THe methode of our happinesse hath of a long time been anticipated and kept from us by invective and malevolent persons, the Parliaments endeavours been extenuated by deeracting its power and priviledges, the safety and prosperity of the Common-wealth deferred; and the hope of the loyall subiects deiected by the many differences falling betwixt the King and Parliament in State affairs, through the per­swasive delusions of such as rather desire to pro­secute the motions of evill, then propogate the truth, and labour the Kingdoms good. How hap­py then are we now, and how much are we bound to praise the name of the Almighty, that hath been pleased to remove these lets, and to inspire his Maiesty with a care of his Kingdome, & to ioyne with the Parliament to confiscate their grievances, as by the sequell wil appeare.

The one and twentieth of Ianuary his Maiesty being at Windsor, and being often moved by some well-minded subiects, to ioyne with the Parliament for the setling of Religion, peace and tranquility of his Kingdome, shewing the divers inconveniences which were like to ensue, in re­spect [Page] of the division and difference betwixt his Maiesty and the Parliament; the matter being debated before him, and finding the eminent dan­gers like to follow without a sudden agreement, was pleased to give this gratious answer: That whatsoever had beene remissely hitherto, and contrary to the will of the Parliament, comman­ded and authorized by him, should be called in; and that hereafter hee would altogether ioyne with them for the consummating of his King­domes peace and happinesse; and to that intent sent a Message to the Parliament concerning the same. Whereupon it was resolved by the Parlia­ment and his Maiesty, that on the Munday fol­lowing the Bishops should be called to the triall; and the Articles exhibited against them, to bee produced: and that they (as it is alledged) being the first grievance which disturbs the present Parliament, as they should be found guilty, to re­ceive punishment according to thir deserts. And next, that the innovations concerning superstiti­tious ceremonies, should bee made utterly voyd: that the tyrannicall power of their Court, and exaction by them used, should be reformed acor­ding to the statute made in Q. Elizabeths dayes, to that effect, Anno 1593. As for other matters concerning the setling of peace in this his Maie­sties Kingdome, hee sent his resolution in this manner: That whatsoever they should finde con­venient for the procuring of the aforesaid peace, he would be conformable unto them, as far as it might stand with his Honour and Maiesticke di­gnity: against which he was verilily perswaded, [Page] there wus none of them that should degrade or goe. As concerning the Parliaments motion to him to lay open to them who they were that de­vised those opprobrious Articles against those worthy Statesmen, the Lord Kimbolton, M. Den­fil Hollis, M. Pym, Sir Arthur Haslerig, M. Ham­den and M. Stroud, whereby they are chalenged to be guilty of high treason against the State, be­ing so opprobriously false and wicked, that wee humbly desire your Maiesty to manifest the au­thours of the said false accusation against so worthy friends: for it cannot bee otherwise con­ceived, but that they who sought to pick holes in the coats of our best men, cannot bee free themselves from blemish: whereupon his Ma­iesties answer was, that hee would not produce them; but notwithstanding they should not bee concealed, but manifest themselves as occasion shall serve hereafter. But as for the Articles they were called in already cleared to their honor and credit. His Maiesty likewise made a motion con­cerning the danger of Ireland, and desired assi­stance by counsell of them for a remedy. Where­unon the Parliament sits ever since concerning the Irish affaires. The Parliament likewise in­treated his Maiesties favour concerning some course to be taken for disarming the Papists in England, at least to quell their superbious rising to the great affright and disaster of the Citie, mentioning thier sudden commotion about the Parliament house, their ioyning with Digby and Lunsford in hostile manner, and their continuall [...]estering wordes and threates by some of [Page] their adherents to the terrour of all his Maiesties loyall subiects; his Maiesty was pleased to grant this gratious reply, that seeing they so well ap­prehended the grievance, they should proceed to provide a remedy, and as he should finde the mo­tion honourable, he would be ready to signe to it; the Parliament making it so palpably appeare a­gainst the Recusants, concerning their sowing se­dition in his Maiesties Realmes, by endeavouring to subvert the fundamentall lawes of this King­dome, and have endeavoured by many aspersions upon the Parliament, and its industry, to alienate the affection of his Maiesty from Parliaments, and make it seeme odious unto him, and are to be suspected, lest they have invited and encouraged forraigne Nations against us, to invade his Maie­sties Kingdome of England, as well as to detract the Kingdome of Ireland, and endeavour to settle it upon their owne faction, by ploting to subvert the very ends and being of Parliament. And for compleating their traiterous de­signes, they have endevored as much as in them lay, by their traiterous insinuations and perswa­sions to his Maiesty to compell the Parliament to yeeld to their untollerably false accusations, and to ioyne with them in their traiterous de­signes; and to that end have actually raised and countenanced tumults against King and Parlia­ment: for whatsoever is against the State, must needs entirely concerne his Maiesty. The King being moved with these reall instigations, gave leave and authority to the Parliament to remove [Page] these doubts, as aforesaid. These are the briefe particulars of his Maiesties favour toward us, whose care i beyond expression, whose indulgent and laborious endeavours for the setling of Reli­gion and piety, are quotidiall, and whose mercies towards us in permitting us to hnioy such hopes of ensuing happinesse, are exemplary that wee should prove ungratefull unto God, if not to give him the praise of inspiring this influence of grace into his Maiesty; and disloyall to his Maiesty, if not to extoll his wonderfull bounty; for whose honour, long life, and peace upon earth, and ever­lasting glory after death, wee daily pray for now and ever.

The 22. of this present moneth of Ianuary, the Kings Maiesty was desirous to goe to Wod­stocke; and to that intent sent to the Officers of his Carriages to provide for the same against Munday; who replied, that they durst not with­out commission. Whereupon returning to his Maistie, they received commission from him; which they likewise denied to obey, because it was not likewise authorized by the Parliament, their answer was, that without further or­der, they would stirre no further: and that they had rather, and with more alacrity carry him home then carry him further from home. Wher­upon it was left to further consideration.