A DECLARATION OF THE Lords and Commons IN PARLIAMENT: With the Additionall Reasons, last presented to His MAJESTY.  

Sabbathi 12 Martij. 1641.  
Ordered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled, That the Declaration, with the Additionall Reasons last presented to His Majesty, shall be forthwith Printed and published.  


Io. Browne, Cleric. Parl.  
H. Elsing, Cler. Parl. D. Com.     
Whereunto is annexed, His Majesty's Speech to the Commit, the 9 of March, 1641. when they presented the Declaration of both Houses of Parliament at New-market.  
London, Printed for joseph Hunscott, 1641.   

The Declaration.  
May it please your Majesty;  
ALthough the Expressions in your Majesty's Message of the second of this instant March, do give just cause of sorrow to us your faithful Subjects, the Lords and Commons in Parliament, yet it is not without some mixture of confidence and hope, considering they proceeded from the misapprehension of our Actions and Intentions, which having no ground of Truth or Reality, may by your Majesty's Justice and Wisdom be removed when your Majesty shallbe fully informed, that those fears and jealousies of ours, which your Majesty thinks to be causeless, and without any just ground, do necessarily and clearly arise from those dangers and distempers, into which the mischievous and evil Counsels about you have brought this Kingdom; And that those other fears and jealousies, by which your favour, your Royal Presence, and confidence have been withdrawn from your Parliament, have no foundation or subsistence in any action, intention, or miscarriage of ours, but are merely grounded upon the falsehood and malice of those, who, for the supporting and fomenting their own wicked designs, against the Religion and Peace of the Kingdom, do seek to deprive your Majesty of the Strength and Affection of your People, them of your Grace and Protection, and thereby to subject both your Royal Person, and the whole Kingdom to ruin and destruction.  
To satisfy your Majesty's judgement and Conscience in both these points, we desire to make a clear and free Declaration of the causes of our fears and jealousies, which we offer to your Majesty. in these particulars:  
1. That the design of altering Religion in this, and in your other Kingdoms, hath been potently carried on by those in greatest Authority about you for divers years together, the Queen's Agent at Rome, and the Pope's Agent or Nuncio here, are not only evidences of this design, but have been great Actors in it.  
2. That the War with Scotland was procured to make way for this intent, and chief invited and fomented by the Papists, and others popishly affected, whereof we have many evidences, especially their free and general contribution to it.  
3. That the Rebellion in Ireland was framed and contrived here in England, and that the English Papists should have risen about the same time, we have several testimonies, and advertisements from Ireland; and that it is a common speech amongst the Rebels, wherewith concur other Evidences and observations of the suspicions, meetings, and consultations, the tumultuary and seditious carriage of those of that Religion in divers parts of this Kingdom, about the time of the breaking out of the Irish Rebellion; The deposition of O Connelly, the Information of Mr. Cole Minister, the Letter of Trestram Whitcombe, the deposition of Thomas Crant, and many others which we may produce, do all agree in this. The public Declaration of the Lords, Gentlemen, and others of the Pale, that they would join with the Rebels, whom they call the Irish Army, or any other, to recover unto His Majesty His Royal Prerogative, wrested from him by the Puritan faction in the Houses of Parliament in England, and to maintain the same against all others, as also to maintain Episcopal Jurisdiction, and the lawfulness thereof; these two being the Quarrels, upon which His Majesty's late Army in the North should have been incensed against us.  
The great cause we have to doubt that that late design styled, The Queen's pious intention, was for the alteration of Religion in this Kingdom; for success whereof, the Pope's Nuncio, the Count Rosetti enjoined Fasting and Praying to be observed every Week by the English Papists; which appeared to us by one of the Original Letters, directed by him to a Priest in Lancashire.  
The boldness of the Irish Rebels, in affirming they do nothing, but by Authority from the King; That they call themselves the Queen's Army: That the prey or booty which they take from the English, they mark with the Queen's Mark: That their purpose was to come to England, after they had done in Ireland, and sundry other things of this kind, proved by O Connelli, and divers others, especially in the  Letter from Trestram Whitecombe, the Major of Kinsale, to his Brother Benjamin Whitecombe, wherein there is this passage, That many other strange speeches they utter, about Religion, and our Court of England, which he dares not commit to paper.  
The manifold attempts to provoke Your Majesty's late Army, and the Army of the Scots, and to raise a faction in the City of London, and other parts of the Kingdom: That those who have been Actors in those businesses, have had their dependence, their countenance, and encouragement from the Court; Witness the Treason whereof Master jermyn and others stand accused, who was transported beyond Sea by Warrant, under Your Majesty's Hand, after Your Majesty had given Assurance to Your Parliament, that Your Majesty had laid a strict command upon all your Servants, that none of them should departed from Court: And that dangerous Petition, delivered to Captain Legg by your Majesties own Hand, accompanied with a Direction, Signed with C. R.  
The false and scandalous accusation against the Lord Kymbolton, and the five Members of the House of Commons, tendered to the Parliament by your Majesties own Command, endeavoured to be justified in the City, by your own presence and persuasion, and to be put in execution upon their persons, by your Majesty's demand of them in the House of Commons, in so terrible and violent a manner, as fare exceeded all former breaches of Privileges of Parliament, acted by your Majesty, or any of your Predecessors: And whatsoever your own intentions were, divers bloody and desperate persons which attended your Majesty, discovered their affections and resolutions to have Massacred and destroyed the Members of that House, if the absence of those persons accused had not, by God's providence, stopped the giving of that word which they expected, for the setting them upon that barbarous and bloody act: The Listing of so many Officers, Soldiers, and others, putting them into pay, and under command of Colonels, feasting and carressing them in an unusual manner, at Whitehall, thereby maintaining them in the violent assaults, and other injuries which they offered to divers of your Subjects, coming that way in a lawful and peaceable manner: the carrying them out of Town; after which they were told by the Lord Digby, That the King removed on purpose, that they might not be trampled in the dirt: And keeping them so long in pay, endeavouring to engage the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court, in the same course: The plotting and designing of a perpetual Guard about your Majesty: The labouring to infuse into your Majesty's Subjects an evil opinion of the Parliament, thorough the whole Kingdom, and other Symptoms of a disposition of raising Arms, and dividing your people by a Civil War; in which combustion, Ireland must needs be lost, and this Kingdom miserably wasted and consumed, if not wholly ruined and destroyed.  
That after a Vote had passed in the House of Commons, declaring, That the Lord Digby had appeared in a warlike manner at Kingston upon Thames, to the terror and fright of your Majesty's good Subjects, and disturbance of the public peace of the Kingdom; and that therefore the Lords should be moved to require his attendance, he should, nevertheless, be of that credit with your Majesty, as to be sent away by your own Warrant to Sir john Fennington, to Land him beyond the Sea; from whence he vented his own Traitorous conceptions, That your Majesty should declare yourself, and retire to a place of strength in this Kingdom, as if your Majesty could not be fafe among your people: And withal took that transcendent boldness to write to the Queen, offering to entertain correspondency with her Majesty by Ciphers, intimating some service which he might do in those Parts; for which, he desired your Majesty's instructions, whereby in probability, he intended the procuring of some foreign force to strengthen your Majesty, in that condition into which he would have brought you: Which false and malicious counsel and advice, we have great cause to doubt, made too deep an Impression in your Majesty, considering the course you are pleased to take, of absenting yourself from your Parliament, and carrying the Prince with you, which seems to express a purpose in your Majesty, to keep yourself in a readiness for the acting of it.  
The manifold Advertisements which we have had from Rome, Venice, Paris, and other parts, that they still expect that your Majesty has some great design in hand, for the altering of Religion, the breaking the neck of your Parliament: That you will yet find means to compass that design, that the Pope's Nuncio hath solicited the Kings of France and Spain to lend your Majesty four thousand men apiece to help to maintain your Royalty against the Parliament: And this foreign force as it is the most pernicious and malignant design of all the rest, so we hope it is and shall always be farthest from your Majesty's thoughts, because no man can believe you will give up your people and Kingdom to be spoilt by strangers, if you did not likewise intent to change both your own profession in Religion, and the public profession of the Kingdom, that so you might still be more assured of those foreign States of the Popish Religion, for your future support and defence:  
These are some of the grounds of our fears and jealousies which made us so earnestly to implore your royal Authority and protection for our defence and security, in all the ways of Humility and submission, which being denied by your Majesty sedused by evil Counsel, we do with sorrow for the great and inavoidable misery and danger, which thereby is like to fall upon your own person, and your Kingdoms apply ourselves to the use of that power for the security and defence of both, which by the fundamental Laws and Constitutions of this Kingdom resides in us, yet still resolving to keep ourselves within the bounds of faithfulness and allegiance to your sacred Person and your Crown, so as to the second sort of jealousies and fears of us, expressed by your Majesty, we shall give a shorter, but as true, and as faithful an Answer.  
Whereas Your Majesty is pleased to say that for your residence near the Parliament, you wish it might be so safe, and honourable, that you had no cause to absent yourself from Whitehall; This we take as the greatest breach of Privilege of Parliament that can be offered; As the heaviest misery to yourself, and imputation upon us that can be imagined, And the most mischievous effect of evil Counsels; it roots up the strongest foundation of the safety and honour which your Crown affords; It seems as much as may be, to cast upon the Parliament, such a charge, as is inconsistent with the nature of that great Council, being the body whereof your Majesty is the head; it strikes at the very being, both of King, and Parliament; depriving your Majesty in your own apprehension of their fidelity, and them of your protection, which are the mutual bands and supports of Government, and Subjection.  
We have according to your Majesty's desire, laid our hands upon our hearts, we have asked ourselves in the strictest examination of our Consciences; we have searched our affections, our thoughts, considered our Actions, and we find none that can give your Majesty any just occasion to absent yourself from Whitehall, and the Parliament; but that you may with more honour and safety, continue there then in any other place.  
Your Majesty lays a general tax upon us; If you will be graciously pleased to let us know the particulars, we shall give a clear and satisfactory Answer: But what hope can we have of ever giving your Majesty satisfaction, when those particulars which you have been made believe were true, yet being produced and made known to us, appeared to be false; and your Majesty notwithstanding, will neither punish, nor produce the Authors, but go on to contract new jealousies and fears, upon general and uncertain grounds, affording us no means or possibility of particular Answer, to the clearing of ourselves; For proof whereof, we beseech your Majesty to consider these Instances.  
The Speeches alleged to be spoken in a meeting of divers Members of both Houses at Kensington, concerning a purpose of restraining the Queen and Prince, which after it was denied, and disavowed, yet your Majesty refused to name the Authors, though humbly desired by both Houses.  
The report of Articles framed against the Queen's Majesty, given out by some of near relation to the Court; but when it was publicly, and constantly disclaimed, the credit seemed to be withdrawn from it; but the Authors being kept safe, will always be ready for exploits of the same kind, wherewith your Majesty, and the Queen, will be often troubled, if this course be taken to cherish and secure them in such wicked and malicious slanders.  
The heavy charge and accusation of the Lord Kimbolton, and the five Members of the House of Commons, who refused no trial or examination, which might stand with the Privilege of Parliament; yet no Authors, no witnesses produced, against whom they may have reparation for the great injury and infamy cast upon them; notwithstanding three several Petitions of both Houses, and the authority of two Acts of Parliament, vouched in the last of those Petitions.  
We beseech your Majesty to consider in what State you are, how easy, and fair a way you have to happiness, honour greatness, plenty, and security; if you will join with the Parliament, and your faithful Subjects in defence of the Religion, and public good of the Kingdom: This is all we expect from you, and for this we shall return to you, our lives, fortunes, and uttermost endeavours to support your Majesty, your just Sovereignty and power over us, but it is not words that can secure us in these our humble desires; we cannot but too well, and sorrowfully remember what gracious Messages we had from you this Summer, when with your privity, the bringing up the Army was in agitation; we cannot but with the like affections recall to our minds, how not two days before, you gave directions for the above mentioned accusation, and your own coming to the Commons House, that House received from your Majesty a gracious Message, that you would always have care of their Privileges, as of your own Prerogative of the safety of their persons; as of your own children: That which we expect, which will give us assurance, that you have no thought, but of peace and justice to your People, must be some real effect of your goodness to them in granting those things, which the present necessity of the Kingdom, do enforce us to desire: And in the first place, that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to put from you, those wicked and mischievous Counsellors, which have caused all these dangers and distractions, and to continue your own Residence, and the Princes near London, and the Parliament, which we hope will be a happy beginning of contentment, and confidence betwixt your Majesty, and your People, and be followed with many succeeding blessings of Honour and Greatness to your Majesty, and of security and prosperity to them.   

The Additionall Reasons.  
THe Lords and Commons have commanded us to present unto your Majesty this further Addition to their former Declaration.  
That your Majesty's return, and continuance near the Parliament, is a matter in their apprehension of so great necessity and importance towards the preservation of your Royal Person and your Kingdoms, that they cannot think they have discharged their duties in the single expression of their desire, unless they add some further Reasons to back it with.  

I. Your Majesty's absence will cause men to believe, that it is out of design to discourage the undertakers, and hinder the other Provisions for raising money for defence of Ireland.  
II. It will very much hearten the Rebels there, and disaffected persons in this Kingdom, as being an evidence, and effect of the jealousy and division betwixt your Majesty, and your people.  
III. That it will much weaken and withdraw the affection of the Subject from your Majesty, without which a Prince is deprived of his chiefest strength and lustre, and left naked to the greatest dangers and miseries, that can be imagined.  
FOUR That it will invite and encourage the Enemies of our Religion, and the State, in foreign Parts, to the attempting, and acting of their evil designs and intentions towards us.  
V That it causeth a great interruption in the proceed of Parliament.   
These considerations threaten so great danger to your Majesty's Person, and to all your Dominions, that as your Majesty's great Counsel, they hold it necessary to represent to You, this their faithful Advise, that so whatsoever followeth, they may be excused before God and Man.   

❧ His Majesty's Speech to the Committee, the 9 of March, 1641. when they presented the Declaration of both Houses of Parliament at New-market.  
I Am confident that you expect not I should give you a speedy Answer to this strange and unexpected Declaration. And I am sorry (in the distraction of this Kingdom) you should think this way of address to be more convenient, that that proposed by My Message of the 20 of january last to both Houses.  
As concerning the grounds of your Fears and Jealousies, I will take time to answer particularly, and doubt not but I shall do it to the satisfaction of all the World. God, in his good time, will, I hope, discover the secrets and bottoms of all Plots and Treasons; and then I shall stand right in the eyes of all My people. In the mean time, I must tell you, That I rather expected a Vindication for the imputation laid on me in Master Pyms Speech, than that any more general Rumours and Discourses should get credit with you.  
For My fears and doubts, I did not think they should have been thought so groundless or trivial, while so many seditious Pamphlets and Sermons are looked upon, and so great Tumults are remembered, unpunished, uninquired into: I still confess my fears, and call God to witness, That they are greater for the true Protestant Profession, My People and Laws, than for My own Rights or Safety; though I must tell you, I conceive that none of these are free from danger.  
What would you have? Have I violated your Laws? Have I denied to pass any one Bill for the ease and security of My Subjects? I do not ask you what you have done for Me.  
Have any of my People been transport with Fears and Apprehensions? I have offered as free and general a Pardon, as yourselves can de●… All this considered, There is a Judgement f●…m Heaven upon this Nation, if these distract●…s continue.  
God so deal with Me and Mine, as all My Tgoughts and Intentions are upright for the maintenance of the true Protestant Profession, and for the Observation and Preservation of the Laws of this Land: And, I hope, God will bless and assist those Laws for My preservation.  
As for the Additionall Declaration, you are to expect an Answer to it, when you shall receive the Answer to the Declaration itself.  
FINIS.