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.

I. His MAJESTY's First Paper.

For M^r Alexander Henderson.

M^r Henderson,

I Know very well what a great disadvantage it is for Me, to main∣tain an Argument of Divinity with so able and learned a Man as your self, it being your, not My profession; which really was the cause that made Me desire to hear some learned man argue My Opinion with you, of whose Abilities I might be confident, that I should not be led into an Errour, for want of having all which could be said layed open unto Me. For indeed my humour is such, that I am still partial for that side which I imagine suffers for the weakness of those that maintain it; alwaies thinking that equal Champions would cast the balance on the other part. Yet since that you (thinking that it will save time) desire to go another way, I shall not contest with you in it, but treating you as my Physician, give you leave to take your own way of cure: only I thought fit to warn you, lest if you (not I) should be mistaken in this, you would be fain (in a manner) to begin anew.

Then know, that from my Infancy I was blest with the King my Fathers love, which I thank God, was an invaluable Happiness to me all his daies: and among all his cares for my Edu∣cation, his chief was, to settle Me right in Religion; in the true knowledge of which He made Himself so eminent to all the World, that I am sure none can call in question the bright∣ness of his Fame in that particular, without shewing their own ignorant base Malice. He it was who laid in Me the grounds of Christianity, which to this day I have been constant in. So that whether the Worthiness of my Instructor be considered, or the not few years that I have been setled in my Principles; it ought to be no strange thing, if it be found no easie work to make Me alter them: and the rather, that hitherto I have (according to Saint Paul's rule Rom. 14. 22.) been happy in Not condemning my self in that thing which I allow. Thus having shewed you How, it remains to tell you what I believe, in relation to these mi∣serable Distractions.

No one thing made Me more reverence the Reformation of My Mother, the Church of Eng∣land, than that it was done (according to the Apostles defence, Acts 24. 18.) neither with multitude, nor with tumult, but legally and orderly, and by those whom I conceive to have the Reforming power; which, with many other inducements, made Me alwaies confident that the work was very perfect as to Essentials; of which number Church-Government being un∣doubtedly one, I put no question, but that would have been likewise altered if there had been

cause. Which opinion of Mine was soon turned into more than a confidence, when I percei∣ved that in this particular (as I must say of all the rest) we retained nothing, but according as it was deduced from the Apostles to be the constant universal custom of the Primitive Church; and that it was of such consequence as by the alteration of it we should deprive our selves of a lawful Priesthood; and then, how the Sacraments can be duly administred, is easie to judge. These are the principal Reasons which make Me believe that Bishops are necessary for a Church, and, I think, sufficient for Me (if I had no more) not to give my consent for their expulsion out of England. But I have another obligation, that to My particular is a no less tie of Conscience, which is, my Coronation Oath. Now if (as S. Paul saith, Rom. 14. 23.) He that doubeth is damned if he eat, what can I expect, if I should not only give way knowingly to my Peoples sinning, but likewise be perjured My self?

Now consider, ought I not to keep My self from presumptuous sins? and you know who saies, What doth it profit a Man though he should gain the whole World, and lose his own Soul? Wherefore my constant maintenance of Episcopacy in England (where there was never any other Government since Christianity was in this Kingdom) methinks, should be rather commended than wondred at; my Conscience directing Me to maintain the Laws of the Land: which being only my endeavours at this time, I desire to know of you, what warrant there is in the Word of God, for Subjects to endeavour to force their King's Conscience, or to make him alter Laws against his will. If this be not My present case, I shall be glad to be mistaken; or if my Judgment in Religion hath been misled all this time, I shall be willing to be better directed: till when you must excuse Me, to be constant to the Grounds which the King my Father hath taught Me.

Newcastle, May 29. 1646.

C. R.