A REMONSTRANCE OF THE Northern Associations:  
Communicating to the whole Kingdom their Miseries, Desires and Resolutions.  
Their Miseries many. 
 Their Desires few. 
 Their Resolutions irrevocable.  
Printed Anno Dom. 1647.   

A REMONSTRANCE OF THE Northern Associations, etc.  
IT is not unknown unto these Western parts of the world, into what a deplorable condition this Kingdom, together with Scotland, and distressed Ireland, of late years have been implunged; and what ease, relaxation, or as yet hope of peace, or reducement of an unhappy people, into their former safety, enjoyed properties, appeareth not yet so much as any shadow of hope.  
From what principles, these bloody and unparallelled differences had their first touch and progress (except our sins) to the general ruin of many millions, both in person and estate, we know as little as the conclusion of them; neither (were they obvious to our knowledge) are we willing to rip up old sores, or uncharitably to uncover to the public eye, the weakness (we say not wickedness) of our brethren; only thus, as copartners of a most aggrieved Communality, we are made sensible of our ruin, under the glorious outsides of a promised happiness. We were not unacquainted of those innumerable and incessant revolutions of promises, often engagements, and too many pretences, and seemingly real Characters of affection, both from the Royal and Parliamentary Parties: We have not yet forgot the many Remonstrances, Declarations, Exhibitions, with their annexed Commands, either to engage or disengage us, which we have at several times, on all opportunities, received unto a double interest; each tying us (according to their prevalence) to different respects, & the fatal Tragedy, and mutual destruction of each other: We yet remember thereupon, the settling ourselves upon a mixt-confused posture, to a defensive War; and how of united friends and neighbours (by dispartite affection to each cause) we were divided into enemies. It is yet fresh coloured in our memories, the bloody issue of the Kingdom, especially of these Northern parts; how when all passages of Peace were stopped up, we were enforced to swim through a red Sea, mixed with the blood of our dearest brethren, to repurchase it. We are not insensible (looking back into our days, & comparing the former with the present condition of our being) that the burdens (which then we patiently endured) were but molehills to the mountainous pressures, which now we are crushed under; Nevertheless, we should account it (though an embittered) happiness to lose our Parents, Children, Friends, Estates, could we but perceive the least beam of Redemption from this miserable thraldom yet arise unto us; but alas! our eyes are even dim with expectation, being as far from hope as we are far from happy. We have considered the many Oaths and Protestations tendered to us, approved and accepted of us; above all, that Solemn Covenant taken with hands (we say not hearts) lift up to heaven, as the instrument of mercy or misery, a blessing or a curse upon the violation of performance of it; but (to the sadding of our souls) we see the Pillars and Foundation of it shaken; and those unhinged from their principles, who first gave life and motion to it. This National sin, will produce a National judgement.  
We easily foresee the extirpation of Monarchy, under which we and our progenitors have enjoyed so many calmed years of external Freedom and Tranquillity; we see the subversion of our Fundamental Laws, Customary Immunities and Municipal Privileges derived to us and our posterity as our proper Birthrights, (if not prevented) by a mutatitious and tyrannical Equaity levelly with us, if not inferior to us. We see Religion turned out of her garments of needlework and wrought gold, into a linsey-wolsey, stupious and an unclean vesture; painted over with resemblances & mere shadows of truth; precipitating into Anarchy, any thing, every thing that may speak this poor Kingdom the object of shame and pity; and all this (contrary to Covenant) countenanced, if not authorized, by that superior Power elected only for the establishing of our Peace, confirmation of our Privileges, removal of our grievances, and the dissipating of all those thick fogs of Error, Tyranny, and Division, which hitherto dictates nothing but our ruin, and overclouds that glory yet deducible to an once flourishing Church and Commonwealth.  
These things seriously and sadly debated in our hearts, and weighing our past and present calamities with our imminent destruction, impending for the future, not by accident but by evident demonstration; we are bold to present the insides of souls to all our Brethren and Concomitants in this common misery.  
First, That we do wish and ever shall endeavour the honour, safety and preservation of his Majesty's person, power and just derived Rights, according to our Oaths and Covenant, without any mental evasions or secret reservations; desiring only to live under his Kingly Government and Protection, and the Government and Protection of his Royal Issue after him, according to the ancient Laws established in this Kingdom.  
Secondly, We shall to our uttermost defend and maintain the power of Parliaments and their lawful Privileges, as being the only visible Interporation of the Kingdom, from whom, and from his Majesty, as from the Fountain and pure Channel, may flow th●se wholesome Courses of good Laws and Justice, that we his people and our succeeding generations may live in peace all our days.  
Thirdly, We shall with our best of power oppose all Arbitrary and Tyrannical Usurpation, Government, or Dominion Military or Politic that may or shall produce alteration, detriment or nullity of any Fundamental Law, legal Act or Acts (yet unrepealed) heretofore confirmed by Authority of King and Parliament.  
Fourthly, We shall with our hearts profess, and with the hazard of our dearest blood protect the true and truly received Protestant Religion, in the truth and substance of it, as it hath been embraced by, and communicated to us and our progenitors; desiring such holy Discipline may be exercised (having respect to Decency and Order) as may keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  
Moreover, seeing as we daily grow, so we daily groan under the unsupportable weight of Oppression, Taxes, Freequarter, (besides murders, rapines, robberies, not mentioning the deep exhausting during the late time of War, and since, both by the English and Scottish Forces, no part of the Kingdom being so infested) we humbly desire a speedy alleanement and retardation thereof; that yet (if it be possible) we may have bread to sustain the lives of our poor wives and children; many thousands being ready to perish through want, and unable to support themselves, much less of power to supply the rigid desires and demands of an useless and insaturate Soldiery; else we shall be enforced, through necessity (heaven knows our unwillingness) to acquit ourselves (by the readiest way) of our any longer tolerable calamities, and purchase freedom, though with the Sacrifice of our dearest blood. Nature obliging in the behalf of ourselves and ours to exchange a miserable and disconsolate life, for a happy and honourable death. And we doubt not, but that all our faithful fellow Commoners, as well in the South as Northern parts, being equally sharers with us in our sufferings, as joint Members of one languishing body, will not only be partakers in our firm resolves, (which no affliction shall cause us to desert) but also communicate their assistance; to the re-inthroning of his Majesty, the securing and protecting of Parliaments, the Maintenance of the Laws, the Confirmation of the true Religion, the freedom of our Estates and Liberties from Usurpation, and the renewing that ancient and sweet Peace (now violated) to the Glory of God, the Honour of his Majesty, and the general rejoicing of all his faithful and loyal Subjects.  
Subscribed with the Hands of 164247, within the Northern Associations.