A PREAMBLE WITH THE PROTESTATION MADE BY THE whole House of Commons the 3, of May, 1641▪ and Assented vnto by the Lords of the Vpper House the 4▪ of May.
WEE the Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses, of the Commons House in Parliament, finding to the Griefe of our Hearts, that the Designes of the Priests and Jesuites, and other Adherents to the Sea of Rome have of late more boldly, and frequently put in practice, then formerly, to the undermining and d [...]nger of the Ruine of the true Reformed Religion, in his Majesties Dominions established, and finding also, that there hath beene, and having cause to suspect there still are, even during the Sitting in Parliament, Endeavours to subvert the Fundamentall Lawes of England, and Ireland, and to introduce the Exercise of an Arbitrary, and Tyrannicall Government; by most pernicious and wicked Counsells, Practises, Plots, and Conspiracies, and that the long Intermission, and unhappier breach of Parliaments, hath occasioned many illegall Taxations, whereupon the Subjects have beene prosecuted and grieved, and that divers Innovations and Superstitions have beene brought into the Church, Multitudes driven out of his Majesties Dominions, Jealousies raised and Fomented, betweene the King and his People, a Popish Army leavyed in Ireland, and two Armies brought into the Bowels of this Kingdome, to the hazard of his Majesties Royall Person, the Consumption of the Revenue of the Crowne, and the Treasure of this Realme. And lastly, finding the great Causes of Jealousie, endeavours have beene and are used, to bring the English Army into misunderstanding of this Parliament; thereby to encline that Army by force, to bring to passe, those wicked Counsels; have therefore thought good to joyne our selves in a Declaration of our united affections, and Resolutions, and to make this ensuing Protestation.
THE PROTESTATION.
I A. B. Doe in the presence of Almighty God, promise, vow, and potest, to maintaine and defend, as farre as lawfully I may, with my Life, power, and Estate, the true Reformed Protestant Religion, expressed in the Doctrine of the Church of England, against all Popery, and Popish Innovations within this Realme, contrary to the same, And to the duty of Allegiance to his Majesties Royall Person, Honour, and Estate.
As also the power of Priviledge of Parliament, the lawfull Rights and liberties of the Subjects. And every person that maketh this Protestation in whatsoever he shall doe in the lawfull pursuance of the same, and to my power as farre as lawfully I may oppose, I will and by all good wayes and meanes endeavour to bring to condigne punishment all such as shall by force, practice, Counsell, plots, conspiracies, or otherwise doe any thing to the contrary in this present Protestation contained, and further I shall in all Just, and Honourable waies, endeavour to preserve the union and peace betwixt the three Kingdomes of England, Scotland, and Ireland. And neither for hope, feare, nor other respects shall relinquish this promise, vow, and Protestation.