HItherto the endeavours of both King, Par­liament and Subiects, have been to redresse those evils, and expulse such pernitious de­signes as have been endeavoured against us by the malignant party of this Kingdome; which although never so sedulous and vigilant, yet have the dangers by them invented, alwayes found a repercussion upon their owne heads, through the care of this State-governing Parliament, and although they have bene very diligent in sowing weeds of divisions amongst us; yet our worthy Gardiners have puld them up by the roots, that the Flowers of Religion, loyalty, faith and fi­delity, might flourish, through the removall of our adversaries, sith that our disconsolate cares [Page]have been so invoked to provide for resistance of these aforesaid evils, how welcome and ac­ceptable would the newes of a remedy be? The Cite that so long hath been troubled, frighted and perturbed with civill commotions, and in­expressible dangers, how would it shew forth the garlands of good will, the Plumes of Peace, and Ensignes of Loyalty, upon so happy an al­teration? How would the Protestant reioyce, and as it were bee involved in gladnesse, to see the Papists and their hereticall adherents, either converted or ashamed? Such is the newes I meane to treat on, so happy as it goes beyond expression to nominate, and as reall as it seemes happy. These grievances have principally been inverted upon us by his Maiesties disagreeing with the Parliament, by the perswasions of some who were but seeming wel-wishers to the State. To change these occasions of sorrow into hap­pinesse, His Maiesty hath beene pleased, con­sidering the manifold inconveniences that hee might incurre upon his Kingdome and himselfe, by losing the affections of his Subiects, by this so ominous accounted disseveration, hath been since graciously pleased to unite himselfe with all alacrity and of his owne free-will with them for the consummation of his Subiects good s [...] ­ling of a perfect peace, and dissolving all doubts concerning the former disagreement for ever, as followeth.

That whereas the continuall perturbance of the times had proved grievous and burdensome unto him, in respect of the conversant commo­tions arising through his Non-residence with them at London, his Maiesty was resowed for a speedy returne, thereby to confiscate and a­bolish these their sorrowes: As also that his hopes of and concerning this gracious message on Munday, being the fourteenth of Febru­ary last, should have produced some such ef­fect, as by offering what was fit on their parts to doe: as also for this Maiesty to granr, might beget a mutuall confidence in each other; His Maiesty therefore further de­sired that those his good hopes might not bee frustrated, and so his endeavours prove vaine and to no purpose; but rather that they would with sedulous diligence labour to strengthen and enable them any way to debilitate or wea­ken the same reciprocall coniunction, or mutu­all laborious co-operation.

And furthermore, forasmuch as this his Kingdom of England was very much distressed, & in continuall fear through the want of exerci­sed force (though for souldier there bee suffici­ent, & by reason that his Maties chiefe Fortresses towards the sea-coasts were unfortified, & so the lesse able to make resistance against invasion, they having manifested as much unto his Maie­sty, & in care of his Realme, and preservation of [Page]the secure peace and tranquility of his subiects. Hee Royally desired that the present Parlia­ment would speedily set about, and expeditious­ly contrive a remedy; and hee in that, as in all other reasonable motions, as farre as might stand with his Honour, would mutually ioyne in assistance towardes the rectifying of the same.

As for the Petitions of severall Counties de­livered and humbly preferred to the Parliament, for the reliefe of these and other such like grie­vances of his Kingdome, most especially con­cerning the grounds of Protestant Religion; which hath been abused, and little set by, since the Bishops introducing, bringing in, and forci­bly maintaining, contrary to the consciences, of the well-affected Protestants, of superstitious and Papisticall ceremonies, his Maiesty was graciously pleased with zeale and firme devoti­on to the truth, to importune a reformation of the same, thereby to gaine his subiects love and affection, and procure them so long-look'd for and ever to be desired peace.

To the which end, Wren, and the other Bi­shops found tardy, and to be delinquents con­cerning this occasion in and against the safety of the State, and propagaring of Religion, that seeing they were found guilty, and the matter of so high consequence (as concerning their censure, it was ordered) that they being the Me­tropolitans [Page]of the Church, and principall Cler­gie of the Kingdome, they should be delivered over to the upper House, to receive censure from the Honourable Peers, concerning their misde­meanors, the which his Maiestie earnestly desi­red, and consented unto.

Thus was the Vnity begun, which wee daily pray to continue.