THE resolution AND MOST faithful EXPRESSION of the Gentry and Commonalty of the county of ESSEX.  
PRESENTED To the House of PARLIAMENT Jun. 20. 1642.  
Wherein is declared their certain and real Intentions to maintain the privileges of the crown and Parliament.  
Also the true Relation of an Opposition and Disturbance given to the earl of Stamford at the Training of the train Bands at Leicester.  
Which Disturbance was given by Mr. Hen. Hastings, son to the earl of huntingdon.  
With the Order from the House concerning Mr. Hastings, as a Delinquent and occasioner of the same Disturbance.  
As also an Order to sand for the Maior, for proclaiming the Kings proclamation.  
Hen. elsing, clear. Parl.  
June 25. Printed for William Arding, 1642.   

The Resolution and most faithful Expression of the Gentry and Commonalty of the County of Essex.  
LOng hath this kingdom suffered a most fearful distraction, and it hath been so long divided within the several Counties, that the daily discontents have begot in the timorous Subject fears and jealousies of a present ruin.  
For we are taught by daily experience That a kingdom divided cannot stand, but must of necessity fall to ruin, and destruction must be the end and issue of those Civill dissensions. witness the Pride of Rome, whose ambition was made level and equal to misery, by their home-bred jars. I will not rehearse the languishing estate of this Land, before the happy balsam of this Parliament was applied thereto, which until this time hath found most dangerous oppressions, the faithful Endeavours therof being daily sought to be contradicted, by those guilty persons, whose guilt could not endure the trial of so just a Court.  
Yet notwithstanding these manifold oppositions, Justice hath not been left altogether destitute of some Professors, and such entire Agents whose endeavours should preserve from the violent hands of malignity and scandal.  
The proceedings of this Parliament hath been beyond expectation and Right retarded, and the much aggrieved Subject hath by these delays been much hindered from the relief and burden of his former distresses, which he justly did expect to receive from this most humble Court The cause of not being relieved, did not proceed from themselves, so that of themselves they could for the present redress and comfort the expectation of the Subject.  
The difference between the King and Parliament did cause a great stand in the Subject, so that most Countries until within these few dayes were very doubtful to which part they might give their countenance and assurance.  
But now I cannot but with joy declare, and I hope by this one example many more will be drawn to the like, how both the Gentry and Commonalty, of the County of Essex did proffer up both their Lives and fortunes, to serve the King and Parliament.  
Upon the 20. of this month by the general Consent of that whole County a Petition was framed and delivered into the House of Parliament, the Contents whereof were as followeth.  
I. That they were much grieved for the difference of His Majesty and the Parliament, and that they should hearty wish that all these differences might be remembered.  
And also that they hoped that there was no cause of distaste given his Majesty by the Houses; wherefore they were resolved, with a most firm Resolution, and all faithfulness to serve the Parliament, to maintain Religion, the Laws of the land, and the privileges of the King and Parliament, with their lives, and fortunes, which petition was kindly received by the house.  
How the Militia of this kingdom hath been committed to the care of divers Noblemen, whom the House of Parliament hath thought fit to think worthy of that great trust, wherein the safety of this Kingdom doth consist.  
I shall not need for the present to describe Neither will I relate the difference which hath arose about the charge of this Militia, and which as yet doth remain unreconciled. The Earl of Stamford was chosen Lieutenant of Liecester shire, and by that means had the charge of the Militia of that County committed unto him, and by an Order from the said house was commanded down thither to exercise and train all the whole Land of that County.  
He had for some space gone on with the Militia, although in the interim he found some opposition. And now again lately while he was employed in the exercise of his charge, M. Henry Hastings Son to the Earl of Huntingdon came from york, and with him brought the Kings Proclamation for the mustering up of the Train bands, which seemed to countermand the Authority of the Earl of Stamford, and he bread very much disturbance in Liecester town.  
whereupon the Earl of Liecester, and Sir Arthur Haslerigg sent Letters immediately away unto the Parliament, informing them, how the proceedings concerning the Militia was hindered, how great a d●sturbance was bread in that place by M. Hen. Hastings, and also that the mayor of Liecester had proclaimed the Kings Proclamation, by which means this great disturbance was bread at the Muster.  
whereupon there issued forth an order from the House, that Mr. Henry Hastings should be sent for as a Delinquent, and also another Order that the mayor of that Town, and 3 others should be senr for to appear before the House of Commons. for proclaiming the said Proclamation.  
It was resolved upon the question by the Lords and Commons in Parliament, That the Commission of Array for leicester is against Law, and against the Liberty and property of the subject. June 20. It was resolved upon the question, That all those that are Actors in putting of the Commission of Array in execution, shall be esteemed a● disturbers of the peace of the Kingdom, &c.   
FINIS.  

Ordered that this shall be printed and published through the whole kingdom.  
Joh. Brown clear. Parl.