A 
 
 REMONSTRANCE 
 
 O F 
 
 Many Thoufand Ci:izen$,and other Free-born ■ 
 
 PEOPLE of ENGLAND, 
 
 their owns Heufe of 
 
 COMMONS. 
 
 ©ccafioned through the Illegall and Barbarous Imprifonment 
 of that Famous and Worthy Sufferer for his Countries 
 Freedoms, Lievtenant Col. 
 
 JOHN LILBVRNE. 
 
 Wherein their juft Demands in behalfe of themfelves and the whole King, 
 dome,concerning their Puslike Safe!)’,Peace and Free dome,is exprefs’J j 
 calling tbofe their Commiffi oners in Parliament to an Account , bow 
 they (fince the beginning of their Seffion, te this prefent) have difcharg- 
 ed their Duties to the Vnivcrfallity of the People, their Soveraigne 
 LOKD, from whom their Power ami Strength is derived , and by 
 whom (ad beneplacitum,) it is continued . 
 
 Printed in the Ycer 1646. 
 
A 
 
 REMONSTRANCE 
 
 0 F 
 
 Many 'fboufand Citizens, and other Free-bome People of England, 
 to their owneHoufe of COMMONS. 
 
 are well allured, yet cannot forget, that the caufe 
 ♦ °f our choofing you to be Parliament-men , was to 
 X X deliver us from all kind of Bondage,and to preferve 
 ♦ ♦ the Common-wealth in Peace and Happineffe: For 
 
 effeftirtg wherof,we po(Tefled you with the fame Po¬ 
 wer that was in our del vs,to have done the fame jFor 
 we might juftly have done it our felves without you, if We had: 
 thought it convenient; choofing you [as Perfons whom we 
 thought fitly qualified, and Faithfull,] for avoydiug fbme in¬ 
 conveniences. - , 
 
 But ye are to remember, this was onely of us but a Power of 
 trail,[which is ever revokable,and cannot be otherwife,] audio- 
 be imployed to no other end, then our own wel-beiug-rFio/did 
 we choofe you to continue our Trull’s longer, then the knowne 
 eftaUilhed conllitution of this Common wealth will juftly per¬ 
 mit, and that could be but for one yeere at the molt: for by our 
 Law, a Parliament is to be called once every yeere,and oftner (.if 
 need b- 3 ,) as ye well know. We are your Principals,and you our 
 Agents ;it is a Truth which you cannot but acknowledge: For 
 if yon or any other Ihal aflume,or exei'dfe any Power,tbat is not 
 derived from our Trull and choyce thereunto, that Power is no 
 defle then ufurpation and an Opprellion, from which weexpeft 
 to be freed,in whomfoever we finde it j it being altogether incon- 
 fiftent with thenature of juftFreedome, which yee alfo very well- 
 underhand. 
 
 A. z The.- 
 
The Kiftory of our Fore-fathers iince they were Conquered 
 by the Normans, doth nianifeftthat this Nation hath been held in 
 bondage all along ever fince by the policies and force of the Offi¬ 
 cers of Truft in the Common-wealth, amongft whom,we always 
 efteetned Sings the chiefeft : and what (in much of the former¬ 
 time) w;s done fey warre,andby impoverifhing of the people, to 
 make them Haves and to hold them in bondage.our latter Princes 
 have endeavoured to effeft, by giving eafe and wealth unto the 
 People, but withall, corrupting their undemanding,by infufing 
 falie principles concerning Kings and Government,' and Parlia¬ 
 ments, andFreedomes; and alfo uling all meanes to corrupt and 
 vitiate the manners of the youth, and ftrongeft prop and fupport 
 of the people, the Gentry. 
 
 It is wonderfull,that the failings of former Kings,to bring our 
 Fore-fathers into bondage,together with the trouble and danger 
 that fome of them drew upon themfelves and their Poflerity, by 
 thofe their unjuft endevours,had*not wrought in our JatterKings 
 a refoludon to rely on, and truft only to Juftice and fquare deal¬ 
 ing with the People, efpecially confidering the unaptnefle of 
 the Nation to beare much, efpecially from thole that pretend to. 
 love them,and unto whom they exprefled lo much hearty affetti- 
 on,(as any People in the world ever did,) as in the quiet admilfi- 
 on of King James from Scotland, fufficient, (if any Obligation 
 would worke Kings to Reafon,) to have endeared both him and 
 his fonne King Charles, to an inviolable love,and hearty affeftion 
 to the Englijb Nation ; but it would not doe. 
 
 They choofe rather to truft onto their Policies and CourtArts, 
 to King-wafte,and delufion, then to Juftice and plaine dealing; 
 and did effeft many things tending to our enfiaving(as in your 
 Firft Kemonftrar.ee ; you ihew skill enough to manifeft the fame to 
 all the World:) and this Nation having been by their delulive 
 Arts, and a long continued Peace, much foftened and debafed in 
 judgement and Spirit, did beare far beyond its ufuall temper, or 
 any example of our Fore-Fathers, which (to our (hame,) we ac¬ 
 knowledge. 
 
 But in conclufion, longer they would not beare, and then yee 
 were chofen to work our deliverance,and to Eftate us in naturall 
 and juft liberty agreeable to Reafon and common equity ,for what¬ 
 ever 
 
ever our Forefathers were; or whatever they did or fuffered, or 
 were enforced to yeeld untojwe are the men of the prefent age,8c 
 ought to be abfolutely free from all kinds of exorbitances, mo- 
 leftations or Arbitrary Power , and you wee choofe to free us from 
 all without exception or limitation, either in refpeft ofperfons, 
 Officers, Degrees, or things; and we were full of confidence,that 
 ye alfo would have dealt impartially on our behalf, and made us 
 the moft abfolute free people in the world. 
 
 But how ye have dealt with us; wee (hall now let you know, 
 and let the Righteous G 0 D judge between you and us ; the continuall 
 Opprefiours of the Nation,have been Kings,which is fo evident, 
 that you cannot deny it: and ye your felves have told the King, 
 (whom yet you owne,) That bis whole 16 . leers reigne was one conti¬ 
 nued att of the breach of the Law> 
 
 You (hewed him, That you understood hit under-working with Ire. 
 land, hit endeavour to enforce the Parliament by the Army raifed a- 
 gainfi Scotland, Tee were eje-witnejfes of the violent attempt about the 
 Five Members; Tee Jaw evidently bit purpofe of raifing Warre ; Tee 
 have feen him engaged, and with obstinate violence, perfi Sting intbemofl 
 bloody Warre that ever this Nation knew, to the wasting and deSiruUhn 
 of multitudes of honeji and Religious People. 
 
 Yee have experience, that none but a King could doe fo great 
 intolerable mifchiefes, the very name of King, proving a fuffici- 
 entcharme to delude many of our Brethren in Wales, Ireland, 
 England and Scotland too, fofarre, as to fight againfl their owne Li¬ 
 berties , which you know, no man under Heaven could ever have 
 done. 
 
 And yet,-as if you were in Counfell with him, and were refol- 
 vtd to hold up his reputation, thereby to enable hint to go on in 
 mifchief, you mamtaine, The King can doe no wrong, and apply all 
 his Oppreflions toEvil Counjel/om,begging and entreating him in 
 fuch fubnaiflive language,to return to his Kingly Office and Par¬ 
 liament, as if you were refolved to make us beleeve, he were a 
 God, without whofe prefence, all nmft fall to mine, or as if it 
 vvere inipoflible for any Nation to be happy without a King. 
 
 , ’ Yon cannot fight for our Liberties, butJc muft be in .the Name 
 of .King and Parliament > he that fpeaks of his cruelties, mtiftbe 
 thruft out of your Houfe and fociety;; your Preachers muft pray 
 A j for 
 
(O 
 
 for hiflj,as if he bad not defeeved to be excommunicated all chri- 
 ftian fociety,or as if yee or they thought God were a refpetter of 
 the perfons of Kings in judgement. 
 
 By this and other your like dealings,y our frequent treating and 
 tampering to maintain his honour,Wee that have traded you to 
 dfeliver us from his Oppreffions,and to preftrve us from his cruel- 
 ties,are walled and conlumed (in multitudes) to manifold mile- 
 ries, whilft you lye ready with open armes to receive him, and to 
 male him a great and glorious King’ 
 
 Have you iboke this Nation like an Earth-quake, to produce 
 no more then this for us; Is it for this, that ye have rnadefo free 
 ■fe,& been fo bold both with our perfons & Eftates > And do you 
 (becaule of our readines to comply w ,!l your defires in all things) 
 conceive us fo fottilh, as to be contented with fuch unworthy re- 
 tiiriKj of our truft and Love ? No; it is high time Wee beplaine 
 with you; IK EE are not, nor SHALL net be fo contented ; W'ee 
 doe expefr according to reafon, that yee (bould in the firft place, 
 declare and fet forth King Charles his wickednefle openly before 
 the world, and withall, to fliew the intolerable inconveniences 
 of having a Kingl) Government, from the conftant evil! pra&ifes of 
 thofe of this Nation; and fo to declare King Charles an enemy,and 
 to publiih your refolution, never to have any more, but to ac¬ 
 quit us of fo great a charge and trouble for ever, and to convert 
 the great revenveof the Crowne to the publick treafure,to make 
 good the injuries and iriv.Hices done heretofore,, and of late by 
 thole that have poflefled the fame; and this Wee expelled long 
 Cnee at your hand, and untill this be done, Wee lhaU not think 
 our felves well dealt withall in this originall of all Opprefiions,. 
 to wit. Kings. 
 
 Yee mnft alfo deal better with us concerning the Lords,then you 
 have done;Ye onely are choftn by Us the people;and therefore in 
 you only is the Power of binding the whole Nation,by making, 
 altering or abolilhing of Lawes; Yee have therefore prejudiced- 
 Us,in afring fo,as if Yee could not make a Law without both the 
 Royall aflent of the King (J'o )e art flea[ed to exfrejfe your felves,) 
 and the aflent of the Lords; yet when ei ther King or Lords aflent 
 not to what you approve, Yee have fo much fenfe of your owne 
 Power, as to aflent wb^t Yee think good by an Order of you/ 
 own Houle. What 
 
r What is this but to blind our eyes, that Wee fhould not know 
 where our Power is lodged,nor to whom to apply our felves for 
 the ufe thereof} but ifWee want a Law, Wee muft await till the 
 King and Lords aflent; if an Ordinance, then Wee muft wait till 
 the Lords aflentjyet ye knowing their aflent to be meerly formall 
 (as having no root in the cboyce of the People, from whom the Power that is 
 jufr muft he derived,) doe frequently importune their aflent, which 
 impltes a moft grofle abfurdity. 
 
 For where their aflent is neceflary and eflentiall.they muft be as 
 Free as you,to aflent,or diflent as their underftandings and Con- 
 fciences ftiould guide them:and might as juftly importune you,as 
 yeethem. Yee ought in confluence to reduce this cafe alfotoa 
 certainty,and not to wafte time,and open your Counfels, and be 
 lyable to fo many Obftruftions as yee have been. 
 
 But to prevaile with them (enjoying their Honours and Pof- 
 feffions,)to be lyable,and ftand to be cho/en for Knights and Bur- 
 gefles by the people,as other the Gentry and Free-men of this Na¬ 
 tion doe,which will be an Obligation upon them, as having one 
 and the lame intereft: then alfo they would be diftinguilhed by 
 their vertues, and love to the Commoi.-wedtb, whereas now they 
 Aft and Vote in our affaires but as intruders,or as thruft upon us 
 by Kings, to make good their Interefts, which to this day have 
 been to bring us into a flavifh lubjeftion to their wils. 
 
 Noris tjiere.any reafon,that they fhould in any meafure,be lefle 
 .lyable to smy Law then the Gentry are; Why fhouldany of them 
 aflault, ftrike, or beat any, and not be lyable to the Law,as other 
 men areiWhy Ihould not they be as lyable to their debts as other 
 men? there is no reafon: yet have yee flood full,and feen many of 
 us,and fome of your felves violently abufed without reparation. 
 
 . We defire,you to free us from thefe-abufes, and their negative 
 Voices, or elletell us, that it is reafonable Wee fhould be flaves, 
 tlys being a perpetual prejudice in our Government,neither con- 
 fifting with Freedome no Safety: VJhhFrcedme it cannot; for in 
 this way of voting in all Affairs of the Common*rsedtb, being not 
 Chofen thereunto by the people,they are therein Mafters StLords 
 of the People, which neceffarily implyes the People to be their 
 lervants and vaffals, and they have ufed many of us accordingly, 
 by committing divers to Prifon upon their owne Authority, 
 
 namely 
 
cs> 
 
 namely, William Lamer, Lieu. Col. John Lilburne , and other wor¬ 
 thy SuffererSjWho uponAppeal unto you,have not been relieved. 
 
 We muft therefore pray you to make a Law againft all kinds 
 cf Arbitrary Government , as the higheft capitall offence againft-the 
 Common-stealth, and to reduce all conditions of men to' a'certain- 
 ty, that none hence- forward may prefume or plead any thing in 
 way of excufe, and that ye will leave no favour or fcruple of Ty- 
 eannicall Power over us in any whatfoever. 
 
 Time hath revealed hidden things unto us, things covered over 
 thick and threefold with pretences of the true Reformed Religion, 
 when as we fee apparently, that this Nation, and that of Scotland 
 zee. joyned together in a moft bloody and confuming Warre, by 
 the wake and policy of a fort of Lords in each Nation, that were 
 male-contents, and vexed that the King had advanced others,and 
 not themfelves to the managing of State-affaires. 
 
 Which they fuffered till the Ring encreafing hil Oppreffions in 
 both Nations, gave them opportunity to reveale themfelves, and 
 then they refolve to bring the King to their bow and regulation, 
 and to exclude all thofe from managingState-affairs that he had 
 advanced thereunto, and who were groWne fo infolent and pre- 
 fumptuous, as thefe difeontented ones were lyable to continual! 
 moleftations front them, either by pra&ifes at CounfeTTable, 
 High-Commilfion or Star-Chamber. 
 
 So as their work was to fubvert the Monarebiall Lords and Cler- 
 gie, and therewichall to abate the power of the King, andto Or¬ 
 der him; but this was a mighty work,and they were no wile able 
 to effeft it of themfelves; therefore (fey they) the generality of 
 the people muft be engaged; and how muft this be done? Why 
 fay they, wee muft afforiate with thatrpart of th e Clergie that are 
 now made underlings,and others of them that have been opprefe 
 fed,and with the moft zealons,religious Non- conformifts,and by 
 the help of thefe, we will lay before the Generality of the Peo¬ 
 ple, all the Fopijh Innovations in Religion , all the Opprcjjioiu of the Bi- 
 Jbops and High Commijjlon, allthe exorbitances of the Counfell-board and 
 Star Chamber,aS the injufiice of the Chancery andCourts of Jufiices,alhbe 
 illegal! faxaticns } as Sbip-mony , Patents and Projetfs, whereby wejfhall 
 be fure to get into our party,the generality of the City of London, 
 and all the confiderable fubftantiall People of both Nations, 
 
 By 
 
By whofe cry,and importunity vye (hall have* ParlimwpN hiqfc 
 wefhallbyouc manjFold ways, alluiit, dependant, and relations, 
 foon work to our purpofes.. 
 
 But ( fay fooje ) this will n^ver be effected without a Warre;. 
 for the King will have aftropgpanty ,,\and he will,never,fubaiit to 
 us j 'tis not expected other wiL (lay they ) and great and vaft fams 
 of money mutt be raifed, and Souldiersand Ammunition mud be , 
 had, whereof we had not need to fear any want : for what will 
 not an oppreft, rich, and religious people do, to be delivered 
 from all kindesof Oppreflion, both Spiritual and Temporal , and 
 to be reftored to pttritie and frteime in Religion , and tp the juft 
 liberty of their Perfins mi.Efiates ? 
 
 All our care muftbeto hold all at our command anddifpofing; 
 for if this people thus ftirred by us, fhould make an end too 
 foon with the King and his party, it is much to be doubted, they 
 would place the Supreme power in their Houfe of Commons, unto 
 whom onely of right it belongeth, they ondy being chofen by the 
 people, which is fo prefently diicerned , that as we have a care 
 the King and his Lords muft not prevail, fp more efpecially, we 
 muft be carefull the Supreme Power fall not into the peoples hands, 
 or Houfe of Commons. 
 
 Therefore we muftfo a<£, as not to make an end with the 
 King and his party, till by expence of time and treafure, a long, 
 bloody and confuting War, decay of Trade, and multitudes of the 
 higheft Impofitions , the people by degrees are tired and wearied, 
 fo as they (hall not be able toconteft or d.ifpute with us, either, a- 
 bout Supreme or Itiferioar power ; but we will be able, afore they . 
 are aware, to give them both Law and Religion. ., . 
 
 . In Scotland it Will be eafie to efiablijb the Prcsbyteriall Govern¬ 
 ment in (he,Church , and that being since effected, it Mitt not be much dif¬ 
 ficult in ; England., upon a pretence of Uniformity.in both Nations jnd. 
 the'Ukf 'ysmet Wkiph thereWlk.tifpunia.Cler.gie at Willing as Me, it 
 giving then) 4* abfo/ute a Adiniftery over the.Confciencet of the People, 
 ever the Perfins and Punfit, at We our filvet aim at, or defire. 
 
 ■Andif any fhafl prefume to oppofe either w or sbem, We JhalLbe ea- 
 fly silk by the help.of the. Cfirgie, by our Partyintke. Houfiof. Com¬ 
 mons, and by their ardour, inflmetmatt. partf of< bath Nations, tafily 
 tt'crtsfb anifupprefie them. 
 
 1 B Well 
 
te) 
 
 JfeS (fays font:) a5 this may be done , hut We , without abundance 
 of travel co our felvet, anti bounding our own Conferences ; for We 
 w.uft grcjly iiffemble before God, and all the World will fee it-in time j ■ 
 for We can never do-all this that je aim at, j>ut by the veryfameop. 
 prefftotss as we- fratlifed by the King, the Bifbops , and all thofe his ty¬ 
 rannical frftrum'-nt', both in Religion land Civil Government. 
 
 ArJ.it Will never l:ft or continue l-r-t ; the P, o’It WiS fee it, and ’ 
 hate rest ftr it, nsere thtnev.r they hated the former Tyrants and Op- 
 j'-’-firs ; were it not belter and fdfer for us to he juft , and really to ■ 
 do that for th' -People, which we pretend, and for which we fh.tll fo 
 { eh (fund their lives and 'fates , andfo luive their Love j and enjoy the 
 Peace :f quiet Con'ciences ? 
 
 For ( ftj they ) are r.otWTt «LORD, a Peere ef the Kingdom ? 
 Have you jossr Lordjhip, or Peerage, or thofe Honours and Priviledges • 
 that belong thereunto,from the love and EF Flion of the People? Tour in - 
 tereft is as different from theirs, and at inconjiftent with their freedoms, 
 as-thofe Lords and Clergie are, whom we ftrive to fupplant. 
 
 And therefore, rather then fatiefielhe -Peoples expectations in what ■ 
 concerns their Freedoms, it Were much better to continue as- We are, 
 and never difturk the King in his Prerogatives, nor hit Lords and ■ 
 PrdateS in their Priviledges: and therefore let m beets one, and when - 
 Wetalkjf Ccnfcier.ce, Ictus-make confcience, to make good unto our 
 [elves and our Posterities thofe Dignities, Honours and Prt-eminencies - 
 convey'd unto ttt bj cur-Noble Progenitors, by aS the means we can ; 
 not making questions for cenfcier.ce fake, or any other things ; and if We 
 b: united ir-our endeavours, and worf wifely, obferving when to ad* - 
 vance, and whento give ground, we cannot fail ef ftucceffr, Which will 
 bean honour to our N ames for ever. 
 
 Thefe are the ftrong deluftons that have been amongft us, and the My- 
 fterie of lniquitie hathwreught mo ft vehemently in alLour affairs :Henie 
 it was that Strafford was fo leug in trial , and that he had no greater 
 heads to bear kss company. Herne it was that the King was not called • 
 to an account for his opprefftve Government, and that the treacherie of 
 thofe that Would have enforced you, was nopfeverely punijbed. 
 
 That the King gained time to raife an Armie, and the ftjfuten to fur* 
 nijb Ammunition: That ostr-firft andfecond Armie was-ft informed,and 
 as in managed , Sherbuto, Braioford,Exeter, the flender ufe of the Aft 
 fociattGeunties,the flight guarding ^tieye^GxfordjDennington, the* 
 
Weft Defeat, didaS proceed front (auditpen) the Myfterieof Ini' 
 eyititic. 
 
 The King and his fart it hadbejn-nothingin jour hands, had not 
 feme of jou been engaged . and fume of you enfnared, and the rejl of you 
 - over-born with this Myfierie i Vobfebyou may now eafilj perceive,if you 
 have a mndethereanta , that ye Were put upon the continuation of this 
 Parliament, during the picture of both Houjes, Was from this My' 
 flerie., becaufe in time thefe Politicians had hopes to Work > and pervert 
 you tpforfake the common Iiitereft of thofe that chafe and trufted you , to 
 promote their urfufl Defigm to enflwc tu ; Wherein-they have prevailed 
 too too much. 
 
 For we muft deal plainly with you, : ye have long time a&ed 
 more like the Houfe of Peers, then the Houfe of Commons :, We can 
 fcarcely approach your Door with a Requtft or motion ..though 
 by way of. Petition, but ye hold long deflates whether we break not 
 your Priviledges: the Kings, or the Lords pretended Prerogatives 
 never made, greater noife, nor was made more dreadful then the 
 Name of Priviledgeof the Houfe of Commons. 
 
 Your Members inall .Imppfitions-muft not be taxed in the 
 ‘places where they live, like other men : Your fervint? have tlieir 
 Priviledges toe. To aocufe or profecute any of you, is become 
 . dangerous to.thePrefecutors. Yee have imprifonments as fre¬ 
 quently for cither Witnefles or Profecutors,. as ev- r the Star-cham¬ 
 ber had j ard ye are furnifhed with new devifed Arguments, to 
 prove, thaye oneiymay juft I y do thefe grefle injuftices, which 
 the Star-chamber, High-cammifftpn, and Counfel-boatd might not 
 doe. 
 
 And for doing whereof (whilft ye were untainted) ye abo- 
 llftied them; for ye row frequently commit mens Peiions io Pri- 
 fon ithout (hewing cauf : Ye examine men upoa Interrogatories 
 and ghtcflms againlt■ he nltlvcs, and impufon them for refuting 
 to an(wer i And ye have Officiou= fervile men, that-write and pub- 
 li(h Sophiftical Arguments to juftifie ycur fo doing, for which 
 they are rewarded and countenanced , as the Star-chamber and 
 tHgh-commiJfior.-bn%\& lately were, j 
 
 Whilft thofe that ventured their lives for your .tftablihment, 
 are many of them vexed, and molefted, and impoverifhed hy them. 
 Ye have entertained to be your Committees fervants, thqfe very 
 B i prowling 
 
prowling Virlets that were employed by thofe an juft Courts, 
 who took pleafure to torment honeft confcionable People; yea, 
 vex and moleft honeft men for matters of Religion, and difference 
 with you and your Sj »*d in judgement, and take upon you to de¬ 
 termine of Do&rine and Difcipline, approving thi«, and reproach¬ 
 ing that, juft like unto former ignorant politick and fuperftiti- 
 ous Parliaments and Convocations : And thereby have divided 
 honeft People amongft tbemfelves, by countenancing onely thofe 
 of the Prtfbjtcrit , and difeountenancing all the Separation, Ana¬ 
 baptist and Indtptriderttt . ’ 
 
 And theugh it refteth in you toacquiet all differences in affe¬ 
 ction, though not in judgement, by permitting every one to be 
 fully perfwaded in their own miodes, commanding all Reproach 
 toceafe; yet as ye alfo-hid admitted MacUkveU Maxime, Di¬ 
 vide & imf cra. Divide ^and prevail 5 ye countenance onely one, 
 open the Printing-Pr'rife onely unto one, and that to the Pnjbjtme , 
 and fuffer them to rail andabufe, and domineer over all the reft, 
 as if alfo ye had difeovered and digefted, That without a power- 
 fulcompuifive Pn'fijtcrti in the Church, acompulfive mafterftiip, 
 or Ariftocratical Government over the people ia the State, coidd 
 never long be maintained. 
 
 Whereas traely we are well affured, neither you, nor none elfe, 
 can have any into Power at all to conclude the People in matters 
 that concern the Worfhip of God ; for therein every one of us 
 ought toie fully affured in our own mitndes, and to be fure to 
 Worfhip hitn a&otding tooHr Confciences. 
 
 Ye may propofe what Form y’e conceive beft, and moft avail- 
 able for Information and well-being of. the Nation, and may per- 
 fwadeand invite thereunto j but compel ye cannot, juftly; for ye 
 have no Power from us fo to do, nor could you have ; for we 
 could not confer a Power that was not inourfelves, there being 
 none of us that can without wilful fin bindeoHr felves to wor- 
 fhip God after any other way then what (to a tittle) in our own 
 particular underftandiogs we approve to be juft. 
 
 And therefor* we could not refer ourfelvesto you in things 
 of this. Natures and furely, if we could not confer this Power 
 upon yon, ye cannot have it, andfonot exercifcit jaftly : Nay, as- 
 w« ought cot to revile or reproach any man for his diflaing with' 
 
us in judgement, more then we would be reviled or reproached 
 for oursj even fo ye ought not to countenance any Reproachers or 
 revilers, or molefters for matters of Confcience. 
 
 B ut to proteft and defend all that live peaceably in the Common- 
 . wealth, of what judgement or way of Worftip whatfoever: and 
 if ye would bend your mindes thereunto, and leave your felves J 
 open to give ear , and to confider fuch things as would be predated 
 unto you, a juft way would be difcovered for the peace and quiet 
 of the Land in general, and of every well-minded Perfon in par. 
 ticular.' 
 
 But if you lock up your felves from hearing all voices, how hit 
 poflible you fhould try all things ? It is not for you to aflume a 
 Power to control and force Religion, or a way of Church-Coven* 
 mtnt, upon the People, becaufe former Parliaments have fo done j 
 yearefirft to prove that ye could have fuch a Power juftlyer,trail¬ 
 ed unto you by the people that traded you (which you £ e you have 
 nor.) We may haply be anfwered, That the Kings Writ that 
 fummons a Parliament, and diredls the People to chufe Knights and 
 . Burgeflfes, implies the Eftabliflrment of Religion. 
 
 To which we anfwer, That if Kings would prove themfelves 
 lawful Mag ftrates, they muft prove themfelves to be fo by a law¬ 
 ful derivation of their Authority, which muft be from the volun¬ 
 tary truft of the People; and then the cafe is the fame with them,as 
 between the People and you,they as you, being poffeffed of no more 
 Power then what is in the People juftly to intruft ; and then all im¬ 
 plications in the Writs , of the ESlahliJhment of Religion, (beweth 
 that in that particular, as many other, we remain under the Norman 
 yoke of an unlawful Power, from which we ought to free our 
 lelvcs j and which ye ought not to maintain upon us, but to ab¬ 
 rogate. 
 
 But ye have liftned to any counf.ls, rather then to the voice of 
 us that traded you. Why is it that you have ftopt the Preffe, but 
 that you would have nothing but pleafing flattering Difcourfes, 
 and go on to make your ftlves partakers of the Lorijhip over ns, 
 without hearing any thing to the contrary ? yea, your Loris, and 
 Clergit long to have us in the fame condition with our deluded bre¬ 
 thren, the Commons of Scot Uni, where their underftandmgs are fo 
 captivated with a Reverend opinion of their Prejbjterh , that they 
 B 3 really 
 
really believe them to be by Div.ne Authmtie, and are as zealoas 
 therein, as ever the poor deceived P--p (Is were. 
 
 As much th y 1 ve in fear of rrn.tr thunder-bolts of Excommu¬ 
 nications ; and good cau'ethcy have, poor fouls; for thofe Excom¬ 
 munications are fofollowed with the civil Sat Elton, or feeular Power, 
 that they are die to crufb any oppofer or HiRenter to tin ft, to undo or ru¬ 
 in: einj man : fo abfolate a Power hath their new Citrfie already gain¬ 
 ed over the poor People there, and earnestly labour to brine, us into the 
 fame condition , becaufe if We fbould live : n greater Freedomein this 
 Nation, it Would (they know) in time be obferved by their People, Whofe 
 underftand'mgt Would be thereby informed, and then they would grow 
 impatient of their thraldomandJh-'.k? off their yoke. 
 
 They are aljo in no lejfe bondage in thtngt civil: the Lords and great 
 men over-rule all,at they pleafe. The People are fame free in any thing, 
 -Fri. nds, tbefe are known Truths.-— 
 
 And hence it is, that in their counf Is here, they adhere to tbofe that 
 maintain their own greatness, and tsfurped rule over ut, left if We 
 ft in la here poffiffe greater liberti: then their vaffAs the People in Scot¬ 
 land, they might in [hort time obferve thefame, and.difcharge tbern- 
 felves of theirOppreffims. 
 
 It is from the Myfterie of Iniquitie, that ye have never madethat'hfe 
 of the People of this Nation, in your War, as you might have done ; but 
 have chofen rather to ba^trd their coming in, thin to arm your own 
 native undoubted friends i by Which means they are poffiffed of too many 
 conftdtrable ftrengths of this Nation, and ffeafffuch language in their 
 late pubUfbed Papers, as if they Were not paid for their flow off fiance, 
 Wcereas ye might have ended the War longer e this, if by Sea or 
 Landjsu badJhewedyour felves refohed to make us a Free Peoplej£«f 
 it is evident a change of eur bondage is the utnsoft is intended us, and 
 that too far a Worfe , and longer, if We [ball be fo contented j but it is 
 ftrange you fhould imagine. 
 
 But the truth is, We finde none are fo much hated by you, as tbofe 
 you think, do difeeru thofe your purpofes , or that apply themfelves un¬ 
 to you. With motions tending to diver[c you from proceeding therein : for 
 feme yeers new, no condition of men can prevail With you , to amend 
 anything that is amiffeinthe Common-wealth. 
 
 The exorbitances in the Cities Government, and; the drivings a- 
 bcut Prerogatives in the Motor and Aldermen, againftthe Freedoms 
 
 of 
 
of the Commons, (and to their extreme pre judice) are returned to 
 the point fame they were at in Garrawayes time; which you ob- 
 fcrve,and move not, nor affift the Commons ; Nay worfe then in 
 his time,they are juftified by the Major, ima book publiftied,and 
 fent by him to every Common- Conn fell-man. 
 
 The oppreffion of the Turkic Company , and the Adventurers 
 Company,and all other infringements of our N itive Liberties of 
 the tame nature, and which in the beginnings of the Parliament, 
 ye feemed to abominate, are now by you cornplyed withal, and 
 licenfed togoeon in their Opprefiians. 
 
 YeknowtheLawe&ofthisNuionare unworthy a Free-Pco - ■ 
 pk, and deferve from firft to lift, to be conftdered, and ftrioufly 
 debated, and reduced to an agreement with common aputy, and 
 rifht reafon. which ought to be the Forme and Life of every Go¬ 
 vernment. ■ 
 
 Magna Cbarta it felf being but a beggarly thing, containing . 
 many marks of intolLrable bondage,& rhe La wes that have been . 
 madefince by Parliaments, have in very many particulars made 
 our Government much more oppreffive and intolerable. 
 
 The Norman way for ending of Conrrovtrfies,was much more 
 abuGve-then the E»gltjh Wjy,yet theCocquerour, contrary to his 
 Oath introduced the Normdh lawes,and his litigious and vexati¬ 
 ous way amongft usjthe like he did alfo for punifhmeut of male- 
 faftours, Controverfies of all natures, having before a quick and 
 final! dilpatch in every hundred. 
 
 He erefted a trade of Judges and Lawyers, to fell Juftice an’d 
 injufticc at his owne unconfcionable'rate, and in what time hee. 
 pleafed; the corruption wherof is yet remaining upon us, to our 
 continual iropoverifhing & moleftationjfrom which we thought 
 you fhould. have delivered us. : 
 
 Ye know alfo.Imprifonment for Pebt, is not from the begin- 
 ningjYet ye thinke not of thefe many Thoufand Perfons and Fa¬ 
 milies that are deftroy ed. thereby , ye are Rich, and abound in goods , 
 and have need of nothing } bm the afflUlont of . the poor your hunger- 
 fiarvedbrethren,jc have no companion of j Your zeal makes a noife 
 far as Argtere, to deliver thofe captived Chriftaps at the charge, 
 qf others; but thofe whom your own unjuft Lawes hold captive 
 in your owne Prifons,thefe areteo neereyou tpthink-of; Nay, 
 
yee fuffct poor Cbriftians.for whom Cfarift died, to kneel before - 
 yon in the ftreets,agcd,fick and criplcd, begging your halft-penny 
 Charities, and yee ruffle by them in your Coaches and filks daily, . 
 without regard, or taking any courfe for their.conftant relief < 
 their fight would meit the heart of any Chriftian, and yet it 
 moves not yen nor your Cl-rgj. 
 
 Wee intreat you to confider what difference there is, between 
 binding a man to an Oar,as a GaR-j'JLve in Turkic or Argiert, 6 ( 
 Prcffing of men to ferve in your Warre; to furprize a man on the 
 fudden,force him from his Calling, where he lived comfortably, 
 from a good trade; from his dear Parents, Wife or Children, a- 
 gainft inclination,dilpofition, to fight for a Caufe fiee underltands 
 not,and in company of fuch,as he hath no comfort to be withall; 
 for Pay,that will fcarce give him fuftenancc; and ifhelive,tore- 
 turne to a loll trade, or bfggery or not much better: If any Ty¬ 
 ranny or cruelty exceed thisjit muft be worfethen that of a Tur- 
 W GdErJUvc. 
 
 But yee are apt to fay, What remedy, men wee muff: have? To 
 wLich we anfwer,in behalf of our felves.and our too much inju¬ 
 red Brethren,that are Prefled; That the Hollxndcrsour provident 
 Neighbours have no fuch cruelties, efteeming nothing more un- 
 j'uft, or unreafonable, yet they wantno men; and if ye would take 
 care,that all forts of men might find comfort and contentment in 
 your Government, yee would not need to enforce men to ferve 
 your warres. 
 
 And ifyee would in many things follow their good example, 
 and make this Nation a State, free from theOppreffion of Kings 
 and the corruptions of the Court,and fheW love to the People in 
 the conftitution of your Government, the affeftion of the peo¬ 
 ple would fatisfie all common and pulike Occafionstaed iH ma¬ 
 ny particulars we can fJiew you a remedy for this arid all other 
 inconveniences, if wee could find yon inclinable to heare us. 
 
 Yee are estramely alrred in demeanours towards us: in the 
 begisingyee feemedto know what Freedome was; madeadi- 
 ftinftion of honeff men,-whether rich or poor, all were welcotn^ 
 to yon,and y'e would mjx y otr M ves with its in a loving famliar 
 way, void ef Courtly observance or behaviour. s 
 
 Yekept your Committee doors open, all mightfiearand judge 
 • of 
 
07 ) 
 
 ofyb&rdealing«,hardlyye would permit meafoftindbire-headed 
 More you, ions of you telling them, ye more regarded their 
 health, and that they fh >uldnot deem of yau.as of other dominee¬ 
 ring Courts ,yeeand-’they were one, all Com non: of England jand 
 the likeingenious ctrriage,by which ye waa our affections to that 
 height,that ye no fooner demanded any thing,hut it was effe&ed ; 
 yea did Well then, who did hinltyoa i tin mijtery of iniquity 
 W«t k that prevented your courfe. , 
 
 What a multitude of precious lives have beetle laff ? What a 
 madeolmonayshave beenetaifed? W.ut one way waspropofed 
 to advance moneys, that was refufed by you, though never fo pre- 
 fudtciUto thsPeopie,alio wing your Committees to Force men to 
 pay or lend, or ells to fweare that they were not worth fo and fo s 
 theaoft deftruftive courfe to tradefmen that could be deviled,fif¬ 
 ty intire fubfidies,to be lentthroughou Z.»«^«,ifnot procured,yet 
 authorized by youjnever the like heard of.and the Exeife that be¬ 
 ing once fettled, and other affffm.'nts lb ould ceafe. 
 
 Notwithftanding in few moneths comes forth Ordinance upon 
 Ordinance for more moneys, and for the Cuftomis, they were 
 thought an opprellion in the beginning, and being (fo high) an 
 hindrance to Trade,and extreamly prejudicial'lto the Nation, ne- 
 vcrtheles is no ur confirmed,with many augmentations,infomach 
 as men of inferior.trading find great trouble to provide monyes for 
 Cttjlmts, and have fo many Oifi :es topleafe, that it is a very fla- 
 very to have any thing to doe with them, and no remedy; the firft 
 Coamiflioners being more harfh and ingenious, then the late 
 Farmers, andthelaft worfe thentheformsr.. 
 
 Truly it is afad thing,but tootrue.a pliinequiet-minded man,;in 
 any place iaEngUnd, is juft like a harmleffe (beep in a Thicketjcan 
 hardly move or itirre, but he (hall be ftrech'd and Loafs his wooll: 
 fuch Committees have ye made in all Cities and Counties^nd none 
 are fo ill ufed as boneft Godly men. 
 
 Ye have now fat full five yeeres, which is fouresyceres longer 
 then wee intended, for wee could Choofe you but for(tt moft) o ne 
 yperjSc now We wifh ye would publifhto all the world,thegood 
 that you have done far us,the liberty ye have brought us unto: if ye 
 could excufe your felv«s,asye ufe to doe ; by faying it hath been a 
 time of War; that will not doe s for when the war might in the be¬ 
 ginning have been prevented, ifyee had drawn a little more blood 
 G from 
 
(I*) 
 
 from the right vein.and might often (ere this) have been ended. 
 
 Occafionhatfrbeen given away.and Treated away, and now , 
 when through the faithfuineffe ofthe New Moded, ye have almoft 
 forc’d an end,and have n® great part ta effed: now agiine, at the' 
 inftigation of thofe that love their Kings mare then all this Nati- 
 on,and their 0WP,his Sacred or holy Majeftjymuft again be trea¬ 
 ted with,their Nationall and Solemne League and Covenant with 
 their Ged, binding them ta be rejpefters efperfens in judgement: 
 and to preferve HiS Perfon is the defence of the true ProteftmtRe- 
 lieioK/.nd Liberty of the People-that hath conflmlj againft all per 
 fwafton and obligation fine what ever he could to fubvert both : if 
 this be not the height of the myfterie of iniquity, what is higher ? 
 
 But letnot thefe be deceived,nor thus under zealous expreflionS 
 deceive you; we wifh your foules may nofarther enter into their 
 fecret: For God will not be mocked,nor fuffer fuch groffeHopocrijie to■ 
 pajfe without extmplarj punifimnt: ;And if yc bdeeve there isa- 
 God,ye muft bdeeve itjand if ye doe belecve it,confider the wayes 
 ye have troad & truly repeot,fhew it by walking contrary to what 
 ye have done, or purpofed to doe, and lef us, quickly and fpeedily 
 partake thereof: For God is a God taketh vengeance , and will' 
 not timer you to gee on to our ruine. 
 
 Wee have fonsehopes ye will, for amongft you there have been 
 al waies faithfull and Worthy men, whofeaboundant grief it hath 
 beente obfervethe ftrange progrefle oftheChofen men of the 
 Common-wealth,and have ftrovc exceedingly on all occafions to 
 produce better eff.fts, and lbme Chriftians of late produced to 
 their praife. 
 
 Others there are.that have been onely milled by the policies and 
 ftratigems of politick rnen.md thefe, after this our fenous ad vice, 
 willmakeyoumoreferieuflyftndy the common Intereft of this 
 Nation: others there are,and thofe a great number,that are newly 
 chofen into your Hcnfe.and we truft are fuch as will exceedingly 
 ftrengthen the good part, that hitherto hath beene too weak to 
 fleers an even courfe amidft fo many oppofitions and croffe" 
 waves. 
 
 Bat henceforth joynd all in one will be able to do and cany on 
 whatfoever is juft and good for theCommon-wealth,the more juft 
 and goad,the moreeahly effected, for fuch things are eafily to be 
 
 m»de 
 
(isO 
 
 made evident tosiimeii, and can never faile of the uttermoft 
 jfliftance of all well-minded People. 
 
 And therefore wee would not have you to be difcouraged in at¬ 
 tempting whatfoevtr ^evidently juft,for We wil therein afiiftyou 
 to the laft drop of our bloods: Feare neither the Anakms,nor the 
 fonnesofihe Gy ants, for the LORD our.God, he will [land by you in 
 all things that are juft, and will bleffe and proffer you th.-rein,' 
 
 Forfake and utterly renounce all craftie and fubti'll intentions: 
 hide not your thoughts Home Us,and give us encouragemenu to be 
 open breafted unto you: Proclaime afore-l>and,what ye determine 
 to doe, efhbiiftiing any thing for continuancejand heare all things 
 that can be fpoken with or againft the fame,& to that intent, let the 
 imprifoned Preffesat liberty, that all mens underftandings maybe 
 more conveniently foformed,and convinced,asfar as ispofiibie by 
 the equity of your prrcecdings. 
 
 We cannot but exped to be delivered from the Norman bondage, 
 whereof we now as wel as our Predeceffors, have felt the (mart by 
 thefe bloody Warres ; and from all unreafonable Lawes made ever 
 fince that unhappy eonquefr; as we have encouragement, we foal 
 informe you further, and guide you,as weobfc-rve your doings. . 
 
 Tire Worke ye muff note is ours, andnotourownc, though ye 
 are to be partakers w ith us in the well or ill doing therof sand there¬ 
 fore ye muft expedite heare more frequently from us then ye have 
 done, nor will it be your wifedome to take thefe Admonitions and 
 Cautions in evill part. 
 
 If ye confider well, yee may wonder Wee are no tarter: Ye may 
 perceive, wee have not yet left our English confidence, but are wil- 
 iing that both you,-and all our Neighbour-Nations ftiould know, 
 that wee bath fee and know all ftratagems andPolicies that are laid 
 in w-aite to entrap,and fo to enflave us,and that wee bid dtfyance to 
 their word our enemies can doe ; we -know wee have [lore of 
 friends inouv Neighbour Countries. 
 
 Ourhead-isnotyetfo intoxicated with this New myfiery of lni- 
 ^»i(y,.butthata reafonable CordiaS Adminiftred by your hand,will 
 ietusfaft in our feat. , 
 
 Yee are not to reckon that yee have any longer time to efteft the 
 Great Workewee have entrufted unto you: for wee muft not loofe 
 our free choice of a Parliament once every yeer, frefh and frefh for 
 a continuail Parliament, ' ' For 
 
(™) 7 
 
 For To, if* prefent ParlUmntbs miftaken in their imd erftindings,’ 
 and doe things prejudicial,We may f*y long remain under thefe pre- 
 
 juices, that the Common-wealth may be end angered thereby, nor 
 aoe wee value a Trieniall Parliament tbdore three yeeres come to 
 an end, Grievances and Miichiefes may be pad remedy. 
 
 And therefore onr advice is,that ye Order a meeting of the chofen 
 of P arliamtnt-mtnj.o be exprtfly upon one certainc day hNtveu- 
 b tr yeerly throughout theLind in the Places accuftomed, and to be 
 by J ou expreffed,there to make choice of whom they thinke good, 
 according to Law, and all men that have a Right to be there, not to 
 fade upon a great peniltie,but no fummons to beexpedtrd. 
 
 Andifany Perfon without exception, ft all write Letters, or nfe 
 any endeavoars to incline thechooferstochoofe anyman.orufe 
 any meanes to difturbe or pervert them for a free Choice, then that 
 all fuch finifter dealing be made pumftible, ora moil haynous 
 crim?. 
 
 And that a V i\iimtnt,fo chofen /^November, fuceeding yeere by 
 jeere, may came infleadof the freceeding Parliament, & proceedwith 
 thi Alfa ires efthe Common-wealth-, r.or would wee have it inthe Po¬ 
 wer oj our Parliament, to remove any Member from hss Place or fer- 
 vice of tbcHoufc,without the confent badof thofcCounties, C it tie s and 
 Burroughs rejpeftiveljthat chofe him-,great incon veniences defending 
 tbercen, whereof wee havefeene and felt too much. 
 
 Now, ifyee fhall confcionable performe your Truft the yeer en- 
 fuing, and order the Parliaments to fucceed as aforefaid, then Wee 
 (hallnot doubt to be mideabfolateF>ef-wf» in time,and become a 
 juft, plenteous and Powerfull Nation • All that is pad will be for¬ 
 gotten, and Wee fhall yet hive caufe to re/oyce /n your Wifedome 
 and Fidelity. 
 
 POSTSCRIPT. 
 
 Mereover,*sfor m;,Godforbidthat 1 Jbouldfm agjtinfi theLtrdin 
 ceaftng to pray for jouibut 1 will teachyott the good & right way. One- 
 Ijfear theLORD /Jrferve him ixTruth with all jour heart: For con- 
 fider how great things He hath done for you.But ifje fiill doe wickedly, 
 jejballbeconfamid, bothyeandjour King, iSam.l2.23,24,27. 
 
 FINIS.