Last and Final Declaration, Declaration 1
Mr. PRYN'S laſt and finall DECLARATION To the COMMONS of ENGLAND, Concerning the KING, PARLIAMENT, And ARMY. AND His Remonſtrance and Propoſals to the Kingdome, ſhewing, That it is High Treaſon, to compaſſe or imagine the depoſition or death of our Soveraign Lord King CHARLES. WITH The Oath of Allegiance to His Majeſty, taken by the Parliament men, before their admiſſion into the Houſe as MEMBERS. By WILLIAM PRYN, of Lincolns-Inne, Eſq.
Printed in the Yeer, 1648.
Maſter PRYNS Declaration to the KINGDOME Concerning The apparent danger of his Majeſties Royall perſon, and the preſent proceedings of the Parliament and Army in order to the depoſing of Charles Steward, their lawfull King of England, &c.
Gentlemen, and Fellow Commoners,
VVHereas my ſelf, and above 200 Members more being forcibly ſecluded from ſiting in the houſe of Commons, by the Officers of the Army, I therefore held it my duty, to impart unto you theſe enſuing Propoſals.
Firſt, That by the common law of the Realm, the ſtat. of 25 E. 3. and all other Acts concerning Treaſon, it is no leſſe then high treaſon for any man to compaſſe or imagine the depoſition or death of the King, or of his eldeſt Sonne and heire, though it be never executed, much more if actually accompliſhed, and that many have been arraigned, condemned, and executed, for ſuch intended treaſons in ſormer ages, as the E. of Arundell, and others, by judgment in Parl.
Secondly, That in the Oath of Allegiance whlch you have all taken, immediatly before your admiſſion into the houſe as Members; You do truly and ſincerely acknowledge, profeſſe, teſtifie and declare in your conſciences, before God & the World, That our Soveraign Lord King Charles, is lawfull and rightfull King of this Realme, and of all other his Maj. Dominions and Countries.
Thirdly, That your ſelves, among other members, have in above one hundred Remonſtrances and Declarations, profeſſed, both to the King himſelf, kingdom, world, & forraign States, that you never intended the leaſt hurt, injury, or violence to the Kings perſon, Crown, Dignity, or Poſterity; but intended to him and his Royal poſterity, more honour, happineſſe, gr…atneſſe, and glory, then ever was yet enjoyed by any of his Predeceſſors, that you have propoſed no other ends to your ſelves, but the performance of all duty and loyalty to his Maj. perſon, That his perſonal ſafety, honour, & greatneſſe, are much dearer to you then your own lives and fortunes, which you do moſt heartily dedicate, and ſhall moſt willingly imploy for the maintenance and ſupport thereof, That the Parl. will ever have a care to prevent any danger which his Majeſty may juſtly apprehend to his perſon: with many other ſuch like expreſſions. Which, whether your preſent Actings and Councels do not directly oppoſe, contradict, and give the lye unto, to your eternal infamy, and breach of publike faith, as much as in you lies, let the world and all men judge; as they will do in due ſeaſon. The rule in the Old Teſtament is, not to take any wicked Kings from their Thrones, …nd behead them: but (Rom: …3: 1, 2, &c.) Take away the wicked from before the King, and his Throne ſhall be eſtabliſhed in Righteouſneſse. And the rule in the new Teſtament. To be ſubject to Kings, and the higher powers, and to ſubmit vntounto them, even for Conſcience and the Lords ſake: and to make prayers, ſupplications, and interceſſions for them, that under them we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godlineſſe and honeſty: for this is good and acctptable in the ſight of God our Saviour: not to depoſe or ſhed their bloud, for which there is no precept. And is not this plain way of God, the ſafeſt for you and the Army to follow, yea the only ſhort cut to peace and ſettlement? Ruminate upon it, and then be wiſe, both ſor your ſoules good, and the welfare of poor England.
Fourthly, Remember, that no proteſtant King or State, ever yet defiled their hands, or ſtained the purity and honour of their Reformed Religion, with the depoſition, or bloud of any of their Kings and Princes, much leſſe of a proteſtant king or Prince, of a temperate and ſober life, as the King is; who never imbrued his own hand in any one mans bloud, in any tyrannical or bloudy way before or ſince the warres (for ought I can hear) but only in a Military.
Fifthly, Conſider, that the Scots delivered the King to our Commiſ. at Newcaſtle, upon this expreſſe condition, That no violence ſhould be offered to his perſon, &c. according to the Covenant. How then can you un-king, depoſe him, or take away his life upon pretext of Juſtice, which if you do, you ingage both kingdoms to war againſt you, and to crown the Prince of VVales their King, as being next heir apparent.
WIL: PRYN.