A DECLARATION SET FORTH By the Presbyterians within the COUNTY OF KENT.  
WHEREIN, They declare their Resolutions and Determinations concerning the Independent Government, and the Church of ENGLAND.  
Also, the apprehending and examination of divers Independent Ministers, by a Committee of the House of Commons, being taken preaching at a Conventicle near White-Hall. With their answer and reply to the Articles objected against them.  
This Declaration is ordered to be published, and to be read in all Churches throughout the County of KENT.  
january 12. Printed for F. Brown, 1647. 1646   

THE EXAMINATION OF Divers Independents and Separates taken at their Private-Meetings near Charingcross, and examined by a Committee of the House of Commons,  
THe great Business which at this instant lieth in agitation, about a matter of great concernment, and the chiefest particular which the whole Kingdom desireth to be resolved in; it being the Kingdoms chiefest Work upon which they have now fixed their eyes.  
And having for many years bypast, desired a firm and well-grounded Government in Church & State, have now in some part their desires satisfied: For, having obtained a full & positive answer from both Houses of Parliament, for the speedy suppressing of all Sects and Sectaries, are in some measure and satisfied, and doth begin to execute the Parliaments Commands against all such persons, which shall assemble themselves together, either for preaching or expounding the Scriptures, at any place or meeting whatsoever. Insomuch, that many thousands of Citizens and others are grieved to the very soul; especially, divers men of emineney, who hath hazarded both life and limbs in the Parliaments cause against the enemies of England, whose trust and fidelity hath been performed with much alacrity and faithfulness; as hath apparently been made manifest, by their gallant service, and heroic actions, obtained against the potent enemy of this Kingdom.  
But because I cannot dispense too much with time, I shall here briefly communicate unto you, some passages worthy your observation, viz.  
Upon the 4. of this instant Month of January, a Report was made to the House of Commons, that some certain persons were apprehended, which were met together at a Conventicle, namely, one Mr wait and Goff, Who were taken preaching in Hartshorn Lane near Charingcross, which parties were examined by a Committee of the house of Commons, in the queen's Court, & after some time spent, and divers Arguments laid open before them, for confuting of their ways, and convincing them of their erroneous Opinions, and being strictly examed about one prrticular point, concerning their presumption, in undertaking so great a Charge, which belonged chief to Learned Divines, and Orthodox Ministers.  
They replied, and began to express themselves, as followeth:  
That whereas they were pleased to lay open this accusation against them for preaching, they endeavoured to vindicate themselves saying, that they had only Bibles in their hands, and were reading.  
Then wait was accused to say, that the Parliaments Declaration was made at twelve a clock at night when above half the Members were away, and that he knew the knavery of it. But they intent to prosecute the Ordinance of both houses against all such persons whatsoever, and hath ordered that it shall be executed throughout the whole Kingdom of England. Which Ordinance, the Kentishmen are resolved duly to observe, and to put in execution, as will appear by their late Declaration, which I shall here insert, and give you verbatim.  
WHereas we understand that several Petitions are set on foot, and promoted by divers persons within this County, wherein they take to themselves a liberty of venting their own private thoughts, and desires, in matters concerning the public and great affairs of the Church and State, which can produce no other effect, than the raising and countenancing of contrary parties and factions within the County: We do hereby declare, & admonish all sorts of persons what soever, within this County, that they forbear to give any countenance or furtherance to any such Petitions, upon what pretence soever; and that they avoid all such occasions of new distractions in the County; as they tender the welfare thereof. And we do hereby require all Ministers of the several Parish Churches, openly to read this signification in the Parish Churches upon the next Lordsday, after the receipt hereof, before the end of the Morning Exercise.  
Thus having given you the chiefest particulars of the great business in agitation within the Kingdom of England, I shall advance Northwards, and give you the proceed of the Parliament of Scotland, reflecting upon the Government of both Nations.  
Amongst other things, If his Majesty shall have thoughts of coming to this Kingdom at th' s time, he not having as yet subscribed the League and Covenant, nor satisfied the lawful desires of his loyal Subjects in both Nations, We have just cause to fear that the consequences of it may be very dangerous, both to his Majesty and these Kingdoms; Which therefore we desire may be timely prevented.  
For so long as his Majesty doth not approve in his heart, & seal with his hand the League and Covenant, we cannot but apprehend, that according to his former Principles, he will walk in opposition to the same, and study to draw us unto the violation thereof and the dissolution of the Union so happily begun between Us and our Brethren, to weaken the confidence and trust, and to entertain jealousies, and make divisions amongst ourselves.  
Neither is it possible but that our receiving Him in this present posture of affairs, will confirm the suspicions of the English Nation, of our underhand dealing with Him before his coming to our Army; & make them, not without cause to think that We purpose to dispose of him without their consent, and to their prejudice: Which is contrary to the Profession of these that were in trust at his Majesty's first coming to the Scots Quarters, and overthroweth all the Arguments that have been used by the Commissioners of our Parl. in their Papers concerning The disposing of his Maj. Person by the joint advice & common consent of both Kingdoms given into both Houses of Parliament in England, nor do we see how we can vindicate such a practice from a direct breach of our engagements to them by Covenant and Treaty, which were not only to expose us into the hazard of a bloody war, but to involve us in the guilt of Perjury. And what greater disservice could be done to his Majesty and his Posterity, then to g●ve way to a course that might prove prejudicial to their interest in the Crown and Kingdom of England.  
Our carriage now for many years past, in the midst of many tentations, hath put us beyond all suspicion in the point of our Loyalty.  
Nor have we the least thoughts of deserting his Majesty in a just and good Cause, being bound by our Covenant in our several Vocations, to endeavour with our estates and lives, to preserve and defend his Person and Authority, in the defence and preservation of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms; And so fare as his Majesty shall be for these, we really are, and we trust the rest of his Kingdoms will be for him: Yet we cannot deny, but openly avouch it,  
That if his Majesty (which the Lord forbidden) shall not satisfy the just desires of his People, Both Nations stands mutually obliged by that inviolable Covenant to pursue the ends therein expressed (which cannot be divided) against all lets and impediments whatsoever.   
FINIS.