Articles of impeachment, agreed upon by the army under command of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, sent to the Honourable House of Commons, together with their charge, and signed John Rushworth, Secretary; against Sir Iohn Clotworthy. Sir Wil. Waller. Sir Philip Stapleton. Sir Iohn Maynard. [brace] Sir William Lewis. Maj. Gen. Massie. Col. Hollis Esq. Mr. Glyn. [brace] Mr. Nichols. Mr. VValter Long. Colonell Harlow. Members of the House of Commons. Together with the gallant answer of the said members, to their impeachment.

Articles of Impeachment proposed by the Army, under command of His Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax, against Eleven Members of the House of Commons read in the said House, June 17 With their An∣swer to the said Charge.

SIR,

FOR yours which I rec••ived, I thank you; and for the Armie, to satisfie you in what you desire to bee resol∣ved in, in those two great points of Mona••chie & J••∣stice. I shall tell you my opinion of them. They take not Holland, but Gods Word for a Rule to walk by, & to looke ••n Monarchie, shall we think our Neighbors the Hollan∣ders more kind or lesse cunning then States are wont to be that thus by way of Empresse, they publish to the World the well-spring of their own prosperitie, and the grand root whereby all other States may both perpetuate and enlarge themselves. I believe rather, that as Phisitians make not nice to give a receipt which they thinke some others know, and those that do not cannot procure the ingredients so the

Hollander conceiving this Benedictum medicamentum, such as Common-wealths cannot be ignorant of, and Kingdoms hardly make use of, have bin willing to boast this Motto, as the honour of Demacracies, and the reproach of Monarchies. The first of these have no being without it, since by con∣cord, I suppose is here understood, a unanimous consent of the parts to pursue one and the same end, that is the good of the whole; and what constitutes a Weal-publike, but this? Whereas in Monarchies (I say not what should be, but what is) the two constitutive parts thereof, the King and People, have still such opposite interests, the one of more libertie, the other of more absolutenesse, that it is hard to assigne an object proportionate to both their happinesse wherein to reconcile and concentricate their aimes. I erre to say, it is hard to assigne such an object, since the happinesse and flou∣rishing of a Kingdome in generall, is confest by that where∣in both Prince and Peoples felicitie consists; but the diffi∣cultie lies in engaging both parties, in such zeale and ar∣dence to promove that one and common end, as may over∣bear the more sensible intrests of their own individuals that shall urge them contrarie wayes.

The difficultie of kindling on both sides this uniting and evertuating ardour proceeds principally from three causes, one peculiar to each, and a third common to both.

First, that Princes seldome or never reflect upon the ori∣ginals of their authority and preheminence.

Secondly, that the people think as rarely of the reasons of their subjection.

And thirdly, that neither do rightly consider themselves in their noblest condition of relation to the whole, but in the abstractednesse of their inferiour and personall beings.

For did Kings but remember how they became such, by the peoples confidence in their vertue, and why that fee'd,

as it were by dignity and honour above all, they might make the tranquility and comfort of all their care; and did the people weigh the voluntarinesse of their own subjection how their Votes were given for Monarchie in their prede∣cessors assents, or the motives thereunto, their own greater quiet and security, by conferring more cares then honours on their superintendent. Or lastly, did both but ponderate what a superiour thing in nature to either of them, is that result from them both which we call a Kingdome; and of what greater dignity even they are, as co••stitu••ive parts of that whole, then as headlesse or bodilesse subsistents of themselves, it were unpossible but both Prince and people must flame into as strict an union of affections to advance that excellent end, as we see all parts of nature it selfe com∣bind in for the preservation and ornament of the universe. In God, Unity and E••ernity are convertible, in nature, the best imitation of his perfection, union, and duration, are un∣separable, and in States permanence without u••animity imp••ssible.

And for Justice and Righteousnesse, to satisfie you in that also as concerning the execution thereof, they defire the ex••end ••o all persons, and in all cases. But to give you accompt to that which you desire more particularly, in re∣lation to charge against Members; it is thus.

For the setling and securing of the common right, freedome, and peace of the Kingdom, wher∣of the Army have a share: they have received such informations as have been brought to them concerning divers persons, some of whom are persons of eminency: yet they have proceeded to a charge, which they have drawn up, and sent

to the house of Commons against 11 of their own Members.

• I. The Army hath charged them in a generall way to appear.
  • 1. To have a will, confidence, cre∣dit, and power to abuse the Parliament.
  • 2. To have the like will, confidence, credit, and power to a∣buse the Army.
  • 3. To be unjust and high in the proceedings against the Army.
• II. The Army hath sent up a particular Im∣peachment against them, consisting of severall heads, As acting things tending to the subversion of the Lawes and Rights of the Subject To stirre up persons against the Parliament. To hinder the businesse of Ireland, and other generall things Signed by John Rushworth Secretary, by their appointment, exprest in their papers sent to the house of Commons.

If these Gentlemen, upon tryal, shal appear in∣nocent, then it will justly appear, that the Armies designes are dangerous, and that bee cleare which now is made an obstruction.

As for the Lords, there are no Members of the house of Pieres charged by the Army, as yet, nor any Citizen of London But the Army have ano∣ther Proposition concerning the houses, and that

is to have them purged of such Members as they shall make appear to be Delinquents, &c. Some∣thing also they have to bring, Deputy Lieute∣nants of Counties, Members of Country Com∣mittees (and others who have beene entrusted with the States Money) to accompt: And the protest, the uttermost of their ends in all this to b•• chiefly for Gods glory, and for justice and Righ∣teousnesse. God grant a firme peace, and prevent further bloud-shed: so prayes,

St. Albanes this ••8. of Iune 1647.

Your most humble serva•••• R. CORBET.

We wayt in great expectation of the City Com∣missioners.