The Humble PETITION Of the Knights, Gentry, Clergy, and Commonalty of the County of Sussex: Presented to both Houses on Wednesday, June. 7. 1648.  
Together, with the Answer of both Houses to the same, June, 9. 1648.  
To which are added SOME OBSERVATIONS, Vpon the Answer of both Houses to the said Petition; being of general use for all Petitions of this kind.  
Printed in the year, 1648.   

To the Right Honourable the LORDS and COMMONS assembled in Parliament at Westminster.  
The humble Petition of the Knights, Gentry, Clergy, and commonalty of the County of Sussex: Presented to both Houses upon Wednesday, June 7. 1648.  
Sheweth:  
THAT the miserable effects of this civill war under which our Country, and three Kingdoms have long and heavily groaned, are the onely motives of these our humble and servant desires hereby propounded to your Honours.  
1. That our most gracious sovereign Lord King Charles may be speedily and honourably received to a safe Treaty with the two Houses of Parliament, for the firm settling of a well-grounded Peace, both in Church and Commonwealth, as also of his own just Rights, and of the Rights of Parliament.  
2. That the Arrears of the Army under the command of the Lord Fairfax may be paid, and the Army with all expedition disbanded.  
3. That according to the fundamental constitutions of this kingdom, we may be governed by the known Laws of this kingdom, and not otherwise.  
4. That from henceforth our estates and goods may be freed from all Taxes and Impositions.  
5. That no garrisons within the said County be any longer continued, and that the Ordinance and Ammunition taken from the Sea towns may be returned, for the better ●efence of them and the whole County from foreign Invasions.  
We therefore( as the well-affected Counties have already) do humbly pray you to yield a present c●ndescention to our humble desires, that so our differences and divisions may be happily composed, all scribblings between Prince and People timely removed, his Majesty( according to our solemn Engagement) rendered glorious, both King and Kingdom; returned to their pristine dignity and splendour at home and abroad; and yourselves thereby merit the grateful and universal acclamations of good and faithful Patriots.  
And your Petitioners shall pray, &c.   

The Answer of the LORDS and COMMONS assembled in Parliamen, to the Petition of the Knights Gentry, Clergy, and Commonalty of the County of Sussex.  
Die Veneris 9. junii, 1648.  
THe Lords have commanded me to return thankes to the County of Suss●x for the good affections which they have expressed to the Parliament and kingdom and they take notice, and are well satisfied with the compliance of that County to the directions of Parliament, in the way of the delivery of this their Petition They have already made some proceedings, which they hope may bring his Majesty to a safe Treaty with the two Houses of Parliament, for the s●tling of a secure and well grounded peace, the which they will prosecute with all care and diligence. And they desire you to be assured, that they will use their utmost endeavours, that our sad differences and divisions may be speedily and happily composed; that so the laws and Fund●mentall Constitutions of this kingdom may have their free course and full vigour: Neither will they be wanting to contribute their utmost help for the freeing that County and the whole kingdom from all those Taxes and Impositions, that the necessity of the late Wars have occasioned, as soon as the safety of the kingdom shall permit.  
John Brown clear. Parl.  
Die Veneris 9. Junii, 1648.  
THE House being informed that divers Gentlemen of the County of Sussex were at the door, they were called in, and Sir William Celopepper Barromet, presented a Petition in the name of the Knights, Gentlemen, Clergy and Commonalty of the said County; and after they were withdrawn, the Petition entitled The humble Petition of the Knights, Gentlemen, Clergy and Commonalty of the County of Sussex, was red. The Petitioners were again called in, and Mr. Speaker by the command of the House, gave them this Answer.  
Gentlemen, This House takes notice, and approves of the Petitioners conformity to their Declaration, in the peaceable manner of their addresses, and have under consideration such means as are most conducible to the speedy settlement of the peace of the kingdom, and easing the Burdens of the people, and had( by Gods assistance) made a further progress therein, had not some late Tumults and Commotions unhappily interrupted their proceedings.  
Hen. elsing. clear. Parl. D. come.  

Short Observations upon the Answers of the two Houses to the Sussex Petition.  
IN general the answers are dilatory and delusory, as appears by the particulars, for.  
1. They say, they have already made some proceedings which they hope may bring his majesty to a safe treaty with the two Houses. That is, they have resolved on three Propositions to be sent to, and to be assented unto by his Majesty, before they treat personally with Him.  
1. That the Militia be settled upon the two Houses of Parliament to raise money and men upon us at pleasure, both which are destructive to the liberty and propriety of the Subject.  
2. For settling Religion as the two Houses shall think fit; whereby as Sects and schisms are already grown numerous; so hereafter they are like to be established among us by a Law.  
3. That their proceedings in the late war be justified. That is, that their usurpations upon the crown, the laws, and the Subjects be made by such an Act a precedent to all Posterity.  
2. They say, that they will use their utmost endeavours that our sad differences and divisions may be speedily composed, that so the Law●s and fundamental constitutions of the kingdom may have their free course and full vigour; whereby it is evident that they take upon them an authority over our laws and fundamental constitutions; and hence are risen those sad differences and divisions amongst us, by reason of their lawless, and arbitrary proceedings.  
3. They say, they will contribute their help for the freeing of the kingdom from all those taxes, and impositions that the necessities of the late warres have occasioned, assoon● at the safety of the kingdom shall permit: and why was the late war undertaken, and yet prosecuted, but merely for overthrowing Law, King, and kingdom, and for these reasons have they imposed, and do to this day impose and continue these heavy Taxes upon us? and all this they do in truth, not for saving the kingdom, but for preserving and enriching themselves.  
4. They say, They had made a further progress in settling the kingdom, had not some late Tumults and Commotions unhappily interrupted their proceedings. That is they had settled it in their own way, viz. according to their own Votes, and the votes of the Army, a kingdom without a King, had not they been interrupted by the several Petitions from Essex, Surry, Kent, and Sussex, who now are styled Tumultuous, and their Add●esses called Commotions; whereas heretofore Tumults indeed, have been raised and countenanced by them, and the Authors of them styled their friends, because they spake their sense  

The sum of the Houses answers to all Counties Petitions.  The sum of all is this, our Taxes and Impositions must continue, so long as the war continues; and their illegal proceedings, so long as our Divisions and Differences continue; and our Divisions till there be a personal Treaty: which Treaty the two Houses never intend; if they did, they would not obstruct it with Propositions as they do derogatory to the crown, prejudicial to the Kings cause, destructive to Religion, to the liberty and propriety of the Subject. By this sum of all it appears, what all Counties who petition in this kind are to trust to.  

Counties to petition no more.  Wherefore the people of this kingdom are so to behave themselves, that they be neither delayed nor deluded, any longer; but are forthwith vigorously to proceed to rescue their captivated King, whose life is every minute in danger by bloody villains and assassinates, and thereby restore and establish their own lost laws, Liberties, Religion, and Properties.   
FINIS.