not pledg'd a health of the waters of forgetfulnesse to his Majesties successe in his Prerogative designes look back a little to former times surely it was not in the former age that you have or at least seem to forget how his majesty hath writ to his Parliament sometimes calling them his Parliament of England sitting at Westminster suddainly after in his printed Declarations the pretended Houses anon after his Parliament at Westminster within a while after Rebels Traitours men that seek the ruine of him and his and as for London is it not notoriously known how he hath call'd it that rebellious City prohibiting all trading with it throughout his quarters endeavouring the utter ruine and spoile of it how many times hath he offered the spoyles of London as the wages of those who would help him on in his designe which his soule so longs for How many stories to this purpose may you read in a late Book called Truth its Manifest which as some say calls a Scotch brother the father thereof which affirmes that once he viz. the King plotted with his Army which he raised against the Scots to come and destroy the Parliament of England and to take the spoyle of London for their reward p. 17. line ult and after that tempts the Scots to comply with him in his designed worke and offers unto them for recompence not only the spoyle of London but also the foure Counties neare adjacent unto their Countrey to be adjoyned hereafter to it c. pag. the eighteenth line 4. and can a Court Complement so strangely intoxicate the chief City of the Kingdome of England as now to be ensnared and entangled thereby But you will say we have now deeds as well as words his Majesty is come to our Parliaments Quarters hath committed himself to our own Armies is in safe Custody with our faithfull friends our Scotch Brethren This must be premised that we will not question the love and faithfulnesse truth and integrity of our Scotch Brethren for although First seldome ever any Nation came in to the help of this Kingdome in its necessity against the Enemies thereof that did willingly depart the same upon termes of love amity and friendship the milk and honey of this Land of Canaan I meane the riches and treasures thereof being a snare upon them and although Secondly we have been often upbraided by the malignant party formerly vext at the Scots forwardnesse to help the Parliament that we should boast of their love when they departed from us and that they would at last prove our deare Brethren indeed and although Thirdly further jealousies are still fomented by the common people from severall passages from our Scotch Brethren as the continuall rumour of their keeping our English garrisons in their own hands sore abuses of the English people by the Scotch souldiers the keeping back of Ashburnham and the escape of Hudson from the Scots hands the encreasing rumor of many Scots come into the Kingdom whether true or false we know not with severall notions of this nature although these are jealousies of the fearfull people yet can we hardly suppose that our deare Brethren after so many Protestations of their brotherly love such an obligation by so sacred and solemne a Covenant such a profession of piety and holinesse such zeale for a blessed reformation that after all this they should prove our enemies false deceitfull self-seekers making Religion and zeale of reformation a meere pretence for base designes no doubtlesse they very well know that that God which hath beaten the prophanenesse of this Kingdome with rods will scourge such hypocrisie with Scorpions that they will then prove the first-borne of abominations both to God and man the scorne and odium of all Nations wee are full of hopes that it cannot stand with many things wee have seene in them therefore this premised though we doe not question our Scots brethrens love and respects to the Parliament yet have wee the same reason to thinke so well of his Majesties love as of the Scots Let our reasons and judgements give an answer to this question Had his Majesty no fine designe in this was he as cordiall to the Kingdomes good as wee hope our Brethren are If so why then doth he not give present order to all his Garrisons in all the Kingdome for their present surrender unto the Parliaments Forces as he did to the enemy in Scotland without any conditions You will say He hath done so We answer Not so absolutely but upon honorable termes and what is this more then a delusion a casting a mist to amaze the the people What meanes he by honorable terms There is no doubt but that all the Garrisons in his Majesties quarters might long before this have been surrendred the warres concluded and all ended upon that which his Majesty calls honorable terms doe not his poore subjects still lie a bleeding If his Majesty be so cordiall to the Kingdomes peace how is it that the Malignants every where and our profest enemies in the Kings Garrisons rejoyce hereat wil not surrender stand upon their terms professing themselves in a better capacity to keep and maintain his Majesties cause against the Parliament then ever they were in since the New Modell began Can his Majesties going to the Scots all things considered be so full satisfaction to reasonable men of his reall intentions for the Parliaments cause Hath he not addrest himself by many attempts secret insinuations frequent tamperings to Danes Dutch French Irish English to Papists Prelats Protestants Independents Presbyterians to accomplish his designe What stone hath he left unturned what means unattempted to promote the same Doe not you think his coming to the Scotch Army was a new design a last cast one game more which if it miscarry all is lost Alas alas what security doth his Majesty give you more then his word And is this so forcing in Londons eyes Doe you hear of any reall remorse upon his heart any relentings for the innocent bloud that hath been spilt by his meanes Have you any hear-say of his personall reformations What 's become of Londons reason Had you not as good words concerning the bleeding condition of his distressed subjects and his hearty endeavours for the peace of the Kingdome in the midst of his hottest violence against the Parliament as he hath given you now Call to mind your former experiences the several transactions in the Scottish Irish and English warres have not the deepest designes and fairest words the most desperate and horrible actions and the most zealous professions deepest imprecations and strange protestations been alwayes discovered at the same time Shall London now be charm'd by these into its own misery perpetuall slavery and utter undoing as most undoubtedly the truth will be if Englands Parliament should now be discouraged Shall London that hath stood out so nobly been a speciall instrument in the Parliaments hands to save the Kingdome spent so much treasure
lost so much bloud stood so fast in the libertie that God hath given them and would not be entangled with the yoke of bondage be now bewitch'd as it were into its own misery and utter undoing Shall the glory of your former fame be throwne in the dust your gallant resolutions and unparallel'd transactions be all buried in the grave of oblivion and at the last gasp as it were of our enemies hopes London should revive their fainting spirits and put life into their dying hearts Shall the whole Kingdome that was almost ready in all its quarters consulting of tokens of thankfulnesse to congratulate with London for all its love and care paines and purses and their generall safety through Gods blessings the fruit hereof throw by these thoughts and with sad hearts and pale faces wringing hands and running eyes tell their wives and children friends and neighbours Woe and alas London will ruine us London begins to decline the Parliament London begins to close with the King London is fild with the Malignants language London Remonstrates to the Parliaments prejudice Will not this prove the perpetuall language of succeeding ages that if London should now desert the Parliament and tyranny once get up in the throne by means hereof Londons Citie is Englands woe Fourthly You further acknowledge the particular assurance this honourable House hath again given the whole Land in their late Declaration to lay hold on the first opportunity of procuring a safe and well-grounded Peace in the three Kingdomes which you doubt not but this honourable House will pursue with all speedy dispatch of Propositions to His Majesty now whilst God doth so mercifully and miraculously goe along with your Armies in all the parts of the Kingdome That Declaration that gave you this assurance assured you likewise whence it was the thing was not done but suppose that providence quite altering the state of affaires the Parliament judge Propositions for Peace are not now so sutable so seasonable as then they were when they promised the same must not they judge what is most meet to be done in such a case Propositions for Peace are to be tendred to enemies not to friends doth his Majesty continue the Parliaments enemy if so his comming to our Quarters is evidently then a designe of mischiefe and not of peace and the truth is an enemy will doe more mischiefe in his adversaries quarters then in his own but if he be our enemy and yet in our hands such Propositions as before were tendred may not consist with wisdome and policie to tender now the case is altered the Market is fallen men will not give for the commoditie thereof as they would before now you see his Majesty is in our own quarters and God doth mercifully and miraculously goe along with our Armies in all the parts of the Kingdome Fifthly You minde the Parliament of our brethren of Scotland how they were first invited to engage with this Kingdome in Gods cause when yet they were at peace at home in what Covenant this Nation is mutually linked with them at what time in relation both to the weak condition of our Forces then and the season of the yeare they adventured upon an Enemy warmly lodged and well armed and prepared what they have since suffered for this Cause in their own Kingdome how succesfull ever since God hath made our Forces in suppressing the Common Enemies of both Nations and what present hopes wee have of a well-setled Peace while wee continue in this mutuall Amitie And then cannot but lament the many jealousies which the Enemies of our Peace Vnion and good Government doe now strive to beget between both Nations and tremble at the sad effects thereof if not timely prevented by the wisdome of the Parliament of both Kingdomes It is most true their love and kindnesse is never to be forgotten for although it is true First that both they and wee are embarqu'd in one and the selfe-same vessell and wee sinke and swim stand and fall together and Englands misery will be Scotlands woe so that what ever they have done for us it is virtually for themselves and although Secondly these miserable warres and bloudy blowes which fell upon us were first attempted for our Scotch brethren but Englands Parliament then in beeing would not consent to such unnaturall warres and by that means kept off the blows from our Scotch Brethren as all can witnesse and although Thirdly this Kingdome hath been likewise ready to helpe the Scots in a former case of their like necessitie against their enemies as is most apparent by authentick Histories and a forme of thanksgiving formerly appointed by the Church of Scotland for the good successe of their English ayde a Copie whereof is added at the end of this Book that wee may ever observe the due care both Kingdomes should have for the mutuall peace and prosperitie of both Kingdomes and although Lastly we must not look so much on our Brethrens successes as their good intentions measuring their love by their endeavours and not events yet let that mouth be for ever shut up and that hand wither which shall maliciously speak or write the least word to foment jealousies between both Kingdomes and confident I am that this heavie curse will fall upon none but that party who joyne issue with the old designe of promoting their personall Interests and base ends of Honour and greatnesse in the publick misery Sixthly you say you cannot but with reverence look upon this Honourable House as trusted with a great share of the supreme power of this Kingdome and as it is the representative of the whole Nation out of which and by whom the Members thereof are chosen doe fixe your hearts the more upon the same and doe by the mercy of God so long as this Kingdome doth adhere to our Covenant promise your selves now and in all future ages great blessings and assurances from the endeavours and labours of this Honourable House and in regard of this dignity of Trust you have and doe submit to all Priviledges of Parliament yet because it may now become a Tenure for life if this priviledge should be so made use of by such Members of Parliament as owe great summes of Money and protect divers under them as Servants Attendants Officers yea and their Servants if all these should be exempted from course of Law how many Citizens of London and other Subjects of this Kingdome may be undone you doe therefore with all Duty and Thankfulnesse put this Honourable House in minde that in a Remonstrance to the Kingdome 15. December 1642. you find this expression viz. That for the matter of Protections the Parliament is so sensibe of it that therein they intend to give whatsoever ease may stand with Honour and Justice and are in a way of passing a Bill to give satisfaction concerning the same Is it the great share this Honourable House hath of the supreme power of this Kingdome which makes you looke
conformitie with us then in such a case to conforme to them But Lastly It 's as cleare as the Sunne that the true intent of the solemne League and Covenant was a more plaine discovery of the Parliaments enemies and not for a snare to the Parliaments friends and as touching reformation in matters spirituall and ecclesiasticall to root out Popery Prelacy Superstition Heresie Schisme and prophanenesse and God forbid but that all these in a due and Christian way should be endeavoured against But are wee bound by this to ruine the Parliaments friends who loveth not their lives unto death in the Parliaments cause Men cordiall to the State conscientious in Religion yea holy godly learned and that by the testimony of their hottest adversaries and for no other reason but their non-resolution to sweare subjection to what they know not as if the tender conscience was the troubler of Israel when the want hereof is the onely plague of this wicked world the naming whereof is an evident offence yea no lesse then a provocation unto these angry Remonstrants who can hardly beare it even from the pen of the Parliament of England This is the second ground of our utter dislike of the narrative part of this Petition Thirdly You tell the people in print as well as the Parliament by your written Remonstrance what Vowes you have made in the Covenant as well as in former Protestations to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of the Parliament and the Liberties of the Kingdomes and to preserve and defend the Kings Majesties Person and Authority in the Preservation and Defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdomes that the world may beare witnesse with your Consciences of your Loyalty and that you have no thoughts or intentions to diminish His Majesties just power and greatnesse and doe humbly rest in the assurances you have received in the many former Declarations of both Houses concerning their intentions towards his Majesty his Royall Posteritie and the Peace of this Kingdome But to what end is all this is it to call for the popular testimony of your constant care you ever have had of the Parliaments Priviledges if it was meet for us to remember what the Parliament have forgotten to unvaile for detection what in love they have buried in oblivion you very well know what truth can say to this particular Is it to call for a popular observation of the Parliaments neglect of their obliged care not to diminish his Majesties just power and greatnesse As for the Parliament let envie her selfe disgorge her poyson and speake her worst nay in this case speak Malignants speak the Oxfordian Aulicus but first consider a word or two what an unnaturall warre hath been raised amongst us how managed on the Kings side how maintained how much innocent bloud split in the three Kingdomes what slanders have been cast upon the Parliament of England how they have been written remonstrated and declared again and again Traytors Rebells a pretended Parliament and what not how the * The Author of Truth it 's manifest positively affirmes that his Majestie himselfe sent a Commission from Scotland sealed with the Sâ—ots broad Seale unto the Irish Rebells to authorize them in that bloudy work Page the 20. Irish Scottish and English warres did rise what murtherings killing and slaughtering the poore subjects what tearings rendings and crippling the poor people what burning wasting and plundering mens estates how many poore distressed and afflicted fatherlesse and widows are made what wofull bitter and sad complaints and showers of teares are shed in corners and secret closets by many men whose former quality with the remembrance thereof makes them wipe their eyes and counterfeit cheerfulnesse in the sight of men What tamperings with forein Nations for the utter ruine and perpetuall enslaving of the three Kingdomes to an arbitrary power what evident plaine and palpable detections to the perfect discharge of all doubts and scruples from whom and whence all this hath been the relating whereof will fill volumes and will be the affecting subject of the Readers heart in another age and yet how tender hath the Parliament been still to maintaine his Majesties honour by charging all upon his evill Counsellors making him meerly passive and onely seduc'd as if altogether innocent notwithstanding all this almost to the very regret of charity it selfe And as for their care of his Majesties royall posterity bloud and family how carefull have they been for the princely education of his Majesties children within their quarters their bountifull provision and noble respects for and to his Majesties Sister and her royall family All this considered and many things more which may be asserted I challenge againe the desperatest Malignant in Citie or Kingdome on this side the grave to let his tongue articulate his Consciences thoughts and give an answer whether the Parliament hath not had a tender care to his Majesties honour his bloud and family Doe you rest in the assurance you have concerning the Parliaments intentions about the peace of the Kingdome why are they then interrupted in their worke are not they in the fairest way to a happy peace that ever they were in since the warres began and will you now obstruct them herein doth this course of yours promote in the least the publicke peace what now to discourage the Parliament now to presse them in all haste unto a suddaine enfeebling their strength by crushing a considerable party of as cordiall friends as ever they had since the warres began and that because they will not sweare a submission unto that Church Government which neither they nor your selves yet understand Presbyteriall Government the Modell whereof is yet unseen Is this your requitall for their winters worke have not you lived shall I say by the sweat of their browes nay by the expence of their blood is this in lieu of their promised arrears what have they been walls and Bulwarks to you and will you prove briers and thornes to them have they watch'd whilst you sleep hazarded danger for your peace undergone such separations from their wives and children friends and Families such hardships of hunger and thirst cold and nakednesse lived in the valley and shadow of death for yours and the Kingdomes sake and shall London be the unworthy pattern of inhumane unthankfulnesse to the whole Kingdome You rest satisfied in the assurance of the Parliaments respects to the King but doe you rest so satisfied in the like assurance of the Kings respects unto the Parliament Let your Consciences speak are you so satisfied if so what is the ground of this perswasion is it because of his late good words fair sweet and pleasant lines he hath written to his Parliament of England sitting at Westminster or to his right trusty and well beloved the Lord Major Aldermen and common-Counsell of London how can London be thus deluded is the word of a King now so taking in Londons thoughts If you have