The declaration of the Right Honorable, Ralph Lord Hopton, Liftenant Generall of all His Majesties forces designed for the west of England. To all His Majesties loving subjects inhabiting in the severall counties of Cornwall, Devonshire, Summerset, Wilts, Bristoll, Bath and Wells, and the counties adjacent. From Plymouth, May. 20. 1650.

THE DECLARATION Of the Right Honorable, RALPH LORD HOPTON, Liftenant Generall of all His Majesties Forces designed for the West of ENGLAND.

GENTLEMEN,

WHen I consider (but not without astonishment) with what Serpentine Policy, simulated Piety, slie delusions, grand Impostorisms, and palpable jug∣lings the Rebells have cloaked over their unparalel'd Trea∣sons, casting before you the sweet delicious bayts of Refor∣mation, Liberty, Freedom, &c. till they have smote a hook through your jawes, intangled you in their nets, and new-chained you to perpetuall bondage, more then kinging it over your Lives, Lawes and Estates, I cannot only grive, but much pitty the deplorable condition your two much credulity, and greedy listning after these State-Syrens hath betrayed you un∣to.

I hope (after all this time) when you are so feelingly sen∣sible of the heavy pressures that lie upon you; I need not seek

to unblinde you; nor discover unto you by what nefarious, wicked, and desperate Designes they have prosecuted the very quintiscense of all Impiety, and skrewed themselves up to the height of all Wickeddesse.

As under a specious Pretence of Reforming ••••ligion, they have quite Abolished the same, killed, plundered and impri∣soned, sequestred and outed the most zealous Professors there∣of; and taken to themselves the Maintenance belonging there∣to, altogether disheartning not only the Professors, but all true Lovers, Cherishers and Maintainers thereof.

When they Covenanted and swore to maintain the Kings Maiesties Person, they not only shot Bullets of Iron and Lead in his face, but laid violent hands thereon, and barbarously and inhumanly murdered Him, even before the gate of H••s own R••yall Manor, contrary to Christian Religion, the laws of God, Nature, Reason, or any former warrantable Presi∣dent whatsoev••r.

Neither did their Malice anchor here, but they have a∣bove all thought of wickednesse dissinherited his right Heire (now our most gracious King CHARLS the Second) against their former Oaths, keeping Him from his Birthright, and lawf••ll Inheritance, and ••ll that hopefull and kingly Progi∣••y by these Miscreants d••barred from possessing their Heredi∣tary Revenues, and having ••••olished Kingly Government have usurped all Power to themselves, and shared their Princely Revenues amongst themselves and their Confederates, exposed those Royall Branches to the mercy of Strangers, wh••ch none but the veryest Miscreants Nature ever yet produced, but would have shamed to doe.

Neith••r hath their arrogance stopped here, but their blush∣lesse Ambition hath elevated them to that pitch of Pride, th••t they have set themselves downe in his owne Princely Throne, where they more then king it over their fellow Subiects, Ty∣rannizing over them more then ever King of England did before or since the Conquest; and not only over pa••t, but over all His M••iesties Kingdoms.

Y••t h••ve they perswaded the too credulous People into an expectation of their maintaining the Laws of the Land and the Liberty of the Subject, whil'st they perfidiously have de∣priv'd

them of both, in murd••ring some, and Plundering ••∣thers, till at last they had involv••d all in more then Aegyp∣tian slavery to the Arbitrary Wills, and lawl••sse swords of a mercilesse gener••tion of Athiests, Sectaries, and desperate Rebells; that fear no God, nor acknowl••dge no King.

What they have done under colour of maintaining the Pri∣viledge of Parliament, I know you cannot be ••gnot••nt; but must acknowl••dge, that they have apparently and vilely a∣gainst all Faith, Covenants, Oaths, Attestations, made before G••d and his Angels, violated the s••me, by murd••ring the king, Den••ing the House of Lords to sit, ••nd by p••uc••ing di∣vers of th••ir own Members out of the House, and Imprison∣ing them, ••ill the remainder of their Desp••r••te R••bells in the remnant of their J••ncto had Voted and Unvoted the plea∣surs of the Grand••es, or Leading Reb••lls of th•• Faction; All these are so undeniable Truths, that they are able to si••••nce the most brazen-fac'd Impostor of them all, even Cromwell him∣s••••f.

Under such like specious Pretences, and flowe••s of Pre∣tend••d••d Reformation have these pestiferous Snakes (or rather S••••ak••) hid their poysonous stings, yet have so bewitchingly Charm'd the deluded People (by the Name and power of Par∣liament, though th••y retain nothing of the t••ue essence, but th•• meer App••llation thereof) to become their Slaves and V••ssalls: by which fallacious Jugglings, prosecuted by Crom∣well and such d••sperate Rebells, have they Reformed Three flourishing kingdoms into Three Languishing and distracted Nations, and have raised a Factious and brorken crew of Me∣channicks, men of wicked lives, evill m••nners, and very despe∣rate Principles to bear sw••y over you, calling themselves a Parliament, a Counsell of State; a High Court of Justice, &c. when ind••ed they appear at best but VVoolves in Lions skins, an•• those that have wad••d so farr in Rebellious courses, that they cannot return; and therefore (as the Devill drives them) must on, though to their own Destruction.

Country-men, I hope you retain still the hearts and Cou∣rage of true-bred English, that had rather bow to the Head, the worship the h••••l, yeeld obedience to one King, then many Tyrants.

His most gracious Majesty, out of a tender and Fatherly af∣fection to all his good People and Subjects of His Kingdome of England, is not only willing, and ready to pardon, and grant an Act of Oblivion to all and every one (excepting such who shall be found guilty of that most horrible murder committed on the sacred Person of his Dear Father) that upon sight or knowledge of this my Declaration, doe immediately, at the appoach of his Maiesties Army into any of their Counties, abandon those wicked Parricides, and rise, and joyne with me, and those Forces already raised, (by Commission from his Majesty) for this so necessary service;

His Maiesty promiseth, by the word of a King (which He hopeth all true subiects will beleeve) that so soon as God shall enable him to recover his Rights, that he will summon a Par∣liament, by which he will ratifie and confirme what ever hath been done formerly by his Royal Father, and free Parliaments, or what ever else shall be Judged necessary for the welbeing of his People, and establishing this Kingdom on the true and lasting foundation of a long and happy Peace; assuring you, that nothing under heaven shall be more pleasing unto Him then the Prosperity of his Subiects, in as full an assurance of the enioyments of their Lawes, Liberties, Freedoms, and Birth∣rights, as ever were granted by any of his Predecessors to this day.

Neither doth His Maiesty require or demand of any of his good Subiects, but that they (abandoning Rebells return to that dutifull obedience, for which they have Warrant from Gods holy Word; and assist Him in their faithfull service, not only to free themselves from the yoak of slavery, but assist him in bringing to Justice those most horrid murderers of his Royal Father, to reestablish him in his just right of Govern∣ment, to vindicate the Priviledge of Parliament, and so by Gods blessing, bring Peace and Righteousnesse to kisse each other; so that by it both Prince and People may be made alike happy; and this lately Famous Iland wash off those deep dy'd staines of blood in the Fountains of affection to each other; knowing that he that commanded us not to kill, commanded us to love one another, not to heap Burthens, but to bear one anothers bur∣thens.

Wherefore (Dear Country-men) if there yet remains any spark of Loyalty, any sence of duty to God, obedience to your King, affection to your Country, love to your Friends, pitty to your Wives, Children, or Houses, or to your own souls, shake off this servile yoak of base Tyranny; and see what a happy ex∣change it will be, when in stead of the sword, oppression and Violence of every Rebell or Rakeshame, you are Governed by a Hopefull, Just, and prudent Prince.

I have hitherto found both your Love and Valour firm to God, your King and Country; and am perswaded in so little time I cannot loose the principall, because I have not desired the Interest; but since Time hath ripened His Maiesties oc∣casions to maturity, I am perswaded you will deny neither, but undauntedly draw your swords with me to revenge the horrible and execrable murder of your King, redeem your Na∣tion from infamy, and your selves from slavery, restore your King, and make your selves famous to all Posteritie.

Therefore (Countrymen) I desire you, not only as Christi∣ans, but Fellow-souldiers, Subiects, Brethren and Friends (at the approach of the Army committed to my charge, and de∣signed for the West of England) to Joyne your selves with us, in His Maiesties service, which is so necessary, and full of all Conscience, Duty, Honor, and all other iust Interests.

And for my self, or the Army under my Conduct, I do pro∣mise by the word of a Souldier, that to the utmost of my po∣wer, I will use all fair means possible for reducement of these Western Counties to his Maiesties Obedience, without any spoile, Forrage, Fyring of Houses, Plunder or the like, or un∣civill or unchristian dealing with any; and when ingaged, not to shed more blood then what I shall be necessitated to doe for preservation of my self, and those committed to my charge.

Therefore let none who shall engage with me, fear or ap∣prehend any dangers that may ensue so much as abhorre the present evills under which you groane; no paralell being found either in Sacred Writ, or Modern History, of any People be∣sides your selves, so free as you under a late gracious King, and so soon enslaved, vassallaged, and brought to so vile and uniust servitude and Oppressions, laid on you by the worst of men.

Therfore (Gentlemen) for the better encouragement of all you that shall any wayes suffer, or be damnified in ayding o•• assisting us in the o••pposition, suppessing, or subduing of these execrable Rebells; I doe by His Majesties speciall command Declare.

That so soon as God shall restore His Maiesty to his Rights, all such losses, or sufferings (of any that shall be aiding or as∣sisting unto us in His Maiesties service shall be taken into spe∣ciall consideration, and repaired out of the Estates of those in actuall Rebellion against His Maiesty; and their so acceptable Service be rewarded, according as they shall be found to de∣serve; And likewise have safe Protection for themselves and Families, and safe conduct for any their shipping from any sea-Port-Town that shall be brought to yeeld Obedience to His Majesty, to what coast they shall desire.

And in this my so Just, reasonable and Pious request, and dutifull undertakings for His sacred Maiestie, and the good of my Country in generall; I hope not only to be backed with the Blessing of God, but the aide and assistance of all honest men; which is the desire of

Your Affectionate Friend, and Servant. HOPTON.

FINIS.