A further Testimony to Truth; or, some Earnest Groans for a Righteous Settlement, in this hour of distraction, agreeable to the late Essay, so suitably offered by some Friends and Brethren, to this purpose: By some Baptised Congregations, and other Cordial Lovers and Assertors of the Public Good Old Cause, in the Counties of Leicester, Nottingham, Rutland, Lincoln, Stafford, Derby, and Shropshire. To all that bear good will to Zion, and love the Lord Jesus, that have either power, opportunity, or hearts to appear for Him, and his Righteous Cause, in this Day. THat in sense of the late eminent and wonderful appearance of the Lord, who hath pleased not only thereby to work out so miraculous a salvation and deliverance for a poor scattered and divided handful of his unworthy people, from the rage and malice of a potent, united, and enraged enemy, that like Bees on every side risen up against them. But more especially, and that which is more worth than thousands of our Lives and Liberties, has he given such good hopes (by his still continued Revolutions and Overturning) of reviving his blessed Cause again in the midst of us, after so many years' death upon it; viz. The Exaltation of the Kingdom and Interest of Jesus Christ, the glorious King of Saints and Nations, in the promised ruin and downfall of the Tyrannous, Beastly, and Antichristian Interest, which for so many hundred years has so bloodily domineered in the earth. We therefore having our hearts somewhat warmed and affected herewith, seeing as yet so little improvement of the opportunity once more offered, do take ourselves concerned, with others of our dear Brethren that have gone before us herein, to be pleading and crying out for those things which the Lords late Voice seems loudly to call for at our hands. And first; we desire in sense of his great goodness, (and as we would be serviceable to the Lord in his great designs on foot) earnestly to stir up ourselves, and all the Lords people that are any way touched with his late gracious Appearance, to a speedy, thorough, and serious search, how far any have had heart or hand in the late Dreadful Revolt and turning aside from the Lord in that fearful Apostasy, by setting up, standing by, or flatteringly addressing to either of those two persons, or others, that in opposition to the Work and Cause of God, has in chief been set over us, occasioning so much Atheism, Reproach, and Blasphemy: And that as any may be justly chargeable herewith, that there be accordingly a hearty return to the Lord, by a suitable repentance, taking the shame, and giving God the glory. Secondly, that since the Lord has been pleased once again, by his distinguishing Providence, upon the late decision, to make a visible separation betwixt friends and enemies; (and so far to unravel the Apostasy, whose chief work it was to twist all Interests together, as though Christ and Antichrist were to be united) that in order to common preservation and protection, and the securing our beings, all speedy and lawful ways may be taken for the incorporating, uniting, and impowering all known friends; the discountenancing, weakening, and outing all known enemies. And thirdly, we do, as in conscience bound, cry out for some speedy exemplary Justice and punishment upon the heads of all sorts that had their hands in the late Treason and Rebellion, that occasioned the expense of that Blood and Treasure, and gave such general disturbance throughout these three Nations. And fourthly, in order to our well-being, and carrying on a thorough Reformation so long groaned after, and bled for, we loudly call out for that holy, equal, brief, and plain Law given by God in the Scriptures, to be the declared Law of these Nations, in opposition to the heathenish, tyrannous, and Popish Laws yet in force amongst us: And that men that are best read, and practised, and most answering the qualifications of Magistrates, according to Scripture-Rule, viz. men of courage, fearing God, and hating covetousness, may be only employed (as near as possible) to dispense and execute under Christ this righteous Rule, in opposition to the ignorant, profane, and scandalous; that so also some speedy course may be taken to suppress that dilatory, vexatious, and oppressive way, that has so long been exercised by the mercenary, cruel, and covetous Lawyers, the shame of our Nation, and so utterly (in their corrupt course of practice) inconsistent to a Commonwealth. Fifthly, that as the most effectual way to suppress and remove the Antichristian Ministry, (who have been such Ringleaders in this late Rebellion;) and so consequently to promote and propagate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and the New-Testament-Ministration thereof: First, we claim, that the imposition of that Jewish and Antichristian yoke of Tithes be removed: And the rather; First, Because we find neither Law of God, nor by his Providence any from man, at this day, to enforce the same. Secondly, Because of late there has been that light, that strength of Reason and Argument offered to public view, both from the Laws of God and Man, that none has been able to stand before, or rationally to reply unto: See Milton, Pierson, Osburn, etc. And secondly, that as an intolerable burden, inconsistent with the Liberty of Conscience unto all, the Rulers forbear for ever to impose any National or Parochial Ministry, so as to enforce any form of Worship suited to their interest, or compel men of one persuasion, to maintain any man of another in the Ministry, or to lay a stumbling-block in the way of unbelievers, to the derogation of Christ, by compelling them to maintain his Ministers. And lastly, the better to make all this practicable, and to remove all lets out of the way, we do most earnestly beg and cry aloud for a speedy and effectual applying the Rule laid down by the late Rulers, so agreeable to the Word of God, to all Officers in Public Trust, both Civil and Military, throughout the Nation, which we herewith insert, wishing it may be writ in Letters of Gold, for every one to take notice of, that he that runs may read; viz. That Declaration of the ninth of May, 1659. That all such as shall be in any place of Trust and Power within this Commonwealth, be able for the discharge of such Trust, and that they be persons fearing God, that have given testimony of their true love to all the people of God, and of their faithfulness to the Cause of this Commonwealth. And that all such as answer not this wholesome Rule, (thus by God's Providence owned, laid down, and asserted, as the qualification to Magistracy and Trust) be speedily removed all places of Authority and Trust, and others be forthwith still called, answering the same; that our enemies be not our Judges, nor rule over us: And that there may be a Public Liberty to charge; and that it may be penal for any to continue, that are found unanswerable thereto. Attested and subscribed in the Name, and by the appointment of the respective Congregations under-written, viz. LEICESTER AND NOTTINGHAMSHIRES. Leicester. William Inge Robert Coltman Edmond Perkinson Thom. Pharren George Hopkins Rich. Hardy Markfield. George Moor Nicholas Ward Peter Sykes Thom. Bunney William Sykes Jo. Moor Quarndon. Ed. Smith Rob. Stevenson Fr. Harris Edw. Thornton William Hull George Shittlewood Tho. Heford Knighten. William Wells, Sen. William Wells, Jun. Thom. Carthright Ri. Carthright Rob Coltman Ed. Heggs Ed. Brooks Loughborough. William Parker William Sadler Thom. Berington George Tomlinson Jo. Quinton Rob. Peale Langton. Hen. Hartshorn Thom. Grewcock Barthol. Cox Dennis Wright William Charton Thom. Iminge Winswould. Edw. Blount Thom. Feaks Thom. H●ll Jo. Blum Edw. Thomson Gabriel Leake Waltham. Tobias Watson Jo. Darker Thom. Bishell Hen. Redgate Ed. Templeman Pet. Smith Twiford. Jo. Louth William Mobery William Pocklinton Ri. Hill Nottingham. Charles Jarman George Tacey Thom. Gerey Rob. Shering William Bush Matth. White Jo. Rick Ratby. Ri. Booth Daniel Cox Jo. Garner Steven White Peter Symkin William Cox Thornton. Ri. Fletcher Ri. Man Thom. Grant Steven Bunney William Newbould Ed. Sketchley Rutland, Lincolnshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Shropshire. Burleigh. Thom. Smyth Ri. Wale Westby. William Pridgen Thom. Worth Burton. Luke Budworth John Blundill Darbyshire-Peak. Robert Daken Thurstone Wright Thorpe. Jo. Osburn James Tiptaft Burne. William Bell Jo. Skyrrit Halmer-end. Tho. Sillito Tho. Beech Narborough. Jo. Bishell Jo. Measure Witham. William Hidson William Bell Shrewsbury. Rich, Newton William. Highway Th●●lbye. Jo. Wilkinson Rob. Perk Stafford. William Elives Rich. Wistons Ludlow. David Jones William. Haiton Sweaton Rob. Towers Jo. Foster Berrey-Hill. Henry Haggar Tho. Ginder Darliston and Elsmeer. Arthur Atkin George Chathcock Easton. Jo. Allin Sim. Ingram Litchfield. Laurence Spooner John Copper Bridgenorth. Walter Gaferis Tho. Law An Assent also hereunto has been given by the Warwickshire Churches, whose subscriptions, through some miscarriage, came not timely to hand. THis Testimony was intended before the late Change, though not unseasonable (as we judge) to be now published; trusting these great and astonishing Revolutions will but make the more way 〈◊〉 the accomplishment of our just desires herein. Hoping the chief Instruments hereof, will now be the more engaged hearty to return to the Lord, and to prosecute their former Resolu … 〈◊〉 ●ngagements to Christ herein (in the day of their straits: if not, we shall again inminde them of that seasonable Word, so lately laid before them, Num. 32. 23. And that if at this 〈…〉 silent, 〈…〉 … gement and … iver … … Ise som● otherway, etc. Est. 4. 14. 〈…〉 〈…〉 for Livew … 〈…〉 at the 〈◊〉 ●n Popes-head-alley▪ 1659.