A CALL to the OFFICERS of the ARMY, AND All good Hearts, to stand upon their Watch; And in all meekness and sobriety to plead for the Interest of the People of God, and for the just Liberties of these Nations.  

From divers of their Ancient Friends and Comrades, that are lovers of Peace and Righteousness.  


S.R.  
H.W.  
R.P.     
London, Printed for Livewell Chapman, at the Crown in Popes-head Alley, 1658.   

A CALL to the Officers of the Army, etc.  
From divers of their ancient Friends and Comrades, that are lovers of Peace and Righteousness.  
IT hath been and is the grand design of Satan, the old deceiver, to raise up strong and complicated oppositions against the work of Reformation; And we are not ignorant, that he fashions his snares and deceits so curiously, and twists and insinuates himself so subtly, that he makes use of the very Instruments of that work, at once to hinder and to undermine it. It is a damp to our spirits to consider that the sun of glory, which had advanced it sell so far in this our Meridian, should go back so many of these Nations: and that from such splendid hopes, as once there were, by reason of gross and thick interpositions, it should tend almost to an universal Eclipse. We know not, where the remora and Obstruction is, nor is it our purpose to fix the blame upon any: But we lay our hands upon our hearts, and accuse our own vanity and folly, and uneven walkings, that have been the cause of depriving us of so rich a mercy. We cannot but with grief take notice of the unhappy disunions and differences, that have been, and are yet amongst those who should close together in most intimate oneness: For the divisions of the people of God there are at this day great thoughts of heart; and we must not so much as hope for the happiness of Haltion days, until they return and embrace each other in love and harmony. It is too too evident, that the malignant party are busy, and combining together to enslave us; and they have now fresh blooming hopes, that this is their time to appear for the bringing back of that rejected Line, and for the raising of themselves up again in our downfall. Nor could they have such strong confidences, were they not confederate with that sour, ridgid, discontented party, whom nothing will please, unless they can glut themselves by setting their foot on our necks: Who though they once contested against that old Royal Interest, yet now they cannot possibly fancy a lasting settlement, but by recalling him in again upon their own terms. This flame also is blown up by those, who whet their biting and embittered tongues for mischief against us, who prepare scourges for our backs. And because we walk in a tract different from them, and separate from them and the world, in things of spiritual concernment; they are enraged, and devise devises against us, and strongly endeavour to erect their own Dominion in our crushing and extirpation. The great Engine, which all parties make use of, to gratify at once this their Ambition and enmity, is, the vast distance, contests, and divisions, that are unhappily ●rept in amongst us; whilst we lie scattered as Corn in the Field, not bound up in sheaves; whilst we are dwelling in distinct Islands, not entertaining commerce with each other: And whilst we speak, or rather babble out different voices & languages, to our own confusion, & the dishonour of our Master. Is it not then high time to awaken, and to raise ourselves from the bed of sloth and security? Should we not unite together in love and sweetness? Should we not humble ourselves before our God? Should we not pray? believe, confer, and take counsel together, as in the days of old, when the blessed presence of the Lord was like fresh springs of water in our souls? Should we not consider from whence we are fallen, and repent, and do our first works, and remember the loves of our Virginity? These we think, are things proper and suitable unto the present times we live in. Surely, we are begirt with dangers from all sides: surely, the judgements of the Lord are already gone out against us; and they sound a loud and dreadful alarm in our ears: If we yet be stupid, and not take warning, and return unto the Lord, we may justly expect the full viols of his wrath to be emptied out upon us. In such an extraordinary day, as this is, we conceive, that there is a more than ordinary duty incumbent on us. The most fine gold is become dim, and hath contracted the mixture of much dross: The most glorious cause, which at the beginning broke forth fresh and vigorous, and appeared like a Bride decked with ornaments, is now become sullied, being faded in its beauty; and is so changed, and misshapen with a strange dress, we had almost said, with the attire of an Harlot, that we have at once both lost ourselves and our fullgrown hopes, whilst in vain we endeavour to find it. We have been all made drunk, as it were with sweet wine, through the confluence of earthly enjoyments, and delights: And we have not only deserted the work put into our hands, but we have so blemished it, that we have given our Adversaries advantages thereby, as well to blaspheme, as to rejoice. It is as hard now to know what we have to do in this doubtful juncture, as it is easy to see; that we are out of the way, and have lost the footsteps of that glorious presence, which heretofore conducted us. We will open our very hearts unto you, because we can say, through grace, that we endeavour to keep a good conscience, void of offence both towards God, and towards man. We must needs say, that we would not have the Authority and Kingdom of our Lord Jesus slighted and neglected: We would not have superstitions and false worships creep up again, and appear in public, uncontrolled; We would not have the Consciences of our fellow-brethrens burdened, and under the yokes of rigid impositions: We would not have Tyranny, Oppression, and Injustice, so much as seen amongst us in any of their shapes and appearances; We would not have the profane spirit of the world gratified in their excesses, and in their pastimes not suitable to a well-guided Commonwealth; we would not have the just Liberties of the Nation trampled on by any, nor under the footstool of an Arbitrary disposal: If in these things we offend, we are sorry, and if we are convinced thereof, we shall amend. Sure we are, it was once the main design, to extirpate every thing that stood in the way of a through Reformation. It was once the great principle, that swayed our actings, to advance the best things, and to entrust the management of them in the hands of the best, and most upright persons. But how far we have warped, and deflected from these things. Let all sober unprejudiced spirits, that do not willingly shut their eyes, be the judges. Be not displeased then, that we call upon you to stand in the good old way, and to return into that path, where the Lord met you and owned you, and displayed his marvellous loving kindnesses, and his triumphant excellencies before your eyes. Remember that the Vows of God are upon you; if through your remissness and inadvertency ruin over take us, we shall have an hiding place in the chambers of divine love, in the midst of those desolations: But what comfort you can have, that you have not discharged the duty incumbent on you, in this day of danger, whilst an opportunity was in your hands to do it; we now lay it upon your Consciences to consider, before it is yet too late. The Lord pour out upon us richly the spirit of love and of unanimity; the spirit of courage and of activity, the spirit of wisdom and zeal; that the sun of glory may again visit us, and ascend unto its perfect height and splendour: That we may do worthily for God, and for his people in our generations: And that the undoubted Rights and Liberties of these Nations may be fixed upon the lasting durable foundation of Truth and Righteousness.  
Finis.