The People's ECHO To the Parliaments DECLARATIONS, Concerning a Personal Treaty with the KING.  
Containing a Collection of some few passages out of several Declarations and Expresses of the LORDS and COMMONS assembled in Parliament at Westminster, concerning a Personal Treaty with the KING.  
Together with an humble enforcement of the equity and justice of the said Expresses; Humbly presented, not only to the review of the Honourable Parliament: but also to the serious consideration of the Lord Major, Aldermen, and Commons of LONDON in Common-council Assembled.  Isa. 59.9. 
Judgement is fare from us, neither doth Justice overtake us. We wait for light, but behold obscurity; for brightness, but we walk in darkness.  
LONDON, Printed by Matthew Simmons. 1648.   

The People's Echo to the Parliaments Declarations concerning a Personal Treaty with the KING.  


Declaration of the Lords and Commons of the 4th of March, 1647. in answer to the papers of the Scotch Commissioners, page 20.  WE ask what reason have we to expect better satisfaction in the way of a Treaty, then formerly we had therein at Uxbridge, or in a Personal Treaty at Oxford, unless we be resolved before hand to treat away all that we have fought for, and to be treated out of all that we could not be fought out of; or at lest what can we expect of a Treaty, but that under pretence of satisfying all Interests, one Interest shall be set up against another to divide us: And that thereby having laid no foundation of safety beforehand, the King might set up His Interest above them all.  

Ibid.  If we cannot have Peace but upon these terms, viz. The will of the King, and the advantage of the Crown in the King's esteem. Upon these terms we needed not to have any War, which had been much the more Christian resolution, and would have saved the effusion of much blood; whereof if we proceed upon such principles as those, we must needs draw the whole guilt upon our own selves.  

Decl. of the 4th of March, 1647. pag. 24.  If the way of reason and persuasion be the only equal, fair, and just way to obtain a well grounded Peace, etc. we have gone in a very foul way hitherto, which should have been taken into consideration, before we had engaged ourselves and the Kingdom in so much cost and blood, which was not only spent unnecessarily, but also very unlawfully, if we must go no way but that of persuasion, etc. who doth not see that these Principles do not only BRING UPON US ALL THE BLOOD THAT HATH BEEN SHED IN THIS WAR, but also plucketh up the foundation of any hope of ever settling a Peace with the King, which shall be both just and sure, seeing we cannot have it justly but upon his terms; which no man that hath his eyes in his head can believe, that they will be other than such as tend to the apparent destruction of the persons which have engaged, and the loss of the ends for which both Kingdoms have engaged in this war.  

Decl. of the 24th of March, 1647. pag. 25.  The bringing of the King to London for a Personal Treaty with the Parliament before the main points in difference between them be settled & assured, is to no other purpose, but to increase that fond humour of confidence in misled and deceived people, which prevaileth in them too much already before they have assurance; which they and their posterity may after rue and repent, when it is too late to help it.  

Decl. of the 4. of March, 1647. pag. 21.  The Scotch Commissioners mistake their aim, if they think the King's presence with the Parliament necessarily implieth his presence at London, which HE and THEYso much desire; THAT HE MIGHT HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO CAJOLE THE CITIZENS, etc. His return to his Parliament with the same affections and intentions; that is, to destroy and undermine his Parliament, and to renew the war against them is as great a reason for his absence from it, as his absence formerly from it in order to destroy it, and to begin a war against them was then a reason for his presence.  

Decl. of the 4. of March, 1647. pag. 86.  How BASE and DISHONOURABLE a thing would it have been for the houses of Parliament being in that condition they are, to have treated under the Gallows, to have treated as Traitors, their Cause being not justified, nor the Declarations against them as Rebels recalled: And how FOOLISH a thing would it have been, being possessed of the sword according to their right, not to secure it even from his own claim to the contrary, to themselves and posterity before they treated of any thing, to the end that neither they nor their Posterity might be put to play another bloody game for the same thing.  

The Parliaments & Scots Commissioners answer to his Majesty's Letters of the 26. & 29. of Decemb. 1645.  Concerning the Personal Treaty desired by your Majesty, there having been so much innocent blood of your good Subjects shed in this war BY YOUR MAJESTY'S COMMANDS AND COMMISSIONS. Irish Rebels brought over into both Kingdoms, and endeavours to bring over more into both of them; as also forces from Foreign parts; Your Majesty being in Arms in these parts, the Prince in the head of an Army in the West, divers Towns made Garrisons, and kept in hostility by your Majesty against the Parliament of England. There being also forces in Scotland against that Parliament and Kingdom BY YOUR MAJESTY'S COMMISSION. The war in Ireland FOMENTED AND PROLONGED BY YOUR MAJESTY, whereby the three Kingdoms are brought near to utter ruin and destruction; We conetive that until satisfaction and security be first given to both your Kingdoms; Your Majesty's coming hither cannot be convenient, nor by us assented unto.  

Answer of the Lords & Commons to His Majesty's message of the 25. of Aug. 1642.  The Lords & Commons in Parl. assembled, having received your Majesty's Message of the 25. of August, do with much grief resent the dangerous & distracted state of this Kingdom, which we have by all means endeavoured to prevent, both by our several Advices and Petitions to your Majesty, which have been not only without success: but there hath followed that which no ill Council in former times hath produced, or ANY AGE HATH seen, namely those several Proclamations and Declarations against both the houses of Parliament, whereby their actions are declared treasonable, and their persons Traitors, and thereupon Your Majesty hath set up your Standard against them; whereby YOU HAVE PUT THE TWO HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT, AND IN THEM THIS WHOLE KINGDOM OUT OF YOUR PROTECTION: So that UNTIL your Majesty shall recall those Proclamations and Declarations, whereby the Earl of Essex and both Houses of Parliament, and their Adherents and Assistants, & such as have obeyed and executed their Commands and Directions, according to their duty, are declared Traitors, or otherwise Delinquents: And until the Standard set up in pursuance of the said Proclamations be taken down, YOUR MAJESTY HATH PUT US INTO SUCH A CONDITION; that whilst we so remain, we cannot by the fundamental privileges of Parliament, the public trust reposed in us, or with the general good and safety of this Kingdom, give your Majesty any other answer to this Message— which was a denial of a Treaty according to his Majesty's Message until as aforesaid.  

In the beginning of the Declaration oh the 11. of Feb. 1647.  Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled: That they do declare that they will make no further addresses or applications to the King.  
Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons: That no application or addresses be made to the King by any person whatsoever, without the leave of both Houses.  
Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons: That the person or persons that shall make breach of this Order, shall incur the penalties of HIGH TREASON.  
Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Common: That they do declare that they will receive no more any Message from the King: and do enjoin that no person whatsoever do presume to receive or bring any Message from the King to both or either of the Houses of Parliament, or to any other Person.   


Echo.  No more addresses or applications to be made to the King, no message to be brought from the King to both, or either of the Houses of Parliament, or to any other Persons? What means then the common bleating of the common people of a Personal Treaty with the King? Is it the uncertain voice of unsettled multitudes, or the certain Vote of our present Parliament? If true as 'tis reported; how do our Counsels ring changes? whose hearing ears we humbly crave to hearken to the ECHO of their own language. Honoured Sirs, we ask what reason have you to expect better satisfaction in the way of a Treaty, then formerly you had therein at Uxbridge, or in a Personal treaty at Oxford. Can it enter into our hearts that THIS, EVEN THIS PARLIAMENT, whose Declarations, Protestations, Votes, Orders, Ordinances, Vows, Covenants, Promises, have filled the ears of all Europe, and the Christian-world with words of gallantry, piety, just liberty and freedom in the behalf of them that have betrusted them. THIS PARLIAMENT, whose several Expresses, and frequent promises to make us a happy & free Nation, raised up the people, and be-spirited the Kingdom, to stand by them in their hopeful endeavours to this end? THIS PARLIAMENT, in whose just War against an unjust enemy, so many Widows and Fatherless have been made, so many families undone, so many houses, Villages and Towns sacked and burnt, so many Hospitals filled with lame and maimed Soldiers; such leadings into captivity, prisons and dungeons; such shedding of tears, wring of hands, sorrows, miseries, and tribulations of many kinds have been endured, and that after all THIS, THIS, EVEN THIS PARLIAMENT should be resolved to treat away all that they have sought for, and to be treated out of what they could not be fought out of? We beseech you satisfy our judgement so lately instructed by your own Declarations; What can you NOW expect of a treaty (especially as things stand) but that under pretence of satisfying all Interests, one Interest shall be set up against another, to divide us: and that thereby having laid no foundation of safety beforehand, the King might set up his Interest above them all. They are your own words, published on put pose (as we conceive) for our information: Be not offended if we tell you, your hands have found out their enterprise; for your words have taken such hold upon our hearts, that we cannot easily let them go. We beseech you what foundation of safety is laid? Is there any thing yet concluded between his Majesty and Parliament securing the peace and sasety of the Kingdom as praevious to a Treaty? If none, shall you not have the way and terms of your peace cut out unto you? And what can that be but the laying a foundation of utter slavery and vassalage to this poor Nation? If you cannot have peace but upon such terms, viz. the will of the King (as doubtless you cannot if you must treat as Traitors, and the Kings printed Expresses so branding you, unrecalled) bear with the Echo of your own language. Upon THESE terms you needed not have any Wars, which had been much the more Christian resolution, and would have saved the effusion of much blood; whereof if we proceed upon such principles as these, WE MUST NEEDS DRAW THE WHOLE GILD UPON OURSELVES. The weight of your lines do depress our spirits: and certain it is that they are the words of truth and soberness: And let that day be darkness wherein, even this Parliament, shall draw the whole guilt of the blood (shed in these Wars) upon themselves. 
Job 3.3, 4.  Let not God regard that day, neither let the light shine upon it. Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it, 
Job 10.16, 17.  let the blackness of the day terrify it. How will these lines of yours be (as Job saith) Gods witnesses against you, and make him increase his indignation upon you; changes and war will be upon you, and hunt you even at a fierce Lyon. Shall England's Parliament, that Parliament of Parliaments, that eight year's Parliament; which professed more of God, Reformation, Religion, than all Parliaments before them, with whom God did more visibly appear; for whose defence, safety, and protection, many a time did the Lord break the heavens, and come down, making mountains plains before them: That Covenant-making Parliament, that Sermon hearing Parliament, that have charged the blood of the late Wars upon their adverse party, draw the whole guilt thereof upon themselves, even by their own confession? Can you suppose the way of reasons and persuasions by a Treaty the only fair and just way to a well-grounded Peace? Surely then yourselves being Judges, you have gone in a very foul way hitherto, which should have been taken into consideration before you had engaged yourselves and Kingdom in so much cost and blood (as your own words are) which was not only spent unnecessarily, but very unlawfully. And you further add, who doth not see that these principles do not only bring upon us all the blood that hath been shed in this War, but also plucketh up the foundation of any hope of ever settling a Peace with the King, that shall be both just and sure, seeing we cannot have it justly but upon his (viz the Kings) terms, which no man that hath his eyes in his head, can believe that they will be other than such as tend to the apparent destruction of the persons which have engaged, and loss of the ends for which both Kingdoms have engaged in this war. Can you bear your own words, and stand in the day of such a visitation? Will you take such a course and way after eight years striving and struggling in fire and blood, to settle the Kingdom, which shall pluck up the foundation of any hope of ever settling a peace with the King which shall be both just and sure? Hath not God given you such wonderful advantages by subduing your enemies under your feet, to settle not only a just, but a sure peace, and will you neglect the day of such grace? Will you now at last take such a way to settle peace, viz. by having it upon the King's terms, which no man that hath his eye in his head, can believe that they will be other than such as tend to the apparent destruction of the persons which have engaged, and loss of the ends for which both Kingdoms have engaged in this war? Will not the blood that hath been already shed in these wars, bring in judgement enough, and wrath enough, but that those of the well-affected party that do yet remain alive, must likewise apparently be destroyed for adhering unto you? Have we spent our estates, our trades, our limbs, our lives for you, and must apparent destruction be our reward? Is this your requital of us? Is this that just freedom which you promised? Well, if it must be so, Fiat voluntas Domini. The expense of our former treasure and blood is so far from being matter of repentance unto us, that we resolve through the strength of our God, to choose rather to let this apparent destruction triumph over us, and even hurry us into the pit of silence, rest & peace, in confident expectation of a most advantageous resurrection, then to turn head upon our just principles, and strike hands with a revolting and apostatising generation; but must not only the PERSONS that have engaged, but the ENDS also for which they have engaged, in joining with you, be apparently destroyed? Is not the blood of men sufficient to provoke God, and bring wrath, but must the life even of truth itself, viz. the Kingdom's cause and ends of our engagement, assist herein?  
We are not absolutely against a treaty, your wisdoms judging it meet as the case stands; in whom we acquiesce: but that you should resolve to treat before those things necessarily praevious to a treaty be concluded upon, we would gladly see a reason for it, that we might be satisfied with it: For though we hold ourselves bound in conscience to satisfy ourselves with your judgement in things disoutable and controversal; troversall; yet in things obvious and plain, we expect to have better ' satisfaction than the vote of the Houses, especially themselves having so sully informed us about the absolute necessity of those things.  
We are not ignorant, but that you may lawfully vote, and revoke, and re vote again, order, un order, and re order, ordain, repeal, and re ordain the same things over & over, all conducing in your best apprehensions to the common safety; yea that Religion, reason, peace, justice, safety, and faithfulness to your trust may require you so to do, because it is the end, viz. Common safety, & not the means, viz. Your Votes, Orders, Ordinances, etc. must prostrate and command you; yea, and as the case may stand, we may be bound in conscience to acquiesce therein: but when you have praepossessed our reasons & judgements not by bare Votes, Orders, and Ordinances, but by strong and vigorous reasons, debates & arguments against such and such things (not only affirmed, but argued to our full conviction) as bringing upon you the blood that hath been shed in these Wars, yea as plucking up the foundation of any hopes of ever settling a peace with the King, which shall be both just and sure; yea tending to the apparent destruction of the Persons which have engaged, and loss of the ends for which both Kingdoms have engaged in this War. Blame us not if we cannot rest satisfied in your doing such things, which in your own judgements are so conducing; you may happily persuade and argue down your reasons which have seized upon us, but you cannot order and vote them down; we can prostrate our opinion, but not our reason to your determination; Neither do we take upon us to judge what is meet to be done for public good, having chosen you to judge for us; but we rather rest in your judgements enforced by arguments, then evidenced by mere votes, there we have your reason, here your will; we cannot presume you would have us content ourselves with your mere will and pleasure, though to the apparent destruction of the well affected of the Nation, contrary to all principles of reason and equity. You that have told us that a Kingdom must not be ruined at the mere will of the King, have taught us to infer, that neither should it be sacrificed to the mere pleasure of the Parliament, if it be not even salus regis, much leffe than can it be volun●as Parliament, but salus populi; that is, suprema lex. Surely that God that did never appoint the lives, liberties and estates of millions to be at the mere will and pleasure of the King, did never ordain likewise that these should be at the mere will and pleasure (contrary to express judgement and reason) of the Parliament: It is very possible that your Honours have very good reasons, and that to satisfaction for what you do, touching your resolution of a personal Treaty with the King before satisfaction and security given: if so, we humbly crave to see them, and we have done.  
But if not, we beseech you consider, How base & DISHONOURABLE a thing it would be for the Houses of Parliament, being in that condition they are, to treat under the Gallows, to treat as traitors, their cause being not justified, nor their Declarations against them as rebels recalled; and how FOOLISH a thing would it have been, being possessed of the Sword according to their right, not to secure it from the King's claim to the contrary to themselves and posterity, before they treated of any thing, to the end that neither they nor their posterity might be put to play another nother bloody game for the same thing? Will you do things sentenced by yourselves for base and dishonourable? Have you wrested the Sword from him and them that would have forced you to the Gallows, and after all this will you be treated to the Gallows? Have you not judged it a FOOLISH thing, that having possession of the Sword, according to your right, not to secure it to yourselves and posterity before you treat? Or must yourselves and posterity either resolve for ever hereafter to let the Sword be always held over your necks, to keep you under, or else to play another bloody game for the same thing? You could not be cudgeled into a treaty, and will you be caioled and chanted into a treaty before security and satisfaction given? We beseech you inform us (for our judgements lie freely opened to receive any impressions of reason from you) hath there not been so much innocent blood of his Majesty's good subjects shed in this war by his Commands and Commissions? Were not Irish Rebels brought over into both Kingdoms, as also Forces from foreign parts? Was not the war in Ireland fomented and prolonged by his Majesty, whereby the three Kingdoms were brought near to utter ruin and destruction? Were not these strong reasons heretofore why you should conceive, that until his Maty had given satisfaction and security there should be no treaty? Have you not many times attempted to prevail with the King by several advices and petitions, which were not only without success, but that hath followed, which no ill counsel hath in former times produced, nor any age hath seen; namely, those several Proclamations and Declarations against both Houses of Parliament; whereby your actions have been declared treasonable, and your persons traitors? Did not the King set up his Standard against his Parliament; whereby he did put the two Houses of Parliament, and in them the whole Kingdom out of his protection? Did he voluntarily take down his Standard? Hath he recalled his said Proclamations and Declarations, making you & all that stuck to your traitors and rebels? If not, will you treat with him before he hath done it? we are not insensible of your present distractions through the great defection, and almost incredible revolting of several parts of this kingdom, some ships at Sea, and especially of several in the City of London, and many great zealots in the kingdom's cause, striking hands with Malignants, in promoting their designs, motions, and petitions, to the apparent prejudice of the Parliaments cause, and the kingdom's interest, most strangely and hypocritically pleading conscience of Covenant, and yet breaking the express letter of the sixth Article of the Covenant, wherein they have sworn, not to suffer themselves directly or indirectly, by whatsoever combination, persuasion, or terror, to be divided and with drawn from this blessed union and conjunction, whether to make defection to the contrary part, or to give themselves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause, which so much concerneth the glory of God, the good of the Kingdoms, and the honour of the King, but have sworn that they shall all the days of their lives zealously and constantly continue therein against all oppositions, and promote the same according to their power, etc.  
We observe likewise the most base, abominable, and horrible defection of some Scots, that have invaded this kingdom, to the everlasting stain of their nation, and abhorring and hissing at them for a most detestable, dishonourable, and dissembling people by all the nations round about them, to the perpetual scandal of Religion, and the profession thereof, and the sottishness, baseness, un- Englishnesse of many of our English Nation, who most stupidly suffer a most false and treacherous, covetous and covenant-breaking people to bring their wives and children, and drive out the English out of their houses and possessions, as if these (poor souls) came out of mere piety and love to help up reformation by an army of profane wretches, commanded by known Cavaliers and Malignants, and to settle the King in a sufficient posture to destroy the Parliament, according to their Covenant, and by his authority to establish Presbytery, which his soul abhors according to the covenant, to maintain a firm peace between the two Nations by a bloody war, according to covenants and treaties, etc. We are not, we say, unmindful of these distractions thus befalling you, which we confess may not only put you to many straits and difficulties, but provoke you to resolve, that since the people will be deceived, they should be deceived; and since they would be enslaved, after God by the Parliament and their forces had freed them from it, they should be enslaved, etc. But give us leave humbly to reply.  
First of all, if the people for want of wisdom and conscience to themselves and posterity, should resolve to enslave themselves, since they cannot do it but by your Concurrence; will your wisdom and consciences suffer you to consent thereunto? Is it their sin so to do, and your virtue to help it on by your resolves? Are not you the Fathers of the Kingdom, and will you consent to the children's madness: and because they will destroy themselves in a peltish fit, you will vote them a power to bring it about? Put the Militia into their own hands, that they may effect their own destruction. Will they not destroy you as well as themselves: and must they be enabled to do all this by authority of Parliament? Do you not see that men are mad, else would they do as they do? spread their garments and palm-branches, and cry hail to them that do thirst for their blood? and attempt with swords and staves to apprehend and crucify them, viz. the Parliament and Army, that under God have been their Saviour's? And will you put the sword into mad men's hands that would destroy all but their enemies; will not our neighbour-Nations that are lookers on, say we are all mad? Have not you been fight all this while for the Militia; and having gotten it by Victory, will you lose it again by Vote? Shall the Militia of the City or Counties be put into the hands of real Malignants, though some of the second Edition, who are the most dangerous, because degenerate and desperate? If a froward people will bring their own blood, and the blood of the Kingdom: upon themselves, let themselves by themselves bring it about, and let not our Parliament join with them in that unnatural act.  
Secondly, Had you not always a party against you, yea as great, as strong, as mal gnant as now appears; though they are more daring, bold, and visible; were you not in a worse posture many a time since these wars began, then even now you are in? Petitions appear out of Surrey, Kent, Essex, etc. showing their malignancy: but notwithstanding all arts and tricks to get subscriptions. Look upon their numbers, and see whether you have not as great a cause to judge a better, a more united and resolved party for you, then against you?  
As for the Seas, is not God the God of the Seas, as well as of the Land? doth not he exercise his wonders for his people in the deep as well as on the dry ground? doth not he as well hold the waters in the hollow of his fist, as weigh the mountains in a balance? Did not he as well lead Israel through the Sea, as through the Wilderness? Hath he not road his circuit round the confines of the Kingdom for you: and can he not, or will he not, think you, ride upon the proud waves of the Sea for you, if you trust in him? Is not the Sea his as well as the Land? Or can you think that our God is the God of the Land, and your enemies God the God of the Seas? And that as our God hath had his day by Land, so will theirs have his day at Sea? Is not the Sea sinful as well as the Land: and may not God be now a purging the Sea, as well as he hath been in purifying the Land? Can we think that he that hath punished the tyranny of Kings and Nobles by Land, will now indulge the piracy of Princes & Traitors by Sea? It cannot enter into our hearts, that those that have escaped the righteous vengeance of God by Land, shall be now able to revenge themselves on God by Sea? He that hath slain the Dragon by Land, hath power enough to deal with the Leviathan by Sea? If you believe, you shall see the glory of God by Sea as well as by Land. Be not discouraged; If you do not decline and revolt from your just Cause, God will account with your Revolters both by Sea and Land, and their revolting shall be their repentance, and your perseverance & courage, your rejoicing.  
Thirdly, will you have no work for your faith to act upon? Hath not God driven bacl your enemies hundreds by your ten; hath he not often times divided the red Sea for you, broken the head of Dragons for you, caused mountains to be made plains before you, thrown down the walls of Jericho for you, redeemed you out of six troubles, and out of seven? Hath he not delivered you many a time out of your distress? Look back we beseech you upon your several Orders and Ordinances for days of , and the causes thereof: and remember what Balaack oftentimes consulted, and Balaam answered from Mount- Pisga to Mount- Peor from time to time. Shall your hands now hang down, and your knees wax feeble, and your hearts whither like grass, causing you to throw by that Cause with which God hath so frequently appeared for you. Review all Scripture stories, and other authentic writings, and compare all with these days of God's appearances for you, and see if our eyes have not seen the Almighty renewing his works of old for you, and now will you faint? What, have all your Experiences, and all your Sermons begot no greater a faith, but that you should be ready to faint and fall at your present troubles? Hath your faithful God after all your experiences of his truth and goodness so little credit with you?  

Vide Article 4. of the solemn league and covenant.  4ly. Do your enemies multiply? who is the cause of it? Is it not your indulgence to them? Have not you saved many a thief from the Gallows, that is now striving to cut your throats? Did you not vow and swear with hands lifted up to the most high God, that you would with all faithfulness endeavour the discovery of Incəndiaries, Malignants, and evil Instruments, etc. that they may be brought to public trial, and receive CONDIGN punishment. And have you done thus? what means then the beating of poor sheep in many Counties against the oppressing Malignants, admitted for Deputi-Lieutenants: yea into several Committees, where they have vexed your friends for their faithfulness to you. Are not these the men that prove goads in your sides, and thorns in your eyes? Doth not God seem to resolve to reject you from retaining your wont authority in the Kingdom, as he did Saul from being King: And is it not for the same cause, viz. your sparing of agag's, whom you should have hewn in pieces by the sword of Justice for that blood which they have shed, making many women childless in this Kingdom? Shall the fear of the people deter you as it did him from doing Justice? Is not God to be feared more than the people? Doth not the cry of blood, Irish-blood, Scottish-blood, and English-blood make a noise in your ears? Will not God make inquisition for blood? Was there ever so much blood spilt, and so little inquisition made for blood as there hath been since this Parliament began? And have you not just cause to fear, lest your lives should go for theirs? Considering what Promises & Covenants you have made, to bring such bloody Delinquents unto condign punishment: and what opportunities have you had to perform the same. Shall not Agag, and the fattest Malignants be only spared against all laws of justice and equity: but must these have swords put into their hands again? Will they not hue you in pieces before the Lord, for sparing them contrary to God's command, and the express letter of the Solemn League and Covenant? We beseech you consider, were there ever such horrible things committed: so many Riots, Rebellions, Treasons, Murders, and bloodshed, perpetrated in this Kingdom and so little justice done upon such Delinquents, as there have been since you have had the government of the Kingdom in your hands? 'Tis true indeed, before this Parliament, those were smitten, which should have been spared: and since this Parliament, have not many been spared, which should have been smitten? Then the righteous were condemned, and now are not the wicked justified? And is not the one as well as the other an abomination unto the Lord? Did not punishing the innocent by our former Rulers make them & their government despised of God? And doth not sparing the guilty by our present Rulers, make them and their government scorned of men, and displeasing to God? And can these be long lived that are rejected both by God and men? Look upon your Petitioners, especially the capital among them of Kent, Essex, Surrey, and send for an information of those grave and well-affected Citizens, that you hear of, so frequently soliciting the Common-council of London to Petition you for a Personal Treaty at London: and inquire who in the said Common-council are such sticklers for the said Petitions, and you will easily find who they are that trouble you: and whether your indulgence to Malignants, and those that are yours, and your Armies enemies are not the great cause of your present troubles both from Scotland, and in our own Kingdom. Were those cast out of the Common-council upon whom the plain characters of malignancy are stamped, viz. 1. Those that did not contribute voluntarily for the service of the Parliament, according to their Propositions. 2. Those that have been disarmed. 3. Those that have been imprisoned for Malignancy. 4. Those that have had a hand in the Treasonable engagement. 5. Those that have been, and are most notorious enemies to your Forces, contrary to their solemn Vow and Covenant. 6. Those that did abett the horrible force upon the two Houses, etc. You should quickly see another face, both upon the Common-council, and whole City, than now you do: Neither should such lying Pamphlets, scurrilous Ballads, scandalous Libels, and slanderous Papers, made on purpose to cast dirt into the face of the Parliament, be suffered to be sold in the most public places, even at the Exchange, and elsewhere as now they are; never was there such contempt cast upon Authority as is now, even in the great City itself: And no marvel, since the quondam awful authority of Parliament itself is so scorned and abused, and no justice done upon offenders in this kind, insomuch that it is almost dangerous for a man to plead for the Parliaments authority, and for a Parliament soldier that fights for their Cause, to ride through the City: and who can wonder at it, when no man suffered for that horrible force made upon the Houses to the amazement of all beholders. Nay, it is to be wished that there were not of those reverend gownsmen that encouraged those villains in that Rebellion, sitting in Common-council, and contriving their ruin. If you will suffer your authority thus to languish, the peace and welfare of the whole Kingdom will also languish and perish.  
Are not Murders, Felonies, Treasons, Burglaries, Mutinies, Insurrections, committed even in the great City, so that blood lies upon it, and disquiets it (though we mind not the cause of our present troubles) & not justice at all done: A noise we hear of a Commission of Oyer and Terminer for the trials of those horrible things, as also of votes making such as rise up fomenting a new war in the several Counties, guilty of high treason, that those that invited the Scots into this Kingdom, are traitors, etc. But though you have several in your hands, yet the worst that comes to them is, that they are secured in prison (it may be but for some few days neither) from the hands of the Soldiers that would give them their due if they could meet them in the field; so that your Votes, and Orders, and Ordinances, and Declarations threatening such and such things against Delinquents, what are they but Fulmina bruta, the crackling of gun-pots, and no more regarded; paltry Pamphlets, profane Ballads, to the dishonour of God, scorn and scandal of the Parliament, sold and sung in open streets. Is not the Parliament made the Drunkard's song, tossed up and down in the lewd lips of idle tiplers, in every Taphouse and Tavern? whereas in several Countries you shall scarce hear a man to open his mouth against the Parliament, the reason is, because they are presently snapped up by order of some diligent Committee or other. Were the same course taken in the City, would not the same effect follow thereon? Neither can it be said that you cannot execute justice, the people are so tumultuous, etc. for the longer you suspend it the more unable you will be for it, and if you do well, who will harm you? Is not justice God's ordinance, and will he decline his own ordinance? Did he ever deny his assisting you in the execution of justice (at least if you did exercise that authority and power in doing it as you might? Was not the Parliament of England the dread of Princes, and is it not now the scorn of Peasants? Did not the execution of justice even upon Princes, make them the dread of the one, and the neglect of justice even upon peasants (rogues and vagrants abusing you in open streets) make you the scorn of the other? Nay, would you even now blind your eyes to all carnal fears, & discouragements, and fear not the face of man, profess and practice, we say again, PRACTISE principles of justice and righteousness in the Kingdom, God would subdue the people under you, and your friends would multiply and love you, your enemies would moulder away, and fear and tremble before you, and you would yet cause the peace and welfare of this kingdom (which is now withering under your hands) to flourish and prosper, and both our present times, and ages to come, would call you Blessed.   
FINIS.