WEre it as lawfull to utter truth, as unlawfull to suffer for truth; to compare the neerest of our thoughts with the most notorious of our actions, and present them as in a Mirrour to the publike eye, we might then Declare; That as we have engaged our selves in one sacred tye of Covenant, so therein we have in all fidelity perseve­red, declining neither Law, Religion, King, Parlia­ment, nor Liberty, necessary in professing Christians properly naturall to true subjects.

The Covenant binds all (without exception) within the pale thereof, to an unite defence, and mu­tuall co-assistance of each other; but as in the Di­vine [Page 4]Law, the breach of one Commandment pleads the Offendor guilty of all; so we presume in this humane Law (the Covenant) the forfeiture of one branch brings self-guiltiness on all the rest. We pray for mercy on this National Sin.

And seeing (with too transparent eyes) both Na­ture and Religion turn'd Antipodes, acting them­selvs into a self-Antipathy (as if Man above all sublu­nary Creatures was an only compound of contrarities; seeing the foundation (on which next under heaven our hopes depend) of our Laws, our Religion our proper Rights and Priviledges (we say not Oaths and Pro­testations) blown up by the very roots, by such a strong tempestuous violence, which bears down all things before it, making the loftiest Cedar level with the lowest shrubs, untill it hath vented it selfe into an universal destruction; that the fearfully o­ver awed and beguiled Multitude, may in the view of our present condition be sensible of their own ruine; thus unanimously we unbosome our selves unto the world; shewing,

That in all our enterprises, since these unnaturall and domestick Divisions; we have endeavoured to keep a good Conscience towards God and all men; and how unsavory the fruit of these last six years have relisht with us, none, better then our own souls, can attest; what forwardness for the publick good; what backwardnes in the enbrewing our selves in un­known alarums, especially of blood; what assistance both in our persons and purses, for the cuting off the neck of this unnatural War, and the closing up of all [Page 5]distractions in the armes of peace and unity, (not done in closets nor promov'd in secret corners) the whole City and Kingdom can bear witness.

And when we had exhausted our selves for the Ge­neral of the Kingdom abroad (the sword being by divine mercy pluckt out of the hand of our enemies) hoping then we should receive a sweet and blessed issue of all our travels finding our own sword still drawn, yet no enemy to oppose, and too sad probati­on of sinister reaches; we could not but reflect upon our selves, and apply our endeavors to the safety of that wherewith God and the Laws had entrusted us at home. Wil any man suffer his estate and and live­lyhood to be entrencht on by another that hath no right thereto, and be silent? Have not we through many generations, by the gracious influence of ma­ny glorious Kings been possessors of an honorable and free CHARTER, the very sinew of the City and Fee simple of our being; wherein, besides other priviledges, that of the Militia, which we account as chief, vi et armis to be wrested from us; and yet be accounted enemies to others, whilst we endeavor to preserv our own? If such things pass for Law, who can be master of what he hath? What can the whole Kingdom expect when those out of the very bowels of the City seeks her ruine?

Neither did we, by a self-defence, ever harbor the least thoughts of of an embroyling War, as by our dayly and incessant actings with the Parliament and Army did appear; straining our selves to our utmost pow'r & the highest key of a pure conscience to qualify [Page 6]all things into a right sence by our Commissioners; but all in vain; the returns of our endeavours with our hopes, being but pills guilded over with speci­ous glozes and pretences; for we are not ignorant, that though the Army came with Olives in their mouthes, yet they had swords in their hands, and death and destruction in their hearts; the grea­test part of them threatning, at a distance, the Sack and Plunder of the City: and had we not cause then, not only to a Verbal, but a Virgal, a Martial defence? yet (blessed be the Lord) not a sword was drawn, not a blow was given, and yet we suffer as Enemies, that had made a way to our own peace, through a deluge of the Armies blood. But (though a homely, yet) it is a true saying; He that is willing to hang his neighbours dog, must say he steals sheep.

But yet that which we value above the richest price of Nature our Religion is made an O [...]um, become a laughing-stock unto many; who like tamping Ly­ons (rather then the Lamb of Christ) rend and tear down the pale of his fold, from a Christian Con­formity to a Platonical Community, and that un­civiliz'd Liberty, the flood-gate to a perpetual Con­fusion, and yet they and we are brethren: Do they stand up for a Liberty? Why not we? No, we de­ny our own Liberty, that we may be the the Lords Freemen. We say Religion character'd by the Laws of the Land, and the finger of Gods Spirit on our Souls, this indeed was a grand motive to our de­fence, (the cause arising not from our Superiour but fellow-Subjects;) But blame not us, lay the blame on Christ, under whose Command (alone in [Page 7]this) we are; and if for this we suffer, we suffer with him; and suffering with him, we know that we shal also reign with him.

The next Cause is his Majesty; (oh we bleed with­in, when we think, how many souls in this Nation (excluding Scotland and Ireland) are shipwrackt on this rock; to whom (though never so tyrannicall) we stand bound by Nature, Equity, Religion, by Oath, Covenant, Conscience, in all loyalty and alle­giance; and sha [...] thi [...] plead us guilty? Well, the Servant is not above his Lord, nor the Disciple his Master; and when the head is sick, it is injustice in the members not to condole.

So that now we call heaven and earth to witness, that we have not faild in any thing that may plead us innocent; we have been more then servants to the Parliament, more than votaries to the Army; lesse we were not, more we could not be: we have procu­red the dislike of our Prince for partaking with his people; we are sleighted, for emptying our selves to make others full, and for others liberty we stand imprisoned.

Here O heavens, and judge O earth the cause of the distressed! and because with man there is neither truth, nor mercy, may the divine arme of justice carry on these things unto a blessed issue; whilst from the bottome of our hearts we unfeignedly do pray, That God would be pleased to pour Oyle and Wine into our Kingdomes wounds, to the everlasting peace and consolation of his People; that his Maje­sty may with highest honour be enthrowned in his Kingdome, and remain as a fixed star in the firma­ment [Page 8]of the Church: that the Parliament may judg Righteous Judgement, and settle our Divisions in­to a peacefull posture: that the Army (as hitherto) so they may still be faithfull to their friends, victo­rious over their enemies: and that the whole King­dome may enjoy that liberty which by Religion, Law, or Custome, they can claim.