XLVII. To the PRINCE.
NEWPORT, Nov. 29. MDCXLVIII.
SON,
BY what hath been said, you may see how long We have laboured in the search of Peace: Do not you be discouraged to tread those ways in all worthy means to re∣store your self to your Right, but prefer the way of Peace. Shew the greatness of your Mind, rather to conquer your Enemies by pardoning, than by punishing. If you saw how unmanly and unchristianly this implacable disposition is in our ill-willers, you would a∣void that spirit. Censure Us not for having parted with too much of Our Own Right; the price was great, the commodity was, Security to Us, Peace to Our People: And We are confident another Parliament would remember how useful a King's Power is to a Peoples Liberty; of how much We have devested Our self, that We and they might meet again in a due Parliamentary way, to agree the bounds for Prince and People. And in this give belief to Our experience, never to affect more Greatness or Prerogative than what is really and in∣trinsecally for the good of your Subjects, (not satisfaction of Favourites.) And if you thus use it, you will never want means to be a Father to all, and a bountiful Prince to any you would be extraordinarily gracious unto. You may perceive all men trust their treasure where it returns them interest: And if Princes, like the Sea, receive and repay all the fresh streams and rivers trust them with, they will not grudge, but pride themselves to make them up an Ocean. These considerations may make you a great Prince, as your Father is now a low one: and your state may be so much the more established, as Mine hath been shaken. For Subjects have learnt (We dare say) that Victories over their Princes are but triumphs over themselves, and so will be more unwilling to hearken to changes hereafter. The Eng∣lish Nation are a sober People, however at present under some infatuation. We know not but this may be the last time We may speak to you or the world publickly: We are sensible into what hand We are fallen; and yet We bless God We have those inward re∣freshments that the malice of Our Enemies cannot perturb. We have learnt to own Our self by retiring into Our self, and therefore can the better digest what befalls Us, not doubting but God can restrain Our Enemies Malice, and turn their fierceness unto His Praise.
To conclude, If God give you success, use it humbly, and far from revenge: If he restore you to your Right upon hard conditions, whatever you promise, keep. Those men which have forced Laws which they were bound to observe, will find their triumphs full of troubles. Do not think any thing in this world worth obtaining by foul and unjust means. You are the Son of Our love; and as We direct you to what We have recom∣mended to you, so We assure You, We do not more affectionately pray for you, (to whom We are a natural Parent) than We do that the ancient glory and renown of this Nation be not buried in irreligion and fanatick humour; and that all Our Subjects (to whom We are a Politick Parent) may have such sober thoughts, as to seek their Peace in the Orthodox Profession of the Christian Religion as it was established since the Reformation in this Kingdom, and not in new Revelations; and that the ancient Laws, with the interpretati∣on according to the known practices, may once again be an Hedge about them, that you may in due time govern, and they be governed, as in the fear of the Lord.
C. R.
The Commissioners are gone, the Corn is now in the Ground, We expect the harvest: if the fruit be Peace, We hope the God of Peace will in time reduce all to Truth and Or∣der again: which that he may do, is he Prayer of
C. R.