilege of Parliament, with the hazard of your Lives; and further, according as you lately Protested, endeavour to bring all underminers of Church and State to condign punishment. Go not out of your Counties, but defend them and yourselves. Lend not your arms, least being naked you be beaten with your own Weapons. Take my advice, you may come to prevent Dangers. It is the advice of a Friend, and of one that is a loyal Subject to his majesty; therefore let his promonition be a premonition to you all.   

London, Printed by R. O. & G. D. in the year, 1642.