To the Right Honorable the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament : The humble Declaration and Resolution of the Deputy-Lievtenants , Colonells , Captains , and Officers , assented unto , and with great cheerfulnesse approved of , by the Souldiers of the Trained Bands within the County of Southampton , at the generall Musters begun the 21 day of June , 1642. being to the number of above five thousand men , besides a great many Voluntiers , who then offered to serve in Person . HUMBLY ACKNOWLEDGE ,

THat the Ordinance of Parliament concerning the Militia , doth much conduce to the defence of the true Protestant Religion , The security of His Majesties sacred Person . The preservation of the publique Peace , and Priviledge of Parliament , against the evills that threaten them , by Forraign Invasion , Rebellion , or Insurrection . Neverthelesse , with great sence and grief of heart , we cannot but apprehend the continuall Practises and Attempts of the Malignant Party , to invalidate the said Ordinance , wickedly endeavouring to crosse the settlement of the Militia as aforesaid , by colour of a Proclamation set forth in His Majesties Name , forbidding the Execution thereof ; Which we humbly conceive to be Illegall , upon those Reasons laid down in the late Declaration of both Houses of Parliament , concerning the said Proclamation ; and thereby unjustly to hazard the very Being and Constitution of this Kingdom .

Therefore in pursuance of the said Ordinance , and in obedience thereunto , being assembled in Arms , we have thought it our duties , hereby to make our humble tender unto this Honourable Assembly , of our Lives and Fortunes , in maintenance of the said Ordinance , so necessary for the defence of our Religion , His Majesties sacred Person , The publique Peace of this Kingdom , The Priviledge , and very Existence of Parliament .

The Lords Answer .

MY Lords have taken your Petition into Consideration , and receive much contentment in the good affections you have expressed 〈◊〉 seasonably and necessarily , for the good of the King and Kingdom , and for their Lordships 〈…〉 ent in the performance of their Duty ▪ For which they give you hearty thanks : And my Lords do 〈◊〉 That ( God willing ) they resolve to insist in their forme 〈◊〉 declared Resolutions for the upholding the true Religion , The Kings Authority in the highest Court , whic 〈◊〉 by sundry late Declarations and Practises to abuse the people , they finde so much vilified and invaded , Th 〈◊〉 Priviledges of Parliament , The free course of Justice , The Laws and Peace of this Kingdom , notwithstanding any dangers and hazards that for that Cause befall them .

That for the manifestation of their good Affections , and their Lordships kinde acceptation thereof , the 〈◊〉 have commanded your Petition and this Answer , to be forthwith printed and published .