establish by Law all
that hath been by the mercies of God inacted in Generall Assemblies. As to
the rest of the first Article, concerning the Reformation of _England_ and
_Ireland_, and the Uniformity, as there was some hopefull beginnings
thereof, and a good foundation laid, during the late War against the
Popish Prelaticall and Malignant party, so the state and ground of the War
being now altered, and these chosen for confederates, and associates in
the War, who are known enemies to that Reformation, and Uniformity, how
can the Covenant be keeped in that point as long as such a War is carried
on.

The second Article is violated because in stead of indeavouring to
extirpate Popery and Superstition without respect of persons (as is
exprest in the Covenant) there is in the late Declaration of the Committee
of Estates a desire of the Queens return, without any condition tending to
the restraint of her Masse or exercise of Popery; We do also conceive
there is a tacit condescending to the toleration of Superstition and the
Book of Common prayer in His Majesties family, because as it was reserved
by himself in his concession, brought home by the Commissioners of this
Kingdom, So these concessions were never plainly declared by the
Parliament to be unsatisfactory to their Lordships, howbeit it hath been
often and earnestly desired: neither can we conceive how the clause
concerning the extirpation of Prelacy, can consist with indeavouring to
bring His Majesty with Honour, Freedom and Safety to one of his Houses in
or about LONDON, without any security had from him, for the abolition of
Prelacy; it being his known principle (and publickly declared by himself
shortly after he went to the Isle of _Wight_) that he holds himself
obliged in conscience, and by his Coronation Oath to maintain Archbishops,
Bishops, &c. Can it be said that they are endeavouring to extirpate
Prelacy, who after such a Declaration would put in His Majesties hand an
opportunity to restore it?

As for the third Article we cannot conceive how the preserving of the
Priviledges of Parliament, and asserting the Kings negative voice can
consist; And we are sorrowfull that under the colour, of the Priviledges
of Parliament, the liberties of the Subjects are overthrown, and the
persons and Estates of such as have been best affected to the Cause and
Covenant are exposed to most grievous injuries, crying oppressions: And
whereas the duty in preserving and defending