The convinc'd petitioner

The Convinc'd PETITIONER.

IT is a great controversie with many in these times, whether is to bee preferr'd, an unjust Peace, or a most just Warre, much may be said on each side, Policy and Divinity may spin out a long controversie hereabout, sure I am, that it is divine policy and politicke Divinity, though not to preferre an unjust Peace, yet to compound a most just Warre; for doubtlesse, when a just Peace is to be had, no Warre, can be just, let the cause be what it will; it is Solomons note, of an evill man, to dig up evill, and of a froward man to sow contention, Proverb. 5. v. 22. and warres proceed from lusts. James 4.1. and truly he that pretends piety, and delights in cruelty, doth little un∣derstand the law of charity, nor his own hypocrisie, for surely, to take pleasure in fighting, is the property of Curres, and not of Christians, and they little know the power of godlinesse (what ever their profession may be) who delight in blood, for the fruit of the spirit is peace, love, joy, &c. but warre and strife &c. are fruits of the flesh. Gal. 5.21, 22. doubtlesse these (together with the sad considerations of the dis∣mall effects of civill warres in our own Countrey were the true and reall causes, (however manywould not beleeve it) of the strong cries, and Petitions for Peace (if it could be attained) and accommodations between the King and Parliament; what malignity did lie hid in the hearts of some of the chiefe movers, in that former Petition (whose pretence was for Peace, and their intentions to make devi∣sion in the City) I know not, but let me speak for my self, and for many more (whom I have cause to iudge as upright as my selfe therein) that our hearts did, and doe ab∣horre such desperate dissimulation, and it shall appeare so to all the world, by our dis∣senting from any such Councel (from what hand soever given) to the stopping of the mouthes of any censorious person whatsoever, it did much satissie us to see the Lord Major, Aldermen; & Common Counsell of this City, in that humble, loyall, loving, & dutifull manner, to Petition His Majesty for Peace, in the name of the whole City; & we could not but (taking notice of His Majesties Protestations of a desire for Peace) promise to our selves a blessed and happy answer, to the refreshing the hearts of the whole Kingdome, but now the cloudes are returned after the raine; and we are as full of present despaire by this answer, (if His Majesties) as we were of former hopes, and for mine owne part I cannot but judge, that those that are now to seeke in their reso∣lutions

lutions to ioyne with the Parliament against the common adversaties of the King∣dome, are either to seeke for their wits, or their respects to the Kingdome, and I shall for ever judge them to be more then sufficiently, acquainted with the art of hypo∣crisie and dissimulation in their pretences for Peace, that will not give out their as∣sistance injoyning with the Parliament, against the common adversary (the only way now left) to attaine a Peace. An account of this mine opinion, I offer to all those that were as ingenuous as my selfe, in subscribing the late Petition for Peace (so much withstood by many who did iudge more evilly of us, then we did deserve) and that is, the serious taking notice,

• First, of the nature of the Petition,
• Secondly, of the nature of this Answer.

1 In the Petition we are to consider,

• 1 Title.
• 2 Preamble.
• 3 Prayer.

thereof.

First, In the Title they Petitioned to the Kings most Excellent Maiestie, in whose hands there was power, and we did hope, in whose heart, there had been a will, to make us happy by a gracious reply, and surely as it had been the high way to our fe∣licity; so had it been greatly for his glory, and as it had fild our mouthes with ioy, so had muzled the mouthes of those, who did premise no better issue of it, then now we see.

Secondly, we are to consider the Petitioners.

The humble Petition of the Maior, Aldermen, and Commons of the City of London. An Act of the ioynt body of the whole City; and therefore we did hope most like∣ly to prevaile with His Majesty;

Thus for the Title.

Secondly, for the Preamble, and therein is contained the Petitioners grievances, as the ground of their prayers, and they are three,

First, the divisions betweene His Maiesty and Parliament.

Secondly, the sad effects thereof, both here and in Ireland.

Thirdly, the mis-apprehension conceived in His Maiestie of the Petitioners love and loyalty.

And from hence they promise His Maiesty, and professe, that as they are for the present, so they will alwayes continue his loyall, obedient, and loving subiects, promising according to their Protestation and vow made before Almighty God that they will defend the true Protestant Religion, and their Allegiance, His Royall Maiesty, honour and estate, as well as the power and priviledge of Parliament, and the lawfull rights and liberties of the subiects, and whereas His Maiesty hath taken offence at tumults from the City, they engage themselves, their estates, and all they have, to their utmost power, to defend, and preserve His Maiesity, and both Houses of Parliament, from all tumults, affronts, and violence, with as much loyalty, love, and duty, as ever Citizens, exprest towards His Maiesty, or any of His Royall Progenitors in their greatest glory:

This is the preamble of the Petition.

Thirdly, in the prayers we may note,

1. The meanes of it, and that is the most humble submissive manner as it is possi∣ble for them to doe.

The Petitioners therefore upon their bended knees doe most humbly beseech your Ma∣iesty, &c.

2. The matter of the Petition, and that is two-fold:

First, That his Maiesty would be pleased to returne to his Parliament, with his Royall, and not his Martiall attendants.

Secondly, That such a peace may be concluded upon, as may be for the glory of God, the honour and happinesse of his Maiesty, and his posterity, the safety, and welfare of all his loyall Subiects.

Thus we see the nature of the Petition, wherein for persons, manner, and matter, envy it selfe cannot suggest the very least miscarriage, who could have otherwayes thought, but that we should have had such an Answer, to such a Petition, so manna∣ged, as might at least have caused our peace and happinesse, after our dismall distra∣ctions, (as the Spring after Winter) to have budded in our hearts; but alas, this un∣expected answer (if it be the true answer to the petition) hath like a nipping frost, killed our hopes in the very bud, and it cannot be otherwayes, if we consider the na∣ture of this Answer, wherein we are to observe,

First, the Title. Secondly, the Answer it selfe.

First, The Title: His Maiesty hath graciously considered this Petition, and returnes this Answer.

Surely it was no more graciously considered, then graciously answered; and truly we have no more reason to believe this Answer his Maiesties, then gracious, for sure∣ly his Maiesties personall Protestations of a desire for peace, did promise an answer, as gracious in the Answer it selfe, as in the Title.

Secondly, We are to consider the Answer it self, and there in 3. things.

1. His Maiesties acknowledgement of his respects unto the City in generall, by way of introduction.

2. His Maiesties present implicit recenting the Petition, with the grounds and reasons thereof.

3. His Maiesties conditionall condecention unto the Petition, with his tearmes and conditions tendred.

First, in the introduction, there is a foure-fold acknowledgement, viz.

1. Of his Majesties right apprehension of the love and loyalty of the City: And surely would his Maiesty please to look back upon all former experiences, and could his Maiesty looke into our present affections, his Maiesty should have little reason to judge otherwayes of us.

2. We have an acknowledgement of his love unto the City, and of his desire to make it his chiefe place of residence, and to continue and renue many markes of his favour to it: Surely we hope his Maiesty is in as good earnest in the profession of his love unto us, as we are in the profession of our love and loyalty unto him, though that wicked Counsell about his Maiesty have prevailed with him to keep him so long from us: and to accompany them in their bloody attempt, almost to our doores, even so far as Brainford, to murther, and plunder us: For though his Maiesty would not have us believe any such intent in him towards us (as God forbid we should) yet his Maie∣sty

can plead but for himselfe, and not for his Army; for truly, if he should, wee should scarce believe the word of a King for it.

3. We have an acknowledge ment of the innocency of the City in those tumults which forced his Majesty (as he saith) to leave the City for his safety: We hope his Ma∣jesty will hereafter remember that he hath now acquitted the City of this charge, his Majesty faith indeed, that they were contrived and encouraged by some principall mem∣bers of this City, but we know them not, he saith, they are out of the reach of Justice, a paradox unto us. Well, however he acquits the Inhabitants of the City, he lookes upon his good subiects there, as persons groaning under the same burthen which doth oppresse his Maiesty, by which we conceive he meanes the distractions of the Kingdome, but be lookes upon us as awed by the same persons who begat those tumults; and the same Ar∣my which gave battle to his Maiesty; but surely his Maiesty is much mistaken, if hee lookes upon London as awed by any thing but the Laws of the Land, and the lawfull power and exercise thereof which his Majesty hath over them, much lesse by any pro∣moters and chiefe causers of unlawfull tumults, especially raised against his Maiesty, and if by the Army Which (he saith) gave Him Battle, be meant the Parliaments Army, which gave tho Cavaliers battle, who goe about to destroy the Lawes, Liberty, and Religion of the Kingdome: His Maiesty cannot but know that the City is so farre from being awed by them, and in feare of them, as that under God we looke upon them as meanes to defend us from that cruell, popish, and Atheisticall Army, which detaines his Maiesty from his Parliament, and therefore we both have and will to the last peny in our purses, and blood in our bodies, maintain and assist them in so good and iust a cause.

4. We have an acknowledgement of his Maiesties desire to establish the particular peace and prosperity of the City; truly could we see his Maiesty return to his Parlia∣ment, and desert his popish and treacherous Counsell, and Army, we should believe the reality of affections a thousand times more then we can his present protestations.

Thus we see the first part of his Maiesties Reply, viz. His Maresties acknowledge∣ments of his respects in generall by way of introduction.

Secondly, The second part is his Maiesties present recenting, or implicite deni∣all of the Petition, with his grounds and reasons: His generall ground is his feare of security in the City, upon 5. speciall Reasons.

First, The despising and trampling under foot the Laws of the Land in this City.

Surely this charge is very criminall, and were London guilty of it, they should de∣serve rather strict severity, then his Maiesties lenity; but sure we are, if London bee guilty of this, then is the adverse Army 7. fold more guilty, and we suppose that all the Cities, Townes, Villages, and Counties where ever they have been, will attest the same; we shall need to say no more to that, seeing their owne daily actions, and the whole Kingdomes complaints do ring this in the ears of heaven and earth; but for our selves we know not what Laws are thus despised and trampled under foote.

2. A second reason of his Maiesties feares of his safety in this City, Is the submit∣ting the Government of this City to the arbitrary power of a few desperate persons of no re∣putation.

It is hard to say whether we are accused more in the former charge, of wicked∣hesse, or in this, of weaknesse: Surely to trample under-foot our Laws, and Liberties,

and to submit our selves to the arbitrary government of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 desperate person of no re∣putation, is an argument as of sordid impiety, so of sottish stupidity; but surely, though London hath been guilty of this slavish folly, and foolish slavery in former times (as it is too well knowne, to its shame) yet repentance and resolution hath (I hope) wiped that guilt of, and made London now, at least innocent in that charge, and it is to be doubted (if the truth was knowne) that it is not London•••• 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be made slaves, but rather the incorrigeablenesse, and stiffenesse of her neck to the yoke of slavery which hath made London so obnoxious unto these present distracti∣ons and displeasures from the higher powers▪ we know not these pa••••ies (nor hard task-masters) as yet, but we shall by and by.

A third ground of his Majesties feares (as saith this answer) of his security in the City is, that there Armes are taken up, not only without, but against his consent and ex∣presse commands, and collections publikely made, and contributions avowed for the mainte∣nance of the Army that gave him Battle, & therin used all possible means treason & malice could suggest to them to have taken his life from him, and to have destroyed his Royall issue.

Surely we utterly deny that here are any Armes taken against his Maiesty, though we confesse here are Armes taken up against his consent and expresse command and as we will never iustifie the one, so will live and die in the iustification of the other (as the case of the Kingdome stands) for if so be a company of known Malignants, and Traytors to the Religion, and peace of the Kingdome shall gather head, and get his Maiesty to ioyne with them, and countenance them in their proceeding•• and endea∣vours of destroying the Kingdome, to make us slaves, and vassals for ever; His Maiesty must give us leave, and that without any impeachment of our loyalty to him, and love to his royall posterity (especially by an ordinance and power of a Par∣liament) to raise up an Army for our defence, to make and avow publike collections, and contributions to the maintainance thereof, though it be not only without his consent, but against his expresse command; and surely if his Maiesty will not evidence his love to his people by giving his consent and assistance for the safety of his Kingdom in such a case, his Maiesty must give us leave to evidence our love to our selves, and whole Kingdome, to endeavour our owne safety; or else we are forced to do it without his consent, and if the Army raised up in London, gave the Army that is rai∣sed up against the Kingdome, a battle, and his Maiesties life was in danger therein; I know none that are to be blamed therein, but either himself, in hazarding his royall person, or those that did advise him to such a desperate designe; as for the imputa∣tion of Malice and Treason in the Parliaments Army, and utmost indeavonrs to take a∣way his owne life, and destroy his royall issue, his Maiesty may as soone prove this Treason and malice in the bullets that were shot, as in the parties that shot them, and if his Maiesty will so much forget both himselfe, and his Kingdome, as to protect an Army, and goe with them in the field that fight against his Kingdome, with supposi∣tion that we will not strike for feare of hurting him, and so the Army encouraged to destroy us; though his Maiesty will not value his own life, and issue, but expose all to hazzard, yet we ought to value the life of our Religion, Laws, Liberties, and whole Kingdome at a higher rate, then to sacrifice all to such a dangerous and unad∣vised action, and surely his person would be in more security, and lesse danger in his royall Throne, with his Parliament, then in the midst of such an Army at Keinton Battle.

A fourth ground of his Maiesties feare of security (as saith the Contriver) in the City is the revilings, iniuries, and murthers that are committed, and that even by the Magistrates of this City upon his Maiesties subiects, who out of duty and affection to his Majestie, and compassion of their bleeding countrey have laboured for Peace.

Surely if these revilings, iniuries, and murthers were committed, and that by the Magistrates of this City, upon the Kings foresaid subjects, or any other, they were committed in their closets, and we wonder his Maiestie should here therof at Oxford, before we could here of any such thing in London; but if so be these be his dutifull and affectionate subiects, who laboured for Peace (as the Author calls it) by endeavou∣ring to make insurrections and mutenies in the City, giving out many expressures of their resolutions of malignity against both the City, and Parliament it selfe, the like affronts scarce ever knowne given against publike authority, if those be the per∣sons his Maiesty meanes, and if (upon the legall and iust proofe of these mens malig∣nity, and breach of the knowne Lawes of the Land) the committing of these per∣sons to safe custody to prevent their intended malicious designes against the City and Kingdome, be to revile, iujure, and murther his good subiects, then are the Ma∣gistrates of London guilty of this charge; and if so, what then is the guilt, and where shall the blood of that poore fellow that was hanged and quartered for a pretended treason in Southwarke be required? And where shall the blood of that innocent, plaine hearted man, Mr. Boise that was hanged at Redding, (a most bloody act) for no man knowes what be required? As for any revilings of them (though we have heard of calling men of good ranke Parliament Dogges, and Parliament Rogues, at Oxford) yet we know no such revilings of any of the other party here in London.

Fiftly, and lastly, The Contriver demands what hope of safety he can have, whilst Al∣derman Pennington their pretended Lord Maior, the principall Author of those calami∣ties Which so neerely threaten the ruine of that famous City, Ven, Foulke, and Manwai∣ring (all persons notoriously guilty of Schisme and high Treason) commit such outrages in oppressing, and imprisoning according to their discretion all such his Maiesties good subiects, whom they are pleased to suspect, but for wishing well to his Maiestie.

Truely if so be a free and faire election of Alderman Pennington by the chiefe Citizens of London is sufficient to make him our lawfull Lord Maior, then is hee no pretended Lord Maior; and if so be no man must be Lord Maior, but whom his Maiesties evill Counsell will please to suggest (for we know no other exception) then do not we know our Charter, & we have not the liberty, which the meanest In∣corporation in the Kingdome have; well, howsoever this Contriver will please to call him our Pretended Lord Maior, we know him to be our true, proper, and lawfull Lord Maior, and will honour and obey him accordingly; well, what is affirmed of him? why, that he is the principall Author of those calamities which so neerely threaten the ruine of this famous City; surely my Lord Maior is better knowne to the City of London, then unto this Contriver, otherwise the City would never have chosen hi•• twice to be one of their Burgesses in Parliament, and twice Lord Maior wee can heare of no treason committed by him, and we have so good an opinion of his loy∣alty and love to King and Kingdome, that we could wish that all his Maiesties sub∣iects were such traytors; surely, for this twelve moneths space those that have beene

called the worst Traitors, have been His best subiects; and indeed the whole King∣dome (excepting such as have taken part with Traitors against the Kingdome) are proclaimed Traitors and the rest His loving subiects; and for my part let me rather live and die such a Tratior, then such a loving subiect; I desire that men may take heed how they make use of such an expression of His Maiesty, in calling my Lord Maior our pretended Lord Maior, because His Maiesty hath not confirmed him, for surely if men cease to be Officers in a Common-wealth, when all things doe not concurre according to the originall and constitution of that Office (although we know no such thing here) it is to be questioned, whether men will not make use of such a conclusion to the extirpation of the highest and chiefest Officer in the King∣dome; well, my Lord Maior is a reall Traitor, but a pretended Lord Maior, (I should say a reall Lord Maior, but a pretended Traitor) but he is not alone, he hath Foulk, Ven, and Mainwairing to beare him company, all notoriously guilty of Schisme and high Treason, saith the Contriver, but all notoriously known to be honest, loyall, orthodox, conformable men, say all that ever truely knew them, and by these wee may guesse at the Separatists, Sectaries, Brownists, and Aanabaptists, so often men∣tioned in His Majesties expressures, for these are well knowne, not onely to be ho∣nest men, but also conformable unto the Church of England, and as yet at this time we know nothing wherein they are of another mind, except it be in reformation of Discipline, confest on all hands to be corrupted. Well, what doe these doe to offend His Maiesty? why these are the men intimated before by Whom the Whole City is aw∣ed and misled. Surely the City is awed by these men as the Parliament is by foure or five factious spirits, a thred bare and worne stratagem to raise contention in the City.

Well, what else is obiected against these persons? Why they commit great outra∣ges in oppressing, robbing and imprisoning (according to their discretion) all His Maiesties loving subjects, whom they are pleased to suspect, but for wishing well to His Maiesty, what His Maiesty meanes here can hardly be understood, but we looknot upon it as His Maiesties expressions, and therefore we are bold to say, that surely the Compo∣sers Pen did run faster then his iudgement, for we know nothing at all that three of these men have done, viz. Alderman Foulk, Colonell Ven, and Col. Maiuwairing, except it hath been by speciall order from the Parliament, and I hope they give no order to rob men, and as for my Lord Major we know not the least act of this na∣ture wherein he is guilty, except there be that of London seene in Oxford, which was never seene in Londen.

These are His Maiesties reasons wherefore he suspects His security in the City, and His Maiesty having dispatched them, commeth to appeale to the common iudgement and knowledge of all men to give their answers to severall Queries.

1. Query. Whether the Petitioners beleeve that the reviling and suppressing the Book of Common Prayer (establisht in this Church, ever since the reformation) the discounte∣nancing and imprisoning godly, learned, and painefull Preachers, and the cherishing and

countenancing Brownists, Anabaptists, and all manner of Sectaries, be the way to man∣taine and defend the reformed Protestant religion.

Answ. First, though we will honour the very forme of godlinesse, and therefore will not plead for reviling: yet we conceive that the true Protestant reformed Reli∣gion may very well consist with the suppressing of the Book of Common prayer, for,

First, our Protestant religion had not its first rise from protesting to maintain the Booke of Common Prayer, but to maintaine the Protestant Doctrine of the Gospel of Christ in opposition to Popery.

Secondly, I hope it will not be denyed, but that the reformed Churches beyond Seas, are Protestant, and yet they have not our Booke of Common Prayer there.

Thirdly, we question not but that His Maiesty hath confirmed the Protestant Religion in Scotland, and yet we know not that either Bishops, of our Booke of Common Prayer, if setled there, nor that they are tyed to any Booke.

Whereas it is said that,

Fourthly, the Booke of Common Prayer hath been setled in this Church since the reformation, yet,

First, it will be hard to prove that that book which was setled, be that book which we have, and if it prove otherwaies, then to revile this Booke, is no more to revile the Booke of Common Prayer setled and established in this Church ever since the reformati∣on; then to revile the Popish Masse booke, is to revile the Booke of Common Prayer setled since the Reformation.

Secondly, Suppose this should be the Booke setled since the Reformation; yet they which first setled it, did not establish it in seculo seculorum, it was for themselves; we cannot thinke they had so high thoughts of themselves, as to thinke that they were then so pure a Church, as that they never could be capable of more light, and knowledge, and reformation, then what they had; No, questionlesse that pious Prince whose memory is and shall be for ever blessed, for his willingnesse and ende∣vours to honour God in a reformation according to the light of those times, had not the least such thought.

Thirdly, the Booke of Common Prayer was not at first setled for the true Prote∣stant Religion, but for a forme of Common Prayer; the holy Scriptures are the ground of the Protestant Religion, and not the Booke of Common Prayer, and therefore the true Protestant Religion may be maintained, though the Booke of Common Prayer be suppressed.

Fourthly, the Booke of Common Prayer was establisht in opposition, and not in favour to Popery; but now its very observable, that Popery is secretly nourish∣ed; and keeps footing in this Kingdome by the Booke of Common Prayer; and therefore, the most Popish Priests in the Kingdome are so hot and zealous for the Booke of Common Prayer.

But the truth is, that this hath beene the designe of the Prelaticall faction, to stifle the light of the Gospell, the Preaching of the Word, and to put up in the roome of

it the Booke of Common Prayer, that so the poore common people may know no Protestant Religion but the Booke of Common Prayer, otherwise the people would have beene ashamed of this question, Can the Protestant Religion consist with the sub∣pressing the Booke of Common Prayer?

Well, that is the first part of his Maiesties first Query; the second part is, Whether the discountenancing and imprisoning godly, learned, and painfull Preachers be to maintain and defend the true reformed Protestant Religion?

Surely to discountenance godly, learned, and painefull Preachers, is not to main∣taine the true reformed Protestant Religion, and therefore the Prelates (let their pretences be what they will) (whose constant practises have beene to discountenance and imprison, godly, learned, and painfull Preachers) have not defended the true reformed Protestant Religion; but malice it selfe cannot produce one instance one godly, learned, and painefull Preacher, discountenanced and imprisoned for his godlinesse, learning, or painefull Orthodoxe Preaching, by the Magistrates of London; though this charge and sinne shall lie heavy one day upon all such as are guilty thereof, but blessed be God, London hath beene more passive than active in that sin, it hath beene our sorrow, but not our sin.

A third part of his Maiesties first Querie is whether The cherishing and counte∣nancing Brownists, Anabaptists, and all manner of Sectaries be the way to maintaine and defend the true reformed Protestant Religion?

Answ. Surely to cherish and to countenance Brownists, Anabaptists, and all manner of Sectaries, is not the way to maintaine and defend the true reformed Pro∣testant Religion; but if by Brownists, Anabaptists, and all manner of Sectaries be meant such as are not truely so called; if by those be meant such as my Lord Maior, Alderman Foulke, Collonell Ven, and Collonell Mainwaring, who are taxed for such in this Reply: if by these be meant all such as are not Episcopall in their Judgements, formall in their Devotions, ceremoniall and superstitious in this worshipping God; if by these be meant such as will not swear and lye and prophane the Lords day: if (in a word) by these be meant all such as desire to be Protestants in life and conver∣sation, as well as in meere profession, then to countenance and cherish such Brownists, Anabaptists, and all manner of such Sectaries is the way to maintain the true reformed reformed Protestant Religion, and we know no others countenanced and cherished, but such as these.

2. Query. A second querie is, whether to comply with, and assist persons who have actually attempted to kill his Maiesty, and to allow and favour Libelss Pasquils, and sedi∣tious Sermons against his Maiesty, be to defend his Royall person and honour according to their duty and allegiance.

Ans. Surely no, but to comply with, and assist persons that fight against those who have actually attempted to destroy the Laws of the Land, the Liberty of the Sub∣iect, the life of the Parliament, Religion, and Kingdome, is to defend his royall person

and honour according to our duty and allegiance, but surely to allow and favour Libels, Pasquils, and seditious Sermons against his Maiesty, or his Parliament, is not to de∣fend his royall person and honour according to their duty and allegiance; and therefore such Preachers as these, that sow sedition between his Maiesty and Parlia∣ment, are no godly, learned, and painfull preachers, and I know none but such as these that are discountenanced by any Magistrates in this City.

3. A third Quaery is, whether to imprison mens persons, and to plunder their houses, because they will not rebell against his Maiesty, nor assist those that doe, whether to destroy their property, by taking away the twentieth part of their Estates from them, and by the same arbitrary power to refer to foure standers by of their own faction to iudge what that twentieth part is, be to defend the lawfull rights and liberties of the subjects?

Ans. Surely no, This is not to defend the lawfull rights and liberties of the subiects; And therefore we hope His Maiestie will be very willing to let Justice have its free course upon my Lord of Newcastle, and others, which do assesse men to pay not the twentieth part of their estates, but what he pleaseth, and to compell them to pay it by an Army on foot in the North, and elsewhere, That he will at last ioyn with his Parliament, to bring all those Robbers, Plunderers, and Spoylers of His Kingdom, and good People, (whereof, there are so many Complaints of poor Carriers and People in all the Villages, Towns, and Cities, where the Army raised up against the Parliament hath been) to iust and condign punishment; and this will be to defend the lawfull Right and Liberties of the Subiects: But for the Parliament (into whose hands we have committed our Estates, and trust of the whole Kingdom) to demand the twentieth part of our Estates for the defence of the Kingdom, against a Malig∣nant Army of Papists, Delinquents, and Traytors, raised up to destroy the Religi∣on, and Laws of the Kingdom, and to compell them to pay it by an Ordinance of Parliament, to save our Laws, Religion, Liberties, and Lives; and to appoint four honest, sufficient, indifferent well affected men to iudge what that twentieth part is, (the best course that can be taken in such a case, and farre better then the course taken by my Lord of Newcastle, and others, in their wicked and trayterous tyranny) is to defend the lawfull Rights and Liberties of the Subiects.

4. Query, A fourth Query is, If we think these Actions to be instances of either, Whether we do not know these Persons before named to be guiltie of them all?

Answ. We suppose these Actions are not instances of either; and we do not know those Persons before named, guilty of any one of them.

5. Query. A fifth Query is, Whether we can think it possible, that Abuighty God can blesse this Citie, and preserve it from distruction, whilest Persons of such known guilt, are defended and justified among them, against the power of that Law by which they can only subsist?

Answ. Were this Citie guilty of the aforesaid Crimes, Doubtlesse we could not think that Almighty God could blesse this City, and preserve it from destruction; But for as much as we know the Cities innocency in them all, especially the inno∣cency of the Governours of this Citie, where chiefly the charge is laid, we think it not only possible; But certain that Almighty God will blesse this City, and pre∣serve it from destruction; notwithstanding, the malice, power, policy, plots, and proiects of all the enemies thereof, as (blessed be his holy Name) he hath hitherto done; And surely, We cannot think that God can blesse (leaving to himself the liberty of his free, and rich grace) that party of Papists, Atheists, and prophane Wretches, That under prerences of fighting for the true Protestant Reformed Re∣ligion, Law of the Land, and Liberty of Subiect, Shall go about to undermine, kill, and destroy the Religion, Laws, and Liberties of the Kingdom. And although such may prosper sometimes in iudgement, and not in mercy; yet God will finde a time for an accompt hereof, to their terrour. For, if men will most Hypocritically make God iustifie their wickednesse, by pretending his cause, and approbation; God will most seasonably iustifie himself, and his righteousnesse by their ruine and destruction. But the good God give repentance unto conversion, and not iudge∣ment unto confusion, And this is the greatest mischief that we wish them.

We shall say no more to the second part of His Maiesties reply: Viz. His re∣centing the Petition for the present, with His Maiesties Reasons thereof, and the severall Queries hereabout.

The last part of His Maiesties reply, Is His conditionall condescention unto the Petition, with the tearms thereof, tendred and propounded.

Wherein we may observe,

First, His conditionall condiscention with tearms propounded.

Secondly, A threatning of those that will not yeeld to the same.

First, His conditionall condiscention, Here we must remember the Prayer of the Petition; that is, twofold, For His Maiesties return unto His Parliament, with His Royall, and not His Martiall Guard, &c.

Secondly, That a Peace may be concluded upon, as may be for the glory of God, the honour and happinesse of His Maiesty, and posterity, and the safety and welfare of all His loving Subiects.

This His Maiesty doth promise upon these conditions, as saith this Author, His Maiesty (having profest His good opinion of the greater, and better part of this City; and that He doth not lay the former charge (in that measure at least) upon them, Though they are not altogether without some blame, to suffer those foresaid ill men, so farre, to prevail with them, as that He hath had little use of their Affecti∣ons;)

Yet notwithstanding, He professeth, His desire is to be with 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and to protect think that the Trade, Wealth, and glory thereof, may again be the envy of all forraign Nations, &c. And Hee doth offer a generall pardon to all the Inhabit•••••••• of that His City of London, the Suburbs, and City of Westminster, (excepting the Persons formerly excepted by His Majesty) but upon these conditions.

1. Condition. First, If we shall return to our Duty, Loyalty, and Obedience. We never yet departed from our Duty, Loyalty, and Obedience, and we hope never shall, therefore we yeeld.

Secondly, If His good Subiects shall solemnly declare, That they will defend the known Laws of the Land, and will submit to, and be governed by no other Rule. We have already in our solemne Protestation declared that, and will maintain it to the utmost of our Lives, Liberties and Estates, against all the Cavaliers in the World. That we will maintain the known Laws, and submit to be governed by no other Rule, but by the known Laws, untill they be lawfully reversed, or others made by those that are lawfully called hereunto, according to the constitution of the King∣dom; and in this Resolution (by Gods grace, we will live and dye, therefore hitherto we yeeld.)

Thirdly, The third condition is, If they shall first manifest, by defending them∣selves, and maintaining their own Rights, Liberties, and Interests, and suppressing any force and violence, raised, against those and His Maiesty, to their power, to defend and preserve Him from all tumults, affronts, and violence. Surely, If God please to blesse us, we will maintain our own Rights, Liberties, and Interests, otherwise we would never be at such cost and charges to maintain Warre, against those that are risen to take them away; and cursed be he that will not promise to the utmost of his power, to suppresse any tumults, fronts, violence, raised up against His Maiesty, we are hitherto agreed.

Fourthly, If they shall apprehend and commit to safe custody the Persons of those foure men, who inrich themselves with the spoyle and oppression of His loving Subjects, and the ruin of the City, That His Maiessty may proceed against them by the course of Law, as guilty of high Treason, His Maiesty will speedily return with His Royall, and not His Martiall Guard, &c. How? If we shall apprehend and commit to safe custo∣die the Persons of these four men; By what meanes, here is no legall way pro∣pounded, How must this be done? What? By an Insurrection? What? Rise up tumultuously against the Kings chief Officers? Surely, Now it appears, His Maiesty hath little hand in this Answer; Doth not His Maiesty complain of those tumults that came to the Parliament, and cryed out, No Bishops, no Bishops? And shall we think, that He would have us rise up in tumults, and cry, No Lord Mayor, no Lord Mayor? Do we seek to His Maiesty for peace, and shall we think, that

He doth answer us, by putting us, upon a designe, to cut one another Throats? Shall we think that His Maiesty will teach His Subiects to rebell against Himself, in His Ministers of Justice? Do we seek for peace abroad, and shall we suppose His Maiesty doth answer as by advising a course; for the spilling of one anothers bloud at home? Surely no, Such a remedy is by farre worse then the disease. If His Ma∣jesty shall legally accuse them to the Parliament, and they send in a regall manner for them, We will venture our lives to take them, if need should be; but in the mean while they are not flying away: And we suppose they have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cause; and that we are spoyled, and opprest by them, and they inriche by 〈◊〉〈◊〉, was never our com∣plaint unto His Majesty, We could heartily wish there were no greater spoylers, and oppressors of the Kings Subiects in the Kingdom, then they are, we would be very unwilling to have the Cavaliers to come to relieve us from these spoylers. Therefore I hope London will be as wary in delivering up such active and well affected Members to be sacrificed to the malice of wicked men that have incensed His Majesty against them? as the Parliament (a leading example) have been in the very self same case: And yet if His Maiesty hath any crime against any, or all of them, there is no question, but the City of London, will as willingly surrender them up to the Justice of the Law in a lawfull proceeding against them, as the Parliament was. Well, in short, wee see the tearms, upon which His Maiesty will grant our Petitions for peace; and truely, If this be the way for peace, viz. To intimate unto us in generall, without any legall, and orderly directions, to seize upon the Persons of our chief Members of the Citie, which cannot be done but tumultuoully, and (it is like) without shedding of bloud; we had rather be without it, then have it; we had rather waite for a better peace some other way: As for His Maiesties promises upon this course taken, Viz. That He will come with His Royall, and not His Martiall guard, and use His utmost endeavour, that we may hereafter enioy all the blessings of peace and plenty, &c. We believe then there will be no great need of His Martiall guard, and His endeavours for our peace and plenty, and the successe thereof, we may read in those Countries, where His Maiesty hath been with His Forces, and made promises of this nature, which will amount to a great deal of lesse peace and plenty then now we have.

And therefore for the last part of the Authors reply, Viz. His Maiesties threat∣ning, If we take not this course, If we continue to contribute our maintenance of the Army, under the Earl of Essex, &c. We reply only thus, (being in a great straite) That we must, and by Gods help, will do the utmost that we can, while we have life and breath to maintain the Army raised up for the defence of our Religion, and Kingdom, under the command of the Earl of Essex; But we had rather (if God would please, that no more English bloud may be spilt in this Cause; but we see how the case stands with us, we must either ioyn with the Cavaliers in fighting against the Kingdom, the Gospel, Parliament, Lawe, and Liberties, or expect the utmost issue to our perill; and surely; we will rather st••••d to the issue of the lesser

evill, of sorrow, rather then sinne, and fight for, and not against the King∣dom.

The Author saith, His Maiestie hopes, His good Subiects of London, will call to minde the Acts of their Predecessors, their Duty, Affection, Loyalty, and merit to∣wards their Princes, the renown they have had with all posteritie for, and the blessings of Heaven which alwayes accompanies those vertues, and well consider the scorne and infamy which unavoidably will follow them, and their children; if infinitely the meaner part in qualitie, and much the lesser part in number, shall be able to alter the Government so admirably established; Destroy the trade so excellently setled, and to waste the wealth so industriously gotten, of that flourishing Citie; and then they will easily gather up the courage and resolution, to ioyn with His Maiesty, in defence of that Religion, Law, and Liberty, which hitherto hath, and only can make themselves, His Maiesty, and the whole Kingdom happy.

Surely this City doth call to minde (and for ever will) the acts of our Predeces∣sors, their duty, affection, loyalty, and merit towards their Princes, the re∣nowne they have had with all posterity for, and the blessings of heaven which hath alwayes accompanyed these vertues; and will, and do consider the scorne, and infamy, which unavoidably will follow us, and our children, if infinitely the mea∣ner part in quality, and the lesser part in number shall (notwithstanding the assi∣stance of all the Cavaliers in the Army, raised up against the Parliament, and all the Papists, and Atheists in the City, or Kingdom to help them) be able to alter the Government so admirably established; Destroy the trade so excellently setled, and to waste the wealth so industriously gotten of this flourishing Citie; as the Cavaliers have in many flourishing Cities, and Towues, where they have been; And therefore we will gather courage and resolution to joyne with His Majesty and Parliament, in the defence of that Religion, Law, and Liberty, which stands in opposition to popery and slavery, and can only make our selves, His Majesty, and His Kingdom happy.

And notwithstanding, with reference to the Common-wealth, his Maiesty may have concurrence with his Parliament at this distance as well as at White Hall, yet we should thinke our selves infinitely ingaged unto his Maiestie, if he will be pleased to come to his Parliament, and we think the whole Kingdom will reioyce at it, and (though his Maiesty hath concurred with their advise beyond the example of his Predecessors in passing of such Bills, by which he willingly parted with many of his known Rights for the benefit of his subiects, which the fundamentall constitutions of this Kingdome did not oblige him unto, for which we are heartily thankefull, yet would his Maiesty be pleased to leave that wicked Counsell about him, who adviseth him to ioyne with them against his Parliament beyond the example of his Predecessors, and to take such courses whereby

These Acts of Grace in passing Bills for the good of the Subjects, shall be voyde and of no use, but even the Parliament it self and all our Lawes, Religion and Liberty are in danger to bee utterly lost and destroyed we should surely then be easily perswaded of his Majesties cordiall love and respects unto us, and we know not what to doe, but still to apply our selves unto his Majesty, as we have done unto his Parliament, that such just peaceable, and Honourable Propositions, may bee mutually tendred, that may beget a sweet and happy concurrence betweene his Majesty and Parliament.

We have seene the Petition; who would not subscribe it, wee have seene the supposed answer, if true who could have expected it? shall we be any longer deceived? then let us be for ever undon: it is no Religi∣on but Popery; no Liberty but slavery; which shall be our portion: doe not thinke that were it not for a few Brownists and Anabaptists &c. all would be well, that these are the disturbers of our Peace; I am no friend to such as these; but let me live and die such an one as those that are falsely so called no, no, such Brownists and Anabaptists, as were the causes of the Irish Rebellion (as all men may see) are the incendiaries of our troubles: Popery and slavery, hath a long time threatned this Nation: When absolute prerogative gets upon the Throne, and the Pope upon the Church what Subjects then but slaves? what Christians, but Pa∣pists? shall we be cozened of our Religion and Liberty by lies, and hy∣pocrisi••? no peace is to be had, but either we must fight for it in hope of victory; or purchase it by perpetuall slavery; Warre is bitter God give us peace, Hell is hot; God give us truth, if we love our soules, let us fight for our Religion, if we love our posterity let us fight for their Liberty; amongst others these motives doth captivate my resoluti∣ons: of the consider••••ion of the cause, it is for God it is for the King∣dome, if I fight for God, I shall have God though I loose all, and that will make up all; if I decline God, though I enjoy all, I shall loose God and then all will make up nothing it is for Iesus Christ; who would not help him to his glory? He hath fought with divine justice▪ with the curse of the Law: with the Divell, with sinne, with death for us shall we not fight with man for him? we were his enemies when he did thus for us; hee is our Redeemer; what is now to deare for him? hee left Heaven to fetch us from Hell; what can we doe in requitall therefore? he is our Generall, mighty in battaile; who would not fight under his Standard, if ever, now is Christs cause on foot to affirme the contrary, is shamelesse impudency, which to beleeve, is sottish credulity, if Po∣pery be piety then are we deceived in this controversie; can English ingenuity be deceived with such Romish falacy? It is for the Gospell; who is so blind as once to doubt it? Life by it hath bin brought to light; shall we now lose it; its a dore to glory; shall we let it be shut? Its a vision of Heaven; shall we let it passe, pitty pitty, your poore posteri∣ty no Gospell; no Christ, no Christ no Glory: if so; woe woe, that ever they were borne, beleive it; It is not Queene Elizabeths reforma∣tion,

but Queene Maries Religion that will give content, put it to que∣stion, doth the Rebells in Ireland, the Papists in England; the Catho∣lique Army in the North; the popish in the South aime at and fight for Queene Elizabeths Reformation? It cannot but vexe an ingenious man to thinke that men should bee such fooles, as to be thus cheated. Secondly, It is the Kingdomes cause, the peace, the plenty; the securi∣ty of the Kingdome lies a bleeding, England hitherto the envie, is like to be made the pitie of Nations: we may reade our dismall quality in Irelands misery; instead of beauty we shall have baldnesse, and of gar∣ments a rent; farwell the bleating of sheepe the lowing of Oxen, the Calves of our stall; and the heards of our flockes; instead of our mu∣sick shall ring in our eares the pittifull cries of dearest wives, with wring∣ing hands and running eyes; dearest husbands, bread bread, can piti∣full mothers endure the cries of tender babes, with blubber'd cheekes, and bl••ared eyes, mother, mother, br••ad, bread, what a harsh and unu∣suall discourse will this bee amongst our delicate women; Let us eat your childe to day; and you shall have mine to morrow: how will all faces gather blacknesse and all hearts sadnesse, when death climes up at our windowes, and there is nothing but lamentations in the houses, and cri••s in the street; when our young men shall fall, and our old m••n ••aint, and no man knowes how long? doe we not see many from Ireland whose clothing was lately rich and food delicious now clothd in raggs, glad of your crusts, and thankfull for your old shooes? doth not the same blood of the Irish Rebellion run in the veines of distra∣cted England, and hath it not wrought the same bloudy effects up and downe throughout the Kingdome? what dismall groanings of mur∣thered men screiching women and crying children will fill our eares in every house? in a word; did we know the effects of Warre we would study Peace pray for peace, petition for peace; and if wee could not prevaile, we would give out our selves to all that we have to fight for our peace against thereof, that some suddaine end might be put to the Warre.

Thirdly consider the example of our Adversaries how do they joyne together as one man against us: who would have thought such a war so expensive should be carried on in Ireland and now in England by vo∣luntary contributions amongst the Papists as we see it is shall the Pope have greater interest in Papists, ••han Christ in Christians? shall hee call for the assistance of Papists and they run, and ride, travell beyond Seas▪ flie into Holland, France G••r••an▪ Denmarke, every where for help? and shall we doe nothing? doe Papists forget all their interests in wives children Countries dwellings Estates gather into Armies, venture their lives for the Pop••? and shall Christ call for help, and shall we sit still? hath the Pope done more for Papists than Christ for Christians? hath the Pope shed his bloud for them? suffered wrath for them? adopted th••m unto God pluckt them out of the snares of death? hath not Christ don all this for us? hath the power of the

Masse-Booke prevailed more with Papists in the cause of their Lord God the Pope; then the Bible with Christians to doe for their Lord Iesus Christ? can the Pope protect in Battells, succeed Battells, prosper battells like unto Christ? can the Pope, reward our labours, make up breaches repay, losses, looke to widdowes and fatherthelesse, crowne with Glory like Iesus Christ? let us be ashamed of our pretended Chri∣stianity, if Christs cause hath in us no greater efficacy: In short, let us take what speedy course we can to redeeme all or wee loose all; pray for the peace of Ierusalem, and the ruine of Babylon; study the peace of Ierusalem and the ruine of Babylon, fight for the peace of Ierusalem and the ruine of Babylon, Christ and his Gospell, Religion, Lawes, Liberties, Estates, Trades, Wives, Children, all accommodations of soule and body, calls and cries, begs and intreats, if wee have any bowels of love and compassion, we would not give back but now give out our helpe, and thinke upon some suddaine, certaine, continued course by some generall asistant, that the burthen being put upon many shoulders, eve∣ry man might beare with ease and delight; whereby we may both pro∣secute and purchase our peace peace is our quarrell peace is our prayer, let peace bee our study and endeavours, and Peace shall bee our re∣ward.

FJNJS.