A DECLARATION OR DISCOVERY, Of a most horrible Plot against the City of LONDON Also a Protestation made by the Parliament, concerning the safety of the Kingdome in gererall, and the City of London in particular.
Also severall Votes of the Lords and Commons concerning the said Protestation.
Resolved upon the Question.
That these Votes shall be Printed, and attested under the Clearkes Hand.
Decemb. 15 printed for J. Harris, 1642.
A Discovery of a Plot against the City of LONDON.
THe Grand Committee of the Parliament sitting about the waighty affaires of the State of the King dome; There was notice brought unto them of a Letter directed to a great Person of this City, the contents whereof was to this effect.
OUt of the care of your welfare, J make bold to Advertise you for your good, that you would be pleased speedily to convey your selfe and Family out of the City, and that you repaire as farre Northward as conveniently you may, for there is a terrible blow expected to be given shortly against the City London, &c.
The truth of which premisses was delivered to the Court of Aldermen, from the Committe.
The Declaration, and Protestation of the Commons House of Parliament, concerning the the peace of the Kingdome.
VVEE the Knights, Citizens, & burgesses o [...] the Commons house in Parliament, finding to the great griefe of our hearts, that the designe, of the Priests and Iesuits, and and other adherents to the See of Rome, have of late been more boldly and frequently put in practice then formerly, to the undermining and danger of the ruine of the true reformed protestant Religion in his Majesties Dominions, established: and finding also that there have bin▪ and having just cause, to susspect that there still are even during this sitting in Parliament endeavours to subvert the Fundamentall Lawes of England & Jreland, & to introduce the exercise of an arbitrary and Tyrannicall Government, by most pernicious [Page]and wicked Councels, Practises, plots, and Conspiracies: and that the long intermission, and unhappy breach of Patliaments hath ocasioned many illegall Taxations, whereupon the Subject hath bin prosecuted: and grieved, and divers Jnnovations and supestitions have bin brought into the Church: Multitudes driven out of his Majesties Dominions Jealousies raysed and fomented betwixt the King and people, and two Armies brought into the Bowels of this Kingdome, and lastly, finding great cause of jelousie, that endeavours have bin, and are used to bring the English army into misunderstanding of this parliament, with force to bring to passe those wicked Counsells: Have therefore thought good to joyne our selves in a Declaration of our united affections and resolutions, and to make this ensuing protestation.
I A. A. doe in presence of Almighty God, Promise, Vow, and Protest to maintaine and defend, as farre as lawfully J 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 Jnnovations within this Realme, contrary to the same Doctrine, and according to the duty of my Allegiance, his Majesties Royall Person, Honour and Estate; As also the Power and Priviledge of Parliament; The lawfull Rights and Liberties of the Subject, 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, J will oppose, and by all good wayes and meanes, endeavour to bring to condigne punishment, all such as shall either by Force, Practise, Councels, Plots, Conspiracies or otherwise, doe any thing to the contrary of any thing in this present Protestation contained. And further, that J shall in all just and Honourable wayes endeavour to preserve [Page 7]the Vnion and Peace between the three Kingdomes▪ England Scotland, and Ireland; And neither for hope feare, nor other respect shall relinquish this promise, Vow and Protestation.
Resolved upon the Quuestion.
That this House doth conceive, that the Protestation made by them, is fit to be taken by every person that is well affected in Religion, and to the good of the Common-wealth, And therefore doth declare, that what person. soever shall not take the Protestation, is unfit to bear Office in the Church or Common-wealth
Resolved upon the Question.
That the Actions of the Citizens of London, or of any other person whatsoever, for the defence of the parliament, or the priviledges thereof, or the preservation of the members thereof, are according to their duty, and to their late Protestation, and the Lawes of the Kingdome. And if any person shall arrest or trouble any of them, for so doing, he is declared [Page 8]to be a publike enemy of the Common-wealth.
At the Cmmittee of the House of Commons which are appointed to sit to consider of the safety of the Kingdome, and of the City of London, and of vindicating the Priviledges of Parliament.
Resolved.
That all those of the City of London, or any other place, that shall weare any Colours or other markes of division, whereby they may be distinguisht from others, and knowne to be of the malignant party, shall be examined▪ searched, and disarmed, as likewise all those, who being able shall not lend or contribute towards the publique safety of the Kingdome, in this time of so great and imminent danger.
Resoved upon the Question
That these Votes shall be Printed and Attested vnder the Clerkes hand