The Copy of a LETTER Sent to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax. With an ACCOUNT TO THE OFFICERS OF THE General's Regiment, intended for satisfaction to their demands. Likewise seven heads which are presented to the General by some Officers of the Regiment, and some other particulars in relation thereunto published. By Francis White, Maior of the General's Regiment of Foot. Blessed is the servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing. But if the evil servant shall say in his heart, my Lord delays his coming, and shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to hate, and drink with the drunken; the Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh for him, and in an hour he is not ware of Mat. 24.46, 48.49. Printed in the Year. 1647 The Copy of a Letter sent to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, with an account to the Officers of the General's Regiment, intended for satisfaction to their demands. ITt is not my desire in publishing these things, after written to appear singular, or to be taken notice of among men, but only to clear my integrity, to seek preservations. I being chosen an Agitator for the General's Regiments to act in relation to those ends expressed in the solemn engagement of the Army, and being called thereunto by the General, and also chosen one of the Committees appointed by the general Council, to dispatch things of immergent necessity, and to prepare things in order to the great ends, viz. satisfaction and security, I was likewise appointed by this Committee, with the approbation of the General, to sit with the Committee of Lords and Commons at the Head Quartes, which they were not very well pleased with. But being at their convention I spoke some words which gave distaste, viz that they were repairing an old house & that when they were laying the top stone, it would fall about their ears. I also said it is evident, that the Parliament dare do nothing, but what is agreeable to the sense of the Army. And that the Parliament was grown into parties and factions. The next day, the Commissary General speak to the Grand Committees, where I was present, to have another set in my room & told me that he was going to the General, to desire him to call me to a Council of War, I answered that I would be accountable for what I had spoken, and would justify the same, I then desired the Committee to choose another in my room, that I might be no stop to their proceed, but the Committee were unwilling so to do, but I pressing the same, they new chose the whole four, after which I heard no more of that matter. I being sensible of what design was laid by some great men, and knowing how fare short it came of comprehending general freedom, and preserving all interest, according to our First declaration, I did by my endeavours labour to break that prerogative design, and to inform others what I knew thereof, upon which grounds there was displeasure conceived against me, and e was informed before the next general Council sat, there was an intention to cast me out of the Council, which the Lieutenant General did ingeniously acknowledge, the great thing that I conceived to be the cause thereof, was the opposing the fastening the General's negative voice over the Grand Council. My Lord Says son informing a Member of Mr. goodwin's Church, that all things went on very well, and that there was but one man opposed, which he named to be myself, in opposing the General's negative voice. So that what I speak in relation to the visible authority of the kingdom, and the power and force of the sword, upon which the Declaration was set forth to the kingdom as the cause of my expulsion, was grounded upon that accidental occasion, the cause being before declared. Immediately after, I was put of that employment, I went to the Regiment that employed me, and gave them a full account of the whole, and desired them to send another in my room, they desired me to withdraw, which I did, and they immediately drew up these lines as followeth. To the Honourable the grand Council of the Army. THe humble desires of us the Officers, and Soldiers of his Excellency's Regiment of Foot, are, that this Honourable Council would be pleased to satisfy us upon what grounds Major White formerly chosen by us for our Agitator, is dismissed from a capacity of discharging that trust by us reposed in him, whom we have ajudged both honest and faithful, and have no solid grounds as yet to think otherwise of him, and we do subscribe out selves yours and the kingdoms servants according to our Engagement in the faithful discharge of our duties. This was signed by all the Cptaines, Lieutenants, Ensigns, and Agitators of the Regiment then present at a Convention at Rygate in Surry, Saturday September 11 1647. But my Lieutenant Colonel, and two Captains being not present, it was ordered to stay till Monday before it was sent, to receive their hands, but they understanding which way the stream run, and of what consequence this might prove, procured the alteration of the same, since which time I have been very little acting in any thing in relation to the public affairs, more than my employment with the Regiment. And being necessitated to make means for preservation. which is the alone cause of publishing hereof. On Friday after, the Officers of the Regiment under my command, coming unto me with demands, which I was not bound to give them an account, but I being willing to give them satisfaction, I did desire to walk into the garden at my Quarters, and discourse the matter, than did I show them this letter following, which I sent to the General, which contained my principles, and told them it was well known at the Head Quarters, notwithstanding they went away unsatisfied, I desiring to inform them more at large, drew up this paper hereunto annexed, and intended to have presented it to them the Friday following, but on the Monday, contrary to my expectation, all the Officers came to town, and sent to me desiring to speak with me, when I came to them they presented divers Articles which they had collected from the former discourse and desired to know if I would own them, because they did intent to send them to the General, and to call me to account for the same, I finding them contrary in circumstances, and some substantial to what I had spoken, did by their approbations draw up and contract theirs into these seven heads following, and signed them with my own hand, expecting to be called to justify the same. And knowing not what may be the issue, it engageth me to publish the whole matter, that all men may know thereof, and if the Army and Commons will not own my cause, I shall with heart and good will seals it with my blood, unless I am convinced of error. To the Right Honourable his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax General. Right Honourable, IT is my desire, that honour may be given to whom honour is due, and here is no man living more honourable in my account then yourself, it would be an injuri us thing to detract from you where in you have mer●itted in the deliverance of this people so fare as now is. But seeing the end is not accomplished, nor yet in a visible way for complete deliverance, give me leave to plead with your Excellency in the behalf of myself and the people, and to tell you, that your Excellency and the Army, are bound in duty towards God and this Nation, to endeavour a perfect deliverance in as much as human providence can provide for the setting the people free, which was the moving cause of our first taking up Arms, and seeing the Parliament which was the authority by whom we were directed, and were no● properly the judges of the people's freedom, did endeavour the continuance of more servile bondage, being persuaded thereunto by the prevailance of the Presbyterian faction of this kingdom and of Scotland, who made it the end of their desires only to unsadle the Bishops, and bring in the King to confirm the Presbytery, and to make their faction most prevalent in Courts, with little care to gratify the exhausted Commons for the expense of so much 〈◊〉 blood, we waited long after the subduing of our enemy's power. For the Parliaments settling the Kingdom in peace & freedom, but contrary to our and the people's expectations we were provoked to resist their authority, and to repel all power they could procure against us, theirs and the kingdom's best friends without ask who should be judge of the justness thereof, they or the Army, it is easy when the sun shinoth, for men to tell whether it be light or dark. And if any power now remaining, shall proceed in ways of injustice, to support their selfe interest by the help of a public ministry, crying up authority to maintain their greatness, it will be in vain to imagine, the continuance thereof, certainly the highest and most legal authority in this king▪ come will appear to be the Commons in Parliament, yet now I dare with confidence speak it, they are not the highest power. That is properly the highest power that is best able to act, and that only the power of God among men, so long as they do what is just, and are a terror to evil works, the Army now at your and his command in all just things, is the highest power visible in this Kingdom, and if you see not a good Government established for the weal of the people, according to equity and reason, it will lie upon your Excellencies and the Army's account. Now whether it be safe for the Army and people to set up the King by an act of Oblivion, and general pardon, and to give him a neggative voice by consent, which before hath been in dispute; I leave your Excellency to judge, seeing no Ordinances of Parliament can be made Laws upon this account, but by his consent it will be of little worth to the people, to have 〈◊〉 perpetual Parliament or a Bieniall, which you please, it is a vain thing for any to flatter themselves with the advantage of the command of the Melitia, by sea and land for ten years, when all the Judges of the Land are corrupt, and plead the King's interest, and bound to it by oath, and the Laws of the Land, and no way left for defence, but the Sword, which will prove but little, succour, to a poor man especially. Whether we have any reason to set up the King upon those terms, seeing how close he sticks to his own party, or whether he will not in seven years, in all likely hood by policy, be a greater Conqueror, than he could have been by the Sword? I leave it to your Excellency, and all wise men to judge, if your Excellency shall be pleased to consider these things with candid interpretation of my former actions known to yourself, it will appear that with integrity, I have sought no other interest, than the general freedom of the people, and that which I spoke in Counsel or else where, for which I was expelled, and made uncapable of discharging that trust, I can make manifest to be most true, only a judged unseasonable to cross the Bias of some men's affections, which we may have cause to wish a remedy, for when the opportunity is past, it will appear no weakening of your authority, by endeavouring to prevent the faltering your negative voice, over the grand Council of the Army, who are to judge of satisfaction and security in relation to dividing, or disbanding, or to declare any thing to the Kingdom▪ in the name of the Army: this no way altereth the conduct, as a Army acting in this capacity. It is fare from my heart to desire the setting up the power and force of the for continuance, though I affirm as the condition of the Kingdom now is, there is no superintendent authority, but what is exercised by the power and force of the Sword, and of necessity for some time must be so, if we immediately give up ourselves to the authority of Parliament, I know not but that all those which have been our opposers, not exempted, may soon appear too numerous for them that came to the Army, and the Minor glad to call for our help again, as was the saying of one soon after our reinstating them, that they were not able to carry on the business without our helping them, I know the people have cause to bless God that the swords is in the hands of men of such integrity to the public, that desire the continuance of the same no longer than all a happy government be established, wherein there needs no such pollicle to be used, as the making use of a public ministry to preach up a state's design, but that is may be fi●me, distinct from the Clergy, and all men to receive justice in what capacity soever, to taste of subjection as well as di●soveraignity, which is impossible to be brought to pass without establishing the supreme law, making power in the Commons in Parliament and that changeable, successively by an indubitate Right, as in reason it should be so to the people, there is no friend to England's freedom, will oppose this in the restoring the kingdom to its ancient Liberties as before the Conquest, and if your Excellency will with courage as hath been never wanting, make this your work, you will never want the assistance of hands and heart of the people. Now I shall only crave pardon for my troubling your Excellency, and remain your Excellency's servant in the recovering of England's freedom. From Rygate, in Surrey, Septemb. 23. 1647. Francis White. An Account to the Officers of the General's Regiment, intended for satisfaction to their demands. Sirs, YOu being unsatisfied in what I had delivered at the General Council of the Army, I gave you some account. But seeing it was not satisfactory, I proceed to give you a more full relation of my principles, with endeavours to clear the same. Your demands were thus, that seeing I affirm there is no visible superintendent authority in the Kingdom, but what is exercised by the power and force of the Sword, you desire to know under what authority I stand in this Regiment as Major, I answered you. That I was made Major of the General's Regiment by Commission from himself before we had repelled the power which the City and Parliament had raised against the Army, but after the authority of the Parliament was disobeyed & the power they could procure against us, theirs & the people's best friends repelled,) and yet those Members that acted or voted against us, sitting in Parliament as ours and the Kingdom's judges, I acted no more under that account to the Parliament, but only under the authority of the General, by virtue of the Solemn Engagement of the Army, and by the approbation and consent of the Regiment, not one man denying when I presented myself their Major, I also said that the Army was the highest power now visible in this kingdom, and the General in chief authority, and a man whom I would obey in all commands from him that I did receive, which were just and honest according to my understanding, and that if he commanded me any injust thing, I would not observe it, nor act therein. I affirming that all authority is but ministerial in the persons, and that neither God, nor the people hath given them authority to do any unjust thing, neither will any people willingly be oppressed with injustice, and that the commands of a Superior Authority do not justify the inferior in unrighteous actions. I further declare, that whatsoever action is set for ward by vetrue of authority, that is unjust, and pressed by power of stronger power may resist and suppress their power and the authorities also, if they persist in the prosecutiof it. It is the equity of a thing that maketh it lawful. I know the strong man armed keepeth his house, till a stronger than he cometh, I have well considered the words of the Apostle, Romans the 13. saying, Let every soul be subject to the higher powers, For there is no power but of God, the powers that be, we ordained of God, and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil, wilt thou then not be afraid of the power, do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the sam●. Here the case is clear, the powers that be are of God, even all powers in the world, now I affieme that that is properly power that is able to act whersoever it is, and may resist the unjust commands of authority, and if the authority do gather strength to enforce their unjust commands than may the power justly cast of obedience, and defend themselves, and repel their strength by force, this principle must of necessity be granted or else all war either offensive or defensive is unlawful, and we have done evil in fight against the King's force, and likewise in suppressing those powers raised in London by the Parliament. I acknowledge the Parliament if once purged of those Members that assisted the King in the former war, and of those that voted the raising of a new war, to be the most legal and supreme authority of this Nation, though not so legal as it ought to be. And I affirm the Army the highest visible power, and to be commanded and directed by the Parliament, and bound to obey all things just which are commanded by them, it is clear to me, the Mayor part in them oft visible capacity to act, is the highest power, and he that resisteth them is culpable of the breach of this Scripture laid down be the Apostle, only observe this, every gainsaying is not resisting, and I will never resist any power, unless I thought I sin if I did not. But if a Mayor in a Nation rise up to procure justice and sup esse the Minor, it is clear to me they are the highest power and may justly appoint authority over themselves and all that shall concur with them, or consent thereto for their well being and safety, and may not be charged of resisting the highest power. There is no form of government by divine appointment, but the voice of the people is the voice of God as much for one as another, and that is the most legal and just authority which is set up by consent, and that legally by judging, but to the generation that appointed it. For the father hath not power to engage the son bus by consent, and may not justly make him a slave. Children are only to obey their parents in the Lord, that authority that is set up by force is to be obeyed in all just things, but if it grow corrupt and departed from the ways of justice and righteousness, then may a people justly deliver themselves from their oppressors, and repel their power by force. I took up arms at the first in judgement and conscience against the King's power to procure deliverance for this people and Nation of my nativitle, from the oppression and injustice that was exercised by the King and his Ministers, and likewise opposed the Parliament upon the same grounds, and shall again with heart and hand oppose tyranny and injustice whersoever I find it, 〈◊〉 shall enable me and make me a clear way and call thereunto. I know the●e is a divine power over all the creatures in the world, and God suffereth the Devil to deceive men so, that out of zeal toward God, they think they do him service to destroy the Persons of his people, and seeing there is such actings to destroy honest people, I account it my duty towards God and the people, to endeavour by all means to preserve them, and myself knowing, that if I do not use what means God giveth to preserve natural life, I am accessary to my own ruin, and become a self murtheter. It is not difficult to be understood, that the authority and government of this kingdom, was set up by force, by the Norman Conqueror, and by policy and force fastened by his successors to these times, winding in the people into snares by craft, imposing oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy, etc. setting up a public ministry to preach up the authority divine, and to be accountable to God only, strengthening it by the Gentry, which receive honour one of another, the King being the fountain of th●s honour, and all Lawyers having dependence on the King, plead his interest, and likewise the Law forfitting him as much as the invention of man can imagine. But what reason can be given, that one man's wit should contradict the wisdom of 400 the wisest men that can be chosen in a Nation, I know not; or that all laws that a people shall choose for their well being and safety, should be accounted of as acts of grace and favour from a single person, unless it were in his power to consume them, or they in his hands, as the clay in the hands of the potter? It is beyond my capacity to conceive the equity thereof, this is no other but the adoring that image spoken of in Daniel the second, which shall be as ch●ffe before the threshing flower, verse 26. Now that the Army, Parliament, and City and Commons of the Land, which have joined with them, should ask the King an act of oblivion, and general pardon after they have conquered his power, is most preposirous and ignorane, and will clearly in my judgement through the guilt of blood, which is little thought of upon themselves, and make him merely passive, which hath been most active. Now for the prevention of those mischiefs that may fall upon us, and for the settling a firm peace for the safety of the whole, I see no other way but to stand to the House of Commons, who first called us together, and with the consent of the people establish the supreme law making power in their House, which are the most proper representative of the people, and to procure that changeable and equally chosen for the future by an indubitate right. I am sensible that if we should receive an act of oblivion from the King, which I never will accept of, yet may the next King call us 〈◊〉 account, or if he will nor, yet the law will, which is a written setter, and will ●ill us, and hang the judges if prosecuted, which shall give sentence contrary thereto, we have some experience hereof in the case of james Symballs, Crab, White, and Ward, which were all sentenced to the confiscation of their estates and to imprisonment, during the King's pleasure, for speaking words against the King, in the time of the late wars, and at the Armies marching through London, some of them had enlargement by Mr. Devenish, for which he was fined 60. l. to the King, and some remain in prison at this day, notwithstanding i● hath been insisted upon by the Army for their enlargement. The like example of a Soldier of Col. Rocestors Regiment, sentenced by judge Reeves and Bacon, contrary to the Law of Arms, notwithstanding the Parliament gave them instructions not to meddle in matters of the Military affairs and the General sent his letter to them desiring he might be sent to the Army to be tried at the martial-law as a Soldier ought to be. For all this the judges writ to the General, which letter I red, signed with their names, that they could not do it, and in another letter from Col. Twisselton, then Major, informing that the jury brought in verdict not guilty, yet the judges sent them backagaine, tell they brought in their verdict for man slaughter, and then the Soldier was burned in the hand. If such affronts and sufferings may be put upon an Army in full power and strength, I know not what may our mischiefs, nor where or when our miseries may end, if we have not sure security before the power of the Army be scattered, and before I would be so regardless of those Soldiers that had acted in this employment, I would sacrifice, my life in pleading for their deliverance. I see no sufficient security, but by turning the currant of the laws to run in the name of the Commons of England, which will be for the general safety, which is the ground and primitive end of all law. Dear Sir, ny heart is towards you and all men, with affection and love, even to the most bitter enemy I have, and I speak it in the presence of God, I know no desire of my heart running after profit or honour or with any a●●imossitie against any man's person, or general party, but desire that pure justice may be exercised, which is part of the image of the deity, if not part of the essence. I desire that the poor of this people may be raised to a condition of livelihood and subsistence, and that prisoners may be executed, judged, or restored, and not have their prisons made places of execution, which were never ordained to that end, but to keep persons in custody tell time of trial. I desire not a dissolution of all government, or a party that hath been retorted. For I know so long as there is corruption among men, there must be government to suppress licentiousness and wrong, and to encourage godliness and honesly according to the light of God manifest. It would be no difficult thing to clear these principles from the law of nature, Scripture, and Reason. It is fare of my thoughts for promoting any design for a party, or to procure the alteration of the conduct of the Army either in whole or in part, or particular person, for I think the Officers to be the cream of the Army, and the Army, such as is not parallel in the world, and if their judgements be convinced, and their way clear, for action I am confident they would not fear the power of the earth, it is wicked policy will be their greatest mischief. We have had to much experience of former declarations, Protestations, and promises, and though the parties mean really to perform them, yet one party may turn over another, and they may be easily trampled upon, and soon forgotten, therefore what reason have we to trust the King, or any other for our future security, I know not. I am sure that if the King be set up without further diminition of the regal power than is provided in the proposals of the Army, we shall never want subtle tormentors. I admire what stupidity it is that lieth upon the spirits of gallant men, that do not fear the looks of the most daring enemy in the field, and yet their hearts fail them, when they look upon a single person. But for a little the more clear illustration of the main subject of the inperintendent authority, I state a case parallel thus. The Lord Mayor of London hath the command of the Militia, he hath likewise the Regal Authority for administration of justice, he calls a Council of Aldermen and Common Council men to consider of some weighty affairs, and to determine of things for the weal of the City, there ariseth a great difference among the Council in matters of great importance to the City the Lord Maior and part of the Aldermen and Common Council will have it one way, the Mayor part will have it another way. The difference causeth a breach, the Lord Maior pleadeth the Royalty of the command of the Malitia, to force them to his and his party's prerogative principles, he calleth in the corrupt party to his assistants, many ●ich Merchants, Monopolizers, with all his officers that a●ecotrupt, and all such as fear justice, the Major part of the Council call in the trades men, and all the free Commons of the City to defend their just rights and liberties, who willingly assist them, and by whose means and help they subdue the Lord, Major and his party, after which the Lord Major by flattery, and the help of his agents, gaineth the Major part of that Council, which directed the Commons, the Council plead his interest; and seek to put insufferable abuses upon the power that did preserve them, and those that were most faithful▪ they reproach and contemn, and seek to put infamy upon them, the powers beat long with much parience, but when they see no way but ruin designed them, they refuse the commands of this authority that commanded them, and seek to deliver themselves and their friends from apparent ruin, and are clear and justifiable in the suppressing the injustice of their authority, after which the said Lord Major corrupteth some of the leaders of that power, and by the assistance of all his former parties that fear justice, or are ambitious, or covetous for profit or honour, he is in a fair way, with a little loss to gain the day, whether the power remaining being the highest visible in order, may not preserve themselves, I leave you to judge, when those that have acted against this power, and are declared enemies to this power, and that they will not suffer those usurpers and intruders to sit as their and the rest of the Commons judges, where then is the visible superintendent authority, I beseech you resolve me, it needs no application. I am sure that it is power that first maketh authority to command in just things, God himself had not authority over any thing, tell he had made some thing by his power to be at his command, it is evident that power settleth authority, as in most kingdoms of the world, the authority and government hath been established by the power and force of the sword, and the people made subject to evil for fear, which I desire may not be so with us. For my own part I do not stand in fear of the power, when I do what is just by the testimony of a good conscience, I fear not them that kill the body only and can do no more▪ I will be accountable for all actions to the highest power, and if I cannot justify myself, I will ask God and man forgiveness, or suffer what God shall permit with joy, I know my own infirmities, passion, and weakness, I know my own heart is deceitful, yet if men and Dive●s prosecute me, I shall appear righteous and just through Christ before God my father, in whom I have my enjoyment, peace, reconciliation, union and comfort, which maketh my heart more glad, than any worldly man is in the increase of his treasure. Now if there be any thing here written which appears to you errors, I desire you to endeavour to convince me, and I shall renounce the same, I leave it to your understanding, and to the God that giveth wisdom, I shall pray both for you and myself, that he will give us wisdom and teach us love and meekness, that we may live together in peace, and happiness, and keep union in the ways of righteousness, which is the desire of him, who hath, is and shall be tell death, a servant to you, and the Commons of England. Presented to the Officers the Regiment at Ware. Monday Octob. 16 1647. Francis White. I Did n●● seek occasion to publish these seven heads ensuing, which were extracted out of many more, which the Officers of the Gen. Regiment had drawn up as a charge against me, and likewise backing the same with a dec●●●ation against the Case of the Army, and the Agents of the five Regiments of Horse, promising the General their assistance to suppress such principles as I held forth, and likewise to suppress those persons that had published that book in the name of five Regiments, which they said were not 15. men▪ I little expected such proceed from those that had declared themselves so much my friends, and said, my heart is as your heart, and we will stand and fall together. One Friday the 13. October when all the Officers were appointed to attend at the Head Quarters of the Regiment, as is our custom once a week, they then made their demands, wh●ch I told them I was not bound to give them account after ou● meeting, they come all to my Quarters, and desires in away of love to be satisfied in my principles, but Ju●●●s like with a kiss to betray me they drew up their Articles from the tenor of my discourse in the garden, but the Lord reward them, I shall endeavour to do them a courtesy for the same, desiring not to be overcome with evil, but to overcome evil with good. I would have read this paper of my account to them, before they presented their Articles and Declaration, but they desired me to read it to them afterward which I did, yet notwithstanding some would not hear with affection, nor consider, but proceed with their business, and after my extracting them into seven heads, they altered their Declaration, and desired me to sign it, which wou●d have been ridiculous, I refused it, and three Captains there present, and some Lieutenants and Ensigns. There being divers Articles drawn up by some Officers of the Gen. Regiment, which they brought to me, desiring to know of me whether I would own them as my principles, is they charged them. I finding them imperfect to what I had spoken, drew up these ensuing as followeth, and signed them with my own hand. 1. That there is no superintendent Authority in this Kingdom, but what is exercised by the power and force of the sword. 2. That the whole government of the kingdom, under all the laws that have been since the Conque●, is, or aught to be made null, that are contrary to equity, and such 〈◊〉 government to be established, that all persons may ta●● of subjection as well as rule, which is impossible to be brought to pass, without establishing the supreme law, making power in the representative of the people, and that changeable. 3. That the General doth not stand so strong by virtue of his Commission from the Parliament, as he doth by virtue of the solemn Engagement of the Army. 4 That whatsoever commands I shall receive from the General, I will obey if just, and if in my approbation they appear not just, I will not obey them. And if there be prosecution to destroy me for refusing unjust commands, I will preserve myself by power if I can, and this liberty I conceive every person in the kingdom ought to have. 5. That the Mayor part in the most visible capacity to act, is the highest power, and may refuse the injust comm●nds of superior authority. 6 That the Parliament men▪ that sat with Mr. Pellam, were as much a Parliament, as those that sat when the Members went to the King, and unless the House be purged of those persons, that are unduly elected, and likewise of those persons that voted the raising a ●ew war, declared usurpers and intruders by the Army, the Parliament is no Parliament, and ought not to be the Army and kingdoms judges. 7. That the laws of the Kingdom that were imposed or settled by policy and strength from the Conqueror and his successors, which are adjudged prejudicial to the people by the Commons, may be adhered, and that the Army are bound in duty and conscience to God and the people to see it performed. Francis White. Th●se things before written containing matters of such great importance, of such general concernment to all the Commons of England, and the heads drawn up, with a Declaration in relation to myself and others, by some Officers of the Gen. Regiment, being sent unto the General, I have therefore thought fit to publish the whole, for in relation of what hath passed in relation to the matter for which I was expunged the General Council of the Army, that those whom in concerns may rightly understand what interest I have prosecuted, and if it be not just, and that which God and good people will own, I desire I may be convinced, and I shall ask God and man forgiveness, till which I shall prosecute the same till I die, or am in bonds, I fear not the power of the world in well doing, for I know where justice●s, God is; and his divine omnipotency will subdue them all, Christ is my rock on whom my refuge is grounded, and in whom I trust, and whiles I walk under his banner, I am sure I shall never be confounded if I swarve from the ways of justice and righteousness, I do not expect protection, but desire the God of heaven and earth to give up my body to destruction, yet I am sure my redeemer liveth, and my spirit shall be at rest. The supreme end of all actions ought to be the glory of God, the second end, the safety of the people the foundation of which is laid in righteousness and justice, which are concommitants with the former. But seeing every man will pretend the safety of the people in his own way, it is of necessity there be something to bottom upon for final determination, what is the safety of the people, and who shall be judges thereof? I say not the King, not this Parliament so unequally chosen, and so mixed, not the Army upon ●●●tearmes, but a free Parliament equally chosen, with every free man of age having his voice, and that Parliament to have its bounds, sit how long to continue, and so to have Parliaments successively once a year or every two year at most, to whom all Officers of what quality soever shall give an account, till which be accomplished, I shall never willingly aqui esse. But seeing this is a great work in which we shall find opposition, it is of necessity that the Soldery be preserved, and kept in constant pay, to prevent free quarter, that great burden, which will make the people hate them. Then for the gaining and retaining the affections of the people, the prisoners must be pitied and delivered. And the Excise of all English commodities taken of, and a period set for the dissolution of the whole. That there be a redress in that great grievance of Tithes, that the wages of the hirelings labour be raised according to the rates of provisions. That widows, cripples, mainted Soldiers, and fatherless children may be effectually provided for. That the people may be righted in point of accounts, that the wages of all Officers of public employment may be abated, that they may not be bought and sold, nor coveted after. And that the wages of all field Officers of the Army made lesser, and the foot Soldiers raised to 12. d. per diem, and the horse according to their equipage. That the business for Jreland be prosecuted as soon as we are in a visible security here, otherwise, we may send over Soldiers that will go only for profit and honour, which will hardly prove true to the principles of righteousness and justice, but turn again to cut our throats, as some have done before. That no men be prosecuted with revenge for evil done out of their zeal according to their judgement and conscience. If the people once see this, the work of the Parliament and Army, and that they do not dealer deceitfully with them, they will never want their affections, nor purses to the consummation of the work. Now if this writing, speaking, and acting in truth, and the ways of justice, be accounted vile, I shall as David said, be yet more vile. Francis White. FINIS.