WEE your Majesties loyall Subjects, the Lords and Commons in Parliament, cannot without great grief & tendernes of compassiō behold the pressing mise­ries, the eminent dangers, and the devouring Cala­mities which do extream­ly threaten, and have partly seized upon both your Kingdomes of England and Ireland, by the practises of a party prevailing with your Majesty, who by many wicked plots and [Page 2] Conspiracies have attempted the alteration of the true Religion, and the ancient Government of this Kingdome, and the introducing of popish idolatry and Superstition in the Church, and Tyranny and confusion in the State, and for the compassing there­of, have long corrupted your Majesties Councels, a­bused your power, and by suddaine and untimely dissolving of former Parliaments, have often hin­dred the reformation and prevention of those mis­chiefes. And being now disabled to avoide the en­deavours of this Parliament by any such meanes, have traiterously attempted to over-awe the same by force; And in prosecution of their wicked designes, have excited, incouraged, and fostered an unnatural Re­bellion in Ireland, by which, in a most cruell and outragious manner many thousands of your Maje­sties subjects there have bin destroyed. And by false slaunders upon your Parliament, and malicious and unjust accusations have indeavoured to beginne the like Massacre here. And being through Gods bles­sing therein disappointed, have (as the most mis­chievous and bloody designe of all) drawne your Majesty to make Warre against your Parliament, and good Subjects of this Kingdome, leading in your Person an Army against them, as if You intended by Conquest to establish an absolute and illimitted power over them, and by your power and the countenance of your presence have ransacked, spoyled, impriso­ned and murthered divers of your people, and for their better assistance in their wicked designes, doe seeke to bring over the Rebels of Ireland, and other Forces beyond the Seas to joyne with them; And wee finding our selves utterly deprived of your Majesty [Page 7] protection, and the Authors, Councellors, and Abbet­tors of these mischiefs in greatest power and favour with your Majesty, and defended by you against the Iustice and Authority of your high Court of Parli­ment, whereby they are grown to that height and inso­lence as to manifest their rage and malice against those of the Nobility and others who are any whit in­clinable unto Peace, not without great appearance of danger to your own Royall Person; If you shall not in all things concur with their wicked and Trayterous courses, have for the just and necessary defence of the Protestant religion of your Majesties person, Crown, and Dignity, of the Laws, and Liberties of the King­dome, and the Priviledges and power of Parliament, taken up Armes and appointed and authorized Robert Earl of Essex to be Captain Generall of all the Forces by us raised, and to lead and conduct the same against these Rebells and Traytors, and them to subdue, and bring to condigne punishment. And do most hum­bly beseech your Majesty to withdraw your royal pre­sence and countenance from these wicked persons, & if they shall stand out in defence of their rebellions and unlawfull attemps, That your Majesty will leave them to be supprest by that power which we have sent against them, and that your Majesty will not mixe your own dangers With their's; but in peace, and safety without your Forces forth-with returne to your Parliament, and by their faithfull Councell and advice Compose the present distempers & confusions abounding in both your Kingdomes and provide for the security and honour of your selfe and your royall posterity, and the prosperous estate of all your Sub­jects, wherein if your Majesty please to yeeld to our [Page 8] most humble and earnest desires, wee doe in the pre­sence of Almighty God professe that we will receive your Majesty with all honour, yeeld you all due obedi­ence and subjection, and faithfully endeavour to secure your Person and Estate from all dangers, and to the utermost of our power to procure and establish to your selfe, and to your people, all the blessings of a glorious and happy Reigne.