THE ANSWER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS TO The citizens of London's Petition for Peace: Wherein they declare their Resolution concerning the same Likewise their Propositions to the Knight's Gentry, and Trained Bands of the county of Essex, Concerning the Proceed in this city, and the Affairs of the whole KINGDOM.  

ORdered by the Lords and Commons assembled in parliament, that these Particulars be forthwith printed and published.  
Hen. Elsing Cler. Parl. D. Com.   
Decmeb 20. London, printed for Richard West. 1642.   

THE RESOLUTION OF THE LORDS and COMMONS In this present PARLIAMENT Concerning the citizens of London's petition for peace.  
THe Honourable Houses of Parliament, having taken into serious consideration the late petition of the Citizen's of London, wherein they most earnestly desire an accommodation of Peace, between his Majesty and both houses, but in such away, that they do not care if it be with the loss of their Religion and Liberties.  
But his Majesty's great Counsel, the Worthies of Israel, out of their pious and Religious care to the public Good, having ever since the first time of their fitting, laboured by all possible means that might be to settle this Kingdom in a happy and glorious Union: and hath also ever since the beginning of these present distractions in this Kingdom, both by their humble Petitions and Messages to His Majesty, most earnestly desired a Peace and Union, and that these differences which are now in dissent betwixt his Miiesty and both houses, might be composed and brought to a full-period, so that it is to be admired at, that these citizens which hath now petitioned for peace, should presume so fare, knowing that the Honourable houses of Parliament hath oftentimes petitioned to His Majesty for the same.  
And therefore to satisfy the Desires of all the aforenamed persons, both houses have have thought fit and meet to declare this their full will and pleasure unto them, viz.  
THat whereas divers of the aforesaid persons have framed a petition for Peace, and presented it to the House of Commons, most earnestly desiring an answer of the same, after some time spent in debate thereof, the house returned this answer, That ever since their first sitting it hath always been their care to preserve the peace of this Kingdom, and that they have and do still labour after peace by all possible means, so as the same might be obtained in a safe and honourable way, but to have a peace without securing of our Religion, Laws, and Liberties, and without bringing Traitors and Delinquents to punishment, which are and have been the only causers of this war, there can be no war so perilious and grievous as such a peace.  

The Parliaments propositions to the Knights, Gentry, and Commonalty of the County of Essex.  
WHereas it doth appear to the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, that his Majesty hath sent out divers Commissions for the levying of more Forces, to the great hazard of Religion: but for preventing of these designs, the Honourable Court of Parliament have agreed that these following propositions shall be forthwith printed, and sent down to the County of Essex, viz.  
I. 
 That you shall take special care to stay search, and examine, all suspicious persons and carriages, and to search or cause to be searched all suspicious places.  
II. 
 That you shall seize upon all Horses, Arms, Ammunition, Money, or any other provision whatsoever, which you suspect is raised or provided for the fomenting or maintaining any such unnatural and unlawful war against the Parl. and Kingdom.  
III. 
 That you shall conduct and lead all such forces of horse and foot as shall be appointed by the E. of Essex, and shall fight with, kill and slay all such as shall oppose you.  
iv 
 That you are hereby authorized and required forthwith to disarm all popish Recusants, and other dangerous and illaffected persons, as well Clergymen as others, as have testified their ill dispositions to the King, Parliament and Kingdom. It is likewise reported to the house that His Maj. being now grown stronger and abler as he conceives to make good his own ends by Arms his confidence in the papists doth more clearly appear, persons imprisoned for priests & jesuits have been released out of the Gaol of Lancaster professed papists have been invited to rise and take up Arms.    

A true and brief Relation of the late woeful battle fought upon Sunday last in the fore noon by Prince Rupert and Col. Brown.  
PRrince Rupert having information of the last great Overthrow given to the L. Grandison at Winchester, he was much perplexed in mind, taking a great and solemn Oath to be revenged upon the said Col. Brown, but he failed of his design; for although upon Sunday last he advanced near to C, Brown with about 3000. horse, giving him battle; yet such was the wisdom and policy of C. Brown and Sir W. Waller, that dividing their army in two divisions▪ being in number about 1200. horse and Dragoons, they charged the Prince with such a desperate & violent charge, that there fell near upon 500 of the Prince's soldiers to the ground, and after 3. hours' fight, News came that Serj. Major Skippen were coming, which caused the enemy to leave the field.  
FINIS.