of the People chose a Parliament to help them in their weakness.  Hence when they see a danger like to impoverish or enslave one part of the people to another, they are to give warning and so prevent that danger.  For they are the Eyes of the Land:  and surely those are blind eyes that lead the People into Bogs to be entangled in Mud again, after they are once pulled out. =And when the Land is once freed from the Oppressor’s Power and Laws, the Parliament is to keep it so, and not suffer it by their consent to have it bought or sold, and so entangled in Bondage upon a new account.=

“For their faithfulness herein to the People, the People are engaged in love and faithfulness to cleave close to them in defence and protection.  But when a Parliament have no care herein, the hearts of the People run away from them like sheep who have no Shepherd.”

THE CAUSE OF ALL GRIEVANCES.

“All grievances are occasioned either by the covetous wills of State Officers, who neglect their obedience to the good Laws, and then prefer their own ease, honor, and riches before the ease and freedom of the oppressed people.  A Parliament is to cashier and punish those Officers, and place others who are men of public spirit in their rooms.

“Or else the People’s grievances arise from the practice and power that the King’s Laws have given to Lords of Manors, covetous Landlords, Tythe Takers, or unbounded Lawyers, being all strengthened in their oppressions over the people by that Kingly Law.  And when the People are burthened herewith, and groan waiting for deliverance, as the oppressed People of England do at this day, it is then the work of a Parliament to see the People delivered, and that they enjoy their Creation’s Freedom in the Earth.  They are not to dally with them, but as a father is ready to help his children out of misery when they either see them in misery, or when the children cry for help, so should they do for the oppressed people.

     “And surely for this end, and no other, is the Parliament chosen.
     =For the necessity for Common Preservation and Peace is the
     Fundamental Law both to Officers and People.=

     “THE WORK OF A PARLIAMENT—­FOURTHLY,

“Is this:  If there be occasion to raise an Army to wage war, either against an Invasion of a Foreign Enemy, or against an Insurrection at home, it is the work of a Parliament to manage that business for to preserve Common Peace.

     “And here their work is three-fold: 

“First, To acquaint the People plainly with the cause of the War, and to show them the danger of such an Invasion or Insurrection.  And so from that cause require their assistance in person, for the preservation of the Laws, Liberties and Peace of the Commonwealth, according to their engagement when they were chosen, which was this:  Do you protect our Laws and Liberties, and we