A DECLARATION OF THE PARLIAMENT Assembled at WESTMINSTER.  
WHereas the Parliament of this Commonwealth having, through the eminent favour and mercy of God, sat many years in the performance of the Trust reposed in them by the people, whose Representatives they are; and being in the prosecution of that duty assembled in Parliament at Westminster upon the 20th day of April 1653. were then interrupted and forced out of the House from that time until this present day.  
And whereas the Officers of the Army raised by this Parliament, calling to mind that the same Parliament, consisting of the Members which continued to sit until the 20th of April 1653. were Assertors of the good Old Cause, and had a special presence of God with them, and were signally blessed in that Work, did adjudge it their duty (the desires of many good people concurring with them therein) to invite the aforesaid Members to return to the exercise and discharge of their Trust, as before the said 20th of April 1653.  
And for the effecting thereof, the Lord Lambert, with divers other Officers of the Army, in the name of the Lord Fleetwood and council of Officers of the Army, did upon the 6th day of May 1659. resort unto the Speaker of the said Parliament, and in the presence of many of the said Members of Parliament presented a Declaration, containing their earnest desire, that the Parliament, consisting of those Members who continued to sit since the year 1648. until the 20th of April 1653. would return to the exercise and discharge of their Trust, promising their readiness in their places, as became them, to yield their utmost assistance to them to sit in safety, for improving the present opportunity for settling and securing the Peace and Freedom of this Commonwealth, Praying for the presence and blessing of God upon their endeavours.  
Whereupon the Speaker, with the aforesaid Members of Parliament, resolved to meet at Westminster the next morning, giving notice to others of their fellow-Members of such their intention: And accordingly the Speaker, with the said Members, being assembled at Westminster the 7th of May 1659. found it a duty incumbent on them, not to neglect this opportunity, which the wonderful and (as they hope) the gracious Providence of God hath held forth unto them, for the prosecution of what yet remains of their great Trust. All which the Parliament taking into their consideration, do Declare, That they are resolved (through the gracious assistance of Almighty God) to apply themselves to the faithful discharge of the Trust reposed in them, and to endeavour the Settlement of this Commonwealth upon such a Foundation, as may Assert, Establish and Secure the Property and Liberties of the People in reference unto all, both as Men and as Christians, and that without a single Person, Kingship or House of Peers: And shall vigorously endeavour the carrying on of Reformation so much desired, and so often declared for, to the end there may be a Godly and faithful Magistracy and Ministry upheld and maintained in these Nations, to the glory and praise of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the reviving and making glad the hearts of the upright in the Land.  

Saturday the 7th of May 1659.  
Ordered by the Parliament, That this Declaration be forthwith Printed and Published.  
JO. PHELPES Clerk of the Parliament pro tempore.    

LONDON, Printed by JOHN FIELD, and are to be sold at the seven Stars in Fleetstreet over against Dunstan's Church, 1659.