BY THE KING. ΒΆ A Proclamation of Grace and Pardon to all such as shall return to their Obedience, and submit to, and seek His majesty's mercy before the end of May next. WHEREAS this unnatural Rebellion was begun and fomented upon pretence of maintaining the true Protestant Religion, the Laws, Liberty and Property of the Subject, and the privileges of Parliament; And was heretofore carried on in the name of the King and Parliament, upon pretence also of the preservation of Our Honour, and the Rights of Our crown, and the Safety of Our Person, and redeeming it from the hands and power of evil Counsellors: And under these specious pretences very many of Our Subjects have been misled into it. But that which was at first known and foreseen by some, may now be manifest to all, even of the meanest capacity, that these were but pretences to colour the Ambition, malice, and avarice of a few men; since it is apparent, that in the prosecution, and for the upholding of the Rebellion, there hath been more profanation and scorn to the Protestant Religion here established, more oppression of the Subject, by depriving them of their Lives, Liberty and Property, without and against Law, and more usurpation upon the Rights of Our crown, and violation of laws, and of Acts of Parliament, and of privileges of Parliament publicly avowed, then can be paralleled by any former example in this Kingdom. And upon Our several Messages and Invitations for a Treaty for Peace, nothing is propounded to Us, and insisted upon, concerning the breach of any Law, or the Liberty, or Property of the Subject, or the privileges of Parliament; But changes in the Religion established, and alterations of the ancient Government of this kingdom both in Church and State. And touching the defence and safety of Our Person, notwithstanding Our earnest endeavours for Peace, this Rebellion is still prosecuted, and new Armies now moulded, and Forces raised under the name of the Parliament and State, with Commission to kill and destroy, without exception or regard of Our Person: So that (beside the trials We have already undergone) We may easily discern what safety or defence We are to expect hereafter. And it is evident that the design tends to the destruction, not only of Our Person and Posterity, but even of Monarchy itself: and that the defence of the true Protestant Religion established, of the laws, Liberty and Property of the Subject, of the just privileges of Parliament, and of Our Person, and the Rights of Our crown, are laid aside, and can be no longer pretences for this Rebellion. And whereas We have reason to believe that very many of Our Subjects, who were heretofore seduced, and misled, are by this, and their own manifold sufferings, brought to a sight of their error, and to a dislike and detestation of this execrable Rebellion, which threatens speedy ruin and destruction to the Nation: but being heretofore involved and entangled in the guilt of it, are doubtful of their own security, and cannot easily find the way to free themselves with safety. In pursuance therefore of Our constant purpose, to omit nothing which We shall conceive may give security to those Our Subjects, who shall not still wilfully and maliciously persist in mischief, and which may conduce to the quenching of this Fire, and restoring Peace to Our People in all Our Dominions, We have thought fit once again to set forth this Our Proclamation of Grace and Pardon: And We do hereby Publish and Declare, That to all such of what estate, degree, or condition soever they be (without exception) who shall before the end of May next ensuing, return to their due Obedience, and submit to, and desire Our Mercy, We shall grant them Our free and gracious Pardon for all offences whatsoever, committed or done, in or by the prosecuring, promoting, assisting, or countenancing of this Rebellion, or which have any relation thereunto. And this in the Word of a King We shall effectually make good unto them. Given at Our Court at OXFORD, the 19th day of April, in the One and Twentieth year of Our reign. 1645. GOD SAVE THE KING. Printed at Oxford, by Leonard Lichfield, Printer to the university. 1645.