WHEREAS this unnaturall Rebellion was begun and fomented upon pretence of maintaining the true Protestant Religion , the Laws , Liberty and Property of the Subject , and the Priviledges of Parliament ; And was heretofore carryed on in the name of the King and Parliament , upon pretence also of the preservation of Our Honour , and the Rights of Our Crowne , and the Safety of Our Person , and redeeming it from the hands and power of evill Counsellors : And under these specious pretences very many of Our Subjects have been misled into it . But that which was at first known and foreseen by some , may now be manifest to all , even of the meanest capacity , that these were but pretences to colour the Ambition , malice , and avarice of a few men ; since it is apparent , that in the prosecution , and for the upholding of the Rebellion , there hath been more prophanation and scorne to the Protestant Religion here established , more oppression of the Subject , by depriving them of their Lives , Liberty and Property , without and against Law , and more usurpation upon the Rights of Our Crowne , and violation of Lawes , and of Acts of Parliament , and of Priviledges of Parliament publiquely avowed , then can be parallell'd by any former example in this Kingdom . And upon Our severall Messages and Invitations for a Treaty for Peace , nothing is propounded to Us , and insisted upon , concerning the breach of any Law , or the Liberty , or Property of the Subject , or the Priviledges of Parliament ; But changes in the Religion established , and alterations of the ancient Government of this Kingdome both in Church and State . And touching the defence and safety of Our Person , notwithstanding Our earnest endeavours for Peace , this Rebellion is still prosecuted , and new Armies now moulded , and Forces raised under the name of the Parliament and State , with Commission to kill and destroy , without exception or regard of Our Person : So that ( beside the Tryalls We have already undergone ) We may easily discerne what safety or defence We are to expect hereafter . And it is evident that the designe tends to the destruction , not onely of Our Person and Posterity , but even of Monarchy it selfe : and that the defence of the true Protestant Religion established , of the Lawes , Liberty and Property of the Subject , of the just Priviledges of Parliament , and of Our Person , and the Rights of Our Crowne , are laid aside , and can be no longer pretences for this Rebellion . And whereas We have reason to beleeve that very many of Our Subjects , who were heretofore seduced , and misled , are by this , and their own manifold sufferings , brought to a sight of their error , and to a dislike and detestation of this execrable Rebellion , which threatens speedy Ruine and destruction to the Nation : but being heretofore involved and intangled in the guilt of it , are doubtfull of their owne security , and cannot easily find the way to free themselves with safety . In pursuance therefore of Our constant purpose , to omit nothing which We shall conceive may give security to those Our Subjects , who shall not still wilfully and malitiously persist in mischiefe , and which may conduce to the quenching of this Fire , and restoring Peace to Our People in all Our Dominions , We have thought fit once againe to set forth this Our Proclamation of Grace and Pardon : And We doe hereby Publish and Declare , That to all such of what estate , degree , or condition soever they be ( without exception ) who shall before the end of May next ensuing , returne to their due Obedience , and submit to , and desire Our Mercy , We shall grant them Our free and gracious Pardon for all offences whatsoever , committed or done , in or by the prosecuting , promoting , assisting , or countenancing of this Rebellion , or which have any relation thereunto . And this in the Word of a King We shall effectually make good unto them .