Basiliká the works of King Charles the martyr : with a collection of declarations, treaties, and other papers concerning the differences betwixt His said Majesty and his two houses of Parliament : with the history of his life : as also of his tryal and martyrdome.

His MAJESTIES Answer to the Petition which accompanied the Declaration presented to him at Hampton-Court, 1 De∣cember 1641.

WE having received from you, soon after Our return out of Scotland, a long Petition, consisting of many desires of great moment, together with a Declaration of a very unusual nature annexed thereunto, We had ta∣ken some time to consider of it, as befitted Us in a matter of that conse∣quence, being confident that your own reason and regard to Us, as well as Our express intimation by Our Comptroller to that purpose, would have restrained you from the pub∣lishing of it, till such time as you should have received Our Answer to it: But much a∣gainst our expectation, finding the contrary, that the said Declaration is already abroad in Print by directions from your House, as appears by the printed Copy, We are very sen∣sible of the disrespect. Notwithstanding, it is Our Intention that no failing on your part shall make Us fail in Ours, of giving all due satisfaction to the desires of Our People, in a Parliamenatry way; and therefore We send you this Answer to your Petition, reser∣ving Our self in point of the Declaration, which We think unparliamentary, and shall take a course to do that which We shall think fit in Prudence and Honour.

To the Petition We say, That although there are divers things in the Preamble of it which We are so far from admitting, that We profess We cannot at all understand them, as, Of a wicked and malignant party prevalent in the Government; of some of that party ad∣mitted to Our Privy Council, and to other Imployments of trust, and nearest to Vs and Our Chil∣dren; of endeavours to sow among the People false Scandals and Imputations, to blemish and dis∣grace the Proceedings of the Parliament; all or any of which did We know of, We should be as ready to remedy and punish as you to complain of: that the Prayers of your Pe∣tition are grounded upon such Premises as we must in no wise admit: Yet notwithstand∣ing We are pleased to give this Answer to you.

To the first, concerning Religion, consisting of several branches, We say, That for the preserving the Peace and Safety of the Kingdom from the designs of the Popish party, We have, and will still concur with all the just desires of Our People in a Parliamentary way. That for the depriving of the Bishops of their Votes in Parliament, We would have you consider, that their Right is grounded upon the Fundamental Law of the Kingdom and constitution of Parliament. This We would have you consider: but since you desire Our concurrence herein in a Parliamentary way, We will give no farther answer at this time.

As for the abridging of the inordinate power of the Clergy, We conceive that the ta∣king away the High-Commission Court hath well moderated that: but if there continue any Usurpations or Excesses in their Jurisdictions, We therein neither have nor will pro∣tect them.

Unto that Clause which concerneth Corruptions (as you style them) in Religion, in Church-Government and in Discipline, and the removing of such unnecessary Ceremo∣nies as weak Consciences might check at; That for any illegal Innovations which may have crept in, We shall willingly concurr in the removal of them. That if Our Parlia∣ment shall advise Us to call a National Synod, which may duely examin such Ceremo∣nies as give just cause of offence to any, We shall take it into consideration, and apply Our self to give due satisfaction therein. But We are very sorry to hear in such general terms Corruption in Religion objected, since We are perswaded in Our Conscience, that no Church can be found upon the earth that professeth the true Religion with more pu∣rity of Doctrine than the Church of England doth, nor where the Government and Di∣scipline are jointly more beautified and free from Superstition then as they are here esta∣blished by Law; which (by the grace of God) We will with Constancy maintain (while We live) in their Purity and Glory, not only against all invasions of Popery, but also from the irreverence of those many Schismaticks and Separatists wherewith of late this Kingdom and this City abounds, to the great dishonour and hazard both of Church and State; for the suppressing of whom We require your timely and active assistance.

To the second prayer of the Petition, concerning the removal and choice of Counsel∣lours, We know not any of Our Council to whom the Character set forth in the Pe∣tition can belong. That by those whom We had exposed to Trial, We have already given you sufficient testimony, that there is no man so near unto Us in place or affection whom

We will not leave to the Justice of the Law, if you shall bring a particular charge and sufficient proofs against him; and of this We do again assure you: but in the mean time We wish you to forbear such general aspersions as may reflect upon all Our Council, since you name none in particular.

That for the choice of Our Counsellours and Ministers of State, it were to debarr Us that natural liberty all Free-men have: and as it is the undoubted right of the Crown of England to call such persons to Our secret Counsels, to publick employment, and Our particular service, as We shall think fit; so We are and ever shall be very careful to make election of such persons in those places of trust, as shall have given good testimonies of their abilities and integrity, and against whom there can be no just cause of exception whereon reasonably to ground a diffidence: and to choices of this nature We assure you that the mediation of the nearest unto Us hath always concurred.

To the third prayer of your Petition, concerning Ireland, We understand your desire of not alienating the forfeited lands thereof to proceed from your much care and love, and likewise that it may be a Resolution very fit for Us to take: but whether it be sea∣sonable to declare Resolutions of that nature before the Events of a War be seen, that We much doubt of. Howsoever, We cannot but thank you for this care, and your chear∣ful ingagement for the suppression of that Rebellion; upon the speedy effecting where∣of the Glory of God in the Protestant Profession, the safety of the British there, Our Honour and that of the Nation, so much depends. All the Interests of this Kingdom be∣ing so involved in that business, We cannot but quicken your affections therein, and shall desire you to frame your Counsels, and to give such expedition to the Work, as the na∣ture thereof and the pressures in point of Time require, and whereof you are put in mind by the daily insolence and increase of those Rebels.

For Conclusion, your promise to apply your selves to such courses as may support Our Royal Estate with Honour and Plenty at home, and with Power and Reputation abroad, is that which We have ever promised Our self both from your Loyalties and Affections, and also for what We have already done, and shall daily goe adding unto, for the comfort and happiness of Our People.