Southamp. County. WHereas it is notoriously knowne, that divers who have been in Armes against the Parliament, and other persons ill affected to the present peace and quiet­nesse, which by Gods blessing wee have of late enjoyed, have upon a speci­ous pretence of Petitioning the Parliament for a speedy settlement and ease against all Burdens and Taxes, drawne together great multitudes of People in a riotous and warlike manner: And after they have once got into a consi­derable Body, then led them on into desperate attempts, to the great hazard of inflaming the Kingdome againe into a new and fatall Warre, whereby the Parliament is not onely retarded and hindred in the settlement of the Peace and Government of this Kingdome, but also very sad effects have lately hapned to the said Counties by such tumultuous and disorderly Petitioning by great effusion of bloud, as in Kent, and in other neighbour Counties. And wee being credibly informed that the like unlawfull and dangerous practises are beginning to be set on foote in some parts of this County bordering on Surrey and Sussex, by sending Coppies of the said Petitions of Kent, Surrey, and Sussex, (in all which is the same matter) unto such persons as are ill affected to the peace and quiet of this County, thereby labouring and endeavouring to make the same disturbance in this County, as they have so unhappily done in others, to the almost undo­ing of the same, by making them the Seate of a Warre; besides their spilling of so much Christian bloud.

Wee doe therefore according to the dutie wee owe unto God, and this our County, hereby give notice and warning to all the Inhabitants of this County, to take heed of, and forbeare all Tumul­tuous meetings, whether upon pretence of reading, setting hands too, promoting any such Petiti­ons, or upon any other pretences whatsoever. And for farther prevention of such mischiefes and un­happie accidents, wee doe hereby require all Mayors, Constables, and other Officers to be carefull and vigilant, to finde out, and apprehend all such as they shall finde active in drawing together un­lawfull Assemblies of people to any such or other pretence whatsoever. And to apprehend and bring them before us, or some of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for this County, to be proceeded against as disturbers of the Peace. Wee doe likewise thinke meete to advise all others whatsoever, as they desire the continuance of the Peace and quiet of this County, to be ayding and assisting for the suppres­sing and quietting any such disorders.

This is to be published in every Parish-Church in the County of Southampton by the Minister of every respective Parish on the next Lords day after the receipt heereof.