England's Standard Advanced IN OXFORDSHIRE, OR, A DECLARATION FROM Mr. Will. Thompson, And the oppressed People of this Nation, now under his Conduct in the said County. Dated at their rendezvous, May 6. 1649.  
Whereunto is added an AGREEMENT OF THE Free People of ENGLAND, as the Grounds of their Resolutions.  
Printed in the year, 1649.   

England's Standard Advanced in Oxfordshire, Or a Declaration from Mr. Will. Thompson, and the oppressed people of this Nation, now under his conduct in the said County.  
Dated at their rendezvous, May 6. 1649.  
WHereas it is notorious to the whole world, that neither the Faith of the Parliament, nor yet the Faith of the Army (formerly made to the people of this Nation, in behalf of their Common Right Freedom, and Safety) hath been at all observed, or made good▪ but both absolutely declined and broken, and the people only served with bare words, and fair promising Papers, and left utterly destitu●● of all help or delivery: And that this hath principally been by the prevalency and treachery of some eminent persons (now domineering over the people) is most evident The solemn Engagement of the Army at New-Mark▪ & Trip●-Heaths, by them destroyed, the council of Agitators dissolved, the blood of War, shed in time of P●ace, Petitioners for Common Freedom suppressed by force of Arms, and Petitioners abused and terrified, the lawful trial by twelve sworn men of the neighbourhood, subverted and denied, bloody and tyrannical Courts (called An high Court of Justice, and the council of State) erected, the power of the Sword advanced and▪ set in the Seat of the Magistrates, the Civil Laws stopped and subverted, and the Military introduced, even to the hostile seizure, imprisonment, trial, sentence and execution of death, upon divers of the Free-People of this Nation, leaving no visible Authority, devolving all into a factious Junc●● and council of State, usurping and assuming the name stamp, and Authority of Parliament, to oppress torment, and vex the people, whereby all the lives, liberties, and estates, are all subdued to the wills of those men, no Law, no Justice, no Right or Freedom, no ease of Grievances, no removal of unjust barbarous taxes, no regard to the cries and groans of the poor to be had, while utter beggary and famine (like a mighty torrent) hath broke in upon us, and already seized upon several parts of the Nation.  
Wherefore, though an inavoidable necessity, no other means left under heaven, 〈◊〉 enforced to betake ourselves to the Law of Nature, to defend and preserve ourselves and native Rights; and therefore are resolved as one man (even to the hazard and expense of our lives and fortunes) to endeavour the redemption of the Magistracy of England, from under the force of the Sword, to vindicate the Petition of Rights to set the unjustly imprisoned free, to relieve the poor, and settle this commonwealth upon the grounds of Common Right, Freedom▪ and Safety.  
Be it therefore known to all the free people of England, and to the whole world, That (Choosing rather to die for Freedom, then to live as slaves) we are gathered and associated together upon the bare account of Englishmen, with our Swords in our hands, to redeem ourselves, and the Land of our 〈◊〉, from slavery and oppression, to avenge the blood of War, shed in the time of Peace, to have justice for the blood of Mr. Arnold, shot to death at Ware, and for the blood of Mr. 〈…〉, and divers others, who of late, by Martial Law, were murdered at London.  
And upon this our engagements, in behalf of the commonwealth, we do solemnly agree and protest, That we will faithfully (laying all self respects aside) endeavour the actual relief, and settlement of this distressed Nation.  
And that all the world may know particularly, what we intend, and wherein we will particularly centre and acquiesce for ever, not to recede of exceed the least punctilio; we declare from the integrity of our hearts, That by the help and might of God, we will endeavour the absolute settlement of this distracted Nation, upon that form and method, by way of an Agreement of the people, tendered as a Peace offering by L. C. Joh. ●●burn, Mr Will. Walwyn, Mr. Tho. Prince, and Mr. Rich. Overton, bearing date May 1 1649. The which we have annexed to this our Declaration, as the Standard of our Engagement, thereby owning every part and particular of the premises of the said Agreement, Promising and resolving, to the utmost hazard of our Lives and Abilities, to pursue the speedy and full accomplishment thereof, and to our power, to protect and defend all such as shall assent or adhere thereunto; and particularly, for the preservation and deliverance of Lieut. Col. John Li●burn Mr. William walwyn, Mr. Thomas Prince, Mr. Richard Overton, Cap. Bray, and Mr. William Sawyer, from their barbarous and illegal Imprisonments. And we declare, That if a hair of their heads perish in the hands of those Tyrants that restrain them, that if God shall enable us, we will avenge it seventy times seven fold, upon the heads of the Tyrants themselves, and their Creatures. And that till such time, as by God's assistance, we have procured to this Nation, the declared purpose of this our Engagement, we will not divide nor disband, nor suffer ourselves to be divided, nor disbanded, resolving with soberness and civility to behave ourselves to the Country, to wrong nor abuse any man, to protect all to our power, from violence and oppression, in all places where we come; resolving to stop the payment of all taxes or ses●ments whatsoever, as of Excise, tithes, and the Tax of Ninety thousand pounds per mensem, &c. And having once obtained a new Representative, according to the said Agreement, upon such terms and limitations therein expressed, We shall then freely lay down our Arms and return to our several Habitations and Callings And concerning the Equity, Necessity, and Justice of our undertaking, We appeal to the judgement of the oppressed, betwixt their destroyers and us; whether by the Law of God, of Nature, and Nations, it be not equally justifiable in us, to engage for the Safety and Deliverance of this Nation, as it was with the Netherlanders, and other people for theirs; and that upon the same principles that the Army engaged at New Market, and Triple Heaths; both Parliament and Army declaring, That it is no resistance of Magistracy, to side with just principles and ●aw of Nature and Nations; and that the soldiery may lawfully hold the hands of that General, who will turn his Canon against his Army, on purpose to destroy them; the Sea men the hands of that Pilot, who wilfully runs his Ship upon a Rock: And therefore, (the condition of this Common wealth considered) we cannot see how it can be otherwise esteemed in us. And upon that account we declare. That we do own, and are resolved to own all such persons, either of the Army or countries, that have already, or shall hereafter, rise up and stand for the Liberties of England, according to the said Agreement of the People: And in particular, We do own and avow the late proceedings in Colonel Scroop's, Colonel Harrison's, and Maior General Skippon's Regiments, declared in their Resolutions published in Print; as one man resolving to live and die with them in their and our lust and mutual defence. And we do implore, and invite all such as have any sense of the Bonds and Miseries upon the people; any Bowels of Compassion in them; any Piety, Justice, honour, or Courage in their breasts; any Affections to the Freedoms of England; any love to his neighbour or Native Country to rise up, and come in to help a distressed, miserable Nation, to break the Bands of Cruelty, Tyranny, and Oppression, and set the people free.  
In which service, Trusting to the undoubted goodness of a just and righteous Cause, We shall faithfully discharge the utmost of our endeavours; not sparing the venture of all hardships and hazards whatsoever, and leave the success to God.  
Signed by me William Thompson at our rendezvous in Oxfordshire 〈…〉; in behalf of myself, and the rest engaged with me, May 6. 1649.  

The Agreement before mentioned here followeth, viz.  
I. THat the Supreme Authority of England, and the Territories therewith incorporated shall be and reside henceforward in a Representative of the People; consisting of 〈◊〉 persons, but no more: In the choice of whom (according to natural right) all men of the age of one and twenty years and upwards (not being servants or receiving 〈◊〉 having served the late King in Arms or voluntary Contributions) shall have their voices and be capable of being elected to that supreme Trust those who served the King being disabled for ten years only. All things concerning the distribution of the said four hundred Members, proportionable to the respective parts of the Nation, the several places for Election, the manner of giving and taking of voices, with all Circumstances of like nature, tending to the completing and equal proceedings in Elections, as also their Salary, is referred to be settled by this present Parliament, in such sort, as the next Representative may be in a certain capacity to meet with safety at the time herein expressed and such circumstances to be made more perfect by future Representatives.  
II. That two hundred of the four hundred Members, and not less, shall be taken and esteemed for a competent Representative; and the major voices present, shall be concluding to this Nation. The place of Session, and choice of a Speaker, with other circumstances, of that nature, are referred to the care of this and future Representatives.  
III. And to the end all public Officers may be certainly accountable, and no Factions made to maintain corrupt Interests, no Officer of any salary Forces, in Army or Ga●rison, nor any Treasurer or Receiver of public moneys, shall (while such) be elected a Member for any Representative; and if any Lawyer shall at any time be chosen he shall be uncapable of practice as a Lawyer, during the whole time of that Trust And for the same reason, and that all persons may be capable of subjection as well as rule.  
iv. That no Member of the present Parliament shall be capable of being elected of the next Representative, nor any Member of any future Representative shall be capable of being chosen for the Representative, immediately succeeding: but are free to be chosen, one Representative having intervened: Nor shall any Member of any Representative be made either Receiver. Treasurer, or other Officer during that employment.  
V. That for avoiding the many dangers and inconveniences apparently arising from the long continuance of the same persons in Authority; We Agree, that this present Parliament shall end the first Wednesday in August next, 1649 and thence forth be of no power or Authority: and in the mean time shall order and direct the Election of a new and equal Representative according in the true intent of this our Agreement: and so as the next Representative may me●e and sit in power and Authority, as an effectual Representative upon the day following; namely the first Thursday of the same August, 1649.  
VI. We agree, if the present Parliament shall omit to order such Election or ●eeting of a new Representative; or shall by any means be hindered from performance of that Trust:  
That in such case, we shall for the next Representative proceed in electing thereof in those places, and according to that manner and number formerly accustomed in the choice of nights and Burgesses; observing only the exceptions of such persons, from being electors or elected, as are mentioned before in the first third and fourth Heads, of this Agreement: It being most unreasonable, that we should either be kept from new, frequent, and successive Representatives, or that the supreme Authority should fall into the hands of such as have manifested disaffection to our common freedom, and endeavoured the bondage of the Nation.  
VII. And for preserving the supreme Authority, from falling into the 〈◊〉 of any whom the people have not, or shall not choose.  
We are resolved and agreed (God willing) that a new Representative shall be upon the first Thursday in August next aforesaid: The ordering and disposing of themselves, as to the choice of a Speaker and the like Circumstances in hereby le●● to their 〈◊〉: But are in the extent and exercise of Power, to follow the direction and rules of this Agreement; and are hereby authorised and required according to their best Judgements, to set rules for future equal distribution, and election of Members, as is herein intended and on oyned to be done, by the present Parliament.  
VIII And for the preservation of the supreme Authority (in all times) entirely in the hands of such persons only as shall be chosen thereunto: We agree and declare, That the next, and all future Representatives, shall continue in full power for the space of one whole year; and that the people shall of course, choose a Parliament once every year, so as all the Members thereof may be in a capacity to meet, and take place of the foregoing Representative, the first Thursday in every August for ever, if God so please; also (for the same reason) that the next or any future Representative being 〈◊〉, shall continue their Session, day by day, without intermission for four months, 〈…〉; and after that, shall be at liberty to adjourn, from two months to two months, as they shall 〈◊〉 cause, until their year be expi●ed, but shall sit no longer than a year, upon point of 〈◊〉 to every Member that shall exceed that time; and in times of adjournment shall not erect a council of State, but refer the managing of Affairs in the intervals, to a Committee of their own Members, giving such instructions, and publish them, as shall in 〈…〉 contradict this Agreement.  
Ix.. And that none henceforth may be ignorant or doubtful concerning the power of the supreme Authority, and of the Affairs, about which the same is to be conversant and exercised: We agree and declare, That the power of Representatives shall extend with out the consent or concurrence of any other person or persons.  

1. To the conservation of Peace, and commerce 〈…〉 Nations.  
2. To the preservation of those safe guards, and 〈◊〉 of our lines, limbs, liberties, 〈…〉, and estates, contained in the Petition of 〈…〉 the late King.  
3. To the raising of moneys, and generally to all things, as 〈◊〉 evidently conducing to those ends, or to the enlargement of our freedom, redress of grievances, and prosperity of the Common wealth.   
For security whereof, having by woeful experience found the 〈◊〉 of corrupt 〈…〉 incl●●ing most 〈…〉 with Authority, to pervert the same to their 〈◊〉, and to the prejudice of our Peace and Liberties; we therefore further agree and declare:  
X. That we do not empower or entrust our said Representatives to continue in force, or 〈◊〉 make any Laws, Oaths, or Covenants, whereby to compel by penalties or otherwise, any person to any thing, in or above matters of Faith, Religion, on God's worship, or to constrain any person from the profession of his Faith or exercise of Religion according to 〈◊〉 Conscience, nothing having caused more distractions and heart burnings in all ages, 〈◊〉 persecution and molestation, for matters of Conscience in and above Religion  
XI. We do not empower them to impress or constraint any person to serve in 〈…〉 or Land, every man's Conscience being to be satisfied in the justness of th●● Cause, herein he hazards his own life or may destroy another.  
And for the quiering of all differences, and abolishing of all 〈◊〉 and rancour at ●uch as is now possible for us to effect.  
XII. We agree, That after the end of this present Parliament, no person 〈◊〉 questioned for any thing said or done in reference to the late wars, or public 〈◊〉 senses, otherwise then in pursuance of the determinations of the present Parliament against such as have adhered to the King, against the Liberties of the people: And 〈◊〉 that Accomptants for public moneys received, shall remain accountable for the 〈◊〉.  
XIII. That all privileges or exemptions of any persons from the laws, of 〈◊〉 the ordinary course of legal proceedings, by virtue of any Tenure, Grant, Charter 〈◊〉, Degree, or Birth, or of any place of residence, or refuge, or privilege of Parliament shall be henceforth void and null; and the like not to be made nor revived again.  
XIIII. We do not empower them to give judgement upon any one's person 〈◊〉 estate, where no Law hath been before provided, nor to give power to any other 〈◊〉 Jurisdiction so to do, Because where there is no Law, there is no transgression, for 〈◊〉 Magistrates to take Cognisance of; neither do we empower them to intermeddle with 〈◊〉 execution of any Law whatsoever.  
XV. And that we may remove all long settled Grievances, and thereby as far 〈◊〉 are able, take away all cause of complaints, and no longer depend upon the 〈◊〉 inclination of Parliaments; to remove them, nor trouble ourselves or them with 〈◊〉 after Petitions, as hath been accustomed, without fruit or benefit; and knowing 〈◊〉 cause why any should repine at our removal of them, except such as make advant●●● their continuance, or are related to some corrupt Interests, which we are not to regard.  
We agree and Declare  
XVI. That it shall not be in the power of any Representative, to punish, or 〈◊〉 be punished, any person or persons for refusing to answer to questions against 〈◊〉 in criminal cases.  
XVII. That it shall not be in their power after the end of the next Representative, 〈◊〉 continue or constitute any proceedings in Law that shall be longer than Six months' 〈◊〉 final determination of any cause past all Appeal nor to continue the Laws or proceed●● therein in any other Language than English, nor to hinder any person or persons 〈◊〉 pleading their own Causes, or of making use of whom they please to plead for them.  
The reducing of these and other the like provisions of this nature in this 〈◊〉 provided, and which could not now in all particulars be perfected by us, is 〈◊〉 us to be the proper works of faithful Representatives.  
XVIII. That it shall not be in their power to continue to make any Laws to 〈◊〉 or hinder any person or persons, from trading or merchandizing into any place 〈◊〉 the Seas, where any of this Nation are free to Trade.  
XIX. That it shall not be in their power to continue Excise or Customs upon 〈◊〉 sort of food, or any other goods, Wares, or Commodities, longer than four 〈…〉 the beginning of the next Representative, being both of them extreme burthenso●● oppressive to Trade, and so expensive in the Receipt, as the moneys expended 〈…〉 collected, as Subsidies have been) would extend very far towards defraying the 〈◊〉 Charges; and forasmuch as all moneys to be raised, are drawn from the People, 〈◊〉 then some and chargeable ways, shall never more be revived, nor shall they raise 〈◊〉 by any other ways after the aforesaid time) but only by an equal rate in the pound 〈◊〉 every real and personal estate in the Nation.  
XX. That it shall not be in their power to make or continue any Law, whereby 〈◊〉 real or personal estates, or any part thereof, shall be exempted from payment of 〈◊〉 debts; or to imprison any person for debt of any nature, it being both unchristian 〈◊〉 self and no advantage to the Creditors, and both a reproach and prejudice to the commonwealth.  
XXI. That it shall not be in their power to make or continue any Law, for taking away 〈◊〉 man's life, except for murder, or other the like heinous offences, destructive to human ●●ciety, or for endeavouring by force to destroy this our Agreement, but shall use their ●●termost endeavour to appoint punishments equal to offences, that so men's Lives, Limbs, 〈◊〉 liberties and estates, may not be liable to be taken away upon trivial or slight occasions, 〈◊〉 they have been; and shall have special care to preserve all sorts of people from wicked●ess, misery and beggary; nor shall the estate of any capital offendor be confiscate, but in ●ses of Treason only; and in all other capital offences, recompense shall be made to the ●arties damnified, as well out of the estate of the Malefactor, as by loss of life, according 〈◊〉 the conscience of his jury.  
XXII. That it shall not be in their power to continue or make any Law, to deprive any ●erson, in case of trials for Life, Limb, Liberty or Estate, from the benefit of witnesses, on his or their behalf; nor deprive any person of those privileges and liberties contained ●n the Petition of Right, made in the third year of the late King Charles.  
XXIII. That it shall not be in their power to continue the Grievance of tithes, longer ●hen to the end of the next Representative, in which time, they shall provide to give reasonable satisfaction to all Impropriators: neither shall they force by penalties or otherwise any person to pay towards the maintenance of any Ministers, who out of conscience cannot submit thereunto.  
XXIV. That it shall not be in their power to impose Ministers upon any the respective Parishes, but shall give free liberty to the parishioners of every particular parish, to choose such as themselves shall approve; and upon such terms, and for such a reward, as themselves shall be willing to contribute, or shall contract for Provided none be choosers but such as are capable of electing Representatives.  
XXV. That it shall not be in their power to continue or make a law, for any other way of judgements, or Conviction of Life Limb Liberty or Estate, but only by twelve sworn men of the neighbourhood; to be chosen in some free way by the people; to be directed before the end of the next Representative, and not picked and imposed, as hitherto in many places they have been.  
XXVI. They shall not disable any person from bearing any office in the commonwealth, for any opinion or practice in Religion, except such as maintain the Popes (or other foreign) Supremacy.  
XXVII. That it shall not be in their power to impose any public Officer upon any Counties, Hundreds, Cities, Towns or Boroughs; but the people capable by this Agreement to choose Representatives, shall choose all their public Officers that are in any kind to administer the Law for their respective places, for one whole year and no longer, and so from year to year, and this is an especial means to avoid Factions and Parties.  
And that no person may have just cause to complain by reason of taking away the Excise and customs, we agree,  
XXVIII. That the next, and all future Representatives shall exactly keep the public Faith, and give full satisfaction, for all securities, debts, arrears or damages, (justly chargeable) out of the public Treasury; and shall confirm and make good all just public Purchases and contracts that have been, or shall be made; save that the next Representative may confirm, or make null in part or in whole, all gifts of Lands, Moneys, Offices, or otherwise made by the present Parliament, to any Member of the House of Commons, or to any of the Lords, or to any of the attendants of either of them.  
And for as much as nothing threatneth greater danger to the commonwealth, then that the military power should by any means come to be superior to the Civil Authority.  
XXIX. We declare and agree, That no forces shall be raised, but by the Representatives for the time being, and in raising thereof, that they exactly observe these Rules, namely, That they allot to each particular County, City, Town and Borough, the raising, furnishing, agreeing, and paring of a due proportion, according to the whole 〈…〉 be ●e●ved▪ and shall to the Electors of Representatives in each respective place, 〈…〉 liberty to nominate and appoint all Officers appertaining to Regiments. 〈…〉 Companies, and to remove them as they shall see cause, reserving to the Represent●●●●● the nominating and appointing only of the general, and all General Officers; and 〈◊〉 ordering, regulating and commanding of them all, upon what service shall seem to 〈◊〉 necessary for the Safety, Peace and Freedom of the commonwealth.  
And in as much as we have found by sad experience, that generally men make little 〈◊〉 nothing to innovate in Government, to exceed their time and power in places of 〈◊〉 to introduce an Arbitrary and Tyrannical power, and to overturn all things into 〈◊〉 and Confusion, where there are no penalties imposed for such destructive crimes 〈◊〉 offences.  
XXX. We therefore agree and declare, That it shall not be in the power of any Representative in any wis● to render up, or give or take away any part of this Agreement▪ 〈◊〉 level men's estates, destroy propriety, or make all things Common: And if any R●●●●sentative shall endeavour, as a Representative, to destroy this Agreement, every 〈◊〉 present in the House, not entering, or immediately publishing his dissent, shall incur 〈◊〉 pain due for High Treason, and be proceeded against accordingly; and if any person 〈◊〉 persons, shall by force endeavour or contrive the destruction thereof, each person so doing shall likewise be dealt withal as in cases of Treason.  
And if any person shall by force of Arms disturb Elections of Representatives, he shall incur the penalty of a Riot; and if any person not capable of being an Elector, or 〈◊〉, shall intrude themselves amongst those that are, or any persons shall behave themselves rudely and disorderly, such persons shall be liable to a presentment by a grand 〈◊〉 and to an indictment upon misdemeanour; and be fined and otherwise punished according to the discretion and verdict of a Jury. And all Laws made, or that shall be made con●●●ry to any part of this Agreement, are hereby made null and void.  
Thus, as becometh a free people, thankful unto God for this blessed opportunity, and desirous to make use thereof to his glory, in taking off every yoke, and removing every 〈◊〉, in delivering the Captive, and setting the Oppressed free, we have in all the particular Heads forementioned, done as we would be done unto, and as we trust in God will ●●bolish all occasion of offence and discord, and produce the lasting Peace and Prosperity of this commonwealth.  
FINIS.