THat in consideration of the manifold unex­pected Victories which it hath pleased the Lord of Hosts (in his undeserved mercy) to vouchsafe upon this Nation, and chiefly up­on your Honors, whom He hath so highly advanced as to represent the Face and Authority thereof against all Opposers, during all these cruel and destructive Wars, in reference to the Recovery and Defence of all our just Freedoms.

Which days of so great troubles, though they were [Page 4]the Seed-time of Tears and Sorrows in their dark evening, yet now in regard of the happy Harvest there­of, reaping so great fruits of Joy and Comfort in this bright morning, as our blessed Redeemer said to the Jews in another case, Many of the best Prophets and most righteous of our predecessors (who onely for his Cause have been driven to wildernesses) would have much rejoyced to see, but could not see them, and to hear the things which we hear, but could not hear them.

And also in consideration of your Honors dutiful Remembrance of every special Victory and Delivery, at least, which God hath been pleased to give you throughout all these Wars, by an appointed day of Thanksgiving to that purpose; and now of late by a commendable Act, Ordaining a constant day every year to be kept in commemoration of the last; but yet still (through the multiplicity of your weighty and ur­gent affairs) seeming to forget, or (at least) not so effe­ctually to remember the first.

In order therefore, to the reviving of that prime and original Victory and Delivery out of the grave of ob­livion, as the chief terrestrial fountain from which all the rest have flowed, and that it may have as durable a continuance (at least) as the last, which is now so recent and in most mens esteem so excellent; though neither it, nor any other, for many hundreds of years (as we humbly conceive) was so dangerous, immi­nent, and inevitable as the former, which (God wil­ling) in the Remembrance it self, by comparing thereof with any of the greatest, shall be made to appear.

We your Honors humble servants, by whose in­strumental means of Discovery by word and writing, [Page 5]your Honors had that matchless Victory and Deli­very, which the great God of Battels (out of the ocean of his infinite compassions) was graciously pleased to give you, and this long enslaved Nation by his Al­mighty power, without any weapons of War; even when ye had neither Strength, Instruments, nor Means to resist your numerous and mighty Adversa­ries, nor so much as the least apprehension of your own dangers; do in all due respect, humbly beseech your Honors, that ye will be pleased never to let slip out of your memories, whiles ye enjoy your natural lives, this so gracious and special a favour, which both is still to many thousands so conspicuous and remark­able, & was then to your selves and all your adherents so joyful and acceptable, that ye sent Sir Henry Vane junior, to give us the Thanks of the House; even when all was finished, and the chief Conspirators imprison­ed: saving onely ye were so over-acted, that no Conspiracies yet durst be so intituled, until afterwards that upon their miscarriage (through discovery of this their main hope) they break out first into bold Insurrections, and then into bloody Wars, which have continued to this day.

But that unanimously according as ye see your own duties, and wish a further increase of blessings from heaven upon all your earthly endeavors, your Ho­nors will be pleased with all the convenient speed that may be (in this so happy an opportunity, which so many years with so great patience we have expect­ed) first, to search your own Records of Parliament for the true Relation thereof, beginning on the 28. day of the first moneth (called March) in the year of [Page 6]Christ, 1642. and continuing all the second Moneth following, as it was by word and writing faithfully discovered by us unto you, upon divers occasions in publick when ye were assembled in the House: next, to search those of the late House of Lords; and last, of the general Committee of both Lords and Commons.

All which being likewise truly extracted, read, considered, and compared with any other Victory or Delivery, either over a mighty Army by foreign In­vasion, dangerous Insurrection, or treacherous Con­spiracy that hath been since that time (of which most probably none had been at all, but both ye and all your truest friends and well-willers suddenly destroy­ed, without any the least means used either of De­fence or Resistance, if that infernal Conspiracy had not been so timely discovered and happily prevented) yea, and notice being likewise taken of what is here in brief, and of what will follow in the Remembrance it self at large, then we doubt not but your Honors shall finde as great cause, at least, to make an Act for keeping a certain day of Thanksgiving every year most solemnly unto the Infinite Majesty of our good and gracious God, for that great Victory and Deli­very, as ever ye had for any Victory or Delivery since these Wars began, yea, or your Predecessors before you, since England was a Nation.

But for some further Information at present, unto such of your Honors as were not then chosen Mem­bers of the House, then the bare title of the Bloody-Petition (which though discovered and burned, yet a rectified Copy thereof (to face out the matter with [Page 7]some shew of goodness) was presented by three hun­dred men, upon delivery of their Swords and drawing up of London Bridge, lest the number had multiplied) this Conspiracy should have been acted (if God had permitted) both upon the Parliament and Well-af­fected People throughout all the three Nations, even when it would have been accounted Treason for them in the highest degree, to call either Army or Guard for their own Defence; and that by forty thou­sand armed Malignants out of Kent, with the as­sistance of all their numerous and mighty Confede­rates both in the City and Countrey, under pretence of presenting a just Petition to the Parliament, which (in reference to the matter and end) was forged by the Popish Faction then at York, and presented by Sir Edward Deering (who then had been lately expelled the Parliament) even in a dissembled imitation of those five thousand men who brought a just Petition indeed out of Buckinghamshire, on that glorious Sun­shine day (to all persecuted and well-principled peo­ple) that the Parliament was honourabl [...] released from their unnatural Exile at Grocers-Hall, London, (as they had justly released both the Exiled and Cap­tivated [...]fore) and returned home to sit in their wont­ed place, it being the very next day after the late king went from the Parliament, and sleighted that presum­ptuous Court of Guard at White-Hall, which was so unjustly set up (when Sin was ripe for the sickle) to make all honest Petitioners who brought just Petiti­ons to your Honors for redress of their Grievances, stand.

And for your Honors better receiving both of what [Page 8]Truth is here declared, and will be more at large (with Gods assistance) upon further occasion mani­fested, we humbly desire (among other things) it may be seriously considered, that we your humble Remembrancers are not meerly Discoverers of this one Business, as some have been of one particular, or o­ther, since that time, and have willingly done no more, neither before nor after in reference to the Publique good; which notwithstanding was no small service, more then that of Mordecai, concerning the saving of one life, which king Ahashuerus, though both he a Heathen and the other a stranger, was so far from sleighting or despising, like that poor wise Mans ser­vice spoken of by the wisest of men, who by his wis­dom delivered a little Cith wherein there was but few men, from all the Forces of a great King; that he out of his ingenuity and noble disposition for his own ho­nor and crecit, so respected that worthy instrument of his safety, that he without the least request of any, both naturalized him, and eternized his favor towards him and all of his Nation, as wel as Religion for his sake unto all posterities, so far as lay in his power: But we have made many other Discoveries, and done abundance of other Services, which although they were never published in Books, at least under any of our names, alwayes chusing rather to advance the Publique Cause in secret, then to be eminent either for popular applause, or private respect; yet now being forced by the manifold Caluminations, corrupt Practices and unjust Dealings of some Deceitful, Ambitious and Covetous people, to make some Vin­dications of our own Integrity, Actings and Suffer­ings, [Page 9]even in the worst of times, and greatest of dan­gers, both for the Publique good of these Nations in general, and even of the same men, and others of the like principles, as well at least, as of our selves in particular; which being more grievous to us (in re­gard those men were as near and dear to us, almost as Jonathan was to David) then thrice so many afflicti­ons for the Publique, like those which David suffered of his own son Absolom, and of Achitophel with whom he conversed, being worse then man of the rest; All which (we hope) shall be made at large to appear, as they are onely mentioned in the Frontispiece and Contents of a Book, here following briefly in order.

Seventy years Memorial of a resolute Soldiers warfare, both in England, and Scotland, first against Corruptions, Delusions and Frailties, and next against the Abominations of Churches, and Iniqui­ties of States, shewing to the great praise of Gods rich Grace; In order to the one, His manifold happy Victories after divers sad surprizals; and to the other, His and his Families matchless Discoveries, mighty Attempts, grievous Sufferings, manifold Losses, great Hinderances, and excessive Charges, (besides their unavoidable share of all the general Calamities, even death it self; some of their children being stoned in the streets for their Cause, and others left for death, yea, and above a hundred times driven from their Habitations and Possessions; some where­of, were Three hundred miles by Land with small Children a whole Moneth on the way divers times) all in relation to the Recovery and Defence both of Spiritual and Temporal Freedoms, and that through­out [Page 10]all Dangers and Difficulties in the Revolution of States, Necessities and Extremities in the alteration of times.

And likewise, through the same Grace, with what Fidelity, Magnanimity and Constancy (yea, and re­solved Perseverance also to the end) both during all these cruel Wars, and thrice so many years before (even when the very word [Parliament] durst not be so much as mentioned) they have not onely assisted, encouraged and incited other Actors and Sufferers, yea, and helped to defend the Parliament both day and night when they could have none others, but a few such free Voluntiers, against multitudes of strong cruel Enemies; but likewise, by means of Printing, both informed the generality of the people, who were always readier to be deceived then recovered, and vindicated the Parliament and Army, when they were unjustly opposed, traduced, and in great danger to be deluded by fair pretences of Covenant, known Laws, Protestant Religion and Reformation, even when no other means, either of the Word or Sword could avail, far less prevail in the prosecution of the Publique Cause; for which all the Millions of Lives, Treasures and Estates have been spent.

Though always with little earthly encouragement, less Maintenance or Assistance, and not any the least measure of reparation or degree of satisfaction; nor in reference to either, any kinde of due or competent consideration, but large addition of trouble and affli­ction, by the indirect means of false Brethren, and policy of self-seeking, crafty and deceitful People, one of whose lives we have preserved, another to a [Page 11]great Estate preferred, and of the third to the last great kindness have deserved, but with many evils have been rewarded, howbeit, none of them (saving one woman) be so old in years as we have been suffer­ers, in order to that long expected Freedom, which is now (by Divine Providence) in Agitation, Gal. 5.1. Acts 22.28. Esther 6.3. 2 Sam. 2.5. Solemn De­claration of both Nations, Ianuary 30. 1643.

Moreover, we in all due humility beseech your Ho­nors to bear with our Prolixity, because it is the first Suit in writing that ever we made to your Honors (ei­ther since the aforesaid discovery, or before, for that deliverance of a Pastor and Church then in Prison, was granted by your Honors onely upon my word, at Mr. Lilborns Request to me, he seeing me able to be heard, though it had been in a greater matter) and like­wise, That your Honors will be pleased the rather to vouchsafe your Audience and Patience to hear and consider these few other needful Particulars.

As your Honors (to your endless Fame) upon the Victory at Dunbar, were moved so thankfully to ac­knowledge Gods inestimable and unexpected Mercy then (amongst multitudes of his tender Compassions before) as to grant unto his Church and People under your Authority, so happy a Deliverance from all Spi­ritual Slavery, that scarce the like is any where with­out your Dominions, even that worthy Act for ten­der Consciences: so we humbly beseech your Ho­nors to proceed and persevere in all the Particulars of well-doing, both concerning Religion and Prosperity of the Nation, especially the abolishing of Tithes and all Popish Innovations, with all corrupt, unjust [Page 12]and tedious Laws; as also the subjecting of all In­tailed Lands, to the payment of all the owners just Debts, beginning at the decease of Queen Elizabeth, and establishing that Office of General Remem­brance, both which being already Voted; and doing of whatsoever things else which may best and spe­diest bring this Nation to a happy condition of Eree­dom, Trading, Prosperity and Tranquility, that the adjoyning Nations may reap the like benefit, chiefly the poor Commons of Scotland, who have been en­slaved, blindfolded and impoverished for many hun­dreds of years, by means of their cruel Taskmasters, and that ye may gain the Peoples Affections of all the three Nations; which with some other matters of publique concernment, I sum up and refer unto an­other Remembrance; likewise, even of that remark­able Passage in his Excellencies the Lord Generals Letter from Dunbar, as it is printed on the Tenth page, beginning at the third line, and ending at the One and thirtieth: The words are these,

The premises being seriously read and considered, our humble and earnest Desires are, That as your Ho­nors out of your discretion and ingenuity shall see just cause, the same may be accordingly acted, answered or referred; and withal, That as we have (to our ut­most abilities) faithfully & constantly adhered to your Honors in all your Extremities, so ye will be pleased in much compassion (because of our greater affliction now then ever heretofore, by the indirect means of the aforementioned People; and being out of breath also by multitudes of former afflictions for the Pub­lique) to vouchsafe your best assistance in protecting us, not onely from all such further Arrests for such Debts in reference to the Commonwealths, which [Page 14]may be justly called theirs, because they and their Associates did unjustly dispose of the privy Contri­butions of many well-affected People (chiefly those whereof the second party above specified was Trea­surer) on Printing some idle Projects when the Army lay at Putney, and when the Parliament was called a Juncto, which should have paid those former Debts, with our Disbursments and Engagements above our power, to Printers, Stationers and others, upon that accompt, for Printing abundantly to the Vindication of both Parliament and Army against all railing Pam­phlets; as also to the inciting of the People to adhere unto them, when no other means was so forcible, but likewise from all other Indempnities, Troubles and Dangers, in the prosecution of this our just Cause, both for these and other matters, especially, because they count us Strangers; although they themselves (by those and the like fruits) shall appear much more to be both Strangers and Enemies to all goodness; for as in a spiritual sense, Egyptians and Ethiopians walking faithfully, are esteemed in the word of God to be born in Sion; so in a temporal sense, all Scots or others, who have been all along these Troubles (at least) true and faithful to this Commonwealth; chief­ly such as have both adventured their Lives and spent their Estates in defence thereof, may be justly esteem­ed in all respects, as if they had been born in England, yea in the chiefest and best place of London it self.

And because Printing hath been their chiefest Weapon, and by that occasion they having great correspondency with the Printers; and some of them ready enough to Print what they please against us, even [Page 15]with the same Moneys which shall be made appear they unjustly detain from us. We humbly beseech your Honors to give Order, either to your own Printer or any other in our behalf, to Print both by way of Quere and otherwise, such things as we have against the aforesaid persons, and other their Associates; which with their positive Answers may be an effectual means, not onely to procure us Justice and Reparations of their deceitful and wrongous dealings, but to undeceive the people who had some further conceit of those mens love to the Publique, then meerly obtaining their own private ends; and it may be, bring some truth to light for the good of the Publique, which hath been long obscure or doubtful. Humbly protesting here, before your Honors, against them, That whatsoever Queres we propound, shall not by them in sufficient time (not exceeding Three Moneths) be punctually answered, shall be holden thence-forth as confessed; promising hereby unto them the like condition against our selves, we having the equal benefit of the Press, competent means of Subsistance and Moneys to Printers.

By which means their manifold deceitful dealings and unjust Levelings, chiefly of the second Party abovementioned, not onely in spiritual Matters against me, though he was preferred to an Office at Worcester-house by my procurement, but likewise in Civil mat­ters there, against many both poor and rich; for which he was most justly, by direction of the Tru­stees, expulsed both from his Office and Lodgings, shall in short time be made to appear; yea, and whe­ther he with the rest above specified, or we, have act­ed [Page 16]and suffered most, sought their own profit least, of walked according to their principles best, in relation to the Publique, both before and during all these troubles; and so by consequence of such trying of Titles, it will likewise appear, Whether they or we de­serve best, to be called True, Constant, Faithful and Honest.

So by this Your Honors just assisting and protect­ing the Weak in their just cause against the strong, chiefly in that they are made weak by the others strength obtained by their means; both we and all others will be the more encouraged still to adven­ture our lives, and all thats either nearest or dear­est to us in advancing the Commonwealth; and pray for your Honors whiles we enjoy life or breath.