THE DECLARATION Of the Gentlemen, Free-holders and Inhabitants Of the County of BEDFORD.
WEE the Gentlemen, Free-holders, and Inhabitants of the County of BEDFORD, being truly sensible of the heavy pressures that we lye under, having all our Civill and Religious Rights and Liberties daily Invaded, cannot in this common day of Calamity, be silent, but, with the rest of the Nation, make some enquiry after the way of Peace and settlement: And having met, and considered thereof, do humbly propose, as the most probable means, under God, to compose all our Differences, and cement all our Breaches both in Church and State, the assembling of a Full and Free PARLIAMENT, without any previous Oaths, or Engagements, or Qualifications whatsoever, (saving what was in the year 1648. before the Force put upon the Parliament.) Or, the re-admitting of the Secluded Members to the Execution of their Trusts, with a full and free Supply of their Vacancies by Death. And untill one of these be done, we do declare, We shall not hold our selves engaged to pay the Taxes imposed upon us, without our Consents so first had in Parliament.