A DECLARATION OF An happy TREATY for PEACE, BETWEEN The King's Majesty, AND The High Court of PARLIAMENT.   royal blazon or coat of arms 
C R  HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE DIEV ET MON DROIT 
LONDON, Febr. 11. Printed for T. Wright. 1643.   

A DECLARATION OF An happy Treaty for peace, between THE KJNGS' MAJESTY, AND The high Court of PARLIAMENT.  
THE bleeding misery of our poor distressed brethren in Ireland, under the cruel rebellion of the Papists at this time, whereby that Kingdom is in danger to be lost, requires rather aid to rescue them from that thraldom: then to involve England into the like misery, and indeed who can be ignorant not only how just cause Scotland hath to suspect the Papists here as well as we, but with us labour to root them out also, and what their intents are against England we may easily judge, not only by their cruelties in Ireland and foreign Kingdoms, but by woeful too late experience in many places about this Kingdom, who do mischief amongst us, not by their own persons only, but by traducing others ●o coagitate in their cruel and desperate designs against the Land, Religion, King, Parliament, and even humanity, against whose practices there is so many wholesome Laws.  
Neither have they only made us miserable, but an evil counsel that have laboured to breed and work in the King's Majesty a dislike and disaffection toward the Parliament and their proceed, under which mistake this Kingdom hath too long bleedingly groaned, by reason of a civil and unhappy war: Insomuch that although both the honourable Houses of Parliament have by all means sought the peaceable return of his Majesty, yet they have been still prevented by such who have prevailed in their Counsel against them, which hath caused so long a hindrance of that happy accommodation which might otherwise have been obtained.  
For this purpose they have often petitioned to his Majesty, and in most humble manner desired his peaceable return to his Parliament, but were still opposed by reason of the evil Counsel about him.  
The Parliament having received now at last such an Answer as hath given them some hopes of accommodation; are no little glad thereof, which they have entertained with such joyful acceptance as they can express, and have therefore cheerfully treated concerning the same, desiring no greater happiness than the perfecting thereof, not doubting but that it will make way for the removing of all our grievances and supplying of all our wants, neither have they neglected the perfecting of their sitting for a convenient and happy Treaty, who being all equal, willing and re●●y in the accomplishment thereof, have in a short space of time drawn up their resolutions, and returned them to his Majesty: God prosper the work, and give a blessing to it.  
The Parliament being tender of the losing of the lives of any of his Majesty's good subjects by war and bloodshed, do in their wise judgements hold it better to draw up the period of all differences, and perfect a reconciliation with his Majesty by a peaceable treaty, then by the sword, or●ingring Declarations and Messages, that so (if it be possible) a sudden and happy accommodation may be accomplished, in which work they are, most earnest and careful.  
Now seeing there is so much hopes of an accommodation, it concerns the whole Kingdom, and every man in his particular state, degree and calling, to be careful not to hinder, but to help forward this great work, lest by negligence they become guilty of innocent blood.  
1 We ought to remember in the first place to give God thanks for these hopes, and this happy opportunity, for it is not man alone that doth it, all the wisdom of man is but vain, God directs and appoints what in his great wisdom he will have come to pass, and he looks for the praises of his works, therefore let us not forget to praise God for the hope which he hath now given us of this great work; let us be often thinking and talking of it, saying, Blessed be the name of the Lord.  
2 We must take heed of sin, lest thereby the work be hindered: God grant that the pride of this land, the profaning of the name of God by bloody and fearful oaths, cozening, lying, Sabbath-breaking, etc. do not hinder the accommodation; the destroying Angel ceased not until Phineas smote the adulterer and the adulteress; God's wrath was not appeased till Achans theft was punished; sin brought the troubles that often fell upon Jerusalem, and Jonahs' sin troubled the whole ship, which found no rest till he returned. Thus doth it concern us all to leave our sins, and turn to God by repentance, else may we still sail in violent winds and troubled waters.  
3 It concerns us also to take heed of trusting the Papists, they must be narrowly watched; for they are ●tter enemies to accommodation, they cannot endure unity between the King and Parliament, they love to increase civil war in Protestant Kingdoms; for by continuance of war, 1. They gain advantage for the bringing in of foreign power to subdue the Protestants. 2. They can better show themselves to one another. 3. They gain better opportunity of working their treasons and conspiracies at home. 4. They gather more to an head, etc. all which being considered, we have great reason to take heed of trusting them or permitting them in any way to give opportunity of doing hurt to Protestants, or Religion.  
4 Let us by no means cross or thwart the Parliaments designs, or be in any respect an hindrance to the same; we have chosen them to be the representative Body of the Kingdom, to sit there for us; and they have been found faithful; they are there gathered together by the providence of God, let us take heed of crossing God's way, lest instead of procuring a blessing, we bring a curse upon us.  
5 We must not be negligent to help them with money; yea with our lives and all that we have (according to the Protestation) else we are not helpers but troublers of the Commonwealth, and indeed who of conscience can deny to help them in so great a work in which we are all so much interested.  
6 We must not be negligent in Prayer to almighty God to perfect it to his glory, the King's honour, the flourishing of the Gospel, and the good of the whole Land, have we not cause to pray? Surely there can no Kingdom in the world have more reason to implore Almighty God by humble supplication then we; whether we look upon the miseries we are in by war, or the blessings we may enjoy by peace. 1. The miseries we are in by war, in our own persons by continual danger to be slain and murdered, in our friends, to have our wives and daughters barbarously deflowered, our children's brains dashed in pieces against the stones, and famine the handmaid of war to devour both us and them; And in our estates to be plundered and pillaged, and rob of all that we have: especially having Armies of Papists raised against us. 2. The blessings that we may enjoy by peace are many, reparation of decayed trading, freedom from continual fears and dangers, comfort in our callings, each man according to his degree, safety of our estate, comfort of our Church, propagation of the Gospel, the honour of the King, and the comfortable enjoyment of such blessings as God hath bestowed upon us.  
Now may we see how much a prudent Accommodation is better than by hasty peace on the Papists, and Malignants terms to betray our Religion and liberties, King, Parliament and Laws, for by the one we are happy, and have to do with a royal King and Sovereign himself, by the other Papists and evil Counsel might prove our ruin.  
This is that way of peace which may make poor England more happy than ever: yea than all Nations (when our royal King shall sit in his Princely throne with an Olive branch of peace, to the joy of all his Protestant subjects, who desire rather to see him in his Parliament then at so great a distance from them, when the Parliament shall stand right in the eyes of his Majesty, when Religion is settled, reformrtion of all things amiss wrought, and every one quietly fitting under his own Vine, by a peaceable and happy settlement under his gracious Majesty, which God of his good mercy and goodness grant.  
FINIS.