COPY Of the SPEAKERS LETTER To the vicechancellor AND The Heads of Houses of the university of Oxford, together with the PROTESTATION and DECLARATION with it.  
OXFORD, Printed by LEONARD LICHFIELD, Anno Dom. 1642.   

TO THE vicechancellor, and the HEADS of houses of the university of OXFORD.  
Mr vice-chancellor,  
IT is now some months since that the Protestation taken by the Lords and House of Commons, was sent down into the Country with an expectation that it should be generally taken throughout the kingdom, for a Testimony of their good Concurrence with the Parliament. But through the remissness of some of those that had the care of recommending it to others, very many there be that have not hitherto taken it.  
Now the House of Commons (having discovered many dangerous designs, plotted against the Parliament, and especially, that of the fourth of this instant January, which had it taken effect, would have strucken, not only at the privileges, but the very being of Parliaments, as will more appear by the Declaration herewith sent unto you, which the House desires you to publish through all parts of the University of Oxford,) have thought fit once again to recommend the taking of this Protestation, and have therefore commanded me in their name to desire you, and all, and every the Heads of Houses in the same University, to meet together in one place, as soon as possibly you may, and there to take the Protestation yourselves, and then to call together all, and every the Masters, scholars, and Servants of the same University, being of the age of 18. years or upwards, and tender unto them the Protestation, to be taken in the presence of you, the said Mr vice-chancellor, and the said Heads of Houses; and to take the names both of those that do take, and do refuse to take the same Protestation, and to return them unto the Burgesses serving for that University, before the 20th day of February next, wherein the House desires your greatest care and diligence, as a matter very much importing the good, both of the King and kingdom, which being all I have in Command, I rest  
8o. Febr. 1641. Your very loving friend William Lenthall SPEAKER.   

Die Mercurij: 5o. Maij. 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 sheriffs 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, Boroughs, and Cinque Ports, 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.   

WE the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses of the Commons House in Parliament, finding, to the great grief of our hearts, that the designs of the Priests and Jesuites, and other Adherents to the See of Rome, have of late been more boldly and frequently put in practice then formerly, to the undermining and danger of the ruin of the true reformed Protestant Religion in His majesty's Dominions established: And finding also that there have been, and having just cause to suspect that there still are, even during this sitting in Parliament, endeavours to subvert the fundamental laws of England and Ireland, & to introduce the exercise of an Arbitrary and tyrannical Government, by most pernicious and wicked counsels, practices, Plots, and Conspiracies: And that the long intermission, and unhappy breach of Parliaments, hath occasioned many illegal Taxations, whereupon the subject hath been prosecuted and grieved: And that diverse Innovations and superstitions have been brought into the Church; multitudes driven out of His majesty's Dominions, jealousies raised and fomented betwixt 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 Revenues of the crown, and Treasure of this kingdom: And lastly, finding great cause of jealousy, that endeavours have been, and are used to bring the English Army into a misunderstanding of this Parliament, thereby to incline that Army, with force to bring to pass those wicked counsels, Have therefore thought good to join ourselves in a Declaration of our united Affections and Resolutions, and to make this ensuing Protestation.   

I A. B. do in the presence of Almighty God, Promise, Vow, and Protest, to maintain and defend, as far 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 this realm, contrary to the same Doctrine, and according to the duty of my Allegiance, His majesty's royal Person, Honour, and Estate; As also the Power and privileges of 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, practice, counsels, Plots, Conspiracies or otherwise, do any thing to the contrary of anything in this present Protestation contained. And further, that I shall in all just and Honourable ways endeavour to preserve the Union and Peace between the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland; And neither for hope, fear, nor other respect, shall relinquish this Promise, Vow and Protestation.   

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.  
H. Elsing. Cler. PARL. De COM.   

A Declaration of the House of Commons, touching the late breach of their privileges; And for the Vindication thereof, and of divers members of the said House.  
WHEREAS the Chambers, Studies, and Trunks, of Master Denzill Hollis, Sir Arthur Haslerig, Master John Pym, Master John Hampden, and Master William Strode Esquires, Members of the House of Commons, upon Monday the 3. of this instant January, by colour of His majesty's warrant have been sealed up by Sir William Killigrew, and Sir William Flemen, and others, which is not only against the privilege of Parliament, but the Common liberty of every Subject: Which said Members afterwards, the same day were under the like colour, by sergeant Francis, one of His majesty's sergeants at Arms, contrary to all former precedents demanded of the Speaker, sitting in the House of Commons, to be delivered unto him, that he might Arrest them of high Treason. And whereas, afterwards the next day, His Majesty in His royal Person, came to the same House attended with a great multitude of men armed in a warlike manner, with halberds, Swords, and pistols, who came up to the very door of the House, and placed themselves there, and in other places, and passages near the said House, to the great terror and disturbance of the Members then sitting; and according to their duty in a peaceable, and orderly manner, treating of the great affairs of England and Ireland. And His Majesty having placed himself in the Speakers Chair, demanded of them the Persons of the said Members to be delivered unto him, which is a high Breach of the Rights, and privileges of Parliament, and Inconsistent with the Liberties, and Freedom thereof. And whereas, afterwards His Majesty did issue forth several Warrants to divers Officers, under His own hand, for the apprehension of the Persons of the said Members, which by Law he cannot do; there being not all this time, any legal charge or accusation, or due process of Law issued against them, nor any pretence of charge made known to that House; all which are against the fundamental Liberties of the Subject, and the Rights of Parliament. Whereupon we are necessitated, according to our duty, to declare; And we do hereby declare, that if any Person shall Arrest M. Hollis, Sir Arthur Haslerig, M. Pym, M. Hampden, and M. Strode, or any of them, or any other Member of Parliament, by pretence or colour of any Warrant issuing out from the King only, is guilty of the Breach of the Liberties of the Subject, and of the privilege of Parliament, and a public enemy to the commonwealth. And that the Arresting of the said Members, or any of them, or of any other Member of Parliament, by any Warrant whatsoever, without a legal Proceeding against them, and without consent of that House, whereof such Person is a Member, is against the liberty of the Subject, and a Breach of privilege of Parliament; And the Person which shall Arrest any of these Persons, or any other Member of the Parliament, is declared a public enemy of the commonwealth. Notwithstanding all which we think fit, further to declare that we are so far from any endeavours to protect any of our Members, that shall be in due manner prosecuted according to the laws of the Kingdom, and the Rights and privileges of Parliament for Treason, or any other misdemeanours, That none shall be more ready and willing than we ourselves, to bring them to a speedy, and due trial, being sensible that it equally imports us, as well to see justice done against them that are criminous, as to defend the just Rights and Liberties of the Subjects, and Parliament of England.  
And whereas upon several Examinations taken the seventh day of this instant January, before the Committee appointed by the House of Commons, to sit in London, it did fully appear, that many soldiers, Papists, and others, to the number of about 500 came with His Majesty on Tuesday last, to the said House of Commons, armed with Swords, pistols, and other Weapons; and divers of them pressed to the door of the said House, thrust away the door Keepers, and placed themselves, between the said door, and the ordinary attendants of His Majesty; holding up their Swords, and some holding up their pistols ready cocked near the said door; and saying, I am a good Marksman, I can hit right I warrant you, and they not suffering the said door, according to the custom of Parliament to be shut, but said they would have the door open, and if any opposition were against them, they made no question, but they should make their party good, and that they would maintain their party; and when several Members of the House of Commons were coming into the House, their attendants desiring that Room might be made for them, some of the said soldiers answered, A Pox of God confound them, and others said, A Pox take the house of Commons, let them come and be hanged, what a do is here with the House of Commons; and some of the said soldiers did likewise violently assault, and by force disarm some of the Attendants, and servants of the Members of the House of Commons, waiting in the Room next the said House, and upon the Kings return out of the said House, many of them by wicked oaths, and otherwise, expressed much discontent, that some Members of the said House, for whom they came were not there; and others of them said, when comes the word, and no word being given at His majesty's coming out, they cried a lane, a lane; afterwards some of them being demanded, what they thought the said company intended to have done, answered, That questionless in the posture they were set, if the word had been given, they should have fallen upon the House of Commons, and have cut all their throats. Upon all which we are of opinion, that it is sufficiently proved, that the coming of the said soldiers, Papists, and others with His Majesty to the House of Commons on Tuesday last, being the fourth of this instant January, in the manner aforesaid, was to take away some of the Members of the said House; and if they should have found opposition, or denial, then to have fallen upon the said House in a hostile manner. And we do hereby declare that the same was a traitorous design against the King and Parliament. And whereas the said M Hollis, Sir Arthur Haslerig, M. Pym, M. Hampden, and M. Strode, upon report of the coming of the said soldiers, Papists, & others in the warlike and hostile manner, aforesaid, did with the approbation of the House absent themselves from the service of the House, for avoiding the great, and many inconveniences, which otherwise apparently might have happened: Since which time a printed paper in the form of a Proclamation, bearing date the sixth day of this instant January, hath issued out for the apprehending, and imprisoning of them, Therein suggesting that through the conscience of their own guilt, they were absent and fled, not willing to submit themselves to justice; We do farther declare that the said printed paper is false, scandalous and illegal, and that notwithstanding the said printed paper, or any warrant issued out, or any other matter yet appearing against them, or any of them, they may and aught to attend the service of the said House of Commons, and the several Committees now on foot. And that it is lawful for all persons whatsoever to lodge, harbour or converse with them, or any of them; And whosoever shall be questioned for the same, shall be under the Protection and privilege of Parliament.  
And we do further declare, That the publishing of several Articles purporting a form of a charge of high Treason against the Lord Kimbolton, one of the Members of the Lord's House, and against the said, M. Hollis, Sir Arthur Haslerig, M. Pym, M. Hampden, and M. Strode, by Sir William Killigrew, Sir William Flemen, and others in the inns of Court, and elsewhere in the King's Name, was a high Breach of the privilege of Parliament, a great scandal to His majesty, and His government: A seditious Act manifestly tending to the subversion of the Peace of the kingdom, and an injury, and dishonour to the said Members, there being no legal charge or accusation against them.  
That the privileges of Parliament, and the Liberties of the Subject so violated and broken, cannot be fully and sufficiently Vindicated, unless His Majesty will be graciously pleased, to discover the names of those Persons, who advised His Majesty to issue out Warrants, for the sealing of the Chambers, and Studies of the said Members, to send a sergeant at Arms to the House of Commons, to demand their said Members, to issue out several Warrants under His majesty's own hand, to apprehend the said Members. His majesty's coming thither, in His own royal Person. The publishing of the said Articles, and printed paper in the form of a Proclamation against the said Members in such manner as is before declared; To the end that such Persons may receive condign punishment.  
And this House doth further declare, That all such persons as have given any council, or endeavoured to set or maintain division or dislike, between the King and Parliament, or have Listed their names, or otherwise entered into any combination or agreement, to beayding or assisting to any such council or endeavour, or have persuaded any other so to do, or that shall do any the things above mentioned, And shall not forthwith discover the same to either House of Parliament, or the Speaker of either of the said Houses respectively, and disclaim it; are declared public enemies of the State and Peace of this kingdom, and shall be inquired of, and proceeded against accordingly.  
 
Die Lunae 17. Januarii. 1641.  
It is this day ordered, by the Commons assembled in Parliament, that this Declaration shall be forthwith published in Print.  
Hen. Elsing. Cler. Parl. De Com.