VVHile the souls of many of the Lords dear Servants (who sit weeping over you) are in Travel, and struggle for you in this hour of Temptation. I most humbly beg (as upon my knees) for your own Soule, and Fami­ly, and for the poor afflicted Saints sake, that you will but weigh these few Lines of our present Lamentation, in the ballance of your heart and Conscience (one part of an hour which you may best spare and be most se­rious in [...] which (if the Lord, whom I serve) require it, I thinke I could as freely write with my Blood, as with Irke, in tears and gall of grief) O our bowels! our bowels! our hearts ake, and are pained within us, to hear the dolefull groans and cryes! tears! prayers! and solemne Appeals of godly people in the Nation round about to the Righteous Iudge of the whole Earth! which (doubtlesse) will be Answered with a dreadfull Dispensation, and severe Decree upon those that be found the Enemies to the Lord Iesus, and his Exaltation: The Apprehension whereof hath so ceased upon my Spirit, that I should sinne (if some way or other) I gave you no notice thereof, for that your own person is (yet) so deare in our very soules, that Bowels of Affection are frequently seen to you in mourning, praying, and wrastling for you (if possible) to recover you out of those bottomlesse Snar [...]s wherein you are so deeply insnared by the evill Counsell of Parasites, subtle and selfe seeking Flatterers, Dawbers, and Deceivers, who have not that lively Sence to the Lord Iesus, his poor Saints, and Interest, nor yet to your Soule (so despately ingaged we humbly conceive) as we who are counted enemies for the Truths sake (as the Lord will witnesse) have: Of whom as 3 Phil. 18, 19 I have told you often, and now tell you againe even weeping, that they are enemies to the Crosse of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things, Jeremiah 9: vers. 1.2. Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a Fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slaine of the Daughter of my people, that I might leave my people, and goe from them; for they be all Adulte­rers, an Assembly of treacherous men. I cannot speak with you in person, therefore I beseech you read these words, which our tears and prayers are the Embassadors, and Fore-runners of Mittamus pre [...]es & lachrymas cordis l [...]gatos (Cyprian) for that we havenot the least grain of ill will, ha­tred or malice (as some suggest and say) against any perso [...], but only against the sins and evil of this change of government, which God wil (and if Righteous we are sure must) Judge and then, as once you said in your Letter to the Ki [...]ke of Scotland, God who knoweth us, will in his due time [...] [Page 2]manifest whether we doe multiple these things as men, or doe we them for the Lord Christ and his poor peoples sake. Wherefore

1 Be pleased (we beseech you with weeping tears) to compare a little present transactions with former Ingagements, and with the Armies Decla­rations, &c. as that of Iune 14. 1647. in page 6. declaring that you tooke up Armes in Iudgement and Conscience for the peoples Iust Right and Li­berties, Your own De­clarati­ons, and Resolved to assert and vindicate them against all Arbitrary power, violence, and opposition; and against all particular parties, and inte­rests whatsoever. So page 7. that it is no resisting of Magistrary, to side with those just Principles being these upon which you assi [...]ed the Parliament: And that the glory of God was not wanting in such cases to set a price upon such proceedings, it being one witnesse of God in the world to carry on a Testi­mony against the injustice and unrighteousnesse of men: And against the mis­carriage of Governments, when corrupted and declining from the primitive and originall glory. So page 9. We are so farre from designing and comply­ing to have an absolute o [...] arbitrary power sig [...]ed or setled for continuance in any PERSONS WHATSOEVER; at that (if we might be sure to obtaine it) we cannot wish to have it so in the PERSONS of any, Against absolute Govern­ment. in one Person. whom we (our selves) could most confide in, or who should appeare most of our PRINCIPLES and Opinions, or whom we might have most per­sonall assurance of, or interest in: but that the Authority of this Kingdome in PARLIAMENTS may ever stand and have its course as the supream power and trust, with many other things in that Declaration. So in the case of the Army stated and proposed by the Agents from Gilford, Octob. 9. 1647. page 4. We tooke up Arms in Iudgement and con­science for the peoples Just Rights and Liberties, & not as mercenary souldiers hired to serve an arbitrary power, So page 13.14. The people shall see we minded not our own interest, For suc­cessive Parlia­ments. but the Good, Freedome, and Welfare of the whole Nation, which in the same page is declared particularly to be in new Successive Elections of Supream Assemblies of Parliaments at Peri­ods of times, and that it ought not to be denyed them, this being so Es­sentiall to their Freedome, that without it they are no better then SLAVES, that therefore it be insisted on so positively and resolvedly, as not to RECEDE from it, So page 15. That PARLIAMENTS rightly constituted are the Foundation of our hopes of Right and Freedome to the people; that therefore the constant SVCCESSION of PARLIAMENTS be so re­solvedly insisted on that a law PARAMOVNT be made for it. And wheras all power is originally and essentially in the people; and whereas their free choice or consent by the Representors is the only originall and foundation of all Iust GOVERNMENT, that it be insisted upon positively, that the supream POWER of the peoples REPRESENTORS in PAR­LIAMENT be forth with declared for, as their power to make LAWS, or repeal Lawes, and to call to account all Officers in this Nation whatsoe­ver. So page 16. This supream and sole Power in Parliament being the [Page 3]thing against which the King contended, and which the people have defended with their lives, and therefore ought now to be demanded as the PRICE of their BLOOD. So page 17. The many oppressions of the people, and the danger of absolute tyrannie were the occasion of the expence of so much blood, so that the people have bought these their Rights and Freedomes by the price of blood, &c. Since that the Remonstrance of St. Albans, Right and free­dome where it lies. 1648. pag. 14.15. The summe of the publick Interest of a Nation to COMMON RIGHT and FREEDOME (which has been the chief subject of our contest) and in opposition to TYRANNIE and INJVSTICE of KINGS or others we take to lye in these things following.

1. That all Matters of supream trust or concernment to the safety and welfare of the whole, be in a common and supream Councell or Parlia­ment, 1 &c

2. That the power of making Lawes, Constitutions, 2 and Affairs (for the preservation and government of the whole) and of altering or re­pealing, and abolishing, and power of finall Iudgements concerning Warre or Peace, the safety and welfare of the people, and all civill things whatsoever, and the supream Trust in relation to such things rest in that supream Councell of Parliaments. So as 1. the ordinary ordering and government of the people may be by such Offices and Administrations, 1 and according to such Lawes and Rules as by that Councell or Represen­tative have been prescribed or allowed, and not otherwise. 2 2. That no extraordinary or ordinary powers (as above mentioned) may be exerci­sed towards the people by ANY (as of right) but by that supream Councell or Representative, nor without their advice and consent, may any thing be imposed on or taken from the people, or if it be otherwise attempted by ANY, that the people be not bound thereby but free. So page 16 That it may not be left in the wil of the KING, or any parti­cular person whatsoever (standing in their own Interest) to oppose, make void, or render ineffectuall such determinations or proceedings. So page 21.22. Where any person is trusted with a limited power, accor­ding to Laws to preserve the Rights and Liberties of the people, and a­buses of power to their hurt, or by the advantage of that power shall rise to assume hurtfull powers, which they never committed to him, and indeed to take away all those Foundations of Right and Liberty, of Re­dresse and Remedy, and to swallow up all in his owne absolute will and power, to impose, take away, and destroy at pleasure, They fought against personall Interest. &c. Such person doth (ipso facto) forfeit all that trust and power he had, &c. Further in p. 65.66. That satisfaction & assurance be given that what they have con­tended for against the King (which is our humble suit now) for which we have been put to so much trouble, cost and losse of blood, hath been only for the Liberties and common Interest, and not for your personall Interest and Power; that there may be a sound settlement of the peace, and future government of the Kingdome upon grounds of common Right and Freedom, as followeth.

For Par­liaments Annuall or bi­onnual.1 That there be a certaine succession of future Parliaments (Annuall or Biennuall) with secure provision, that none who have ingaged or shall ingage in warre against the right of Parliaments or Interest of the peo­ple therein, or have adhered to the enemies thereof may be capable of electing or being elected (at least during a competent number of years) nor any other who shall oppose or not joyn in agreement to this settle­ment; and that it be declared that such Representatives have and shall have the supream Power and Trust. Besides [much more in these other Declarations] that upon the Armies march into Scotland, 1650. pag. 36. We found our hearts extraordinarily stirred up by the Lord to assist the Parliament against the KING being abundantly satisfied in our Iudge­ments and Consciences, that we were called forth by the Lord to be in­strumentall, to bring about that which was our continuall prayer to God: viz the destruction of ANTICRIST, and the deliverance of his CHVRCH and people. And upon this simple account we ingaged, not knowing the deep Policies of worldly States-men, and have ever since hazarded our lives in the high places of the field against all the op­posers of this worke of Iesus Christ. And having those things singly in our eye, namely the DESTRVCTION of ANTICHRIST, and the advancement of the KINGDOME of JESVS CHRIST. Against King, and a­gainst Anti­christ, and for the king­dome of Christ. So pag. 38.39. A second warre more dangerous then the former was contrived a­gainst us by them that hated us of this Army of England under the name of SECT ARIES, and a second testimony was given from Heaven to justifie the Proceedings of his poor Servants, against the bloody Antichri­stian BROOD, though with the losse of many precious Saints; we were then powerfully convinced, that their purpose was to deale with the LATE KING as a man of blood, and being perswaded in our con­sciences that he and his MON ARCHY was one of the TEN HORNS of the BEAST spoken of in Revel. 17.12, 13, 14, 15. we being witnesses to so much innocent blood of the SAINTS that he had shed in supporting the BEAST, and considering the lowd cryes of the SOVLES of the SAINTS under the ALTAR, we were extraordinarily caried forth to de­sire JVSTICE upon the KING. But if there be any that have taken Councell against the Lord and his Anointed, whom the Lord hath de­creed to set up in the holy Hill of Sion, we are perswaded the Lord has brought us as INSTRVMENTS, through which he will speak to them in his wrath, and vex them with his sore displeasure; we desire it may be known, we are not Souldiers of Fortune, & are not meerly the SER­VANTS of men, And for the Mo­narchy of King Jesus alone. we have not only proclaimed JESVS CHRIST the King of Saints, to be our King by profession, but desire to submit to him upon his own termes, to admit him to the exercise of his ROYALL AVTHORITY, and with much more to that purpose: yea, to name but one more (the Declaration of Aprill 22. 1653. pag. 6. After much de­bate it was judged necessary and agreed upon, that the supream Authority [Page 5]should be by Parliament devolved upon known persons, men searing God, and of approved Integrity, and the Government committed to them for a time, as the most hopeful I way to incourage, and countenance all Gods people reforme the Law, and administer Justice impartially, hoping thereby the people might forget MONARCHY, Against this Mo­narchy againe, and for Parlia­ments. and understanding their true Interest in the Election of successesive PARLIAMENTS, may have the Government setled upon a true Basis, without hazard to this Glorious CAVSE, or necessitating to keep up Arms for the de­fence of the same. Though much more of the same import out of sun­dry other Letters and Declarations: We might produce, yet for feare of being too tedious) our soules would rejoyce, and be abundantly satisfied to see an Harmony between these Declarations, and the present Actions of this present Government, seeing (as Solomon saith) Ecclesiastes 4.5. When thou vowest (or art devoted or ingaged) to God deferre not to pay it: Better it is that thou shouldest not vow, then that thou shouldest vow and not pay, suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sinne, neither say thou before the Angell that it was an errour, wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the worke of thine hands: Oh! my Lord! let the blood, lives, and tears, be thought upon that have sealed to these Declarations, and ingaged for Christ his cause: and the Liberties of the people by Parliaments, &c. O be not offended with us whose soules mourn for these sins and transgres­sions, and are weaned (as then you would have us) from Monarchy, or any such like GOVERNMENT! seeing in some of them (as in the Declaration, April. 2. 1653 and Iuue 14. 1647. page ult.) you presse it upon us to stand for these things, and you say you expect it of us, and of all that are well affected to the Publick, but now we are declared offen­ders for so doing! Oh dear! honoured Sir, what shall we say but your owne words in page 52. of the Remonstrance of St. Albons. Your bare retracting or changing your cause (without better or any reasons giving) can­not put out the light which your former Declarations with reasons have let in, and which God hath so eminently owned and given his seale and increase unto. O my Lord! that these things might be cleared to the poor! un­satisfied people of Go [...]! whose hearts are bleeding under the sense of them day and night! Zedekiahs case and calamity for his breach of Co­venant, and his imbondaging againe the people after Liberty proclaimed and declared, Ier. 34 vers. 15 16. And ye were now turned and had done right in my sight, in proclaiming Liberty every man to his Neighbour, and yee had made a Covenant before me in the House which is called by my name. But yee turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his hand-maid, whom he had set at Liberty at their pleasure, to return; and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants, and for hand-maids being often in our remembrance.

2 2 Be pleased (my Lord) a little to revise or reason, with the rise of this change upon the breaking up the late Parliament, taking its being there, [Page 6](but for this end) to keep up the carnal intrests the Parliament had voted down, viz of Clergy, carnal Church State, Tithes, Presentations &c. which was according to the several Declarations of the Army, as in the Case of the Army stated Octob 9. 1647. page 2.8.10. and Declaration of August 1. 1647. from Colebrook page 13. the 5 Proposition is the present [...]nequall, troublesome, and contentious way of Ministers maintenance by Tythes be consi­dered of, and remedy applied; so the 6th: is that the Rules and Course of Law, and the Officers of it be reduced and reformed, and concerning the Clergy with then carnal Church State the Remonst. of St. Albans page 10th. De­clares it the Parliaments part to take away these corrupted forms of outside re­ligion and Church government, [...] he Rise of this G. up­on the ru­ine of the last Parl. how? and why? whether imposed without law, or rootea in the law in times of Popish ignerance or idolatry or of the Gospels dimmer light, by we ans whereof snares and chains were laid upon conscientions and zealous men, and the generality of the people held in darknesse, superstition, and blind reverence of persons and outward things fit for Popery and Slavery; and also to take away and losen that dependance of the Clergy and their Ecclesiastical af­fairs upon the King, or that interest of the Clergy in the civil laws and affairs which the craft of both in length of time had wrought for each other; and that it was the Kings part to uphold and maintain this dependance of the CLERGY their MAINTENANCE and CHƲRCH MATTERS; and were it not too tedious, I should name many more of your Declarations, against these very things: Now for the Parliament to do that which the Army and good people round the Nation have declared to be their duty, viz. to take off the civill dependance of the nationall Clergy, with their nationall Church St. and to vote a new model of the Law, viz lesse intricate, uncer­tain, Tyrannical, and unjust, and more consonant with Gods word, Sta­tutes, and judgements, and right reason; and more plain, and easie, and clear. And to take away corrupt and simonious presentations, whereby souls & people are bought, and sold to great mens lust, &c. For this (formerly jud­ged, their duty to be dissolved and broken, yea at that time too (when this longed for mercy after many years was brought to the birth, by some faithfull servants of the Lord (precious round the Nation) after many pangs, much opposition, yea and after the long sitting Parliament, was bro­ken too for their neglect of these very things (with others;) seems strange to us, Rev. 18.13. being Mer­chandize of Baby­lon. and the more dissatisfies us, for that we see this Power suc­ceed for the support and upholding of those things which that Parliament had voted down; and which the Army and good people had so often decla­red, prop [...] of Antichrist; this makes the Rise o [...] it more grievous to the souls of some of the Saints, then in that the peoples choice was not in it, though somes Declarations required that also, 6. Micah 16. The Statutes of Ou ri are kept, and all the works of the house of Alab, and ye walk in their counsels, that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an bissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.

O my Lord, that the opening and bleeding of our Bowels for these things might be a little regarded and pittied!

3. May you be (most humbly as upon our bended knees) intreated to take a little account of the already fruits and effect [...] of this alteration, which (the Lord knows) we bitterly bewail before the great God, 3. The already effects & fruits of this change, most grievous to the faithfull & Godly as more heavy to us, then the precedent changes in shutting up the dores of our publick meeting place, hindring us in Gods Worship; imprisoning our dear Brethren, & friends, plundering reproaching & grieving them (and them onely) that have been, all those wars and yet are (and we hope ever will be) faithfull to the Cause, and Kingdome of Christ, threatning to take away their lives, and indeavouring to stone and stab them, aspe [...]sing them with most palpable loathsome, and notorious falsities, to possesse good people in the Countries with prejudice agai [...]st them, as if they were against all Magistra­cy, Ministry, and Property, which with a wonderous and wicked confi­dence some write and spread about (the Lord lay it seriously to their hearts and humble them for it!) but we cannot be suffered to Print the Truth, or to answer their cruell and unjust Calumnies or Accusations, whilest we desire no other weapons, (the Lord knoweth) for our warfare, but the Word of Truth, (which shall be our defence!) yet we are not suffered to print, but plundered of our notes and writings, whiles all manner of lies, slanders, and [...]njurious reports, are printed and divulged of us. This was counted Tyranny in the Papists, and after in the Prelates, and declared a­gainst page 10. of the Case of the A [...]my stated October 9th, 1647. viz [to lock up the Printing Presses, against whom they please was in the Bishops time complained of, as one of the great oppressions, &c.] and yet (to hinder truth) it is now made Treason to print or preach it; so that we are forced to conceal truth from the world, and the witnesses lie a [...] it were dead in the streets, by such Political combinations (as these are) who do all they can to keep out the breaking forth of that light and truth, which suits not with their present purpose; wherefore our onely remedy left us is faith and prayer, and solemn Appeals to him that judgeth righteously: yet the Lord shew mercy to our unkind brethren in the day of his appearing! And in the mean time declare whether they do well or no to cry out (so cruelly and rais;ly against us in this our new captivity) and to stir up the people against [...]s (as evil doers) by the advantage which they have in w [...]i­ting what they will against us, whilest our hands are tied behind us, and truth is bound! Besides oh! oh! are not men of corrupt principles and car­nal interest up again, with the highest confidence! malignants countenan­ced? and such incouraged as were (not long since) declaimed against? whilest onely the little remnant of the Lords faithfull ones are frowned up­on! brow beaten! threatned! grieved! & wounded to the very souls of them for these things! but our great comfort and confidence is, that in this Day which will burn as an Oven (when all the proud, and all that do wick­edly shall be as stubble) the son of righteousnesse shall arise with healings upon us.

4 Lastly (my Lord) may you be pleased but to see a little in the midst of our Agony and trouble, how l [...]ke this present Government looks to that which the Lord (by the faith and prayers of his despised people 11. Heb. 33.) hath so eminently ingaged against, laid in the dust, and stamped upon with disdain (fullfilling his word therein) and whilest you were with the Lord (therein) he was with you but oh! is there no danger to fit in the same seat? be under the Predicament? walk in the same Ways? keep up the same interests? with them that were (for example sutely) so visibly destroied and cut off. The former K. (cut off) had his Courts, Councels, State, Pride, Idlenesse and vanity in persons about him, rich beds, hangings, Coackes and Attendants, evill Councellors, Politicians, and wise men put him upon imprisoning, oppressing, and persecuting the poor despised Saints, under the name of Deceivers, Hypocrites, and Fanatick spirits, &c. that were not of the same principles with him, and his Court, ruling for his own interest, more then for the peoples Liberties, &c. and (O my Lord) but a little consider, is it not so in all or most of the same points, pleaded against him so long together, by the sword, by the word and faith of Gods people, How a­like this G. is to it which God hath thrown down be­fore our eyes. thousands of whom lost their lives and dearest bloud, and friends to free us from all these things; O my Lord, make us not your enemies, by telling you the truth, with tears, and bleeding Bowels! (the Lord knows) for you and yours; whom the Lord hath so highly owned and honoured in his design against this very kind of G—. be pleased to use your own words, page 12.31: 38, 39. of the Declaration of the Army go­ing into Scotland, 1650. wherein you declare against any government by one man or K. unlesse it be Christ Jesus, and you tell the Brethren of Scotland, if they proceed in any such design, to bring in such a Government as King upon us, they will blot out not onely their former merits but undo the noble atchievements of the English Patriots and Parliaments in this & former Generations: For we know (say you) how easie a thing it is to raise a Monar­chical spirit, but how hard it is to keep it within the circle, we know the com­mon & old Plea is necessity; which, with sound Christians, cannot now satisfie as a competent Apology; for that Machivil hath ever made that a Cloak for his exorbitant actions; Necessity no good Plea. yea the Jews to crucifie Christ pretended thus, O [...] but (as one said) there is no NECESSITY to sin, but against it, and the Saints necessity in a civill reference (as well as spiritual) is to exalt Christ and his Kingdome. But for this we onely flie to your own words again. [ Remonst. St. Albans page 5th. He that ingageth (upon pre­tences for publick ends) and that upon publick necessity or extremity (all which say you must concur to their full satisfaction therein) he will first try all honest ways possible with due regard to, and concurrence with the preservation of the Magistracy, and Government under which God hath set him, before he will flie to any ways of extremity, neither will he (when ingaged therein) proceed further or longer in that way against or with­out the Magistracy, then that first necessity, or some other (emergent [Page](upon the proceeding) does justly lead, not driving the pretence of Ne­cessity, further to serve or advantage himself, or perpetuate those ways of extremity) but when the necessity or danger is over, wil return again to Magistracy & Order ( i.e. now by Parliam. as before) we desire no more then your own words. But seeing some of your Court do cast in Reason of State (as well as necessity) for this Alteration, Reason of State dange­rous. we wish (in the travel of our souls for them) that their eys were opened, to seethat this hath been, & wil bethe ruin of al States & Governors now in the world, viz. their Reason of State! carnall or worldly Policie and Wisdome, this brought the blood of Iezreel on the house of Jebu (though he executed Justice on the King and his house according to Gods command) yet he walked in the same wayes, gat up upon the same Throne, and into the same Kingdome, and kept up the same Interest! and Idoll worship his Predecessors (cut off by the hand of Justice) did, and did the worke but by halfes; and all by reason of State. This Reason rejected Saul, and made him disobedi­ent; this was that Reason that led Pharaoh and his Host into the bottome of the Sea, in his bitter heat against the worke of God in that day; and this was that principle that made Sihon, King of the Amerites, and Og King of Bashan, Num. 21. oppose Israel, and the worke of God in that Generation to their lamentable ruin. Yet this was the Wisdom principle and light that lead the grave Councell, John 11. into that cursed Vote of cruci­fying Christ! And is not this warning enough for us? Then see in all Ages how the results of the purest reason of state have proved dangerons, yea destructive to Governors and Governments, ever oppugning the pre­sent worke and desigue of God in these ages. Therefore O my Lord, let not this principle deceive you, lest it destroy you! May I speak Luthers words to you (in Epist. ad Melanst.) Sed scribe hee frustra, si tu secun­dum Philosophiam vestram, has res ratione regere, hoc est cum rations insani­res, perges & occides to ipsum, &c. I write these things in vaine if you will resolve to Rule by Carnall reason, and according to the corrupt Di­ctates and the Philosophy of Sophisters, about you, which if you do will fall inevitably, sad to you one day, and too too probably, will prove, your Ruin, which we beseech our God in mercy and time forbid. Ergo certe are prote & dol [...] te meas preces si [...] irritas facere. Oh! make not our daily prayers for you of no effect to you; and because many Good men, as well as Great, were prestr'd by the pernicions Counsels and Suggestions of some Ambitionists and selsish Teachers, and Schollars in Luthers days, he was wont to pray, [ a doctore gloriese & a pastere contentiese libera nos dominus, the Lord deliver us from such glorions Rabbies, and selfe-seek­ing contentions Teachers? And must we not pray that you may be freed from such as have subtilly insuared you, Our Weapons of war far & our adversa­ries what they are and doe Prelate like possesse you, and others against us? that we are Fanatique, mad men, Fools and heady enemies to Magistracy, Ministry, and all, &c. for which our hearts are pained within us whiles we ponder these things, & our spirits greived, that men, of so much former Merit and Eminency, should so sinfully, and unchristianlike condemne and accuse us of thing our hearts abhorre, and loath within us: And call for severity, under the name of Justice, and [...] [Page 10]Persecution against us in the matters of our Faith and Consciences, meerly and alone for the exalting of Jesus Christ, in the things which they themselves have formerly preached and professed to others; yea, which the whole Army have frequently declared for many years together, till it came into Fashion to hold an Epheram religionem, a Court Religion which will turne with the times! but the Lord humble and break us for it: But wisdows (sayes Solomon) is better then weapons of war, Eccle­siastes 9. and as we have so we desire no other weapons but Gods owns word and spirit, having our Loines girt about with Truth and having on (blessed be our God for it) the Brest plate of Righteousnesse in this busi­nes, wherein our Brethren are against us.

But my Lord, may the presented Truth (or poor crucified Jesus) beg this favour to give it as much liberty, as his adversaries have for their gross lies and falsities, in printing or otherwise; therefore will you be pleased, (though but for a little time, a moneth or two) to release those laws that hinder the liberty of publishing the Truth, Let our Brethren or any that wil oppose, us convince, or corquer al they can with the good word of God, & we shall be satisfied to try it out with them so; but not with the weapons of the world, as they have them (now) all on their side, to imprison persecute, or put to death, &c. for that is Antichrists (not Christ) way of warfare. In this sense (saies Luther in Epist. ad Erph.) consider with what sword I have conquerd sin, and overcome errors, and subdued policy, I have never touched you with a finger, but with the spirit of Christs mouth, viz. the Word of his Gospell, so Z [...]inglius resp, as Sirothin to [...]. 2. fol. 302, declares the Word of God the mely instrument to overcome with, onica [...]a que viasola est, &c. The word is the onely way to subdue errors; therefore, saith he we suffer all the writings of the Papists to be spread and read, for the sword of the spirit shall destroy them all; what cause then, saith he, is more suspicious then ours, who would have even the Adversaries Doctrines publishea, that we may overthrow them with the word? or your who reproach us as hereticall and will not suffer ours to be published? this is our case now. Therefore as Luther wrote to the Dukes of Saxony, Epist. Tom 7. fol. 209, so do we humbly to you my Lord, I would not, saith he, but all have free Liberty, yet if any transgresse Gospell bounds, and would raise up seditions or wars against you, then you may suppresse them. So, my Lord, if we stir up people [...]o [...]sings, tumults, or carnal warfare, as men falsly charge us, then punish us a [...] you please, for it is contrary to our principles so to do) but to the spiritual works and warfare, wherein we are now ingaged, viz faith and prayer. Furthermore O [...] that you would not beleeve every report of the Ronti­s [...]ous or Fire-blowers of these our new troubles, against us. For as it was once said, the way to get preferment and places is to write or rail against Luther, as Eccius Coccius, &c. found it, Pauper Lutherus multes ficit divites, so do many Mony Merchants, and Mercenarians, see it at this day, the way to get prefermeus is to be forward against us and the poor despised Remnant. Now, my Lord, let not your ear be open to all their lies, and not once open to the Testimony of Truth on our side. will you be pleased to peruse a little those writings taken out of my S [...]udy, and satisfie your self concerning the truth of them, oculo irretorto, and not beleeve those bits [Page]and parts, which some Sycophants; probably, will acquaint you with, on purpose to irritate and inrage you against the truth, and Asserters of it. Too too many such Flatterers are about you my Lord! which makes our hearts to bleed for you! that justific the wicked for reward, and take away the righteensnesse of the righteous from him, Isayah 5th But if we have no hopes left to prevail with you, yet our heares are filled with hopes, and sure we are to prevail with God; our Appeal is in heaven, and the faith and prayer; which are up, (as high as ever since the world stood) either will bring forth your conversion; for Luther saith the Church converts, totun­mundum sanguins & oratione, or your confusion. For the death and de­struction of the Persecutors, was as it was said of the death of Arrius, pre­cationis opus non morbi. But if it be asked, what we would have you do, our present or Answer is; first advise with the Lord by faith and prayer, about 1 your former Declarations, and the good peoples expectations in your Clo­set a little) for it is said of Carelus Magnus (oh that the like might be said of you!) Plus cum Deo quam cum hominibus lequitur, 2 he loves more to be taking with God then with men, or any of his Court. 2. And then Proclaime Fast or solemae day of humiliation for the errors and sins past, as 1 Kings 21.27.29. it came to passe when Ahab heard those words he rent his clothes and fasted, and lay in sack cloth, &c. and the Lord said, seest thou how Ahab humbleth himselfe, because he humbleth himselfe before me I will not bring the evill in his dayes. And in 1 Sam. 12.19. The people said, Samuel pray for thy servants unto the Lord thy God that we dye not, for wee have added unto all our sins this evill, to aske a King, and why was this so great a sinne? see Sam. 8.5. they said make us a King, like as all the Na­tions about us have) And the Lord said, vers. 7. They have not rejected thee but they have rejected me, that I should not Reign over them; this was their great sin, seeing the Lord himselfe would have ruled them, and re­deceived the alone Absolute Government over them, upon which account Gideon (good man) refused it) Iudges 8.23. saying. I will not rule ever you, but the Lord shall rule ever you, 3. Furthermore, let a solemn day and duty be set apart to seek the Lord, for advice and Councell what to doe; which good Princes and people alwayes did upon straits and emurgencies of old, as Iudg. 7.23.27. shall we goe forward or cease (say they) so 2 Chron. 20 3. Iehosaphat feared, and set himselfe to seek [...] the Lord, did proclaimed a Fast throughout Iudah: so Ezra 8.23. the want of this makes so much complaint by the Lord, as in Amos 6.13. Yee rejoyce in a thing of nought saying, have we not taken to us horus by our own strength? And Hosea 8 4 They have set up Kings but not by me, and Princes and I know it not, that it without so much as asking it at my hands, or consulting with my word, or my Seers (as they should doe) but of their owne heads they have done this. Therefore let the Lord be sought to about these things, What to be done in order to return see­ing other things were justly expected from them that professed Christ; but the Summer is ended, yea the Harvest is past and we are not refreshed! O my Lord! trust not to such Flatterers as alwayes speak smooth Things to you, and prophesie deceitfully; O hear a little the Lords own Seers! via. the Ministers of the Vnction from an High [...]. And therefore let out [Page 12]the Lords Prisoners (whom the Churches are robbed of) viz. Mr. Feak and Mr. Simpson & that they may open to you the present vision of God given them in these things! according to the dispensation of the spirit! O hear them! once (at last) preach to you in the power of Iesus; [...]or whom (alone) they suffer, infirmities excepted, and by the word of the Lord try the spirit whither of God or no? for we are perswaded as long as they be in Prison you will be in blindness to the Truth, (Tanquam ad doctrinam peregrinam) Therefore let them have though but for a moneth or two, and though but half so much Liberty, to open the word of the Lord to you, as your Chaplains have, if they preach not the very Truth, and prove it to be so before all men imprison them again, Let out the Lords prisoners M. Feak M. Sim­son, Han. Trapnal now in Bride­wel for Christ. & us too with them in this cause; though hitherto we may say, as Luther said, Fideliter praedicare nihil alind est quam furorem mun­di in se derivare, our Faithful preaching hath raised up fury against us. O my Lord! think of these things; these are the swords that pierce thorow our very souls, we sue not for our own lives, but for yours herein; did not Pharaoh send for Ioseph out of prison, to interpret his dream? Gen. 41. and Belshassar send for Dan. chap 5. to open his vision, yea and preferd him too, though Daniel declared his ruine, according to vision; Surely, surely, you wil find it then, the wisdom of God is more excellent then the arts & sciences of the wise men about you. But if you wil yet go on, adexitium potius quam ad exercitium, after all our bleeding intreaties, and be hardned up by the dan­gerous counsel of your own Reason or them about you, then my Lord, our souls shal mourn in secret for you, as for one desperately lost indeed, and we shal proceed to bear our testimony against the sins of the times; for our ap­peals hangs in heaven, and we cannot recall it, yea as Luther once said, Quo magis illi furunt eo amplius precede, the more men rage, the more resolute we hope to be in our Appeals saith & prayer to our JEHOVAH, continu­ing up the Altar ED for a witness, between us and our Adversaries; yea & come if need be as the Christians did by whole Troops to Arrius Antonious proclaiming themselves Christians, Our Re­solution and offering themselves up to the death for the Truth: Being assured in our very souls, though we now mourn we shall rejoice with joy unspeakable and [...]ull of glory, Luctus in laetitiam convertetur, lachrymae in risum, sa [...]cus in sericum cineres in corellas & ungu­entum, jejunium in epulum, et [...]anuum retortio in applausum, In the meantime I beseech you my Lord pardon infirmities, for God hath pardon'd them, & own what God owns, that's truth: For potius in ardentem regum in siluere, quam ullum peccatum in deum commisero, as one said, I had rather, the Lord knows I think, leap into a bonfire, then wilfully commit wickednesse or sin against God, yea mallem obedire quam miracula facere, as Luther said, I had rather be obedient to my God then work miracles, and surely my Lord, will you be a little serious, you will say that it is Conscience to our duty which doth altogether prompt us to this present contest, for the truth, Cause, and inte­rest of our dear Lord Iesus the King of Saints, and Nations, wherein I am heartily desirous, to be ready to live or die, which my Master, whom I serve will have me herein, without the least tit [...]le or compound of Fraud, or Flattery. So far as I may,