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THE DECLARATION OF THE Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled , Directed to the high Sheriffe of the County of Essex , and all other Sheriffes in generall within England and Wales , Concerning his MAJESTIES Proclamation about the Militia .

WHereas Robert Smith Esquire , now high Sheriffe of the County of Essex , hath lately received a Writ , bearing date the 27 day of May , in the eighteenth yeere of His now Majesties raigne , thereby commanding him to publish a Proclamation whereby all His Majesties Subjects belonging to the Trained-bands or Militia of this Kingdome are forbidden to rise , march , muster , or exercise , by vertue of any Order or Ordinance of one or both Houses of Parliament , without consent or warrant from His Majesty , upon paine of punishment according to the lawes . And whereas the said high Sheriffe hath now addressed himself to both Houses of Parliament for advise and directions therein ; conceiving the said Proclamation to be contrariant and repugnant to the Ordinance and judgment of both Houses of Parliament concerning the Militia : It is therefore declared by the Lords and Commons in Parliament ( they intending nothing by the said Ordinance but the protection and security of His Maiesties Person , the defence of the Kingdome against forren invasion , and the preservation of the publique peace , against intestine rebellions and insurrections here at home , the maintenance of the priviledges and authority of Parliament according to the Protestation ) That the said writ is illegall , for that by the constitution and policy of this Kingdome , the King by his Proclamation cannot declare the Law contrary to the Constitution os any of the inferiour Courts of justice , much lesse against the high Court of Parliament ; And likewise for that this Writ forbids that to be done which they are obliged unto by their duty to God , their allegiance to His Maiesty , and the trust reposed in them by the Common-wealth ( the law having intrusted them to provide for the good and safety thereof . ) And that the said high Sheriffe hath done nothing , in forbearing to publish the said Proclamation , but according to his duty , and in obedience to the Order of both Houses . And he is hereby required not to publish the said Proclamation , or any other Proclamations or Declarations of the like nature that concerne the Parliament , without first acquainting the said Houses . And it is further declared , that the said high Sheriffe , and other Sheriffes of other Counties within this Kingdome of England , and the Dominion of Wales , for their obedience to the Orders and Ordinance of Parliament , or that have or hereafter shall doe any thing in the execution thereof , shall be protected by the power and authority of both the said Houses .