not been wanting in contributing due and cheerful assistance towards suppressing
the Common enemy, even much beyond proportion) have long waited with
much patience, on those from whom we hoped for relief, yet have had no deliverance:
But as in Egypt Pharaoh dyed, and another that knew not Joseph arose in
his stead, who afflicted Israel; even so, in our Parliament, many of our worthy
patriots are dead, and such new Members come in their room, as have doubled
our afflictions; as in particular, they have gathered in our moneys under pretext
to pay your Excellencies Souldiers, but have kept the moneys, and made us keep
the souldiers; some also chosen by this County, have strongly endeavored to hinder
the success of such means as hath been used to secure the county, writing down
to the parl. Committee, to desist raising money, thereby to discourage the Souldiers
for want of pay, when indeed we were in great danger to be overrun, an
enemy being then (as it were) in our bosoms; besides the great indignities put
upon many, who with all uprightness and faithfulness have served the publick,
by sequestring, and secluding them from those Offices and imployments, wherein
they were most usefull, as Committees, Commissioners, &c. And giving countenance
and incouragement to such as might rather be esteemed enemies, and
dangerous to the State, by making them Justices of the Peace, Committees. Commissioners,
&c. which makes us more then suspect they had no good design upon
us; and when we consider what Ordinances have past the Houses for suppressing
the Book of Common prayer, and how long Members of Parliament at our Counties
Sessions, have not only reasoned, and pleaded for those Laws which binde
the people in conformity thereunto, but punished diverse by imprisonment, for not
observing the same: we can in reason expect no case, but rather torture for tender
conscience: but above all, we must needs look upon the late Treaty, wherein
they so strongly engaged, as the most prodigious and horrid thing they could
have attempted, to the utter, and inevitable ruin of the whole Kingdom, and their
own perpetual shame and Infamy, especially, if their Declaration of no more Addresses
have any truth in it.
We therefore humbly beseech your Excellency (whom by many sweet experiences
we have found to be Pater Patrie, a Friend and Father to your countrey )to
look upon our miserable distresses and distractions, with a tender and regardfull
eye, to take care for the speedy settlement of our almost ruined Nation. To make
good your severall Declarations, Remonstrances, and Proposals lately set forth,
(that we may not languish in a tedious expectation of benefit by them) not forgetting
your ingaged care, that the Petitions presented to your Excellency and
the House, by the wel-wishers to the publick, especially that of 27 Heads, of
the 11 of September last, may have their timely consideration. That Justice may
be administred to all, and that those that have been Capitall offenders, may have
due punishment, and be presidents to future Generations: More particularly,
that secure and timely provision be made against persecution for conscience sake,
by the usurped power of the Magistrate, as also against the exercise of Arbinary,
power, over any mans person, or Estate, and against them tollerable oppression of
tythes free-quarter, &c.
And in your Excellencies prosecution of these, or the like things, as matters
of Justice and Freedom, (though it should be in wayes extraordinary)
your Petitioners will stand by you, and assist you with their Estates
and Lives.