HIS MAJESTIES GRACIOUS MESSAGE FOR PEACE, DECEMBER. 5th. To the Two Houses of Parliament at WESTMINSTER.  
With the Answer of both Houses to Sir THOMAS GLEMHAM.  
Together with His MAJESTIES second MESSAGE, Decem. 15. 1645.  
OXFORD, Printed by Leonard Lichfield, Printer to the university. 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 sand 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 fifth of December, 1645.  
For the Speaker of the House of Peers, pro tempore.  
This Gracious Message came to Westminster December 6th, where he that brought it was detained five dayes, and at last sent back without any Answer at all to His MAJESTY; only these few words were written to sir Thomas Glemham governor of Oxford.  
SIR,  
WE have received your Letter of the 5th 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 Lonthal Speaker of the House of Commons.  
For sir Thomas Glemham governor of Oxford.  
This was all, after so many dayes expectation; which is indeed neither Answer nor Excuse, being only a Concession of nothing at present, and an intimation that for future( when themselves judge it convenient) They will grant or deny. Notwithstanding all manner of difficulties and pretences, His Sacred Majesty hath again sent to them a second Message, where all the World will testify His Pious unwearied desires for Peace, whereof this following is a perfect Copy.  
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 Gods true Religion, His Majesties Honour, safety, and prosperity, the Peace, comfort and security of His People, you should delay a safe Conduct to the Persons mentioned in His Majesties 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 spilled 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 15th of December, 1645. For the Speaker of the House of Peers, pro tempore.  
This Gracious Message hath yet received no Answer, though now 'tis a Fortnight since His Majesties first Message. All that is desired is only a safe Conduct for such as should come with Propositions for Peace: sure their Thoughts are far from an Accommodation, who refuse that any should ask it of them, or bring it to them. God in his due time will reward such as truly seek Peace, and recompense those that delight in blood.  
FINIS.