THE Protestation made BY THE PARLIAMENT the third day of May, Anno Domini, 1641.  
Printed Anno, 1641.   

The Preamble of the House of Commons to the Protestation.  
WE the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, of the Commons House of Parliament, finding to the great grief of our hearts, that the designs of Priests and jesuits, and others adherent to the See of Rome, have of late been more frequently, and boldly put in practice then formerly, to the undermining, and danger of the true Reformed Religion in his Majesty's Dominions established, and finding also that there have been, and having just cause to suspect there still are, during the sitting of this present Parliament, endeavours to subvert the fundamental Laws of England, & Ireland; and to introduce the Exercise of an arbitrary and Tyrannical Government by most pernicious Counsels, Practices, Plots, and Conspiracies, and that the long intermission and breach of Parliaments have occasioned many illegal Taxations, whereby the Subjects have been prosecuted and grieved, and that divers Innovations, and Superstitions have been brought into the Church, multitudes driven out of his Majesty's Dominions, jealousies raised and fomented between the King and his People, a Popish Army levied in Ireland, and two Armies brought into the bowels of this Kingdom to the hazard of his Majesty's Royal Person, the consumption of the Revenue of the Crown and Treasure of the Kingdom, And lastly, finding great causes of jealousy that endeavours have been, and are used to bring the English Army into misunderstanding of this Parliament, thereby to incline that Army with force to bring to pass these wicked Counsels, have therefore thought good to join ourselves in a Declaration of our united affection and resolution, and to make this ensuing Protestation.  

The Protestation made May the third, 1641.  
I A. B. do promise, vow, and protest in the presence of Almighty God to maintain, and defend as fare as lawfully I may with my life, power, and Estate, the true Reformed Protestant Religion expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England, against all Popery and Popish Innovations within the Realm, contrary to the said Doctrine, and according to the duty of my Allegiance to his Majesty's Royal Person, Honour, and Estate, as also the power, and privileges of the Parliament, the lawful Rights, and Liberties of the Subject, and every person that maketh this Protestation in whatsoever he shall do in the lawful pursuance of the same, and to my power, and as far as lawfully I may, I will oppose, and by all good ways and means endeavour to bring to condign punishment all such as shall either by force, practices, Counsels, Plots, Conspiracies, or otherwise do any thing to the contrary in this present Protestation contained. And further that I shall in all just, and honourable ways endeavour to preserve the Union and peace of the three Kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland, neither for hope, fear, or other respect shall relinquish this promise, vow and Protestation.  
FINIS.   

Whereas some doubts have been raised by several persons out of this House, concerning the meaning of these words contained in the Protestation lately made by the Members of this House, (viz.) The true Reformed Protestant Religion, expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England, against all Popery and Popish Innovations within this Realm, contrary to the same doctrine; This House doth declare, That by those words, was, and is meant, only the public Doctrine professed in the said Church, so far as it is opposite to Popery and Popish Innovations; And that the said words are not to be extended to the maintaining of any form of Worship, Discipline, or Government, nor of any Rites or Ceremonies of the said Church of England.    

May 5. 1641.  
IT is this day ordered by the House of Commons now assembled in Parliament, That the preamble, together with the Protestation, which the Members of this house made the third of May, shall be forthwith printed, and the Copies printed brought to the Clerk of the said house, to attest under his hand, to the end that the Knights, Citizens and Burgesses may send them down to the Shrieves and Justices of Peace of the several Shires, and to the Citizens and Burgesses of the several Cities, Boroughs, and Cinque Ports, respectively. And the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, are to intimate unto the Shires, Cities, Borroughs, and Cinqueports, with what willingness all the Members of this House made this protestation: and further to signify, that as they justify the taking of it in themselves, so they cannot but approve it in all such as shall take it.   

May, twenty fift, 1641.  
IT is thought fit that the Protestation, which the Parliament lately made, be taken by the City of London, the next Lord's Day, being the thirtieth of this instant month, in the several● Parish Churches in the afternoon after Sermon before the Congregation be dissolved, by all Masters of Families, their Sons, and men Servants in manner and form following. viz.  

First, That forthwith notice of this intention be given to the Minister, Churchwardens, and some other meet Persons of each Parish in London, Liberties, and adjacent Parishes, and some of them to give notice to the rest of the Parishioners.  
Secondly, That the Minister be entreated (if he please) to acquaint his Parish in his Sermon, either forenoon or afternoon, with the nature of the business, more or less as he shall think fit, for the better and more solemn taking of the said Protestation, or if the Minister refuse it, that some other be entreated to preach that will promote the business; or if neither of these may be had, that some other convenient course be taken by some well affected to the business to stay the Parish, and communicate the matter to them.  
Thirdly, That the Minister or Ministers of every Congregation first take it, in his or their own person, reading the said Protestation in so distinct a voice, that all present may conveniently hear it, and that all the Assembly present do make the same Protestation distinctly after this manner, every man taking this Protestation into his hand. 
 I A. B. do in the presence of Almighty God freely and hearty promise, vow, and protest the same which the leading person took, naming the person.  
Fourthly, That there be a Register Book wherein every Man taking this vow or protestation subscribe his name, with his own hand or mark, and that the names be taken of such as do refuse the same.  
Fifthly, That all the Parishioners abovesaid whether in Town or out of Town be earnestly requested to be present at their own Parish Church in the afternoon, that every man may take it in their own place, and if any be necessarily absent that they may be desired to take it the next Lord's day after, or so soon as may be with conveniency.  
Sixtly, and lastly, that all whom it doth not immediately concern be earnestly requested to departed.