THe griefes and sorrowes of both State and Parliament, have been almost in­supportable, the diff [...]rences betwixt the Parliament and his Majesty being the ground, it being removed, how can it otherwise be, but that wee shall have a reformation (to our inexpressible joy) and re­movall of all obstacles that might either hinder the propagation of the Gospell, (in which the happines of this State principally consists) as also for settling peace and tranquility, and giving every Subj [...]ct (that are now cautious and fearfull) encouragement with alacrity to goe about and exercise the imployment belonging to every one of their severall callings: all these blessings are probably produced unto us, and conferred upon us by this his M [...]jesties most royall assent, in granting his subj [...]cts petitions (being for the benefit of his Kingdomes) and furthering Parliamen­tary proceedings.

Our poore brethren in Ireland having a long time groaned under the burden of a tyrannicall and rebel­lious [Page]insulting enemy, whose barbarous cruelty and inhumane butchery towards the Protestants there in­habiting, that they have not onely desired to root them out, and thereby to detaine and take his Maje­sties Imperiall dignity of that Kingdome, but proceed in massacring their bodies, to the terrour of all beholders. These things comming to the eares of the honourable Houses of Parliament, whose judicious care resolving to find a meanes to intervene and stop them in these their rebellions and insurrecti­ons against his Majesties regall power and authority, there presented themselves to them in the mean time during the discussing of those affaires, divers Com­missioners from his Majesties Kingdome of Scotland, who as it were sympathizing and bearing a fellow-feeling of their brethrens misery, profered their ser­vice for their ayd and assistance against the Rebels; and withall desiring the Parliaments favour therein, to assigne over to them certaine places in that King­dome to be a refuge for them as it were in time of ex­tremity; which the Parliament well weighing the reason and necessity of their so expedient a request, with one accord assented unto, and withall writ a pe­tition, whereby to certifie his Majesty, desiring his favourable assistance therein, which notwithstanding was at that time denyed, his Majesty being thereto advised by some ill affected members, whose indea­vours hindred that present assent: But taking it into his more serious consideration, upon the Parliaments further petitioning, he was pleased to grant unto the aforesaid Scotch Commissioners, the Townes of [Page]Koock farges &c. after this grant his Majesty be­ing further petitioned to know who were those that gave him counsell to deny the so reasonable Petition of the Scotch Commissioners, it was found out that the Duke of Richmond, Mr. William Murray, and Mr. Endimion Porter, belonging to his Majesties bed­chamber, Sir William Killegrey, Mr. Crofts and Mr. Davis his Majesties Barber, were all found tardy that way, whereupon they were voted by the Parliament as incendiaries, and not fitting to have any place of trust neere his Majesty; therefore the Lords of the upper House, with the House of Commons resolved to joine in petitioning for the removall, and there­upon some members of each house were sent to move him therein.

His Majesty was moreover graciously pleased up­on mature deliberation concerning the present estate of this Kingdome by reason of divisions, sects &c. to move the Parliament for the setling of Religion, ac­cording to the ancient order of Protestant Faith in Queen Elizabeth daies, that all delinquents, as well Bishops as others might come to their trialls, all in­novations and ceremonious superstitions (as should by this honourable House of Parliament be thought fit) be expulst and utterly extinct, that thereby there might bee an unite and setled peace confirmed a­mongst his Subjects.

THE Parliament having with carefull sedulity and indifatigable diligence wrastled with the va­rious distempers of the times and perills of this Kingdome, and finding a malignant and impetuous enemy daily oppose them, who are the sole and only obstacles and hindrance of their beneficiall procee­dinds (I need not involve my selfe in a too mysteri­ous discription) I meane the Papists who like foggy clouds strive to obscure the glorious Sunshine of the Church of England, as also to derogate from the ho­nour of Parliaments: And although they have often­times conspired to subvert and dissolve, not only that illustrious Assembly, but consequently the whole Kingdome, and not onely this Kingdome but that of Ireland likewise as is aforesaid; yet those fa­mos Pillars of this Realm now assembled have with­stood their pernicious counsells, and dissipated their designes; and as their inveterate malice hath beene most against this City of London being the princi­pall strength of this Kingdome, so the Parliaments vigilancy hath beene most for the security of the same: They have oftimes intruded themselves to be­come the Kings favourites promising his Majesty all fidelity and faithfull loyalty to his Imperiall Crown and roy all Dignity, though indeed they did but flat­ter him in calumnious outshewes, for they are the sole enemies that quotidianly strive rather to extenu­ate [Page]and diminish his Crowne then to maintaine it, yet still they have sycophantized that they might come to places of dignitie and honour, and com­mand in the City, so that by this meanes they might the more easily bring their designes to maturity and execution: Their plots had once almost come to a ripe perfection, when they had gotten their arch con­duct Lunsford to be Lieuetenant of the Tower.

The Parliament therefore taking these with many other like matters of high consequence into their consideration as chiefly concerning the welfare of the state, provided for the disarming of recusants, es­pecially such as were of power and of most ability to make resistance, as also for setling such offices as were to bee imployed in matters of trust, chusing those whose former demerits and vertues might challenge to them acceptation of such honours whose endeavours have beene peaceable, and labou­ring the propagation of Protestant Religion, and the depressing of Papisticall superstitions, for the which they have removed Officers as were formerly Cap­taines of his Majesties Forts and Castles towards the sea, putting in such as were well affected by the Counties whereas the Castles are, who best knowe their deserts, the putting their souldery in a posture of warlike defence to the intent to avoid the danger of innovations by a forraine enemy, lest they be sur­prised unawares, all which are tokens of the Parlia­ments care towards this Kingdome, to the exceeding joy of the Commons, and perpetuall renowne of both the honorable Houses, for whose labours and [Page]endeavours all well affected subjects pray daily unto God to blesse, whose commands and good be­ginnings all are bound to further, and whose workes already finished, stand for a patterne of imitation to all worthy successors that they may doe by this ex­ample what may be for the glory of God, accom­plish all things for the honour of his Majesty, and setle all for the peace and tranquility of the King­dome, Amen.