HIS MAJESTIES SPEECH DELIVERED THE Twenty second of January, 1643. TO THE MEMBERS OF THE TWO HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT AT OXFORD.  
Printed At OXFORD, By Leonard Lichfield, Printer to the university. 1643.   

HIS majesties SPEECH Delivered the twenty second of January, 1643.  
My Lords and Gentlemen,  
WHEN I consider your public Jnterests and Concernments in the happiness and honour of this Nation, and your particular sufferings in this Rebellion, for your affection and Loyalty to Me; I must look upon you as the most competent Considerers and counsellors how to Manage and improve the Condition We are all in; for sure our condition is so equal, that the same violence hath oppressed Us all.  
I have therefore called you together to be witnesses of my Actions, and privy to My Intentions; and certainly if I had the least thought, disagreeing with the happiness and security of this kingdom, I would not advice with such Counsellors, and I doubt not but your Concurrence with Me will so far prevail over the hearts and understandings of this whole kingdom,( who must look upon you as persons naturally and originally trusted by and for them) that it will be above the reach and malice of those who have hitherto had too great an influence upon the People, to discredit my most entire Actions, and sincere Promises; you will be the best Witnesses for the one, and security for the other.  
Very many of you can bear me witness with what unwillingness I suffered myself first to take up these defensive arms; indeed with so great, that I was first almost in the power of those who in two set battles, have sufficiently informed the World how tender they have been of the safety of My Person. I foresaw not only the rage and oppression which would every day break out upon My Subjects, as the malice of these ill men increased, & their purposes were detected; but also the great inconveniences My best Subjects would suffer even by My own Army, raised and kept for their preservation and protection; for J was not so ill a soldier, as not to foresee how impossible it was to keep a strict discipline, I being to struggle with so many defects and necessities; & I assure you the sense I have of their sufferings, who deserve well of Me, by My Forces, hath been a greater grief to Me then any thing for My own particular. My hope was, that either by success on My part, or Repentance on theirs, God would have put a short end to this great storm. But Guilt and despair have made these Men more wicked, then J imagine they at first intended to be; for instead of removing and reconciling these bloody distractions, and restoring Peace to this languishing Country, they have invited a foreign Power to invade this Kingdom, and that in your names, and challenge this Invasion from them as a debt to the Common-Wealth. You( My Lords) have, like yourselves( as good Patriots) expressed your dissent, and vindicated yourselves from that imputation: and I doubt not but you( Gentlemen) will let your Countries know, how far you are from desiring such Assistance, and how absolute and peremptory a breach this raising of arms of My Scots Subjects is of that Pacification, which was so lately and solemnly made by you, and can intend nothing but a Conquest of you and your laws. I shall sand you all the advertisements. I have of that business which is threatened from Scotland, and what is already acted from thence; and shall desire your speedy advice and assistance what is to be said or done, both with reference to this, and that kingdom.  
Our ends being the same, I am sure there will be no other difference in the way, then what upon debate and right understanding will be easily adjusted. Let our Religion( in which We are all most nearly concerned, and without care of which We must not look for God's blessing) be vindicated and preserved; Let My Honour and Rights( which you find to have an inseparable relation with your own interests) be vindicated and restored; Let your Liberties, Properties, privileges( without which I would not be your King) be secured and confirmed, and there is nothing you can advice me to, I will not meet you in; and I doubt not We shall together inform Posterity, how much our trust and confidence in each other, is a better expedient for the Peace and preservation of the Kingdom, then fears & Jeaousies.  
I shall keep you no longer from consulting together, then in telling you, that I have prepared fit places for your Meetings, to which J desire you to repair this night; assuring you, That J will be always ready to receive any thing from you, admitting you to Me, or coming to you myself, whensoever you shall desire. And so God direct you the best way.  
FINIS.