AS sinister ends are the subversion of true peace, so nothing but Iu­stice executed can establish it; to recapitulate the one, may rather hurt then heale, rather prove a Corasive then a Cordiall; to point a way unto the o­ther, (being the onely present object of po­pular gaze) may doubtlesse whet your en­deavours to attaine it; wherein all by­thoughts post-posed, our highest aimes un­feignedly contend for your preservation.

To pretermit the unparallel'd injuries and reproaches wherewith our innocence, with the innocence of our Royall Parents hath been aspersed by such, whose Ambi­tion is to measure Government by will, out of a perverse antipathy, rather then any ne­cessary enforcement thereunto; whom we [Page] Cordially forgive, as we expect forgive­nesse from the Highest, or a blessing on our endeavours for the recovery of our Fa­thers and our unjustly deteined Rights: Yet we cannot but with deepest sense ap­prehend, and with sorrow of Spirit publish to the world, the bold affronts and intolle­rable sufferings committed against, and pressed upon the Person & Honour of our dearest Father, together with His Subjects servitude, who are individually espoused to Him both by Law and Nature; the only causes that engage us to re-arme, and make our way to Equity by the Sword. For though it hath been too apparently sugge­sted into the opinion of the Vulgar, (by those who disguise their Actions with the specious colour of pretence) that our Fa­thers entring into a war-like posture (meer­ly defensive) was the sole destructive to the Kingdoms Peace (the glory of a King be­ing utterly inconsistent with the ruine of His People.) VVe doubt not on the con­trary, [Page] but that now palpable experience proves them figments, (though (for a while) of prevalency to work upon strong Natures, even to the captivating the Iu­dicious) its influence having dissolved those Catarhs (which policy had bred in the eye of their understanding) that now with ease they can discerne their errour.

And now it is high time, and we resolve (seeing the sense of your accumulated mi­series hath revived your courage to an una­nimous and generall vindication of your Lives, your Lawes and Liberties out of the iron first of Tyranny) to give you our assistance both by Sea and Land; and make your Cause our own in equall inte­rest. For it were too black a guilt upon our Honour to stand by, and see the Crown pluck'd from our Fathers Head, and the Scepter wrested out of His Hand, and not betake us to a rescue, especially when God presents us with so fair an opportunity; the tie of Nature, the deep distresses of our [Page] King and Father, the relief of an enthralled people, (lost by love, and made miserable by their Loyaltie) each being of force to awaken our just revenge, and whet our Sword to your deliverance.

And whosoever shall assist us either with Money, Horse or Armes, or any appointed (in Commission) by us, we do engage our Honour so soon as it shall please God to re­invest our Royall Father in His Throne, to see them fully satisfied with interest; and all those Gentlemen of what rank or quality soever, who through misguided zeal or otherwise, ingaged against our Father in the former VVar, if they shall come in unto us, and engage with us, VVe do faith­fully promise in the word of a Prince, not only to receive them into favour, but to advance them unto honour with a respect answerable to their merits; and what arreares are, or shall be due unto them either for their past or future service, we promise to see them fully (at the least con­tentedly) discharged.

[Page] And furthermore we declare unto all His Majesties Liege people and faithfull Subjects, that we shall make it our greatest care to preserve them from violence and oppression, either of our owne Armies, or our Fathers enemies; and whosoever shall chance to suffer in this expedition (bearing allegeance to His Majesty) when God shall please to crown our resolutions with prosperity, we shall endeavour a recompence to their losses, and give them satisfaction.

And now we call heaven to witnesse our integrity, and the justnesse of our Cause, which we intend to prosecute, though with the losse of our dearest blood; beseeching no further a blessing on our wayes, then we resolve them to the Almighties Glory; and begging the prayers of all good people for the preservation of our Armies, the deliverance, safety, and glory of His Majesty, the recovery of our Lawes and Free­domes, the establishing of true Religion, and the finall dissolution of War and discord, in the joyfull acclamations of a welcome Peace.