A NARRATIVE PRESENTED TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London, in Common-council Assembled.  
LONDON, Printed by Richard Cotes, 1647.   

A NARRATIVE PRESENTED To the Right Honourable the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of LONDON, in Common-council assembled.  
WHen the Body receives a wound, the Chirurgeon that cures it, if he do it not sound and effectually, it afterwards proves as dangerous, and as expensive, as if remedies had never been applied; this Kingdom hath at present many wide and gaping wounds, (and some of them old sores which continually break out) which if not skilfully handled, may breed a long distemper in it, and perhaps at last lose much of its strength, and get a halting that may prove incurable; Look but back, and you shall see a War betwixt the King and Parliament, in which was much blood spilt, to the great grief of all true English men, who cannot but wish this War had never been, and that some more moderate way had been found out to have reconciled these differences, rather than to see it effected with the loss of their dearest friends and estates, and to enjoy no settledness to this day; which when it was hoped might have come to some issue, here appears another rent 'twixt the Parliament and the Army, that in all likely hood may prove as dismal as the former, if not looked unto with judgement, and an order put for a speedy remedy. What the Army doth set forth is very fair in all or most particulars, and I doubt not if things were estated according to what they propose, the Kingdom may prove famous and flourishing: What is most stumbled at, is liberty of Conscience, and demanding the Members out of the House. For the first, they do it in a moderate way, and charity will construe the best; and truly if in point of Ceremony only, and not in fundamental grounds they differ, I do not see how men can well be forced against their Conscience, so long as in all kinds else they be regular, without any self-pretences, and without birternesse and hatred. For the second, there is none I think that means well, is against their desire, that any who is suspected (and consequently impeached) by them, but shall be brought to his trial: The difference only is, whether they shall be tried by the Common Law of England, or by the high Court of Parliament now fitting; they are Parliament men, and, therefore (as the case now stands) the Parliament are their Peers: Also when the King would have had the five Members out of the House, it was then the sense of the whole Kingdom, that it was a breach of Parliament; if it were so then, it will be the same now; I question not, but by the interposition of your mediation, this may be brought to take place, that all those whom they have named may be tried by the Parliament; for there is great hopes that the Honourable House will do Justice, even to the cutting off its own Members, (if they be unsound) for the cure of the Commonwealth; and it cannot be but a pleasing sight to the people, to see good justice done on such against whom proof is made, that they have abused the high trust reposed in them, and no less joyful will it be to see others (if no offenders) to come off with credit and reputation; and whereas most loving and friendly Letters have been sent you from the Army, wherein they in a most full manner express their love to the City in particular, (which for my part I believe is unfeigned) and withal desire you not to be against them in their proceeding according to their Declaration in any way of opposition, etc. I cannot but persuade to the same, only I wish that in a prudential way you would be so ready as to be able to withstand all attempts whatsoever may be made, and that such a course may be taken, that the City lie not open to be surprised at pleasure, in case the Common Soldier should desire that such a thing be exploited. I do not in the least degree question the integrity of those Gentlemen that subscribed the Letters sent to this City, yet they are but single men, and cannot (as they have confessed) rule the multitude altogether as they desire; witness their fetching of the King from Holdenby without their knowledge, for which they gave a Reason, that it was absolutely convenient, and that must suffice; Who knows if they may also judge it convenient at one time or other to come to the City, and (when once entered) to be tempted to plunder? But it may be said against this, What if they should do so? are 20000 men able to prevail in so populous a City, to go away foot-free, without their due punishment one man out of every third house will make a number sufficient to cut all their throats: do you think they love themselves so little, as to attempt such a thing? To which I answer, that 20000 men for their number are not so considerable, as for their quality; all of them are armed men, and come prepared for the feat, and are a compact body, and can do their spoil, and return again; yet a greater thing (than what 20000 men from without can do) may be feared, which is the having well-willers, (though not abettors) within the City. And what is worst of all, is, that many thousands of indigent and unruly people among us, will take this advantage, and plunder equally, if not beyond what the Soldier can do in this way; upon this cannot be expected less than firing of houses, and bringing all into disorder and confusion; but I hope, and verily think the good temper of the Army is such, as none of these things will come to pass in the least degree, yet 'tis but reason you should, notwithstanding, be in a posture of defence against all events, setting forth a Declaration of the sincerity of your intentions, (as the Army hath done) which course none within or without the City can with reason disallow of. I will not admit my most intimate friend, of whom I have had most real trials into secrets that concern properly myself, nor will I leave my casket of Jewels open, where none but he and I do come, for fear that opportunity should give him occasion to break that bond which is betwixt us; nor will I leave my money-bags open, in the way where those of my household are only to pass, (although I never found them but faithful) for fear they should be tempted to do amiss; but if my Jewels be locked up, and the bags put in the Chest, I shall administer no occasion of losing my friend's love, or stagger in the fidelity of those of my house; Your being in a posture of defence, is the taking away the temptation, and consequently of the evil which may follow it; if I get out of these comparisons, into some of a higher nature, you will find that betwixt Princes that are in the strongest league, there is jealousy if one do but raise forces, (though with no intent of the least prejudice to the other with whom he is at peace) the other will be so provided, as to be able in some good measure to withstand that Invasion, (if intended against him) which when time hath declared it to have been needless, yet none can say but it was providence, and notwithstanding this, there is no exception taken on either side at what was acted or done, nor can the Army justly except against your putting yourself in a posture of defence, for your Declaration will show the candour of your intentions.  
But when all this is done the least part of the wound is cured, there stands open yet the satisfying the debts of the Kingdom due to the Army, and other Soldiers, and to the Scots, and other ways: It were very good if a Compute could be made what is owing and what is to be found at present to enable towards payment; and to consider what is the yearly Income of the Excise, Customs, etc. that one being considered against the other, it may be known how long that burden must be borne, and in the mean time that all exorbitant fees may be taken off, and a competency allowed which may sufficiently countervail the pains any one takes, and no more, the rest will help to discharge the public debts.  
There is also not only a great burden of cost, but of violence on this poor Kingdom, by Committees of all parts of the Kingdom; you cannot but have complaints of every side, of the abuses and wrongs they have done, they have been slow of hearing when they should do Justice, or make Repayment of any money missaid, although most authentic proofs have been given, and the delays have been more tedious than the first wrong: but they have been infinitely nimble in catching at the least show of information against any man, and have made no dainty of doing Justice (in their sense) against such men with a great deal of Dexterity; but O how hard it is for these men to right an Innocent when it plainly appears they have wronged him, and how untoward it is for them to untread the steps they have gone in? truly he that hath received remedy against this wrong, may be accounted as single as 'tis said the Phoenix is in the world, or as rare as a black Swan; It will questionless be a great satisfaction to all England, if these Committees may be brought to give a just account of all they have received, and that honest men by them wronged, (under pretence of doing service to the State, when indeed they had only selfe-ends) might have leave to right themselves in a lawful way; I do verily believe that so much naughtiness would be proved against the most part of them, as your ears would tingle to hear them; This is another grievance to the Kingdom, which if removed, would be a means of much quiet over all the Land: But this is not all, there is another thing, (which I propose to the consideration of your wisdoms) to be done for the future quiet and good of this Kingdom, (for if we endeavour only the appeasing and accommodating of the present, without looking to what may ensue, we shall not be clear of our troubles, fears or charges) which is the bringing in of the King on such conditions, as may be Honourable for him, and safe and profitable for the Kingdom; that we may be happy in His Government, and He rich in our Love; and that he may be feared abroad, as much as beloved at home. I believe many may at first startle, and object against this, when they consider things past, but let them well weigh all circumstances, and it will be seen that there cannot be a more effectual remedy for our present disease; and it will also avert from us the evils that are threatened, if the King be not brought in; for first, but look to the affections of the people every where, and you will find that their hearts are towards their King, all those that wished ill to his cause, are for the most part now most affectionate to his Person; in the City likewise you may observe the same, they generally say and find, that it appears plainly they were evil instruments that led him away, but that now there is no fault to be found in Him, the worst that is pressed against Him is the not signing the Propositions, which his Magnanimity cannot suffer him to do; those which may stand with his Honour he refuseth not, but no private man would be brought to desert his friend, so fare as to condemn him to death because he stood firm by him, (though in playing an ill game) much less can the generous mind of a Prince be brought to do it; you have found by experience that what the people's mind most inclines unto, at last takes effect; and this is as likely as any thing else, and peradventure (if your wisdoms do not take the opportunity whilst it offers) it may be (by means which neither I nor you do know or can imagine) brought to effect, at such a time when there will be no opportunity, (as now) of making such wholesome and safe conditions for the people's good, as now there is; Therefore if a good accord were made with the King, we should soon find, (and that sensibly) the benefit of it. For,  
It will be a means of allaying all division among us.  
It will excuse infinite and vast Sums which must be disbursed if division enter once among us, for at last the Public must bear all the burden.  
It will be a means of keeping the Scots our Brethren from coming in, which you may perceive they have an intention to do, by their proceeding ever since the King was taken from Holdenby: and how chargeable their coming will be you are not Ignorant of: and although their money, and consequently other moneys have been Leavyed in a way that at present seems not burden some, yet it is a way that keeps the Excise longer on foot, and consequently a yoke of too long a continuance on the necks of English men, who are altogether unfit to plough with such harness, and 'tis pity but the best way should be thought on for a speedy period unto it, rather than any manner of way to admit of any thing, that may in the least degree threaten a prolonging of it further than already it needs must.  
Now that I have explained myself as you see, I shall contract all into a few heads, humbly desiring that a favourable construction may be made of all what I have and shall deliver, and that it may be taken in the sense as I desire to be understood, that is, to endeavour the making up of all breaches, and the quenching of all sedition and heartburning among us, and taking away the causes, and that righteousness and justice may take place: and if I have any particular end of my own, or other respect then the public good, and the peace of England, I do desire Almighty God not to give me my portion in a better Kingdom than any I can expect here on earth. Having thus cleared the way for your good opinion of me, I proceed to the heads of what I have proposed.  

I. That your wisdoms would reflect and consult whether it be not needful for the City to be ready in a posture of defence against all what may offer, setting forth your declaration for the satisfaction of all the Kingdom.  
II. Whether it be not convenient and most necessary for the ground of our quiet, to Petition the Parliament, and to deal with the Army, that the King may be speedily admitted upon Honourable and safe Conditions.  
III. Whether it be not fit to Petition the Parliament, that a Compute of the Public debts, and the Incomes also of the State may be made, and what there is in being to make satisfaction, that the Kingdom may in some good measure, be satisfied how long the Excise may last, (which in some parts of the Kingdom costs more than half of the value, in the very Collection (by which means the Parliament gets hatred, and the State little benefit:) also that those Members that have had Offices of profit in the Public, whether it be convenient to put them in mind, that they hasten in the Moneys so received into Guild-Hall, according to the Votes of the selfdenying Ordinance lately passed; which Moneys will serve (in part) to defray these necessary charges the present occasions require.  
iv Whether it be not very needful to Petition that the Committees may cease, and that they give in their accounts, and that it may be permitted to those that find themselves wronged, to have recourse against them: for 'tis presumed that what they have done (in many particulars) in name of the State, hath not been so applied, but to their private uses; there can come no discommodity by it, for if they have been just, and acted no farther than Law and a good conscience, the Law will then clear them; If they have defrauded the State, there will be money discovered for the public, (in case it do not belong to any wronged party) or if they have wronged and undone men and families by oppression and injustice, no good man but would give his consent, that they should smart for it, and become an example to posterity to perform their trust more justly.  
V Wither it be not convenient to Petition the Parliament, that some speedy message, be delivered to the Scotte Commissioners, declaring your desires that our Brethren the Scots would not think of coming into this Kingdom with an Army, till they see further cause or more ground for it.  
VI Whether your mediation and interposition to the Parliament be not behooveful, that the armies desires may be granted so fare as they tend to the good of the Kingdom, and that they would concede for the trial of whom the Army doth accuse, in a Parliamentary way; and also whether the like mediation with the Army be not to be used, (for the sweetening of their distastes) by devising some honest and lawful means of rayfing their pay, and endeavouring to take of all kind off bitterness, that things may be brought to an end, in the least rigid way as may be; so that at last an act of oblivion may be set forth, that all men may be secured from their fears, which will in a short time bring us again in our right temper of loving one another as for merly.   
These Lines are in all humble manner tendered to the grave consideration of this wise Council, by a truehearted and well-affected Englishman, (with a submission to your judgements either to add unto, or to take from it, as your judgements shall think most fit) for the taking off these eminent dangers and charges that threaten us, and for the settling of a sure and substantial peace, till when 'tis hard to be resolved whether the work of Ireland can go forward or backwards; but that effected, we may well hope (through the mercy of God) to hold up our heads again, and to be able to reduce to due obedience that bloody Nation. Had I been in place to have spoken, I would have saved the labour of writing, but my abilities are not such, as to make me worthy to sit there; or had time but permitted for the collection of hands, (for the desires of many thousands in this City go along with it) you should have had it presented in a Petitionall way; but the occasion being pressing, I thought all time too long till I had expressed my duty to my Country, in the manner as you see: If I do not name myself now, I desire it may admit of the most favourable construction, it shall be sufficient to me, if I may be conscious to myself of doing any good to my Country, without seeking applause for the same; the nearest way to do it, is to persuade (if it be possible) that you would be Moderators betwixt the Parliament and the Army, and withal Mediators, 'tis a fit work for so noble a City; as you are eminent, so is the Work; as you have been potent in the War, so you may be powerful in making peace; take encouragement to undertake it, and doubtless God will give a blessing to your pious intentions.   

This Narrative was thus directed, To his much respected friend Mr. George Thomason Stationer at the Rose and Grown in Paul's Churchyard. June, 24. 1647.  
Sir, Mr. George Thomason. you are in earnest manner desired to present this enclosed according to direction, if possible, with your own bands, I doubt not but the Relation of the contents in the Common-council (to whom it is addressed within) when read, will make you think your pains not ill employed, for there is nothing in it but what each true Englishman wisheth and desireth.