Certain uncertain Proposals from Freeborn Subjects of England, to his Excellency Sir Thomas Fairfax; as they were presented, Aug. 9. 1647. at Croyden in Surrey.
WE earnestly desire the Kings most Excellent Majesty may immediately be brought to London with honour, there at pleasure to recide with safety and freedome according to promise, and our just expectation.
VVE likewise desire, that a firm and lasting Peace may be speedily setled in this Kingdom, which cannot be if the King be spoiled of his indisputable Rights, and not restored to his wished greatnesse.
VVe desire that such members of [Page 2]Par. as have vented any speeches seditious & Treasonous, may besuspended from sitting, in the House & try'd according to the known Lawes of the Kingdome; For we have no cause to beleeve the subject shall be Righted in their freedome, if there be not high regards had to the Kings Person and Honour.
Tis for the Honour of our Nation, to bear our King high; To make him glorious, is to render him formidable to other Princes. Tis much for the honour of Sir Thomas Fairfax, in whose power it is alone to raise him to such splendor and height, that his clouded and discountenanced Subjects receiving a gratious influence from the sprightly beams of his Sacred Majesty; may be revived and cherished; And we acknowledge Sir Thomas Fairfax as the beginner, so the perfecter and finisher of our Peace and Happinesse.
These are our Desires, our Feares follow.
WE justly fear, that while his Excellency contended to bring his Majesty to London, whether the Parliament and City would or no; and they Declaring and Voting him to come, whether his Excellency would or no: The King in the Agreement will be left unconsidered, and we forfeit our hopes and Expectation.
VVe likewise fear, (as we have too sad occasion) that a new warre will be setled in stead of an old Peace; And our lost dispirited Island imbarque in a second adventure on a Sea of Blood, till we suffer shipwrack and utter Ruine.
VVe sadly fear the bad designe of these that so boldly assume to themselves
VVe sadly fear the bad Designe of these that so boldly assume to themselves a liberty to traduce his Sacred Majesty, and the worse Effects it may take on some desperate villaines, while such remain unpunished, unquestioned.
VVe fear the danger the delay may bring, that a Peace so coldly followed, may give advantage to a diligent and over-active party to imbroil in a second more fierce and terrible warre.
VVe fear the worst, that our Peace is not nigh, that we are not rightly qualified to entertain her, nor yet brought low enough to receive so high a blessing.
VVe fear, that if the King be not setled so wel as the Kingdome, there is no good intention to either.
VVe fear God, we Honour and Obey the King.
Certain Hopes to sustain Comfort, and confirm a timerous and fearfull mind.
VVE Hope the worst is past.
VVe hope Sir Thomas Fairfax wil according to his promise bring the King to London with Honour, safety, and Freedome; we hope to see it suddenly, without which we can hope for no good.
VVe hope it is not the intent of this alconquering Army, to diminish, much lesse to extinguish the Glorious Lamp of Majesty, being so well assured, if the King burn dimne, his People will go out like the snuffe of a candle: If Majesty be defaced in the Royal stamp, his Subjects will not passe for currant Coyne.
VVe hope to see the King in his full Greatnesse and Splendot, and that his Excellency will adde to his Glory, not Substract, nor clip the wings of Majesty.
VVe hope his Excellency will make good all his promises in his Declaration and much more: VVe hope to see it performed speedily without delay; And were it not for these hopes, our hearts would break.
Certaine Pertinent and Necessary Queries.
Q. VVHether the Free-born People of England will ever tollerate any Tolleration of Covernment in this kind: Or they will not be impatient of any thought to destroy Monarchie, whose yoke is easie, and burden light?
Q. Whether Monarchie can be destroyed in the Person of the King; Whose numerous issue gives Assurance we cannot be happy in any other Government?
Q. Whether the whole world would not rise to revenge any violence done to his Majesties Sacred Person, as hath been often threatened? And whether every good subject hating the impious thoughts of so horrid an Act, ought not to endeavour the bringing of such to Condigne punishment?
Q. Whether it be not the best way to settle the Kingdome in a firm Peace, first to seate and establish the King in his Royall Throne? without which our preposterous Peace cannot be lasting.
Q. Whether the Peoples Peace and Happinesse depends not altogether on the safety and Honour of the King?
Q. Whether there be not a necessity of his Majesties speedy comming to London? And whether there can be any composure of the present distraction, and satisfaction to the People without this?