A DECLARATION Of his Excellency , George Lord Goring Earl of Norwich , with the Gentry and Freeholders of the County of ESSEX , in Armes for the prosecution and just defence of their generall Petition , and solemne Ingagement ; And their offer unto all such Officers and Souldiers as shall repair unto them .

COuld prosperity make us insolent , this overture should be the story of our present fortunes ; how numerous , how unanimous , how associated , how befriended , or ( in a word ) how Heaven and Earth conspire to our deliverance : Consider with what assurance we have mannaged our very despaires , and raised our selves to this height out of nothing . Consider withall , that we move still by the same resolves , as we are favoured and incouraged by that hand of providence which at first raised us .

From this posture ( Gentlemen and Fellow-Subjects ) we salute you in a temper of love , and Christianity , disengaged ( we assure you ) from any interest or mixture of revenge or feare : Peace is the end we aime at , and by peace , if it be possible , we propound to accomplish that end .

To which purpose , upon a sad and compassionate thought , how many innocent soules are seduced by the imposture of a pretended Liberty ; and how many more corrupted , by their owne importune necessity , into an erroneous and unfortunate ingagement ; all which must in probability perish , except they may be recovered by the offer of this and this onely expedient .

What Officer or Souldier soever , now in armes against us , shall before the 21. of this present July , make his repaire unto us , or any part of our Forces , and there enter into an Ingagement , not to act any thing against us for the future , shall have his Arreares audited and paid : And we do further oblige our selves , to interpose unto His most sacred Majesty for an Act of Indempnity ; the successe whereof from our Gracious Soveraigne Lord the King we at all doubt not . And for the performance on our parts , we tie our Honours , and the Faith of the County ; Avowing withall , that wee designe nothing of alteration either in Church or Common-wealth , but what this present Parliament hath declared to be the duty of good Christians and Loyall Subjects .

July 12.