Tudor rose  royal blazon or coat of arms  fleur-de-lys  
THE DECLARATION OF THE Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, Directed to the high sheriff of the County of Essex, and all other sheriffs in general within England and Wales, Concerning his majesty's Proclamation about the Militia.  
WHereas Robert Smith Esquire, now high sheriff of the County of Essex, hath lately received a Writ, bearing date the 27 day of May, in the eighteenth year of His now majesty's reign, thereby commanding him to publish a Proclamation whereby all His majesty's Subjects belonging to the Trained-bands or Militia of this kingdom are forbidden to rise, march, muster, or exercise, by virtue of any Order or Ordinance of one or both Houses of Parliament, without consent or warrant from His Majesty, upon pain of punishment according to the laws. And whereas the said high sheriff hath now addressed himself to both Houses of Parliament for advise and directions therein; conceiving the said Proclamation to be contrariant and repugnant to the Ordinance and judgement of both Houses of Parliament concerning the Militia: It is therefore declared by the Lords and Commons in Parliament (they intending nothing by the said Ordinance but the protection and security of His majesty's Person, the defence of the kingdom against foreign invasion, and the preservation of the public peace, against intestine rebellions and insurrections here at home, the maintenance of the privileges and authority of Parliament according to the Protestation) That the said writ is illegal, for that by the constitution and policy of this kingdom, the King by his Proclamation cannot declare the Law contrary to the Constitution os any of the inferior Courts of justice, much less against the high Court of Parliament; And likewise for that this Writ forbids that to be done which they are obliged unto by their duty to God, their allegiance to His majesty, and the trust reposed in them by the commonwealth (the law having entrusted them to provide for the good and safety thereof.) And that the said high sheriff hath done nothing, in forbearing to publish the said Proclamation, but according to his duty, and in obedience to the Order of both Houses. And he is hereby required not to publish the said Proclamation, or any other Proclamations or Declarations of the like nature that concern the Parliament, without first acquainting the said Houses. And it is further declared, that the said high sheriff, and other sheriffs of other Counties within this kingdom of England, and the Dominion of Wales, for their obedience to the Orders and Ordinance of Parliament, or that have or hereafter shall do any thing in the execution thereof, shall be protected by the power and authority of both the said Houses.  

Sabbathi 18 Iunii. 1642.  
ORdered by the Lords in Parliament Assembled, That this Declaration shall be forthwith Printed and Published.  
Io. Brown. Cleric. Parliament.    

London Printed for Joseph Hunscot and John Wright, 1642.