IT is well known to all the Faithfull and Godly People of these Nations , that the late great contest , and grievous war amongst us , was not onely to recover our civill , but also religious rights and Liberties , undertaken and managed not by one , or a few persons , but by the common faith , prayers , and endeavours of the People of God in these Nations : who upon so manifest a call of God , as they then had , loved not their lives unto the death , for the word of God , and testimony which they held . And as God himselfe led them unto these great Undertakings , so he was present with them , on all occasions , and in all places , whithersoever his speciall providence led them , for the performing that glorious work of his , till he had subdued his enemies under them , and the Nations under their feet ; by which means they that feared the Lord , were put into a reall capacity to have done his whole pleasure upon Babylon in these Nations , and to recover to the people their just freedome and liberties both in spirituall , and civill things ; which during the reigne and authority of the late King and his Prelates , was impossible for us to enjoy .

But we now unexpectedly beholding this so good and glorious a cause of Christ , as ever was on foot in any age , so far deserted , even by many of those who had before been chiefe Instruments in it , and to be now in a great measure changed from what it was then , and so by degrees in danger to be brought into a particular Quarrell between Person and Person , Family and Family , touching the administration of Goverment in these Nations : And we also perceiving those very things which we had destroyed , through the good hand of God with us , to be by some attempted to be built up againe , both in Church and State , to the great dishonour of God and reproach of the Gospel , both at home and abroad , and also to the great discouragement and danger of Gods own people , and incouragement of the common enemy , who seeing this defection of ours ( contrary to so many Publick Protestations , Declarations , Remonstrances , Engagements , and solemn Appeals , before God and man ) doe rejoyce thereat among themselves , and say , So , so would we have it .

Now through the deep sence of these things , we ( having been long pained at the very heart , and fearing lest our further silence should be reckoned an approving of the fore-mentioned evills ) are now at last prest in Spirit , for the love of Christs Kingdome , and welfare of the Nations , no longer to hold our peace , but ( looking unto God our hope , and casting off the care of the things that are seen , for the hope of the things that are not seen ) we doe give forth this our hearty Testimony ( with others else where , that have borne witnesse in the same cause , The Serious Attestation of many Thosands , Religious & well disposed people , living in London , Westminster Borough of Southwark , and parts adjoyning . whose Attestation we have seen ) viz. That the Lord of his especiall grace hath so kept us in this time of Back-sliding , that we have alwayes endeavored to have neither heart , nor hand , in these late Declinings from the cause of Christ ; nor in the change of the Government from a Commonwealth , whereby we conceive a foundation is laid for a new , most bloody and desolating , War .

And though we judge all formes of civill Government may be usefull , yet we apprehend the forme of a Common-wealth as opposed to Monarchy , to be more expedient , yea necessary ( having been led thereinto both by the Declarations of the Parliament and Army , as also by the apparent providence of God ) for the preservation of the peace of these Nations ; seeing the interest of no single person will probably be able long to stand out , against the Interest and Family of the Stuarts , which a Common-wealth wifely managed ( in an ordinary way of providence ) may better doe .

Wherefore we declare that we still remaine faithfull to the first good cause , which God himselfe set on foot amongst us , and witnessed to from Heaven by so many m ghty and wonderfull providences , and from which through the goodnesse of God , we trust we shall never depart , neither for the obtaining any profits , or preferments , or for the avoiding any evills or tribulations of this present world .

And this we doe willingly Testisie both before God and men , and shall wait in all meeknesse , patience , and long suffering , in our severall places and callings , till God shall appeare againe in his own due time , and shall fulfill his gracious promises , wherein he hath caused us to trust , for the full destruction of Antichrists Kingdome and for the advancing of the Kingdome of Christ , together with the obtaining of our just rights and freedomes in civill things which thereby will undoubtedly accrue to the Nations .