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 concerning the Treaty, and His dislike of the Armies Proceedings.

Delivered to one of His Servants at His Departure from the Isle of Wight, and com∣manded to be published for the satisfastion of all His Subjects.

WHen large pretences prove but the shadows of weak performance, then the greatest labours produce the smallest effects; and when a period is put to a work of great concernment, all mens ears do (as it were) hunger till they are sa∣tisfied in their expectations. Hath not this distracted Nation groaned a long time under the burthen of tyranny and oppression? And hath not all the blood that hath been spilt these seven years been cast upon My Head, Who am the greatest Sufferer, though the least guilty? And was it not requisite to endeavour the stopping of that flux, which, if not stopt, will bring an absolute Destruction to this Nation? And what more speedy way was there to consummate those Distractions, than by a Personal Treaty, being agreed upon by My two Houses of Parliament, and condescended to by Me? And I might de∣clare, that I conceive it had been the best Physick, had not the operation been hindred by the interposition of this imperious Army, who were so audacious as to style Me in their unparallel'd Remonstrance, their Capital Enemy. But let the world judge whe∣ther Mine endeavours have not been attended with reality in this late Treaty: and whe∣ther

I was not as ready to grant as they were to ask; and yet all this is not satisfaction to them that pursue their own ambitious ends more than the welfare of a miserable Land. Were not the dying hearts of my poor distressed People much revived with the hopes of a Happiness from this Treaty? and how suddenly are they frustrated in their expectati∣ons! Have not I formerly been condemned for yielding too litte to My two Houses of Parliament; and shall I now be condemned for yielding too much? Have I not formerly been Imprisoned for making War; and shall I now be condemned for making Peace? Have I not formerly ruled like a KING; and shall I now be ruled like a Slave? Have I not formerly enjoyed the society of my dear Wife and Children in peace and quietness; and shall I now neither enjoy them nor Peace? Have not My Subjects formerly obeyed Me; and shall I now be obedient to My Subjects? Have I not been condemned for Evil Counsellors; and shall I now be condemned for having no Counsel but God? These are unutterable Miseries, that the more I endeavour for Peace, the less My endeavours are respected; and how shall I know hereafter what to grant, when your selves know not what to ask? I refer it to your consciences, whether I have not satisfied your desires in every particular since this Treaty; if you find I have not, then let Me bear the burthen of the fault; but if I have given you ample satisfaction (as I am sure I have) then you are bound to vindicate Me from the fury of those whose thoughts are filled with blood: though they pretend zeal, yet they are but Wolves in Sheeps cloathing.

I must further declare, that I conceive there is nothing can more obstruct the long∣hoped-for peace of this Nation, than the illegall proceedings of them that presume from Servants to become Masters, and labour to bring in Democracy, and to abolish Monarchy. Needs must the total alteration of Fundamentals be not only destructlve to others, but in conclusion to themselves; for they that endeavour to rule by the Sword, shall at last fall by it; for Faction is the Mother of Ruine: and it is the humour of those that are of this weather-cock-like disposition, to love nothing but mutabilities, neither will that please them but only pro tempore; for too much variety doth but con∣found the senses, and makes them still hate one folly, and fall in love with another.

Time is the best cure for Faction: for it will at length (like a spreading leprosie) infect the whole body of the Kingdom, and make it so odious, that at last they will hate themselves for love of that, and, like the Fish, for love of the bait be catch'd with the hook.

I once more declare to all My loving Subjects, and God knows whether or no this may be My last, That I have earnestly laboured for Peace, and that My thoughts were sincere and absolute, without any sinister ends; and there was nothing left undone by Me that My Conscience would permit me to do. And I call God to witness, that I do firmly conceive that the interposition of the Army (that cloud of Malice) hath altoge∣ther eclips'd the glory of that Peace which began again to shine in this Land. And let the world judge whether it be expedient for an Army to contradict the Votes of a King∣dom, endeavouring, by pretending for Laws and Liberties, to subvert both. Such acti∣ons as these must produce strange consequences, and set open the flood-gates of Ruin to overflow this Kingdom in a moment. Had this Treaty been only Mine own seeking, then they might have had fairer pretences to have stopt the course of it; but I being impor∣tun'd by My two Houses, and they by most part of the Kingdom, could not but with a great deal of alacrity concurr with them in their desires for the performance of so commodious a work: and I hope by this time that the hearts and eyes of My People are opened so much, that they plainly discover who are the Underminers of this Treaty.

For Mine own part, I here protest before the face of Heaven, that Mine own Afflicti∣ons (though they need no addition) afflict Me not so much as My Peoples Sufferings, for I know what to trust to already, and they know not; God comfort both them and Me, and proportion our Patience to our Sufferings.

And when the Malice of Mine Enemies is spun out to the smallest thred, let them know, that I will, by the grace of God, be as contented to suffer as they are active to advance My Sufferings: and Mine own Soul tells Me, that the time will come when the very clouds shall drop down vengeance upon the heads of those that barricado themselves against the proceedings of of Peace: for if God hath proclaimed a blessing to the Peace-makers, needs must the Peace-breakers draw down curses upon their heads.

I thank My God, I have armed My self against their Fury; and now let the arrows of their Envy fly at Me, I have a breast to receive them, and a heart possest with Patience to sustain them; for God is My Rock and My shield; therefore I will not fear what man can do unto Me. I will expect the worst; and if any thing happen beyond My expectation, I will give God the glory: for vain is the help of man.

THE END.