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A DECLARATION of the Knights and Gentry of the County of HERTFORD that adhered to the late KING.
BY discountenancing our ancient laws under which the Nation hath been so long happy, and pursuing after new forms, and disputes about them; Government which was made for our Protection, has been the occasion of laying us open to all miserie; and we that before in respect of society had but one common reason, have broken our unitie by that which should have preserved it. And whilest every man pursues his single apprehensions of good, the real good of the Nation was lost: from which confusion of parties our valiant and wise General is now hopefully withdrawing us, and because the passionate discourses of some private persons seeme to obstruct this good worke he is about, We have thought fit to make this Declaration for our selves, that we are not in the number of those that vaunt our selves in the prospect of our prosperity, nor that if it were in our power would delight in any revenge upon any man or body of men whom we think hath contributed most to our sufferings; we are rather of those that will with patience beare the indignation of God because we have offended him, and will forgive our brethren a little, that of him we may be forgiven much. We will not be so ungratefull to God that by the management of his excel∣lency hath done so much for our deliverāce, as presently to be prosecuting others, which as it would behigh ingratitude to him, so we dare say it would be no lesse to the General, whose whole conduct of his busi∣ness, shewes him to be truly of a publick spirit that will protect every party as they subject themselves to the Lawes made for the whole Nation; and the wisdome of the approaching Parliament will without doubt be such, that we have all reason to hope our settlement from them, & to determine our obedience to them.