WE the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament , having taken into our serious consideration the present estate & condition of imminent danger , in which the Kingdome now stands , by reason of a malignant party prevailing with His Majesty , putting him upon violent and perillous wayes , and now in Armes against us , to the hazarding of His Majesties Person , and for the oppression of the true Religion , the Laws and Liberties of this Kingdome , and the Power and Priviledge of Parliament : All which every honest man is bound to defend , especially those who have taken the late Protestation , by which they are more particular●y tyed unto it ; and the more answerable before God , should they neglect it . Wherefore we finding our selves ingaged in a necessity to take up Armes likewise for the defence of these , which ●therwise must suffer and perish ; And having ●sed all good wayes and meanes to prevent ex●remities , and preserve the peace of the Kingdom , which good endeavours of ours , the malignity of our enemies have rendred altogether senslesse and vaine ) doe now think fit to give this accompt unto the world , to be a satisfaction unto all men of the justice of our proceedings , and a warning unto those who are involved in the same danger with us , to let them see the necessity and duty which lyes upon them to save themselves , their Religion and Countrey . For which purpose we set out this ensuing Declaration .

Whereas it appeares by the Answer which His Majesty hath given to the Humble Petition for Peace , that the designe to alter the frame and constitution of this government both in Church and State is now come to ripenesse , and that the contrivers are able to put in execution .

For whar else can be signified by the demanding the Magazine to be delivered up , all our preparations of Force to cease , and the defensive Armes of the Parliament to be laid downe .

That the Parliament should be adjourned to another place , that we should yeeld our selves ( out of the sence of our owne inability to make resistance ) to the eruell mercy of those who have possessed the King against us , and incited him to violate all the priviledges , and revile the persons and proceedings of Parliament , or else if ( as it cannot be otherwise conceived ) We doe not grant what is unreasonable and destructive , forthwith to bring on that Force which is prepared against us , by the assistance of papists , an ambitious and discontented Clergy , delinquents abnoxious to the Justice of the Parliament , and some ill affected persons of the Nobility and Gentry .

How farre we were plunged , and how fast this growing mischiefe prevailed upon us before this Parliament , needs not now be declared , Religion was made but forme and outside , the Lawes were no defence or protection of any mens right , All was subject to Will , and Power .

A popish Service-Booke was imposed on Scotland for well they knew thar the samefate attended both Kingdomes , and religion could not be altered in the one without the other , God raised the spirits of that Nation to oppose it , with so much zeale and indignation that it kindled such a flame as no expedient could be found but a Parliament here to quench it .

This necessity brought on this parliament , and gave it power to act with more vigour and resolution then former parliaments had done , and to set upon a reformation both in Church and State , which was a cause that those who had swallowed up in their thoughts our religion and liberty , and now saw themselves defeated by this meanes , bended all their endeavours to destroy it .

1. They endeavoured to incence the two Nations , and engage the two Armies one against the other , that seeing that confusion the Parliament might not be able to sit , and they gain power to perfect their wished designe ; the wisdome of Parliament prevented that mischiefe , and composed those differences betweene the King , and the Kingdome of Scotland .

2. They endeavour to turne the English Army against the Parliament ; this was discovered the chiefe actors fled , and the danger avoided .

3. Then they laboured to stir up the Scottish Army against us , but such was the faithfulnesse of those our brethren , that they could not ef-eY it .

Then they carried his Majesty into Scotland , to try if a party could be raised there to suppresse the good party in that Kingdome , and so to compose their intended purpose here .

5. After his Majesties returne presently some members of both houses are unjustly charged with treason , and the King comes with a Troope of Cavaliers to the House of Commons , to fetch those away by force , whom he had caused to be so unjustly accused .

6. They perswaded the King to forsake White-Hall , under pretence that his person was there in danger .

7. Then they work upon him and the Queen , perswading him to retire out of the Kingdome , and carry him further and further from the Parliament .

8. They endeavour to possesse the people , that the Parliament will take away the Law , & inrroduce an arbitrary government , it being such a charge as no ration all man can believe , it being impossible that so many severall persons as the two Houses consist of , about 600. and in either house all of equall power , should all of them , or at least a Major part , agree in acts of will and tirany .

9. To make all this good upon the Parliament force is prepared , men are levied , and the malignant party of this Kingdome ( namely ) papists , prelaticall Clegy , delinquents , and other of the Nobility and gentry , which either feare , reformation , or seeke preferment by betraying their Countrey to serve the Court have , combined to bury the happinesse of this Kingdome in the ruine of this Parliamrnt .

All this while the two houses of Parliament have stil applyed themselves unto his Majesty , with all duty and loyalty , and laboured by humble prayers , and covincing reasons in severall petitions , to satisfie him of their intentions , the justnesse of their proceedings ; their desire of the safety of his royall person ▪ and the peace of the Kingdome .

For which end the parliament thought fit to secure Hull , least it might be a receptacle of such ill affected persons , and of what aid could be gotten from Forraine parts , the fleet under the Earle of Warwicke to defend the Kingdome and prevent mischiefe from abroad , the Magazine of Armes that they should not be imployed against us , and the Militia of the Kingdome in such hands as we might confide in , to suppresse commotions within our selves .

Let all the world now judge what more could be done by us , to appease his Majesty , if ( after the presenting of such a petition as the last , and having received so sharpe a returne ) if it be fit for us not only not to yeeld to what is required , but also to make further provision for the preservation of our selves and of those who sent us hither , and at least give them warning , that if thee King may force this Parliament , they may bid farewell to all Parliaments , and if Parliaments be lost , they are lost , their Laws are lost , all which will be cut in sunder with the same sword now drawn for the destruction of this Parliament .

Then if they will not come to help the Parliament and save themselves , yet have we discharged our consciences , and delivered our soules , and we will look for a reward in heaven , should we be so ill required on earth , which we cannot feare , having found such demonstrations of their love and affection .

Thus having cause to beleeve , considering these continuall designes upon us , and the composition of the Kings Armie , & of his Councell at this time , that these things are desired to be made use of for our destruction , and the destruction of that which we are bound by our protestation to defend .

Therefore we the Lords and Commons are resolved to expose our lives and fortunes for the defence and maintenance of the true Religion , the Kings Person , Honour and Estate , the power and priviledge of Parliament , and the just Rights and Liberties of the Subject . In the maintenance of which cause , we are resolved to live and die .