To The supream Authority the PARLIAMENT of the COMMON-WEALTH of ENGLAND.

FOrasmuch, as there are Thousands in these first Warres, Did freely ingage in the Service of the PARLIAMENT, many of them with their Horses and Armes, upon their owne Costs and Charges. And loosing all they had by plunder of the Enemy, many lost their Lives, many their Page  2Limbes, and many their Children, Parents, Husbands, and neare Friends in the said Service, but the Heires, and Executors of the slayne and deceased, or those Persons who remaine alive, have yet received very little satisfacti∣on for their said Service, or losse of Estates or Lives. And others freely lent their Moneys, and other things for the said Service upon the Publique Faith (for all which foresaid Debts due before 1647.) there hath been very little or no satisfaction or Security provided by the STATE unto this day (unless it bee by doubling the like Summes) which by reason of their great Poverty they are not able to doe) many having sold their Estates and Inheritance to pay their debts which they came into only by the said Service; others being in Prison for debt, some have been starved to death, and many to preserve them from the like miseries, have been inforced to sell their Bils and Debenters at - 5.s. 4.s. 3.s. 2.s. and 1.s. 6.d. the pound, and many at lower rates, (and all for want of their just Debts and Arreares the price of their Bloods) (to have relieved and preserved them.) The Rich thereby making a prey and increasing their riches, by purchasing themselves large possessions with the just Debts (even the destruction and blood of the Poor) but yet the same hath not bin layd to heart by many of our Governors and Ma∣gistrates, so much as to relieve them with their own just Debts so long since due, and dearly earned (in this their lamentable sufferings.) Although it is yet hoped by many who desire to feare the Lord, that many of our Honora∣ble Rulers doe pitty their sad Condition, and desire their relief, and satisfaction of their said old just Debts.

But by reason of the necessities of the Armies by land, and the Fleets by Sea, daily calling for supplies (so that Page  3in regard of the numerousnesse of unnecessary Offices and Places (with their severall Officers to supply them) and large Saleries allowed unto them) the State doe want money to satisfie their present necessities as aforesaid, (and therefore cannot satisfie the foresaid Creditors.)

ALL WHICH, having been considered by many faith∣full well affected persons to the COMMON-WEALTH. They have endeavored to find out Just wayes and meanes to satisfie the said old Debts, and to take off the Cryes and Clamors of the said poore People against the PARLIAMENT, by reason of their great want of what is due unto them.

And for that said purpose, they have propounded divers things unto the Committee for matters of great Impor∣tance who were ordered by the House to receive the same, which may bee effectuall Security and full satisfaction unto all the said poore Creditors.

And to that end, Collonell PRIDE, with Eleven more honest, able, and sufficient men (out of their Love and care to the Honour of the Parliament, and pitty unto the said poore Creditors) have ingaged and subscribed their Names thereunto, before the said Committee, to manage and carry on the said whole Work at their own costs and charges, without putting the COMMON-WEALTH to any Expences) And to satisfie the said old Debts, out of all such reall and personall Estates of the late Kings, &c. and Bishops, &c. which are unjustly concealed and with-held from the Common-Wealth, (and doe of right belong to the State;) And out of all Moneys unjustly concealed, or with-held in the hands of all Treasurers, or Collectors, or any other intrusted by the State, being not yet accompted for or payed in. And out of the states Page  4of notorious Delinquents, which are not remitted in the Act of generall Pardon, (and not yet discovered or dispo∣sed on, by any Act or Order of PARLIAMENT:) And by the demolishment of all the Cathedrals (in regard they are decaying) so that they will cost great and vast summes of Money to repaire and keepe them up; and they being of no use for the true worship of God, or be∣nefit unto the Common-wealth. And where necessity is, of a House of meeting in the stead of any of them) that there may bee convenient Houses built, with a part of the Mo∣ney raised from them, wherein twice so many may heare to understand the Words of him that speakes, more then can in any of those high built Places, by reason the vast∣nesse of them drownes the understanding of the words with the sounding of the voyce. And I hope none who doe own God will deny, but that Hearing is the only out∣ward means to increase knowledge of God, and JESVS CHRIST, with what hee hath done for poor Sinners, and Love to him, and Faith in him (without all which) it is impossible to please him, or glorifie him.

All which said Proposals (with a Bill for making them Practicable) hath been reported from the said Committee unto the House (by Col. MARTIN) and upon debate thereof, it was referred back to the same Committee, to consider and bring in a Bill for the Ca∣thedrals; And another Bill for making the Lands in Ire∣land practicable for payment of the Publique Faith (to those that will accept thereof.) And also the Bill for Concealements, as aforesaid.

And the House ordered the said Committee to meet on Tuesday the 13.^th of July last, 1652. But as yet they have done nothing, or very little in the Premises.

Page  5 The Premises therefore seriously considered (viz.)

• First, the justnesse of satisfying the foresaid poore Cre∣ditors their just Debts so long since due unto them.
• Secondly, the great distresse and want which thou∣sands of the said Creditors are in (for want of their said Debts.)
• Thirdly, that the Rich (of whom) most are disaffec∣ted enemies unto the State, doe increase their riches and purchase themselves large Possessions (by buying the said just Debts of the Poore and well-affected friends) at such inconsiderable rates as aforesaid (unto the utter undoing of many of them.)
• Fourthly, that there is Monies and other Estates un∣justly concealed and with-held from the State (which will) with the Cathedrals (and the Land in Ireland, Or∣dered by the House to pay those who will accept of it:) undoubtedly pay and satisfie all the said Debts of the Common-wealth.
• Fifthly, the equity in calling all such Persons unto an accompt.
• Sixthly, that such honest and able Men, having under∣taken to mannage and carry on the said Worke for pay∣ment of the said Debts (upon the foresaid Proposals at their owne charges) in regard the State doe want Money to satisfie the same. And—
• Seaventhly, the daily Cries and Clamors of so many poore People against the Parliament, for want of their said just Debts so long since due unto them; So that in consideration of the Premises, it is hoped by all Godly, honest and well-affected persons unto this Common-wealth, that this Work which is so just, charitable, con∣scientious, of such necessity, and so agreeable unto the Page  6word of God, and tendeth so much to his glory, the Honour of the Parliament, the good, benefit and satis∣faction of the said poore Creditors, and of the Common-wealth in generall, (will not bee any longer neglected.) But that the said Bills depending in the House, will now bee speedily taken into Consideration, and be passed for satisfaction of the said Debts, which will be most accep∣table unto the said poore Creditors and all honest and well-affected friends of this Common-wealth, and will for ever ingage their hearts and affections most firmly unto the Parliament; and will remove all the cryes and clamors of the said poore Creditors, and will not bee excepted against or offensive unto any. (But such who are eyther ignorant, or wicked Men; or such who doe Conceale or with-hold such Monies or other Estates as aforesaid from the Common-wealth, or else the disaffe∣cted Enemies thereof.)

And wee hope and earnestly desire; That all our Ho∣norable Governours, will seriously weight and consider of all the foresaid Premises (and in love unto) and Zeale for (the glory of God) and tender pitty and bowels of Com∣passion unto the poore and distressed Creditors, and for the good of all Gods people; over whom hee hath in mercy placed You to bee Governours, under his owne deare Son IESUS CHRIST (our King) that You will not neglect to afford Relief unto the said poor Creditors, by passing of the said Bills for their satisfaction and re∣liefe.

And so wee humbly leave all the Premises unto the serious consideration of the Honourable house; earnestly praying (You may proceed therein and in all other the great and weighty affairs of the COMMON-WEALTH) Page  7According to the rule of the good Word and Will of our GOD, (and no otherwise) (which that You may do) with all Zeale, courage all holy Resolution; The Lord fill You will his holy Spirit of truth, which may Guide and lead you into all Truth, and direct You in all your great Affaires (onely to seeke the glory of God, and ex∣alting of his Son our Lord and King) and the spreading abroad of his glorious Gospell, to the Converting poor sinners, and opening their Eyes, to turne them from dark∣nesse to light, and from the power of Satan unto GOD, that they may receive forgivenesse of sinnes, and an In∣heritance amongst those which are sanctified by Faith in the Lord Iesus Christ; and for the Good and Re∣lief, Preservation, and Comfort of all his People.