WHether there can be any reason of interrupting the Parliament for any other cause, then their endeavours to destroy the Interest and Freedom of the three Nations, which cannot be reasonably suspected in so faith­full a Parliament?

2 What one matter of Fact the Parliament have done to the prejudice of these Nations, that they should be thus violently turned out of the House by their own hired servants: Suppose the taking away of those nine mens Commissions were an Errour in the Parliament, yet could it not be an Errour of such a Magnitude, as to deserve that they should have the Doors shut upon them: is it reasonable that the whole Soveraignty of these Nations should be destroyed, and so the three Na­tions abused and left without all face of Government because that wine men had their Commissions taken from them, most of them having been false to their trust in time past, and seeing persons of more trust and faithfullness then nine, were pro­vided for their places, what prejudice could it be to the Nation?

3 Whether these men which now cry peace, peace, and continue their taking mo­ney of the Nation, as Officers in the Army to defend their Masters the Parlia­ment, and do yet suffer them to be interrupted, disquieted [...] or thrust out of the House, and also suffer the people to be inslaved, and all unrighteousness to raign whilst they have the Sword in their hands: We say, Whether these men are not turned Cowards, and for fear of losing their own Wealth, Cry peace, peace, while there is more cause to take up the Sword of Military Justice then ever; in defence of the Priviledges of Parliament and Freedoms of the People?

4 Whether it was more a fault in the King to demand 5 Members, and to come with his Cavalry to disturb the Parliament then in these men which have thrust [...] Parliament out of Doors?

5 Whether the Parli. have not as much right to dispose of the M [...]litin and and Treasure of the Nation now, as when they contended with the King for it?

6 Whether they which took their Commissions from the Parliament at their late sitting, did not therein own their Power to dispose of Commissions, and so of the whole conduct of the Army?

7 Whether those men which have now Interrupted the Parliament have not sinned against their own Consciences, and betrayed their Trust which was deliga­ted to them, which gave them their Commissions?

8 Whether Sir G. Booth in opposing and endeavouring to destroy the Parlia­ment at such a distance, and giving them a fair Engagement in the Field, where God might decide the Controversie; or they, which came upon the Parliament at unawares, and turned them out at Doors, are the greatest Offendors against the In­terest of these Nations?

9 Whether if Sir G. Booth was carrying on a Design against God in his opposing [Page 4]the Parliament and present Government, they also are not Designers against God, who when they had destroyed Sir G. Booths party, by killing some, and taking others prisoners, have themselves done violence to the whole Parliament their Master which empowred them, and paid them their Wages. Was it worthy of death, and confiscation in him and his party; and is it a virtue in these? Was it evil in the Parliaments Enemies to do violence unto them; and is it a vertue in such as fought for them, and called themselves the Parliaments faithful Servant, to interrupt the Parliament? Had Zimrey peace which fl [...]w his Master?

10 Whether those peoples Conditions is worst, who for differing in Religion from those in Authority, have their goods taken away, and their persons inslaved by Tyrants; or theirs, which voluntarily make themselves slaves in civil things, to the Lusts and Will of men, that they may have leave to dister from them in matters of T [...]h and Worship?

11 Whether it was not the too ready complyance of the people of the Churches with Cromwel, which gave him the confidence to mount the Throne, & ride them­selves and all the Nations at his pleasure?

12 Whether those men then, and these people now, which call to the Churches for advice and help, seek any thing else but to be Masters of the Nations, by their complyance with the Churches, and will inslave the Churches themselves at length?

13 Whether the Grandees of the Army, can carry on this their Design against the Parliament without the help of the Churches; and whether they would have called in their help, if they would have carryed on their Design without them?

14 Whether some men are not so ignorant, as to think they have Liberty of Conscience when they have nor Liberty in their Persons and Estates; as if Liberty of Conscience were any other thing, then not to be punished in their persons and Estates for Conscience sake? These men are not like Moses and the people of Is­rael, who would not part with a half of their Civil Things, that they might have leave to worship God aright: which teacheth us not to surrender our Civil Rights to Tyrants, for the obtaining Liberty of Conscience.

15 Whether it's just that the whole Nation should be made miserable, by ha­ving all their civil Freedoms prestitute to one or a few Mens Wills, that so some few of the whole Nation may have the Liberty of their Consciences: The Liber­ty of these men cost dear, which is purchased with no less then the inslaving of the whole Nation in their Persons and Estates.

16 Seeing the Militia consisteth of, and is maintained by the good people of these Nations out of their own purses (which ought to have no Master but them­selves) any but their Trustees assembled in a High Court of Parliament ought to have the dispose thereof?

17 Whether its reasonable that the Grandees of the Army, which are part of the Militia, should have the dispose of it, otherwise then as servants to them, which pay them their wages?

18 Whether the people may not well expect, that they which have taken the power to appoint General-Officers to the Army (to the increase of the charge of the State) should pay those men their extraordinary wages? And why may not the Parl. contend with the Grandees of the Army, for the dispose of the Militia, as well as with the King, and expect a Blessing of God upon their Engagement?

19 Whether the aspersions which are raised on the Parliament, are not invented on purpose to deceive the people, and make them believe the Parl, were not turned out of the House, onely for taking away 8 or 9 mens Commissions, but that they deserved to be turned out, and that it's no Treason in the Grandees so to do?

20 Whether any one thing of which the Parl is aspersed be true, or not? As first: How can they be suspected to intend to persecute any man for his Religion, seeing they free all the Quakers, and such as were in prison, for not paying of Tythes; and have in their Resolve Octob. 10.59. concluded that it's not del [...]gated to them to constrain in matters of Religion?

21 And how can the Parliament justly be accused, as having done little, seeing they so diligently and daily served the people at their own charge? Will not every Book of our Weekly Intelligence witness against these men as very Lyers; & that any should take the confidence to brand them with the Name of Presbyterians, who themselves are not willing, that their own Religion should be set as a brand on themselves? Do men cry out against persecution, and will they persecute them which have the Soveraignty of Three Nations?

22 How can the not bringing Sir G. Booth and his party to a Tryal, be charged upon them, seeing the Report of his business was not brought into the Parliament above 9 days before they were last interrupted? If it had: yet how could they have brought him to a Tryal before the Term; except they should have set up a High-Court of Justice, contrary to all Law and Right?

22 Whether those Officers of the Army, which in their Proposals to the Parlia­ment, desired that a Law might be made, That no Officers of the Army might be put out of their Employment, without being tryed at a Court-Martial? Have not they acted against their own Law, Reason putting by their Commands divers ho­nourable Officers of the Army, all persons of unspotted lives, and men of great Trust and Faithfulness, and that without so much as either Tryal, Examination, or any Charge against them; but because they were faithful to their Masters the Par­liament, and would not betray their Trust reposed in them: And whether there is not more reason, those 9 mere [...]nary men should leave their Commissions, then the Parliament should be turned out of the House?

24 Whether in the Armies Plea, page the 10. where they excuse themselvs from the Imputation of being against a godly and learned Ministery, be not a flattering and cogging with the Priests of the Nation, who they must in will take along with them in this their Treasonable Work, rather then fail?

25 Whether God may not justly bring a grievous Plague of Warre and Ruine upon all those men in these Nations, who have ventured their own lives, & slain many a man in the defence of the Priviledges of Parliament, (viz.) that the Par­liament might sit and vote free; and dispose of the Militia and Treasure of these Nations, if such men should now stand Neuters, and not stand up for the Good old Cause again; which is the Priviledges of Parliament, and Freedoms of the Peo­ple? And they deceive us which pretend to be for the Good Old Cause, without these two?

26 Whether the good people of this Nation can conceive this difference 'twixt Parliament and Army, (whereupon the Parliament was interrupted) to be any other then a personal quarrel? If so, Whether they are not as much engaged in Conscience Equity, and Justice, to own the Parliament, and stand by them now, [Page 6]as at any other time, in the doing of Justice upon all those that [...] to the King and his Party?

27 Whether the Nomination of 13 men by those so formerly named to that Work by part of the Officers of the Army to be propounded to the Council of the Officers, as they are pleased to call themselves, can reasonably oblige, by any Co­lour of Law or Reason, the Body of A [...]herents to the Cause, or any [...]ndividual Member whose consent is nor, nor is like to be obtained thereunto?

28 Whether our Commonwealth is not reduc'd (after so high and ga [...]lant Coptests in Councils, and in the Field, for Common-Good) into a pittiful narrow compass, whilest the Foundations must be laid by a part of the Officers of the Ar­my, where 5 or 6 rule all the rest, and sway them to such things, as may lay the Foundation of their own greatness, not the peoples good, the satiating and accom­plishment of their own ambitious, covetous, and revengful desires and designs, nor the good peoples peace satisfaction, or settlement?

29 What is the real true difference 'twixt the Turks Jan suries, and that part of our English Army, that have attempted so highly lately against their Masters the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, and go about to set up others of their own making: And if so, let the good people of this Nation consider with what safety honour, or Conscience, they can partake with them in this Evil: Partake not with them in their sins, lest ye partake with them in their Plagues.

30 Whether in point of safety, ye can joyn with them in the ruining of this Parliament, that was the strongest Bulwork, (if not the onely) the Nation had a­gainst the Common-Enemy, the hopefullest Supporters, Assertors, and Pillars of our Laws, Rights and Freedoms, as Men and Christians?

31 Whether in point of honour, and honesty, or a good Concience, ye having owned them, your A [...]dresses to them, receiving Laws from them, professing Obe­dience, together with all faithfulness and sincerity, in taking your Commissions from them, and acting under their Authority, even to bloud?

32 Wh [...]ther ye do not inevitably contract the guilt of all the bloud spilt in the late Wars, in the quarrel of this Parliament against the King and his party, and justifie the Enemy and their proceedings, and condemn your selves, and all your actings, for the vindication of the Parliament, and our Common Right and Liber­ties?

33 If so: Whether then ye may nor expect certain and suddain destruction, as a B [...]esom to sweep you away, guilt of bloud crying with such a loud Voice in the Ears of God, who is powerful to revenge it?

34 Whether the Armies Plea, be not a Play at Foot-ball, t [...]ssing the Good Old Cause too and fro, sometimes in the stinking Kennel of their own selfish & corrupt Interests; sometimes up the Tops of the Fabricks of their New raised Designs and Projects, &c?

35 Whether ever any Common-wealth will trust the Baptized Churches a­gain, seeing they have dealt thus persideously with the Honourable Parliament, (who as the Fathers of the Nation) were pleased to put part of the Militia into their hands for the security of the Priviledges of Parliament, and Freedoms of all men, against Domestick and Forreign Enemies; yet they have malitiously and shamefully betrayed their Trust, in opposing the Parliament, from whom they had [Page 7]their Commissions; and have fided with those Traytors which interrupted the Parliament in October, 13.59. which will be as a Brand upon the Church-men for ever, except they come in, and now appear with General Monck, and the rest of the true English-men, for the re-estalishing the Parliament?

36 If this Parliament was Constituted by all the Authority of the Three Na­tions; and in an Act made by King, Lords, and Commons, was established in their Parliamentary Power, and not to be interrupted, adjourned; prorogued, or dissolved, but by their own Consent (by which the Negative Vote of King and House of Lords was made void) and an Act, making all men Traytors, which have, or shall interrupt them: then whether these are not guilty of High-Treason, which did interrupt them, Octob. 13. 1659.

37 Whether ever God did more signally own and blesse any Consult [...] on of Men in England, than [...]e hath done this Parliament?

38 Whether the Army in their declining the Parliament, have not been put to grievous shifts, and forced to run from one indirect course to another, till they have become the Hate of the People, and terr ble to each other; as at this day?

39 Whether the Nine Officers which had their Commissions made Null. and Void, had been humble self-denying Men fearing GOD; they would not rather have surrendred their Commissions, than to have turned the Parliament out of Doors, and then invent Lyes of the Parliament to excuse Themselves?

40 Whether these men, quondam Officers of the Army, which are the Ring­leaders of this late Rebellion against the Parliament, have any Comm ssion for what they now do; seeing the Parliament which gave them their Commissions, have taken them away again? And for whom, or what those men sight, which en­gage for Lambert, Packer, and the rest?

41 Whether those Nine quondam Officers of the Army; as Lambert, &c. which have improved their Interest, to turn out the Parliament; and by that meane cast the Three Nations into a woful Confusion, and an Attempt to make a New War, have not forgot how in their Discourses, both publick and private, they have inveighed against shedding of more bloud, and cryed out for Peace, Peace, these Eight Years; and whether they will not now rather shed the bloud of any man, then lay down their Commissions, and expose themselves to the Justice or Mercy of the Parliament?

42 Whether the Things called the Plea and Declaration of the Army be not unsatisfactory, doth emply Things which do no more justifie them in their Acti­ons, or satisfie the people, then if they had cryed, Boh?

43 Whether if these pretended New-States-men, and sometimes Officers of the Army, had a mind to do any good for the Nation, in Reforming the Law, or taking away of Tythes, they would have consulted with corrupt Lawyers about their present Work, or have sent a Company of perfideous Fellows, such as Goff and Whalley; and Hypocritical Priests, such as Nye and Owen, and the rest, as Com­missioners to treat with the Noble General Monck, as they have done: Which makes me remember the Counsel of Isaiah the Prophet; Say not a Confederacy with them, with whom these men say a Confederacy; but sanctifie the Lord of Host in your hearts, &c.

44 And although Cromwel durst interrupt Parliaments, and usurp Authority, a these men have proudly done; yet, Whether He durst repeal any firm Laws, made by a full Vote of the Honourable House of Parliament; as these have pre­tended to do in their simple Declaration lately put forth?

45 Whether ever there was such Hypocrites in the World, as these men of the Churches and Army, which took Commissions of our Honourable Parliament, and owned them for the Supreme Authority of the Nation; and yet now to colour over their Treason and Rebellion, deny them to be a lawful Parliament?

46 With what Conscience the Souldiers can fight against the Parliament with these Nine quondam Officers, seeing that the Quarrel is onely to uphold their Commissions and Greatness? And what a sad Account will these Soules give to God at the last Day, that shall kill or be killed in this Quarrel?

47 Whether the men called the Committee of Safety, will not be found Traytors in the Eye of the Law, and of all the honest men in England; and whether it's not the Highest Treason that ever was heard of, for them to make Laws or Procla­mations; or for people to obey them?

48 Whether all the people that pay money, as well as they which Levy Mo­ney, without Authority of Parliament, be not all alike Traytors, Let all sober peo­ple judge