Basiliká the works of King Charles the martyr : with a collection of declarations, treaties, and other papers concerning the differences betwixt His said Majesty and his two houses of Parliament : with the history of his life : as also of his tryal and martyrdome.

XX. To My Wife, 14. January MDCXLIV. V. by CHOQUEN.

Dear Heart,

POoly came the 12. 22. Jan. to whose great Dispatch though for some dayes I cannot give a full answer, I cannot but at this opportunity reply to something in Thy Let∣ter, not without relating to something of his discourse.

As I confess it a misfortune (but deny it a fault) Thy not hearing oftner from Me, so ex∣cuse Me to deny that it can be of so ill consequence as Thou mentionest, if their affections were so real as they make shew to Thee; for the difficulty of sending is known to all, and the numbers of each Letter will shew My diligence; and certainly there goes no great wit to find out waies of sending: wherefore if any be neglected more, then our wits are faulty. But to imagine that it can enter into the thought of any flesh living, that any body here

should hide from Thee what is desired that every one should know, (Excuse Me to say it) is such a folly, that I shall not believe that any can think it, though he say it. And for My affection to Thee, it will not be the miscarrying of a Letter or two that will call it in que∣stion. But take heed that these discourses be not rather the effect of their weariness of thy company, than the true image of their thoughts: and of this is not the proposal of thy journey to Ireland a pretty instance? for seriously of it self, I hold it one of the most extra∣vagant proposition that I have heard; Thy giving ear to it being most assuredly only to express Thy love to Me, and not Thy judgment in My Affairs. As for the business it self, (I mean the Peace of Ireland) to shew Thee the care I have had of it, and the fruits I hope to receive from it, I have sent Thee the last Dispatches I have sent concerning it, earnestly desiring Thee to keep them to Thy self: only Thou mayest in general let the Queen Re∣gent and Ministers there understand, that I have offered My Irish Subjects so good satis∣faction, that a Peace will shortly ensue, which I really believe. But for God's sake let none know the particulars of My Dispatches.

I cannot but tell Thee, that I am much beholding to the Portugal Agent (and little to the French) it being by his means that I have sent Thee all My Letters (besides Expresses) since I came hither, though I expected most from Sabran.

I will not trouble Thee with repetitions of News, Digby's dispatch, which I have seen, be∣ing so full. Yet I cannot but paraphrase a little upon that which he calls his superstitious observation: It is this; Nothing can be more evident than that Strafford's innocent blood hath been one of the great causes of God's just Judgments upon this Nation by a furious civil War, both sides hitherto being almost equally punished, as being in a manner equally guilty; but now this last crying blood being totally theirs, I believe it is no presumption hereafter to hope that his hand of Justice must be heavier upon them, and lighter upon us, looking now upon our Cause, having passed by our Faults.