Page [unnumbered]
A DECLARATION OF THE NOBILITY AND GENTRY That adhered to the late KING, now residing in and about the City of London.
AFter the miseries of a Civil War, and the many vain and fruitless Attempts toward Settlement upon several interests and Imaginary forms of Government, It having pleased Almighty God by unexpected and wonderfull means to give these Nations a Probable hope of being restored to those Laws and Priviledges which have been transmitted to them from their Ancesters,
We do declare, That we think our selves obliged, next to divine Providence to attribute this Glorious work to his Excellency the Lord General MONCK, who as he had the Courage to assert the Publick li∣berty, And the Prudence to carry it on against so many difficulties, has also had the happiness to lead us thus far through the Wilderness of Confusion, without Passing the Red Sea of Blood.
And because the Enemies of the Publick Peace have indeavoured to represent those of the late KING'S Party as men im∣placable, and such as would sacrifice the common Good to their private Passions. We do sincerely profess that we do reflect upon our past Sufferings as Proceeding from the hand of God, and therefore do not cherish any violent Thoughts, or Inclina∣tions to revenge against those who have been any way Instrumental in them; And if the indiscretion of any bitter Spirited Persons transports them to Expressions contrary to this our Sense, we utterly disclaim them, And desire that the imputation may Extend no farther then the folly of the offenders.
And we farther declare, that we intend by our Quiet and Peaceable behaviour to testify our Submission to the present Power, as it now resides in the Council of State, in Expectation of the Future Parliament, upon whose Wisdome and De∣terminations we trust God will give such a Blessing as may produce a perfect Settlement both in Church and State.
And as his Excellency hath not chosen the Sandy foundation of Self-concernment, but the firm Rock of National Interest, whereon to frame our Settlement: It is our hope and Prayer that when the Building comes to be raised, it may not like Rome have its beginning in the Blood of Brethren, nor like Babel be interrupted by the Confusion of Tongues, but that we may all speak one Language, and be of one name, That all mention of Parties and Factions, and all Rancor and Animosities may be thrown in and buried like rubbish under the Foundation.
Subscribed by
And many others.