AMongst: the many Troubles wherewith (for more then two yeares last past) We have beene involves, nothing hath more afflicted Vs, then the reall sense of our Subiects sufferings, occasioned by this most un­naturall Warre; And the chiefe of Our Care hath beene (and by Gods assistance shall still be) to settle them in a happy Peace, with that freedome of enioying the exercise of their Religion, Rights and Liber­ties, according to the Lawes of this Kingdome, as they or any of their Ancestors enioyed the same in the best times of the of the late Queene Elizabeth, or Our Royall Father. And as we have allwayes profest in the sincerity of Our heart, That no successe should ever make Vs averse unto Peace, so have We alwayes when God hath blest Vs with any eminent Victory, sollicited the Members of both Houses of Parlia­ment remaining at Westminster by frequent Messages for a Treaty conducing thereunto: and in particu­lar upon Our late Victory over the Earle of Essex his Army in Cornwall (which We wholly attribute to the immediate hand of God) We presently dispatcht a Message to them to desire a Treaty for Peace and Accommodation; of which, as likewise of that former Message for Peace, which We sent them from Evesiam the fourth of July late, We have yet received no answer. And therefore have resolved with Our Army to draw presently towards London, and Our Southern and Eastern Counties, not looking upon those parts as Enemies to Vs, and so to suffer by the approach of Our Army, or the disorders thereof (which We will use all possible meanes to prevent) but as Our poore Subiects oppressed by power (of which We rest assured the greater part remaine loyall to Vs) and so deserving Our protection. And We hope that at a nearer distance of place there may beget so right an understanding betweene Vs and Our People, that at length We may obtaine a Treaty for Peace, and a full, free and peaceable Convention in Parliament, and therein make an end of these umhappy differences by a good Accommodation. In which We hereby assure all Our People upon Our Royall Word, and the Faith of a Christian (which is the greatest Security We can give them) that We will insist onely upon the setling and continuance of the true Reformed Protestant Religion, Our owne undoubted Knowne Rights, the priviledges of Parliament, and Our Subiects Liberty and Property, according to the Lawes of the Land, and to have all these setled in a full and free Parliament, whereby the Armies on both sides may be presently disbanded, this Kingdome may be secured from the danger of a Conquest by Forraigne Forces, all Strangers now in Armes may returne to their owne Countreys, and Our poore Subiects be forced of those grievous burthens, which by reason of the late Distractions, have (much against Our will) too much pressed them. And to the end Our Subiects may no longer be missed by false pretences, We doe desire all of them, as well in Our owne Quarters, as where the Rebells have usurped a power, to take into serious consideration the duty and loyalty which by the Law of God and their Oath of Allegiance they owe unto Vs, and more particularly that part thereof which concernes the defence of Our Person, and assistance of Vs against Rebells, and such as rise in Armes against Vs, which they may find plainely set downe in the Statute of the II. yeare of King Henry the 7. Cap. I. And We doe hereby require Our Subiects within Our owne Quarters thorow or neare which We shall passe, by that duty they owe to Vs and their Country, that they forthwith prepare themselves with the best Armes they can get, to be ready, and to ioyne, and go along with Vs in this present Expedition (We resolving to take speciall care to place them under the Com­mand of Gentlemen of Quality of their owne Countreys, to their good content and satisfaction.) And We likewise require and autho­rize all Our good Subjects, as well the Trayned Bands as others of Our City of London, and Our Southern and Eastern Counties, to choose their owne Commanders and Leaders amongst those Gentlemen and Citizens that are of approved loyalty to Vs, and Lovers of the Peace of their Country, and upon Our approach towards those parts, to put themselves into Armes, and march in warlike manner to assist Vs in this good worke, and free themselve from the Tyranny of their fellow Subiects, under which they groane, Commanding and authorizing them to seize such places of Strength in those Southerne and Easterne Counties as the Rebells have possessed themselves of; to oppose with force of Armes such persons as shall resist them in obeying these Our Commands, and to apprehend and secure the persons of all such as shall endeavour to continue this Rebellion, and to hinder the setling of the Peace of this Kingdome in a full and free Convention of Parliament; (the onely visible meanes left, by the blessiing of God, to redeeme this Nation from utter ruine) wherein We will afford Our utmost protection and safety unto all Our Subiects that shall give Obedience to these Our Commands. And as We doubt not but that all Our good Subiects will come chearefully to Our assistance for so good an end (beyond which We doe not requre it) so We trust that God, who hath hitherto wonderfully preserved Vs, will crowne this action with happy successe, for his glory, and the welfare of this poore Nation.

Given at Our Court at Chard the 30. day of September1644.

God save the King.