HIs Majesties Speech, which I send you here enclosed, as it is the only theame of our dis­course, in these parts, so it shall ever be the subject of my grate­full remembrance, and now the argument of my Letter.

As the goodnesse of God was manifested in the great Act of our redemption, so was his wisdome in the seasonablenesse of the Act, which having first shewed us our heavy doom, then opened unto us a door of Mercy, by whose ex­ample his Vicegerent (for such he ever was, and now appears,) hath permitted us to be acquainted with our Ruine, that by a due sense of our condition, under the Law, we might be prepared to value his pardon, [Page 2]and our deliverance: I shall freely in my owne words, deliver the sense, I hope, of thousands, his Majesty knows how to conquer; for in one peace­able action, he hath won many battels, by enlarging us, he multiplies our captivity, and makes us more his prisoners, then we could have been in the Tower, and if hereafter we forget such a bounden duty, may our names be at once recorded in the book of Infa­my, and blotted out of the book of Life; The Par­liament, in their late Votes, procceeded with such freedome, justice, and moderation, that not any, the most concerned, could or durst appeal but the KING, hath, alone, the glory of [...] great sinceri­ty in exceeding his own promises and our hopes, modesty in referring his own Interest, to the Par­liament, and above all, Clemency; in intercept­ing so deserved a sentence; Certainly, his Majesty, hath an invinceable evidence of his vertue, whilst his actions are thus exalted by his enemies, and cen­sured of nothing but too much generosity, by a few intemperate royalists, whose eyes, it seemes, are e­vill, because his Majesties is good, who, methinks should be better satisfied, if they consider, how their Victory is therby compleated, his Majesties Throne established, and he, by Gods blessing, better enabled in due time to reward their merits, then he could have been by exacting the utmost forfeitures. This indeed was the right way for his Majesties cause to prevaile, and extinguish, even the brands, and embers of faction, whilst those, who sought for Par­liaments, against him, now flee to him from the Parliament, the most Fanatick of Common-wealths men being taught to reverence the name of a KING, and confesse, there might be more, and bet­ter [Page 3]use of his prerogative, then they dreamt of: Thus, betwixt the loyalty and gratitude of his people, he will I am confident, need neither guard for his Per­son, nor taster for his Meat, (but for fashion sake) being protected by his Majesty, his innocency, and his benefits, and may expect such security among us, as no earthly power could afford him; which, that he may find answerable to our duties, and his deserts, shall be the dayly prayer of, Sir,

I Read both his Majesties Speech, and your Letter, with much satisfaction, finding in the one, I hope, a solid foundation of our future settlement, in the other an honourable sense of his Majesties unparaleld Clemen­cy; and though I cannot chuse, but fancy to my selfe, too vast an inequality; I reflect, how even such as could afford others no justice, now, themselves find mercy, and those [Page 4]who are full of our spoyls, march off, as it were, with bag, and baggage, the very thought whereof not only raises my spleen, but perplexes my mind, for that, (besides the see­ming scandall,) the consequence is really dangerous, both in the discouragement of loyalty, and emboldning of future insolencies; yet since, I beleeve, the peace of the Nation, now requires it, I shall cheerfully submit my interest and wishes to so great an end, above all, since his Majesty who is most concern'd, hath declared himselfe so fully and accuratly, I think it time for Subjects no longer to debate the Justice or Wisdome of his Counsell, especially in an act of Grace, which though most proper, and seaso­nable to his enemies, is yet, in some degree, necessary, e­ven, to his friends, whose future security (therein inclu­ded,) ought to ballance their dis-satisfactions.

I shall not therefore examine the reasons of this truly Royall Action, but conclude, that his Majestie, being more moderate in his Judgement, more charitable in his Censure, more generous in his thoughts then we; re­solves to try an experiment; (viz.) how the amplest of in­dulgences will work with the greatest of offenders; wher­in I can only wish him that successe which is due to his vertue, or, at least, a better return, then his blessed Father found, upon the like, (not to say, the same) account. And truly, if his Clemency make such impressions in o­thers, as it appeares to have done in you, it is not cast a­way. But I feare his Majesty, hath now, too many Pro­selites, who follow him more for his Loaves then his Do­ctrine, and will be taught no longer then they are fed: Such, indeed, can promise vastly, in the tempest, but per­forme nothing, when they are come on shoare, like those Leapers, whom our Saviour cleansed, not one of ten, I doubt, will make so much as a bare acknowledgement; Give me leave, Sir, therefore, to Catechise you, a little not in [Page 5]your own person, but in the name of those thousands, whom you mention.

Do your Vows proceed from Christian remorse, or ser­vile fear, are they not a kind of death-bed repentance, when judgement is at your doors, and do you not retaine the will, when you have lost the power of offending?

Are you changed in your principles, and natures, or is the change only of your condition?

Would you not have sate in the seates of violence till doomsday, if it had depended only on your own choyce, and would you not still wish for the opportunity of new crimes, if you could hope for it?

Do you not lye in waite to disserve his Majesty in all things, where you can with safety, since you cannot break his head, do you not plot and contrive, at least, to bruise his heale?

Are you not better satisfied in his Majesties present Declaration, then you were in his late Restitution, and would not the prosperity of Lambert, or a fortunate at­tempt upon his Majestie at his Landing, have been more welcome news to you then either?

Can you with Mary Magdalene, wash his Majesties feet with your teares, and wipe them with the haires of your head, or do you love in measure, as you are forgi­ven?

Would you with Zacheus, if you had wherewithall, re­store fourefold, for all the goods you have gotten by Extor­tion, and will you, now make restitution, so far forth as you are able?

Could you be content, to do a weekly pennance, for what is past, or go a yearly Pilgrimage to Tiburne, as long, as you live?

Will you not swallow, digest, and void your pardon, as you did thanksgiving dinners, in eight hours that you [Page 6]may be ready for another meale, will you not take it for a step to reward?

Will you think your selves more obliged to his Majesty, then your fellow subjects, and vye services with the most zealous of the Royallists?

If you can clearly answer to these, and other the like interrogatories, I shal rejoyce with you, & for you, Other­wise, I must tell you plainly, I feare, his Majesty hath cast his Pearles to swine, who will turn again, and rent him.

Sir, I shall recommend this argument to your serious meditation, and entreat your favourable construction of my freedome, as the truest testimony of my friendship, who really am