VVHereas base degenerate Spirits would sell or their Birthrights for a messe of pottage, or a deceitfull smile of a shadowing Prince induce them to a belief that He would fight for their free­doms, when they know that the people throughout all Na­tions are now staves to their Princes, and cannot be igno­rant likewise how for many Ages together this Design hath been violently prosecuted against the free Commoners of this Nation. And could it ever be expected that Chri­stians should be so inhumane, and self destructive to sheath their swords in their own bowels, and fight with their E­nemies against themselves, to make themselves, staves to their enemies and their posterities for ever, but that they were not sensible of their own freedomse, both by the Law of God, Man, and Nature, but deluded by false prophets, who taught the works of the Law, and not of Grace, ma­king the people believe that all power were ordained of God, and to resist these powers.

And lest there should be any of this seed yet left in the Nation, spreading abroad this doctrine to deceive the people with these fallacies, I shall give them an explanation of the true sense thereof, and represent these ensuing Articles or Charge, against a perfidious Prince, or an unfaithfull Parliament, viz.

1 God hath ordained all things in heaven and earth for the good and well being of man; and what power soever is contrary to, or acting against the same, is no power of God, but again his expresse will and pleasure, and therefore most lawfull to be disobeyed; whereupon the Parl. levyed war against the King, and disobeyed his pretended power.

2 Every Officer appointed for the good of the republike [Page 4]and well-government of the people, as the King, parlia­ment, Iustices of peace, &c. is elected by the people; the King by three severall voices, by way of consent and appro­bation of the people, before his Coronation.

3 The Kingly Office as it is a great trust, so the people will not admit him to the execution thereof, without He swears to be faithfull in performing the trust reposed in Him, executing their Laws and Statutes, for their peace­able government, and not otherwise.

4 In case any of the Trustees shall forfeit their trust reposed in them by the people, in breaking their Oaths, vio­lating the peoples lawes, faeedoms, and priviledges, leavy­ing war against them, to destroy them; the people are bound by the Law of God, Man and Nature to disobey them, and bring them to speedy tryall for breach of that trust which they reposed in them.

5 It is lawfull for the people after such breach of trust to use all Coercive power for bringing to condigne pu­nishment such Trustees, and to fight with kill and slay all such as shall oppose them therein.

And it it is further declared, That if God hath ordai­ned all things for the good of the people; what earthly principalities or powers which the people have chosen for their good, can injoyn them to obedience in destructive and unlawfull? Is not Salus populi suprema Lex, The peoples safety the supream Law? And what Lawes and powers there are contrary hereunto, are not they all void, being against the supreme and highest of all Lawes, to which all other must give place and precedency, and all Kings and Parliaments vaile to, and stand in feare of.