A DECLARATION OF THE Lords and Commons Assembled in PARLJAMENT.  
Setting forth the innumerable plots& stratagems which the malignant party of this kingdom have lately used to break the brotherly bond of peace between England and Scotland, to ruinated and destroy the very being of Parliaments, and to subvert both the Religion and known Law of the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland.  

Ordered that this be forthwith Printed and Published.  
H. elsing. clear. D. come.   
LONDON, Printed for HENRY FOWLER, Septem. 24. 1642.   

A DECLARATION OF The LORDS and COMMONS now assembled in Parliament.  
WE the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, having taken into our serious consideration the present estate& condition of imminent danger, in which the kingdom now stands, by reason of a malignant party prevailing with His Majesty, putting him upon violent and perilous ways, and now in arms against us, to the hazarding of His Majesties Person, and for the oppression of the true Religion, the Laws and Liberties of this kingdom, and the Power and privilege of Parliament: All which every honest man is bound to defend, especially those who have taken the late Protestation, by which they are more particular●y tied unto it; and the more answerable before God, should they neglect it. Wherefore we finding ourselves engaged in a necessity to take up arms likewise for the defence of these, which otherwise must suffer and perish; And having used all good ways and means to prevent ex●remities, and preserve the peace of the Kingdom, which good endeavours of ours, the malignity of our enemies have rendered altogether senseless and vain) do now think fit to give this account unto the world, to be a satisfaction unto all men of the justice of our proceedings, and a warning unto those who are involved in the same danger with us, to let them see the necessity and duty which lies upon them to save themselves, their Religion and country. For which purpose we set out this ensuing Declaration.  
Whereas it appears by the Answer which His Majesty hath given to the Humble Petition for Peace, that the design to alter the frame and constitution of this government both in Church and State is now come to ripeness, and that the contrivers are able to put in execution.  
For whar else can be signified by the demanding the Magazine to be delivered up, all our preparations of Force to cease, and the defensive arms of the Parliament to be laid down.  
That the Parliament should be adjourned to another place, that we should yield ourselves( out of the sense of our own inability to make resistance) to the cruel mercy of those who have possessed the King against us, and incited him to violate all the privileges, and revile the persons and proceedings of Parliament, or else if( as it cannot be otherwise conceived) We do not grant what is unreasonable and destructive, forthwith to bring on that Force which is prepared against us, by the assistance of papists, an ambitious and discontented Clergy, delinquents abnoxious to the Justice of the Parliament, and some ill affencted persons of the Nobility and Gentry.  
How far we were plunged, and how fast this growing mischief prevailed upon us before this Parliament, needs not now be declared, Religion was made but form and outside, the laws were no defence or protection of any mens right, All was subject to Will, and Power.  
A popish Service-Booke was imposed on Scotland for well they knew there the samefate attended both kingdoms, and religion could not be altered in the one without the other, God raised the spirits of that Nation to oppose it, with so much zeal and indignation that it kindled such a flamme as no expedient could be found but a Parliament here to quench it.  
This necessity brought on this parliament, and gave it power to act with more vigour and resolution then former parliaments had done, and to set upon a reformation both in Church and State, which was a cause that those who had swallowed up in their thoughts our religion and liberty, and now saw themselves defeated by this means, bended all their endeavours to destroy it.  
1. They endeavoured to incense the two Nations, and engage the two Armies one against the other, that seeing that confusion the Parliament might not be able to sit, and they gain power to perfect their wished design; the wisdom of Parliament prevented that mischief, and composed those differences between the King, and the kingdom of Scotland.  
2. They endeavour to turn the English Army against the Parliament; this was discovered the chief actors fled, and the danger avoided.  
3. Then they laboured to stir up the Scottish Army against us, but such was the faithfulness of those our brethren, that they could not ef-eY it.  
Then they carried his Majesty into Scotland, to try if a party could be raised there to suppress the good party in that kingdom, and so to compose their intended purpose here.  
5. After his Majesties return presently some members of both houses are unjustly charged with treason, and the King comes with a Troope of Cavaliers to the House of Commons, to fetch those away by force, whom he had caused to be so unjustly accused.  
6. They persuaded the King to forsake White-Hall, under pretence that his person was there in danger.  
7. Then they work upon him and the Queen, persuading him to retire out of the kingdom, and carry him further and further from the Parliament.  
8. They endeavour to possess the people, that the Parliament will take away the Law,& inrroduce an arbitrary government, it being such a charge as no ration all man can believe, it being impossible that so many several persons as the two Houses consist of, about 600. and in either house all of equal power, should all of them, or at least a mayor part, agree in acts of will and tyranny.  
9. To make all this good upon the Parliament force is prepared, men are levied, and the malignant party of this kingdom( namely) papists, prelatical Clegy, delinquents, and other of the Nobility and gentry, which either fear, reformation, or seek preferment by betraying their country to serve the Court have, combined to bury the happiness of this kingdom in the ruin of this Parliamrnt.  
All this while the two houses of Parliament have stil applied themselves unto his Majesty, with all duty and loyalty, and laboured by humble prayers, and covincing reasons in several petitions, to satisfy him of their intentions, the justness of their proceedings; their desire of the safety of his royal person▪ and the peace of the kingdom.  
For which end the parliament thought fit to secure Hull, least it might be a receptacle of such ill affencted persons, and of what aid could be gotten from foreign parts, the fleet under the earl of warwick to defend the kingdom and prevent mischief from abroad, the Magazine of arms that they should not be employed against us, and the Militia of the kingdom in such hands as we might confided in, to suppress commotions within ourselves.  
Let all the world now judge what more could be done by us, to appease his Majesty, if( after the presenting of such a petition as the last, and having received so sharp a return) if it be fit for us not only not to yield to what is required, but also to make further provision for the preservation of ourselves and of those who sent us hither, and at least give them warning, that if thee King may force this Parliament, they may bid farewell to all Parliaments, and if Parliaments be lost, they are lost, their Laws are lost, all which will be cut in sunder with the same sword now drawn for the destruction of this Parliament.  
Then if they will not come to help the Parliament and save themselves, yet have we discharged our consciences, and delivered our souls, and we will look for a reward in heaven, should we be so ill required on earth, which we cannot fear, having found such demonstrations of their love and affection.  
Thus having cause to believe, considering these continual designs upon us, and the composition of the Kings army,& of his council at this time, that these things are desired to be made use of for our destruction, and the destruction of that which we are bound by our protestation to defend.  
Therefore we the Lords and Commons are resolved to expose our lives and fortunes for the defence and maintenance of the true Religion, the Kings Person, Honour and Estate, the power and privilege of Parliament, and the just Rights and Liberties of the Subject. In the maintenance of which cause, we are resolved to live and die.  
FINIS.