THe apprehension of the sadness of these times (we conceive) may justly put us upon doing somthing for our own and Posterities happi­nesse hereafter: especially considering that they who should have been the means of our welfare were the chief instruments of our woe.

The Parliament at their first sitting promised us fair, and therefore it was that we aided them to keep their power so long as they did: but now to our sorrows we find fair promises to be but their ladder to climb to great­nesse with. We all know, they are but the publick ser­vants, imployed by the People (their Masters) for the re­gulation of such abuses as by the age of Time are crept into the Common wealth; and yet insteed thereof they have rather sought to bring in new Corruptions, than ex­pel old ones: And that they might the better effect it, they Voted and kept a Treaty with the King, that thereby themselves might have sate in an everlasting warm feat, and haveing had C. R. to their Papers, would the better have [Page 2]bound the Peoples hands behind them, that so they might have been wholy uncapable of acting any thing contrary to their greatnesse.

But yet lest this designe should not take if the present Army on foot kept up, They Voted the Armies disband­ing, before they had done the work that they raised them for: But the Army being more wise, and seeing their Plot, refused disbanding till things were better setled, and them­selves in a capacity of freedom and safety for what they have done, and (as they justly may) stand upon the bargain they made with the Parliament, viz. Not only to indemp­nifie them for what they have done, or granting an Act of Oblivion; but also to settle the Kingdom and People in a well grounded Peace for present, and establish a way for their defence, against all Tyrants and Tyrannie for future.

It is easy to be beleev'd that if the King had prevailed he would have made good his promises to his Cavileers; for experience tells us how his Souldiers when they got the upper hand over any place, cram'd their Snap-sacks with plunder, and put good clothes on their backs, (though contrary to Articles of Surrender.) When as our Party when they have conquered, have not been suffered to speak the Truth concerning the Kings illegal proceedings, without venturing their lives to the Oath of a single Ca­vileer: the Laws of the Land, and malignancy of the Judges, frequently taking place against them, in such cases.

These things we see, and considering the heavy burthen the Kingdom lies under, by Excise, Taxes, Tythes, Free-Quarter, &c. We cannot but declare,

1. To joyn with the Army in their just proceedings a­gainst [Page 3]all unjust persons whatsoever, who have betrayed the trust reposed in them, and invited in the Scots, and rai­sed other forces against the Kingdom.

2. That this Parliament be dissolved, before the last day of April next, 1649. And that a constant succession of Parli­aments be setled, to be chosen of course by the people, at a fixed day every year or two as shall be thought fit: and they be made accomptable of their Stewardship, to the next succeeding Parliament.

3. That all Statutes, Laws, and Acts of Parliament run only in the Name of the Commons of England assembled in Parliament.

4. That no person that hath had a hand in the first or se­cond war, be chosen, or have a Voice in the choice of any Parliament Member, or other Officer of the State what­soever.

5. That no Parliament Magistrate, or other person whatsoever, have power to make or execute any compul­sive Law, touching matters of Conscience and Religion; but that all civil people subject themselves to the Laws of the Common wealth, though of several opinions, (not be­ing destructive to the State) be protected from all violence and injury.

6. That none be forced to pay Tythes; but that a more conscionable maintainance for the publick Ministry be provided.

[Page 4] 7. That Excise upon all In-land commoditie be taken off; and that no Taxes or Cesments be levied upon the People, but by the old way of Subsidies.

8. That all Monopolies yet remaining, be forthwith abolished.

9. That all Parliament Members, Committees, Excise men, Sequestrators &c. be called to accompt for the mo­nies of the State.

10. That all destitute Widdows, and poor Orphans, which have lost their Husbands and Parents,, and all Soul­diers that have lost their limbs in the Parliaments service, be comfortably relieved, by way of constant stipend, and the children put to Trades.

11. That publick work-houses be erected, for preven­tion of beggars, vagabonds, and idle persons.

12. That a Trade of fishing upon the English coasts be setled by the State, for the good of the Common wealth.

13. That encouragement and protection be given to such as shall prosecute any Lawfull Charge or Impeach­ment of Treason or other Crime against any Member in Parliament; and that the Members in Parliament, with­out respect of Persons, be dis-robed of their Protection, and left lyable to the Law.

[Page 5] 14. That the cruelties and extortion of Goalers be severely provided against; and that for future no fees bee exacted from Prisoners: but that fitting accommodate­on both for lodging and dyet for them, and a suffici­ent competency of livelihood for Goalers at the publick cost be provided.

15. That no man be kept in Prison above a mo­neth; but in that space to be brought to a Tryall, by a lawfull Jury of his equals; or else to be discharged of course.

16. That no man bee impressed to serve in the Warres.

17. That our Laws bee few and plain, free from all ambiguous meanings, and all in the English Tongue; and to bee digested and Printed in a Vol­lume; and one to bee provided to bee kept in every Church throughout the Land; and to be read over at several appointed Times and Seasons, in open Con­gregation.

18. That all persons stand alike lyable to the Lawes of the Land, in all cases, both criminal and civil: and that all protections by any pretended Priviledge or Pre­rogative whatsoever, be declared Void, and of none effect.

We having considered these things, cannot conceive [Page 6]our selves in safetie unlesse these or such like Lawes be established, for a certain unalterable Government, for the Nation to be regulated by. And therefore we do resolve with our utmost vigor and force to oppose all such persons whatsoever that shall go about to hinder these our just undertakings; they being so reasonable that (we know) no rational man (that hath but one drop of En­glish bloud running in his veins) will bee against them.