England yea almost all Laws divine and humane violated The people of England opprest with Free-Quarter and Taxes and the union and brotherly correspondence betwixt the Kingdoms much weakened and endeavoured to be taken away And being very sensible of the many injuries and affronts done to this Nation their Army and those imployed by them weighing also well how fruitlesse all their endeavours by way of Treaty and Messages for curing those evils and removing those differences had proven and how little regard was had to our Commissioners and their endeavours at London of late Thought it high time to look to their own preservation and to put this Kingdom into a posture of Arms. Yet before any further Engagement they resolved to try if by the Three just and necessary Demands of the 26. of Aprill made to the Houses of Parliament it were possible in an amicable way to compose those differences and provide for the security of Religion of His Majesty and of the peace and union of the Kingdoms To the which had a satisfactory Answer been returned all the Inconveniencies that may ensue might have been prevented which we have still since that time patiently expected But in stead of security to Religion according to the Covenant against the dangers on all hands In stead of freeing His Majesty from his base imprisonment that he may come to some of his houses in or neer London with Honour Freedom and Safety where both Kingdoms may make their applications to him for setling Religion and a well-grounded Peace In stead of disbanding the Army of Sectaries by whose power and tyrannie all those evils are come upon us and further threaten us without taking any notice at all of what upon so just and necessary grounds we demanded without any reparation given of the many injuries done to this Kingdome and those imployed by them or any Answer to that demand made by our Commissioners Whether it was intended that His Majesty should bee debarred from exercising any act of Government in relation to this Kingdom Or whether Scots men imployed and allowed by Scotland might have free accesse to him In stead we say of all these we have received three Propositions to be presented to His Majesty that after His Majesty assent thereto and to such Acts of Parliament as shall be offered by both Houses for confirmation thereof then both Houses will treat with his Majesty without telling him or us where or with what security to either concerning the future settlement of the Government of the Church and the settlement of the Militia and the rest of the Propositions formerly tendered at Hampton-Court And a desire from the English Commissioners residing here for us to prepare such Propositions as we shall judge fit and necessary for this Kingdom that they may be sent to His Majesty with all convenient speed They did also communicate to us some Votes of the two Houses and the Committee of Estates told them That they could return no Answer till first they received satisfaction to the Demands of this Kingdom of the 26. of April And these are as little satisfied Religion the King and his Kingdoms as little secured and the solid grounds of a Religious and good Peace as little provided for now as formerly We shall not much insist on the particulars of these three Propositions Our Commissioners did on some of them so fully expresse themselves especially that of the Militia in their late Answer to the Propositions before they went to the I le of Wight which we here hold as repeated But we cannot conceale how very unsatisfactory that concerning Religion is and we are sorry to see other Interests still so carefully provided for and so little security to Religion which indeed was the main and principall cause of our Engagement in the late warres In these Propositions we still find the Covenant omitted one end of it only mentioned by way of Narrative and the Propositions for Uniformity according to the Covenant with all the other Propositions of Religion left to the future Treaty and all that is now desired is That Presbyteriall Government be confirmed by Act of Parliament in such manner as both Houses of Parliament have agreed in severall Ordinances of Parliament That is to say c. The Commissioners of the Parliament and Generall Assembly of this Kingdome have severall times exprest their sense of these Ordinances which we shall not here repeat But we doubt this new c. be of a larger extent and relates to that impious Toleration setled by both Houses so contrary to Covenant so destructive to the ends of it and for ought we know not yet repealed against which this Kingdom hath so fully declared in the forementioned Answer to the new Propositions for it was then brought in as a part of the Proposition for setling Presbyteriall Government as the way that both the Houses then agreed to And seeing the same over-awing power continues which first brought in that Toleration avowedly we have reason to apprehend it still remains but is now covered rolled up in this new c. And we have the greater reason to be unsatisfied that Presbyteriall Government is only demanded for three years and in the end of the Propositions it is professed that the Houses will treat with his Majesty concerning the future settlement of the Government of the Church without relating to the Covenant as a rule of the Government or the Propositions formerly agreed upon by both Kingdoms but in such a generall as may overthrow all the Reformation established and open a door to Hierarchy or Anarchy to Episcopacie or Independencie and to Toleration All abjured in our solemn Covenant And seeing no satisfaction is given to the so just necessary demands of the Parliament of the 26 of April either for Religion or the Kings Majesty but that Religion is still in as much hazard as ever the King still barbarously detained in his base imprisonment and as we are credibly informed daily in hazard of his life by Treachery and Poyson and that Army of Sectaries the great cause of all our evills and dangers still kept up strengthned and a great part of it now marched close to our Border Though this Kingdome shall never be averse from giving and receiving mutuall satisfaction by Treaty yet we cannot agree to these Propositions nor joyn with the two Houses in presenting of them to His Majesty whilst neither King nor Parliament enjoy their liberties THEREFOR we can no longer as unconcerned spectators be witnesses to the losse and ruine of all which by the oath of God that lies upon us in our solemn League and Covenant and by many other obligations we are bound to endeavour to preserve And the ends being now the same for which we were invited and in prosecution whereof we lost so much Blood did undergoe so many hardships and so much impoverished our own country and being engaged by the joynt Declaration of both kingdomes never to
lay down Armes till Truth and Peace be setled in the Iland upon a firm foundation for the present and future Generations being also invited thereunto by many of that kingdom joyned in Covenant with us Our forces are again in England and in discharge of our duties to God our Native King our own country and our Brethren in England we have undertaken this so necessary engagement in prosecution of those just pious and loyall ends to which we are so solemnly sworn And although we have not at all departed from our good old Principles and that our Demands and Desires are contained in our severall Declarations Papers and addresses this time past to the Houses of Parliament yet seeing by the malice of our enemies many false and scandalous aspersions are cast upon us our Actions and intentions traduced and jealousies raised in the minds of many good though too credulous men both at home annd abroad for satisfaction of all that are satisfiable and to witnesse the sincerity of our intentions and resolutions we shall here repeat our most material desires and the grounds of our undertakings 1. We declare before God and all the world that we are resolved sincerely really constantly to maintain and preserve inviolably with the hazard of our Lives and Fortunes and all that is dearest unto us the Reformation of Religion in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government as it is by the mercy of God and his Majesties goodnesse established by Law amongst us and never to suffer it by fraud or force to be taken from us nor yet to endure the bringing in of Episcopacy the Book of Common Prayer or any other of these Innovations and Superstitions thrown out of this Church as some have bin so impudent to averre And also with the same sincerity reality and constancy in our places and callings to the uttermost of our power faithfully to endeavour the confirming what is already done in the work of Reformation establishing the Covenant and attaining all the ends of it in England and Ireland particularly Reformation of Religion and Uniformity according to the Covenant 2. We doe also declare that we will endeavour the Rescue of his Majesties Person from his base imprisonment that he may come with Honour Freedome and Safety to some of his own Houses in or near London that the Parliaments of both kingdomes may make their applications to him for obtaining his Royall Assent to such desires as shal be by them presented to him for establishing Religion as is above exprest and setling a well-grounded Peace that so his Majesty may live in the Splendor and Glory of his Royall Progenitours as beseemeth his Royall Place and Dignity That all differences and troubles may end in mutuall confidence and rejoycing the King may enjoy the comfort of his Royall Consort and children with other contentments And We after so great distractions and long continued sufferings may reap the blissed fruits of Truth and Peace under his Government For however the late procedure of this kingdome may have been misunderstood yet God knowes that we have never admitted of any thoughts to the prejudice of our Gracious Soveraign his Person and Government to whom we pray that the Lord would grant a long and happy Reign and that there may not want one of his seed to rule over us rightly and to sit upon his Throne while the Sun and the Moon endureth 3. That the two Houses of Parliament may be restored to their Freedome that all Members who have been faithfull to this Cause may freely and safely attend their charges That the Parliament being Masters of their own Counsels and Results they may together with the advice and consent of the kingdome of Scotland conclude in a Treaty with his Majesty all other things expedient to a thorough setlement 4. That the City of London which hath expended so much in Blood and Treasure may have their former Propositions presented to the King at Oxford and Newcastle and prest as was formerly intended 5. That the Army of Sectaries under the command of Thâ—… Lord Fairfax of Camron be disbanded and none employed either in relation to the prosecution of the War in Ireland or the necessary Garrisons and forces but such as have or shall take the Covenant and are well affected to Religion and Government that so the people of England may be eased of taxes free quarter and other great Impositions under which they have so long groaned 6. And although the interest of Religion King and Kingdoms and the setling of a solid Peace be the cause of this undertaking yet we do not doubt but due regard will be had to the concernments of Scotland contained in our severall former demands both in relation to what is due to this Kingdom and their Armies here and in Ireland as also what is necessary for the better safety union and Government of the Kingdomes We have now exprest the true grounds and reasons of this Engagement and the Ends we propose to our selves And we doe expect that none who will not declare themselves Enemies to God the King the Parliament and peace of these kingdomes will oppose us in this so pious and necessary an undertaking And therefore wee hope all jealousies and misunderstandings wâ—ll be laid aside and that we shall meet with a hearty concurrence both of all the Subjects of this kingdom and our Brethren of England And we doe declare That it shall be our endeavour to protect in their persons and goods all of the English Nation who shall joyn in Covenant with us and for prosecution of those Ends and that we doe no prejudice nor use violence to none as farre as we are able but such as oppose us or those Ends above mentioned Particularly we shall endeavour that the Arrears due to all Souldiers who have served the Parliament of England in this Cause excepting such as have engaged and abetted the Army in their courses and shall not immediately desert them may have their accounts audited part of the Arrears payed and security for the rest with full indempnity And because our Army will be necessitated to live upon the Country untill a Regular course be taken for their maintenance Wee doe declare that it shall be our care that they carry themselves as soberly and be as little burthensome as is possible and before we return we shall labour to see the Northern Counties satisfied for what extraordinary burthens they sustain To conclude We declare before God and the world That we resolve by Gods assistance in all our proceedings never to break on our parts the union betwixt the kingdomes nor to encroach upon the Nationall rights of the Subjects of England or entrench upon their just Liberties much lesse is it our intention at all to make a Nationall enengagement against the Parliament and kingdom of England but for them whose freedome priviledges and happinesse shall ever be as dear to us as our own And our desires being provided for and secured then immediately our Army shall depart the kingdome of England and return peaceably home again whereof we have twice already given real testimonies our intentions being ever the same with our professions resolving still to continue stedfast in the prosecution of them for the accomplishment whereof we shall be ready to sacrifice both our Lives and Fortunes ARCH PRIMEROSE FINIS
Massey 167 Presbyterian Officers engaged for Ireland and gave obedience to the commands of the Parliament but on a sudden the Sectaries of that Army drew themselves together entred into a solemn Engagement against the Resolutions of the Parliament cashiered all the Prerbyterian Officers who had adhered to the Parliament or subscribed for Inland placed Sectaries in their Charges erected a supreme Councel of Agitators and then grew indeed into a compleat new Modell Soon thereafter a Party out of severall Regiments commanded by a Tailor a Cornet of theirs one Joyce violently seized on the Person of the King and carried him from his house at Holdenby against his own will and the Protestation of the Commissioners then attending upon him and against the declared resolutions of both Kingdoms and though this action was at first disavowed by the GENERALL yet it appears to have been done by some under-hand Warrant for the King was kept still within the Army's Quarters strong Guards placed about him and when the Houses thought fit to command the Army not to come within thirty miles of London and to Vote his Majesties comming to Richmond They by threatning Messages forced the recalling of these Votes and carried the King along with them to Hatsield and other places at their pleasure The Houses did then justly think it necessary to look to their own preservation lest they should be served as his Majesty was And upon the 11. of June 1647. they appointed a Committee of Safety to meet with the Militia of London and consider upon the preservation of the Parliament and City the great work of the Army being to New-model the Parliament as well as they had done Themselves and to subdue and enslave that great and glorious City In order whereunto they first began with a false frivolous general Charge against divers Members of the Houses eminent for affection actions in this Cause and violently prest their suspension from the House but upon a full and free debate it was Voted to be against the Law to suspend any Member upon a generall Charge without bringing in and proving of particulars This procedure did not fit the Armies occasions Therefore by severall threatning Messages That they would march to Westminster That they would purge the House and that they must take extraordinary courses They force the Houses to recall their Votes for a Committee of safety to disband what forces they had drawn together under Presbyterian Officers they compell the eleven Members to withdraw from their attendance in the House And the Militia of London at the unanimous desire of the Common-Counsel being then setled in the hands of such persons as the City might most conside in the Army to perfect their designs upon them enforces the Houses to a new modell of that Militia Having thus in their power the Person of His Majestie and having overawed the Parliament and City they disperse themselves in the severall Counties about London list and raise daily more forces and revolves to settle or rather to alter and subvert Religion and Government after their own will as is held forth in their Proposalls which they first presented to His Majestie and afterwards sent them to the Houses as that which they would have the ground of Peace But the City was so enraged at the change of the Militia that they came down to Westminster to petition against it and the Prentices who had learned from the Army the powerfullest Arguments to perswade came in multitudes and prest the granting of the Common-Counsells Petition Thus on the 26th of July 1647 the Houses again setled the Militia as formerly many in London entered into an in Engagement but the Militia of London quieted all Tumults setled orderly guards and the next day the House of Commons sate quietly yet it was resolved by that partie that the two Speakers and the friends of the Army should flie thither which they did The Houses notwithstanding sate choosed new Speakers revived the Committee of safety and put themselves in a posture of defence and upon the desires of the Commissioners of this Kingdom they invited His Majestie to come to London with Honour Freedome and Safety The Army drew together refused to own the Parliament declared against them printed their own Proposalls cryed out against a new War And in the mean time them and their friends that lied to them being engaged by a writing to live and die together marched up against the Parliament and City who seemed to have been in a readinesse to oppose them untill by the endeavours of some that were better friends to the Sectaries then to the Parliament and City by their many adresses to the Army â—nd returns the City was surrendered and the Sectaries having â—rought up the Speakers and Members that fled to them marched in triumph through London with Laurells in their hats Sir Thomas Fairfax was made Captain-Generall of all England Constable of the Tower of London and Commander of all the Garrisons in England he put out an honest faithfull Citizen and put in a Sectary Livetenant of the Tower and then they fell afresh upon the purging of the House as they called it Seven Lords were impeached of a new pretended Treason the eleven Members forced to flie and after a fourtnights debate and being often carried in the negative for a little Liberty yet remained At last by a threatning Declaration from the Army and the Sword-mens coming into the House all Orders past in absence of the old Speakers were repealed and some of the activest of the Houses the Lord Major three honest Aldermen and dâ—vers Common-Counsellours of London charged and imprisoned the Officers of the City altered and all upon generall accusations for raising a new War but indeed really for being zealous for the ends of the Covenant and for defence of the Priviledges yea the being of the Parliament against the violence and insolence of this Shismatick Army The liberty of the Parliament being thus destroyed by their own Servants contrary to their many professions the famous City of London enslaved to Sectaries and not onely those priviledges taken from them which by their faithfulnesse to the Parliament and with the expense of so much Blood and Treasure they had merited but even their ancient Liberties troaden on and all things governed at Westminister and London according to order from the Court of War who also by a raigning spirit of Levelling Democraty were or seemed to be over-ruled be the new-supreme Counsell of Agitators who had been Souldiers and now were turned superlative Commanders As the labour of the Independant Junto was to court the people and the souldiery by Declarations and engagements which they assoon falcified and even to trade with the Papists as was informed so they studied to interest the Kings party and cajolled some of them to purpose that were most obnoxtious to the Parliament and excepted in the Propositions But they soon manifested to the World what their intentions were