IN bodies Politicke, the Repersentative, as it is made up and chosen by the body Collective, so should it ever act for the good of the same: but it is more common then commendable for men betrusted with other mens good to behave themselves to their trustees hurt.

There be foure Cases wherin a body Collective is not bound to a body Representative, but ought in conscience to dissent from it, and protest against it.

First, when a body Representative acts in a direct, evident and obvious manner against the expresse will and Word of GOD.

Secondly, when in like plaine and direct manner, it acts a­gainst the apparent welfare, peace and good of the King­dome.

Thirdly, when it acts after the same manner against its own proper end and being.

Fourthly, when it acts beyond the bounds, limits and extents appointed it.

The tearmes (a little changed) were once the Parliaments. And all which granted (as cannot be denied) the serious exa­mination of the proceedings of a Prevailing party in the two Houses, yeelds matter and reason sufficient for our utter dislike of and protestation against them. And that will appeare, if we [Page 2] consider, first, Their ungodly proceedings in matters Religi­ous and Divine; Their dispoyling of Churches, their shutting the mouthes of Oxthodox Ministers that would not Preach Diurnall Doctrine, their taking away our Common Prayer Booke; their not onely tolerating but encouraging and emboldening of all manner of Schismaticks and Hereticks, sedicious incen­diaries, Sectaries, and seducers of the People; Socinians, Ar­rians, Anabaptists, Antinomians, Erastians, Familists, Sha­kers, Seekers, Brownists, and Independents, contrary to the knowne Statute Lawes of this Kingdome; yea, Electing of them (before others) into the most considerable places of pro­fit and trust in Martiall and Civill affaires; and under a pre­tence of a Christian respect unto tender Consciences, design­ing a toleration for all these, Contrary to the expresse rule of Sa­cred Scripture, commanding earnest contention with them; and contrary to their Faith given our Brethren of Scotland, as you may see by the Covenant and Scottish Declaration.

Secondly, they tell us that the solemne League and Cove­nant doth not oblidge unto a suppression of those who out of a pretence of weake and tender Consciences (but indeede trea­sonable Designes against the King and Kingdome) refuse to subscribe unto Presbyterian government; and say that it is a most putide and irrationall thing, once to conceive that any such thing was ever intended by the Parliament in the impo­sing hereof (witnesse their Reply to our City Remonstrance of the 26. of May 1646. in which also they urge foure rea­sons to prove the same, and are not ashamed to stile these limbs of the Divell, these first borne of Satan; a party of as cordiall friends as ever they had since the Warre began. Thus doe they make Religion but a Veile to shrowd themselves under, while they get a shoot at a Crowne, at Prince and People; a thing which from the very beginning of their Sessions they onely aymed at, and have since onely pursued.

For whereas they were called by tha King ad Concilium one­ly, and to acquaint him with the oenour of our Petitions de­livered them, instead of discharging their Dutie, they straight­way [Page 3] begin to destroy a third Estate in Parliament, root out the heads of the Clergy. Next, to usurpe the Militia from the King, and settle it in themselves; Contrary to the minde of the Convention when it was full and free: and contrary to the pa­terne of heaven and earth: The power of a Kingdome being disposed unto one Vice-Roy, not to a multitude; save as Sub­stitutes in severall ranks under that one, as that one is under him whose right by Creation it is.

And for carrying on the said Designes, they raise Tumults in December and Ianuary 1641. and by the seditious rabble of our City, drive away the dissenting Members, and as it were new mould the two Houses: and in March after they seize and dispose of the Navie and Cynque Ports, under a pretence of providing against danger, winding themselves into the strength of the Kingdome for a Designe; which appears by con­sequents, pretences being not to be beleeved where following actions run Crosse and Counter.

For presently they shew more confidence then feare (though long before, as also now againe, we have nothing else.) More audaciousnesse against the King, then solicitude for the King­dome; and daily endeavour to subvert and destroy, not pre­serve and maintain the fundamentall constitution and govern­ment of the Realme and Parliament.

Neither is it long after till they discover their intentions against his sacred Majesty, as since August last they have done against the City and Kingdome. Martin sayes openly in the House, and the House reproves him not for it; that the Kings Office is forfeitable, and that the welfare of this Kingdome did not depend upon his Majestie, nor any branch of the Roy­all race: and Lud [...], that he was not worthy to be King of England.

And surely this was the minde of the Houses, else these cur­sed villains had not gone unpunisht then, nor Hamond nee; sinor themselves May 26. impudently declared that they should not want duty or modestie if they followed the highest Presidents of those two rebellious Parliaments that deposed and murdered Edward and Richard both the second.

[Page 4]Nor had they denied the Kings negative Vote in Parliament; nor had they, but to deprive the King and Crown of all power of Legislation and government, presented and so earnestly urged those Bils for nominating the Privie Counsellours and chiefe Of­ficers of State; and for Reformation of Church-government and Liturgie, as they (forsooth) liked; and to order the Militia as they pleased; and to approve of Commanders for Forts and Castles; and to admit such Peeres as should be made hereafter, to sit and Vote in Parliament.

A Bill for the Kings leaving to tryall and punishment of Law, such ill Councellours or Officers as then were or after might be, would have bin sufficient to have secured this King­dome from any harme or danger by any ill Counsell whatso­ever: This the King might and would easily have granted; and this might have contented them, if care of the Kingdomes welfare had been their ayms. But ambition and avarice makes them seeke for the rule and power out of the Kings hands (which is not his to part withall, power onely of creating Sub­stitutes under him being given him by the originall owner thereof) it is a fine thing to sit at Westminster, and Vote, and make Ordinances at will and pleasure, and send for the King­domes Money and have it.

And for making good of what they had taken from, and de­clared against, and for the carrying on of what they had pro­posed to his Majesty, viz. to detain the Forts, the Militia and Navie from him (which acts be high treason by the Statutes of Hen. 8. and Edw. 6. themselves know it well) and to take from him and from the Crowne of England the power of Law-mak­ing and governing, and to depose and destroy him and his roy­all race together with Monarchy, they sent the late Earl of Essex (whom they perswaded all was Law they did, as himself aver­red, and whom they have since well requited with untimely end) through the streets of our City, to raise an army of delu­ded fooles, pretending to redeem a captived King from evill Counsellors; but indeed to captivate him; which since the war was ended, the sillyest may plainly see; and that their jea­lousies and fears, and their pretences of Reformation & liberty [Page 5] were meer stratagems and delusions to bring about their trai­trous designes against the King and Crown, against the Church and against us the free-born people of England.

Else why shut they up the King in prison? Why Voted they no more addresses to him? Why put they forth that traiterous Declaration against him? These things have not been done by the people of this Kingdome to any Prince, whom they have not soone after deposed and murdered. Else why turned they their Army in August last against our City? and why made they that saucie Ordnance soone after, to distraine by Souldi­ers for what Taxations they should at any time charge upon the Countrey? and why doe they not disband this hereticall rascall Army, but imploy it every where to murder and plun­der those that Petition the settlement of Peace? Why drave they away the eleven Members? Why tooke they downe our ch [...]ines? and why lye they yet lurking about our City? Why did they displace and imprison Sir Iohn Geere and the other Al­dermen? Why invaided they our Freemens priviledges in making new Officers, and such as we cannot confide in; Men that seeke not to preserve, but enthrall our Liberties; that study not to advance the Publique, but their own private inte­rests, that intend their own rather then the Cities profit and se­curity? Why restore they not the Mili [...]ia of the City into those hands it was in before August last? how shall we thinke they cease their Designe against us, when none of all these is ac­complished? Looke to it Brethren, there is mischiefe still in­tended, though those at Westminster will needs have us beleeve otherwise.

When the discovery of this last design by Everard, came un­to our knowledge, the Major and Common-counsell (confe­derates with them in the businesse, for the promoting of a new War with our Presbyterian Brethren) petition this perfidious prevailing party in the Houses; and in their Petition, to co­lour the businesse, do closely take in the Parliament into the then present danger with the City, as if the Army acted or consulted any thing, which they had not first rules for from Westminster; and likewise intimate the Cities resolutions to [Page 6] adhere to this wicked Jancto, that every day stiles it self, The varliament of England, according to the solemn League and Co-Penant; and this must have thanks, and be published in print, to perswade the people, whether they will or no, that they be yet the representitative Body of the Kingdom, & that such Of­ficers as they have made in the City since Aug. last, without con­sent of the free-men, be the representitative body of the City, & that all is well 'twixt the City and this Iuncto, as if there had bin no starting from first pretended principles; & now that ( viz. the Covenant) w ^ch the other day was declared to be but for disco­very of the Parliament enemies, must oblige to an engagement in a second War (contrary to the expresse tenor of it) to set up Independency: thus do they one while court Religion a Mi­stresse, another while use her as a slave.

But good Master Wisdoms of Westminister, you shall find a wronged party of Presbyterians, both in City and Country (for whom you still lye in wait, though you would fain seem to relinquish your designs) will call for satisfaction from you and your jugling implements of the City and Kingdom: It is not your now so often proclaiming your selves The Parlia­ment of England, nor the Major and Common-Counsels petiti­oning you, nor your sly conjunctions and courting of one another with thanks and Declarations of mutuall assistance, nor Preachments by Proxies in Tipling houses and Ordnaries, That there nor is, nor can be any difference 'twixt our City and you, nor your re-calumniating the Cavaliers, and fathering of plots upon them, which your selves invent at Derby-house, and dis­cover by the Major, nor your new Brittannicus of Grays-Inne, whom you hire for five pound per week, to write anew those forgeries wherewith you formerly abused the King and his faithfuls, and deluded us, shall make us forget your August-tricks, nor your four Bils which you sent so privately to his Majesty at Carisbrook-castle, that but for our Brethren of Scotland we had not yet heard of them, nor your close restraint of the King, when he refused to sacrifice us and our posterity to your insatiate ravenousnesse, by signing them; nor your late traite­rous Declaration against him, nor your designs of taking off [Page 7] his head, if the Kingdom would have thanked you for that your Declaration, and liked of such horried Murder; nor your continued detention of him, to the daily decay of Trade, and ruine of many of us.

You have brought the Parliament of England to a low ebbe, a Iuncto of most desperate Rebels, most cursed Traitors, your selues that went from Westminster to the Army in August: but for the carrying on of your Designs (now ready to be quashed) and slurring over the discoveries, you will needs take notice of the good af­fection of the City to adhere unto the Parliament, according to the Covenant; very willing and nimble are you to appre­hend and publish to the world any thing which might make our City your friend, or (at least) stop insurrections against you, you fear the tryall of Law, and perswade that there is no dislike 'twixt it and you, since the time it refused to joyn with you in a Petition for a general pardon; and you easily condiscend to put up our chains: but for an In let (when you have devoured up the petitioning Counties, and murdered those that desired to bring you to the tryall of Law; you make Skippon (an Army Officer, and not to be trusted by our City) Major Generall, and you put the Militia of the City into Inde­pendents hands: Thus doe you play with our City, as a Cat doth with a Mouse, catch her, and let her go, and catch her again, but at last ever devours her; and then prudent Citizens, what good doth putting up your chains? and you run back to your pro­positions presented at Hampton-court, as if that were sufficient satisfactions and should reconcile you, after so many and foul falsifications of Word, and breach of Covenant with our Bre­thren of Scotland, and those proud and traiterous designs you have discovered of late against our City and Kingdom, and detaining of the King in prison, and making no just accompt of those vast summes You and your Substitutes have had from us.

In the beginning of these unnaturall Brauls, your Declara­tions signified, that the separation of his Majesty from West­minster was the originall of our unhappinesse; and that the chief intent of raising your Army, was to bring the King from [Page 8] some evill Counsell, in honour and safety, to sit with you at Westminster, and that it was impossible ever to have a safe and wel-grounded Peace, without his Majesties personall concur­rence in Parliament; and you often protested by word of mouth in our Common Hals, and many Declarations in the publike view of heaven and earth, that you would not destroy but maintain our Religion and our Lawes, that you would live and dye with us, stand and fall with us, that you would never leave us, till you had made us free; and lo, now our freedom, now we have gained you your wils (for any thing we may since imagine to the contrary) upon your private ene­mies, the King's Faithfuls; we must be slaves to you and your Mechanick Substitutes, and your Raggamuffin Army, and if we petition for our Soveraigns liberty and our own easment, we must be worse used then Israel by their Aegyptian Task­masters, we must be butchered and pillaged as our Surrey Bre­thren at Westminster, and as the Petitioners in Kent, murdered and stript in every Town and Lane where they were found; and now your six weeks talk of setling the Kingdom, is come to a design of disarming the Counties where you martch, one by one, and doubling your Army and Assessements, and sub­jecting us unto a Military power: Thanks for the freedom you intend us; we must keep you an Army of Rogues and Knaves to murder and plunder us every where, and to protect you trai­tors, and your unjust Committees, from tryall of Law, and ma­king up your accompts; you would have it so: you are wise enough to know, that Rebellion cannot subsist longer then it keeps an Army in the field, and we have wofull experience of the abuses and charge of it: though Kentish Bumpkins be con­tent with Bag-puddings, and Essex Calves with Butter-milk, if we must wade thorough the red Sea unto our Liberties, we will; send you out your Westminster Buls of death and plunder, against such as rise against you, and do your worst, we shall shortly ease our selves of your Army and you too: and we hope such Cavaliers as served their King for love, will joyn with us to restore him, and repair our infringed free­doms, and vindicate themselves robbed and plundered of their [Page 9] Estates in time of War, by you and your agents (contrary to the Statute of Hen. 7. you know it well, you dishonest and shamelesse —) and forct to pay great sums of money since at Goldsmiths-Hall, to the utter undoing of many of them: you might by as good Law, have robbed upon the Road in times of peace, as sequestred any for serving the King of this Country, or compelled loanes of Money from us, to help for­ward your traiterous designs against the King and Kingdom, but you think to make white your black actions with more wilfull murders: You will try by the King's Commission of Oyer and Terminer, not Rebels, but those that rise to sup­presse them; this is your conscience, your honesty; thus re­gard you the murdering, killing and slaughtering the Subjects of this kingdom; the tearings, rendings and crippling of poor people; the burning, wasting and plundring of mens estates; the wofull, bitter and sad complaints, and showrs of tears shed in corners & secret closets by many men, whose former quali­ty, with the remembrance thereof, makes them wipe their eyes, and counterfeit cheerfulnes in the sight of men: thus salve you the sores of this kingdom. When the Essex Calves (as you stiled them, & as they have proved since) then a little sensible of their Masters sufferings, and their own, and the kingdoms ill usage, and calling to minde some former specious Declarations, and treasonable courses, directly contrary thereunto, repair unto Westminster in that most unquestionable way, for the Subject, as Warwick daigned to call it, petitioning the restitution of the King, and the Countries ease: the Houses after thet uppers thanks for some respects in the Petition, and the saucy Com­mons mentioning some former services, desire a further pati­ence, and the Petition shall be geanted; they will settle the kingdom by Dooms day, or when they can continue War no longer; for in stead of disbanding their Army, they prepare for second brauls, they put the City and kingdom into a mi­litary posture, under Independent Officers, and fight with Ma­jor Generall Laughorn, Colonel Powell and Poyer; yet they say their quarrell is against Cavaliers, and the people must rise for them now, (a traieterous and perfidious Juncto, that seeks to [Page 10] enslave them to an arbitrary power, and an Army) as for the Parliament before.

Our Brethren of Surrey petition, and the Houses send for the Rogues, (then at White-hall) to fall upon them, making Westminster (formerly a Court of Justice, where men had right) a field of blood and theft.

Our Brethren of Kent resolving to petiton, but fear­ing a Surrey welcome, arm for their defence against the Army; and instead of receiving their Petition, they de­lude them with Treaties and wiles, till they had got their Rebell Army into the County amongst them, and then they send it Orders to fall upon them, to slaughter and plunder all that should desire to have an old King, and a new Parliament; which was sufficient­ly observed by the Souldiers; for none could passe the Road uncut or unmurdered, and unstript; and when they came into their Quarters, they would with drawn Swords, and spanned Pistols, swear and curse, and tell the women, they would have rost-meat, or they would broyl a piece of their Hu [...]bands heads: neither were they contented to feast whiles they stayed, but at remo­uall, let sellars of Beer upon the floor, knock out the bottoms of Milk-vessels, and spoyl all. These be the civill Souldiers they have so oft talked of.

Essex appears for the assistance of Kent, and they first bribe far, and other knaves to decline the businesse, and then send Whaley in amongst them, to play like prnks there, as in Kent.

Sussex presents its Petition by the number limited in the Declaration to bring it; and they tell them, as the others six weeks before, they are upon the businesse of setling the Kingdom; yet they spent the last moneth in [Page 11] making Orders for the sale of the Duke of Yorks Horses, and for Lincolns man passage to France, & for Hunger­fords comming from Ireland hither, and such like most weighty affairs: the past of the moneth they have spent in voting the spoil of Kent and Essex, in framing Plots at Derby house and Westminster, to be fathered upon the Cavaliers, and to be discovered by the Major, and other their own Agents, in preaching to the people of a com­mon enemy against the Parliament, City and Kingdom, in slandering our Presbyterian quarrell to be that of the Cavaliers already ended, in proclaiming themselves The Parliament of England, and their Independent Fa­ction, the City and Kingdom, and apparelling all men in the goodly cloathes of Rebellion and Treason, that rise against their Rebel-selves, that would destroy Reli­gion and Law, the King and his Posterity, and Crown themselves and Successors.

On Friday last they Vote the disarming of the King­dome, as their Armies marrch, and subjecting us to a tyrannicall arbitrary power of themselves and their Souldiers; to lay us so open (by disarming us) to the invasion of Spaine and France, our prist in and po­tent adversaries, was high treason in the Earle of Stra­ford and the Lord Cottington, in the beginning of their Sessions; and yet now 'tis their Act, it must be o­therwise.

Thus have I recapitulated a little the mischievous projects of this lewd and wicked IUNCTO (those that went away to the Army in August last) and doe desire all, who have any zeale to Religion, love to Mo­narchicall government, sence of the sufferings and im­prisonment [Page 12] of the King, affection to their oppressed Brethren in the severall Counties, or desire to pre­serve the liberty and property of the Subject, that they would arme in each corner of the Kingdome, and by force command that which will not other­wise be had.