SInce your self with your Councell of Officers in your respect to the welfare of this Commonwealth, were pleased to dissolve the late Parliament, I have made many humble addresses to your Excel­lency for a Pass to return to my native Country; having suffered extraordinary much under the late Parliaments sentence of Banishment. But being informed that such addresses are conceived only fit to be made to such an authority as shal succeed the late Parliament in their Legislative Power: And my condition being such, as could not admit of time to expect the issue of new addresses to be made to the succeeding Power, being in such daily and hourly hazard of my life where I had my residence beyond the Seas; only because I had faithfully served the Commonwealth, that it concerned my life, either speedily to resolve upon a perpetual ba­nishment into some foreign Country, where none should know me; hoping there to live securely in an utter obscurity and uselessness to my generation, and a burthen to others for my bread; or otherwise to run the ha­zard of returning to England without a Pass, or promise of protection.

And my disposition led me to chuse the last, not without much wavering in my thoughts, in regard of some provocations which I believe I have even lately by Letters put particularly upon your Excellency: yet I hoped and believed that the harshest and most disgustfull passages in them might possibly be construed to be the fruits of my highest passions, when my reason was clouded, not only by my sad and most heavy sufferings, but also by the misapprehensions of your Excellencies actions and intentions, which I could not have the know­ledge of beyond the seas, but as others misrepresented them unto me; hereupon I hoped that God in his mercy to me, and my poor ruined Family, might incline your mind so to conceive of all former passages of whatsoever nature.

And then finding that your Excellency with your Councel, had declared that you would take upon you the care and protection of all Englishmen living godly, quietly and peaceably untill the great trust of the Govern­ment of this Nation be vested in such as are chosen for the same. And in the midst of all these thoughts, it be­ing much upon my spirit that God by his providence would restore me to my native Country; and my heart being filled with a strong faith in the goodness of God, and his protection in my endeavours therein. There­upon I resolved, come life, come death, to cast my self, my life, and all that's left me in this world besides (under God) upon your Excellency, presuming upon your protection, at least untill those that are chosen for the Su­preme Authority be setled therein, and their answer be given to my humble address. I confess I judged my self an Englishman, and amongst my Countrymen, capable of your Excellencies promised protection, being abso­lutely resolved to live as quietly and submissively to the present and succeeding Power as any man, having no o­ther resolutions, intentions, nor thoughts then to live godly and peaceably with my poor distressed Family; and to studie to serve the Commonwealth, if those trusted with the Government thereof, should at any time conceive me fit for their Service; or otherwise to confine my self to the most private life.

This I desired to make known unto your Excellency by my wife (the bearer hereof) and my true Friend Mr William Kiffin, the first hour of my return hither from Callis to London (in one day, in the privatest manner I possible could) and they having waited for, or upon your Excellency several hours this morning; and your great Affairs preventing their audience, I presumed thus to declare it in writing, lest any misconstruction should be made of my sudden return: the true occasions of it, and my ends and intention therein, being nakedly and bonafide, herein fully declared, and only according to the integrity of my heart in these real expressions; I humbly hope for, and confide in your Excellencies goodness to protect,