REMONSTRANS REDIVIVƲS: OR AN ACCOMPT OF THE REMONSTRANCE AND PETITION, Formerly presented by divers Citizens of London, to the view of many; and since ho­noured by the late Conspirators, to be pla­ced under their Title of Extreame ill Designes, With the Remonstrance it selfe.

LONDON, Printed by T. P. and M. S. for John Rothwell and Thomas Ʋnderhill. July 25. 1643.

❧ To the Christian Reader.

TRƲTH gave beeing and zeale life to the late Remon­strance, and therefore its admi­red by some, how the child of such active parents, should at all live, and be so voyd of further motion, as it hath seem'd to be, (unlesse like the River Anas, its Current hath been as swift as ever, though lesse visible) especially when it was never denyed acceptance; What ever Mercurius Aulicus, or Extreame ill Designes, those lying Twinns suggest, only conceiv'd by some not then so seasonable, which gave occasion to the commitment of it, by means wherof it was some-while retarded, untill shortly after, swords prov'd more useful then pens, and hands then tongues, as stil they seem to be: Yet as wel for the satisfaction of the desires of many, as for its own vindication from spurious copies, & for that it holds forth nothing derogatory to the good [Page] of politicall Monarchy, (unlesse such Kings wil accompt that a diminution of their power which God doth not of his, but an argument of it, viz. to affirm, that they cannot act against their own essence, nor doe injustice) Nor to the wisdome of Parliament (unlesse to reflect those beames which have shined from those two great Luminaries, be to reflect upon themselves, which cer­tainly is no more presumption, then in that Schollar, who to incourage his Master in his future labour and in­structions, shews by his Repetitions, what usefull im­pressions his former documents have made:) Nor may it be lesse usefull to the lesse knowing sort of men, whose Candlesticke onely it attempts to be, to hold out, though in a mod [...]ll of Clay, some glimpses of that borrowed light it hath received, (unlesse our Religion, Laws and Priviledges, should resemble those of the Pope and Mahomet, which like bad wares ever sell best in darkest shops.) But since heresies have appeared not onely in Church but State, and the end which first ani­mated this, was to unite and settle divided judgements in distracted times: without expecting further forma­lities. It now presents it selfe thus to the publique view.

TO THE HONORABLE THE KNIGHTS CITIZENS and Burgesses in the Commons House of Parliament Assembled. The humble Remonstrance and Petition, &c.

SHEVVETH,

THat when with griefe of heart wee re­member the innumerable grievances suffered by us and the whole King­dome for many yeares before this Par­liament, in matters that concern'd our Religion, the libetie of our persons, and freedome of our Estates: And call to minde our earnest desires of attaining a through repa­ration by the wisdome and justice of P [...]rliament, in the exemplary punishment of those who had been authors and instruments to subvert the power and purity of our Religion, and the auncient just constitution of Govern­ment. Our spirits are confounded within us to confider that after (by the wisdome, care, and resolution of this Parliament) we are justly freed from those Incendiaries [Page 2] the B [...]shops and many others the known promoters of Arbitrary Government. And full Remonstrances made of the Injuries done by Papists and others of the Malig­nant party and their wicked intentions, discovered to extirpate the Protestant party in the three Kingdomes: After the Protestation taken with great solemnity by the people of the Land. And after all your many and un­wearied labours (which with all thankfulnes we acknow­ledge, to reduce us from misery and fears, and to establish and unite us with the other Kingdomes upon the lasting foundation of truth and peace. By which your proceed­ings the well-affected party of the Kingdome were justly invited to adhere unto you: and to reveale and lay out themselves as well by bearing of Armes as large Contri­butions for the advance and maintenance of this most just and necessary warre, with a full resolution to stand or fall with you. And your being possessed of the King­domes strength as well by Sea as Land, and of the affecti­ons of the people still manifested by their readines from all Quarters to rise and appeare in considerable bodies for the carrying on of this just and undoubted Cause. Which with the many deliverances from plotts and trea­sons, and the victories already obtained upon all resolved attempts, afforded great assurance of a blessed and suc­cessefull issue. That notwithstanding all these and many more your constant endeavours in the midst of high op­positions, There should still remaine before us as bitter fruits of the inveterate malice of our restles enemies (though occasioned partly by the insensibility of many amongst our selves both in Citie and Kingdom) The mi­serable sufferings of our brethren in Ireland, and in hu­mane conjectures the almost irrecoverable estate of that Kingdome. The opportunities gained here by the Popish [Page 3] and Malignant party (of which the Army raised against the Parliament consists) as well to invite, convey hither, and entertain the Irish Rebells, as to gather and increase themselves into formidable forces. The indulgent usage and escapes of many discovered and accused Traytours, which advanceth the Kings designe abroad, and animates the evill party here at home: some of them being taken in actuall warre against the Parliament (a crime voted to be treason, Li. Decla. Par. 576. and they to be proceeded against as Traytors) whilest divers worthy Members of this honourable House, and many others well-affected to the Parliament taken prisoners by the Kings Forces, have been used in a most inhumane manner. The frequent printing and dis­persing of the Kings Declarations, and many scandalous bookes, deserving exemplary punishment; By which and by the Prelaticall and scandalous Clergie, have been sowed the seeds of sedition and insurrection, inciting to the violating of Magistrates and others the most active and well-affected of this Citie. The usuall misconstruing and perverting that supposition of Law, That Kings can doe no wrong, which being never intended (as wee con­ceive) of his personall commands and actions, is not­withstanding made use of to maintaine them, and there­by in a mysterious manner to deceive the people. All which with their probable consequences, wee have so seriously considered, That as well from the considerati­on thereof, as to the end the best men (your chiefest friends) may be established in the truth, and the unre­solved our brethren and neighbours (who out of mis­guided consciences for want of a full and positive satis­faction and determination of the principles of our Go­vernment chiefly stagger, and to our soules griefe re­maine unsatisfyed through the contrarietie of the Kings [Page 4] and your Commands and Declarations) may be infor­med and we hope reclaimed. Wee crave leave humbly to recollect and Remonstrate what are our apprehensi­ons, grounded as well upon right reason as your owne Declarations being here collected, which are there dis­pers't, concerning the true forme and state of our English Government, not doubting but you will continue that spirit and courage which justly moved you to declare and publish those convincing truthes and resolutions: Which apprehensions of ours are.

1. Petition of Lords and Commons, 14. Dec. 1641. That the safety of the people is the Supreme Law; and is the foundation and end of all just Government, even of Parliaments themselves, which alone are in this Kingdome ordained to be Judges of and providers for the safety of the Common-wealth: being limited by no Customes, no Presidents, nor Statutes made by former Parliaments, but may justly doe whatsoever is good in their understandings for the safety and freedome of the people. Lib. Decl. 265

2. Lib. Decl. 705. & 697. 280. 690. That originally the Supreme power being in the whole people, Parliaments were by them constituted to manage the same for the preservation and well being of the Common-wealth: So as properly in the Parlia­ments of England acting for the same doth the Supreme power reside; Lib. Decl. 270. from whose judgements there is no ap­peale, being presumed ever to intend the proper interest of the Common-wealth, that is, the safety and free­dome thereof, it being the highest of treasons through feare or favour to neglect or betray the same.

3. Lib. Decl. 714. That all just Magistracy in this Kingdome is a [Page 5] power created by the Kingdom and Parliaments for the execution of Laws, or to governe the people in freedome and safety according to the Laws. And is a matter of trust onely for the good of the people, and to be regula­ted by the Supreame power. It being most agreeable to reason that those who by the consent of all are intrusted with the making of Laws, should direct those that are to put the same in execution.

4. Lib. Decl. 701, 702, 703. That all Magistrates and Officers of the Kingdome are accomptable to the Parliament, for that otherwise the safety and freedome of the people would not be suf­ficiently provided for.

5. Lib. Decl. 207▪ 14 De [...]. 1641. Petit. of Lords & Commons. That the King (though the chief Magistrate or Offi­cer of the Kingdome) doth not personally judge in any Court, nor can of right interpose his personall command or judgement against the proceedings thereof.

6. Lib. Decl. 701, 702. That the calling of Parliaments never was (of right) arbitrary at the Kings will, but a trust annext to his Of­fice: 4. Ed. 3.14. 36. Ed. 3.10. And of duty to be called every yeare according to Statutes made in the time of Edward the third, which were declarative of the Common Law.

7. Lib. Decl 706.715. That the usage of passing Bills of right and justice in Parliament by the King, is but matter of forme annext to his Office and not left to his will: Lib. Decl. 714.703.704. For otherwise the safety and freedome of the people should depend upon his will, and such proceedings of Parliament be made voyd by his assumed negative voyce.

8. Lib. Decl. 701.702, That the dissolving of Parliaments is also a matter [Page 6] of forme belonging to the Kings Office, and not left ar­bitrary to be dissolved at his pleasure without consent of bo [...]h Houses: For then all the affaires of Parliament would necessarily depend upon his sole will, to proceed or conclude, not according to the Supreme Law (the safety of the people) but the pleasure of the King. The Parliament being never of right heretofore nor hereafter to be dissolved untill themselves signifie that the generall affaires of the Kingdome are fully setled. Lib. Decl. 703.704.

9. Lib. Decl. 267. That to Parliaments for the Kingdomes safety doe justly appertaine the strength of the Kingdome, the dis­posing of our persons, propriety of our estates, and the transacting of the great affaires of peace and warre, where­in the Kingdome is concerned, which for any other per­son or Councell to assume or imploy otherwise then in the Kingdoms right, and for it's safety, is unjust, arbitra­ry, and tyrannicall.

10. Lib. Decl 208. Master Prinus second part published by Authoritie of Parliament. That the Kings personall and voluntary absence from Parliament, whereby his Office therein is not dis­charged, neither is nor of right can be any hindrance to the making of laws or other proceedings of Parliament for the good and safety of the Kingdome.

All which wee humbly conceiving to be undoubted fundamentalls of our Government, It is our hearty desire and prayer, That before it be too late the judgement of the Kingdome may be fully setled in the right under­standing of the truth and equitie thereof, and no longer scruple in their obedience to the Supreme power, when the Kings Commands are contrary. That it may be exa­mined wherein the safety and interest of the Common­wealth [Page 7] have suffered prejudice, either by the impunitie of Delinquents, the violation of our Lawes, or pervert­ing the Constitutions of our Government, that the au­thors thereof be made known and severely punished, and divine Justice which cryes for vengeance fully satisfied. That the justnes of the present warre, which (for the glory of God, the Government of Christ, the regaining and maintenance of our liberties, and the Kingdomes de­fence against utter desolation) is undertaken by you, may be more fully yet made knowne to the world, and that neither you nor we have done the King any wrong. That the priviledges of this highest Court may be kept inviolable, and where that Supreme power hath been in any wise suspended or ecclipsed, such a redresse may be made as becomes the greatnesse thereof. That no mem­bers of Parliament who have been or shall appeare in this unnaturall warre against you be readmitted, and speciall care taken that such onely be continued and placed in the publique services and imployments of Parliament and Kingdome, as have given full testimony of their zeale, judgement, and fidelity. And though our desires are, That their portion may be to perish in intestine warres that delight in them, yet they likewise are, That the Kings returne to his Kingly office and the Parliament in a well setled peace (which wee daily pray for) may ne­ver be purchased by such conditions as thereby either to leave the truth and life of our Religion and Laws unse­cured, or give opportunitie to involve us and our poste­ritie in perpetuall thraldome. That the Nationall Co­venant already concluded may be with such speed and care personally proposed, that thereby the well-affected of the Kingdome being both in hearts and hands united, our friends from foes may be distinguished, and wee [Page 8] thereby enabled to preserve and defend our selves, both in peace and warre. That you would also consider that the eyes of Christendom are upon Englands Parliament, and that publique and private prayer and dayes of Fasting in this and many forraigne Nations are set apart and powred forth to Heaven, as for your persons so to pro­duce your conceptions and beginnings of a perfect refor­mation unto a glorious birth. For your faithfull indea­vours wherein, as you have ingaged your selves (though you should perish in the worke;) so be pleased still to conclude, that whilest with undaunted Resolutions you persist therein, you shall not finde in us, (nor wee hope) in the rest of the Kingdome any defection in the further exposing of our lives and livelihoods for the advancing and crowning of so good a cause. For our love and zeale to which onely wee have in all humility and faithfulnes presented these our apprehensions and desires, submitting the same to your grave Wisdoms.

And shall ever pray, &c.

FINIS.

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