CHARLES by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all our loving Subjects of what degree or quality soever, Greeting. If the general distraction and confusion which is spread over the whole King­dom, doth not awaken all men to a de­sire and longing, that those Wounds which have so many years together been kept bleeding, may be bound up, all We can say will be to no purpose: How­ever, after this long silence, We have thought it our duty to Declare how much We desire to contribute thereunto; and [Page 6]that as We can never give over the hope in good time to obtain the Possession of that Right which God and Nature hath made Our Due, so we do make it Our daily suit to the Divine Providence, that he will in compassion to Us and Our Sub­jects, after so long misery and sufferings, remit, and put Us into a quiet and peace­able Possession of that Our Right, with as little blood and damage to Our People as is possible: Nor do we desire more to enjoy what is Ours, then that all Our Sub­jects may enjoy what by Law is theirs, by a full and entire Administration of Ju­stice throughout the Land, and by ex­tending Our Mercy where it is wanted and deserved.

And to the end that the fear of pu­nishment may not engage any conscious to themselves of what is past, to a perse­verance in guilt for the future, by oppo­sing the quiet and happiness of their [Page 7]Countrey, in the Restoration both of King, Peers, and People, to their just, an­tient and Fundamental Rights, We do by these presents Declare, That We do grant a Free and General Pardon, which VVe are ready upon demand, to pass un­der Our Great Seal of England, to all Our Subjects of what degree or quality soever, who within Forty days after the publish­ing hereof, shall lay hold upon this Our Grace and Favour, and shall by any pub­lick Act declare their doing so, and that they return to the Loyalty and Obedi­ence of good subjects; Excepting only such persons as shall hereafter be except­ed by Parliament; those onely excepted, let all Our subjects, how faulty soever, re­ly upon the Word of a King, solemnly given by this present Declaration, That no Crime whatsoever committed against Us or Our Royal Father before the publi­cation of this, shall ever rise in judge­ment [Page 8]or be brought in question against any of them, to the least endamagement of them, either in their Lives, Liberties, or Estates, or (as far forth as lies in Our power) so much as to the prejudice of their reputations, by any reproach or term of distinction from the rest of Our best Subjects: VVe desiring and Or­daining, that henceforth all notes of dis­cord, separation, and difference of Par­ties be utterly abolished among all Our subjects, whom We invite and conjure to a perfect union among themselves, un­der Our Protection, for the re-settlement of Our just Rights and theirs, in a Free Parliament, by which, upon the VVord of a King, We will be advised.

And because the passion and uncha­ritableness of the times have produced se­veral opinions in Religion, by which men are engaged in Parties and Animo­sities against each other, which when [Page 9]they shall hereafter unite in a freedom of conversation, will be composed, or bet­ter understood; VVe do declare a Li­berty to tender Consciences, and that no man shall be disquieted, or called in que­stion for differences of Opinion in matter of Religion, which do not disturb the peace of the Kingdom, and that We shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Par­liament, as upon mature deliberation shall be offered to Us, for the full grant­ing that Indulgence.

And because in the continued distra­ctions of so many years, and so many and great revolutions, many Grants and Pur­chases of Estates have been made to, and by many Officers, Souldiers and others, who are now possessed of the same, and who may be liable to Actions at Law, upon several Titles; We are likewise wil­ling that all such differences, and all things relating to such Grants, Sales, and Pur­chases [Page 10]shall be determined in Parliament, which can best provide for the just satis­faction of all men who are concerned.

And We do further declare, That We will be ready to consent to any Act or Acts of Parliament to the purposes afore­said, and for the full satisfaction of all Arrears due to the Officers and Soldi­ers of the Army under the Command of General Monck, and that they shall be received into Our Service upon as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy.

Given under Our Signe Manual, and Privy Signet at Our Court at Breda, this 4/14 day of April 1660. in the Twelfth year of Our Reign.

HOw much the Peace of the State is concerned in the Peace of the Church, and how difficult a thing it is to preserve Order and Government in Civil, whilest there is no Order or Government in Ecclesiastical Affairs, is evident to the World; and this little part of the World, Our own Domini­ons hath had so late experience of it, [Page 87]that We may very well acquiesce in the Conclusion, without enlarging Our Self in discourse upon it, it being a subject We have had frequent occasion to contemplate upon, and to lament, a­broad as well as at home.

In Our Letter to the Speaker of the House of Commons from Breda, We declared how much We desired the Advancement and Propagation of the Protestant Religion: That neither the unkindness of those of the same Faith towards Us, nor the Civilities and Ob­ligations from those of a contrary Pro­fession (of both which We have had abundant evidence) could in the least degree startle Us, or make Us swerve from it, and that nothing can be pro­posed to manifest Our Zeal and Affecti­on for it, to which We will not readily consent: And We said then, That We did hope in due time, Our Self to pro­pose [Page 88]somewhat for the Propagation of it, that will satisfie the World, that We have always made it both Our Care and Our Study, and have enough observed what is most like to bring disadvantage to it. And the truth is, We do think Our Self the more competent to propose, and with Gods assistance to determine many things now in difference, from the time We have spent, and the experi­ence We have had in most of the Re­formed Churches abroad, in France, in the Low-Countries, and in Germany, where We have had frequent Conferences, with the most Learned men, who have unanimously lamented the great Re­proach the Protestant Religion under­goes from the Distempers and too No­torious Schisms in Matters of Religion in England: And as the most Learned amongst them have always with great Submission and Reverence acknow­ledged [Page 89]and magnified the established Government of the Church of Eng­land, and the great countenance and shelter the Protestant Religion received from it, before these unhappy times: So many of them have with great In­genuity and Sorrow confessed, that they were too easily misled by mis-in­formation and prejudice into some dis­esteem of it, as if it had too much com­plied with the Church of Rome; whereas they now acknowledge it to be the best Fence God hath yet raised against Popery in the World: And We are perswaded, they do with great Zeal wish it restored to its old Dignity and Veneration.

When We were in Holland, We were attended by many grave and learn­ed Ministers from hence, who were looked upon as the most able and princi­pal Assertors of the Presbyterian opini­ons, [Page 90]with whom VVe had as much Con­ference as the multitude of Affairs which were then upon Us would permit Us to have; and to Our great Satisfaction and Comfort found them Persons full of Affection to Us, of Zeal for the Peace of the Church and State, and neither Enemies (as they have been given out to be) to Episcopacy, or Liturgy, but modestly to desire such alterations in either, as without shaking Foundations, might best allay the present distempers, which the Indisposition of the time, and the tenderness of some mens Conscien­ciences had contracted: For the better doing whereof, We did intend upon Our first arrival in this Kingdom to call a Sy­nod of Divines, as the most proper ex­pedient to provide a proper remedy for all those differences and dis-satisfactions which had or should arise in matters of Religion; and in the mean time, We [Page 91]published in Our Declaration from Breda a Liberty to tender Consciences; and that no man should be disquieted or called in question for differences of opinion in matter of Religion, which do not disturb the Peace of the King­dom, and that We shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Parliament as upon mature deliberation shall be offered to Us, for the full granting that In­dulgence.

Whilest We continued in this tem­per of Minde and Resolution, and have so far complied with the perswa­sion of particular Persons, and the distemper of the time, as to be con­tented with the exercise of Our Religion in Our own Chappel, according to the constant practice and Laws established, without enjoyning that practice, and the observation of those Laws, in the Churches of the Kingdom; in which We [Page 92]have undergone the Censure of many, as if We were without that Zeal for the Church, which We ought to have, and which by Gods Grace, We shall always retain: We have found Our Self not so candidly dealt with as We have de­served, and that there are unquiet and restless Spirits, who without abating any of their own distemper, in recom­pence of the Moderation they finde in Us, continue their bitterness against the Church, and endeavor to raise Jea­lousies of Us, and to lessen Our Repu­tation by their Reproaches, as if We were not true to the Professions We have made: And in order thereunto, they have very unseasonably caused to be Printed, published, and dispersed throughout the Kingdom a Declara­tion heretofore Printed in Our Name, during the time of Our being in Scot­land, of which We shall say no more [Page 93]than that the Circumstances by which We were enforced to sign that Decla­ration, are enough known to the World; And that the worthiest and greatest part of that Nation did even then detest and abhor the ill usage of Us in that particular, when the same Ty­ranny was exercised there by the power of a few ill men, which at that time had spread it self over this Kingdom; and therefore We had no reason to expect that We should at this season, when We are doing all We can to wipe out the memory of all that hath been done a­miss by other men, and, We thank God, have wiped it out of Our own Re­membrance, have been Our Self assault­ed with those Reproaches, which We will likewise forget.

Since the Printing this Declaration, several seditious Pamphlets and Quaeres have been published and scattered a­broad, [Page 94]to infuse dislike and Jealousies into the hearts of the People, and of the Army, and some who ought ra­ther to have repented the former mischief they have wrought, than to have endea­vored to improve it, have had the hardi­ness to publish, that the Doctrine of the Church, against which no man with whom We have conferred hath except­ed, ought to be reformed as well as the Discipline.

This over-passionate and turbulent way of proceeding, and the Impatience We finde in many for some speedy de­termination in these matters, whereby the mindes of men may be composed, and the Peace of the Church established, hath prevailed with Us to invert the method We had proposed to Our Self, and even in order to the better calling and composing of a Synod (which the present Jealousies will hardly agree [Page 95]upon) by the assistance of Gods blessed Spirit, which We daily invoke and supplicate to give some determination Our Self to the matters in difference, until such a Synod may be called, as may without passion or prejudice, give Us such farther assistance towards a perfect Union of Affections, as well as submission to Authority, as is neces­sary: And We are the rather induced to take this upon Us, by finding upon the full Conference We have had with the learned men of several per­swasions, that the mischiefs, under which both the Church and State do at present suffer, do not result from any formed Doctrine or Conclusion which either Party maintains or avows, but from the Passion and Appetite and Interest of particular Persons, who contract greater prejudice to each other, from those Affections, than would [Page 96]naturally rise from their Opinions; and those distempers must be in some de­gree allayed, before the meeting in a Sy­nod can be attended with better success, than their meeting in other places, and their discourses in Pulpits have hitherto been; and till all thoughts of Victory are laid aside, the humble and necessary thoughts for the Vindication of Truth cannot be enough entertained.

We must for the honor of all those of either perswasion with whom We have conferred, declare, That the Professions and Desires of all for the ad­vancement of Piety and true Godli­ness, are the same; their Professions of Zeal for the Peace of the Church, the same; of Affection and Duty to Us, the same: They all approve Episcopacy; they all approve a set Form of Liturgy; and they all disapprove and dislike the Sin of Sacriledge, and the Alienation [Page 87]of the Revenue of the Church; And if upon these excellent Foundations, in sub­mission to which there is such a harmony of Affections, any Superstructures should be raised, to the shaking those Foundati­ons, and to the contracting and lessening the blessed gift of Charity, which is a vi­tal part of Christian Religion, We shall think Our Self very unfortunate, and even suspect that We are defective in that administration of Government with which God hath entrusted Us.

We need not profess the high Affecti­on and esteem We have for the Church of England as it is established by Law; the Reverence to which hath supported us, with Gods blessing, against many temptations; nor do We think that Re­verence in the least degree diminish­ed by Our Condescentions, not pe­remptorily to insist on some particulars of Ceremony, which, however intro­duced [Page 88]by the Piety and Devotion, and Order of former times, may not be so a­greeable to the present, but may even les­sen that Piety and Devotion, for the im­provement whereof they might happily be first introduced, and consequently may well be dispensed with; and We hope this charitable compliance of Ours will dispose the minds of all men to a cheerful submisson to that Authority, the preser­vation whereof is so necessary for the Unity and Peace of the Church; and that they will acknowledge the support of the Episcopal Authority, to be the best sup­port of Religion, by being the best means to contein the minds of men within the Rules of Government: And they who would restrain the exercise of that holy function within the Rules which were observed in the Primitive times, must re­member and consider, that the Ecclesia­stical Power being in those blessed times [Page 89]alwaies subordinate and subject to the Ci­vil, it was likewise proportioned to such an extent of Jurisdiction as was most agreeable to that: And as the Sanctity and Simplicity, and Resignation of that Age, did then refer many things to the Bishops, which the policy of succeeding Ages would not admit, at least did otherwise provide for; so it can be no reproach to primitive Episcopacy, if where there have been great alterations in the Civil Government, from what was then, there have been likewise some difference and alteration in the Ecclesiastical, the Essence and Foun­dation being still preserved. And up­on this ground, without taking upon Us to censure the Government of the Church in other Countreys, where the Government of the State is different from what it is here, or enlarging Our Self upon the Reasons [Page 90]why, whilest there was an Imagination of erecting a Democratical Government here in the State, they should be willing to continue an Aristocratical Govern­ment in the Church; It shall suffice to say, that since by the wonderful blessing of God, the hearts of this whole Nation are returned to an obedience to Monar­chique Government in the State, it must be very reasonable to support that Go­vernment in the Church which is esta­blished by Law, and with which the Monarchy hath flourished through so many Ages, and which is in truth as an­cient in this Island as the Christian Mo­narchy thereof; and which hath alwaies in some respects or degrees been enlar­ged or restrained, as hath been thought most conducing to the Peace and Happi­ness of the Kingdome; and therefore VVe have not the least doubt but that the present Bishops will think the present [Page 91]Concessions now made by Us to allay the present distempers, very just and rea­sonable, and will very cheerfully conform themselves thereunto.

1. VVe do in the first place Declare, Our purpose and Resolution is and shall be to promote the power of Godliness, to encourage the exercises of Religion both publique and private, and to take care that the Lords day be applied to holy exercises, without unnecessary divertise­ments; and that insufficient, negligent, and scandalous Ministers be not permit­ted in the Church: And that as the pre­sent Bishops are known to be men of great and exemplar Piety in their lives, which they have manifested in their no­torious and unexampled Sufferings du­ring these late distempers; and of great and known sufficiency of learning; So We shall take special Care, by the as­sistance of God, to prefer no men to that [Page 92]Office and Charge, but men of Learn­ing, Virtue, and Piety, who may be themselves the best examples to those who are to be Governed by them; And We shall expect, and provide the best We can, that the Bishops be fre­quent Preachers, and that they do ve­ry often Preach themselves in some Church of their Diocess, except they be hindred by sickness, or other bodily infirmities, or some other justifiable oc­casion, which shall not be thought justi­fiable if it be frequent.

2. Because the Diocesses, especially some of them, are thought to be of too large extent; VVe will appoint such a Number of Suffragan Bishops in every Diocess as shall be sufficient for the due performance of their work.

3. No Bishop shall Ordain, or exer­cise any part of Jurisdiction which ap­pertains to the Censures of the Church, [Page 93]without the advice and assistance of the Presbyters; And no Chancellors, Com­missaries, or Officials, as such, shall exer­cise any Act of Spiritual Jurisdiction in these cases (viz.) Excommunication, Absolution, or wherein any of the Mi­nistry are concerned, with reference to their Pastoral Charge. However our intent and meaning is to uphold and maintain the Profession of the Civil Law, so far and in such matters as it hath been of use and practise within Our Kingdoms and Dominions; Albeit as to Excommunication, Our VVill and Pleasure is, that no Chancellor, Com­missary, or Official shall Decree any Sen­tence of Excommunication or Absoluti­on, or be Judges in those things wherein any of the Ministry are concerned, as is aforesaid. Nor shall the Arch-Deacon exercise any Jurisdiction without the ad­vice and assistance of six Ministers of his [Page 94]Arch-Deaconry, whereof three to be no­minated by the Bishop, and three by the election of the major part of the Presby­ters within the Arch-Deaconry.

4. To the end that the Deans and Chapters may be the better fitted to af­ford Councel and Assistance to the Bi­shops, both in Ordination and the other Offices mentioned before; We will take care that those Preferments be given to the most learned and Pious Presbyters of the Diocess; And moreover, that an equal number (to those of the Chapter) of the most learned, pious, and discreet Presbyters of the same Diocess, annually chosen by the major vote of all the Pres­byters of that Diocess present at such Elections, shall be alwaies advising and assisting, together with those of the Chapter, in all Ordinations, and in every part of Jurisdiction which apper­tains to the Censures of the Church, [Page 95]and at all other solemn and important acti­ons in the exercise of the Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction wherein any of the Ministery are concerned: Provided, that at all such meetings, the number of the Ministers so elected, and those present of the Chapter shall be equal, and not exceed one the other, and that to make the numbers equal, the Juniors of the exceeding number be withdrawn, that the most ancient may take place: Nor shall any Suffragan Bishop Ordain or exercise the fore-men­tioned Offices and Acts of Spiritual Juris­diction, but with the advice and assist­ance of a sufficient number of the most judicious and pious Presbyters, annually chosen, as aforesaid, within his Pre­cincts: And Our Will is, that the great Work of Ordination be constantly and solemnly performed by the Bishop and his aforesaid Presbytery, at the four set times and seasons appointed by [Page 96]the Church for that purpose.

5. We will take care that Confirma­tion be rightly and solemnly performed, by the Information, and with the Con­sent of the Minister of the place; who shall admit none to the Lord's Supper, till they have made a credible Profession of their Faith, and promised Obedience to the Will of God, according as is ex­pressed in the Considerations of the Ru­brick before the Catechism; And that all possible diligence be used for the In­struction and Reformation of scandalous Offenders, whom the Minister shall not suffer to partake of the Lord's Table, un­til they have openly declared themselves to have truly repented, and amended their former naughty lives, as is partly expressed in the Rubrick, and more ful­ly in the Canons; Provided there be place for due Appeals to Superior Powers. But besides the Suffragans and their Pres­bytery, [Page 97]every Rural Dean (those Deans, as heretofore, to be nominated by the Bishop of the Diocess) together with three or four Ministers of that Dea­nery, chosen by the major part of all the Ministers within the same, shall meet once in every moneth, to receive such complaints as shall be presented to them by the Ministers or Church-Wardens of the respective Parishes; and also to compose all such differences betwixt par­ty and party, as shall be referred unto them by way of Arbitration, and to con­vince Offenders, and reform all such things as they finde amiss, by their Pasto­ral Reproofs and Admonitions, if they may be so reformed: And such matters as they cannot by this Pastoral and Per­swasive way compose and reform, are by them to be prepared for, and present­ed to the Bishop; at which meeting any other Ministers of that Deanery, may, [Page 98]if they please, be present and assist. Moreover, the Rural Dean and his As­sistants are in their respective Divisions, to see that the children and yonger sort be carefully instructed by the respective Mi­nisters of every Parish, in the Grounds of Christian Religion, and be able to give a good acount of their Faith and Know­ledge, and also of their Christian Con­versation conformable thereunto, before they be confirmed by the Bishop, or ad­mitted to the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

6. No Bishop shall exercise any Arbitra­ry Power, or do or impose any thing upon the Clergy or the People, but what is ac­cording to the known Law of the Land.

7. We are very glad to finde, that all with whom We have conferred, do in their Judgements approve a Liturgy, or set Form of Publick Worship, to be lawful; which in Our Judgement, for [Page 99]the preservation of Unity, and Unifor­mity, We conceive to be very necessary: And though We do esteem the Liturgy of the Church of England, contained in the Book of Common Prayer, and by Law established, to be the best We have seen; and We believe that We have seen all that are extant and used in this part of the World, and well know what Reverence most of the Reformed Churches, or at least the most Learned men in those Churches have for it; Yet since We finde some exceptions made against several things therein, We will appoint an equal number of Learned Di­vines of both Perswasions, to re-view the same, and to make such alterations as shall be thought most necessary; and some additional Forms (in the Scripture phrase, as near as may be) suited unto the nature of the several parts of Wor­ship, and that it be left to the Ministers [Page 100]choice to use one or other at his discre­tion. In the mean time, and till this be done, although We do heartily wish and desire, that the Ministers in their several Churches, because they dislike some Clauses and Expressions, would not totally lay aside the use of the Book of Common Prayer, but read those parts against which there can be no exception; which would be the best instance of de­clining those marks of distinction, which We so much labour and desire to re­move; yet in compassion to divers of Our good Subjects, who scruple the use of it as now it is, Our Will and Pleasure is, that none be punished or troubled for not using it, until it be reviewed, and ef­fectually Reformed, as aforesaid.

8. Lastly, Concerning Ceremonies, which have administred so much matter of difference and contention, and which have been introduced by the Wisdom [Page 101]and Authority of the Church, for edifi­cation, and the improvement of Piety: We shall say no more, but that We have the more esteem of all, and Reverence for many of them, by having been pre­sent in many of those Churches where they are most abolished, or discountenan­ced; And it cannot be doubted, but that, as the Universal Church cannot intro­duce one Ceremony in the Worship of God, that is contrary to Gods Word ex­pressed in the Scripture; so every Na­tional Church, with the Approbation and Consent of the Soveraign Power, may, and hath always introduced such particu­lar Ceremonies, as in that conjuncture of time are thought most proper for edifica­tion, and the necessary improvement of Piety and Devotion in the People, though the necessary practice thereof cannot be deduced from Scripture; And that which before was, and in it self is in­different, [Page 102]ceases to be indifferent, after it is once established by Law: And there­fore Our present Consideration and Work is, to gratifie the private Con­sciences of those who are grieved with the use of some Ceremonies, by indulg­ing to, and dispencing with their omitting those Ceremonies; not utterly to abolish any which are Established by Law, (if any are practised contrary to Law, the same shall cease) which would be un­just, and of ill example; and to impose upon the Conscience of some, for the sa­tisfaction of the Conscience of others, which is otherwise provided for. As it could not be reasonable that men should expect that We should Our Self decline, or enjoyn others to do so, to receive the Blessed Sacrament upon Our Knees, which in Our Conscience is the most humble, most devout, and most agree­able posture for that holy Duty, because [Page 103]some other men, upon reasons best, if not only known to themselves, choose rather to do it sitting or standing: We shall leave all decisions and determinations of that kinde, if they shall be thought ne­cessary for a perfect and entire Unity and Uniformity throughout the Nation, to the advice of a National Synod, which shall be duly called, after a little time, and a mutual Conversation between persons of different perswasions, hath mollified those distempers, abated those sharpnes­ses, and extinguished those jealousies which make men unfit for those Consul­tations; And upon such Advice, We shall use Our best endeavour that such Laws may be established, as may best provide for the Peace of the Church and State. Provided that none shall be denied the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, though they do not use the ge­sture of kneeling in the act of receiving.

In the mean time, out of Compassion and Compliance towards those who would for bear the Cross in Baptism, We are content that no man shall be compel­led to use the same, or suffer for not do­ing it: But if any Parent desire to have his Childe Christened according to the Form used, and the Minister will not use the Sign, it shall be lawful for that Pa­rent to procure another Minister to do it: And if the proper Minister shall refuse to omit that Ceremony of the Cross, it shall be lawful for the Parent, who would not have his Childe so Baptized, to pro­cure another Minister to do it, who will do it according to his desire.

No man shall be compelled to bow at the Name of JESUS, or suffer in any degree for not doing it, without re­proaching those who out of their Devo­tion continue that ancient Ceremony of the Church.

For the use of the Surplice, We are contented that all men be left to their li­berty to do as they shall think fit, without suffering in the least de­gree for wearing or not wearing it; Pro­vided, that this liberty do not extend to Our own Chappel, Cathedral, or Col­legiate Churches, or to any Colledge in either of Our Universities; but that the several Statutes and Customs for the use thereof in the said places, be there obser­ved as formerly.

And because some men, otherwise pious and learned, say they cannot con­form unto the Subscription required by the Canon, nor take the Oath of Cano­nical Obedience; We are content, and it is Our Will and Pleasure, (so they take the Oaths of Allegiance and Supre­macy) that they shall receive Ordinati­on, Institution, and Induction, and shall be permitted to exercise their Function, [Page 106]and to enjoy the Profits of their Livings, without the said Subscription or Oath of Canonical Obedience: And moreover, That no persons in the Universities shall for the want of such Subscription, be hindred in the taking of their Degrees. Lastly, That none be judged to forfeit his Presentation or Benefice, or be depri­ved of it, upon the Statute of the Thir­teenth of Queen Elizabeth, Chapter the Twelfth, so he read and declare his as­sent to all the Articles of Religion, which only concern the Confession of the true Christian Faith, and the Doctrine of the Sacraments, comprised in the Book of Articles, in the said Statute mentioned. In a word, We do again renew what We have formerly said in Our Declara­tion from Breda, for the liberty of ten­der Consciences, that no man shall be disquieted or called in question for diffe­rences of Opinion in matters of Religion, [Page 107]which do not disturb the Peace of the Kingdom; and if any have been disturb­ed in that kinde since Our arrival here, it hath not proceeded from any Directi­on of Ours.

To conclude, and in this place to ex­plain what We mentioned before, and said in Our Letter to the House of Com­mons from Breda, That We hoped in due time, Our Self to propose somewhat for the Propagation of the Protestant Re­ligion, that will satisfie the World, that We have always made it both Our Care and Our Study, and have enough ob­served what is most like to bring disad­vantage to it: We do conjure all Our Loving Subjects to acquiesce in, and submit to this Our Declaration concern­ing those differences which have so much disquieted the Nation at home, and given such offence to the Protestant Churches abroad, and brought such reproach [Page 108]upon the Protestant Religion in general, from the enemies thereof; as if upon ob­scure notions of Faith and Fancy, it did admit the practice of Christian Duties and Obedience to be discountenanced and suspended, and introduce a Licence in Opinions and Manners, to the preju­dice of the Christian Faith. And let Us all endeavour, and emulate each other in those endeavours, to countenance and advance the Protestant Religion abroad, which will be best done by supporting the Dignity and Reverence due to the best Reformed Protestant Church at home; and which being once freed from the Ca­lumnies and Reproaches it hath under­gone from these late ill times, will be the best shelter for those abroad, which will, by that Countenance, both be the bet­ter protected against their enemies, and be the more easily induced to compose the differences amongst themselves, [Page 109]which give their enemies more advantage against them: And We hope and ex­pect, that all men will henceforward for­bear to vent any such Doctrine in the Pulpit, or to endeavour to work in such manner upon the Affections of the Peo­ple, as may dispose them to an ill opinion of Us and the Government, and to di­sturb the Peace of the Kingdom. Which if all men will in their several Vocati­ons endeavour to preserve with the same Affection and Zeal We Our Self will do; all Our good Subjects will, by Gods bles­sing upon Us, enjoy as great a measure of Felicity, as this Nation hath ever done, and which We shall constantly labour to procure for them, as the greatest blessing God can bestow upon Us in this World.

Given at Our Court at Whitehall, this Twenty fifth day of October, 1660.