A DECLARATION Of his Excellency, George Lord Goring Earl of Norwich, with the Gentry and Freeholders of the County of ESSEX, in arms for the prosecution and just defence of their general Petition, and solemn engagement; And their offer unto all such Officers and soldiers as shall repair unto them.  
COuld prosperity make us insolent, this overture should be the story of our present fortunes; how numerous, how unanimous, how associated, how befriended, or (in a word) how Heaven and Earth conspire to our deliverance: Consider with what assurance we have managed our very despairs, and raised ourselves to this height out of nothing. Consider withal, that we move still by the same resolves, as we are favoured and encouraged by that hand of providence which at first raised us.  
From this posture (Gentlemen and Fellow-Subjects) we salute you in a temper of love, and Christianity, disengaged (we assure you) from any interest or mixture of revenge or fear: Peace is the end we aim at, and by peace, if it be possible, we propound to accomplish that end.  
To which purpose, upon a sad and compassionate thought, how many innocent souls are seduced by the imposture of a pretended Liberty; and how many more corrupted, by their own importune necessity, into an erroneous and unfortunate engagement; all which must in probability perish, except they may be recovered by the offer of this and this only expedient.  
What Officer or soldier soever, now in arms against us, shall before the 21. of this present July, make his repair unto us, or any part of our Forces, and there enter into an engagement, not to act any thing against us for the future, shall have his arrears audited and paid: And we do further oblige ourselves, to interpose unto His most sacred Majesty for an Act of indemnity; the success whereof from our Gracious sovereign Lord the King we at all doubt not. And for the performance on our parts, we tie our Honours, and the Faith of the County; Avowing withal, that we design nothing of alteration either in Church or commonwealth, but what this present Parliament hath declared to be the duty of good Christians and loyal Subjects.  
July 12.    

Printed in the year 1648.