THe industrious vigilancie of the Parliament , for the preservation and establishment of Religion , for the liberty of the Subiect , and the priviledges of Parliament , we all know , have been most violently opposed , and in such extreme measure resisted , so that His Maiestie hath intended and levied warre against them .

Whereupon in their owne , and the defence of the common-wealth , they were constrained to provide and raise present strength and defensive power for the vindication of themselves , the Liberty of the subiect , and the priviledges of Parliament . And upon these considerations did make choice of the Earle of Essex to be Generall , if these present forces which are raised and levied for the generall preservation of the kingdome , who hath resolved with his uttermost power and endeavours to discharge with all integrity of conscience that trust imposed upon him , and did provide himselfe with as much expedition as could be , with all convenient necessaries fit for so great an imployment .

His Maiesty being informed of this great provision which was made against all opposers of the priviledges of Parliament , sent forth a Proclamation , wherein hee proclaimed the Earle of Essex , and all that should any way adhere unto him , or give any aid or assistance unto him in this imployment , whether that assistance were personall or pecuniary , to be ipso facto traytors , unlesse ( his Excellence ) the Earle of Essex should lay down his armes within six dayes .

Vpon the thirteenth of August a Post came from Yorke unto the House , with a Proclamation from His Maiesty , wherein the Earle of Essex , and all that serve under his command for this present service and expedirion , or any way whatsoever adhere unto him , were also proclaimed traytors , if they did not lay downe their armes within the space of six dayes next ensuing .

This being read and published in the House of Commons , after some debate and consultation had thereof , it was put to the Question , Whether they would assist the said Earle of Essex , as Generall of those forces which were now raised , or were to be raised for this present service and expedirion , or not : and it was voted with an unanimous consent , that they would assist him .

Vpon which a conference was desired of both Houses , and their meeting was concluded and had in the painted chamber . At which meeting and conference the Proclamation was read , dated at York the ninth of August 1642. and after the reading thereof it was declared in the behalf of the whole House of Commons , and all the Commons throughout every County within the circumference of England , that they had taken into most serious consideration and mature deliberation , the grounds & reasons that did move and induce them to take up armes , which was for the defence of religion , the Lawes of the land , the safety of the whole Kingdome , and the priviledges of Parliament . Upon which due consideration of the aforenamed reasons , they were resolved that all the words of terrour and threatning in that His Maiesties Proclamation , should not make them desist from the maintaining of so just a cause , but that thereby they should double their resolution concerning the same ; unto which the Lords voted , and gave their approbation and consent , it being voted una voce in their house before . Then the Earle of Essex stood up , and delivered himselfe in the defence of his integrity , and his resolution concerning his present imployment , and declared , that although it had pleased His Maiesty to proclaime him trairor , yet his heart was as true and upright both to his King and Countrey , as any subiects in England whatsoever . And as the Lords and Commons had promised and declared , that they would assist him , and to their power justifie his proceedings and undertakings , as Generall for the Army raised for this present expedition , so he would use his best and most faithfull endeavours and skill in the managing and putting into execution the trust they reposed in him , and that neither threatnings , favour , nor any thing else should divert or discourage him from his intentions in the behalf of this cause , although it were to the hazard and losse of his dearest blood . The house also received information that one M. Talbot brother to the Earle of Shrewesburie , and some others imployed in the Commission of Array for the County of Worcester , had sent out warrants to the chiefe Constables , commanding the trained bands , and all those that were charged with horse and armes , to appeare before them at Worcester on thursday , but the whole County did generally and with one consent refuse to come , only some few gentlemen and some of their tenants appeared : whereupon this Talbot and the rest who were of the same Commission with him , went away very much discontented .

Thursday Morning the House of Commons being met , an Ambassadour came to the House from Hamborough concerning a treaty of divers matters of consequence , between the States of Holland and the Parliament , and he presented some Lettes to the House from the States , declaring their true affection to the Parliament ; and although there is great plotting in other Countries against England , yet will not be wanting to use all possible meanes for the prevention thereof . Now that the world may see that God doth alway crown their designes with successe , whose cause is iust , and whose principall aime is for his true Religion and Gospell , and disappoint the subtill devices of those ill affected spirits that oppose them , is obvious to every eye , witnesse the frustrating of their attempts against Hull , Wels , Warwick , &c. so more especially in their manifold enterprises at sea , as you may see in a letter from the Earle of Warwick upon the twelfth of this present moneth , intimating that he met with two ships coming from Holland , the one of them was laden with armour and Ammunition , which being but a small ship , and swift of saile , could not take it , but the other he drove into Hull , which had in it three hundred thousand pound , which was sent from the Queen to His Maiesty , with an intent to land at Newcastle .

Great is the mallice of the enemy , but greater is the providence of God , as hath appeared at this present by the Earle of Warwicke , who hath taken diverse ships where in a was troop of Horse and other Ammunition for Warr .

Also it is manifest that a Knight named Roper , was bound and brought to the House in a Coach from Kent and with him 5 or 6 loade of Ammunition which is now in Guild-Hall .

Ordered , that Sir Iohn Girlington , Sir George Middleton , and Sir Edward Fitton be sent for as delinquents .