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 Declaration to all His loving Subjects: Pub∣lished with the Advice of his Privy Council.

ALthough We do not believe that Our House of Commons intended by their Remonstrance of the State of the Kingdom to put Us to any Apology either for Our past or present Actions; notwithstanding, since they have thought it so very necessary (upon their observation of the present Distemper) to pub∣lish the same, for the satisfaction of all Our loving Subjects, We have thought it very sutable to the duty of Our place, (with which God hath trusted Us) to do Our part to so good a Work: in which we shall not think it below Our Kingly Dignity to descend to any particular which may compose and settle the affections of Our meanest Subjects, since We are so conscious to Our Self of such upright Intentions and Endeavours, and only of such, (for which We give God thanks) for the Peace and Happiness of Our King∣dom, in which the Prosperity of Our Subjects must be included, that We wish from Our heart that even Our most secret Thoughts were published to their view and examina∣tion. Though We must confess We cannot but be very sorry in this conjuncture of time (when the unhappiness of this Kingdom is so generally understood abroad) there should be such a necessity of publishing so many Particulars, from which We pray no Inconve∣niences may insue that were not intended.

We shall in few words pass over that part of the Narrative, wherein the Misfortunes of this Kingdom from Our first entring to the Crown to the beginning of this Parlia∣ment are remembred in so sensible expressions: and that other which acknowledgeth the many good Laws passed by Our Grace and Favour this Parliament, for the Secu∣rity of Our People; of which we shall only say thus much, That as We have not refu∣sed to pass any Bill presented to Us by Our Parliament for redress of those Grievances mentioned in the Remonstrance, so We have not had a greater Motive for the passing those Laws then Our own resolution (grounded upon Our Observation and understan∣ding the state of Our Kingdom) to have freed Our Subjects for the future from those Pressures which were grievous to them, if those Laws had not been propounded, which

therefore We shall as inviolably maintain as We look to have Our own Rights preserved, not doubting but all Our loving Subjects will look on those Remedies with that full gratitude and affection, that even the memory of what they have formerly undergone by the Accidents and necessities of those times will not be unpleasant to them: and possibly in a pious sense of God's blessing upon this Nation (how little share soever We shall have of the acknowledgment) they will confess they have enjoyed a great measure of happi∣ness (even these last sixteen years) both in Peace and Plenty, not only comparatively in respect of their Neighbours, but even of those times which were justly accounted Fortunate.

The Fears and Jealousies which may make some impression in the minds of Our Peo∣ple We will suppose may be of two sorts; either for Religion, or Liberty and their Civil Interests. The Fears for Religion may haply be, not only as Ours here established may be invaded by the Romish party, but as it is accompanied with some Ceremonies, at which some tender Consciences really are or pretend to be scandalized; for of any other, which have been used without any legal Warrant or Injunction, and already are or spee∣dily may be abolished, We shall not speak.

Concerning Religion, as there may be any suspicion of favour or inclination to the Papists, We are willing to declare to all the world, That as We have been from Our Childhood brought up in, and practised the Religion now established in this Kingdom, so it is well known, We have (not contented simply with the Principles of Our Educa∣tion) given a good proportion of Our time and pains to the examination of the grounds of this Religion, as it is different from that of Rome; and are from Our Soul so fully sa∣tisfied and assured that it is the most pure and agreeable to the Sacred Word of God of any Religion now practised in the Christian world, that as We believe We can main∣tain the same by unanswerable reasons, so We hope We should readily seal to it by the effusion of Our Blood, if it pleased God to call Us to that sacrifice. And therefore no∣thing can be so acceptable unto Us as any proposition which may contribute to the ad∣vancement of it here, or the propogation of it abroad, being the only means to draw down a Blessing from God upon Our selves and this Nation. And We have been ex∣tremely unfortunate, if this profession of Ours be wanting to Our People; Our con∣stant practice in Our own Person having always been (without ostentation) as much to the evidence of Our Care and Duty herein, as We could possibly tell how to express.

For differences amongst our selves for matters indifferent in their own nature concer∣ning Religion, We shall, in tenderness to any number of Our loving Subjects, very willingly comply with the advice of Our Parliament, that some Law may be made for the exemption of Tender Consciences from punishment or prosecution for such Ceremo∣nies and in such cases which by the judgment of most men are held to be matters indiffe∣rent, and of some to be absolutely unlawful. Provided that this ease be attempted and pursued with that modesty, temper and submission, that in the mean time the Peace and Quiet of the Kingdom be not disturbed, the Decency and comeliness of Gods Service discountenanced, nor the pious, sober and devout actions of those Reverend Per∣sons who were the first labourers in the blessed Reformation, or of that time, be scan∣dal'd and defamed. For We cannot without grief of heart, and without some Tax upon Our Self and Our Ministers for the not execution of Our Laws, look upon the bold Li∣cence of some men, in printing of Pamphlets, in preaching and printing of Sermons, so full of bitterness and malice against the present Government, against the Laws establish∣ed, so full of Sedition against Our Self and the Peace of the Kingdom, that We are many times amazed to consider by what Eyes these things are seen, and by what Ears they are heard. And therefore We have good cause to command, as We have done, and hereby do, all Our Judges and Ministers of Justice, Our Attorney and Sollicitor General, and the rest of Our learned Counsel, to proceed with all speed against such and their Abettors, who either by writing or words have so boldly and maliciously viola∣ted the Laws, disturbed the peace of the Commonwealth, and as much as in them lies, shaken the very foundation upon which that Peace and Happiness is founded and con∣stituted. And We doubt not but all Our loving Subjects will be very sensible that this busie virulent demeanour, is a fit Prologue to nothing but Confusion; and if not very seasonably punished and prevented, will not only be a blemish to that wholsome Accom∣modation We intend, but an unspeakable scandal and imputation even upon the Pro∣fession and Religion of this Our Kingdom of England.

Concerning the Civil Liberties and Interest of Our Subjects We shall need to say the less, having erected so many lasting Monuments of Our Princely and Fatherly care of Our People in those many excellent Laws passed by Us this Parliament, which in truth

(with very much content to Our self) We conceive to be so large and ample, that ve∣ry many sober men have very little left to wish for.

We understood well the Right and pretences of Right We departed from in the consenting to the Bills of the Triennial Parliament, for the Continuance of this present Parliament, and in the Preamble to the Bill of Tonnage and Poundage; the matter of which having begot so many disturbances in late Parliaments, We were willing to remove, that no Interest of Ours might hereafter break that correspondence, abundantly contenting Our self with an Assurance (which we still have) that We should be repaired and supplyed by a just proportion of Confi∣dence, Bounty, and Obedience of Our People. In the Bills for the taking away the High-Commission and Star-chamber Courts We believed We had given that real satisfaction, that all jealousies and apprehensions of arbitrary pressures under the Civil or Ecclesiastical State would easily have been abandoned, especially when they saw all possible doubts secured by the visitation of a Triennial Parliament.

These, and others of no mean consideration, We had rather should be valued in the hearts and affections of Our People, then in any mention of Our own; not doubting but as We have taken all these occasions to render their condition most comfortable and happy, so they will always, in a grateful and dutiful relation, be ready with equal tenderness and alacrity to advance Our Rights and preserve Our Honour, upon which their own Security and subsistence so much depends. And We will beso careful, that no particular shall be presented unto Us for the compleating and establishing that Security, to which We will not with the same readiness contribute Our best assistance.

If these Resolutions be the effects of Our present Councils, (and We take God to witness that they are such, and that all Our loving Subjects may confidently expect the benefit of them from Us) certainly no ill design upon the Publick can accom∣pany such Resolutions, neither will there be great cause of suspicion of any Per∣sons preferred by Us to degrees of Honour and places of Trust and imployment since this Parliament. And We must confess, that amongst Our misfortunes We reckon it not the least, That having not retained in Our Service, nor protected any one person against whom Our Parliament hath excepted during the whole sitting of it, and having in all that time scarce vouchsafed to any man an instance of Our Grace and Favour, but to such who were under some eminent character of Estima∣tion amongst Our People, there should so soon be any misunderstanding or jealousie of their Fidelity and uprightness, especially in a time when We take all occasions to de∣clare, that We conceive Our self only capable of being served by honest men and in honest ways. However, if in truth We have been mistaken in such Our ele∣ction, the particular shall be no sooner discovered to Us, either by Our own ob∣servation or other certain information, then We will leave them to publick Justice under the marks of Our Displeasure.

If notwithstanding this any Malignant Party shall take heart, and be willing to sacrifice the Peace and Happiness of their Country to their own sinister ends and ambitions, under what pretence of Religion and Conscience soever; if they shall endeavour to lessen Our Reputation and Interest, and to weaken Our lawful Power and Authority with Our good Subjects; if they shall go about, by discountenan∣cing the present Laws, to loosen the Bonds of Government, that all Disorder and Confusion may break in upon Us; We doubt not but God in his good time will discover them unto Us, and the wisdom and courage of Our High Court of Parliament joyn with Us in their suppression and punishment.

Having now said all that We can to express the clearness and uprightness of Our Intensions to Our People, and done all We can to manifest those Intentions, We cannot but confidently believe all Our good Subjects will acknowledge Our part to be fully performed, both in Deeds past and present Resolutions, to do whatso∣ever with Justice may be required of Us, and that their quiet and prosperity de∣pends now wholly upon themselves, and is in their own power, by yielding all obe∣dience and due reverence to the Law, which is the inheritance of every Subject, and the only security he can have for his Life, Liberty or Estate, and the which being neglected or disesteemed (under what specious shews soever) a great measure of Infelicity, if not an irreparable Confusion, must without doubt fall upon them. And We doubt not it will be the most acceptable Declaration a King can make to His Subjects, that for Our part We are resolved not only duely to observe the Laws Our Self, but to main∣tain them against what opposition soever, though with the hazard of Our Being.

And Our hope is, that not only the Loyalty and good Affections of all

Our loving Subjects will concur with Us in the constant preserving a good understand∣ing between Us and and Our People, but at this time their own and Our Interest, and compassion of the lamentable condition of Our poor Protestant Subjects in Ireland, will invite them to a fair Intelligence and Unity amongst themselves; that so We may with one heart intend the relieving and recovering that unhappy Kingdom, where those barbarous Rebels practise such inhumane and unheard-of Outrages upon Our miserable people, that no Christian ear can hear without horrour, nor Story pa∣rallel. And as We look upon this as the greatest affliction it hath pleased God to lay upon Us; so Our unhappiness is increased, in that by the Distempers at home so early remedies have not been applyed to those growing evils as the expectation and necessity there requires: though for Our part, as We did upon the first notice ac∣quaint Our Parliament of Scotland (where We then were) with that Rebellion, requi∣ring their aid and assistance, and gave like speedy intimation and recommendation to our Parliament here; so since Our return hither, We have been forward to all things which have been proposed to Us towards that Work, and have lately Our Self of∣fered (by a Message to Our House of Peers, and communicated to Our House of Com∣mons) to take upon Us the care to raise speedily ten thousand English Voluntiers for that Service, if the House of Commons shall declare that they will pay them. Which particulars (We are in a manner) necessitated to publish, since We are infor∣med that the Malice of some persons hath whispered it abroad, That the no spee∣dier advancing of this business hath proceeded from some want of alacrity in Us to this great Work; whereas we acknowledge it a high crime against Almighty God, and inexcusable to Our good Subjects of Our three Kingdoms, if We did not to the utmost imploy all Our powers and faculties to the speediest and most effectual assistance and protection of that distressed People.

And we shall now conjure all Our good Subjects (of what degree soever) by all the Bonds of Love, Duty or Obedience, that are precious to good men, to joyn with Us for the recovery of the Peace of that Kingdom, and the preservation of the Peace of this; to remove all their Doubts and Fears, which may interrupt their Affection to Us, and all their Jealousies and apprehensions, which may lessen their Charity to each other: and then (if the Sins of this Nation have not prepared an inevitable Judgment for us all) God will yet make Us a Great and a Glorious King over a Free and Happy People.