The joint Declaration of the several Counties OF 
 

KENT,  
ESSEX,  
MIDDLESEX,  
Surry,   UNTO The soldiers of the Army, now under the Command of the Lord Fairfax.  
WHEREAS we the Inhabitants of the Counties aforesaid, have endeavoured, by the best, and (as it seemed unto us, the most effectual means, (a peaceable Application of ourselves by way of Petition) humbly and sadly to offer unto the present Parliament, the many miseries which (by a new and bloody engagement in the most unnatural war) were suddenly threatened unto this whole kingdom and Nation; and proposed unto them, as the only expedients to prevent these; The present re-establishing of his Majesty unto his royal Rights. the Settlement of Religion and Liberty, according unto the known, and received laws, and (upon payment of their arrears) the disbanding of the army.  
Yet finding, unto our unspeakable grief, that a prevailing party in the present Parliament, contrary unto their many solemn professions and protestations, and the ends for which we first engaged with them; have by the power of the Army imprisoned the King's majesty, overthrown Religion; and our liberty, and now for divers years continued the freeborn People of England in a greater Servitude, then at any time since the Norman Conquest; and have slighted us in all our Addresses unto them; in regard whereof, and for timely suppression of these usurpations, and mischiefs daily growing upon us, (no other way being now left us) we have resolved to arm, and by our power (God assisting) to Command what we could not iutreat.  
Unto the end and purpose aforesaid; we do hereby heartily and seriously invite you, like honest and true-hearted Englishmen, to join with us in this good work, and desire you that upon notice hereof, every of you either serving on horseback, or of the foot, in the said Army, forthwith to repair with your horses and arms unto us, or the several places of your abodes before your engagement with the army, where you shall immediately be provided for, according unto your several qualities; and also present care shall be taken that your whole arrears, shall be forthwith paid unto you; And this as we undertake for ourselves so we doubt not to effect for you, in all the counties throughout the whole kingdom: Assuring ourselves that you will no longer adhere unto a Faction, set up to destroy this flourishing kingdom, against your friends, kindred, your own bowels, and the present and future good of your country; which ought to be more dear unto every of you than his own life.  
Whereof if ye shall take due notice, and do accordingly, ye may assuredly expect from us, the regards and benefit aforesaid, otherwise we shall esteem (and so deal with) you, as sworn enemies unto your King and Country.  
1648. may .24.   

Published by direction of divers gentlemen of the said Counties.