^{page 85 note a} The message alluded to is the one dated the 20th December, 1646, printed in the king's Works, and in all historical collections relating to the period. It reiterates his desire to come to London, concluding more rhetorically than had been customary in his compositions of this nature:— “’Tis your king who desires to be heard (which if refused to a subject by a king he would be thought a tyrant for it), and for that end which all men profess to desire ; wherefore his majesty conjures you, as you desire to shew yourselves really what you profess, even as you are good Christians and subjects, that you will accept this his offer, which he is confident God will so bless that it will be the readiest means by which these kingdoms may again become a comfort to their friends, and a terror to their enemies.”