2. That you would be very circumspect, in reserving from the power and trust
of succeeding Representatives, such particulars as are mentioned in the said Agreement.
Chiefly, that we may not be compelled to any thing about Matters of
Faith, nor restrained from the Profession thereof in the exercise of Religion,
nothing being more neer and dear unto us; by intrenching upon which proceeding,
Parliaments have very much violated the Liberties of the People; kept the
Nation in ignorance; occasioned frequent Divisions, Wars, and the miserable
Consequences thereof: And that all other grievances, as are generally complained
of, May either by the Agreement be removed, or proposed therein, to be taken away
by the succeeding Representative, in such a maner, as that the people may, as neer
as may, be ascertained of their removal.
3. That the Commissioners of the Militia, the Deputy Lieutenants, Sheriffs,
Justices of the Peace in this County, and all other places, may be chosen by the welaffected
inhabitants thereof, and that all such as have assisted the King in purse or
person, or appeared in the late tumultuous engagement for a personal Treaty, or that
have otherwise abetted the same, or that may be charged with any probable suspigion
of evils to their countrey, may upon a penalty be for a time prohibited from
being chusers, and made uncapable of being chosen into any the aforesaid places,
or tru[nl]sts, that so such as have expressed a constant good affection to their Countrey,
and hazarded themselves in times of its greatest necessities, may no longer be
trampled upon by their haughty and imperious Adversaries: That all dangers of
Future insrructions in this County, and elsewhere, may be prevented, and the
hands of yours, and this counties friends, strengthened. And that just accounts
may be taken of this Counties disbursments, and its real friends distinguishment,
from such as under a Cloak thereof, are its secret, and worst of enemies.
Lastly, We humbly desire that your Excellency would make a due construction
of what we here present unto you, as proceeding from the integrity of our hearts,
and that you would use the most speedy and effectual means for the accomplishment
of our Desires: So shall we think our former miseries well recompensed, and
daily blesse God for the happy deliverance, which by your means he hath vouchsased
to us: But if you shall now lose this opportunity, which God hath wonderfully put
into your hands, and thereby give up this almost ruined Nation, into the hands of
its mercilesse enemies. God may shew you, when too late, your sayling, and finish
our deliverance some otherway : Therefore we again most humbly and earnestly
intreat, That these our Just Desires may be without delay accomplished, that so
this poor distempered, oppressed, exhausted, and afficted Nation may be relieved,
and our selves, with all the faithful, engaged to lay our all our edeavors for your
assistance.
His Excellencies speech to the Petitioners, upon the reading of their Petition.
The Petitioners having first presented their Petition to the General, after almost
half an hours discourse with them, had this Answer returned by his Excellency.
THat he did very much approve of their forwardness therein, and gave the Petitioners
hearty thanks for their good affections to the publick; and further said, (or to
this effect) Although God hath no need of the Creature, upon whom we were not to
look, yet every one in their places ought to seek after the good of the publike, as God shall