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TO say much of him, were to make you surfeit; Sir Walter Raleigh's testimony of him is sufficient. If all the pictures and patternes of a merciless Prince were lost in the world, they might all be painted again to the life out of the story of this King: His vast ex∣pence of treasure, and pro∣fuse blood-shed, made this Kingdome look with a ghastly face; and to ex∣press
him fully, this re∣maines of him to everlast∣ing, That he never spared man in his anger, nor woman in his lust. I do none of them wrong, for thus I find them branded to my hand by publique Records: and surely this puts me in mind of a story I have heard in Spain; A Friar preacht before Don Pedro the king, sirnamed the Cruel, took his Text which invited him to extoll Regal Dig∣nity to its highest pitch, often saying, Few kings went to hell; but in the
close of his Sermon, said, You may, peradventure, wonder that I so often tell you that few kings go to hell, marry the reason is, there are but few kings, for if there were more, they would go all to the Devil.
Of all these our kings, I would know which was of blessed memory, who ru∣led by blood, oppression, and injustice upon this na∣tion, in contempt of God and man: Let no man now wonder if this Nation en∣deavour (after so long and grievous bondage under
tyranny) to reduce them∣selves into a free State.
And as the face of things do now appeare in their glory (for such surely they are) I see no great hinde∣rance to an honorable, and secure setling of this Nati∣on in a free State to the worlds end, if we can agree amongst our selves (which I pray God we may.) If an honest League be made, and as honestly kept be∣twixt us and the Hollander, (not that I care much for Hans, but because he is a man of business, and surely
'tis Trade must make this Nation rich and secure) I know no power in Chri∣stendome can hurt us: Shipping and Mariners must be cherished, the va∣lue of our money so setled, that the Mint may go plen∣tifully; our Gold must not be sold for profit as Merchandize, by the frau∣dulent Goldsmith to Mer∣chants to transport, nor our Silver by them pickt and cull'd, to sell to Refi∣ners for silver thread to make superfluous Lace. (These digressions, though
true, crave pardon.) As the wheels of our State are many whereon it goes, so there are (God be thank∣ed) sufficient to attend them, and make them go right: Let them go on and prosper, and I doubt not but that shortly we shall see a clear light shine upon this Nation, of honour, re∣spect, and security.
Now in the close of this Preface, if any man aske why I have curtail'd the lives and persons of these thus; I answer, the Com∣mon people of this king∣dome
cannot attend to read Chronicles, and they are the major part whom it concerns; and now by the providence of God, that we are reduced to a Free State, in this little Book I would have them hereafter know for whom and for what they fight, and pay. Next, if any man ask why I make such men∣tion of their Bastards; I answer, onely to let the world see what foundati∣on these six and twenty Bastards have laid for ho∣nourable, Noble, and right
Worshipfull Familes of a long continuance, which have been maintained by the blood and treasure of this oppressed Nation. If why I mention not Edward the 5. and Edward the 6. I say they were children, and so died, affording no mat∣ter for this present. If why I omit Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth; I an∣swer, I have nothing to do with women, and I wish I never had. But I must not make the door bigger then the house, I have onely one Vote to passe, That Ireland
may once be setled in obe∣dience to this Common∣wealth, and Scotland redu∣ced to an English Province, that there may never more be heard the name of a Kirk, or Covenant; and so I address my self to King James.