THE DECLARATION, Together with the PETITION AND REMONSTRANCE OF THE Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, Ministers, and Freeholders' of the COUNTY of HAMPESHIRE.  
June 14th LONDON, Printed for H. W. MDCXLVIII.   

The Declaration, etc.  
MOre than this our humble Address at present we intended not, but having received certain information, of late how the Essex Petition was though seemingly accepted, yet indeed really slighted: And how barbarous an Answer was returned to the Petitioners of Surrey, out of the mouths of Muskets, and from the bloody hands of Sectaries; a precedent so full of horror, injustice, and more than Turkish tyranny, that all the free Subjects of England ought to look upon with with extreme detestation. And lastly considering that our brethren of Kent were referred to receive satisfaction to their humble address to the two Houses, only from the Lord Fairefax, and his insulting Army, we are forced to annex this brief Declaration, to our humble Petition.  
That if our Messengers by us entrusted receive not a full and satisfactory Answer to these our modest Requests, that we will speedily arm ourselves, and associate with other Counties, and endeavour by God's blessing to free ourselves from that slavery which this present Army, getting no small advantage by the cunning & fraudulent delays of the Houses, threaten to bring upon us and our Posterities.   

TO The Honourable Houses of Parliament assembled at WESTMINSTER.  
The humble PETITION of the Lords, Knights, Gentlemen, Ministers, and Freeholds of the County of HAMPESHIRE.  
Humbly Sheweth;  
THat your Petitioners having taken into their sad and serious thoughts, the pressing, and almost unsupportable miseries under which this whole Kingdom groans: Religion in stead of being reform, is metamorphized into so many shapes, that the Synagogue of Rome does exult; and for the Divisions amongst us, the truly Orthodox have great thoughts of heart; our heavy Taxes, and other illegal ways of raising vast Sums, though none of the Royal party have for many months appeared, unless in Prison, or under Sequestration, and so far from being taken off, which was faithfully promised, that they are rather increased, which we fear was really intended: Our most Gracious Sovereign, notwithstanding your frequent Protestations of bringing Him with Safety and Honour to His great Counsel, is under most barbarous Restraint; our Laws are fallen into a Lethurgy, Arbitrary power, and the stronger Sword carry all before them; but above all, the most formidable apprehension of this Kingdoms being once more made an Aceldema, to the high provocation of God's severest wrath, if not utterly to ruin, yet at least to enslave us and our Posterities to the prevailing party.  
Do therefore in all humility hold forth to your grave wisdoms what by God's blessing, and your timely concurrence, may prove effectual for the speedy cure of those maladies under which this bleeding Commonwealth is ready to expire.  
And first, we do with submission to better judgements conjecture, that together with the many sins of this Nation, that which hath had an especial influence in the ripening of these Judgements hath been that little regard given to, and the oversleight laying aside of his Majesties many and most gracious Messages, and most pious overtures for Peaee, and an happy understanding between him and his people, and this occasioned as we do more than probably opine by three sorts. First by th●se that think they have monopolised all truth, and would therefore square our Religion according to their own confused modules. Secondly by those that aught to make audit for the many thousands received for the public, as was pretended, but converted or transported for their own private benefit. But thirdly, and principally by those that had a design by taking away Monarchical Government, of making themselves high and mighty States, and engrossing all Dominion over their yet fellow Subjects into their own hands.  
Having thus hinted upon the causes of our Having misery, we do with all submission present to the Honourable Houses what to our best apprehension may prove sovereign for the Kingdom's recovery.  
And first, that the true reformed Protestant Religion professed in the reigns of Q. Elizabeth, and K. James of blessed memory be re-establisht.  
Secondly, that his Majesty be speedily restored to a condition of Safety and Honour, and enjoy according to the command of our blessed Saviour, all his indubitable Rights, who saith, give unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's.  
Thirdly, that the Arrears of the Army under the command of the Lord Fairefax be speedily audited, and they disbanded.  
And lastly that an account being given to the kingdom how that mass of Treasure that hath been raised is employed, that His Majesty be desired to pass an Act of Oblivion, and that his most Princely proffer of ease to tender Consciences be thankfully embraced, all which your Petitioners desire may be speedily applied for the cure of this bleeding Commonwealth.  
And we shall for ever pray, etc.  
FINIS.