I.

HIgh and Mightie Lords , Our good Freinds and Allies . So soone as Wee understood , that both Our Houses of Parliament had dispatcht over unto You ( upon the difference betwixt them and vs ) one Strickland in qualitie of publick Minister ; Wee gave order to Our Resident with you to disavow him . Notwithstanding whih Wee understand You have since received , and treated with him . Wherein two things seeme verie strange to Us ; The one , that Our owne Subjects ( upon pretence of affecting a nearer alliance with you ) should in a way , different from the modestie , practice and dutie of their Praedecessours , take upon them to treate with Forraine States . When it is a knowne law of England , that to the King onelie belongeth the making of peace and warre . The other , that You Our neare Allies , that know both Your selves , and all the Kings and States of the World , have ever treated with Us and Our Praedecessours , and with Us onely . You , who from the Kings of England received your old , and never to be forgotten Assistances , should admit this man so much to Our dishonour ; It being a setting up of an equall or a Concurrent Authoritie with Our owne ; and thus favour the imprudence of Our Subjects by doing an injury to Us.

II .

It is generallie knowne Wee called this Parliament of Our owne Gracious & Princelie desire , to heare and redresse the Grievances of Our people : Wee need not enumerate ( but if occasion be Wee leave it to Our Resident ) the manie good Acts Wee have granted therein , to secure Our Subjects in the future . Nothing , which either in Church or State was for their Ease having occasioned any difference betwixt Us : But onely their praetence to those Powers in Gouvernement , which solely and naturally reside in Us. And yet wee parted with more flowers of Our Prerogative , then did ever any of Our Praedecessours .

III .

If they would it becomes vs not to forget : and Wee hope you doe , or by this will know , that Parliaments here are called onely by Our Mandat . To give Us Counsell . That they take an Oath of Allegiance in Civill , of Supremacy in Ecclesiasticall affaires to Us. That that Court is still dissolvable at the Pleasure of the King ; which expresses it can have no constant care of this Kingdome ; though Our unhappy indulgence to this Parliament ( the occasion wee feare of most of this evill ) may seeme to have given an indefinite time to this . And yet the very words of that Act , shewes the continuance thereof , depends onely , upon the dispatch of some particular businesses . To use their owne Expression in a Remonstrance of theirs upon that subject , In the Bill for the continuance of this present Parliament , ( they say ) there seemes to be some restraint of the Royall power in dissolving of Parliaments ; which indeed is not to take it out of the Crowne , but to suspend the execution of it for a time and occasion onely . So then surely , If there bee a Parliment to continue somewhat longer at home then ordinary , it alters not the way of Gouvernment ; nor opens any doore for forraine Treaties abroad ; other then the ancient knowne way of treating with the Kings of England onely . How great a breach therefore of the Treaty betwixt Us and your selves this proceeding is , thus to countenance such a commixture of Gouvernment , as one while to treat with Us , another while with Our Subjects ; or , as you doe now , both together , Wee have authorized Our Resident to declare unto You ; And to let you know wee intend to proceed both against this Strickland , or any other , that without Our Authority shall negotiate , as he doth , as a Traitour to Our Crowne and dignity .

IV .

And as in the perticulars aforesaid , So likewise Wee understand , how Our Honour is scandalized by sundry pamphlets and Bookes , divulged amongst Your subjects , of Our inclinations to Popery , and intentions of innovation in Religion . Wee call God to witnes , and Wee hope Our knowne practice as well as Our Professions are evidences thereof . That wee shall ever maintaine the Reformed Religion , as it is established by law , in Our Kingdomes . That wee shall discountenance , and according to Law punish Poperie , and other Sects . And yet be ready to give ease , by a Nationall Synode to modest , and truely tender Consciences in any thing , by them found justly offensive . Wee are informed it is reported , nay beleeved , that Masse is publicly said at York and in Our Army , under the command of the Earle of Newcastle ; When in truth , without it being Our Queen's Chappel , which is according to the Treaty with Our Brother the French King , no where in England Masse is , or shall be publicly said : Nay if any where it be privatly discovered , it is duely punished . And in the said Armie , under the Earle of Newcastle , the fiftieth man is not a Papist ; and were it not for the Rebellion of those praetended Protestants , but indeed Sectaries ; not one of them had been admitted ; and yet there is , or shall be no other Forme of prayer there , but that of the Church of England , as it is established .

V.

Wee understand likewise , that either by connivence or stealth , by meanes of the aforesaid Strickland ( whom likewise wee have cause to think very active in the Printing , and dispersing of the aforesaid Pamphlets ) great store of armes and ammunition are daily sent over to Our Rebells here ; and that now when their oppression upon Our Subjects is growne generally so odious , that most men within their power suffer themselves rather to be imprisoned in their persons , and robbed and plundered in their goods , then submit to their new authority ; Because even the disaffectedst of Our owne Subjects are ashamed , or dare not buy those goods , Your Subjects buy and transport them . Herein likewise Wee have commanded Our Resident , to expresse Our just sense of these injuries , and to seek from You ( the States ) a praevention and prohibition thereof .

VI .

When we consider Our owne Right , the former and the late successes God hath given us , in Our severall Armies . How at this time the most of Our Nobility , the greatest part of Our Gentry , the multitude of Our gravest Citizens , the learnedst and most pious Divines doe all accompanie to assist Us , or are employed in Our services . Wee doubt not , ere long , what ever Our , or Our loyall Subjects sufferings are , to reduce these Innovatours , within the Bounds of the ancient modestie of their Predecessours . In the meane time We expect from You , Our Friends and Allies , in all the former particulars , Or what else may concerne Our Honour , and loyall Subjects wellfare , according to the Treaty betwixt Us , to promote the same ; Expecting You should be as carefull of Our Honour and just Rights as Wee would be of Yours ; For Wee know not even by the working of the same spirits , how soone this may be needfull even in your owne Behalf . Since wee find , if wee mistake not much , those that have disturbed Our peace , are invading yours .

VII .

Wee do containe these Complaints with in these few lines ; Because Wee are loth to discover the distemper in that part of Our Great Counsell , which as yet will not rightly understand vs , as the greatest part well doth , and is abiding with Vs. That You may see how wee wash Our Hands of this unnaturall warre , and what conditions Wee offer towards peace , and for suppressing Popery , Wee have ( as wee referre You to Our Resident , for former ) sent You Our last message [ 12 April ] upon these Subjects . And doubt not these things will so satisfie you , that Wee shall receive full satisfaction from You , by some publick Acts in all these particulars complained of , and be induced to entertaine , and encrease such an Alliance and Friendship with You , as is suitable to Our desires , and the Engagement Wee gave You thereof , upon Your Ambassies , in Our beloved Daughter ; which as You sought as a Match between the two Countries , So Wee disposed Her .