YOu desire my opinion con­cerning this late great bu­sinesse, the Kings going into the Army: My judgement is shortly and clearly thus; That His Majesty went thither neither against His own will, nor the desire of the Army. I believe His Majesty had no reason to be very fond of the place [Page 2] where he was before, or of the great re­spects he received there, being (without doubt) at the top of his preferment, and in all likelihood not to have conti­nued so well so long, had not some stronger bridle, then that of allegiance to him, or religion to God, made them forbeare any further attempt. For that which you pleased, or rather your fears, to suggest, viz. That His Majesty is leapt out of the frying-pan into the fire, left ill company, to adhere to worse; because you are pleased to say (and you do but say it) that this Army con­sists of Independents, who are worse principled for Magistracy, then those of the other party. I answer; that in­deed it cannot be denied, that out of di­vers of their Books we may gather such Conclusions, which for part I can­not [Page 3] allow of. But that the Feares and Jea­lousies of both Houses may not forsake their old Masters, in such a busie time as this, and wholly take up and possesse your brest, I pray Sir reasonably weigh all circumstances, and you shall finde, that His Majesty hath fallen into much better company, then either his Countrey-men were to him, or commended him to, (not to say, sold and betrayed him.)

Of these men (call them Independents, or what you will) I have had a great deale of ex­perience. I finde them in their way very de­vout, very just in their dealing; and of all the Armies imployed by the Parliament in this unnaturall warre, I will be bold to say, none behaved themselves more civilly, more chri­stianly against the adverse party then they: and confidering their different judgments and opinions, none were more in charity, and more at unity among themselves. In all my discourse I had with them (and I talkt with many of them) I finde a great deale of humi­lity and lowlinesse amongst them: But as they desire to exercise no severe jurisdiction over other mens consciences, so they seeme to [Page 4] desire in like manner that none may over theirs. I doe not truly per­ceive that they have a minde to give Law to any other, but onely to procure their owne liberty and qui­et: this liberty they cannot have under the Presbytery, who have both in Pulpit and Presse declared so bitterly (I had almost said so un­christianly) against them. How then, or by whom can they hope to enjoy this priveledge more freely, more fully, then by receiving it from Him, who hath the sole power in these Dominions, under Christ Jesus, to grant it? And there­fore make no doubt, but that there will bee a very right understanding begotten betweene the King and the Army: And that as they are raysed [Page 5] by GOD at this time to re-invest him with his just, lawfull Rights and Prero­gatives, to the eternall shame of his owne Nation, (the first Nation that ever I read of who sold their King) so I doubt not but His Majesty will so well resent this seasonable kindnesse of theirs, that as they preserve his Per­son, Honour, and Conscience, so he will be as tender of theirs. And truly, I think him fit to be brought to con­digne punishment, as an evill Coun­sellour, that shall even go about to ali­enate the Kings heart from them, or make him to forget this handsome loyal­ty of theirs, that hath so gallantly shewed it selfe in the middest of so much cruelty, neglect, and contempt, and when his Majesties other friends had so little power or opportunity to [Page 6] doe him good. And this I deliver the more clearely, because you know I am no party at all in this businesse; but (ac­cording to your desire) I have given my sense: And what you have more to say, I pray communicate as freely to