Several reasons why some officers of the army with many other good people, did heretofore admit of and subject to Oliver Cromwel as the supreme magistrate of the common-wealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, and the dominions and territories thereunto belonging : as also, why they did admit of and subject to Richard, the eldest son of the said Oliver, as successor to his father in the government of the aforesaid common-wealth, &c. : likewise, why they have rejected the said government, and earnestly desire the Long Parliament to sit to exercise and discharge their trust in governing the said common-wealth without a single person, king-ship, or House of Lords.

Reasons why the said Officers did invite the Long Par∣liament to return to the exercise and discharge of their Trusts.

First; For the Reasons given in the aforesaid Decla∣tion, to which we refer you.

Secondly; Because according to the old constitution formerly altered, they are the ancient lawful Autho∣rity of this Nation, being at first summoned or called together by vertue of the late King's Writ, and were thereupon chosen by the people, and after by the same Authority were established, and were not according to the Law then in being, to be dissolved without their own consent, which yet was attempted and done by the Will, Interest, and Potency of the late Lord Pro∣tector, whilest their General.

Thirdly; Because to establish and continue the Go∣vernment of these Nations in a single person, may prove a very evil consequence in the future, besides the manifold inconveniences that began to appear not on∣ly of late, but formerly; as to instance some few instead of many that might be mentioned: 1. Very much of the publike treasure was spent, and great Debts con∣tracted to maintain the Court in its pomp, and such as were Officers and Attendants upon it. 2. It appeared to be such a foundation that many were induced there∣by to endeavour the building or bringing in Kingship upon it, a Government which had been justly destroy∣ed, and was most contrary to the spirits of good men. 3. Many Officers of the Army, some of which are very considerable, notwithstanding many good servi∣ces

performed by them for the Commonwealth, were for their being dis-satisfied at the Court-designs, dis∣mist, or put out of their places, without being brought to a legal tryal at a Court-Mar••••al, contrary to the due priviledge and laudable custom of the Army, which was a great grief to the spirits of many who still continued in their commands, as being unwilling that such as were adversaries to the liberties of good people, should (to promote a carnal and selfish inte∣rest) get into their places to endeavour the weale and safety of the whole. 4. Countenance and encourage∣ment was abundantly given to such as were of loose principles and lives, and of rigid spirits against good people, and had been but little serviceable in the time of war to the publike; and that by advancing them in∣to places of trust and profit, in the rooms of such as were put off, as aforesaid, and this upon a meer poli∣tike account, to uphold the government in a single per∣son, and to set up the Family.

Fifthly; Because the civil and Christian Liberties of good people might quickly have been brought to dan∣ger through the interest and endeavours of many to settle and impose a form of Church-government, Do∣ctrine, and Discipline, &c. who would have readily engaged to stand and contend for the government in a single person upon that very account, if they could but have had their desires therein granted unto them.

Sixthly; The continuance of the government in a single person would have given Charles St••art and his party the greater hopes to see a time wherein they might accomplish their own ends by pretending a right to the government before any single person what∣soever.

Seventhly; Because the said long Parliament made so good a beginning to settle the government of these Nations before their interruption in April, 1653. its hoped that they will most faithfully, chear••ully, and couragiously, now they are by Gods wonderful and gracious providence restored to their former freedom for acting in a Parliamentary way to perform the rest of that great good work which yet remains to be done by them.