WHatever are our particular affection, inclinations and judgements, in respect of Forms and Consti­tutions, Civill and Ecclesiastick; yet the mark we all aim at, and the race we professe to run, is to serve the Lord, and to submit to his Scepter, who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and the onely Lawgiver (by the Decree and determination of Heaven) throughout the world; but alas, darknesse is so intermixed with our light, and self is so interwoven with all our publique assaies and attempts, that Babel-like, our buildings are accompanied with nothing but confusion and contempt, which makes the Nations abroad to scoff and scorn, and our enemies at home to rejoyce in hopes of our ruine: and the Lord himself who [Page 2]waited to be gracious (but must be exalted in righteousness, (is forced to shake and shake, overturn and overturn; and yet in much mercy to his people) because no foundation is laid that either bears any proportion with what we professe, or otherwise answer the ends of God, in that new Creation he is about to form throughout the whole Universe, by re­storing of Judges as at the first, and Councellors as at the beginning, that righteousnesse may run down is a mighty stream, our Officers become peace, and our Exactors righ­teousnesse: In order to this, it hath pleased the Lord in the prosecution of his own purpose to poure us from Vessel to Vessel, and according to the prophesie of the last times (writ for our instruction; especially, upon whom are the ends of the World) hath been overturning and overturn­ing, and will overturn, till he come whose Right it is: How this alarum of the son of David hath been sounded in your ears by a faith full Remnant, I need nor reminde you; but what hath been the plain and positive providences of Jeho­va. I beseech you seriously collect and review; there hath not one of the many changes we have passed through, [...]ut it hath conveyed in it, either more directly or indirectly something of special and effectuall tendency to the decay of the old, and increase of the new world; all the designes and contrivements of men, either of opposite principles or of opposite interest, the last (having rather wanted love to the Lord, then light in his work) have Dagon-like fallen before the interest of Christ and his people; and no wonder, for no weapon formed against either can prosper; upon this account, I will be hold to ascert in the light of the Lord, that the Thrones of Bishops, of the King, Parliaments and Protectors have been thrown down, and other principles and Interests wherein many good men have been engaged) have also obviated a directing doome; the Lord had once raised up a generation of men after some overturning, who in a measure of the power and spirit of Elias, were upon lay­ing the foundation (a glance there was at least of the glory which shall be revealed,) of this restitution spoken of in scripture; but an Apostacy like the sun under an Eclips interposed us, and the practical prosecution of that Refor­mation: I will not determinately ascertain the cause, pos­sibly [Page 3]that Assembly▪ had more the name and the shew than the substance and reallity of Christs Government: (for I judge as their convening together, respected the designes of some Instruments, they were mischievously mixed for other ends) and probably we were not fitted and spirited for such a dispensation under that Apostacy; the displeasure of the Lord faced the followers of it in all their undertakings, till that ruine and destruction so threatned the revenge of Justice, that necessity forced us to face about, but like be­wildred Israel of old, we knew not where to pitch our Tents; at last, by the most general concurrance, the former famous long Parliament, in their best reduced capacity were judged the most apt expedient, at least towards present security if not settlement; who were a while beating about the bush; but though there be many pious, prudent and publick Pa­triots and spirits amongst them; yet they were so inter­mixed with the late Court Creatures and Kingling Cham­pions, with persons of very opposite principles; that nei­ther Christ, his Peoples, nor the Nations ends were likely to be answered: And I feare some were so misled by prin­ciples of a persecuting tendancy (though they may not o­therwise have that hellish seed in their heart) for I cannot but honour the memory of many in that Assembly for the works sake, wherein they have been made Instrumentall; that endeavours were not closely wanting to bring all to bow to their [...]aal; and in order thereunto to wrest the Sword forth out of their hands, who I hope, more than acci­dentally, or necessituously are sure gaurd to Gods people against the spirit of these Nations; which otherwise like an inundation, would break in upon them; upon this account (respecting his end, as in all other Changes) is the Lord pleased to passe them by either as uselesse or obstructors in his Work: What may be the designes or ends of any who are the Instruments of this last dessolution; I shall leave to the Lord to finde out, who will cause the righteousnesse of the righteous to shine forth as the sun at noon day, and will reward the workers of iniquity, according to the evill of their doings: Now having taken the short survey of these providences and appearances of God, with incurrance with scripture (may be of use to direct us in this dark day. I shal [Page 4]apply my self more particularly to you, and from my heart do wish for Sion and these poore Nations sakes, that we may meet with such an expedient in righteousness, as may re­concile d [...]fferences, and prevent the effusion of blood:

And therefore, Right Honourable and dear Friends, the Councel of the Officers of the Army in England, you are they who more especially then others, have been actually engaged in the great and various turns of State; by you instrumentally the foundations are put out of course, and the price of the blood and treasure, spilt an [...] expended in the late Wars, lyes now in your hands; Christ calls upon you for his right, as the son of David, which your power hath possessed you of; The Saints (for whose sakes the Lord hath reproved all before you) expect that you should not keep them from their purchased possessions; they are the true royal heirs and are now at age; the fulnesse of time is coming, wherein they must take the Kingdome and possesse it; the poore peild people of these Nations, who have fed you with the bread of their Tables, they groan under those burthens which you were hyred to take off them, and are waiting for the travel of their bodies, and the return of their treasures: Take heed therefore, I beseech you, that you make not this an opportunity of advantaging and greatning your selves; have a care that no remainder of the spirit of Apostacy raise you up to your ruine, as it hath done others before: You are pluckt as brands out of the fire, and are in some manner made whole; sin then no more least a worse thing befall you; for the tree that is twice dead must be pluckt up by the roots, being fit for nothing but the fire; This I will aver to you from the Lord that you have now an opportunity, either (in mercy) of recovering the glory you had lost by your Apostacy or (in judgment) it is an oc­casion for your finall fall:

Consider that God is not mocked, his arme hath been bared in Judgment against the hypocrites of these times, and woe will befall you if you returne with the dog to the vomit; you see there is few that can fasten any faith upon you. Beware that your practices Justifie not the procee­dures of those in Sco [...]land, for the blood that may be spilt [Page 5]will then lye at your dores, and the Lord will avenge it u­pon you, take heed of proportioning your choyce rather to your turns then truths; a little leaven leavens the whole lump; you know what Spirit hath been the bane of your apostacy, and the brand of all your practices and Profes­sions, if you intermix politique time serving trucklers, with those who are Publique spirits, your Councell will prove abortive; look but a little back, and see how the Lord is cut­ting his work short in righteousness, as it was well observed by one, you can now Deceive none but your selves; I wish you may deceive them by well doing, all the Promises Pro­fessions and protestations you can make, will signifie nothing, it is only your actions that will honour you

A word to Generall Monck and the Officers under his Command in Scotland: Your Letters and Declarations I have seen and seriously considered, and am hartily sorry for any just occasion, that either may be given you, or which through misprisions you may have taken, to make such a breach in the body of the Army▪ I am very much afraid that in this matter you are under a bad influence, though you have a plausible pretence, and although I wish, and shall press after a right understanding betwixt you and the Army in England, yet in this your undertaking, I cannot bid you good speed; because by the observations I have al­ready made, whatever you may pretend to the Church of Christ; you are unbargued with that Spirit and Interest which more Diametrically opposes the designe of God, in the Exaltation of his Sonn and Sunts; then the present posture of the Army in England protends. And therefore (though for my part I cannot altogether excuse them) they have a prevail [...]ng advantage against you, and though possi­bly not for their own, yet for Sions sake they will be in­ebled to foile you; I beseech you there fore to take heed of a pai [...]ted designe, and drive not so furiously against the dispensation of God, though it be clouded with the weak­nesse and failings of the instruments, we have great cause of jedousies that there was a faction prevaling in Parlia­ment which would have proved pernicious to that which [Page 6]must prevaile: And although I did not concur with the Armyes proceed in their proposals for Generall Officers; yet I could neither well approve of their laying some ho­nest members of the Army aside, nor of the new conduct appointed; though I was one my selfe: The worst of men imbargued with the dispensation of God, (though they have also designes of their own) will prevaile over those who may be more innocent then themselves, but in con­junction with an opposite interest, I will not make this the case in respect of persons, though it may as relating to things; this is a shaking overturning dispensation as I have premized, and you may observe, and it is of very dangerous consequence, to endeavour upholding any thing that God is throwing down▪ I shall therefore conclude with an interpository word to both Councells, and begin between you; As Abraham did to Lot. You are brethren, why should you disagree by a good meditation between you the designs on either side might receive a check, which Conquest would Crown their mediums; wherein you might better meet at blowes, you can play no other then your Common Ar­mies gaim by your contests; however take heed of any uni­on from the rock of Ages, all confederacies short of or a­gainst that will be shattered to peices; comply with the best expedient to that end, and the hearts and hands of the faithfull will be with you, otherwise you may be assured from the Lord, that another overturne will suddenly o­vertake you, and I question then whether ever you will have an opportunity to cause the Nations following to praise you; the binding up of this breach is that I very much breath after, I fear there is not so much sincerity on either side as can ballest the blood that may be spilt, if you pro­ceed against each other, for my own part in persuance of that trust committed to me, I shall, endeavour to secure the peace of this place, and be ready to comply with and coun­tenance that, which hath most of the image and super­scription of Christ upon it; and in the meane time, mourn over your sinfull selfish spirit which provokes the Lord thus to rend and teare us in pieces.