A COLLECTION OF HIS MAJESTY'S MOST GRACIOUS MESSAGES FOR PEACE,  
Sent to the Two Houses of Parliament at Westminster, since the 5. of Decemb▪ 1645.  
With His Majesty's last Message Jan. 15. and the Answer of 〈…〉 … ses to His two former Messages of the 〈…〉 of Decemb.  
CHARLES. R.  
Our Pleasure and Command is, That these Messages with their Answers, be forthwith published in all Churches and Chappells within Our Dominions.  
OXFORD, Printed by Leonard Lichfield, Printer to the University. 1645.   

A COLLECTION OF His Majesty's most Gracious Messages for Peace, sent to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster since the 5. of Decemb. 1645.  
CHARLES R.  
HIS Majesty being deeply ●●●ble of the Continuation of this bloody 〈◊〉 natural War, cannot think Himself discharged of the Duty He owes to God, or the affection and regard He hath to the preservation of His People, without the constant application of His ●●●est endeavours to find some expedient for the speedy ending of these unhappy Distractions, if that may be, doth 〈◊〉 desire, That a safe Conduct may be forthwith sear▪ 〈◊〉 Duke of Richmond, the Earl of Southampton, 〈…〉 and Jeffery Palmer Esquires, and their 〈◊〉 to, with Coaches, Horses, and other Accommodations for their Journey to Westminster, during their stay there, and require when they shall think fit. Whom His Majesty intends to send to the Lords and Commons Assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster, and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland, furnished with ●uch Propositions, as His Majesty is confident will 〈◊〉 the Foundation of a happy and well grounded Peace.  
Given at the Court at Oxford the fifth of December, 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore.  
This Gracious Message came to Westminster, December the sixth, where he that brought it was detained five days, and at last sent back without any Answer at all to His MAJESTY; only these few words were written to Sir Thomas Glemham Governor of Oxford.  
SIR,  
WE have received your Letter of the 5th of this instant December, with His Majesties enclosed, and have sent back your Trumpet by Command of both Houses, who will with all convenient speed return an answer to His Majesty, and rest  
Your loving Friends 

Grey of Wark Speaker of the House of Peers Pro Tempore.  
William Lenthall Speaker of the House of Commons,   For Sir Thomas Glemham Governor of Oxford.  
This was all, after so many day's expectation; which is indeed neither Answer nor Excuse, being only a Concession of nothing at present, and an intimation that for f●●●● (when themselves judged it convenient) they would grant or deny. Notwithstanding all manner of difficulties and pretences. His MAJESTY'S (to testify His unwearied desires for Peace) presently sent 〈…〉 Message.  
CHARLES R.  
HIS Majesty cannot but extremely wonder, that after so many expressions on your part of a deep and seeming sense of the miseries of this afflicted Kingdom, and of the dangers incident to His Person during the continuance of this unnatural War, your many great and so often repeated Protestations, that the raising of these Arms hath been only for the necessary defence of God's true Religion, His Majesty's Honour, Safety and Prosperity, the Peace, comfort and security of His People, you should delay a safe Conduct to the persons mentioned in His Majesty's Message of the fifth of this instant December, which are to be sent unto you with Propositions for a well grounded Peace: A thing so far from having been denied at any time by His Majesty, whensoever you have desired the same, that he believes it hath been seldom (if ever) practised among the most avowed & professed enemies, much less from Subjects to their King. But His Majesty is resolved, that no discouragements whatsoever shall make Him fail of His part in doing His uttermost endeavours to put an end to these Calamities, which if not in time prevented, must prove the ruin of this unhappy Nation; And therefore doth once again desire, that a safe conduct may be forthwith sent for those persons expressed in His former Message, & doth therefore Co … you, as you will answer to Almighty God in that day when he shall make inquisition for all the Blood that hath and may yet be spilt in this unnatural War, as you tender the preservation and establishment of the true Religion; by all the Bonds of Duty and Allegiance to your King, or compassion to your bleeding and unhappy Country, and of Charity to yourselves, that you dispose your hearts to a true sense, and … ploy all your faculties in a more serious endeavour together with His Majesty, to set a speedy and to these … sting Divisions, and then He shall not doubt, but that God 〈…〉 give the blessing of Peace to this distr … 〈…〉.  
Given at the Court at Oxford the 15. of December 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers ●●●o tempore.  
Above Twenty days passed (which was more than they allowed for the whole Treaty at Uxbridge) and yet no Answer came to either of these former Messages. His MAJESTY observing such strange delays against any whomsoever He should send with Propositions (though Persons of most unblemished Honour and Integrity) Resolved to remove all Clouds and Excuses by repairing Personally to London, and therefore sent this following Message.  
CHARLES R.  
NOtwithstanding the strange and unexpected delays (which can be precedented by no former times) to His Majesty's two former Messages, His Majesty will lay aside all Expostulations, as rather serving to lose time, then to contribute any remedy to the evils, which (for the present) do afflict this distracted Kingdom; Therefore without farther Preamble, His Majesty thinks it most necessary to send these Propositions this way, which He intended to do by the Persons mentioned in His former Messages, though He well knows the great disadvantage, which Overtures of this kind have, by the want of being accompanied by well instructed Messengers.  
His Majesty conceiving that the former Treaties have hitherto proved ineffectual, chief for want of Power in those Persons that Treated, as likewise because those from whom their Power was derived (not possibly having the particular informations of every several debate) could not give so clear a judgement as was requisite in so important a business; If therefore His Majesty may have the engagement of the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster, the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland, the Major, Aldermen, Common-council, and Militia of London, at the chief Commanders in Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army, as also of those in the Scots Army, for His Majesty's free and safe Coming to, and abode in London or Westminster, (with such of His Servants now attending Him, and their Followers, not exceeding in all the number of 300) for the space of forty days, and after the said time for His free and safe repair to any of His Garrisons of Oxford, Worcester, or Newarke, (which His Majesty shall nominate at any time before His going from London or Westminster,) His Majesty propounds to have a Personal Treaty with the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster, and the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland, upon all matters which may conduce to the restoring of Peace and happiness to these miserably distracted Kingdoms; And to begin with the three Heads which were Treated on at Uxbridge. And for the better clearing of His Majesty's earnest and sincere Intentions of putting an end to these unnatural Distractions, (knowing that point of security may prove the greatest obstacle to this most blessed Work) His Majesty therefore Declares, That He is willing to commit the great Trust of the Militia of this Kingdom, for such time, and with such Powers, as are expressed in the Paper delivered by His Majesty's Commissioners at Uxbridge, the 6th of February last, to these Persons following, viz. The Lord Privy Seal, the Duke of Richmond, the marquis of Hertford, the marquis of Dorchester, the Earl of D●rs●t Lord Chamberlain, the Earl of Northumberland, the Earl of Essex, Earl of Southampton, Earl of Pembroke, Earl of Salisbury, Earl of Manchester, Earl of Warwick, Earl of Denbigh, Earl of Chichester, Lord Say, Lord Seymour, Lord Lucas, Lord Lexington, M. Denzill Ho●is, M. Pierrepoint, M. Henry Bellasis, M. Richard Spencer, Sir Thomas Fairfax, M. John Ashburnham, Sir Gervas' Clifton, Sir Henry Vane junior, M. Rober● Wallop, M. Thomas Chichely, M. Oliver Cromwell, and M. Philip Skippon, supposing that these are Persons against whom there can be no just exception: But if this doth not satisfy, than His Majesty offers to name the 〈…〉▪ and leave the other to the election of the two 〈…〉 or at Westminster, with the Powers and Lim●●● 〈◊〉 before mentioned.  
Thus His Majesty calls God 〈◊〉 the World to witness, of His sincere Intentions and 〈◊〉 Endeavours, for the composing and settling of these ●●●●ble Distractions, which He doubts not, but by the blessing of God, will soon be put to a happy conclusion, if this His Majesties offer be accepted; Otherwise He leaves all the World to judge, who are the Continuers of this unnatural War. And therefore He once more Conjures you, by all the Bonds of Duty you own to God and your King, to have so great a Compassion on the bleeding and miserable Estate of your Country, That you join your most serious and hearty Endeavours with His Majesty, to put a happy and speedy end to these present Miseries.  
Given at the Court at OXFORD the 26 of December, 1645. 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.  
The day after His MAJESTY had sent this Third Message, Sir Peter Kill●grew brought an Answer to His MAJESTY'S two former of the 5 and 15 of December, whoever hears this Answer, will believe it might have been afforded sooner.  
May it please your Majesty,  
THE Lords and Commons Assembled in the Parliament of England at Westminster, have received your Letters of the 5th and 15th of this instant December, and having, together with the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland, taken the same into their serious consideration, do humbly return this Answer.  
They have in all their Actions manifested to Your Majesty and the World, their sincere and earnest desires, that a safe and well grounded Peace might be settled in Your three Kingdoms, and for the obtain … 〈…〉 … essing, shall ever pray to God, and use their utmost 〈…〉, and beseech Your Majesty to believe, that their not sending a more speedy Ans … hath not proceeded from any intention to retard the meane● 〈…〉 putting an end to these present Calamities by a happy Peace, 〈…〉 been occasioned by the Considerations and Debates necessary in a business of so great importance, wherein both Kingdoms are so much concerned.  
As to Your Majesty's desire of a safe Conduct for the coming hither of the Duke of Richmond, the Earl of Southampton, john Ashburnham and leffery Palmer Esquires, with Propositions to be the foundation of a happy and well grounded Peace, They finding that former Treaties have been made use of for other ends under the pretence of Peace, and have proved delatory, and unsuccessful, cannot give way to a safe Conduct according to Your Majesty's desire; But both Houses of the Parliament of England, having now under their Consideration Propositions and Bills for the settling of a safe and well grounded Peace, which are speedily to be communicated to the Commissioners of the Kingdom of Scotland, do resolve after mutual agreement of both Kingdoms to present them with all speed to Your Majesty.  
Westminster the 25. Decemb. 1645. 

Grace of Work Speake● of the House of Peers pro 〈◊〉.  
William Lenthall Speaker of the House of Commons.    
This Denial (to say no worse) was brought to His MAJESTY December 27. and within two day's Sir Peter Killigrew was dismissed with this Gracious Answer.  
CHARLES R.  
ALthough the Message sent by 〈◊〉 Peter Killigrew, may justly require 〈◊〉 expost●●●● 〈…〉 His Majesty lays that ●●●le, as no● so 〈…〉 Endeavours; leaving 〈◊〉 World ●o judge▪ 〈…〉 Proposition for a Personal ●●●●●ty, o● the 〈…〉 of a safe Conduct for Persons to be●● 〈…〉 ●●●ly, 〈…〉 of a real Intention to Peace; 〈…〉 all 〈…〉 upon His former Message of the 26 〈…〉 December. 〈…〉 upon His repair to Westmin●●er 〈…〉 doubts not but so to join His Endeavours with His two Houses of Parliament, as to give just satisfaction, not only concerning the business of Ireland, but also for the settling of a way for the payment of the Public Debts, as well to the Scots, and to the City of London, as others. And as already He hath shown a fair way for the settling of the Militia, so He shall carefully Endeavour in all other Particulars, that none shall have cause to complain for want of security, whereby just jealousies may arise to hinder the continuance of the desired Peace. And certainly this Proposition of a Personal Treaty could never have entered into His Majesty's Thoughts, if He had not resolved to make apparent to all the world, that the Public good and Peace of this Kingdom, is fare dearer to Him then the respect of any particular Interest. Wherefore none can oppose this Motion, without a manifest demonstration, that he particularly envies His Majesty should be the chief 〈◊〉 in so blessed a Work, besides the declaring him 〈…〉 opposer of the happy Peace of these Nations. To con●●●ide, whosoever will not be ashamed, that His fair and specious Protestations should be brought to a true and public Test; and those who have a real sense, and do truly commiserate the miseries of their bleeding Country: let them speedily and cheerfully embrace His Majesty's Proposition for His Personal Treaty at Westminster, which, by the blessing of God will undoubtedly to these now distracted Kingdoms, ●estor● the happiness of a long wished for, and lasting Peace.  
Gi●●n at the Court at Oxford, the 19th day of December, 1645. For the Speaker of the House of P●●res pro tempore, to 〈◊〉 C 〈◊〉 〈◊〉ted to the two Houses of 〈…〉 Westminster, and the 〈◊〉 of the Parliament of Scot●●●d.  
But neither this, nor the former Message of December 26. 〈◊〉 vouchsafed the least notice for full three weeks, though. Theirs ha● 〈◊〉 Answer in less than three doyes. All good men wondering at so strange detention of the Messenger at London, His MAJESTY sent another with this His fifth Message.  
CHARLES R.  
BUt that these are times, wherein nothing is strange; it were a thing much to be marvailed at, what should cause this unparalleled long detention of His Majesty's Trumpet, sent with His Gracious Message of the 26th of December last; Peace being the only Subject of it, and His Majesty's Personal Treaty, the means proposed for it. And it were almost as great a wonder, that His M●●●●●●●uld be so long from enquiring after it, if that the ●●●●ely expectation thereof, had not, in some measure ●●●●●fied His Impatience: But lest His Majesty, by ●is long silence, should condemn himself of Carelessness in that, which so ●●ich concerns the good of all His People, He thinks it high time to inquire after His said Trumpeter, For since all men, who pretend any goodness, must desire Peace, and that all men know T●●●●ies, to be the best and most Christian way to procure it, and the●e being as little question, that His Majesty's 〈…〉 it; is the likeliest way to bring it to 〈…〉 He Judges there must be some strang●● 〈…〉 Accidents, which ●●●●eth this most 〈…〉 Wherefore His M●●●●●●arnestly, 〈◊〉 to have a speedy Account of Hi●●●mer Message ●●●●ubject whereof is Peace, 〈◊〉 means His Personal Presence at Westminster, where the Government of the Church being settled, as it was in the times of the happy and glorious Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King james, with full Liberty for the ease of their Consciences, who will not communicate in that Service established by Law, and likewise for the free and public use of the Directory (prescribed, and by Command of the two Houses of Parliament, now practised in some parts of the City of London) to such as shall desire to use the same, and all Forces being agreed to be Disbanded, His Majesty will then forthwith (as He hath in His Message of the 29th of December last, already offered) join with His two Houses of Parliament, in settling some way for the payment of the Public Debts to His Scots Subjects, the City of London, and others: And His Majesty having proposed a fair way, for the settling of the Militia, which now by this long delay, seems not to be thought sufficient Security: His Majesty (to show how really He will employ Himself at His Coming to Westminster, for making this a lasting Peace, and taking away all Jealousies, (how groundless soever) will endeavour, upon debate with His two Houses, so to dispose of it (as likewise of the Business of Ireland) as may give to them and both Kingdom's just satisfaction; Not doubting also, but to give good Contentment to His two Houses of Parliament in the choice of the Lord Admiral, the Officers of State and others, if His 〈…〉 by their ready Inclinations to Peace shall 〈…〉 encouragement thereunto. Thus His Majesty, … ng taken occasion by His just Impatience so to explain His Intentions, that no Man can doubt of a happy Issue to this succeeding Treaty: If now, 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 Kingdom's future happiness, It being so much the stranger, that His Majesty's 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 the Court at Oxford, the 15th of January, 1645. 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.  
After this scent, and on its way to Westminster; As 〈◊〉 returned His Majesty's former Trumpet with an Answer to His Messages of the 26th and 29th of December▪ 〈◊〉 long expected; but it seems 'twill ask time to frankovich an Answer as never had Precedent, (and till now) came ●ot from Subjects to any King in the World.  
May it please Your Majesty▪  
W●●●E Your 〈…〉 Lo●all Subjects of both ●ingdomes, 〈◊〉 adjectived Your Letters of 〈◊〉 the 26 and 29 of December last; unto which ●●●●mbly return this Answer.  
That there hath been no delay on our parts, but what was necessary in a business of so great consequence, as is expressed in our former Letter to Your Majesty.  
Concerning the Personal Treaty desired by Your Majesty, There having been so much innocent Blood of Your good Subjects shed in this War, by Your Majesty's Commands and Commissions, Irish Rebels brought over into both Kingdoms, and endeavours to bring over more into both of them, as also Forces from Foreign parts; Your Majesty being in Arms in these parts, and the Prince in the head of an Army in the West, divers Towns made Garrisons, and kept in hostility by Your Majesty against the Parliament of England: There being also For●●●● Scotland against that Parliament and Kingdom by Your Majesty's Commission: The War in Ireland fomented and prolonged by Your Majesty, whereby the three Kingdoms are brought near to utter ruin and destruction. We conceive, That until Satisfaction and security be first given to both Your Kingdoms, Your Majesty's coming hither cannot be convenient, nor by 〈◊〉 assented unto. Neither can we apprehend it a means conducing to Peace, That Your Majesty should come to Your Parliament for a few days, with any thoughts of leaving it▪ especially with intentions of returning to hostility against it. And are do observe, That Your Majesty desire 〈◊〉 ●●gagement, not only of the Parliaments, but of the Lord 〈◊〉 Aldermen, Common-council, and Mili●●● 〈…〉 of London, the chief Commanders of Sir Thom●● 〈◊〉 his Army, and those of the Scots Army, which 〈◊〉 against the Privileges and honour of the Parliaments, those being joined with them▪ who are subject and subordinate to their authority.  
That which Your Majesty, against the freedom of the Parliaments enforces in both Your Letters with many earnest expressions, as if in no other way than that propounded by Your Majesty, the Peace of Your Kingdoms could be established; Your Majesty may please to remember, That in our last Letter, we did Declare, That Propositions from both Kingdoms were speedily to be sent to Your Majesty, which We conceive to be the only way for the attaining a happy and well grounded Peace; and Your Majesty's Assent unto those Propositions, will be an effectual means for giving satisfaction, and security to Your Kingdoms: will assure a firm Union between the two Kingdoms, as much desired by each for other as for themselves; And settle Religion and secure th●● 〈◊〉 the Kingdom of Scotland, whereof neither is so much as mentioned in Your Majesty's Letters.  
And in proceeding according to these just and necessary grounds for the putting an end to the bleeding Calamities of these Nations, Your Majesty may have the Glory to be a Principal Instrument in so happy a Work; and we (however misinterpreted) shall approve ourselves to God and the world to be real and sincere in s●●king a safe and well grounded Peace.  
Westminster, 13. Jan. 1645. 〈…〉 the name and 〈…〉 ●●●rant of the Com●●● 〈…〉 to for the Parliament of Scotland. 

BALMERINOTH.  
Grey of Work, Speaker of the House of Peers, pro tempore▪  
William Lenthall, Speaker of the H●●●● of Commons.   For Your MAjESTY.  
This, and no more, is all they Answered to His Majesty's Five Messages, and six week's Expectation. Such as are not drenched so deep in blood, as to abhor all Peace, would cheerfully embrace His Majesty's Proposition for a Personal Treaty: 'Tis the very expedient Themselves proposed in all their Messages, Declarations and Speeches. But now they renounce it, forasmuch as they find His MAjESTY in hostility, and Prince CHARLES in the Head of an Army in the West, (a strange consequence, That because 'tis now War, therefore it shall never be Peace;) Though 'tis as notorious who was first in Arms, as who first began to Plunder. What they here intent by demanding of His Majesty Satisfaction for 〈…〉, no modest Christian but trembles to understand. And 'tis as strange, that His Majesty in desiring the joint Engagement of the City of London for His Security at Westminster, should violate the Privileges of Parliament, Remember what forced His Majesty from White-Hall; those Tumults They pretended received no influence from any Vote of Theirs; And for like assurance from Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army, His Majesty aske● no more than Him … offered to the Earl of Essex in Cornwall, in a Letter signed by all the chief Officers of His Majesty's Army; 〈◊〉 sure they'll grant as much at His Majesty's command as 〈◊〉 Thomas Fairfax's Officers or the Citizens of London can 〈…〉 This is manifest that His Majesty hath 〈…〉 in the World to heal His bleeding 〈…〉 Westminster they'll not grant so much as a 〈…〉 should either Send Peace, or 〈…〉 spend forty days in sending two Denials.  
FINIS.