WE have, with unspeakable grief of heart, long beheld the Distracti­ons of this Our Kingdom; Our very Soul is full of Anguish, untill We may find some remedy to prevent the miseries which are ready to over-whelme this whole Nation by a Civill War. And though all Our endevours, tending to the composing of those unhappy differences betwixt Vs and Our two Houses of Parliament (though pursued by Vs with all Zeale and Since­rity) have been hitherto without that successe We hoped for, Yet such is Our constant and earnest Care to preserve the publike 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 Happinesse to all Our good Subjects. To this end, observing that many mistakes have arisen by the Messages, Petitions, & Answers betwixt Vs and Our two Houses of Parliament, which haply may be prevented by some other way of Treaty, wherein the matters in difference may be more cleerly understood and 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 Vs in such a manner, and with such freedome 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 Vs, if you shall chuse 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 part which may advance the true Protestant Religion, oppose Popery and Superstition, secure the Law of the Land (upon which is built aswell Our just Prerogative as the Pro­priety and Liberty of the Subject) confirme all just Power and Priviledges of Parliament, and render Vs and Our people truly happy by a good Understanding betwixt Vs and Our two Houses of Parliament. Bring with you as firme resolutions to do your duty, and let all Our good people joyn with Vs 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 Vs 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, and Money, being such as may secure Vs from further violence, till it please God to open the eyes of Our People.