We trust it shall yet afterwards be no grief of heart to your Majesty to hearken unto us in these things, (we have hitherto obtained mercy of God to be constant to our principles, and not to decline to extremes, to own the way either of malignants or sectaries, and we were faithful and free with your royal father, would to God he had hearkened to our advice.) The Lord grant unto your Majesty wisdom to discern the times, and to make use of the opportunity of doing acceptable service to God, and engaging the hearts and affections of your people in the beginning of your Majesty’s reign, by condescending to these necessary things; so shall the Lord bless your Majesty’s person, establish the throne, and our spirits, and the spirits of all his people in these lands, shall, after so many years of affliction, be refreshed and revived, and encouraged certainly to pray for your Majesty, and to praise God on your behalf; and in their places and stations, by all other suitable means to endeavour your honour and happiness, that your Majesty may reign in prosperity and peace over these kingdoms; which is the earnest desire and prayer of
Your Majesty’s loyal subjects and humble servants,
The Commissioners of the general assembly.
Excerpt Letter to the Commission, from Holland. Hague, April 3, 1649.
The commissioners of parliament found it necessary to give in, as previous to their desires, a paper, for removing of James Graham from court. His Majesties answer under his own hand, was, That he desired and expected all our propositions together; to which he hoped to give a satisfactory answer. With this we were not content; but pressed again our desire. The commissioners of Parliament by another paper, and we also by one seconded theirs, a copy whereof we send you herewith. The King’s second answer was an abiding in the first. We had all of us some discourse with his Majesty about the equity and necessity of that our desire; but James Graham hath so many and so powerful friends in the English council, that as yet we cannot get the King to discountenance him.
On Saturday morning we delivered to his Majesty the National Covenant, the League and Covenant, the Directory, the Confession of Faith, the Catechism, the Propositions for government, bound together in a book so handsome as we could get them. We spoke something on the matter, and desired of his Majesty more frequent and private conferences; who shewed his willingness, and promised to send to us to advertise of his fittest opportunities.
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The most part of the council are averse from our desires; yet we have our friends. His Majesty is of a very sweet and courteous disposition. It were all the pities in the world but he were in good company. We hope he is not so far rooted in any principle contrary to us, but that, by God’s blessing on our friends labours, he may be gotten to do us reason, whatsoever our fears be for the present. There is a very evil generation both of English and Scots here, who vomit out all their evil humour against all our proceedings. The peace of France, and an unhappy book, Ειχων Βασιλιχη does us much prejudice. Also the supposed death of Huntly is wrested to our disadvantage. Dr Bramhall of Derry has printed the other day at Delft a wicked pamphlet against our church. We have no time, nor do we think it fit, to print an answer; but by the grace of God, shall endeavour, with all faithfulness and diligence, to go about our instructions.
My Speech to the King, spoken at the Hague, March 27, in the Kings bed-chamber, Tuesday, three o’clock in the afternoon.