The free-holders grand inquest touching our Sovereign Lord the King and his Parliament to which are added observations upon forms of government : together with directions for obedience to governours in dangerous and doubtful times / by the learned Sir Robert Filmer, Knight.

The King to the Sheriff of Greeting.

WHereas by the Advice and Consent of our Councel, for certain difficult and urgent Businesses concerning Us, the State and Defence of our Kingdom of England, and the English Church: We have ordained a certain Parliament of ours, to be held at Our City of the day of next ensuing, and there to have Conference, and to treat with the Prelates, Great men and Peers of our said Kingdom. We com∣mand and straitly enjoyn you, that making Procla∣mation at the next County-Court after the Re∣ceipt of this our Writ, to be holden the day, and

place aforesaid: You cause two Knights, girt with Swords, the most fit, and discreet of the County aforesaid: and of every City of that County two Citizens; of every Borough, two Burgesses of the discreeter and most sufficient; to be freely, and in∣differently chosen by them who shall be present at such Proclamation, according to the Tenor of the Statutes in that case made and provided: and the Names of the said Knights, Citizens and Burgesses so chosen, to be inserted in certain Indentures to be then made between you, and those that shall be pre∣sent at such Election, whether the Parties so elected be present, or absent: and shall make them to come at the said day, and Place: so that the said Knights for themselves, and for the County aforesaid, and the said Citizens, and Burgesses for themselves, and the Commonalty of the aforesaid Cities, and Bo∣roughs, may have severally from them, full and sufficient Power to Perform, and to Consent to those things which then by the Favour of God shall there happen to be ordained by the Common∣Councel of our said Kingdom, concerning the Busi∣nesses aforesaid: So that the Business may not by any means remain undone for want of such Power, or by reason of the improvident Election of the aforesaid Knights, Citizens, and Burgesses. But We will not in any case you or any other Sheriff of Our said Kingdom shall be elected; And at the Day and Place aforesaid, the said Election made in the full County-Court, you shall certifie without Delay to Us in our Chancery under your Seal, and the Seals of them which shall be present at that Election, sending back unto Us the other part of the Indenture aforesaid affiled to these Pre∣sents,

together with this Writ.

Witness Our Self at Westminster.