SO farre hath the Malignant Party prevailed with his Maieſty, by their deluding and faire ſeeming Stratagems by their moſt wicked and pernitious Councels, that it is more then to be feared his Maieſty gives way to the raiſing of Armes againſt the Parliament, to which end there hath beene both Forraigne, and Domeſticke preparation for the raiſing of Men, and Monyes, which the High court of Parliament taking into conſideration, thought it convenient to hinder ſuch a fatall miſchiefe, by a timely prevention, to which end they propounded ſeverall propoſitions touching the brining in of Horſe, Plate, and Money, for the raiſing of Armes to ſecure the Parliament, (on the happy continuance of which) depends the ſafety, and Peaceable inioyment of the Goſpell, and ſweet fruition of the true reformed Proteſtant Religion, the increaſe of his Maieſties Honour, and happy continuance of his Maieſties Raigne, the firme and peaceable inioyment of his Regall Dignity, and Royall Authority, eſtabliſhed to his Royall Maieſty, and his ſucceſſive Poſterity for ever, the Liberty, and Propriety of the Subiect, the ſecurity of Lives and eſtates, the maintenance of the Lawes by which we are governed, and the bleſſed freedome of our Chriſtian Profeſſion) and finding that the Malignant Party by their calumnious reports, and ſeditious words, began to ſlander ſuch their proceedings, caſting aſperſions on their unblemiſhed Actions, giving out that their propoſitions for the bringing in of Plate, and Money, is to promote a warre againſt the King; therefore they, beeing deſirous to give the world ſatisfaction, and to cleere all doubts, they have thought it neceſſary to declare to the world their reall intentions and determinations concerning this Deſigne, as followes.

The Lords and Commons Aſſembled in Parliament, doe declare, that the Deſigne of thoſe Propoſitions, is as was formerly declared to maintaine the Proteſtant Religion, the Kings Authority, the free courſe of Iuſtice, the Lawes of the Land, the Peace of the Kingdome, and priviledges of Parliament, againſt any force which ſhall oppoſe them.

Likewiſe the Lords and Commons doe really appeale to all His Maieſties loving Subiects, deſiring them to judge whether they have not juſt cauſe to feare, and fearing to prevent Inteſtine Warre, and ſuch uncivill diſcord as homebred Broiles produceth to a Kingdome, the effect of which is Rapine, Murder, Spoyle unto King and People, theſe are the Fruits of ſeditious diſſention, and this we muſt expect, ſhould the Romiſh Faction (which God forbid) get the upper hand, could they but obtaine their deſires, and their yet promiſing hopes gaine their wiſhed effects, the unbounded Ocean of their viprous Envie, would like a ſwelling Torrent overflow the bounded limmits, and in a Deluge of revenge and Blood, drowne both the King and People, for though they cover all their Stratagems under a pretence of ſtanding for the King, yet we have juſt cauſe to feare the event, & with our utmoſt endeavours labour to prevent, ſuch the malignant practizes of Our, and the Kingdomes Enemies,

The Houſe of Commons having received a report, concerning the Earle of Newcaſtle, that the ſaid Earle hath put in about 500. Men in Garriſon, and that the ſaid Earle is about to raiſe a Troope of Horſe, and beats the Drum for Voluntiers, the Trained Bands refuſe to come in, foure pieces of Ordnance is gone towards South Sheeles, Tinmouth, and there are 300. men in worke making a Sconce, to command all Ships, that come in or goe out, the Towne is in greater perplexity then they were the laſt yeare, Ship-maſters refuſe to goe in, leaſt their Ships be Staid.

Many other reports dayly come to the Houſe, of ſlanders caſt upon ſeverall Members of Parliament, eſpecially againſt Mr. Pym, concerning Letters ſent from Sir John Hotham, the contents whereof are here ſpecified.

Firſt, he deſired preſent ſupplies of Moneys for the payment of the Garriſon, who were very orderly, and obſervant to his commands.

Secondly, he deſired that three Hundred Pounds might be deſigned him, for the making of new Fortifications, and in a private Letter to Mr. Pym, deſired a ſupply of 300. Souldiers more, in caſe of any ſuddaine attempt upon the Towne, which he privately intimated, not to be publiquely inſiſted upon (as by a miſtake it was) but to make what uſe thereof for the advantage of the Service of Parliament, as he ſhould thinke ſit, he being confident of the Townes obedience to the King and Parliament, except a few inconſiderable Perſons, for whoſe invectives againſt the Parliament ſome of them are in reſtraint.