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Repenting Subjects to their Soveraign.
Most Gracious Soveraign,
VVE your most Penitent Subjects crave Pardon for our Faults, not only with Tears in our Eyes, but Sorrow in our Hearts, for our Murmuring Speeches and Rebellious Actions, for which we confess we Deserve to Die, or worse, as to indure great and grievous Torments; but if your Majesties Clemency Spare our Bodies from Pain, and our Lives from Death, we are doubly, nay trebly bound to your Majesty, first by our Duties, next for your Mercy, and last for our Pardon, to be not only your Majesties Loyal Subjects, but Loyal Slaves; And since there is no man so Perfect, but is Subject to Offend, and not in Light or Small Offences, but Great and Grievous, as not only against Man and man, or against Nature, but a∣gainst God himself; We hope your Majesty will Consider our Frail Natures, and will rather blame Nature for Making us so, than Us for Be∣ing so. But since Repentance is the way to For∣giveness, and Absolution follows Contrition, we with Contrite Hearts and Humble Spirits crave your Mercy.