A Collection of His Majesty's Gracious Messages for Peace, sent to the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster since the 5 of Dec. 1645. CHARLES R. HIS Majesty being deeply sensible of the Continuation of this bloody and unnatural 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 earnest endeavours to find some expedient for the speedy ending of these unhappy Distractions, if that may be, doth therefore desire, That a safe Conduct may be forthwith sent, for the Duke of Richmond, the Earl of Southampton, John Ashburnham, and Jeffery, Palmer Esquires, and their Attendants, with Coaches, Horses, and other Accommodations for their Journey to Westminster, during their stay there, and return 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 such Propositions, as His Majesty is confident will be the Foundation of a happy and well-grounded Peace. Given at the Court at Oxford the 5. of Decem. 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore. SIR, WE have received Your Letter of the fifth 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. 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 and 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, and doth therefore Conjure 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 employ all your faculties in a more serious endeavour, together with His Majesty, to set a speedy end to these wasting Divisions, and then he shall not doubt, but that God will yet again give the blessing of Peace to this distracted Kingdom. Given at the Court at Oxford, the 15. of December, 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore. CHARLES R. NOtwithstanding the strange and unexpected delays (which can be presidented 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-Councel, and Militia of London, of 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 Newark. (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, up on 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 & 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 Milition 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 6. of February last, to these Persons following, viz. The Lord Privy Seal, the Duke of Richmond, the marquis of Hereford, the marquis of Dorchester, the Earl of Dorset, 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 Chichister, Lord Say, Lord Seymour, Lord Lucas, Lord Lexington, M. Denzill Hollis, M. Pierrepent, M. Henry Bellasis, M. Richard Spencer, Sir Thomas Fairfax, M. John Ashburnham, Sir Gervas' Cliseon, Sir Henry Vane junior, M. Robert 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 one half, and leave the other to the election of the two Houses of Parliament at Westminster, with the Powers and Limitations before mentioned. Thus His Majesty calls God and the World to witness, of His sincere Intentions and real Endeavours, for the composing and setting of these miserable 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. 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 am 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 obtaining so great a Blessing, shall ever pray to God, and use their utmost endeavours, and beseech Your▪ Majesty to believe, that their not sending a more speedy Answer, hath not prooceeded from any intention to retard the means of putting an end to these present Calamities by a happy Peace, but hath 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 Arshburnham and jeffrey 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 unsuccesseful, 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. December, 1645. Grace of Wark Speaker of the House of Peers pro tempore. William Lenthall Speaker of the House of Commons. CHARLES R. ALthough the Message sent by Sir Peter Killigrew, may justly require an expostulatory Answer, yet His Majesty lays that aside, as not so proper for His present Endeavours; leaving all the World to judge, whether His Proposition for a Personal Treaty, or the flat denial of a safe Conduct for Persons to begin a Treaty, be greater signs of a real Intention to Peace; and shall now only insist upon His former Message of the 26 of this December: That upon His repair to Westminster, He 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 far 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 Author in so blessed a Work, besides the declaring Himself a direct opposer of the happy Peace of these Nations. To conclude, whosoever will not be ashamed, that His fair▪ and specious Protestations should be brought to a trune 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, restore the happiness of a long wished for, and lasting Peace. Given at the Court at Oxford, the 29 day 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 Partiament of Scotland. 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 26 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 Majesty should be so long from enquiring after it, if that the hourly expectation thereof, had not, in some measure satisfied His Impatience: But lest His Majesty by His long silence; should condemn himself of Carelessness in that, which so much 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 Treaties, to be the best and most Christian way to procure it▪ and there being as little question, that His Majesty's Personal Presence in it, is the likeliest way to bring it to a happy Issue; He judges there must be some strange variety of accidents, which causeth this most tedious delay; Wherefore His Majesty earnestly desires to have a speedy Account of His former Message, the subject whereof is Peace, and the 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 29 of December last, already offered) join with His two Houses 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 Kingdoms 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 two Houses, by their ready inclinations to Peace shall give Him encouragement thereunto. Thus His Majesty having taken occasion by His just impatience so to explain His 〈…〉, that no man can doubt of a happy Issue to this 〈…〉 ●reaty: 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 Kingdoms 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 15 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. May it please your Majesty, WE Your Humble and Loyal Subjects of both Kingdoms, have received Your Letters of the 26 and 29 of December last; unto which we humbly 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, 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 Forces in Scotland against that Parliament and Kingdom by Your Majesty's Commission: The War in Ireland fermented 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 in assented unto. Neither can we apprehend in 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 We do observe, That Your Majesty desires the Engagement, not only of the Parliaments, but of the Lord Mayor, aldermans, Common-Councel, and Militia of the City of London, the chief Commanders of Sir Thomas Fairfax's Army, and those of the Scots Army, which is against the Privileges and Honour of the Parliaments, these 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 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, 〈◊〉 ●●nch desired by each for other as for themselves; And settle Religion and secure the Peace of 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 Calanities 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 seeking a safe and well-grounded Peace. Westminster, 13. Jan. 1645. Grey of Wark, Speaker of the House of Peers pro Tempore. William Lenthall, Speaker of the House of Commons. Signed in the name and by warrant of the Commissioners of the Parliament of Scotland. BALMERINOTH. 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 bloodshed, 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 Tho. Fairfax's Army. His Majesty asks no more than Himself offered to the Earl of Essex in Cornwall, in a Letter signed by all the chief Officers of His Majesty's Army; whom sure they'll grant as much at His Majesty's command as Sir Thomas Fairfax's Officers or the Citizens of London can be subject to the Parliament. This is manifest, that His Majesty hath endeavoured all expedients in the World to heal His bleeding People, though at Westminster they'll not grant so much as a Pass that His Majesty should either send Peace, or bring it; But rather choose to spend forty days in sending two denials. The Answer. 1. IT is here said (This, and no more, is all they Answered) Thus when Naaman came with his Horses, and with his Chariot, and stood at the door of the House of Elisha, 2 King. 5.9. He in stead of receiving and humouring him, sent a Messenger to him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come to thee, and thou shalt be clean: But Naaman was wrath at first, and went away; yet afterwards he was persuaded to it, and so had his flesh come fresh again. O that His Majesty may be resolved to Sign the seven Bills to be presented to Him in the floods of His People's Tears, it will wash off all the Leprous rabble of Papists and Delinquents from about Him, and restore Him fresh again in the glory of His strength in His Parliament and People. 2. It is said, this is all of (five Messages, and six week's Expectation.) But who knoweth not, but that whereas His Majesty can dispatch away a Message at an instant, what, and when He pleaseth; yet it is not so with the Parliament, there must be such an Answer drawn, as is the Sense of the major part of the House, that Voted by them; then to that, the House of Lords must give their Concurrence; and after both, our Brethren of Scotland; and if any alterations be made in it, it must pass all round again, and there can be no remedy to prevent it. 3. But it is further said, (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:) The Kingdom is drenched in blood indeeds, and to stop that effusion. O that His Majesty would return this one Message to the Parliament (recorded in Holy Writ) more conducing to Peace, than all Treaties, Whatsoever is commanded by the God of Heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of Heaven; for why should there be wrath against the Realm of the King and his Sons, Ezra 7.23. That we might say, Blessed be the Lord God of our Fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the King's heart, Vers. 27. 4. Yet it is argued, ('Tis the very expedient themselves proposed in all their Messages, Declarations, and Speeches, but now they renounce it.) But Treaties have heretofore always been of ill consequence, and lengthened the Wars; and the Parliaments of both Kingdoms, have since considered of better ways for a safe and well-grounded Peace. The manner drawn into Propositions to be sent to His Majesty by way of Bills, which being Signed, the Wars are at an end, and both Kingdoms, Church, and State, settled at once. 5. It is said again, That to renounce it, (forasmuch as they find His Majesty in Hostility, and Prince Charles in the Head of an Army in the West, is a strange consequence, That because it is now War, therefore it shall never be Peace.) Truly, the Kingdom is now sad; but would be much more if His Majesty should come, and treat, and go again to continue in Hostility. 6. It follows, (though it is as notorious, who was first in Arms, as who first began to plunder.) There are two Witnesses, Windsor for the English, and York for the Irish, both Armed by Authority, who after rison, they soon fell to plunder. 7. But it is propounded thus, (What they here intent by demanding of His Majesty satisfaction for bloodshed, no modest Christian but trembles to understand.) That which they desire is this, That His Majesty by sealing of those Bills, gives His Royal Assent for the permitting of Irish Rebels, and Popish Incendiaries, and Delinquents to be brought to a legal Trial, to satisfy the Law for the innocent blood, that by their means hath been spilt in His Kingdoms, which will give great satisfaction to all Protestants, and well-affected Christians. 8. But it is alleged again, (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 to influence from any Vote of theirs.) This hath been cleared by many Declarations from the Parliament; and His Majesty's entertainment by the City when he came from Scotland, was a good testimony of their Loyalty and Affection. 9 Then it fellows. (And for like assurance from Sir Thomas Fairfax his Army, His Majesty asked no more than Himself offered to the Earl of Essex in Cornwall, in a Letter Signed by all the chief Officers of His Majesty's Army; whom sure they'll grant as much at His Majesty's Command, as Sir Thomas Fairfaxes Officers, or the Citizens of London, can be subject to the Parliament.) If His Majesty will disband His Forces, and come to London and join with the Parliament, He needs not doubt, but their Subordination to Him and the Parliament, will tender him their hands and hearts, estates and lives, for the Protection of His Person, Estate, and Honour, and the Peace, and Safety of all His Kingdoms. 10. The Conclusion is this, (This is manifest, that His Majesty hath endeavoured all Expedients in the World, to heal His bleeding People, though at Westminster they'll not grant so much as a Pass, that His Majesty should either send Peace, or bring it; but rather choose to spend forty days in sending two denials.) The Propositions for Peace will be speedily sent, whereby His Majesty may see how desirous they are, both to enjoy His Presence, and Peace too. God direct that work which was done from above, (which James saith, Jam. 3.17.) Its first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entertained, full of mercy, and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. FINIS. Published according to Order.