and all their Jealousies and apprehensions which may lessen their Charity to each other and then if the Sins of this Nation have not prepared an inevitable Judgment for us all God will yet make Us a Great and a Glorious King over a Free and Happy People MDCXLI To the Kings most Excellent Majesty and the Lords and Peers now assembled in Parliament The humble PETITION and PROTESTATION of all the Bishop and Prelates now called by His Majesties Writs to attend the Parliament and present about London and Westminster for that service THat whereas the Petitioners are called up by several and respective Writs and under great Penalties to attend in Parliament and have a clear and indubitate Right to vote in Bills and other matters whatsoever debatable in Parliament by the Ancient Customes Laws and Statutes of this Realme and ought to be protected by Your Majesty quietly to attend and prosecute that great Service They humbly remonstrate and protest before God Your Majesty and the Noble Lords and Peers now assembled in Parliament That as they have an indubitate Right to sit and vote in the House of the Lords so are they if they may be protected from Force and Violence most ready and willing to perform their Duties accordingly and that they do abominate all Actions or Opinions tending to Popery and the maintenance thereof as also all propension and inclination to any Malignant party or any other side or party whatsoever to the which their own Reasons and Consciences shall not move them to adhere But whereas they have been at several times violently Menaced Affronted and Assaulted by multitudes of people in their coming to perform their services in that Honourable House and lately chased away and put in danger of their lives and can find no redress or protection upon sundry complaints made to both Houses in these particulars They likewise humbly protest before Your Majesty and the Noble House of Peers That saving unto themselves all their Rights and Interests of Sitting and Voting in that House at other times they dare not Sit or Vote in the House of Peers until Your Majesty shall further secure them from all Affronts Indignities and Dangers in the premisses Lastly Whereas their Fears are not built upon Phantasies and Conceits but upon such Grounds and Objects as may well terrifie men of good Resolutions and much Constancy they do in all humility protest before Your Majesty and the Peers of that most Honourable House of Parliament against all Laws Orders Votes Resolutions and Determinations as in themselves Null and of none effect which in their absence since the twenty seventh of this instant Month of December 1641. have already passed as likewise against all such as shall hereafter pass in that most Honourable House during the time of this their forced and violent absence from the said most Honourable House Not denying but if their absenting of themselves were wilful and voluntary that most Honourable House might proceed in all these premisses their Absence or this their Protestation notwithstanding And humbly beseeching Your most Excellent Majesty to command the Clerk of that House of Peers to enter this their Petition and Protestation among his Records They will ever pray to God to bless and preserve c. Jo. Eborac Thomas Duresme Rob. Co. Lich. Jos Norwich Jo. Asaphen Guil. Ba. Wells Geo. Hereford Rob. Oxon. Mat. Ely Godfr Glouc. Jo. Peterburg Mor. Llandaff MDCXLI Jan. 3. ARTICLES of HIGH TREASON and other High Misdemeanours against the Lord Kimbolton Mr. Denzil Hollis Sir Arthur Hesilrig Mr. John Pym Mr. John Hambden and Mr. William Stroude I. THAT they have traitorously endeavoured to subvert the Fundamental Laws and Government of the Kingdom of England to deprive the King of His Regal Power and to place in Subjects an Arbitrary and Tyrannical power over the Lives Liberties and Estates of His Majesties Liege People II. That they have traitorously endeavoured by many foul Aspersions upon His Majesty and His Government to alienate the Affections of His People and to make His Majesty odious unto them III. That they have endeavoured to draw His Majesties late Army to disobedience to His Majesties Commands and to side with them in their Traitorous Designs IV. That they have traitorously invited and encouraged a foreign Power to invade His Majesties Kingdom of England V. That they have traitorously indeavoured to subvert the Rights and very Being of Parliaments VI. That for the compleating of their Traitorous Designs they have indeavoured as far as in them lay by force and Terror to compel the Parliament to joyn with them in their Traitorous Designs and to that end have actually raised and countenanced Tumults against the King and Parliament VII That they have traitorously conspired to levy and actually have levied War against the King MDCXLII Jun. 2. PROPOSITIONS made by both Houses of Parliament to the KINGS Majesty for a Reconciliation of the Differences between His Majesty and the said Houses YOUR Majesties most humble and faithful Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament having nothing in their thoughts and desires more pretious and of higher esteem next to the Honour and immediate Service of God then the just and faithful Performance of their Duty to Your Majesty and this Kingdom and being very sensible of the great Distractions and Distempers and of the imminent Dangers and Calamities which those Distractions and Distempers are like to bring upon Your Majesty and Your Subjects all which have proceeded from the subtle Insinuations mischievous Practices and evil Counsels of men disaffected to God's true Religion Your Majesties Honour and Safety and the publick Peace and Prosperity of Your People after a serious observation of the Causes of those Mischiefs do in all humility and sincerity present to Your Majesty their most dutiful Petition and Advice That out of your Princely Wisdome for the establishing Your own Honour and Safety and gracious tenderness of the welfare and security of Your Subjects and Dominioins You will be pleased to grant and accept these their humble Desires and Propositions as the most necessary effectual means through God's blessing of removing those Jealousies and Differences which have unhappily fallen betwixt You and Your People and procuring both Your Majesty and them a constant course of Honour Peace and Happiness I. That the Lords and others of Your Majesties Privy Council and such great Officers and Ministers of State either at home or beyond the seas may be put from Your Privy Council and from those Offices and Imployments excepting such as shall be approved of by both Houses of Parliament And that the persons put into the places and imployments of those that are removed may be approved of by both Houses of Parliament And that all Privie-Counsellours shall take an Oath for the due execution of their places in such form as shall be agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament II. That the great Affairs of this Kingdom may not be concluded or transacted by
upon Tweed already raised both for Sea and Land service and shall from time to time during the space of ten years raise levy arm train and discipline or cause to be raised levied armed trained and disciplined any other Forces for Land and Sea service in the Kingdoms Dominions and places aforesaid as in their judgments they shall from time to time during the said spaceof ten years think fit to appoint and that neither the King His Heirs or Successors or any other but such as shall Act by the Authority or approbation of the said Lords and Commons shall during the said space of ten years exercise any of the powers aforesaid That Monies be raised and levied for the maintenance and use of the said Forces for Land-service and of the Navy and Forces for Sea-service in such sort and by such ways and means as the said Lords and Commons shall from time to time during the said space of ten years think fit and appoint and not otherwise That all the said Forces both for Land and Sea-service so raised or levied or to be raised or levied and also the Admiralty and Navy shall from time to time during the said space of ten years be imployed managed ordered and disposed by the Lords and Commons in such sort and by such ways and means as they shall think fit and appoint and not otherwise And the said Lords and Commons or such as they shall appoint during the said space of ten years shall have power 1. To suppress all Forces raised or to be raised without authority and consent of the said Lords and Commons to the disturbance of the publick Peace of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernesey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or any of them 2. To suppress any foreign Forces who shall invade or indeavour to invade the Kingdoms of England and Ireland Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernesey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or any of them And after the expiration of the said ten years neither the King His Heirs or Successors or any person or persons by colour or pretence of any Commission power deputation or authority to be derived from the King His Heirs or Successors or any of them shall without the consent of the said Lords and Commons raise arm train discipline imploy order manage disband or dispose any the Forces by Sea or Land of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland the Dominion of Wales Isles of Gernesey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed nor exercise any of the said powers or authorities herein before-mentioned and expressed to be during the space of ten years in the said Lords and Commons nor do any act or any thing concerning the execution of the said powers or authorities or any of them without the consent of the said Lords and Commons first had and obtained And with the same Provisoes for saving the ordinary legal power of Officers of Justice not being Military Officers as is set down in your Propositions and with a Declaration That if any persons shall be gathered and assembled together in a warlike manner or otherwise to the number of thirty persons and shall not forthwith disperse themselves being required thereto by the said Lords and Commons or command from them or any by them especially authorized for that purpose then such person or persons not so dispersing themselves shall be guilty and incur the pains of high Treason being first declared guilty of such offence by the said Lords and Commons any Commission under the Great Seal or other Warrant to the contrary notwithstanding and he or they that shall so offend herein to be uncapable of any pardon from His Majesty His Heirs or Successors And likewise that it be provided that the City of London shall have and enjoy all their Rights Liberties c. in raising and imploying the Forces of that City in such sort as is mentioned in the said Proposition With these Provisoes following to be inserted in the said Act. First That none be compelled to serve in the War against their Wills but in case of coming in of strange Enemies into this Kingdom And that the powers above-mentioned as concerning the Land-Forces other than for keeping up and maintenance of Forts and Garrisons and the keeping up maintaining and pay of this present Army so long as it shall be thought fit by both Houses of Parliament be exercised to no other purposes than for the suppressing of Forces raised or to be raised without authority and consent of the said Lords and Commons as aforesaid or for suppressing of any Foreign Forces which shall invade or endeavour to invade the Kingdoms Dominions or places aforesaid And that the Monies be raised by general and equal Taxations saving that Tunnage and Poundage and such Imposts as have been applyed to the Navy be raised as hath been usual And that all Patents Commissions and other Acts concerning the premisses be made and acted in His Majesties name by Warrant signified by the Lords and Commons or such others as they shall authorize for that purpose If it shall be more satisfactory to His two Houses to have the Militia and powers thereupon depending during the whole time of His Majesty's Reign rather than for the space of ten years His Majesty gives them the election Touching Ireland His Majesty having in the two preceding Propositions given His consent concerning the Church and the Militia there in all things as in England as to all other matters relating to that Kingdom after advice with His two Houses He will leave it to their determination and give His consent accordingly as is herein hereafter expressed Touching publick Debts His Majesty will give His consent to such an Act for raising of Monies by general and equal Taxations for the payment and satisfying the Arrears of the Army publick Debts and engagements of the Kingdom as shall be agreed on by both Houses of Parliament and shall be audited and ascertained by them or such persons as they shall appoint within the space of twelve Months after the passing of an Act for the same His Majesty will consent to an Act that during the said space of ten years the Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper Commissioners of the Great Seal or Treasury Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports Chancellour of the Exchequer and Dutchy Secretaries of State Master of the Rolls Judges of both Benches and Barons of the Exchequer of England be nominated by both Houses of the Parliament of England to continue quam diu se bene gesserint and in the intervals of Parliament by such others as they shall authorize for that purpose His Majesty will consent that the Militia of the City of London and Liberties thereof during the space of ten years may be in the ordering and Government of the Lord Mayor Aldermen and Commons in the Common Council assembled or such as they shall from time to
for making War and shall I now be condemned for making Peace Have I not formerly ruled like a King and shall I now be ruled like a Slave Have I not formerly enjoyed the society of My dear Wife and Children in peace and quietness and shall I now neither enjoy them nor Peace Have not My Subjects formerly obeyed Me and shall I now be obedient to My Subjects Have I not been condemned for Evil Counsellors and shall I now be condemned for having no Counsel but God These are unutterable miseries that the more I endeavour for Peace the less My endeavours are respected And how shall I know hereafter what to grant when your selves know not what to ask I refer it to your Consciences whether I have not satisfied your desires in every particular since this Treaty if you find I have not then let Me bear the burthen of the fault but if I have given you ample satisfaction as I am sure I have then you are bound to vindicate Me from the fury of those whose thoughts are filled with blood though they pretend zeal yet they are but Wolves in Sheeps cloathing I must further declare that there is nothing can more obstruct the long-hoped-for Peace of this Nation than the illegal proceedings of them that presume from Servants to become Masters and labour to bring in Democracy and to abolish Monarchy Needs must the total alteration of Fundamentals be not only destructive to others but in conclusion to themselves for they that endeavour to rule by the Sword shall at last fall by it for Faction is the Mother of Ruine and it is the humour of those who are of this Weather-cock-like disposition to love nothing but mutabilities neither will that please them but only pro tempore for the too much variety doth but confound the senses and makes them still hate one folly and fall in love with another Time is the best cure for Faction for it will at length like a spreading Leprosie infect the whole body of the Kingdom and make it so odious that at last they will hate themselves for love of that and like the Fish for love of the bait be catch'd with the hook I once more declare to all My loving Subjects and God knows whether or no this may be My last that I have earnestly laboured for Peace and that My thoughts were sincere and absolute without any sinister ends and there was nothing left undone by Me that My Conscience would permit Me to do And I call God to witness that I do firmly conceive that the interposition of the Army that cloud of Malice hath altogether eclipsed the glory of that Peace which began again to shine in this Land And let the World judg whether it be expedient for an Army to contradict the Votes of a Kingdom endeavouring by pretending Laws and Liberties to subvert both Such Actions as these must produce strange consequences and set open the floud-gates of ruine to overflow this Kingdom in a moment Had this Treaty been only Mine own seeking then they might have had fairer pretences to have stopt the course of it but I being importun'd by My two Houses and they by most part of the Kingdom could not but with a great deal of alacrity concur with them in their desires for the performance of so commodious a work and I hope by this time that the hearts and eyes of My People are opened so much that they plainly discover who are the underminers of this Treaty For Mine own part I here protest before the face of Heaven that Mine own Afflictions though they need no addition afflict Me not so much as My Peoples sufferings for I know what to trust to already and they know not God comfort both them and Me and proportion our Patience to our Sufferings And when the Malice of Mine Enemies is spun out to the smallest thread let them know that I will by the grace of God be as contented to suffer as they are active to advance My sufferings and Mine own Soul tells Me that the time will come when the very clouds shall drop down vengeance upon the heads of those that barricado themselves against the Proceedings of Peace for if God hath proclaimed a blessing to the Peace-makers needs must the Peace-breakers draw down curses upon their heads I thank My God I have armed My self against their fury and now let the arrows of their Envy fly at Me I have a breast to receive them and a heart possest with patience to sustain them for God is My Rock and My Shield therefore I will not fear what man can do unto Me. I will expect the worst and if any thing happen beyond My expectation I will give God the glory for vain is the help of man Queries propounded by His MAJESTY when the Armies Remonstrance was read unto Him at NEWPORT concerning the intended Tryal of His MAJESTY I. WHether this Remonstrance be agreeable to the former Declarations of the Army and if not whether the Parliament would make good their Votes that after He had consented to what they desired He should be in a capacity of Honour Freedom and Safety II. Whether His acknowledgment of the bloud that hath been spilt in the late Wars nothing being as yet absolutely concluded or binding could be urged so far as to be made use of by way of Evidence against Him or any of His Party III. Whether the Arguments that He hath used in a free and Personal Treaty to lessen or extenuate and avoid the exactness of any of the Conditions though in manner and form only might be charged against Him as an act of Obstinacy or wilful persistance in what is alledged against Him in that He goes on in a destructive course of enmity against the People and the Laws of the Land when He hath declared that His Conscience was satisfied concerning divers particulars in the Propositions IV. Whereas by the letter of the Law all persons charged to offend against the Law ought to be tryed by their Peers or Equals what the Law is if the Person questioned is without a Peer And if the Law which of it self is but a dead letter seems to condemn Him by what power shall Judgement be given and who shall give it or from whence shall the administrators of such Judgement derive their power which may by the same Law be deemed the supreme power or authority of Magistracy in the Kingdom HIS MAJESTY'S LETTERS I. To the House of Peers about the Reprieve of the Earl of STRAFFORD Sent by the PRINCE From White-Hall May 11. MDCXLI My Lords I Did yesterday satisfie the Justice of the Kingdom by passing the Bill of Attainder against the Earl of Strafford But Mercy being as inherent and inseparable to a King as Justice I desire at this time in some measure to shew that likewise by suffering that unfortunate man to fulfil the natural course of his life in a close Imprisonment yet so that if ever he
the eighteenth day of June in the eighteenth year of Our Reign 1642. Votes of the Lower House for raising an Army against the KING Die Martis 12 Julii 1642. Resolved upon the Question THAT an Army shall be forthwith raised for the Safety of the King's Person defence of both Houses of Parliament and of those who have obeyed their Orders and Commands and preserving of the true Religion the Laws Liberty and Peace of the Kingdom Resolved upon the Question That the Earl of Essex shall be the General Resolved upon the Question That this House doth declare that in this Cause for the Safety of the King's Person defence of both Houses of Parliament and of those who have obeyed their Orders and Commands and preserving of the true Religion the Laws Liberty and Peace of the Kingdom they will live and die with the Earl of Essex whom they have nominated General in this Cause MDCXLII Aug. 8. A Declaration of the Lords and Commons for raising of Forces against the KING Together with His MAJESTY'S Declaration in Answer to the same A Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the raising of all Power and Force as well Trained Bands as others in several Counties of this Kingdom to lead against all Traitors and their Adherents and them to Arrest and Imprison and to Fight with Kill and Slay all such as shall oppose any of His Majesty's loving Subjects that shall be imployed in this Service by either or both Houses of Parliament WHereas certain Information is given from several parts of the Kingdom That divers Troops of Horse are imployed in sundry Counties of the Kingdom and that others have Commission to raise both Horse and Foot to compel His Majesty's Subjects to submit to the Illegal commission of Array out of a Traiterous intent to subvert the Liberty of the Subject and the Law of the Kingdom and for the better strengthening themselves in this wicked attempt do joyn with the Popish and Jesuitical Faction to put the Kingdom into a Combustion and Civil War by levying Forces against the Parliament and by these Forces to alter the Religion and the Antient Government and lawful Liberty of the Kingdom and to introduce Popery and Idolatry together with an Arbitrary Form of Government and in pursuance thereof have Traitorously and Rebelliously levied War against the King and by force robb'd spoil'd and slain divers of His Majesty's good Subjects travelling about their lawful and necessary occasions in the King's Protection according to Law and namely that for the end and purpose aforesaid the Earl of Northampton the Lord Dunsmore Lord Willoughby of Eresby Son to the Earl of Lindsey Henry Hastings Esquire and divers other unknown persons in the Counties of Lincoln Nottingham Leicester Warwick Oxford and other places the Marquess of Hartford the Lord Paulet Lord Seymour Sir John Stawel Sir Ralph Hopton John Digby Esquire and other their Accomplices have gotten together great Forces in the County of Somerset The Lords and Commons in Parliament duly considering the great Dangers which may ensue upon such their wicked and traitorous Designs and if by this means the Power of the Sword should come into the hands of Papists and their Adherents nothing can be expected but the miserable ruine and desolation of the Kingdom and the bloody massacre of the Protestants they do Declare and Ordain That it is and shall be lawful for all His Majesty's loving Subjects by force of Arms to resist the said several Parties and their Accomplices and all other that shall raise or conduct any other Forces for the ends aforesaid and that the Earl of Essex Lord General with all his Forces raised by the Authority of Parliament as likewise the Lord Say Lieutenant of Oxfordshire Earl of Peterborough Lieutenant of Northamptonshire Lord Wharton Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire Earl of Stamford Lieutenant of Leicestershire Earl of Pembroke Lieutenant of Wiltshire and Hampshire Earl of Bedford Lieutenant of Somersetshire and Devon Lord Brook Lieutenant of Warwickshire the Lord Cranborne Lieutenant of Dorsetshire the Lord Willoughby of Parham Lieutenant of Lincolnshire and all those who are or shall be appointed by Ordinance of both Houses to perform the place of Deputy-Lieutenants and their Deputy-Lieutenants respectively Denzil Hollis Esquire Lieutenant of the City and County of Bristol and the Mayors and Sheriffs of the City and Deputy-Lieutenants there and all other Lieutenants of Counties Sheriffs Mayors Deputy-Lieutenants shall raise all their Power and Forces of their several Counties as well Trained Bands as others and shall have power to conduct and lead the said Forces of the said Counties against the said Traitors and their Adherents and with them to fight kill and slay all such as by force shall oppose them and the Persons of the said Traitors and their Adherents and Accomplices to Arrest and Imprison and them to bring up to the Parliament to answer these their Traiterous and Rebellious Attempts according to Law and the same or any other Forces to transport and conduct from one County to another in aid and assistance one of another and of all others that shall joyn with the Lords and Commons in Parliament for the defence of the Religion of Almighty God and of the Liberties and Peace of the Kingdom and in pursuit of those wicked and Rebellious Traitors the Conspirators Aiders and Abettors and Adherents requiring all Lieutenants of Counties Sheriffs Mayors Justices of Peace and other His Majesty's Officers and loving Subjects to be aiding and assisting to one another in the Execution hereof And for so doing all the parties above-mentioned and all others that shall joyn with them shall be justified defended and secured by the Power and Authority of Parliament Die Lunae Aug. 8. 1642. Ordered that this Declaration be forthwith Printed and Published Hen. Elsinge Cler. Parl. D. Com. His MAJESTY's Declaration in Answer to a Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the raising of all Power and Force as well Trained Bands c. AS much experience as We have had of the inveterate Rancour and high Insolence of the Malignant Party against Us We never yet saw any expression come from them so evidently declaring it as the Declaration entituled A Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for the raising of all Power and Force as well Trained Bands as others in several Counties of this Kingdom to lead against all Traitors and their Adherents c. In which that Faction hath as it were distilled and contracted all their Falshood Insolence and Malice there being in it not one period which is not either Slanderous or Treasonable And nothing can more grieve Us than that by their infinite Arts and Subtilty employed by their perpetual and indefatigable Industry and by that Rabble of Brownists and other Schismaticks declaredly ready to appear at their Call they should have been able so to draw away some and drive away others of Our good Subjects from Our
Letters to the Speaker of the House of Commons a Copy of which was sent to Us were forthwith sent to them That Our Army would be forced through wants to disband or depart the Kingdom and that there would be nothing to be exspected there but the instant Loss of the Kingdom and the destruction of the remnant of Our good Subjects yet left there In stead of any redress or relief according to these Letters such Ships as were by the care and charity of well-affected Persons provided to transport Cloths and Victual to them were in their Voyage thither seized and taken by the Ships under the Command of the Earl of Warwick and in stead of endeavours to send more Forces thither attempts were made to draw the Scotch Forces from thence into this Kingdom So that We thought Our Self bound in Duty and Conscience since it was not in Our power otherwise to preserve that Kingdom from utter Ruine at least to admit any Expedient which with God's blessing might be a means to preserve that People and therefore We directed the Lord Marquess Ormond whom for his Courage Affection and Loyalty We had made Our Lieutenant-General of that Our Army and who having gotten so many notable Victories upon the Rebels was very well approved of by the two Houses of Parliament to agree on Our behalf to such a Cessation of Arms with the Rebels as upon his understanding and knowledge of the condition of Our affairs there should be thought reasonable This Cessation was concluded on the 15. day of September for one whole year and the Articles thereof printed at Dublin were sent to Us by Our Lords Justices and Council and arrived here on Saturday last with a Letter from them to one of Our Secretaries expressing the great sufferings of Our Army there through want of relief out of England We have thought fit with this true and plain relation to publish the said Articles according to the Copy sent Us that all Our good Subjects may see how We have proceeded herein What opinion the principal Persons as well of Our Council as the Officers of Our Army there have of this Cessation may appear by the Testimony which We have caused to be Printed after the Articles with their names who have set their hands to the same And let all Our good Subjects be assured that as We have for these Reasons and with this Caution and deliberation consented to this Preparation to Peace and to that purpose do continue Our Parliament there so We shall proceed in the accomplishing thereof with that care and circumspection that We shall not admit even Peace it self otherwise than as it may be agreeable to Conscience Honour and Justice By the Lords Justices and Council Jo. Borlase Hen. Tichborne UPON consideration had of the annexed Articles of Cessation of Arms whereby it is concluded and accorded that there be a Cessation of Arms and of all Acts of Hostility for one whole year beginning the fifteenth day of September Anno Domini one thousand six hundred forty three at the hour of twelve of the Clock of the said day We the Lords Justices and Council according to His Majesty's Letters of the one and thirtieth of July last do by this Proclamation in His Majesty's Name ratifie confirm and publish the same and do require all His Majesty's Subjects whom it may concern by Sea and Land to take notice thereof and to yield all due Obedience thereunto in all the parts thereof Given at His Majesty's Castle of Dublin the 19th day of September 1643. R. Bolton Canc. Roscomon Cha. Lambart Tho. Rotherham Tho. Lucas La. Dublin Edw. Brabazon Geo. Shurley Ormonde Ant. Midensis Gerard Lowther Fr. Willoughby Ja. Ware God Save the KING ARticles of Cessation of Arms agreed and concluded on at Singingstown in the County of Kildare the 15. day of September in the nineteenth year of His Majesty's Reign by and between James Marquess of Ormond Lieutenant-General of His Majesty's Army in the Kingdom of Ireland for and in the Name of Our Gracious Sovereign Lord CHARLES by the Grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland c. by virtue of His Majesty's Commission bearing date at Dublin the last of August in the said nineteenth year of His Majesty's Reign of the one part and Donnogh Viscount Muskery Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Nicholas Plunket Esquire Sir Robert Talbot Baronet Sir Richard Barnewell Baronet Torlogh O-Neal Geffry Brown Ever Mac-Gennis and John Walsh Esquires authorized by His Majesty's Roman Catholick Subjects of whose party they are and now in Arms in the said Kingdom c. to treat and conclude with the said Marquess for a Cessation of Arms by virtue of an Authority given unto them bearing date at Cashel the 7. day of September in the said nineteenth year of His Majesty's Reign of the other part FIrst It is concluded and accorded that there be a Cessation of Arms and of all Acts of Hostility between His Majesty 's said Roman Catholick Subjects who are now in Arms c. in this Kingdom and their Party and all others His Majesty's good Subjects for one whole year to begin the fifteenth day of Septemb. Anno Dom. 1643. at the hour of 12. of the clock of the said day Item It is concluded and accorded that free passage Entercourse Commerce and Traffick during the said Cessation shall be between His Majesty 's said Roman Catholick Subjects who are now in Arms c. and their Party and all others His Majesty's good Subjects and all others in League with His Majesty by Sea and Land Item It is concluded and accorded and the said Viscount Muskery and the rest of the above-named Persons do promise and undertake for and in the behalf of those for whom they are authorized to treat and conclude as aforesaid that all Ships Barques and Vessels which shall bring Provisions to any Harbour in this Kingdom in the hands or possession of such as shall obey the Articles of this Cessation from Minehead and White-haven and from all the Ports between on that side where Wales is situate so as they be Ships belonging to any of the said Ports and do not use any Acts of Hostility to any of the said Roman Catholicks who are now in Arms c. or to any of their Party or to any who shall be waged or employed unto or by them shall not be interrupted by any of their Party nor by any Ships or other Vessels of what Country or Nation soever under their Power or Command or waged employed or contracted with on their behalf or by any Forts Garrisons or forces within this Kingdom under their power in their coming to this Kingdom or returning from thence Item It is concluded and accorded and the said Lord Viscount Muskery and the rest of the above-named parties do promise and undertake for and in the behalf of those for whom they are authorized as aforesaid that all Ships Barques and Vessels which shall bring Provisions to any Harbour in this Kingdom in
the hands of such as shall obey the Articles of this Cessation from any Ports in the Kingdom of England having His Majesty's Pass or the Pass of any who is or shall be His Majesty's Admiral or Vice-Admiral or the Pass of any Governour or Governours of any the Ports in England in His Majesty's Hands or which shall hereafter during this Cessation be in His Majesty's Hands or the Pass of the said Marquess shall not be interrupted by any of those for whom the said Lord Viscount Muskery and the rest of the above-named Persons are authorized as aforesaid neither in their coming to this Kingdom nor in their return so as they use not any Act of Hostility to any of their said Party And this to be a Rule until His Majesty's pleasure be further declared therein upon application of the Agents of the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms c. to His Majesty Item It is concluded and accorded and the said James Marquess of Ormond doth promise and undertake for and in the name of His Majesty that no interruption shall be given by any Ship or Ships under His Majesty's Power and Command or waged employed or contracted with by or in the behalf of His Majesty or by any of His Majesty's Forts Garrisons or Forces within this Kingdom to any Ship or Ships that shall trade with any of the said Roman Catholicks who are now in Arms c. or any of their Party or which shall come in or go out of any the Cities Towns Harbours Creeks or Ports of this Kingdom in the hands of the said Roman Catholicks now in Arms c. with Arms Ammunition Merchandize Commodity or any thing whatsoever during this Cessation as on the other side the said Donnogh Viscount Muskery and the rest above-named of that Party do promise and undertake for and in the behalf of those by whom they are authorized that no interruption shall be given by any Ship or other Vessel whatsoever under the Power and Command of their Party or waged employed or contracted with by or in the behalf of their Party or by any Forts Garrisons or Forces within this Kingdom in their power to any Ship or Ships that shall Trade with any of His Majesty's Subjects obeying this Cessation or which shall come in or go out of any the Cities Towns Harbours or Ports of this Kingdom which shall obey this Cessation with Arms Ammunition Merchandize Commodity or any other thing whatsoever during this Cessation Provided that no Ship or Ships shall be admitted free Trade by colour of this Article but such as are warranted by the precedent Articles Item It is concluded and accorded that the Quarters in the Province of Leimster be as followeth viz. That the County of Dublin the County of the City of Dublin the County of the Town of Droghedagh and the County of Lowth shall remain and be during the Cessation in the possession of His Majesty's Protestant Subjects and of such as adhere unto them respectively saving and excepting unto the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms c. and their Party all such Castles Towns Lands Territories and the Lands and Hereditaments thereunto belonging which upon the said fifteenth day of September 1643. at the hour aforesaid are possessed in the said Counties or any of them by any of the said Party And it is further concluded and accorded that as much of the County of Meath as is on the East and South sides of the River of Boyne from Droghedagh to Trim and thence to the Lordship of Moylagh and thence to Moyglare and thence to Dublin shall during the said Cessation remain and be in the possession of His Majesty's Protestant Subjects and of such as adhere unto them respectively saving and excepting to the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms and their party all such Castles Towns Lands and Territories and the Lands and Hereditaments thereunto belonging which upon the said fifteenth day of September 1643. at the hour aforesaid are possessed by any of the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms c. and of their Party within the said limits and boundaries and that the residue of the said County of Meath shall remain in the hands and possession of the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms c. and their Party except the Castles Towns Lands Territories and the Lands and Hereditaments thereunto belonging which upon the fifteenth day of September 1643. at the hour aforesaid are possessed within the said last-mentioned Quarters in the County of Meath by His Majesty's Protestant Subjects and such as adhere unto them or by any of them respectively And that so much of the County of Kildare as is on this side of the Liffy where Naas is situate and on the other side of the Liffy from Dublin Westward into the County of Kildare so far as the Rye water at Kilcock and so far betwixt that and the Liffy as shall be at the same distance from Dublin as the said Rye water is at Kilcock on that side of the Liffy shall during the said Cessation remain and be in the hands and possessions of His Majesty's Protestant Subjects and their adherents respectively except such Castles Towns Territories and the Lands and Hereditaments thereunto belonging which upon the said 15th day of Sep. 1643. at the hour aforesaid are possessed within the said Quarters by the said Roman Catholick Subjects who are now in Arms c. and their Party and that the residue of the said County of Kildare shall remain in the hands of the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms c. and their Party except such Castles Towns Lands Territories and the Lands and Hereditaments thereunto belonging which upon the said 15th day of Sep. 1643. at the hour aforesaid are possessed by His Majesty's Protestant Subjects and their adherents respectively within the said last mentioned Quarters in the said County of Kildare And that the several Counties of Wicklow West-Meath King County Queens County Catherlagh Kilkenny County of the City of Kilkenny Weixford and Longford shall during the said Cessation remain in the hands of the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms c. and their Party except such Castles Towns Lands Territories and the Lands and Hereditaments thereunto belonging which upon the said fifteenth day of Septemb. 1643. at the hour aforesaid are possessed within the said County by His Majesty's Protestant Subjects and their adherents respectively Item It is concluded and accorded that what Corn hath been sown by any of His Majesty's Army or by any of His Protestant Subjects or their adherents or by any of them within any of the Quarters allotted in the Province of Leimster to the said other Party the same shall be enjoyed by the sowers and manurers paying for the same as they did agree and in case they did not agree paying the fourth sheaf unto such Garrison within whose Quarters the same shall
said 15th of Sept. 1643. at the hour aforesaid are possessed by any of His Majesty's Forces or by any of them and that those who after taking protection from any of His Majesty's Forces or any of that Party or from any Governours deriving Authority from His Majesty there have joyned themselves to the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms c. and their Party shall pay no Contribution unto such who protected them But in regard there may be a Rule different touching Persons that may be said to do this and consequently touching the Contributions payable by them it is concluded and accorded that such disputes and questions if any shall arise be determined by Commissioners indifferently chosen on each side And it is concluded and accorded that the like Rule for sowers and manurers of Corn within the Quarters of each other shall be observed in the Province of Connaght as is set down for Leimster Item It is concluded and accorded and the said Marquess of Ormond for and in the name of His Majesty doth promise and undertake that no Interruption shall be given unto any of the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms c. or their Party in any of the said Counties Quarters or places by the said precedent Articles unto them or any of them limited as aforesaid during this Cessation like as the said Donnogh Viscount Muskery and the rest of the above-named persons who are authorized as aforesaid do promise and undertake that no Interruption shall be given unto any of His Majesty's Forces Protestant Subjects or such as adhere unto them within any of the said Counties Quarters or places by the precedent Articles limited unto them as aforesaid during the said Cessation Item It is concluded and accorded that no Officer of the Army or Souldier of either side shall be admitted without licence from the Commander in chief of the Army on bothsides or of the Commander of the next chief Garrisons respectively to pass or repair into any of the Garrisons on either side save that it be lawful for either Party to furnish any Garrison in their Power during the Cessation with Victuals Cloth Ammunition or other Necessaries by licence as aforesaid which is not to be denied upon demand Item It is concluded and accorded that if any Army or Forces in this Kingdom raised by His Majesty's Authority or any part thereof or any other His Majesty's Subjects shall not yield obedience to the Articles of this Cessation but shall publickly stand in opposition thereunto that the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms c. and their Party may prosecute such and the said James Marquess of Ormond doth promise and undertake that such who shall so stand in opposition shall not be assisted protected or defended against the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms c. or their Party by His Majesty or any of His Forces and yet nevertheless the same shall not be understood to be any breach of Cessation as to other parts of the Kingdom which shall conform and yield thereunto And whereas the assistance of His Majesty's Forces is desired by the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms c. against such as shall oppose the Articles of this Cessation and will not yield obedience thereunto or interrupt the Trade and Traffick albeit that it is not to be supposed that there will be any such the said James Marquess of Ormond doth further promise and undertake that their said request shall be made known to His Majesty and upon signification of His pleasure the same shall be obeyed Item It is concluded and accorded that if in other cases it be pretended on either side that the Cessation is violated that yet no Act of Hostility is immediately to follow but first the Party complaining is to acquaint the Lord General Lieutenant-General or other chief Commander of either side in that Province in which the said Cessation is pretended to be violated therewith and to allow fourteen days after notice given for reparation or satisfaction and in case reparation or satisfaction be not given or tendred then fourteen days notice to be given before Hostility begin Item It is concluded and accorded that all Prisoners and Hostages of both sides in all parts of the Kingdom excepting such of them as are indicted of any Capital offence shall be mutually released and set at liberty within seven days after publication of the said Cessation And the said Marquess of Ormond doth further promise and undertake that such Prisoners who are indicted of any Capital offence shall be set at liberty upon Bail until His Majesty's further Pleasure be known therein Provided nevertheless that if any party of His Majesty's Army in any other Province of the Kingdom shall not within Ten days after Publication of these Articles yield obedience thereunto that the same shall be no breach of Cessation but that His Majesty be first made acquainted with such Disobedience and His Direction expected therein and that all other Persons that do reside with either Party and all Women and Children shall be permitted within seven days after publishing of this Cessation or when they please with their Goods and Chattels to depart to what place they please with a safe Conduct or Convoy if they desire it Item It is concluded and accorded that the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms c. and their Party may at any time during the Cessation send such Agents to His Majesty as they shall think fit and the said Agents shall have safe Conduct in writing from the chief Governour or Governours of this Kingdom for the time being upon demand Item It is concluded and accorded and the said Marquess of Ormond doth promise and undertake for and in the name of His Majesty that all and every of the precedent Articles which have been agreed unto and undertaken by the said Marquess for and in the behalf of His Majesty shall be faithfully truly and inviolably observed fulfilled and kept And the said Viscount Muskery Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Nicholas Plunket Esquire Sir Robert Talbot Baronet Sir Richard Barnewell Torlogh O-Neale Geffry Brown Ever Mac-Gennis and John Walsh Esquires for and in the behalf of the said Roman Catholick Subjects now in Arms c. and their Party do promise and undertake that all and every of the precedent Articles which have been agreed unto and undertaken by them for and in the behalf of their Party shall be faithfully truly and inviolably observed fulfilled and kept Lastly It is concluded and accorded that all possessions and likewise all Goods and Chattels that shall be found in specie by either Party after the hour of twelve aforesaid and before publication of this Cessation shall be restored to the owners and after publication all Possessions and Goods that shall be taken to be restored to the owners upon demand or damages for the same In witness whereof the said Marquess to the said Articles remaining with the said
Viscount Muskery and the rest of the above-named Persons hath put his Hand and Seal And the said Viscount Muskery Sir Lucas Dillon Knight Nicholas Plunket Esquire Sir Robert Talbot Baronet Sir Richard Barnewell Baronet Torlogh O-Neale Geffry Brown Ever Mac-Gennis and John Walsh Esquires to that part of the Articles remaining with the said Marquess of Ormond have put their Hands and Seals the day and year above written Muskery Lucas Dillon Nic. Plunket Rob. Talbot Rich. Barnewell Torl O-Neale Geffry Browne Ever Mac-Gennis Jo. Walsh An Instrument touching the manner of payment of 30800. pound Sterling by several Payments VVHereas by an Instrument bearing Date with these presents we have in the behalf and by Authority from the Roman Catholicks of this Kingdom freely given unto His Majesty the Sum of thirty thousand pounds Sterling wherein the times or manner of payments are not expressed we do therefore hereby agree that the same shall be paid in manner following viz. 5000. pounds within one Month next after the Date of these presents the one half in money and the other half in goods and merchantable Beeves not under four or above ten years old at the rate of 30 pounds the score at the City of Dublin 5000 pounds more within one month next after the said first month the one half in money and the other half in Beeves as aforesaid at the like rates at the City of Dublin aforesaid also within two months next after 5000 pounds more whereof one half of Beeves as aforesaid at the like rates and the other half in money one other 5000 pounds at or before the last of February next and the Sum of 10000 pounds being the last payment of the said thirty thousand pounds at or before the last day of May next which shall be in the year 1644. And we hereby further agree that 800 pounds more shall be paid to His Majesty's use to whom the Lords Justices shall appoint at the Garrison of Naas within two months next ensuing the one half by one months end next after the Date hereof and the other half by the end of one month more next after the first month All other payments in money save the eight hundred pounds shall be paid at Dublin and the rest of the Beeves save the said first two payments to be paid within the several Provinces to His Majesty's use to such persons as shall be appointed by His Majesty's Lords Justices or other chief Governour or Governours in this Kingdom they first giving notice to us or any one or more of us of their pleasures therein In witness whereof we have hereunto put our Hands and Seals the sixteenth day of September 1643. Muskery Lucas Dillon Nic. Plunket Rob. Talbot R. Barnewell Tor. O-Neale Geffry Browne Ever Mac-Gennis Jo. Walsh VVHereas the Lord Marquess of Ormond hath demanded the Opinions as well of the Members appointed from the Council-board to assist his Lordship in the present Treaty as of other Persons of Honour and Command that have since the beginning thereof repaired out of several parts of this Kingdom to his Lordship they therefore seriously considering how much His Majesty's Army here hath already suffered through want of relief out of England though the same was often pressed and importuned by His most Gracious Majesty Who hath left nothing unattempted which might conduce to their support and maintenance and unto what common Misery not only the Officer and Souldier but others also His Majesty's good Subjects within this Kingdom are reduced and further considering how many of his Majesty's principal Forts and places of strength are at this present in great distress and the imminent danger the Kingdom is like to fall into and finding no possibility of prosecuting this War without large Supplies whereof they can apprehend no hope nor possibility in due time they for these causes do conceive it necessary for His Majesty's Honour and Service that the said Lord Marquess assent to a Cessation of Arms for one whole Year on the Articles and Conditions this day drawn up and to be perfected by virtue of His Majesty's Commission for the preservation of this Kingdom of Ireland Witness our Hands the fifteenth day of September 1643. Clanrickard and St. Albans Roscomon Richard Dungarvan Edward Brabazon Inchequin Thomas Lucas James Ware Michael Ernly Foulk Huncks John Powlet Maurice Eustace Edward Povey John Gifford Philip Percival Richard Gibson Henry Warren Alanus Cooke Advocatus Regis MDCXLIII By the King A Proclamation for the Assembling the Members of both Houses at Oxford upon occasion of the Invasion by the Scots VVHereas We did by our Proclamation bearing date the twentieth day of June last upon due consideration of the Miseries of this Kingdom and the true Cause thereof warn all Our good Subjects no longer to be mis-led by Votes Orders or pretended Ordinances of One or Both Houses by reason the Members do not enjoy the Freedom and Liberty of Parliament which appears by several instances of Force and Violence and by the course of their Proceedings mentioned in Our said Proclamation and several of Our Declarations since which time Our Subjects of Scotland have made great and Warlike preparations to enter and invade this Kingdom with an Army and have already actually invaded the same by possessing themselves by force of Arms of Our Town of Berwick upon pretence that they are invited thereunto by the desires of the two Houses the which as We doubt not all Our good Subjects of this Kingdom will look upon as the most insolent Act of Ingratitude and Disloyalty and to the apparent breach of the late Act of Pacification so solemnly made between the Kingdoms and is indeed no other than a design of Conquest and to impose new Laws upon this Nation they not so much as pretending the least Provocation or Violation from this Kingdom so We are most assured that the major part of both Houses of Parliament do from their Souls abhor the least thought of introducing that Foreign Power to increase and make desperate the Miseries of their unhappy Country And therefore that it may appear to all the World how far the major part of both Houses is from such Actions of Treason and Disloyalty and how grossly those few Members remaining at Westminster have and do impose upon Our People We do Will and require such of the Members of both Houses as well those who have been by the Faction of the Malignant party expelled for performing their Duty to Us and into whose rooms no Persons have been since chosen by their Country as the rest who have been driven thence and all those who being conscious of their want of Freedom now shall be willing to withdraw from that Rebellious City to assemble themselves together at our City of Oxford on Munday the twenty second day of January where care shall be taken for their several Accommodations and fit places appointed for their meeting and where all Our good Subjects shall see how willing
considered your Propositions and finds it very difficult in respect they import so great an Alteration in Government both in Church and State to return a particular and positive Answer before a full debate wherein those Propositions and all the necessary Explanations and Reasons for assenting dissenting or qualifying and all inconveniences and mischiefs which may ensue and cannot otherwise be so well foreseen may be discussed and weighed His Majesty therefore proposeth and desireth as the best Expedient for Peace That you will appoint such a number of Persons as you shall think fit to Treat with the like number of Persons to be appointed by His Majesty upon the said Propositions and such other things as shall be proposed by His Majesty for the preservation and defence of the Protestant Religion with due regard to the ease of tender Consciences as His Majesty hath often offered the Rights of the Crown the Liberty and Property of the Subjects and the Privileges of Parliament and upon the whole matter to conclude a happy and blessed Peace Unto which Message this Answer of the 27. of December was returned to His Majesty May it please Your most Excellent Majesty VVE Your Majesty's humble and Loyal Subjects of both Kingdoms have considered of Your Majesty's Message of the 13. of December 1644. sent by the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of Southampton directed to the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland now at London and do in all humbleness return this Answer That we do consent there be a Treaty for a safe and well-grounded Peace but find that it will require some time to resolve concerning the Instructions and manner of that Treaty and therefore that Your Majesty might not be held in suspence touching our readiness to make use of any opportunity for attaining such a blessed and happy Peace in all Your Majesty's Dominions we would not stay Your Majesty's Messengers till we did resolve upon all those particulars which we will take into our serious consideration and present our humble desires to Your Majesty with all convenient speed Westminster the 20. of December 1644. Signed in the name and by warrant of the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland Lowdon Gray of Wark Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore William Lenthal Speaker of the Commons House assembled in Parliament And afterwards upon the 18th of January following Sir Peter Killegrew brought this farther Answer to His Majesty May it please Your most Excellent Majesty VVE Your Majesty's humble and Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland do make our further Answer to Your Majesty's Message of the 13 th of December last 1644. concerning a Treaty for Peace as followeth We do consent that there be a Treaty for a safe and well-grounded Peace between Your Majesty and Your humble and Loyal Subjects assembled in the Parliament of both Kingdoms and for the present have appointed Algernon Earl of Northumberland Philip Earl of Pembrook and Montgomery William Earl of Salisbury Basil Earl of Denbigh Thomas Lord Viscount Wenman Denzill Hollis William Pierrepont Sir Henry Vane junior Oliver St. John Bulstrode Whitelock John Crew Edmund Prideaux for the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and John Earl of Lowdon Lord Chancellor of Scotland Archibald Marquefs of Argyle John Lord Maitland John Lord Balmerino Sir Archibald Johnston Sir Charles Erskin George Dundas Sir John Smith Master Hugh Kennedy and Master Robert Barclay for the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland together with Master Alexander Henderson upon the Propositions concerning Religion Who or any Ten of them there being always some of the Parliaments of both Kingdoms are appointed and authorized to meet at Vxbridge on what day Your Majesty shall be pleased to set down before the last day of this present January with such persons as Your Majesty shall appoint under Your Sign Manual for that purpose and the number of the persons to Treat not to exceed Seventeen on either part unless the persons named for the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland now not here or any of them shall come and then Your Majesty may have the like number if You please there to Treat upon the Matters contained in the Propositions we lately sent unto Your Majesty according to such Instructions as shall be given unto them and the Propositions for Religion the Militia and for Ireland to be first Treated on and agreed and the time for the Treaty upon the said Propositions for Religion the Militia and for Ireland not to exceed Twenty days And for the things mentioned in Your Message to be propounded by Your Majesty when the Persons sent by Your Majesty shall communicate the same to the Committees appointed by us as aforesaid we have directed them to send the same to us that they may receive our Instructions what to do therein And to the end that the Persons that are to be sent from Your Majesty and from us with their Retinue not exceeding the number of one hundred and eight on either part may repair to Vxbridge stay there and return at their pleasure without interruption that mutual safe Conducts be granted to the said Persons according to the several Lists of their Names Signed by Order of the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster Signed in the name and by warrant of the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland Lowdon Grey of Wark Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore William Lenthall Speaker of the Commons House in the Parliament of England Whereunto His MAJESTY returned an Answer inclosed in a Letter from Prince Rupert to the Earl of Essex dated the 21 of January which Letter and Answer were as followeth The Letter My Lord I Am commanded by His Majesty to return this His Answer to the Message lately sent Him from the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland by Sir Peter Killegrew I have likewise sent your Lordship His Majesty's safe Conduct for the persons desired and also a List of the names of those His Majesty hath appointed to Treat for whom together with their Retinue His Majesty hath desired a safe Conduct The Answer inclosed HIS Majesty having received a Message by Sir Peter Killegrew from the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland concerning a Treaty returns this Answer That His Majesty doth very willing consent that there be a Treaty upon the Matters contained in the Propositions lately sent unto Him in such manner as is proposed and at the place appointed in the said Message and to that purpose His Majesty will send the Duke of Richmond the Marquess of Hartford the Earl of
Quarterings nor Marchings and when it shall be found fit to send Troops out of either Army that the Persons to be sent out of the Scotish Army shall be commanded out by their own General the Lieutenant of Ireland prescribing the number which shall not exceed the fourth part of the whole Foot of the Scotish Army nor of the Horse appointed to joyn therewith whereunto they shall return when the Service is done And that no Officer of the Scotish Army shall be commanded by one of his own Quality and if the Commanders of the Troops so sent out of either Army be one of Quality that they command the Party by turns And it is nevertheless provided that the whole Scotish Army may be called out of the Province of Vlster and the Horses appointed to joyn with them by His Majesties Lieutenant of Ireland or other chief Governour or Governours of that Kingdom for the time being if he or they shall think fit before the Rebellion be totally suppressed therein Eleventhly it is agreed That the Scotish Army shall be entertained by the English for three Months from the twentieth of June last and so along after until they be discharged and that they shall have a Months Pay advanced when they are first mustered in Ireland and thereafter shall be duely paid from Month to Month and that there shall be one Muster-master appointed by the English Muster-master General to make strict and frequent Musters of the Scotish Army and that what Companies of Men shall be sent out of Scotland within the compass of the Ten thousand Men shall be paid upon their Musters in Ireland although they make not up compleat Regiments Twelfthly it is agreed That the Scotish Army shall receive their discharge from the King and Parliament of England or from such Persons as shall be appointed and authorized by His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament for that purpose and that there shall be a Months warning before-hand of their disbanding which said discharge and Months warning shall be made known by His Majesty and them to the Council of Scotland or the Lord Chancellor a Month before the discharging thereof and that the Common Souldiers of the Scotish at their dismission shall be allowed fourteen days Pay for carrying of them home Thirteenthly it is provided and agreed That at any time after the Three Months now agreed upon for the entertainment of the Scotish Army shall be expired and that the Two Houses of Parliament or such persons as shall be authorized by them shall give notice to the Council of Scotland or to the Lord Chancellor there that after one Month from such notice given the said Two Houses of Parliament will not pay the said Scotish Army now in Ireland any longer then the said Two Houses of Parliament shall not be obliged to pay the said Army any longer then during the said Month any thing in this Treaty contained to the contrary notwithstanding The Ordinances of the 9. of March and 11. of April Die Sabbati 9. Martii 1643-44 Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled THat he who doth or shall command in chief over the said Army by joynt Advice of both Kingdoms shall also command the rest of the British Forces in Ireland and for the further managing of that War and prosecuting the Ends expressed in the Covenant that the same be done by joynt Advice with the Committees of both Kingdoms Die Jovis 11. April 1644. Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled THat the Earl of Leven Lord General of the Scots Forces in Ireland being now by the Votes of both Houses agreed to be Commander in chief over all the Forces as well British as Scots according to the Fourth Article of the result of the Committees of both Kingdoms passed both Houses be desired with all convenient speed by the Advice of the said Committees to appoint and nominate a Commander in chief under his Excellency over the said Forces to reside with them upon the place Resolved c. THat Committees be nominated and appointed by the joynt Advice of both Kingdoms of such Numbers and Qualities as shall be by them agreed on to be sent with all convenient speed to reside with the said Forces and enabled with all ample Instructions by the joynt Advice of both Kingdoms for the Regulating of the said Forces and the better carrying on of that War The Letter of the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland to the Speaker of the House of Commons in England 4. April 1643. a Duplicate whereof the Original being sent to VVestminster was by them sent to Master Secretary Nicholas for His Majesty SIR OUR very good Lord the Lord Marquess of Ormond having in his March in his last Expedition consulted several times with the Commanders and Officers of the Army in a Council of War and so finding that subsistence could not be had abroad for the Men and Horses he had with him or for any considerable part of them it was resolved by them that his Lordship with those Forces should return hither which he did on the six and twentieth of March. In his return from Rosse which in the case our Forces stand he found so difficult to be taken in as although our Ordinance made a breach in their Walls it was found necessary to desert the Siege he was encountred by an Army of the Rebels consisting of about six thousand Foot and six hundred and fifty Horse well armed and horsed yet it pleased God so to disappoint their counsels and strength as with those small Forces which the Lord Marquess had with him being of fighting men about two thousand five hundred Foot and five hundred Horse not well armed and for the most part weakly horsed and those as well Men as Horses much weakned by lying in the Fields several Nights in much Cold and Rain and by want of Mans-meat and Horse-meat the Lord Marquess obtained a happy and glorious deliverance and Victory against those Rebels wherein were slain about three hundred of them and many of their Commanders and others of Quality and divers taken Prisoners and amongst those Prisoners Colonel Cullen a Native of this City who being a Colonel in France departed from thence and came hither to assist the Rebels and was Lieutenant-General of their Army in the Province of Leimster and the Rebels Army were totally routed and defeated and their Baggage and Munition seized on by His Majesties Forces who lodged that Night where they had gained the Victory and on our side about twenty slain in the fight and divers wounded We have great cause to praise God for magnifying his Goodness and Mercy to His Majesty and this His Kingdom so manifestly and indeed wonderfully in that Victory However the Joy due from us upon so happy an occasion is we confess mingled with very great Distraction here in the apprehension of our Unhappiness to be such as although the
Parliament of Scotland to an Act acknowledging and ratifying the Acts of the Convention of Estates of Scotland called by the Council and Conservers of the Peace and the Commissioners of the Common Burthens and assembled the Two and Twentieth day of June 1643. and several times continued since and of the Parliament of the Kingdom since convened XIII That the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England assembled shall during the space of twenty years from the first of July 1646. Arm Train and Discipline or cause to be Armed Trained and Disciplined all the Forces of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed already raised both for Sea and Land-service and shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years raise levy arm train and discipline or cause to be raised levied armed trained and disciplined any other Forces for Land and Sea-service in the Kingdoms Dominions and Places aforesaid as in their judgments they shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years think fit and appoint and that neither the King His Heirs or Successors nor any other but such as shall Act by the Authority or Approbation of the said Lords and Commons shall during the said space of twenty years exercise any of the Powers aforesaid And the like for the Kingdom of Scotland if the Estates of the Parliament there shall think fit That Moneys be raised and levied for the maintenance and use of the said Forces for Land-service and of the Navy and Forces for Sea-service in such sort and by such ways and means as the said Lords and Commons shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years think fit and appoint and not otherwise That all the said Forces both for Land and Sea-service so raised or levied or to be raised or levied and also the Admiralty and Navy shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years be imployed managed ordered and disposed by the said Lords and Commons in such sort and by such ways and means as they shall think fit and appoint and not otherwise And the said Lords and Commons during the said space of twenty years shall have power 1. To suppress all Forces raised or to be raised without Authority and Consent of the said Lords and Commons to the disturbance of the publick Peace of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or any of them 2. To suppress any Foreign Forces who shall invade or endeavour to invade the Kingdoms of England and Ireland Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or any of them 3. To conjoyn such Forces of the Kingdom of England with the Forces of the Kingdom of Scotland as the said Lords and Commons shall from time to time during the said space of Twenty years judge fit and necessary to resist all Forreign Invasions and to suppress any Forces raised or to be raised against or within either of the said Kingdoms to the disturbance of the Publick Peace of the said Kingdoms or any of them by any Authority under the Great Seal or other Warrant whatsoever without Consent of the said Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England and the Parliament or the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland respectively and that no Forces of either Kingdom shall go into or continue in the other Kingdom without the Advice and Desire of the said Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England and the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland or such as shall be by them appointed for that purpose And that after the expiration of the said Twenty years neither the King His Heirs or Successors or any person or persons by colour or pretence of any Commission Power Deputation or Authority to be derived from the King His Heirs or Successors or any of them shall raise arm train discipline imploy order manage disband or dispose any of the Forces by Sea or Land of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland the Dominion of VVales Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed nor exercise any of the said Powers or Authorities in the precedent Articles mentioned and expressed to be during the said space of Twenty years in the said Lords and Commons nor do any Act or thing concerning the execution of the said Powers or Authorities or any of them without the Consent of the said Lords and Commons first had and obtained That after the expiration of the said Twenty years in all Cases wherein the Lords and Commons shall declare the Safety of the Kingdom to be concerned and shall thereupon pass any Bill or Bills for the raising arming training disciplining imploying managing ordering or disposing of the Forces by Sea or Land of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland the Dominion of Wales Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or any part of the said Forces or concerning the Admiralty and Navy or concerning the levying of Moneys for the raising maintenance or use of the said Forces for Land-service or of the Navy and Forces for Sea-service or of any part of them and if that the Royal Assent to such Bill or Bills shall not be given in the House of Peers within such time after the passing thereof by both Houses of Parliament as the said Houses shall judge fit and convenient that then such Bill or Bills so passed by the said Lords and Commons as aforesaid and to which the Royal Assent shall not be given as is herein before expressed shall nevertheless after declaration of the said Lords and Commons made in that behalf have the force and strength of an Act or Acts of Parliament and shall be as valid to all intents and purposes as if the Royal Assent had been given thereunto Provided that nothing herein before contained shall extend to the taking away of the ordinary Legal power of Sheriffs Justices of Peace Maiors Bailifs Coroners Constables Headboroughs or other Officers of Justice not being military Officers concerning the Administration of Justice so as neither the said Sheriffs Justices of the Peace Maiors Bailiffs Coroners Constables Headboroughs and other Officers nor any of them do levy conduct imploy or command any Forces whatsoever by colour or pretence of any Commission of Array or extraordinary command from His Majesty His Heirs or Successors without the Consent of the said Lords and Commons And if any persons shall be gathered and assembled together in warlike manner or otherwise to the Number of Thirty persons and shall not forthwith disband themselves being required thereto by the said Lords and Commons or command from them or any by them especially authorized for that purpose then such person and persons not so disbanding themselves shall be guilty and incur the pains of High
and Consent of the said Lords and Commons or of such Committees or Council in the Intervals of Parliament as they shall appoint 3. That during the same space of ten years the said Lords and Commons may by Bill or Ordinance raise and dispose of what Moneys and for what Forces they shall from time to time find necessary as also for payment of the Publick Debts and Damages and for all other the Publick uses of the Kingdom 4. And to the end the temporary Security intended by the three particulars last precedent may be the better assured it may therefore be provided That no Subjects that have been in Hostility against the Parliament in the late War shall be capable of bearing any Office of Power or publick Trust in the Commonwealth during the space of five years without Consent of Parliament or of the Council of State or to sit as Members or Assistants of either House of Parliament until the second Biennial Parliament be past III. For the present form of disposing the Militia in order to the Peace and Safety of this Kingdom and the Service of Ireland 1. That there be Commissioners for the Admiralty a Vice-Admiral and Rere-Admiral now to be agreed on with power for the forming regulating appointing of Officers and providing for the Navy and for ordering the same to and in the ordinary Service of the Kingdom and that there be a sufficient provision and establishment for Pay and maintenance thereof 2. That there be a General for Command of the Land-Forces that are to be in pay both in England Ireland and Wales both for Field and Garrison 3. That there be Commissioners in the several Counties for the standing Militia of the respective Counties consisting of Trained Bands and Auxiliaries not in pay with power for the proportioning forming regulating training and disciplining of them 4. That there be a Council of State with power to superintend and direct the several and particular powers of the Militia last mentioned for the Peace and Safety of this Kingdom and of Ireland 5. That the same Council may have power as the King 's Privy Council for and in all Forreign Negotiations provided That the making of War or Peace with any other Kingdom or State shall not be without the Advice and Consent of Parliament 6. That the said power of the Council of State be put into the hands of trusty and able persons now to be agreed on and the same persons to continue in that power si bene se gesserint for a certain Term not exceeding seven years 7. That there be a sufficient establishment now provided for the Salary Forces both in England and Ireland the establishment to continue until two Months after the meeting of the first Biennial Parliament IV. That an Act be passed for disposing the great Offices for ten years by the Lords and Commons in Parliament or by such Committees as they shall appoint for that purpose in the Intervals with submission to the Approbation of the next Parliament and after ten years they to nominate three and the King out of that number to appoint one for the succession upon any vacancy V. That an Act be passed for restraining of any Peers made since the 21. day of May 1642. or to be hereafter made from having any power to sit or vote in Parliament without Consent of both Houses VI. That an Act be passed for recalling and making void all Declarations and other Proceedings against the Parliament or against any that have acted by or under their Authority in the late War or in relation to it and that the Ordinances for Indemnity may be confirmed VII That an Act be passed for making void all Grants c. under the Great Seal that was conveyed away from the Parliament since the time that it was so conveyed away except as in the Parliaments Propositions and for making those valid that have been or shall be passed under the Great Seal made by the Authority of both Houses of Parliament VIII That an Act be passed for Confirmation of the Treaties between the two Kingdoms of England and Scotland and for appointing Conservators of the Peace betwixt them IX That the Ordinance for taking away the Court of Wards and Liveries be confirmed by Act of Parliament Provided His Majesties Revenue be not damnified therein nor those that last held Offices in the same left without reparation some other way X. An Act to declare void the Cessation of Ireland c. and to leave the prosecution of that War to the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England XI An Act to be passed to take away all Coercive Power Authority and Jurisdiction of Bishops and all other Ecclesiastical Officers whatsoever extending to any Civil Penalties upon any and to repeal all Laws whereby the Civil Magistracy hath been or is bound upon any Ecclesiastical Censure to proceed ex officio unto any Civil Penalties against any persons so censured XII That there be a repeal of all Acts or Clauses in any Act enjoyning the use of the Book of Common Prayer and imposing any Penalties for neglect thereof as also of all Acts or Clauses in any Act imposing any penalty for not coming to Church or for Meetings elsewhere for Prayer or other Religious Duties Exercises or Ordinances and some other provision to be made for discovering of Papists and Popish Recusants and for disabling of them and of all Jusuites or Priests from disturbing the State XIII That the taking of the Covenant be not enforced upon any nor any penalties imposed upon the Refusors whereby men might be constrained to take it against their Judgments or Consciences but all Orders or Ordinances tending to that purpose to be repealed XIV That the things here before proposed being provided for settling and securing the Rights Liberties Peace and Safety of the Kingdom His Majesties Person His Queen and Royal Issue may be restored to a Condition of Safety Honour and Freedom in this Nation without diminution to their Personal Rights or further Limitation to the Exercise of the Regal Power than according to the particulars aforegoing XV. For the matter of Compositions 1. That a less number out of the Persons excepted in the two first Qualifications not exceeding five for the English being nominated particularly by the Parliament who together with the persons in the Irish Rebellion included in the third Qualification may be reserved to the future Judgment of the Parliament as they shall find cause all other excepted persons may be remitted from the Exception and admitted to Composition 2. That the Rates for all future Compositions may be lessened and limitted not to exceed the several proportions hereafter exprest respectively That is to say 1. For all persons formerly excepted not above a third part 2. For the late Members of Parliament under the first Branch of the fourth Qualification in the Propositions a fourth part 3. For other Members of Parliament in the second and third Branches of the
Proclamations and other Proceedings against it to be void An Act concerning Peers lately made and hereafter to be made An Act concerning the Adjournments of both Houses of Parliament Soit baillé aux Seigneurs A ceste Bille les Seigneurs sont assentuz An Act concerning the Raising settling and maintaining Forces by Sea and by Land within the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of VVales the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed BE it Enacted by the King's Majesty and by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament and by Authority of the same That the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England now assembled or hereafter to be assembled shall during the space of twenty years from the first of November 1647. Arm Train and Discipline or cause to be Armed Trained and Disciplined all the Forces of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed already raised both for Sea and Land service and shall appoint all Commanders and Officers for the said Forces and shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years raise levy arm train and discipline or cause to be raised levied armed trained and disciplined any other Forces for Land and Sea-service in the Kingdoms Dominions and Places aforesaid as in their judgments they shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years think fit and appoint and shall from time to time appoint all Commanders and Officers for the said Forces or remove them as they shall see cause and shall likewise nominate appoint place or displace as they shall see cause all Commanders and Officers within the several Garrisons Forts and Places of strength as shall be within the Kingdoms of England Ireland and Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and Town of Barwick upon Tweed and that neither the King His Heirs or Successors nor any other but such as shall act by the Authority or Approbation of the said Lords and Commons shall during the said space of twenty years exercise any of the powers aforesaid And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That Moneys be raised and levied for the maintenance and use of the said Forces for Land-service and of the Navy and Forces for Sea-service in such sort and by such ways and means as the said Lords and Commons shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years think fit and appoint and not otherwise and that all the said Forces both for Land and Sea-service so raised or levied or to be raised or levied and also the Admiralty and Navy shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years be imployed managed ordered disposed or disbanded by the said Lords and Commons in such sort and by such ways and means as they shall think fit and appoint and not otherwise And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the said Lords and Commons during the said space of twenty years shall have power in such sort and by such ways and means as they shall think fit and appoint to suppress all Forces raised or to be raised without Authority and Consent of the said Lords and Commons to the disturbance of the Publick Peace of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or any of them and also to suppress any Forreign Forces who shall invade or endeavour to invade the Kingdoms of England and Ireland Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or any of them and likewise to conjoyn such Forces of the Kingdom of England with the Forces of the Kingdom of Scotland as the said Lords and Commons shall from time to time during the said space of twenty years judg fit and necessary to resist all Forreign Invasions and to suppress any Forces raised or to be raised against or within either of the said Kingdoms to the disturbance of the Publick Peace of the said Kingdoms or any of them by any Authority under the Great Seal or other Warrant whatsoever without consent of the said Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England and the Parliament or the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland respectively and that no Forces of either Kingdoms shall go into or continue in the other Kingdom without the Advice and desire of the said Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England and the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland or such as shall be by them respectively appointed for that purpose And be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That after the expiration of the said twenty years neither the King His Heirs or Successors or any person or persons by colour or pretence of any Commission Power Deputation or Authority to be derived from the King His Heirs or Successors or any of them shall raise arm train discipline imploy order manage disband or dispose any of the Forces by Sea and Land of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland the Dominion of Wales Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or of any of them nor exercise any of the said Powers or Authorities before-mentioned and expressed to be during the said space of twenty years in the said Lords and Commons nor do any act or thing concerning the Execution of the said Powers or Authorities or any of them without the Consent of the said Lords and Commons first had and obtained And be it further also Enacted That after the expiration of the said twenty years in all cases wherein the said Lords and Commons shall declare the Safety of the Kingdom to be concerned and shall thereupon pass any Bill or Bills for the raising arming training disciplining imploying managing ordering or disposing of the Forces by Sea or Land of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland the Dominion of Wales Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed or of any part of the said Forces or concerning the said Admiralty or Navy or concerning the levying of Moneys for the raising maintenance or use of the said Forces for Land service or of the Navy and Forces for Sea-service or of any part of them and if that the Royal Assent to such Bill or Bills shall not be given in the House of Peers within such time after the passing thereof by both Houses of Parliament as the said Houses shall judge fit and convenient that then such Bill or Bills so passed by the said Lords and Commons as aforesaid and to which the Royal Assent shall not be given as is herein before expressed shall nevertheless after Declaration of the said Lords and Commons made in that behalf have the force and strength of an Act or Acts of Parliament and shall be as valid to all intents and purposes as if the Royal Assent had been given
reforming both Universities and the Colleges of Westminster Winchester and Eaton His Majesty will consent to an Act for the better discovery and speedy conviction of Popish Recusants as is desired in your Propositions and also to an Act for the Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion As also to an Act for the rrue levying of the Penalties against Papists to be levied and disposed in such manner as both Houses shall agree on and as is proposed on His Majesties behalf And also to an Act to prevent the practises of Papists against the State and for putting the Laws in execution and for a stricter course to prevent hearing and saying of Mass But as to the Covenant His Majesty is not yet therein satisfied that He can either sign or swear it or consent to impose it on the Consciences of others nor doth conceive it proper or useful at this time to be insisted on Touching the Militia His Majesty conceives that your Proposition demands a far larger power over the Persons and Estates of His Subjects than hath ever hitherto been warranted by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm yet considering the present Distractions require more and trusting in His two Houses of Parliament that they will make no further use of the Power therein mentioned after the present Distempers setled than shall be agreeable to the Legal exercise thereof in times past or just necessity shall require His Majesty will consent to an Act of Parliament That the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England now assembled or hereafter to be assembled or such as they shall appoint during the space of ten years shall Arm Train and Discipline or cause to be Armed Trained or Disciplined all the Forces of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernesey and Jersy and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed already raised both for Sea and Land-service and shall from time to time during the space of ten years raise levy arm train and discipline or cause to de raised levied armed trained and disciplined any other Forces for Land and Sea-service in the Kingdoms Dominions and places aforesaid as in their judgments they shall from time to time during the said space of ten years think fit to appoint And that neither the King His Heirs or Successors or any other but such as shall act by the Authority or approbation of the said Lords and Commons shall during the said space of ten years exercise any of the Powers aforesaid That Moneys be raised and levied for the maintenance and use of the said Forces for Land-service and of the Navy and Forces for Sea-service in such sort and by such ways and means as the said Lords and Commons shall from time to time during the said space of ten years think fit and appoint and not otherwise That all the said Forces both for Land and Sea-service so raised or levied or to be raised or levied and also the Admiralty and Navy shall from time to time during the said space of ten years be imployed managed ordered and disposed by the Lords and Commons in such sort and by such ways and means as they shall think fit and appoint and not otherwise And the said Lords and Commons or such as they shall appoint during the said space of ten years shall have power 1. To suppress all Forces raised or to be raised without Authority and Consent of the said Lords and Commons to the disturbance of the Publick Peace of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernesey and Jersey and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed or any of them 2. To suppress any Foreign Forces who shall invade or endeavour to invade the Kingdoms of England and Ireland Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernesey and Jersey and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed or any of them And after the expiration of the said ten years neither the King His Heirs or Successors or any person or persons by colour or pretence of any Commission Power Deputation or Authority to be derived from the King His Heirs or Successors or any of them shall without the Consent of the said Lords and Commons raise arm train discipline employ order manage disband or dispose any the Forces by Sea or Land of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland the Dominion of Wales Isles of Gernesey and Jersey and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed nor exercise any of the said Powers or Authorities herein before mentioned and expressed to be during the space of ten years in the said Lords and Commons nor do any act or any thing concerning the execution of the said Powers or Authorities or any of them without the Consent of the said Lords and Commons first had and obtained And with the same Provisoes for saving the ordinary Legal Power of Officers of Justice not being Military Officers as is set down in your Propositions And with a Declaration That if any persons shall be gathered and assembled together in a Warlike manner or otherwise to the number of thirty persons and shall not forthwith disperse themselves being require thereto by the said Lords and Commons or command from them or any by them especially authorized for that purpose then such person or persons not so dispersing themselves shall be guilty and incur the pains of High Treason being first declared guilty of such offence by the said Lords and Commons any Commission under the Great Seal or any other Warrant to the contrary notwithstanding And he or they that shall so offend herein to be uncapable of any Pardon from His Majesty His Heirs or Successors And likewise that it be provided that the City of London shall have and enjoy all their Rights Liberties c. in raising and imyloying the Forces of that City in such sort as is mentioned in the said Proposition With these Provisoes following to be inserted in the said Act. First That none be compelled to serve in the Wars against their wills but in case of coming in of strange Enemies into this Kingdom And that the Powers above mentioned as concerning the Land-Forces other than for keeping up and maintenance of Forts and Garisons and the keeping up mantaining and pay of this present Army so long as it shall be thought fit by both Houses of Parliament be exercised to no other purposes than for the suppressing of Forces raised or to be raised without Authority and Consent of the said Lords and Commons as aforesaid or for suppressing of any Foreign Forces which shall invade or endeavour to invade the Kingdoms Dominions or places aforesaid And that the Monies be raised by general and equal Taxations saving that Tonnage and Poundage and such Imposts as have been applyed to the Navy be raised as hath been usual And that all Patents Commissions and other Acts concerning the Premisses be made and acted in His Majesties Name by Warrant signified by the Lords and Commons or
which none but souls prone to any wickedness could believe of so Great a Man were formed of the King and such suspicions raised of Him and His Friends as might force them to some Injuries which hitherto they forbore and by securing themselves increase the Publick fears For Slanders do rather provoke most men than amend them and the provoked think more of their safety than to adjust their actions against their malicious Slanderers And when the minds of Men were made thus sollicitous concerning Dangers from the King to make them more pliable and ductile there was represented to them an inevitable anger of Heaven against the present state of things both in Church and State testified by many Prodigies that were related and portentuous Presages of Ruine Certain Prophecies for a credulity to which the English Vulgar are infamous from unknown Oracles are divulged which aenigmatically describe the King as a Monster and from such a Prince must proceed a change of Government Some vain persons also that gave themselves up to the Imposture of Astrologie were hired to terrifie the People with the unsignificant Conjunctions of Stars and from them to foretel Ruines to the better part of the World and an imminent destruction of Men of the long Robe and Alterations of States These were done to temper the minds of Men by a superstition for a guidance of their Ministers who being conceived to be the Ambassadours of Heaven were supposed to have it in their Commission to declare the Conditions of War and Peace and these either through the same weakness capable of the like terrours with the Vulgar or which is more to be abhorred corrupted as some were by the Caresses and gainful hopes that the Faction baited them with did justifie their Fears and increase them by applying some obscure Prophecies in Scripture to the present times and People compared the pretended Corruptions of our Church with the Idolatries of Israel and whatsoever was condemned in the Holy Records was parallel'd with the things they disliked here and all the Curses that God poured upon His irreconcileable and obdurate Enemies were denounced against such as differ'd from them or would not joyn with the Faction To make these Harangues more efficacious the Authors of them received the Reverence of the Demagogues who despising questioning and exposing to Affronts such sober Divines as would have cured the madness of the People appropriated to such Teachers the Titles of Saints Faithful Ministers Pretious Men and they on the other side made a return of Epithets to their Masters of the Servants of the Most High such as were to do the Work of the Lord That by their Counsels men were to expect new Heavens and a new Earth that they were Men that should prepare the Kingdom for Jesus Christ and lay the Foundations of the Empire of the Saints which was to last a Thousand years To make the Cry yet louder they permitted all Sects and Heresies a Licence of publick profession which hitherto Discipline the Care of the Common Peace and Religion had confined to secret Corners and permitted the Office of Teaching to every bold and ignorant Undertaker so that at last the dreggs of the People Usurped that Dignity and Women who had parted with the Natural Modesty of their Sex would not only speak but also rule in the Church All these in gratitude for their Licentiousness still perswaded to their Hearers the admiration of the Authors of it and bitterly inveighed against those whom the Care both of the Souls and Fortunes of Men would excite to repress them in many of their Raptures denouncing Wo and Judgment to the lawful Governours in Church and State While all these Methods of Ruine were preparing here the same anger of God the same madness of men raised up another Tempest in Ireland For the Popish Lords and Priests of Ireland who were the prime Composers of the Tragedies there were incouraged by the Success of the Scots who by a prosperous Rebellion as the Historian of those Troubles writes had procured for themselves such large Priviledges to an imitation which the present Jealousies in England where mutual Contrasts would employ all their force upon one another promised to be secure And they had an happy opportunity by the Vacancy in Government through the slaughter of the Earl of Strafford with whom the Irish Lords while they prosecuted him in England had removed all those other inferiour Magistrates that were most skilful in the Affairs of that Kingdom by accusing to the Faction some of them of Treason and others of an inclination to the Earl and had got preferred to their charges such as were either altogether unacquainted with the Genius of that People or favourers of the Conspiracy A strength they had also ready for those Eight Thousand which had been listed for the Scotish Expedition were unseasonably disbanded and the King in foresight they might cause some mischief in their own Countrey had therefore promised Four Thousand of them to the King of Spain yet would not the Parliament consent to their departure because as the Irish Lords suggested it would displease the King of France and when the King promised to send as many to the French Camp that likewise was not relished The Common Souldiers of that Army being thus made useless and therefore like Men of their employment most fierce when they were to be dismissed from the dangers of War were easily drawn into the Rebellion although very few of their Officers were polluted with the Crime The Irish Lords and Priests being allured by these our Vices and these several opportunities began their Rebellion Octob. 23. The Irish throughout that whole Kingdom on a sudden invading the unprovided English that were scattered among them despoiling them of their Estates Goods and many thousands of their Lives without any respect of Sex Age Kindred or Friendship and made them as so many Sacrifices to their bloody Superstition They missed but a little to have surprised Dublin But their Conspiracy being detected there and in some few other places the English name and interest was preserved in that Kingdom till they could receive Succours from hence The King had the first Intelligence of it in its very beginnings in Scotland and thereupon sent Sr James Stuart to the Lords of the Privie Council in Ireland to acquaint them with His Knowledge and Instructions and to carry all that Money that His present Stores could supply Besides He moves the Parliament of Scotland as being nearest to a speedy help who decline their Aids because Ireland was dependent upon the Crown of England At the same time also He sends post to the Parliament of England who less regard it the Faction applauding their Fortune that new Troubles were arisen to molest the King and that the Royal Power being thus assaulted in all three Nations there must shortly arise so many new Commonwealths Besides that it yielded fresh matter of reproach to His Majesty to whose Councils
also was abolished under pretence of a Spiritual Liberty for it was accused of putting a restraint upon the Spirit but in truth because it had so frequent Offices for the King To these were added the Covenant the Fetters of the Scotish Slavery this was to bind the whole Nation to the Interest of the Faction and was used as the Water of Jealousie to discover those whom they did suspect Therefore all the Conspirators of what Sect soever whether Independents or Anabaptists though they refused to take it themselves because it did oblige to the Preservation of the King's Person and Authority yet were as eager Imposers of it as the Presbyterians who in simplicity urged it as the Fundamental Constitution of their Empire upon all who they thought would not prostitute their Souls to their Designs or had any thing fit to be made their Spoils And by this onely Engine many thousand Persons and Families were miserably ruined especially of the Clergy To oblige more fastly those that had no patience to expect nor hopes to receive any Reward for their Service against their Prince in the other life and so would not be satisfied with the shews of Religion but sought more solid Encouragements in the Spoils of it the Lands of the Bishops were exposed to Sale and that at such easie Rates as might invite the hazard of the Purchase satiate their boundless Covetousness and engage them in a pertinacious Faith to their Merchants To cement all these distinct Humours in one common Pleasure the Archbishop of Canterbury was prepared for a Sacrifice and about this time began his Tryal which continued a whole Year being when the Houses were at leisure called by several Months and Weeks to answer to his Charge that by his frequent Passages as a Prisoner he might give a pleasant Diversion to the Rabble who are delighted with the Ruines and Misfortunes of Great Persons and by their Injuries and Reproaches he might be reduced to such a weakness of Spirit as was not competent with the defence of his Cause But his Cause and his Conscience were impregnable and he overthrew their Slanders though he could not their Power By these Arts and Ways was the Winter spent to prepare for the Attempts of the following Summer An. 1644 wherein though the Parliaments Forces encreased by the Scotish Succours had the Success over several bodies of the Royallists yet that small Number that followed the King's Person and were guided by His own Counsels and Example obtained two great Victories For His Majesty having once more provided for the Safety of the Queen in sending Her to Excester there to lay down the burden of Her Love and from thence to seek for Shelter in France taken contrary to their hopes His last Farewel of Her and left Oxford strengthned against the Siege which the Earl of Essex and Sir William Waller threatned that Place with He with a small Party draws out intending to form His Counsels according to the future Occurrences This made the Enemy divide and Essex was designed to reduce the West But Waller with whom usually went Sir Arthur Hasilrigge a Person fitter to raise Seditious Tumults than manage Armies was to hunt the King upon the Mountains of Wales towards which He seemed to direct His Course But hearing of the Resolutions of these two jealous Generals He wheels about to Oxford and from thence drew the greatest strength of that Garrison and with that falling upon Waller at Cropredy-bridge obtained a great Victory which would have been more prejudicial to the Enemy had not the Tenderness of His Subjects Blood restrained Him from prosecuting His Success to a greater Slaughter But contenting Himself to have diverted Injuries from His own Breast He only used this Victory for an advantage to Peace which in a Letter from Evesham July 4. He moves the Parliament unto But the unquiet Criminals rendred it vain and fruitless and represented to the People their yet prevailing Forces in the North and their Army in the West which had now taken in some considerable places to their obedience Therefore to remove their Confidence in Essex's power the King follows him and so closely pursues him that He drove him up into Cornwall and there did as it were besiege him During which He sent a Letter to him which was seconded by another from the Lords and Gentlemen in His Army to sollicite His endeavours for the Peace and Quiet of the bleeding and wasted Kingdom But it met not its desired effect Because that Earl either valued not that solid Glory of being the happy Author of a Nation 's Settlement or feared that his past Actions had wholly despoiled him of hopes of Security in a return to Obedience or knew that his Authority was not so great to put an issue to those Crimes which he had led others to commit For every inconsiderable person may be powerful at Disturbances but to form Peace requires much Wisdom and great Vertues Which last was generally believed for he had found and complained that his Credit declined with the Faction that they were distrustful lest their own Arts might teach him to have no faith to them because he often sollicited them to a composing of the Kingdoms Distractions Therefore making no return to those Letters he provided for his own safety in a Cock-boat and ignominiously deserted his Army of which the Horse taking the advantage of a dark night made their escape but the Commanders of the Foot did capitulate for their Lives and left their Arms Cannon Baggage and Ammunition to the Disposal of the King The speedy and prudent acquisition of these two Victories shewed the King had those Abilities that might have inserted Him in the Catalogue of the Bravest Commanders and had not want of Success in His following Enterprises clouded the Glory of this Summer He had been as eminent among the Masters of War as He was among the Sons of Peace the Honour of which last He most eagerly thirsted as rendring Him most like that Majesty He did represent Therefore after this Victory by a Letter from Tavestock Sept. 8. He re-inforces that from Evesham for an Accord with the Parliament being not transported from His Lenity by the Violence with which Victory uses to hurry humane breasts to an insolence But He knew that Peace though it is profitable to the Conquered yet it is glorious for the Conquerour To busie His Army while He expected their Answer and formed an Association in the Western Counties He sits down before Plymouth but finding this Message had an equal reception with the former and that the Faction intended not to sacrifice their ill-acquired Power and usurped Interests to the publick Tranquillity He rises from thence and marches towards London from whence were by this time in the way to meet Him Essex and Waller recruited and joyned with the Earl of Manchester's Forces that were now returned from their Northern Services And at Newbery both sides joyn in an eager
an adjoyning Scaffold where she stood she cried out with a loud Voice but not without danger that It was a Lye not the Tenth part of the People were guilty of such a Crime but all was done by the Machinations of that Traytor Cromwell But the King after the Charge was read with a Countenance full of Majesty and Gravity demands by what Authority they proceeded with Him thus contrary to the Publick Faith and what Law they had to try Him that was an absolute Sovereign Bradshaw replying that of the Parliament His Majesty shewed the detestable Falsehood in pretending to what they had not and if they had it yet it could not justifie these Practices To which Reply when they could not answer they force Him back to the place of His Captivity The Magnanimity of the King in this Days Contest with these inhumane Butchers did much satisfie the People and they were glad while they thought not of His Danger that He wanted not either Speech or Courage against so powerful Enemies that He had spoken nothing unworthy of Himself and had preserved the Fame of His. Vertues even in so great Adversities For He seemed to triumph over their Fortune whose Arms He was now subject to The Parricides sought to break his Spirit by making His appearances frequent before such contemptible Judges and often exposing Him to the contempt of the Armed Rabble therefore four days they torture Him with the Impudence and Reproaches of their Infamous Sollicitor and President But He still refused to own their Authority which they could not prove lawful and so excellently demonstrated their abominable Impiety that He made Colonel Downes one of their Court to boggle at and disturb their Proceedings They therefore at last proceeded to take away that Life which was not to be separated from Conscience and Honour and pronounced their Sentence of Death upon their Lawful and Just Sovereign Jan. 27. not suffering Him to speak after the Decree of their Villany but hurrying Him back to the place of His Restraint At His departure He was exposed to all the Insolencies and Indignities that a phanatick and base Rabble instigated by Peters and other Instructors of Villany could invent and commit And He suffer'd many things so conformable to Christ His King as did alleviate the sense of them in Him and also instruct Him to a correspondent Patience and Charity When the barbarous Souldiers cried out at His departure Justice Justice Execution Execution as those deceived Jews did once to their KING Crucisie Him Crucifie Him this Prince in imitation of that most Holy King pitied their blind fury and said Poor Souls for a piece of Money they would do as much for their Commanders As He passed along some in defiance spit upon His Garments and one or two as it was reported by an Officer of theirs who was one of their Court and praised it as an evidence of his Souldiers Gallantry while others were stupefied with their prodigious baseness polluted His Majestick Countenance with their unclean spittle the Good King reflecting on His great Exemplar and Master wiped it off saying My Saviour suffer'd far more than this for me Into His very Face they blowed their stinking Tobacco which they knew was very distasteful to Him and in the way where He was to go just at His Feet they flung down pieces of their nasty Pipes And as they had devested themselves of all Humanity so were they impatient and furious if any one shewed Reverence or Pity to Him as He passed For no honest Spirit could be so forgetful of humane fruilty as not to be troubled at such a sight to see a Great and Just King the rightful Lord of three flourishing Kingdoms now forced from His Throne and led captive through the Streets Such as pull'd off their Hats or bowed to Him they beat with their Fists and Weapons and knock'd down one dead but for crying out God be merciful unto Him When they had brought Him to His Chamber even there they suffered Him not to rest but thrusting in and smoaking their filthy Tobacco they permitted Him no Privacy to Prayer and Meditation Thus through variety of Tortures did the King pass this Day and by His Patience wearied His Tormentors nothing unworthy His former greatness of Fortune and Mind by all these Affronts was extorted from Him though Indignities and Injuries are unusual to Princes and these were such as might have forced Passion from the best-tempered meekness had it not been strengthned with assistance from Heaven In the Evening the Conspirators were acquainted by a Member of the Army of the King's desire that seeing His Death was nigh it might be permitted him to see His Children and to receive the Sacrament and that Doctor Juxon then Lord Bishop of London now Arch-Bishop of Canterbury might be admitted to pray with Him in His private Chamber The first they did not scruple at the Children in their power being but two the Lady Elizabeth and the Duke of Glocester and they very young The second they did not readily grant Some would have had Peters to undertake that Employment for which the Bishop was sent for But he declined it with some Scoffs as knowing that the King hated the Offices of such an unhallowed Buffoon So that at last they permitted the Bishop's access to the King to whom his eminent Integrity had made him dear For with so wonderful a Prudence and uprightness he had managed the envious Office of the Treasury that that accusing age especially of Church-men found not matter for any Impeachment nor ground for the least Reproach The next day being Sunday the King was removed to St. James's where the Bishop of London read Divine Service and preached before Him in private on these words In the day when God shall judge the secrets of all men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel While the King and the Bishop at this time and also at other times were performing the Divine Service the rude Souldiers often rushed in and disturbed their Offices with vulgar and base Scoffs vain and frivolous Questions The Commanders likewise and other impertinent Anabaptists did interrupt His Meditations who came to tempt and try Him and provoke Him to some unnecessary disputations But He maintained His own Cause with so irrefragable Arguments that He put some to silence the petulancy of others He neglected and with a modest contempt dissembled their Scoffs and Reproaches In the narrow space of this one Day and under so continued Affronts and Disturbances the King whose whole Soul was totally composed to Religion applied Himself as much as was possible to the Reading Holy Scriptures to Prayer Confession of Sins Supplications for the forgiveness of his Enemies the receiving the Eucharist holy Conferences and all the Offices of Piety so under the utmost Malice and Hatred of men He laboured for the Mercy of God and to fit Himself for His last victory over Death While the King thus spent this day
Himself by perfection for He did not proudly scoff at but gently laboured to mend the defects of His Subjects When Doctor Hammond had in some degree lost the Manage of His Voice His Majesty shewed him his Infirmity and taught him to amend it which that Excellent Person often mentioned as an instance of a Gracious Condescension of Majesty When Noble Youths came to take their leaves of Him before they went to foreign travel He would not let them go without His Instructions of which this was one My Lord Keep always the best Company and be sure never to be Idle Thus He would confer the Vertues as well as the Titles of Nobility He laboured to keep them as Majesty had made them and that that blood might not be tainted in them which was honoured in their Ancestors Nor did He desire that they should be otherwise than He directed as Tyrants and weak Princes will commend those Vertues which they are afraid of for they dread or envy their Subjects Parts and Abilities Aristotle observes that a Tyrant cares not to hear his Vassals speak any thing that is either Grave or Generous and it is reckoned among the Usurpations of such Monsters that they would have the opinion to be the Only Wise and Gallant Plato indangered his Life when he conversed with the Sicilian Tyrant because he was thought to understand more than his Host It was observed of Cromwell by one of his confident Teachers that in the time of his Tyranny he loved no man that spoke Sense and had several Artifices to disparage it among his Slaves that attended him and he would highly extol those Pulpit-Speakers that had most Canting and least Reason But the King thought it the Honour of Principality to rule over Excellent Persons and affected to be Great only by being Better and to raise their Spirits would stoop with His own Of these He always chose the most accomplished that He knew to be His Ministers of State and closest Confidents for as the fortune of Princes stands in need of many Friends which are the surest supports of Empire so He would always seek the Best and those He thought fittest for His Employments which a bad or weak King would hate or fear Therefore He had always the finest Pens and ablest Heads in His Cause and Persons likewise of Integrity in His Service for the Archbishop and Earl of Strafford that were clamoured against as the greatest Criminals were not guilty enough even by those accusations which they were loaded with and yet not proved to receive the Censure of the Law but were to be condemned in an unaccustomed way of spilling English blood When some discovered their Abilities even by opposing His Counsels He preferr'd the Publick Benefit which might be by their Endowments to His private Injuries He would either buy them off to His Service by some Place of Trust or win them to His Friendship unless He saw them to be such whose Natures were corrupted by their Designs for He had a most excellent Sagacity in discerning the Spirits of men or they were such who polluted their parts by prostituting Religion to some base ends the injuries of which He could never neglect and such He neither conceived Honourable in a Court nor hoped they would ever be faithful and quiet in a Community Among these Purchaces were reckoned the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland the Lord Falkland and others now living whose Perfections honoured His Judgment and justified His Choice He had no Favorite as a Minister of Pleasures to gratifie whose Lusts and Vanities He might be sollicited to do things contrary to the benefit of the Community but all were Instruments of Government and must be able to serve the Publick whom He took to serve Himself For no Prince was ever more affectionate of His People than He was nor did He think His Interest separate from theirs Those nice distinctions and cautious limits of Prerogative and Liberty which the Faction invented to enjealous the People with were all indistinctly comprised by Him in an Uniform and Constant care of a just Government none dared to advise Him to attempt at a power His Predecessors had parted with or the Laws had concluded Him from For He told the Lords when He purged the Earl of Strafford from the Accusation of Sir Henry Vane that He had advised His Majesty to make use of some Irish to reduce this Kingdom on which though it had but a single and various testimony the Faction built their Practices against His Life I think no body durst ever be so impudent as to move Me to it for if they had I should have made them such an Example and put such a mark upon them that all Posterity should know my Intentions by it For my Intention was ever to govern by the Law and not otherwise He thought He could not be happy unless His People were so as we found our selves miserable when He was not prosperous Therefore He parted with so much of His Prerogative to buy our Peace and purchase our Content He sought their Love by affecting them the only way of gaining it because that Passion only is free and impatient of Command Nor was He ever more pleased than in the enjoyment of it When His Third Parliament granted five Subsidies and it was told Him that there was not One Voice dissenting it is said He wept for joy and it had been happy for the People if the King had always had such cause of Tears and His Eyes had been always wet with the same Contests for Liberty could never have been more unseasonable than under this Prince for He never denied His Subjects the removal of any just Grievance yea He parted sometimes through their own importunity deluded by the Faction with that which should have kept them Free And when He made such Concessions which tended to the prejudice of those that desired it He would say to some about Him that He would never have granted these things but that He hoped they would see the Inconvenience of that Power which they begg'd from Him yet themselves could not manage and return it to its proper place before it became their Ruine He was far from the ambition of Ill Princes to seek an unlimited Power but He thought it the Office of the best Sovereign to set bounds to Liberty He despised His Life if it were to be bought by the Misery of the Nation and therefore rejected the Propositions of the Army as the Conditions of His Safety when tendred to Him the day before His Murther because they would inslave the People Neither would He expose particular persons to an evident and inevitable danger though it were to secure Himself for when my Lord Newburgh and his Noble Lady at whose house in Bagshot He did stay as He was removed from Carisbrook to Windsor proposed to Him a way to escape from that bloody Guard that hurried Him to the Slaughter He rejected it saying If I
toucheth upon the present Question the Ancients erred grosly about the Antichrist and Mystery of Iniquity which did begin to work in the days of the Apostles Many other Instances might be brought to prove such universal practice of the Church as was not warranted by the Apostles as in the Rites of Baptism and Prayer and the forming up and drawing together of the Articles of that Creed that is called Symbolum Apostolicum the observation of many Feasts and Fasts both Anniversary and weekly 5. That it is not a matter so incredible or impossible as some would have it appear to be for the Primitive Church to have made a sudden defection from the Apostolical purity The people of Israel in the short time of Moses his absence on the mount turned aside quickly and fell into horrible Idolatry Exod. 32. Soon after the death of Josuah and the Elders that had seen the great works which the Lord had done for Israel there arose another Generation after them which did evil in the sight of the Lord Judg. 2. Soon after the building of the Temple and setling of Religion by David and Solomon the worship of God was defiled with Idolatry when Rehoboam had established the Kingdom he forsook the Law of the Lord and all Israel with him 2 Chron. 12. 1. And the Apostle says to the Galatians Gal. 1. 6. I marvel that you are so soon removed unto another Gospel Why then shall we think it strange that in the matter of Discipline there should be a sudden defection especially it being begun in the time of the Apostles I know it is a common Opinion but I believe there be no strong reasons for it that the Church which was nearest the times of the Apostles was the most pure and perfect Church 6. That it is impossible to come to the knowledge of the universal Consent and Practice of the Primitive Church for many of the Fathers wrote nothing at all many of their writings are perished it may be that both of these have dissented from the rest many of the Writings which we have under their names are supposititious and counterfeit especially about Episcopacy which was the foundation of Papal Primacy The Rule of Augustine afore-mentioned doth too much favour Traditions and is not to be admitted without cautions and exceptions Many the like Considerations may be added but these may be sufficient to prove that the unanimous Consent of the Fathers and the universal Practice of the Primitive Church is no sure ground of Authentical interpretation of Scripture I remember of a grave Divine in Scotland much honoured by K. James of Happy memory who did often profess that he did learn more of one Page of John Calvin than of a whole Treatise of Augustine Nor can there be any good reason many there be against it why the Ancients should be so far preferred to the Modern Doctors of the Reformed Churches and the one in a manner Deified and the other vilified It is but a poor Reason that some give Fama miratrix senioris aevi and is abundantly answered by the Apologist for Divine Providence If Your Majesty be still unsatisfied concerning the Rule I know not to what purpose I should proceed or trouble Your Majesty any more Newcastle July 2. 1646. VII His MAJESTIES Fourth Paper For Mr. Alexander Henderson July 3. 1646. I Shall very willingly follow the method you have begun in your third Paper but I do not conceive that my last Paper multiplies more Controversies than my first gave occasion for having been so far from augmenting the Heads of our Disputation that I have omitted the answering many things in both your Papers expresly to avoid raising of new and needless Questions desiring to have only so many debated as are simply necessary to shew whether or not I may with a safe conscience give way to the alteration of Church-Government in England And indeed I like very well to begin with the setling of the Rule by which we are to proceed and determine the present Controversie to which purpose as I conceive My third Paper shews you an excellent way for there I offer you a Judge between us or desire you to find out a better which to My judgment you have not yet done though you have sought to invalidate Mine for if you understand to have offered the Scripture though no man shall pay more reverence nor submit more humbly to it than My self yet we must find some Rule to judge betwixt us when you and I differ upon the interpretation of the self-same Text or it can never determine our Questions As for example I say you misapply that of 2 Cor. 1. 14. to Me let others answer for themselves for I know not how I make other men to have dominion over My Faith when I make them only serve to approve my Reason Nor do I conceive how 1 Cor. 2. 5. can be applied to this purpose for there Saint Paul only shews the difference between Divine and Humane Eloquence making no mention of any kind of interpretation throughout the whole Chapter as indeed Saint Peter does 2 Pet. 1. 20. which I conceive makes for Me for since that no Prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation First I infer that Scripture is to be interpreted for else the Apostle would have omitted the word Private Secondly that at least the consent of many learned Divines is necessary and so à fortiori that of the Catholick Church ought to be an authentick Judge when men differ And is it a good Argument because Matth. 4. 4 7 10. Scripture is best interpreted by it self therefore that all other interpretations are unlawful certainful you cannot think it Thus having shewed you that we differ about the meaning of the Scripture and are like to do so certainly there ought to be for this as well as other things a Rule or a Judge between us to determine our differences or at least to make our Probations and Arguments Relevant therefore evading for this time to Answer your Six Considerations not I assure you for the difficulty of them but the starting of new Questions I desire you only to shew Me a better than what I have offered unto you Newcastle July 3. 1646. C. R. VIII His MAJESTY's Fifth Paper For Mr Alexander Henderson A particular Answer to Mr Alexander Henderson's Third Paper July 16. 1646. UNtil you shall find out a fitter way to decide our Difference in Opinion concerning Interpretation of Scripture than the Consent of the Fathers and the Universal Practice of the Primitive Church I cannot but pass my Judgment anent those Six Considerations which you offered to invalidate those Authorities that I so much reverence 1. In the first you mention two Rules for defining of Controversies and seek a most odd way to confute them as I think for you alledge that there is more attributed to them than I believe you can prove by the Consent of most learned Men there being
hath shed his Or if the guilt of our great Sins cause this Treaty to break off in vain Lord let the Truth clearly appear who those men are which under pretence of the Publick Good do pursue their own private ends that this People may be no longer so blindly miserable as not to see at least in this their day the things that belong unto their Peace Grant this gracious God for His sake who is our Peace it self even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen III. A Prayer drawn by His MAJESTY's special directions for a Blessing on the Treaty at Newport in the Isle of Wight O Most merciful Father Lord God of Peace and Truth we a People sorely afflicted by the scourge of an unnatural War do here earnestly beseech Thee to command a Blessing from Heaven upon this Treaty brought about by Thy Providence and the only visible remedy left for the establishment of an happy Peace Soften the most obdurate hearts with a true Christian desire of saving those mens blood for whom Christ himself hath shed His. O Lord let not the guilt of our Sins cause this Treaty to break off but let the Truth of Thy Spirit so clearly shine in our minds that all private ends laid aside we may every one of us heartily and sincerely pursue the Publick Good and that thy People may be no longer so blindly miserable as not to see at least in this their day the things that belong unto their Peace Grant this gracious God for His sake who is our Peace it self even Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen IV. A Prayer for Pardon of Sin ALmighty and most merciful Father look down upon Me thy unworthy Servant who here prostrate My self at the Footstool of thy Throne of Grace but look upon Me O Father through the Mediation and in the Merits of Jesus Christ in whom Thou art only well pleased for of My self I am not worthy to stand before Thee or to speak with my unclean lips to Thee most Holy and Eternal God For as in sin I was conceived and born so likewise I have broken all thy Commandments by my sinful Motions unclean Thoughts evil Words and wicked Works omitting many Duties I ought to do and committing many Vices which Thou hast forbidden under pain of thy heavy displeasure As for my Sins O Lord they are innumerable wherefore I stand here liable to all the Miseries in this life and everlasting Torments in that to come if Thou shouldst deal with Me according to My deserts I confess O Lord that it is Thy Mercy which endureth for ever and Thy Compassion which never fails which is the cause that I have not been long ago consumed But with Thee there is Mercy and plenteous Redemption In the multitude therefore of thy Mercies and by the Merits of Jesus Christ I entreat thy Divine Majesty that Thou wouldst not enter into Judgement with thy Servant nor be extream to mark what is done amiss but be Thou merciful unto Me and wash away all my Sins with that precious Blood that my Saviour shed for Me. And I beseech Thee O Lord not only to wash away all my Sins but also to purge my Heart by thy Holy Spirit from the dross of my natural Corruption And as Thou dost add days to my Life so Good Lord I beseech Thee to add Repentance to my days that when I have pass'd this mortal life I may be partaker of thy everlasting Kingdom through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen V. A Prayer and Confession in and for the times of Affliction ALmighty and most merciful Father as it is only Thy goodness that admits of our imperfect Prayers and the knowledge that Thy Mercies are infinite which can give us any hope of Thy accepting or granting them so it is our bounden and necessary Duty to confess our Sins freely unto Thee And of all men living I have most need most reason so to do no man living having been so much obliged by Thee that degree of Knowledge which Thou hast given Me adding likewise to the guilt of my Transgressions For was it through Ignorance that I suffered innocent blood to be shed by a false pretended way of Justice or that I permitted a wrong way of thy Worship to be set up in Scotland and injured the Bishops in England O no but with shame and grief I confess that I therein followed the perswasions of worldly Wisdom forsaking the Dictates of a right-informed Conscience Wherefore O Lord I have no excuse to make no hope left but in the multitude of Thy Mercies for I know my Repentance weak and my Prayers faulty Grant therefore merciful Father so to strengthen my Repentance and amend my Prayers that Thou maist clear the way for thine own Mercies to which O let thy Justice at last give place putting a speedy end to my deserved Afflictions In the mean time give Me Patience to endure Constancy against Temptations and a discerning spirit to chuse what is best for Thy Church and People which Thou hast committed to My Charge Grant this O most merciful Father for thy Son Jesus Christ's sake our only Saviour Amen VI. A Prayer in time of Captivity O Powerful and eternal God to whom nothing is so great that it may resist or so small that it is contemned look upon My Misery with Thine Eye of Mercy and let thy infinite Power vouchsafe to limit out some proportion of deliverance unto Me as to Thee shall seem most convenient Let not injury O Lord triumph over Me and let my faults by Thy Hand be corrected and make not my unjust Enemies the Ministers of thy Justice But yet my God if in thy Wisdom this be the aptest chastisement for my unexcusable Transgressions if this ungrateful bondage be fittest for my over-high desires if the pride of my not enough humble Heart be thus to be broken O Lord I yield unto Thy Will and chearfully embrace what sorrow Thou wilt have Me suffer Only thus much let Me crave of Thee let my craving O Lord be accepted of since it even proceeds from Thee that by thy Goodness which is Thy self Thou wilt suffer some beam of thy Majesty so to shine in my mind that I who acknowledge it my noblest Title to be Thy Creature may still in my greatest Afflictions depend confidently on Thee Let Calamity be the exercise but not the overthrow of my Vertue O let not their prevailing power be to My Destruction And if it be thy Will that they more and more vex Me with punishment yet O Lord never let their Wickedness have such a hand but that I may still carry a pure mind and stedfast resolution ever to serve Thee without Fear or Presumption yet with that humble Confidence which may best please Thee so that at the last I may come to thy eternal Kingdom through the Merits of thy Son our alone Saviour Jesus Christ Amen VII A Prayer in time of imminent Danger O Most merciful Father
prevent the Miseries which are ready to overwhelm this whole Nation by a Civil War and tho' all Our endeavours tending to the composing of those unhappy Differences betwixt Us and our two Houses of Parliament though pursued by us with all zeal and sincerity have been hitherto without that success We hoped for yet such is Our constant and earnest care to preserve the publick Peace that we shall not be discouraged from using any expedient which by the blessing of the God of Mercy may lay a firm foundation of Peace and Happiness to all Our good Subjects To this end observing that many mistakes have arisen by the Messages Petitions and Answers betwixt Us and Our two Houses of Parliament which happily may be prevented by some other way of Treaty wherein the matters in difference may be more clearly understood and more freely transacted We have thought fit to propound to you that some fit persons may be by you enabled to treat with the like Number to be authorized by Us in such a manner and with such freedom of debate as may best tend to that happy conclusion which all good men desire The peace of the Kingdom wherein as We promise in the word of a King all safety and encouragement to such as shall be sent unto Us if you shall chuse the place where We are for the Treaty which we wholly leave to you presuming on the like care of the safety of those We shall imploy if you shall name another place so We assure you and all Our good Subjects that to the best of Our Understanding nothing shall be therein wanting on Our part which may advance the true Protestant Religion oppose Popery and Superstition secure the Law of the land upon which is built as well Our just Prerogative as the Propriety and Liberty of the Subject confirm all just Power and Priviledges of Parliament and render Us and Our People truly happy by a good understanding betwixt Us and Our two Houses of Parliament Bring with you as firm resolutions to do your Duty and let all Our People joyn with Us in Our Prayers to Almighty God for his blessing upon this Work If this Proposition shall be rejected by you We have done Our duty so amply that God will absolve Us from the guilt of any of that Blood which must be spilt And what opinion soever other men may have of Our Power We assure you nothing but Our Christian and pious care to prevent the effusion of Blood hath begot this motion Our provision of Men Arms and Money being such as may secure Us from further Violence till it please God to open the Eyes of Our People IV. From ...... Sept. 5. MDCXLII In pursuance of the former WE will not repeat what means We have used to prevent the dangerous and distracted Estate of the Kingdom nor how these means have been interpreted because being desirous to avoid effusion of Blood We are willing to decline all memory of former bitterness that might make Our offer of a Treaty less readily accepted We never did declare nor ever intended to declare both Our Houses of Parliament Traytors or set up Our Standard against them and much less to put them and this Kingdom out of Our protection We utterly profess against it before God and the World And further to remove all possible scruples which may hinder the Treaty so much desired by Us We hereby promise so that a day be appointed by you for the revoking of your Declarations against all Persons as Traytors or otherwise for assisting Us We shall with all chearfulness upon the same day recal Our Proclamations and Declarations and take down Our Standard in which Treaty We shall be ready to grant any thing that shall be really for the good of Our Subjects Conjuring you to consider the bleeding condition of Ireland and the dangerous condition of England in as high a degree as by these Our offers We have declared Our Self to do And assuring you that Our chief desire in this World is to beget a good Understanding and mutual Confidence betwixt Us and Our two Houses of Parliament V. From ...... Sept. 11. MDCXLII In Replie to the Answer of both Houses to the former WHO have taken most ways used most endeavours and made most real expressions to prevent the present Distractions and Dangers let all the World judge as well by former passages as Our two last Messages which have been so fruitless that though We have descended to desire and press it not so much as a Treaty can be obtained unless We would denude Our self of all force to defend Us from a visible strength marching against Us and admit those persons accounted as Traytors to Us who according to their Duty their Oaths of Allegiance and the Law have appeared in defence of Us their King and Liege Lord whom We are bound in Conscience and Honour to preserve though We disclaimed all Our Proclamations and Declarations and the erecting of Our Standard as against Our Parliament All We have now left in Our power is to express the deep sense We have of the publick Misery of this Kingdom in which is involved that of Our distressed Protestants of Ireland and to apply Our self to Our necessary defence wherein We wholly relie upon the Providence of God the Justice of Our Cause and the Affection of Our good People so far We are from putting them out of Our Protection When you shall desire a Treaty of Us We shall piously remember whose blood is to be spilt in this quarrel and chearfully embrace it And as no other reason induced Us to leave Our City of London but that with Honour and Safety We could not stay there nor to raise any force but for the necessary defence of Our Person and the Law against Levies in opposition to both so We shall suddenly and most willingly return to the one and disband the other as soon as those causes shall be removed The God of Heaven direct you and in Mercy divert those Judgments which hang over this Nation and so deal with Us and Our Posterity as We desire the preservation and advancement of the true Protestant Religion and the Law and Liberty of the Subject the just Rights of Parliament and the Peace of the Kingdom VI. From BRAINFORD Nov. 12. MDCXLII After the Defeat of the Parliament Forces at EDGE-HILL and at BRAINFORD WHereas the last Night being the eleventh of November after the departure of the Committee of both Our Houses with Our gracious Answer to their Petition We received certain information having till then heard nothing of it either from the Houses Committee or otherwise that the L. of Essex had drawn his Forces out of London towards Us which hath necessitated Our sudden resolution to march with Our Forces to Brainford We have thought hereby fit to signifie to both Our Houses of Parliament that we are no less desirous of the Peace of the Kingdom than We express in Our
of Horse Foot and Artillery His plenty of Ammunition which some men lately might conceive He wanted is so well known and understood that it must be confessed that nothing but the Tenderness and Love to His people and those Christian Impressions which always have and He hopes always shall dwell in His heart could move Him once more to hazard a refusal And he requires them as they will answer to God to Himself and all the World that they will no longer suffer their fellow-Subjects to welter in each others bloud that they will remember by whose Authority and to what end they met in that Council and send such an Answer to His Majesty as may open a door to let in a firm Peace and Security to the whole Kingdom If His Majesty shall again be disappointed of His intentions herein the Bloud Rapine and Distraction which must follow in England and Ireland will be cast upon the account of those who are deaf to the motion of Peace and Accommodation IX From OXFORD Mar. 3. MDCXLIII IV. For a Treaty To the Lords and Commons of Parliament Assembled at Westminster C. R. OUT of Our most tender and pious sense of the sad and bleeding condition of this Our Kingdom and Our unwearied desires to apply all remedies which by the blessing of Almighry God may recover it from an utter Ruine by the Advice of the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford We do propound and desire That a convenient number of fit Persons may be appointed and authorized by you to meet with all convenient speed at such Place as you shall nominate with an equal number of fit Persons whom We shall appoint and authorize to Treat of the ways and means to settle the present Distractions of this Our Kingdom and to procure a happy Peace And particularly how all the Members of both Houses may securely meet in a full and free Convention of Parliament there to Treat Consult and Agree upon such things as may conduce to the maintenance and defence of the true Reformed Protestant Religion with due consideration to all just and reasonable ease of tender Consciences to the settling and maintaining of Our just Rights and Priviledges of the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament the Laws of the Land the Liberty and Property of the Subject and all other Expedients that may conduce to that blessed end of a firm and lasting Peace both in Church and State and a perfect understanding betwixt Us and Our People wherein no endeavour or concurrency of Ours shall be wanting And God direct your hearts in the ways of Peace Given at Our Court at Oxford the third day of March 1643. X. From EVESHOLME July 4. MDCXLIV After the Defeat of Waller at Cropredy Bridge To the Lords and Commons of Parliament Assembled at Westminster C. R. WE being deeply sensible of the Miseries and Calamities of this Our Kingdom and of the grievous Sufferings of Our poor Subjects do most earnestly desire that some Expedient may be found out which by the blessing of God may prevent the further effusion of blood and restore the Nation to Peace from the earnest and constant endeavouring of which as no discouragement given Us on the Contrary part shall make Us cease so no success on Ours shall ever divert Us. For the effecting whereof We are most ready and willing to condescend to all that shall be for the good of Us and Our People whether by way of confirmation of what We have already granted or of such further concession as shall be requisite to the giving a full assurance of the performance of all Our most real professions concerning the maintenance of the true Reformed Protestant Religion established in this Kingdom with due regard to the ease of tender Consciences the just Priviledges of Parliament and the Liberty and Propriety of the Subject according to the Laws of the Land as also by granting a general Pardon without or with exceptions as shall be thought fit In order to which blessed Peace We do desire and propound to the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster That they appoint such and so many persons as they shall think fit sufficiently authorized by them to attend Us at Our Army upon safe conduct to come and return which We do hereby grant and conclude with Us how the Premisses and all other things in question betwixt Us and them may be fully settled whereby all unhappy mistakings betwixt Us and Our People being removed there may be a present Cessation of Arms and as soon as may be a total disbanding of all Armies the Subject have his due and We be restored to Our Rights Wherein if this Our offer shall be accepted there shall be nothing wanting on Our part which may make Our People secure and happy Given at our Court at Evesholm the fourth of July 1644. XI From TAVESTOCK Sept. 8. MDCXLIV After the Defeat of the Earl of ESSEX in Cornwal To the Lords and Commons of Parliament Assembled at Westminster CHARLES R. IT having pleased God in so eminent a manner lately to bless Our Armies in these parts with success We do not so much joy in that blessing for any other consideration as for the hopes We have that it may be a means to make others lay to heart as We do the miseries brought and continued upon Our Kingdom by this unnatural War and that it may open your ears and dispose your minds to embrace those offers of Peace and Reconciliation which have been so often and so earnestly made unto you by Us and from the constant and fervent endeavours of which We are resolved never to desist In pursuance whereof We do upon this occasion conjure you to take into consideration Our too-long-neglected Message of the fourth of July from Evesholm which We again renew unto you and that you will speedily send Us such an Answer thereunto as may shew unto Our poor Subjects some light of a deliverance from their present Calamities by a happy Accommodation toward which We do here engage the word of a King to make good all those things which We have therein promised and really to endeavour a happy conclusion of this Treaty And so God direct you in the ways of Peace Given at our Court at Tavestock the eighth of September 1644. From OXFORD Dec. 13. MDCXLIV For a Treaty by Commissioners By the Duke of Richmond and Earl of Southampton HIS Majesty hath seriously considered your Propositions and finds it very difficult in respect they import so great an alteration in Government both in Church and State to return a particular and positive Answer before a full debate wherein those Propositions and all necessary Explanations and Reasons for assenting dissenting or qualifying and all inconveniences and mischiefs which may ensue and cannot otherwise be so well foreseen may be discussed and weighed His Majesty therefore proposeth and desireth as the best expedient for Peace That you will appoint such a number of Persons
Advocate Rives and D. Duck. And afterward in a Letter of one of the Commissioners for the two Houses He sent inclosed this Note Nov. 2. C. R. The Bishop of Armagh the Bishop of Excester the Bishop of Rochester the Bishop of Worcester Dr. Ferne Dr. Morley XXXVIII From NEWPORT Sept. 29. MDCXLVIII Containing His Concessions HIS Majesty did use many earnest endeavours for a Personal Treaty which He hoped might have been obtained at Westminster between Him and His two Houses of Parliament immediately yet they having made choice of this way by you their Commissioners His Majesty did gladly and chearfully accept thereof in this place as a fit means to begin a Treaty for Peace which might put an end to His own sad condition and the Miseries of His Kingdom For an entrance whereunto His Majesty hath already expressed His consent to the First Proposition But finding you are limited by Instructions which you have no warrant to communicate unto Him and having cause by your Paper of the twentieth of this present to believe that you have no power to omit or alter any thing though He shall give you such reasons as may satisfie you so to do without transmitting the Papers to the two Houses at a far distance where His Majesties reasons expressions and offers upon debate cannot be fully represented and from whence their Answers cannot be returned without much waste of the time allotted for the Treaty here and having lately received another Paper concerning the Church containing in it self many particulars of great importance and referring to divers Ordinances Articles of Religion and other things eleven or twelve in number of great length and some of them very new and never before presented to His Majesty the due consideration whereof will take up much time and require His Majesties presence with His two Houses before a full resolution can well be had in matters of so high consequence To the end therefore that the good Work now in hand may by God's blessing proceed more speedily and effectually to an happy conclusion and that His two Houses of Parliament may at present have further security and an earnest of future satisfaction His Majesty upon consideration had of yours makes these Propositions following Concerning the Church His Majesty will consent that the calling and sitting of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster be confirmed for three years by Act of Parliament And will by Act of Parliament confirm for three years the Directory for the publick Worship of God in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales And will likewise confirm for three years by Act of Parliament the Form of Church-Government which ye have presented to Him to be used for the Churches of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales Provided that His Majesty and those of His Judgment or any others who cannot in Conscience submit thereunto be not in the mean time obliged to comply with the same Government or Form of Worship but have free practice of their own profession And that a free consultation and debate be had with the Assembly of Divines at Westminster in the mean time twenty of His Majesties nomination being added unto them whereby it may be determined by His Majesty and His two Houses of Parliament how the said Church-Government and Form of Publick Worship after the said time may be setled or sooner if Differences may be agreed and how also Reformation of Religion may be setled within the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and the Dominion of Wales And the Articles of Christian Religion now delivered to Him may in like manner be then considered of and determined and care taken for the ease of tender Consciences And concerning the Bishops Lands and Revenues His Majesty considering that during these troublesom times divers of His Subjects have made contracts and purchaces and divers have disbursed great summs of moneys upon security and engagement of those Lands His Majesty for their satisfaction will consent to an Act or Acts of Parliament whereby legal estates for lives or for years at their choice not exceeding 99 years shall be made of those Lands towards the satisfaction of the said Purchasers Contractors and others to whom they are engaged at the old Rents or some other moderate Rent whereby they may receive satisfaction And in case such Leases shall not satisfie His Majesty will propound and consent to some other way for their further satisfaction Provided that the propriety and inheritance of those Lands may still remain and continue to the Church and Church-men respectively according to the pious intentions of the Donors and Founders thereof and the rent that shall be reserved to be for their maintenance His Majesty will give his Royal assent for the better observation of the Lord's day for suppressing of Innovations in Churches and Chappels in and about the Worship of God and for the better advancement of the Preaching of God's Holy Word in all parts of this Kingdom and to an Act against enjoying pluralities of Benefices by Spiritual persons and Non-residency and to an Act for regulating and Reforming both Universities and the Colledges of Westminster Winchester and Eaton His Majesty will consent to an Act for the better discovery and speedy conviction of Popish Recusants as is desired in your Propositions and also to an Act for the education of the children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion As also to an Act for the true levying of the penalties against Papists to be levied and disposed in such manner as both Houses shall agree on and as is proposed on His Majesties behalf As also to an Act to prevent the practices of Papists against the State and for putting the Laws in Execution and for a stricter course to prevent hearing and saying of Mass But as to the Covenant His Majesty is not yet therein satisfied that He can either sign or swear it or consent to impose it on the Consciences of others nor doth He conceive it proper or useful at this time to be insisted on Touching the Militia His Majesty conceives that your Proposition demands a far larger power over the persons and estates of His Subjects than hath ever hitherto been warranted by the Laws and Statutes of this Realm Yet considering the present Distractions require more and trusting in His two Houses of Parliament that they will make no further use of the power therein mentioned after the present Distempers setled than shall be agreeable to the legal exercise thereof in times past or just necessity shall require His Majesty will consent to an Act of Parliament That the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England now assembled or hereafter to be assembled or such as they shall appoint during the space of ten years shall arm train and discipline or cause to be armed trained or disciplined all the Forces of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernesey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick
the atchievement the War with the Crown is devolved upon Me. To the prosecution whereof as I am obliged both in Nature and Honour so I question not but the same necessity continuing you will cherish the Action with the like affection and further it with a ready Contribution True it is You furnished My Father with affectionate Supplies but they held no symmetrie or proportion with the charge of so great an Enterprise for those your Donatives are all disburst to a peny and I am inforced to summon you hither to tell you that neither can the Army advance nor the Fleet set forth without farther Aid Consider I pray you the eyes of all Europe are defixt upon Me to whom I shall appear ridiculous as though I were unable to outgo Muster and Ostentation if you now desert Me. Consider it is My first attempt wherein if I sustain a foil it will blemish all My future Honour If Mine cannot let your own Reputation move you Deliver and expedite Me fairly out of this War wherewith you have incumbred let it never be said whereinto you have betrayed Me. I desire therefore your speedy Supplie Speedy I call it for else it will prove no Supply The Sun you know is entring into his declining point so it will be soon too late to set forth when it will be rather not too soon to return Again I must mind you of the Mortality now regnant in this City which should it as so it may and no breach of Priviledge neither arrest any one Member of either House it soon would put a period both to Consultation and Session so that your own Periclitation necessitates an early Resolution In summ Three of the best Rhetoricians Honour Opportunity and Safety are all of a Plot and plead you see for Expedition Perhaps it may be expected I should say something in way of account of My Religion as also of the temper and tenor of My future Government But as I hope I have not been guilty of any thing which may justly start the least question in either so I desire you would repose in this assurance that I will in neither vary from those Principles wherein I have been instituted at the feet of that eminent Gamaliel My late Father III. To the Speaker of the House of Commons of His Second Parliament MDCXXV VI. MAster Speaker The Answer of the Commons delivered by you I like well of and do take it for a full satisfactory Answer and I thank them for it and I hope you will with all expedition take a course for performance thereof the which will turn to your own good as well as Mine But for your Clause therein of presenting of Grievances I take that but for a Parenthesis in your Speech and not a Condition and yet for answer to that part I will tell you I will be as willing to hear your Grievances as My Predecessors have been so that you will apply your selves to redress Grievances and not to inquire after Grievances I must let you know that I will not allow any of My Servants to be questioned among you much less such as are of eminent place and near unto Me. The old question was What shall be done to the man whom the King will honour but now it hath been the labour of some to seek what may be done against him whom the King thinks fit to honour I see you specially aim at the Duke of Buckingham I wonder what hath so altered your affections toward him I do well remember that in the last Parliament in My Father's time when he was an Instrument to break the Treaties all of you and yet I cannot say all for I know some of you are changed but yet the House of Commons is always the same did so much honour and respect him that all the honour conferred on him was too little and what he hath done since to alter or change your minds I wote not but can assure you he hath not medled or done any thing concerning the Publick or Commonwealth but by special directions and appointment and as My Servant and is so far from gaining or improving his Estate thereby that I verily think he hath rather impaired the same I would you would hasten for My Supply or else it will be worse for your selves for if any ill happen I think I shall be the last shall feel it IV. To the Lords and Commons at WHITE-HALL Mar. 29. MDCXXVI MY Lords and Gentlemen I have called you hither to day I mean both Houses of Parliament but it is for several and distinct reasons My Lords you of the Upper House to give you thanks for your Care of the state of the Kingdom now and not only for the care of your own Proceedings but for inciting your Fellow-House of the Commons to take that into their consideration Therefore My Lords I must not only give you thanks but I must also avow that if this Parliament do not redound to the good of this Kingdom which I pray God it may it is not your faults And you Gentlemen of the House of Commons I am sorry that I may not justly give the same thanks to you but I must tell you that I am come here to shew you your Errors and as I may call it Unparliamentary Proceedings in this Parliament But I do not despair because you shall see your faults so clearly by the Lord Keeper that you may so amend your Proceeding that this Parliament shall end comfortably and happily though at the beginning it hath had some rubs After the Lord Keeper had declared His MAJESTY's pleasure to them Himself added I must withal put you in mind a little of times past You may remember that in the time of My Blessed Father you did with your Counsel and perswasion prevail with My Father and Me to break off the Treaties I confess I was your Instrument for two Reasons One was the fitness of the time the other because I was seconded by so great and worthy a Body as the whole Body of Parliament Then there was no body in so great favour with you as this man whom you seem now to touch but indeed My Father's Government and Mine Now that you have all things according to your wishes and that I am so far ingaged that you think there is no retreat now you begin to set the Dice and make your own Game But I pray you be not deceived it is not a Parliamentary way nor is it a way to deal with a King Master Coke told you It was better to dye by a foreign Enemy than to be destroyed at home Indeed I think it is more Honour for a King to be invaded and almost destroyed by a foreign Enemy than to be despised by His Own Subjects Remember that Parliaments are altogether in My Power for their Calling Sitting and Dissolution therefore as I find the fruits of them good or evil they are to continue or not to be And remember
will only say one word to you Now that you are the Speaker I command you to do the office of a Speaker which is faithfully to report the great Cause of the Meeting that My Lord Keeper in My Name did represent unto you the last day with this assurance That you giving Me your timely help in this great Affair I shall give a willing ear to all your just Grievances XIX To the House of Lords at WESTMINSTER April 24. MDCXL His Majesty said THAT the cause of His coming was to put them in mind of what had been delivered by the Lord Keeper in His Name unto both Houses the first day of the Parliament and after at White-Hall How contrary to His expectation the House of Commons having held Consultation of matter of Religion Property of Goods and Liberty of Parliament and voted some things concerning those three Heads had therefore given them the precedence before the matter of His Supply That His Necessities were such they could not bear delay That whatsoever He had by the Lord Keeper promised He would perform if the House of Commons would trust Him For Religion that His Heart and Conscience went together with the Religion established in the Church of England and He would give Order to His Arch-Bishops and Bishops that no Innovation in matter of Religion should creep in For the Ship-money that He never made or intended to make any profit to Himself of it but only to preserve the Dominion of the Seas which was so necessary that without it the Kingdom could not subsist But for the way and means by Ship-money or otherwise He left it to them For Property of Goods and Liberty of Parliament He ever intended His People should injoy them holding no King so Great as he that was King of a rich and free People and if they had not Property of Goods and Liberty of Persons they could be neither rich nor free That if the House of Commons would not first trust Him all His Affairs would be disordered and His business lost That though they trusted Him in part at first yet before the Parliament ended He must totally trust them and in conclusion they must for execution of all things wholly trust Him Therefore since the matter was no more than who should be first trusted and that the trust of Him first was but a trust in part He desired the Lords to take into their consideration His and their own Honour the Safety and Welfare of this Kingdom with the great Danger it was in and that they would by their Advice dispose the House of Commons to give His Supply the precedence before the Grievances XX. To the Lords and Commons at the Dissolving of His Fourth Parliament at WESTMINSTER May 5. MDCXL MY Lords There can no occasion of My coming to this House be so unpleasing to Me as this is at this time The fear of doing that which I am to do at this day made Me not long agoe come to this House where I expressed as well My fears as the remedies I thought necessary for the eschewing of it Unto which I must confess and acknowledge that you My Lords of the Higher House did give me so willing an ear and with such affection did shew your selves thereafter that certainly I may say if there had been any means to have given an happy end to this Parliament you took it So that it was neither your Lordships fault nor Mine that it is not so Therefore in the first place I must give your Lordships thanks for your good endeavours I hope you remember what My Lord Keeper said to you the first day of the Parliament in My Name what likewise he said in the Banquetting-House in White-Hall and what I lately said to you in this place My self I name all this unto you not in doubt that you do not well remember it but to shew that I never said any thing in way of favour to My People but that by the Grace of God I will really and punctually perform it I know that they have insisted very much on Grievances and I will not say but that there may be some though I will confidently affirm that there are not by many degrees so many as the publick voice doth make them Wherefore I desire you to take notice now especially at this time that out of Parliament I shall be as ready if not more willing to hear and redress any just Grievances as in Parliament There is one thing which is much spoken of though not so much insisted on as others and that is Religion Concerning which albeit I expressed My self fully the last day in this place to your Lordships yet I think it fit again on this occasion to tell you that as I am most concerned so I shall be most careful to preserve that purity of Religion which I thank God is so well established in the Church of England and that as well out as in Parliament My Lords I shall not trouble you long with words it being not My fashion wherefore to conclude What I offered the last day to the House of Commons I think is well known to you all as likewise how they accepted it which I desire not to remember but wish that they had remembred how at first they were told in My Name by My Lord Keeper That Delay was the worst kind of Denial Yet I will not lay this fault on the whole House for I will not judge so uncharitably of those whom for the most part I take to be Loyal and well-affected Subjects but that it hath been the malicious cunning of some few seditiously-affected men that hath been the cause of this Misunderstanding I shall now end as I began in giving your Lordships thanks for your affection shewed to Me at this time desiring you to go on to assist Me in the maintaining of that Regal Power that is truly Mine And as for the Liberty of the People that they now so much seem to startle at know My Lords that no King in the World shall be more careful to maintain them in the Property of their Goods Liberty of their Persons and true Religion than I shall be And now My Lord Keeper do what I have commanded you XXI To the Great Council of Lords at YORK September 24. MDCXL MY Lords Upon sudden Invasions where the dangers are near and instant it hath been the custom of My Predecessors to assemble the Great Council of the Peers by their Advice and Assistance to give a timely remedy to such evils as cannot admit a delay so long as must of necessity be allowed for the assembling the Parliament This being our condition at this time and an Army of Rebels lodged within the Kingdom I thought it most fit to conform My self to the practice of My Predecessors in like cases that with your advice and assistance we might joyntly proceed to the chastisement of their Insolencies and securing of Our good Subjects In the first
place I must let you know that I desire nothing more than to be rightly understood of My People and to that end I have of My self resolved to call a Parliament having already given order to My Lord Keeper to issue out the Writs instantly so that the Parliament may be assembled by the third of November next Whither if My Subjects bring the like good affections as I do it shall not fail on My part to make it a happy Meeting In the mean time there are two points to be considered wherein I shall desire your Advice which indeed is the chief cause of your Meeting First What Answer to give to the Petition of the Rebels and in what manner to treat with them Of which that you may give a sure judgement I have ordered that your Lordships shall be clearly and truly informed of the state of the whole business and upon what reasons the Advices that My Privy Counsel unanimously gave Me were grounded Secondly How My Army shall be kept on foot and maintained till the supplies of a Parliament may be had For so long as the Scots Army remains in England I think no man will counsel Me to disband Mine for that would be an unspeakable loss to all this part of the Kingdom by subjecting them to the greedy appetite of the Rebels beside the unspeakable dishonour that would thereby fall upon this Nation XXII To the Lords and Commons at the Opening of His Fifth Parliament at WESTMINSTER November 3. MDCXL MY Lords The knowledge that I had of the Designs of My Scotish Subjects was the cause of My calling the last Assembly of Parliament wherein had I been believed I sincerely think that things had not fallen out as now we see But it is no wonder that men are so slow to believe that so great a Sedition should be raised on so little ground But now My Lords and Gentlemen the Honour and Safety of this Kingdom lying so nearly at stake I am resolved to put My self freely and clearly on the love and affections of My English Subjects as those of My Lords that did wait on Me at York very well remember I there declared Therefore My Lords I shall not mention Mine own Interest or that Support I might justly expect from you till the Common Safety be secured Though I must tell you I am not ashamed to say those charges I have been at have been meerly for the securing and good of this Kingdom though the success hath not been answerable to My desires Therefore I shall only desire you to consider the best way both for the safety and security of this Kingdom wherein are two things chiefly considerable First the chasing out of the Rebels and secondly that other in satisfying your just Grievances wherein I shall promise you to concur so heartily and clearly with you that all the world may see My intentions have ever been and shall be to make this a glorious and flourishing Kingdom There are only Two things more that I shall mention to you The one is to tell you that the lone of Money which I lately had from the City of London wherein the Lords that waited on Me at York assisted Me will only maintain My Army for two months from the beginning of that time it was granted Now My Lords and Gentlemen I leave it to your considerations what dishonour and mischief it might be in case for want of Money My Army be disbanded before the Rebels be put out of this Kingdom Secondly the securing the Calamities the Northern People endure at this time and so long as the Treaty is on foot And in this I may say not only they but all this Kingdom will suffer the harm Therefore I leave this also to your Consideration For the ordering of these Great Affairs whereof you are to treat at this time I am so confident of your love to Me and that your care is such for the Honour and Safety of the Kingdom that I shall freely and willingly leave to you where to begin Only this that you may the better know the state of all the Affairs I have commanded My Lord Keeper to give you a short and free account of those things that have happened in this interim with this Protestation that if his account be not satisfactory as it ought to be I shall whensoever you desire it give you a full and perfect account of every particular One thing more I desire of you as one of the greatest means to make this an happy Parliament That you on your parts as I on Mine lay aside all suspicion one of another As I promised My Lords at York it shall not be My fault if this be not a happy and good Parliament XXIII To the House of Lords at WESTMINSTER Nov. 5. MDCXL MY Lords I do expect that you will hastily make Relation to the House of Commons of those Great Affairs for which I have called you hither at this time and of the trust I have reposed in them and how freely I put My self on their love and affections at this time And that you may know the better how to do so I shall explain My self concerning one thing I spake the last day I told you the Rebels must be put out of this Kingdom 'T is true I must needs call them so so long as they have an Army that does invade us although I am under Treaty with them and under My Great Seal do call them Subjects and so they are too But the state of My Affairs in short is this It 's true I did expect when I did will My Lords and Great ones to be at York to have given a gracious Answer to all their Grievances for I was in good hope by their Wisdoms and Assistances to have made an end of that business but I must tell you that My Subjects of Scotland did so delay them that it was not possible to end there Therefore I can no ways blame My Lords that were at Rippon that the Treaty was not ended but must thank them for their pains and industry And certainly had they as much power as affections I should by this time have brought these distempers to a happy period So that now the Treaty is transported from Rippon to London where I shall conclude nothing without your knowledge and I doubt not but by your approbation for I do not desire to have this great Work done in a corner for I shall lay open all the steps of this Misunderstanding and the causes of the great Differences between Me and My Subjects of Scotland And I doubt not but by your assistance to make them know their Duty and also by your assistance to make them return whether they will or no. XXIV To the Lords and Commons at the Banquetting-House in WHITE-HALL Jan. 25. MDCXL XLI MY Lords and you the Knights Citizens and Burgesses The principal cause of My coming here at this time is by reason of the slow proceedings in Parliament
touching which is a great deal of inconvenience Therefore I think it very necessary to lay before you the state of My Affairs as they now stand thereby to hasten not to interrupt your proceedings First I must remember you that there are two Armies in the Kingdom in a manner maintained by you the very naming of which doth more clearly shew the inconvenience thereof than a better tongue than Mine can express Therefore in the first place I shall commend unto you the quick dispatch of that business In the next place I must recommend unto you the state of My Navy and Forts the condition of both which is so well known unto you that I need not tell you the particulars Only thus much they are the walls and defence of this Kingdom which if out of order all men may easily judge what encouragement it will be to our Enemies and what disheartning to our Friends Last of all and not the least to be considered I must lay before you the Distractions that are at this present occasioned through the connivence of Parliament for there are some men that more maliciously than ignorantly will put no difference between Reformation and Alteration of Government Hence it cometh that Divine Service is irreverently interrupted and Petitions in an ill way given in neither disputed nor denied But I will enter into no more particulars but shew you a way of Remedy by shewing you My clear intentions and some Rocks that may hinder this Good Work I shall willingly and chearfully concur with you for the Reformation of all Innovations both in Church and Commonwealth and consequently that all Courts of Justice may be reformed according to Law For My intention is clearly to reduce all things to the best and purest times as they were in the time of Queen Elizabeth Moreover whatsoever part of My Revenue shall be found illegal or heavy to My Subjects I shall be willing to lay down trusting in their Affections Having thus clearly and shortly set down My intentions I will shew you some Rubs and must needs take notice of some very strange I know not what term to give them Petitions given in in the names of divers Counties against the present established Government of the Church and of the great threatnings against the Bishops that they will make them to be but Cyphers or at least their Voices to be taken away Now I must tell you that I make a great difference between Reformation and Alteration of Government Though I am for the first I cannot give way to the latter If some of them have overstretched their power and incroached too much upon the Temporalty if it be so I shall not be unwilling these things should be redressed and reformed as all other Abuses according to the wisdom of former times So far I shall go with you Nay further if upon serious debate you shall shew Me that Bishops have some Temporal Authority inconvenient to the State and not so necessary for the Government of the Church and upholding Episcopal Jurisdiction I shall not be unwilling to desire them to lay it down But this must not be understood that I shall any way consent that their Voices in Parliament should be taken away For in all the times of My Predecessors since the Conquest and before they have enjoyed it and I am bound to maintain them in it as one of the Fundamental Constitutions of this Kingdom There is another Rock you are on not in Substance but in Form yet the Form is so essential that unless it be reformed it will marr the Substance There is a Bill lately put in concerning Parliaments The thing I like well to have frequent Parliaments But to give power to Sheriffs and Constables and I know not whom to use My Authority that I cannot yield unto But to shew you that I am desirous to give you contentment â—n Forms which destroy not the Substance you shall have a Bill for this purpose so that it trench neither against My Honour nor against the ancient Prerogative of the Crown concerning Parliaments To which purpose I have commanded My Learned Counsel to wait on you My Lords with such Propositions as I hope will give you content For I ingenuously confess that frequent Parliaments are the best means to keep a right understanding between Me and My People which I so much desire To conclude I have now shewed you the state of My Affairs My Own clear intentions and the Rocks I wish you to eschew in all which you may perceive the desire I have to give you content as you shall find also by those Ministers I have or shall have about Me for the effecting of these My good intentions which I doubt not will bring peace and happiness to My Subjects and contentment to you All. Concerning the Conference you shall have a direct Answer on Monday which shall give you satisfaction XXV To the Lords and Commons in Answer to their Remonstrance about Papists Feb. 3. MDCXL XLI HAving taken into My serious Consideration the late Remonstrance of the Houses of Parliament I give you this Answer That I take in good part your care of the true Religion established in this Kingdom from which I will never depart as also your tenderness of My Safety and the Security of this State and Government It is against My mind that Popery or Superstition should any way increase within this Kingdom I will restrain the same by causing the Laws to be put in execution I am resolved to provide against the Jesuits and Papists by setting forth a Proclamation with all speed commanding them to depart the Kingdom within one Month of which if they fail or shall return then they shall be proceeded against according to the Laws Concerning Rosetti I give you to understand that the Queen hath always assured Me that to Her knowledge he hath no Commission but only to retain a Personal Correspondence between Her and the Pope in things requisite for the exercise of Her Religion which is warranted to Her by the Articles of Marriage which gave Her a full liberty of Conscience Yet I have perswaded Her that since the misunderstanding of that Persons condition gives offence She will within a convenient time remove him Moreover I will take a special care to restrain My Subjects from resorting to Mass at Denmark-House Saint James's and the Chappels of Ambassadors Lastly concerning John Goodman the Priest I will let you know the reason why I reprieved him that as I am informed neither Queen Elizabeth nor My Father did ever avow that any Priest in their times was executed merely for Religion which to Me seems to be this particular Case Yet seeing that I am pressed by both Houses to give way to this because I will avoid the inconvenience of giving so great discontent to My People as I conceive this Mercy may produce therefore I do remit this particular case to both the Houses But I desire them to take into their
tell you three Truths which I am sure no man can tell so well as My self First That I had never any intention of bringing over the Irish Army into England nor ever was advised by any body so to do Secondly That there was never any debate before Me either in Publick Counsel or Private Committee of the disloyalty of my English Subjects nor ever had I any suspicion of them Thirdly That I never was counselled by any to alter the least of any of the Laws of England much less to alter all the Laws Nay I tell you this I think no body durst ever be so impudent as to move Me to it For if they had I should have made them such an Example and put such a mark upon them that all Posterity should know My intentions by it for My intention was ever to govern by the Law and no otherwise I desire to be rightly understood for though I tell you in My Conscience I cannot condemn him of High Treason yet I cannot say I can clear him of Misdemeanours Therefore I hope you may find out a way to satisfie Justice and your own fears and not oppress My Conscience My Lords I hope you know what a tender thing Conscience is and I must declare unto you that to satisfie the People I would do great matters but in this of Conscience neither Fear nor any other respect whatsoever shall ever make Me go against it Certainly I have not deserved so ill of this Parliament at this time that they should press Me in this tender therefore I cannot suspect you will go about it Nay for Misdeameanours I am so clear in them that though I will not chalk out the way yet I will shew you that I think My Lord of Strafford is not fit hereafter to serve Me or the Common-wealth in any place of Trust no not so much as a Constable Therefore I leave it to you My Lords to find out some such way as to bring Me out of this Streight and keep your selves and the Kingdom from such inconveniences XXX To the Lords and Commons at His passing the Bill of Tonnage and Poundage Jun. 22. MDCXLI I Do very willingly accept your offer made at this time as a testimony of your Love and beginning of your dutiful affections to Me and I no waies doubt but that you will perform that which you have intimated unto Me and that in due time you will perform the rest when you have leisure I do not doubt likewise but that in passing this Bill you will see a testimony of the trust and confidence I have in your affections as also that I omit no occasion whereby I may shew that affection to My People that I desire My People would shew to Me as in this Parliament hitherto no body can say but that I have sought occasions both to shew My affections unto them and to remove disputes And therefore in this particular Bill I hope you will know that I do freely and frankly give over the Right that My Predecessors have ever challenged unto Them though I confess disputed but yet they did never yield in Their times Therefore you will understand this but a mark of My confidence to put My self wholly upon the love and affection of My People for My Subsistence And therefore I hope that in prosecution of this you will go on as you have said and that though you have rumours of jealousies and suspitions by flying and idle discourses that have come to My ears concerning the extraordinary way I confess I never understood it otherwise than as having relation to the Scotish Army and preventing insurrection which vanished as soon as they were born And therefore now you see My clearness I leave that to you and will not meddle with it one way or other for I never had other design but to win the affections of My People by My Justice in My Government XXXI To the Lords and Commons at His passing the Bills for taking away the High Commission and Star-Chamber and regulating the Council-Table July 5. MDCXLI I Come to do the Office which I forbore to do on Saturday last to give determination to these two Bills But before I do it I must tell you that I cannot but be very sensible of those reports of discontent that I hear some have taken for not giving My consent on Saturday Me thinks it seems strange that any one should think I could pass two Bills of that importance that these were without taking some fit time to consider of them for it is no less than to alter in a great measure those Fundamental Laws Ecclesiastical and Civil which many of My Predecessors have established If you consider what I have done this Parliament discontent will not sit in your hearts For I hope you remember that I have granted That the Judges hereafter shall hold their places quam diu se bene gesserint I have bounded the Forests not according to My Right but according to late Customs I have established the Property of the Subjects witness the free giving not taking away the Ship-money I have established by Act of Parliament the Property of the Subject in Tonnage and Poundage which never was done in any of My Predecessors times I have granted a Law for Triennial Parliaments and given way to an Act for the securing of Moneys advanced for the disbanding of the Armies I have given free course of Justice against Delinquents I have put the Law in execution against Papists Nay I have given way to every thing that you have asked of Me and therefore Me thinks you should not wonder if in some things I begin to refuse But I hope it shall not hinder your progress in your great affairs and I will not stick upon trivial matters to give you content I hope you are sensible of these beneficial favours bestowed on you at this time To conclude You know that by your consent there is a prefixed time set for my going into Scotland and there is an absolute necessity for it I do not know but that things may so fall that it may be shortned Therefore I hope you will hasten the dispatching of those great businesses that now are necessary to be done and leave trivial and superficial matters to another meeting For My part I shall omit nothing that may give you just contentment and study nothing more than your happiness and thereof I hope you shall see a very good testimony by passing these two Bills LE ROY LE VEULT I have one word more to speak to you and I take now an occasion to present it unto both Houses that thereby all the world shall see that there is a good understanding between Me and My People It is concerning My Nephew the Prince Elector Palatine who having desired Me and the King of Denmark to give way to a Writing concerning the Deit at Ratisbone with the Emperour I could not but send My Ambassador to assist him though I
hither I do stand more for the Liberty of My People than any here that come to be My pretended Judges and therefore let Me know by what lawful Authority I am seated here and I will answer it otherwise I will not answer it Bradshaw Sir how really you have managed your Trust is known your way of Answer is to interrogate the Court which beseems not you in this Condition You have been told of it twice or thrice KING Here is a Gentleman Lieutenant Colonel Cobbet ask him if he did not bring Me from the Isle of Wight by force I do not come here as submitting to the Court. I will stand as much for the Privilege of the House of Commons rightly understood as any man here whatsoever I see no House of Lords here that may constitute a Parliament and the King too should have been Is this the bringing of the King to His Parliament Is this the bringing an end to the Treaty in the Publick Faith of the World Let Me see a Legal Authority warranted by the Word of God the Scriptures or warranted by the Constitutions of the Kingdom and I will answer Bradshaw Sir you have propounded a Question and have been answered Seeing you will not answer the Court will consider how to proceed In the mean time those that brought you hither are to take charge of you back again The Court desires to know whether this be all the Answer you will give or no. KING Sir I desire that you would give Me and all the World satisfaction in this Let Me tell you It is not a slight thing you are about I am sworn to keep the Peace by that Duty I owe to God and My Countrey and I will do it to the last breath of My body And therefore you shall do well to satisfie first God and then the Country by what Authority you do it If you do it by an usurped Authority you cannot answer it There is a God in Heaven that will call you and all that give you Power to account Satisfie Me in that and I will answer otherwise I betray My Trust and the Liberties of the People and therefore think of that and then I shall be willing For I do avow That it is as great a Sin to withstand Lawful Authority as it is to submit to a Tyrannical or any otherways unlawful Authority And therefore satisfie God and Me and all the World in that and you shall receive My Answer I am not afraid of the Bill Bradshaw The Court expects you should give them a final Answer Their purpose is to adjourn till Monday next If you do not satisfie your self though we do tell you our Authority we are satisfied with our Authority and it is upon God's Authority and the Kingdoms and that Peace you speak of will be kept in the doing of Justice and that 's our present Work KING For Answer let Me tell you you have shewn no Lawful Authority to satisfie any reasonable man Bradshaw That 's in your apprehension we are satisfied that are your Judges KING 'T is not My apprehension nor yours neither that ought to decide it Bradshaw The Court hath heard you and you are to be disposed of as they have commanded So commanding the Guard to take Him away His Majesty only replied Well Sir And at His going down pointing with His Staff toward the Ax He said I do not fear that As He went down the stairs the People in the Hall cried out God save the King notwithstanding some were there set by the Faction to lead the clamour for Justice O yes being called they adjourn Westminster-Hall Monday Jan. 22. Afternoon SVnday being spent in Fasting and Preaching according to their manner of making Religion a pretence and prologue to their Villanies on Monday afternoon they came again into the Hall and after Silence commanded called over their Court where Seventy persons being present answered to their Names His Majesty being brought in the People gave a shout Command given to the Captain of their Guard to fetch and take into his custody those who make any Disturbance Then their Solicitor Cook began May it please your Lordship my Lord President I did at the last Court in the behalf of the Commons of England exhibite and give into this Court a Charge of High Treason and other high Crimes against the Prisoner at the Bar whereof I do accuse him in the name of the People of England and the Charge was read unto him and his Answer required My Lord he was not then pleased to give an Answer but in stead of answering did there dispute the Authority of this High Court My humble motion to this High Court in behalf of the Kingdom of England is That the Prisoner may be directed to make a Positive Answer either by way of Confession or Negation which if he shall refuse to do that the matter of Charge may be taken pro confesso and the Court may proceed according to Justice Bradshaw Sir you may remember at the last Court you were told the occasion of your being brought hither and you heard a Charge read against you containing a Charge of High Treason and other high Crimes against this Realm of England you heard likewise that it was prayed in the behalf of the People that you should give an Answer to that Charge that thereupon such proceedings might be had as should be agreeable to Justice you were then pleased to make some scruples concerning the Authority of this Court and knew not by what Authority you were brought hither you did divers time propound your Questions and were as often answer'd That it was by the Authority of the Commons of England assembled in Parliament that did think fit to call you to account for those high and capital Misdemeanours wherewith you were then charged Since that the Court hath taken into consideration what you then said they are fully satisfied with their own Authority and they hold it fit you should stand satisfied with it too and they do require it that you do give a positive and particular Answer to this Charge that is exhibited against you They do expect you should either confess or deny it If you deny it is offered in the behalf of the Kingdom to be made good against you Their Authority they do avow to the whole World that the whole Kingdom are to rest satisfied in and you are to rest satisfied with it and therefore you are to lose no more time but to give a positive Answer thereunto KING When I was here last 't is very true I made that Question and if it were only My own particular Case I would have satisfied My self with the Protestation I made the last time I was here against the Legality of this Court and that a King cannot be tried by any superior Jurisdiction on Earth But it is not My Case alone it is the Freedom and the Liberty of the People of England and do you pretend what
concerned But the Duty I owe to God in the preservation of the true Liberty of My People will not suffer Me at this time to be silent For how can any free-born Subject of England call Life or any thing he possesseth his own if Power without Right daily make new and abrogate the old Fundamental Law of the Land which I now take to be the present Case Wherefore when I came hither I expected that you would have endeavoured to have satisfied Me concerning these grounds which hinder Me to answer to your pretended Impeachment But since I see that nothing I can say will move you to it though Negatives are not so naturally proved as Affirmatives yet I will shew you the Reason why I am confident you cannot Judge Me nor indeed the meanest man in England For I will not like you without shewing a Reason seek to impose a belief upon My Subjects There is no proceeding just against any man but what is warranted either by God's Laws or the Municipal Laws of the Countrey where he lives Now I am most confident this dayes proceeding cannot be warranted by God's Law for on the contrary the authority of Obedience unto Kings is clearly warranted and strictly commanded both in the Old and new Testament which if denyed I am ready instantly to prove And for the question now in hand there it is said That where the Word of a King is there is Power and who may say unto him What dost thou Eccl. 8. 4. Then for the Law of this Land I am no less confident that no learned Lawyer will affirm that an Impeachment can lye against the King they all going in His Name and one of their Maxims is That the King can do no wrong Besides the Law upon which you ground your proceedings must either be old or new if old shew it if new tell what Authority warranted by the Fundamental Laws of the Land hath made it and when But how the House of Commons can erect a Court of Judicature which was never one it self as is well known to all Lawyers I leave to God and the world to judge And it were full as strange that they should pretend to make Laws without King or Lords House to any that have heard speak of the Laws of England And admitting but not granting that the People of England's Commission could grant your pretended Power I see nothing you can shew for that for certainly you never asked the question of the tenth man in the Kingdom and in this way you manifestly wrong even the poorest Plough-man if you demand not his free consent nor can you pretend any colour for this your pretended Commission without the consent at least of the major part of every man in England of whatsoever quality or condition which I am sure you never went about to seek so far are you from having it Thus you see that I speak not for My own Right alone as I am your King but also for the true Liberty of all My Subjects which consists not in the power of Government but in living under such Laws such a Government as may give themselves the best assurance of their Lives and propriety of their Goods Nor in this must or do I forget the Privileges of both Houses of Parliament which this days Proceedings do not only violate but likewise occasion the greatest breach of their publick Faith that I believe ever was heard of with which I am far from charging the two Houses for all pretended Crimes laid against Me bear Date long before this late Treaty at Newport in which I having concluded as much as in Me lay and hopefully expecting the Houses agreement thereunto I was suddenly surprized and hurried from thence as a Prisoner upon which account I am against My will brought hither where since I am come I cannot but to My power defend the ancient Laws and Liberties of this Kingdom together with My own just Right Then for any thing I can see the Higher House is totally excluded And for the House of Commons it is too well known that the major part of them are detained or deterred from sitting so as if I had no other this were sufficient for Me to protest against the Lawfulness of your pretended Court. Besides all this the Peace of the Kingdom is not the least in My thoughts and what hopes of Settlement is there so long as Power reigns without Rule or Law changing the whole frame of that Government under which this Kingdom hath flourished for many hundred years nor will I say what will fall out in case this Lawless unjust proceeding against Me do go on And believe it the Commons of England will not thank you for this Change for they will remember how happy they have been of late years under the Reign of Queen Elizabeth the King My Father and My self until the beginning of these unhappy Troubles and will have cause to doubt that they shall never be so happy under any new And by this time it will be too sensibly evident that the Arms I took up were only to defend the Fundamental Laws of this Kingdom against those who have supposed My Power hath totally changed the ancient Government Thus having shewed you briefly the Reasons why I cannot submit to your pretended Authority without violating the Trust which I have from God for the Welfare and Liberty of My People I expect from you either clear Reasons to convince My Judgment shewing Me that I am in an Error and then truly I will answer or that you will withdraw your proceedings This I intended to speak in Westminster-Hall on Monday 22. January but against Reason was hindred to shew My Reasons Westminster-Hall Tuesday Jan. 23. Afternoon O Yes made Silence commanded The Court called Seventy one present The King brought in by the Guard looks with a Majestick Countenance upon his pretended Judges and sits down After the second O yes and Silence commanded Cooke began more insolently May it please your Lordship my Lord President this is now the third time that by the great grace and favour of this High Court the Prisoner hath been brought to the Bar before any Issue joyned in the Cause My Lord I did at the first Court exhibite a Charge against him containing the Highest Treason that ever was wrought upon the Theatre of England That a King of England trusted to keep the Law that had taken an Oath so to do that had Tribute pay'd him for that end should be guilty of a wicked Design to subvert and destroy our Laws and introduce an Arbitrary and Tyrannical Government in the defence of the Parliament and their Authority set up his Standard for War against the Parliament and People and I did humbly pray in the behalf of the People of England that he might speedily be required to make an Answer to the Charge But My Lord in stead of making any Answer he did then dispute the Authority of this High
Court Your Lordship was pleased to give him a further day to consider and to put in his Answer which day being yesterday I did humbly move that he might be required to give a direct and positive Answer either by denying or confession of it But my Lord he was then pleased for to demur to the Jurisdiction of the Court which the Court did then over-rule and command him to give a direct and positive Answer My Lord besides this great delay of Justice I shall now humbly move your Lordship for speedy Judgment against him My Lord I might press your Lordship upon the whole that according to the known rules of the Law of the Land That if a Prisoner shall stand as contumacious in contempt and shall not put in an issuable Plea guilty or not guilty of the Charge given against him whereby he may come to a fair Tryal that as by an implicite confession it may be taken pro confesso as it hath been done to those who have deserved more favour than the Prisoner at the Bar has done But besides my Lord I shall humbly press your Lordship upon the whole fact The House of Commons the Supreme Authority and Jurisdiction of the Kingdom they have declared That it is notorious that the matter of the Charge is true as it is in truth my Lord as clear as Crystal and as the Sun that shines at noon day which if your Lordship and the Court be not satisfied in I have notwithstanding on the People of England's behalf several Witnesses to produce And therefore I do humbly pray and yet I must confess it is not so much I as the innocent blood that hath been shed the Cry whereof is very great for Justice and Judgment and therefore I do humbly pray that speedy Judgment be pronounced against the Prisoner at the Bar. Bradshaw went on in the same strain Sir you have heard what is moved by the Counsel on the behalf of the Kingdom against you Sir you may well remember and if you do not the Court cannot forget what dilatory dealings the Court hath found at your hands You were pleased to propound some Questions you have had your Resolution upon them You were told over and over again that the Court did affirm their own Jurisdiction That it was not for you nor any other man to dispute the Jurisdiction of the supreme and highest Authority of England from which there is no Appeal and touching which there must be no dispute yet you did persist in such carriage as you gave no manner of Obedience nor did you acknowledge any authority in them nor the High Court that constituted this Court of Justice Sir I must let you know from the Court that they are very sensible of these delays of yours and that they ought not being thus authorized by the supreme Court of England to be thus trifled withal and that they might in Justice if they pleased and according to the rules of Justice take advantage of these delays and proceed to pronounce Judgment against you yet nevertheless they are pleased to give direction and on their behalfs I do require you that you make a positive Answer unto this Charge that is against you Sir in plain terms for Justice knows no respect of Persons you are to give your positive and final Answer in plain English whether you be guilty or not guilty of these Treasons laid to your Charge The King after a little pause said When I was here yesterday I did desire to speak for the Liberties of the People of England I was interrupted I desire to know yet whether I may speak freely or not Bradshaw Sir you have had the Resolution of the Court upon the like Question the last day and you were told That having such a Charge of so high a nature against you your work was that you ought to acknowledge the Jurisdiction of the Court and to answer to your Charge Sir if you answer to your Charge which the Court gives you leave now to do though they might have taken the advantage of your Contempt yet if you be able to answer to your Charge when you have once answered you shall be heard at large make the best Defence you can But Sir I must let you know from the Court as their Commands that you are not to be permitted to issue out into any other discourses till such time as you have given a positive Answer concerning the matter that is charged upon you KING For the Charge I value it not a rush It is the Liberty of the People of England that I stand for For Me to acknowledge a new Court that I never heard of before I that am your King that should be an Example to all the People of England for to uphold Justice to maintain the old Laws indeed I do not know how to do it You spoke very well the first day that I came here on Saturday of the Obligations that I had laid upon Me by God to the maintenance of the Liberties of My People the same Obligation you spake of I do acknowledge to God that I owe to Him and to My People to defend as much as in Me lies the ancient Laws of the Kingdom therefore until that I may know that this is not against the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom by your favour I can put in no particular Charge If you will give Me time I will shew you My Reasons why I cannot do it and this Here being interrupted He said By your favour you ought not to interrupt Me. How I came here I know not there 's no Law for it to make your King your Prisoner I was in a Treaty upon the Publick Faith of the Kingdom that was the known two Houses of Parliament that was the Representative of the Kingdom and when that I had almost made an end of the Treaty then I was hurried away and brought hither and therefore Bradshaw Sir you must know the pleasure of the Court. KING By your favour Sir Bradshaw Nay Sir by your favour you may not be permitted to fall into those discourses you appear as a Delinquent you have not acknowledged the Authority of the Court The Court craves it not of you but once more they command you to give your positive Answer Clerk Do your Duty KING Duty Sir The Clerk reads Charles Stuart King of England you are accused in the behalf of the Commons of England of divers high Crimes and Treasons which Charge hath been read unto you the Court now requires you to give your positive and final Answer by way of Confession or Denial of the Charge KING Sir I say again to you so that I might give satisfaction to the People of England of the clearness of My Proceeding not by way of Answer not in this way but to satisfie them that I have done nothing against that Trust that hath been committed to Me I would do it but to acknowledge a new Court against their
Privileges to alter the Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom Sir you must excuse Me. Bradshaw Sir this is the third time that you have publickly disown'd this Court and put an Affront upon it How far you have preserv'd the Privileges of the People your Actions have spoke it but truly Sir mens Intentions ought to be known by their Actions you have written your meaning in bloody Characters throughout the whole Kingdom But Sir you understand the pleasure of the Court. Clerk record the Default And Gentlemen you that took charge of the Prisoner take him back again KING I will only say this one word more to you If it were only My own particular I would not say any more nor interrupt you Bradshaw Sir you have heard the pleasure of the Court and you are notwithstanding you will not understand it to find that you are before a Court of Justice Then the King went forth with the Guard And Proclamation was made That all persons which had then appeared and had further to do at the Court might depart into the Painted Chamber to which place the Court did forthwith adjourn and intended to meet in Westminster-Hall by ten of the Clock next morning Cryer God bless the Kingdom of England Westminster-Hall Saturday Jan. 27. Afternoon TWo or three dayes being spent in a formal Examination of Witnesses and preparing themselves for the last scene of this Mock-shew at length on Saturday the twenty seventh of January Bradshaw in his Scarlet Robes appeared in the Hall and Sixty seven others answered to their Names As the King came in in His wonted posture with his Hat on and passed toward them some few Souldiers began a clamour for Justice Justice and Execution O yes made and Silence commanded the Captain of their Guard ordered to take into Custody such as made any disturbance His Majesty began I desire a word to be heard a little and I hope I shall give no occasion of interruption Bradshaw saucily answered You may answer in your time hear the Court first His Majesty patiently replied If it please you Sir I desire to be heard and I shall not give any occasion of interruption and it is only in a word A sudden Judgment Bradshaw Sir you shall be heard in due time but you are to hear the Court first KING Sir I desire it it will be in order to what I believe the Court will say and therefore Sir A hasty Judgment is not so soon recalled Bradshaw Sir you shall be heard before the Judgment be given and in the mean time you may forbear KING Well Sir shall I be heard before the Judgment be given Bradshaw Gentlemen it is well known to all or most of you here present that the Prisoner at the Bar hath been several times convented and brought before this Court to make Answer to a Charge of Treason and other high Crimes exhibited against him in the name of the People of England To which Charge being required to answer he hath been so far from obeying the Commands of the Court by submitting to their Justice as he began to take upon him to offer Reasoning and Debate unto the Authority of the Court and to the highest Court that appointed them to try and judge him But being over-ruled in that and required to make his Answer he was still pleased to continue Contumacious and to refuse to submit to Answer Hereupon the Court that they might not be wanting to themselves nor the Trust reposed in them nor that any man's wilfulness prevent Justice they have thought fit to take the matter into their consideration they have considered of the Charge they have considered of the Contumacy and of that Confession which in Law doth arise upon that Contumacy they have likewise considered of the Notoriety of the Fact charged upon this Prisoner and upon the whole matter they are resolved and are agreed upon a Sentence to be pronounced against this Prisoner But in respect he doth desire to be heard before the Sentence be read and pronounced the Court hath resolved that they will hear him Yet Sir thus much I must tell you beforehand which you have been minded of at other Courts That if that which you have to say be to offer any debate concerning the Jurisdiction you are not to be heard in it You have offered it formerly and you have struck at the Root that is the Power and Supreme Authority of the Commons of England which this Court will not admit a debate of and which indeed it is an irrational thing in them to do being a Court that acts upon Authority derived from them But Sir if you have any thing to say in defence of your self concerning the matter charged the Court hath given me in command to let you know they will hear you KING Since I see that you will not hear any thing of Debate concerning that which I confess I though most material for the Peace of the Kingdom and for the Liberty of the Subject I shall wave it I shall speak nothing to it But only I must tell you that this many-a day all things have been taken away from Me but that that I call dearer to Me than My Life which is My Conscience and My Honor And if I had a respect to My Life more than the Peace of the Kingdom and the Liberty of the Subject certainly I should have made a particular Defence for My Self for by that at leastwise I might have delayed an ugly Sentence which I believe will pass upon Me. Therefore certainly Sir as a man that hath some understanding some knowledge of the World if that My true Zeal to My Countrey had not overborn the care that I have for My own Preservation I should have gone another way to work than that I have done Now Sir I conceive that an hasty Sentence once past may sooner be repented of than recalled and truly the self-same desire that I have for the Peace of the Kingdom and the Liberty of the Subject more than my own particular Ends makes Me now at last desire That I having something to say that concerns both I desire before Sentence be given that I may be heard in the Painted Chamber before the Lords and Commons This Delay cannot be prejudicial unto you whatsoever I say If that I say no Reason those that hear Me must be Judges I cannot be Judge of that that I * have If it be Reason and really for the welfare of the Kingdom and the Liberty of the Subject I am sure on it it is very well worth the hearing Therefore I do conjure you as you love that that you pretend I hope it is real the Liberty of the Subject the Peace of the Kingdom that you will grant me this hearing before any Sentence be past I only desire this That you will take this into your Consideration it may be you have not heard of it before-hand If you will I will retire and you may think of
it but if I cannot get this Liberty I do protest That these fair shews of Liberty and Peace are pure shews and that you will not hear your King Bradshaw Sir you have now spoken KING Yes Sir Bradshaw And this that you have said is a further declining of the Jurisdiction of this Court which was the thing wherein you were limited before KING Pray excuse Me Sir for My interruption because you mistake Me. It is not a declining of it you do judge Me before you hear Me speak I say it will not I do not decline it though I cannot acknowledge the Jurisdiction of the Court yet Sir in this give Me leave to say I would do it though I did not acknowledge it in this I do protest it is not the declining of it since I say if that I do say any thing but that that is for the Peace of the Kingdom and the Liberty of the Subject then the shame is Mine Now I desire that you will take this into your Consideration if you will I will withdraw Bradshaw Sir this is not altogether new that you have moved unto us not altogether new to us though the first time in person you have offered it to the Court. Sir you say you do not decline the Jurisdiction of the Court. KING Not in this that I have said Bradshaw I understand you well Sir but nevertheless that which you have offered seems to be contrary to that saying of yours for the Court are ready to give a Sentence It is not as you say That they will not hear their King for they have been ready to hear you they have patiently waited your pleasure for three Courts together to hear what you would say to the Peoples Charge against you to which you have not vouchsafed to give any Answer at all Sir this tends to a further Delay Truly Sir such Delays as these neither may the Kingdom nor Justice well bear You have had three several days to have offered in this kind what you would have pleased This Court is founded upon that Authority of the Commons of England in whom rests the Supreme Jurisdiction That which you now tender is to have another Jurisdiction and a co-ordinate Jurisdiction I know very well you express your self Sir That notwithstanding that you would offer to the Lords and Commons in the Painted Chamber yet nevertheless you would proceed on here I did hear you say so But Sir that you would offer there whatever it is must needs be in delay of the Justice here so as if this Court be resolved and prepared for the Sentence this that you offer they are not bound to grant But Sir according to that you seem to desire and because you shall know the further pleasure of the Court upon that which you have moved the Court will withdraw for a time This he did to prevent the disturbance of their Scene by one of their own Members Colonel John Downes who could not stifle the reluctance of his Conscience when he saw his Majesty press so earnestly for a short hearing but declaring himself unsatisfied forced them to yield to the King's Request KING Shall I withdraw Bradshaw Sir You shall know the pleasure of the Court presently The Court withdraws for half an hour into the Court of Wards Serjeant at Arms. The Court gives command that the Prisoner be withdrawn and they give order for his return again Then withdrawing into the Chamber of the Court of Wards their business was not to consider of his Majesties desire but to Chide Downes and with reproaches and threats to harden him to go through the remainder of their Villany with them Which done they return and being sate Bradshaw commanded Serjeant at Armes send for your Prisoner Who being come Bradshaw proceeded Sir you were pleased to make a motion here to the Court to offer a desire of yours touching the propounding of somewhat to the Lords and Commons in the Painted Chamber for the Peace of the Kingdom Sir you did in effect receive an Answer before the Court adjourned truly Sir their withdrawing and adjournment was pro forma tantùm for it did not seem to them that there was any difficulty in the thing They have considered of what you have moved and have considered of their own Authority which is founded as hath been often said upon the supreme Authority of the Commons of England assembled in Parliament the Court acts accordingly to their Commission Sir the return I have to you from the Court is this That they have been too much delayed by you already and this that you now offer hath occasioned some little further Delay and they are Judges appointed by the highest Authority and Judges are no more to delay than they are to deny Justice they are good words in the Great old Charter of England Nulli negabimus nulli vendemus nulli deferemus Justitiam there must be no delay But the truth is Sir and so every man here observes it that you have much delayed them in your Contempt and Default for which they might long since have proceeded to Judgment against you and notwithstanding what you have offered they are resolved to proceed to Sentence and to Judgment and that is their unanimous Resolution KING Sir I know it is in vain for Me to dispute I am no Sceptick for to deny the Power that you have I know that you have Power enough Sir I must confess I think it would have been for the Kingdoms Peace if you would have taken the pains for to have shewn the Lawfulness of your Power For this Delay that I have desired I confess it is a Delay but it is a Delay very important for the Peace of the Kingdom for it is not My Person that I look at alone it is the Kingdoms Welfare and the Kingdoms Peace It is an old Sentence That we should think on long before we resolve of great matters suddenly Therefore Sir I do say again that I do put at your doors all the inconveniency of a hasty Sentence I confess I have been here now I think this Week this day eight dayes was the day I came here first but a little Delay of a day or two further may give Peace whereas a hasty Judgment may bring on that Trouble and perpetual Inconveniency to the Kingdom that the Child that is unborn may repent it And therefore again out of the Duty I owe to God and to My Country I do desire that I may be heard by the Lords and Commons in the Painted Chamber or any other Chamber that you will appoint Me. Bradshaw You have been already answered to what you even now moved being the same you moved before since the Resolution and the Judgment of the Court in it And the Court now requires to know whether you have any more to say for your self than you have said before they proceed to Sentence KING I say this Sir That if you hear Me if you will give
of Himself and as He believeth of all His good and well-affected Subjects dissolved also although He well knoweth the the calling adjourning proroguing and dissolving of Parliaments being His Great Council of the Kingdom do peculiarly belong unto Himself by an undoubted Prerogative inseparably united to His Imperial Crown of which as of His other Regal Actions He is not bound to give an account to any but to God only whose immediate Lieutenant and Vicegerent He is in these His Realms and Dominions by the Divine Providence committed to His Charge and Government yet forasmuch as by the assistance of the Almighty His purpose is so to order Himself and all His Actions especially the great and publick Actions of State concerning the weal of His People as may justifie themselves not only to His own Conscience and to His own People but to the whole World His Majesty hath thought it fit and necessary as the Affairs now stand both at home and abroad to make a true plain and clear Declaration of the causes which moved His Majesty to assemble and after inforced Him to dissolve these Parliaments that so the mouth of Malice it self may be stopped and the doubts and fears of His own good Subjects at home and of His Friends and Allies abroad may be satisfied and the deserved blame of so unhappy accidents may justly light upon the Authors thereof When His Majesty by the death of His dear and Royal Father of ever-blessed memory first came to the Crown He found himself ingaged in a War with a potent Enemy not undertaken rashly nor without just and honourable grounds but inforced for the necessary defence of Himself and His Dominions for the support of His Friends and Allies for the redeeming of the ancient honour of this Nation for the recovering of the Patrimony of His dear Sister her Consort and their Children injuriously and under colour of Treaties and Friendship taken from them and for the maintenance of the true Religion and invited thereunto and incouraged therein by the humble advice of both the Houses of Parliament and by their large promises and protestations to His late majesty to give Him full and real assistance in those Enterprises which were of so great importance of this Realm and to the general Peace and Safety of all His Friends and Allies But when His majesty entred into a view of His Treasure He found how ill provided He was to proceed effectually with so great an Action unless He might be assured to receive such Supplies from His loving Subjects as might inable Him to manage the same Hereupon His majesty being willing to tread in the steps of His Royal Progenitors for the making of good and wholsome Laws for the better government of His people for the right understanding of their true Grievances and for the supply of moneys to be imployed for those publick services He did resolve to summon a Parliament with all convenient speed He might and finding a former Parliament already called in the life of His Father He was desirous for the speedier dispatch of His weighty affairs and gaining of time to have continued the same without any alteration of the members thereof had He not been advised to the contrary by His Judges and Counsel at Law for that it had been subject to question in Law which He desired to avoid But as soon as possibly He could He summoned a new Parliament which He did with much confidence and assurance of the love of His People that those who not long before had with some importunity won his Father to break off his former Treaties with Spain and to effect it had used the mediation of his now majesty being then Prince and a member of the Parliament and had promised in Parliament their uttermost assistance for the inabling of his late majesty to undergo the War which they then foresaw might follow would assuredly have performed it to his now majesty and would not have suffered him in his first Enterprise of so great an expectation to have run the least hazard through their defaults This Parliament after some adjournment by reason of his majestie's unavoidable occasions interposing being assembled on the eighteenth day of June it is true that his Commons in Parliament taking into their due and serious consideration the manifold occasions which at his first entry did press his majesty and his most important affairs which both at home and abroad were then in action did with great readiness and alacrity as a pledge of their most bounden Duty and Thankfulness and as the first-fruits of the most dutiful affections of his loving and loyal Subjects devoted to his service present his majesty with the free and chearful gift of two entire Subsidies which their gift and much more the freeness and heartiness expressed in the giving thereof his majesty did thankfully and lovingly accept But when he had more narrowly entred into the consideration of his great affairs wherein he was imbarked and from which he could not without much dishonour and disadvantage withdraw his hand He sound that this summe of money was much short of that which of necessity must be presently expended for the setting forward of those great actions which by advice of his Council he had undertaken and were that Summer to be pursued This his majesty imparted to his Commons House of Parliament but before the same could receive that debate and due consideration which was fit the fearful visitation of the Plague in and about the Cities of London and Westminster where the Lords and the principal Gentlemen of quality of his whole Kingdom were for the time of this their service lodged and abiding did so much increase that his majesty without extream peril to the lives of His good Subjects which were dear unto him could not continue the Parliament any longer in that place His Majesty therefore on the eleventh day of July then following adjourned the Parliament from Westminster until the first day of August then following to the City of Oxford and his Highness was so careful to accommodate his Lords and Commons there that as He made choice of that place being then the freest of all others from the danger of that grievous Sickness so He there fitted the Parliament-men with all things convenient for their entertainment and his Majesty himself being in his own heart sincere and free from all ends upon his people which the Searcher of hearts best knoweth He little expected that any misconstruction of His Actions would have been made as He there found But when the Parliament had been a while there assembled and His Majestie 's Affairs opened unto them and a further supply desired as necessity required He found them so slow and so full of delays and diversions in their resolutions that before any thing could be determined the fearful Contagion daily increased and was dispersed into all the parts of this Kingdom and came home even their doors where they were assembled His
Majesty therefore rather preferred the safety of His People from that present and visible danger than the providing for that which was more remote but no less dangerous to the state of this Kingdom and of the affairs of that part of Christendom which then were and yet are in friendship and alliance with His Majesty and thereupon His Majesty not being then able to discern when it might please God to stay His hand of Visitation nor what place might be more secure than other at a time convenient for their re-assembling His Majesty dissolved that Parliament That Parliament being now ended His Majesty did not therewith cast off His Royal care of His great and important affairs but by the advice of His Privy Council and of His Council of War He continued His preparations and former resolutions and therein not only expended those moneys which by the two Subsidies aforesaid were given unto Him for His own private use whereof He had too much occasion as He found the state of His Exchequer at His first entrance but added much more of His own as by His credit and the credit of some of His Servants He was able to compass the same At last by much disadvantage by the retarding of provisions and uncertainty of the means His Navy was prepared and set to Sea and the designs unto which they were sent and specially directed were so probable and so well advised that had they not miscarried in the execution His Majesty is well assured they would have given good satisfaction not only to His own people but to all the world that they were not lightly or unadvisedly undertaken and pursued But it pleased God who is the Lord of Hosts and unto whose Providence and good pleasure His Majesty doth and shall ever submit Himself and all His endeavours not to give that success which was desired And yet were those attempts not altogether so fruitless as the envy of the Times hath apprehended the Enemy receiving thereby no small loss and our party no little advantage and it would much avail to further His Majestie 's great affairs and the Peace of Christendom which ought to be the true end of all hostility were these first beginnings which are most subject to miscarry well seconded and pursued as His Majesty intended and as in the judgment of all men conversant in actions of this nature were fit not to have been neglected These things being thus acted and God of his infinite Goodness beyond expectation asswaging the rage of the Pestilence and in a manner of a sudden restoring health and safety to the Cities of London and Westminster which are the fittest places for the resort of His Majesty His Lords and Commons to meet in Parliament His Majesty in the depth of Winter no sooner descried the probability of a safe assembling of His people and in His Princely Wisdom and Providence foresaw that if the opportunity of seasons should be omitted preparations both defensive and offensive could not be made in such sort as was requisite for their common safety but He advised and resolved of the summoning of a new Parliament where He might freely communicate the necessities of the State and by the counsel and advice of the Lords and Commons in Parliament who are the representative body of the whole Kingdom and the great Counsel of the Realm He might proceed in these enterprises and be inabled thereunto which concern the common good safety and honour both of Prince and People and accordingly the sixth of February last a new Parliament was begun At the first meeting His Majesty did forbear to press them with any thing which might have the least appearance of His own Interest but recommended unto them the care of making of good Laws which are the ordinary subject for a Parliament His Majesty believing that they could not have suffered many days much less many weeks to have passed by before the apprehension and care of the common safety of this Kingdom and of the true Religion prosessed and maintained therein and of Our Friends and Allies who must prosper or suffer with us would have led them to a due and a timely consideration of all the means which might best conduce to those ends which the Lords of the higher House by a Committee of that House did timely and seasonably consider of and invited the Commons to a Conference concerning that great business at which Conference there were opened unto them the great occasions which pressed His Majesty which making no impression with them His majesty did first by message and after by Letters put the House of Commons in mind of that which was most necessary the defence of the Kingdom and due and timely preparations for the same The Commons House after this upon the seven and twentieth of March last with one unanimous consent at first agreed to give unto His Majesty three intire Subsidies and three Fiteens for a present supply unto Him and upon the six and twentieth of April after upon second cogitations they added a fourth Subsidy and ordered the days of payment for them all whereof the first should have been on the last day of this present month of June Upon this the King of Denmark and other Princes and States being ingaged with His Majesty in this Common Cause His Majesty fitted His occasions according to the times which were appointed for the payment of those Subsidies and Fifteens and hastned on the Lords Committees and His Council at War to perfect their resolutions for the ordering and setting of His designs which they accordingly did and brought them to that maturity that they found no impediment to a final conclusion of their Counsels but want of money to put things into Action His Majesty hereupon who had with much patience expected the real performance of that which the Commons had promised finding the time of the year posting away and having intelligence not only from His own Ministers and Subjects in forein parts but from all parts of Christendom of the great and powerful preparations of the King of Spain and that His design was upon this Kingdom or the Kingdom of Ireland or both and it is hard to determine which of them would be of worst consequence He acquainted the House of Commons therewith and laid open unto them truly and clearly how the state of things then stood and yet stand and at several times and upon several occasions re-iterated the same But that House being abused by the violent and ill-advised Passions of a few members of the House for private and personal ends ill beseeming publick persons trusted by their Country as then they were not only neglected but wilfully refused to hearken to all the gentle admonitions which His Majesty could give them and neither did nor would intend any thing but the prosecution of one of the Peers of this Realm and that in such a disordered manner as being set at their own instance into a Legal way wherein the proofs
the whole Kingdom And if any factious Merchant will affront Us in a thing so reasonable and wherein We require no more nor in no other manner than so many of our Predecessors have done and have been dutifully obeyed let them not deceive themselves but be assured that We shall find Honourable and just means to support Our Estate vindicate Our Sovereignty and preserve that Authority which God hath put into Our hands And now having laid down the truth and clearness of Our proceedings all wise and discreet men may easily judge of those rumors and jealous fears that are maliciously and wickedly bruited abroad and may discern by examination of their own hearts whether in respect of the free passage of the Gospel indifferent and equal administration of Justice freedom from Oppression and the great Peace and quietness which every man enjoyeth under his own vine and fig-tree the Happiness of this Nation can be parallel'd by any other of Our neighbour Countries and if not then to acknowledge their own blessedness and for the same be thankful to God the Author of all goodness By the KING A Proclamation for suppressing of false Rumours touching Parliaments WHereas notwithstanding Our late Declaration for satisfying of the minds and affections of Our loving Subjects some ill-disposed persons do spread false and pernicious Rumours abroad as if the scandalous and seditious Proposition in the House of Commons made by an outlawed man desperate in mind and fortune which was tumultuously taken up by some few after that by Our Royal Authority We had commanded their Adjournment had been the Vote of the whole House whereas the contrary is the truth for it was then decried by the wisest and best affected and is since disavowed upon examination by such as were suspected to have consented thereunto and affirmed as well by them as others who served in the House that day to be a thing of a most wicked and dangerous consequence to the good estate of this Kingdom which appeareth to be so by those impressions which this false Rumour hath made in mens minds whereby out of causeless fears the Trade of the Kingdom is disturbed and Merchants discouraged to continue in their wonted Traffique We have thought it expedient not only to manifest the truth hereof but to make known Our Royal pleasure that those who raise or nourish such false reports shall be severely punished and such as chearfully go on with their Trade have all good incouragement not purposing to overcharge Our Subjects by any new burthens but to satisfie Our selves with those Duties that were received by the King Our Father of blessed memory which We neither can nor will dispense withal but shall esteem them unworthy of Our Protection who shall deny the same We intending to imploy it for defence of Our Kingdoms Dominion of Our Seas and safeguard of Our Merchants specially by such Shipping as are now making ready and such further preparation for aid of Our Friends and Allies as need shall require And whereas for several ill ends the calling again of a Parliament is divulged howsoever We have shewed by Our frequent meeting with Our People Our love to the use of Parliaments yet the late abuse having for the present driven Us unwillingly out of that course We shall accompt it presumption for any to prescribe any time unto Us for Parliaments the Calling Continuing and Dissolving of which is always in Our own power and We shall be more inclinable to meet in Parliament again when Our People shall see more clearly into our Intents and Actions when such as have bred this interruption shall have received their condign punishment and those who are mis-led by them and by such ill reports as are raised upon this occasion shall come to a better understanding of Us and themselves Given at Our Court of White-hall this seven and twentieth day of March in the fifth year of Our Reign of Great Britain France and Ireland God save the KING MDCXXIX His MAJESTIE's Letter to the Judges concerning Ship-money To Our Trusty and Well-beloved Sir John Bramston Knight Chief Justice of Our Bench Sir John Finch Knight Chief Justice of Our Court of Common Pleas Sir Humphrey Davenport Knight Chief Baron of Our Court of Exchequer and to the rest of the Judges of Our Courts of Kings Bench Common Pleas and the Barons of Our Court of Exchequer CHARLES R. TRusty and Well-beloved We greet you well Taking into Our Princely consideration that the Honour and Safety of this Our Realm of England the preservation whereof is only entrusted to Our care was and is more nearly concerned in late than former times as well by divers counsels and attempts to take from us the Dominion of the Seas of which We are sole Lord and rightful Owner or Proprietor and the loss whereof would be of greatest danger and peril to this Kingdom and other Our Dominions as many other ways We for the avoiding of these and the like dangers well weighing with Our self that where the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in danger there the charge and defence ought to be born by all the Realm in general did for the preventing so publick a mischief resolve with Our self to have a Royal Navy prepared that might be of force and power with Almighty God's blessing and assistance to protect and defend this Our Realm and Our Subjects therein from all such perils and dangers and for that purpose We issued forth Writs under Our Great Seal of England directed to all Our Sheriffs of Our several Counties of England and Wales commanding thereby all Our said Subjects in every City Town and Village to provide such a number of Ships well furnisht as might serve for this Royal purpose and which might be done with the greatest equality that could be In performance whereof though generally throughout all the Counties of this Our Realm We have found in Our Subjects great chearfulness and alacrity which We graciously interpret as a testimony as well of their dutiful affection to Us and Our service as of the respect they have to the Publick which well becometh every good Subject nevertheless finding that some few haply out of ignorance what the Laws and Customs of this Realm are or out of a desire to be eased in their particulars how general soever the charge be or ought to be have not yet paid and contributed to the several Rates and Assessments that were set upon them and foreseeing in Our Princely Wisdom that from thence divers Suits and Actions are not unlikely to be commenced and prosecuted in Our several Courts at Westminster We desirous to avoid such inconveniences and out of Our Princely love and affection to all Our People being willing to prevent such errors as any of Our loving Subjects may happen to run into have thought fit in a case of this nature to advise with you Our Judges who We doubt not are well studied
and informed in the Rights of Our Sovereignty And because the Trials in Our several Courts by the formalities in pleading will require a long protraction We have thought fit by this Letter directed to you all to require your Judgment in the Case as it is set down in the inclosed Paper which will not only gain time but also be of more authority to over-rule any prejudicate opinions of others in the point Given under Our Signet at Our Court of White-hall the second day of February in the twelfth year of Our Reign 1636. C. R. CHARLES R. WHen the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in danger whether may not the King by Writ under the Great Seal of England command all the Subjects in His Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such number of Ships with Men Victuals and Munition and for such time as He shall think fit for the defence and safeguard of the Kingdom from such danger and peril and by Law compel the doing thereof in case of refusal or refractoriness And whether in such case is not the King the sole judge both of the Danger and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided The Answer of the Judges MAY it please Your most Excellent Majesty We have according to Your Majestie 's command severally and every man by himself and all of us together taken into serious consideration the Case and Questions signed by Your Majesty and inclosed in Your Letter And We are of opinion That when the good and safety of the Kingdom in general is concerned and the whole Kingdom in danger Your Majesty may by Writ under Your Great Seal of England command all the Subjects of this Your Kingdom at their charge to provide and furnish such number of Ships with Men Victual Munition and for such time as Your Majesty shall think fit for the defence and safeguard of the Kingdom from such peril and danger And that by Law Your Majesty may compel the doing thereof in case of refusal or refractoriness And we are also of opinion that in such case Your Majesty is the sole judge both of the Danger and when and how the same is to be prevented and avoided John Bramston John Finch Humphrey Davenport John Denham Richard Hutton William Jones George Crook Thomas Trevor George Vernon Robert Barkly Francis Crauley Richard Weston His MAJESTIE's Declaration to all His loving Subjects of the Causes which moved Him to dissolve His Fourth Parliament THE King 's most Excellent Majesty well knoweth that the Calling Adjourning Proroguing and Dissolving of Parliaments are undoubted Prerogatives inseparably annexed to His Imperial Crown of which He is not bound to render any account but to God alone no more than of His other Regal actions Nevertheless His Majesty whose Piety and Goodness have made Him ever so order and govern all things that the clearness and Candor of His Royal heart may appear to all His Subjects especially in those great and publick matters of State that have relation to the weal and safety of His People and the Honour of His Royal Person and Government hath thought fit for avoiding and preventing all sinister constructions and misinter pretations which the Malice of some persons ill-affected to His Crown and Soveraignty hath or may practise to infuse into the minds an ears of His good and faithful Subjects to set down by way of Declaration the true Causes as well of His Assembling as of His Dissolving the late Parliament IT is not unknown to most of His Majestie 's loving Subjects what discouragements He hath formerly had by the undutiful and seditious carriage of divers of the lower House in preceding Assemblies of Parliament enough to have made Him averse to those ancient and accustomed ways of calling His People together when in stead of dutiful expressions towards His Person and Government they vented their own Malice and disaffections to the State and by their subtle and malignant courses endeavoured nothing more than to bring into contempt and disorder all Government and Magistracy Yet His Majesty well considering that but few were guilty of that seditious and undutiful behaviour and hoping that time and experience had made His loving Subjects sensible of the distemper the whole Kingdom was in danger to be put into by the ill-govern'd actions of those men and His Majesty being ever desirous to tread in the steps of His most noble Progenitors was pleased to issue forth His Writs under the great Seal of England for a Parliament to be holden on the thirteenth day of April last At which day His Majesty by the Lord Keeper of His great Seal was graciously pleased to let both Houses of Parliament know how desirous He was that all His people would unite their hearts and affections in the execution of those Counsels that might tend to the Honour of His Majesty the Safety of His Kingdoms and the good and preservation of all His people and withal how confident He was that they would not be failing in their duties and affections to Him and to the publick He laid open to them the manifest and apparent mischiefs threatned to this and all His other Kingdoms by the mutinous and rebellious behaviour of divers of the Scotish nation who had by their examples drawn many of His Subjects there into a course of disloyalty and disobedience not fit for His Majesty in Honour Safety or Wisdom to endure How to strengthen themselves in their disloyal courses they had addrest themselves to forein States and treated with them to deliver themselves up to their protection and defence as was made apparent under the proper hands of the prime Ring-leaders of that Rebellious Faction These courses of theirs tending so much to the ruine and overthrow of this famous Monarchy united by the descent of the Crown of England upon His Majesty and his Father of blessed Memory His Majesty in His great Wisdom and in discharge of the trust reposed in Him by God and by the Fundamental Laws of both Kingdoms for the protection and government of them resolved to suppress and thereby to vindicate that Sovereign power entrusted to Him He had by the last Summers trial found that his Grace and Goodness was abused and that contrary to his expectation and their faithful promises they had since his being at Berwick and the Pacification there made pursued their former rebellious designs and therefore it was necessary now for his Majesty by power to reduce them to the just and modest condition of their Obedience and subjection which whenever they should be brought unto or seeing their own Errors should put themselves into a way of Humility and Obedience becoming them his Majesty should need no other Mediatours for Clemency and Mercy to them than his own Piety and Goodness and the tender affection he hath ever born to that his native Countrey This being of so great weight and consequence to the whole Kingdo
so much desired and hoped that nothing might be wanting on His part to bring them into the right way for His Honour the safety of the Kingdom and their own good He resolved to desire the assistance of the Lords of the higher House as persons in rank and degree nearest to the Royal Throne and who having received Honour from Him and His Royal Progenitors He doubted not would for those and many other reasons be moved in honour and dutiful affection to His Person and Crown to dispose the House of Commons to express their duties to His Majesty in expediting the matter of Supply for which they were called together and which required so present a dispatch For this purpose His Majesty in His Royal Person came again to the Lords House on Wednesday the 24. day of April where Himself declared to the Lords the cause of His coming which was to put them in mind of what had been by the Lord Keeper in His name delivered unto both Houses the first day of the Parliament and after at White-Hall how contrary to His expectation the House of Commons having held consultation of matter of Religion Property of Goods and Liberty of Parliament and voted some things concerning those three heads had thereby given them the precedence before the matter of His Supply that His necessities were such they could not bear delay that whatever He had by the Lord Keeper promised He would perform if the House of Commons would trust Him For Religion that His Heart and Conscience went together with the Religion established in the Church of England and He would give order to His Archbishops and Bishops that no Innovation in matter of Religion should creep in For the Ship-money that He never made or intended to make any profit to Himself of it but only to preserve the Dominion of the Seas which was so necessary that without it the Kingdom could not subsist but for the way and means by Ship-money or otherwise He left it to them For Property of Goods and Liberty of Parliament He ever intended His People should enjoy them holding no King so great as He that was King of a rich and free people and if they had not Property of Goods and Liberty of Persons they could be neither rich nor free That if the House of Commons would not first trust Him all His affairs would be disordered and His business lost That though they trusted Him in part at first yet before the Parliament ended He must totally trust them and in conclusion they must for execution of all things wholly trust Him Therefore since the matter was no more than who should be first trusted and that the trust of Him first was but a trust in part His Majesty desired the Lords to take into their considerations His and their own Honour the Safety and welfare of this Kingdom with the great danger it was in and that they would by their advice dispose the House of Commons to give His Supply the precedence before the Grievances His Majesty being departed the Lords took into serious consideration what His Majesty had commended to their care and forthwith laying aside all other debates such was their Lordships dutiful and affectionate carriage they remembring well what had been formerly declared in His Majestie 's name to both Houses His Majestie 's gracious promises and expressions then and at this time with the pressing and urgent occasions which so much imported the Honour of His Majesty and the good of this Kingdom their Lordship 's delivered their votes in these words We are of opinion that the matter of His Majestie 's Supply should have precedence and be resolved of before any other matter whatsoever and we think fit there shall be a Conference desired with the House of Commons to dispose them thereunto Accordingly the next day being Saturday the 25. day of April a Conference was had in the Painted Chamber by a Committee of both Houses where the Lord Keeper by the Lords command told the House of Commons of His Majestie 's being the day before in person in the higher House how graciously he had expressed Himself in matter of Religion Property of Goods and Liberty of Parliament and that He would therein graciously hear and relieve them and give them what in reason could be desired with the effect of what else had been graciously delivered unto them by his Majesty as well touching His constant Zeal and affection to the Religion established in the Church of England as touching the Ship-money and the necessity of His affairs which was such that delay was as prejudicial as denial and that if time were lost both Houses could not recover it and therefore their Lordship's though they would move nothing nor give any advice concerning Subsidies but decline it as that which naturally was to begin with the House of Commons yet being alike interessed and concerned in the Honour and Safety of the Kingdom they held it fit to let them know their opinions and desires which was That they should go first on with the matter of his Majestie 's Supply as that which was most necessary and fit to have precedence and that being done they would chearfully joyn with them in the presenting of their Grievances The House of Commons having heard their Lordships opinion and desire in stead of concurring with their Lordships in preferring the consideration of his Majestie 's Supply before their Grievances they spent the whole day on Monday following being the 27 of April in taking causless exceptions to what had been at the Conference related to them and the next day being Tuesday the 28. of April they desired a Conference with the Lords and their Lordships meeting them presently in the Painted Chamber they were so far from their expressing of any willingness to joyn with their Lordships in what had been upon so weighty reasons recommended unto them that on the contrary they challenged the Lords for invading the Privileges of the House of Commons alledging That the Lords having in the former Conference acknowledged that the matter of Subsidie and Supply ought to begin in the House of Commons had in their voting that it was fit and most necessary that matter of Supply should have precedence before all other business not only been transported beyond the bounds which their Lordships had formerly set to themselves but by medling with matter of Supply had as far as in them lay concluded both the matter and order of proceeding which the House of Commons took to be a breach of their Privilege and for it desired reparation of their Lordships And because the Lords had in the first Conference enumerated those three particulars of Religion Propriety of Goods and Privilege of Parliament the House of Commons collected they had taken notice of some proceedings in their House concerning those particulars and thereby broken another great Privilege of the House of Commons established in Parliament and called the Indempnity of the Commons
This how strange and unexpected soever the Lords heard with patience and being desirous to remove all impediments and clear any mistakings that might retard or avert the resolutions of supplying his Majesty they seriously debated in the higher House what had been objected by the House of Commons and resolved first That their Lordships former voting That in their opinions His Majestie 's Supply should have precedence before all other matters was no breach of the Privileges of the House of Commons and secondly That it was no breach of the Privileges of the House of Commons for their Lordships to hear what His Majesty declared to them and thereupon to report the same to the House of Commons And to the end the House of Commons might have a right understanding of their Lordships proceedings their Lordships desired another Conference with them which was accordingly had on Friday the first of May in the Painted Chamber where by the Command of the Lords the Lord Keeper declared to the House of Commons That the Lords of the higher House had as in duty and affection to his Majestie 's Crown and Government they were bound taken into serious consideration the great and weighty motives of his Majestie 's calling this Parliament the great evils and calamities that hung over their heads and the apparent danger the Kingdom was like to run into if by speedy and fitting supply his Majesty were not enabled to prevent it how insupportable delay and protraction was and how impossible for both Houses to recover the loss of time in a matter of so pressing and urgent necessity that his Majesty had both in the higher House and in the banqueting house at White-Hall expressed his gracious and Princely desire to do all that from a just and gracious King might be expected whereby this Parliament might have a happy conclusion how his Majesty had promised all their just Grievances should be graciously heard and relieved that their Lordships were witnesses His Majesty had given His Royal word herein which their Lordships for their parts did as much trust and confide in as ever Subjects did It was also then further declared unto them That His Majesty had lately honoured their House with His presence again and had there renewed the remembrance of what had before been delivered to both Houses with the impossibility of admitting delay and the clearness of His Majestie 's intentions and resolutions to give all just satisfaction to what with reason could be desired of Him That His Majesty had taken notice of somewhat voted in the House of Commons concerning Religion Propriety of Goods and Liberty of Parliament by which His Majesty conceived the matter of His Supply set aside which He had so often and with such weight of reason desired might have precedence That His Majesty after very gracious assurances of His constant affection and zeal for true Religion and for preventing all Innovations therein relterating His often promises for relieving all their just Grievances with His Royal intentions in that particular of Ship-money which he found much stood upon was pleased to desire their Lordships as persons in rank and degree nearest Him in Honour as much or more concern'd than others and in the safety and prosperity of the Kingdom at least equally interessed with others that in a case of this great and important weight their Lordships would by their counsel and perswasion encline the House of Commons to give His Majesty a speedy answer and resolution in the matter of Supply That their Lordships had taken His Majestie 's desire into serious and dutiful consideration and upon great and solemn debate had only voted in these words We are of opinion that the matter of His Majestie 's Supply should have precedence and be resolved of before any other matter whatsoever and that they did think fit there should be a Conference dâ—sired with the House of Commons to dispose them thereunto which as it was just and honourable for their Lordships to do so it was no breach of any Privilege of the House of Commons For though their Lordships did admit that the Bill of Subsidies ought to begin in the House of Commons and when it is agreed unto by the Lords must be returned back and be by their Speaker presented and therefore their Lordships disclaimed to meddle with Subsidy or Supply by such beginning in the higher House or by naming the number of Subsidies times of payment or any such circumstances incident to a Bill yet their Lordships might confer and talk about Supplies in general and give their advice therein that being no whit derogatory to the Privileges of the House of Commons their Lordships in all reason being likelier to communicate in the Counsels and secrets of State as those that were nearer to the Royal Throne and having just cause therein to impart their fears and foresight of dangers to the House of Commons That such proceedings of their Lordships as they were grounded upon just and weighty reason so they were agreeable to ancient usage and custom and were fully justified by that establishment in Parliament mentioned by the House of Commons at the last Conference being made at Gloucester in the 9th year of Henry the Fourth and styled not The Indempnity of the Commons as had been said but The Indempnity of Lords and Commons And for the other breach of Privilege which had been objected their Lordships declared That His Majesty had told them the House of Commons had resolved something concerning those three heads of Religion Propriety of Goods and Privilege of Parliament How His Majesty knew of this resolution belonged not to their Lordships to enquire into their Lordship 's not medling with any thing that others said to the King but what the King said to them And that their Lordships were so far from holding it any violation of the Privileges of the House of Commons for their Lordships to hear what the King declared to them and for them thereupon to report the same to the House of Commons that on the contrary in duty to His Majesty their Lordships could do no other and the communicating of it was an argument of affection and desire of good correspondence with the House of Commons and merited no such misconstruction as had been made of it neither did that establishment in Parliament 9 H. 4. contain any words that could be construed to make their Lordships proceedings in this behalf any breach of the Privileges of the House of Commons Their Lordships proceedings and intentions being thus cleared the Lord Keeper by their Lordships command added further That their Lordships could not but return to their first grounds and resolutions which were in all fair and affectionate manner to stir up in those of the House of Commons the just consideration of those great and imminent Dangers that threatned the Kingdom at this time and how dangerous and irrecoverable delay was and withal to dispose them to take into their first and best
If the time spent in this Parliament be considered in relation backward to the long growth and deep root of those Grievances which we have removed to the powerful supports of those Delinquents which we have pursued to the great necessities and other charges of the Commonwealth for which we have provided or if it be considered in relation forward to many advantages which not only the present but future ages are like to reap by the good Laws and other proceedings in this Parliament we doubt not but it will be thought by all indifferent judgments that our time hath been much better imployed then in a far greater proportion of time in many former Parliaments put together and the charges which have been laid upon the Subjects and the other inconveniences which they have born will seem very light in respect of the benefit they have and may receive And for the matter of Protections the Parliament is so sensible of it that therein they intend to give them whatsoever ease may stand with Honour and Justice and are in a way of passing a Bill to give them satisfaction They have sought by many subtle practices to cause jealousies and divisions betwixt us and our brethren of Scotland by slandering their proceedings and intentions towards us and by secret endeavours to instigate and incense them and us one against another They have had such a party of Bishops and Popish Lords in the House of Peers as hath caused much opposition and delay in the prosecution of Delinquents hindered the proceedings of divers good Bills passed in the Commons House concerning the reformation of sundry great abuses and corruptions both in Church and State They have laboured to seduce and corrupt some of the Commons House to draw them into Conspiracies and Combinations against the Liberty of the Parliament and by their Instruments and agents they have attempted to disaffect and discontent His Majesties Army and to engage it for the maintenance of their wicked and traiterous designs the keeping up of Bishops in their Votes and Functions and by force to compel the Parliament to order limit and dispose their proceedings in such manner as might best concur with the intentions of this dangerous and potent faction And when one mischievous design and attempt of theirs to bring on the Army against the Parliament and the City of London had been discovered and prevented they presently undertook another of the same damnable nature with this addition to it to endeavour to make the Scotish Army neutral whilst the English Army which they had laboured to corrupt and invenome against us by their false and slanderous suggestions should execute their malice to the subversion of our Religion and the dissolution of our Government Thus they have been continually practising to disturb the Peace and plotting the destruction even of all the Kings dominions and have employed their Emissaries and Agents in them all for the promoting of their devilish designs which the vigilancy of those who were well-affected hath still discovered and defeated before they were ripe for execution in England and Scotland only in Ireland which was farther off they have had time and opportunity to mould and prepare their work and had brought it to that perfection that they had possessed themselves of that whole Kingdom totally subverted the Government of it rooted out Religion and destroyed all the Protestants whom the conscience of their duty to God their King and Countrey would not have permitted to joyn with them if by God's wonderful providence their main enterprise upon the City and Castle of Dublin had not been detected and prevented upon the very Eve before it should have been executed Notwithstanding they have in other parts of that Kingdom broken out into open Rebellion surprized Towns and Castles committed murders rapes and other villanies and shaken off all bonds of Obedience to His Majesty and the Laws of the Realm and in general have kindled such a fire as nothing but God's infinite blessing upon the wisdom and endeavours of this State will be able to quench it And certainly had not God in his great mercy unto this Land discovered and confounded their former designs we had been the Prologue to this Tragedy in Ireland and had by this time been made the lamentable spectacle of misery and confusion And now what hope have we but in God when as the only means of our subsistence and power of Reformation is under Him in the Parliament But what can we the Commons without the conjunction of the House of Lords and what conjunction can we expect there when the Bishops and Recusant Lords are so numerous and prevalent that they are able to cross and interrupt our best endeavours for Reformation and by that means give advantage to this malignant party to traduce our proceedings They infuse into the People that we mean to abolish all Church-government and leave every man to his own fancy for the Service and Worship of God absolving him of that Obedience which he owes under God unto His Majesty whom we know to be entrusted with the Ecclesiastical Law as well as with the Temporal to regulate all the members of the Church of England by such rules of order and discipline as are established by Parliament which is his great Council in all affairs both of Church and State We confess our intention is and our endeavours have been to reduce within bounds that exorbitant power which the Prelates have assumed unto themselves so contrary both to the Word of God and to the Laws of the Land to which end we past the Bill for the removing them from their Temporal power and employments that so the better they might with meekness apply themselves to the discharge of their functions Which Bill themselves opposed and were the principal instruments of crossing it And we do here declare that it is far from our purpose or desire to let loose the golden reins of Discipline and Government in the Church to leave private persons or particular Congregations to take up what form of Divine Service they please for we hold it requisite that there should be throughout the whole Realm a Conformity to that Order which the Laws enjoyn according to the Word of God and we desire to unburthen the Consciences of men of needless and superstitious Ceremonies suppress innovations and take away the monuments of Idolatry And the better to effect the intended Reformation we desire there may be a general Synod of the most grave pious learned and judicious Divines of this Island assisted with some from foreign parts professing the same Religion with us who may consider of all things necessary for the peace and good Government of the Church and represent the results of their consultations unto the Parliament to be there allowed of and confirmed and receive the stamp of Authority thereby to find passage and obedience throughout the Kingdom They have malitiously charged us that we intend to destroy and discourage
Our Court at York this 15. of June 1642. The Declaration and Profession of the Lords now at York and others of His Majesty's most Honourable Privy Council disavowing that they see any apparence of Preparations or Intentions in His Majesty to levy War against the Parliament WE whose names are under-written in Obedience to His Majesty's Desire and out of the Duty which we owe to His Majesty's Honour and to Truth being here upon the place and witnesses of His Majesty's frequent and earnest Declarations and Professions of His abhorring all Designs of making War upon His Parliament and not seeing any colour of Preparations or Counsels that might reasonably beget the belief of any such Design do profess before God and testifie to all the World that we are fully perswaded that His Majesty hath no such Intentions but that all His Endeavours tend to the firm and constant settlement of the true Protestant Religion the just Privileges of Parliament the Liberty of the Subject the Law Peace and Prosperity of this Kingdom York June 15. 1642. Subscribed by Lord Keeper L. D. of Richmond L. Marquess Hartford L. Great Chamberlain E. of Cumberland E. of Bath E. of Southampton E. of Dorset E. of Salisbury E. of Northampton E. of Devon E. of Cambridge E. of Bristol E. of Clare E. of Westmorland E. of Berkshire E. of Monmouth E. of Rivers E. of Dover E. of Carnarven E. of Newport L. Mowbray Maltravers L. Willoughby L. Grey of Ruthen L. C. Howard Andover L. Lovelace L. Paget L. Falconberge L. Rich. L. Paulet L. Newark L. Coventry L. Savile L. Mohun L. Dunsmore L. Seymour L. Capel L. Falkland Mr. Comptroller Mr. Secretary Nicholas Mr. Chancel of the Exchequer L. Chief Justice Banks MDCXLII June 8. By the King A Proclamation forbidding all Levies of Forces without his MAJESTY's express Pleasure signified under His Great Seal and all Contributions or Assistance to any such Levies WHereas under pretence that We intend to make War against the Parliament the contrary whereof is notoriously known to all that are here and as We hope by this time apparent to all other Our Subjects as well by Our Declaration of the sixteenth of June as by the Testimony of all Our Nobility and Council who are here upon the place and by colour of the Authority of both Houses of Parliament a major part whereof are now absent from London by the contrivance of some few evil persons disguising and colouring their pernicious Designs and hostile Preparations under the plausible names of the preservation of publick Peace and defence of Vs and both Houses of Parliament from Force and violence it hath been endeavoured to raise Troops of Horse and other Forces And for that purpose they have prevailed not only to prohibit Our own Moneys to be paid to Us or to Our use but by the Name and Authority of Parliament to excite Our Subjects to contribute their Assistance to them by bringing in Moneys Plate or under-writing to furnish and maintain Horses Horsemen and Arms and to that purpose certain Propositions or Orders as they are styled by them have been printed whereby they have endeavoured to engage the Power and Authority of Parliament as if the two Houses without Us had that Power and Authority to save harmless all those that shall so contribute from all Prejudice and Inconvenience that may befall them by occasion thereof And although We well hope that these Malignant persons whose Actions do now sufficiently declare their former Intentions will be able to prevail with few of Our good People to contribute their Power or Assistance unto them Yet lest any of Our Subjects taking upon trust what those men affirm without weighing the grounds of it or the danger to Us themselves and the Commonwealth which would ensue thereupon should indeed believe what these persons would insinuate and have them to believe that such their Contribution and Assistance would tend to the preservation of the publick Peace and the Defence of Us and both Houses of Parliament and that thereby they should not incur any danger We that We might not be wanting as much as in Us lyeth to foreshew and to prevent the danger which may fall thereupon have hereby thought good to declare and publish unto all Our loving Subjects That by the Laws of the Land the power of raising of Forces or Arms or levying of War for the defence of the Kingdom or otherwise hath always belonged to Us and to Us only and that by no Power of either or both Houses of Parliament or otherwise contrary to Our personal Commands any Forces can be raised or any War levied And therefore by the Statute of the seventh year of Our famous Progenitor King Edward the First whereas there had been then some variances betwixt Him and some great Lords of the Realm and upon Treaty thereupon it was agreed that in the next Parliament after provision should be made that in all Parliaments and all other Assemblies which should be in the Kingdom for ever every man should come without Force and Armour well and peaceably yet at the next Parliament when they met together to take advice of this Business though it concerned the Parliament it self the Lords and Commons would not take it upon them but answered That it belonged to the King to defend force of Armour and all other force against the Peace at all times when it pleased Him and to punish them which should do contrary according to the Laws and Usages of the Realm and that they were bound to aid Him as their Sovereign Lord at all seasons when need should be And accordingly in Parliament in after-times the King alone did issue His Proclamations prohibiting bearing of Arms by any person in or near the City where the Parliament was excepting such of the Kings Servants as He should depute or should be deputed by His Commandment and also excepting the Kings Ministers And by the Statute of Northampton made in the second year of King Edward the Third it is enacted That no man of what condition soever he be except the Kings Servants in His presence and His Ministers in executing the Kings Precepts or of their Office and such as be in their company assisting them go nor ride armed by night or day in Fairs Markets nor in the presence of the Justices or other Ministers nor in no part elsewhere And this power of raising Forces to be solely in the King is so known and inseparable a Right to the Crown that when in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth there being a sudden Rebellion the Earl of Shrewsbury without Warrant from the King did raise Arms for the suppression thereof and happily suppressed it yet was he forced to obtain his Pardon And whereas the Duke of Gloucester and other great Lords in the eleventh year of King Richard the Second upon pretence of the good of the King and Kingdom the King being then not of age and led away as
they shall neglect this Our Grace and Favour now extended unto them and persist in any acts of Hostility against Us or not disband upon notice of this Our Proclamation We shall esteem of them as Rebells and Traitors to Us and to Our Crown and as publick Enemies to the happy Peace of this Kingdom and that from thence We shall proceed against them and deal with them as Rebels and Traitours and by the blessing of God in whom We put Our confidence and by the assistance of Our faithful and good Subjects upon whose Fidelity and Affections We rely We doubt not but We shall so prevail against all their Traitorous Conspiracies and Rebellious Machinations as shall vindicate Our Honour and the Honour of Our Crown preserve Our good and loyal Subjects from their Malice and Fury and restore and settle the Peace of this Kingdom and make the Delinquents so exemplary as shall deterr others from ever attempting the like Insolencies And We hereby require and command all Our Commissioners of Array Lieutenants Deputy-Lieutenants Sheriffs Justices of Peace Mayors and all other Our Officers Ministers and loving Subjects that they and every of them in their several places do there best and uttermost endeavours to resist and subdue the said Earl and his Adherents and those who shall assist them or any of them and to apprehend or otherwise to destroy them and every of them that so they may receive condigne punishment for their Disloyalty and that they be ready according to their Duties and Allegiance to assist Us and those Our good Subjects who do adhere unto Us according to Our just Commands in or concerning the Premisses And more particularly We require and command Our Commissioners of Array Lords Lieutenants Deputy-Lieutenants Captains and Officers of Our Trained Bands of or in Our Counties of Southampton Sussex and Surrey that so many of them as to that purpose Colonel Goring shall call to his aid as he shall see cause shall with such Forces as are under their command repair unto Our said Town of Portsmouth to assist the said Colonel George Goring Our Captain and Governour of the said Town for the defence of the said Town and to Oppose Resist and Destroy all those who under the command of the said Earl of Essex or any other shall attempt any Violence against the said Town And We do further require and command Our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Couzin and Counsellor William Marquess Hartford that with all speed he raise all the Forces he can within all or any the Counties contained within that Commission We have given unto him whereby he is made Our Lieutenant General of all Our Forces within Our Counties of Devon Cornwal Somerset Dorset Wilts Southampton Gloucester Berks Oxford Hereford Monmouth Radnor Brecknock Glamorgan Carmarthen Pembroke Cardigan Our Cities of Excester Bristol Gloucester Oxford Bath and Wells new Salisbury and Hereford and the Counties of the same the Towns of Pool and Southampton and Haverford-West and the Counties of the same and with the Trained Bands of those Counties and others who shall voluntarily offer their Service to march against the said Earl or any others under his command or under the command of any others not authorized by Us and them to Resist Oppose and Subdue and especially for the defence of the said Town of Portsmouth and for the Isle of Wight in Our County of Southampton as there shall be occasion And We do hereby desire and require Our loyal and loving Subjects of and within the said Counties being of the Trained Bands or voluntary Levies within the said Commission to repair with their Horse and Foot well Armed Arrayed and Furnished to such place or places as the said Marquess shall appoint and that they and all other Our good and loving Subjects within this Realm shall according to such Directions as We shall give to that purpose repair to Us at such place where We shall pitch and set up Our Royal Standard and where We purpose in Our own Person to be present and there and in such places whither We shall conduct them or cause them to be conducted to serve Us for the Defence of Us and of Our Kingdom and of the true Protestant Religion and the known Laws of the Land and the just Liberties of Our Subjects and the just Privileges of Parliament and to suppress the notorious and insolent Rebellion of the said Earl and his Adherents and reduce them to their due Obedience and for re-setling of the happy Peace of this Kingdom And in this time of urgent Necessity which so much importeth the Safety and even the very Subsistence of Us and Our Good People We shall take it as an acceptable Service to Us and much conducing to the Peace of Our Kingdom if Our loving and well-affected Subjects within Our said Counties contained within Our Commission granted to the said Marquess do and will chearfully and voluntarily contribute unto Us and give unto Us such assistance in Money or Plate as they shall think fit by loan or otherwise to be delivered to the hands of the said Marquess or of the Commissioners of Array for those several Counties respectively to be disposed of to this publick use and not otherwise and that Our loving and well-affected Subjects of all other the Counties of this Kingdom will to the same use and not otherwise contribute unto and assist Us in like manner such Contribution and assistance to be paid and delivered to Our use into the hands of Our Commissioners of Array for those other Counties respectively or to such of them as they shall nominate and appoint to that purpose And lastly in all these Our just and necessary Commands We require that ready Obedience from all Our Commissioners Sheriffs Justices of Peace Mayors Constables and other Officers and loving Subjects in their several and respective places which appertaineth to their several Duties as they tender Our Honour and Safety and the Honour Safety Peace and Prosperity of the Church and Kingdom of England and as they will answer their neglects at their uttermost perils Given at Our Court at York the ninth day of August in the eighteenth year of Our Reign 1642. By the KING A Proclamation by His MAJESTY requiring the Aid and Assistance of all His Subjects on the North side Trent and within twenty Miles Southward thereof for the suppressing of the Rebels now marching against Him WHereas divers Persons bearing an inward Hatred and Malice against Our Person and Government and ambitious of Rule and places of Preferment and Command have raised an Army and are now Traitorously and Rebelliously though under the specious pretence of Our Royal Name and Authority and of the defence of Our Person and Parliament marching in battel-array against Us their liege-Liege-Lord and Sovereign contrary to their Duty and Allegiance whereby the common Peace is like to be wholly destroyed and this flourishing Kingdom in danger to perish under the miseries of a Civil War
Parliament being resolved that it should not be Our fault if all those particulars were not speedily provided for which seemed then to be the grounds of their desire Let all the World now judge what greater Obligations of Justice Favour Affection and Trust can a Prince lay upon His Subjects than We did upon both Our Houses of Parliament by these Acts and whether We did not in Our free Grace and Favour grant much more than had been asked of Us by that Petition presented to Us by some Lords at York in which was then thought to be contracted all that was grievous to Our People and all that was just and gracious for Us to do for them And in all the time in which these Acts were framing and passing though Our own personal Wants were notoriously known and unkindly unprovided for and themselves had asked leave to look into and settle Our Revenue which We consented to and therefore We might have expected some fruit of that pretended Care We never pressed them or made the least overture to them for Our own supply only desired them and 't was almost the only thing We did desire of them that they would use all possible expedition in the business of the Treaty that the two Armies might be speedily disbanded and Our Subjects eased of that heavy burthen which in time would grow insupportable and waste the whole stock of the Kingdom But We found the Faction We feared in the beginning grew still stronger and nothing converted or reconciled by all those Acts of Ours which would have made any Nation happy That whilst We were busie in providing for the publick they were contriving particular Advantages of Offices and Places for themselves made use under-hand of the former Grievances of the Subject in things concerning Religion and Law to change the Religion and Law of this Kingdom labouring that neither any thing the Subject had suffered from the Crown might be forgotten nor any satisfaction from the Crown to the Subject might be remembred And therefore in stead of acknowledging Our great Justice and singular Favour in passing those Acts they infused into Our People that We passed them unwillingly whereas We never made the least pause upon any of them but one that for the High-Commission Court and whether that was penned with that wariness and animadversion that there be not more determined by it than the major part of both Houses intended at the passing of it let themselves judge and that We meant not to observe them and grew so much confounded with the full measure of Our Favour that they would allow themselves no security of enjoying what We had freely given but by taking away any power from Us of giving more they must have a through alteration both in Church and State or else they should never enjoy the benefit of the Reformation We had willingly made Hereupon they oppose the disbanding of the Armies and give all delays to the Scots Treaty though the Commissioners for that Nation very earnestly pressed the hastning of it and in plain English declare That they cannot yet spare them that the sons of Zerviah were too strong for them And finding more haste to be made in the asserting the Civil Interests than they desired having a design to ingage this Kingdom into so vast a Debt that there might be no way of paying it but by the Lands of the Church and lest Our good Subjects might be too soon satisfied they hastned on to their design upon the Church which they at first disguised with a purpose only of removing the Bishops from their Votes in the Lords House This Bill passed the House of Commons in the House of Peers it endured several long free debates and in the end upon great and solemn deliberation was by the consent of very much the major part of that House absolutely rejected This was no sooner done but that Faction glad of the miscarriage of their former Bill the passing whereof they knew would have satisfied many of those whom they hoped now further to seduce produced a Bill to be tendred in the House of Commons for the abolition of Bishops out of the Church of England Root and Branch according to their first resolution as Mr. Pym told a Member of the Lords House by way of reproof That it was not enough to be against the Persons of the Bishops if he were not against the Function and for extirpation of all Deans and Chapters and reducing that admirable Frame of Government and support of Learning into a Chaos of Confusion that out of it they might mold an Vtopia no six of them had nor We believe yet have agreed on further than to destroy the present and out of the goodly Revenue which the pious Bounty and Devotion of former Ages had been so long in raising for the encouragement and advancement of Learning and Religion and which God hath blessed with so many eminent Men whose Learning and Lives have advanced the Doctrine of the Protestant Religion and many of them given their Bodies to the Fire as a Sacrifice to that Truth and Religion to erect Stipends to their own Clergy and to raise estates to repair their own broken fortunes And for the free passing of this Bill which to this hour they could never tell what to make of two Armies must be kept in the bowels of the Kingdom at 80000 pound a Month charge to the Commonwealth For about this Bill the House of Commons was so wholly taken up that in ten weeks none or very little other business could be thought of About this time or a little before after several Intimations of Treasons Plots and Conspiracies by the Papists of great Provisions of Arms by them and training Men under ground and many other false reports created spread and countenanced by themselves upon some general apprehensions of Designs against them a Protestation is made in the House of Commons for some union and consent amongst themselves to perform those Duties which if they had meant no more than they expressed had been sufficiently provided for by the Oaths they had already taken and what their former Duties obliged them to Hereupon a Protestation is framed and being put into such words as no honest Man could believe himself obliged by it to any unlawful Action was voluntarily taken by all the Members of the House of Commons and presently recommended to the House of Lords where it received the same countenance that is was looked upon as containing nothing in it self unlawful though some Members of that House refused to take it being voluntary and not imposed by any Lawful Authority Then 't is recommended to the City of London and over all the Kingdom by order from the House of Commons a strange and unheard-of Usurpation to be taken by all persons But in very few days upon conference amongst themselves and with those Clergy-men who daily solicite their unlawful and unwarrantable designs with the People they find
Parishes first by special Letters and earnest Sollicitations from the prime Leaders of this turbulent Faction after by Orders requiring such Ministers as would not accept their Recommendations to attend and shew cause All licence was given to those leud Seditious Pamphlets which despised the Government both of the Church and State which laid any Imputations and Scorns upon Our Person or Office and which filled the ears of all Our good Subjects with Lyes and monstrous Discourses to make them believe all the ill of the Government and Governors of Church and State Books against the Book of Common-Prayer and the established Laws of the Land suffered without reprehension to be dedicated to both Houses of Parliament whatsoever the Rancour and Venome of any Infamous person could digest published without control and nothing discountenanced and reproached but a dutiful regard of Us and Our Honour and a sober esteem and application to the Laws of the Kingdom This was the condition We found at our return from Scotland besides a strange groundless apprehension of Danger infused generally into the minds of Our good Subjects as if some notable Design were in hand against the Parliament against the City of London against the whole Kingdom of England There fell out an Accident whilest We were in Scotland concerning the Marquesses of Hamilton and Argile Those two Lords upon some information given to them that their Persons were in danger upon a sudden withdrew themselves from the Parliament in Scotland and for some few days removed out of Edenburgh Whatever they had been informed and what ever they suspected the Grounds of both were very fully examined by the Parliament there their Persons being of that quality and estimation in that Kingdom that they were sure of Justice Upon the whole themselves and the Parliament were satisfied that the Information first given to them could not be made good to the proof of any Design to the Danger of these Lords and the Examinations of the whole matter sent by Our direction to Our Parliament here How if all had been true that was imagined this business could so highly and nearly concern the Peace of this Kingdom and the present Safety of both Our Houses of Parliament We cannot imagine Yet upon the first report of it here which was the day before the first Meeting after the Recess without staying to hear the opinion of Our Parliament there who used all diligence in the examination or of Our Parliament here such strange Glosses and Interpretations were made upon that accident not without reflection upon Us and Our Honour as if at the same time there had been such a Design to have been executed here as they had fancied to themselves that to be and a sudden resolution was taken first by the Committee during the Recess after by the Houses to have a Guard for the defence of London Westminster and both Our Houses of Parliament which must needs make a great impression in the minds of Our good Subjects in a time when they were newly freed from the fears of two Armies to be awaked with the apprehension of Dangers of which seeing no ground they were to expect no end Matters being thus stated and all possible skill being used by that Faction and by their Emissaries of the Clergy who at the same time such Clamour was raised of the unlawfulness that the Clergy should meddle in Temporal Affairs were their chief Agents to derive their Seditious directions to the People and were all the week attending the doors of both Houses to be imployed in those errands to infuse the most desperate Fears into the minds of all Men that could be imagined To be sure that the memory of former bitterness might not depart they provide for Our Entertainment against We should come to London to present Us with a Remonstrance as they called it of the State of the Kingdom laying before Us and publishing to all the world all the mistakes and all the misfortunes which had happened from Our first coming to the Crown and before to that hour forgetting the blessed condition notwithstanding the unhappy mixture all Our Subjects had enjoyed in the benefit of Peace and Plenty under Us to the envy of Christendom objecting to Us the Actions of some and the thoughts of others and reproaching Us with matters which indeed never entred into Our thoughts nor to Our knowledge into the thoughts of any other reviling Us to the People and complaining to Us of the House of Peers whose Authority Interest and Privilege was then as much slighted and despised as Ours is since and easily passing over those singular Acts of Our Grace passed by Us this Parliament or ascribing them to their own wisdom in the procurement they concluded against a Malignant Party and that they had no hope of settling the Distractions of the Kingdom for want of concurrence with the House of Peers and that concurrence was desperate by reason of the Prevalency of the Bishops and of the Recusant Lords into which number all those Lords were cast who presumed to dissent from any Propositions made by the House of Commons When this Engine was prepared for the People by the prime Leaders of that desperate Faction it was presented to the House of Commons and the greatest industry and skill used that is imaginable by private Sollicitations Threats and Promises to procure consent that it might be passed by that House and after a long debate longer than ever was known in Parliament till three of the clock in the morning from ten the day before when very many through weariness and weakness were forced to leave the House so that it looked as was well said like the Verdict of the Starved Jury they carryed it by eleven Voices And shortly within very few days after Our return when We had been received with all possible expressions of Joy by Our City of London which was publickly murmured against and the chief advancers of that Duty and Affection discountenanced as if they envied Us the Loyalty of Our People and when it was publickly said in Our House of Commons upon some dispute of a pretended breach of the Orders of the House That their Discipline ought to be severe for the Enemy was in view that Remonstrance was presented to Us at Our Court at Hampton-Court by some Members of the House of Commons with a Petition contracting the sharp Language in the Remonstrance into less room amongst other things That We would concurr with Our People for depriving the Bishops of their Votes in Parliament for which there was no Bill passed both Houses and to employ such Persons about Us as Our Parliament might confide in We received this strange Petition and stranger Remonstrance graciously from the hands of the Presenters promised them an Answer and in the mean time desired that the Remonstrance might not be published to the People the thing it self and the printing any thing of the like nature being never heard of by the
direction of the House of Commons till this Parliament it being the first appeal to the People and of a dangerous consequence to Parliaments themselves But as in other things neither Our Desires or Commands have been considered without giving Us leisure to answer either the one or the other special direction is given for the printing that Remonstrance and equal care taken for the publishing it in all places and parts of the Kingdom Having taken this care for the shaking and perplexing the minds of all men the next work was to get such a Power into their hands as might govern and dispose of those Affections To this purpose they had from the beginning of the Parliament by reason of some complaints against the immoderate exercise of the authority of the Lieutenants and their Deputies in raising Coat and Conduct-money and some excesses in them had several debates in the diminution of the Office it self but still grounded upon the illegal Pressures used by them and upon some words in the Commission it self which though of long usage in very happy days were conceived not agreeable to the Law but they were so far from supposing the Office it self or Commission to be illegal that both Houses of Parliament had recommended two Lords to Us and desired Our Commission to make them Lords Lieutenants of Yorkshire and Dorsetshire the only end seeming then to be that good and approved men should be in those imployments and trusts But at last they resolved against the Office it self and would think of some other way to provide for the safety of the Kingdom in that point and in this they had a double end First to fright all persons Members of both Houses who had been Lieutenants and Deputy-Lieutenants to comply with them in their Votes lest they should be called in question for the execution of those Offices a Stratagem they had found to engage many persons to their Opinions as Sheriffs for the collecting Ship-money and all other persons who in truth were or might be made obnoxious to their Power then that by unsettling that whole business of the Militia throughout the Kingdom they might the more easily bring in their own power of governing it as they have since endeavoured to do And thereupon they presumed to bring in such a Bill into the House of Commons to place a General at Land and an Admiral at Sea by Act of Parliament with such Power and Authority over the Lives and Fortunes of all Our Subjects as should be liable to no control nor to be questioned by any Superintendent hand with a pre-pardon for whatsoever they should do under colour of those Offices either of which Officers should have been a much greater Man than Our Self and commanded in Our Kingdom above Us the matter of which Bill to shew their Design is since digested into their new Generals Commission and the pretended Ordinance to the Earl of Warwick And all this was then pretended to be a matter of absolute Necessity for the Preservation of Us and Our Kingdom but at that time it could procure no other credit than to be suffered to rest in the House as an evidence of the liberty might be used in the preferring of Bills They had by this time taken all the licence at their private Cabals to undervalue and vilifie Our Person and Our Power and in publick to give way and countenance to any Scandals upon Us. Letters from the Mayor of Plymouth that the Rebels in Ireland call themselves The Queen's Army and pretend the King's Authority for what they do and store of such Discourses upon such Evidence is every week printed in the Journals of the House which without doubt must be of great authority with Our People who must conceive such Informations to be not only fully and clearly proved but to be accepted and published upon very weighty reasons above the consideration of Our Honour and Safety And now they were to examine what notable credit their Remonstrance and their other general Infusions had got with the People and how ready they would be upon any occasions to venture themselves at their direction They had made themselves so terrible in the House of Commons that by their Threats and their Promises of Places and Preferments to several Men and by the absence of many they had gotten the major part But in the House of Lords their power was not the same that must be wrought another way yet there they had used all means to prevail upon the hopes and fears of such who they thought might that way be dealt with witness among many other things of the same nature that insolent Speech of Mr. Pym to the Earl of Dover That if he looked for any Preferment he must comply with them in their ways and not hope to have it by serving Vs. Shortly after their coming together upon the Recess a new Bill was preferred in the House of Commons for the taking away of the Votes of Bishops out of the House of Peers which being once rejected before ought not by the Course and Order of Parliament to have been admitted again the same Session but that was easily over-ruled and in the House of Commons it did pass many good Man the more willingly concurring therein upon hope that that Bill being once consented to the Fury of that Faction which with so great Violence pursued an absolute Destruction of the Ecclesiastical Government would be abated or that Rage being discerned they would lose that strength which supported them But the Lords quickly found that the Ring-leaders of that Faction had not Ingenuity enough to be compounded with and therefore with them it was not like to find so easie a passage Now their resort was to the People whom upon several occasions they had trained down to Westminster in great multitudes with Swords and Clubs and had often sent for them when any debate was like to be carried against them in either House the particulars whereof We are ready to prove Every Man will conceive We were in a great streight to find Our Self so much disappointed of that return the consciousness of Our own Merit and the many glorious Professions made by both Houses bade Us to expect We saw the Laws absolutely trampled under feet and a Design laid to ruin the Government of the Kingdom and to destroy Us and Our Posterity We saw this Design carried by a few Men whose Hatred and Malice to Our Person We found implacable and their Contempt of Us and Our Authority so visible and notorious that they forbore not to express it in their mention of Us in all companies We saw their Power and Interest to be so great that they were able to mis-lead very many honest Men and to countenance their actions under the name of both Houses of Parliament We were resolved that nothing they should do within those walls should provoke Us till time and the experience good Men should have of them should discover their purposes
satisfie their own private Ends and Ambition for themselves know what overtures have been made by them and with what importunity for Offices and Preferments what great Services should have been done for Us and what other undertakings were even to have saved the Life of the Earl of Strafford if We would confer such Offices upon them We were sure We could make such particular proofs against them of a solemn Combination entred into by them for altering the Government of the Church and State of their designing Offices to themselves and other Men of their solliciting and drawing down the Tumults to Westminster and of their bidding the People in the height of their rage and fury to go to White-Hall of their scornful and odious mention of Our Person and their design of getting Our Son the Prince into their hands of their treating with Foreign Power to assist them if they should fail in their enterprises Yet we saw too that their Interest and reputation was so great with many of both Houses of Parliament their Power so absolute with a multitude of Brownists Anabaptists and other Sectaries about London who were ready to appear in a body at their command that it would be a hard matter to proceed against them In this streight We resolved to do Our part in both to give Our People a clear satisfaction of Our upright Intentions to the publick whereby they should find their Happiness did not at all depend on such Instruments and to proceed against the Persons of the other in a legal way that all the world might see what Ambition Malice and Sedition had been had under the Vizour of Conscience and Religion Hereupon We prepared an Answer to the Remonstrance the House of Commons had before published to the People of the State of the Kingdom wherein without taking notice of the uncomely Language in and the Circumstances of that Remonstrance We declared with as gracious and full Expressions as We could make Our earnest Resolutions for the maintenance of the true Protestant Religion the Liberty and Property of the Subject and the Law of the Land and made no less gracious offers to consent to any Act that should be offered for the ease of tender Consciences in matters indifferent and very earnestly desired that the same might be provided and whatever else should be thought necessary for the Peace and Security of Our People And then that We might likewise manifest the Actions of that Malignant Party which had done so much mischief and intended so much more We resolved to accuse the Lord Kimbolton Master Hollis Master Pym Master Hampden and Master Stroud who had so maliciously contrived the Ruine of Our Self and the established Government of this Church and Kingdom and Sir Arthur Hesilrigge who had been made their Instrument to obey and execute their bold and wild designs of High Treason as We had great reason to do hoping that their Duty due to Us and the Obligations We had put upon Our People this Parliament would never suffer the Interest and reputation of these Men to be laid in the scale and to over-weigh Our Regal Authority and the Law of the Land but that We should have found a way open to a fair and Legal Trial of them which was all We desired How our proceeding was in that business and Our managery of it We have truly and at large set forth in Our Answer to the Declaration of both Houses of the nineteenth of May That what We did first in acquainting the House of Commons with Our Accusation by Our Serjeant at Arms was in Correspondence and out of regard to that House that We might rather have them delivered to the hands of Justice by them than apprehend them by an ordinary Minister of Justice which We were and are assured whatever Doctrine is preached to the contrary We might well have done in the case of Treason otherwise that Maxime in the Law acknowledged in a Petition of both Houses to Us in the beginning of Our Reign in the Case of the Earl of Arundel That in case of Treason Felony and breach of Peace Priviledge of Parliament doth not extend is of no signification The words are They find it an undoubted Right and constant Priviledge of Parliament That no Member of Parliament sitting the Parliament or within the usual times of Priviledge of Parliament is to be imprisoned or restrained without Sentence or Order of the House unless it be for Treason Felony or for refusing to give Sureties for the Peace In those Cases 't was then thought a Member of either House was not to be distinguished from another Subject and why We might not as well have expected that upon Our Articles not so general as a meer verbal Accusation of High Treason either House would have committed their several Members as they had done so many this Parliament and about that time Twelve together upon a confessed ground which every Man there who knew what Treason was knew that fact to be none meerly because they were accused and as the House of Peers had formerly done a Member of that House the Earl of Bristol accused in the same manner most of the good Lords being then Judges We neither could then nor can yet understand That Our own coming to the House was to prevent that shedding of blood which in all possibility was likely to follow that Order made the night before for resisting all such Officers who endeavoured upon how legal Warrant soever to arrest any Members of either House an Order much more unjustifiable by any Rule of Law and Justice by which Orders or Acts are to be examined than any thing We have done or any body by Our Authority That Our purpose was no other but to acquaint that House with the matter of Our Accusation to desire their Persons might be secured and without any thought of the least violation of their Priviledges This is that which We did Examine now their part and their progress since and then judge whose Priviledges have been invaded and with how good a mind to the Common-wealth they have proceeded We were no sooner gone but the House adjourned it self with some unusual expressions of offence and We were speedily informed that some Reports and Scandals were raised against Us in Our City of London That We had offered Violence to Our House of Commons come thither with force to murther several Members and used threatning Speeches there against Our Parliament and that this was but a Preface to an attempt We meant to make against and upon the City Whereupon We resolved the next day to go to the Guild-Hall and to shew the great Confidence We had in the affections of Our said City which We expected should have begot a proportionable Confidence from them in Us We went attended with very few of Our own Servants and then in the presence of the Lord Mayor the Aldermen and a very great assembly of the chief Citizens and others We made
had broke any Priviledge or that the casual breaking of Priviledge could have produced such prodigious Distempers But We were no sooner advertised where Our mistaking was but without recrimination or complaining of the Injuries against Our Self We sent to both Houses on the twelfth and fourteenth of January by Message That in Our proceeding against those Persons We had not the least Intention of violating their Priviledges which We would be willing to assert by any reasonable way We should be advised That We would wave Our former proceedings againsts them and when the minds of Men should be composed would proceed in an unquestionable way in the mean time desired all jealousies might be laid aside and application be made to the publick and pressing Affairs especially to those of Ireland which cried for the utmost of Our Assistance But it concerned those Persons by no means to suffer such a Composition if these Fears and Jealousies were not kept up and inflamed in the People and the Distractions heightned they knew they should not only be disappointed of the Places Offices Honours and Employments they had promised themselves but be exposed to the Justice of the Law and just Hatred of all good Men. Therefore the business of both Kingdoms was not considerable to the Interests of the Six Members who would be thought the Pillars both of Church and State They had now found a danger nearer hand than Ireland and an Army raised by Us in one night at Kingston upon Thames and upon some extravagant Information pretended to be given to a Committee though some of their pretended Witnesses publickly in the House disavowed any such Testimony they procured an Order to be framed and though before the publishing of it they had full and clear evidence to the contrary by Persons come immediately from the place and testifying it to be most quiet and peaceable they yet had power to procure that Order to be published on the thirteenth of January the next day after they had received so gracious a Message from Us declaring that the Lord Digby and Colonel Lunsford the former of which was in the Town only with a Coach and six Horses the other only attended by his Servant and hath been since earnestly pressed by the Serjeant of the House of Commons in whose custody he was to accuse the Lord Digby with promises that thereby himself should be discharged had gathered Troops of Horse and appeared in a warlike manner at Kingston upon Thames being within a Mile of Our Court to the terror and affrightment of Our good Subjects and to the disturbance of the publick weal of the Kingdom and therefore it was ordered That the Sheriff and Justices of the Peace should with the Assistance of the Train-Bands suppress such Assemblies c. And this way they found out to draw that County to affront Us and sent multitudes of mean people under pretence of petitioning Us to shew Us how unsecure Our Residence was like to be there too and so in a short time compelled Us Our Royal Consort and Our Children to remove to Our Castle at Windsor They proceed then by a Close Committee a thing scarce heard of till this Parliament and of dangerous consequence to the fame and reputation of all Men to examine such mean unknown persons as they had by Threats and Promises solicited to that purpose concerning the circumstances of Our coming to the House exhibiting bold and malicious Interrogatories and Questions concerning Our Self and upon such wild Informations of desperate persons contrary to the known truth and concealing other Examinations which they had taken and by which the contrary to what they would have the People believe would have appeared particularly that very full Examination of Captain Ashley wherein Our publick and peremptory Commands against all manner of Violence though provoked are sufficiently manifested they procured an infamous Declaration to be published by the House of Commons for the House of Peers could not be yet prevailed with to joyn in those Extravagancies on the seventeenth of January mentioning Our coming to the House and some rude expressions of some persons who if there were any such persons there We are most confident they were not of Our Train and would infer from some Mens calling for the Word at Our coming out of the House which is a form used in Our Court that those of Our Train who are before may know when and whither they are to go that We had a purpose to have fallen upon the House of Commons and to have cut all their Throats and do therefore declare That Our coming to the House was a traitorous Design against the King and Parliament That Our Proclamation issued out of the Apprehension of them was false scandalous and illegal That it was lawful for all Men to harbour them and that whosever did so should be under the Protection and Priviledge of Parliament with many other expressions of and aspersions upon Us which they hoped would render Us odious to Our good Subjects and force Us for Our safety to submit to such unreasonable Propositions which amongst themselves they had provided to be offered to Us or provoke Us to such Actions as might give them some advantage To keep the People in a continual Alarm and apprehension of Danger few days passed without some pretended Discovery by Sir Walter Earl or other quick-sighted Men of some Treason or Plot against the Parliament the City or the Kingdom and upon every light and impossible Information many of Our Subjects sent for out of several Counties who after chargeable attendance were dismissed without any reparation or reprehension One day the Tower of London is in danger to be taken and Information given That great Multitudes at least a hundred had that day resorted to visit a Priest then a Prisoner there by Order of the Lords and that at the time of the Information above fifty or threescore were then there and a Warder dispatched of purpose to give that notice upon enquiry but four Persons were then found to be there and but eight all that day who had visited that Priest Another day a Tailour in a Ditch in the open fields over-hears two Passengers to plot the death of Mr. Pym and of many other Members of both Houses then Libellous Letters found in the Streets without names probably contrived by themselves and by their Power published printed and entred in their Journals and Intimations given of the Papists training under ground and of notable provision of Ammunition in Houses where upon examination a single Sword and a Bow and Arrows are found a design of the Inhabitants of Covent-Garden to murther the City of London news from France Italy Spain and Denmark of Arms ready to come for England with infinite such ridiculous Discourses which are not only suffered and directed to be Printed but such countenance and credit given to them that thereupon Guards must be doubled Correspondencies and Letters interrupted and broken open even
wisdoms You would be pleased to remove such Dangers by punishing the Ring-leaders of these Tumults and that Your Majesty and the Parliament may be secured from such Insolencies hereafter For the suppressing of which in all humility we offer our selves to wait upon You if You please hoping we shall appear as considerable in way of Defence to our Gracious Sovereign the Parliament our Religion and the established Laws of the Kingdom as what number soever shall audaciously presume to violate them so shall we by the wisdom of Your Majesty and the Parliament not only be vindicated from precedent Innovations but be secured from the future that are threatned and likely to produce more dangerous effects than the former And we shall pray c. MDCXLII His MAJESTY's Declaration to all his loving Subjects upon occasion of His late Messages to both Houses of Parliament and their refusal to Treat with Him for the Peace of the Kingdom IF it had not evidently appeared to all Men who have carefully examined and considered Our Actions Messages and Declarations how far We are and have been from begetting or promoting the present Distractions and that the Arms We have now taken are for the necessary safety and defence of Our Life being not taken up by Us till Our Town and Fort of Hull were kept from Us by force of Arms Our Navy imployed against Us to keep back all forein supply of Arms and Mony when Our own here was seized and detained from Us and an Army raised in pay and marching against Us yet the late reception of Our Message of the 25th of August sent by persons of Honour and Trust will sure satisfy the World that We have omitted nothing on our part that a gracious and Christian Prince could or can doe to prevent the effusion of Christian Blood but that the malignant party which have with great subtilty and industry begot this Misunderstanding between Us and Our good Subjects resolve to satisfy and secure their Malice and Ambition with the Ruine of the Kingdom and in the blood of Us and all Our good Subjects When they had forced Us after the neglect of Our Message from Beverly by raising a great Army and incensing Our Subjects against Us to erect Our Royal Standard that Our Subjects might be informed of Our Danger and repair to our Succour though We had no great reason to believe any Message of Ours would receive a very good entertainment if those Men might prevail who had brought all these Miseries upon the Kingdom to satisfy their own private ends yet observing the miserable Accidents which already befell Our good Subjects by the Souldiers under their command and well knowing that greater would ensue if timely prevention were not applyed and finding that the Malice and Cunning of these Men had infused into Our People a Rumor that We had rejected all Propositions and offers of Treaty and desired to ingage Our Subjects in a Civil War which Our Soul abhors We prevailed with Our Self for a full expression of Our desire to prevent the effusion of Blood to send a gracious Message to both Our Houses of Parliament on the 25 of August in these words WE have with unspeakable grief of heart long beheld the Distractions of this Our Kingdom Our very Soul is full of anguish until We may find some remedy to prevent the Miseries which are ready to overwhelm this whole Nation by a Civil War And though all Our endeavours tending to the Composing of those unhappy Differences betwixt Vs and Our two Houses of Parliament though pursued by Vs with all zeal and sincerity have been hitherto without that Success We hoped for yet such is Our constant and earnest care to preserve the publick Peace that We shall not be discouraged from using any Expedient which by the blessing of the God of Mercy may lay a firm foundation of Peace and Happiness to all Our good Subjects To this end observing that many mistakes have arisen by the Messages Petitions and Answers betwixt Vs and Our two Houses of Parliament which haply may be prevented by some other way of Treaty wherein the matters in difference may be more clearly understood and more freely transacted We have thought fit to propound to you That some fit persons may be by you inabled to treat with the like number to be authorized by Vs in such a manner and with such freedom of debate as may best tend to that happy Conclusion which all good Men desire The peace of the Kingdom Wherein as We promise in the Word of a King all safety and encouragement to such as shall be sent to Vs if you shall chuse the place where We are for the Treaty which We wholly leave to you presuming of your like care of the safety of those We shall imploy if you shall name another place so We assure you and all Our good Subjects that to the best of Our understanding nothing shall be therein wanting on Our parts which may advance the True Protestant Religion oppose Popery and Superstition secure the Law of the Land upon which is built as well Our just Prerogative as the Propriety and Liberty of the Subject confirm all just Power and Priviledges of Parliament and render Vs and Our People truly happy by a good understanding betwixt Vs and Our two Houses of Parliament Bring with you as firm Resolutions to do your Duty and let all Our good People joyn with Vs in Our Prayers to Almighty God for his Blessing upon this Work If this Proposition shall be rejected by you We have done Our Duty so amply that God will absolve Vs from the Guilt of any of that Blood which must be spilt and what opinion soever other Men may have of Our Power we assure you nothing but Our Christian and Pious care to prevent the effusion of blood hath begot this Motion Our Provision of Men Arms and Mony being such as may secure Vs from farther Violence till it shall please God to open the eyes of Our People Our Messengers were not suffered to sit in the Houses and one of them the Earl of Southampton against whom there was not the least colour of Exception or so much as a Vote not suffered to deliver Our Message but compelled to send it by the Gentleman Usher and then commanded to depart the Town before they would prepare any Answer which they shortly sent Us in these words May it please Your Majesty THe Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled having received Your Majesty's Message of the 25. of August do with much grief resent the dangerous and distracted state of this Kingdom which we have by all means endeavoured to prevent both by our several Advices and Petitions to Your Majesty which have been not only without success but there hath followed that which no ill Counsel in former times hath produced or any Age hath seen namely those several Proclamations and Declarations against both the Houses of Parliament whereby
their Actions are declared Treasonable and their Persons Traitors and thereupon Your Majesty hath set up Your Standard against them whereby You have put the two Houses of Parliament and in them this whole Kingdom out of Your Protection so that until Your Majesty shall recall those Proclamations and Declarations whereby the Earl of Essex and both Houses of Parliament and their Adherents and Assistants and such as have obeyed and executed their Commands and Directions according to their Duties are declared Traitors or otherwise Delinquents and untill the Standard set up in pursuance of the said Proclamations be taken down Your Majesty hath put us into such a condition that whilest we so remain we cannot by the fundamental Priviledges of Parliament the publick Trust reposed in us or with the general good and safety of this Kingdom give Your Majesty any other Answer to this Message Joh. Brown Cler. Parliament H. Elsinge Cler. Parl. D. Com. This strange Answer might well have discouraged Us from any thought of proceeding further this way and informed Us sufficiently what spirit still governed amongst those few who continued still in both Houses otherwise after so many bitter and invective Messages and Declarations sent to Us and published against Us We should not have been reproached with Our Proclamations and Declarations set forth by Us as the effect of such evil Counsel as was unparallel'd by any former Examples We believe indeed such Proclamations and Declarations have never been before set forth but were former times ever acquainted with such intolerable Provocations Were there ever before these twelve months Declarations published in the name of eitheir or both Houses of Parliament to make their King odious to the People Have either or both Houses ever before assumed or pretended to a Power to raise Armes or levy War in any Cause or can both Houses together exercise such a Power Are those Actions which the Law hath defined literally and expresly to be Treasonable or such Persons to be Traitors not so because they are done by Members of either House or their appointment And must not We declare such who March with Arms and Force to destroy Us to be Traitors because the Earl of Essex is their General Those whom We have or do accuse We have named together with their Crimes notorious by the known Law of the Land a favour not granted to Our Evil Counsellors and appeal to that known Law to judge between Us And now that by this We should have put the whole Kingdom out of Our Protection in whose behalf We do all that We have done is a corrupt Gloss upon such a Text as cannot be perverted but by the cunning practices of such who wish not well to King or People Yet that no weak persons might be misled by that Imputation upon Us we sent a Reply to that Answer in these words WE will not repeat what means We have used to prevent the dangerous and distracted estate of the Kingdom nor how those means have been interpreted because being desirous to avoid effusion of blood We are willing to decline all memory of former bitterness that might make Our offer of a Treaty less readily accepted We never did declare nor ever intended to declare both Our Houses of Parliament Traitors or set up Our Standard against them and much less to put them and this Kingdom out of Our Protection We utterly profess against it before God and the World And further to remove all possible Scruples which may hinder the Treaty so much desired by Vs We hereby promise so that a day be appointed by you for the revoking of your Declarations against all Persons as Traitors or otherways for assisting of Vs We shall with all chearfulness upon the same day recall Our Proclamations and Declarations and take down Our Standard In which Treaty We shall be read to grant any thing that shall be really for the good of Our Subjects Conjuring you to consider the bleeding condition of Ireland and the dangerous condition of England in as high a degree as by these Our Offers We have declared Our Self to do and assuring you that Our chief desire in this World is to beget a good understanding and mutual confidence betwixt Vs and Our two Houses of Parliament This Message produced an Answer little differing from the former like Men who had no other measure of the justice of their Cause than their Power to oppress Us forgetting their own Duties they sharply inform Us of Ours in these words May it please Your Majesty IF we the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled should repeat all the ways we have taken the endeavours we have used and the expressions we have made unto Your Majesty to prevent those Distractions and Dangers Your Majesty speaks of likely to fall upon this Kingdom we should too much enlarge this Reply Therefore as we humbly so shall we only let your Majesty know that we cannot recede from our former Answer for the reasons therein expressed for that Your Majesty hath not taken down Your Standard recalled Your Proclamations and Declarations whereby You have declared the Actions of both Houses of Parliament to be Treasonable and their Persons Traitors And You have published the same since Your Message of the 25th of August by Your late Instructions sent to Your Commissioners of Array Which Standard being taking down and the Declarations Proclamations and Instructions recalled if Your Majesty shall then upon this our humble Petition leaving Your Forces return unto Your Parliament and receive their faithful Advice Your Majesty will find such expressions of our Fidelities and Duties as shall assure You that Your Safety Honour and Greatness can only be found in the affections of Your People and the sincere Counsels of Your Parliament whose constant and undiscouraged Endeavours and Consultations have passed through Difficulties unheard-of only to secure Your Kingdoms from the violent Mischiefs and Dangers now ready to fall upon them and every part of them who deserve better of Your Majesty and can never allow themselves representing likewise Your whole Kingdom to be balanced with those Persons whose desperate Dispositions and Counsels prevail still so to interrupt all our endeavours for the relieving of bleeding Ireland as we may fear our labours and vast expences will be fruitless to that distressed Kingdom As Your Presence is thus humbly desired by us so is it in our hopes Your Majesty will in your reason believe there is no other way than this to make Your Self happy and Your Kingdom safe John Brown Cler. Parliament Without any bitterness or reprehension of their neglect of Us and the publick Peace to express Our deep sense of the Calamities at hand We yet once more hoping to awake them to a Christian tenderness towards the whole Kingdom sent to them in these words WHo have taken most ways used most endeavours and made most real expressions to prevent the present Distractions and Dangers let all the World
judge as well by former Passages as by Our two last Messages which have been so fruitless that though We have descended to desire and press it not so much as a Treaty can be obtained unless We would denude Our Self of all force to defend Vs from a visible strength marching against Vs and admit those Persons as Traitors to Vs who according to their Duty their Oaths of Allegiance and the Law have appeared in defence of Vs their King and Liege Lord whom We are bound in Conscience and Honour to preserve though We disclaimed all our Proclamations and Declarations and the erecting of Our Standard as against Our Parliament All We have now left in Our Power is to express the deep sense We have of the publick Misery of this Kingdom in which is involved that of Our distressed Protestants of Ireland and to apply Our Self to Our necessary Defence wherein We wholly rely upon the Providence of God the Justice of Our Cause and the Affection of Our good People so far We are from putting them out of Our Protection When you shall desire a Treaty of Vs We shall piously remember whose blood is to be spilt in this Quarrel and chearfully embrace it And as no other Reason induced Vs to leave Our City of London but that with Honour and Safety We could not stay there nor raise any Force but for the necessary defence of Our Person and the Law against Levies in opposition to both so We shall suddenly and most willingly return to the one and disband the other as soon as those causes shall be removed The God of Heaven direct you and in mercy divert those Judgments which hang over this Nation and so deal with Vs and Our Posterity as We desire the Preservation and Advancement of the true Protestant Religion the Laws and the Liberty of the Subject the just Rights of Parliament and the Peace of the Kingdom But as if all these gracious Messages had been the effects only of Our Weakness and instances of Our want of Power to resist that torrent they deal at last more plainly with Us and after many sharp causeless and unjust Reproaches they tell Us in plain English that without putting Our Self absolutely into their hands and deserting all Our own Force and the Protection of all those who have faithfully appeared for Us according to their Duty there would be no means of a Treaty although Our extraordinary desire of Peace had prevailed with Us to offer to recall Our most just Declarations and to take down Our Standard set up for Our necessary defence so their unjustifiable Declarations might be likewise recalled Their Answer follows in these words WE the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled do present this our humble Answer to Your Majesty's Message of the 11th of this instant Month of September When we consider the Oppressions Rapines Firing of Houses Murthers even at this time whilst Your Majesty propounds a Treaty committed upon Your good Subjects by Your Soldiers in the presence and by the Authority of their Commanders being of the number of those whom Your Majesty holds Your self bound in Honour and Conscience to protect as Persons doing their Duties We cannot think Your Majesty hath done all that in You lies to prevent or remove the present Distractions nor so long as Your Majesty will admit no Peace without securing the Authors and Instruments of these Mischiefs from the Justice of the Parliament which yet shall be ever dispens'd with all requisite Moderation and distinction of Offences although some of those Persons be such in whose Preservation Your Kingdom cannot be safe nor the unquestionable Rights and Priviledges of Parliament be maintain'd without which the Power and Dignity thereof will fall into contempt We beseech Your Majesty therefore to consider Your Expressions That God should deal with You and Your Posterity as Your Majesty desires the Preservation of the just Rights of Parliament which being undeniable in the Trying of such as we have declared to be Delinquents we shall believe Your Majesty both towards Your self and Parliament will not in this Priviledge we are most sensible of deny us that which belongs unto the meanest Court of Justice in this Kingdom Neither hath Your Majesty cause to complain that You are denied a Treaty when we offer all that a Treaty can produce or Your Majesty expect Security Honour Service Obedience Support and all other effects of an Humble Loyal and Faithful Subjection and seek nothing but that our Religion Liberty Peace of the Kingdom Safety of the Parliament may be secured from the open Violence and cunning Practices of a wicked party who have long plotted our ruin and destruction And if there were any Cause of Treaty we know no competent Persons to Treat betwixt the King and Parliament and if both Cause and Persons were such as to invite Treaty the Season is altogether unfit whilst Your Majesty's Standard is up and Your Proclamations and Declarations unrecalled whereby Your Parliament is charged with Treason If Your Majesty shall persist to make Your self a shield and defence to those Instruments and shall continue to reject our faithful and necessary Advice for securing and maintaining Religion and Liberty with the Peace of the Kingdom and Safety of the Parliament we doubt not but to indifferent judgments it will easily appear who is most tender of that Innocent Blood which is like to be spilt in this Cause Your Majesty who by such persisting doth endanger Your self and Your Kingdoms or we who are willing to hazard our selves to preserve both We humbly beseech Your Majesty to consider how impossible it is that any Protestation though published in Your Majesty's name of Your tenderness of the Miseries of Your Protestant Subjects in Ireland of Your Resolution to maintain the Protestant Religion and Laws of this Kingdom can give satisfaction to reasonable and indifferent men when at the same time divers of the Irish Traitors and Rebels the known Favourers of them and Agents for them are admitted to Your Majesty's presence with Grace and Favour and some of them imployed in Your service when the Cloaths Munition Horses and other Necessaries bought by your Parliament and sent for the supply of the Army against the Rebels there are violently taken away some by Your Majesty's Command others by Your Ministers and applied to the maintenance of an unnatural War against Your People here All this notwithstanding as we never gave Your Majesty any just cause of withdrawing Your self from Your great Council so it hath ever been and shall ever be far from us to give any impediment to Your Return or to neglect any proper means of curing the Distempers of the Kingdom and closing the dangerous Breaches betwixt Your Majesty and Your Parliament according to the great Trust which lies upon us and if Your Majesty shall now be pleased to come back to Your Parliament without Your Forces we shall be ready to secure Your Royal Person
Advancement of God's Service For the Second of Our Intention to make War upon Our Parliament and so to root out Parliaments the Scandal is so senseless when Our Accusation of a few particular Persons for particular Crimes notoriously committed adjudged by the known Laws of the Land to be Treason is evident that no Man can be moved with it who doth not believe a dozen or twenty Factious Seditious Persons to be the High Court of Parliament which consists of KING Lords and Commons And for the Privileges of it whoever doth not believe that to raise an Army to murther and depose the King to alter the whole frame of Government and established Laws of the Land by extemporary extravagant Votes and Resolutions of either or both Houses to force and compel the Members to submit to the Faction and Treason of a few and to take away the Liberty and Freedom of consultation from them be the Privileges of Parliament must confess that the Army now raised by Us is no less for the Vindication and Preservation of Parliaments than for Our own necessary Defence We have often said and We still say that We believe many Inconveniences have grown upon this Kingdom by the too long intermission of Parliaments that Parliaments are the only necessary sovereign Remedies of the growing Mischiefs which Time and Accidents have and will always beget in this Kingdom that without Parliaments the Happiness cannot be lasting to King or People We have prepared for the frequent assembling of Parliaments and will be always as careful of their just Privileges as of Our Life Honour or Interest But that those Privileges should extend so far as hath been lately declared that it should not be lawful for Us to apprehend the Lord Saint-John Captain Wingate or Captain Walton when they came to destroy Us because they were Members of Parliament without the consent of that House of which they were Members is so ridiculous that there need no more to be said in this Argument than the giving these instances In a word as whoever knows in what Danger Our Person was on Sunday the 23. of October can never believe that the Army which gave Us Battel was raised for Our Defence and Preservation so when they consider how much the Liberty of the Subject is invaded by their Rapine and Imprisoning and that four parts at the least of five of the Members of both Houses are by Violence driven from being present in that Council that the Book of Common-Prayer is rejected and no countenance given but to Anabaptists and Brownists they will easily find the pretences of care of the Protestant Religion the Liberty of the Subject and of the Privilege of Parliament to be as vain and pretended as those which refer to the Safety of Our Person and preservation of Our Posterity We cannot omit the great pains and endeavours these great pretenders to Peace and Charity have taken to raise an implacable Malice and Hatred between the Gentry and Commonalty of the Kingdom by rendring all Persons of Honour Courage and Reputation odious to the Common People under the style of Cavaliers insomuch as the High-ways and Villages have not been safe for Gentlemen to pass through without Violence or Affronts and by infusing into them that there was an intention by the Commission of Array to take away a part of their Estates from them a Scandal so senseless and impossible that the Contrivers of it well know that they might with equal Ingenuity have charged Us with a purpose of introducing Turcisme or Judaisme amongst them and We hope when Our good Subjects have well weighed the continual Practices of these Men to reject all offers of Treaty and to suppress Truth and to mislead them by bold and monstrous Falsehoods they will not think such arts and ways to lead to Peace and Unity And We desire Our good Subjects of all Conditions to believe that We hold Our Self bound no less to defend and protect the meanest of Our People who are born equally free and to whom the Law of the Land is an equal Inheritance than the greatest Subject and that as the Wealth and Strength of this Kingdom consists in the Number and Happiness of Our People which is made up of Men of all Conditions so We shall to the utmost of Our Power endeavour without distinction to give every one of them that Justice and Protection which is due to them and We do exhort them all to that charitable and brotherly Affection one towards another that they may be reconciled in a just Duty and Loyalty to Us which may enable Us for that Protection To conclude We would have all the World know that We shall never forget the Protestations and Vows We have made to Almighty God in Our several Declarations and Messages to both Our Houses of Parliament And We are too much a Christian to believe that We can break those Promises and avoid the Justice of Heaven CHARLES R. Our express pleasure is That this Our Declaration be published in all Churches and Chappels within the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales by the Parsons Vicars or Curates of the same DECLARATIONS and PAPERS Concerning the TREATY of PEACE AT OXFORD MDCXLII III. MDCXLII Novemb. His MAJESTY's Declaration to all His loving Subjects of His true Intentions in advancing lately to Brainceford THough Our Reputation be most dear to Us and especially in those cases wherein the truth of Our most solemn Professions and by consequence of Our Christianity is questioned yet it is not only for the Vindication of that and to clear Our self from such Aspersions but withal to preserve Our Subjects in their just Esteem of and Duty to Us and from being engaged into Crimes and Dangers by those malicious Reports so spightfully framed and cunningly spread against Us concerning Our late advancing to Brainceford that We have resolved to publish this Our following Declaration AT Colebrook on Friday the 11. of November We received a Petition from both Our Houses of Parliament by the Earl of Northumberland the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery the Lord Wenman Master Pierrepont and Sir John Hippesly And indeed We were well pleased to see it so much liker a Petition than the other Papers We had often of late received under that name and return'd to it the next day so gracious an Answer that We assure Our selves could not but be very satisfactory to all that were truly lovers of Peace The Copies of both do here follow To the KING 's most Excellent MAJESTY The humble Petition of the Lords and Commons now assembled in Parliament WE Your Majesty's most loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled being affected with a deep and piercing sense of the Miseries of this Kingdom and of the Dangers to Your Majesty's Person as the present Affairs now stand and much quickned therein with the sad consideration of the great effusion of Blood at the late Battel and of the loss of so
many eminent Persons and further weighing the addition of Loss Misery and Danger to Your Majesty and Your Kingdom which must ensue if both Armies should again joyn in another Battel as without God's especial Blessing and Your Majesty's Concurrence with Your Houses of Parliament will not probably be avoided We cannot but believe that a suitable Impression of Tenderness and Compassion is wrought in Your Majesty's Royal Heart being Your Self an eye-witness of the bloody and sorrowful destruction of so many of Your Subjects and that Your Majesty doth apprehend what dimination of Your own Power and Greatness will follow and that all Your Kingdoms will thereby be so weakned as to become subject to the Attempts of any ill-affected to this State In all which respects we assure our selves that Your Majesty will be inclined graciously to accept this our humble Petition that the Misery and Desolation of this Kingdom may be speedily removed and prevented For the effecting whereof we most humbly beseech Your Majesty to appoint some convenient place not far from the City of London where Your Majesty will be pleased to reside until Committees of both Houses of Parliament may attend Your Majesty with some Propositions for the removal of these bloody Distempers and Distractions and settling the state of the Kingdom in such a manner as may conduce to the Preservation of God's true Religion Your Majesty's Honour Safety and Prosperity and to the Peace Comfort and Security of all Your People His MAJESTY's Answer to the aforesaid Petition WE take God to witness how deeply We are affected with the Miseries of this Kingdom which heretofore We have stroven as much as in Vs lay to prevent it being sufficiently known to all the World that as WE were not the first that took up Arms so We have shewed Our readiness of Composing all things in a fair way by Our several Offers of Treaty and shall be glad now at length to find any such Inclinations in others the same Tenderness to avoid the Destruction of Our Subjects whom We know to be Our greatest Strength which would always make Our greatest Victories bitter to Vs shall make Vs willingly hearken to such Propositions whereby these bloody Distempers may be stopped and the great Distractions of this Kingdom settled to God's Glory Our Honour and the Welfare and flourishing of Our People and to that end shall reside at Our own Castle at Windsor if the Forces there shall be removed till Committees may have time to attend Vs with the same which to prevent the Inconveniences that will intervene We wish may be hastened and shall be ready there or if that be refused Vs at any place where We shall be to receive such Propositions as aforesaid from both Our Houses of Parliament Do you your Duty We will not be wanting to Ours God of his mercy give a Blessing But the same night after the Messengers were gone certain Information was brought unto Us that the same day the Earl of Essex had drawn his Forces with great store of Ordnance out of London towards Us upon which a Council of War being present and We having there considered upon debate Our present Condition That being already almost surrounded by his Forces some at Windsor some at Kingston and some at Acton if We suffered the Remainder to possess Brainceford We should be totally hemm'd in and Our Army deprived of all convenience of either moving or subsisting yet how necessary soever it appeared We could not obtain Our own Consent to advance towards Brainceford and either prepossess it or dispossess them of it till We had satisfied Our Selves that it was as lawful as necessary and fully weighed all that not only Reason but Malice it self which We knew to be very watchful upon Our Actions could object against it We considered first that it could not reasonably be esteemed an Aversion from Peace and an Intention to interrupt the Treaty than in expectation since on the other side We had cause to believe by the former rejection of Our offers of Treaty when We were supposed to be in no condition of strength that if We would not thus preserve Our Selves from being so encompass'd as to come into their Powers the very possibility of a Treaty would immediately vanish We considered next that much less could it be interpreted any breach of Faith since willingness to receive Propositions of Treaty was never held to amount to a suspension of Arms since otherwise We must because mention of a Treaty had been once made by the same Logick have been bound not to hinder them to encompass Us on all parts to Colebrook Towns-end since no word to that purpose of any suspension was in Our Answer nay since in that by wishing their Propositions might be hastned to prevent the Inconveniences which would intervene We implied that by this Arms were not suspended and since their own Votes of proceeding vigorously notwithstanding the Petition and their own actions in sending after their Messengers great store of Forces with Ordnance so near to Us having before girt Us in on all other parts and sent Men and Ordnance to Kingston after the safe Conduct asked of Us implied the same Being resolved upon these Reasons that this Advancing was necessary and just We were not yet satisfied till We had endeavoured the same day though the interruptions of shooting stopt the way till the next to satisfie Our Parliament and People of the same and that Peace was still Our desire We to that end directed a Message by John White Esquire which was so received that his danger of being put to death for bringing it and the Imprisonment of him and the Trumpeter that went with him in the Gate-house shew'd that the Law of Nations was by some no more considered than all other Laws had been before A Copy of which Message hereafter follows to shew how little temptation the matter of that gave them for such an usage His MAJESTY's Message of the twelfth of November WHereas the last night being the eleventh of November after the departure of the Committee of both Our Houses with Our gracious Answer to their Petition We received certain Information having till then heard nothing of it either from the Houses Committee or otherwise That the Lord of Essex had drawn his Forces out of London towards Vs which hath necessitated Our sudden Resolution to march with Our Forces to Brainceford We have thought hereby fit to signifie to both Our Houses of Parliament That We are no less desirous of the Peace of the Kingdom than We exprest in Our aforesaid Answer the Propositions for which We shall willingly receive where-ever We are and desire if it may be to receive them at Brainceford this night or early to morrow morning that all possible speed may be made in so good a Work and all Inconveniences otherwise likely to intervene may be avoided And to justifie yet further that Our Intention was no other than was here profest
Miseries and the general Calamities of this Kingdom which must if this War continue speedily overwhelm this whole Nation take no Advantage of it But if you shall really pursue what you presented to Us at Colebrook We shall make good all that We then gave you in Answer to it whereby the hearts of Our distressed Subjects may be raised with the Hopes of Peace without which Religion the Laws and Liberties can no ways be settled and secured Touching the late and sad Accident you mention if you thereby intend that of Brainceford We desire you once to deal ingenuously with the People and to let them see Our last Message to you and Our Declaration to them concerning the same both which We sent to Our Press at London but were taken away from Our Messenger and not suffered to be published and then We doubt not but they will be soon undeceived and easily find out those Counsels which do rather perswade a desperate Division than a good Agreement betwixt Us Our two Houses and People MDCXLII III. The Proceedings in the late Treaty of Peace Together with several Letters of His MAJESTY to the Queen and of Prince Rupert to the Earl of Northampton which were intercepted and brought up to the Parliament With a Declaration of the Lords and Commons upon those Proceedings and Letters The humble Desires and Propositions of the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled tendred unto His Majesty Feb. 1. 1642. WE Your Majesty's most humble and faithful Subjects the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled having in our thoughts the Glory of God Your Majesty's Honour and the Prosperity of Your People and being most grievously afflicted with the pressing Miseries and Calamities which have overwhelmed Your two Kingdoms of England and Ireland since Your Majesty hath by the perswasion of evil Counsellors withdrawn Your Self from the Parliament raised an Army against it and by force thereof protected Delinquents from the Justice of it constraining us to take Armes for the defence of our Religion Laws Liberties Privileges of Parliament and for the sitting of the Parliament in safety which Fears and Dangers are continued and increased by the raising drawing together and arming of great numbers of Papists under the command of the Earl of Newcastle likewise by making the Lord Herbert of Ragland and other known Papists Commanders of great Forces whereby many grievous Oppressions Rapines and Cruelties have been and are daily exercised upon the persons and estates of Your People much innocent blood hath been spilt and the Papists have attained means of attempting and hopes of effecting their mischievous Design of rooting out the Reformed Religion and destroying the professors thereof in the tender sense and compassion of these evils under which Your People and Kingdom lie according to the duty which we owe to God Your Majesty and the Kingdom for which we are intrusted do most earnestly desire that an end may be put to these great Distempers and Distractions for the preventing of that Desolation which doth threaten all Your Majesties Dominions And as we have rendred and still are ready to render to Your Majesty that Subjection Obedience and Service which we owe unto You so we most humbly beseech Your Majesty to remove the Cause of this War and to vouchsafe us that Peace and Protection which we and our Ancestors have formerly enjoyed under Your Majesty and Your Royal Predecessors and graciously to accept and grant these most humble Desires and Propositions I. That Your Majesty will be pleased to disband Your Armies as we likewise shall be ready to disband all those Forces which we have raised and that You will be pleased to return to your Parliament II. That You will leave Delinquents to a Legal Trial and Judgement of Parliament III. That the Papists may not only be disbanded but disarmed according to Law IV. That Your Majesty will be pleased to give Your Royal Assent unto the Bill for taking away Superstitious Innovations to the Bill for the utter abolishing and taking away of all Archbishops Bishops their Chancellors and Commissaries Deans Subdeans Deans and Chapters Archdeacons Canons and Prebendaries and all Chanters Chancellors Treasurers Subtreasurers Succentors and Sacrists and all Vicars Choral and Choristers old Vicars and new Vicars of any Cathedral or Collegiate Church and all other their under-Officers out of the Church of England to the Bill against Scandalous Ministers to the Bill against Pluralities and to the Bill for Consultation to be had with godly religious and learned Divines That Your Majesty will be pleased to promise to pass such other good Bills for settling of Church-Government as upon consultation with the Assembly of the said Divines shall be resolved on by both Houses of Parliament and by them be presented to your Majesty V. That Your Majesty having exprest in Your Answer to the Nineteen Propositions of both Houses of Parliament a hearty affection and Intentions for the rooting out of Popery out of this Kingdom and that if both the Houses of Parliament can yet find a more effectual course to disable Jesuits Priests and Popish Recusants from disturbing the State or eluding the Laws that You would willingly give Your Consent unto it That You would be graciously pleased for the better discovery and speedier conviction of Recusants that an Oath may be established by Act of Parliament to be administred in such manner as by both Houses shall be agreed on wherein they shall abjure and renounce the Popes Supremacy the doctrine of Transubstantiation Purgatory worshipping of the consecrated Hoast Crucifixes and Images and the refusing the said Oath being tendred in such manner as shall be appointed by Act of Parliament shall be a sufficient Conviction in Law of Recusancy And that Your Majesty will be graciously pleased to give Your Royal Assent unto a Bill for the Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion That for the more effectual execution of the Laws against Popish Recusants Your Majesty would be pleased to consent to a Bill for the true levying of the Penalties against them and that the same Penalty may be levyed and disposed of in such manner as both Houses of Parliament shall agree on so as Your Majesty be at no loss and likewise to a Bill whereby the practice of Papists against the State may be prevented and the Laws against them duly executed VI. That the Earl of Bristol may be removed from Your Majesty's Counsels and that both he and the Lord Herbert eldest Son to the Earl of Worcester may likewise be restrained from coming within the verge of the Court and that they may not bear any Office or have any imployments concerning the State or Commonwealth VII That Your Majesty will be graciously pleased by Act of Parliament to settle the Militia both by Sea and Land and for the Forts and Ports of the Kingdom in such a manner as shall be agreed on by both Houses VIII That Your Majesty will be pleased
been desired but that Peace and Protection which His Subjects and their Ancestors had in the best times enjoyed under His Majesty or His Royal Predecessors this Misunderstanding and distance between His Majesty and His People and this general Misery and Distraction upon the face of the whole Kingdom had not been now the discourse of Christendom But His Majesty will forbear any Expressions of Bitterness or of a sense of His own Sufferings that if it be possible the memory thereof may be lost to the World And therefore though many of the Propositions presented to His Majesty by both Houses appear to Him very derogatory from and destructive to His just Power and Prerogative and no way beneficial to His Subjects few of them being already due to them by the Laws established and how unparliamentary it is by Arms to requrie new Laws all the World may judge yet because these may be waved or mollified and many things that are now dark or doubtful in them cleared and explained upon debate His Majesty is pleased such is His sense of the Miserie 's this Kingdom suffers by this unnatural War and His earnest desire to remove them by a happy Peace that a speedy time and place may be agreed upon for the meeting of such persons as His Majesty and both Houses shall appoint to discuss these Propositions and such others here following as His Majesty doth propose to them I. That His Majesty's own Revenue Magazins Towns Forts and Ships which have been taken or kept from Him by force be forthwith restored unto Him II. That whatsoever hath been done or published contrary to the known Laws of the Land or derogatory to His Majesty's Legal and known Power and Rights be renounced and recalled that no seed may remain for the like to spring out of for the future III. That whatsoever illegal power hath been claimed and exercised by or over His Subjects as Imprisoning their Persons without Law stopping their Habeas Corpusses and imposing upon their Estates without Act of Parliament c. either by both or either House or any Committee of both or either or by any persons appointed by any of them be disclaimed and all such persons so committed forthwith discharged IV. That as His Majesty will readily consent having done so heretofore to the execution of all Laws already made and to any good Acts to be made for the suppressing of Popery and for the firm settling of the Protestant Religion now established by Law so He desires that a good Bill may be framed for the better preserving of the Book of Common-Prayer from the scorn and violence of Brownists Anabaptists and other Sectaries with such clauses for the ease of Tender Consciences as His Majesty hath formerly offered V. That all such persons as upon the Treaty shall be excepted out of the general Pardon shall be tried per Pares according to the usual course and known Law of the Land and that it be left to that either to acquit or condemn them VI. And to the intent this Treaty may not suffer interruption by any intervening Accidents that a Cessation of Arms and free Trade for all His Majesty's Subjects may be first agreed upon This Offer and Desire of His Majesty He hopes will be so chearfully entertained that a speedy and blessed Peace may be accomplished If it shall be rejected or by insisting upon unreasonable Circumstances be made impossible which He hopes God in his Mercy to this Nation will not suffer the guilt of the Blood which will be shed and the Desolation which must follow will lie upon the heads of the Refusers However His Majesty is resolved through what accidents soever He shall be compelled to recover His Rights and with what prosperous Successes soever it shall please God to bless Him that by His earnest constant endeavours to propagate and promote the true Protestant Religion and by His Governing according to the known Laws of the Land and upholding the Just Priviledges of Parliament according to His frequent Protestations made before Almighty God which He will always inviolably observe the World shall see that He hath undergone all these Difficulties and Hazards for the defence and maintenance of those the zealous Preservation of which His Majesty well knowns is the only foundation and means for the true Happiness of Him and His People Hen. Elsing Cler. Parliament D. C. The Articles of Cessation sent to His MAJESTY Februar ultimo WHereas the Lords and Commons in Parliament out of a tender sense of the present Miseries and Distractions of the Kingdom and for the obtaining and settling of a happy Peace between His Majesty and His People have humbly presented to His Majesty divers Propositions to which He hath been pleased to make this return That His desire was that a speedy time and place might be appointed for the discussing of those Propositions and likewise some others proposed by His Majesty It is thereupon agreed in both Houses that a Committee of both Houses shall be appointed to attend His Majesty on or before the fourth of March if His Majesty shall so please to endeavour to give Him all humble and fit satisfaction concerning the said Propositions both His Majesty's and their own And whereas for the more speedy removal of the bloody and miserable effects of War His Majesty hath likewise been graciously pleased by a late * Message to signifie his desire that for avoiding all intervening Accidents of War which might interrupt this Treaty there might be a Cessation of Arms under such particular conditions and limitations as should be agreed on their humble desires therein concurring with His Majesty it is by them assented and agreed That a Cessation of Arms in order to such a Treaty as is resolved upon by both Houses of Parliament may be enjoyned to all the Armies and Forces now on foot in the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales on either side under the restrictions and limitations hereafter following and that neither side shall be bound and limited by this Cessation in any other wise or to any other purpose than is hereafter expressed I. That all manner of Arms Ammunition Victuals Mony Bullion and all other Commodities passing without such a safe Conduct as may warrant their passage may be staid and seized on as if no such Cessation were agreed on at all II. That all manner of Persons passing without such a safe Conduct as is mentioned in the Article next going before shall be apprehended and detained as if no such Cessation were agreed on at all III. That His Majesty's Forces in Oxfordshire shall advance no nearer to Windsor than Wheatly and in Buckinghamshire no nearer to Ailesbury than Brill and that in Berks the Forces respectively shall not advance nearer the one to the other than now they are and that the Parliament-Forces in Oxfordshire shall advance no nearer to Oxford than Henly and those in Buckingham no nearer to Oxford than Ailesbury and that His
of Glocester Bristol and the Castle and Town of Berkley shall be guided by the Rule exprest in the later part of the precedent Article V. That in case it be pretended on either side that the Cessation is violated no act of Hostility is immediately to follow but first the party complaining is to acquaint the Lord General on the other side and to allow three days after notice given for satisfaction and in case satisfaction be not given or accepted then five days notice to be given before Hostility begin and the like to be observed in the remoter Armies by the Commanders in chief VI. That all other Forces in the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales not before-mentioned shall remain in the same Quarters and places as they are at the time of publishing this Cessation otherwise than in passage and communication between their several Quarters as is mentioned in the latter part of the third Article and that this Cessation shall not extend to restrain the setting forth or imploying any Ships for the defence of His Majesty's Dominions provided that His Majesty be first acquainted with the particulars and that such Ships as shall be set forth be commanded by such persons as His Majesty shall approve of VII Lastly that during the Cessation none of His Majesty's Subjects be imprisoned otherwise than according to the known Laws of the Land and that there shall be no plundring or violence offered to any of His Subjects And His Majesty is very willing if there be any Scruples made concerning these Propositions and Circumstances of the Cessation that the Committee for the Treaty nevertheless may immediately come hither and so all matters concerning the Cessation may be here settled by them H. Elsinge Cler. Parl. D. Com. Mis MAJESTY's Answer to the Articles of Cessation sent to His Majesty HIS Majesty hath sent a safe Conduct for the Earl of Northumberland Mr. Pierrepont Sir William Armyne Sir John Holland and Mr. Whitelocke but hath not admitted the Lord Say to attend Him as being excepted against by name in His Proclamation at Oxford of the third of November and by Writ to the Sheriff proclaimed then in that County in which His Majesty's Intention is declared to proceed against him as a person guilty of High-Treason and so falling to be within the case of Sir John Evelin who upon the same Exception was not admitted to attend His Majesty with the rest of the Committee at Colebrook in November last But His Majesty doth signifie that in case the House shall think fit to send any other person in the place of the Lord Say that is not included in the like Exception His Majesty hath commanded all His Officers Soldiers and other Subjects to suffer Him as freely to pass and repass as if His Name had been particularly comprised in this safe Conduct His Majesty is content that His Proposition concerning the Magazines Forts Ships and Revenue and the Proposition of both Houses for the disbanding of the Armies shall be first Treated of and agreed of before the proceeding to treat upon any of the other Propositions and that after the second of His Majesty's and the second of theirs be treated on and agreed of and so on in the same order and that from the beginning of the Treaty the time may not exceed Twenty days in which He hopes a full Peace and right understanding may be established throughout the Kingdom H. Elsinge Cler. Parl. D. Com. The last Articles of Cessation now sent to His MAJESTY THE Lords and Commons in Parliament being still carried on with a vehement desire of Peace that so the Kingdom may speedily be freed from the Desolation and Destruction wherewith it is like to be overwhelmed if the War should continue have with as much expedition as they could considered of the Articles of Cessation with those Alterations and Additions offered by His Majesty unto which they are ready to agree in such manner as is exprest in these ensuing Articles viz. I. That all manner of Arms Ammunition Victual Mony Bullion and all other Commodities passing without a safe Conduct from the Generals of both Armies as well of His Majesty 's as of the Armies raised by the Parliament may be stayed and seized on as if no such Cessation were agreed on at all II. That all manner of persons passing without such a safe Conduct as is mentioned in the Articles next going before shall be apprehended and detained as if no such Cessation were agreed on at all III. That His Majesty's Forces in Oxfordshire shall advance no nearer to Windsor than Wheatly and in Buckinghamshire no nearer to Ailesbury than Brill and that in Berkshire the Forces respectively shall not advance nearer the one to the other than they shall be at the day to be agreed on for the Cessation to begin and that the Forces of the other Army raised by the Parliament shall advance no nearer to Oxford than Henley and those in Buckinghamshire no nearer to Oxon than Ailesbury and that the Forces of neither Army shall advance their Quarters nearer to each other than they shall be upon the day agreed on for the Cessation to begin IV. That the Forces of either Army in Gloucestershire Wilts and Wales as likewise in the Cities of Gloucester and Bristol and the Castle and Town of Berkly shall be guided by the Rule exprest in the latter part of the precedent Article V. That in case it be pretended on either side that the Cessation is violated no act of Hostility is immediately to follow but first the party complaining is to acquaint the Lord General on the other side and to allow three days after notice given for satisfaction and in case satisfaction be not given or accepted then five days notice to be given before Hostility begin and the like to be observed in the remoter Armies by the Commanders in chief VI. That all other Forces in the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales not before mentioned shall remain in the same Quarters and places as they are at the time of the publishing of this Cessation and under the same Conditions as are mentioned in the Articles before and that this Cessation shall not extend to restrain the setting forth or employing of any Ships for the defence of His Majesty's Dominions VII That as soon as His Majesty shall be pleased to disband the Armies which both Houses earnestly desire may be speedily effected and to disarme the Papists according to Law the Subjects may then enjoy the benefit of Peace in the liberty of their Persons Goods and Freedom of Trade in the mean time the Generals and Commanders of the Armies of both sides shall be enjoyned to keep the Souldiers from plundering which the two Houses of Parliament have ever disliked and forbidden And for the speedy settling of this so-much-desired Peace they have thought good to send their Committees with Instructions that if His Majesty be pleased to consent to a
Members of either of them That some Officers of both Armies may speedily meet to agree of the manner of the disbanding and that fit Persons may be appointed by His Majesty and the Parliament who may repair to the several Armies and see the disbanding put in speedy execution accordingly That his Majesty do likewise remove the Garrisons out of Newcastle and all other Towns Castles and Forts where any Garrisons have been placed by Him since these Troubles and that the Fortifications be likewise slighted and the Towns and forts left in such state and condition as they were in the year 1636. That all other Towns Forts and Castles where there have been formerly Garrisons before these Troubles be committed to the charge of such Persons to be nominated by His Majesty as the Parliament shall confide in and under such Instructions as are formerly mentioned That if His Majesty shall be pleased to assent to these Propositions concerning the Towns Forts Castles Magazines and Ships that then His Majesty be humbly intreated to name Persons of Quality to receive the charge of the several Offices and Forts Castles and Towns to be forthwith certified to the two Houses of Parliament that thereupon they may express their confidence in those persons or humbly beseech His Majesty to name others none of which Persons shall be removed during three years next ensuing without just cause to be approved by Parliament and if any be so removed or shall dye within the said space the Person to be put into the same Office shall be such as both Houses shall confide in That all Generals and Commanders in any of the Armies on either side as likewise the Lord Admiral of England the Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports all Commanders of any Ships and Commanders of any Town Castle or Fort shall take an Oath to observe these Articles afore-mentioned and to use their uttermost power to preserve the true Reformed Protestant Religion and the Peace of the Kingdom against all Forein Force and all other Forces raised without His Majesties Authority and Consent of the two Houses of Parliament You shall move His Majesty that for the better dispatch of the Treaty and the free intercourse of Instructions and Advertisements betwixt the two Houses of Parliament and the Committee there may be a free pass of Messengers to and from the Parliament and the Committee without search or interruption and His Majesty's safe Conduct to be obtained to that effect to such Persons as are or shall be appointed for that service viz. for Master John Rushworth Master Mithael Welden Master John Corbet of Graies Inn and Master James Standish H. Elsinge Cler. Parl. D. Com. The KING's Message concerning the Cessation 23 Martii 1642. CHARLES R. HIS Majesty hath immediately upon their arrival admitted the Committee sent to Him from both Houses of Parliament as the Messengers of Peace to His Royal Presence and received the Articles of Cessation brought by them which are in effect the same His Majesty formerly excepted to though their expression in the Preface to these Articles of their readiness to agree to those Alterations and Additions offered by His Majesty in such manner as is expressed made Him expect to have found at least some of the real Alterations and Additions made by Him admitted which He doth not discover I. His Majesty desired that Provision might be made and Licence given to His good Subjects for their freedom of Trade Traffick and Commerce though in matters which concerned Himself more immediately as in Arms Ammunition Mony Bullion and Victual for the use of His Army and the Passage of all Officers and Souldiers of His Army He was contented the restraint should be in such manner as was proposed of which His Majesty is so tender that as he hath provided for the same by His gracious Proclamations so He doth daily release and discharge such Merchandize and Commodities as are contrary to those Proclamations stayed by any of His Majesties Forces To this Freedom and Liberty of His good Subjects there is not the least admission given by these Articles so that they have not any ease or benefit by this Cessation which His Majesty desires both Houses to consider of and whether if His Majesty should take the same course to stop and interrupt the Trade of the Kingdom as the other Army doth a general Loss and Calamity would not seize upon His good Subjects II. His Majesty to the end that a full Cessation might be as well at Sea as at Land and He might be secured that the Ships proposed to be set forth for the Defence of His Majesties Dominions should be employed only to that end and purpose desired that they might be put under the Command of Persons to be approved of by His Majesty which is not consented to by these Articles but their former to which His Majesty excepted strictly and entirely insisted on by which besides that part of Hostility remains the conveying of any number of Forces from any part to any other by that means remains free to them III. For the prevention of any Inconveniences which might arise upon real Differences or Mistakes upon the latitude of Expressions as if His Majesty should now consent to these Articles proposed in the Terms proposed He must confess the Army of which He complains to be raised by the Parliament and either Himself to be no part of the Parliament or Himself to have raised that Army and for prevention of that Delay which He foresaw could not otherwise be avoided if upon every Difference the Questions must be remitted to London His Majesty desired that the Committee for whom He then sent a safe Conduct might have liberty to debate any such Differences and Expressions and reconcile the same that all possible Expedition might be used to the main Treaty In this point of so high Concernment no power is given in these Articles and the Committee confessed to His Majesty they have no Power given but are strictly and precisely bound to the very words of the Articles now sent and that before these are consented to by Us they cannot enter into any Treaty concerning the other Propositions IV. His Majesty desired that during the Cessation none of His good Subjects might be imprisoned otherwise than according to the known Laws of the Land This is in no degree consented to but the priviledge and liberty to which they were born reserved from them till the disbanding of both Armies though they are no part of either Army and so have no benefit by this Cessation V. His Majesty desired that during this Cessation there should be no Plundering or Violence offered to any of His Subjects In the Answer to which His desire against Violence is not at all taken notice of nor is His desire against Plundering any ways satisfied His Majesty not only intending by it the robbing of the Subject by the unruliness of the uncommanded Souldier which their Clause of requiring the Generals and
undoubted Rights doth oblige Him to insist And when His Majesty shall think fit to make an Admiral as near as He can He shall be such an one against whom no just Exception can be made and if any shall be offered He will readily leave him to the tryal of the Law Falkland The Papers concerning an Oath for Officers March 29. 1643. WE are humbly to desire Your Majesty that all Generals and Commanders in any of the Armies on either side as likewise the Lord Admiral of England the Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports all Commanders of any Ships and Commanders of any Town Castle or Fort may take an Oath to observe the Articles formerly mentioned and to use their utmost power to preserve the true Reformed Protestant Religion and the Peace of the Kingdom against all Foreign Forces and all other Forces raised without Your Majesty's Authority and Consent of the two Houses of Parliament Northumberland W. Pierrepont W. Armyne J. Holland B. Whitelocke April 5. 1643. HIS Majesty conceives the Oaths which all those Officers are already by Law obliged to take to be very fully sufficient But if any thing shall be made appear unto Him necessary to be added thereunto when there shall be a full and peaceable Convocation in Parliament His Majesty will readily consent to an Act for such an addition Falkland April 10. 1643. BY Instructions yesterday received from both Houses of Parliament we are commanded humbly to inform Your Majesty that both Houses of Parliament conceive the ordinary Oaths of the Officers mentioned in Your Answer concerning the same are not sufficient to secure them against the extraordinary causes of Jealousie which have been given them in these troublesome times and that Your Majesty's Answer lays some tax upon the Parliament as if defective and thereby uncapable of making such a provisional Law for an Oath Therefore we are humbly to insist upon our former desires for such an Oath as is mentioned in those Papers which we have formerly presented to Your Majesty concerning this matter Northumberland John Holland W. Armyne W. Pierrepont B. Whitelocke April 14. 1643. HIS Majesty did not refuse by His former Answer to consent to any such Oath as shall be thought necessary though He did and doth still conceive the Oaths already settled by Law to be sufficient neither did He ever suppose the Parliament incapable of making a provisional Law for such an Oath but as He would be willing to apply any proper remedy to the extraordinary causes of Jealousies if He could see that there were such causes so He will be always most exact in observing the Articles agreed on in preserving the true Reformed Protestant Religion and the Peace of the Kingdom against Foreign Forces and other Forces raised or imployed against Law And when both Houses shall prepare and present such an Oath as they shall make appear to His Majesty to be necessary to those ends His Majesty will readily consent to it Falkland The Papers concerning the Disbanding of the Armies March 28. 1643. His MAJESTY's Answer to the first Proposition of both His Houses of Parliament HIS Majesty is as ready and willing that all Armies be disbanded as any person whatsoever and conceives the best way to it to be a happy and speedy conclusion of the present Treaty which if both Houses will contribute as much to it as His Majesty shall do will be suddenly effected And that this Treaty may the sooner produce that effect His Majesty desires that the time given to the Committee of both Houses to treat may be enlarged And as His Majesty desires nothing more than to be with His two Houses so He will repair thither as soon as He can possibly do it with His Honour and Safety Falkland March 29. 1643. WE are directed by our Instructions humbly to desire Your Majesty's speedy and positive Answer concerning the Disbanding of the Armies to which if Your Majesty be pleased to assent we are then to beseech Your Majesty in the name of both Houses that a near day may be agreed upon for the Disbanding of all the Forces in the remote parts of Yorkshire and the other Northern Counties as also in Lancashire Cheshire and in the Dominion of Wales and in Cornwall and Devonshire and they being fully disbanded another day may be agreed on for the Disbanding of all Forces in Lincolnshire Nottinghamshire Leicestershire and all other places except at Oxford and the Quarters thereunto belonging and Windsor and the Quarters thereunto belonging and that last of all a speedy day may be appointed for the Disbanding of those two Armies at Oxford and Windsor and all the Forces members of either of them That some Officers of both Armies may speedily meet to agree of the manner of the Disbanding and that fit persons may be appointed by Your Majesty and both Houses of Parliament who may repair to the several Armies and the see Disbanding put in speedy execution accordingly Northumberland W. Pierrepont J. Holland W. Armyne B. Whitelocke March 29. 1643. COncerning Your Majesty's Answer to the Proposition of both Houses for Disbanding of the Armies We humbly desire to know if by the words By a happy and speedy Conclusion of the present Trevty Your Majesty do intend a Conclusion of the Treaty on Your Majesty's first Proposition and their Proposition for Disbanding the Armies or a Conclusion of the Treaty in all the Propositions of both parts We have given speedy notice to both Houses of Parliament of Your Majesty's desires that the time given to the Committee of both Houses to treat may be enlarged To the last Clause we have no Instructions Northumberland Will. Pierrepont Will. Armyne Joh. Holland B. Whitelocke April 5. 1643. HIS Majesty intended by the words By a happy and speedy Conclusion of the Treaty such a Conclusion of or in the Treaty as there might be a clear evidence to Himself and His good Subjects of a future Peace and no ground left for the continuance or growth of these bloody Dissentions which He doubts not may be obtained if both Houses shall consent that the Treaty may proceed without further interruption or limitation of days Falkland April 5. 1643. WHEN the time for Disbanding the Armies shall be agreed upon His Majesty well approves that some Officers of both Armies may speedily meet to agree of the manner of Disbanding and that fit persons may be appointed by His Majesty and both Houses of Parliament who may repair to the several Armies and see the Disbanding speedily put in execution accordingly Falkland April 6. 1643. WE humbly desire to know if by the words By a happy and speedy conclusion of the present Treaty Your Majesty intends a Conclusion of the present Treaty on Your Majesty's first Proposition and the Proposition of both Houses for Disbanding of the Armies or a Conclusion of the Treaty on all the Propositions of both parts And what Your Majesty intends to be a clear evidence to Your Self and Your good
H. 3. 189. e. 3. 42. 17. 25. 27. 39. 21. 66. a. 1. 45. 31. 7. 4. 32. 18. 47. 46. 9. 3. d. 4. g. 4. 46. 35. 67. 48. 7. 40. 5. 43. 74. 3. 41. 7. 33. 62. 8. 63. 68. 50. 64. 34. 9. 51. 45. 69. 46 37. dear 45. 31. 7. 1. 33. 18. 49. 47. 19. 21. 10. 70. 13. 7. 45. 58. 8. 9. 41. 10. this a 2. 324. in the mean time 46. 31. 7. 50. e. 3. 20. 3. 6. 8. 48. 75. 41. 9. 2. upon 60. 19. 50. 61. 27. 26. 7. 69. 12. 19. 47. 45. 8. 24. Yesterday there were Articles of a Cessation brought Me from London but so unreasonable that I cannot grant them yet to undeceive the people by shewing it is not I but those who have caused and fostered this Rebellion that desire the continuance of this War and universal Distraction I am framing Articles fit for that purpose both which by My next I mean to send Thee 219. b. 3. 58. 51. 75. 46. 7. 3. 45. 37. 2. 189. 46. 38. 1. g. 1. 173. 131. which I think fit to be done a 5. 4. 30. 3. n. 5. d. 3. 46. 31. 8. 10. 2. 32. 18. 64. 7. 3. 45. 31. 9. 66. 46. 32. 19. 41. 25. 48. k. 1. e. 4. 67. 69. 63. I am now confident that 173. is right for My service Since the taking of Cicester there is nothing of note done of either side wherefore that little news that is I leave to others Only this I assure Thee That the distractions of the Rebels are such that so many fine designs are laid open to us We know not which first to undertake But certainly My first and chiefest care is and shall be to secure Thee and hasten Our meeting So longing to hear from Thee I rest eternally Thine C. R. Oxford 12 2 March 1643-42 The Last I received of Thine was dated the 16 3 Febr. and I believe none of My four last are come to Thee Their Dates are 13 3. 23 13. 25 15. Febr. and 20 Febr. or March the 2. MDCXLIII A Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament upon the Proceedings in the late Treaty and the aforesaid Letters THE Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament being deeply afflicted with a sorrowful sense of the miserable Distractions of this Kingdom overwhelmed with the Calamities of the worst kind of War have by several Petitions and many humble Addresses to His Majesty besought Him by removing the Causes thereof to put an end thereunto And although all their endeavours have not only proved fruitless but some of their Petitions received a denial even of Audience a favour not denied to the Rebels of Ireland which might very well justify them before God and Man to decline any further prosecution that way especially in a case where themselves and the Kingdom are the parties injured and oppressed yet their bowels did so much yearn after a happy Peace that they resolved notwithstanding their former discouragements to break through all difficulties and yet once more most humbly to represent to His Majesty the Miserable Distempers of His two Kingdoms of England and Ireland and if possibly they could to encline His Royal heart really to act what He hath so often verbally professed To compose those unhappy Distractions and restore His People to a blessed and lasting Peace And for that purpose about the first of February last they in all humbleness presented their Desires to His Majesty digested into Fourteen Propositions and how reasonable and indifferent those Propositions were they expose them to the view of the World to judge resting assured that no indifferent Man that shall duely weigh them with the time and circumstance will find any thing contained in them but what was necessary for the maintenance and advancement of the true Protestant Religion the due execution of Justice the preservation of the Liberty and Property of the Subject and the establishment of the Kingdoms Peace and Safety And because they might with all speed take off the Burthen under which this Kingdom did principally groan and stop the spring from whence most of these Calamities did flow they in the first place propounded That the Armies and Forces raised on both sides might be disbanded which being effected the Kingdom might with the more ease and security expect the issue of the Treaty and therefore they were very careful that no Proposition or Circumstance touching the Treaty should precede this His Majesty having received and considered these Propositions He not long after returned His Answer wherein He professeth to have given up all the faculties of His Soul to an earnest endeavour of a Peace and Reconciliation with His People and desires a speedy time and place might be agreed upon for the meeting of such persons as His Majesty and both Houses should appoint to discuss those Propositions and six other Propositions made by His Majesty and sent with that Answer whereof one was That to the intent the Treaty might not suffer interruption by any intervening accidents that a Cessation of Arms and free Trade might be first agreed upon which Answer the Lords and Commons did take into their consideration And because His Majesty did desire that a Cessation might be first agreed upon they did accordingly submit thereunto though they had purposely avoided it before being unwilling to waste the time about the Shadow that would of it self vanish with the disbanding which they desired might be concluded in the first place But they were willing to give all satisfaction to His Majesty's Desires hoping thereby to incline Him the more readily to consent to their just Requests And according to their resolution they prepared ready the Articles of Cessation and that with as much equality and indifferency to both sides as possibly they could They likewise agreed to treat upon the Propositions before the Disbanding in which Treaty so much of His Majesty's Propositions as concerned His Majesty's Revenue Magazines Forts and Ships and the Propositions of both Houses for the Disbanding should be first treated of and concluded before the proceeding to treat upon any other and that this Treaty should begin the fourth of March or sooner if it might be and that from the beginning of the Treaty the time might not exceed twenty days They further resolved that a Committee of both Houses should be appointed to attend His Majesty if His Majesty should so please to endeavour to give Him all humble and fit satisfaction concerning the said Propositions All which their resolutions they forthwith by a Messenger dispatched for that purpose presented to His Majesty and not long after sent a Committee to attend Him And though they hoped for a ready concurrence from His Majesty to the Articles of Cessation the Proposition proceeding from Himself yet they received a return much contrary to their expectation where they found many scruples raised and other Articles propounded which being assented unto by them would inevitably destroy the Forces raised by them
for the Defence of themselves their Religion and Liberty and strengthen the Malignant and Popish Army raised against them which they made appear by their humble Answer to those Alterations and Articles which are herewith at large published and therefore do refer themselves thereunto And in the interim while His Majesty was considering of this their humble Answer they gave power to their Committee to treat upon the two first Propositions for four days which afterwards they enlarged to the end of twenty days And within some distance of time afterwards they received a very long Message from His Majesty which indeed carried not with it the face or semblance of a Treaty but in plain down-right language was a bitter Invective against the two Houses of Parliament and their Proceedings so that by this time it might very well appear That the enemies of the Kingdoms Peace so really prosecuted and likely to be effected by the earnest endeavours of both Houses thought it high time to cast in their tares of Sedition to prevent the growth of so blessed a fruit In this Message after very heavy Taxes and unjust Scandals and Accusations laid to their charge forced in quite besides the question His Majesty condescended to the Cessation in manner as was agreed on by both Houses to continue only for five days expecting a liberty notwithstanding to be given the Committee to word it according to the real Intention and so that His Majesty might not be understood to consent to any Imposing upon Levying Distraining or Imprisoning of His Subjects to force them to Contribute expresly protesting against it and inhibiting His Subjects to submit thereunto and requiring them to resist and so that there might not be a liberty for Seizing upon His Subjects by any Soldiers of the Army for not submitting to such Impositions Which offer of His Majesty's being but a Cessation only for five days and some part of that time to be first spent by the Committee in wording of it and limited with a Protestation against and a Command to resist that Power whereby their Forces must be paid and supported which if not answered and justified would by a consent to His Majesty's offer imply a declining of that power which might indanger the Disbanding of their Army and if answered would necessarily have enforced them to some sharpness of language which the enemies of this Treaty would easily take occasion to quarrel at and perswade His Majesty to break off which the Lords and Commons out of their hearty zeal to bring it to a happy conclusion did purposely avoid therefore they did not only pass by these Scandals and unjust Accusations laid to their charge by that Message but purposely declined to enter into any dispute of their power for maintaining the Forces raised for their own necessary defence and therefore thought it best to spend the remainder of the time in Treating upon the Propositions and for that end enjoyned their Committee as much as in them lay to hasten it especially that part touching the Disbanding which being concluded would not only produce a temporary Cessation but an absolute abolition of all acts of Hostility The proceedings and issue of which Treaty the Lords and Commons think it necessary to publish to the Kingdom to the end the sincerity of their endeavours to procure a happy settlement of these miserable Distractions may appear When they perceived that the most part of the time prescribed for the Treaty was like to be spent about the Cessation they gave power to their Committee in the mean time to treat upon the Propositions in order as they had formerly Voted and therefore beginning with His Majesty's first Proposition whereby His Majesty demanded That his own Revenue Magazines Towns Forts and Ships which had been taken or kept from Him by force should be forthwith restored unto Him the Lords and Commons by their Committee made Him this humble Answer First That as to his Revenue they had not made use of it but in a small proportion and a good part of that was employed for the maintenance of His own Children according to the allowance established by Himself That what should remain due to His Majesty they would satisfy and would leave the same to His Majesty for the time to come They likewise thereupon propounded to His Majesty That He would restore what had been taken for His use upon any of the Bills assigned to other purposes by several Acts of Parliament as out of the provision made for the Wars of Ireland Which offer of theirs after some debate thereupon with the Committee was thought reasonable and in effect concluded And as to the Demand of the Towns Forts and Ships they in substance gave this humble Answer That they would deliver up such as remained in their hands into the hands of such persons of worth quality and trust to be nominated by His Majesty as the two Houses of Parliament should confide in none of which persons to be removed during three years next ensuing without just cause to be approved of by both Houses That the Warden of the Cinque-Ports and all Governours and Commanders of Towns Forts and Castles should keep the same respectively for the Service of His Majesty and the Safety of the Kingdom and that they should not admit into them any Forein Forces or any other Forces raised without His Majesty's Authority and Consent of the two Houses of Parliament and they should use their uttermost endeavours to suppress all Forces raised without such Authority and Consent and seize all Arms and Ammunition provided for any such Forces Unto which Offer of theirs His Majesty gave this conclusive Answer That His Majesty did not intend that both Houses of Parliament should express their Confidence of the persons to whose trust the Cinque-Ports or other His Majesty's Towns and Forts were or should be committed but that they should have liberty to proceed against them according to Law His Majesty claiming the nomination and free election to belong to Him of right And to the Clause concerning the admission of Forces into those Forts Castles and Towns His Majesty would consent no further than these general terms that is That no Forces raised or brought in contrary to Law should be admitted and that all Arms and Ammunition should be seized upon which by the Laws and Statutes of the Kingdom they ought to seize They made the like Answer concerning the Ships That they should be delivered into the hands of such a Noble Person as His Majesty should nominate to be Lord High-Admiral of England and the two Houses of Parliament confide in To which Offer his Majesty refused His Consent declaring His Resolution to insist upon what by Law was His own as His Majesty was pleased to express it and taken from Him should be restored unto Him without any conditioning or new limitations to be put upon Him or His Ministers And now the Lords and Commons will refer it to the World
only what in them lieth to preserve and defend themselves their Religion and Laws from the violence of an Army first raised against them which being laid down and disbanded they offer to Disband theirs without any other condition But they are well assured that by this His Majesty's Answer here is not only a requiring of new Laws but a repealing of the old by Arms for His Majesty must have this Parliament adjourned to another place which by a Statute made this present Parliament cannot be done without the consent of both Houses He must have the Members disabled to sit there by the respective judgment of both Houses restored to their former capacity of sitting and voting or He will not consent to Disband And how destructive to the Liberties of the Parliament and dangerous to the Kingdom these Conditions required by His Majesty to precede the Disbanding are any man that hath an eye to see may easily discern As first to satisfie His first Proposition in yielding up the Magazines Ships and Forts into the hands of such persons as His Majesty shall appoint to receive the same without any admission to the two Houses to express their confidence in those persons which being performed were to yield up the principal part if not all the strength they have and expose themselves Religion and the Kingdom to the mercy of a powerful Popish Army raised against them and submit it to them and to the will and pleasure of those Counsellors whose interest with His Majesty hath brought this Kingdom to this desolate condition whether they would Disband or not Secondly to satisfie Him in His Proposition touching His Revenue wherein He demands a restitution of what hath been taken from Him which though it would prove no considerable Summ yet the time that the examination and agreement upon the account would necessarily take up would prove such as might very well make the Kingdom sink under the burthen of two Armies before it came to a conclusion And touching His Majesty's requiring a restitution of the Members to their sitting and Votes it is observable that the Demand is made without distinction of persons or offences so that be the persons never so criminous or the offences never so notorious and so the Judgment never so just yet all must be restored or no consent to Disbanding And the reason and ground of the Demand is as observable because they adhered to His Majesty in these Distractions An Argument they must confess much used by the Earl of Strafford in defence of his Treason who would have justified the most notorious Crimes laid to his charge by Authority and Commands derived from His Majesty and his zeal to advance His Majesty's Service and Profit And no doubt the same reason may be used for the Judges in case of Ship-mony and most of the Monopolists and Projectors who by Letters Patents had not only His Majesty's Command and Authority for the doing what they did but brought in great Summs of Mony to His use and benefit and that perhaps in times of necessity and want thereof and so consequently because these adhered to His Majesty for what they did was for His Profit with the like reason it may be required that all Impeachments and Proceedings against them should be repealed and laid aside And surely nothing can be more destructive and dangerous both to Parliament and Kingdom than the consenting to that Demand for what can be more destructive to both Houses than to restore those persons to have their former suffrage and Votes in Parliament over the Lives and Liberties of the People and the Priviledge of Parliament who have not only deserted the Parliament disobeyed and contemned their Authority neglected the Trust reposed in them by those that sent them thither in whose behalf they were to attend and serve there but by private practices and open hostility have endeavoured to destroy both Parliament and People And it would be an Objection of difficulty to answer whether in giving a consent to this Demand the People who are to chuse these Members should not be deprived of their interest and freedom of choice and election now devolved unto them by putting out the Members already sent And to this they might add the danger of the Precedent and the reflection of dishonour that would fall upon both Houses should they consent to this which would be with the same breath as it were to give and repeal their Judgment and pronounce sentence of injustice and rashness against themselves But they will not insist thereupon in a case otherwise so full of danger and inconvenience to the publick And touching the Proposition of Adjourning the Parliament twenty miles distant from London they shall not need in a case so apparent to spend many words to discover the inconvenience and unreasonableness thereof for should they assent unto it to pass over the inconveniences that would happen to such persons that should have occasion to attend the Parliament by removing it so far from the residency of the ordinary Courts of Justice and the places where the Records of the Kingdom remain whereof there is frequent use to be made it would not only give a tacite consent to those Scandals so often pressed and affirmed in several Declarations that is That His Majesty was forced for the Safety of His own Person heretofore to withdraw and hitherto to absent Himself from the Parliament which both Houses can by no means admit but must still deny but likewise to that high and dangerous Aspersion of awing the Members of this Parliament raised without doubt purposely to invalid the Acts and proceedings thereof and by that engine in case the Popish Army should prevail against the Parliament which they trust God in his goodness will never permit to overturn and nullifie all the good Laws and Statutes made this Parliament And it would give too much countenance to those unjust Aspersions laid to the charge of the City of London whose unexampled zeal and fidelity to the true Protestant Religion and the Liberty of this Kingdom is never to be forgotten That His Majesty and the Members of both Houses cannot with safety to their persons reside there whenas they are well assured that the Loyalty of that City to His Majesty and their Affections to the Parliament is such as doth equal if not exceed any other place or City in the Kingdom And with what safety the two Houses can sit in any other place when even in the place they now reside the House of Commons was in apparent danger of Violence when His Majesty accompanied with some hundreds of armed Men came thither to demand their Members let the World judge And now the Lords and Commons must appeal to the judgment of all impartial men whether they have not used their utmost and most faithful endeavours to put an end to the Distractions of this Kingdom and to restore it to a blessed and lasting Peace and whether their Propositions being
the way thereunto were not such as were reasonable and necessary for them to make and just and honourable for His Majesty to grant and whether His Majesty's Answers to these Propositions are satisfactory or correspondent to His Expression to have given up all the faculties of His Soul to an earnest endeavour of a Peace and Reconciliation with His People But they must confess that they had just cause to suspect that this would be the happy issue of the Treaty for the prevalency of the enemies thereof who like that evil Spirit do most rage when they think they must be cast out was such that they would not proceed therein one step without some attempt or provocation laid in the way to interrupt and break it off for after they had resolved to present their humble Desires and Propositions to His Majesty their Committee must not without a special safe Conduct and Protection from Him have access to Him a liberty incident to them not only as they are Members of the Parliament and employed by both Houses but as they were free-born Subjects and yet when they passed over this His Majesty refused a safe Conduct to the Lord Viscount Say and Seal being one of the Committee appointed by both Houses to be employed upon that occasion such a breach of Priviledge that they believe is not to be parallel'd by the example of former times and yet their desire was such to obtain the end they drive at that is a happy and lasting Peace that they resolved not to interrupt the Treaty for that time by insisting upon it And then they had no sooner entred upon the Treaty but a Proclamation dated at Oxon the 16 of February 1642. entituled His Majesty's Proclamation forbidding all His loving Subjects and the Counties of Kent Surrey Sussex and Hampshire to raise any Forces c. and another Proclamation dated the 8 of February forbidding the assessing and payment of all Taxes by vertue of an Ordinance of both Houses and all entring into Associations were published in His Majesty's Name containing most bitter invectives and scandals against the proceedings of both Houses by styling them and such as obeyed them Traitors and Rebels charging them under the name of Brownists Anabaptists and Atheists to endeavour to take away the Kings Life and to destroy His Posterity the Protestant Religion and the Laws of the Kingdoms with many other such scandals and aspersions and even at this time were many designs practising against the Parliament which in all probability were the grounds and reasons of His Majesty's confidence and denial of their just desire Insomuch that His Majesty in a Letter sent from Him to the Queen and read in the House of Commons did declare That He had so many fine designs laid open to Him that He knew not which first to undertake One whereof probably was the most bloody and barbarous design upon Bristol attempted though by God's infinite mercy prevented during the Treaty And whether that of Sir Hugh Cholmley's in betraying of Scarborough Castle wherewith he was entrusted by the Parliament to the Queens hands and acted likewise during the Treaty and that of Killingworth Castle which should have been likewise betrayed and a design discovered by a Letter found in the Earl of Northampton's pocket slain near Stafford written to Him from Prince Rupert were some of the other designs mentioned in His Majesty's Letter they cannot certainly affirm but conjecture And when these collateral provocations and attempts could not prevail to make them desert the Treaty then comes in His Majesty's Message of the fourth of April which they have mentioned before charging them to abuse the people with imaginary Dangers and pretended Fears to use Force and Rapines upon His good Subjects with publishing new doctrines That it is unlawful for the King to do any thing and lawful to do any thing against Him with Malice and Subtilty to abuse the People that their Pleasure is all their bounds with many other such bitter expressions that no Man could think such an Answer could be any part of a Treaty or at least to proceed from a heart that desired a happy issue thereunto Notwithstanding all which the Lords and Commons were so resolutely fixed to prosecute that Treaty and if possibly they could to bring it to a blessed and happy conclusion that they were content to lie under all these Scandals and endure all these wounds so they might make up the breaches of the Commonwealth and therefore they did forbear the returning of an Answer to any of these provocations And then when the Malignant and Popish party too-too prevalent with his Majesty perceived their constancy not to be provoked to break that Treaty of their part they found it necessary to seduce His Majesty to refuse His Consent to their most necessary and just Desires and to propound such things as could not with the peace and safety of the Church and State be yielded to and so effected their own desires All which the Lords and Commons thought it their duty to publish to the Kingdom to the end that they may see that what hath been long endeavoured by subtile and secret practices is now resolved to be effected by open Violence and Hostility that is the destruction of our Laws and the Protestant Religion and introducing of Popery and Superstition and that there is little or no hope by any endeavour of a Treaty to procure the Peace of this Church and Kingdom unless both be exposed to the will and pleasure of the Popish party until the Army and Forces now raised and continued by them be first destroyed or suppressed And therefore the Lords and Commons do hope that not only such as are already convinced of their Design and Malice but even those that by their subtile and false pretences have been ignorantly seduced to joyn with them that love their Liberty and the Protestant Religion will now with one heart and mind unite together to preserve their Religion and Liberty in the defence whereof the Lords and Commons are resolved to offer up themselves their lives and fortunes a willing Sacrifice Die Sabbati 6 May 1643. A Declaration upon the Result of the Treaty brought in with some Amendments was this day read in the House of Commons and ordered to be delivered unto the Lords at a Conference And it is further Ordered by this House That this Declaration shall be Printed and Master Glyn do take care for the Printing of it and that none shall Print or re-print it but such as Master Glyn shall appoint to the end that by his care the Records may be rightly cited and the Letters and other matters Ordered to be Printed with it be carefully Printed H. Elsinge Cler. Parliament D. Com. His MAJESTY's Declaration to all His Loving Subjects in Answer to a Declaration of the Lords and Commons upon the Proceedings of the late Treaty of Peace and several Intercepted Letters of His MAJESTY to the QUEEN and of
Reason insisted on by His Majesty That it is His Right by Law to which they should have added and contrary to Law forced from Him and not being able to deny that and yet being willing to deny something they quarrel at the Phrase and deny that this Power of disposing these Commands is by Law absolutely vested in His Majesty and that because He is trusted with them for the Defence and Safety of the Kingdom His Majesty still justifies what He said Himself and yet confesses all that they say too but only denies the Consequence for no Man is absolutely vested in any thing if being trusted with it to some end hinder him from being so The House of Commons is trusted with a Preparatory the House of Lords is trusted with a Judicatory the King Lords and Commons are trusted with a Legislative Power and all these have those Trusts vested in them for the publick Good and are not yet all these Trusts absolute that is subject to the Control of no other Power Is no Man absolutely vested in his Goods because all we have we are trusted with for the Glory of God His Majesty meant only that this was so absolutely vested in Him by Law as nothing but a new Law could without Breach of Law take or hold it from Him But the Declaration is content to admit that too only denies it to be a Reason why His Majesty should deny to alter that Law when by Circumstance of Time and Affairs that Power becomes destructive to the Commonwealth and Safety of the People the Preservation whereof is the chief End of the Law And His Majesty is equally ready to confess that it is no Reason but doth absolutely deny that this is the Case insisting that the circumstances of Time and Affairs hare made this Power more necessary than ever to remain in His Majesty for the protection and safety of His People and He claims Himself to be as absolutely trusted by Law with the final Judgment whether it be the Case or no and with a Power of rejecting any such Alteration upon any such Pretence if it appear but a Pretence to Him as either House is trusted to propose any such Alteration to the other or both to Him if it appear to them necessary and convenient But says this Declaration the two Houses of Parliament being the Representative Body of the Kingdom are the most competent Judges thereof And says his Majesty the Representative Body of the Kingdom is indeed and that is the King Lords and Commons else either the Head is no part of the Body or at least will be no longer than the Body please Indeed the two Houses in some sense represent the Kingdom in any Action which the Law which is the Rule of the Kingdom hath intrusted and enabled them to do but either one House or His Majesty do equally represent it in any thing which the same Law hath entrusted and enabled Him or them to do And for those Actions in which the Law requires the Consent of all three every one is to be allowed their own several distinct Judgment for themselves only and any one without the other two have as much Right as any two without the third to represent the Kingdom and to be competent Judges of the Case And His Majesty cannot be take notice how much Reason He had not to yield to this Demand since the grant of this Demand would be received as an Admission of this Case and it would Logically enough follow That if His People cannot be safe and He retain this Power He doth not deserve to retain any And if their Demands were granted and the Armies upon their Demands disbanded this Consequence in all Probability would soon be both perceived and prest But His Majesty may without Prejudice admit both Houses to be the most competent Judges in this particular and then put them in mind that before so many things had been done by the violent Party to turn the Tide of Fears and Jealousies before they had involved the King and Subject in a common Suffering and equally destroyed all the Property of the one and Prerogatives of the other by Orders and Ordinances and so there then appeared less necessity that this Power should remain in the Crown either for the preservation of it Self or of the People and little danger appeared to the People if this Power were thus shared the House of Lords did then twice deliver their Judgment That this Power in His Majesty was not become destructive to the Common-wealth and Safety of His People nor the Alteration of this Law necessary by twice denying to joyn with the Commons in their desire That part for the Ships and the Time were not then named of this Power might be shared and of this Law altered by which denial the Commons were forced to Petition for it by themselves Nor did they only deny it but both times in full Houses after long and free debates it was carried upon the Question above Twenty Voices and that at a time when all the Papist Lords had left the Town and hardly any Bishops were left uncommitted Twelve being at once clapt up upon an Accusation of Treason which they themselves have since been ashamed of enough to wave who were then the Persons usually represented to the People to be the evil Councellors of the Lords House and to whose prevalence it was imputed in the first Remonstrance of the House of Commons that their good and necessary Motions did not pass in that House And as they denyed it twice so they would have denyed it till now if the Petition of many thousand poor People about London who certainly did not then believe the Lords to be competent Judges and the Demand of the House of Commons joyned to it to be told the Names of those Lords who denyed it and the direct Threats of so many Petitioners to which the former Tumults gave sufficient credit that they would be really executed upon them had not made many of the Lords to be of his Mind who would not dispute with him who commanded thirty Legions and give way to the potent Minor part to appear the Major by absenting themselves and suffering them to pass what they pleased So that neither the Votes which then past to desire these particulars nor the Execution of these Votes and seizing these particulars with a Violence yet greater than obtained the Votes nor the multitude of Consequences of the same kind built upon that Foundation can at all be said to have had the Authority of both Houses though most of those Actions have been such as the Authority even of both Houses how full and free soever would not be sufficient to justifie And this Opinion of the necessity of altering the Law in these points was even then at most but the Opinion of the House of Commons awed by a few Members assisted by the Common People and together with them awing the Lords They next pretend
and Baronet Sir Arthur Hesilrigge Baronet Sir Henry Ludlow Sir Edward Hungerford Sir Francis Popham Knights Nathanael Fiennes John Hampden John Pym William Stroude Henry Martin and Alexander Popham Esquires Isaak Pennington Alderman of London and Captain Venne who being the principal Authors of these present Calamities have sacrificed the Peace and Prosperity of their Country to their own Pride Malice and Ambition and against whom We shall proceed as against Persons guilty of High Treason by the known Laws of the Land and shall in the proceeding be most careful to preserve all Privileges in the fullest manner that by the Law or the usage of former times is due to them if they shall within Ten days after the publishing this Our Proclamation return to their Duty and Allegiance to Us. And lastly We further enjoyn and command all Our Subjects upon their Allegiance to Us as they will answer the contrary to Almighty God and as they desire that they and their Posterity should be free from the foul Taint of High Treason and as they tender the Peace of this Kingdom that they presume not to give any Assistance to the before-mentioned Rebellious Armies in their Persons or Estates in any sort whatsoever but joyn with Us according to their Duty and the Laws of the Land to suppress this horrid Rebellion And Our Pleasure and Command is That this Our Proclamation be read in all Churches and Chapels within this Our Kingdom Given at Our Court at Oxford the twentieth Day of June in the Nineteenth Year of Our Reign God save the King A DECLARATION CONCERNING THE CESSATION IN IRELAND ALSO DECLARATIONS and PASSAGES of the PARLIAMENT at OXFORD MDCXLIII Octob. 19. The Grounds and Motives inducing His MAJESTY to agree to a Cessation of Arms for one Year with the Roman Catholicks of IRELAND AS there hath been no Argument with which the Minds and Affections of Our People have with more Subtilty and Malice been infected and corrupted by the great Authors and Contrivers of this unnatural and odious Rebellion in England than with the gross and senseless Imputations of Our neglect of Our poor Protestant Subjects in Ireland so there is no Calumny of theirs against which We can with more Confidence Clearness and Integrity justifie Our Self and all Our Actions before God and Man We will not now trouble Our Self with the remembring Our several Messages and Importunities to Our two Houses of Parliament in that business Our offer to engage Our own Royal Person in that War and the scornful rejection of that offer Our consenting to all Propositions and Acts proposed to Us for the raising of Men or providing of Money for that Service till it was evident that Men and Money being raised under pretence of quenching the Rebellion there were both imployed in kindling and maintaining the Rebellion here Our granting a Commission to Persons named by themselves for the managing the Affairs of that Kingdom according to Instructions drawn by themselves not one of which have been observed by them We shall have occasion of publishing all these particulars in a full and clear Narration to the World that all Our good Subjects may see that the same Men and only they who have brought all these Miseries and Calamities upon them here have been the Promoters if not the Contrivers of the Miseries of their Brethren in Ireland by preventing those Remedies and diverting that Assistance which being seasonably applyed might have eased that poor People of many of those Calamities they have since endured But for the present We shall only being to publish the Articles of Cessation agreed on Our behalf by the Persons trusted by Us in that Kingdom let Our good Subjects briesty know the Grounds and Circumstances of that Treaty and Conclusion About the Month of November last after We had been advertised as well by Our Council-board of that Kingdom as several Petitions and Remonstrances of all the principal Commanders and Officers of Our Army of the miserable condition of Our Forces there by the extream want of Money Victuals and Ammunition of which they were so far from being like to receive supply from Our two Houses here who had undertaken to defray those Charges that We had had too sad experience that both the Money raised by Act of Parliament and the Men raised by Our own Commission for that purpose were imployed against Us in that Rebellious Army which not long before had given Us Battle a short Petition was sent to Us by the Lords Justices and Council of that Kingdom which they had received in the name of the Roman Catholicks of Our Kingdom of Ireland directed to Us in which nothing was desired of Us but that We would appoint some Persons to hear what they could say for themselves with many expressions of Duty and Submission to Us. Shortly after in the end of that Month or beginning of December the Committee for Ireland attended Us at Oxford and set forth by their Petition That all passages by which Comfort and Life should be conveyed unto that gasping Kingdom seemed totally to be obstructed and that unless timely Relief were afforded Our Loyal Subjects there must yield their Fortunes a prey their Lives a sacrifice and their Religion a scorn to the merciless Rebels Hereupon We granted a Commission to some Persons of Honour and Trust to meet and confer with such Persons as the Rebels should imploy but without power to conclude any thing or with other Authority than only to receive such Propositions as they should make and to derive the same to Us. The meeting upon this Commission produced little effect in so much that the Lieutenant-General of Our Army there whom We trusted principally in that Commission being unsatisfied with the Cavils and Proceedings of the Rebels in February marched out with 2500. Foot and 500. Horse to force Victual and Provision from them for the subsistance of Our Army in which Expedition he performed those good services which are known to most men so that all men may observe the discourse or expectation of a Treaty caused Us not to omit any opportunity which was offered for Our advantage No success of Our Army there though God blessed it then with a very great Victory could supply those extreme wants they suffered by not having received any Relief either of Money or Victual in above four Months from hence and therefore the Lords Justices and Council by their Letter of the 16 th of March signified unto Us That the State and Army there were in very terrible want of means to support a War and that unless supplies of Money Munition Arms Cloaths and other Abiliments of War were speedily sent thither there was little hope to escape utter Destruction and Loss of the Kingdom And by their Letter of the 4 th of July after mentioning how often and how much in vain they had recommending their condition to the Two Houses they told Us plainly that unless the supplies then mentioned in their
We are to receive Advice for the Preservation of the Religion Laws and Safety of the Kingdom and as far as in Us lyes to restore it to its former Peace and Security Our chief and only end from those whom they have trusted though We cannot receive it in the place where We appointed And for the better encouragement of those Members of either House to resort to Us who may be conscious to themselves of having justly incurred Our Displeasure by submitting to or concurring in unlawful Actions and that all the World may see how willing and desirous We are to forget the Injuries and Indignities offered to Us and by an Union of English Hearts to prevent the lasting Miseries which this Foreign Invasion must bring upon this Kingdom We do offer a free and General Pardon to all the Members of either House who shall at or before the said twenty second day of January appear at Our City of Oxford and desire the same without Exceptions which considering the manifest Treasons committed against Us and the Condition We are now in improved by God's wonderful blessing to a better degree than We have enjoyed at any time since these Distractions is the greatest instance of Princely and Fatherly Care of Our People that can be expressed and which malice it self cannot suggest to proceed from any other Ground And therefore We hope and are confident that all such who upon this our gracious Invitation will not return to their Duty and Allegiance shall be no more thought Promoters of the Religion laws and liberty of the Kingdom which this way may be without doubt setled and secured but Persons engaged from the beginning out of their own Pride Malice and Ambition to bring Confusion and Desolation upon their Country and to that purpose having long since contrived the Design to invite and joyn with a Foreign Nation to ruine and extinguish their own and shall accordingly be pursued as the most desperate and malicious Enemies of the Kingdom And Our pleasure is That this Our Proclamation be read in all Churches and Chapels within this Our Kingdom and Dominion of Wales Given at Our Court at Oxford the two and twentieth day of December in the Nineteenth year of Our Reign 1643. God Save the KING MDCXLIII IV. A Letter from the Lords at Oxford and other Lords whose Names are subscribed to the Lords of the Privy-Council and the Conservators of the Peace of the Kingdom of Scotland Our very good Lords IF for no other Reason yet that Posterity may know we have done our Duties and not sate still while our Brethren of Scotland were transported with a dangerous and fatal mis-understanding that the Resolution now taken among them for an Expedition into England is agreeable to their obligation by the late Treaty and to the Wishes and Desires of this Kingdom expressed by the two Houses of Parliament we have thought it necessary to let your Lordships know That if we had dissented from that Act it could never have been made a Law And when you have examined and considered the Names of us who subscribe this Letter who we hope are too well known to your Lordships and to both Kingdoms to be suspected to want Affection to Religion or to the Laws and Liberties of our Country for the Defence and maintenance of which we shall always hold our Lives a cheap Sacrifice and when you are informed that the Earls of Arundel and Thanet and the Lords Stafford Stanhope Coventry Goring and Craven are in the parts beyond the Seas and the Earl of Chesterfield Westmorland and the Lord Mountague of Boughton under restraint at London for their Loyalty and Duty to His Majesty and the Kingdom your Lordships will easily conclude how very few now make up the Peers at Westminster there being in truth not above five and twenty Lords present or privy to those Councils or being absent consenting or concurring with them whereas the House of Peers consist of above one hundred besides Minors and Recusant Lords neither of which keep us company in this Address to your Lordships How we and the major part of the House of Commons come to be absent from thence is so notorious to all the World that we believe your Lordships cannot be strangers to it How several times during our sitting there Multitudes of the meanest sort of People with weapons not agreeing with their condition or custom in a manner very contrary and destructive to the privilege of Parliament fill'd up the way between both Houses offering Injuries both by words and actions to and laying violent hands upon several Members and crying out many Hours together against the established Laws in a most tumultuous and menacing way How no remedy would be submitted to for preventing those Tumults After which and other unlawful and unparliamentary Actions many things rejected and setled upon solemn debate in the House of Peers were again after many Threats and Menaces resumed altered and determined contrary to the Custom and Laws of Parliaments and so many of us withdrew ourselves from thence where we could not Sit Speak and Vote with Honour Freedom and Safety and are now kept from thence for our Duty and Loyalty to our Sovereign And we must therefore protest against any Invitation which hath been made to our Brethren of Scotland to enter this Kingdom with an Army the same being as much against the Desires as against the Duty of the Lords and Commons of England And we do conjure your Lordships by our common Allegiance and Subjection under one gracious Sovereign by the Amity and Affection between the two Nations by the Treaty of Pacification which by any such Act is absolutely dissolved and by all Obligations both Divine and Humane which can preserve Peace upon earth to use your utmost endeavours to prevent the effusion of so much Christian blood and the Confusion and Desolation which must follow the unjust Invasions of this Kingdom which we and we are confident all true English men must interpret as a Design of Conquest and to impose new Laws upon us And therefore your Lordships may be assured we shall not so far forget our own Interests and the Honour of our Nation as not to expose our Lives and Fortunes in the just and necessary defence of the Kingdom But if your Lordships in truth have any doubts or apprehensions that there now is or hereafter may be a purpose to infringe your Laws or Liberties from any Attempt of this Kingdom we do engage our Honours to your Lordships to be our selves most religious observers of the Act of Pacification and if the Breach and violation do not first begin within that Kingdom we are most confident you shall never have cause to complain of this And having thus far expressed Our selves to your Lordships we hope to receive such an Answer from you as may be a means to preserve a right understanding between the two Nations and lay an Obligation upon us to continue Your Lordships
most affectionate humble Servants Ed. Littleton C. S. L. Cottington D. Richmond M. Hartford M. Newcastle E. Huntington E. Bathon E. Southampton E. Dorset E. Northampton E. Devonshire E. Bristol E. Berkshire E. Cleveland E. Marlburgh E. Rivers E. Lindsey E. Dover E. Peterburgh E. Kingston E. Newport E. Portland E. Carbury V. Conway V. Falconbridge V. Wilmot V. Savile L. Mowbray and Maltravers L. Darcy and Coniers L. Wentworth L. Cromwell L. Rich. L. Paget L. Digby L. Howard of Charleton L. Deincourt L. Lovelace L. Pawlet L. Mohun L. Dunsmore L. Seymour L. Herbert L. Cobham L. Capell L. Percy L. Leigh L. Hatton L. Hopton L. Jermyn L. Loughborough L. Byron L. Widderington MDCXLIII IV. Votes of the Commons at Oxford Die Veneris Januar. 26. 1643. Resolved upon the Question Nemine contradicente THat all such Subjects of Scotland as have consented to the Declaration intituled the Declaration of the Kingdom of Scotland and concerning the present Expedition into England according to the Commission and Order of the Convention of Estates from their meeting at Edinburgh August 1643. have thereby denounced War against the Kingdom of England and broke the Act of Pacification Resolved upon the Question Nemine contradicente That all such of the Subjects of Scotland as have in a Hostile manner entred into the Town of Berwick upon Twede have thereby broke the Act of Pacification Resolved upon the Question Nemine contradicente That all His Majesty's Subjects of the Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales are both by their Allegiance and the Act of Pacification bound to resist and repress all such of the Subjects of Scotland as have in a Hostile manner already entred or shall hereafter enter into the Town of Barwick upon Twede or any other part of His Majesty's Realm of England or Dominion of Wales as Traytors and Enemies to the State Resolved upon the Question Nemine contradicente That shall such of His Majesty's Subjects of the Realm of England or Dominion of Wales that shall be abetting aiding and assisting to the Subjects of Scotland in their Hostile Invasion of any part of His Majesty's Realm of England or Dominion of Wales shall be deemed and taken as Traitors and Enemies to the State Resolved upon the Question Nemine contradicente That all His Majesty's Subjects of Scotland are bound by the Act of Pacification to resist and repress all of that Kindom that already haveraised Arms or shall rise in Arms to invade this Kingdom of England or Dominion of Wales Votes of the Commons at Oxford March 12. 1643. Resolved upon the Question Nemine contradicente THat the Lords and Commons now remaining at Westminster that have given their Votes or consent to the raising of Forces under the Command of the Earl of Essex or have been abetting aiding or assisting thereunto have levied and made War against the King and are therein guilty of High Treason Resolved upon the Question Nemine contradicente That the Lords and Commons now remaining at Westminster that have given their Votes and consents for the making and using of a new Great Seal have thereby counterfeited the Kings Great Seal and therein committed High Treason Resolved upon the Question Nemine contradicente That the said Lords and Commons now remaining at Westminster that have given their consents or have been abetting aiding or assisting to the present coming in of the Scots into England in a Warlike manner have therein committed High Treason Resolved upon the Question Nemine contradicente That the Lords and Commons now remaining at Westminster who have committed the Crimes mentioned in the three former Votes have therein broken the Trust in them reposed by their Country and ought to be proceeded against as Traitors to the King and Kingdom Resolved upon the Question Nemine contradicente That all the Endeavours and Offers of Peace and Treaty made by His Majesty by the advice of the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford have been refused and rejected by the Lords and Commons remaining at Westminster MDCXLIII IV. A Declaration of the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford of their Proceedings touching a Treaty for Peace and the Refusal thereof with the several Letters and Answers that passed therein IF our most earnest Desires and Endeavours could have prevailed for a Treaty our Proceedings therein without this Declaration would have manifested to all the World the clearness of our Intentions for the restoring the Peace of this Kingdom But seeing all the means used by Us for that purpose have been rendred fruitless we hold our selves bound to let our Countries know what in discharge of our Duty to God and to them we on our parts have done since our coming to Oxford to prevent the further effusion of Christian blood and the Desolation of this Kingdom His Majesty having by His Proclamation upon occasion of the Invasion from Scotland and other weighty reasons commanded our attendance at Oxford upon the 22. of January last there to advise Him for the preservation of the Religion Laws and Safety of the Kingdom and to restore it to its former Peace and Security these Motives with the true sense of our Countries Miseries quickned our duty to give ready obedience to those His Royal Commands hoping by God's blessing to have become happy Instruments for such good Ends. And upon our coming hither we applyed our selves with all diligence to advise of such means as might most probably settle the Peace of this Kingdom the thing most desired by His Majesty and our selves And because we found many gracious offers of Treaty for Peace by His Majesty had been rejected by the Lords and Commons remaining at Westminster we deemed it fit to write in our own names and thereby make tryal whether that might produce any better effect for accomplishing our desires and our Countries Happiness And they having under pain of Death prohibited the address of any Letters or Message to Westminster but by their General and we conceiving him a Person who by reason of their trust reposed in him had a great influence into and Power over their Proceedings resolved to recommend it to his Care and to engage him in that Pious Work with our earnest desire to him to represent it to those that trusted him to prevent all exceptions and delay And thereupon the 27. of the same January dispatched a Letter away under the hands of the Prince His Highness the Duke of York and of 43. Dukes Marquesses Earls Viscounts and Barons of the House of Peers and 118. Members of the House of Commons there present many others of us by reason of distance of place sickness and imployments in His Majesty's Service and for want of timely notice of the Proclamation of Summons not being then come hither which Letter we caused to be inclosed in a Letter from the Earl of Forth the Kings General A true Copy of which Letter from us to the Earl of Essex hereafter followeth viz. My Lord HIS
Majesty having by His Proclamation of the 22. of December upon the occasion of the Invasion threatned and in part begun by some of His Subjects of Scotland summoned all the Members of both Houses of Parliament to attend him here at Oxford we whose Names are under-written are here met and Assembled in obedience to those His Majesty's Commands His Majesty was pleased to invite us in the said Proclamation by these gracious expressions That His Subjects should see how willing He was to receive Advice for the preservation of the Religion Laws and Safety of the Kingdom and as far as in Him lay to restore it to its former Peace and Security His chief and only end from those whom they had trusted though He could not receive it in the Place where He appointed This most gracious Invitation hath not only been made good unto us but seconded and heightned by such unquestionable Demonstrations of the deep and Princely sense which possesses His Royal Heart of the Miseries and Calamities of His poor Subjects in this unnatural War and of His most entire and passionate Affections to redeem them from that sad and deplorable condition by all ways possible consistent either with His Honour or with the future Safety of the Kingdom that as it were Impiety to question the Sincerity of them so were it great want of Duty and Faithfulness in us His Majesty having vouchsafed to declare that He did call us to be Witnesses of His Actions and privy to His Intentions should we not testifie and witness to all the World the assurance we have of the Piety and sincerity of both We being most entirely satisfied of this truth we cannot but confess that amidst our highest afflictions in the deep and piercing sense of the present Miseries and Desolations of our Country and those farther Dangers threatned from Scotland we are at length erected to some chearful and comfortable thoughts that possibly we may yet by God's Mercy if his Justice have not determined this Nation for its Sins to total Ruine and Desolation hope to be happy Instruments of our Countries Redemption from the Miseries of War and restitution to the Blessings of Peace And we being desirous to believe your Lordship howsoever ingaged a person likely to be sensibly touched with these considerations have thought fit to invite you to that part in this blessed Work which is only capable to repair all our misfortunes and to buoy up the Kingdom from Ruine that is by conjuring you by all the Obligations that have Power upon Honour Conscience or publick Piety that laying to heart as we do the inwardly-bleeding condition of your Country and the outward more menacing Destruction by a Foreign Nation upon the very point of invading it you will co-operate with us to its Preservation by truly representing to and faithfully and industriously promoving with those by whom you are trusted this following most sincere and most earnest desire of ours That they joyning with us in a right sense of the past present and more threatning Calamities of this deplorable Kingdom some persons be appointed on either part and a place agreed on to treat of such a Peace as may yet redeem it from the brink of Desolation This Address we should not have made but that His Majesty's Summons by which we are met most graciously proclaiming Pardon to all without exception is evidence enough that His Mercy and Clemency can transcend all former Provocations and that He hath not only made us witnesses of His Princely Intentions but honoured us also with the name of being Security for them God Almighty direct your Lordship and those to whom you shall present these our most real desires in such a course as may produce that happy Peace and Settlement of the present Distractions which is so heartily desired and prayed for by us and which may make us Your c. From Oxford the 27. of Jan. 1643. We are not ashamed of that earnest meek and Christian request we made in that Letter though it was cryed through London Streets in scorn as the Petition of the Prince and Duke of York for Peace and we thought it would have prevailed to have procured a Treaty for so blessed a thing as Peace and for such an end as redeeming the Kingdom from Desolation the only desire of that our Letter But instead of a compliance with us in this Christian work of Treaty and Accommodation we received a mere frivolous Answer or rather a paper of Scorn in form of a Letter directed to the Earl of Forth wherein was inclosed a Printed paper called A National Covenant of the Kingdoms of England and Scotland and two other Papers in writing one called A Declaration of both those Kingdoms and the other A Declaration of the Kingdom of Scotland Pamphlets full of Treason Sedition and Disloyalty which being publick and needless here to be inserted the Copy of the Letter hereafter followeth My Lord I Received this day a Letter of the nine and twentieth of this instant from your Lordship and a Parchment subscribed by the Prince Duke of York and divers other Lords and Gentlemen but it neither having Address to the two Houses of Parliament nor therein there being any acknowledgment of them I could not communicate it to them My Lord the maintenance of the Parliament of England and of the Privileges thereof is that for which we are all resolved to spend our blood as being the foundation whereupon all our Laws and Liberties are built I send your Lordship herewith a National Covenant solemnly entred into by both the Kingdoms of England and Scotland and a Declaration passed by them both together with another Declaration of the Kingdom of Scotland I rest Your Lordships humble Servant Essex Essex-House Jan. 30. 1643. Whosoever considers this Letter will easily find it was fully understood to whom ours was desired to be communicated under the expression of those by whom their General was trusted And although it be pretended because there was no Address to the two Houses of Parliament nor ackuowledgment of them it could not be communicated to them it is notoriously known he did so far impart it that a Committee of theirs advised the Answer and it appears by the penning they all concurred in the resolution therein mentioned whereby it is evident that this was but an excuse framed to avoid a Treaty And what could that printed Covenant and two Declarations enclosed signifie but to let us know that before we come to any Treaty we must also joyn in that Covenant with them for the absolute extirpation of Church-Government here without nay though against the Kings Consent submit the Lives Liberties and Estates of us and all those who according to their Allegiance have assisted His Majesty to their Mercy and admit and justifie the Invasion from Scotland according to the plain sense of their Declaration which all indifferent Men will think strange Preparatives to a Treaty for Peace and after such
by His Majesty or us in order to Peace here being so great a Condescending from a King to Subjects all indifferent Advantages left to them both for time and place of Treaty and choice of Persons to Treat But what their Intentions to Peace are will appear by their Letter enclosed in one from their General to the Earl of Forth both which are as followeth My Lord I Am commanded by both Houses of Parliament to send a Trumpeter with the inclosed Letter to His Majesty which I desire your Lordship may be most humbly presented to His Majesty I rest Essex-House March 9. 1643. Your Lordships humble Servant Essex May it please Your MAJESTY WE the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England taking into our Consideration a Letter sent from Your Majesty dated the third of March instant and directed to the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster which by the Contents of a Letter from the Earl of Forth unto the Lord General the Earl of Essex we conceive was intended to our selves have resolved with the concurrent advice and consent of the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland to represent to Your Majesty in all humility and plainness as followeth That as we have used all means for a just and safe Peace so will we never be wanting to do our utmost for the procuring thereof But when we consider the Expressions in that Letter of Your Majesty's we have more sad and dispairing thoughts of attaining the same than ever because thereby those Persons now assembled at Oxford who contrary to their Duty have deserted Your Parliament are put into an equal Condition with it and this present Parliament convened according to the known and Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom the continuance whereof is established by a Law consented unto by Your Majesty is in effect denied to be a Parliament The Scope and Intention of that Letter being to make provision how all the Members as is pretended of both Houses may securely meet in a full and free Convention of Parliament Whereof no other conclusion can be made but that this present Parliament is not a full nor free Convention and that to make it a full and free Convention of Parliament the presence of those is necessary who notwithstanding that they have deserted that great Trust and do levy War against the Parliament are pretended to be Members of the two Houses of Parliament And hereupon we think our selves bound to let Your Majesty know That seeing the Continuance of this Parliament is settled by a Law which as all other Laws of Your Kingdoms Your Majesty hath sworn to maintain as we are sworn to our Allegiance to Your Majesty these obligations being reciprocal we must in duty and accordingly are resolved with our Lives and Fortunes to defend and preserve the Just Rights and full Power of this Parliament And do beseech Your Majesty to be assured that Your Majesty's Royal and hearty Concurrence with us herein will be the most effectual and ready means of procuring a firm and lasting Peace in all Your Majesty's Dominions and of begetting a perfect understanding between Your Majesty and Your People without which Your Majesty's most earnest Professions and our most real Intentions concerning the same must necessarily be frustrated And in case Your Majesty's three Kingdoms should by reason thereof remain in this sad and bleeding Condition tending by the continuance of this unnatural War to their Ruine Your Majesty cannot be the least nor the last Sufferer God in his goodness incline Your Royal Breast out of pity and compassion to those deep Sufferings of Your Innocent People to put a speedy and happy issue to these desperate Evils by the joynt Advice of both Your Kingdoms now happily united in this Cause by their late solemn League and Covenant Which as it will prove the surest Remedy so is it the earnest prayer of Your Majesty's Loyal Subjects the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England Westminster the 9 of March 1643. Gray of Wark Speaker of the House of Peers in Parliament pro tempore William Lenthall Speaker of the Commons House in Parliament Whosoever considers that this should be a Letter from Subjects might well think it very unbeseeming Language in them to call His Majesty's earnest endeavours for Peace but Professions and their own feigned pretence most real Intentions but much more menacing Language that is Majesty cannot be the least or last Sufferer which expressions from Subjects in Arms to their Soveraign what dangerous Construction they may admit we are unwilling to mention But we need not wonder at the manner of their expressions when we see in this Letter the Parliament it self as far as in them lies destroyed and those who here style themselves the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England not to resolve upon their Answer to their King without the concurrent advice and consent of the Commissioners as they call them of the Kingdom of Scotland If they had only taken the Advice of the Scotish Commissioners they had broken the Fundamental Constitution of Parliament the very Writs of Summons the Foundation of all Power in Parliament being in express terms for the Lords to treat and advise with the King and the Peers of the Kingdom of England and for the Commons to do and consent to those things which by that Common-Council of England should be ordained thereby excluding all others But their League it seems is gone further the Scots must consent as well as advise so that they have gotten a negative voice and they who in the former Letter would be the Kings only Council are now become no Council without the Scotish Commissioners The truth is they have besides the solemn League and Covenant with the Scots which their Letter mentions a strange and traitourous presumption for Subjects to make a Covenant and League with Subjects of another Kingdom without their Prince made private bargains with the Scots touching our Estates and a private agreement not to treat without their consent as some of themselves being afraid of a Treaty openly declared to the Common-Council of London And therefore 't is no wonder that being touched to the quick with the apprehension that they are not nor can be in this condition a full and free Convention of Parliament they charge us with deserting our Trust and would have us to be no Members of the Parliament They may remember it was our want of freedom within and the seditious Tumults without their many multiplied Treasons there and imposing traitourous Oaths which inforced our absence But concerning that and the want of freedom in Parliament we shall say no more here that being the Subject of another Declaration only we wish them to consider by what Fundamental Laws of the Kingdom which they have lately wrested to serve all turns they can exclude us from our Votes in Parliament who were duely summoned chosen and returned Members of Parliament and
D. in Physick Will. Constantine Esq Hen. Killegrew Esq Ric. King Esq John Dutton Esq Hen. Bret Esq Will. Chadwel Esq Sir Theobald Gorges John George Esq Sir Tho. Fanshaw Humf. Conningesby Esq Ri. Seaborne Esq Arth. Lord Ranelaugh Tho. Tomkins Esq Sir Sampson Evers Sir John Culpeper Jeffrey Palmer Esq Sir John Harrison Tho. Fanshaw Esq Sir Rog. Palmer Sir Orlando Bridgman Will. Watkins Esq John Smith Esq Sir Tho. Bludder Sir Ed. Littleton Sir Harvy Bagot Sir Ri. Leveson Sir Ri. Cave Ri. Weston Esq Sir Ri. Lee. Sir Tho. Whitmore Sir Ed. Acton C. Baldwin Esq R. Goodwin Esq Tho. Howard Esq Tho. Littleton Esq Sir Ro. Howard Sir John Meux Matthew Davis Esq Sir F. Cornwallis Tho. Jermyn Esq John Taylor Esq William Basset Esq Sir William Portman Sir Edw. Rodney Tho. Hanham Esq Ed. Phelips Esq John Digby Esq Ed. Kirton Esq Christ. Leuknor Esq Sir Edw. Alford John White Esq John Ashburnham Esq Will. Smith Esq Tho. Leedes Esq Sir Ja. Thynne W. Pleydell Esq Ro. Hyde Serjeant at Law Sir Ed. Griffin Sir Walter Smith Geo. Lawe Esq Ric. Harding Esq Sir Hen. Herbert End Porter Esq Sam. Sandys Esq John Bodvill Esq Will. Morgan Esq Will. Thomas Esq Jo. Mostyn Esq Hen. Bellasis Esq Sir Geo. Wentworth Will. Mallory Esq Ri. Aldburgh Esq John Salisbury Esq Will. Herbert Esq William Price Esq Sir John Price Sir Ri. Herbert Charles Price Esq Phil. Warwick Esq Tho. Cooke Esq Sir Rob. Crooke Herb. Price Esq John Whistler Esq These Peers following being disabled by several accidents to appear sooner have since attended the Service and concurred with us Viscount Cambden Lord Abergavenny Lord Arundell Lord Capell Lord Newport Peers imployed in His Majesty's Service or absent with leave Marquess of Winchester Marquess of Worcester Marquess of New-castle Earl of Darby Earl of Huntingdon Earl of Clare Earl of Marleborough V. Falconbridge L. Morly L. Darcy and Coniers L. Stourton L. Evers L. Daincourt L. Pawlet L. Brudenel L. Powys L. Herbert of Cherbury L. Hopton L. Loughborough L. Byron L. Vaughan L. Widderington Peers absent in the parts beyond the Seas Earl of Arundell Earl of St. Albans L. Viscount Montague L. Viscount Stafford L. Stanhope L. Coventry L. Goring L. Craven of Hamsted L. Craven of Ryton Peers in Prison for their Loyalty to His Majesty Earl of Chesterfield L. Mountague of Boughton Whoever views these numbers and considers how many Peers are at this time under Age will quickly know who and how many are privy or consenting to the Counsels at Westminster These Members of the Commons House following being disabled by several accidents to appear sooner have since attended the Service and concurred with us Peter Venables Esquire Sir John Pawlet Edward Bagshaw Esq Sir John Burlasey Francis Newport Esquire Anthony Hungerford Esq John Russel Esquire Thomas Chichley Esquire Earl of Cork Sir Gervase Clifton Sir Guy Palmes Robert Sutton Esquire Gervase Hollis Esquire Sir Patricius Curwen Sir Henry Bellingham Sir George Dalston Sir Thomas Sandford Sir William Dalston Michael Wharton Esquire Sir Robert Hatton James Scudamore Esq Sir John Brooke Sir John Stepney Imployed in His Majesty's Service or absent with leave or by Sickness Sir John Fenwick Hugh Potter Esquire Walter Kirle Esquire William Stanhope Esquire Sir William Carnaby Sir Thomas Danby John Fenwick Esquire Ralph Sneade Esquire Sir William Ogle Sir Thomas Jermyn Sir John Stowell Sir Robert Strickland Sir Philip Musgrave John Cowcher Esquire John Coventry Esquire Sir Henry Slingsby Sir John Mallory John Bellassis Esquire Sir Thomas Ingram Lord Mansfield Thomas Heblethwayte Esquire Sir Hugh Cholmely Sir George Wentworth Sir Walter Lloyd Sir Henry Vaughan Francis Lloyd John Vaughan Esquire Richard Ferrers Esq George Hartnoll Esq Sir William Vdall Robert Hunt Esquire Thomas May Esquire Sir Thomas Bowyer Sir Thomas Roe Whoever now considers how many have retired themselves unto several Counties and so are absent from Westminster and yet cannot through the danger of Travelling be present at Oxford how many have withdrawn themselves into the parts beyond the Seas how many of their own principal Instruments are Voted out of the House by themselves as Sir John Hotham and his Son Sir Alexander Carew Mr. Martin Mr. Fiennes and many others and how many now are Imprisoned by them how many Members from the beginning have been factiously kept from the House upon questions of Election and how many without any colour are kept in by not suffering their Elections to be reported and that there are Thirty five Members dead into whose rooms no new Persons are chosen how many since are become Barons by descent or Creation will easily conclude how small the number is which remains and of those how few in truth have Right in sit there CHARLES R. March 19. 1643. Our express Pleasure is That this Declaration of the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford be read by the Parson Vicar or Curate in every Church and Chapel within Our Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales The Declaration of the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford according to His MAJESTY'S Proclamation Concerning their Endeavours since they came thither for the Peace of the Kingdom and the Reasons enforcing their Abscence from Westminster VVE the Lords and Commons of Parliament being upon just and important reasons absent from the City of Westminster whither we were Legally called or sent by the Power and Authority of His Majesty's Writ when He summoned His Parliament and being by His gracious Proclamation of the two and twentieth day of December convened at Oxford with full liberty to present our humble Advice to His Majesty for the preservation of the Religion Laws and Safety of the Kingdom thought it most agreeable to our Duty to God our zeal and tenderness of His Majesty's Honour and Safety and our Affection and Compassion of the bleeding condition of our miserable Country to use our utmost and earliest endeavours to prevent the effusion of more Christian English Blood and to close those Wounds through which this Kingdom is in danger in a short time to languish even to Desolation And finding the ill success which had attended all the Overtures of Treaty and Accommodation made by His Majesty His Majesty's most gracious Message from Nottingham being with so much contempt rejected which being sent by Members of both Houses those Messengers were not suffered to deliver it as Members or to sit in the House whilst the same was debated contrary to the Privilege of Parliament and that to the two last Messages sent by Him of the twelfth of April and nineteenth of May in both which are most gracious expressions of His Princely and passionate inclinations to Peace as may appear by those Messages herewith again re-printed there hath not been the least Answer returned to His Majesty but on the contrary His Messenger imprisoned and to this day detained and an Order that on pain of Death none should presume to come thither from His Majesty upon
Foreign Power to invade this Kingdom is from having the Countenance Authority and Approbation of the two Houses of Parliament The great Industry and ill Arts used by those who have since been principal Instruments of the present Rebellion to bring in Persons of their Faction into the House of Commons the admitting and receiving such who were neither lawfully chosen nor lawfully returned by their Country and the putting and keeping out others whose Opinions were not liked the reprehending reproaching and imprisoning of Members for speaking freely according to their Consciences in matters in debate the posting and setting up mens Names in publick places and proscribing them as Enemies to their Country who dissented in the Houses in opinion in matters debated and being complained plained of no reparation granted the sitting at unparliamentary hours thereby wearying and tiring many Members from attendance and so in a thin House altering and reversing the resolution taken in a full House the refusing to receive and suppressing Petitions against Persons in favour though in point of Bribery and corruption in Judicatory and the like of other Petitions from whole Counties for the preservation of the Government of the Church as from Notinghamshire and Somerseshire whilst others against it were received with great countenance and approbation from mean unknown People the getting with great labour and Faction several hands to Petitions from Counties and then framing new Petitions at London and annexing the hands formerly gotten in the Country to those Petitions of which they who subscribed their hands know nothing as in the Petition of Buckinghamshire and the setting names in London to Petitions in the name of as if they had been subscribed in remote Counties the usurping of Jurisdictions to supersede Acts of Parliament and to dispense with the breach of Laws in force the suffering undutiful and disloyal language against the Sacred Person of the King without so much as Reprehension and the denying His Majesty's Negative Voice we insist not so much on though very prejudicial and scandalous to the Privileges and Honour of Parliament as on those Acts of Force and Violence which are contrary and destructive to the Freedom and Liberty of Parliament Shortly after His Majesty returned from Scotland there being a very long debate in the House of Commons concerning an unparliamentary Remonstrance to be published to the People of the State of the Kingdom which many of us then thought might prove prejudicial to the Peace thereof Captain Venne then a Member of the House of Commons who had before bragged of having brought down the People upon the two Houses and so drawn Resolutions from them sent Notes in writing under his Hand into the City that the People should come down to Westminster for that the better part of the House was like to be over-powered by the worser part whereupon both at that time and some days after Multitudes of the meanest sort of people with weapons not agreeing with their condition or custom in a manner very contrary and destructive to the Privilege of Parliament filled up the way between both Houses offering Injuries both by words and actions to and laying violent hands upon several Members proclaiming the Names of several of the Peers as evil and rotten-hearted Lords crying out many hours together against the established Laws in a most tumultuous and menacing way This action of Captain Venne's was complained of to the House of Commons and Witnesses offered to prove it a fellow who had assaulted and reproached a Member of the House of Commons in those Tumults was complained of and shewed to the House in the number of those who brought a Petition to the Bar and yet in neither of these cases Justice or so much as an Examination could be obtained Upon a suggestion and pretence of Danger and suit made to His Majesty a Guard was allowed and appointed by Him for the Security of both Houses shortly after this Guard was refused and discharged by themselves and a new Guard appointed by them without His Majesty's Consent thereby to awe all those who concurred not with them A legal Writ issuing out by the direction of the House of Peers under the Great Seal of England to prevent those Tumults which daily infested both Houses the Justices of the Peace for executing that Writ according to their Oaths were imprisoned by the House of Commons A Commission under the Great Seal of England for enquiry after Riots committed in Southwark was likewise superseded by an Order of the House of Commons and when the Lords desired by several Messages that the House of Commons would joyn with them in a Declaration against Tumults they refused or neglected to joyn with them it being said by Mr. Pym in the House of Commons God forbid we should dishearten our Friends who came to assist us And albeit some of the Lords professed that if the People were again drawn down in that tumultuous manner they would no more come to the House and albeit an Order was made that in such a case the House should be presently adjourned yet those Tumults again appearing that Order though urged by several Lords was not suffered to be executed The House of Commons having desired the House of Peers to join with them in desiring His Majesty that the Militia of this Kingdom might be put into such hands as both Houses did confide in and this desire having been put to the Question and carried negatively by much the major part of the Lords it being again resumed at another time contrary to the course of Parliament the debate was begun with a Declaration made by several of those Lords against whom that Question was twice carried by Votes and that by much the major part that whosoever refused in this particular to joyn with the House of Commons were in their opinions enemies to the State words destructive from the Liberty and Freedom of debate During the time that this business of the Militia was in debate that is before it had the approbation and consent of the House of Peers a Petition in a tumultuous manner was delivered to the House of Lords in the name of the Knights Gentlemen Free-holders and others the Inhabitants of the County of Hartford reckoning up the causes of the present Fears Troubles and Distractions and amongst them the want of Compliance in that Honourable House with the House of Commons in entertaining those many good motions and passing those necessary Bills presented to them from that House for the publick good and desiring liberty to protest against all those as Enemies to the publick who refused to joyn with the Honourable Lords whose endeavours were for the publick good and with the House of Commons for the putting the Kingdom into a posture of Safety under the Command of such persons as the Parliament should appoint Several Petitions of the same nature particularly one under the Title of the Knights Gentlemen Free-holders and other Inhabitants of the
the present Rebellion raised in this Kingdom against His Majesty and that all His Majesty's Subjects are bound by their natural Allegiance and the Oaths lawfully taken by them to the utmost of their power to resist and repress the same and particularly the Army now under the Command of the Earl of Essex and all other Armies raised or to be raised without His Majesty's Consent under pretence of the two Houses of Parliament And we do disclaim all Votes Orders and Declarations in countenance or maintenance of the said Armies and Declare That no Oath or Covenant voluntarily taken or inforced doth or can bind or dispense with the breach of those other Oaths formerly and lawfully taken to His Majesty and that all those who aid assist or abett this horrid and odious Rebellion are and ought to be accounted and pursued as Traitors by the known Laws of the Land That we utterly detest and disclaim the Invitation which hath been made to His Majesty's Subjects of Scotland to enter this Kingdom with an Army the same being as much against the Desires as against the Duty of the Lords and Commons of England and all true-hearted English-Men And we do Declare and publish to the World That as any such Invasion or Hostile entry into the Kingdom by the Rebellious Subjects of Scotland is a direct and peremptory breach of the late Act of Pacification between the two Kingdoms so that we and all the Subjects of this Kingdom are bound by our Allegiance and by that very Act to resist and repress such Invasion And whosoever is or shall be abetting aiding or assisting to those of Scotland in their Hostile Invasion of this Kingdom ought to be looked upon as betrayers of their Country and are guilty of High Treason by the known Laws of the Kingdom And that our weak misled and seduced Country-men may no longer pay an implicite regard and reverence to the abused name of Parliament which these guilty Persons usurp to themselves and so submit to those Actions and Commands which two Houses of Parliament never so legally and regularly constituted have not Authority to require or enjoyn and since these Men will not suffer their poor Country to be restored by a Treaty to the benefit of a Parliament which would with Gods blessing easily remove these Miseries and prevent the like for the time to come we must and do declare to the Whole Kingdom That as at no time either or both Houses of Parliament can by any Orders or Ordinances impose upon the People without the Kings Consent so by reason of the want of Freedom and Security for all the Members of Parliament to meet at Westminster and there to Sit Speak and Vote with Freedom and Safety all the Actions Votes Orders Declarations and pretended Ordinances made by those Members who remain still at Westminster are void and of none effect and that as many of the Lords and Commons assembled at Westminster as have at any time consented to the raising of Forces under the Command of the Earl of Essex or to the making and using of the new Great Seal or to the present coming of the Scots into England in a warlike manner have therein broken the Trust reposed in them by their Country and are to be proceeded against as Traitors And yet we are far from dissolving or attempting the dissolution of this Parliament or the violation of any Act made and confirmed by His Majesty's Royal Assent this Parliament which we shall always maintain and defend Acts of Parliament are only in danger to be destroyed by those who undervalue and despise the Authority and Power of Acts of Parliament who therefore deny the Kings Negative Voice and neglect His Concurrence that their own Resolutions may be reputed as Acts of Parliament to the Ruine and Confusion of all Laws and Interest It is our grief in the behalf of the whole Kingdom that since the Parliament is not dissolved the Power thereof should by the Treason and Violence of these Men be so far suspended that the Kingdom should be without the fruit and benefit of a Parliament which cannot be reduced to any Action or Authority till the Freedom and Liberty due to the Members be restored and admitted and they who oppose this must be only looked upon as the Enemies to Parliament In the mean time we neither have nor shall attempt any thing for the Adjourning Dissolving or Proroguing thereof otherwise than as it may stand with the Act in that case provided Lastly we Declare That our endeavours actions and resolutions tend and are directed and shall always be directed to the maintenance of God's true Religion established by Law within this Kingdom to the defence of His Majesty's Sacred Person His Honour and just Rights to the preservation of the Liberty and Property of the Subject settled and evident by the Laws Statutes and Customs of the Realm and the just Freedom Liberty and Privilege of Parliament and that what we shall do for the defence and maintenance of all these proceeds from the Conscience of our Duty to God our King and Country without any private and sinister ends of our own and out of our sincere love to Truth and Peace the which as we have so we shall always labour to procure as the only blessed End of all our Labours And we do therefore conjure all our Country-Men and fellow-Subjects by all those precious obligations of Religion to God Almighty of Loyalty towards their Soveraign of Affection towards one another and of Charity and Compassion towards their bleeding Country to assist and joyn with us in the suppressing those Enemies to Peace who are so much delighted with the Ruine and Confusion they have made that they will not so much as vouchsafe to Treat with us that all specious Pretences might be taken away and the grounds of this bloody Contention clearly stated to the World If these Men with a true sence and remorse of the ill they have done shall yet return to their Duty and Loyalty they shall God willing find us of another temper towards them than they have been towards us And if the Conscience of their Duty shall not draw all our fellow-Subjects and Country-Men to joyn with us in assisting His Majesty we hope that the prudent consideration That 't is impossible to Reason for our miserable Country ever to be restored to Peace and Happiness but by restoring all just and legally-due Power and Authority into His Majesty's hands again will direct them what is fit to be done by them And if any yet shall be so unskilful and to say no worse vulgar-spirited to hope by a Neutrality and odious Indifferency to rest secure in this Storm though we shall not follow the examples of other Men in telling them that their Estates shall be forfeited and taken from them as pernicious and publick Enemies God be thanked the Law is not so supprest but that it proceeds in Attainders and Forfeitures and all Men
know an Estate escheated to His Majesty by High Treason is as much as legally His Majesty's or his to whom His Majesty grants it as ever it was the unhappy Persons who hath so forfeited it yet we must let them know that their Condition is like to be very dangerous and that as they for resistance of whom His Majesty's Armies are raised have declared to them what they are to expect at their hands that is to be dealt with as pernicious and publick Enemies so they have reason to believe that His Majesty cannot look upon them as Persons who have performed that Duty they are obliged by their natural Allegiance and their Oaths enjoyned by Law which is to defend the King to the utmost of their Power against all Conspiracies and Attempts whatsoever which shall be made against His Majesty's Person His Crown and Dignity and to do their best endeavours to disclose and make known to Him all Treasons and Conspiracies which shall be against Him to their power to assist all Jurisdictions Privileges Preheminencies and Authorities belonging to Him or united to the Imperial Crown of this Realm The just and pious consideration and weighing of which Oath and Obligation must stir up all Men of Loyalty and Conscience to be industrious and active on His Majesty's behalf against this horrid and odious Rebellion and against the Authors and Fomenters of the same And we are confident it will not a little encrease the Indignation of all good true English-Men to find these Disturbers of their Peace who have so speciously pretended the defence of the Rights and Privileges of Parliament unite themselves with and govern their Actions by the concurrent Advice and Consent of Commissioners of another Kingdom whose business is to alter our Laws and confound our Government And if all the other particulars so plainly set down in this Declaration and so publickly known to most Men were wanting there could not be a greater instance of deserting the Dignity and Right and as much as in them lies cancelling all the Liberties and Privileges of Parliament than for these Men to break the Trust reposed in them by their Country and to submit themselves to the Advice and oblige themselves to the Consent of Agents of another Kingdom who have cast off their Allegiance and united themselves together against their natural and native King and against the Laws of both Kingdoms and have given an ample testimony to all those they have misled how far they are from submitting or intending to be governed by Parliament or by those who would yet be thought the two Houses of Parliament by joyning four Scotch-Men Agents for the Rebellious Army which hath invaded this Kingdom in equal Power and Authority with seven Lords and fourteen Commons by whose sole and uncontrolled managery and consent all business of Peace and War which doth or may concern this languishing Kingdom must be governed And yet these Men take it very heinously that His Majesty should move them in order to Peace to agree that all the Members of both Houses may securely meet in a full and free Convention of Parliament because they say from thence no other Conclusion can be made but that this present Parliament is not a full nor free Convention and that to make it such the presence of us is necessary We must appeal to all the World whether in truth that Conclusion be not very apparent from the truth of their Proceedings and even to the Consciences of these Men themselves whether whilst we were amongst them we enjoyed that Liberty and Freedom which was due to us and whether if there were no danger or breach of Duty in being willingly and constantly present where Actions of Treason are plotted and concluded we could now be with them without engaging our selves in that Covenant which as it takes away all freedom and liberty of Council so cannot be taken without the violation of our Duty and Allegiance For the deserting the great Trust reposed in us we cannot with the least colour be accused we wish it had not been or were not now broken on their parts on ours we are sure it is not except observation of our Oaths lawfully taken and enjoyned and submission to the known established Laws of the Land the preservation of which is our greatest Trust be to desert the Trust reposed in us What they have done who have broken through all these and will not at last consent to the binding up the wounds they have made we must leave to the World to judge In the mean time since 't is apparent they use their utmost endeavours to make Peace impossible and having enriched themselvâ—â— by these publick Calamities and impoverished their Country by the transportation of â—he Wealth thereof into Foreign parts have left themselves no other means to repay those vast Sums they have extorted from the People upon that they call Publick Faith â—ut out of the Estates of those who have preserved their Duty and Loyalty entire and at the price of their Religion and Laws intend to establish a Government and Empire to themselves all good Men who desire Peace will joyn with us in the suppressing these Enemies of Peace and by a resolute and unanimous Declaration of themselves rise as One Man in the assistance of His Majesty with their Persons and their Fortunes which is the only means with God's blessing to restore and preserve the Religion Laws and Liberties of the Kingdom and the very Being of Parliaments The which if these Men have any mind to do it being not so easily to be done any other way they will at last be willing that all the Members of both Houses may meet in a full and free Convention of Parliament which we have always desired and shall be always ready to do His MAJESTY's Message to both Houses April 12. 1643. Concerning Disbanding of both Armies and His MAJESTY'S Return to both Houses of Parliament TO shew to the whole World how earnestly His Majesty longs for Peace and that no success shall make Him desire the continuance of His Army to any other end or for any longer time than That and until things may be so settled as that the Law may have a full free and uninterrupted course for the defence and preservation of the Rights of His Majesty both Houses and His good Subjects 1. As soon as His Majesty is satisfied in His First Proposition concerning His own Revenue Magazines Ships and Forts in which He desires nothing but that the Just Known Legal Rights of His Majesty devolved to Him from His Progenitors and of the Persons trusted by Him which have violently been taken from both be restored unto Him and unto them unless any Just and Legal Exceptions against any of the Persons trusted by Him which are yet unknown to His Majesty can be made appear to Him 2. As soon as all the Members of both Houses shall be restored to the same capacity of Sitting and Voting in
Parliament as they had upon the first of January 1641. the same of right belonging unto them by their Birth-rights and the free Election of those that sent them and having been Voted from them for adhering to His Majesty in these Distractions His Majesty not intending that this should extend either to the Bishops whose Votes have been taken away by Bill or to such in whose places upon new Writs new Elections have been made 3. As soon as His Majesty and both Houses may be secured from such tumultuous Assemblies as to the great breach of the Privileges and the high Dishonour of Parliaments have formerly assembled about both Houses and awed the Members of the same and occasioned two several complaints from the Lords House and two several desires of that House to the House of Commons to joyn in a Declaration against them the complying with which desire might have prevented all these miserable Distractions which have ensued which Security His Majesty conceives can be only settled by Adjourning the Parliament to some other place at the least twenty Miles from London the choice of which His Majesty leaves to both Houses His Majesty will most chearfully and readily consent that both Armies be immediately disbanded and give a present meeting to both His Houses of Parliament at the time and place at and to which the Parliament shall be agreed to be Adjourned His Majesty being most confident that the Law will then recover the due credit and estimation and that upon a free debate in a full and peaceable Convention of Parliament such Provisions will be made against Seditious Preaching and Printing against His Majesty and the established Laws which hath been one of the chief causes of the present Distractions and such care will be taken concerning the Legal and known Rights of His Majesty and the Property and Liberty of His Subjects that whatsoever hath been published or done in or by colour of any illegal Declaration Ordinance or Order of one or both Houses or any Committee of either of them and particularly the Power to raise Arms without His Majesty's Consent will be in such manner recalled disclaimed and provided against that no seed will remain for the like to spring out of for the future to disturb the Peace of the Kingdom and to endanger the very Being of it And in such a Convention His Majesty is resolved by His readiness to consent to whatsoever shall be proposed to Him by Bill for the Real good of His Subjects and particularly for the better discovery and speedier conviction of Recusants for the Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion for the prevention of practices of Papists against the State and the due execution of the Laws and true levying of the Penalties against them to make known to all the World how causeless those fears and jealousies have been which have been raised against Him and by that so distracted this miserable Kingdom And if this Offer of His Majesty be not consented to in which He asks nothing for which there is not apparent Justice on His side and in which He defers many things highly concerning both Himself and People till a full and peaceable Convention of Parliament which in Justice He might now require His Majesty is confident that it will then appear to all the World not only who is most desirous of Peace and whose fault it is that both Armies are not now disbanded but who have been the true and first cause that this Peace was ever interrupted or these Armies raised and the beginning or continuance of the War and the Destruction and Desolation of this poor Kingdom which is too likely to ensue will not by the most interessed passionate or prejudicate Person be imputed to His Majesty His MAJESTY'S Message to both Houses May 19. in pursuance of the foregoing Message SInce His Majesty's Message of the twelfth of April in which he conceived He had made such an Overture for the immediate Disbanding of all Armies and Composure of these present miserable Distractions by a full and free Convention in Parliament that a perfect and settled Peace would have ensued hath in all this time above a full Month procured no Answer from both Houses His Majesty might well believe Himself absolved before God and Man from the least possible Charge of not having used His utmost endeavour for Peace Yet when He considers that the Scene of all this Calamity is in the Bowels of His own Kingdom that all the Blood which is spilt is of His own Subjects and that what Victory soever it shall please God to give Him must be over those who ought not to have lifted up their hands against Him when He considers that these desperate civil Dissentions may encourage and invite a Foreign Enemy to make a Prey of the whole Nation that Ireland is in present danger to be totally lost that the heavy Judgments of God Plague Pestilence and Famine will be the inevitable Attendants of this unnatural Contention and that in a short time there will be so general a habit of uncharitableness and Cruelty contracted throughout the Kingdom that even Peace it self will not restore His People to their old Temper and Security His Majesty cannot but again call for an Answer to that His Message which gives so fair a Rise to end these unnatural Distractions And His Majesty doth this with the more earnestness because He doubts not the condition of His Armies in several parts His strength of Horse Foot and Artillery His plenty of Ammunition which some Men lately might conceive He wanted is so well known and understood that it must be confessed that nothing but the Tenderness and Love to His People and those Christian Impressions which always have and He hopes always shall dwell in His heart could move Him once more to hazard a Refusal And He requires them as they will answer to God to Himself and all the World That they will no longer suffer their fellow-Subjects to welter in each others Blood that they will remember by whose Authority and to what end they met in that Council and send such an Answer to His Majesty as may open a door to let in a firm Peace and Security to the whole Kingdom If His Majesty shall again be disappointed of His Intentions herein the Blood Rapine and Distraction which must follow in England and Ireland will be cast upon the Account of those who are deaf to the motion of Peace and Accommodation CHARLES R. May 19. 1643. OUR express Pleasure is That this Declaration of the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford be read by the Parson Vicar or Curate in every Church and Chapel within Our Kingdom of England and Dominion of Wales MDCXLIV April 15. The Petition of the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford Presented to His MAJESTY the day before the Recess And His MAJESTY'S Gracious Answer to the same To the Kings most excellent
MAJESTY The humble Petition of the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Oxford according to Your MAJESTY'S Proclamation WE most humbly acknowledge Your Princely Goodness in calling us to receive our Advices for preservation of the Religion Laws and Safety of the Kingdom and to restore it to its former Peace and Security How earnestly we have sought a Peace with Your Majesty's most gracious Concurrence doth appear by the printed Declaration of our Proceedings touching a Treaty for Peace wherein we aimed at a free and full Convention of Parliament as the most hopeful way to unite these unhappy Divisions And since that hath been refused we have applyed our Advices for supporting Your Armies the visible means now left for maintaining our Religion restoring the Laws and procuring the Safety of the Kingdom being assured from Your Majesty You do and will employ Your Armies to no other end And although our selves are most fully satisfied of Your Majesty's pious and just Resolutions herein yet because Fears and Jealousies have been and are maliciously scattered amongst Your Subjects to poison their Affections and corrupt their Loyalty to Your Majesty therefore to the end we may be enabled by Your gracious Answer to satisfie all the World or to leave them unexcusable who will not be satisfied we do in all humility present to Your Majesty these Petitions That Your Majesty will give direction for the re-printing Your Protestation made in the head of Your Army and Your other Declarations wherein Your constant Resolution is declared to maintain and defend the true reformed Protestant Religion and that the same may be with more diligence published amongst the People that so Your Princely Christian Zeal and Affection to that Religion and to maintain the same against all Popery Schism and Profaneness may be manifested and which we beseech Your Majesty upon this our Petition to declare again to all the World to the discountenance and suppression of those Scandals laid upon Your Majesty by those who disturb our Peace That when there may be a full and free Convention of Parliament a National Synod may be lawfully called to advise of some fit means for the establishing the Government and Peace of our Church to whom may be recommended a care for the ease of the tender Consciences of Your Protestant Subjects Touching our Laws we cannot ask more of Your Majesty than to declare and continue Your former Resolutions to hold and keep them inviolable and unalterable but by Act of Parliament And for avoiding the Scandal maliciously infused into many of Your Subjects that if Your Majesty prevail against this Rebellion You intend not to use the frequent Council of Parliaments we humbly pray and advise Your Majesty to declare the sincerity of Your Royal Heart therein to satisfie Your seduced Subjects against such false and malicious Aspersions And in respect the present Contributions Loans Taxes and other Impositions for maintenance of Your Armies have been submitted unto as Exigences of War and Necessity because of this unexampled Rebellion and Invasion we humbly beseech Your Majesty to Declare That they shall not be drawn into example nor continue longer than the present Exigence and Necessity nor be at any time mentioned as Precedents And that for the farther security of Your People Your Majesty will vouchsafe to promise Your Royal Assent to a Law to be made and declared to that purpose in a full and free Convention of Parliament And that for the present ease and encouragement of those under Contributions by Contract with Your Majesty You will be pleased that those Contracts may be so observed that Your Subjects may not have just cause of complaint against the Commanders Governors Officers or Souldiers of Your Army or of or in any Your Garrisons Castles or Forts for taking any Money Horses or other Cattel Provisions or other Goods or any Timber or Woods of any Your Subjects or Free-Billet or Free-Quarter in any place where the Contributions and Taxes agreed on are paid humbly beseeching Your Majesty's gracious Care herein and that the Offenders may receive exemplary punishment Lastly That Your Majesty will retain Your pious endeavours to procure the Peace of this languishing Kingdom not to be removed or altered by any advantages or prosperous success His MAJESTY'S Gracious Answer to the aforesaid Petition AS We shall always acknowledge the great Comfort and Assistance We have received by your Councils since your Meeting here according to Our Proclamation so We must give you very particular Thanks for the Expressions you have made in this Petition of your Confidence in Us and for the Care you have therein taken that all Our good Subjects may receive ample satisfaction in those things upon which the Good and Welfare of their Condition so much depends We have long observed though not without wonder the sly subtile and groundless Insinuation infused and dispersed amongst our People by the disturbers of the Publick Peace of Our favouring and countenancing of Popery And therefore as in Our constant visible practice We have to the utmost of Our Power and We hope sufficiently manifested the gross falshood of those Imputations and Scandals so We have omitted no opportunity of publishing to all the World the clear Intentions and Resolutions of the Soul in that point We wish from Our heart that the true Reformed Protestant Religion may not receive greater Blemish by the Actions and Practices of these Men than it doth or shall by any Connivence of Ours We will take the best care We can and We desire your assistance in it to publish to all Our good Subjects that Our Protestation and those Declarations you mention And We do assure you there is not an Expression in either of them for the maintenance and advancement of Our Religion with which Our Heart doth not fully concur and in which We shall be so constant that if it shall not please God to enable Us by Force to defend it We shall shew Our Affection and Love to it by dying for it We may without vanity say It hath pleased God to enlighten Our Understanding to discern the clear Truth of the Protestant Religion in which We have been born and bred from the Mists and Clouds of Popery the which if it hath made any growth or progress of late within the Kingdom as We hope it hath not is more beholding to the unchristian Rage and Fury of these Men than to any Connivence or Favour of Ours For a National Synod We have often promised it and when God shall give so much Peace and Quiet to this Kingdom that regular and lawful Conventions may be esteemed shall gladly perform that Promise as the best means to re-establish Our Religion and make up those Breaches which are made And We shall then willingly recommend unto them a special care of the ease of tender Consciences of Our Protestant Subjects as We have often expressed For the Laws of the Land We can say no more than We
which Penalties to be levied and disposed in such manner as both Houses shall agree on wherein to be provided that His Majesty shall have no loss IX That an Act be passed in Parliament whereby the practices of Papists against the State may be prevented and the Laws against them duly executed and a stricter course taken to prevent the saying or hearing of Mass in the Court or any other part of this Kingdom X. The like for the Kingdom of Scotland concerning the four last preceding Propositions in such manner as the Estates of Parliament there shall think fit XI That the King do give His Royal Assent To an Act for the due Observation of the Lords day And to the Bill for the suppression of Innovations in Churches and Chappels in and about the Worship of God and for the better advancement of the Preaching of God's holy Word in all parts of this Kingdom And to the Bill against the enjoying of Pluralities of Benefices by Spiritual Persons and non-Residency And to an Act to be framed and agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament for the reforming and regulating of both Universities of the Colleges of Westminster Winchester and Eaton And to an Act in like manner to be agreed upon for the suppression of Interludes and Stage-playes this Act to be perpetual And to an Act for the taking the Accompts of the Kingdom And to an Act to be made for relief of sick and maimed Souldiers and of poor Widows and Children of Soldiers And to such Act or Acts for raising of Moneys for the payment and satisfying of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom and other publick uses as shall hereafter be agreed on by both Houses of Parliament And to an Act or Acts of Parliament for taking away the Court of Wards and Liveries and all Wardships Liveries Primer seisins and Ouster le maines and all other charges incident or arising for or by reason of Wardship Livery Primer seisin or Ouster le main And for the taking away of all Tenures by Homage and all Fines Licences Seisures and Pardons for Alienation and all other charges incident thereunto and for turning of all Tenures by Knights service either of His Majesty or others or by Knights service or soccage in Capite of His Majesty into free and common Soccage and that His Majesty will please to accept in recompence hereof 100000 pounds per annum And give Assurance of His consenting in the Parliament of Scotland to an Act ratifying the Acts of Convention of the Estates of Scotland called by the Council and Conservatory of Peace and the Commissioners for the common Burthens and assembled the 22 day of June 1643. and several times continued since in such manner and with such additions and other Acts as the Estates convened in this present Parliament shall think convenient XII That an Act be passed in the Parliament of both Kingdoms respectively for confirmation of the Treaties passed betwixt the two Kingdom viz. the large Treaties the late Treaty for the coming of the Scots Army into England and the settling of the Garrison of Berwick of the 29. of November 1643. and the Treaty concerning Ireland of the 6. of August 1642. with all other Ordinances and Proceedings passed betwixt the two Kingdoms in pursuance of the said Treaties XIII That an Act of Parliament be passed to make void the Cessation of Ireland and all Treaties with the Rebels without consent of both Houses of Parliament and to settle the prosecution of the War of Ireland in both Houses of Parliament to be managed by the joynt advice of both Kingdoms and the King to assist and to do no Act to discountenance or molest them therein XIV That an Act be passed in the Parliament of both Kingdoms respectively for establishing the joynt Declaration of both Kingdoms bearing date the 30. of January 1643. in England and 1644. in Scotland with the Qualifications ensuing 1. That the Persons who shall expect no Pardon be only these following RUPERT and MAURICE Count Palatines of the Rhene James Earl of Derby John Earl of Bristol William Earl of Newcastle Francis Lord Cottington John Lord Pawlet George Lord Digby Edward Lord Littleton William Laud Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Matthew Wren Bishop of Ely Sir Robert Heath Knight Doctor Bramhall Bishop of Dery Sir John Biron Knight William Widdrington Colonel George Goring Henry Jermin Esq Sir Ralph Hopton Sir Francis Doddington M. Endymion Porter Sir George Ratcliffe Sir Marmaduke Langdale Sir John Hotham Captain John Hotham his Son Sir Henr Vaughan Sir Francis Windebanke Sir Richard Greenvile Master Edward Hyde Sir John Marley Sir Nicholas Cole Sir Thomas Riddel Junior Colonel ..... Ware Sir John Strangwaies Sir John Culpeper Sir Richard Floyd John Bodvile Esq Mr. David Jenkins Sir George Strode Sir Alexander Carew Marquiss of Huntley Earl of Montross Earl of Niddisdale Earl of Traquaire Earl of Carnewath Viscount of Aubayne Lord Ogilby Lord Rae Lord Harris Lodwick Lindsey sometime Earl of Crawford Patrick Ruthen sometime Earl of Forth James King sometime Lord Ethyn Irving younger of Drunim Gordon younger of Gight Lesly of Auchintoule Sir Robert Spotswood of Dumipace Colonel John Cockram Master John Maxwel sometime pretended Bishop of Ross Master Walter Balcanquall and all such others as being processed by the Estates for Treason shall be condemned before the Act of Oblivion be passed 2. All Papists and Popish Recusants who have been now are or shall be actually in Arms or voluntarily assisting against the Parliaments or Estates of either Kingdom 3. All persons who have had any hand in the plotting designing or assisting the Rebellion in Ireland 4. That Humphry Bennet Esq Sir Edward Ford Sir John Penruddock Sir George Vaughan Sir John Weld Sir Robert Lee Sir John Pate John Ackland Edmund Windham Esquires Sir John Fitz-herbert Sir Edward Laurence Sir Ralph Dutton Henry Lingen Esq Sir William Russel of Worcestershire Thomas Lee of Adlington Esq Sir John Girlington Sir Paul Neale Sir William Thorold Sir Edward Hussey Sir Thomas Lyddel Senior Sir Philip Musgrave Sir John Digby of Nottingh Sir Henry Fletcher Sir Richard Minshal Laurence Halsteed John Denham Esquires Sir Edmund Fortescue Peter St. Hill Esq Sir Tho. Tildesly Sir Hen. Griffith Michael Wharton Esq Sir Hen. Spiller Sir George Benion Sir Edward Nicholas Sir Edward Walgrove Sir Edward Bishop Sir Robert Owsly Sir John Maney Lord Cholmely Sir Thomas Aston Sir Lewis Dives Sir Peter Osborn Samuel Thorneton Esq Sir John Lucas John Blomey Esq Sir Thomas Chedle Sir Nicholas Kemish and Hugh Lloyd Esq and all such of the Scotish Nation as have concurred in the Votes at Oxford against the Kingdom of Scotland and their Proceedings or have sworn or subscribed the Declaration against the Convention and Covenant and all such as have assisted the Rebellion in the North or the Invasion in the South of the said Kingdom of Scotland or the late Invasion made there by the Irish and their Adherents and that the
Estates of the Parliament in Scotland or the said Commissioners of that Kingdom whereof they are Subjects and that in those cases of joynt concernment to both Kingdoms the Commissioners to be directed to be there all or such part as aforesaid to act and direct as joynt Commissioners of both Kingdoms 4. To order the War of Ireland according to the Ordinance of the 11 th of April and to order the Militia and conserve the peace of the Kingdom of Ireland XVIII That His Majesty give His assent to what the two Kingdoms shall agree upon in prosecution of the Articles of the large Treaty which are not yet finished XIX That by Act of Parliament all Peers made since the day that Edward Lord Littleton then Lord Keeper of the great Seal deserted the Parliament and that the said great Seal was surreptitiously conveyed away from the Parliament being the 21. day of May 1642. and who shall be hereafter made shall not sit or Vote in the Parliament of England without consent of both Houses of Parliament and that all Honour and Title conferred on any without consent of both Houses of Parliament since the 20. day of May 1642. being the day that both Houses declared That the King seduced by evil Counsel intended to raise War against the Parliament be declared null and void The like for the Kingdom of Scotland those being excepted whose Patents were passed the great Seal before the 4. of June 1644. XX. That by Act of Parliament the Deputy or chief Governour or other Governours of Ireland be nominated by both Houses of Parliament or in the Intervals of Parliament by the Commissioners to continue during the pleasure of the said Houses or in the Intervals of Parliament during the pleasure of the said Houses or in the Intervals of Parliament during the pleasure of the aforementioned Commissioners to be approved or disallowed by both Houses at their next sitting And that the Chancellor or Lord Keeper Lord Treasurer Commissioners of the great Seal or Treasury Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports Chancellors of the Exchequer and Dutchy Secretaries of State Judges of both Benches and of the Exchequer of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland be nominated by both Houses of Parliament to continue quamdiu se bene gesserint and in the Intervals of Parliament by the aforementioned Commissioners to be approved or disallowed by both Houses at their next sitting The like for the Kingdom of Scotland adding the Justice General and in such manner as the Estates in Parliament there shall think fit XXI That by Act of Parliament the Education of Your Majesty's Children and the Children of Your Heirs and Successors be in the true Protestant Religion and that their Tutors and Governours be of known Integrity and be chosen by the Parliaments of both Kingdoms or in the Intervals of Parliaments by the aforenamed Commissioners to be approved or disallowed by both Parliaments at their next sitting and that if they be Male they be married to such only as are of the true Protestant Religion if they be Female they may not be marryed but with the advice and consent of both Parliaments or in the Intervals of Parliament by their Commissioners XXII That Your Majesty will give Your Royal Assent to such ways and means as the Parliaments of both Kingdoms shall think fitting for the uniting of the Protestant Princes and for the entire Restitution and Re-establishment of Charles Lodwick Prince Elector Palatine His Heirs and Successors to His Electoral Dignity Rights and Dominions Provided that this extend not to Prince Rupert or Prince Maurice or the Children of either of them who have been the Instruments of so much blood-shed and mischief against both Kingdoms XXIII That by Act of Parliament the concluding of Peace or War with Foreign Princes and States be with advice and consent of both Parliaments or in the Intervals of Parliaments by their Commissioners XXIV That an Act of Oblivion be passed in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectively relative to the Qualifications in the Propositions aforesaid concerning the joint Declaration of both Kingdoms with the exception of all Murderers Thieves and other Offenders not having relation to the War XXV That the Members of both Houses of Parliaments or others who have during this Parliament been put out of any Place or Office Pension or Benefit for adhering to the Parliament may either be restored thereunto or otherwise have Recompence for the same upon the humble desire of both Houses of Parliament The like for the Kingdom of Scotland XXVI That the Armies may be Disbanded at such time and in such manner as shall be agreed upon by the Parliaments of both Kingdoms or such as shall be Authorized by them to that effect XXVII That an Act be passed for the granting and confirming of the Charters Customs Liberties and Franchises of the City of London notwithstanding any Non-user Mis-user or Abuser That the Militia of the City of London may be in the ordering and Government of the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons in Common-Council assembled or such as they shall from time to time appoint whereof the Lord Major and Sheriffs for the time being to be three And that the Militia of the Parishes without London and the Liberties within the weekly Bills of Mortality may be under Command of the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons in Common-Council of the said City to be ordered in such manner as shall be agreed on and appointed by both Houses of Parliament That the Tower of London may be in the Government of the City of London and the chief Officer and Governour thereof from time to time be nominated and removable by the Common-Council That the Citizens or Forces of London shall not be drawn out of the City into any other parts of the Kingdom without their own consent and that the drawing of their Forces into other parts of the Kingdom in these distracted times may not be drawn into example for the future And for prevention of Inconveniences which may happen by the long intermission of Common-Councils it is desired that there be an Act that all By-Laws and Ordinances already made or hereafter to be made by the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons in Common-Council assembled touching the calling continuing directing and regulating of the same shall be as effectual in Law to all intents and purposes as if the same were particularly enacted by the Authority of Parliament and that the Lord Major Aldermen and Commons in Common-Council may add to or repeal the said Ordinances from time to time as they shall see cause That such other Propositions as shall be made for the City for their farther Safety Welfare and Government and shall be approved of by both Houses of Parliament may be granted and confirmed by Act of Parliament Upon consideration of which Propositions His Majesty sent the Duke of Richmond and the Earl of Southampton with this Message of the 13. of December HIS Majesty hath seriously
John Earl of Lowdon Lord Chancellour of Scotland Archibald Marquess of Argyle John Lord Maitland John Lord Balmerino Sir Archibald Johnston Sir Charles Erskin George Dundas Sir John Smith Mr. Hugh Kennedy and Mr. Robert Barclay for the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland together with Master Alexander Henderson upon the Propositions concerning Religion or with any Ten or more of them upon and touching the matters contained in the said Propositions Answers and Messages or any other according to the manner and agreement therein specified or otherwise as they or any Ten or more of them shall think fit and to take all the premises into their serious considerations and to compose conclude and end all differences arising thereupon or otherwise as they or any Ten or more of them in their wisdoms shall think fit and upon the whole matter to conclude a safe and well-grounded Peace if they can And whatsoever they or any Ten or more of them shall do in the premises We do by these presents ratifie and confirm the same Given at Our Court at Oxford the eight and twentieth day of January in the Twentieth year of Our Reign 1644. Their Commission to the English Commissioners Die Martis 28. January 1644. BE it Ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that Algernon Earl of Northumberland Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery William Earl of Salisbury Basil Earl of Denbigh Thomas Lord Viscount Wenman Denzil Hollis William Pierrepont Sir Henry Vane junior Oliver St. John Bulstrode Whitelock John Crew and Edmund Prideaux shall have power and authority and are hereby authorized to joyn with the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland together with Alexander Henderson upon the Propositions concerning Religion only to Treat with the Lord Duke of Richmond the Marquess of Hartford the Earl of Southampton the Earl of Kingston the Lord Dunsmore Lord Capel Lord Seymour Sir Christopher Hatton Sir John Culpeper Sir Edward Nicholas Sir Edward Hyde Sir Richard Lane Sir Orlando Bridgeman Sir Thomas Gardiner Master John Ashburnham and Master Jeffrey Palmer or any Ten of them upon the Propositions formerly sent to His Majesty for a safe and well-grounded Peace from His Majesty's humble and Loyal Subjects assembled in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms together with Doctor Steward upon the Propositions concerning Religion only and upon His Majesty's Propositions according to such Instructions as have been given to them or as they from time to time shall receive from both Houses of Parliament Jo. Browne Cler. Parliam Their Commission to the Scots Commissioners AT Edenburgh the saxteÃnt day of Julii the Èeir of God M. Vj c fourty four Èeires The Estaites of Parliament presentlie conveined be vertew of the last act of the last Parliament haldin by His Majesty and thrie Estaites in Anno 1641. considdering that this Kingdome efter all uther meanes of supplicationnes Remonstrances and sending of Commissionaris to His Majesty have bein used without successe did enter into a solemne League and Covenant with the Kingdom and Parliament of England for Reformationne and defence of Religionne the Honor and Happines of the King the Peace and Safety of the thrie Kingdoms of Scotland England and Ireland and ane Treattie aggried upon and ane Armie and Forces raised and sent out of yis Kingdom for these endis Quhairupone the Conventionne of Estaites of this Kingdome the nynt of Jannuary last being desirous to use all good and lawful meanes that Treuth and Peace might be established in all His Majesty's Dominions with such a blessed Pacificationne betwixt His Majesty and His Subjectis as might serve most for His Majesty's trew Honor and the Safety and Happines of His People granted Commissione to Johne Erle of Lowdonne Heigh Chancellor of Scotland Johne Lord Maitland than and Èit in England Sir Archibald Johnestounne of Wariestounne ane of the Lordis of Sessionne and Maister Robert Barclay now in England to repaire to England with powar to thame or any twa of yame to endeavoure the effectuating of ye foirsaides endis conforme to the Commissione and Instructiones than givin to thame as the Commissione of the dait foirsaid proportis Lyke as the saides Johne Lord of Maitland Sir Archibald Johnestounne and Maister Robert Barclay have evir sinceattendit in England in the discharge of the foirsaid Commissione qunhil lately that Sir Archibald Johnestounne returned with some Propositiones prepaired by the Committie of both Kingdomes to be presented to the Estaites of Scotland and to both Howss of the Parliament of England and by thame to be revised and considderit and than by mutual advyse of both Kingdomes to be presented for ane safe and weill-grounded Peace Qwhilkies Propositiones ar revised and considderit and advysed be the Estaites of Parliament now conveined and their sense and resultis drawin up yrupone Whiche Commissione is to endure while the comming of the Commissionaris underwrittin And heirewith also considderin that the endis for the whilk the samen was granted ar not Èit effectuate and that the Propositiones with ye Estaites thair resultis yrupone ar to be returned toye Parliament of England thairfore the Estaites of Parliament be thir presentis gives full powar and Commissione to the said Johne Erle of Lowdonne Lord heigh Chancellor of yis Kingdome Archibald Marqueis of Arg yle and Johne Lord Balmerino for the Nobility Sir Archibald Johnestounne of Wariestounne Sir Charles Erskyne of Cambuskenneth and Maister George Dundas of Maner for the Barrones Sir Johne Smyth of Grottel Proveist of Edenburgh Hew Kennedy Burges of Air and Master Robert Barclay for the Burrowes the thrie Estaites of yis Kingdom and to Johne Lord Maitland supernumerarie in this Commissione or to any thrie or mae of the haill number thair being ane of ilk Estaite as Commissionaris from the Estaites of Parliament of this Kingdome to repaire to the Kingdome of England sick of them as ar not thair already and with powar to thameor any thrie or mae of the whole number thair being ane of ilk Estaite to endeavour the effectuating of ye foirsaides endis the concluding of the Propositions with the Estaites th aire results thairupon and all such uyr materis concerning the good of bothe Kingdomes as ar or sall be from time to time committed unto thame be the Estaites of yis Kingdome or Committies thairof according to the Instructiones givin or to be givin to the Commissionaris abovenameit or thair quorums And for this effect the Estaites Ordeanes Johne Erle of Lowdonne Chancellor Johne Lord Balmerino Sir Archibald Johnestounne of Wariestounne Sir Charles Erskyne of Cambuskenneth and Hew Kennedy repaire with all diligence to the Kingdome of England to the essect before rehearsit conforme to this Commissione and Instructiones As also the Estaites Ordeanes ye saides Archibald Marqueis of Argyle Maister George Dundas of Maner and Sir Johne Smyth Proveist of Edenburgh to repaire to ye Kingdome of England with all sick conveniencie as the occasione of
we have offered so weighty Doubts and Considerations to your Lordships in this days Debate concerning several parts in the Bill for abolishing of Episcopacy your Lordships having confined and limited our Debate to that individual Bill as it is now penn'd not the consideration of abolishing Episcopacy in general that your Lordships cannot expect a positive Answer from us now being after eleven a clock at night touching that Bill But we shall be ready by the next day assigned for the Treaty upon this Argument to deliver our Opinions to your Lordships the which we shall be then the better able to do when we have found by the progress in our other Debates how far a blessed and a happy Peace is like to be advanced by our endeavouring to give your Lordships satisfaction in this particular This being the last of the three first days assigned for the Treaty upon Religion that Subject was again taken up the 11 th of February being the first of the second three days appointed for Religion And their Commissioners delivered this Paper 11. Feb. HAving received no satisfaction in the first three days appointed to Treat upon the Propositions for Religion we do now desire your Lordships clear and full Answer to our former Demand on this Subject that no farther time may be lost in a matter which doth so much concern the Glory of God the Honour of the King and the Peace and Happiness of His Kingdoms The King's Commissioners Answer 11. Feb. VVE gave your Lordships as much satisfaction in the first three days appointed to Treat upon the Propositions for Religion as in so short a time and upon so little information from your Lordships could reasonably be expected in a matter of so great and high importance And as we have given your Lordships already many Reasons concerning the Injustice and Inconveniency which would follow upon passing the Bill for abolishing Episcopacy according to your first Proposition so we are now ready by Conference to satisfie your Lordships why we conceive that the said Bill is not for the Glory of God or the Honour of the King and consequently cannot be for the Peace and Happiness of His Kingdoms And if your Lordships Reasons shall convince us in those particulars we shall willingly consent to what you desire if otherwise we shall offer to your Lordships our Consent to such other Alterations as we conceive may better contribute to the Reformation intended and such as may stand with the Glory of God and in truth be for the Honour of the King and the Peace and Happiness of His Kingdoms Their Reply 11. Feb. VVE have received no satisfaction from your Lordships concerning the Propositions delivered in by us for Religion in the name of the Parliaments of both Kingdoms not have you made appear unto us any Injustice or Inconveniency in the passing of the Bill for abolishing of Episcopacy And as it cannot be denied but the settling of Religion is a matter which doth highly concern the Glory of God the Honour of the King and the Peace and Happiness of his Kingdoms so do we desire your Lordships will grant those Demands which have been made unto you by us to that end and we are ready by present Conference to receive what your Lordships will offer upon any of those Propositions and to return that which may give your Lordships just satisfaction The King's Commissioners Answer 11. Feb. YOUR Lordships having expressed in your Paper of the first of February that there are other things touching Religion to be propounded by your Lordships to us we presume that by this time you may be enabled by your Instructions to propose the same and therefore we desire to receive them from your Lordships Which we hope your Lordships will think very reasonable when you consider how incongruous a thing it will appear to most Men to consent to real and substantial Alterations in the matter of Religion without having a view of the whole Alterations intended when at the same time there is mention of other Alterations Their Answer thereunto 11. Feb. WE shall deliver in very speedily that which remains with us touching Religion to be propounded unto your Lordships But we do desire as before your Lordships Answers unto our Demands in the same order that we have proposed them not conceiving it reasonable there should be any time spent in Debates or Answers upon what we shall hereafter offer till we have received satisfaction in our former Propositions which we desire may be speedily done lest otherwise the Treaty be retarded and the Expectation of both Kingdoms altogether frustrated Notwithstanding this they delivered in this further Answer 11. Feb. IN Answer to your Lordships Paper this day delivered to us we desire that His Majesty do give His Royal Assent to an Act of Parliament for the due Observation of the Lords Day and to the Bill for suppressing of Innovations in Churches and Chapels in and about the Worship of God c. and for the better advancement of the Preaching of God's Holy Word in all parts of this Kingdom and to the Bill against enjoying of Pluralities of Benefices by Spiritual persons and non-Residency And we shall in due time give in to your Lordships our Demands concerning Papists contained in the sixth seventh eighth ninth and tenth Propositions and for His Majesty's Assenting to an Act to be framed and agreed upon in both Houses of Parliament for the regulating and reforming of both Universities of the Colleges of Westminster Winchester and Eaton and for the Education and Marriage of His Majesty's Children and the Children of His Heirs and Successors in the true Protestant Religion as in the 21 Proposition Some part of the 11th and most part of the 12th of February was spent in Argument by Divines touching Episcopacy and the Presbyterial Government Afterwards their Commissioners gave in this Paper 12. Feb. THere having now been several days spent in debate upon the Propositions for Religion and all Objections alledged to the contrary either from Conscience Law or Reason being fully answered and the time allotted for that so important a part of the Treaty almost elapsed we should be wanting to the Trust reposed in us if we should not press and Expect as we now do a clear and positive Answer to those Demands concerning Religion which we have offered unto your Lordships from the Parliaments of both Kingdoms as most necessary for the settling of a safe and well-grounded Peace in all His Majesty's Dominions The King's Commissioners Answer 12. Feb. WE deny that the Objections alledged by us against the passing the for abolishing Episcopacy from Conscience Law or Reason have been fully answered by your Lordships or that indeed we have received any satisfaction from your Lordships in these particulars We have received no Information from your Lordships to satisfie us that Episcopacy is or hath been an impediment to a perfect Reformation to the growth of Religion or that it
Act of Parliament the Deputy or chief Governour or other Governours of Ireland be nominated by both Houses of the Parliament of England or in the Intervals of Parliament by the said Commissioners to continue during the pleasure of the said Houses or in the Intervals of Parliament during the pleasure of the said Commissioners to be approved or disallowed by both Houses at their next sitting and that the Judges of both Benches and of the Exchequer in Ireland be nominated by both Houses of Parliament to continue quamdiu bene se gesserint and in the Intervals of Parliament by the aforesaid Commissioners to be approved or disallowed by both Houses at their next sitting Together with these last Propositions they delivered the Treaty of the sixth of August 1642. and the Ordinance of the 11 th of April therein mentioned together with another of the 9 th of March which see in the Appendix N o 7 and 8. The Kings Commissioners Paper 9. February WE desire to know what your Lordships intend or expect by those Words in your first Paper concerning Ireland and His Majesty to assist since you propose to have the prosecution of the War of Ireland to be setled in both Houses of the Parliament of England to be managed by the joynt advice of both Kingdoms Their Answer 9. Feb. BY the words in our Paper concerning Ireland and His Majesty to assist we conceive is to be understood the giving of His Royal Assent to such Acts of Parliament as shall be presented unto him by both Houses for raising of Moneys from the Subject and for other things necessary to the prosecution of the War in Ireland and to be further aiding by his Power and Countenance in whatsoever shall be requisite for the better carrying on of that War The King's Commissioners Paper 10. Feb. WE conceive that His Majesty had and hath Power to make a Cessation in Ireland and having upon just grounds and for the good and safety of His Protestant Subjects there and for the preservation of that whole Kingdom consented to such a Cessation we desire to be informed by your Lordships how that Cessation can be declared void without a breach of Faith and Honour in His Majesty and we are ready by Conference particularly to inform your Lordships of the Motives which induced His Majesty to consent to that Cessation Their Answer 10. Feb. WE conceive that His Majesty had not Power to make the Cessation in Ireland nor had any just grounds to do the same and therefore we insist as in our former Paper That an Act of Parliament be passed to make void the Cessation of Ireland and conceive that His Majesty is bound in Honour and Justice to consent unto the same and we are ready to confer with your Lordships as is desired and to receive your Lordships full Answer to this and the other particulars expressed in our Paper concerning Ireland After long Debates in Conference which spent the greatest part of the day touching the Motives of that Cessation and the King's Power to make it His Majesties Commissioners delivered in this Paper 10. Feb. WE have received no satisfaction or information in your Lordships Debate to alter our opinion of his Majesties Power to make the Cessation in Ireland and having carefully perused and considered the Statute alledged by your Lordships we cannot find any particular clause in that Statute neither have your Lordships mentioned any though often desired by us so to do whereby His Majesties Power to make a Cessation there is taken away and therefore we are still of opinion that His Majesty had full Power to make and consent to that Cessation And we conceive that we have given your Lordships an account of very just grounds to induce His Majesty to do the same it appearing to His Majesty by the Letters and Advice from the Lords Justices and Council of that Kingdom and of the Officers of His Majesties Army there which we have read to your Lordships and of which Letters and Advices we now give Copies to your Lordships That his Majesties good Protestant Subjects of that Kingdom were in imminent danger to be over-run by the Rebels and His Army to be disbanded for want of necessary Supplies and that there was no such probable way for their Preservation as by making a Cessation Neither have your Lordships given us any satisfying Reasons against the making the said Cessation or made it appear to us that that Kingdom could have been preserved without a Cessation and therefore we cannot apprehend how His Majesty can with Justice and honour declare the same to be void We shall be ready against the next time assigned for the Treaty touching Ireland to give your Lordships a further Answer to your Propositions concerning that Argument the Treaty concerning Ireland of the sixth of August 1642. and the Ordinance of the 11. of April 1644. which we did never see till your Lordships delivered us Copies of them making so great an Alteration in the Government there that we cannot be prepared for the present to make a full Answer to those Propositions Their Answer 10. Feb. IT is very contrary to our expectation to find your Lordships unsatisfied after those Arguments and Reasons alledged by us that His Majesty had not Power to make the Cessation with the Rebels in Ireland and that upon the perusal of the Statute it appears not to you that His Majesty had no Power to make that Cessation it is strange to us your Lordships should forget all the other Arguments used by us from the Common-Law from other Proceedings in Parliament and Circumstances as this case stands on which we still insist and do affirm that His Majesty had no Power to make or consent to that Cessation we do not see any just grounds in the Copies of the Letters given us by your Lordships for His Majesties assenting to the Cessation nor do we know by whom those Letters were written We are therefore still clearly of opinion notwithstanding all your Lordships have alledged that it was unfit for His Majesty to agree unto that Cessation being destructive to His good Subjects and to the Protestant Religion there and only for the advantage of the Popish Rebels to the high Dishonour of God the Disservice of His Majesty and evident prejudice of His three Kingdoms We therefore again desire your Lordships full Answer to what we have delivered to you concerning Ireland The King's Commissioners Paper 10. Feb. WE have given your Lordships our Reasons why we are not satisfied with your Arguments that His Majesty had not Power to make the Cessation and as upon the perusal of the Statute we can find no ground for that Opinion so your Lordships in your whole Debate have not insisted or mentioned one clause in that Statute though often desired which makes it good neither have your Lordships given us any Argument from the Common-Law other than by telling us That it is against the Common-Law
because the private Interest of the Subscribers for Money was concerned in it To which we give this Answer That their Interest was conditional upon Payment of their Moneys for the maintenance of the War which was not performed and that if they had paid their Moneys yet this Cessation was rather for the advance of that Interest there being as it appears by the Papers no other visible means of preservation of the Army in Ireland and that the Statute which gave that private Interest doth not take away the Kings Power of making a Cessation and we conceive that Argument of Interest was waved But if your Lordships shall insist upon it we again desire as we did formerly that a Case may be made of it and that the Debate may be again resumed Neither do we know that any Argument was used by your Lordships from the Proceedings in Parliament and if you shall give any we shall be ready to answer it And we conceive that the Advice given to his Majesty from the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland and the Testimony of the Officers of the Army expressing the miserable condition of that Kingdom and inability to bear the War should appear to your Lordships to be just grounds for His Majesties assenting to the Cessation One of the Letters delivered by us to your Lordships bearing date the fourth of April 1643. was sent by the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland to Mr. Secretary Nicholas in which was inclosed their Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons of which your Lordships have likewise an Extract and a Remonstrance of the Officers of the Army to the Lords Justices and Council there and the other Letter of the fifth of May 1643. to His Majesty was from the Lords Justices and Council of that Kingdom All which if your Lordships please shall be examined by you with the Originals And we are therefore of opinion that our Answer formerly delivered is a good Answer to the point of Cessation in question and that it was not unfit for His Majesty to agree to that Cessation nor destructive to the Protestant Religion nor for the advantage of the Popish Rebels but much for the advantage of the Protestant Subjects there who were in apparent hazard of Destruction by Force and Famine occasioned by the want of Supplies which had been promised to them as we have formerly said And we shall give your Lordships a further Answer to your other Propositions concerning Ireland when the time comes again for that Debate Here ended the first three days of the Treaty concerning Ireland and the night before the return of the next three days their Commissioners delivered this Paper 17. February WE conceived that the Arguments used by us that His Majesty neither had nor hath Power to make the Cessation with the Rebels of Ireland might have fully satisfied your Lordships and if any Doubts yet remain we are ready by Conference to clear them Your Lordships may well call to mind the several Clauses we insisted upon in the Statute and the Arguments we have given from the Common-Law and other Proceedings in Parliament And we do affirm that several great Sums of Money were paid by particular Persons and by Corporations who according to the true intent of the Statute ought to have the benefit of the same according to divers other Acts of Parliament in pursuance thereof and upon failer of Payment by any particular Persons the Forfeiture was to accrue to the common benefit of the rest not failing and we do deny that the Argument of Interest was at all waved by us And we conceive those Wants alledged by your Lordships if any such were in justifying the Cessation were supplied from time to time by the Houses of Parliament until His Majesties Forces were so quartered in and about the common Roads to Ireland that Provisions going thither were intercepted and neither Money Cloaths Victuals or other things could pass by Land with safety to be transported And when that both Houses of Parliament were desirous further to supply those Wants and for that purpose did tender a Bill to His Majesty it was refused And we will still alledge that we have no reason to be satisfied concerning the Cessation by any Arguments used by your Lordships or by any thing contained in the Extracts of the Letters and Papers delivered to us by your Lordships as from the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland and the Officers of the Army nor though desired by us have your Lordships afforded us liberty to compare those Extracts with the Originals whereby we might have the Names of the Persons by whom they were written which we now again desire We are therefore still clearly of opinion as is expressed in our former Paper of the 10. of February concerning the Cessation and do desire your Lordships full Answer to our Demands concerning Ireland The King's Commissioners Answer 18. Feb. WE did not conceive that your Lordships had believed that any Arguments used by you could satisfie us against His Majesties Power to make a Cessation with the Rebels in Ireland which appears to have been made by him by the Advice of His Council there and for the Preservation of His Majesties Protestant Subjects of that Kingdom who in all probability would have perished by Famine and the Sword if that Cessation had not been made and we shall be very ready to receive farther Information from your Lordships by Conference or otherwise in that particular either concerning any Clauses in the Statute or Arguments at Common-Law or Proceedings of Parliament your Lordships having never mentioned the one or made any Case upon the other upon which you intend to insist And for the several great Sums of Money that were paid by particular Persons and Corporations upon that Statute mentioned by your Lordships we are sorry that we are compelled by your Lordships insisting thereon to inform your Lordships that His Majesty had clear Information that not only much of the money raised by the Act for the four hundred thousand Pound which was passed for the better suppressing that most wicked and execrable Rebellion in Ireland and for the payment of the Debts of this Kingdom but also of the Money raised by the Statute on which your Lordships insist for the speedy and effectual reducing of the Rebels of Ireland c. and other Moneys raised by Contribution and Loan for the relief of His Majesties distressed Subjects of that Kingdom were expended contrary to the intent of the Acts by which the same were levied and of the Persons who lent and contributed the same towards the maintenance of the Forces in this Kingdom under the Command of the Earl of Essex and that many Regiments of Horse and Foot levied for the War of Ireland under the Command of the Lord Wharton the Lord Kerry Sir Faithful Fortescue and others were likewise imployed in that Army under the Earl of Essex at Edge-hill and therefore His Majesty
Commissioners insisted no farther The Kings Commissioners Second Paper 19. Feb. BY the thirteenth Proposition it is demanded that an Act be passed to settle the Prosecution of the War of Ireland in both Houses of Parliament of England to be managed by the joynt advices of both Kingdoms We desire to know whether if the two Kingdoms shall not agree in their advice touching that War each have a negative Voice or whether the Scots Commander in chief of the Forces in Ireland may manage that War in such case according to his own discretion Their Answer 19. Feb. IN Answer to your Lordships second Paper the Prosecution of the War of Ireland is to be setled in the two Houses of the Parliament of England but is to be managed by a joynt Committee of both Kingdoms wherein the Committee of each Kingdom hath a negative Voice but in case of disagreement the Houses of Parliament of England may prosecute the War as they shall think fit observing the Treaty of the sixth of August 1642. between the two Houses and the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland and the Ordinance of the 11. of April 1644. delivered to your Lordships formerly The Kings Commissioners Third Paper 19. Feb. BY the twentieth Proposition in the Intervals of Parliament the Commissioners for the Militia have power to nominate the Lord Deputy of Ireland and other Officers and Judges there We desire to know whether that Power be limited to the Commissioners of both Kingdoms or only to the Commissioners for England and whether in such cases the Commissioners of Scotland shall vote as single Persons Their Answer 19. Feb. THe power of the Commissioners in the Intervals of Parliament to nominate the Lord Deputy of Ireland and other Officers and Judges there mentioned in the twentieth Proposition being no matters of joynt concernment is to be limited to the Commissioners of the Parliament of England wherein the Commissioners of Scotland are to vote as single Persons The Kings Commissioners Fourth Paper 19. Feb. THe Articles of the Treaty of the sixth of August giving Power to the Lieutenant of Ireland when the Scotish Army shall be joyned with his Army to give Instructions to the Scotish Commander in chief and the Orders of the two Houses of the 9. of March 1644. and the 11. of April 1644. appointing the General of the Scotish Forces in Ireland to command in chief over all the Forces as well British as Scots and both being desired to be Enacted we desire to know whether the Lieutenant of Ireland shall command the Scots Forces or whether the Scotish General shall command all Forces both British and Scots Their Answer 19. Feb. IN Answer to your Lordships fourth Paper we say that the Ordinances of the 9. of March and 11. of April 1644. were made when there was no Lieutenant of Ireland and when a Lieutenant shall be made with the Approbation of both Houses according to our former Demands in the seventeenth and twentieth Propositions it will be a fitting time to give further Answer to your Lordships The Kings Commissioners Reply 20. Feb. VVE desire a full Answer from your Lordships to our fourth Paper delivered to your Lordships yesterday concerning the Power of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the General of the Scots Forces your Lordships having proposed to us that the Articles of the Treaty and the Ordinance of the 11. of April be enacted by His Majesty by one of which the General of the Scots Forces is to receive Instructions for the managing the War there from the Lieutenant of Ireland and by the other which is the later the General of the Scots Forces is to command in chief both the British and Scots Forces by which it seems the Lievtenant of that Kingdom is to have no Power in the prosecution of that War Their Answer 20. Feb. WE do insist upon our former Papers that the prosecution of the War in Ireland is to be settled in both Houses of Parliament and is to be managed by the joynt advice of both Kingdoms as in those Papers is set down and when a Lievtenant of Ireland shall be appointed as is expressed in the Propositions and it shall be necessary for the good of the service that he and the Commander in chief of the Scotish Army joyn the Commander of the Scotish Army shall receive Instructions from the Lord Lievtenant or Deputy or other who shall have the chief Government of the Kingdom for the time according to the Orders which shall be given by the Commissioners of both Kingdoms The King's Commissioners fifth Paper 19. February THe last part of the seventeenth Proposition gives power to the Commissioners for the Militia of both Kingdoms as a joynt Committee to order the War of Ireland according to the Ordinance of the 11. of April and to order the Militia and conserve the Peace of the Kingdom of Ireland and by that of the 11. of April the Earl of Leven being appointed Commander in chief over all the Forces as well British as Scots we desire to know whether he shall be subordinate to those Commissioners for the Militia and be obliged to observe such Orders as he shall receive from them Their Answer 19. Feb. THe Commissioners of the Militia desired by the seventeenth Proposition are to order the War of Ireland according to the Ordinance of the 11. of April and the Earl of Leven being by that Ordinance Commander in chief of the Forces there is obliged to observe such Orders as he shall receive from those Commissioners Their Commissioners likewise the same 19. of Feb. delivered in some Papers of Demands on their part Their Answer 19. Feb. WE desire that no Cessation of Arms or Peace in Ireland may be Treated upon or concluded without consent of both Houses of Parliament of England Another 19. Feb. WE desire to know whether any Peace or Cessation of Arms in Ireland be consented unto by His Majesty and for what time and whether any Commission be now on foot or other Authority given by His Majesty for that purpose The King's Commissioners Answer to both 20. February TO your Lordships sixth and seventh Papers delivered to us yesterday concerning any Peace or Cessation of Arms in Ireland your Lordships well know that long after the War begun in this Kingdom and the want of a Supply from hence that a Cessation hath been made with His Majesties consent and we conceive that the same expires in March next and we are confident there is no Peace made there But for the making a Peace or a farther Cessation we can give no farther Answer till we may know whether there may be a blessed Peace made in England since if the miserable Civil Wars shall continue in this Kingdom we cannot conceive it possible for His Majesty by Force to reduce the Kingdom of Ireland or to preserve His Protestant Subjects there without a Peace or Cessation Their Reply 20. Febr. WE conceive your Lordships have given
no Answer to us whether any Commission be now on foot or other Authority given by his Majesty for any Peace or Cessation of Arms in Ireland other then that which determines in March next nor to our desire that no Cessation of Arms or Peace in Ireland may be Treated upon or concluded without consent of both Houses of the Parliament of England nor do we understand why your Lordships should delay your Answer herein till the Peace in England be concluded since it hath been so clearly manifested to your Lordships by the true meaning of the Act passed by His Majesty this Parliament that His Majesty can make no Peace nor Cessation without the Consent of the two Houses and that your Lordships satisfactory Answer to this and our other Demands concerning Ireland will much conduce to the settling the Peace of this Kingdom We therefore again desire your Lordships full and clear Answer to the particulars expressed in our sixth and seventh Papers yesterday delivered to your Lordships The King's Commissioners Answer 20. Febr. VVE do not hold our selves any ways obliged to answer your Lordships Demand whether any Commission be on foot or other Authority from His Majesty for a Peace or Cessation of Arms in Ireland that Question not arising upon any Propositions on His Majesties part yet for your Lordships satisfaction we do again assure you we do not know there is any Peace or Cessation made there other than that which determines in March next But what Commission the Marquess of Ormond as Lievtenant of Ireland or General of the Forces there hath to that purpose we do not know and therefore cannot inform your Lordships And as to the other particulars in that Paper we do refer our selves to the Answers formerly given in to your Lordships Demands touching that Subject with this that we do conceive it to be most clear that His Majesty is in no wise restrained by express words or by the meaning of any Act made this Parliament from making a Peace or Cessation in Ireland without the consent of the two Houses Their Paper 19. Feb. THere being but three days left to Treat upon the Propositions for Religion the Militia and for Ireland and for that your Lordships have given no satisfactory Answers to our Demands concerning them we therefore now desire to confer with your Lordships how to dispose of the three days yet remaining that we may receive your Lordships full and clear Answers thereunto The King's Commissioners Answer 19. February VVE see no cause why your Lordships should think our Answers upon the Propositions for Religion and the Militia were not satisfactory And for that of Ireland we have received many Papers from your Lordships concerning that business besides the Propositions themselves to all which we doubt not to give a full and clear Answer to your Lordships to morrow being the time assigned and the last day of the Treaty upon that Subject After we shall be ready to confer with your Lordships of disposing the remainder of the time Accordingly after the before-mentioned Demands and Answer thereunto of the 19. of February the King's Commissioners in Answer to theirs of the 18. of February n. 149. delivered in this Paper 20. February VVE have already told your Lordships how far we are from being satisfied by what you have alledged against His Majesties Power to make a Cessation with the Rebels in Ireland neither have your Lordships in any degree answered the important Reasons which induced his Majesty so to do it being very evident that by the Cessation there His Majesties Protestant Subjects have been preserved and subsisted which without it they could not have done the two Houses forbearing to send any relief or supply to them and His Majesty not being able And we desire your Lordships to consider how impossible it was whilst the War continued in England with such fierceness and animosity by Arms to reduce the Kingdom of Ireland to His Majesties Obedience and therefore His Majesty had great reason to preserve that by a Cessation which he could not reduce by a War And we are most confident that the Necessities which are not offered as excuses for but were the real grounds of the Cessation were very visible to all those in that Kingdom whose Advices His Majesty ought in reason to follow and whose Interests were most concerned and would not have given such Advice if any other way could have been found out to preserve them And we have been credibly informed that the Committee sent into Ireland which His Majesty never understood to be sent thither to supply the Necessities but to observe the Actions of His Majesties Ministers there having in their Journey thither signed Warrants in their own names to apprehend the Persons of Peers of this Realm and Persons of His Majesties Privy Council were never discountenanced there for His Majesties directions that Persons who were not of His Privy Council there should not be present at those Councils cannot be interpreted a discountenance to them in any thing they ought to do And we are most assured that His Majesty sent no Message or Letter to divert the course of the Officers subscribing for Land in satisfaction of their Arrears but the Soldiers were meerly discouraged from the same by discerning that for want of Supplies they should not be able to go on with that War And we do assure your Lordships that His Majesty doth not believe that the Sums of Money raised for Ireland which your Lordships do admit to have been made use of by both Houses of Parliament otherwise then was appointed are yet satisfied in any proportion the greatestpart of the Money raised upon the Bill for 400000 l. and of the Moneys raised upon the charitable Collections as well as the Adventurers Moneys being imployed upon the War here and if the same were since satisfied it doth no ways excuse the diverting of them when in the mean time that Kingdom suffered by that diversion and that the fear that other Moneys so raised might likewise be misimployed was a great reason amongst others that made His Majesty not consent to that Bill mentioned by your Lordships And for the Regiments of Horse and Foot which your Lordships in your Paper of the 18. of this Month say were designed for Ireland though they were imployed otherwise because a Commission could not be obtained for the Lord Wharton who was to command those Forces it is well known that those Forces were raised before His Majesties Commission was so much as desired and then the Commission that was desired should have been independent upon His Majesties Lieutenant of that Kingdom and therefore His Majesty had great reason not to consent to such a Commission and so the damages of keeping those six Pinnaces and the 1000 Land-Forces if any such were proceeded not from any default of His Majesty And for the Provisions seized by His Majesties Forces it is notorious that they were seized in the way
by Acts of Parliament for that War have been formerly diverted to other uses of which Money 100000 l. at one time was issued out for the payment of the Forces under the Earl of Essex And as to diverting the Forces provided for the reducing of Ireland though we conceived it ought not to be objected to His Majesty considering the Forces under the Command of the Lord Wharton raised for Ireland had been formerly diverted and imployd against Him in the War here in England yet it is evident they were not brought over till after the Cessation when they could no longer subsist there and that there was no present use for them and before those Forces brought over there was an attempt to bring the Scotish Forces in Ireland as likewise divers of the English Officers there into this Kingdom and since the Earl of Leven their General and divers Scotch Forces were actually brought over To the Allegations that many Persons of all sorts have forsaken the Kingdom rather than they would submit to that Cessation we know of none but it is manifest that divers who had left that Kingdom because they would have been famished if they had continued there since that Cessation have returned Touching the Committee sent into Ireland we have already answered they were not discountenanced by His Majesty in what they lawfully might do although they went without His Privity but conceive your Lordships will not insist that they should sit with the Privy-Council there and assume to themselves to advise and interpose as Privy-Councellors And we again deny the Subscriptions of the Officers of the Army was diverted by His Majesty and it is well known that some Officers apprehending upon some speeches that the drift in requiring Subscriptions was to engage the Army against His Majesty in detestation thereof upon those speeches rent the Book of Subscription in pieces For the diversion of the Moneys raised for that War if they had been since repaid the contrary whereof is credibly informed to His Majesty yet that present Diversion might be and we believe was a great means of the future Wants of that Kingdom which induced the Cessation As to the Lord Wharton's Commission we conceive we have already fully satisfied your Lordships the just Reasons thereof For the Letters whereof your Lordships had Copies we conceive that you being thereby satisfied of the Contents and that they came from the Lords Justices and Council there your Lordships need not doubt of the truth of the matter and for the Names of the single Persons subscribing we cannot conceive it is desired for any other purpose than to be made use of against such of them as should come into your Quarters you having not granted though desired that it shall not turn to their Prejudice if we should give in their Names Upon what hath been said it appears that His Majesties English Protestant Subjects in Ireland could not subsist without a Cessation and that the War there cannot be maintained or prosecuted to the subduing of the Rebels there during the continuance of this unnatural War here is evident to any man that shall consider that this Kingdom labouring in a War which imploys all the Force and Wealth at home cannot nor will spare considerable Supplies to send abroad or if it could yet whiles there are mutual Jealousies that there cannot be that concurrence in joynt Advices betwixt the King and the two Houses as will be necessary if that War be prosecuted and that His Majesty cannot condescend or your Lordships in reason expect His Majesty should by His Consent to Acts of Parliament for the managing of that War and raising moneys to that purpose put so great a Power into their hands who during these Troubles may if they will turn that Power against Him and it is apparent that the continuance of the War here must inevitably cause the continuance of the Miseries there and endanger the rending of that Kingdom from this Crown The Kings Commissioners other Paper 20. Feb. VVE do very much wonder that it doth not clearly appear to your Lordships that upon any difference between the Committees of both Kingdoms in the managing the War of Ireland in the manner proposed by your Lordships the War there must stand still or be dissolved for if the Ordinance of the 11th of April be by His Majesties Royal Assent made an Act of Parliament as your Lordships desire all the Forces of that Kingdom both British and Scotish are put under the absolute Command of the Earl of Leven the Scotish General and the managing the War committed wholly to the Committee of both Kingdoms without any reference to the two Houses of the Parliament of England by themselves so that whatsoever your Lordships say of your intentions that the the two Houses of Parliament here shall upon such difference manage the War which yet you say must be observing the Treaty of the 6th of August and the said Ordinance of the 11th of April it is very evident if that Ordinance should be made a Law the War must stand still or be dissolved upon difference of opinion between the Committee of both Kingdoms or else the Earl of Leven must carry on the War according to his discretion for he is in no degree bound to observe the Orders or Directions of the Houses of Parliament in England by themselves Neither doth the asking His Majesties Consent at all alter the Case from what we stated it to your Lordships in our Paper of the 20. of this Instant for we said then and we say still that if His Majesty should consent to what you propose He would devest himself of all his Royal Power in that Kingdom and reserve no Power or Authority in Himself over that War which is most necessary for His Kingly Office to do For your Lordships Expression when there shall be a Lieutenant of Ireland we presume your Lordships cannot but be informed that His Majesty hath made and we doubt not but you acknowledge he hath power to make the Lord Marquess of Ormond His Lieutenant of that Kingdom and who is very well able to manage and carry on that War in such manner as shall be thought necessary for the good of that Kingdom and there is no question but that the naming the Earl of Leven to be General to receive Orders only from the joynt Committee of both Kingdoms doth more take away the Power of the two Houses here than if he were a Native of this Kingdom and to obey the Orders of the two Houses And we conceive it evident that the giving the absolute Command of all Forces both British and Scotish to the Earl of Leven General of the Scotish Forces who is to manage the War according to the Directions of the joynt Committee of both Kingdoms doth not amount to less than to deliver the whole Kingdom of Ireland over into the hands of His Majesties Subjects of the Kingdom of Scotland and therefore we must ask
the Lords Justices and Council there yet we were assured even by some who were of the Council at that time when the Letters were written that the same was done only to press for Supplies from hence without the least intention in them of inducing a Cessation neither do the Copies contain any thing tending to a Cessation or the least mention thereof And we have cause to grieve not only at what your Lordships express concerning the complaints from Ireland and their great extremities but that the same being procured and increased by the Popish Party yet we should find such earnest endeavours to lay the blame and neglect therein upon the two Houses of Parliament here who have been so zealous for their Relief and whose only care under the Blessing of God hath been their Preservation and that in the heat of our own miserable Distractions have continued their Supplies and from our own great Wants have not spared to afford our Brethren there the means of their subsistance The Protestants in Munster Connaught and Vlster who opposed this Cessation were many of them English and both they and the Scots suffering under as great Wants and Failer of Supplies as the Protestants in other places and in no better posture of their own defence notwithstanding in a true sense of their own Duty and Conscience they have opposed and still do oppose the same neither were the English there neglected as your Lordships have been misinformed by such who labour to destroy both Nations and as a means thereto to divide them Besides the Goods seised near Coventry we have mentioned other particulars asserted to be seised not without His Majesties own knowledge and direction as we are informed and are most unwilling to believe Neither do we understand it to be an excuse for seising some Goods to say that His Majesty did forbear to seise others in His Power but when His Majesty shall rightly ponder the horridness of that Rebellion we hope those wicked Instruments who contrived and do support the same will have no power to alter His Majesties tender sense of the miseries of His Protestants Subjects in that Kingdom nor at all to lessen His Piety and gracious Care for quenching the Flames of that unhappy Rebellion We do again affirm unto your Lordships the truth of what we said before concerning the Supplies of Ireland by the two Houses and it seems strange that what hath been lately sent should not be looked upon as a Support of the War against the Rebels by which only the Protestants were enabled to defend themselves and to infest their Enemies nor can we imagine any other means as a Support of that just War being most assured that if this had not been done the Rebels must certainly have prevailed and the remnant of His Majesties good Subjects of that Kingdom have perished Your Lordships are pleased to remember some moneys by us imployed particularly one hundred thousand Pounds which was raised for Ireland all which have been re-satisfied with advantage and we must as often as you are pleased to repeat it refer your Lordships to our former just and clear Answers concerning the same and the like for the Forces under the Command of the Lord Wharton And we believe what your Lordships express concerning the Forces brought hither to His Majesty out of Ireland after the Cessation it being one end for which the Cessation was made that those Forces might be imployed against the two Houses of Parliament here and those Scotish Forces which came over were not sent for We know of no Persons who have returned into Ireland since the Cessation except such as were Agents for the procuring thereof and divers principal Rebels who presumed to address themselves unto His Majesty at Oxford and were there countenanced It is probable that some might endeavour to alienate the hearts of the Officers of the Army there from the two Houses whereby their Service against the Rebels might be interrupted To that particular of the Subscriptions of the Officers and of the Committee sent into Ireland and of the diversions of moneys alledged and of the Copies of Letters given us by your Lordships without the Names of those who subscribed them we have already given your Lordships a full and clear Answer but have not received satisfaction concerning the denial of the Lord Wharton's Commission whereby the Service of that Kingdom was much prejudiced It is so far from being made appear that His Majesties English Protestant Subjects in Ireland could not subsist without a Cessation that the contrary is undeniable and that His Majesties Protestant Subjects there both English and Scotish who have opposed that Cessation have subsisted and do still subsist and we are sorry to find any inclination to continue that Cessation which whensoever made will be esteemed by all good Protestants a countenancing of that bloody Rebellion We do insist upon our former Demands concerning Ireland and doubt not but those being granted notwithstanding our present miserable Distractions here we shall by the Blessing of God bring those bloody Rebels to a speedy and just Punishment and settle that unhappy Kingdom in their due Obedience to His Majesty and the Crown of England Their other Paper 22. Feb. IT is not possible for us to give a more clear Answer than we have done to shew that there can no such Inconvenience follow upon confirming the Ordinance of the 11. of April by Act of Parliament as your Lordships do imagine it being desired that the Treaty of the sixth of August be in like manner confirmed by which the Commanders of the Scotish Forces in Ireland are to be answerable to His Majesty and the two Houses of Parliament of England for their whole deportment and proceeding there and it being desired by the 13. Proposition that the Prosecutions of the War of Ireland should be settled in both Houses of Parliament all which taken together it cannot follow that upon any Disagreement between the Committees there the Earl of Leven may carry on the War according to his own discretion As for our Expression when there shall be a Lieutenant in Ireland which was used in Answer to your Lordships second Paper of the 20. of February it was to satisfie your Lordships that there could be no interfering between the Powers of the Lord Lieutenant and of the Earl of Leven and still we say when there shall be a Lord Lieutenant chosen as is expressed in our 20. Proposition for we do not admit the Marquiss of Ormond to be so the Commander in chief of the Scotish Army is to receive Instructions from him in such manner as we have laid it down in that Answer of ours to your Lordships Paper above-mentioned which will we hope satisfie your Lordships other Objection that this is not to deliver over the whole Kingdom of Ireland into the hands of His Majesties Subjects of the Kingdom of Scotland seeing such of that Nation as are there imployed are to be subordinate
to the Committee of both Kingdoms and in case of Disagreement an Appeal lies to the two Houses of the Parliament of England in whom the power of prosecuting the War is to be settled And we must insist to desire that the Lord Lieutenant and the Judges in that Kingdom may be nominated by the two Houses of Parliament who have by sad experience to the great cost of this Kingdom expence of so much Treasure and Blood the loss of many thousand Lives there and almost of all that whole Kingdom from His Majesties Obedience and an inestimable prejudice to the true Protestant Religion found the ill consequence of a bad choice of Persons for those great places of Trust Therefore for His Majesties Honour the good of His Service the great Advantage it will be to the rest of His Majesties Dominions the great Comfort to all good Christians and even an acceptable Service to God himself for the attaining of so much good and the prevention of so much evil they desire to have the nomination of those great Officers that by a prudent and careful Election they may by providing for the good of that now miserable Kingdom discharge their Duty to God the King and their Countrey And certainly if it be necessary to reduce that Kingdom and that the Parliament of England be a faithful Council to his Majesty and fit to be trusted with the prosecution of that War which his Majesty was once pleased to put into their hands and they faithfully discharged their parts in it notwithstanding many practices to obstruct their proceedings as is set forth in several Declarations of Parliament then we say your Lordships need not think it unreasonable that His Majesty should ingage himself to pass such Acts as shall be presented to him for raising Moneys and other necessaries for that War for if the War be necessary as never War was more that which is necessary for the maintaining of it must be had and the Parliament that doth undertake and manage it must needs know what will be necessary and the People of England who have trusted them with their Purse will never begrudge what they make them lay out upon that occasion Nor need his Majesty fear the Parliament will press more upon the Subject then is fit in proportion to the occasion It is true that heretofore Persons about his Majesty have endeavoured and prevailed too much in possessing him against the Parliament for not giving away the Money of the Subject when his Majesty had desired it but never yet did his Majesty restrain them from it and we hope it will not be thought that this is a fit occasion to begin We are very glad to find that your Lordships are so sensible in your expressions of the Blood and Horrour of that Rebellion and it is without all question in His Majesties Power to do Justice upon it if your Lordships be willing that the Cessation and all Treaties with those bloody and unnatural Rebels be made void and that the prosecution of the War be settled in the two Houses of the Parliament of England to be managed by the joynt advice of both Kingdoms and the King to assist and to do no Act to discountenance or molest them therein This we dare affirm to be more than a probable course for the remedying those mischiefs and preserving the remainder of His Majesties good Subjects there We cannot believe your Lordships will think it fit there can be any Agreement of Peace any respite from Hostility with such Creatures as are not fit to live no more than with Wolves or Tigers or any ravenous Beasts destroyers of mankind And we beseech you do not not think it must depend upon the condition of His Majesties other Kingdoms to revenge or not revenge God's Quarrel upon such perfiduous Enemies to the Gospel of Christ who have imbrued their hands in so much Protestant Blood but consider the Cessation that is made with them is for their advantage and rather a Protection then a Cessation of Acts of Hostility as if it had been all of their own contriving Arms Ammunition and all manner of Commodities may be brought unto them and they may furnish themselves during this Cessation and be assisted and protected in so doing that afterwards they may the better destroy the small remainder of his Majesties Protestant Subjects We beseech your Lordships in the bowels of Christian Charity and Compassion to so many poor Souls who must perish if the strength of that raging Adversary be not broken and in the Name of him who is the Prince of Peace who hates to be at Peace with such shedders of Blood give not your consents to the continuation of this Cessation of War in Ireland and less to the making of any Peace there till Justice have been fully executed upon the Actors of that accursed Rebellion Let not the Judgment of War within this Kingdom which God hath laid upon us for our Sins be encreased by so great a Sin as any Peace or Friendship with them whatsoever becomes of us if we must perish yet let us go to our Graves with that comfort that we have not made Peace with the Enemies of Christ yea even Enemies of mankind declared and unreconciled Enemies to our Religion and Nation let not our War be a hindrance to that War for we are sure that Peace will be a hindrance to our Peace We desire War there as much as we do Peace here for both we are willing to lay out our Estates our Lives and all that is dear unto us in this World and we have made Propositions unto your Lordships for both if you were pleased to agree unto them We can but look up to God Almighty beseech him to encline your hearts and casting our selves on him wait his good time for the return of our Prayers in settling a safe and happy Peace here and giving success to our Endeavours in the prosecution of the War of Ireland It had been used by the Commissioners during the Treaty that when Papers were delivered in of such length and so late at night that present particular Answers could not be given by agreement between themselves to accept the Answers the next day dated as of the day before although they were Treating of another Subject and these two last Papers concerning Ireland being of such great length and delivered about twelve of the clock at night when the Treaty in time was expiring so as no Answer could be given without such consent and agreement therefore the King's Commissioners delivered in this Paper 22. February YOur Lordships cannot expect a particular Answer from us this night to the two long Papers concerning Ireland delivered to us by your Lordships about twelve of the clock this night but since there are many particulars in those Papers to which if they had been before mentioned we could have given your Lordships full satisfaction and for that we presume your Lordships are very willing to
of the said Trust which being considered as the Security is mutual so neither part can be supposed to violate the Agreement without very evident inconvenience and danger to that part who shall so violate it the whole Kingdom being likely and indeed obliged to look upon whosoever shall in the least degree violate this Agreement as the Authors of all the miseries which the Kingdom shall thereby suffer And as it is most reasonable that for this Security his Majesty should part with so much of his own Power as may make him even unable to break the Agreement which should be now made by him and on his part so it is most necessary that all apprehension and danger of such breach being over that Sovereign Power of the Militia should revert into the proper Chanel and be as it hath always been in his Majesties proper and peculiar Charge And therefore we have proposed that the time limited for that Trust should be for three years which by the Blessing of God will produce a perfect understanding between his Majesty and all his People and if there should be any thing else necessary to be done in this Argument either for power or time that the same be considered after the settlement of Peace in Parliament but whatever is now or hereafter shall be thought necessary to be done we desire may be so settled that this Kingdom may depend upon it self and not be subject to the Laws or Advice of Scotland as we think fit that Scotland should not receive Rules or Advice from this having offered the like for Scotland as for England In the business of Ireland your Lordships propose not onely that his Majesty disclaim and make void the Cessation made by his Royal Authority and at the desire of the Lords Justices and Council of that Kingdom and for the preservation of the remainder of his poor Protestant Subjects there who were in evident danger of Destruction both by Famine and the Sword but also to put the whole managery of that War and disposal of the Forces within that Kingdom and consequently the Government of that Kingdom into the hands of the Scots General to be managed by the Advice of a joynt Committee of both Kingdoms wherein each should have a Negative Voice In Answer to which we have acquainted your Lordships with the just grounds of his Majesties proceedings in the business of Ireland which we are confident being weighed without prejudice may satisfie all men of his Majesties Piety and Justice therein and we are very ready and desirous to joyn with your Lordships in any course which may probably preserve and restore that miserable Kingdom Having put your Lordships in mind of these particulars as they have a general reference to the publick good of the Kingdoms we beseech your Lordships to consider that we have this great Trust reposed in us by his Majesty and to remember how far these Propositions trench upon his peculiar Kingly Rights without any or any considerable recompence or compensation In the business of Religion your Lordships propose the taking away his whole Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction his Donations and Temporalties of Bishopricks his First Fruits and Tenths of Bishops Deans and Chapters instead whereof your Lordships do not offer to constitute the least dependance of the Clergy upon his Majesty and for that so considerable a part of his Revenue you propose onely the Bishops Lands to be settled on his Majesty reserving a power to dispose even those Lands as you shall think fit whereas all the Lands both of Bishops Deans and Chapters if those Corporations must be dissolved do undoubtedly belong to his Majesty in his own Right In the business of the Militia as it is proposed his Majesty is so totally devested of the Regal Power of the Sword that he shall be no more able either to assist any of his Allies with aid though men were willing to engage themselves voluntarily in that Service or to defend his own Dominions from Rebellion or Invasion and consequently the whole Power of Peace and War the acknowledged and undoubted Right of the Crown is taken from him In the business of Ireland the power of nominating his Lieutenant or Deputy and other Officers there of managing directing or in the least manner of medling in that War or of making a Peace is proposed to be taken from him And to add to all these attempts upon his Kingly Rights it is proposed to bereave him of the Power of a Father in the Education and Marriage of his own Children and of a Master in the rewarding his own Servants And therefore we refer it to your Lordships whether it be possible for us with a good Conscience and discharge of the Trust reposed in us to consent to the Propositions made to us by your Lordships Lastly we must observe to your Lordships that after a War of near four years for which the Defence of the Protestant Religion the Liberty and Property of the Subject and the Priviledges of Parliament were made the Cause and grounds in a Treaty of Twenty days nor indeed in the whole Propositions upon which the Treaty should be there hath been nothing offered to be Treated concerning the breach of any Law or of the Liberty or Property of the Subject or Priviledge of Parliament but onely Propositions for the altering a Government established by Law and for the making new Laws by which almost all the old are or may be cancelled and there hath been nothing insisted on of our part which was not Law or denied by us that you have demanded as due by Law All these things being considered and being much afflicted that our great hope and expectation of a Peace is for the present frustrated by your Lordships Declaration that no more time will be allowed for this Treaty we are earnest Suitors to your Lordships that you will interpose with the two Houses to whom we believe you have transmitted the Answers delivered by us to your Lordships upon Religion the Militia and Ireland that this Treaty though for the present discontinued may be revived and the whole matter of their Propositions and those sent to them by his Majesty which have not yet been Treated on may be considered and that depending that Treaty to the end we may not Treat in Blood there may be a Cessation of Arms and that the poor People of this Kingdom now exposed to Plunderings and Spoils and other direful effects of War may have some earnest of a blessed Peace And because this Treaty is now expiring if your Lordships cannot give a present Resolution we desire when you have represented this to the two Houses his Majesty may speedily receive their Answer Their Answer 22. Feb. WE conceive your Lordships cannot in reason expect an Answer to the long Paper delivered to us very late this Night at the close of the Treaty a thing of many days labour which we apprehend to be rather a Declaration upon the Treaty than
any part thereof and we could not imagine would be offered but we cannot forbear upon the reading thereof to mention thus much That it seems by many particulars in that Declaration it was resolved the Treaty should end with the Twenty days the means to continue it being well known to be a good progress in the Propositions for Religion the Militia and Ireland and by what we have received we cannot find any satisfaction in these was intended to be agreed unto To that whereby your Lordships ascribe so much to your own Concessions we shall only say That for Religion you have granted very little or nothing but what we are already in possession of by the Laws of this Kingdom For the business of the Militia your Lordships have not thought fit to consent to any one of our Demands but in that as in Religion have made some new Propositions of your own which are not in any degree sufficient for setling and securing the Peace of the Kingdoms As for the Propositions for Ireland your Lordships have been so far from affording a Consent thereto that you have justified the destructive Cessation there and strongly implied an intention to renew the same and have not yielded to any part of our Propositions cencerning that Kingdom We shall represent your Lordships Papers to the Parliaments of both Kingdoms who upon due consideration thereof will do what is farther necessary for the good and Peace of His Majesties Dominions Besides these several Desires above mentioned from time to time for addition and enlargement of time for continuing and prolonging the Treaty or if discontinued that it might be revived and after a representation to the Houses their Answer might be sent to his Majesty in another Paper before Num. 135. upon the Head of the Militia his Majesties Commissioners did propose That if the Treaty might not then continue it might be Adjourned for such time as they should think fit and not totally dissolve but be again resumed which Paper is not here inserted to avoid repetition being before upon the Head of the Militia and to which as to that point of Adjournment no Answer was given No Papers were given in to their Commissioners in Answer to the last-mentioned Paper dated the 22. of Feb. Numb 197. which came in about two of the Clock in the morning after nor to that of the same date Num. 135. concerning the Militia which came in with it nor to their two last concerning Ireland of the 22. of Febr. Num. 177 and 178. which came in about 12. of the Clock that Night all which were of such length and delivered upon the close of the Treaty and those which came in about two of the Clock upon the departure of the Commissioners that it was impossible to give present Answers nor could any be given after as part of the Treaty without consent which was required by his Majesties Commissioners but not granted Neither is any thing here inserted in Answer to those Papers because by the Agreements between the Commissioners in the beginning of the Treaty nothing was to be taken as part of the Treaty but what should be put in writing And this Relation is intended only for a Narrative of the Treaty conformable to the Agreements without any Observations upon it or Additions unto it other than necessary Introductions and Transitions for coherence and more clear under standing the Passages of the Treaty THE APPENDIX His MAJESTIES Message from Evesham of the 4th of July 1644. To the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster CHARLES R. WE being deeply sensible of the Miseries and Calamities of this Our Kingdom and of the grievous Sufferings of Our poor Subjects do most earnestly desire that some Expedient may be found out which by the blessing of God may prevent the further effusion of Blood and restore the Nation to Peace from the earnest and constant endeavouring of which as no Discouragement given Us on the contrary part shall make Us cease so no Success on Ours shall ever divert Us. For the effecting whereof We are most ready and willing to condescend to all that shall be for the good of Us and Our People whether by way of Confirmation of what we have already granted or of such further Concession as shall be requisite to the giving a full Assurance of the Performance of all our most real Professions concerning the maintenance of the true Reformed Protestant Religion established in this Kingdom with due regard to the ease of tender Consciences the just Priviledges of Parliament and the Liberty and Property of the Subject according to the Laws of the Land as also by granting a general Pardon without or with Exceptions as shall be thought fit In order to which blessed Peace We do desire and propound to the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster That they appoint such and so many Persons as they shall think fit sufficiently authorized by them to attend Us at Our Army upon Safe-Conduct to come and return which We do hereby grant and conclude with Us how the Premisses and all other things in question betwixt Us and them may be fully settled whereby all unhappy mistakings betwixt Us and Our People being removed there may be a present Cessation of Arms and as soon as may be a total Disbanding of all Armies the Subject have his due and We be restored to Our Rights Wherein if this Our Offer shall be accepted there shall be nothing wanting on Our part which may make Our People secure and happy Given at Our Court at Evesham the 4 th of July 1644. His MAJESTIES Message from Tavestock of the 8th of September 1644. To the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster CHARLES R. IT having pleased God in so eminent a manner lately to bless Our Armies in these parts with success We do not so much joy in that Blessing for any other consideration as for the hopes we have that it may be a means to make others lay to heart as we do the Miserie 's brought and continued upon our Kingdom by this unnatural War and that it may open your Ears and dispose your Minds to embrace those Offers of Peace and Reconciliation which have been so often and so earnestly made unto you by Us and from the constant and fervent Endeavours of which We are resolved never to desist In pursuance whereof We do upon this Occasion conjure you to take into consideration Our too-long-neglected Message of the Fourth of July from Evesham which We again renew unto you and that you will speedily send Us such an Answer thereunto as may shew unto Our poor Subjects some light of a Deliverance from their present Calamities by a happy Accommodation toward which We do here engage the Word of a King to make good all those things which We have therein promised and really to endeavour a happy conclusion of this Treaty And so God direct you in the ways of Peace Given
any time or times within the space of two years now last past held or enjoyed or of right ought to have held or enjoyed the same In trust and confidence nevertheless and to the intent and purpose that they the said Sir VVilliam Roberts Knight Thomas Atkins Sir John VVollaston John VVarner John Towes Aldermen of the City of London John Packer Esquire Peter Malbourne Esquire and the Survivors and Survivor of them his and their Heirs and Assigns shall satisfie and pay unto all and every Arch-bishop Bishop Dean Sub-dean Arch-deacon Chaunter Chancellor Treasurer Sub-treasurer Succentor Sacrist Prebendary Canon Canon-Residentiary Petty-Canon Vicars Choral Choristers old Vicars and new Vicars and other Officers and persons belonging unto or now imployed in or about the said Cathedral or Collegiate Churches such yearly Stipends and Pensions for so long time and in such manner as by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled shall be ordered directed and appointed and shall dispose of all and singular the aforesaid Mannors Lands Tithes Appropriations Advowsons Tenements Hereditaments and other the Premisses and of every part and parcel thereof and of the Revenues Rents Issues and Profits thereof to the uses intents and purposes above and hereafter expressed that is to say for a competent maintenance for the support of such a number of Preaching Ministers for the service of every Cathedral and Collegiate Church and His Majesties free Chappel of Windsor as by the Lords and Commons shall be ordered and appointed and likewise for the maintenance of Preaching Ministers throughout the Kingdom of England Dominion of VVales and Town of Barwick in such places where such maintenance is wanting and for a proportionable allowance for and towards the reparation of the said Cathedral and Collegiate Churches in such manner and form and to such persons and for such other good uses to the advancement of true Religion and the maintenance of Piety and Learning as by this or any other Act or Acts of Parliament now or hereafter to be made shall be set down or declared And be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all Leases Gifts Grants Conveyances Assurances and Estates whatsoever hereafter to be made by the said Sir VVilliam Roberts Knight Thomas Atkins Sir John VVollaston John VVarner John Towes Aldermen of the City of London John Packer Esquire Peter Mabourne Esquire the Survivors and Survivor of them or the greater part of them his and their Heirs and Assigns of any the Mannors Lands Tenements or Hereditaments which in or by this Act shall come or be limited or disposed of unto the said Sir VVilliam Roberts Knight Thomas Atkins Sir John VVollaston John VVarner John Towes Aldermen of the City of London John Packer Esquire Peter Malbourne Esquire other than for the Term of One and Twenty years or Three Lives or some other Term of years determinable upon One Two or Three Lives and not above from the time as any such Lease or Grant shall be made or granted whereupon the accustomed yearly Rent or more shall be reserved and payable yearly during the said Term whereof any former Lease is in being and not to be expired surrendred or ended within Three years after the making of such Lease shall be utterly void and of none effect to all intents constructions and purposes any thing in this Act to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding Provided nevertheless where no Lease hath been heretofore made nor any such Rent hath been reserved or payable of any the Lands Tenements or Hereditaments in this Act limited or disposed of unto the said Sir VVilliam Roberts Knight Thomas Atkins Sir John VVollaston John VVarner John Towes Aldermen of the City of London John Packer Esquire Peter Malbourne Esquire that in such case it shall be lawful for the said Sir William Roberts Knight Thomas Atkins Sir John Wollaston John Warner John Towes Aldermen of the City of London John Packer Esquire Peter Malbourne Esquire the Survivors and Survivor of them or the greater part of them his and their Heirs to make any Lease or Estate for the Term of One and Twenty years or Three Lives or some other Term of years determinable upon One Two or Three Lives and not above taking such Fine as they in their Judgments shall conceive indifferent and reserving a reasonable Rent not being under the Third part of the clear yearly value of the Lands Tenements or Hereditaments contained in such Lease And it is further Declared to be the true intent and meaning of this Act That all and every the Lessees Farmers and Tenants of all and every the said Persons and Corporations whose Offices or Places are taken away by this Statute now having holding or enjoying any Estate Term or Interest in possession by himself his under-Tenants or Assigns of or in any Mannors Lands Tenements Appropriations or other Hereditaments whatsoever shall and may be preferred in the taking and renewing of any Estates Leases or Grants of any such Mannors Lands Tenements or Hereditaments before any other Person the said Lessees Farmers or Tenants or other Parties interessed as aforesaid desiring the same and giving such Fines Rents and other considerations for the same as by the said Sir VVilliam Roberts Knight Thomas Atkins Sir John VVollaston John VVarner John Towes Aldermen of the City of London John Packer Peter Malbourne Esquires or the Survivors or Survivor of them or the major part of them his or their Heirs or Assigns shall be thought and held just and reasonable Provided also and be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all and singular Revenues Rents Issues Fees Profits Sums of Money and Allowances whatsoever as have heretofore been and now ought to be paid disposed or allowed unto or for the maintenance of any Grammar-School or Scholars or for or towards the Reparation of any Church Chappel High-way Causey Bridge School-house Alms-house or other charitable use payable by any the Corporations or Persons whose Offices or Places are taken away by this Act or which are chargeable upon or ought to issue out of or be paid for or in respect of the said Premisses or any of them shall be and continue to be paid disposed and allowed as they were and have been heretofore any thing in this present Act to the contrary thereof notwithstanding And to the intent and purpose the Parliament may be certainly and clearly informed of the Premisses to the end the same may be distributed applied and imployed to and for such pious and godly uses and purposes as is intended and herein declared Be it Ordained and Enacted That the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England for the time being shall by virtue of this Act have full Power and Authority and is hereby required to award and issue forth several Commissions under the Great Seal of England into all and every the Counties and Cities within the Kingdom of England and Dominion of VVales to be directed unto such and so many persons as by the
unto the Kingdom of England by the Kingdom of Scotland upon the first Monthly allowance which shall grow due to the Scotish Army from the time they shall make their first entrance into the Kingdom of England 7. That the Kingdom of Scotland to manifest their willingness to their utmost ability to be helpful to their Brethren of England in this common Cause will give the Publick Faith of the Kingdom of Scotland to be joyntly made use of with the Publick Faith of the Kingdom of England for the present taking up of Two hundred thousand Pounds sterling in the Kingdom of England or elsewhere for the speedy procuring of the said Hundred thousand Pounds sterling as aforesaid as also a considerable sum for the satisfying in good proportion the Arrears of the Scotish Army in Ireland 8. That no Cessation nor any Pacification or Agreement for Peace whatsoever shall be made by either Kingdom or the Armies of either Kingdom without the mutual Advice and Consent of both Kingdoms or their Committees in that behalf appointed who are to have full Power for the same in case the Houses of the Parliament of England or the Parliament or Convention of Estates of Scotland shall not sit 9. That the Publick Faith of the Kingdom of Scotland shall be given to their Brethren of England that neither their entrance into nor their continuance in the Kingdom of England shall be made use of to any other ends then are expressed in the Covenant and in the Articles of this Treaty and that all matters of difference that shall happen to arise between the Subjects of the two Nations shall be resolved and determined by the mutual Advice and Consent of both Kingdoms or by such Committees as for this purpose shall be by them appointed with the same Power as in the precedent Article 10. That in the same manner and upon the same conditions as the Kingdom of Scotland is now willing to aid and assist their Brethren of England the Kingdom of England doth oblige themselves to aid and assist the Kingdom of Scotland in the same or like cases of streights and extremities 11. Lastly it is agreed and concluded that during the time that the Scotish Army shall be imployed as aforesaid for the defence of the Kingdom of England there shall be fitted out as Men of War eight Ships whereof six shall be of Burthen betwixt One hundred and Twenty and two hundred Tun the other between three and four hundred Tun whereof two shall be in lieu of the two Ships appointed by the Irish Treaty all which shall be maintained at the charge of the Kingdom of England to be imployed for the defence of the Coast of Scotland under such Commanders as the Earl of Warwick for the time of his being Admiral shall nominate with the approbation of the Committees of both Kingdoms which Commanders shall receive from the said Earl general Instructions that they do from time to time observe the Directions of the Committees of both Kingdoms The Ordinance for calling the Assembly of Divines An Ordinance of the Lords and Commons in Parliament for the calling of an Assembly of Learned and Godly Divines and others to be consulted with by the Parliament for the settling of the Government and Liturgy of the Church of England and for vindicating and clearing of the Doctrine of the said Church from false Aspersions and Interpretations WHereas amongst the infinite Blessings of Almighty God upon this Nation none is or can be more dear unto us than the purity of our Religion and for that as yet many things remain in the Liturgy Discipline and Government of the Church which do necessarily require a further and more perfect Reformation than as yet hath been attained and whereas it hath been declared and resolved by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that the present Church-government by Arch-bishops Bishops their Chancellours Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-deacons and other Ecclesiastical Officers depending upon the Hierarchy is evil and justly offensive and burthensom to the Kingdom a great impediment to Reformation and growth of Religion and very prejudicial to the State and Government of this Kingdom and that therefore they are resolved that the same shall be taken away and that such a Government shall be settled in the Church as may be most agreeable to Gods Holy Word and most apt to procure and preserve the Peace of the Church at home and nearer agreement with the Church of Scotland and other reformed Churches abroad and for the better effecting hereof and for the vindicating and clearing of the Doctrine of the Church of England from all false Calumnies and Aspersions it is thought fit and necessary to call an Assembly of Learned Godly and Judicious Divines who together with some Members of both the Houses of Parliament are to consult and advise of such matters and things touching the Premisses as shall be proposed unto them by both or either of the Houses of Parliament and to give their Advice and Counsel therein to both or either of the said Houses when and as often as they shall be thereunto required Be it therefore ordained by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled That all and every the Persons hereafter in this present Ordinance named that is to say Algernon Earl of Northumberland William Earl of Bedford Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery William Earl of Salisbury Henry Earl of Holland Edward Earl of Manchester William Lord Viscount Say and Seal Edward Lord Viscount Conway Philip Lord VVharton Edward Lord Howard of Escr John Selden Esquire Francis Rous Esquire Edmund Prideaux Esquire Sir Henry Vane Knight senior John Glyn Esquire Recorder of London John VVhite Esquire Bulstrode VVhitelock Esquire Humphry Salway Esquire Mr. Serjeant VVild Oliver Saint-John Esquire His Majesties Sollicitor Sir Benjamin Rudyard Knight John Pym Esquire Sir John Clotworthy Knight John Maynard Esquire Sir Henry Vane Knight junior VVilliam Pierrepont Esquire William VVheeler Esquire Sir Thomas Barrington Knight VValter Young Esquire Sir John Evelin Knight Herbert Palmer of Ashwel Batchelor in Divinity Oliver Bowles of Sutton Batchelor in Divinity Henry VVilkinson of VVaddesdon Batchelor in Divinity Thomas Valentine of Chalfont-Giles Batchelor in Divinity Doctor VVilliam Twisse of Newbury VVilliam Raynor of Egham Master Hannibal Gammon of Maugan Mr. Jasper Hicks of Lawrick D. Joshua Hoyle late of Dublin in Ireland VVilliam Bridges of Yarmouth Thomas VVincop of Ellesworth Doctor in Divinity Thomas Goodwin of London Batchelor in Divinity John Ley of Budworth in Cheshire Thomas Case of London John Pyne of Bereferrers Master VVhidden of Mooreton D. Richard Love of Ekington D. VVilliam Gouge of Blackfriers London D. Ralph Brownrigge Bishop of Exceter D. Samuel Ward Master of Sidney Colledge John White of Dorchester Edward Peal of Compton Stephen Marshall of Finchingfield Batchelor in Divinity Obadiah Sedgewick of Cogshall Batchelor in Divinity M. Carter Peter Clark of Carnaby William Mew of Estington Batchelor in Divinity
agreed upon and every such Person or Persons so to be named shall have the like Power and Authority Freedom and acquital to all intents and purposes and also all such Wages and Allowances for the said service during the time of his or their Attendance as to any other of the said Persons in this Ordinance is by this Ordinance limited and appointed Provided always that this Ordinance or any thing therein contained shall not give unto the Persons aforesaid or any of them nor shall they in this Assembly assume to exercise any Jurisdiction Power or Authority Ecclesiastical whatsoever or any other Power than is herein particularly expressed The Votes or Orders delivered with it Die Mercurii 5. Julii 1643. ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That it shall be propounded to the Assembly to morrow at their meeting to take into their Consideration the Ten first Articles of the 39. Articles of the Church of England to free and vindicate the Doctrine of them from all Aspersions and false Interpretations Jovis 6. Julii 1643. Some general Rules for the Assembly directed by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled 1. THat two Assessors be joyned to the Prolocutor to supply his place in case of Absence or Infirmity 2. Two Scribes to be appointed to set down all Proceedings and these to be Divines who are not Members of the Assembly viz. Mr. Henry Robrough and Mr. Adoniram Bifield 3. Every Member at his first entrance into the Assembly shall make a serious and solemn Protestation not to maintain any thing but what he believes to be Truth and to embrace Truth in sincerity when discovered to him 4. No Resolution to be given upon any Question on the same day wherein it is first Propounded 5. What any Man undertakes to prove as necessary he shall make good out of the Scriptures 6. No Man to proceed in any dispute after the Prolocutor hath enjoyned him silence unless the Assembly desire he may go on 7. No Man to be denied to enter his Dissent from the Assembly and his Reasons for it in any point after it hath first been debated in the Assembly and thence if the dissenting Party desire it to be sent to the Houses of Parliament by the Assembly not by any particular Man or Men in a private way when either House shall require it 8. All things agreed on and prepared for the Parliament to be openly read and allowed in the Assembly and then offered as the Judgement of the Assembly if the major part assent Provided that the Opinion of any Persons dissenting and the Reasons urged for it be annexed thereunto if the Dissenters require it together with the Solution if any were given in the Assembly to those Reasons Jovis 6. Julii 1643. I A. B. do seriously and solemnly in the presence of Almighty God that in this Assembly whereof I am a Member I will not maintain any thing in matters of Doctrine but what I think in my Conscience to be Truth or in point of Discipline but what I shall conceive to conduce most to the Glory of God and the good and Peace of his Church Veneris 15. Sept. 1643. ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That it be referred to the Assembly of Divines to set forth a Declaration of the Reasons and Grounds that have induced the Assembly to give their Opinions that this Covenant may be taken in point of Conscience Eodem Die ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That it be referred to the Committee formerly appointed to Treat with the Scotch Commissioners to Treat with them about the manner of taking the Covenant in both Kingdoms Mercurii 22. August 1643. ORdered by the Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled That it be propounded to the Assembly of Divines to consider of the Doctrine of the Nine next Articles of the 39 Articles of the Church of England to clear and vindicate the same from all Aspersions and false Interpretations The Articles of the sixth of August 1642. Articles of the Treaty concerning the Reducing of the Kingdom of Ireland to the Obedience of the Kings Majesty and Crown of England agreed upon between the Commissioners for Scotland authorized by his Majesty and the Parliament of that Kingdom and the Commissioners for England authorized by his Majesty and the Parliament of that Kingdom at Westminster the sixth day of August 1642. FIrst The Scotish Commissioners out of the sense of that Duty which the Kingdom of Scotland owes to His Majesty and the true Affection they bear towards the Kingdom of England being willing to contribute their best assistance for the speedy relief of those distressed parts in Ireland which lye nearest the Kingdom of Scotland have in the name of that Kingdom made offer of ten thousand Men to be imployed in that Service and for a further Testimony of their Zeal to His Majesties Service and Brotherly respect to the Kingdom of England have declared that the Kingdom of Scotland will upon their own Charge levy and transport these Men. Secondly Because the Kingdom of Scotland are to send over with their Army the number of Six thousand Muskets and Four thousand Pikes with such Cannon and Ammunition as shall be fitting for the service it is agreed that Four thousand Muskets and Two thousand Pikes shall be presently sent by the Kingdom of England into the Kingdom of Scotland and delivered at Leith as also that the residue of the said Ten thousand Arms and Ten thousand Swords and Belts shall be delivered there at the first of August next and that as many Cannon and Field-Pieces of the same Bore Weight and Metal shall be carried into Scotland upon their demand as they shall transport into Ireland for the service of that Kingdom and that the said whole Arms and Ammunition shall remain in Scotland until the return of the Scotish Army from Ireland at which time the same shall be restored to the Kingdom of England the Kingdom of Scotland receiving satisfaction for such of their Arms and Ammunition as shall be spent or lost in the service of Ireland As also that there shall be presently sent over from England and delivered to the Scotish Army in Ireland for the defence of the Province of Vlster six pieces of Demy-Cannon of the Ball of four and twenty pound weight with their Equipage Thirdly it is agreed That there shall be two Ships of War presently sent by the Kingdom of England to Lochryan Lamalach Port-Patrick or Air to guard and waft over the Scotish Soldiers and that the said Ships shall attend at the Ports in Ireland for serving the Scotish Army in going and returning betwixt the Coasts and keeping the Passages clear as they shall receive Orders from the chief Commanders of the Scotish Army for the time being according to Instructions received or to be received by the Master of these Ships from the Lord Admiral or Commissioners of the Admiralty for the time
being to that purpose Fourthly it is agreed That there shall be levied and furnished by the Kingdom of England Ten Troops of sufficient and well armed Horse-men consisting of sixty in a Troop besides the Officers and that there shall be a Commissary General a Serjeant-Major and a Quarter-master appointed over them which shall joyn and remain with the Body of the Scotish Foot and shall receive and obey the Orders and Instructions of the Commanders of the Scotish Army and that there shall be presently advanced the sum of Twelve hundred Pounds sterling for the levying of a Troop of one hundred Horsemen in Scotland besides the Officers to be a Guard to the General of the Scotish Army Fifthly it is agreed That the Commanders and Soldiers of the Scotish Army shall have such Pay respectively as the Commanders and Soldiers of the English Army have according to a List presently agreed upon by the Commissioners of both Kingdoms as also that the Officers of that Army shall have such allowance for their Wagons as is contained in the said List Sixthly it is agreed That the Towns and Castle of Carickfergus and Colrane shall be put into the hands of the Scotish Army to be places for their Magazines and Garrisons and to serve them for Retreat upon occasion and that the Magistrates and Inhabitants thereof shall be ordained to carry themselves to the Commanders of the said Army as is fitting and ordinary in such Cases and that the said Towns and Castle shall remain in the Scots hands until the War shall end or that they shall be discharged of that service Like as the Commissioners for the Kingdom of Scotland do promise in the Publick Faith of that Kingdom to re-deliver the said Towns and Castle to any having Commission from the King and Parliament of England as also the Commissioners for the Kingdom of England do promise in the name and on the Publick Faith of that Kingdom that Payment shall be made to the Kingdom of Scotland and their Army of all dues that shall arise upon this present Treaty and that when the Scotish Army imployed in the service of Ireland shall be discharged they shall be disbanded by Regiments and no lesser proportions and so many of them payed off as shall be disbanded and the residue kept in pay till they be disbanded Seventhly it is agreed That the Towns of Carick fergus and Colrane shall by the Kingdom of England be with all expedition provided with Victuals necessary for Soldiers either in Garrisons or Expeditions according to a List to be agreed on and subscribed by the Commissioners of both Kingdoms and that such quantities thereof as the Scotish Army shall have occasion to use shall be sold unto them and bought by them at the several Prices contained in the aforesaid List and also that the said Towns of Carickfergus and Colrane shall be provided by the Kingdom of England with Powder Ball Match and other Ammunition for the service of the said Army conform to the particular List to be condescended unto by both Commissioners and that Carts and Waggons shall be provided by the Kingdom of England for carrying of Ammunition for the use of the said Army in Marches as also that there shall be Gun-Smiths Carpenters and one or two Enginers appointed to attend the Army and that hand-Mills shall be provided to serve the Companies in Marches Eighthly it is agreed That the Kingdom of England shall deposite two thousand Pounds English Money in the hands of any to be appointed by the Scotish Commissioners to be disbursed upon accompt by warrant of the General of their Army upon Fortifications Intelligences and other Incidents so that there be not above the sum of two thousand Pounds in a year imprested upon these occasions without particular and special Warrant from the Parliament of England as also that there shall be deposited Two thousand and five hundred Pounds English to be disbursed upon Accompt for the providing of a thousand Horses for the Garriage of the Artillery the Baggage and Victual of their Army and for Dragooners upon occasion and likewise that the Scotish Army during the time of the War shall have power to take up such Horses in the Country as be necessary for the uses aforesaid Ninthly it is agreed That the Inhabitants of the Towns and Villages in the Province of Vlster and in any other Province of Ireland where the Scotish Army shall be by it self for the time shall receive Orders from the Scotish Commanders and shall bring in Victuals for Money in an orderly way as shall be directed by them with Provision of Oats Hay and Straw and such other Necessaries and that the Countrey People shall rise and concur with the Scotish Troops when the Commanders thereof shall find it for the good of the Service and shall receive Orders and Directions from the said Commanders of the Scotish Army Tenthly it is agreed That the said Ten thousand Men to be sent out of the Kingdom of Scotland shall go in the way and order of an Army under their own General and subaltern Officers and the Province of Vlster is appointed unto them wherein they shall first prosecute the War as in their Judgment they shall think most expedient for the Honour of the King and Crown of England and that the Commanders of the said Army shall have power to give Conditions to Towns Castles and Persons which shall render and submit themselves as shall be most expedient for the Service according to the course of War Provided no Toleration of the Popish Religion be granted nor any condition made touching or concerning any of the Rebels Lands and that the Commanders of the Scotish Army shall be answerable for their whole deportment and proceedings to His Majesty and the two Houses of the Parliament of England only but shall from time to time give an accompt thereof to His Majesty the two Houses of the Parliament of England and to the chief Governour or Governours of Ireland for the time being That such Towns and Places as shall be recovered from the Rebels by the Scotish Army shall be at the diposing of the Commanders thereof during their abode for that Service in those parts where such Towns and Places are And if it shall be found for the good of the Service that the Scotish Army shall joyn with the Kings Lieutenant of Ireland and his Army in that case the General of the Scotish Army shall only cede to the Kings Lieutenant of Ireland and receive in a free and honourable way Instructions from him or in his absence from the Lord Deputy or any other who shall have the chief Government of that Kingdom for the time by Authority derived from the Crown of England and shall precede all others and that he only shall give Orders to the Officers of his own Army and that the Armies shall have the right and left hand Van and Reare Charge and Retreat successively and shall not mix in
Rebels are not able to overcome His Majesties Army and devour His other good Subjects here as they desire yet both His Army and good Subjects are in danger to be devoured by the wants of needful Supplies forth of England For as we formerly signified thither those Forces were of necessity sent abroad to try what might be done for sustaining them in the Countrey so as to keep them alive until Supplies should get to us but that design now failing those our hopes are converted into astonishment to behold the unspeakable Miseries of the Officers and Soldiers for want of all things and all those Wants made the more unsupportable in the want of Food whilst this City being all the help we have is now too apparently found to be unable to help us as it hath hitherto done and divers Commanders and Officers in the Army do now so far express their sense of their Sufferings which indeed are very great and grievous as they declare that they have little hope to be supplied by the Parliament and press with so great importunity to be permitted to depart the Kingdom as it will be extream difficult to keep them here By our Letters of the three and twentieth of March we signified thither the unsupportable burthen laid on this City for Victualling those of the Army left here when the Lord Marquess with the Forces he took with him marched hence which burthen is found every day more heavy than other in regard of the many House-keepers thereby daily breaking up house and scattering their Families leaving still fewer to bear the burthen We also by those Letters and by our Letters of the five and twentieth of February advertised thither the high danger this Kingdom would incur if the Army so sent abroad should by any distress or through want be forced back hither again before our relief of Victuals should arrive forth of England When we found that those men were returning back hither although we were and are still full of Distraction considering the dismal consequences threatned thereby in respect of our Wants yet we consulted what we could yet imagine feasible that we had not formerly done to gain some Food for those men and found that to send them or others abroad into the Countrey we cannot in regard we are not able to advance Money for procuring the many Requisites incident to such an Expedition In the end therefore we were enforced to fix on our former way and so to see who had any thing yet left him untaken from him to help us and although there are but few such and some of them poor Merchants whom we have now by the Law of Necessity utterly undone and disabled from being hereafter helpful to us in bringing us in Victuals or other needful Commodities yet were we forced to wrest their Commodities from them And certainly there are few here of our selves or others that have not felt their parts in the enforced Rigour of our proceedings towards preserving the Army so as what with such hard dealing no less grievous to us to do than it is heavy to others to suffer and by our descending against our hearts far below the Honour and Dignity of that Power we represent here under His Royal Majesty we have with unspeakable difficulty prevailed so as to be able to find Bread for the Soldiers for the space of one Month. We are now expelling hence all Strangers and must instantly send away for England Thousands of poor despoiled English whose very eating is now unsupportable to this place And now again and finally we earnestly desire for our Confusions will not now admit the writing of many more Letters if any that His Majesty and the English Nation may not suffer so great if not irrecoverable Prejudice and Dishonour as must unavoidably be the consequence of our not being relieved suddenly but that yet although it be even now at the point to be too late supplies of Victuals and Munition in present be hastened hither to keep life until the rest may follow there being no Victual in the store nor will there be a hundred Barrels of Powder left in the store when the out-Garrisons as they must be instantly are supplied and that remainder according to the usual necessary expence besides extraordinary accidents will not last above a month And the residue of our Provisions must also come speedily after or otherwise England cannot hope to secure Ireland or secure themselves against Ireland but in the loss of it must look for such Enemies from hence as will perpetually disturb the Peace of His Majesty and His Kingdom of England and annoy them by Sea and Land as we often formerly represented thither which mischiefs may yet be prevented if we be yet forthwith enabled from thence with means to overcome this Rebellion We hope that a course is taken there for hastening hither the Provisions of Arms and Munition mentioned in the Docquet sent with our Letters of the twentieth of January and the six hundred Horses which we then moved might be sent hither for Recruits and that the seven thousand eight hundred fourscore and thirteen pounds three shillings for Arms to be provided in Holland besides those we expect in London hath been paid to Anthony Tierens in London or to Daniel Wibrants in Amsterdam and if that Sum had been paid as we at first desired we might well have had those Provisions arrived here by the tenth of March as we agreed however we now desire that that Money if it be not already pay'd may be yet pay'd to Mr. Tierens in London or Mr. Wibrants in Amsterdam that so those Provisions may arrive here speedily which considering that Summer is now near at hand will be very necessary that when our Supplies of Victuals Munition Cloaths Money and other Provisions shall arrive we may not in the publick Service here lose the benefit and advantage of that season And so we remain from His Majesties Castle of Dublin 4. April 1643. POSTSCRIPT As we were ready to sign this Dispatch we received at this Board a Paper signed by sundry Officers of the Army now here at Dublin which is in such a Stile and threatens so much Danger as we hold necessary to send a Copy thereof here inclosed whereby still appears the high Necessity of hastening away Money for them and the rest of the Officers and Victuals for the Soldier without which it will be impossible to contain them from breaking out into mutiny The Letter inclosed My Lords AT our first entrance into this unhappy Kingdom we had no other Design than by our Swords to assert and vindicate the Right of His Majesty which was here most highly abused to redress the Wrongs of His poor Subjects and to advance our own particulars in the prosecution of so honest undertakings And for the first of these we do believe they have since our coming over succeeded pretty well but for the last which concerns our selves that hath fallen out so
given way to several unusual Bills for raising of Forces and likewise to the Bill for the 400000. l. for the Adventurers and others for raising of Moneys which Moneys by those Acts were to be pay'd to particular Persons or otherwise out of the ordinary course and not into Our Exchequer as was usual in like cases thence to be issued for publick use those Supplies were diverted and imployed to feed and nourish a Rebellion in England rather than to suppress that in Ireland Thus 100000. l. of the Adventurers Money was imployed for the Earl of Essex his Army when he first march'd against Us and that imployment of it though contrary to the express words of the Act which are That no part of that Money shall be imployed to any other purpose than the reducing of those Rebels was publickly justified by a Declaration made in the name of the House of Commons the sixth of September not long before the Battel at Edge-hill and at the same Battel several Regiments of Horse and Foot raised for Ireland under the Command of the Lord Wharton Lord of Leny Sir Faithful Fortescue and others were imployed against Us at Edge-hill the Moneys raised upon the Bill of 400000. l. and others have been wholly made use of against Us. And it was impossible without thus working themselves under the specious pretence of suppressing the Rebellion of Ireland into the managery of that War and misapplying the aids intended for Ireland to have brought this Kingdom into the bleeding and desperate condition wherein it now languisheth The Propositions concerning Ireland as they are insisted upon by these Commissioners though in charity We shall hope not so intended by all of them are apparently in pursuance of that original design in begetting a suspicion of Our Integrity in that business of Ireland and ingrossing the managing of that War and the Power of that Kingdom into their hands They would have the Cessation which We have avowed to be assented to by Us and advised as most necessary for the preservation of that Kingdom to tend to the utter Destruction of the Protestants there and the continuance of the Cessation there though but during the War here to be a countenancing of that bloody Rebellion and We Our selves are charged to be privy and to give directions for the seising of some Provisions made and sent for the supply of the Protestants in Ireland In the next place concerning the War there they demand that the prosecution of that War be settled in both Houses of Parliament to be managed by the Advice of both Kingdoms of England and Scotland that is a Commmittee of both Kingdoms those of each Kingdom to have a Negative Voice and all the Forces there to be under the Command of the Scotch General the Lieutenant and other great Officers and Judges there to be nominated by both Houses and that We should consent to pass all Acts to be proposed by them for the raising of Moneys and other things necessary for the prosecution of that War And notwithstanding all the zealous and pathetical Epressions in those Papers desiring the continuance of that War and the execution of Justice upon those Rebels it is not barely the prosecution of the War in zeal of Justice that is desired that might be managed either by Us whom God and the Law have entrusted solely with that Power and whose Predecessors have alone and without the concurrence of their Parliaments other than by competent assistance with Moneys suppressed great Rebellions in that Kingdom or by fit Ministers to be appointed upon just occasion to be removed by Us they have not made any the least Proposition or desire to that purpose But they insist upon such a prosecution of the War wherein those who are in Arms against Us may have the sole managing of the War and of Moneys to maintain that War even while they are in Arms against Us. For the Cessation already made it is apparent it was the only visible means whereby the Kingdom was preserved the poor Protestants there being in danger inevitably to have perished either by Famine for want of Food or by the Rebels for want of Ammunition there being not above forty Barrels of Powder there as appears by the Letters of the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland mentioned by Our Commissioners and no supplies of Victuals or Money sent in six Months time before those Letters although Our Ships were then taken away from Us and all the Forces at Sea belonging to this Kingdom were under their Command Neither could the not making void or declaring against that Cessation have hindered a Peace upon this Treaty if it had been intended really on their part it being to expire in March and so before the Treaty could probably have been perfected and there being no further Peace or Cessation made in Ireland And therefore Our Commissioners did earnestly desire them to make such Propositions as were fit to be consented to for the growth of the Protestant Religion and the good of that Kingdom But instead of such Propositions they still except against the Cessation and though expiring within a Month they insist upon their demands of an Act of Parliament to make that Cessation void to which if We should have consented as We must have rendered Our selves uncapable of being trusted at any time after and odious abroad in breaking that Cessation solemnly made by Our publick Ministers of State in Ireland and after consented unto by Our selves so We must have implicitely confessed contrary to the truth that which they alledge against the Cessation that it was destructive to the Protestants there and a countenancing of that bloody Rebellion and thereby having lost the Plea of Our Innocency have also lost the hearts of Our People and rendered Our selves guilty of those Infamous Slanders which have been charged upon Us concerning the Irish Rebellion and which some were so willing to fix upon Us that even during this Treaty when Mac-guire was impeached by them for this Rebellion for which he was by them after executed though they well knew Confessions of Men in his condition in hopes of Pardon or Reprieves are not to be credited he was strictly examined concerning Us as We are credibly informed whether or no We gave any Commission to the Rebels of Ireland or any assistance to them and if he had not absolutely denied it to his last with more sense of Conscience in that particular than they who examined him expected it is likely whatsoever Untruths reflecting upon Us had been forced from him had been as others were published to Our disgrace And although they long questioned the credit and truth of those Letters of the Lords Justices and Council of Ireland notwithstanding one of them being directed to the Speaker of the House of Commons was received and communicated to the House and Ours was but a Duplicate thereof and Copies were delivered to them of both Letters which two of their Commissioners compared
Forces raised for that Kingdom under the Command of the Lord Wharton against Us at Edge-hill which they deny not they fall to recriminate Us. They say They have mentioned particulars of Provisions for Ireland besides those few Cloaths taken near Coventry which being formerly answered by Our Commissioners they do not again urge asserted to be seised not without Our own knowledge and directions as they were informed This they had formerly alledged and Our Commissioners had answered as We do now that they have instanced no particulars at all of any such Provisions seised And whereas they say that Our forbearance to seise some Provisions which Our Commissioners alledged in Our greatest Wants We forbore to take though they lay in Magazines within Our own Quarters but took order to send away into Ireland was no excuse for seising others they misapply that to be an excuse which was alledged as an evidence that We seised none since We might in Our great Want have seised those if We had been minded to have seised any They say again the Service of that Kingdom was much prejudiced by denying the Lord Wharton ' s Commission of which they have not received satisfaction To this it hath been already answered that those Forces were raised for him before any Commission demanded from Us and that the Commission for him proposed to Us was to have been independent of the Lieutenant of that Kingdom Causes though not satisfactory to them yet sufficient in themselves to justifie Our refusal But besides these it is apparent the Army which was brought down against Us was then raising that the Lord Wharton was one of the most active in it and We had cause to be confident nor did he fail Us therein that what Forces he should raise for Ireland he would imploy against Us in England neither did that Service depend upon the Lord Wharton other able Officers were appointed over those Forces whom if they had as much affected that Service as the Person of the Lord Wharton they might have trusted with the Transport of them to Ireland where others of more Experience and fitter for Conduct than the Lord Wharton might have taken the charge of them They say further That it was one end for which the Cessatian was made that the Forces might be brought hither to Vs out of Ireland and imployed against the two Houses The bleeding Necessities of the poor English there which have been mentioned and whereof they cannot but be convinced will best speak the cause of that Cessation and the sight of those Soldiers half starved when they came over having neither Cloaths to their Backs nor so much as Shoes to their Feet nor any Pay to provide either will witness the Necessity of bringing them over when there was no subsistance for them in Ireland nor use for them there during the Cessation And for making use of them here how can they quarrel at Our imploying Our own English Soldiers who should otherwise have disbanded when they make use of an Army of Scots against Us They have been told that they brought over out of Ireland the Earl of Leven their General and divers Scotish Officers which they deny not and that before the English Forces brought over they attempted the bringing once the Scotish Forces in Ireland as likewise divers English Officers there into this Kingdom to which all the Answer given is that the Scotish Forces which came over were not sent for Which as it denies not what is objected so neither can it excuse their not sending them back to the Service of Ireland and imploying them here in an unnatural Rebellion against Us. But whatsoever their own acts or failings have been in this business of Ireland and though apparently the Necessities which caused the Cessation were occasioned by the two Houses yet rather than they shall be guilty of the blame and neglect therein Our People must be made to believe that either there were no such Necessities or when that is so apparent then that those Necessities were designed and contrived by a Popish and Prelatical Party prevalent with Us and the Supplies denied and stopped by Our self and so that it is reasonable for them to press and insist as they do with much fervour in their last Paper concerning Ireland upon their Demands for the settling of the prosecution of the War in themselves or the Scots excluding Us and that there shall be no further Cessation or Peace made there though the War should continue here to have the nomination of the Lieutenant and all the great Officers there and to have Us bound up to assent to whatsoever Acts they shall propose for Moneys or other necessaries for the prosecution of that War and if We agree not to these Propositions We are like to be charged with countenancing of that bloody Rebellion And therefore though the unreasonableness of those Propositions hath been fully lay'd open by Our Commissioners in their Paper yet because this of theirs is framed in Answer to those and the fervency and fluency of their expressions may make impressions on those who do not warily weigh the matter We shall examine what new inforcements they bring to make good those Demands The prosecution of the War there though it be demanded generally in the 13. Proposition to be settled in both the Houses of the Parliament of England to be managed by the joynt Advice of both Kingdoms yet according to their seventeenth Proposition it is to be ordered according to the Ordinance of the 11. of April 1644. which is also proposed to be enacted By that Ordinance the Scotish General Leven is to command all the Forces in Ireland both English and Scotish and that War is to be managed by a joynt Committee to be named by the two Houses of England and the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland and the Committees of each Kingdom is to have a Negative Voice They insisting to have the prosecution of the War thus settled Our Commissioners answered That this was in effect to deliver the Kingdom of Ireland into the hands of Our Subjects of Scotland and neither agreeable to the Rules of Honour or Prudence That it was unreasonable if the War continued here that We by Our consent to Act of Parliament for the managing of that War and raising Moneys for that purpose should put so great Power into their hands who during these Troubles may turn that Power against Us. And lastly that if the Distractions continued here the Forces and Wealth of this Kingdom would be so imployed at home that the prosecution of that War to the subduing of the Rebels was impossible but probably might be destruction of the remainder of Our good Subjects For the Power given to Our Scotish Subjects in that Kingdom Our Commissioners urged That General Leven being to Command all the Forces in Ireland and the Committee of Scotland having a Negative Voice upon difference of Opinion that War must either stand still to the Ruine
We should wholly give up that Kingdom to be managed solely by their Counsels secluding Our selves from all Interest therein especially when We consider that which Experience hath taught Us if they have the sole Power of that War by which all the Soldiers and Commanders being to be nominated and pay'd removed and advanced by them the necessary application passing by Us must be made to such as are powerful with them how easie a matter it will be for a prevalent Faction if they shall have a mind to demand other things hereafter not fit to be granted again to bring over an Army raised and payed by them into this Kingdom especially so much composed of Our Scotish Subjects And whereas they desire further the nomination of the Lord Lieutenant and other great Officers and Judges in that Kingdom which they also desire in this of England they cannot but know that it must of necessity take away all dependency upon Us and application to Us when the power to reward those who are worthy of publick Trust shall be transferred to others and having neither force left Us to punish nor power to reward We shall be in effect a titular contemptible Prince We shall leave all Our Ministers to the known Laws of the Land to be tried and punished according to those Laws if they shall offend but We cannot consent to put so great a Trust and Power out of Us and VVe have just cause to conceive that notwithstanding all their specious pretences this desire of nomination of those great Officers is but a cloak to cover the Ambition of those who having been the Boutefeus of this Rebellion desire to advance themselves and their own Faction And to that which is said that Our bad choice of Our Lieutenants of Ireland was the loss of many thousand Lives 〈◊〉 and almost of the whole Kingdom from Our Obedience they cannot but witness who know that Kingdom that during the Government there by Lieutenants of Our Choice that Kingdom enjoyed more Plenty and Peace than it ever had since it was under subjection to the Crown of England Traffick by Sea and Trade by Land encreased values of Land improved Shipping multipâ—ied beyond belief never was the Protestant Religion more advanced nor the Protestant protected in greater security against the Papists And VVe must remember them that that Rebellion was begun when there was no Lieutenant there and when the Power and Government which had been formerly used in that Kingdom was questioned and disgraced when those in the Parliament there by whom that Rebellion was hatched were countenanced in their complaints and prosecution But they are not content to demand all the Power over Ireland and the nomination of all Officers but We must also engage Our self to pass such Acts as shall be presented to Vs for raising of Moneys and other necessaries for that War Our former readiness to pass Acts for Ireland because they were advised by the two Houses when they were apparently prejudicial to Our self and contrary to Our own Judgment might sufficiently satisfie them We would make no difficulty to consent to such Acts as should be for the good of that Kingdom but they have been already told it was unreasonable to make a general engagement before We saw the Acts whether reasonable or no and whether those other necessaries may not in truth comprehend what is not only unnecessary but very inconvenient But the People they say who have trusted them with their Purse will never begrudg what they make them lay out upon that occasion The two Houses indeed were entrusted that Our Subjects should not be charged without them but they never were solely trusted by Our Subjects with a Power to charge them the care that no pressure in that or any other kind should be upon Our Subjects is principally in Us without whose Consent notwithstanding the late contrary and unexampled practice no such Charge can or ought to be levied and We ought not to give that Consent but where it is visibly for the good of Our Kingdoms which upon such an unbounded power of raising Moneys may fall out otherwise especially in so unusual a case as this where those who must have the sole manage of the VVar shall have the sole command of the Purse without any check or controll upon them But they say again VVe have heretofore been possessed against the Parliament for not giving away the Money of the Subject when VVe had desired it but never yet did VVe restrain them from it It is true We had no great cause heretofore to restrain the two Houses from giving the Subjects Money to Us having found more difficulty to obtain from them three or four Subsidies than they have met with in raising so many Millions But Our People cannot think themselves well dealt with by Us if We shall consent to put an unlimited power of raising what Moneys they please in those Persons who have drained more wealth from them in four years than We believe all the Supplies given to the Crown in 400. years before have amounted unto In the last place We wish every man to consider how the Rebels in Ireland can be reduced by War whilst these unhappy Distractions continue here whilst contrary Forces and Armies are raised in most parts of this Kingdom and the blood of Our People is spilt like water upon the ground whilst the Kingdom is wasted by Soldiers and the People exhausted by maintaining them and as if this Kingdom were not sufficient to destroy it self whilst an Army of Scots is brought into the bowels of this Kingdom and maintained at the charge of it whilst this Kingdom labours under such a War how is it possible that a considerable supply of men or money can be sent into Ireland To this with much fervour of expression they say It must not depend upon the condition of Our other Kingdoms to revenge God's Quarrel upon such perfidious Enemies to the Gospel of Christ who have embrewed their hands in so much Protestant Blood that the Cessation is for their Advantage Arms and Ammunition and all manner of Commodities may be brought to them that it is not fit there be any Agreement of Peace or respite from Hostility with such creatures as are not fit to live more than with VVolves or Tigers or any ravenous Beasts destroyers of mankind VVe are most sensible of the blood and horror of that Rebellion and would be glad that either a Peace in this Kingdom or any other Expedient might furnish Us with means and power to do Justice upon it If this cannot be We must not desperately expose Our good Subjects to their Butchery without means or possibility of protection God will in His due time revenge His Own Quarrel in the mean time His Gospel gives Us leave in case of War to sit down and cast up the cost and estimate Our Power to go through with it and in such case where Prudence adviseth it is lawful to
always urging that there should be no Physick because the party is sick And in this particular it hath been often observed unto them that those whom they call Irish who have so expressed their Loyalty to their Soveraign were indeed for the most part such English Protestants as had been formerly sent into Ireland by the two Houses impossibilitated to stay there any longer by the neglect of those that sent them thither who should there have better provided for them And for any Forein Forces it is too apparent that their Armies have swarmed with them when his Majesty hath had few or none And whereas for a third impediment it is alledged that the Prince is in the head of an Army in the West and that there are divers Garrisons still kept in his Majesties Obedience and that there are Forces in Scotland it must be as much confessed as that as yet there is no Peace and therefore it is desired that by such a Personal Treaty all these impediments may be removed And it is not here amiss to put them in mind how long since his Majesty did press a disbanding of all Forces on both sides the refusing whereof hath been the cause of this Objection And whereas exception is taken that there is a time limited in the Proposition for his Majesties Personal Treaty thereupon inferring that he should again return to Hostility his Majesty protesteth that he seeks this Treaty to avoid future Hostility and to procure a lasting Peace and if he can meet with like inclinations to Peace in those he desires to Treat with he will bring such affections and resolutions in himself as shall end all these unhappy bloody Differences As for those Ingagements which his Majesty hath desired for his Security whosoever shall call to mind the particular occasions that enforced his Majesty to leave his City of London and VVestminster will judge his Demand very reasonable and necessary for his Safety But he no way conceiveth how the Lord Maior Aldermen Common-Council and Militia of London were either subject or subordinate to that Authority which is alledged as knowing neither Law nor practice for it and if the two Armies be he believes it is more than can be parallel'd by any former times in this Kingdom Nor can his Majesty understand how his Majesties seeking of a Personal Security can be any breach of Priviledge it being likely to be infringed by hindring his Majesty from coming freely to his two Houses As for the Objection that his Majesty omitted to mention the settling Religion and securing the Peace of his Native Kingdom his Majesty declares that he conceives that it was included in his former and hath been particularly mentioned in his latter Message of the 15. present But for their better satisfaction he again expresseth that it was and ever shall be both his meaning and endeavour in this Treaty desired And it seems to him very clear that there is no way for a final ending of such Distractions as afflict this Kingdom but either by Treaty or Conquest the latter of which his Majesty hopes none will have the impudence or impiety to wish for and for the former if his Personal assistance in it be not the most likely way let any reasonable man judge when by that means not only all unnecessary Delays will be removed but even the greatest Difficulties made easy And therefore he doth now again earnestly insist upon that Proposition expecting to have a better Answer upon mature consideration And can it be imagined that any Propositions will be so effectual being formed before a Personal Treaty as such as are framed and propounded upon a full debate on both sides Wherefore his Majesty who is most concerned in the good of his People and is most desirous to restore Peace and Happiness to his three Kingdoms doth again instantly desire an Answer to his said former Messages to which he hath hitherto received none Given at Our Court at Oxon the 24. of Jan. 1645. His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses from Oxford Jan. 29. 1645-46 For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesty having received Information from the Lord Lieutenant and Council in Ireland that the Earl of Glamorgan hath without his or their Directions or privity entred into a Treaty with some Commissioners on the Roman-Catholick Party there and also drawn up and agreed unto certain Articles with the said Commissioners highly derogatory to his Majesties Honour and Royal Dignity and most prejudicial unto the Protestant Religion and Church there in Ireland whereupon the said Earl of Glamorgan is arrested upon suspicion of High Treason and imprisoned by the said Lord Lieutenant and Council at the instance and by the Impeachment of the Lord Digby who by reason of his Place and former Imployment in these Affairs doth best know how contrary that Proceeding of the said Earl hath been to His Majesties Intentions and Directions and what great prejudice it might bring to His Affairs if those Proceedings of the Earl of Glamorgan should be any ways understood to have been done by the directions liking or approbation of his Majesty His Majesty having in his former Messages for a Personal Treaty offered to give contentment to his two Houses in the Business of Ireland hath now thought fitting the better to shew his clear Intentions and to give satisfaction to his said Houses of Parliament and the rest of his Subjects in all his Kingdoms to send this Declaration to his said Houses containing the whole truth of the business Which is That the Earl of Glamorgan having made offer unto him to raise Forces in the Kingdom of Ireland and to conduct them into England for his Majesties Service had a Commission to that purpose and to that purpose only That he had no Commission at all to Treat of any thing else without the privity and directions of the Lord Lieutenant much less to capitulate any thing concerning Religion or any Propriety belonging either to Church or Laity That it clearly appears by the Lord Lieutenant's Proceedings with the said Earl that he had no notice at all of what the said Earl had Treated and pretended to have capitulated with the Irish until by accident it came to his knowledge And his Majesty doth protest that until such time as he had advertisement that the Person of the said Earl of Glamorgan was arrested and restrained as is above-said He never heard nor had any kind of notice that the said Earl had entred into any kind of Treaty or Capitulation with those Irish Commissioners much less that he had concluded or signed those Articles so destructive both to Church and State and so repugnant to his Majesties publick Professions and known Resolutions And for the further vindication of his Majesties Honour and Integrity herein He doth declare That He is so far from
two Kingdoms will be careful to maintain him in his Honour and in his just and lawful Rights which is the only way to make a happy Composure of these unnatural Divisions and likewise will think upon a solid way of conserving the Peace between the two Kingdoms for time to come and will take a speedy course for easing and quieting his afflicted People by satisfying the Publick Debts by disbanding of all Armies and whatsoever shall be judged conducible to that end that so all hinderances being removed he may return to his Parliament with mutual Comfort Southwell May 18. 1646. POST-SCIPT His Majesty being desirous to shun the further effusion of Blood and to evidence his real Intentions to Peace is willing that his Forces in and about Oxford be disbanded and the Fortifications of the City dismantled they receiving honourable Conditions VVhich being granted to the Town and Forces there his Majesty will give the like order to the rest of the Garrisons His MAJESTIES Letter to the City of London from Newcastle May 19. 1646. For Our right Trusty and well-beloved the Lord Maior Aldermen and Common-Council of Our City of London CHARLES R. RIght Trusty and VVell-beloved VVe greet you well Having expressed Our Resolution to the two Houses of Our Parliament of England and the Committee of Estates of Our Parliament of Scotland to give all just satisfaction to the joynt desires of both Kingdoms VVe have now likewise thought fit to assure the two chief Cities of both Our Kingdoms That nothing is more grievous to Us than the Trouble and Distractions of Our People and that nothing on Earth is more desired by Us than that in Religion and Peace with all the comfortable Fruits of both they may henceforth live under Us in all Godliness and Honesty And this Profession VVe make for no other end but that you may know immediately from Our Selves Our Integrity and full resolution to comply with Our Parliaments in every thing for settling Truth and Peace and Our desire to have all things speedily concluded which shall be found requisite for that end that Our Return to that Our Ancient City may be to the Satisfaction of Our Parliament the good liking of you and all Our good People and to Our own greater joy and comfort VVe bid you heartily farewell From Newcastle the 19 th of May 1646. His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses from Newcastle June 10. 1646. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesty looking with grief of heart upon the sad sufferings of his People in his three Kingdoms for some years past and being afflicted with their Distresses and unquiet condition through the Distractions about Religion the keeping of Forces on Foot in the Field and Garrisons the not satisfying of Publick Debts and the fears of the further effusion of Blood by the continuance of an unnatural VVar in any of these Kingdoms or by rending and dividing these Kingdoms so happily united and having sent a gracious Message unto both Houses of Parliament and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland expressing the necessary Causes of his coming from Oxford unto the Scotish Army without any intention to make a division where he is in Freedom and right capacity to settle a true Peace and containing such Offers as he conceived would have been accepted with a general Clause of complying with their desires and being impatient of Delays and not acquainted with the particulars which may give contentment to them his Majesty doth earnestly desire That the Propositions of Peace so often promised and so much expected may be speedily sent unto him That upon consideration of them he may apply himself to give such satisfaction as may be the foundation of a firm Peace And for the better and more speedy attaining thereunto his Majesty doth further propound That he may come to London with Safety Freedom and Honour where he resolves to comply with his Houses of Parliament in every thing which may be most for the good of his Subjects and perfect what remains for settling both Kingdoms and People in a happy Condition being likewise most confident that they according to their re-iterated Declarations and solemn Protestations will be zealous in the maintenance of his Honour and just and lawful Rights And his Majesty desires the Houses of Parliament to disburthen the Kingdom of all Forces and Garrisons in their power except such as before these unhappy times have been maintained for the necessary defence and safety of this Kingdom So he is willing forthwith to disband all his Forces and Garrisons within the same as the inclosed Order herewith sent will evidence And if upon these Offers his Majesty shall have such satisfaction as he may be confident a firm Peace shall ensue thereon his Majesty will then give Order for his Son the Prince his present return Newcastle the 10th of June 1646. His MAJESTIES Letter to the Governours of His Garrisons from Newcastle June 10. 1646. To Our Trusty and VVell-beloved Sir Thomas Glenham Sir Thomas Tildesley Colonel H. Washington Col. Thomas Blagge Governours of Our Cities and Towns of Oxford Litchfield Worcester and Wallingford and all other Commanders of any Towns Castles and Forts in Our Kingdom of England CHARLES R. HAving resolved to comply with the desires of Our Parliament in every thing which may be for the good of Our Subjects and leave no means unassayed for removing all Differences amongst us therefore We have thought fit the more to evidence the reality of Our Intentions of settling a happy and firm Peace to require you upon honourable Terms to quit those Towns Castles and Forts intrusted to you by Us and to disband all the Forces under your several Commands Newcastle the tenth of June 1646. His MAJESTIES Letter to the Marquess of Ormond Lord Lieutenant of Ireland from Newcastle June 11. 1646. CHARLES R. RIght Trusty and entirely Beloved Cousin and Counsellor We greet you well Having long with much grief looked upon the sad Condition Our Kingdom of Ireland hath been in these divers years through the wicked and desperate Rebellion there and the bloody effects have ensued thereupon for the setling whereof We would have wholly applied Our selves if the Difference between Us and Our Subjects here had not diverted and withdrawn Us and not having been able by Force for that respect to reduce them We were necessitated for the present safety of Our Protestant Subjects there to give you Power and Authority to Treat with them upon such pious honourable and safe grounds as the good of that Our Kingdom did then require But for many Reasons too long for a Letter We think fit to require you to proceed no further in Treaty with the Rebels nor to engage Us upon any Conditions with them after sight hereof And having formerly found such real proofs of your ready
Obedience to Our Commands We doubt not of your care in this wherein Our Service and the good of Our Protestant Subjects in Ireland is so much concerned From Newcastle June 11. 1646. The Propositions of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for a safe and well-grounded Peace Sent to His Majesty at Newcastle by the Right Honourable the Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery the Earl of Suffolk Members of the House of Peers and Sir VValter Earle Sir John Hippesly Knights Robert Goodwyn Luke Robinson Esquires Members of the House of Commons Die Sabbathi 11. Julii 1646. The Propositions of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament for a safe and well-grounded Peace May it please your Majesty WE the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England in the name and on the behalf of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland in the name and on the behalf of the Kingdom of Scotland do humbly present unto Your Majesty the humble Desires and Propositions for a safe and well-grounded Peace agreed upon by the Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectively unto which we do pray Your Majesties Assent and that they and all such Bills as shall be tendred to Your Majesty in pursuance of them or any of them may be Established and Enacted for Statutes and Acts of Parliament by Your Majesties Royal Assent in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectively I. WHereas both Houses of the Parliament of England have been necessitated to undertake a War in their just and lawful defence and afterwards both Kingdoms of England and Scotland joyned in solemn League and Covenant were engaged to prosecute the same That by Act of Parliament in each Kingdom respectively all Oaths Declarations and Proclamations heretofore had or hereafter to be had against both or either of the Houses of the Parliament of England the Parliament of the Kingdom of Scotland and the late Convention of Estates in Scotland or Committees flowing from the Parliament or Convention in Scotland or their Ordinances and Proceedings or against any for adhering unto them or for doing or executing any Office Place or Charge by any Authority derived from them and all Judgments Indictments Outlawries Attainders and Inquisitions in any the said Causes and all Grants thereupon made or had or to be made or had be declared null suppressed and forbidden And that this be publickly intimated in all Parish-Churches within His Majesties Dominions and all other places needful II. That His Majesty according to the laudable Example of His Royal Father of happy memory may be pleased to swear and sign the late solemn League and Covenant and that an Act of Parliament be passed in both Kingdoms respectively for enjoyning the taking thereof by all the Subjects of the Three Kingdoms and the Ordinances concerning the manner of taking the same in both Kingdoms be confirmed by Acts of Parliament respectively with such Penalties as by mutual advice of both Kingdoms shall be agreed upon III. That a Bill be passed for the utter abolishing and taking away of all Archbishops Bishops their Chancellors and Commissaries Deans and Sub-deans Deans and Chapters Archdeacons Canons and Prebendaries and all Chaunters Chancellors Treasurers Subtreasurers Succentors and Sacrists and all Vicars Choral and Choristers old Vicars and new Vicars of any Cathedral or Collegiate Church and all other their under Officers out of the Church of England and Dominion of Wales and out of the Church of Ireland with such Alterations concerning the Estates of Prelates as shall agree with the Articles of the late Treaty of the Date at Edenburg 29. November 1643. and joynt Declaration of both Kingdoms IV. That the Ordinances concerning the Calling and sitting of the Assembly of Divines be confirmed by Act of Parliament V. That Reformation of Religion according to the Covenant be settled by Act of Parliament in such manner as both Houses have agreed or shall agree upon after Consultation had with the Assembly of Divines VI. Forasmuch as both Kingdoms are mutually obliged by the same Covenant to endeavour the nearest Conjunction and Uniformity in matters of Religion that such Unity and Uniformity in Religion according to the Covenant as after Consultation had with the Divines of both Kingdoms now assembled is or shall be joyntly agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament of England and by the Church and Kingdom of Scotland be confirmed by Acts of Parliament of both Kingdoms respectively VII That for the more effectual disabling Jesuits Priests Papists and Popish Recusants from disturbing the State and deluding the Laws and for the better discovering and speedy conviction of Recusants an Oath be established by Act of Parliament to be administred to them wherein they shall abjure and renounce the Popes Supremacy the Doctrine of Transubstantiation Purgatory Worshipping of the Consecrated Host Crucifixes and Images and all other Popish Superstitions and Errors and refusing the said Oath being tendred in such manner as shall be appointed by the said Act to be a sufficient Conviction of Recusancy VIII An Act of Parliament for Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants in the Protestant Religion IX An Act for the true levy of the Penalties against them which Penalties to be levied and disposed in such manner as both Houses shall agree on wherein to be provided that His Majesty shall have no loss X. That an Act be passed in Parliament whereby the practices of Papists against the State may be prevented and the Laws against them duely executed and a stricter course taken to prevent the saying or hearing of Mass in the Court or any other part of this Kingdom XI The like for the Kingdom of Scotland concerning the four last preceding Propositions in such manner as the Estates of the Parliament there shall think fit XII That the King do give His Royal Assent to an Act for the due Observation of the Lords Day And to the Bill for the suppression of Innovations in Churches and Chappels in and about the Worship of God c. And for the better advancement of the Preaching of God's holy Word in all parts of this Kingdom And to the Bill against the enjoying of Pluralities of Benefices by Spiritual Persons and Non-Residency And to an Act to be framed and agreed upon by both Houses of Parliament for the reforming and regulating of both Universities of the Colledges of Westminster Winchester and Eaton And to such Act or Acts for raising of Moneys for the payment and satisfying of the Publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom and other Publick uses as shall hereafter be agreed on by both Houses of Parliament and that if the King do not give His Assent thereunto then it being done by both Houses of Parliament the same shall be as valid to all Intents and Purposes as if the Royal Assent had been given thereunto The like for the Kingdom of Scotland And that His Majesty give assurance of His consenting in the
Treason being first declared guilty of such Offence by the said Lords and Commons any Commission under the Great Seal or other Warrant to the contrary notwithstanding And he or they that shall offend herein to be incapable of any Pardon from His Majesty His Heirs or Successors and their Estates shall be disposed as the said Lords and Commons shall think fit and not otherwise Provided that the City of London shall have and enjoy all their Rights Liberties and Franchises Customs and Usages in the raising and imploying the Forces of that City for the defence thereof in as full and ample manner to all intents and purposes as they have or might have used or enjoyed the same at any time before the making of the said Act or Proposition to the end that City may be fully assured it is not the intention of the Parliament to take from them any Priviledges or Immunities in raising or disposing of their Forces which they have or might have used or injoyed heretofore The like for the Kingdom of Scotland if the Estates of the Parliament there shall think fit XIV That by Act of Parliament all Peers made since the day that Edward Lord Littleton then Lord Keeper of the Great Seal deserted the Parliament and that the said Great Seal was surreptitiously conveyed away from the Parliament being the One and Twentieth day of May 1642. and who shall be hereafter made shall not sit or Vote in the Parliament of England without Consent of both Houses of Parliament and that all Honour and Title conferred on any without Consent of both Houses of Parliament since the Twentieth of May 1642. being the day that both Houses declared That the King seduced by evil Counsel intended to raise War against the Parliament be declared null and void The like for the Kingdom of Scotland those being excepted whose Patents were passed the Great Seal before the fourth of June 1644. XV. That an Act be passed in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectively for Confirmation of the Treaties passed betwixt the Two Kingdoms viz. the large Treaty the late Treaty for the coming of the Scots Army into England and the settling of the Garrison of Barwick of the 29 th of November 1643. and the Treaty concerning Ireland of the 6. of August 1642. for the bringing of Ten Thousand Scots into the Province of Vlster in Ireland with all other Ordinances and Proceedings passed betwixt the Two Kingdoms and whereunto they are obliged by the aforesaid Treaties And that Algernon Earl of Northumberland John Earl of Rutland Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery Robert Earl of Essex Theophilus Earl of Lincoln James Earl of Suffolk Robert Earl of Warwick Edward Earl of Manchester Henry Earl of Stamford Francis Lord Dacres Philip Lord Wharton Francis Lord Willoughby Dudly Lord North John Lord Hunsdon William Lord Gray Edward Lord Howard of Escrich Thomas Lord Bruce Ferdinando Lord Fairfax Master Nathaniel Fiennes Sir William Armyne Sir Philip Stapleton Sir Henry Vane senior Master William Pierrepont Sir Edward Aiscough Sir VVilliam Strickland Sir Arthur Hesilrig Sir John Fenwick Sir VVilliam Brereton Sir Thomas VViddrington Master John Toll Master Gilbert Millington Sir VVilliam Constable Sir John VVray Sir Henry Vane junior Master Henry Darley Oliver Saint-John Esquire His Majesties Solicitor General Master Denzill Hollis Master Alexander Rigby Master Cornelius Holland Master Samuel Vassal Master Peregrine Pelham John Glyn Esquire Recorder of London Master Henry Marten Master Alderman Hoyle Master John Blakeston Master Serjeant VVilde Master Richard Barwis Sir Anthony Irby Master Ashurst Master Bellingham and Master Tolson Members of both Houses of the Parliament of England shall be the Commissioners for the Kingdom of England for Conservation of the Peace between the Two Kingdoms to act according to the Powers in that behalf exprest in the Articles of the large Treaty and not otherwise That His Majesty give His Assent to what the Two Kingdoms shall agree upon in prosecution of the Articles of the large Treaty which are not yet finished XVI That an Act be passed in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectively for establishing the joynt Declaration of both Kingdoms bearing date the 30 th day of January 1643. in England and 1644. in Scotland with the Qualifications ensuing 1. Qualification That the persons who shall expect no pardon be only these following Rupert and Maurice Count Palatines of the Rhene James Earl of Derby John Earl of Bristol VVilliam Earl of Newcastle Francis Lord Cottington George Lord Digby Matthew Wren Bishop of Ely Sir Robert Heath Knight Doctor Bramhall Bishop of Derry Sir William Widdrington Colonel George Goring Henry Jermin Esquire Sir Ralph Hopton Sir John Biron Sir Francis Doddington Sir John Strangwayes Master Endymion Porter Sir George Radcliffe Sir Marmaduke Langdale Henry Vaughan Esquire now called Sir Henry Vaughan Sir Francis Windebanke Sir Richard Greenvile Master Edward Hyde now called Sir Edward Hyde Sir John Marley Sir Nicholas Cole Sir Thomas Riddell junior Sir John Culpepper Master Richard Lloyd now called Sir Richard Lloyd Master David Jenkins Sir George Strode George Carteret Esquire now called Sir George Carteret Sir Charles Dallison Knight Richard Lane Esquire now called Sir Richard Lane Sir Edward Nicholas John Ashburnham Esquire Sir Edward Herbert Knight His Majesties Attorney General Earl of Traquaire Lord Harris Lord Rae George Gourdon sometime Marquess of Huntley James Graham sometime Earl of Montross Robert Maxwell late Earl of Nithisdale Robert Dalyell sometime Earl of Carnwarth James Gordon sometime Viscount of Aboyne Lodowick Linsey sometime Earl of Crawford James Ogleby sometime Earl of Airley James Ogleby sometime Lord Ogleby Patrick Ruthen sometime Earl of Forth James King sometime Lord Itham Alester Macdonald Irwing younger of Drunim Gordon younger of Gight Lesley of Auchentoule Colonel John Cockram Graham of Gorthie Master John Maxwell sometime pretended Bishop of Rosse and all such others as being Processed by the Estates for Treason shall be condemned before the Act of Oblivion be passed 2. Qualification All Papists and Popish Recusants who have been now are or shall be actually in Arms or voluntarily assisting against the Parliaments or Estates of either Kingdom and by name The Marquess of VVinton Earl of VVorcester Edward Lord Herbert of Ragland Son to the Earl of VVorcester Lord Brudenell Carel Molineaux Esquire Lord Arundel of VVardour Sir Francis Howard Sir John VVinter Sir Charles Smith Sir John Preston Sir Bazill Brook Lord Audley Earl of Castlehaven in the Kingdom of Ireland VVilliam Sheldon of Beely Esquire Sir Henry Beddingfield 3. Qualification All persons who have had any hand in the plotting designing or assisting the Rebellion of Ireland except such persons who having only assisted the said Rebellion have rendred themselves or come in to the Parliament of England 4. Qualification That Humfrey Bennet Esquire Sir Edward Ford Sir John Penruddock Sir George Vaughan Sir John Weld Sir Robert Leè Sir John Pate John Ackland Edmund Windham Esquire Sir John Fitz-herbert
Sir Edward Laurence Sir Ralph Dutton Henry Lingen Esquire Sir William Russell of Worcestershire Thomas Lee of Adlington Esquire Sir John Girlington Sir Paul Neale Sir William Thorold Sir Edward Hussey Sir Thomas Liddal sen Sir Philip Musgrave Sir John Digby of Nottinghamshire Sir Henry Fletcher Sir Richard Minshull Laurence Halstead John Denham Esquire Sir Edmond Fortescue Peter Sainthill Esquire Sir Thomas Tildesley Sir Henry Griffith Michael Wharton Esq Sir Henry Spiller Mr. George Benyon now called Sir George Benyon Sir Edward Walgrave Sir Edward Bishop Sir Robert Owseley Sir John Many Lord Chomley Sir Thomas Aston Sir Lewis Dives Sir Peter Osbourne Samuel Thornton Esq Sir John Lucas John Blaney Esque Sir Thomas Chedle Sir Nicholas Kemish Hugh Lloyd Esquire Sir Nicholas Crispe Sir Peter Ricaut and all such of the Scotish Nation as have concurred in the Votes at Oxford against the Kingdom of Scotland and their proceedings or have sworn or subscribed the Declaration against the Convention and Covenant and all such as have assisted the Rebellion in the North or the Invasion in the South of the said Kingdom of Scotland or the late Invasion made there by the Irish and their Adherents be removed from his Majesties Counsels and be restrained from coming within the Verge of the Court and that they may not without the Advice and Consent of both Houses of the Parliament of England or the Estates in the Parliament of Scotland respectively bear any Office or have any Imployment concerning the State or Common-wealth and in case any of them shall offend therein to be guilty of high Treason and incapable of any Pardon from his Majesty and their Estates to be disposed as both Houses of the Parliament of England or the Estates of the Parliament in Scotland respectively shall think fit and that one full third part upon full value of the Estates of the persons aforesaid made incapable of Imployment as aforesaid be imployed for the payment of the Publick Debts and Damages according to the Declaration 1. Branch That the late Members or any who pretended themselves late Members of either House of Parliament who have not only deserted the Parliament but have also sate in the unlawful Assembly at Oxford called or pretended by some to be a Parliament and voted both Kingdoms Traitors and have not voluntarily rendred themselves before the last of October 1644. be removed from his Majesties Counsels and be restrained from coming within the Verge of the Court and that they may not without Advice and Consent of both Kingdoms bear any Office or have any imployment concerning the State or Commonwealth and in case any of them shall offend therein to be guilty of high Treason and incapable of any Pardon by his Majesty and their Estates to be disposed as both Houses of Parliament in England or the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland respectively shall think fit 2. Branch That the late Members or any who pretended themselves Members of either House of Parliament who have sate in the unlawful Assembly at Oxford called or pretended by some to be a Parliament and have not voluntarily rendred themselves before the last of October 1644. be removed from his Majesties Counsels and restrained from coming within the Verge of the Court and that they may not without the Advice and Consent of both Houses of Parliament bear any Office or have any Imployment concerning the State of Common wealth and in case any of them shall offend therein to be guilty of high Treason and incapable of any Pardon from his Majesty and their Estates to be disposed as both Houses of the Parliament of England shall think fit 3. Branch That the late Members or any who pretended themselves Members of either House of Parliament who have deserted the Parliament and adhered to the Enemies thereof and have not rendred themselves before the last of October 1644. be removed from his Majesties Counsels and be restrained from coming within the Verge of the Court and that they may not without the Advice and Consent of both Houses of Parliament bear any Office or have any Imployment concerning the State or Commonwealth and in case any of them shall offend therein to be guilty of high Treason and incapable of any Pardon from his Majesty and their Estates to be disposed as both Houses of Parliament in England shall think fit 5. Qualification That all Judges and Officers towards the Law Common or Civil who have deserted the Parliament and adhered to the Enemies thereof be incapable of any place of Judicature or Office towards the Law Common or Civil and that all Serjeants Counsellours and Attorneys Doctors Advocates and Proctors of the Law Common or Civil who have deserted the Parliament and adhered to the Enemies thereof be incapable of any practice in the Law Common or Civil either in publick or private and shall not be capable of any Preferment or Imployment in the Commonwealth without the Advice and Consent of both Houses of Parliament and that no Bishop or Clergy-man no Master or Fellow of any Colledge or Hall in either of the Universities or elsewhere or any Master of School or Hospital or any Ecclesiastical person who hath deserted the Parliament and adhered to the Enemies thereof shall hold or enjoy or be capable of any Preferment or Imployment in Church or Commonwealth but all their said several Preferments Places and Promotions shall be utterly void as if they were naturally dead nor shall they otherwise use their Function of the Ministry without Advice and Consent of both Houses of Parliament Provided that no Lapse shall incur by such Vacancy until six months past after notice thereof 6. Qualification That all persons who have been actually in Arms against the Parliament or have counselled or voluntarily assisted the Enemies thereof are disabled to be Sheriffs Justices of the Peace Majors or other head-Officers of any City or Corporation Commissioners of Oyer and Terminer or to sit or serve as Members or Assistants in either of the Houses of Parliament or to have any Military imployment in this Kingdom without the Consent of both Houses of Parliament 7. Qualification The persons of all others to be free of all personal Censure notwithstanding any act or thing done in or concerning this War they taking the Covenant 8. Qualification The Estates of those persons excepted in the first three precedent Qualifications and the Estates of Edward Lord Littleton and of William Laud late Archbishop of Canterbury to pay publick Debts and Damages 9. Qualification 1. Branch That two full parts in three to be divided of all the Estates of the Members of either House of Parliament who have not only deserted the Parliament but have also Voted both Kingdoms Traitors and have not rendred themselves before the first of December 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom 2. Branch That two full parts in three to be divided of the Estates
of such late Members of either House of Parliament as sate in the unlawful Assembly at Oxford and shall not have rendred themselves before the first of December 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom 3. Branch That one full moiety of the Estates of such Persons late Members of either of the Houses of Parliament who have deserted the Parliament and adhered to the Enemies thereof and shall not have rendred themselves before the first of Decemb. 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom 10. Qualification That a full third part on the value of the Estates of all Judges and Officers towards the Law Common or Civil and of all Serjeants Councellors and Attorneys Doctors Advocates and Proctors of the Law Common or Civil and of all Bishops Clergy-men Masters and Fellows of any Colledge or Hall in either of the Universities or elsewhere and of all Masters of Schools or Hospitals and of Ecclesiastical Persons who have deserted the Parliament and adhered to the Enemies thereof and have not rendred themselves before the first of December 1645. shall be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom That a full sixth part on the full value of the Estates of the Persons excepted in the sixth Qualification concerning such as have been actually in Arms against the Parliament or have counselled or voluntarily assisted the Enemies thereof and are disabled according to the said Qualification to be taken and employed for the payment of the publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom 11. Qualification That the Persons and Estates of all common Souldiers and others of the Kingdom of England who in Lands or Goods be not worth two hundred pounds Sterling and the Persons and Estates of all common Souldiers and others of the Kingdom of Scotland who in Lands or Goods be not worth one hundred pounds Sterling be at liberty and discharged 1. Branch This Proposition to stand as to the English and as to the Scots likewise if the Parliament of Scotland or their Commissioners shall so think fit 2. Branch That the first of May last is now the day limited for the persons to come in that are comprised within the former Qualification That an Act be passed whereby the Debts of the Kingdom and the Persons of Delinquents and the value of their Estates may be known and which Act shall appoint in what manner the Confiscations and Proportions before mentioned may be levied and applied to the discharge of the said Engagements The like for the Kingdom of Scotland if the Estates of Parliament or such as shall have power from them shall think fit XVII That an Act of Parliament be passed to declare and make void the Cessation of Ireland and all Treaties and Conclusions of Peace or any Articles thereupon with the Rebels without Consent of both Houses of Parliament and to settle the Prosecution of the War of Ireland in both Houses of the Parliament of England to be managed by them and the King to assist and to do no Act to discountenance or molest them therein That Reformation of Religion according to the Covenant be setled in the Kingdom of Ireland by Act of Parliament in such manner as both Houses of the Parliament of England have agreed or shall agree upon after Consultation had with the Assembly of Divines here That the Deputy or chief Governour or other Governours of Ireland and the Presidents of the several Provinces of that Kingdom be nominated by both the Houses of the Parliament of England or in the Intervals of Parliament by such Committees of both Houses of Parliament as both Houses of the Parliament of England shall nominate and appoint for that purpose and that the Chancellour or Lord Keeper Lord Treasurer Commissioners of the great Seal or Treasury Lord Warden of the Cinque-ports Chancellour of the Exchequer and Dutchy Secretaries of State Master of the Rolls Judges of both Benches and Barons of the Exchequer of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and the Vice-Treasurer and Treasurers at Wars of the Kingdom of Ireland be nominated by both Houses of the Parliament of England to continue quam diu se bene gesserint and in the Intervals of Parliament by the fore-mentioned Committees to be approved or disallowed by both Houses at their next sitting The like for the Kingdom of Scotland concerning the nomination of the Lords of the Privy Council Lords of Session and Exchequer Officers of State and Justice General in such manner as the Estates of the Parliament there shall think fit XVIII That the Militia of the City of London and Liberties thereof may be in the ordering and government of the Lord Maior Aldermen and Commons in Common Council assembled or such as they shall from time to time appoint whereof the Lord Maior and Sheriffs for the time being to be three to be imployed and directed from time to time in such manner as shall be agreed on and appointed by both Houses of Parliament That no Citizen of the City of London nor any of the Forces of the said City shall be drawn forth or cempelled to go out of the said City or Liberties thereof for Military service without their own free Consent That an Act be passed for the granting and confirming of the Charters Customs Liberties and Franchises of the City of London notwithstanding any Non-user Misuser or Abuser That the Tower of London may be in the Government of the City of London and the chief Officer and Governour thereof from time to time be nominated and removeable by the Common-Council And for prevention of inconveniences which may happen by the long intermission of Common-Councils it is desired that there may be an Act that all by-Laws and Ordinances already made or hereafter to be made by the Lord Maior Aldermen and Commons in Common-Council assembled touching the calling continuing directing and regulating the same Common-Councils shall be as effectual in Law to all Intents and Purposes as if the same were particularly Enacted by the Authority of Parliament and that the Lord Maior Aldermen and Commons in Common-Council may add to or repeal the said Ordinances from time to time as they shall see cause That such other Propositions as shall be made for the City for their further Safety Welfare and Government and shall be approved of by both Houses of Parliament may be granted and confirmed by Act of Parliament XIX That all Grants Commissions Presentations Writs Process Proceedings and other things passed under the Great Seal of England in the custody of the Lords and other Commissioners appointed by both Houses of Parliament for the custody thereof be and by Act of Parliament with the Royal Assent shall be declared and Enacted to be of like full force and effect to all intents and purposes as the same or like Grants Commissions Presentations Writs Process Proceedings and
other things under any Great Seal of England in any time heretofore were or have been and that for time to come the said Great Seal now remaining in custody of the said Commissioners continue and be used for the Great Seal of England and that all Grants Commissions Presentations Writs Process Proceedings and other things whatsoever passed under or by authority of any other Great Seal since the two and twentieth day of May Anno Dom. 1642. or hereafter to be passed be invalid and of no effect to all intents and purposes except such Writs Process and Commissions as being passed under any other Great Seal than the said Great Seal in the Custody of the Commissioners aforesaid on or after the said two and twentieth day of May and before the 28. day of November Anno Dom. 1643. were afterward proceeded upon returned into or put in ure in any the Kings Courts at VVestminster and except the Grant to Master Justice Bacon to be one of the Justices of the Kings Bench and except all Acts and Proceedings by virtue of any such Commissions of Gaol-delivery Assize and Nisi prius or Oyer and Terminer passed under any other Great Seal than the Seal aforesaid in custody of the said Commissioners before the first of October 1642. And that all Grants of Offices Lands Tenements or Hereditaments made or passed under the Great Seal of Ireland unto any Person or Persons Bodies Politick or Corporate since the Cessation made in Ireland the fifteenth day of September 1643. shall be null and void and that all Honours and Titles conferred upon any Person or Persons in the said Kingdom of Ireland since the said Cessation shall be null and void His MAJESTIES Answer to the Propositions of both Houses Newcastle Aug. 1. 1646. To the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster CHARLES R. THE Propositions tendered to his Majesty by the Commissioners from the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at VVestminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland to which the Houses of Parliament have taken twice so many Months for deliberation as they have assigned Days for his Majesties Answer do import so great Alterations in Government both in the Church and Kingdom as it is very difficult to return a particular and positive Answer before a full Debate wherein these Propositions and the necessary Explanations true sense and Reasons thereof be rightly weighed and understood and that his Majesty upon a full view of the whole Propositions may know what is left as well as what is taken away and changed In all which he finds upon discourse with the said Commissioners that they are so bound up from any capacity either to give Reasons for the Demands they bring or to give ear to such Desires as his Majesty is to propound as it is impossible for him to give such a present judgment of and Answer to these Propositions whereby he can answer to God that a safe and well-grounded Peace will ensue which is evident to all the World can never be unless the just Power of the Crown as well as the Freedom and Propriety of the Subject with the just Liberty and Priviledges of the Parliament be likewise setled To which end his Majesty desires and proposeth to come to London or any of his Houses thereabouts upon the Publick Faith and security of the two Houses of Parliament and the Scotch Commissioners That he shall be there with Freedom Honour and Safety where by his Personal Presence he may not only raise a mutual Confidence betwixt him and his People but also have these Doubts cleared and these Difficulties explained unto him which he now conceives to be destructive to his just Regal Power if he shall give a full Consent to these Propositions as they now stand As likewise that he may make known to them such his reasonable Demands as he is most assured will be very much conducible to that Peace which all good men desire and pray for by the settling of Religion the just Priviledges of Parliament with the Freedom and Propriety of the Subject and his Majesty assures them that as he can never condescend unto what is absolutely destructive to that just Power which by the Laws of God and the Land he is born unto so he will chearfully grant and give his Assent unto all such Bills at the desire of his two Houses or reasonable Demands for Scotland which shall be really for the good and peace of his People not having regard to his own particular much less of any body 's else in respect of the Happiness of these Kingdoms Wherefore his Majesty conjures them as Christians as Subjects and as men who desire to leave a good name behind them that they will so receive and make use of this Answer that all issues of Blood may be stopped and these unhappy Distractions peaceably setled Newcastle August 1. 1646. POST-SCRIPT Upon assurance of a happy Agreement his Majesty will immediately send for the Prince his Son absolutely expecting his perfect Obedience to return into this Kingdom His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses from Newcastle Dec. 20. 1646. To the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the Lords and Commons of the Parliament of England assembled at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland at London CHALLES R. HIS Majesties thoughts being always sincerely bent to the Peace of his Kingdoms was and will be ever desirous to take all ways which might the most clearly make appear the Candor of his Intentions to his People and to this end could find no better way than to propose a Personal free Debate with his two Houses of Parliament upon all the present Differences yet finding very much against his expectations that this Offer was lay'd aside his Majesty bent all his thoughts to make his Intentions fully known by a particular Answer to the Propositions delivered to him in the name of both Kingdoms 24. July last But the more he endeavoured it he more plainly saw that any Answer he could make would be subject to misinformations and mis-constructions which upon his own Paraphrases and Explanations he is most confident will give so good satisfaction as would doubtless cause a happy and lasting Peace Lest therefore that good Intentions may produce ill Effects His Majesty again proposeth and desires again to come to London or any of his Houses thereabouts upon the Publick Faith and Security of his two Houses of Parliament and the Scotch Commissioners that he shall be there with Honour Freedom and Safety where by his Personal Presence he may not only raise a mutual Confidence betwixt him and his People but also have those Doubts cleared and those Difficulties explained to him without which he cannot but with the aforesaid mischievous Inconveniencies give a particular Answer to the Propositions and with which he doubts not but so
will bear IV. That according to the seventh Head in the said Declaration an effectual course may be taken that the Kingdom may be righted and satisfied in point of Accounts for the vast sums that have been levied V. That provision may be made for payment of Arrears to the Army and the rest of the Soldiers of the Kingdom who have concurred with the Army in the late Desires and Proceedings thereof and in the next place for payment of the Publick Debts and Damages of the Kingdom and that to be performed first to such persons whose Debts or Damages upon the Publick Account are great and their Estates small so as they are thereby reduced to a difficulty of subsistence In order to all which and to the fourth particular last preceding we shall speedily offer some farther particulars in the nature of Rules which we hope will be of good use towards publick satisfaction August 1. 1647. Signed by the appointment of his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax and the Council of War Jo. Rushworth Secret Propositions presented to His MAJESTY at Hampton-Court upon Tuesday the seventh of September 1647. by the Earls of Pembroke and Lauderdale Sir Charles Erskin Sir John Holland Sir John Cooke Sir James Harrington Mr. Richard Browne Mr. Hugh Kenedy and Mr. Robert Berkley in the names of the Parliament of England and in behalf of the Kingdom of Scotland May it please your Majesty WE the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England in the name and on the behalf of the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland in the name and on the behalf of the Kingdom of Scotland do humbly present unto Your Majesty the humble Desires and Propositions for a safe and well grounded Peace agreed upon by the Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectively unto which We do pray Your Majesties Assent and that they and all such Bills as shall be tendred to Your Majesty in pursuance of them or any of them may be established and Enacted for Statutes and Acts of Parliament by Your Majesties Royal Assent in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms respectively Heads of the Propositions presented to the King's Majesty for a safe and well-grounded Peace 1. His Majesty to call in his Declarations and Proclamations against the Parliaments of both Kingdoms 2. His Majesty to sign the Covenant 3. To pass a Bill for abolishing Bishops 4. To pass a Bill for Sale of Bishops Lands 5. To confirm the sitting of the Assembly 6. Religion to be reformed as the Houses agree 7. Such Vniformity of Religion to be passed in an Act. 8. An Act passed against Popish Recusants 9. For Education of the Children of Papists 10. For laying Penalties upon Papists 11. An Act for prevention of Popish practices And the like for the Kingdom of Scotland 12. For the Royal Assent to Acts for the Lords day for preaching against Innovations regulating Colledges and for publick Debts and Damages The like for Scotland 13. to pass the settling of the Militia and Navy 14. To null the old Great Seal 15. For settling of Conservators for the Peace of the Kingdoms 16. The joynt Declarations and the Qualifications against Malignants 17. An Act to be passed to declare and make void the Cessation of Ireland and all Treaties and Conclusions of Peace with the Irish Rebels 18. The settling of the Militia of the City of London 19. The Great Seal with the Commissioners of Parliament and all Acts by it to be made good His MAJESTIES Answer to the Propositions of both Houses Hampton-Court Sept. 9. 1647. For the Speaker of the Lords House pro tempore to be communicated to both Houses of the Parliament of England and the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesty cannot chuse but be passionately sensible as he believes all his good Subjects are of the late great Distractions and still languishing and unsetled State of this Kingdom and he calls God to Witness and is willing to give testimony to all the World of his readiness to contribute his utmost Endeavours for restoring it to a happy and flourishing Condition His Majesty having perused the Propositions now brought to him finds them the same in effect which were offered to him at Newcastle To some of which as he could not then consent without violation of his Conscience and Honour so neither can he agree to others now conceiving them in many respects more disagreeable to the present condition of Affairs then when they were formerly presented unto him as being destructive to the main principal Interests of the Army and of all those whose Affections concur with them And his Majesty having seen the Proposals of the Army to the Commissioners from his two Houses residing with them and with them to be Treated on in order to the clearing and securing the Rights and Liberties of the Kingdom and the setling of a just and lasting Peace to which Proposals as he conceives his two Houses not to be strangers so he believes they will think with him that they much more conduce to the satisfaction of all Interests and may be a fitter foundation for a lasting Peace than the Propositions which at this time are tendered unto him He therefore propounds as the best way in his Judgment in order to a Peace that his two Houses would instantly take into consideration those Proposals upon which there may be a Personal Treaty with his Majesty and upon such other Propositions as his Majesty shall make hoping that the said Proposals may be so moderated in the said Treaty as to render them the more capable of his Majesties full Concession wherein he resolves to give full satisfaction unto his People for whatsoever shall concern the setling of the Protestant Profession with Liberty to tender Consciences and the securing of the Laws Liberties and Properties of all his Subjects and the just Priviledges of Parliament for the future And likewise by his present deportment in this Treaty he will make the World clearly judge of his Intentions in matter of future Government In which Treaty his Majesty will be well pleased if it be thought fit that Commissioners from the Army whose the Proposals are may likewise be admitted His Majesty therefore conjures his two Houses of Parliament by the Duty they owe to God and his Majesty their King and by the bowels of Compassion they have to their fellow-Subjects both for the relief of their present Sufferings and to prevent future Miseries that they will forthwith accept of this his Majesties Offer whereby the joyful news of Peace may be restored to this distressed Kingdom And for what concerns the Kingdom of Scotland mentioned in the Propositions His Majesty will very willingly Treat upon those particulars with the Scotch Commissioners and doubts not but to give reasonable satisfaction to that his Kingdom Given at Hampton-Court the ninth of September 1647. His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses left by Him on His
perfecting of these Concessions as also for such other things as may be proposed by the two Houses and for such just and reasonable demands as his Majesty shall find necessary to propose on his part he earnestly desires a Personal Treaty at London with his two Houses in Honour Freedom and Safety it being in his Judgment the most proper and indeed only means to a firm and settled Peace and impossible without it to reconcile former or to avoid future misunderstandings All these things being by Treaty perfected his Majesty believes his two Houses will think it reasonable that the Proposals of the Army concerning the Succession of Parliaments and their due Elections should be taken into consideration As for what concerns the Kingdom of Scotland his Majesty will very readily apply himself to give all reasonable satisfaction when the Desires of the two Houses of Parliament on their behalf or of the Commissioners of that Kingdom or of both joyned together shall be made known unto him From the Isle of Wight Novemb. 17. 1647. His MAJESTIES Declaration at the Isle of VVight Novemb. 19. 1647. CHARLES R. HIS Majesty doth declare That he came from Hampton-Court for no other cause but for the preservation of His Person which was as He apprehended in such danger that He could not with Safety continue longer there That if He could have been there with Safety He would not have departed thence nor from the Army And that He chose this place rather than any other when He was at liberty to have gone whither He pleased that He might still continue under the protection of the Army Colonel Hammond being a Member thereof and that He might have conveniency of free intercourse between Himself and the Parliament for the settlement of a general Peace to which He professes a very great inclination and desire and that there shall be nothing wanting on His part that may be reasonably expected from Him And His Majesty doth further Declare That in case these Gentlemen be taken from Him and punished as evil doers for counselling Him not to go out of the Kingdom but rather to come to the place where He now is for the ends aforesaid and for their endeavouring accordingly in attending Him hither He cannot but Himself expect to be dealt with accordingly His case being the same Carisbrooke Castle Novemb. 19. 1647. His MAJESTIES Letter to Sir THOMAS FAIRFAX from Carisbrooke Novemb. 26. 1647. For Sir Thomas Fairfax General CHARLES R. HAving left Order at Our remove from Hampton-Court that a Copy should be given you of what We had then written to both Houses of Parliament touching the causes of Our withdrawing and the continuance of Our Resolutions to improve every occasion of the satisfaction of all chief Interests that so a happy Peace may be settled in Our Dominions in pursuance whereof We have lately sent a Message to both Houses from this place and a Copy of it to you and being desirous in order to that blessed Work to give you Our present sense upon the condition of Affairs as they now stand We have thought fit to appoint Sir John Barkley to repair unto you and to communicate the same to you and We shall be glad by him to receive a mutual communication of your sense also upon this Subject not doubting but you easily perceive by the late Disorders into what a depth of Confusion the Army and the Nation will fall if timely and effectual preventions be not used And therefore We have now again proposed as the only Expedient a Personal Treaty for the composing of all differences and fulfilling the desires of all Interests to which if you will imploy your Credit as you cannot but expect the Blessings of God upon your endeavours therein so you may justly look for the best return that ever Our Condition shall be able to make you Given at Carisbrooke Castle the 26. day of Novemb. 1647. His MAJESTIES Message to both Houses from Carisbrook Castle Dec. 6. 1647. To the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to both Houses of Parliament at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HAD His Majesty thought it possible that His two Houses could be imployed in things of greater concernment than the Peace of this miserable distracted Kingdom He would have expected with more patience their leisure in acknowledging the receit of His Message of the 16. of November last But since there is not in nature any consideration preceding to that of Peace His Majesties constant tenderness of the welfare of His Subjects hath such a prevalence with Him that He cannot forbear the vehement prosecution of a Personal Treaty which is only so much the more desired by His Majesty as it is superior to all other means of Peace And truly when His Majesty considers the several complaints He daily hears from all parts of this Kingdom that Trade is so decayed all Commodities so dear and Taxes so insupportable that even natural subsistence will suddenly fail His Majesty to perform the Trust reposed in Him must use His uttermost endeavours for Peace though He were to have no share in the benefit of it And hath not His Majesty done His part for it by devesting Himself of so much Power and Authority as by His last Message He hath promised to do upon the concluding of the whole Peace And hath He met with that Acknowledgment from his two Houses which this great grace and favour justly deserves Surely the blame of this great retarding of Peace must fall somewhere else than on His Majesty To conclude If ye will but consider in how little time this necessary good Work will be done if you the two Houses will wait on His Majesty with the same Resolutions for Peace as He will meet you He no way doubts but that ye will willingly agree to this His Majesties earnest desire of a Personal Treaty and speedily desire His presence amongst you where all things agreed on being digested into Acts till when it is most unreasonable for His Majesty or His two Houses to desire each of other the least Concession this Kingdom may at last enjoy the blessing of a long-wisht-for Peace From Carisbrook Castle Decemb. 6. 1647. MDâ—XLVII Dec. 24. The Four Bills sent to the King to the Isle of VVight to be passed Together with the Propositions sent unto Him at the same time which upon the passing of those Bills were to be Treated upon THE Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament have commanded us to present to Your Majesty these Four Bills which have passed the two Houses of Parliament thus severally Entituled viz. An Act concerning the raising settling and maintaining Forces by Sea and Land within the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales the Isles of Gernsey and Jersey and the Town of Barwick upon Tweed An Act for justifying the Proceedings of Parliament in the late War and for declaring all Oaths Declarations
thereunto Provided always and be it further Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That nothing herein before contained shall extend to the taking away of the ordinary Legal Power of Sheriffs Justices of Peace Maiors Bailiffs Coroners Constables Headboroughs or other Officers of Justice not being Military Officers concerning the Administration of Justice so as neither the said Sheriffs Justices of Peace Maiors Bailiffs Coroners Constables Headboroughs and other Officers or any of them do levy conduct imploy or command any Forces whatsoever by colour or pretence of any Commission of Array or extraordinary Command from His Majesty His Heirs or Successors without the Consent of the said Lords and Commons and that if any persons shall be gathered and assembled together in Warlike manner or otherwise to the number of Thirty persons and shall not forthwith separate and disperse themselves being required thereto by the said Lords and Commons or Command from them or any by them especially authorized for that purpose then such person and persons not so separating and dispersing themselves shall be guilty and incur the pains of High Treason being first Declared guilty of such Offence by the said Lords and Commons any Commission under the Great Seal or other Warrant to the contrary notwithstanding and he or they that shall offend herein shall be incapable of any Pardon from His Majesty His Heirs and Successors and their Estates shall be disposed as the said Lords and Commons shall think fit and not otherwise Provided also further That the City of London shall have and enjoy all their Rights Liberties and Franchises Customs and Usages in the raising and imploying the Forces of that City for the Defence thereof in as full and ample manner to all intents and purposes as they have or might have used or enjoyed the same at any time before the sitting of this present Parliament Soit baillé aux Seigneurs A ceste Bille les Seigneurs sont assentuz An Act for justifying the Proceedings of Parliament in the late War and for Declaring all Oaths Declarations Proclamations and other Proceedings against it to be void WHereas the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament have been necessitated to make and prosecute a War in their just and lawful Defence and thereupon Oaths Declarations and Proclamations have been made against them and their Ordinances and Proceedings and against others for adhering unto them and for executing Offices Places and Charges by Authority derived from them and Judgments Indictments Outlawries Attainders and Inquisitions for the causes aforesaid have been had and made against some of the Members of the Houses of Parliament and other his Majesties good Subjects and Grants have been made of their Lands and Goods Be it therefore Declared and hereby Enacted by the Kings Majesty and by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament and by Authority of the same That all Oaths Declarations and Proclamations heretofore had or made against both or either of the Houses of Parliament or any the Members of either of them for the causes aforesaid or against their Ordinances or Proceedings or against any for adhering unto them or for doing or executing any Office Place or Charge by any Authority derived from the said Houses or either of them and all Judgments Indictments Outlawries Attainders Inquisitions and Grants thereupon made and all other Proceedings for any the causes aforesaid had made done or executed or to be had made done or executed whether the same be done by the King or any Judges Justices Sheriffs Ministers or any others are void and of no effect and are contrary to and against the Laws of the Realm And be it further Enacted and hereby Declared by the Authority aforesaid That all Judges Justices of the Peace Maior Sheriffs Constables and other Officers and Ministers shall take notice hereof and are hereby prohibited and discharged in all time to come from awarding any Writ Process or Summons and from pronouncing or executing any Judgment Sentence or Decree or any way proceeding against or molesting any of the said Members of the two Houses of Parliament or against any of the Subjects of this Kingdom for any the causes aforesaid Soit baillé aux Seigneurs A ceste Bille les Seigneurs sont assentuz An Act concerning Peers lately made and hereafter to be made BE it Enacted by the Kings Majesty and by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament That all Honour and Title of Peerage conferred on any since the twentieth day of May 1642. being the day that Edward Lord Littleton then Lord Keeper of the Great Seal deserted the Parliament and that the said Great Seal was surreptitiously conveyed away from the Parliament be and is hereby made and declared Null and Void Be it further Enacted and it is hereby Enacted by the Authority aforesaid that no Person that shall hereafter be made a Peer or His Heirs shall sit or vote in the Parliament of England without consent of both Houses of Parliament Soit baillé aux Seigneurs A ceste Bille les Seigneurs sont assentuz An Act concerning the Adjournments of both Houses of Parliament BE it Declared and Enacted by the Kings Majesty and by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament and by the Authority of the same That when and as often as the Lords and Commons assembled in this present Parliament shall judge it necessary to adjourn both Houses of this present Parliament to any other place of the Kingdom of England than where they now sit or from any place adjourn the same again to the place where they now sit or to any other place within the Kingdom of England that then such their Adjournment and Adjournments to such places and for such time as they shall appoint shall at all times and from time to time be valid and good any Act Statute or Usage to the contrary notwithstanding Provided always and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no Adjournment or Adjournments to be had or made by reason or colour of this Act shall be deemed adjudged or taken to make end or determine any Session of this present Parliament And they also commanded us to present to Your Majesty these ensuing Propositions Heads of the Propositions 1. That the new Seal be confirmed and the old Great Seal and all things passed under it since May 1642. be made void 2. That Acts be passed for raising Moneys to satisfie Publick Debts 3. That Members of both Houses put from their places by the King be restored 4. That the Cessation in Ireland be made void and the War left to both Houses 5. That an Act of Indemnity be passed 6. That the Court of Wards be taken away and such Tenures turned into common Soccage 7. That the Treaties between the English and Scots be confirmed and Commissioners appointed for Conservation of the Peace between the Kingdoms 8. That the Arrears of the Army be paid out of the Bishops Lands forfeited Estates and Forests 9. That an Act be
passed for abolishing Bishops and all Appendants to them 10. That the Ordinances for disposing of Bishops Lands be confirmed by Act. 11. That an Act be passed for the sale of Church-Lands 12. That Delinquents be proceeded against and their Estates disposed of according to the several Qualifications 13. Than an Act be passed for discharge of Publick Debts 14. That Acts be passed for settling the Presbyterian Government and Directory Fourteen of the Thirty nine Articles revised by the Assembly of Divines Rules and Directions concerning Suspension from the Lords Supper 15. That the chief Governour and Officers in Ireland and the great Officers in England be nominated by both Houses 16. That an Act be passed for conviction of Popish Recusants 17. That an Act be passed for the Education of the Children of Papists by Protestants 18. That an Act be passed for levying the Penalties against Popish Recusants 19. That an Act be passed for preventing the Practices of Papists against the State and hearing Mass 20. That an Act be passed for Observation of the Lords day 21. And a Bill for suppressing Innovations 22. And for advancement of Preaching 23. And against Pluralities and Non-residency They have also commanded us to desire That Your Majesty give Your Royal Assent to these Bills by Your Letters-Patents under the Great Seal of England and signed by Your Hand and Declared and Notified to the Lords and Commons assembled together in the House of Peers according to the Law declared in that behalf it appearing unto them upon mature deliberation that it stands not with the Safety and Security of the Kingdom and Parliament to have Your Majesties Assent at this time given otherwise They desire therefore that Your Majesty be pleased to grant Your Warrant for the draught of a Bill for such Your Letters Patents to be presented to Your Majesty and then a Warrant to Edward Earl of Manchester and William Lenthal Esquire Speaker of the House of Commons who have now the Custody of the Great Seal of England to put the same of Your Majesties Letters-Patents signed as aforesaid thereby authorizing Algernon Earl of Northumberland Henry Earl of Kent John Earl of Rutland Philip Earl of Pembroke William Earl of Salisbury Robert Earl of Warwick and Edmond Earl of Moulgrave or any three of them to give Your Majesties Royal Assent unto the said Bills according to the Law in that behalf declared And for the other particulars contained in the aforementioned Propositions the two Houses of Parliament will after such Your Majesties Assent given to the said Bills send a Committee of both Houses to Treat with Your Majesty in the Isle of Wight thereupon The Paper of the Scots Commissioners delivered to His MAJESTY when the Four Bills and Propositions were presented THere is nothing which we have more constantly endeavoured and do more earnestly desire than a good Agreement and happy Peace between Your Majesty and Your Parliaments of both Kingdoms neither have we left any means unassayed that by united Counsels with the Houses of the Parliament of England and by making joynt Applications to Your Majesty there might be a composure of all Differences But the new Propositions communicated to us by the Houses and the Bills therewith presented to Your Majesty are so prejudicial to Religion the Crown and the Union and Interest of the Kingdoms and so far different from the former proceedings and engagements betwixt the Kingdoms as we cannot concur therein Therefore we do in the Name of the Kingdom of Scotland dissent from these Propositions and Bills now tendred to Your Majesty London Lauderdale Char. Erskin Hu. Kennedy Ro. Berclay His MAJESTIES Answer to the Four Bills and Propositions Dec. 28. 1647. For the Speaker of the Lords House pro tempore to be communicated to the Lords and Commons in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. THE necessity of complying with all engaged Interests in these great Distempers for a perfect settlement of Peace His Majesty finds to be none of the least Difficulties He hath met with since the time of His Afflictions Which is too visible when at the same time that the two Houses of the English Parliament do present to his Majesty several Bills and Propositions for his Consent the Commissioners for Scotland do openly protest against them So that were there nothing in the case but the consideration of that difference his Majesty cannot imagine how to give such an Answer to what is now proposed as thereby to promise himself his great End A Perfect Peace And when his Majesty farther considers how impossible it is in the condition he now stands to fulfil the desires of his two Houses since the only ancient and known ways of passing Laws are either by his Majesties Personal Assent in the House of Peers or by Commission under his Great Seal of England he cannot but wonder at such failings in the manner of Address which is now made unto him unless his two Houses intend that his Majesty shall allow of a Great Seal made without his Authority before there be any consideration had thereupon in a Treaty which as it may hereafter hazard the Security it self so for the present it seems very unreasonable to his Majesty And though his Majesty is willing to believe that the intention of very many in both Houses in sending these Bills before a Treaty was only to obtain a Trust from him and not to take any advantage by passing them to force other things from him which are either against his Conscience or Honour yet his Majesty believes it clear to all understandings that these Bills contain as they are now penned not only the devesting himself of all Sovereignty and that without possibility of recovering it either to him or his Successors except by repeal of those Bills but also the making his Concessions guilty of the greatest pressures that can be made upon the Subject as in other particulars so by giving an Arbitrary and unlimited Power to the two Houses for ever to raise and levy Forces for Land or Sea-service of what persons without distinction or quality and to what numbers they please and likewise for the payment of them to levy what moneys in such sort and by such ways and means and consequently upon the Estates of whatsoever persons as they shall think fit and appoint which is utterly inconsistent with the Liberty and Property of the Subject and his Majesties Trust in protecting them So that if the major part of both Houses shall think it necessary to put the rest of the Propositions into Bills his Majesty leaves all the world to judge how unsafe it would be for him to consent thereunto and if not what a strange condition after the passing of these Four Bills his Majesty and all his Subjects would be cast into And here his Majesty thinks it not unfit to wish his two Houses to consider well the manner of their proceeding
That when his Majesty desires a Personal Treaty with them for the settling of a Peace they in Answer propose the very subject matter of the most essential part thereof to be first granted a thing which will be hardly credible to Posterity Wherefore his Majesty declares That neither the desire of being freed from this tedious and irksome condition of life his Majesty hath so long suffered nor the apprehension of what may befall him in case his two Houses shall not afford him a Personal Treaty shall make him change his Resolution of not consenting to any Act till the whole Peace be concluded Yet then he intends not only to give just and reasonable satisfaction in the particulars presented to him but also to make good all other Concessions mentioned in his Message of the 16. of Novemb. last which he thought would have produced better effects than what he finds in the Bills and Propositions now presented unto him And yet his Majesty cannot give over but now again earnestly presseth for a Personal Treaty so passionately is he affected with the advantages which Peace will bring to his Majesty and all his Subjects of which he will not at all despair there being no other visible way to obtain a well-grounded Peace However his Majesty is very much at ease within himself for having fulfilled the Offices both of a Christian and of a King and will patiently wait the good pleasure of Almighty God to incline the hearts of his two Houses to consider their King and to compassionate their fellow-Subjects miseries Given at Carisbrook-Castle in the Isle of Wight Decemb. 28. 1647. A Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament with the Resolutions of both Houses concerning the King Together with an Order for Imprisoning the Persons and Sequestring the Estates of any that shall act contrary to this Declaration and Resolutions Die Sabbathi 15. Januarii 1647. THE Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament after many Addresses to his Majesty for the preventing and ending this Unnatural War raised by him against his Parliament and Kingdom having lately sent Four Bills to his Majesty which did contain only matter of Safety and Security to the Parliament and Kingdom referring the composure of all other Differences to a Personal Treaty with his Majesty and having received an absolute Negative do hold themselves obliged to use their uttermost Endeavours speedily to settle the present Government in such a way as may bring the greatest Security to this Kingdom in the enjoyment of the Laws and Liberties thereof and in order thereunto and that the Houses may receive no Delays nor Interruptions in so great and necessary a Work they have taken these Resolutions and passed these Votes following viz. Resolved upon the Question THat the Lords and Commons do Declare That they will make no further Addresses or Applications to the King Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament That no Application or Address be made to the King by any person whatsoever without the leave of both Houses Resolved upon the Question by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament That the person or persons that shall make breach of this Order shall incur the Penalties of High Treason Resolved upon the Question That the Lords and Commons do Declare That they will receive no more any Message from the King and do enjoyn that no person whatsoever do presume to receive or bring any Message from the King to both or either of the Houses of Parliament or to any other person Joh. Browne Cleric Parliamentorum H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. Die Lunae 17. Januarii 1647. Ordered by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament That this Declaration and these Resolutions be forthwith printed and published and that the several Knights of the Shires and Burgesses that serve for the several Towns and places do send Copies of the same to the several Counties and places It is further Ordered That whatsoever person shall act contrary to this Declaration and Resolutions of Parliament or shall incite or encourage others so to do shall upon due proof thereof be Imprisoned and his Estate Sequestred and the Offenders in the premisses after publication hereof shall be within the several Ordinances of Sequestration And all Committees and Commissioners of Sequestrations are hereby authorized and required to take notice hereof and to proceed to Sequestration accordingly Joh. Browne Cleric Parliamentorum H. Elsynge Cler. Parl. D. Com. His MAJESTIES Declaration in Answer to the Votes of No further Address Carisbrook-Castle 18. Jan. 1647. To all My People of whatsoever Nation Quality or Condition AM I thus laid aside and must I not speak for my self No I will speak and that to all my People which I would have rather done by the way of my two Houses of Parliament but that there is a publick Order neither to make Addresses to or receive Message from me And who but you can be judge of the Differences betwixt me and my two Houses I know none else for I am sure you it is who will enjoy the happiness or feel the misery of good or ill Government and we all pretend who shall run fastest to serve you without having a regard at least in the first place to particular Interests And therefore I desire you to consider the state I am and have been in this long time and whether my actions have more tended to the Publick or my own Particular good For whosoever will look upon upon me barely as I am a Man without that Liberty which the meanest of my Subjects enjoys of going whither and conversing with whom I will as a Husband and Father without the comfort of my Wife and Children or lastly as a King without the least shew of Authority or Power to protect my distressed Subjects must conclude me not onely void of all Natural Affection but also to want common Understanding if I should not most chearfully embrace the readiest way to the settlement of these distracted Kingdoms As also on the other side do but consider the Form and draught of the Bills lately presented unto Me and as they are the Conditions of a Treaty ye will conclude that the same spirit which hath still been able to frustrate all My sincere and constant endeavours for Peace hath had a powerful influence on this Message for though I was ready to grant the Substance and comply with what they seem to desire yet as they had framed it I could not agree thereunto without deeply wounding my Conscience and Honour and betraying the Trust reposed in me by abandoning my People to the Arbitrary and unlimited power of the two Houses for ever for the levying and maintaining of Land or Sea-Forces without distinction of Quality or limitation for Money-Taxes And if I could have passed them in terms how unheard of a Condition were it for a Treaty to grant beforehand the most considerable part of the subject matter How ineffectual were that
Peers pro tempore and William Lenthal Speaker of the House of Commons My Lord and Mr. Speaker I Have received your Letter of the second of this Month containing the Names of those who are to Treat with Me and though they do not come at the time appointed I shall not wonder at first judging it too short in respect of My two Houses not of My self so that I did not imagine it could be kept as I then commanded Sir Peter Killegrew to tell you by word of Mouth and therefore it shall be far from Me to take Exceptions for their having elapsed the appointed time for God forbid that either my two Houses or I should carp at circumstances to give the least impediment to this Treaty much less to hinder the happy finishing of it I say this the rather because I know not how it is possible in this I shall wish to be deceived that in Forty days Treaty the many Distractions of these Kingdoms can be setled and if so it were more than strange that time enough should not be given for the perfecting of this most great and good Work which as I will not believe can be stuck on by the two Houses so I am sure it shall never be by Carisbrook 7. Sept. 1648. Your good Friend CHARLES R. I think fit to tell you because I believe in this Treaty there will be need of Civil Lawyers I have sent for My Advocate Rives and D. Duck. And afterward his Majesty desired the Persons named in this Note inclosed in a Letter of one of their Commissioners Novemb. 2. to be sent to Him C. R. The Bishop of Armagh the Bishop of Excester the Bishop of Rochester the Bishop of Worcester Dr. Fern Dr. Morley The Propositions of both Houses being the same which had been presented to his Majesty at Hampton-Court and little differing from those which had been largely discussed in the former Treaties at Oxford and Uxbridg for this reason as also because neither Party did publish the particulars of this Treaty we have thought fit to represent only what is Authentick and therefore shall add only His Majesties fair Offers in order to a Peace His MAJESTIES Propositions 29. Sept. 1648. HIS Majesty did use many earnest endeavours for a Personal Treaty which he hoped might have been obtained at Westminster between Him and His two Houses of Parliament immediately yet they having made choice of this way by you their Commissioners His Majesty did gladly and chearfully accept thereof in this place as a fit means to begin a Treaty for a Peace which might put an end to His own sad Condition and the Miseries of His Kingdom For an entrance whereunto His Majesty hath already expressed His Consent to the First Proposition But finding you are limited by Instructions which you have no Warrant to communicate unto Him and having cause by your Paper of the 20. of this present to believe that you have no power to omit or alter any thing though He shall give you such Reasons as may satisfie you so to do without transmitting the Papers to the two Houses at a far distance where His Majesties Reasons Expressions and Offers upon Debate cannot be fully represented and from whence their Answers cannot be returned without much wast of the time allotted for the Treaty here and having lately received another Paper concerning the Church containing in it self many particulars of great importance and referring to divers Ordinances Articles of Religion and other things eleven or twelve in number of great length and some of them very new and never before presented to His Majesty the due consideration whereof will take up much time and require His Majesties Presence with His two Houses before a full resolution can well be had in matters of so high consequence To the end therefore that the good work now in hand may by God's blessing proceed more speedily and effectually to an happy Conclusion and that His two Houses of Parliament may at present have further security and an earnest of future satisfaction His Majesty upon consideration had of yours makes these Propositions following Concerning the Church His Majesty will consent That the Calling and sitting of the Assembly of Divines at Westminster be confirmed for three years by Act of Parliament And will by Act of Parliament confirm for Three years the Directory for the Publick worship of God in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales And will likewise confirm for Three years by Act of Parliament the form of Church-Government which ye have presented to Him to be used for the Churches of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales Provided that His Majesty and those of His Judgement or any others who cannot in Conscience submit thereunto be not in the mean time obliged to comply with the same Government or form of Worship but have free practice of their own profession And that a free Consultation and debate be had with the Assembly of Divines at Westminster in the mean time Twenty of His Majesties Nomination being added unto them whereby it may be determined by His Majesty and His two Houses of Parliament how the said Church-Government and form of Publick Worship after the said time may be setled or sooner if Differences may be agreed and how also Reformation of Religion may be setled within the Kingdoms of England and Ireland and Dominion of Wales And the Articles of Christian Religion now delivered to Him may in like manner be then considered of and determined and care taken for the ease of tender Consciences And concerning the Bishops Lands and Revenues His Majesty considering that during these troublesome times divers of His Subjects have made Contracts and Purchases and divers have disbursed great Sums of Money upon security and engagement of those Lands His Majesty for their satisfaction will consent to an Act or Acts of Parliament whereby legal Estates for Lives or for Years at their choice not exceeding ninety nine years shall be made of those Lands towards the satisfaction of the said Purchasers Contractors and others to whom they are engaged at the old Rents or some other moderate Rent whereby they may receive satisfaction And in case such Lease shall not satisfie His Majesty will propound and consent to some other way for their further satisfaction Provided that the Propriety and Inheritance of those Lands may still remain and continue to the Church and Church-men respectively according to the pious intentions of the Donors and Founders thereof And the rest that shall be reserved to be for their maintenance His Majesty will give His Royal Assent for the better observation of the Lords day for suppressing of Innovations in Churches and Chappels in and about the Worship of God and for the better advancement of the Preaching of God's Holy Word in all parts of this Kingdom and to an Act against enjoying Pluralities of Benefices by Spiritual Persons and Non-residency and to an Act for Regulating and
and quietness and shall I now neither enjoy them nor Peace Have not My Subjects formerly obeyed Me and shall I now be obedient to My Subjects Have I not been condemned for Evil Counsellors and shall I now be condemned for having no Counsel but God These are unutterable Miseries that the more I endeavour for Peace the less My endeavours are respected and how shall I know hereafter what to grant when your selves know not what to ask I refer it to your consciences whether I have not satisfied your desires in every particular since this Treaty if you find I have not then let Me bear the burthen of the fault but if I have given you ample satisfaction as I am sure I have then you are bound to vindicate Me from the fury of those whose thoughts are filled with blood though they pretend zeal yet they are but Wolves in Sheeps cloathing I must further declare that I conceive there is nothing can more obstruct the long-hoped-for peace of this Nation than the illegall proceedings of them that presume from Servants to become Masters and labour to bring in Democracy and to abolish Monarchy Needs must the total alteration of Fundamentals be not only destructlve to others but in conclusion to themselves for they that endeavour to rule by the Sword shall at last fall by it for Faction is the Mother of Ruine and it is the humour of those that are of this weather-cock-like disposition to love nothing but mutabilities neither will that please them but only pro tempore for too much variety doth but confound the senses and makes them still hate one folly and fall in love with another Time is the best cure for Faction for it will at length like a spreading leprosie infect the whole body of the Kingdom and make it so odious that at last they will hate themselves for love of that and like the Fish for love of the bait be catch'd with the hook I once more declare to all My loving Subjects and God knows whether or no this may be My last That I have earnestly laboured for Peace and that My thoughts were sincere and absolute without any sinister ends and there was nothing left undone by Me that My Conscience would permit me to do And I call God to witness that I do firmly conceive that the interposition of the Army that cloud of Malice hath altogether eclips'd the glory of that Peace which began again to shine in this Land And let the world judge whether it be expedient for an Army to contradict the Votes of a Kingdom endeavouring by pretending for Laws and Liberties to subvert both Such actions as these must produce strange consequences and set open the flood-gates of Ruin to overflow this Kingdom in a moment Had this Treaty been only Mine own seeking then they might have had fairer pretences to have stopt the course of it but I being importun'd by My two Houses and they by most part of the Kingdom could not but with a great deal of alacrity concurr with them in their desires for the performance of so commodious a work and I hope by this time that the hearts and eyes of My People are opened so much that they plainly discover who are the Underminers of this Treaty For Mine own part I here protest before the face of Heaven that Mine own Afflictions though they need no addition afflict Me not so much as My Peoples Sufferings for I know what to trust to already and they know not God comfort both them and Me and proportion our Patience to our Sufferings And when the Malice of Mine Enemies is spun out to the smallest thred let them know that I will by the grace of God be as contented to suffer as they are active to advance My Sufferings and Mine own Soul tells Me that the time will come when the very clouds shall drop down vengeance upon the heads of those that barricado themselves against the proceedings of of Peace for if God hath proclaimed a blessing to the Peace-makers needs must the Peace-breakers draw down curses upon their heads I thank My God I have armed My self against their Fury and now let the arrows of their Envy fly at Me I have a breast to receive them and a heart possest with Patience to sustain them for God is My Rock and My shield therefore I will not fear what man can do unto Me. I will expect the worst and if any thing happen beyond My expectation I will give God the glory for vain is the help of man THE END AN APPENDIX CONTAINING THE PAPERS WHICH PASSED BETWIXT HIS MAJESTY And the Divines which Attended the Commissioners of the TWO HOUSES at the TREATY at NEWPORT CONCERNING CHURCH-GOVERNMENT In this APPENDIX are contained I. His MAJESTIES Reason why He cannot in Conscience consent to abolish the Episcopal Government October 2. 1648. p. 612. II. The Answer of the Divines to His MAJESTIES Reason Octob. 3. ibid. III. His MAJESTIES Reply to their Paper Octob 6. p. 616. IV. The Rejoinder of the Divines to His MAJESTIES Reply Octob. 17. p. 621. V. His MAJESTIES Final Answer concerning Episcopacy Nov. 1. 1648. p. 634. I. His MAJESTIES Reason why He cannot in Conscience consent to abolish the Episcopal Government CHARLES R. I Conceive that Episcopal Government is most consonant to the Word of God and of Apostolical Institution as it appears by the Scripture to have been practised by the Apostles themselves and by them committed and derived to particular Persons as their Substitutes or Successors therein as for Ordaining Presbyters and Deacons giving Rules for Christian Discipline and exercising Censures over Presbyters and others and hath ever since till these last times been exercised by Bishops in all the Churches of Christ And therefore I cannot in Conscience consent to abolish the said Government Notwithstanding this My perswasion I shall be glad to be informed if our Saviour and the Apostles did so leave the Church at liberty as they might totally alter or change the Church-Government at their pleasure Which if you can make appear to Me then I will confess that one of My great Scruples is clean taken away And then there only remains That being by My Coronation-Oath obliged to maintain Episcopal Government as I found it setled to My hands Whether I may consent to the abolishing thereof until the same shall be evidenced to Me to be contrary to the Word of God Newport 2. Oct. 1648. II. An Humble Answer returned to Your Majesties Paper delivered to us Octob. 2. MDCXLVIII May it please Your Majesty WE do fully agree without hesitation That these Scriptures cited in the margin of Your Paper Acts xiv 23. Acts vi 6. 1 Cor. xvi 1. 1 Cor. xiv 1 Cor. v. 3. iii John 9 10. do prove that the Apostles did ordain Presbyters and Deacons give Rules concerning Christian Discipline and had power of exercising Censures over Presbyters and others
the Church of England as well by their personal Subscriptions as otherwise so attested and declared and which Himself in His Judgment and Conscience hath for so many years been and yet is perswaded to be at least of Apostolical Institution and Practice Truly His Majesty cannot but wonder what should be the reason of your great shiness and unwillingness to discover your minds in a matter of so great and necessary consequence and for a final conclusion of this whole Dispute which His Majesty thinketh fit to shut up with this Paper He must plainly tell you That your endeavours to have given Him satisfaction in the Questions proposed would have added much in His opinion to the reputation of your Ingenuity in the whole undertaking it being not probable you should work much upon His Judgment whilst you are fearful to declare your own nor possible to relieve His Conscience but by a free discharge of yours Nevertheless His Majesty liketh well of your Prayer in the close of your Paper and thinketh you should do very well to joyn therewith your utmost possible endeavours towards the settling of Truth and a happy Peace in this unsettled Church and Kingdom THE END ΕΙΚΩΠΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΗ THE POURTRAICTURE OF HIS SACRED MAJESTY IN HIS SOLITUDES and SUFFERINGS I. Vpon His MAJESTIES Calling this last PARLIAMENT THIS last Parliament I called not more by others advice and necessity of my Affairs than by my own choice and inclination who have always thought the right way of Parliaments most safe for my Crown as best pleasing to my People And altho I was not forgetful of those sparks which some mens distempers formerly studied to kindle in Parliaments which by forbearing to convene for some years I hoped to have extinguished yet resolving with My self to give all just satisfaction to modest and sober desires and to redress all publick Grievances in Church and State I hoped by my freedom and their moderation to prevent all misunderstandings and miscarriages in this In which as I feared affairs would meet with some Passion and Prejudice in other men so I resolved they should find least of them in My self not doubting but by the weight of Reason I should counterpoise the over-balancings of any Factions I was inded sorry to hear with what Partiality and Popular heat Elections were carried in many places yet hoping that the Gravity and Discretion of other Gentlemen would allay and fix the Commons to a due temperament guiding some mens well-meaning zeal by such rules of moderation as are best both to preserve and restore the health of all States and Kingdoms no man was better pleased with the convening of this Parliament than My self who knowing best the Largeness of my own Heart toward my Peoples good and just contentment pleased My self most in that good and firm understanding which would hence grow between Me and my People All Jealousies being laid aside My own and My Childrens Interests gave Me many obligations to seek and preserve the Love and welfare of my Subjects the only temporal Blessing that is left to the ambition of just Monarchs as their greatest Honour and Safety next Gods Protection I cared not to lessen My self in some things of my wonted Prerogative since I knew I could be no loser if I might gain but a recompence in my Subjects Affections I intended not only to oblige my Friends but mine Enemies also exceeding even the desires of those that were factiously discontented if they did but pretend to any modest and sober sense The Odium and offences which some mens Rigor or Remisness in Church and State had contracted upon my Government I resolved to have expiated by such Laws and regulations for the future as might not only rectify what was amiss in Practice but supply what was defective in the Constitution No man having a greater zeal to see Religion setled and preserved in Truth Unity and Order than My self whom it most concerns both in Piety and Policy as knowing that No flames of civil Dissentions are more dangerous than those which make Religious pretensions the grounds of Factions I resolved to reform what I should by free and full advice in Parliament be oonvinced of to be amiss and to grant whatever my Reason and Conscience told Me was fit to be desired I wish I had kept My self within those bounds and not suffered my own Judgment to have been overborn in some things more by others importunities than their Arguments My confidence had less betrayed My self and my Kingdomes to those advantages which some men sought for who wanted nothing but Power and Occasions to do mischief But our Sins being ripe there was no preventing of Gods Justice from reaping that Glory in our Calamities which we robb'd him of in our Prosperity For Thou O Lord hast made us see that Resolutions of future Reforming do not always satisfie thy Justice nor prevent thy Vengeance for former miscarriages Our Sins have overlaid our Hopes Thou hast taught us to depend on thy Mercies to forgive not on our purpose to amend When Thou hast vindicated thy Glory by thy Judgments and hast shewed us how unsafe it is to offend Thee upon presumptions afterwards to please Thee then I trust thy Mercies will restore those Blessings to us which we have so much abused as to force Thee to deprive us of them For want of timely Repentance of our sins Thou givest us cause to repent of those remedies we too late apply Yet I do not repent of my calling this last Parliament because O Lord I did it with an upright intention to thy Glory and my peoples good The Miseries which have ensued upon Me and My Kingdoms are the just effects of thy displeasure upon us and may be yet through thy mercy preparative of us to future Blessings and better hearts to enjoy them O Lord tho Thou hast deprived us of many former comforts yet grant Me and My people the benefit of our afflictions and thy chastisements that thy rod as well as thy staff may comfort us Then shall we dare to account them the strokes not of an Enemy but a Father when thou givest us those humble affections that measure of Patience in Repentance which becomes thy Children I shall have no cause to repent the Miseries this Parliament hath occasioned when by them thou hast brought Me and My people unfeignedly to repent of the Sins we have committed Thy Grace is infinitely better with our Sufferings than our Peace could be with our Sins O thou soveraign Goodness and Wisdom who over-rulest all our Counsels over-rule also all our hearts That the worse things we suffer by thy Justice the better we may be by thy Mercy As our Sins have turned our Antidotes into poyson so let thy Grace turn our poysons into Antidotes As the Sins of our Peace disposed us to this unhappy War so let this War prepare us for thy blessed Peace That although I have but troublesom Kingdoms here yet I may
learned to thirst the more by how much the more they drank whom no fountain of Royal Bounty was able to overcome so resolved they seemed either utterly to exhaust it or barbarously to obstruct it Sure it ceases to be Counsel when not Reason is used as to men to perswade but Force and Terror as to beasts to drive and compel men to assent to whatever tumultuary Patrons shall project He deserves to be a Slave without pity or redemption that is content to have the Rational soveraignty of his Soul and liberty of his Will and Words so captivated Nor do I think my Kingdoms so considerable as to preserve them with the forfeiture of that Freedom which cannot be denied Me as a King because it belongs to Me as a Man and a Christian owning the dictates of none but God to be above Me as obliging Me to consent Better for Me to die enjoying this Empire of my Soul which subjects Me only to God so far as by Reason or Religion he directs Me than live with the Title of a King if it should carry such a vassalage with it as not to suffer Me to use My Reason and Conscience in which I declare as a King to like or dislike So far am I from thinking the Majesty of the Crown of England to be bound by any Coronation-Oath in a blind and brutish formality to consent to whatever its Subjects in Parliament shall require as some men will needs infer while denying me any power of a Negative voice as King they are not ashamed to seek to deprive Me of the liberty of using My Reason with a good Conscience which themselves and all the Commons of England enjoy proportionable to their influence on the publick who would take it very ill to be urged not to deny whatever My self as King or the House of Peers with Me should not so much desire as enjoyn them to pass I think My Oath fully discharged in that point by my Governing only by such Laws as My People with the House of Peers have chosen and My self consented to I shall never think My self conscientiously tied to go as oft against My Conscience as I should consent to such new Proposals which My reason in Justice Honour and Religion bids Me deny Yet so tender I see some men are of their being subject to Arbitrary Government that is the Law of anothers will to which themselves give no consent that they care not with how much dishonour and absurdity they make their King the only man that must be subject to the will of others without having power left him to use his own Reason either in Person or by any Representation And if my dissentings at any time were as some have suspected and uncharitably avowed out of Error Opinionativeness Weakness or Wilfulness and what they call Obstinacy in Me which not true Judgment of things but some vehement Prejudice or Passion hath fixed on My Mind yet can no man think it other than the badg and method of Slavery by savage Rudeness and importunate obtrusions of Violence to have the mist of his Error and Passion dispelled which is a shadow of Reason and must serve those that are destitute of the substance Sure that man cannot be blameable to God or Man who seriously endeavours to see the best reason of things and faithfully follows what he takes for Reason The uprightness of his Intentions will excuse the possible failings of his Understanding If a Pilot at Sea cannot see the Pole-star it can be no fault in him to steer his course by such Stars as do best appear to him It argues rather those men to be conscious of their defects of Reason and convincing Arguments who call in the assistance of mere force to carry on the weakness of their Counsels and Proposals I may in the truth and uprightness of my Heart protest before God and Men that I never wilfully opposed or denied any thing that was in a fair way after full and free debates propounded to Me by the Two Houses further than I thought in good Reason I might and was bound to do Nor did any thing ever please Me more than when My Judgment so concurred with theirs that I might with good Conscience consent to them yea in many things where not absolute and moral necessity of Reason but temporary convenience on point of Honour was to be considered I chose rather to deny My self than them as preferring that which they thought necessary for My Peoples good before what I saw but convenient for My self For I can be content to recede much from My own Interests and Personal Rights of which I conceive My self to be Master but in what concerns Truth Justice the Rights of the Church and my Crown together with the general good of my Kingdoms all which I am bound to preserve as much as morally lies in Me here I am and ever shall be fixt and resolute nor shall any man gain my consent to that wherein my Heart gives my Tongue or Hand the Lye nor will I be brought to affirm that to Men which in my Conscience I denied before God I will rather chuse to wear a Crown of Thorns with My Saviour than to exchange that of Gold which is due to Me for one of Lead whose embased flexibleness shall be forced to bend and comply to the various and oft contrary dictates of any Factions when in stead of Reason and Publick Concernments they obtrude nothing but what makes for the interest of Parties and flows from the partialities of private Wills and Passions I know no resolutions more worthy a Christian King than to prefer his Conscience before his Kingdoms O my God preserve thy Servant in this Native Rational and Religious Freedom for this I believe is thy will that we should maintain who though Thou dost justly require us to submit our Vnderstandings and Wills to thine whose Wisdom and Goodness can neither err nor misguide us and so far to deny our carnal Reason in order to thy Sacred Mysteries and Commands that we should believe and obey rather than dispute them yet dost Thou expect from us only such a reasonable Service of Thee as not to do any thing for Thee against our Consciences and as to the desires of men enjoinest us to try all things by the touch-stone of Reason and Laws which are the Rules of Civil Justice and to declare our Consents to that only which our Judgments approve Thou knowest O Lord how unwilling I was to desert that place in which Thou hast set Me and whereto the Affairs of My Kingdoms at present do call Me. My People can witness how far I have been content for their good to deny My self in what Thou hast subjected to My disposal O let not the unthankful importunities and Tumultuary Violence of some mens Immoderate demands ever betray Me to that dangerous and unmanly slavery which should make Me strengthen them by my Consent in those things which I
think in my Conscience to be against thy Glory the good of my Subjects and the discharge of my own duty to Reason and Justice Make Me willing to suffer the greatest Indignities and Injuries they press upon Me rather than commit the least sin against my Conscience Let the just Liberties of my People be as well they may preserved in fair and equal ways without the slavery of my Soul Thou that hast invested Me by thy Favours in the power of a Christian King suffer Me not to subject my Reason to other mens Passions and Designs which to Me seem unreasonable unjust and irreligious So shall I serve Thee in the truth and uprightness of my Heart tho I cannot satisfie these men Though I be driven from among them yet give Me grace to walk always uprightly before Thee Lead Me in the way of Truth and Justice for these I know will bring Me at last to Peace and Happiness with Thee though for these I have much trouble among men This I beg of Thee for my Saviours sake VII Vpon the QUEENS Departure and Absence out of ENGLAND ALthough I have much cause to be troubled at my Wifes departure from Me and out of my Dominions yet not her absence so much as the scandal of that Necessity which drives Her away doth afflict Me That She should be compelled by My own Subjects and those pretending to be Protestants to withdraw for her Safety This being the first example of any Protestant Subjects that have taken up Arms against their King a Protestant For I look upon this now done in England as another Act of the same Tragedy which was lately begun in Scotland the brands of that fire being ill quenched have kindled the like flames here I fear such motions so little to the adorning of the Protestant profession may occasion a further alienation of Mind and divorce of Affections in Her from that Religion which is the only thing wherein We differ Which yet God can and I pray he would in time take away and not suffer these practices to be any obstruction to her Judgment since it is the motion of those men for the most part who are yet to seek and settle their Religion for Doctrine Government and good Manners and so not to be imputed to the true English Protestants who continue firm to their former setled Principles and Laws I am sorry my relation to so deserving a Lady should be any occasion of her Danger and Affliction whose Merits would have served her for a protection among the savage Indians while their Rudeness and Barbarity knows not so perfectly to hate all Virtues as some mens Subtilty doth among whom I yet think few are so malicious as to hate Her for Her self The fault is That She is my Wife All Justice then as well as Affection commands Me to study Her Security who is only in danger for My sake I am content to be tossed weather-beaten and shipwrackt so as She may be in safe Harbor This comfort I shall enjoy by Her Safety in the midst of My Personal Dangers that I can perish but half if She be preserved In whose Memory and hopeful Posterity I may yet survive the Malice of My Enemies altho they should be satiated with my Blood I must leave her and Them to the Love and Loyalty of my good Subjects and to his Protection who is able to punish the Faults of Princes and no less severely to revenge the Injuries done to Them by those who in all duty and Allegiance ought to have made good that Safety which the Laws chiefly provide for Princes But common Civility is in vain expected from those that dispute their Loyalty Nor can it be safe for any relation to a King to tarry among them who are shaking hands with their Allegiance under pretence of laying faster hold on their Religion 'T is pity so noble and peaceful a Soul should see much more suffer the Rudeness of those who must make up their want of Justice with Inhumanity and Impudence Her sympathy with Me in my Afflictions will make her Virtues shine with greater lustre as Stars in the darkest nights and assure the envious world that She loves Me not my Fortunes Neither of Us but can easily forgive since We do not much blame the unkindness of the Generality and Vulgar for we see God is pleased to try both our Patience by the most self-punishing sin the Ingratitude of those who having eaten of our Bread and being enriched with our Bounty have scornfully lift up themselves against Us and those of our own Houshold are become our Enemies I pray God lay not their sin to their charge who think to fatisfie all obligations to duty by their Corban of Religion and can less endure to see than to sin against their Benefactors as well as their Soveraigns But even that Policy of my Enemies is so far venial as it was necessary to their designs by scandalous Articles and all irreverent demeanor to seek to drive Her out of my Kingdoms lest by the influence of her Example eminent for Love as a Wife and Loyalty as a Subject She should have converted to or retained in their Love and Loyalty all those whom they had a purpose to pervert The less I may be blest with her company the more I will retire to God and my own Heart whence no Malice can banish Her My Enemies may envy but they can never deprive Me of the enjoyment of her Virtues while I enjoy My self Thou O Lord whose Justice at present sees fit to scatter Vs let thy Mercy in the due time re-unite Vs on Earth if it be thy Will however bring Vs both at last to thy Heavenly Kingdom Preserve Vs from the hands of our despiteful and deadly Enemies and prepare Vs by our Sufferings for thy presence Tho We differ in some things as to Religion which is my greatest temporal Infelicity yet Lord give and accept the sincerity of our Affections which desire to seek to find to embrace every Truth of thine Let both our hearts agree in the Love of thy self and Christ crucified for us Teach Vs both what Thou wouldst have Vs to know in order to thy Glory our publick relations and our Souls eternal good and make Vs careful to do what good We know Let neither Ignorance of what is necessary to be known nor Vnbelief or Disobedience to what We know be our misery or our wilful default Let not this great Scandal of those my Subjects which profess the same Religion with Me be any hindrance to her love of any Truth thou wouldst have Her to learn nor any hardning of Her in any Error Thou wouldst have cleared to Her Let mine and other mens Constancy be an Antidote against the poyson of their Example Let the truth of that Religion I profess be represented to Her Judgment with all the beauties of Humility Loyalty Charity and Peaceableness which are the proper fruits and ornaments of it not
as far from meditating a War as I was in the eye of the world from having any preparation for one I find that comfort that in the midst of all the unfortunate successes of this War on My side I do not think My Innocency any whit prejudiced or darkned nor am I without that Integrity and Peace before God as with humble confidence to address my Prayer to him For Thou O Lord seest clearly through all the cloudings of humane affairs Thou judgest without prejudice Thy Omniscience eternally guides thy unerrable Judgment O my God the proud are risen against Me and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my Soul and have not set Thee before their eyes Consider my Enemies O Lord for they are many and they hate Me with a deadly hatred without a cause For thou knowest I had no Passion Design or Preparation to embroil My Kingdoms in a Civil War whereto I had least temptation as knowing I must adventure more than any and could gain least of any by it Thou O Lord art my witness how oft I have deplored and studied to divert the necessity thereof wherein I cannot well be thought so prodigally thirsty of my Subjects blood as to venture my own Life which I have been oft compelled to do in this unhappy War and which were better spent to save than to destroy my People O Lord I need much of thy grace with Patience to bear the many Afflictions Thou hast suffered some men to bring upon Me but much more to bear the unjust reproaches of those who not content that I suffer most by the War will needs perswade the world that I have raised it first or given just cause to raise it The confidence of some mens false tongues is such that they would make Me almost suspect my own Innocency Yea I could be content at least by my silence to take upon Me so great a guilt before men if by that I might allay the Malice of my Enemies and redeem my People from this miserable War since thou O Lord knowest my Innocency in this thing Thou wilt find out bloody and deceitful men many of whom have not lived out half their days in which they promised themselves the enjoyment of the fruits of their violent and wicked Counsels Save O Lord thy Servant as hitherto Thou hast and in thy due time scatter the people that delight in War Arise O Lord lift up thy self because of the rage of mine Enemies which encreaseth more and more Behold them that have conceived mischief travelled with iniquity and brought forth falshood Thou knowest the chief design of this War is either to destroy My Person or force My Judgment and to make Me renege My Conscience and Thy Truth I am driven to cross David's choice and desire rather to fall into the hands of men by denying them tho their mercies be cruel than into thy hands by sinning against My Conscience and in that against Thee who art a consuming fire Better they destroy Me than thou shouldst damn Me. Be thou ever the defence of My Soul who wilt save the upright in heart If nothing but My Blood will satisfie My Enemies or quench the flames of My Kingdoms or Thy temporal Justice I am content if it be Thy will that it be shed by Mine own Subjects hands But O let the Blood of Me tho their King yet a Sinner be washed with the Blood of My innocent and peace-making Redeemer for in that Thy Justice will find not only a temporary expiation but an eternal plenary satisfaction both for My sins and the sins of My People whom I beseech thee still own for Thine and when Thy wrath is appeased by My Death O remember thy great Mercies toward them and forgive them O My Father for they know not what they do X. Vpon their seizing the KING's Magazines Forts Navy and Militia HOW untruly I am charged with the first raising of an Army and beginning the Civil War the eyes that only pity Me and the Loyal hearts that durst only pray for Me at first might witness which yet appear not so many on My side as there were men in Arms lifted against Me. My unpreparedness for a War may well dishearten those that would help Me while it argues truly my unwillingness to fight yet it testifies for Me that I am set on the defensive part having so little hopes or power to offend others that I have none to defend My self or to preserve what is Mine own from their prereption No man can doubt but they prevented Me in their purposes as well as their injuries who are so much before-hand in their Preparations against Me and surprizals of My strength Such as are not for Them yet dare not be for Me so over-aw'd is their Loyalty by the others Numbers and Terrors I believe My Innocency and unpreparedness to assert My Rights and Honour makes Me the more guilty in their esteem who would not so easily have declared a War against Me if I had first assaulted them They knew My chiefest Arms left Me were those only which the ancient Christians were wont to use against their Persecutors Prayers and Tears These may serve a good mans turn if not to Conquer as a Soldier yet to Suffer as a Martyr Their preventing of Me and surprizing My Castles Forts Arms and Navy with the Militia is so far best for Me that it may drive Me from putting any trust in the arm of flesh and wholly to cast My self into the protection of the living God who can save by few or none as well as by many He that made the greedy Ravens to be Elias's Caterers and bring him food may also make their surprisal of outward Force and Defence an opportunity to shew Me the special support of his Power and Protection I thank God I reckon not now the want of the Militia so much in reference to My own protection as My Peoples Their many and sore Oppressions grieve Me I am above My own what I want in the hands of Force and Power I have in the wings of Faith and Prayer But this is the strange method these men will needs take to resolve their Riddle of making Me a Glorious King by taking away My Kingly Power Thus I shall become a Support to My Friends and a Terror to my Enemies by being unable to succour the one or suppress the other For thus have they designed and proposed to Me the new modelling of Soveraignty and Kingship as without any reality of Power so without any necessity of Subjection and Obedience That the Majesty of the Kings of England might hereafter hang like Mahomet's Tomb by a magnetick Charm between the Power and Priviledges of the Two Houses in an aiery imagination of Regality But I believe the surfeit of too much Power which some men have greedily seized on and now seek wholly to devour will ere long make the Common-wealth sick both of it and them since they cannot well
patience as bad as my worst Enemies can falsly say and I hope I shall still do better than they desire or deserve I should I believe it will at last appear that they who first began to embroil my other Kingdoms are in great part guilty if not of the first letting out yet of the not timely stopping those horrid effusions of blood in Ireland Which whatever my Enemies please to say or think I look upon as that of my other Kingdoms exhausted out of My own veins no man being so much weakned by it as My self And I hope tho mens unsatiable Cruelties never will yet the Mercy of God will at length say to his Justice It is enough and command the Sword of Civil wars to sheath it self his merciful Justice intending I trust not our utter Confusion but our Cure the abatement of our Sins not the desolating of these Nations O my God let those infinite Mercies prevent us once again which I and My Kingdoms have formerly abused and can never deserve should be restored Thou seest how much Cruelty among Christians is acted under the colour of Religion as if we could not be Christians unless we crucifie one another Because we have not more loved thy Truth and practised in Charity Thou hast suffered a spirit of Error and bitterness of mutual and mortal Hatred to rise among us O Lord forgive wherein we have sinned and sanstifie what we have suffered Let our Repentance be our Recovery as our great Sins have been onr Ruine Let not the Miseries I and My Kingdoms have hitherto suffered seem small to Thee but make our Sins appear to our Consciences as they are represented in the glass of thy Judgments for Thou never punishest small failings with so severe Afflictions O therefore according to the multitude of thy great Mercies pardon our Sins and remove thy Judgments which are very many and very heavy Yet let our Sins be ever more grievous to us than thy Judgments and make us more willing to repent than to be relieved first give us the Peace of penitent Consciences and then the tranquillity of united Kingdoms In the sea of our Saviours Blood drown our Sins and through this Red sea of our own blood bring us at last to a state of Piety Peace and Plenty As My publick relations to all make Me share in all My Subjects sufferings so give Me such a pious sense of them as becomes a Christian King and a loving Father of My People Let the scandalous and unjust Reproaches cast upon Me be as a breath more to kindle My Compassion Give Me grace to heap Charitable coals of fire upon their heads to melt them whose Malice or cruel Zeal hath kindled or hindred the quenching of those Flames which have so much wasted My Three Kingdoms O rescue and assist those poor Protestants in Ireland whom Thou hast hitherto preserved And lead those in the ways of Thy saving Truths whose Ignorance or Errors have filled them with Rebellious and destructive Principles which they act under an opinion that they do Thee good service Let the hand of Thy Justice be against those who maliciously and despitefully have raised or fomented those cruel and desperate Wars Thou art far from destroying the innocent with tho guilty and the erroneous with the malicious thou that hadst pity on Nineveh for the many Children that were therein give not over the whole stock of that populous and seduced Nation to the wrath of those whose Covetousness makes them Cruel nor to their Anger which is too fierce and therefore justly cursed Preserve if it be thy will in the midst of the furnace of thy severe Justice a Posterity which may praise Thee for Thy Mercy And deal with Me not according to mans unjust Reproaches but according to the Innocency of My hands in Thy sight If I have desired or delighted in the woful day of My Kingdoms Calamities if I have not earnestly studied and faithfully endeavoured the preventing and composing of these bloody Distractions then let thy hand be against Me and My Fathers house O Lord Thou seest I have Enemies enough of men as I need not so I should not dare thus to imprecate Thy Curse on Me and Mine if My Conscience did not witness my Integrity which Thou O Lord knowest right well But I trust not to My own Merit but thy Mercies Spare us O Lord and be not angry with us for ever XIII Vpon the calling in of the SCOTS and their Coming THE Scots are a Nation upon whom I have not only common ties of Nature Soveraignty and Bounty with my Father of Blessed memory but also special and late obligations of Favours having gratified the active Spirits among them so far that I seemed to many to prefer the desires of that Party before My own Interest and Honour But I see Royal bounty emboldens some men to ask and act beyond all bounds of Modesty and Gratitude My Charity and Act of Pacification forbids Me to reflect on former passages wherein I shall ever be far from letting any mans ingratitude or inconstancy make Me repent of what I granted them for the publick good I pray God it may so prove The coming again of that Party into England with an Army only to conform this Church to their late New model cannot but seem as unreasonable as they would have thought the same measure offered from hence to themselves Other Errand I could never understand they had besides those common and vulgar flourishes for Religion and Liberty save only to confirm the Presbyterian Copy they had set by making this Church to write after them tho it were in bloody Characters Which Design and End whether it will justifie the use of such violent Means before the Divine Justice I leave to their Consciences to judg who have already felt the misery of the Means but not reaped the benefit of the End either in this Kingdom or that Such knots and crosness of grain being objected here as will hardly suffer that Form which they cry up as the only just Reformation and setling of Government and Discipline in Churches to go on so smoothly here as it might do in Scotland and was by them imagined would have done in England when so many of the English Clergy through levity or discontent if no worse Passion suddenly quitted their former engagements to Episcopacy and faced about to their Presbytery It cannot but seem either Passion or some Self-seeking more than true Zeal and pious Discretion for any foreign State or Church to prescribe such medicines only for others which themselves have used rather successfully than commendably not considering that the same Physick on different constitutions will have different operations that may kill one which doth but cure another Nor do I know any such tough and malignant Humours in the constitution of the English Church which gentler applications than those of an Army might not easily have removed Nor is it so proper to hew out
than a mocking and tempting of God to desire him to hinder those mischiefs whose occasions and remedies are in our own power it being every mans sin not to avoid the one and not to use the other There are ways enough to repair the Breaches of the State without the Ruines of the Church as I would be a Restorer of the one so I would not be an Oppressor of the other under the pretence of Publick Debts The occasions contracting them were bad enough but such a discharging of them would be much worse I pray God neither I nor Mine may be accessary to either To Thee O Lord do I address my Prayer beseeching Thee to pardon the rashness of my Subjects Swearings and to quicken their sense and observation of those just moral and indispensable bonds which thy Word and the Laws of this Kingdom have laid upon their Consciences From which no pretensions of Piety and Reformation are sufficient to absolve them or to engage them to any contrary practices Make them at length seriously to consider that nothing Violent and Injurious can be Religious Thou allowest no mans committing Sacriledg under the zeal of abhorring Idols Suffer not Sacrilegious designs to have the countenance of Religious ties Thou hast taught us by the wisest of Kings that it is a snare to take things that are holy and after Vows to make enquiry Ever keep thy Servant from consenting to Perjurious and Sacrilegious Rapines that I may not have the brand and curse to all posterity of robbing Thee and Thy Church of what thy Bounty hath given us and thy Clemency hath accepted from us wherewith to encourage Learning and Religion Tho my Treasures are exhausted my Revenues diminished and my Debts encreased yet never suffer Me to be tempted to use such profane Reparations lest a Coal from thine Altar set such a fire on my Throne and Conscience as will be hardly quenched Let not the Debts and Engagements of the Publick which some mens Folly and Prodigality hath contracted be an occasion to impoverish thy Church The State may soon recover by thy blessing of Peace upon us the Church is never likely in Times where the Charity of most men is grown so cold and their Religion so illiberal Continue to those that serve Thee and thy Church all those Incouragements which by the will of the pious Donors and the Justice of the Laws are due unto them and give them grace to deserve and use them aright to thy Glory and the relief of the Poor That thy Priests may be cloathed with Righteousness and the Poor may be satisfied with bread Let not Holy things be given to Swine nor the Churches bread to Dogs rather let them go about the City grin like a Dog and grudge that they are not satisfied Let those Sacred morsels which some men already by violence devoured never digest with them nor theirs Let them be as Naboth's Vineyard to Ahab gall in their mouths rottenness to their Names a moth to their Families and a sting to their Consciences Break in sunder O Lord all violent and Sacrilegious Confederations to do wickedly and injuriously Divide their hearts and tongues who have bandied together against the Church and State that the Folly of such may be manifest to all men and proceed no further But so favour My righteous dealing O Lord that in the Mercies of Thee the Most High I may never miscarry XV. Vpon the many Jealousies raised and Scandals cast upon the KING to stir up the People against Him IF I had not My own Innocency and Gods Protection it were hard for Me to stand out against those stratagems and conflicts of Malice which by Falsities seek to oppress the Truth and by Jealousies to supply the defect of real causes which might seem to justifie so unjust Engagements against Me. And indeed the worst effects of open hostility come short of these Designs For I can more willingly lose my Crowns than my Credit nor are my Kingdoms so dear to Me as my Reputation and Honour Those must have a period with my Life but these may survive to a glorious kind of Immortality when I am dead and gone A good name being the embalming of Princes and a sweet consecration of them to an Eternity of Love and Gratitude among Posterity Those foul and false Aspersions were secret engines at first employed against my Peoples love of Me that undermining their opinion and value of Me My Enemies and theirs too might at once blow up their Affections and batter down their Loyalty Wherein yet I thank God the detriment of my Honour is not so afflictive to Me as the sin and danger of my Peoples Souls whose eyes once blinded with such mists of Suspicions they are soon misled into the most desperate precipices of actions wherein they do not only not consider their Sin and Danger but glory in their zealous adventures while I am rendred to them so fit to be destroyed that many are ambitious to merit the name of my Destroyers imagining they then fear God most when they least honour their King I thank God I never found but my Pity was above my Anger nor have my Passions ever so prevailed against Me as to exclude my most compassionate Prayers for them whom devout Errors more than their own Malice have betrayed to a most Religious Rebellion I had the Charity to interpret that most part of my Subjects fought against my supposed Errors not my Person and intended to mend Me not to end Me. And I hope that God pardoning their Errors hath so far accepted and answered their good Intentions that as he hath yet preserved Me so he hath by these Afflictions prepared Me both to do Him better service and My people more good than hitherto I have done I do not more willingly forgive their seductions which occasioned their loyal Injuries than I am ambitious by all Princely merits to redeem them from their unjust Suspicions and reward them for their good Intentions I am too conscious to My own Affections towards the generality of my People to suspect theirs to Me nor shall the Malice of my Enemies ever be able to deprive Me of the comfort which that confidence gives Me. I shall never gratifie the spightfulness of a few with any sinister thoughts of all their Allegiance whom Pious frauds have seduced The worst some mens Ambition can do shall never perswade Me to make so bad interpretations of most of my Subjects actions who possibly may be Erroneous but not Heretical in point of Loyalty The sense of the Injuries done to my Subjects is as sharp as those done to My self our welfares being inseperable in this only they suffer more than My self that they are animated by some Seducers to injure at once both themselves and Me. For this is not enough to the Malice of my Enemies that I be afflicted but it must be done by such instruments that my Afflictions grieve Me not more than this doth that
I see no Secular advantages seem sufficient to that Cause which began with Tumults and depends chiefly upon the reputation with the Vulgar They think no Victories so effectual to their designs as those that most rout and waste My Credit with My People in whose hearts they seek by all means to smother and extinguish all sparks of Love Respect and Loyalty to Me that they may never kindle again so as recover Mine the Laws and the Kingdoms Liberties which some men seek to overthrow The taking away of My Credit is but a necessary preparation to the taking away of My Life and My Kingdoms first I must seem neither fit to Live nor worthy to Reign by exquisite methods of Cunning and Cruelty I must be compelled first to follow the Funerals of My Honour and then be destroyed But I know God's un-erring and impartial Justice can and will over-rule the most perverse wills and designs of men He is able and I hope will turn even the worst of Mine Enemies thoughts and actions to My good Nor do I think that by the surprize of My Letters I have lost any more than so many Papers How much they have lost of that reputation for Civility and Humanity which ought to be paid to all men and most becomes such as pretend to Religion besides that of Respect and Honour which they owe to their King present and after-times will judge And I cannot think that their own Consciences are so stupid as not to inflict upon them some secret impressions of that Shame and Dishonour which attends all unworthy actions have they never so much of publick flattery and popular countenance I am sure they can never expect the Divine approbation of such indecent actions if they do but remember how God blest the modest respect and filial tenderness which Noah's Sons bare to their Father nor did his open infirmity justify Cham's impudency or exempt him from that Curse of being Servant of Servants which Curse must needs be on them who seek by dishonourable actions to please the Vulgar and confirm by ignoble acts their dependance upon the People Nor can their Malicious intentions be ever either excusable or prosperous who thought by this means to expose Me to the highest Reproach and Contempt of my People forgetting that duty of Modest concealment which they owed to the Father of their Country in case they had discovered any real Uncomeliness which I thank God they did not who can and I believe hath made Me more respected in the hearts of many as he did David to whom they thought by publishing My private Letters to have rendred me as a vile Person not fit to be trusted or considered under any notion of Majesty But Thou O Lord whose wise and all-disposing Providence ordereth the greatest contingencies of humane affairs make Me to see the constancy of Thy Mercies to Me in the greatest advantages Thou seemest to give the Malice of My Enemies against Me. As Thou didst blast the counsel of Achitophel turning it to David's good and his own ruine so canst Thou defeat their design who intended by publishing My private Letters nothing else but to render Me more odious and contemptible to my People I must first appeal to thy Omniscience who canst witness with my Integrity how unjust and false those scandalous Misconstructions are which My Enemies endeavour by those Papers of Mine to represent to the world Make the evil they imagined and displeasure they intended thereby against Me so to return on their own heads that they may be ashamed and covered with their own Confusion as with a cloak Thou seest how Mine Enemies use all means to cloud Mine Honour to pervert My purposes and to slander the footsteps of thine Anointed But give Me an heart content to be dishonoured for thy sake and thy Churches good Fix in Me a purpose to honour Thee and then I know Thou wilt honour Me either by restoring to Me the enjoyment of that Power and Majesty which Thou hast suffered some men to seek to deprive Me of or by bestowing on Me that crown of Christian Patience which knows how to serve Thee in honour or dishonour in good report or evil Thou O Lord art the fountain of Goodness and Honour Thou art clothed with excellent Majesty make Me to partake of thy Excellency for Wisdom Justice and Mercy and I shall not want that degree of Honour and Majesty which becomes the Place in which thou hast set Me who art the lifter up of my head and my Salvation Lord by thy Grace lead Me to thy Glory which is both true and eternal XXII Vpon His MAJESTIES leaving Oxford and going to the SCOTS ALtho God hath given Me Three Kingdoms yet in these He hath not now left Me any place where I may with safety and Honor rest My Head shewing Me that Himself is the safest Refuge and the strongest Tower of Defence in which I may put My Trust In these Extremities I look not to man so much as to God He will have it thus that I may wholly cast My self and My now distressed Affairs upon his Mercy who hath both the hearts and hands of all men in his dispose What Providence denies to Force it may grant to Prudence Necessity is now My Counsellor and commands Me to study My Safety by a disguised withdrawing from My chiefest Strength and adventuring upon their Loyalty who first began my Troubles Haply God may make them a means honourably to compose them This My Confidence of them may disarm and overcome them My rendring My Person to them may engage their Affections to Me who have oft professed They fought not against Me but for Me. I must now resolve the riddle of their Loyalty and give them opportunity to let the world see they mean not what they do but what they say Yet must God be My chiefest Guard and My Conscience both My Counsellor and My Comforter Tho I put my Body into their hands yet I shall reserve My Soul to God and My self nor shall any Necessities compel Me to desert mine Honour or swerve from My Judgment What they sought to take by Force shall now be given them in such a way of unusual Confidence of them as may make them ashamed not to be really such as they ought and professed to be God sees it not enough to deprive Me of all Military Power to defend My self but to put Me upon using their power who seem to fight against Me yet ought in duty to defend Me. So various are all human affairs and so necessitous may the state of Princes be that their greatest Danger may be in their supposed Safety and their Safety in their supposed Danger I must now leave those that have adhered to Me and apply to those that have opposed Me this method of Peace may be more prosperous than that of War both to stop the effusion of blood and to close those wounds already made And in it I am no less
and encrease the holy fire of thy Graces on the Altar of my Heart whence the sacrifice of Prayers and incense of Praises might be duly offered up to Thee Yet O Thou that breakest not the bruised Reed nor quenchest the smoaking Flax do not despise the weakness of my Prayers nor the smotherings of my Soul in this uncomfortable loneness to which I am constrained by some mens uncharitable denials of those helps which I much want and no less desire O let the hardness of Their Hearts occasion the softnings of mine to Thee and for them Let their Hatred kindle my Love let their unreasonable denials of my Religious desires the more excite my Prayers to Thee Let their inexorable deafness encline thine ear to Me who art a God easy to be entreated Thine Ear is not heavy that it cannot nor thy Heart hard that it will not hear nor thy Hand shortned that it cannot help Me thy desolate Suppliant Thou permittest men to deprive Me of those outward means which Thou hast appointed in thy Church but they cannot debar Me from the communion of that inward Grace which Thou alone breathest into humble hearts O make Me such and Thou wilt teach Me Thou wilt hear Me Thou wilt help Me the broken and contrite heart I know Thou wilt not despise Thou O Lord canst at once make Me thy Temple thy Priest thy Sacrifice and thine Altar while from an humble Heart I alone daily offer up in holy Meditations fervent Prayers and unfeigned Tears my self to Thee who preparest Me for Thee dwellest in Me and acceptest of Me. Thou O Lord didst cause by secret supplies and miraculous infusions that the handful of meal in the vessel should not spend nor the little Oyl in the cruise fail the Widow during the time of drought and dearth O look on my Soul which as a Widow is now desolate and forsaken let not those saving truths I have formerly learned now fail my memory nor the sweet effusions of thy Spirit which I have sometime felt now be wanting to my Heart in this Famine of ordinary and wholsome food for the refreshing of my Soul Which yet I had rather chuse than to feed from those hands who mingle my bread with ashes and my wine with gall rather tormenting than teaching Me whose mouths are proner to bitter Reproaches of Me than to hearty Prayers for Me. Thou knowest O Lord of Truth how oft they wrest thy Holy Scriptures to my destruction which are clear for their Subjection and my Preservation O let it not be to their damnation Thou knowest how some men under colour of long Prayers have sought to devour the houses of their Brethren their King and their God O let not those mens Balms break my head nor their Cordials oppress my heart I will evermore pray against their Wickedness From the poison under their tongues from the snares of their lips from the fire and the swords of their words ever deliver Me O Lord and all those Loyal and Religious hearts who desire and delight in the prosperity of my Soul and who seek by their Prayers to relieve this Sadness and Solitude of thy Servant O my King and my God XXV Penitential Meditations and Vows in the KING's Solitude at Holdenby GIve ear to my words O Lord consider my Meditation and hearken to the voice of my cry my King and my God for unto Thee will I pray I said in mine hast I am cast out of the sight of thine eyes nevertheless Thou hearest the voice of my supplication when I cry unto Thee If Thou Lord shouldst be extream to mark what is done amiss who can abide it But there is mercy with Thee that Thou mayest be feared therefore shall sinners fly unto Thee I acknowledg my Sins before Thee which have the aggravation of my Condition the eminency of my Place adding weight to my Offences Forgive I beseech Thee my personal and my peoples Sins which are so far Mine as I have not improved The power thou gavest Me to thy Glory and my Subjects good Thou hast now brought Me from the glory and freedom of a King to be a Prisoner to my own Subjects justly O Lord as to thy over-ruling hand because in many things I have rebelled against Thee Tho Thou hast restrained my Person yet enlarge my Heart to Thee and thy Grace towards Me. I come far shart of David's Piety yet since I may equal David's Afflictions give Me also the Comforts and the sure Mercies of David Let the penitent sense I have of my Sins be an evidence to Me that Thou hast pardoned them Let not the Evils which I and my Kingdoms have suffered seem little unto Thee the Thou hast not punished us according to our Sins Turn Thee O Lord unto Me have mercy upon Me for I am desolate and afflicted The sorrows of my Heart are enlarged O bring Thou Me out of my Troubles Hast Thou forgotten to be gracious and shut up thy loving kindness in displeasure O remember thy Compassions of old and thy loving kindnesses which have been for many generations I had utterly fainted if I had not believed to see thy Goodness in the land of the living Let not the sins of our Prosperity deprive us of the benefit of thy Afflictions Let this fiery trial consume the dross which in long Peace and Plenty we had contracted Tho Thou continuest Miseries yet withdraw not thy Grace what is wanting of Prosperity make up in Patience and Repentance And if thy Anger be not yet to be turned away but thy hand of Justice must be stretched out still let it I beseech Thee be against Me and my Fathers house as for these Sheep what have they done Let my Sufferings satiate the malice of mine and thy Churches Enemies But let their Cruelty never exceed the measure of my Charity Banish from Me all thoughts of Revenge that I may not lose the reward nor Thou the glory of my Patience As Thou givest Me a heart to forgive them so I beseech Thee do Thou forgive what they have done against Thee and Me. And now O Lord as Thou hast given Me an heart to pray unto Thee so hear and accept this Vow which I make before Thee If Thou wilt in mercy remember Me and my Kingdoms in continuing the light of thy Gospel and setling thy true Religion among us In restoring to us the benefit of the Laws and the due execution of Justice In suppressing the many Schisms in Church and Factions in State If Thou wilt restore Me and mine to the ancient Rights and Glory of my Predecessors If Thou wilt turn the hearts of my People to Thy self in Piety to Me in Loyalty and to one another in Charity If Thou wilt quench the flames and withdraw the fewel of these Civil Wars If Thou wilt bless us with the freedom of publick Counsels and deliver the Honour of Parliaments from the insolency of the Vulgar If Thou wilt keep Me from the
suffering thy Will in either Life or Death As I believe Thou hast forgiven all the Errors of my Life so I hope Thou wilt save Me from the Terrors of my Death Make Me content to leave the Worlds Nothing that I may come really to enjoy All in Thee who hast made Christ unto Me in Life Gain nnd in Death Advantage Tho my Destroyers forget their Duty to Thee and Me yet do not Thou O Lord forget to be merciful to them For what profit is there in my Blood or in their gaining my Kingdoms if they lose their own Souls Such as have not only resisted my just Power but wholly usurped and turned it against My self tho they may deserve yet let them not receive to themselves Damnation Thou madest thy Son a Saviour to many that crucified Him while at once He suffered violently by them and yet willingly for them O let the voice of his Blood be heard for my Murtherers louder than the Cry of Mine against them Prepare them for thy Mercy by due Convictions of their Sin and let them not at once deceive and damn their own Souls by fallacious pretensions of Justice in destroying Me while the conscience of their unjust Vsurpation of power against Me chiefly tempts them to use all extremities against Me. O Lord Thou knowest I have found their Mercies to Me as very false so very cruel who pretending to preserve Me have meditated nothing but my Ruine O deal not with them as blood-thirsty and deceitful men but overcome their Cruelty with Thy Compassion and My Charity And when Thou makest inquisition for my Blood O sprinkle their polluted yet penitent Souls with the Blood of thy Son that thy destroying Angel may pass over them Tho they think my Kingdoms on Earth too little to entertain at once both them and Me yet let the capacious Kingdom of thy infinite Mercy at last receive both Me and my Enemies When being reconciled to Thee in the Blood of the same Redeemer we shall live far above these Ambitious desires which beget such mortal Enmities When their hands shall be heaviest and cruellest upon Me O let Me fall into the arms of thy tender and eternal Mercies That what is cut off of my Life in this miserable moment may be repayed in thy ever-blessed Eternity Lord let thy Servant depart in Peace for my eyes have seen thy Salvation Vota dabunt quae bella negârunt FINIS An Historical TABLE of both PARTS That the Reader may the more easily discern the Order of those Historical Papers which are digested under their several Heads in the First Part and more readily conjoyn them in their proper Places with the Second it is thought fit to represent both together in this Table according to their Dates and Dependencies MDCXXV HIS Majesties Speech at the Opening of His First Parliament June 18. 1625. page 159 160 His Speech to both Houses at Oxford Aug. 4. 1625. ibid. MDCXXV VI. His Speech to the Speaker of the Lower House of His Second Parliament 1625 6. p. 160 His Speech to both Houses at White-Hall March 29. 1626. p. 161 His Speech to the House of Lords at Westminster May 11. 1626. ibid. A Declaration concerning His Two First Parliaments p. 217 MDCXXVII VIII His Majesties Speech at the Opening of His Third Parliament March 17. 1627 8. p. 162 His Speech to both Houses at White-Hall April 4. 1628. ibid. His Speech to the Speaker and House of Commons April 14. 1628. p. 163 His Speeches to both Houses in Answer to their Petition Jun. 2. 7. 1628. ibid. His Speech to the Lower House at the Reading their Remonstrance June 11. 1628. ibid. His Speech to both Houses at the Prorogation Jun. 26. 1628. p. 164 MDCXXVIII IX His Speech to both Houses Jan. 24. 31. 1828 9. p. 164 165 His Speech to the Lower-House concerning Tonnage and Poundage Feb. 3. 1628 9. p. 165 A Declaration concerning His Third Parliament p. 222 A Proclamation for suppressing false Rumours touching Parliaments Mar. 27. 1629. p. 230 MDCXXXVI VII His Majesties Letter to the Judges concerning Ship-money Feb. 2. 1636 7. With their Answer p. 231 232 MDCXL His Majesty's Speech to the Speaker of the Lower House of His Fourth Parliament 1640. p. 166 A Declaration concerning His Fourth Parliament p. 233 His Speech to the Great Council of the Lords at York Septemb. 24. 1640. p. 167 MDCXL XLI Of His Calling His Fifth Parliament See Icon Basil I. p. 647 His Speech at the Opening of His Fifth Parliament Nov. 3. 1640. p. 168 Six Speeches to both Houses Nov. 5. 1640. Jan. 25. Feb. 3. 10. 15. 1640 4. 1. Apr. 28. 1641. p. 168 seqq MDCXLI His Speech to the Lords concerning the Earl of Strafford May 1. 1641. p. 172 His Letter to the Lords May. 11. p. 138 See also Icon Basil II. V. p. 648 654 Two Speeches to both Houses Jun. 22. Jul. 5. 1641. p. 172 173 His Speech to the Scotish Parliament at Edinburgh Aug. 19. 1641. p. 173 Two Speeches to both Houses after His Return out of Scotland Dec. 2. 14. 1641. p. 174 A Petition of the Lower House With a Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdom Dec. 1. 1641. p. 241 243 His Majesty's Answer to the Petition p. 254 His Declaration in Answer to the Remonstrance p. 255 The Petition and Protestation of the Bishops Dec. 28. 1641. p. 258 MDCXLI II. Articles of High Treason against the Five Members Jan. 3. 1641 2. p. 259 His Majesties Speech to the Lower House concerning them Jan. 4. 1641 2. p. 175 His Speech to the Londoners at Guild-Hall Jan. 5. 1641 2. p. 175 See also Icon Bafil III. IV. VI. VII p. 650 651 656 658 His Message for Peace from Canterbury Jan. 20. 1641 2. p. 97 His Speeches to the Committees of both Houses at Theobalds Mar. 1. at Newmarket Mar. 9. 1641 2. p. 175 His Message from Huntingdon Mar. 15. 1641 2. p. 97 MDCXLII Two Speeches to the Gentry of Yorkshire April 5. May 12. 1642. p. 177 Of His Majesty's Repulse at Hull See Icon Basil VIII p. 659 The Nineteen Propositions Jun. 2. 1642 p. 260 His Majesty's Answer p. 262 See also Icon Basil XI p. 659 His Majesty's Declaration to the Lords at York Jun. 13. 1642. p. 271 With their promise thereupon p. 272 His Declaration concerning the Scandalous Imputation of His Raising War Jan. 1642. p. 273 With the Declaration and Profession of the Lords p. 276 Of the many Jealousies and Scandals cast upon His Majesty See Icon Basil XV. p. 680 A Proclamation forbidding Levies of Forces Jun. 18. 1642. p. 277 See also Icon Basil IX X. p. 661 665 His Majesty's Speeches to the Inhabitants of Nottinghamshire Jul. 4. of Lincolnshire Jul. 15. of Leicester Jul. 20. and the Gentry of Yorkshire Aug. 4. 1642. p. 178 179 180 Votes for Raising an Army against the King Jul. 12. 1642. p. 279 A Declaration of both Houses for Raising Forces Aug. 8. 1642. p. 280 His Majesty's
there shall be so much as a delay of the same He calls God and the World to witness who they are that not only hinder but reject this Kingdoms future Happiness it being so much the stranger that His Majesties coming to Westminster which was first the greatest pretence for taking up Arms should be so much as delayed much less not accepted or refused but His Majesty hopes that God will no longer suffer the malice of Wicked men to hinder the Peace of this too much afflicted Kingdom Given at Our Court at Oxford the fifteenth day of January 1645. XVIII From OXFORD Jan. 17. MDCXLV VI. For an Answer to His former Messages For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesty thinks not fit now to answer those Aspersions which are returned as arguments for His not admittance to Westminster for a Personal Treaty because it would enforce a style not suitable to His end it being the Peace of these miserable Kingdoms yet thus much He cannot but say to those who have sent Him this Answer that if they had considered what they have done themselves in occasioning the shedding of so much innocent blood by withdrawing themselves from their Duty to Him in a time when He had granted so much to His Subjects and in violating the known Laws of the Kingdom to draw an exorbitant power to themselves over their fellow-Subjects to say no more to do as they have done they could not have given such a false character of His Majesties Actions Wherefore His Majesty must now remember them that having some hours before his receiving of their last Paper of the 13. of January sent another Message to them of the 15 wherein by divers particulars He enlargeth Himself to shew the reality of His endeavors for Peace by His desired Personal Treaty which He still conceives to be the likeliest way to attain to that blessed End He thinks fit by this Message to call for an Answer to that and indeed to all the former For certainly no rational man can think their last Paper can be any Answer to His former demands the scope of it being That because there is a War therefore there should be no Treaty for Peace And is it possible to expect that the Propositions mentioned should be the grounds of a lasting Peace when the persons that send them will not endure to hear their own King speak But whatever the success hath been of His Majesty's former Messages or how small soever His hopes are of a better considering the high strain of those who deal with His Majesty yet He will neither want Fatherly Bowels to His Subjects in general nor will He forget that God hath appointed Him for their King with whom He treats Wherefore He now demands a speedy Answer to His last and former Messages Given at Our Court at Oxford this 17 of January 1645. XIX From OXFORD Jan. 24. MDCXLV VI. For Answer to His former Message and concerning their Reasons against a Personal Treaty For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. THE procuring Peace to these Kingdoms by Treaty is so much desired by His Majesty that no unjust Aspersions whatsoever or any other Discouragements shall make Him desist from doing His indeavour therein until He shall see it altogether impossible and He therefore hath thought fitting so far only to make reply to that Paper or Answer which He hath received of the 13 of this Instant January as may take away those objections which are made against His Majesty's coming to Westminster expecting still an Answer to His Messages of the fifteenth and seventeenth which He hopes by this time have begotten better thoughts and resolutions in the Members of both Houses And first therefore whereas in the said last Paper it is objected as an impediment to His Majesty's Personal Treaty that much innocent Blood hath been shed in this War by His Majesty's Commissions c. He will not now dispute it being apparent to all the World by whom this Blood hath been spilt but rather presseth that there should be no more and to that end only He hath desired this Personal Treaty as judging it the most immediate means to abolish so many horrid Confusions in all His Kingdoms And it is no Argument to say that there shall be no such Personal Treaty because there have been Wars it being a strong inducement to have such a Treaty to put an end to the War Secondly That there should be no such Personal Treaty because some of His Irish Subjects have repaired to His assistance in it seems an argument altogether as strange as the other as alwaies urging that there should be no Physick because the Party is sick And in this particular it hath been often observed unto them that those whom they call Irish who have so expressed their Loyalty to their Soveraign were indeed for the most part such English Protestants as had been formerly sent into Ireland by the two Houses impossibilitated to stay there any longer by the neglect of those that sent them thither who should there have better provided for them And for any Foreign Forces it is too apparent that their Armies have swarmed with them when His Majesty hath had very few or none And whereas for a third Impediment it is alledged that the Prince is in the head of an Army in the West and that there are divers Garrisons still kept in His Majesty's obedience and that there are Forces in Scotland it must be as much confessed as that as yet there is no Peace And therefore it is desired that by such a Personal Treaty all these impediments may be removed And it is not here amiss to put them in mind how long since His Majesty did press a disbanding of all Forces on both sides the refusing whereof hath been the cause of this objection And whereas exception is taken that there is a time limited in the Proposition for His Majesty's Personal Treaty thereupon inferring that He should again return to Hostility His Majesty protesteth that He seeks this Treaty to void future Hostility and to procure a lasting Peace and if He can meet with like inclinations to Peace in those He desires to Treat with He will bring such Affections and resolutions in Himself as shall end all these unhappy bloody Differences As for those engagements which His Majesty hath desired for His security whosoever shall call to mind the particular occasions that enforced His Majesty to leave His City of London and Westminster will judge His demand very reasonable and necessary for His Safety But He no way conceiveth how the Lord Mayor Aldermen Common-Council and Militia of London were either subject or subordinate to that
Authority which is alledged as knowing neither Law nor Practice for it And if the two Armies be He believes it is more than can be parallel'd by any former times in this Kingdom Nor can His Majesty understand how His Majesty's seeking of a Personal security can be any breach of Priviledge it being likely to be infringed by hindring His Majesty from coming freely to His two Houses As for the objection that His Majesty omitted to mention the setling Religion and securing the Peace of His Native Kingdom His Majesty declares that He conceives that it was included in His former and hath been particularly mentioned in His latter Message of the 15. present But for their better satisfaction He again expresseth that it was and ever shall be both His meaning and endeavour in this Treaty desired and it seems to Him very clear that there is no way for a final ending of such Distractions as afflict this Kingdom but either by Treaty or Conquest the latter of which His Majesty hopes none will have the Impudency or Impiety to wish for And for the former if his Personal assistance in it be not the most likely way let any reasonable man judge when by that means not only all unnecessary Delaies will be removed but even the greatest Difficulties made easie And therefore He doth now again earnestly insist upon that Proposition expecting to have a better Answer upon mature consideration And can it be imagined that any Propositions will be so effectual being formed before a Personal Treaty as such as are framed and propounded upon a full debate on both sides Wherefore His Majesty who is most concerned in the good of His People and is most desirous to restore Peace and Happiness to His three Kingdoms doth again instantly desire an Answer to His said former Messages to which He hath hitherto received none Given at our Court at Oxon the twenty fourth day of January 1645. XX. From OXFORD January 29. MDCXLV VI. Concerning the Negotiations in Ireland with His Majesty's further Concessions in order to a Personal Treaty To the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore to be communicated to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster and to the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland CHARLES R. HIS Majesty having received information from the Lord Lieutenant and Council in Ireland that the Earl of Glamorgan hath without his or their directions or privity entred into a Treaty with some Commissioners on the Roman Catholick party there and also drawn up and agreed unto certain Articles with the said Commissioners highly derogatory to His Majesty's Honour and Royal Dignity and most prejudicial unto the Protestant Religion and Church there in Ireland whereupon the said Earl of Glamorgan is arrested upon suspicion of high Treason and imprisoned by the said Lord Lieutenant and Council at the instance and by the impeachment of the Lord Digby who by reason of his place and former imployment in these affairs doth best know how contrary that proceeding of the said Earl hath been to His Majesty's intentions and directions and what great prejudice it might bring to His Affairs if those proceedings of the Earl of Glamorgan should be any waies understood to have been done by the directions liking or approbation of His Majesty His Majesty having in His former Messages for a Personal Treaty offered to give contentment to his two Houses in the business of Ireland hath now thought fitting the better to shew His clear intentions and to give satisfaction to His said Houses of Parliament and the rest of His Subjects in all His Kingdoms to send this Declaration to His said Houses containing the whole truth of the business Which is That the Earl of Glamorgan having made offer unto Him to raise Forces in the Kingdom of Ireland and to conduct them into England for His Majesty's Service had a Commission to that purpose and to that purpose only That he had no Commission at all to treat of any thing else without the privity and directions of the Lord Lieutenant much less to capitulate any thing concerning Religion or any propriety belonging either to Church or Laity That it clearly appears by the Lord Lieutenants Proceedings with the said Earl that he had no notice at all of what the said Earlhad treated and pretended to have capitulated with the Irish until by accident it came to his knowledge And his Majesty doth protest that until such time as He had advertisement that the person of the said Earl of Glamorgan was arrested and restrained as is abovesaid He never heard nor had any kind of notice that the said Earl had entred into any kind of Treaty or Capitulation with those Irish Commissioners much less that he had concluded or signed those Articles so destructive both to Church and State and so repugnant to His Majesty's publick professions and known resolutions And for the further vindication of His Majesties Honour and Integrity herein He doth declare That He is so far from considering any thing contained in those Papers or Writings framed by the said Earl and those Commissioners with whom he treated as He doth absolutely disavow him therein and hath given commandment to the Lord Lieutenant and the Council there to proceed against the said Earl as one who either out of Falseness Presumption or Folly hath so hazarded the blemishing of His Majesty's Reputation with His good Subjects and so impertinently framed those Articles of his own head without the consent privity or directions of His Majesty or the Lord Lieutenant or any of His Majesties Council there But true it is that for the necessary preservation of His Majesty's Protestant Subjects in Ireland whose case was daily represented unto Him to be so desperate His Majesty had given Commission to the Lord Lieutenant to treat and conclude such a Peace there as might be for the safety of that Crown the preservation of the Protestant Religion and no way derogatory to His Own Honour and publick professions But to the end that His Majesty's real intentions in this business of Ireland may be the more clearly understood and to give more ample satisfaction to both Houses of Parliament and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland especially concerning His Majesties not being engaged in any Peace or Agreement there He doth desire if the two Houses shall admit of His Majesty's repair to London for a Personal Treaty as was formerly proposed that speedy notice be given thereof to His Majesty and a Pass or Safe-Conduct with a blank sent for a Messenger to be immediately dispatcht into Ireland to prevent any accident that may happen to hinder His Majesty's resolution of leaving the managing of the business of Ireland wholly to the Houses and to make no Peace there but with their consent which in case it shall please God to bless His endeavours in the Treaty with success His Majesty doth hereby engage Himself to do And for a further explanation of His Majesty's
heartily to wish that the Laws and Statutes of the Kingdom may be the Rule of what is or what is not to be done but how little fruit hath been gathered from this Tree they say let the Experience of the last Eighteen years judge To this His Majesty replies That it is true in some sense they are willing these Laws should be His Rule that is that He go no farther though they will by no means allow Him to go near so far but almost all their Actions and most of their Demands and particularly these do sufficiently shew that they will not admit of these Laws and Statutes to be any Rule to them And how much better fruit they have graffed than they found growing and whether they have not made use of the Cure and Remedy of Grievances a Parliament to impose more of all kind of Grievances upon the People in eighteen Months than can be objected to his Majesty or Ministers upon the breach and in the Intermission of Parliaments during those eighteen years let Experience be Judge And it cannot but appear strange to His Majesty if any thing could still appear strange to Him that the Illegalities under which His Subjects suffered by some of His Ministers in some part of His Reign should be now and by them laid as a Charge upon Him when not only the People have suffered far greater Illegalities and Pressures upon the same if not less pretences by those who charge Him with them but when He hath by His Acknowledgments by His ample Satisfactions by the submitting the Offenders to Punishment how great or near so ever to Him and by His many and solemn Protestations given security to His People that they shall never suffer the like under Him and when they on the other side as good as profess to the People that they think themselves obliged to maintain and consequently are likely to continue what they have done because they have done it and that their Actions shall not be retracted lest some reflection or dishonour fall upon both Houses and lest they may seem to pronounce a sentence of injustice and rashness against themselves This being one of the Reasons given by them why they cannot re-admit the Members they have expelled And His Majesty is confident that His People when they shall consider both His Ministers Actions and theirs and after compare His Ingenuity with their Principles will easily conceive under whose Government they are most likely to return to the known Rule of the Law and to find that ease and to be continued in those Rights in and to which they were born and of the Exorbitance of whose Power they have most reason to have any Fears and Jealousies and against whom they have most reason to desire to be secured that they shall enjoy their Rights Nor do they with more colour oppose His Majesty's Limitations and Conditions than they defend their own They object against His Majesty's Demand or Limitation of being satisfied in His first Proposition That if His Ships Forts c. were to be delivered before disbanding it must after be left to the pleasure of the Papists and other evil Councellors about His Majesty whether thay would disband or not But His Majesty replies That He made not His Limitation in these terms As soon as His first Proposition should be wholly granted to Him but As soon as He should be satisfied in His first Proposition which left room enough upon debate to have agreed either upon the time of delivery or upon sufficient caution that after the delivery the disbanding should unavoidably follow Nor can His Majesty look upon this Objection otherwise than as a jest since if after the performance of part of the Conditions He had refused to perform the rest He is perswaded that so open a breach of Faith would have given them a far greater strength than they had parted with in the Ships and Forts and have raised against Him a far greater Army than He should have refused to disband They object against His Demand of the restitution of Members that in His Demand no distinction is made of Persons or Offences when the reason thereof is that really no distinction can be made they being all equally innocent and all equally injuriously expelled not only for committing no Crime but for that Duty and Loyalty which deserves both approbation and reward And if they could make any distinction in this point or any Objection in any other which might possibly have satisfied His Majesty why did they not continue the Treaty and there offer it to and debate it with His Majesty rather than break off the Treaty without giving any Answer to any part of His Majesty's Message and to turn themselves wholly to the People from whom no return could possibly be made that might be in order to Peace They object against the Reason of this Demand That these Members have been expelled only for adhering to His Majesty That the same Reason may be used for the Judges who adhered to Him by furnishing Him with great Sums by Illegal Judgments about Ship-Money and Monopolies and that He may as well require the Houses to repeal the Impeachments and Proceedings against them To which His Majesty replies That by never having appeared at all in the favour excuse or extenuation of the fault of those Judges who are to answer for any unjust Judgment in all which His Majesty left them wholly to their Consciences and whensoever they offended against that they wronged His Majesty no less than His People and by His being yet so careful of these Lords and Gentlemen it may appear that His Majesty conceives that those only adhere to Him who adhere to Him according to Law And whether the remaining part of the Houses be not more apt to repeal their own Impeachments and Proceedings against those Judges if they conceive they may be made of use and brought to adhere to them then His Majesty is to require they should may appear by their requiring in their Fourteen Propositions that Sir John Brampston impeacht by themselves of so gret Misdemeanors may be made Chief Justice and by their freeing and returning Justice Barkley accused by themselves of High Treason to sit upon the Bench rather than free and imploy Justice Mallet who was not legally committed at first but fetcht from the Bench to Prison by a Troop of Horse and who after so many Months Imprisonment remains not only unimpeacht but wholly without any knowledge of what Crime he is suspected They next object against the Persons in whose behalf the Demand is made And to this His Majesty replies That to shew how far He was from having raised this Army or from intending to imploy it to destroy this Parliament or the Act for the continuance thereof as is falsely and maliciously charged upon him to avoid the Objection made against him as if He only pretended to desire to rule by Law but would really be the only Judge of
ye businesse shall require or as they sall be commandit ather be the Committie from the Parliament heir they being in Scotland or be the Committie with the Army they being in England And Ordeanes thame to joyne with the remanent Commissionaris to the effect above-mentionat conforme to the Commissione and Instructiones givin or to be givin to the Commissionaris or thair quorums thairanent be the Estaites of this Kingdom or Committies yrof And the Estaites of Parliament be thir presentis haldis and sall halde firme and stable all and what summe ever thinges the Commissionaris abovenamit or any thrie or mae of thame sall do conforme to this Commissionne and to the Instructionnes givin or to be givin to thame Estractit furthe of the buikes of Parliament be me Sir Alexander Gibsonne of Dunrie Kynt Clerk of His Majesty's Registers and Rollis under my signe and subscriptione Manuel Alexander Gibsonne Cler. Regist After the Commissions read their Commissioners delivered to His Majesty's Commissioners this Paper January the 30. VVE are directed by our Instructions to Treat with your Lordships upon the Propositions concerning Religion the Militia and Ireland three days apiece alternis vicibus during the space of twenty days from the 30 of January beginning first with the Propositions of Religion and accordingly we shall deliver unto your Lordships a Paper to morrow morning upon those Propositions Accordingly the Treaty did proceed upon those Subjects three days apiece alternis vicibus beginning with that of Religion upon Friday the last of January and so continuing Saturday the first and Monday the third of February which was after resumed Tuesday the 11. Wednesday the 12 and Thursday the 13. of February and again the two last days of the 20. And the like course was held touching the Militia and Ireland But because the Passages concerning each Subject severally will be more clearly understood being collected and disposed together under their several heads therefore all those which concern Religion the Militia and Ireland are put together And in like manner the Passages preparatory to the Treaty concerning the Commissions the Manner of the Treaty and a Seditious Sermon made the first day appointed for the Treaty and such as hapned in the Treaty touching His Majesty's Propositions the demands of farther time to Treat and other emergent Passages which have no relation to those of Religion the Militia and Ireland are in like manner digested under their several heads with their particular dates And first those which concern the Commissions Friday the last of January His Majesty's Commissioners delivered unto their Commissioners this Paper Ult. January VVE having perused the Power granted to your Lordships in the Paper delivered by the Earl of Northumberland and finding the same to relate to Instructions we desire to see those Instructions that thereby we may know what Power is granted to you and we ask this the rather because by the Powers we have seen we do not find that your Lordships in the absence of any one of your number have power to Treat Their Answer 31. January BY our Instructions we or any Ten of us whereof some of either House of the Parliament of England and some of the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland to be present have power to Treat with your Lordships Their farther Answer ult Jan. VVHereas your Lordships have expressed unto us a desire of seeing our Instructions to know what Power is granted us and this the rather because you say you find not by what you have seen that in the absence of any one of our number we have power to Treat to this we return in Answer That since the Paper already delivered in by us declaring that by our Instructions any Ten of us whereof some of either House of Parliament of England and some of the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland to be present had power to Treat with your Lordships hath not given you satisfaction in the particular of the Quorum we shall send unto the two Houses of Parliament to have the Quorum inserted in the Commission and do expect the return of it so amended within two or three days when we shall present it unto your Lordships But as for your desire in general to see our Instructions it is that for which we have no Warrant nor is it as we conceive at all necessary or proper for us so to do for that the Propositions upon which we now Treat have been already presented from the Parliaments of both Kingdoms unto His Majesty and whatsoever is propounded by us in order unto them is sufficiently warranted by what both Parliaments have done in the passing and sended of those Propositions and by the Commissions authorizing us to Treat upon them already shewn unto your Lordships so as there can be no need to shew any other Power Accordingly on Saturday the first of February they did deliver their Commission for the English Commissioners renewed as followeth Die Sabbati primo Febr. BE it Ordained by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament that Algernon Earl of Northumberland Philip Earl of Pembroke and Montgomery William Earl of Salisbury Basil Earl of Denbigh Thomas Lord Viscount Wenman Denzil Hollis William Pierrepont Sir Henry Vane junior Oliver St. John Bulstrode Whitelock John Crew and Edmund Prideaux shall have power and authority and are hereby authorized to joyn with the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland together with Alexander Henderson upon the Propositions concerning Religion only or any Ten of them whereof some of either House of the Parliament of England and some of the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland are to be present to Treat with the Lord Duke of Richmond the Marquess of Hartford the Earl of Southampton the Earl of Kingston the Lord Dunsmore Lord Capel Lord Seymour Sir Christopher Hatton Sir John Culpeper Sir Edward Nicholas Sir Edward Hyde Sir Richard Lane Sir Orlando Bridgeman Sir Thomas Gardner Master John Ashburnham and Master Jeffrey Palmer or any Ten of them upon the Propositions formerly sent to His Majesty for a safe and well-grounded Peace from His Majesty's humble and Loyal Subjects assembled in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms together with Doctor Steward upon the Propositions concerning Religion only and upon His Majesty's Propositions according to such Instructions as have been given to them or as they from time to time shall receive from both Houses of Parliament Jo. Browne Cler. Parliam The same last of January their Commissioners delivered to His Majesty's Commissioners this Paper January 31. HAving considered your Commission and Power from His Majesty given in last night by your Lordships we find that you are authorized to Treat only upon certain Propositions sent to His Majesty from the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster and upon His Majesty's Answers Messages and Propositions to them and their Returns to His Majesty wherein we observe that the Propositions sent to His Majesty
from His Majesty's Loyal Subjects assembled in the Parliaments of both His Kingdoms are mentioned to be sent to His Majesty from the Lords and Commons of Parliament assembled at Westminster and upon His Majesty's Answers Messages and Propositions to them and their Returns to His Majesty that a Treaty is to begin and wherein we also observe you have no Power thereby to Treat upon the Propositions sent to His Majesty from His humble and Loyal Subjects assembled in the Parliaments of both Kingdoms and the Answers Messages and Propositions sent from His Majesty to the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland then at London and their Returns to His Majesty We desire those defects may be cleared and speedily amended The King's Commissioners Answer 31. January VVE conceive our Power being to Treat upon the Propositions brought by the Earl of Denbigh and others and those Propositions being sent from the Parliaments of both Kingdoms there need no mention of the Parliaments of both Kingdoms in that place but that our Power is ample to Treat with your Lordships upon the whole both by express words and by other general words in the Commission which give power to Treat upon those Propositions or any other which general words are not observed by your Lordships in your Paper and our Power is to Treat with the Lords and others authorized for the Estates of the Parliament of Scotland by name yet since you insist upon it it shall be altered by Tuesday next And in the mean time if your Lordships please we desire the Papers promised yesterday in the Paper delivered by the Earl of Northumberland may be delivered unto us that there may be as little loss of time as may be Their Reply 31. January IN Answer to your Lordships Paper concerning your power to Treat we are content to proceed in the Treaty with your Lordships in expectation that the Defects mentioned by us in our Paper shall be supplied by Tuesday next On Munday the third of February the King's Commissioners did deliver their Commission renewed as followeth CHARLES R. VVHereas certain Propositions were sent unto Us from the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster and from the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland which were brought unto Us at Oxford in November last by the Earl of Denbigh and others and upon Our Answers c. as followeth verbatim in His Majesty's former Commission Touching the Manner of the Treaty The King's Commissioners Paper 31. January WE desire to the end there may be a greater freedom in debate which we conceive will much conduce to the happy conclusion of this Treaty that nothing may be understood to be concluded on either side but what is delivered in writing according as your Lordships have begun And we declare That what shall be delivered in writing upon any Proposition or upon any part of a Proposition is not to be binding or prejudicial to either Party if the Treaty break off upon any other Proposition or part of any other Proposition Their Answer 31. Jan. WE shall deliver our demands and Answers in writing and desire your Lordships to do the like The King's Commissioners Reply 1. February WE desire a full Answer of our Paper that nothing shall be taken as agreed upon but what is put in writing and your Concurrence in declaring That what shall be delivered in writing upon any Proposition or upon any part of a Proposition shall not be binding or prejudicial to either Party if the Treaty break off Their further Answer 1. February ACcording to our former Paper we shall deliver our Demands and Answers in writing and we desire your Lordships to do the like and nothing shall be taken as agreed upon but what is put in writing And we shall acquaint the Houses of Parliament that you have declared what shall be delivered in writing upon any Proposition or upon any part of a Proposition is not to be binding or prejudicial to either Party if the Treaty break off 3. February IN Answer to Your Lordships Paper formerly delivered we do declare that what shall be delivered in writing upon any Proposition or upon any part of a Proposition is not to be binding or prejudicial to either Party if the Treaty break off upon any other Propositions or part of any Proposition Touching the Seditious Sermon The King's Commissioners Paper 31. January WE have certain Information from divers Persons present in Vxbridge Church yesterday that there was then a Sermon preached by one Mr. Love in which were many passages very Scandalous to His Majesty's Person and derogatory to His Honour stirring up the People against this Treaty and incensing them against us telling them That we come with hearts full of Blood and that there is as great distance between this Treaty and Peace as between Heaven and Hell or words to that effect with divers other Seditious passages both against His Majesty and this Treaty We know His Majesty's hearty desire of a happy and well-grounded Peace such as may be for Gods Honour and the good of all His Subjects as well as Himself and we that are entrusted by His Commission come with clear Intentions to serve Him in it according to our Consciences and the best of our Judgments And this being preached in your Quarters where we are now under safe Conduct we desire your Lordships to consider how much this may reflect upon our Safety how much it may prejudice and blast the blessed hopes of this Treaty and how just offence and distrust it may beget in His Majesty And therefore we desire Justice against the Man that he may have exemplary Punishment Their Answer 31. Jan. TO the Paper delivered in by your Lordships this day concerning the Information received of several Scandalous passages preached in a Sermon in Vxbridge Church by one Master Love we do return this Answer That the said Master Love is none of our Retinue nor came hither by any privity of ours That we conceive it most reasonable and agreeable to the business we are now upon that all just occasions of Offence on either part be avoided and as it hath been our desire so it shall be our endeavour to take the best care we can to prevent all prejudices upon the present Treaty which may blast the blessed hopes thereof or may beget any just offence and distrust in His Majesty and shall be as tender of the Safety of your Lordships Persons according to the safe Conduct as of our own We shall represent your Lordships Paper concerning this business if your Lordships so desire unto the Lords and Commons assembled in the Parliament of England who will proceed therein according to Justice The King's Commissioners Reply 1. February VVE insist upon our former desire concerning the Sermon preached by Mr. Love and must refer the way of doing Justice to your Lordships and if