AN APPEALE TO THE WORLD IN THESE TIMES OF EXTREAME DANGER THe variety of dangers unto vvhich this Parliament and in it this Kingdome is now subject and the manifold distempers vvhich are the causes of these dangers together vvith the multiplicity of those evill influences vvhich are the causes of these distempers as also the great mischiefes and miserable destruction not only threatned but really intended and at this time attempted against this Parliament by the Manassites of the times hath necessarily occasioned this ensuing Appeale as vvell to generations to come as to those now present The common and Epidemicall disease wherein this Kingdome at this time lies now gasping under being filled with nothing but feares jealousies and perplexities as may be observed by the miserable complaints of all men whose hearts are tender of the good and welfare of the Common-wealth hath a Superiour and universall cause from the evill Counsels wicked designes of those who under his Majesty threaten to carry all before them against the Parliament and all others who will not stoope to the illegall demands of the King These evill influences hath been formerly the cause of the preparations for War wirh Scotland and the procuring a rebellion in Ireland and now is the cause of distractions and divisions betwixt the King and his faithfullest Subjects and of procuring preparations of War here in England by his Majesty seduced by wicked Counsell principally aiming first at Hull and then at London which are become the objects of the Kings hatred not excluding the Parliament The Parliament is the foundation and basis of Government and consequently of the peace and happinesse of the Kingdome as it creates the Law by which we are ruled and governed in peace and quietnesse so it preserves the Law in power and authority It hath not only power and authority to preserve good Lawes being made but also to create such new Lawes as by which the Kingdome may be ruled and governed in peace and also to repeal such Laws as are opposite to the peace and prosperity of the same all Laws lying at their feet to use them for the best advantage for the King and Kingdome First for the King to reduce him from that seduced condition wherein he is And secondly for the Kingdome to rescue and deliver it from those dangers and miseries it is liable to at this time by reason of his Majesty so seduced For all the power which Princes have is but derivative and secondary The fountaine and efficient cause is the people and from hence the inference is just The King though he be singulis major yet he is universis minor for if the people be the true efficient cause of power it is a rule in nature Quicquid efficit tale est magis tale And hence it appeares that at the founding of Authorities when the consent of societies convayes rule into such and such hands it may ordain what conditions and prefix what bounds it pleases and that no dissolution ought to be thereof but by the same power by which it had its constitution And as for the finall cause of Princes power or Regall Authority his Majesty doth not in any of his papers deny that the same people are the finall cause which is the efficient cause of it and indeed it were strange if the people in subjecting it self to command should aime at any thing but its own good in the first and last place Power originally being thus inherent in the people which is nothing else but that might and vigour which such or such a society of men containes in it self and when by such or such a Law of common consâ—nt and agreement it is derived into such such hands God confirmes that Law and so man is the free and voluntary Author the Law is the Instrument and God is the establisher of both Therefore not that Prince which Tyrannizeth over his Subjects but that Prince which ruleth and is most Poâ—ent in his Subjects is indeed most truly Potent Now if Kings are so inclinable to follow private advice rather then publike and to prefer that which closes with their naturall impotent ambition before that which crosses the same are without all limits Then they may destroy their best Subjects at pleasure and all Charters and Laws of publike safety and freedome are void and God hath not left humane nature any meanes of sufficient preservation But on the contrary if there be any benefit in Laws to limit Princes when they are seduced by vvicked counsells and vvill not hearken to the great Counsell of the Land doubtlesse there must be some Court to judge of that seducement and some Authority to inforce that judgement and that Court and Authority must be the Parliament or some higher Tribunall now none are so ignorant to affirm a King in his single person is a Court either in time of Parliament without his Parliament or out of Parliament in his own person alone to judge in any cause nor his meere fancy authority sufficient to inforce judgement in any cause much lesse nay altogether is he unfit either to judge of his own seducement or to inforce such a judgement by any Authority though he were not seduced for the King is not above the Law but in subjection to it his meere will being not the rule of the Law but the Law the rule of it therefore the will of a King is not an unlimited will and in case a King be seduced by wicked Counsell and vvill not rule by Law nor heathen to the Petitions of his three kingdomes then the Law is free to reduce him Now it is not unknown to all the vvorld how powerfull active the vvicked counsellors about his Majesty hath been and still are for the accomplishment of their own ends seeking to destroy and extinguish that power the true Religion the Liberty and Laws of the Kingdome by many traiterous endeavours from time to time First to keep off Parliaments then either to dissolve them vvhen they are gathered or to raise in his Majesty a disaffection to his Parliament and so at last to draw him into the Northern parts from them to prevent all their just and lawfull designes and now infusing into his minde such false reports as hath raised in him an inveterate hatred against them and all others vvho vvill not assist him in his demands and designes publishing in his name divers ignominious reproaches against the Parliament in king his Majesties Court a Sanctuary for all kinde of Delinquents against the justice and lawfull priviledge of Parliament and drawing to Torke by Letters and other meanes divers Members of both Houses vvhereby they set up a counterfeit imaginary visage of a Parliament to the great danger not only of the disturbance but even of the subversion of the fundamentall constitution and frame of this Kingdome Now vvhether this Parliament hath not to this day vvatched over our Religion the Liberty and Laws of this Kingdome
the preservation of his Majesties person from the vvicked designes of his and our enemies and that vvith great care labour and industry to the hazard of their lives and fortunes let the vvorld judge If they should call heaven and earth God and man to vvitnesse the same they might doe it vvith a more safer and peaceable conscience then c. There needs no other Plea for them than those good and legall Votes Ordinances Remonstrances Declarations and Pititions which hath issued from them since his Majesties absence since which time he hath refused to assist them in their lawfull Designes for the setling of the three Kingdomes in peace and prosperitie but hath rather hearkened to the destroying Councells and reproachfull speeches of the Ishmaelites of the Times as the effects doth declare to the saiuing of the spirits of his best and most faithfull Subjects of his three Kingdomes laying all the blame upon the Parliament Indeed if there be any thing in them blame-worthy certainely its onely their too much lenity and patience towards those offenders who have beene the prime causers of all those distractions namely the Prelats who have beene formerly accused of High Treason by both Houses of Parliament and since they have taken bayle for all or most of them the evill effects whereof hath lately appeared in the practise of one amongst the test to wit that Archenemy Jo. Eborac who is â—ow gon to Yorke in a Warlicke manner and for ought that can be gathered to assist the King seduced by evill Councell in his intended warre against the Parliament whose adherents have and still doe foment nothing but threats against those whom the Kingdome of England confideth in and hath chosen to be their guide Resolving not only to obey them in all their just lawfull Commands but also to defend them against all illegal oppositions what or who soever they are witnes their frequent free larg bringâ—ng in of mony plate and horse and also their acknowledgements published in the Petitions of most of the Counties of Endland as may hereafter in time convenient be printed together and compared wiâ—h a few Collections of Pititions many of which collections are pretended though falsely to have beene delivered to his Majestie and others to his Privy Councell To instance one amongst the rest viz. That false Petition of the Nobility Gentry Burroughes Ministers and Commons of Scotland delivered to his Majesties most honourable Privy Councell and printed at his Majesties Printing House to delude the world and make them beleve it was a true Petition Now let all the world judge whether his Majesties intentions can be good and whether it be not below himself to suffer such things to passe in silence without requiring from the Parliament Justice to be execured upon such pâ—rsons There hath beene Printed divers times many false scandalous and invective Pamphlets against the Parliament and those who stand for the publike good and they have never been inquired after nor complained of to the Parliament from York or those parts To instance some few of late viz. the New Orders of the Parliament of Roundheads the Round Heads race the Wardens Speech the Declaration or Resolution of the County of Hereford with many more which might be named and shall if neede require and as for the new Orders of the Parliament of Roundheads it was observed that John Thomas for whom it was Printed as is credibly reported was knowne to set out of London for Yorke that very day it was published and there resides to send to his wife to Print here in London whatsoever is there Printed in Yorke but as for such Bookes which haâ—ve beene Printed or such Sermons which have beene preached for and in the behalfe of the Parliament justifying their legall and righteous proceedings The Authors Printers and Publishers thereof must be found out and proceeded against by Law as Treasonable Factious Seditious Schismaticall and I know not what persons These things being premised and compared together an Appeale is here made to the whole world for the vindication of the Parliament in Sixe particulars to consider of and judge 1. Whither the Parliament hath protected any such Preachers Pampheteers at any time as is unjustly laid to their charge when it hath bin discovered to them who and what they are by stopping the course of Justice from taking place against them it they have beene proved Treasonable Factious Seditious or Schismaticall 2. Whether the end of such conâ—â—iâ—ance or taking notice of such false scandalous Pamphlets be not purposely intended to suffer the affections of his Majesties subjects to be drawne away from the Parliameâ—t that so an utter extirpation of the vâ—ry being of Parliaments may be obtained as well for future Generations as for the time present For it is well knowne that if this Parliameâ—t could once be either exringuished or its power weakened which is all one Then all will be at the Kings meere Will and the mercy of His and the Parliameâ—ts Enemies Nothing then will stand in their way to oppose them but a flood of violence will runne over and cover the whole surface of the Kingdome and carry away all both present injoyments and future hopes of Religion Liberty and whatsoever else is precious and deere to the whole Kingdome 3. Whether it hath not beene since this Parliament first begun the pollicy of evill Councellors who are the greatest enemies the King and the three Kingdomes can possibly have to strike at Parliaments or divide Parliaments by making factions and casting in Diversions and Obstructions to hinder and interrupt the proceedings of the same and to perswade the King so to doe whose advice and counsell he hath adhered unto as evidently it doth appeare by the evill effects that hath followed therupon to wit the causelesse division betwixt him his Parliament continuing solong that it hath caused a very great jealousie of much danger and misery suddenly to come upon this Kingdome if it be not speedily prevented by the wisedome of the Parliament and the concurrence of the well disposed Subjects of the Kingdome the which if they shall so doe they will manifest to the world that they are carried by no other respect but of the publike good which should alwayes be preferred before their owne lives and fortunes 4. Whither there hath not beene a Succession of designes against the Parliament first to awe it secondly to take away the freedome of it by the terror of an Army then to bring force against it actually to assault it witnesse his Majesties comming to the House of Commons in such a manner with such a troope to demand those five Members which He accused of High Treason and other misdemeanours which is judged by both Houses of Parliament to be a high breach of their Priviledges The deliverance of which Members at that time the whole world is Appeal'd unto whether an Annuall day of Thanksgiving ought not to be kept unto God
Protestant Religion c. How can that possibly be believed of any wise man seeing there is no other meanes so effectuall as to advise with His Parliament for if the Parliament would side with the King in whatsoever he vvould have them to do then there would be no greater argument to aggravate the sin of disobedience in any person then to disobey the Laws and Ordinances of the Parliament which now he so contemnes and villifies as is obvious to the sight of the world in Print But in stead of punishing offendors against his Parliament he causelesly departs from them and forbids any to obey them Now let the world judge whether his Majesties expressions which hee had often professed in his Papers and his practises or Actions are not different hee professeth to maintaine that Religion which is established by the Law of the Land and yeâ— hee is pleased to countenance and protect those against whom the Law is principall intended Lastly it appeares that the enemies to the peace of the Kingdome are the cause of hiâ—dering the proceedings of Parliament by provoking and instigating his Majestie to senseverall Papers in forme of declarations and messages and in them expressing bitter invective speeches against the Parliament to perplex them and ingage them in the expencâ— of time to answer those Declarations and Messages now let the World judge whether iâ— be not better to say lesse and doe more by a speedy proceeding according to Law against the offenders who or Whatsoever they are The world now is wearied out with reading of Declarations Remonstrances and Petetions from both Houses to the King and vvith Declarations and Messages from the King to them againe together with their replies to the King from time to time The Spirits of men begin now to languish considering the malignant partie daily increases and according to their strength such are their designes first cunningly to insinuate and infuse into the people by false colours and glosses an evill opinion and dislike to the Parliament and then Jehu-like in a hostile manner to rise against the Parliament and in it all other Parliaments to the ruining of them their wives and children Now let the World judge every mans conscience being appealed unto as the case now stands his Majesty being seduced by the wicked counsell of such desperat persons whose care study and industry is not onely to provoke his Majestie to be the head of their Rebellion but also to bring the King and Kingdome either to utter desolation or to an Arbitrary and Tirannicall Monarchy vvhether in these extreame distractions and distempers your lives and all you have being in continuall feare to be lost it be better to obey a Seduced King then the wise representative body of the vvhole Kingdome so constituted by the Lawes of the land to mannage the affaires of the Kingdome Judge yee vvhether it be not better and more sutable to a good conscience to stand or fall live or die vvith the Parliament according to your protestation and so with your hands upon your Swords bee ready at their command to performe your vowes to God and your oathes of fidelitie to his Majestie in rescuing him from his enemies by taking up armes to desend your selves against those false flattering Traytors who abuse his Majesties Royall favour intending under the glorious title of his name and Standard to fight against the peace and Honour of their Soveraigne against Religion and the Lawes and so make a prey and spoyle of three flourishing kingdomes at once Therefore quit your selves like men and strengthen your selves in the Lord your God rouze up your drooping spirits and strengthen your feeble knees and resolve to spend and be spent in the defence of the lives and liberties one of another a harmonious union in the cause of Jesus Christ is an astonishment to the enemy and halfe the victory is then obtained delaies prove dangerous and faint heartednesse gives strength and advantage to the adversary therefore now if ever stand fast and shew your selves friend for your King and Parliament Let it appear before God and all the Nations of the vvorld round about you that truâ— generous blood runs in all your veins consider the honour and cause of God the good and happy successe of this present Parliament your lives your laws and liberties your Temporall and Spirituall vvelfare lies all bleeding at your feet earnestly supplicating your besâ— assistance give your consciences leave a vvhile to expostulate with you vvill you live and the Parliâ—ment die can it possibly go vvell vvith you whilest it goeth ill with them O no rather purchase their life by your death so shall you be a good example to all generations yet to come being considently assured there was never a greater prize in your hands than at this time is in the Kingdome of England viz. The Gospell of Jesus Christ and the Peace of the Kingdome each of which in value and estimation in respect of injoyment far exceeds all the vvealth the vvhole vvorld can afford What comfort and contentment can you take in your health wealth houses lands wife children and friends vvhen in the enjoyment of these you are bereaved of peace and quietnesse with them vvhen on a sudden it may be before you expect it the enemy rusheth in upon you and presently makes your habitation desolate ravishing your wives and ripping them up before your faces using all violence and mischiefe upon you as they have done to our neighbour Nations Germany and Ireland and have attempted the like upon Scotland Therefore be intreated once more and that without delay letting no opportunity slip joyn your heads hearts and spirits together with one consent to present to his Majesty one Petition more not in the name of some particular County but in the name of the vvhole Kingdome of England that he vvould be pleased to vouchsafe the influence of his Royall presence to his great Counsell the high Court of Parliament that so the bleeding wounds of this distracted England may be prevented Let the Kingdom of Scotland and Irelands practise induce you to it but more especially you London Shew not your selves so backward in this main vvork you have shewed your selves most couragious and free in all other businesse slack not therefore in this great work seeing you O London are the chiefest object upon whom the eyes of all the Countries are sixed Now O England help the Lord against the mighty stand in your owâ—â— defence but strike not the first stroke in case it comes to such an exigency lest you kindle such a fire in England that vvill never be quenched but rather manifest vvith humble boldnesse your extream unwillingnesse unto such a streight that so the peace of God and the God of peace may dvvell amongst us FINIS