HIS MAJESTIES PROPOSITIONS To the Honourable Houses of Parliament, assembled at Westminster, concerning the speedy setling of a firme and lasting peace in all his Majesties Dominions.
HIs Majesty having taken into serious consideration the calamities of this distressed Kingdome, and the great and wearisome Burden which thousand and thousands [Page] of his Majesties loyall subjects hath deeply and unexpressably groaned under, occasioned by the late unhappy war, within the bowels of this Kingdome, His Majesty hath therefore further declared, to the high and honorable Court of Parliament assembled at Westminster, his great willingnesse, to comply with both his said Houses, to the end, a firme and lasting peace may be setled within all His Majesties Realmes and Dominions, and that it may be speedily effected, and brought to a period, His Majesty doth declare, as followeth:
FIrst, that Hee will freely and willingly give His Royall Assent, for the confirming of the Government and Discipline, now established within the kingdome of England, during the time set downe by the two House, desiring that His Majestie and His Houshold be not hindered from that sorme of Gods Service. Desiring also, that a free consultation and debate may bee had by a competent number of Divines appointed by his Majestie and both Houses, whereby it may be determined, how the Church shall be governed, after the expiration of the said time appointed, &c.
Secondly Touching the Covenant, His Majestie doth declare, that He is not yet therein satisfied, and [Page] desires to respite his particular Answer thereunto, untill his comming to London, &c.
Thirdly, that his Majesty will give his consent to the Act for the due observation of the Lords Day, for the suppressing of Innovations, &c.
Fourthly, That an Act of Oblivion may be past, His Majesty conceiving it the best bond of Peace, and that after intestine troubles, the wisdome of this and other Kingdomes hath usually and happily in all Ages granted generall pardons, whereby the numerous discontentments of many Persons and Families otherwise exposed to ruine, might not become sewell to new disorders, or seedes to future troubles.
His Majesty therefore desires, that his two Houses of Parliament would seriously descend into these considerations, and likewise tenderly look upon his condition herein, and the perpetuall dishonour that must ce ve to him, if he shall thus abondon so many persons of condition and fortune that have engaged themselvs with & for him, out of a sease of duty, and propounds as a very acceptable testimony of their affection towards Him.
These, and divers other particulars, have beene lately communicated to both Houses of Parliament; but sor brevities sake, I shall conclude with what I have already insisted upon.
In the next place I shall (briefly) intimate unto you the sence of the Army, concerning the disposall of his Majesties person, and the proceedings of the Souldie tie thereupon, VIZ.
TO give you the prrticalars of the state of the army, since my last, it is thus: I find the Souldiers to have many things to present this day, those which are most generall amongst the Regiments, are these which I have sent you here inclosed.
The Kings Majesty hath no desire to goe back to Holmby, but either (so far as I can learn) to go to London, or be hereabouts: His Majesty hath had some discourse about Independants (as some call them) & some queries were made what they would have, or whether they would have any government, which his Majesty thought they would not have admitted of:
The Commissioners are come from the Parliament, two Lords, and four Commoners who are going to communicate their Message to the army at a generall Randezvonze, for their receivin whereof, the souldiers are in great expectation.
But before their meeting, the Generall called a Councell of warre, and the Officers received Instructions, for the more orderly carriage of the businesse.
[Page]The Commissioners are received with much respect and honour, and I perceive a great respect had towards them. God grant, that such a composure may be made, as may settle this poore distracted Kingdome in peace.
The Kings Majesty is now gone to Newmarket, be ing guarded by two Regiments of horse, commanded by Colonell Whalley, for Hee hath often declared, his unwillingnesse to go to Holmby, unlesse by compulsion constrained to it. There was great preparations made by divers of the Cantabrigians, who expected his Majesties coming that way, there was hundred of Bone-sires made, and great junketings by the malignant Party, but at the last, their tryumphant mitth were turned into a mournfull dittic, who hearing that his Majesty were gone another way, immediatly betook themselves to the Town, bewayling each other.
PROPOSITIONS.
1. THat the Parl. do speedily send down some monies for their present subsistance, for keeping of the Army in good order. 2. That his Majesties person may be stil secured from danger, and all designes and attempts prevented for the raising of a new war in this Kingdome. 3. That a safe and well grounded peace may be setled through the [Page] whole Kingdome. 4. That the liberties of the people may be cleared, and their persons & estates secured by a safe and firme peace, according to the many Ordinances and Declarations, by which the Army was invited so engage in the late warre, 5. That all things may concuree to a chearfull and unanimous disbanding of the whole Army together. 6. That no prejudicato opinion may be had of the Army, to have any purpose to oppose the setling of Preibytery. 6. That the army may be believed, that they do not desire to have the Independant Government set up to up hold a licentiousnesse in Religion. 8. That none be incouraged in the great affaires of State, to advance any particular party or interest whatsoever, but that the great matters of the Kingdome, be wholly lest to the wisdome of the Parliament, 9. That Justice may be done. 10. That all such who have served the parliament faithfully, may be protected for the same.