A Copy of a LETTER; Written to one of the Members of Parliament now sitting: Wherein is contained a serious reflection, upon the fallacies and disingeniousness of the Army, in their seven Unalterable Fundamentals, lately published. As also a seasonable Caution to all Governors, for their better securing themselves and the Nation, from being made any more a prey to the lusts and will of the Army, and their Adherents.  
SIR,  
HAving lately perused those few Principles, agreed on (as it was said) by the General Council of Officers, and published for the people's view, under the Title of, Unalterable Fundamentals; I thought it my duty, as a Member of this Commonwealth, to give in my sense hereof, together with these Cautions following. Providence having so ordered it, (I hope for the best) that after this second, and therefore most shameful defection of one part of the Army, you are now in a hopeful way of being established, in that fullness of power you have laid claim to, and I hope will improve, through grace, to the establishment of the Laws of God and the Nation, and the vindication of the people from Oppression and Tyranny. For God having done so much in mercy for you, it is now in the expectation of all men, what you in duty will do for him and his people.  
Before I come to the Fundamentals here mentioned, I shall premise this Quaerie touching the Authors thereof, Whether they are not the unfittest men to be makers of unalterable Fundamentals, that have been the greatest Breakers of Fundamentals themselves, and such too as were thought as Unalterable, as both by the consent of the People, and the Wisdom and authority of Governors, could be effected.  
The first particular agreed on, for an unalterable Fundamental, is, That there shall be no Kingship exercised in these Nations. But because I know not how to answer Tautoligies, I shall join this, and the Proposition following together, viz.  
That they will not have any single Person, to exercise the Office of chief Magistrate in these Nations. For what is Kingship, but a single Person exercising the Office of chief Magistrate in these Nations; and if there be no single Person, there can be no King. To these two than I answer, It is not the Formal part in the word, King, or in that single number, One, which hath been so long engaged against; but the Substantial part, in that latitude of Power, and Arbitraines of Government, the Spirit and life of Tyranny; which, be it in one, or in two, or in twenty, is the same burden and oppression, to the free born people of this Commonwealth. Monarchy being rejected and laid aside, rather as an opportunity and fitness for Tyranny to seat itself in, than as Tyranny itself; which doubtless may be found in any form, which is farthest distant from it, where Persons are corrupt, and Laws be defective.  
That an Army may be continued, and be conducted, so as it may secure the Peace of these Nations; and not be disbanded, nor the Conduct thereof altered, but by consent of the said Conservators appointed. I answer, That forasmuch as Authority of itself is but a name, and mere formal thing, without the soul and spirit of Government, which is strength to compel, whatsoever Authority shall command. Therefore I must assert these two Positions, as unalterable Maxims.  
1. That the Parliament, which is owned as the Supreme Authority of the Nation; and their Army, which, in truth, is the strength and sinews of this Authority, must be so much one, as that the Army, our of that interest and influence which the Parliament hath over it, by way of necessity, must acknowledge and yield up thereunto the right, of giving definitive sentence, and power of juding what is fit and reasonable, for the people of this Nation, usurped of late by part of the Army, and their Adherants.  
2. This must be done so really, without any more contradiction or opposition, than any private man, who is not of the Army, shall use, in his own behalf, who is only passive herein. Otherwise, to own any Supreme Power above the Army, is a gross contradiction.  
That no imposition may be upon the consciences of them, that fear God. This, because it is unalterable, it hath need to be more fully and plainly expressed; that is to say, That no imposition shall be upon the consciences of those, whom the Supreme Authority shall adjudge to fear God, and not what the Army shall determine herein.  
That their be no House of Peers. Observe what care is taken, to make up their Fundamentals of words only, that they may keep themselves lose in the things themselves. It is not another House they resolve against, but a House of Peers: 'Tis a House of Lords, forsooth, and not a House shall Lord it over us, that they will venture for ever to declare against. As long as they will not have a House of Peers, although they have the same, and far greater power exercised in other persons, and names, 'tis sufficient and fair enough.  
That the Legislative and Executive Powers shall be distinct, and not in the same hands. That any may see of what mettle their Fundamentals are made of. This Sixth Proposition hath broken the neck of the Fifth already; for there, they declare against a House of Peers, and yet here, they say, they will have another Assembly distinct from the Parliament; to whom, if you give no more power than the House of Peers had, then are they as needless as you 
* March 19 1648. An Act for abolishing the House of Peers.  Voted the House of Peers to be: If you give them more power than the House of Peers had, than what becomes of your privileges of Parliament? Then let me tell you, Your Rump (as they call it) is not worth a—  
That both the Assemblies of the Parliament shall be elected by the people of this Commonwealth, duly qualified. The Army should have made one Fundamental more, that is to say, That the Army should be for ever deemed, the only duly qualified people of this Commonwealth; and then the next Fundamental comes in plainly and sincerely, without any fraud or juggling, viz. That both the Assemblies of the Parliament shall be elected by the people of this Commonwealth, duly qualified; that is to say, with Red-coats, Muskets, Swords, and Pikes. Otherwise, we have great cause to fear, that they who have so long assumed this Title, as peculiar to themselves, will never disclaim it at the election of Parliaments.  
Now, Sir, Fearing that Party, which hath so shamefully fallen away from you, hath yet too great an interest in many persons among you; yea, seeing daily so many of them, as to outward appearance, admitted into grace and favour with the Parliament, and through the carelessness of some, into places of chiefest trust in this Commonwealth, I cannot but give you, as already a brief account of their unalterable Fundamentals, so now, likewise a short and seasonable Caution for your future dealing with them.  
It is no less wise, then old saying, First try, and then trust; God hath given you a fair trial, both of your Friends and Enemies, if you make not aright advantage, Destruction will come upon you without pity.  
Take notice, there are many now, will come in unto you daily, compelled by necessity, not affection, who will by consequence no longer remain with you, than that bond of necessity lasteth; Be well advised, concerning those that have appeared against you, though now they cry you up never so loud, 'tis to do themselves good, and not you, that they now carry a face of friendship towards you.  
They will now be treating with you a pace, but treat with no more than you must needs; You are now able to stand upon your own legs, it will engage the Nation the more for you, the less you comply with the Enemies of their Peace, their Religion, their Laws, and their Liberty: besides, by this means you pay the Defected party all their Arrears, without putting the Nation to any further charge, which will be accounted as a just punishment upon them, who have interrupted you; and in you a fatherly care, and provident respect to the purses of the People, (so much already exhausted) which they will draw the freelier, (as being the better able) to pay off all those that have been instruments of your re-establishment; Remember what Principles they are of, and then consider, what faith they are like to keep with you.  
As first, they do affirm, That Laws, Acts, and Statutes, 
vid. Army's Plea for their present Practice  are binding or not binding, as they appear to the Army, to relate or conduce to common and public right or wrong, pag. 3.  
2. They absolve the Commonwealth from their obligations to your Laws, which they shall adjudge to be destructive to their interest and advantage, ibid.  
3. That as all Laws, Statutes, Acts, and Ordinances; so all Covennants, Engagements, Promises, and Protestations; all Acknowledgements, Subscriptions, Vows, and Oaths; all and all manner of Obligations and Expressions thereof, are only binding unto the Public safety, not at all to the persons of Governonrs, or Governments, but with reference thereunto. Of which Public safety, these men have affirmed, That it belongs to themselves, whom they call the People, and not to the Parliament, who are their Governors, to judge of, which their late proceed do sufficiently testify. pag. 4.  
4. That the Soldiery may lawfully hold the hands of their General, if they shall say, he turns the Canon against them; though it appear to their General, and all the world besides, he doth not so, pag. 6.  
5. That it is no resistance of Magistracy, for an Army to preserve the public, natural, and undoubted rights of the People, against their lawful Magistrates, pag. 6.  
6. That they ought not to deliver the Sword out of their hands, for the sacrificing of that cause, which God, by his Providence, hath put into their hands, for its protection and defence, pag. 23.  
7. That the making of an inconditionate Promise and Engagement, is sin; and that the keeping of it is sin also, pag. 24.  
8. That the Parliament are not proper Judges of what is convenient to he done for common interest, in the case of the Soldiery, but that common in erest must be the only judge, pag 26.  
9 That though in other cases you are the only Judges, as in that of Sir George Booth; yet, in their cases, you are not to be Judges, as in that of the nine Officers of the Army, pag. 27.  
10. That by a Parliament must be meant the Major part of a Parliament, and not the Minor, pag. 28.  
11. That they may as well be Judges to turn you out of the House, as they were allowed to be Judges, to turn the Major part out before, pag. 29.  
12. And lastly, I shall cite you this one more out of their Declaration, Octob. 27. 1659. viz. That the People, by electing Members to represent them in Parliament, had cut that Knot with their own Sword, which by no other ways was capable to be dissolved or broken.  
Out of this brief Collection, you may easily inform yourself, what obedience they are like to give, what faith they are like to keep, and what safety you are like to have among this disobedient, and faithless crew of Mutineers; who owning no other Law then their own Will, no other power then their own Sword, will never become subject to the Laws of the Nation, or the sword of the Magistrate, until the body of them shall be dissolved into their first Principals.  
Nor can I think, I leave you safe here, without putting you in mind of those their adherents, whom they call the Sectaries; These indeed are the men, have effected your interruption more than any, opposing your Principles as much as your Power. Who through some men's Carelessness, and their own Diligence, have crept unawares into the most considerable places, both of Trust, and Power in these Nations; And who could not but read your Destiny, that beheld this oversight in you. Grow wise, then by Experience, and Remember to put those into places of Trust and Power, that are of your own principles; This is your Duty, your Honour, your Safety, your Interest. And you have good reason to believe, that they that think themselves above the Ordinances of God, will never cordially submit to the Ordinances of Man. Religion among those that are zealous, is counted their chief interest, for this they will not stick to venture their Estates, their Reputation, and all that is dear unto them; so that their shall be neither Oath, nor Covenant, nor Promises, but this like the Pope, shall be always ready, with some to give them a dispensation who 'tis feared, have too many among them of the Jesuits crew, who will easily dispute them into this belief, that they do God good service, (when occasion shall serve) to keep no faith with you, whom they esteem as Heretics.  
Men of different principles, can never unite at the heart, though with flattering Lips, and a double Tongue, they may speak every one to his Neighbour, yet they will discover themselves in their proper seasons.  
Divide not the victory with them, who would fain get a thank upon the Government, not that they intent to be with you any longer, then under your shadow, and present protection; they may provide for themselves, and their friend's safety, till in time they may grow up, to over-top you again, (as ill weeds grow apare). What ever leaves they may now put forth, their natural fruits will not bear proportion to.  
And now I hope, having known what it is to be kept out of the house yourselves, and having made such bitter complaints against them that were your Disturbers; Now I say, I hope you will pity your brethren of the Long Parliament, and not do to them, as you would not have others do unto you: Though they are not Majores natu, yet they are Majores numero, to whom the birth right, in the natural course of the Law, undoubtedly belongeth. The very essence of former Parliaments, and what is it indeed among yourselves? what is it among every private Committee, or meeting of men of Authority, that challengeth to itself the Authority of doing, without any contradiction; but the greater number: till you acknowledge your backslidings in full, as the Army did theirs but in part, and call in the Major part of the house, as they did the Minor part only, till your Repentance be unfeigned, and your Reformation perfect, you will never be established in the people's Love, and what security can you have in the people's Fear? which must be maintained by the power of an Army's inconstancy, who can with the same breath, both bless, and curse their Masters.  
God hath set you once more in your places, it may be, to see if you will set others in theirs also. Remember your Repentance in the day of your distress; There were some of you, when the Army had turned you out, condemned yourselves for not taking the rest of your fellow Members in. As the Army gave you that Opportunity, to see your faults, so God hath now given you his opportunity, wherein you may mend them.  
Do not then falsely imagine yourselves at your journey's end, nor take up your rest in your imperfect number; but know that you are not set up as the summary end, and perfection of Government, but only as a fit opportunity, and probable way, wherein a more perfect Government may be obtained and established; which, as it is your duty to endeavour to effect, so it will be your chiefest glory to bring to Perfection.  
FINIS.