His Majesty's gracious and last Message, SENT By the Earl of Dorset. The Earl of Southampton. Sir john Culpepper, Chancellor of the Exchequer. And Sir William Vvedall, Kt. To both the honourable houses of Parliament, from Nottingham, 25. August 1642. Whereunto is added the late Message of both houses of Parliament in answer to his Majesty's message of the 25 of August present, agreed upon to be sent to his Majesty the 29. Aug. Also their several Votes Resolved upon the Questions. C R DIEV ET MON DROIT HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE printer's device consisting of the English royal blazon surmounted by a crown and flanked by the English lion and Tudor rose on one side and the Scottish unicorn and thistle on the other Printed for Fr. Coles. this 30. of Aug. His Majesty's gracious message to both Houses of Parliament, sent from Nottingham the 25. of August, 1642. By the E●●les of Southampton and Dorset, Sir john Culpeper Knight, Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Sir William Wedall. Knight. We have with unspeakable grief of heart long beheld the Distractions of this Our Kingdom, Our very soul is full of anguish until We may find some remedy to prevent the miseries which are ready to overwhelm this whole nation by a civil war. And though all our endeavours tending to the composing of those unhappy differences betwixt Us and Our two Houses of Parliament (though pursued by us with all zeal and sincerity) have been hitherto without that success We hoped for, yet such is our constant and earnest care to preserve the public peace, that We shall not be discouraged from using any expedient, which by the blessing of the God of mercy may lay a firm foundation of peace and happiness to all our good Subjects. To this end, observing that many mistakes have arisen by the Messages, Petitions and answers betwixt us & our two Houses of Parliament, which happily may be prevented by some other way of treaty, wherein the matters in difference may be more clearly understood, & more freely transacted. We have thought fit to propound to you, that some fit persons may be by you enabled to treat with the like number to be authorized by Us, in such a manner, and with such freedom of debate, as may best tend to that happy conclusion which all good men desire, The peace of the Kingdom: wherein as We promise in the word of a King all safety and encouragement to such as shall be sent unto Us, if you shall choose the place where We are for the treaty, which We wholly leave to you, presuming of the like care of the safety of those we shall employ, if you shall name another place; So we assure you and all Our good Subjects, that (to the best of Our understanding) nothing shall be therein wanting on Our parts, which may advance the true Protestant Religion, oppose popery and superstition, secure the Law of the Land (upon which is built as well Our just Prerogative, as the propriety and liberty of the Subject) confirm all just power and Privileges of Parliament, and render Us and Our people truly happy by a good understanding betwixt Us and our two Houses of Parliament. Bring with you as firm resolutions to do your duty, and let all Our good people join with Us in Our prayers to Almighty God for his blessing upon this work. If this proposition shall be rejected by you, we have done our duty so amply, that God will absolve Us from the guilt of any of that blood which must be spilt, and what opinion soever other men may have of Our power, we assure you nothing but our Christian and pious care to prevent the effusion of blood hath begot this motion, our provision of men, Arms, money, being such as may secure Us from further violence, till it shall please God to open the eyes of our People. French fleur-de-lis surmounted by a crown Tudor rose surmounted by a crown Irish harp surmounted by a crown Scottish thistle surmounted by a crown A Message of both Houses of Parliament in answer to his Majesty's Message of the 25 of August present, agreed upon, and sent to his Majesty this 29. of Aug. 1642. May it please your Majesty: THE Lords and Commons in Parliament assembled; having received your Majesty's message of the 25 of August, do with much grief Recent the dangerous and distracted state of this Kingdom, which we have by all means endeavoured to prevent, both by our several advices and Petitions to your Majesty; which have been not only without success, but there hath followed that, which no ill Council in former times hath produced, or any age hath seen: Namely, those several proclamations & declarations against both the houses of parliament, whereby their actions are declared treasonable, and their persons Traitors. And thereupon your Majesty hath set up your Standard against them, whereby your Majesty have put the two houses of Parliament, and in them, this whole Kingdom out of your Protection: So that until your Majesty shall recall those Proclamations and Declarations, whereby the Earl of Essex, and both Houses of Parliament, and their Adherents, and such as have obeyed and Executed their Commands and Directions, according to their duties, are declared Traitors. And until the Standard set up in pursuance of the said Declarations be taken down: your Majesty hath put us into such a Condition that whilst we so remain, We cannot by the Fundamental Privileges of Parliament, the public Trust reposed in Us, or the General good or safety of this Kingdom, give your Majesty an other answer unto this your message. REsolved upon the Question by the House of Commons at the time of passing the Vote in answer to the King's message on Saturday the 27 of Aug. 1640. That the Lords be moved to join with the Commons in a direction to the Lord General, that he advance his Forces with all possible speed for the defence and safety of the Kingdom. Resolved further, etc. THat this the Commons doth not, out of any apprehension of any backwardness in the Lord General, but to give satisfaction that this message of his Majesty's doth not render them any way slack. Ordered that this answer be forthwith printed and then published. Hen. Elsing C. P. D, C. FINI