THe late Sir William Dick in the beginning of theſe troubles and commotions in the Commonwealth, did appear firſt of all men of his quality in the three Nations, to ſtand in the gap; and for preſervation of pure Religion from carnal Prelacy, and the thouſands of Iſrael from Arbitrary Government, and the juſt priviledges of Parliaments, their Repreſentatives, in their due luſtre and liberty, Did offer up Himſelf, Children, and Friends, at home and abroad, with all their Fortunes, Credit, and Eſtate, in Sacrifice to the ſervice of the Publick, moſt chearfully, and conſtantly all the days of his life, in that Good old Cauſe, then the Prayers of the Saints, and ſcope and mark of all true Publick Spirits.

That for theſe his unparalleld disburſements, for the Nations, joyntly in the bonds of Brotherhood, and no otherways (and lately ſtated by the then Power and Government to Sixty ſeven thouſand and three hundred pounds, to wit, Thirty nine thouſand and five hundred pounds due by England, out of the Navy, Papiſts, and Delinquents Eſtates, and Twenty ſeven thouſand and eight hundred pounds by Scotland out of the Exciſes and Aſſeſſments there.) He had all ſolemn Promiſes and Proteſtations, Rights and Securities of Parliaments, as Humane Faith, Chriſtian Bonds, or Law could deviſe for his thankful payment. And more particularly, Orders of Parliament dated 28 November, 1648. and October 1, 1653. with ſeveral Reports of Committees of Parliament, in September 1649. and March, 1652. yet little or nothing recovered theſe Fifteen years paſt after all painful and expenſive ſolicitation and attendance: But by ſuch unexpected diſappointments of that well-deſerving Debt, his precious time loſt, his life wearied, and died at laſt in the way through heart-break, in all miſery and want. His Children, Executor, and Friends caſt in all diſgraceful priſons, their former plentiful Eſtates ſeiſed upon by the Creditor for the Publick; and their numerous Families, with their deſolate Wives, Orphans, and Widows, ready to periſh for want of Bread, by ſuch eminent actions and ſervices in that Good old Cauſe: Ah, let not this be heard in Gath, nor publiſhed in the ſtreets of Askalon.

The ſole Son, Executor, and general Succeſſor, with theſe poor languiſhing Families of the late Sir William Dick his Father, Do now, if not for Juſtice and Righteouſneſs ſake, Honors ſake, general and particular Promiſes ſake; yet humbly pray for Chriſts ſake (by whom this preſent Parliament, after long interruption in the ſecret purpoſe of Gods will, is now again by wonderful divine Providence, ſet down to judge his little ones, as their glory) That after ſo long delays and diſappointment, and ſo many unſupportable ſorrows and preſſures paſſing ſtrength, right and equity may be done to him at laſt; Promiſes and Proteſtations performed, Ordinances and Orders of this preſent Parliament kept and obeyed, and he paid and ſatisfied of theſe unparalleld disburſements for the Publick, in all the poſſible ways as the preſent juncture of affairs may grant, and the deplorable condition of the Executor may agree to. To the farther praiſe and commendation of Reformed Religion, the honor and glory of the Commonwealth, the greater encouragement of the godly and wel-affected party to the Government, to adventure the like ſervices preſently, and hereafter, in the time of Publick ſtreights and difficulties for the people, and the Cities of our God; and the undeniable proof and Sunſhine-evidence of this honorable Parliament, their ſincerity and uprightneſs of heart in their Declaration dated 7 May laſt, for the Work of Reformation by their Righteouſneſs and Juſtice to all men.