THE SECOND HUMBLE address Of those who are Called ANABAPTISTS IN The County of Lincoln. Presented to His MAJESTY, CHARLES the Second, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, &c. May it Please Your Majesty, ONce more to permit Your Distressed (yet Faithful) Subjects, to spread their Innocency and sorrow of Heart before You; it seems it must needs be that Offences do or shall come; but the woe is deservedly their Portion (only) by whom the Offence cometh: And were it not that we had that strong Fort Innocency to fly unto, we durst not in this miserable Day once dare to make our Address unto You. But having this to support us in this Tottering Age, we therefore boldly (yet in all Humility) solemnly declare, That notwithstanding the many wicked practices spoken of, or done against Your Majesty and Government; yet is our Hearts and Hands Clean and Pure here-from, as utterly Abominable, and held in great detestation in our Judgements and Principles, as is further Declared by our Address formerly; according to which former Address, we hold ourselves bound, as also by Your great Favours to us vouchsafed, when by Your Princely Favour permitted to be present with yourself, we are abundantly engaged; so have we made it, and so shall we make it (the God of Heaven and Earth assisting of us) our great Care to Discharge our Duties in every Respect to the utmost of our Ability, as becomes the Children of God, and Subjects to the King. We have not wanted hearty Desires to signify our Opinions and Resolutions touching the Government of this Nation, and of our deportment under the same, by a general Agreement of all our Brethren, in the same Form of Profession with us, but have been prevented partly by the unseasonableness of the time; and partly by the negligence of some betrusted in the Business; and partly by the unhappy Tumults and Disturbances made and committed by men who fear not to speak evil of Dignities: And Lastly, We are altogether Incapacitated for such an undertaking by your majesty's late Proclamation, prohibiting all Meetings of such as are denominated Anabaptists. O King, we must confess there is too notorious Cause for severity, since Clemency and Mercy hath been abused; but the abusers of Mercy ought (only) to feel the smart of their misdoings: But Oh let the Innocent have the Reward of their Innocency, even the Continuation of Mercy, so will Your Throne be Established in Righteousness. When we read Your Letter from Breda, and the Revival thereof in Your Declaration for Ecclesiastical Affairs; and Your Princely Promises to us, when by Your Clemency permitted to be present with yourself. O King, when we remember these things, we are ready to say (not why was the King's Proclamation so hasty, but) why was the extension thereof so large? Shall the Righteous suffer with the Wicked? God forbid. Must your peaceable Subjects be judged Rioters, whilst many unpeaceable ones (such as Swearers and Drunkards) are freed from that judgement? The Lord will not accompany such proceedings. Our humble Request from these Premises are, That there may be a Righteous distinction in the Administration of Punishment; lest the cries of the Innocent and their ruined Families come up before the Lord, whilst your Prisons are filled with such as whose Prayers have come up to the Throne of Grace on Your majesty's behalf, and can approve their hearts to the Lord in respect of Loyalty and good Fidelity to Your Majesty, and Civil Government of this Nation under Your hands. It is indeed matter of sorrow, to see how the notorious profane do rejoice at the present sufferings of the innocent; who therefore are occasioned to pray, that wisdom may be given from God unto Your Majesty to execute the Law justly, punishing the Evil-doer, and preserving all that do well. But to avoid Prolixity (O King) be pleased to know, that Your poor Subjects dare not refuse their innocent Meetings, wherein their work is sincerely to Worship God, & pray for Your Majesty, and for all men as in duty they are bound, seeing the Authority by which they are dehorted from the neglect of their Assemblies, Heb. 10. 25. is greater than any, whereby Your Majesty can enjoin the neglect thereof. And therefore though it cost us the loss of all that we have and are, as to things of an outward consideration; yet dare we not shrink from so great a loss. Yet are we Resolved in the strength of God, not to Rebel against any of Your majesty's Commands: But in case we cannot conscionably Act, we humbly purpose and heartily pray for strength to suffer patiently and joyfully; and therefore cheerfully and faithfully do once more subscribe ourselves Your Humble and Obedient, though at this instant your Imprisoned and Distressed Subjects and Petitioners, Thomas Grentham Will. Burton John Thorpe Rich. Crawforth Valentine James Richard Drewry John Kelsay John Skiritt John Lupton John Watts Edward Sharpe Charles Warwick Will. lily John Allan Robert Drewry Christoph. Ording Rich. Hanson John Green Will. Pridgon Daniel Cheesman Ralph James Rob. Cox Tho. Brampton John Norfolk Richard Mathin Will. Smith Tho. Renolds Rich. Wray Will. Heart Tho. Muksworth. Subscribed in behalf of themselves, and the several Congregations unto which they are Relared in the County of Lincoln. LONDON, Printed by Simon Dover, in martin's near Aldersgate, 1660.