It hath been my greatest grief, in all these troubles, to be taken
as a person which should endeavour to represent and set things amiss
between your Majesty and your people; and to give counsels tending to
the disquiet of the three kingdoms.
Most true it is, that this (mine own private condition considered,)
had been a great madness; since, through your gracious favour I was
so provided, as not to expect, in any kind, to mind my fortune or
please my mind more, than by resting where your bounteous hands had
placed me.
Nay, it is most mightily mistaken. For unto your majesty it is well
known, my poor and humble advice concluded still in this, that your
majesty and your people could never be happy till there was a right
understanding betwixt you and them; and that no other means were left
to effect and settle this happiness but by the counsel and assent of
your parliament; or to prevent the growing evils of this state, but
by entirely putting yourself in this last resort upon the loyalty and
good affections of your English subjects.
Yet, such is my misfortune, that this truth findeth little credit;
yea, the contrary seemeth generally to be believed, and myself
reputed as one who endeavoured to make a separation between you and
your people. Under a heavier censure than this, I am persuaded, no
gentleman can suffer.
Now I understand the minds of men are more and more incensed against
me, notwithstanding your Majesty hath declared that in your princely
opinion, I am not guilty of treason; nor are you satisfied in your
conscience to pass the bill.
This bringeth me in a very great strait: there is before me the ruin
of my children and family, hitherto untouched, in all the branches
of it, with any foul crime: here are before me the many ills which
may befall your sacred person, and the whole kingdom, should yourself
and the parliament part less satisfied one with the other than is
necessary for the preservation both of king and people: here are
before me the things most valued, most feared by mortal men, life and
death.
To say, Sir, that there hath not been a strife in me, were to make
me less man than (God knoweth) my infirmities make me. And to call a
destruction upon myself and young children, where the intentions of
my heart, at least, have been innocent of this great offence, may be
believed will find no easy consent from flesh and blood.
But, with much sadness, I am come to a resolution of that, which I
take to be the best becoming me; and to look upon it as that which is
most principal in itself, which, doubtless, is the prosperity of your
sacred person, and the commonwealth, things infinitely before any
private man's interest.
And therefore, in few words, as I put myself wholly upon the honour
and justice of my peers, so clearly, as to wish your majesty might
please to have spared that declaration of yours on Saturday last,
and entirely to have left me to their lordships; so now, to set
your majesty's conscience at liberty, I do most humbly beseech
your majesty, for the prevention of evils which may happen by your
refusal, to pass this bill, and by this means to remove, (praised be
God, I cannot say this accursed, but I confess) this unfortunate
thing forth of the way; towards that blessed agreement, which God, I
trust, shall ever establish between you and your subjects.
Sir, my consent shall more acquit you herein to God, than all the
world can do besides. To a willing man there is no injury done:
and as, by God's grace, I forgive all the world with calmness and
meekness of infinite contentment to my dislodging soul: so, Sir,
to you I can give the life of this world with all the cheerfulness
imaginable, in the just acknowledgement of your exceeding favours;
and only beg that, in your goodness, you would vouchsafe to cast your
gracious regard upon my poor son and his sisters, less or more, and
no otherwise than their (in present) unfortunate father may hereafter
appear more or less guilty of his death. God long preserve your
majesty.
Your majesty's most humble, most faithful subject and servant,