A DECLARATION FROM THE NOBILITY OF THE KINGDOME OF SCOTLAND IN Behalfe of all the Commoners of that Nation; Wherein is declared their moſt Loyall Reſolution, concerning (their Dread Soveraigne) the Kings moſt Excellent Majeſty.
Together with their Deſires to both Houſes of PARLIAMENT, touching the preſervation of His Majeſties Royall Perſon, and reſtoring of Him to His juſt Rights and Priviledges.
Whereunto is annexed,
The Kings Majeſties laſt Meſſage, to His Subjects of ENGLAND touching the immediate proceedings of the Army, briefly intimating His Gracious Reſolution and Proteſtation touching the ſame. Signed, CHARLES REX.
Imprimatur,
LONDON, Printed for E. NORTON, and are to be ſold neere〈…〉Royall Exchange in Cornhill. 1647.
THE Kingdome of Scotland finding that their ſtability and happineſſe doth ſo much depend upon the ſafety and preſervation of his Maiesties Royall perſon; And being reſolved, that no alteration of affaires ſhall ever ſeparate them from that duty and allegiance they owe unto him, nor from their conſtant Reſolution to live in all loyalty and obedience under his Government, have often ſhewne their earneſt deſires, and contributed their utmoſt endeavours, towards the compoſure of theſe unhappy differences.
And the Houſes of Parliament having by their Votes of the 26. of October laſt intimated unto us their riſolutions to apply themſelves to his Maiesty, and that they are preparing Propoſitions to be tendered to Him.
We do deſire that they may be expedited, and communicated to us; that according to our many engagements, and relations, there maybe still a conjunction of Councels in thoſe things, that are for the common peace and joynt interests of both Kingdomes.
And for the better nſserting of them, and clearing His Maiesties doubts, and for the giving and receiving mutuall ſatisfaction: We do doſire (in the name of the Kingdom of Scotland) that there may be a ſpeedy and perſonall treaty with his Maieſty, as the beſt and readieſt meanes to obtain the joynt Deſires of both Kingdomes.
Theſe we conceive to be the moſt probable and effectuall meanei for attaining an happy peace, ſetling of Religion, reſtoring his Maieſty to his juſt Rights, and continuing and ſtrengthning a good underſtanding betwixt theſe kingdomes, which are moſt earneſtly deſired by the Kingdome of Scotland.
LIberty being that which in all times hath been, but eſpecially now, is the common Theame, and deſire of all men. Common reaſon ſhewes that Kings leſſe then any ſhould indure captivity, and yet I call God and the world to witneſſe, with what patience I have endured a tedious reſtraint, which ſo long as I had any hopes that this ſort of my ſufferings might conduce to the Peace of my Kingdome, or the hindering of more effuſion of bloud; I did willingly undergoe: Bus now finding by too certain proofes, that this my continued patience would not only turn to my perſonall ruine, but likewiſe be of much more prejudice than furtherance to the publique good.
I thought I was bound, as well by naturall as politicall obligations to ſeek my ſafetp; by retiring my ſelf for ſome time from the publique view, both of my friends and enemins. And I appeale to all indifferent men, to judge if I have nor juſt cauſe to faee my ſelfe from the hands of thoſe who change their principles with their condition; and who are not aſhamed openly to intend the deſtruction of Nobility, by taking away their negative voice, and with whom the Ievellers doctrin•is rather countenanced then puniſhed.
And as for their intentions to my perſon, their changing and putting more ſtrict guards upon me, with the diſcharging moſt of all thoſe ſervants of mine, who formerly they willing admitted to wait upon me, doth ſufficiently declare: Nor would I have this my retirement miſ-interpreted, for I ſhall earneſtly and inceſſantly endeavour the ſetling of a ſafe and well-grounded peace, where ever I am, or ſhall be; And that, as much as may be, without the effuſion of more. Chriſtian blood, for which how many times have I deſired, preſt to be heard, and yet no eare given to me.
And can any reaſonable men think that according to the ordinary courſe of affaires, there can be a ſetled peace without it; or that God will bleſſe thoſe who refuſe to heare their own King, ſurely not?
Nay I muſt further adde, That beſides what concernes my ſelfe, unleſſe all other chief intereſts have not only an hearing, but likewiſe juſt ſatisfaction given unto them, to wit, the Presbyterians, Independents, Army, thoſe who have adhered to me, even the Scots) I ſay there cannot (I ſpeak not of miracles, it being of my opinion, a ſinfull preſumption, in ſuch caſes to expect or truſt to them) be a ſafe or laſting peace.
Now as I cannot deny but that my perſonall ſecurity is the urgent cauſe of this my retirement, ſo I take God to witneſſe that the publipue peace is no leſſe before mine eyes; And I can find no better way to expreſſe this my profeſſion (I know not what a wiſer man may doe) then by deſiring and urging, that all chiefe intereſts may be heaad, to the end each may haue juſt ſatisfaction.
As for example; The Army: for the reſt; though neceſsary, yet I ſuppoſe are not difficult to conient, ought, in my judgement, to enjoy the liberty of their Conſciences, have an Act of Oblivion, or Indempnity, which ſhould extend to all the reſt of my Subjects, And that all their Arreares ſhould be ſpeedily and duely paid, which I will undertake to doe, ſo I may be heard, And that I be not hindered from uſing ſuch lawfull and honeſt meanes, as I ſhall chooſe.
To conclude, let me be heard with freedome, honour, and ſafety, and I ſhall inſtantly break through this cloud of retirement, and ſhew my ſelf really to be Pater Patriae.
THis day, being the fifteenth of this inſtant moneth, the generall Randezvouze began at Ware, and the reſt of the townes adjacent, where was a great appearance, both of Officers and Souldiers, the Generall is to bee there in perſon, and (as its ſaid) hath much to declare unto the ſouldiery, concerning the preſent affaires of the Kingdome, and a ſpeedy compoſure of all differences, &c.
The diſſenting party of the Army that firſt revolted from the Generall, are encreaſed to a great number, and have entred into a mutuall Engagement each with other; which Engagement, each Officer and Souldier, throughout the reſpective Ragiments in the Army, weareth a Copy thereof in their hats, with this Motto prefixed thereon, Englands Freedome, Souldiers Rights.
(EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A82088)
Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 133138)
Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1641-1700 ; 2465:14)
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