A DECLARATION Of ſeveral of the Churches of Chriſt, And Godly people: Being a few of the deſpiſed Remnant in and about the City of London, that yet cleave cloſe to the Cauſe and Intereſt of our Lord Jeſus, ſo much diſowned and rejected in theſe times of Apostacie, and in this hour of our great Tribulation and Temptation.

IN the Name of Jehovah-Niſſi, (Exod. 17.15. ) our Lord Chriſt, Protector of his People, King of Saints and Nations: To all that are ſanctified in Jeſus Chriſt, whether in Churches, or out, that partake of the ſame Faith (with us) of our Lord Jeſus, eſpecially the ſealed number now upon their watch, that have not defiled their garments, whoſe robes are waſhed with the blood of the Lamb, that are redeemed from among men, and fellow2 the Lamb whither ſoever he goeth, in theſe three Nations, or elſewhere. We their unworthy Brethren, one with them in the preſent Sufferings of our Lord Jeſus, and his Saints, in the behalf of our ſelves, and many others, Do from the bottom of our hearts, wiſh like Faith, Grace, Zeal, Light, Joy, and Peace, which we enjoy from God the Father, and Jeſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.

FOraſmuch as we believe many godly people in theſe three Nations and elſewhere, are deceived (and therefore unſatisfied) concerning us in the matters of our faith, relating to the moſt precious Cauſe, Intereſt, and Monarchy of the Lord Chriſt, (which we cleave unto) through miſrepreſentations and falſe reports made of us and our Principles, by perſons, and Letters poſted about the Nations for that purpoſe, full of er­rors, miſtakes, unchriſtian cenſures, uncharitable reproa­ches and invectives, wherein the Adverſaries have all the advantage againſt us, that worldly power can poſ­ſeſs them with: but now, that we may no longer (by a forced ſilence) be a diſſatisfaction to our Friends, grie­vance to the Truth, offence to the Saints, a trouble to our own Conſciences, and advantage to the Adverſa­ries, or be ſo much the ſubject (as we have been) of our Enemies malice, to forge their lyes, jealouſies, or evil reports upon, nor yet be ſuſpicious to many, and for ſignes and wonders to moſt in the Common­wealth; as if we were monſters, and not men; infidels, and not believers; enemies to Government, and not orators for it day and night, as God hath appointed it; We ſhall therefore (in the behalf of thouſands more (we hope) one with us herein) in all faithfulneſs, meek­neſs,3 and clearneſs, declare unto you, (and to all the world) how far we are engaged in this moſt glorious (though crucified) cauſe of Chriſt, (maugre all oppo­ſition of Men or Devils) in as little room as this ſhort Narrative will allow us; being awakened thereunto every day. Yet it cannot be expected, that in this Paper we ſhould relate all our Grievances, lay down all our Grounds, or anſwer all Objections, (which we hope to do hereafter) but onely ſo far as may make obvious to any unbyaſſed eye or underſtanding, the juſt riſe of our Diſcontents, Troubles, and Diſſatisfacti­ons, and as may exonerate our ſouls in the ſight of Heaven and Earth.

O our bowels, our bowels! our hearts even ake, and are pained within us, to hear the doleful and daily groans of Gods people, crying out, O where are our Deliverers and Saviours! The Reeds that we leaned upon, have pierced our hands, and we bleed! And af­ter our eyes fail with looking for Freedom, Peace, and Light, behold Darkneſs, Oppreſsion, and Distraction! and what hope is left us? And all this, through the declenſion of the Armies firſt Principles, and former Declarations, extant to the view of the world: wit­neſs p. 14, 15 of the Remonſtr. Albans, & p. 66. They urge it upon the grounds of Common Right, Freedom, and Safety, that Parliaments be by a certain ſucceſsion, Annually, or Biennially. And in their Declar. June 14. 1647. p. 8, 9. they declare this ſoeſſential and fun­damental to Freedom, as that it cannot, nor ought it to be denied or withholden from us: and that arbitrary or abſolute power in any perſon or per­ſons during life, doth not render that State any bet­ter then Tyranny, nor the People ſubjected thereto4 any better then Vaſſals.And therefore they ſay, p. 9. We are ſo far from deſigning or complying to have an abſolute or arbitrary power ſigned or ſetled for continuance in any perſons whatſoever, as that (if we might be ſure to obtain it) we cannot wiſh to have it ſo in the perſons of any whom we could moſt confide in, or who ſhould appear moſt of our own opinions or principles, or whom we might have moſt perſonal aſſurance of, or intereſt in; but that the Authority of this Kingdom in Parliament may ever ſtand, and have its courſe.Yet for all this, were not the laſt Parliament diſſolved, for that they would rule as Saints, (or part of the fifth Monar­chy, for Chriſt) and for doing that the former Par­liament neglected, & therefore were diſſolved? and for doing that which the Army and good people had many yeers declared to be their duty to do? viz. Remonſtr. p. 20. And have not ſome by Printing opprobriouſly and injuriouſly abuſed thoſe precious members that ſtood for the Magiſtracie and Miniſtery of the Goſpel, or Unction, as if they would have had no Government, no Miniſters, nor Propriety at all? and, after all their integrity, caſt an Odium upon them, and upon the name of Saints, yea, and upon the Interest of Chriſt, againſt which they have opened the mouthes of many thou­ſands to blaſpheme? O theſe are the ſwords which pierce our hearts! Beſides, doth not this Perſonal In­terest now up, look too much alike that which God hath confounded and ſtamped upon before our eyes? in the ſame predicament of Pride, Profaneſs, Perſecution of Saints, and Oppreſsion, with them that went before? Oh! are not the Wicked exalted on every ſide, and ſuch taken up again, (Malignants and others) as not5 long ſince they moſt declaim'd againſt? and are not the Saints (and them onely, or moſtly) afflicted, caſt out of their Aſſemblies from praying and preaching? and ſome of the faithfulleſt of them in all theſe Wars, now cloſely impriſoned (for their Conſciences and this Cauſe of Chriſt) from the common air, yea, caſt among Malefactors condemned; threatned, re­proached, and trampled on? Oh! can we have hearts ſo hard, as to mention theſe, and (many more) ſuch like effects, without yerning and mourning? Beſides, are not the new Court of Tryers at White­hall for Miniſters, of like make with the Biſhops High-Commiſsion-Court? The Graven image of the worldly power, creating a worldly Clergie, for worldly ends, highly ſcandalous, and againſt the Rule of the Goſpel, and Faith of Chriſt, and as much to be ex­ploded as the Pope and Prelate? notwithſtanding they aſſume the title of Orthodox, and ſoundneſs of opinion to themſelves, and upon that account charge others (that are not one with them in their Carnal and Anti­chriſtian Intereſt) with Errours and Raſhneſs. But, as the Declaration of the Army to Scotland, (p. 15) ſaith,This hath been found in all ages of high advantage to them that aſſumed it, that it were ſtrange if thoſe (Civil Tryers) ſhould not have uſed it to ſmite them withal, whom they would render odious, and deſtroy.And is not This againſt their own Declar. to Scotland, p. 16. where they ſay,That that Church-Government which is of God, Gods own means, viZ. his Word, muſt eſtabliſh, without a buſie medling with, or engaging of the authorities of the world?And the Lo. General CROMWEL, in his Letter to the Kirk-aſſembly from Dunbar, p. 11.4 ſaith,It is worth conſidering, how thoſe Miniſters take into their hands the inſtruments of a fooliſh ſhepherd, that meddle with worldly policies, or earthly powers, to ſet up that which they call The Kingdom of Chriſt; which indeed is neither it, nor, if it were, would ſuch means be found effectual for that end; and neglect, and not truſt to the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit, &c. Is not this all true in the Tryers? And is not this alſo againſt their own Remonſtr. Albans, pag. 20. where they de­clare it the Parliaments part,to protect religous men, and take away all the corrupted Forms of outſide-Religion, and (National) Church-ſtare, whether impoſed without Law, or rooted in Law in times of Popiſh ignorance or idolatry, or of Go­ſpels dimmer light; and alſo to take away the de­pendence of the (National) Clergie in Civil Laws and Eccleſiaſtical affairs, which they had upon the King; or that intereſt of the Clergie in Civil Laws and Affairs, which the craft of both in length of time had wrought for each other: But that the King's part was to diſcountenance the Godly, or a­ny conſcience obliging above or againſt humane or outward Conſtitutions, & to uphold and maintain the Civil dependence of the Clergie, and their Church-matters, under him.Our bowels are ſo moved at theſe things, that we cannot refrain from bewailing our condition, after ſo vaſt a ſtream and treaſure of the blood, tears, prayers, lives, and ſpoils of our deareſt relations. O did we ever think to ſee ſo many hopeful Inſtruments in the Army, Churches, and elſewhere, to be ſo fully gorged with the fleſh of Kings, Captains, and Nobles, &c. (i. e. with their7 Lands, Mannors, Eſtates, Parks, and Palaces) ſo as to ſit at eaſe, and comply with Antichriſt, the World, Worldly Church and Clergie. Oh! how hath the Cup of the Whore foxt and inchanted men! viz. with the wine of the wrath of her fornication, to commit ſin with her daily, (which the ſober bluſh to ſee) and to paint her over afreſh, for New Lovers to lie down with, to their utter ruine! O the Myſtery of Ini­quity works apace! This ſubtil ſpirit and ſoul of An­tichriſtianiſm (in a new body) hath bewitched many of the Common ſort, and is wonderful cunning to de­ceive; although by this univerſal falling away a­mongſt us, the Man of ſin is (bleſſed be Jehovah) more diſcovered then ever, who muſt be deſtroyed with the breath of Chriſt's mouth, and the brightneſs of his coming. Yet under a ſad ſenſe of ſo many freſh aſſaults which the Saints meet with daily by outward Violence, and Eccleſiaſtical Tyranny, and in a clear apprehenſion of that heavie Doom and Precipice hard by (we verily believe) upon all thoſe Powers and Interests of men, which keep warm the Seat of the bloody Beast for the Mother of harlots: And after many Solemn Meetings, and ſeekings of God for a ſpecial preſence, rolling our ſelves onely on his Arm, having no carnal confidence, (bleſſed be our wiſe God) now left us to look upon, we are fully perſwaded in our ſouls, that he who hath hitherto moſt eminently appeared, and plainly owned this bleſſed Cauſe (which the Apostates of the times have caſt aſide, and we yet cleave unto) in England, Ireland, Scotland, and elſe-where, according to the faith and prayers of his poor deſpiſed people, that he will yet appear, and that more eminently, (and terribly too) to ſave, then ever, and8 witneſs to the righteouſneſs of his own Cauſe, and the innocencie of his ſervants that ſuffer therein, in great mercy and pity, paſſing by the failings and infirmi­ties of us his poor creatures. Therefore though we are ſure that God will vindicate his own Name to pur­poſe, ere long, under ſo much reproach; yet, in the dread of that Name, we appeal unto the LORD, who will be a ſwift witneſs againſt us, if we utter theſe things in hypocriſie, or for baſe ends, or for any carnal Perſonal Interest whatſoever, if we are not in the ſin­cerity and ſimplicity of our hearts (ſo far as we have one grain of true grace in us) for Chriſt alone, and his poor rejected Cauſe and People, that we may eaſe and exonerate our ſelves in the ſenſe we have of our duty herein, and be withdrawn (to the eye of all) from partaking in the crying ſins and Apoſtacie of the Times; with all faithfulneſs, holy awe, and humility, we profeſs and declare,

1. For this Cauſe and Kingly Interest of our Lord Jeſus, in England, Ireland, and Scotland, or elſwhere, according to the ſeveral Declarations of the Army, ſealed to with the blood of thouſands of the precious Saints, the cry of whoſe blood is for Christ, accord­ing to the Declaration of the Army to Scotland, p. 36, 37, 38, 39. who declare,They were ſtirred up by the Lord to aſſiſt the Parliament againſt the King, for this end, To bring about the deſtruction of Antichriſt, and the deliverance of his true Church and people; & upon this ſimple account was it, that they engaged in the Wars of the three Nations, a­gainſt all Oppoſers of this work of Jeſus Chriſt; having theſe things ſingly in their eye, viz. the de­ſtruction of Antichriſt, and advancement of the9 Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, and deliverance and reformation of his Church, and the eſtabliſh­ment of Chriſts Ordinances according to his Word, and the juſt Civil Liberties of Engliſh­men. And this, they declare, with the loſs of many precious Saints, p. 38. That they en­gaged againſt the late King and his Monarchy, as one of the ten horns of the Beaſt, guilty of the blood of the Saints: which act (they ſay) they are confident God will own againſt all Kingdoms or Nations that will oppoſe them, and that will not ſuffer Jeſus Chriſt to be King.So page 39. they declare,they value the Churches^(a)(a)Then owning the Congregated Churches, as appears by Letters written to Mr. Feak, and Mr. Simpſon, and the Churches that walk in fellowſhip with them, and others. of Chriſt, who are the lot of Gods inheritance, a thouſand times beyond their own lives; and that it is their duty to perſevere therein to the utmoſt hazard of their lives: and that the Lord made them inſtruments to vex all in his ſore diſpleaſure, that take counſel againſt Chriſt, whom the Lord hath anointed and decreed King: and that they were not meerly the ſervants of man; and that they were not meerly the ſervants of man; and that they not onely proclaimed Jeſus Chriſt, King of Saints, to be King, but that they would ſubmit to him (alone) upon his own terms, and admit him (onely) to the exerciſe of his Royal authority.Therefore ſay they, in pag. 40. We beſeech you, in the fear of God, look about you: for our Lord Jeſus is coming, &c. Now accordingly we have and do declare for this Royal Interest of10 Chriſt, which ought to be ſet up, which ſo much blood hath been poured out for, like water, in the three Nations.) This Cauſe of Chriſt was magni­fied by God, in anſwering the Dunbar-Appeal againſt the King of Scots: The Engliſh Army appealing to God, according to the Act of Parliament, 1648. de­claring it High treaſon to ſet up Charles Stuart, or Any other perſon, Chief Magiſtrate in England, or Ireland, or any of the Dominions thereunto belonging. And as our Appeal was for No King but Jeſus, (by which were the greateſt Victories obtained that we had) the Scots Appeal, on the other ſide, was for A King, or Perſonal Intereſt of Man, &c. God's anſwer was ſo full and wonderful on the No King's ſide but Jeſus, and according to the Act of Parliament, (upon which the Army marched againſt the King of Scots) that all Scotland was given in in few months, and their armies deſtroyed: and, to uſe the very words of the Act of Parliament, Die Martis, 17 Septemb. 1650. This anſwer was enriched with ſo many remarkable cir­cumſtances, as is to be admired at by ſucceeding generations; evidencing ſuch a divine preſence, as the Commonwealth can never be thankful enough for: and that it was given in as a Seal or Confir­mation from heaven, of the juſtneſs of this Cauſe, after ſolemn appeals made on both ſides to God himſelf, the righteous Judge in this War between England and Scotland: and that God did ſo de­cide the Controverſie, (himſelf) was of ſuch value and high conſequence, that Generations to come may taſte the ſweet of it &c. Beſides all this, much more we might mention (of their own) for this Cauſe and Kingly Intereſt of Chriſt; which11 we are reſolved to adhere to, and (if the Lord will enable us) never to recede from, but to live and die in it. Neither is it a Reſiſting of Government, (as ſome ſay of us) but a Reforming of it (which our Principles lead us to) according to the Word. And ſeeing the Army and Parliament have often declared, as pag. 7. of Declar. June 14. 1647. No reſiſting of Magiſtra­cie, to ſide with juſt Principles; upon which Ma­xime they aſſiſted the Parliament againſt the King: and that it is one witneſs of God in the world, to carry on a teſtimony againſt the injuſtice and un­righteouſneſs of men, and againſt the miſcarriages of Governments, when corrupted, or declining from their primitive and original glory.We uſe their own words. 'Tis true, Every ſoul muſt be ſub­ject to the higher powers; and it is in obedience thereunto, that we are ſubject to Chriſt, and ſtand by this his Cauſe (as we do) ſo long as the Controverſie is not now (with us) between Man and Man, (as was wont to be in other ages) but it is between Chriſt and Man. Which of theſe two then ſhall have the abſolute power of Government in the Nations? and who are the reſiſters of the higher powers which are of God, thoſe that own, or thoſe that oppoſe Chriſt's claim? Judge ye!

2. Becauſe the Boutefeu's of the Times are ever blowing up the flames upon us, and incenſing the pre­ſent worldly powers and others againſt us, with their lying accuſations, and evil ſurmiſings, as the adver­ſaries did, Ezra 4. and Nehem. 6. againſt Iudah and Ie­ruſalem, (to render them odious to Artaxerxes) that they intended to rebel when they had done their buil­ding; and that if he ſuffered them to go on, it would12 hinder his Revenue, &c. and ſo Sanballat ſent Nehe­miah word, that he and the Jews intended to rebel, when they had done with the walls they were about: and all this, to weaken the hands of them that had a minde to work. Therefore, to avoid ſuch Jea­louſies and Fears, We do freely declare againſt all Carnal Plots, Deviliſh Deſignes, or Ungodly Com­binations of men whatſoever, as inconſiſtent with thoſe gracious Principles which have (we hope) car­ried us (and yet do daily) into a ſpiritual warfare and hot conteſt for this Cauſe of Chriſt, by the Word, Faith, Prayer, and Solemn appeals unto our God, the righteous Judge of heaven and earth. And in­deed, being (thus) armed with the whole armour of God, we dare (as before) wreſtle with Principalities and Powers; and, through the grace of our God, we are not afraid of their Armies or Numbers, but (al­though we have not the leaſt reliance on any arm of fleſh, yet) we can bid defiance unto all the enemies of this glorious Cauſe of Chriſt contended for by the Saints, with thoſe means that God's Word leads us unto; for which, our dear brethren are impriſoned, and ſuffer perſecution at this day. Therefore, in a juſt and ne­ceſſary defence of what is dearer to us then our lives, (bought with the price of the blood of Chriſt, and thouſands of his deareſt Saints) we call heaven and earth to witneſs between us and our brethren that have denied us and this Cauſe! For in Caſes not clearly or properly under mans judgment, or where it is not eaſie for man to give a certain judgment, the engaged, upon ſure Principles and Pretences, do centre in appeals to God for judgement: and ſo did the two tribes and a half, Joſh. 22. for that it is then13 the proper work of God to bear witneſs, and give righteous judgment: which as he hath always done, ſooner or later, clearer or darker, after the Appeal is made to him; ſo in this laſt age and part of the world he hath made more haſte then formerly to judgement, and given it more quickly, ſpeedily, and terribly, and made his own Arm ſo bare therein, as all men might ſee it: witneſs the aforeſad Appeal at Dunbar. In the ſame Cauſe the Appeal is now made (by us) a­gain. All which hath induced us to take up the Word of God, Faith, and Prayer (by Solemn Ap­peals to the juſt Judge of Heaven and Earth) in the like and the ſame Cauſe. A few particulars of the Matter whereof, take as followeth.

1. About their Vows, Declarations, Promiſes, Engage­ments, made unto God for Chriſt and his Interest,Pſal. 66.13, 14. Deut. 23.21. Eccleſ. 5.3, 4. 5.6. in time of their great distreſs: all which, are they not broken, both as to Magistracie, Mi­nistery, Churches, Liberty, and the Right of the Saints of the moſt High? We appeal to God.

2. Whether an eſpouſing of the ſame or a like in­terest with that which God hath deſtroyed before our eyes, and rejecting this bleſſed Cauſe of Chriſt, King of the Nations, for a Perſonal Cauſe of Man, as we now conceive, Jer. 3.1, Mal. 2.11. be not a provocation of God in the higheſt degree, and too full a teſtimony of the fouleſt hypocriſie and ſelfiſh­neſs in them, whoſe former Profeſſion and Declara­tions obliged them to the contrary?

3. Whether a perſecuting and impriſoning ſome of of the choiceſt and holieſt ſervants of Chriſt, in the preſent light, and work of this Generation, whilſt the14 Wicked are exalted on every ſide, and ſuch as were caſt by, taken up again, Iſa 49.24, 25. Ier. 13.17. be of God, or no?

4. Whether the violence and force, flattery, or any other wayes which are uſed to compel any of us, a­gainſt our Conſciences, to proſtrate to mens carnal interests, and to ſin againſt the light, be according to their former pretended Principles, or the Word of God?

5. Whether their unjuſt and unchristian accuſations of us in the face of the world, are not full of loath­ſome and cruel lyes, whiles they ſpread about, That we are againſt Magiſtracie, Miniſtery, Propriety, Ordi­nances, and the like? Whether it be ſo or no, we ap­peal to him that judgeth righteouſly.

6. Their vexing and riſing up againſt the Spirit of God, which they call an Impoſtor, and the falſe, de­viliſh, fanatick ſpirit of Black-Fryers, or Alhallows-meeting; ſpeaking blaſphemouſly againſt it, and that frequently: wherein we appeal to the Lord to judge, Whether that Spirit that is among them, leading to Pride, Pomp, Worldlineſs, Carnallity, Lying, Perſecution, and Blaſpheming; or that Spi­rit which leads us day and night to the duty of Faith, Aſſembling, Praying, Preaching; Exhorting, and Building up in the preſent Truth conteſted againſt by them, and to Comforting Counſelling, and Quicking up one another every day, to hold faſt our profeſſion without wavering; to Self-denying and Morification, that we may not minde the pre­ſent World, nor the vanities thereof: Whether this Spirit, our infirmities excepted, or theirs, which acts them, be of God; and which is the deviliſh,15 wordly, and deluding ſpirit. Iſa. 63.10. 2 Pet. 2.7, 8.

7. Is not pomp, pride, and vanity in Court and elſe­where, now up again, (in ſome reſpects more then ever) ſo much conteſted and inveighed againſt for ſo many yeers together, by themſelves and others? Whether by theſe (amongſt other things) they have not opened the mouthes of the Enemies to blaſpheme Chriſt and his Spirit? to reproach his Cauſe, and to harden their hearts? And whether they have not given advantage to Charles Stuart or ſome others, to invade us, our lives, our relations, afreſh, by open Wars, Inundation of blood and Miſchief, ſo as ſeems to make void and uneffectual many yeers Wars, with vaſt treaſure, expence and blood?

8. Whereas they ſay, we are all for Wars, and would have no Peace with the Nations round about; we appeal to God therein, whether we are not for the beſt, ſafeſt, and laſting (godly) Peace? and, were it God's will, could wiſh no more blood might be ſhed! Although we would not willingly ſee a peace (worſe then War) made with the nations, againſt the Word of God, Safety and Liberties of the good peo­ple, (for which ſo many have bled both by Land and Sea) and upon ſuch terms too, as makes more for the intereſt of ſome men, then for the Publick; or upon ſuch Articles, (as might make us bluſh for ſhame, at this time of the Day, and after ſo many out-goings of God in the midſt of us) as have not ſo much as one Article for the Lord Jeſus, or his Saints, that are in the preſent work of this generation, concerning Chriſts Kingdom or Intereſt, to ſubſcribe unto, Numb. 33.52, 53. to the end. Exod. 23.32, 33, and 34. chap. 12.13.

Upon theſe (and many other) grounds, we are in­duced (and are reſolved in the ſtrength of Chriſt) to keep up the Altar^**Ioſh. 22.34. ED, and continue our Appeal until the Lord doth anſwer in ju­ſtice, and yet in much mercy, to his poor little remnant, (which we are perſwaded will be ſpeedily) as Luke 18.7, 8. And if men will (yet) needs blinde their eyes, and harden their hearts (we could wiſh it be not to their deſtruction) yet we do bleſs our heavenly Fa­ther that hath opened our eyes, and kept our feet from fal­ling, (with them) that we can ſo comfortably ſee the things that concern our (beſt) Peace, according to the Law and the Testimony, in the ſure Word of Pro­phecie. Bleſſed be JEHOVAH. Amen, A­men.

3. But thirdly and laſtly, for that we finde much Miſunderſtanding among ſome, and Miſrepreſentations among moſt, of the Fifth Monarchy, or Kingdom of Christ in the Nations, which the holy Scriptures, both in the Old and New Teſtament, do clearly and plen­tifully declare, with a poſitive period to the Worldly, Heatheniſh Laws, Ordinances and Conſtitutions of men, as they are now executed in the Nations of the world: And whereas it is alſo upon the hearts of many of the choice ſervants of God, that in this preſent Age the Lord JEHOVAH is ſetting up the fifth King­dom, (as Dan. 2.44. & 7.22, 26, 27. Zech. 21.) which ſhall not be left to other people, but ſhall break in pieces all the four kingdoms, and remain for ever and ever; and that (at this time) whenas the fourth Monarchy is partly broken in theſe Nations, that Chriſt may be the onely Potentate, the King of kings, and of all Na­tions, 1 Tim. 6.15. Micah 4.7. Zech. 9.9, 10. Col. 1.16. 17Heb. 2.8. Rev. 11.15. & 17. Chap. 14 & 19. Chap. 15.16. Now finding this (the preſent Truth) ſo much oppoſed by the National Rulers and their Clergie, yea, and by ſome godly people and Church-members, ac­counted Orthodox, who cannot endure the day of Chriſts coming; We therefore are reſolved, ac­cording to the preſence and aſsiſtance of the Lord with us, to entertain a ſerious Cenſideration and Debate for the benefit of all others, touching the premiſes, viz. of the Laws, Subjects, Extent, Riſe, Time, Place, Offices and Officers of the fifth Monarchy, or Kingdom, whereby the World muſt be governed according to the Word of God, without the mixture (as now is) of Mens Laws and Inventions, whether in reſpect of Magistracy or Miniſtery, Church or Civil affairs: which Debate we intend to hold once a week in this City of London: and we deſire our beloved brethren which are one with us in the preſent Truth and ſuf­ferings, whether in Churches or out, whether in City or Country, (that are enlightned) to take ſpecial notice of it, for this end, that they may enjoy the like fredom with us in thoſe Meetings and Debates, as often as they pleaſe to come. And if the Lord give us the liberty, we do purpoſe to proceed with the De­bate of it from this day onward, until we have taken up a full and clear Narrative thereof (ſo far as ſhall appear to us) out of the Scriptures, fit to publiſh to the view of all men, that our Principles in that point of the fifth Monarchy, may be fully known; with deſire to know what any of our Adverſaries (now againſt us) ſhall have to ſay to us or to our prin­ciples therein; who are contented with all our ſouls (the Lord knows) to be convinced of any Errour18 or Miſtakes by the Word of Truth: But we think not Impriſoning or Perſecuting us, a competent or fit way to convince our Conſciences; if we were in errours, as they pretend.

And although we need no Law of men to allow us this Liberty, it being our Birth-right in Chriſt a­mong Chriſtians, and ſo fully warranted by the Word of God, and practice of Primitive Saints; yet if we ſhould condeſcend to the Captious of our times, we could tell them, The Inſtrument, intituled, The Government of the Common-wealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, in the five and twentieth Arti­cle declares,That Liberty ſhall be given to diſco­ver and confute Errour and Hereſie, and whatſoe­ver is contrary to ſound doctrine.All which the Engager, fol. 46. hath promiſed in the preſence of God to obſerve, and cauſe to be obſerved to his power; ſubſcribed, O. CROMWEL. In the mean time, men would do well to take heed of Blaſpheming, Re­proaching Chriſt, his Spirit, and his Monarchy, as they do daily, (for which our hearts are grieved within us) and to ſearch the Scriptures whether theſe things be ſo or no. For as the Lord Cromwel writes, in his own Letter to the Kirk of Scotland,The Word of the Lord may be to ſome a word of judgement, that they may fall backward and be broken, and ſnared and taken; there may be a ſpiri­tual fulneſs, which the world may call drunken­neſs, (or giddineſs) Act. 2.O that we might beſeech ſuch in the bleeding Bowels of Chriſt, (crucified be­fore our eyes) to think it poſſible they may be miſta­ken! Though the Great Ones, and Wiſe Ones, Prieſts and Rulers, Scribes and Phariſees, and Orthodox19 Profeſſors (ſo accounted of the times) were all on their ſide; yet a little handful of the weak ones may have the Truth (though but the deſpiſed perſecuted Truth) on their ſide. And we do in the tenderneſs of our hearts and affections to all that are faithful, beg of them in the Name of the Lord Jeſus (who is com­ing to raign righteouſly and gloriouſly) that they will have nothing to do with them that are guilty of ſo great ſins, leſt partaking of their ſins, they partake alſo of their plagues. And we hope the Lord will enable us to undergo the ſharpneſs of this day, for our dear Chriſt and his Cauſe, through the Reproaches, Impriſonments, Perſecutions, unjuſt Charges, unci­vil Railings, or un-Goſpel Carriages, which we have, or are like to meet with, whether leſs or more, ſo we may drink out of Chriſt's Cup, and pledge our Maſter, who firſt drank to us the bitter Potion.

We ſhall cloſe at preſent with our heartieſt prayers and ſupplications, That God the Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt would in his due time caſt down all thoſe carnal, earthly, cruel and political combinati­ous of men (of all ſorts) that would not have him to Reign over us, but ſet up themſelves, and their own corrupted intereſts, in the room of that Scepter of righteouſneſs which he hath given into the hands of his dear Son; that he would by his Spirit (reſting and abiding upon you and us) keep up all our hearts in a conſtant and patient waiting for his coming till he comes: Even ſo come quickly, Lord Ieſus come quickly.