REMONSTRANS REDIVIWS: OR AN ACCOUNT OF THE REMONSTRANCE AND PETITION, Formerly presented by divers Citizens of London, to the view of many; and since honoured by the late Conspirators, to be placed under their Title of Extreme ill Designs, With the Remonstrance itself.  
LONDON, Printed by T. P. and M. S. for John Rothwell and Thomas Vnderhill. July 25. 1643.   

❧ To the Christian Reader.  
TRUTH gave being and zeal life to the late Remonstrance, and therefore it's admired by some, how the child of such active parents, should at all live, and be so void of further motion, as it hath seemed to be, (unless like the River Anas, its Current hath been as swift as ever, though less visible) especially when it was never denied acceptance; What ever Mercurius Aulicus, or Extreme ill Designs, those lying Twins suggest, only conceived by some not then so seasonable, which gave occasion to the commitment of it, by means whereof it was somewhile retarded, until shortly after, swords proved more useful than pens, and hands than tongues, as still they seem to be: Yet as well for the satisfaction of the desires of many, as for its own vindication from spurious copies, & for that it holds forth nothing derogatory to the good of political Monarchy, (unless such Kings will account that a diminution of their power which God doth not of his, but an argument of it, viz. to affirm, that they cannot act against their own essence, nor do injustice) Nor to the wisdom of Parliament (unless to reflect those beams which have shined from those two great Luminaries, be to reflect upon themselves, which certainly is no more presumption, then in that Scholar, who to encourage his Master in his future labour and instructions, shows by his Repetitions, what useful impressions his former documents have made:) Nor may it be less useful to the less knowing sort of men, whose Candlestick only it attempts to be, to hold out, though in a modull of Clay, some glimpses of that borrowed light it hath received, (unless our Religion, Laws and Privileges, should resemble those of the Pope and Mahomet, which like bad wares ever sell best in darkest shops.) But since heresies have appeared not only in Church but State, and the end which first animated this, was to unite and settle divided judgements in distracted times: without expecting further formalities. It now presents itself thus to the public view.   

TO THE HONOURABLE THE KNIGHTS CITIZENS and Burgesses in the Commons House of Parliament Assembled. The humble Remonstrance and Petition, etc.  
SHOWETH,  
THat when with grief of heart we remember the innumerable grievances suffered by us and the whole Kingdom for many years before this Parliament, in matters that concerned our Religion, the libetie of our persons, and freedom of our Estates: And call to mind our earnest desires of attaining a through reparation by the wisdom and justice of Parliament, in the exemplary punishment of those who had been authors and instruments to subvert the power and purity of our Religion, and the ancient just constitution of Government. Our spirits are confounded within us to consider that after (by the wisdom, care, and resolution of this Parliament) we are justly freed from those Incendiaries the Bishops and many others the known promoters of Arbitrary Government. And full Remonstrances made of the Injuries done by Papists and others of the Malignant party and their wicked intentions, discovered to extirpate the Protestant party in the three Kingdoms: After the Protestation taken with great solemnity by the people of the Land. And after all your many and unwearied labours (which with all thankfulness we acknowledge, to reduce us from misery and fears, and to establish and unite us with the other Kingdoms upon the lasting foundation of truth and peace. By which your proceed the well-affected party of the Kingdom were justly invited to adhere unto you: and to reveal and lay out themselves as well by bearing of Arms as large Contributions for the advance and maintenance of this most just and necessary war, with a full resolution to stand or fall with you. And your being possessed of the Kingdom's strength as well by Sea as Land, and of the affections of the people still manifested by their readiness from all Quarters to rise and appear in considerable bodies for the carrying on of this just and undoubted Cause. Which with the many deliverances from plots and treasons, and the victories already obtained upon all resolved attempts, afforded great assurance of a blessed and successful issue. That notwithstanding all these and many more your constant endeavours in the midst of high oppositions, There should still remain before us as bitter fruits of the inveterate malice of our restless enemies (though occasioned partly by the insensibility of many amongst ourselves both in City and Kingdom) The miserable sufferings of our brethren in Ireland, and in humane conjectures the almost irrecoverable estate of that Kingdom. The opportunities gained here by the Popish and Malignant party (of which the Army raised against the Parliament consists) as well to invite, convey hither, and entertain the Irish Rebels, as to gather and increase themselves into formidable forces. The indulgent usage and escapes of many discovered and accused Traitors, which advanceth the King's design abroad, and animates the evil party here at home: some of them being taken in actual war against the Parliament (a crime voted to be treason, 
Li. Decla. Par. 576.  and they to be proceeded against as Traitors) whilst divers worthy Members of this honourable House, and many others well-affected to the Parliament taken prisoners by the King's Forces, have been used in a most inhuman manner. The frequent printing and dispersing of the King's Declarations, and many scandalous books, deserving exemplary punishment; By which and by the Prelatical and scandalous Clergy, have been sowed the seeds of sedition and insurrection, inciting to the violating of Magistrates and others the most active and well-affected of this City. The usual misconstruing and perverting that supposition of Law, That Kings can do no wrong, which being never intended (as we conceive) of his personal commands and actions, is notwithstanding made use of to maintain them, and thereby in a mysterious manner to deceive the people. All which with their probable consequences, we have so seriously considered, That as well from the consideration thereof, as to the end the best men (your chiefest friends) may be established in the truth, and the unresolved our brethren and neighbours (who out of misguided consciences for want of a full and positive satisfaction and determination of the principles of our Government chief stagger, and to our soul's grief remain unsatisfyed through the contrariety of the Kings and your Commands and Declarations) may be informed and we hope reclaimed. We crave leave humbly to recollect and Remonstrate what are our apprehensions, grounded as well upon right reason as your own Declarations being here collected, which are there dispersed, concerning the true form and state of our English Government, not doubting but you will continue that spirit and courage which justly moved you to declare and publish those convincing truths and resolutions: Which apprehensions of ours are.  
1. 
Petition of Lords and Commons, 14. Dec. 1641.  That the safety of the people is the Supreme Law; and is the foundation and end of all just Government, even of Parliaments themselves, which alone are in this Kingdom ordained to be Judges of and providers for the safety of the Commonwealth: being limited by no Customs, no Precedents, nor Statutes made by former Parliaments, but may justly do whatsoever is good in their understandings for the safety and freedom of the people. 
Lib. Decl. 265   
2. 
Lib. Decl. 705. & 697. 280. 690.  That originally the Supreme power being in the whole people, Parliaments were by them constituted to manage the same for the preservation and well being of the Commonwealth: So as properly in the Parliaments of England acting for the same doth the Supreme power reside; 
Lib. Decl. 270.  from whose judgements there is no appeal, being presumed ever to intent the proper interest of the Commonwealth, that is, the safety and freedom thereof, it being the highest of treasons through fear or favour to neglect or betray the same.  
3. 
Lib. Decl. 714.  That all just Magistracy in this Kingdom is a power created by the Kingdom and Parliaments for the execution of Laws, or to govern the people in freedom and safety according to the Laws. And is a matter of trust only for the good of the people, and to be regulated by the Supreme power. It being most agreeable to reason that those who by the consent of all are entrusted with the making of Laws, should direct those that are to put the same in execution.  
4. 
Lib. Decl. 701, 702, 703.  That all Magistrates and Officers of the Kingdom are accountable to the Parliament, for that otherwise the safety and freedom of the people would not be sufficiently provided for.  
5. 
Lib. Decl. 207▪ 14 De●. 1641. Petit. of Lords & Commons.  That the King (though the chief Magistrate or Officer of the Kingdom) doth not personally judge in any Court, nor can of right interpose his personal command or judgement against the proceed thereof.  
6. 
Lib. Decl. 701, 702.  That the calling of Parliaments never was (of right) arbitrary at the Kings will, but a trust annexed to his Office: 
4. Ed. 3.14. 36. Ed. 3.10.  And of duty to be called every year according to Statutes made in the time of Edward the third, which were declarative of the Common Law.  
7. 
Lib. Decl 706.715.  That the usage of passing Bills of right and justice in Parliament by the King, is but matter of form annexed to his Office and not left to his will: 
Lib. Decl. 714.703.704.  For otherwise the safety and freedom of the people should depend upon his will, and such proceed of Parliament be made void by his assumed negative voice.  
8. 
Lib. Decl. 701.702,  That the dissolving of Parliaments is also a matter of form belonging to the King's Office, and not left arbitrary to be dissolved at his pleasure without consent of bo●h Houses: For then all the affairs of Parliament would necessarily depend upon his sole will, to proceed or conclude, not according to the Supreme Law (the safety of the people) but the pleasure of the King. The Parliament being never of right heretofore nor hereafter to be dissolved until themselves signify that the general affairs of the Kingdom are fully settled. 
Lib. Decl. 703.704.   
9 
Lib. Decl. 267.  That to Parliaments for the Kingdom's safety do justly appertain the strength of the Kingdom, the disposing of our persons, propriety of our estates, and the transacting of the great affairs of peace and war, wherein the Kingdom is concerned, which for any other person or Council to assume or employ otherwise then in the Kingdoms right, and for its safety, is unjust, arbitrary, and tyrannical.  
10. 
Lib. Decl 208. Master Prinus second part published by Authority of Parliament.  That the Kings personal and voluntary absence from Parliament, whereby his Office therein is not discharged, neither is nor of right can be any hindrance to the making of laws or other proceed of Parliament for the good and safety of the Kingdom.  
All which we humbly conceiving to be undoubted fundamentals of our Government, It is our hearty desire and prayer, That before it be too late the judgement of the Kingdom may be fully settled in the right understanding of the truth and equity thereof, and no longer scruple in their obedience to the Supreme power, when the King's Commands are contrary. That it may be examined wherein the safety and interest of the Commonwealth have suffered prejudice, either by the impunity of Delinquents, the violation of our Laws, or perverting the Constitutions of our Government, that the authors thereof be made known and severely punished, and divine Justice which cries for vengeance fully satisfied. That the justness of the present war, which (for the glory of God, the Government of Christ, the regaining and maintenance of our liberties, and the Kingdom's defence against utter desolation) is undertaken by you, may be more fully yet made known to the world, and that neither you nor we have done the King any wrong. That the privileges of this highest Court may be kept inviolable, and where that Supreme power hath been in any wise suspended or eclipsed, such a redress may be made as becomes the greatness thereof. That no members of Parliament who have been or shall appear in this unnatural war against you be readmitted, and special care taken that such only be continued and placed in the public services and employments of Parliament and Kingdom, as have given full testimony of their zeal, judgement, and fidelity. And though our desires are, That their portion may be to perish in intestine wars that delight in them, yet they likewise are, That the King's return to his Kingly office and the Parliament in a well settled peace (which we daily pray for) may never be purchased by such conditions as thereby either to leave the truth and life of our Religion and Laws unsecured, or give opportunity to involve us and our posterity in perpetual thraldom. That the Nationall Covenant already concluded may be with such speed and care personally proposed, that thereby the well-affected of the Kingdom being both in hearts and hands united, our friends from foes may be distinguished, and we thereby enabled to preserve and defend ourselves, both in peace and war. That you would also consider that the eyes of Christendom are upon England's Parliament, and that public and private prayer and days of Fasting in this and many foreign Nations are set apart and poured forth to Heaven, as for your persons so to produce your conceptions and beginnings of a perfect reformation unto a glorious birth. For your faithful endeavours wherein, as you have engaged yourselves (though you should perish in the work;) so be pleased still to conclude, that whilst with undaunted Resolutions you persist therein, you shall not find in us, (nor we hope) in the rest of the Kingdom any defection in the further exposing of our lives and livelihoods for the advancing and crowning of so good a cause. For our love and zeal to which only we have in all humility and faithfulness presented these our apprehensions and desires, submitting the same to your grave Wisdoms.  
And shall ever pray, etc.  
FINIS.