royal coat of arms  By the King, 
A PROCLAMATION.  
JAMES R.  
WE have received undoubted Advice, That a great and sudden Invasion from Holland, with an Armed Force of Foreigners and Strangers, will speedily be made in a Hostile manner upon this Our Kingdom; And although some false Pretences relating to Liberty, Property, and Religion, contrived or worded with Art and Subtilty, may be given out (as shall be thought useful upon such an Attempt) it is manifest however, (considering the great Preparations that are making) that no less Matter by this Invasion is proposed and purposed, than an Absolute Conquest of these Our Kingdoms, and the utter Subduing and Subjecting Us and all Our People, to a Foreign Power, which is promoted (as We understand, although it may seem almost Incredible) by some of Our Subjects, being Persons of Wicked and restless Spirits, implacable Malice, and desperate Designs, who having no Sense of former Intestine Distractions, the Memory and Misery whereof should Endear and put a Value upon that Peace and Happiness which hath long been enjoyed; nor being moved by Our reiterated Acts of Grace and Mercy, wherein We have studied and delighted to abound towards all Our Subjects, and even towards those who were once Our avowed and open Enemies, do again endeavour to Imbroil this Kingdom in Blood and Ruin, to gratify their own Ambition and Malice, proposing to themselves a Prey and Booty in such a public Confusion.  
We cannot omit to make it known, That although We had Notice sometime since, that a Foreign Force was preparing against Us, yet We have always declined any Foreign Succours, but rather have chosen (next under God) to rely upon the true and Ancient Courage, Faith and Allegiance of Our own People, with whom We have often ventured Our Life for the Honour of this Nation, and in whose Defence against all Enemies, We are firmly resolved to live and die: And therefore We solemnly Conjure Our Subjects to lay aside all manner of Animosities, jealousies and Prejudices, and heartily and cheerfully to Unite together in the Defence of Us and their Native Country, which thing alone will (under God) defeat and frustrate the principal Hope and Design of Our Enemies, who expect to find Our People Divided, and by publishing perhaps some plausible Reasons of their coming hither, as the specious, though false Pretences of maintaining the Protestant Religion, or Asserting the Liberties and Properties of Our People, do hope thereby to Conquer this Great and Renowned Kingdom: But albeit the Design hath been carried on with all imaginable Secrecy and Endeavours to surprise and deceive Us, We have not been wanting on Our Part, to make such Provision as did become Us, and by God's Blessing We make no doubt of being found in so good a Posture, that Our Enemies may have cause to repent such their rash and unjust Attempt.  
We did intend (as We lately Declared) to have met Our Parliament in November next, and the Writs are issued forth accordingly, proposing to Ourselves, amongst other things, that We might be able to quiet the Minds of all Our People in matters of Religion, pursuant to the several Declarations We have published to that effect, but in regard of this strange and unreasonable Attempt, from Our Neighhouring Country (without any manner of Provocation) designed to divert Our said Gracious Purposes, We find it necessary to recall Our said Writs, which We do hereby recall accordingly, Commanding and Requiring Our Loving Subjects to take Notice thereof, and to surcease all further Proceedings thereon; And forasmuch as the approaching Danger which now is at hand, will require a great and vigorous Defence, We do hereby strictly Charge and Command All Our Loving Subjects both by Sea and Land (whose ready Concurrence, Valour and Courage as true Englishmen We no way doubt in so just a Cause) to be prepared to defend their Country; And We do hereby Command and Require all Lords Lieutenants, and Deputy Lieutenants to Use their best and utmost Endeavours to Resist, Repel and Suppress Our Enemies, who come with such Confidence and great Preparations to Invade and Conquer these Our Kingdoms. And lastly, We do most expressly and strictly Enjoin and Prohibit all and every Our Subjects, of what Degree or Condition soever, from giving any manner of Aid, Assistance, Countenance or Succour, or from having or holding any Correspondence with these Our Enemies, or any of their Complices, upon pain of High Treason, and being prosecuted and proceeded against with the utmost Severity.  
Given at Our Court at Whitehall the 28th day of September, 1688. In the Fourth Year of Our Reign. GOD SAVE THE KING.   

London, Printed by Charles Bill, Henry Hills, and Thomas Newcomb, Printers to the King's most Excellent Majesty. 1688.