A DECLARATION AND SUMMONS Sent by the Earl of Newcastle, to the Town of Manchester, to lay down their Arms.  
With the Resolute ANSWER of the Commanders in chief, and Soldiers in MANCHESTER, To spend their blood for the honour of the King, the Protestant Religion, and Privileges of Parliament, against the Papists and Malignants how under his Lordship's command.  

Imprimatur,  
John White.   
London, Printed for Peter Cole, and are to be sold at the Glove in Co●nhill. July 15. 1643.   

A Declaration and Summons sent by the Earl of Newcastle, to the Town of Manchester to lay down their Arms, etc.  
I Presume you are not ignorant of the success it hath pleased Almighty God to give unto His Majesty's Army under my Command, and the great desire I have to avoid the effusion of Christian blood, which moves me before I proceed any further towards you, to make you an offer of His Majesty's Grace and Mercy, if you will submit yourselves, lay down your Arms, so unjustly taken up in contempt of the Laws of this Kingdom, and immediately return to your due Allegiance, His Majesty is graciously pleased to authorise me, to receive you into His Favour and Protection, which I am as willing to do, as to enforce your obedience; if you will refuse I cannot but wonder, while you fight against the King and His Authority, you should so boldly offer to Profess yourselves for King and Parliament, and most ignominiously scandalise this Army with the Title of Papists, when we venture our Lives and Fortunes for the true Protestant Religion established in this Kingdom: Be no longer deceived, for the blood that shall be shed in this quarrel will assuredly fall on your own heads; I have no other ends in this, but to let you see your error, if you please; for my condition is such, that I need not Court you; If not, let me receive your answers by this Messenger, and you may expect to find little favour, (if you force my nature) but such as is due to so high Contemners of His Majesty's Grace and Favour, now offered to you by  
W: NEWCASTLE. Bradford. 5. July. 1643.   

Manchesters' Answer.  
Right Honourable;  
IT hath been ever since the first fomenting of the unhappy differences in this Kingdom, and so, shall be our principal care and endeavour to preserve the true Protestant Religion by Law established in this Realm, the Honour of the King in all Regal Rights, and Prerogatives, and Privileges of Parliament, and the true and Native Liberties, and Privileges of the Subject by Law established; And than it is not to be wondered at, that having been oppressed by Papists, and other Malignants, we have by defensive Arms, laboured to repel such as by colour of His Majesty's Commission, have endeavoured to overthrow Religion, His Majesty's Regal Rights, and Honour, with all the immunities of this Kingdom, in the preservation whereof, His Majesty's noble Progenitors have so long and honourably flourished; By which we hope it is apparent to all indifferent, judicious, and religious people, that we have not put ourselves out of His Majesty's protection, nor cannot possibly enter into our understanding, that the true Protestant Religion cannot be intended to be defended by so great a company of Papists, as have been, and now are in Arms under such protection; Nor the Propriety of the Subject, by so many Aliens, and other Malefactors as daily resort unto them; And we could wish so honourable a person as yourself might be separated, and freed from protecting such Delinquents.  
Sir, we are nothing dismayed at your force, but hope that God, who hath been our protector hitherto, will so direct our just Army, that we shall be able to return the violence intended, into their bosoms that shall assay the prosecution of it, which shall be the endeavour of  
His Majesty's most Humble and Obedient Subjects. Rochdale, 7. July, 1643.   
FINIS.