A DECLARTION And Protest of the Lords , Knights and Gentlemen In the Counties of CHESTER SALOP STAFFORD , &c. Against all Assemblies which impose Taxes upon the People without their consent by their Representatives in a Full , Free and Legall PARLIAMENT .

HAving , with great trouble , observed the grievances of the People in these late Revolutions , and being encouraged by the common consent of this Nation ( secconding our late endeavours ) in their frequent Addresses unto his Excellency the Lord Generall Monck , We have consulted , and thereupon , with them , do declare our Protest against all Powers or Assemblies whatsoever , who impose Taxes upon the People , without their consent by their Representatives , duely elected in a Full , Free and Legal Parliament ; And that any should seem to countenance that force put upon the Parliament ( now called the secluded Members ) in the year 1648. by Cromwell and his Conspirators , seemes unreasonable unto us , in that they have publickly disowned the like force since put upon themselves as unlawful : Therefore how the Minor part of National Councils can exclude the Major ( which was ever acknowledged the whole ) we leave to the consideration of all sober men , and say , That the People ought not to be limitted in their Elections , by unheard of Qualifications , contrary to the known Lawes of England : neither that the Members so Elected or forcibly Secluded , should be debarr'd the discharge of their Trust , by any previous Oathes or Engagements whatsoever ; for that they were the first Assertors of our Rights and Freedome of Parliaments , unto which they bound themselves ( the Nations complying ) by Solemne Leagues and Covenants ) not to destroy , but to preserve ) The breach of which by others we finde hath brought these Calamities upon us , all which we hope will be call'd to remembrance , and repented of , as becometh Christians , that at last the Nations may have peace and be setled .