THE VINDICATION OF THE PARLIAMENT And their Proceedings OR Their Military Designe prov'd Loyall and Legall A Treatise wherein these things are ingeniously and sincerely handled to wit 1. That the MILITIA as setled by the PARLIAMENT is lawfull 2. That it is lawfull for us to obey it so setled by Them 3. That the PARLIAMENT is not by us to be deserted 4. That in aiding the PARLIAMENT the KING is not opposed 5. That the PARLIAMENT as the case stands may not confide in the King 6. That this necessary Defensive WARRE of Theirs is indubitably justifiable Pulchrum pro Patria mori LONDON Printed in the Yeare MDCXLII The Vindication of the PARLIAMENT and their PROCEEDINGS THe maine thing now looked upon What is now principally enquired after and pried into by all eyes is the nature of this present Martiall and Military Designe undertaken by the Parliament Now although much hath beene writien by many upon this Subject yet divers well disposed and well affected persons are very unsetled and unresolved what to thinke thereof and the Reasons hereof I conceive to bee these to wit 1. 5. Reasons why the vulgar sort are unsatisfied in the present expedition That compendious kind of writing which some use in laying downe onely the particular Head by way of assertion without either amplification application or proofe whence he who is not informed or thorowly insighted into the truth and nature of that which is affirmed is ready to conclude it a fallacie Petitio quaesiti dare not beleeve it upon the Authors bare word 2. That abstruse sublime and high stile which others use in their writings thinking all apprehensions as quick and judgements as profound and understandings as cleare as ther owne and thus not stooping to the capacity of vulgar Readers leave them as perplexed and as much unsatisfied as they found them 3. That confused kind of writing which some have for as Method doth much helpe both the memory and vnderstanding so immethodicall discourses doe confound both understanding and judgement 4. That sleight and superficiall kind of writing which others have who never searching themselves into the depth life and bottome of the point in hand leave their Reader just so wise as they found him 5. That timerous and halfe handling of the case in controversie which some are guilty of for some have taken the point in hand but fearing Veritas odium parit that Truth will come home with a scratcht face dare not say what they can may should or ought of the point for the full satisfaction of their Reader â—aving him by this means altogether without light in the most materiall things which he undertakes to instruct him in And therefore because I will never refuse to sacrifice my life much lesse spare any paines for the welfare safety and prâ—â—â—â—vation of my Countrey the preventing of these Civill wars threatâ—â—â—â— composing of our present distractions and the satisfaction of tender consciences to the utmost of my ability I have with what brevity sincerity plainnesse and clearnesse possibly I could declared unto all who desire to be satisfied what they may conceive and imagine of the true nature of the present Designe of the State and condition wherein we aâ—â— and what seemes to be intended and aimed at by both Siâ—er I will not trouble my selfe to search Record nor presume to expound and interpret Lawes being no Lawyer but only slow the lawfulnesse of this Designe as farre as the law of Nature the light of humune Reason and experience and my small knowledge in Religion will dictate unto me Against the Parliament two things are excepted Exceptions taken against the Parliament viz. their Act and the Effect of that Act or their Action and Intention 1. Their Action is the putting of the Kingdome into a posture of defence by settling of the Militia without the assent of the King 2. Their Intention herein is supposed or surmised to be the strengthening of themselves against the King and the raising of Forces against his power Now of both these severally Concerning the Militia two quaere's are ordinarily made The setling of the Militia lawfull to wit 1. Whether it be lawfull for the Parliament to settle it without the Royall assent 2. Whether it be lawfull for us to obey it so setled by Them Quest 1 First it may be demanded Whether was it lawfull for the Parliament to settle the Militia which is made the cause of all our present distractions and dangers or not without the Kings Royall assent Answ 1 First they did it not without asking his permission and leave for considering the necessity of putting the Kingdome into a Posture of defence both in regard of Forreigne and Domestick Forces and Foes they addressed themselves to his Majesty desiring him so to order and dispose of the Militia of the Kingdome as it was agreed upon by the wisedome of his great and grand Councell whose counsell above all others Kings in Parliament time have and ought to embrace and follow And therefore we may imagine that to be lawfull which our best Lawyers yea Law-makers did so earnestly sue and sollicite for Answ 2 Secondly the Parliament continuing their humble supplications unto the King his Majestie was once graciosluy pleased by Message sent unto them to promise that the Militia should be put into such hands as they should approve of or recommend unto Him provided that they declared together with the Names of the Persons the extent of their power and the time of their continuance both which they did which shewes evidently That there was nothing unlawfull in the substance of the thing desired His Majesty himselfe not excepting against that but at the most that somthing desired by them did not square with some circumstances observed in former times Answ 3 Thirdly the Parliament seeing a necessity of settling the Militia thought that in conscience and humane reason it was much better fafer and more agreeable to that trust which was reposed in them by the Kingdome That the strength of the Kingdome should rather be ordered according to the direction and advice of the Great Counsell of the Land equally intrusted by the King and Kingdome for the managing of the great affaires thereof then that the safety of the King Parliament and Kingdome should be left at the devotion of a few unknowne Counsellours many of them having not beene at all formerly intrusted by his Majesty in any publike office or service nor confided in by the Common-wealth And therefore we may conjecture the legality of the Militia settled by the Parliament Answ 4 Fourthly the Parliament desire not to remove the Militia from the King but from his subordinate Ministers who by reason of their evill counsels given unto Him and their small love respect and care shewed towards Them the Parliament dare not confide in and therefore onely place it upon other Ministers whom they have no cause to suspect nor against whom when they
Houses of Parliament I imagiue may be disobeied For I do conceive that no lawyer will say that suppose the King should take the broad Seal of England from the Lord Keeper into his own hands that all the writs whatsoever he should issue forth signed with his own hand and sealed therewith ought to be obeyed for it is not the stamp and impression of the Seale which makes a thing lawfull but the Keeper thereof ought to be a Lawyer and by his place should not for feare or favour signe any Writs there with but such as are legall and if he do otherwise he is lyable to be questioned and censured by a Parliament And therefore doubtlesse when Writs and Precepts are issued forth without the broad seal or without a regall that is legall authority as of all the Writs and Commissions for executing the Commission of Array are as is proved both by the Parliament and others they may be disobeyed and withstood especially when they are destructive to the Common-wealth Answ 4 Fourthly Princes by Parliaments may be withstood when they desire or endeavour those things which tend to the envassailing of their people Kings we know sometimes have loved their enemies more then their friends and have marched forth amongst their enemies to encounter with their friends As for example Richard 2. thought Spencor and his confederates his best friends though they were base sycophants and bainefull foes and conceited that his Peers who were his loyallest Subjects were the truest Traitors And hence Princes being abused by the slattery of private persons for some wicked ends of their own have followed their private perverse counsels before the grave loyall and faithfull advice of their sage Senate Now that it is lawfull for Parliaments to withstand Princes who make unlawfull Warre upon their people is so evidently proved by the Author of that lately come forth and learned and pious Treatise called A Soveraigne Antidote to prevent Civill Warres Pag. 6 7 8 9 c. that at present I wholy silence it Answ 5 Fiftly the matter with us is quite and generally mistaken and the Question altogether wrong stated viz. Whether we should obey the King or Parliament for the King and Parliament are not like two parallell lines which can never meet nor like two incompatible qualities which cannot be both in one subject nor like the Arke and Dagon whom one House will not hold nor like God and Mammon which one man cannot serve for by siding with and assisting of the Parliament in those things which are according to Law we side with and serve the King Two things are here distinguishable to wit 1. In our obeying of the Parliament according to Law we obey the King This his Majesty grants commands and commends yea professeth that he requires no obedience of us to himselfe farther then he enjoynes that which is Law lawfull and just And 2. In our obeying of the Parliament in this present Military and Martiall designe we stand for the King not against Him that is for the good of his soule person estate honour and posterity of which a word or two severally 1. They stand for the Soule of their Soveraigne who withstand him having a lawfull call and warrant thereunto from doing those things which if he doe he can never justifie in the Court of Conscience nor at the great chancery day of Judgement but must sinke under the sentence of condemnation for those unlawfull and unjustifiable facts And therefore the Parliament and we in obedience unto Them are friends unto the Soule of our dread Soveraigne in not obeying aiding and assisting of Him to make unnaturall unlawfull and unwarrantable Warres upon his Parliament and people which can never be defended or justified before or unto God to whom the Mightiest as well as the meanest must give a strict account of all their actions at the last day And 2. They stand for the Kings Person who obey joyne and side with the Parliament His Majesties Person is now environed by those who carry Him as far as the eye of humane probability can see upon his own ruine and the destruction of all his good people which the Parliament seeing they labour to free him from such false hands by this twosold meanes viz. 1. By perswading beseeching and most humbly soliciting his Majesty to forsake them and to rejoyce and make glad the hearts of his Parliament and People by conjoyning himselfe with Them But this request suit and supplication will not yet be granted though with much importunity and many loyall expressions desired And 2. By labouring to take his evill Councellors from Him they being confidently assured and piously perswaded of the Kings sweet disposition and readinesse to comply with them in any thing which might conduce to the good either of Church or Common-wealth if he were not overswayed and deluded by the fained flattering and crafty counsell of those about Him who look with a sinister eye upon our State Now this seemes to me to be all that is aimed at in this present Military and Martiall designe for the Parliament doe not purposely and in their first intentions intend by their Souldiers to cut off any for if any be slaine by them it is by accident but to preserve and keep the peace of the Kingdome to maintaine the priviledges of Parliament the Lawes of the Land the free course of Justice the Protestant Religion the Kings authority and Person in his royall dignity and to attach arrest and bring such as are accused or imagined to be the disturbers and firebrands of the Kingdome unto a faire just equall and legall triall which no man can think unlawfull in our Law-makers And therfore both Senatours and Subjects in the prosecution of this Designe stand for the safety of their Princes Person And 3. They stand for his State Wealth Honour and reputation for I conjoyne all these together Kings acquire and accumilate more honour respect wealth and power by their meeknesse towards tender love of and vigilant care for their Subjects and their safety as we see in Qu Elizabeth and Tiberius so long as he was such then by tyrannizing over and cruelly oppressing and handling of them as we see in Caligula If our gracious Soveraigne would be but pleased to consider the honour and prosperity which his predecessors have enjoyed by following the Advice of their Parliaments and the dishonour our Nation hath in divers designes received abroad and the grievous troubles vexation and discord we have had at home since Parliaments have bene disused and laid asleepe he would then certainely see that they seeke his wealth honour reputation and welfare who desire to reconcile and conjoyne him unto his Parliament and advise him to governe his people by Parliaments and endeavour to free him from the power and hands of those who being themselves desire likewise to make him an enemy unto Parliaments And 4. They stand for his Posterity For as evill gotten goods slip and wast
were nominated to his Majestie He did except Answ 5 Fiftly the Parliament long since saw and still sees as themselves affirme the Kingdome in so evident and imminent danger both from enemies abroad and a popish discontented and disaffected party at home that there was an urgent and inevitable necessitie of putting the Kingdome into a posture of defence for the safeguard both of his Majestie and people and in all probability and likely hood if the Militia at Land and the Navy at Sea had not been setled in sure hands when they were we had ere this been exposed to the practises of those who thirst after the ruine of this Kingdome and endeavour to kindle that combustion in England which they have in so great a measure effected already in Ireland Now the safety of the people being the supreame Law it must needs be lawfull for the Parliament to settle the Militia in case of such necessitie Answ 6 Sixtly the power given to those in whose hands the Militia is placed by the Parliament is onely to suppresse Rebellion Insurrection and forraigne Invasion Now that this power should be put into some hands is necessary especially in dangerous and distracted times and into whose hands better and with more safety than such as the Parliament dare confide in and against whose persons no exception hath beene taken by his Majestie and therefore we need not much question the Legality of the Militia Answ 7 Seventhly this is granted on all sides to wit That the Common-wealth intrusts the Parliament to provide for their weale not for their woe and that this Parliament thus intrusted by the People did by a Law intrust the King with the Militia to wit for the weale of the Common-wealth not for the woe thereof and that this is implyed in that Act or Grant though not exprest no Royalist I perswade my selfe will question or deny And therefore I. If the Kings desire and royall intention be as we hope it is to settle the Militia for the preservation not perdition for the defence not destruction for the strength and safety and not enflaming or envassalling of his Subiests and people and that this likewise is the intent and purpose of His Grand Councell the Parliament then the difference who shall establish the Militia is but a kinde of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or contention about words or a ceremony or a quarrell who shall have their will when both purpose and resolve one and the same thing which is to weake a ground and too triviall a cause to draw that ruine desolation and destruction upon us which must inevitably fall upon and ceaze us if these Civill wars which threaten us and hang over our heads be not prevented But Answ 8 II. If which God forbid the King should intend and endeavour by the setling of the Militia to enslave us to tirrannize over us and to rule us beeing so curbed and kept under by a strong hand of Power by his owne will then the Parliament and Law did never settle the Militia upon Him for that end or to be so used for the equitie of the Law and not the Letter of the Law is the true Law Eightly it evidently appeares Aliquid latet quod non patet That neither the Militia setled by the Parliament nor Hull kept for the King and Parliament nor the Magazine of Hull removed by the Parliament are the true grounds of the Warre so violently threatned against the Parliament by the malicious mischeivous and malignant partie of Papists Cavalliers and other ill-affected persons For 1 There were attempts made to be possessed of Hull and the Magazine by Captaine Leg and the Earle of Newcastle before ever Sir Iohn Hotham was seized of it much more before he denied His Majestie entrance thereinto and this attempt desire and purpose seemes to some and that not improblably to take its rise from the Lord Digbyes letter to the Queene wherein he desires That the King would repaire unto some place of strength where he may safely protect his servants that is such as will doe him service against his Parliament amongst whom most disloyally he saith Traitors beare sway 2 The Lord Digbie promiseth in his Letter unto his Majestie before the Militia was setled to doe him service abroad that is as he expresseth himself to procure for them supplies against the Kingdome and Parliament with which hee said himselfe would returne as hee did indeed in the Ship called the Providence with store of Armes although he had been published and voted a Traitour 3. Before this the same Lord Digby endeavoured to raise forces under the pretence of a Guard for the Kings person in winter 4. Before the Militia was setled there were endeavours to incense the two Nations England and Scotland and to engage their Armies one against the other that in such a confusion as must needs have followed the Parliament might not be able to sit nor doe us any good For if in this battell we had been conquered we might have feared to have lost our selves and all we had to the Conquerour with whom we fought and if we had conquered we might have been sure to have lost our selves and all we had to the Malignant Party for whom we fought 5. Before the setling of the Militia there were endeavours to turne the English Army against the Parliament as is abundantly proved by them 6. By the testimony and allegations of many the Irish Rebellion which brake forth before the Militia was setled was hatched by the popish and disafected party in England not to have rested there but to have ended here 7. Before the Militia was setled some Members of both Houses who were observed to be most zealous for the speedy suppression of the Irish Rebellion which notwithstanding was so long protracted and delayed were unjustly charged with Treason and after such unjust accusation were demanded and required of the House of Commons by His Majestie attended with a Troope of Cavalliers who had intended to have taken them by force if they had not been absent By all which it appeares That the setling of the Militia was not the cause why warre is made upon or against the Parliament And thus much may suffice for the first quaere concerning the Parliaments setling of the Militia Quest 2 It may now in the next place be demanded whether it be lawfull for us to obey this Ordinance of the Militia thus setled by Parliament Answ In case of extreame danger and of his Majesties refusall people are obliged and ought to obey by the Fundamentall Laws of this Land the Command and Ordinance agreed upon by both Houses or the major part of both Houses which is all one for the Militia I enlarge not this Answer because that which followes concerning the deserting of the Parliament may be applied hereunto Thus much may suffice for the first exception taken against the Parliament viz Their action in putting the Kingdome into a warlike posture of
defense by setling the Militia in such hands as they durst trust I proceed now unto the other Exception viz the fruits and effects of the setling of the Militia which are affirmed to be the opposing of the Kings precepts and proceedings We affirmed before That if the Militia had not been settled we had beene in great danger of destruction and now when it is setled we are neither free from feares nor foes enemies nor evils Quest 3 Whence it may be demanded How may we be preserved from that ruine and destruction which hangs over our heads Answ 1 First by standing upon our Guard Answ 2 Secondly by siding with and assisting of those who stand for us Answ 3 Thirdly by resisting and opposing those who withstand us This Question is something like Hydra's heads for from this little Head foure maine ones sprout and spring up to wit 1. Whether the Parliament may be deserted or ought to be assisted 2. Whether the King may be disobeyed or his Commands opposed 3. quest 4 Why the Parliament dare not confide in the King seeing he promiseth as much as they can desire 4. Whether this Warre undertaken by the Parliament be warrantable and lawfull Now of all these in this order It may first of all I say be demanded Whether we may desert the Parliament in this time of danger or is it our duty to obey assist aide and stick to them Answ 1 First whatsoever is said of this Subject in that Treatise called Reasons why this Kingdome ought to adhere to the Parliament I wholy omitt as also many Reasons which might have beene drawne from a Tractate which by many solide arguments justifies the Scottish Subjects for their defensive warres Answ 2 Secondly our Saviours rule is here worthy observation Whatsoever you would that others should do unto you doe so unto them Make the case ours by supposing us in their places and they in ours that is We Parliament men and they private persons and looke what aide and assistance we would expect and desire from them if we were in such danger as now they are the same we should now affoord unto them Answ 3 Thirdly I dare not say that with a blind obedience we should actively obey them in whatsoever they command for as Councels in Divinity so Parliaments in Policy may erre and therefore inquisition disquisition examination and conference are not forbidden us in any Acts or Statutes Answ 4 Fourthly the Members of the Parliament are chosen by us and stand for us yea are sent thither intrusted by us with all we have viz our estates liberties lives and the life of our lives our Religion and the safety of the Kings Person and Honour and therefore in equity and conscience they ought not to be forsaken of us Answ 5 Fiftly the Parliament men are no other then our selves and therefore we cannot desert them except we desert our selves the safety of the Commons and Common-wealth being wrapped up in the safety of the Parliament As the Wolves desired the sheepe to put away the dogs and then they would enter into a League with them but when they had by so doing stript themselves of their best friends and laid themselves open to their fiercest foes they were then devoured without pity even so may we feare it will be with us if we should be so sottish as reject and desert the great grave and grand Councell of the Land which consists of as wise faithfull meeke moderate sincere just upright understanding zealous and pious Patriots as ever any Parliament in this Land was possessed and consisted of and submit our selves to the protection and care of obscure and unknowne yea malignant and malicious Counsellours who would glory so much in nothing as in our misery and Ruine as appeares by their deeds wheresoever they come if they can but prevaile Answ 6 Sixtly the Kings Majestie hath promised in His-Message January 12. 1641. That He will be as carefull of his Parliament and of the priviledges thereof as of his Life and Crowne and therefore if He assure them so of His adhering unto and care of them then much more should we encourage them by Promising to assist them so long as they stand for us and our Lawes with our estates and them Answ 7 Seventhly we ought to obey and assist them in any thing which is lawfull and we ought not to suspect that they will enjoyne or command us any thing as lawfull which is unlawfull The opposition betweene the Kings Majestie and His Parliament seemes to be about law He affirming that to be lawfull which they denie and they affirming that to be lawfull which He proclaimes illegall Now the King is pleased to professe That he is no Expounder of Law that belonging neither to His Person nor Office and therefore concerning the legality and illegallity of things He will be guided by the judgement and counsell of others And whose or what counsell in all probability and reason can be better sounder sincerer and more worthy to be followed then that of his Grand Councell who assure us that what they doe and enjoyne us to do is lawfull that is according and agreeable to the Law either of God Nature or the Land Now it becomes us whom they represent thus honourably and venerably to thinke of Them viz They know such and such things to be lawfull and therefore they do them themselves and enjoyne them to us And not thus as some pervert it The Parliament hath done or commanded such or such things and therefore doe affirme them to be lawfull and just for it is a principle in law That no unworthy or dishonourable thing is to be imagined or presumed of Parliaments Answ 8 Eightly if we desert and now forsake the Parliament we shall be found guilty before God of three great sins to wit 1. Perfidiousnesse for as we have intrusted the Parliament with our estates liberties and lives so we have engaged our selves to maintain and defend them so long as they pursue our safety prosperitie preservation and peace according to Law And therefore if for our good or for discharging of their consciences and trust they be endangered we are perfidious if we leave them and for lacke of succour let them sinke and perish 2. Perjurie for all who have taken the PROTESTATION have promised protested and vowed with their lives power and estate to defend and maintaine all those who stand for the lawfull rights and liberties of the Subject yea to oppose and by all good wayes and meanes to endeavour to bring to condigne punishment all such as shall either by force practise counsels plots or otherwise withstand or endanger those who stand for our Lawes and Liberties Now who stand more for our Religion Lawes Soveraigne and Liberties then our Parliament and who are more opposed and endangered for their zeale and care for us and our Priviledges than They And therefore we are guilty of Perjury before God and Man if we in
conclude this last Answer to that maine Question Whether the Parliament be to be obeyed or deserted as I began it to wit Argum. To our Side of necessity we must adhere and cleave that is either to the evill and obscure Counsellours or to the Parliament But we must not adhere and sticke to the evill and malignant ones for those reasons specified before Therefore we must adhere and cleave close to the Parliament This argument I say together with what hath been spoken against the Malignant party might be sufficient for the amplification of the last Answer but as I have said somthing against the one party so I will say something for the other as I promised for the better fastning and setting of the Truth home upon the heart of whosoever will vouchsafe to excuse this Treatise Secondly in that Side or party which consists of the great and grand Councell of the Kingdome I will as in the other Party observdivers things for the amplification of this truth That the Parliament ought not to be deserted but obeyed and assisted to wit 1. The ends of Parliaments 2. Their necessity 3. Their excellency 4. Their utility 5. The reason why we ought to believe ours First the ends of Parliaments are briesly these two to wit 1. That the interest of the people might be satisfied 2. That the King might be better counselled Secondly the Necessity of this Parliament shewes it selfe by the miserable and distressed condition wherein our Land was and the multiplicity of agrievances we groaned under as is to the life declared in the Parlioments Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdome set forth December 15. 1641. Thirdly the Excellency of Parliaments is declared by his Majestie himselfe who doth highly extoll the constitution of this Governement of ours and especially the nature of our Parliaments which consist of King Peeres and Commons acknowledging that the power which is legally placed in both Houses is more then sufficient to prevent end restraine the power of tyranny Which argues plainely that there is much and great power and that by Law placed and put into the hands of both Houses or the Major part of both for the good and preservation of Peeres and Commons when the Common-wealth or Whole is in danger and the King being seduced by wicked Connsell doth desert and refuse to joyne with them in their owne defence For if they cannot do any thing upon anp occasion necessity extremity or danger though never so evident apparent or urgent without the King then the sole power of managing the affaires of the Kingdome doth even in arduis in high yea in the highest cases belonging onely unto the King and nothing at all to either or both Houses except or but what he alleages That is though the Land say a bleeding and were invaded by Hoasts and Armies from abroad and Papists and Rebells at home Ireland now is and the King would make no provision against them or for the suppressing and withstanding of them the Parliament must sit still and suffer all to be lost and ruined having neither power to raise nor use any force without the thing Fourthly the Vtility and Benefit of Parliaments is great and that both 1. To Kings and Princes and that 1. In regard of their reputation same and honour Antoninus Pius is greatly renowned for communicating all weighty affaires and following publike advice and approbation in all great expedients of high concernments and He was more honourable and prosperous therein then was Nero who made his owne will his Law And thus alwaies those Princes have gained unto themselves most honour and renowne who were most willing and ready to listen to the Counsell of the Land in important affaires And also 2. In regard of their Crowne state for the Kings of England by this representative Body of their People are alwayes assisted and that upon all occasions as for example First If they lack money for any necessary occasion the Parliament supplies them Secondly if they be invaded by any forraigne or domestique foe or force the Parliament assists them Thirdly if they be injured reproched or dishonored by any potent person or Prince the Parl. wil vindicate and avenge them All which were seene evidently in Q. Eliz. time between her and her Parliament And Fourthly I may ad that none of our Princes were ever yet happy without the use of Parliaments and therefore it is plaine that they are beneficiall utile unto Princes and consequently not to be deserted of subjects which are loyall to Princes 2. As Parliaments are usefull and utile to Princes so they are also beneficiall and profitable unto People as appears by 3. particulars viz. 1. Without Parliaments People have no possibility of pleading their own rights liberties they being too confused a body to appear in vindication of their proper interests Whence it comes frequently to passe that what all should look after no man does and what is committed to no man thinks his owne charge and therfore some few chosen out by and from amongst the People to consider of their liberties lawes and grievances must needs be very advantagious unto them 2. As people cannot without confusion plead for themselves so often the subordinate Magistrates and Iudges of the Land through feare flattery or private corruptions doe often betray the peoples rights by unjust sentences or verdicts and therefore such Counsellours as can have no private aymes or ends of their owne but are themselves involved in the same condition with the people both in weale and woe must needs be profitable for them Yea 3. By this present Parliament we have reaped already many great and notable benefits and therfore may conclude from our owne ezperience with a Probatum est That Parliaments are beneficiall to people By this Parliament we are free from these two grievous arbitrary Courts the high Commission the Purgatory of the Church and Satr-chamber the terrour of the Common-wealth as also from the heavy burthen of Ship-money and the oppressions we groaned under by reason of Menopolies and other illegall impositions yea Bishops removed out of the House of Peeres who having their dependance upon the King for the most part would side with him in any thing though it were adjudged by the Parliament to be destructive and hurtfull to the Kingdome This particular is so abundantly amplified and that so truely by the Parliament in their Remonstrance of the state of the Kingdom set forth Dec. 15. 1641. that I will not enlarge it but only conclude that if the ends necessity excellency and benefits of Parliaments be such as hath been shewed then They are worth standing for and ought not to be deserted Now Fiftly we will take a short view of some particular reasons why we ought ta beleeve obey this our present Parl. and not relinquish it viz. 1. Because they can have no by ends nor base respects of their own for if they aimed at promotion preferment and wealth they