A LETTER From A FRIEND, OCCASIONED By the Receipt of His MAJESTIES Most Gracious EXPRESSES, AND Declaration.  
Printed in the Year, MDCLX. May 8   

A LETTER from a Friend, occasioned by the Receipt of his majesties most Gracious Expresses and Declaration.  
I May well call your Last, the greatest kindness of your Life, since it was the greatest Comfort of Mine: and suited to the Satisfaction of my Dearest Passions. To treat you freely; I reckon what concerns your Health, and Friendship, as the least part of that which pleases me; not that I love you less then I ought: but as I ought, I love my Prince and country, and without Competition.  
I have Received, and Soberly perused the gracious Messages you sent me; nor do I wonder at the Universal Joy, you say they have produced, when I consider that there's no Subject in them for Exception. I am impatient till I hear what return; and with that, Fail not of your own Judgement too, as to the issue, for I do much depend upon it. You might have spared the bidding me writ at large, for 'tis my use to Fill my paper, but I shall do it the more willingly now, because, if I am tedious in Obedience, the Fault is Yours, not Mine. To give myself some Method; First, take my Thoughts of what you sent Me.  
HAve not I ever  told you, that the Fairest Character of our Dear Master, would be the Naked Story of his Actions, if ever God should bless him with the means of Comforting his people, according to the Noble, Just, and Tender Inclinations of his Soul? Mark but the present State of Circumstances, and then Agree with me, that fully to express the Dignity of a Prince, and the Indulgence of a Pater Patriae, is the main stoup and Tendency of his Royal DECLARATION.( which yet itself is but a narrow Earnest of Future, and of Greater Blessings.  
Is not the State of France well nigh offended at his Refusal, to Command the Treasure, and the Men they offer him: Beside the several Tenders of considerable supplies from Spain, and other parts? But this, you'll say, is but an interest of State, to save his country from Depopulation by a a foreign Power. Look further then, and see the Torrent of the English Nation, whose prove, and Impetuous Course, most certainly overthrows whatsoever Opposes it: the Entire People being Resolved upon their sovereigns return, to his Due Rights, and Royalties, with Honour, Liberty and Safety.— And yet in this state of Security, when,( were he but so minded) he might as easily Punish, as Pardon; even at this instant, his Sacred Majesty is pleased not only to Extend, and Offer Grace and Indemnity, to all that Need it, and Lay hold on't; but to Endear the Bounty, he likewise Hastens the Assurance of his mercy to his People, in this his First Declaration, that our happiness may be Early too, as well as Great, and Lasting. We are not worthy of so Divine a Benefit, if we ascribe this Ardour in his majesty,( directed to Compose and Quiet, all Doubtings; in his mere scrupulous Subiects) to any other Principle, then to a Bleeding Gentleness. of Temper, inseparable from his Royal Heart. How much have we then to praise God for; that from a Deep extremity of wickedness, and Bondage, hath raised us up into the Hope, and Prospect of the Contrary? It is not more our Duty, then our Interest, to cast ourselves before his Majesties Feet; from whom, we are so well assured, never to fail of any Comforts which either Royal Justice, Prudence or Personal Goodness can confer upon a People. truly it seems to me, that nothing now remains undone, of order to a final Blessed Settlement, but to Implore and Hasten his return. Interests, both of Property, and Conscience are provided for, offenders pardonned; Nay which is more, the very Offences too? A care being taken to remove the Memory, as well as the Danger, of them ▪ and to Consecrate the Civil Peace, by Sacramental Obligations to a Christian Charity. I do not doubt, but those we have entrusted with our Thoughts, will Represent them truly; and that this Intermise will bring a speedy period to all our Troubles. I should Conclude this, even from the Reason, Honour, and Expedience of an Accord, in Evidence before me: beside that in account from you: I find that the Convention does unanimously Vote that way; yet after All this let me give you a Piece of Country Intelligence.  
I am Acquainted with some Persons here, that are not easily deceived: Men very wary, and of great Observation. In Company with some of these, Reading the Army Officers address( May 2.) One Clause there was, that we had long discourse upon( viz.) And we hope to Evince to his Majesty, and all the World, that we and all those that have been Engaged in the Parliament Cause, are his Majesties Best, and most loyal Subjects, &c.— 'Twas urged, this passage was a little sharp, and more exclusive then was needful: especially considering with how Frank a Clearness, the royal Party had declared itself, toward all Interests in favour of a general Agreement. The best I had to say, in their Behalf, was but the Inversion of Militat omnis Amans, &c.— Souldiers are Lovers, and no man Loyes aright, that can believe any man else can Love so much as He. This jest was turned off, with a bitter Earnest; and one there was,( of an unlucky Guess) that  told us positively.  
Gentlemen do not deceive yourselves. This Piece has no Relation to the Armies Business. Give them their Sales; their Act of Amnesty; their Liberty of Conscience, and their Pay, they ask no more. They are not peevish, in the point of Party:— the Question is not who are Best or Worst; but how to Reconcile all in the same point of virtue, and of Kindness, without any reproachful marks of humour, and Distinction. At this time, to Dispute the Cause over again, is to Renew the war, and to embroil us all afresh, by an Unnecessary and Dangerous scruple. To give you the Result of all, in short, he says, there is a Party now in London of the old Gang, that have their daily meetings: and that a Back Friend of the Earl of Straffords is the prime man of the cabal. Hinder the Kings Return, by Force, they cannot; so that their Business now is to Ensnare him: And if they can but make out such an Interest, as to procure such Limited proposals, as are already among themselves agreed upon, they cry the work is done. If it Miscarries 'tis but to cast the Odium upon the Army, and if it hits they Reap the Fruit of it themselves.  
This coming, from a sober hand, amuses me the more; and yet when I Consider how small the number is of the old stamp, I cannot think it possible that ever they can carry such a vote: Especially upon this point of Time, when One slip may Import so many Lives: And when so Many Resolute, and Understanding Gentlemen have the Transaction in their own hands. I must confess, I wish the First Address were Fairly Over, for upon that depends the sum of the Affair. But I suppose, that no dispute will be admitted, as to any fundamentals: and the Form being acknowledged Monarchique. The Essentials to Kingship fall in of themselves. And yet we are perpetually alarmed here with strange proposals( by the gives, that when they can no longer vex our Bodies, and Estates, take yet some pleasure to torment our Thoughts. In Fine; should any new Restrictions be pressed upon the King, Another war must certainly ensue upon it: Either Immediately, in case of his refusal; or six Moneths hence perhaps, in case of his Concession. But I hope providence has better things in store, for the Best of Kings, and for the Peevishest of Subjects.  
May 7. 1660.   
FINIS.