HIS MAJESTY'S ANSWER To the Message, or Proposition, sent the last of December past, by the House of Commons, for a GUARD.  
WE have taken the last Message from you, touching your desire of a Guard, into serious consideration, and truly with great grief of heart (that after a whole years sitting of this Parliament, wherein you have obtained those things, for the happiness and security of yourselves, and the rest of Our Subjects, as no age can equal) instead of reaping in Peace and tranquillity the fruits of your Labours, and of Our Grace and affection to Our People, We should find Jealousies, Distrusts, and Fears still so prevalent amongst you, as to induce you to declare them unto Us, in so high a measure as you have done at this time.  
We are wholly ignorant of the Grounds of your Apprehensions, but this We do Protest before Almighty God (to whom We must be accountable for those, whom he hath entrusted to Our care and Protection) that had We any knowledge, or belief of the least design in any, of Violence, either formerly, or at this time, against you, We would pursue them to condign punishment, with the same severity and detestation, that We would do the greatest attempt upon Our Crown.  
We know the duty of that place where God hath set Us, the Protection We own to all Our Loyal Subjects, and most particularly to you, called to Our Service by Our Writs; And We do engage unto you solemnly the word of a King, That the security of all and every one of you from violence, is, and shall ever be as much Our care, as the Preservation of Us and Our Children.  
And if this general Assurance shall not suffice to remove your Apprehensions, We will command such a Guard to wait upon you, as We will be responsible for to Him, who hath encharged Us with the Safety and Protection of Our Subjects.  
WHITEHALL, 3. Jan. 1641.  
FINIS.