THE DECLARATION, Together vvith the PETITION AND REMONSTRANCE OF THE Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, Miniſters, and Free-holders of the COUNTY of HAMPESHIRE.
⟨June 14th⟩LONDON, Printed for H. W. MDCXLVIII.
MOre than this our humble Addreſſe at preſent wee intended not, but having received certaine information, of late how the Eſſex Petition was though ſeemingly accepted, yet indeed really ſleighted: And how barbarous an Anſwer was return'd to the Petitioners of Surrey, out of the mouthes of Muskets, and from the bloudy hands of Sectaries; a preſident ſo full of horror, injuſtice, and more than Turkiſh tyranny, that all the free Subiects of England ought to look upon with with extreame deteſtation. And laſtly conſidering that our brethren of Kent were referr'd to receive ſatisfaction to their humble addreſſe to the two Houſes, only from the Lord Fairefax, and his inſulting Army, we are forc'd to annex this briefe Declaration, to our humble Petition.
That if our Meſſengers by us entruſted receive not a full and ſatisfactory Anſwer to theſe our modeſt Requeſts, that wee will ſpeedily arme our ſelves, and aſſociate with other Counties, and endeavour by Gods bleſsing to free our ſelves from that ſlavery which this preſent Army, getting no ſmall advantage by the cunning & fraudulent delayes of the Houſes, threaten to bring upon us and our Poſterities.
THat your Petitioners having taken into their ſad and ſerious thoughts, the preſſing, and almoſt unſupportable miſeries under which this whole Kingdom groanes: Religion in stead of being reformed, is metamorphis'd into ſo many ſhapes, that the Synagogue of Rome does exult; and for the Diviſions amongst us, the truely Orthodox have great thoughts of heart; our heavy Taxes, and other illegall wayes of raiſing vaſt Summes, though none of the Royall party have for many months appeared, unleſſe in Priſon, or under Sequeſtration, and ſo far from being taken off, which was faithfully promiſed, that they are rather encreaſed, which we fear was really intended: Our most Gracious Soveraigne, notwithſtanding your frequent Proteſtations of bringing Him with Safety and Honour to His great Counſell, is under moſt barbarous Reſtraint; our Lawes are fallen into a Lethurgy, Arbitrary power, and the ſtronger Sword carry all before them; but above all, the moſt formidable apprehenſion of this Kingdomes being once more made an Aceldema, to the high provocation of Gods ſevereſt wrath, if not utterly to ruine, yet at leaſt to enſlave us and our Posterities to the prevayling party.
Doe therefore in all humility hold forth to your grave wiſdoms what by Gods bleſsing, and your timely concurrence, may prove effectuall for the ſpeedy cure of thoſe maladies under which this bleeding Common-wealth is ready to expire.
And firſt, wee doe with ſubmiſsion to better judgements conjecture, that together with the many ſins of this Nation, that which hath had an eſpeciall influence in the ripening of theſe Judgements hath been that little regard given to, and the overſleight laying aſide of his Majeſties many and moſt gracious Meſsages, and moſt pious overtures for Peaee, and an happy underſtanding between him and his people, and this occaſioned as wee do more than probably opine by three ſorts. Firſt by th•ſe that thinke they have monopoliz'd all truth, and would therefore ſquare our Religion according to their own confuſed modules. Secondly by thoſe that ought to make audit for the many thouſands received for the publique, as was pretended, but converted or tranſported for their own private benefit. But thirdly, and principally by thoſe that had a deſigne by taking away Monarchicall Government, of making themſelves high and mighty States, and engroſing all Dominion over their yet fellow Subjects into their own hands.
Having thus hinted upon the cauſes of our Having〈1… pages missing〉〈1 page duplicate〉miſerie, we do with all ſubmiſsion preſent to the Honourable Houſes what to our beſt apprehenſion may prove ſoveraign for the Kingdoms recovery.
And firſt, that the true reformed Proteſtant Religion profeſt in the reigns of Q. Elizabeth, and K. James of bleſſed memory be re-eſtabliſht.
Secondly, that his Majeſty bee ſpeedily reſtor'd to a condition of Safety and Honour, and enjoy according to the command of our bleſſed Saviour, all his indubitable Rights, who ſaith, give unto Caeſar the things that are Caeſars.
Thirdly, that the Arrears of the Army under the command of the Lord Fairefax be ſpeedily audited, and they disbanded.
And laſtly that an account being given to the kingdom how that maſſe of Treaſure that hath bin rais'd is employed, that His Majeſty be deſired to paſſe an Act of Oblivion, and that his moſt Princely proffer of eaſe to tender Conſciences be thankfully embraced, all which your Petitioners deſire may be ſpeedily applyed for the cure of this bleeding Common-wealth.
And we ſhall for ever pray, &c.
(EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A82265)
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