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 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, 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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.