A Remonstrance OF THE STATE OF THE kingdom OR, A general Survey of all the Proceedings of the Papists, and other Malignants of this kingdom from the death of King JAMES, to this present.  
Also a Discourse touching the composition of His Majesties Army, with the several Causes why they take up arms against the Parliament.  
Whereunto are annexed several Motives to induce the Protestants of this kingdom in general, to adventure their lives and estates in the just defence of Religion, King and country.  
LONDON, Decemb. 7. Printed for J. Wright. 1642.   

A REMONSTRANCE of the state of the kingdom.  
AFter the death of King James, the Parliament was broken up, and then the Papists and other malignants of this kingdom began to work mischiefs openly, not fearing the power of the King, or authority of the Law, then projects began to take place, so that under a pretence of framing projects for the good of King and people, several heavy taxes were thrown upon the subject and the King and kingdom impoverished to enrich some particular persons whose private ends aimed at a public ruin,( both of King and kingdom) as their present actions manifestly declare, having thus engaged themselves, and fearing that the rightful authority of the Law should take place, they sought to disaffect the King to Parliaments,( knowing their actions not to be Parliament proof) next they sought( finding the kingdom by their means, almost sick of an irrecoverable disease) and knowing that the readiest way to recover its former vigour and strength must be by weakening the strength of that faction,( namely the Popish and prelatical faction) therefore they endeavour to alter the government, frame and constitution of this kingdom, and knowing that the kingdom of Scotland, and the kingdom of England, were linked together in one united motion, and that this kingdom could not be shipwrecked without that endured the same tempest, therefore they politicly went about to refine religion, making religion a cover for their overspreading and hypocryticall design, knowing that their hypocryticall design would by that means make the greater impression in mens hearts, and find the less opposition.  
But God which saw the secrets of their hearts, brought it so to pass that the Scots discovered their intentions and happily crossed them in the height of their hopes, for they found there such opposition, that notwithstanding though they had raised an army to enforce that upon them which otherwise would not be admitted, yet so God brought things about, that that blessing which they had taken such came to keep the kingdom from enjoying, they were forced to allow of, and seek means to procure, for it was always their endeavour to prevent the calling of a Parliament, and yet at last despite of all their farrefetch'd policies, A Parliament was called, to the great joy of all the kingdom.  
But no sooner was there a taste of this joy, but presently it was converted to a second and much worse sorrow: for by their devices, the Parliament was dissolved, and a second Parliament called, to the joy of all his Majesties good subjects, and to the great sorrow of all the malignants.  
The Parliament being assembled all possible means was used to prevent the designs of the malignant party, and a bill was pocured for a triennial Parliament which being granted, the chief of these malignants either suffered death or imprisonment, that being thought a means to deter others from the like practices notwithstanding all this, these malignants being great in authority, and too great in favour with his majesty, sought by all means to dissolve this parliament, for which cause they persuaded his majesty to accuse several members of Parliament of high treason, using several ways( destructive to the laws of the Land, and privileges of Parliament) to seize the persons of the said members and happily had they gained their ends on them, next design had been to have accused as many more, and so by that means to compass their ends of so many worthy pillars and supporters of the kingdom.  
But finding that their hopes were frustrate and that the hearts of all well affencted persons stood for them and offered to adventure their lives in the defence of them, in so just a cause, they then persuaded his majesty that it was not safe for his majesty to temaine so near the city and that it were much better for his majesty to withdraw to some convenient place of strength, and to take the Prince also with him.  
This persuasion of the Malignant party took too good an effect with the Kings most excellent Majesty, for according to their counsels and desires, His majesty forthwith went from the city of London, the ancient Ehrone of His royal predecessors, and withdrew himself to york, where they caused his majesty to levy war against the Parliament, and to raise an army of Papists, and other ill-affected persons, which being assembled together in a most-strong and warlike manner, have plundered several towns and done many inhuman outrages destructive to that law and religion, which they pretend they take up arms to maintain.  
They have iugaged this kingdom in a civill war, and to strengthen themselves, they have endeavoured to draw into this kingdom foreign forces, as from denmark and other places, they have likewise as far as in them lay, been assistants to the Rebells in Ireland, and that in these particulars.  
They have hindered all means of relief of the Kings prostestant subjects which are in misery by reason of this rebellion, for that little relief which was provided to be sent to them, being all that for the present our own necessities could spare, was by them seized on and made pillage of, making that which was ordained for the necessary relief of the poor Protestants in Ireland, the prise of blood to the deboist Cavaliers and priests in England.  
The innumerable evils that have been heaped upon this kingdom, by those blood-thirsty destroyers are without parallel, how much blood hath been  shed? How many innocent men have been lost in the seeming maintenance of that cause, which they sought to destroy on the contrary? How many wives have been made husbandlesse? How many fathers childless? How many children fatherless? How many friends friendless, and it is greatly to be feared that except God give them a curb in their full career to damnation this kingdom will loose the name and glory of a kingdom and bury itself in its own ruins, and all by the practices of these enemies of the truth, these blood thirsty Papists, now having shewed you as in a glass, the right semblance of their actions: this may serve as one motive to induce every man to avoid that rock which threatens an inevitable ruin both of Religion Law and liberty.  
A second motive doth arise from a serious consideration of what benefits hath redounded to us, since the coming together of the high and honourable Court of Parliament: a short survey whereof I will give you in these ensuing particulars.  
1 Consider the insupportable burdens which were thrown upon the subject by the Star-Chamber and High Commission, whose cruelty exceeded the Spanish Inquisition.  
2 Consider the insufferable bondage of conscience, and a buse of Religion.  
3 Remember what taxes and projects were heaped upon us, even from the crownes of our heads to the soles of our feet.  
4 What a device of Shipmoney had we enforced upon us by a pretence of Law, being veiled with the mask of authority, but the veil being taken off, it appeared contrary both to Law or conscience. Many more I might name, but I make no question but every man hath been sensible of them.  
All these have been taken off by the Parliament, but now( notwithstanding some of the chief of these were made examples) yet the mayor part of these mischief-mongers are gotten together, and having gotten strength, being countenanced by authority, openly proclaim ruin and destruction to the peace of the kingdom; for notwithstanding their pretences, their actions declare their intentions.  
Another motive arises from a serious consideration of the composition of those Forces which arise against, and proclaim themselves enemies to the Parliament, to which motive are joined certain Reasons why they are enemies to the Parliament.  
1 There is a party of Courtiers, which like so many weathercocks are blown round with the vain wind of preferment, these are guided by the Princes smile, and if he frown on any man, then they are his mortal enemies; these may bee justly called time-servers, alias ignorant Courtiers.  
2 There is a party of prelatical Popish Clergy called Bishops, with too great a party which adheres to them, every one of which is swayed more by some sinister end to himself, then any aim at the public good.  
3 There is a party of crafty Lawyers, and those that were dependents on the Courts, which neither had a beginning from lure Divino, aut jure Humano.  
4. There is a Party of Projectors, those Locusts that have eaten and devoured the fruit of our Labours, and the thirds of the poor mans Pension.  
5. There is a Party of undone Gentlemen, whose luxurious Lives, have ruined their estates, and now they ought to defend; having no other way to redeem their mortgaged Estates from the hands of the usurer, or their unpaid for clothes, from lying in Lavender.  
Last of all, there is a great Party of Papists, both Gentry, and Layicke, men great in authority, and expert in acting mischief and put all these together, here is an Army royal of destroyers.  
Now this all men know, there are none of these but have been, & are great lawbreakers, for which they are liable to the censure of Parliament, and therefore they are enemies to the Parliament.  
But now let us examine who is for the Parliament, for surely in these are contained almost three parts of the kingdom.  
Yet there is a God for the parliament; and a well-affected protestant, and if God be with us, who can be against us, let us therefore all that would profess ourselves protestants, join with God, who will guide and protect all those that fight his Battailes, let the Justice of our cause arm our hearts with resolution, and perseverance, and let us lay down our lives, and Estates, with willingness, and readiness, and esteem nothing to dear too adventure for the advancement of so good a cause, as the preservation of our Religion, King, and Country.  
FINIS.