BOOK 1660. " of the protestant religion, we have, by our con" stant profession, and practice of it, given sufficient " testimony to the world, that neither the unkind"ness of those of the same faith towards us, nor " the civilities and obligations from those of a con"trary profession, (of both which we have had an "abundant evidence,) could in the least degree " startle us, or make us swerve from it; and no"thing can be proposed to manifest our zeal and "affection for it, to which we will not readily con" sent. And we hope, in due time, ourself to pro" pose somewhat to you for the propagation of it, " that will satisfy the world, that we have always " made it both our care and our study, and have " enough observed what is most like to bring disad"vantage to it. "If you desire security for those who, in these " calamitous times, either wilfully or weakly have "transgressed those bounds which were prescribed, " and have invaded each other's rights, we have "left to you to provide for their security and in"demnity, and in such a way as you shall think "just and reasonable; and by a just computation " of what men have done and suffered, as near as is "possible, to take care that all men be satisfied; " which is the surest way to suppress and extirpate "all such uncharitableness and animosity, as might " hereafter shake and threaten that peace, which " for the present might seem established. If there " be a crying sin, for which the nation may be in"volved in the infamy that attends it, we cannot " doubt but that you will be as solicitous to redeem " it, and vindicate the nation from that guilt and " infamy, as we can be. XVI. " If you desire that reverence and obedience may BOOK " be paid to the fundamental laws of the land, and " that justice may be equally and impartially ad- 1660. "ministered to all men, it is that which we desire "to be sworn to ourself, and that all persons in 66 66 power and authority should be so too. " In a word, there is nothing that you can pro pose that may make the kingdom happy, which "we will not contend with you to compass; and upon this confidence and assurance, we have "thought fit to send you this declaration, that you "may, as much as is possible, at this distance, see " our heart; which, when God shall bring us nearer " together, (as we hope he will do shortly,) will ap 66 pear to you very agreeable to what we have pro"fessed; and we hope, that we have made that " right Christian use of our affliction, and that the " observation and experience we have had in other " countries, have been such, as that we, and, we "hope, all our subjects, shall be the better for what " we have seen and suffered. "We shall add no more, but our prayers to Al" mighty God, that he will so bless your counsels, " and direct your endeavours, that his glory and " worship may be provided for; and the peace, ho"nour, and happiness of the nation may be esta"blished upon those foundations which can best sup"port it. And so we bid you farewell." Given at our court at Breda, this th day BOOK 1660. The king's declaration. His majesty's declaration. "Charles R. "Charles, by the grace of God, king of England, "Scotland, France, and Ireland, defender of the "faith, &c. To all our loving subjects of what de"gree or quality soever, greeting. If the general " distraction and confusion, which is spread over "the whole kingdom, doth not awaken all men to a " desire, and longing, that those wounds, which have " so many years together been kept bleeding, may " be bound up, all we can say will be to no purpose. " However, after this long silence, we have thought "it our duty to declare, how much we desire to "contribute thereunto: and that, as we can never " give over the hope, in good time, to obtain the " possession of that right, which God and nature " hath made our due; so we do make it our daily " suit to the divine Providence, that he will, in com" passion to us and our subjects, after so long misery " and sufferings, remit, and put us into a quiet and " peaceable possession of that our right, with as little " blood and damage to our people as is possible; nor " do we desire more to enjoy what is ours, than that "all our subjects may enjoy what by law is theirs, " by a full and entire administration of justice "throughout the land, and by extending our mercy "where it is wanted and deserved. "And to the end that fear of punishment may " not engage any conscious to themselves of what is past, to a perseverance in guilt for the future, by opposing the quiet and happiness of their country, " in the restoration both of king, and peers, and peo"ple, to their just, ancient, and fundamental rights; 66 we do by these presents declare, that we do grant BOOK " a free and general pardon, which we are ready, 66 upon demand, to pass under our great seal of Eng " land, to all our subjects of what degree or quality 66 soever, who, within forty days after the publishing " hereof, shall lay hold upon this our grace and fa 66 vour, and shall by any public act declare their " doing so, and that they return to the loyalty and " obedience of good subjects; excepting only such " persons as shall hereafter be excepted by parlia"ment. Those only excepted, let all our subjects, " how faulty soever, rely upon the word of a king, " solemnly given by this present declaration, that " no crime whatsoever committed against us, or our " royal father, before the publication of this, shall ever " rise in judgment, or be brought in question, against 66 any of them, to the least indamagement of them, " either in their lives, liberties, or estates, or (as far " forth as lies in our power) so much as to the pre"judice of their reputations, by any reproach, or " terms of distinction from the rest of our best sub"jects; we desiring, and ordaining, that hencefor"ward all notes of discord, separation, and differ"ence of parties, be utterly abolished among all our "subjects; whom we invite and conjure to a perfect " union among themselves, under our protection, for "the resettlement of our just rights, and theirs, in 66 a free parliament; by which, upon the word of a "king, we will be advised. " And because the passion and uncharitableness of "the times have produced several opinions in reli"gion, by which men are engaged in parties and " animosities against each other; which, when they "shall hereafter unite in a freedom of conversation, XVI. 1660. BOOK 1660. " will be composed, or better understood; we do de" clare a liberty to tender consciences; and that no " man shall be disquieted, or called in question, for " differences of opinion in matters of religion which " do not disturb the peace of the kingdom; and " that we shall be ready to consent to such an act " of parliament, as, upon mature deliberation, shall " be offered to us, for the full granting that indul"gence. "And because in the continued distractions of so " many years, and so many and great revolutions, " many grants and purchases of estates have been " made to and by many officers, soldiers, and others, " who are now possessed of the same, and who may " be liable to actions at law, upon several titles; we " are likewise willing that all such differences, and "all things relating to such grants, sales, and pur"chases, shall be determined in parliament; which "can best provide for the just satisfaction of all " men who are concerned. " And we do farther declare, that we will be ready " to consent to any act or acts of parliament to the 66 purposes aforesaid, and for the full satisfaction of "all arrears due to the officers and soldiers of the " army under the command of general Monk; and "that they shall be received into our service upon " as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy." Given under our sign manual, and privy signet, at our court at Breda, theth day of April, 1660, in the twelfth year of our reign. |
