I Make bold herein to in close, and humbly pre­sent, the Concurrance of the Officers of this Garrison, with what Your Lordship, & Your Councell of Officers have done and declared, upon the dissolution of the late Parliament: Herein it is a duty incumbent upon us, to blesse Al­mighty God on your behalves, who hath, we trust, stirred You up to those Undertakings, wherein we witnesse with You to the world, our independence to all unjust Powers, and in the opposition whereof, the Lawes of Nature and Nations, are no lesse pen­dant, then perpetuall.

Your Actions past and present have dared to de­clare as much, and no doubt all lovers of Truth, Righteousnesse, and Freedome, will be really ready to further and follow Your Excellency and Honour therein, to doe other wayes were a crime inexcusa­ble. This Nation hitherto for many years, patient­ly expected what the late Masters of our Vineyards would doe, and seeing now the Lord hath put their power upon You, we doubt not but You wil so wise­ly & worthily dispose thereof, as it may appear You are the persons appointed to perfect that work, for neglect whereof the late Parliament was laid aside. If [Page 2]herein the Lord shall please to honour Your Excel­lency, and the Army, I doubt not but Religion and Liberty shall againe flourish, whilest Tyranny and Oppression, like a desolate woman, shall dye Child­lesse; Thus to see our patient abiding bring forth the quiet fruits of peace and righteousnesse, would task all tongues and hearts, who have prayed for You, to praise God with You, so to doe is undoubt­edly neither treason nor tumult; however if the is­sue of our endeavours here doe not justifie us, our Consciences will, and with this resolution I beg here amongst the rest, to remaine

WEE the Officers and Souldiers in the Garrison of Kingston upon Hull, humbly Remonstrate our free and hearty Concurrence with the Reasons given for Your disso­lution of the late Parliament; whereby we suppose, so plain a path-way is made for the propagation of Piety, suppressing all unjust Powers, and thereupon so good grounds laid downe for the vindication of Publique Liberty, as had we not seen the Declara­tion of our Comrades in Scotland, to that effect, we should not at this have time thought it necessary thus publickly to have appeared.

But seeing that Unity and Resolution, are two great links in the chain of Government, and it being no lesse praise actively and unanimously to prose­cute, then resolutely to undertake, though we by our worthlesse influence cannot at all strengthen Your hands, yet we hope hereby we may shew our hearts and affections, which for the furtherance thereof should we not doe, we might occasion a question to be made of our integrity to the present undertakings, for the making good of our former ingagements to God and men, or render our selves not unlike the Carter, who was said to pray in vain, because he put not his shoulder to the wheel. And [Page 4]though it become not us to be over prodigall in breaking the ice to others, yet if we follow our lead­ers herein, as faithfully, as formerly others have don, we doubt not but like indulgent Parents you will accept of our good will how weakly soever execu­ted. We need not as we suppose, at this distance promise more then what our prayers and integrity to our particular trustties us to: we likewise believe the Lord our God will give you an active and ex­cellent spirit, to cast out every accursed thing, and to go on in the establishment of Justice and Righte­ousnesse to the Nation; in the pursuance whereof, we suppose no publick spirits will prove sick of Your superiority, or fall into an emulating Feaver, for Your putting a period to the late Parliament, some whereof were grown so dainty of their duties, and deaf to our Complaints, as if they had resolved to live idly, and laugh at our distresses; we hope the People may expect better fruits from your Endea­vours, who well know upon what terms You stand. Your Excellency and Honours, have been necessita­ted to take much upon You, for which much will be Expected from You, and we hope in the best sense, much ascribed to You, otherwise all Your underta­kings like fair fruit in an unwholesome dish, or as the Apples of Sodome, will consume untoucht or tasted. It would be needlesse to such asserters of publick li­berty, to say much of the popular supremacy, which hath occasioned the great Conquests and Controver­sies of the world: Your Excellency well know▪ how this Fortification hath stood strengthned against time, and Nature in this poynt jealous of her own interest, hath even in ordinary spirits amongst us and others, opposed oppression. But we believe we [Page 5]shall have cause to blesse Almighty God for these mild and just Administrations of present and expec­ted Power, wherein piety, may prevail above reason or policy, and prudence so moderate Authority, as that it may both guard greatnesse, and make good­nesse more good and great.

We are not able to offer much toward the model­ling of a new and necessary Representative, for the establishment of a good and happy Government. It's true popular place fits men for fame and businesse, but such have neither freedom in person, act, or time, and have only an opinionative felicity, consi­sting in much veneration and little rest; yet we deny not, but the discharge of duty is the end of all things, and persons qualified with parts and piety, put in great places or power, like heavenly bodies, ought to have influence over us, and can cause good or e­vil times, as God gives a gift, or gives not the grace.

Indeed Ambition make some set themselves to a­ction or consultation, yet such if they rise not with their service, doe often make their service fall with them. But those who seek business upon Conscience, rather then for credit or profit, can easily discern a busie nature, from a willing mind, & will be active or passive, according to appointment and opportunity, rather out of duty, then designe.

We wish at this distance we were able to propose or present any new Remedies for old Evils, but as one said, Its not good meddling with State-masters, all the Acts thereof are like a Paracelsian Plaister, dan­gerous; yet we find a froward retention of custom is more troublesome to these times, then innovation; for although unnecessitated experiments in States are difficult, yet where Reformation draws an act­ing [Page 6](so desire of Change, pretended Reformation) all may do well; for self-preservation (if necessita­ted) is no less prudent then just, how irregular so­ever. But we deny not it is unsafe sometimes to o­ver-chiminize a State, whereby the reverence of Go­vernment may be either lost or laid aside, yet in this respect our feares may o're-fathom our feeling: we may, to make the Sheep-pasture in peace, hunt away the Wolves from the fold by force. Take away Tax­es, propagate Piety, regulate the Lawes, redresse Grievances, pay the Publick Debts, squeeze Spun­gy Oppressors, and Unworthy persons preferred, and how extrajudiciall soever you are herein, you may expect a Well done good and faithfull Servants, when all is ended.

But all we can add, is, to beg wisedom and coun­cell on your behalfes, that as your Excellency and Honours have undertaken much, so you may have much religion, reason, and resolution, to discharge those undertakings, that all your attempts may end in such attainments, as may augment the lustre of your former actings, that so all our hearts and hands may be tied unto you, and strengthned for you; that piety, peace, and prosperity may be promoted, af­flicted virtue comforted, righteousness, and righte­ous men cherished, all other good things assured, and ascertained. Upon this accompt and score, we unanimously declare our reall readiness to live and dye with you in the opposition of all unjust power, or practices, whether Martiall, Ecclesiasticall, or Ci­vill, whether Regal, Royal, or Parliamentary.