A letter or an epistle to all well-minded men in England, Wales, and Ireland : in special to the Parliament and Army; and more particularly to the Lord General and my Fellow-Souldiers, in, or out of the Army

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Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2013

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LETTER

OR AN

EPISTLE

To all well-minded Men
In England, JVales , and Ireland,

IN SPECIAL
To the Parliament and Armyj

And more particularly

To the Lord General

and my Fcllow^Souldiers, in,
or out of the h r m y.

Together with a "Declaration of the

Army , wherein the true original or intenti-
onal Conftitution of the prcfent Authority ,
is clearly Demonftratcd.

London, Printed in the Yeer. 16^.9.

W

wM}}Mf.mi=mM.mm.m

To the Reader,

Ear Reader, before thou readeft this Epiftle, let thy
heart be free from prejudice ; and if you know eft
the evil or good that d\\ 'els in thee, thou wi It difctrn
much of Gods fighting again ft Anger ; (fovetoufnefs,
and Honor in thh world , and in a fpecial rnaner
among fi thoj'e that worjhip not the true God, yet prof effing high and
mighty things ; laying open all or mo ft of the Hypocriftes, and de-
ceit of thofe men now in %Po\X>er and Authority, or place ofTruft. And
when I confider hoV? narrow a path the Parliament walketh in, I
tremble y and know not V?hat they would Ao. Were it no t for their pre-
tended great flejhly Army Vvhat could they do, or whether could
they flie ? nor can they flie from theprefence of the Lord, who can
in a moment turn the Land againft them, and bring them to open
Judgment^ as it hath others* So farewel.

J reft, yours in him, that is

Right eons, Juft and Innocent •

the Peoples true Friend and Servant,

True Englishman.

A

A Letter oranEpiftle to all well-minded men

in England, Wales, and Ireland, in fpecial to the Parliament and
Army, and more particularly to the Lord General, and my
Fellow-Souldiers, in, or out of the Army.

5 nothing is more Hear to us then our Liberties and Free-
doms, To nothing can be more gt icYous then to hive cur
mouthes flopped,, by the Tyranny of thofe who are our
pretended TruftecsfTonietimes ficting at n'cfiminftcr) info-
much , That we rnuft not fpeak of thofe juft Rights that
arc our dee by the Law of God and Nations, without be-
ing declared Traytois> imp'ifoned, and delt worfe withal
then the common caemy 5 nor can we open our mouths
for impartial Juftice, but immeiiarely we are {tiled Levellers, and contemners
of Authority, and agaiKit all Government : buch is the prefent condition and
prevalency of a fort of men well known, Ambitious to Rulea whofe pretence
hath always been for good and Godlinefs3 Freedom and Liberty j nay, how
many glorious Declarations and Remonftrances have come from thesn ? how
have they rent and broken the Parliament in pieces, &c- and made the Narion
beleeve it was for no other end, but to dee the people of England from that
Tyranny and Oprncflion they lay under , that le the Commons of England
might have had a free and equal yeeriy Rep.eientative, and aaaccompt of all
their Treafure ? But inftead of theft our undoubted Rights.,we are like3if God
prevent not, to be more bound then before j nay, more Tyrannically delt with-
al then ever, moreoppreffed then ever : But its no wonder ro m;} when 1 con-
fidcr, how craftily the old Foxes have d^lt with us j anu how they have made us
cheir talking horfes j and as I remember, maft of thefe prefent Rulers had little
Power or Authority about two veers aud a half (ince, but many of them were in
gvearfearof their lives, infomuch, That they fent for particular afiive men cf
the Army, a-ad made their raoas to them, weeping and howling, faying, VV'eat
fhalltve do to b: faved diite ? and bow (IjjU wc be able to overcome Chads and
hkfa£l:cn -? Anfwer was made by Comet Joyce, and others , if you mil but
make England a {ret Nation , ive tviU hazard all for your prcfirvation. Immedi-
ately- greix ana large promifes were made by them to us, Vows and Protefta-
cions f calling Heaven and fcarthto witnefs, They intended to make England*
free State, and not in the leaft to feck for to fet up thcmielves ; if we would but
nowftindby them. Thefe great and glorious promifes made fome of us aft
night and day, ide and run many awearifom and chargable- journey , and never
were at reft until we had removed Cbarht and that faction -y and no fooner had
we done that, but Confutations were held, how we asighc be laid afide, but not

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wholly d If- iugagcc!, leaft they mould not be able tocary on their defign j and
after a licet? more experience, they found the former faction like to be too hard
for them^ fent again to feme of the aftive fpii ited men intheArmy3 making

» great moan, weeping and confefling what a golden opportunity was let fl ip3

more firmly ingaging themfc'vei then before , That if God would make way
fcrth:m to r.'t on: mere 9 what good ark! glorious things would they do f^r
a'.! the pro-, ha- wemLrr be ;m ih.\tolJu-. Tr.hr

net themfelves, nor their kimoa. not did they inter* d Lordly Dorainati.
thfir fellow Ci S d -lirin^, us ro no:t them f or Ny poc ilfcs, if c\

te&'ie any m re Lo-ds in E ':/.<■::] ; nor Would th y except o\ being Lords
fflves, mewing how usucnrifibianlike this Pariftmeat hid dttattmed them.
(elves towards God and good men, ancl mouthing over thjfepoor

mean and ccfpiud mentku God had mide u(e of for their deliverance.
unto the poor >tHlditvy3 You are the nun that have bmo _ |,ji fronor ( I

In* can my (c]fyCiilmpre/) and ih u\i I nor in ike you amcnd>fl * wfand

rimes worfe then the Parliament. A ftcrwa-d exhorting thcm»«v. I kve h.m
again, ii he <i'n\ ever forfake them, and cleave to that v/rotcKcd 'i'a; ltament, or
any part thereof. Put no foonct was the great Work done, snd f<me g-esconcs
removed cutef the way '; but all former things were fogo!rrn , mv. the men
whom Gcd had made moll mil umental, as was confefiedtey i himfelf,

were afterward by him delt unhumanlikc wkha^niVj th?t is not all ; for he hath
hi ■*. fnarcs privately to defnoy poor Coirict Joyce & he that was his man S^avea^
btriides many others that he cannot work over to fervc his Kindly Inter. ft\ O
poor Genera!, be no longer deceived, but go forth in the itrtngth of God. and
do what is. left undone, le ill the Lord (mite your heart with trembling and hor-
ror. Do but read over you- Annies Declarations and Remon ft ranees, and
make them good, or difown them, and fpeak to us onct more in y ur wonted
tendernefs, othcrwifc Avail we take it for granted, all Iks at your door ■ or f iy
unto us, and the Natic-n, We lhall be ftives at Will 3 for we are now but little
better, as we may evidently fee and feel • for as foon as any we!- minded cordi-
ft al-hearted man of your Army appears for the making gooa" what Was ruld for-h

J by your felf and Army j your ©Ificers can prevail with you, t© turn him

or them out or' Command, if not kill, impeach, 01 condemn them ; but if a
great one, or favorite of a faction, do never fo hainnus a crime, he, or they /hall
efcape without punifhrmnr ; for uiftance, //d«w/ow/,Iate Governor of the fle of
y fight , whodifobey.d three positive Orders under Hand and Seal from the
Lord General, nav, protefted, if he had been in the I fle of PVfgbT, he would
have fought againft General, and .ill even to death, rather then the King mould
'have been brought to a tryal, and Itill difowning ths Auihtrity : uotWitV
■ftandtng many other things of wait ag.iinft hi n, if impartial Juft ice might be
had i Uit inftcadthm-of, he (Hll >ecciv(s the Revenues, Rcntsot that Gov rn.
mentibcfiJc's he hath latciyhad four or five hundred a yeer given'him, am, his
Hv irs for cver3 by this Parliament. Compare this wi;h the (hoot in; mm to
death, who never difowncd the Parliament, nor General, but dented thofe
things might be done which they had engaged for over and ever, by the c
of Qehtral. and molt cf the Officers andSouldicu then in the Army. O
hornblel who can do lefs th:nticmble at this hypecrific, cfpccially when we

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confider of Cromvocls words to us, fcying, God would defiroy this wicked Fertia-
ment 3 fome for aclmgroic^edly^ and others far not f'fotcjimg again fi them : But
mark and behold how he hath defiled that light <jf God then breathing from him,
(and for what end is evident ) for to be a Lord or King is now a better trade,
then it was two yeers fince 3 and if 1 miftake not, he hath more power new,
then ever the Kings of England had. Firft, a broken Parliament at his com-
mand; fecondly, a new Modled Ounce! of State 3 thirdly, a General that
do s not d fpWe him ; fourthly An A. my in Irefond^nd another in England >
belides many reformed Churches in the City of London 3 all this he makes fure
of. Dear friends, and Fellow- Commoners, here is the glory of our Freedoms
locked up in the Bofom of one man 3 here is Eafe indeed 3 a Goldoa Harvcft
indeed 3 what not?

Can wc defire more from this gencration/r expect lefs (for my part n«-.) and
therefore I do row begin to ncqireicetand look fome other way. T know the Lord
will not be mocked •, for as he hath3 fo he will bring down the Scepter of Anti-
c-hrift, and dalk tin peeces the Kingdoms of the -Larch, and binde Kings and
Nobles in chains and fetters of Iron, f^vtng, Bring thofe mine enemies before
me, that 1 may (hy them. O ha (ten, fcaften, ye men in power, that fear che
Lord, and delight in rigrueoufnefs. Do it in lincerity, and hmplicky of hearr,
then^nll you be otic or fear, then will your enemies be at peace with yor.j and
God will delight to honor you : Redeem your time while iz is called to day,
and fet things in order for a free and equal -Government, otherwife will ail
good mens hearts and affedions be wholly taken from you, and their payers
too. Have you not fcen what ruth deihoyed your forefathers, nay, men of your
own.Houfeand Army 3 and do you think you mail cfc.ipe, except you 1 ave off
your policy, and immediately do good to. all ? no;no5 God v»iii not be mocked.
This ( thought my duty to lay before you, in order to fenvething of a more
.plainer nature, that fo when God will, it ftiali appear, as my final Testimony
againfl all unrighteoufnels, and unrighteous men5 though never fo near and
dear to me in the flcih.

Ihe Declaration of bis Excellency the Lord GcneriK Fairfax, mdhis general Coun-
cel of Officers , jhewing the Grounds of the Armie advance ttwar-ds-tbe City t/
London.

HEing full of fad Aoprehcnitons concerning the danger and evil of the
1 rcaty with the King.and of any Accommodation with Him,or Rcftiriuion
.©f him thereupon, wc did by our late Rewonjtyti* e» upon the Rcaions and
Grounds therein exprcfl^d, make our Application thereby, unto the prefent
HoufeofCommon:, that the dangerous evil of that way might be avoyded,and
the Peace otthe Kingdom tetied upon more righteous. island hopeful grounds.,
Vi\. a more equal difpenfing of Juftice and N.-ercy in relation to things dene or
fullered in the late Wars, and the eftiblifning of the future Government of this
Kingdom upon a fafc Succcffion and equal Conflitution of Parliaments, and
that (for the ending of prefent, and avoydingof future differences) to be
mined by an Agreement and Subfcription of the people thereunto.

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This courfc we took, out of our tender care and earneft defire, that all ways
of I xcremity might be avoyded, and that thofe matters of higheft concernment,
tothe pabliqaelntereft of ihisNationjmight be purfued, and provided for (if
poflible) by thofe whole proper Work and Truft it was. And herein wc were
willing to hope that the perfens fotrufted , or the Majority of them, might
pofiibly hive been either driven into that deftru&ive way, by forcible Impul-
fions, or lapfcd thereinto through fome Inconlideration , or Mifapprehenfions
and conceived jealosies : And therefore we did carefully decline the infixing
up*n any thing that might continue or renew any former Jealoufies or Animo-
lities, and kept only to fuch things as were of nccelTny or advantage to the com-
mon Caule,and of common and equal Concernment to thofe that have engaged
in it .-Which things weprefled in the way of Reafonand Perfwsiion only,that
might be duly and timely conlidercd. But to our grief we finde,in (lead of any
Sattsfa&ioa or a fsafonable Anfwer thcieto, thty are wholly rejc&cd, without
any confideration or^whatevct • Rcalon or juffice might in the things fet forth
«r propounded therein 5 Forwhat kfscan be undciftood , when the things pro-
pounded were mainly for the avoyeance of evils apjpcaring in the Treaty with
the King ? And yet they put oft the confideration of them, till there ihould be
110 ptace left for any confideration at all : Firit> laying it alide till Munday laft,
by which time the Treaty (as then fuppofed) would have been concluded j but
that failing, and two days more being 3dded to the Trtaty,the confederation of
our Remenjt, ante on the day appointed, and waved and laid alidc 5 the 'Treaty,
the mean while, going on in the former way *nd termes, and Idee to be con.
eluded the very next day.

Now, though we are far from that preemption that the things fliould there-
fore be anfwered or conlidered, becaufe propounded by us, five foi the Rcafon,
JufticCjOr publique Concernment therein 5 yet;having no Anfwer, or any thing
thewed us to the contrary, we cannot but upon the grounds R cm onft rated ( and
many more which might be added ) remain confident in our former .Apprchc-
llons concerning them. And feeing the prevailing part of thofe to whom we
did apply to have as it were, their eyes wilfully Ihut, and cars itopt, againft
any thing of light or Reafon offered to thcm} we finde no place left for our for-
iner charitable or hopeful App:ehenlions, concerning thai error in fuch evil
wayes^but remaining fully allured of the danger & dcitiii&ivtnels thereof, as to
all thoft publiquc ends for which they were intn. lied, and ulfo or the juft advan-
tage and ntceliity which lye in the things we have propounded and inlift on,
wc now lee nothing left , to which their engaging and pt lifting in fuch ways
and rejection of thele better things propounded, can rarionally be attribut-
ed to lefs then a treacherous or .corrupt neglect of, a*d Apolhcy from the
publique Trull repofed in them J although we could wdii from our fculcs,
we might yet finde the contiaiy. Neveahtlcfv. wc do not in th fe things jffumc
a lfanding Power of judgement ( as of Ri he or Truft ) to -onclude others
thcrcby^cknowiedging that to lye molt properly m thole wh m the people duly
thoofeand truft to judge for them;! ut conlidcringthat fuch puwef, where
it is, is committed but in Truft, and ihit neither this, or any o her people, did.
ever give up their Natiual capacities of common Senfe or Reafon,as to the ends
and fundamentals of that Ttuft, and that as to the breach of fuch Tiuft, ihcic

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if bo higher formal power of man in being to Appeal unto for Judgement, in
fuch cafe (as all others concerned in fuch breaches of Truft will ) fo as we can
not bat exercife that Common Jadgmem which,in our Natural' Capacity is left
to us : And though in fraaller failers of fuch Truft, which might be born, with:
out hazard of Deduction to that Intereft, and thofe People, for which cfpeci-
ally the Trwft is, or where rheTruftees were of an indifferent equal cor;ftiruti-
©n in reference to the whole, ot Where we had an orderly and open way left for a
juft fucctiTion of another formal and proper Judicature to be appealed unto in
due time \ we mould not oppofe or hold forth eur private Judgments to the leaft
diftutbance of that orderly and peaceable ccurfe of Judgment fo eftablim ;
yet in our prefent cafe we are fo fully convinced of the greatnefs and deftru&ive-
nefs of thefe evils we have declared againft, and of the neceffity and eflentiality
of thofe, better things we hare defired and propounded, and how inconfjftem it
is with the publike Truft, and fundamental ends of it, ftill to pu fuetheone,
and rejed the other; as that we dare with confidence appeal therein ro the com-
mon Judgments of indifferent and uncorrupted men, and to the more ri^hie-
©us Judgment of God sbove all.

' And as the incompetency* of this Parliament, in its prefent con ft 'it ur ion to
give an abfolure and conclusive Judgment for the whole, fefpccially to be the
fole Judges of their ownc performance, or breach of Truft ) doth m?!-e the'
jufter way for fuch an Appeal, Co indeed we fee no ether way left for rcmedy,m
regard the prefent unlimirte-d continuance of this Parliament dcth exclude the
orderly fwccefTUn of cny other more equal, formal indicaturc of men, to
which we might hepe in due time otherwayes to appeal.

Thus then we apprehend eur felves in the prefent cafe^both neceffitated to,and
juftified in an appeal from this Parliament, in the prefent Conitirution as it
ftands, unto the extraordinary Judgment *,f God ana tood peop'e i and yet in
theprofecution of this Appeal, as we lhall drive it on but to the fpeedy obtain-
ing of a more oiderly and equal Jucicatu:e of men, in a juft Reprcfentativc, ac-
cording to our Rcmonftrance, ( wherein to acquicfee^ ) fti in the prefeat pro-
curing of Juft ice wiih the peoples eafe and qtnec. and in the fettling of the
Kingdom * upon a due, fafe and hopeful fucceflion of Parliaments, It is cur
hearts dclire, and mall be cur indeavour, that fo much3 bcth of the matter and
foime of the prefent Parliamentary Authority may be prefer v. d. as can befafe,
or will be ufeful to thefe ends,until a juft and full Ccnftirutlon thereof.both for
matter and form( ft itable to the publike endsitfervts for jean be introduced.
And therefore tuft, It mould be cur great rejoycing ( if God faw it good^J
that the Majority of the prefent Houfe of Commons were become fenfible ef the
evil and deftruSiveneis of their late way , and would rtfclvedly and vlgoroufly
apply themfclvcs to thefpeedy execution cf Juftice,wi'h the righting and eating
of the epprefled people, and to a juft and fafe fettlement of the Kingdom HpoH
fuch- foundations as have been propounded by us} and otherSj for that purpofe
and would for the fpecdier and furer prefecutron of thefe things exclude from
Communication in their Councels all fuch corrupt and Apoftatizcd Member*
as have appeared hitherto? but to obftrud and hinder fuch matter of Juftice,
Safety, and publ ike Intereft5 and to pervert their Councels a contrary way, and
have therein fo (hamefully both falfified and forfeited their Truft.

But however ( if God (hall not fee it good to vouchfafe that mercy to them and '

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tneKiAgdom, ) wem*lfeco»cUy,deGEe, that foraany of tiiepaas Gp^H^
kept upright, and foil touch with a jult faafe of t'aoic thip&s3w<i;uld by Pro.K&i-
tion, or otherwise, ac<auk themutoes t\, m mch breach ot Truth and approve
their faithfulnefs by wi:hdrawing from ;hofc that p^iait in the guilt Merer
ofjand would apply themfelvc$ to fuch a^pefture, whereby they may fpeediiy
3nd er&dualiy ptolecute thafe aecefiary aed publike ends, without fuch inter-
ruptions, Diyauons, pi- Depravations of their Cour.cels from the reft, to theic
endkfs trouble, oppreflien and hazard of the Kingdom as formerly, agdfbrfa
many of them, wh.ie hearts God lliall ftir up thus to do j we ihall therein, in
this cafe of exte nity, look upon them as pei tons having materially the chief
Truft of the Kingdom, remaining in them, and though not a formal ftanding
power to be continued in them ox drawn intp ordinary Prendents ; yet the bett
and moil rightful they can be had, as the p.-c tent ihtcand exigence of Affairs
now.ft'ani > And wtlhai I accordingly own them, adhere to them, and ke guid-
ed by them in their taichfnl profecution of that iiuft, in order unto, andnntil
the introducing of a more full and formal power in a juft Reprefentative to be
f eedily endeavored.

* Now >\t farther to takeaway all Jealoufas in relation to our, Pelves, wkkh

might withhold or difecurage any honcft Members from this courfej as we hayg

the witaefs of God in our hearts, that in thefe proceedings we do net feck, buc

even refolve we will apt take advantages to our felves , either in point of Profit

ot Power 'y and that if God did open to us a way, wherein with honeity and

faitlrfulnclfe to the publique Intereft,and good people engaged for us, we might

prefently be difcharged , foas we might not in our prefent Employments look

on?and be acedfory to, yea fupporters of the Parliament, in the prefent corrupt,

oppreflive and deUru&ive proceedings, we Ihould with rejoycing , and wkhout

more ado, embrace fuch a difchaajp»*ather then interpole in theic things to our

own vail trouble and haiard 5 ft if we could but obtain a rational affurance for

the effectual profecutton of thefe things, we mall give any proportionable ail'ur-

ance on our parts , concerning our laying down of Arms, when, and as we

(hould He required ; But for the prefent , as the cafe ftands, we apprehend our

felves obliged in duty to God, this Kingdom;and good men thereinto improve

cur utmoft abilities in all honeft ways , for the avoiding of thefe great evils we

haveRemonft:ated, and for the profecuiicnof the good things we have pro*

pounded > and alfo that fuch perfons who were the Inviters of the late Invaiion

from StWdna\ the Inftigaters and Incouageis of the late Infurre&ions within

this Kingdom , and (thofe forcible ways failing) have ftill purfued the fame

wicked Defignes by treacherous and corrupt Councels^ may be brought to pub-

lique Juiiice, according to their fevcral demerits, For all thefe ends we are

now drawing up with the Army to London, there to follow Providence as God

fhalUkarourway.

Bj the Appointment tfHis Excellency the Lord Fairfax,
Lord Oew/alli Arid ha General CuuMcel §f ofoei t
held at Windfor.

Signed,

John Rufltwortb, Seer.

FINIS.

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