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HIs Majesties thoughts being al∣wayes sincerely bent to the Peace of His Kingdoms, was, and will be ever desirous to take all wayes, which might the most clearely make appeare the Candor of His Intentions to His People. And to this end could find no better way, then to pro∣pose a Personall, Free Debate with His two Houses of Parliament, upon all the present Differences; Yet finding (very
much against His Expectation,) That this Offer was layd aside; His Majesty bent all His Thoughts to make His Intentions ful∣ly known, by a perticular Answer to the Propositions, delivered to Him in the name of both Kingdomes, the 24th of July last; But the more He endeavoured it, He more plainely saw, That any Answer He could make, would be subject to mis-in∣terpretations, and mis-constructions, which upon His own Paraphrases, and Explanati∣ons, He is most confident would give so good satisfaction, as would doubtlesse cause a happy and lasting Peace. Least therefore that good Intentions might pro∣duce ill Effects, His Majesty againe pro∣poses, and desires to come to London, or any of His Houses thereabouts, upon the Publique Faith and Security of His two Houses of Parliament, and the Scotch Commissioners, that He shall be there, with Honour, Freedome, and Safety, where, by His Personall Presence, He may not onely rayse a mutuall confidence betwixt Him and His People, but also have their doubts
cleared, and those difficulties explained to Him, without which He cannot (but with the aforesaid mischievous Inconveniences) give a perticular Answer to the Propositi∣ons; And with which He doubts not, but so to manifest His Reall Intentions for the setling of Religion, the Just Priviledges of Parliament, with the Freedome and Propriety of the Subject, That it shall not be in the Power of malicious wicked Men, to hinder the establishing of that firme Peace, which all honest Men desire; Assu∣ring them, That as He will make no other demands, but such, as He believes consi∣dently to be just, and much conducing to the tranquility of His People, so He will be most willing to condiscend unto them, whatsoever shall be really for their good and happinesse; not doubting likewise, but that you will also have a due regard to maintaine the Just Power of the Crowne, according to your many Protestations, and Professions: For certainly, except King and People, have a reciprocall care each of
other, neither can be happy. To con∣clude, It is your King who desires to be heard, (the which if refused to a Subject by a King, He would be thought a Tyrant for it) and for that end which all men pro∣fesse to desire. Wherefore His Majesty conjures you, as you desire to shew your selves really what you professe, even as yee are good Christians and Subjects, that yee will accept this His Offer, which He is con∣fident, God will so blesse, that it will be the readiest meanes, that these Kingdoms may againe become a comfort to their Friends, and a Terrour to their Enemies.
Newcastle the 20. of December, 1646.