The experience I have had of your worth and the happiness I have
enjoyed in your friendship are wounding considerations to me when I
look upon this present distance between us. Certainly, my affections
to you are so unchangeable, that hostility itself cannot violate my
friendship to your person. But I must be true to the cause wherein I
serve. The old limitation _usque ad aras_, holds still; and where my
conscience is interested, all other obligations are swallowed up. I
should most gladly wait upon you, according to your desire, but that
I look upon you as engaged in that party beyond the possibility of
a retreat, and consequently uncapable of being wrought upon by any
persuasion. And I know the conference could never be so close between
us, but that it would take wind, and receive a construction to my
dishonour. That great God who is the searcher of my heart, knows with
what a sad sense I go on upon this service, and with what a perfect
hatred I detest this war without an enemy. But I look upon it as sent
from God; and that is enough to silence all passion in me. The God of
Heaven in his good time send us the blessing of peace, and in the
mean time fit us to receive it. We are both upon the stage, and must
act such parts as are assigned us in this tragedy. Let us do it in a
way of honour, and without personal animosities....