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laid upon a man. And therefore, it being of that weight, and consisting of so many parts as it doth, in each of which much more than my life is concerned,

truly I think I have no more to desire of you at present, but that you would give me time to deliberate and consider what particular answer I may return to so great a business as this.

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I have lived the latter part of my age in, if I may say so, the fire; in the midst of troubles. But all the things that have befallen me since I was first engaged in the affairs of this Commonwealth, if they could be supposed to be all brought into such a compass that I could take a view of them at once, truly I do not think they would 'so move,' nor do I think they ought so to move, my heart and spirit with that fear and reverence of God that becomes a Christian, as this thing that hath now been offered by you to me! And truly my comfort in all my life hath been that the burdens which have lain heavy on me, they were laid upon me by the hand of God. And I have not known, I have been many times at a loss, which way to stand under the weight of what hath lain upon me:except by looking at the conduct and pleasure of God in it. Which hitherto I have found to be a good pleasure to me.

And should I give any resolution in this 'matter' suddenly, without seeking to have an answer put into my heart, and so into my mouth, by Him that hath been my God and my Guide hitherto, it would give you very little cause of comfort in such a choice as you have made [Of me to be King] in such a business as this. It would savour more to be of the flesh, to

proceed from lust, to arise from arguments of self. And if, — whatsoever the issue of this 'great matter' be, 'my decision in' it have such motives in me, have such a rise in me, it may prove even a curse to you and to these Three Nations. Who, I verily believe, have intended well in this business; and have had those honest and sincere aims towards the glory of God, the good of His People, the rights of the Nation. I verily believe these have been your aims: and God forbid that so good' aims should suffer by any dishonesty and indirectness on my part. For although, in the affairs that are in the world, things may be intended well, as they are always, or for the most, by such as love God, and fear God and make Him their aim (and such honest ends and purposes, I do believe, yours now are); yet if these considerations** fall upon a person or persons whom God takes no pleasure in; who perhaps may be at the end of his work; [Growing old and weak? Say not that, your Highness! A kind of pathos, and much dignity and delicacy in these tones] who, to please any of those humours or considerations which are of this world, shall run upon such a rock as this is,*** -without due consideration, without integrity, without approving the heart to God, and seeking an answer from Him; and putting things to Him as if for life and death, that such an answer may be received 'from Him' as may be a blessing to the person [Me] who is to be used for these noble and worthy and honest intentions of the persons [You] that have prepared and

*Subaudi, but do not insert, "which you profess."

**Means "your choice in regard to such purpose;" speaks delicately, in an oblique way.

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"is,"

or may be: this of the Kingship.

perfected this work: 'why then,' it would be like a match where a 'good and worthy and virtuous man mistakes in the person he makes love to; and, as often turns out, it proves a curse to the man and to the family, through mistake! And if this should be so to you, and to these Nations, whose good I cannot but be persuaded you have in your thoughts aimed at, why then, it had been better, I am sure of it, that I had never been born!

I have therefore but this one word to say to you: That seeing you have made progress in this Business, and completed the work on your part, I 'on my side' may have some short time to ask counsel of God and of my own heart. And I hope that neither the humour of any weak unwise people, nor yet the desires of any who may be lusting after things that are not good, shall steer me to give other than such an answer as may be ingenuous and thankful, thankfully acknowledging your care and integrity; -- and such an answer as shall be for the good of those whom I presume you and I serve, and are made for serving.

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And truly I may say this also: That as the thing will deserve deliberation, the utmost deliberation and consideration on my part, so I shall think myself bound to give as speedy an answer to these things as I can. §

SPEECH VIII.

Friday, 3d April 1657. Three days after the foregoing Speech, there comes a Letter from his Highness to Mr. Speaker, the purport of which we gather to have been, that now if a Committee will attend his Highness, they shall have answer to the Petition and Advice. Committee is nominated,

§ Burton's Diary, i. 413-16.

extensive Committee of persons already engaged in this affair, among whom are Lord Broghil, General Montague, Earl of Tweedale, Whalley, Desborow, Whitlocke, and others known to us; they attend his Highness at three o'clock that afternoon; and receive what answer there is, a negative, but none of the most decided.*

MY LORDS,

I am heartily sorry that I did not make this desire of mine known to the Parliament sooner; 'the desire' which I acquainted them with, by Letter, this day. The reason was, Because some infirmity of body hath seized upon me these last two days, Yesterday and Wednesday. [It is yet but three days, your Highness.]

I have, as well as I could, taken consideration of the things contained in the Paper, which was presented to me by the Parliament, in the Banqueting-House, on Tuesday last; and sought of God that I might return such an answer as might become me, and be worthy of the Parliament. I must needs bear this testimony to them, That they have been zealous of the two greatest Concernments that God hath in the world. The one is that of Religion, and of the just preservation of the professors of it; to give them all due and just Liberty; and to assert the Truth of God; - which you have done, in part, in this Paper; and do refer it more fully to be done by yourselves and me. And as to the Liberty of men professing Godliness, you have done that which was never done before! And I pray it may not fall upon the People of God as a fault in them, in any sort of them, if they do not put such a value upon this that is now done as never was put on

* Commons Journals, vii. 519, 20; Burton, i. 417.

anything since Christ's time, for such a Catholic interest of the People of God! [Liberty in non-essentials; Freedom to all peaceable Believers in Christ to worship in such outward form as they will; a very "Catholic interest" indeed.] The other thing cared for is, the Civil Liberty and Interest of the Nation. Which though it is, and indeed I think ought to be, subordinate to the more peculiar Interest of God, best God hath given men in this cared-for, it is better than any rock to fence men in their other interests. Besides, if any whosoever think the Interest of Christians and the Interest of the Nation inconsistent, or two different things,' I wish my soul may never enter into their secrets! [We will take another course than theirs, your Highness!]

yet it is the next world; and if well

These are things I must acknowledge Christian and honourable; and they are provided for by you like Christian men and also men of honour, like yourselves, English men. And to this I must and shall bear my testimony, while I live, against all gainsayers whatsoever. And upon these Two Interests, if God shall account me, worthy, I shall live and die. And I must say, If I were to give an account before a greater Tribunal than any earthly one; if I were asked, Why I have engaged all along in the late War, I could give no answer that were not a wicked one if it did not comprehend these Two ends! - Meanwhile only give me leave to say, and to say it seriously (the issue will prove it serious), that you have one or two considerations which do stick with me. The one is, You have named me by another Title than I now bear. [What SHALL I answer to that!]

You do necessitate my answer to be categorical;

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