that he might be able to give such Answers to the Propositions as would be most
agreeable to his Parliaments; but he ingenuously professes, that not withstanding all the
pains that he hath taken therein, the nature of some of them appears such unto him, that
without disclaiming that Reason which God hath given him to judge by for the good of
him and his People, and without putting the greatest violence upon his own Conscience,
he cannot give his Consent to all of them. Yet his Majesty (that it may appear to all the
World how desirous he is to give full satisfaction) hath thought fit hereby to express his rea∣diness
to grant what he may, and his willingness to receive from them, and that Personally,
(if his two Houses at VVestminster shall approve thereof) such further information in the
rest as may best convince his Judgment, and satisfie those Doubts which are not yet clear
unto him: desiring them also to consider, That if his Majesty intended to wind himself
out of these Troubles by indirect means, were it not easie for him now readily to consent
to what hath or shall be proposed unto him, and afterwards chuse his time to break all,
alledging, That forc'd Concessions are not to be kept? Surely he might, and not incur a
hard Censure from some indifferent men. But Maximes in this kind are not the Guides of
his Majesties Actions: for he freely and clearly avows, that he holds it unlawful for any man,
and most base in a King, to recede from his Promises for having been obtained by force or
under restraint.
Wherefore his Majesty not onely rejecting those Acts which he esteems unworthy
of him, but even passing by that which he might well insist upon, a Point of Ho∣nour
in respect of his present Condition, thus answers the first Proposition; That
upon his Majesties coming to London, He will heartily joyn in all that shall concern
the Honour of his two Kingdoms, or the Assembly of the States of Scotland, or of
the Commissioners or Deputies of either Kingdom, particularly in those things which
are desired in that Proposition; upon confidence that all of them respectively with
the same Tenderness will look upon those things which concern his Majesties Ho∣nour.
In answer to all the Propositions concerning Religion, his Majesty proposeth, that
he will confirm the Presbyterial Government, the Assembly of Divines at VVestmin∣ster,
and the Directory, for Three years, being the time set down by the Two Hou∣ses,
so that his Majesty and his Houshold be not hindred from that Form of God's
Service which they formerly have: And also that a free Consultation and Debate be
had with the Divines at VVestminster (Twenty of his Majesties Nomination being
added unto them) whereby it may be determined by his Majesty and the Two
Houses how the Church shall be governed after the said Three years, or sooner, if
Differences may be agreed. Touching the Covenant, his Majesty is not yet therein
satisfied, and desires to respite his particular Answer thereunto until his coming to
London; because it being a matter of Conscience, he cannot give a Resolution there
in till he may be assisted with the Advice of some of his own Chaplains (which hath hi∣therto
been denied him) and such other Divines as shall be most proper to inform him
therein: and then he will make clearly appear both his Zeal to the Protestant Profession,
and the Union of these two Kingdoms, which he conceives to be the main drift of this Co∣venant.
To the Seventh and Eighth Propositions his Majesty will consent.
To the Ninth his Majesty doubts not but to give good satisfaction, when he
shall be particularly informed how the said Penalties shall be levied and dispo∣sed
of.
To the Tenth his Majesties Answer is, That he hath been always ready to prevent the
practices of Papists, and therefore is content to pass an Act of Parliament for that purpose;
and also that the Laws against them be duly executed.
His Majesty will give his Consent to the Act for the due Observation of the Lord's day,
for the suppressing of Innovations, and those concerning the preaching of God's Word, and
touching Non-residence and Pluralities: and his Majesty will yield to such Act or Acts as shall
be requisite to raise moneys for the payment and satisfying all publick Debts, expecting also
that his will be therein included.
As to the Proposition touching the Militia, though his Majesty cannot consent unto it in
terminis as it is proposed, because thereby he conceives he wholly parts with the power of
the Sword entrusted to him by God and the Laws of the Land, for the Protection and Go∣vernment
of his People, thereby at once devesting himself and dis inheriting his Posterity
of that Right and Prerogative of the Crown which is absolutely necessary to the Kingly
Office, and so weaken Monarchy in this Kingdom, that little more than the Name and Sha∣dow
of it will remain; yet if it be onely security for the preservation of the Peace of this