EXCEEDING JOYFUL NEWS FROM LINCOLNSHIRE.  
OR The Resolution of the Gentry and Commonalty, inhabiting in the County of Lincoln, concerning the Kings most Excellent Majesty, and the High Court of Parliament.  
ALSO JOYFUL NEWS FROM LEICESTER Declaring how Mr Henry Hastings was taken prisoner by the high-sheriff of the said County, on Sunday, August 14. 1642.  
Whereunto is annexed the Resolution of the Lords and Commons assembled in this present Parliament, concerning the Kings most excellent Majesty.  

Ordered that this be printed and published.  
Joh. Browne, Cler. Parl.   
LONDON, Printed for Henry Fowler. Aug. 17. 1642.   

Joyful News FROM Lincolne-shire.  
THe Inhabitants of the County of Lincoln, having by their Petitions to the high Court of Parliament, declared their hearty affections to them, desiring them to go on with confidence, promising them that their Lives, estates, and all they could command, should be laid down at their Feet.  
Likewise their Petition presented to his Majesty at York, wherein they humbly entreated his Majesty to return to his Parliament, declaring the great misery, & apparent troubles that were like to ensue, and fall upon this Kingdom, if his Majesty should any longer deny his gracious presence and Royal assent to his high Court of Parliament, wherein they declared the depth of their affections to the Parliament, and their earnest desire 〈◊〉 preserve the peace of the Kingdom.  
Nevertheless they having received an Answer to their Petition, were reviled by the Cavaliers, and called Roundheads, with other abuses not fit to be mentioned. At their return from York they by order of the Committee of Parliament assembled to put the Ordinance of Militia in execution, where there were assembled many thousands to the great admiration and not little satisfaction of the Lieutenants of the Shire that were appointed by the Parliament to see the said Ordinance put in execution.  
Likewise they then gave such large testimonies of his love and obedience to the Parliament, that the Committee thought it necessary to give imformation thereof to the House, who returned them thanks for the same, animating them on to a continuance in the same duty.  
Which they had great reason to do, there being at that very instant Officers appointed by His Majesty to put the commission of Array in execution: Nevertheless, though His Majesty's Officers had put up the Proclamation concerning His Majesty's disavowing the ordinance of the Militia, withal giving strict command in His Majesty's name, that they should not yield obedience to the said Ordinance, they still with cheerfulness pursued in the due execution of the same.  
His Majesty finding that his expectation was made frustrate and that he could not prevail with his officers (being counselled thereto by the Lord Mowbray) was resolved to go in person to put the commission of Array in execution.  
Where being arrived, he by his special command caused the gentry and cominalty of the said County to be summoned, who according to their Loyalty and Allegiance obeyed His Majesty's command.  
By reason of which they have undergone many censures, some calling them Turne-coats, and many other ignominious names.  
For which cause they thought it convenient to declare their Resolution concerning their obedience to His Majesty, and their duty to the Parliament.  
For their obedience to His Majesty's commands, they declare that it stood not with their loyalties to stand in flat opposition to His Majesty's commands, (His Majesty commanding nothing which entrenched upon the Peace of the Kingdom, or the privilege of Parliament) Withal they do declare, that if His Majesty shall command them, they will march with him, and obey his just commands, as loyal and obedient Subjects.  
But likewise they are resolved so fare to preserve their duty to the Parliament, that if his Majesty, in his own person, or by his ministers, shall command them to put any thing in execution against the Parliament, or employ any others of His Majesty's Forces in any such design; that then they will not only forbear the performance of any such act themselves, but also hazard then lives in opposing of all such as shall any way endeavour the same.  
Promising that they shall no longer wish a godly neace, a freedom in Religion, nor the sweet enjoyment of aught that is good or dear unto them, than they shall continue faithful to the commands of the high Court of Parliament.  
This is the Resolution of the Gentry and Commonalty of Lincolnshire, which I have published for the satisfaction of the world, it being related to me by a Gentleman of good worth of the same County.  
Likewise a Letter was sent from Leicester to a Merchant of this City, declaring how Master Hastings with a Troop of Cavaliers went up against the High Sheriff of the said County, with an intent to have burnt his house; but the High Sheriff having notice thereof, summoned some Troops of Horse, which were raised since these troubles began in the Kingdom; and three miles from Langborough, fell upon him, killed eight of his men, and took him, and some other of his Cavaliers: which he having done, sent him to the City of Leicester. But on the way Colonel Lunsford met with him, having a strong party, and worsted them, taking the said Hastings away before the Country could come in to their rescue. Nevertheless they were forced to fly as fast as their legs could carry them.  
Likewise it is resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, that in case any Force be brought out of one County into another County of this Kingdom, to disturb the peace of the Kingdom, that the Lord Lieutenants and the Deputy Lieutenants of the Counties adjoining, be required to give aid and assistance to the said Lord Lieutenants or Deputy Lieutenants requiring the same, etc.   

The Parliaments RESOLUTION, Concerning the Kings most Excellent MAJESTY.  
THE Lords and Commons to witness their constant and unshaken loyalty and affection to his Majesty, do solemnly declare that if his Majesty shall immediately disband all his Forces; and be pleased to abandon all those wicked Counsels, and leave them to condign punishment and return and hearken to the wholesome advice of his great Counsel, they will really endeavour to make both his Majesty and his Posterity, as great, rich, and potent, as much beloved at home and feared abroad, as any Prince that ever swayed this Sceptre, which is their firm and constant Resolution.  

August the 17th. 1642.  
ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, that this Declaration be forthwith Printed and published.  
Hen. Elsing Cler. Parl. Do. Com.    
FINIS.