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 people's liberty. Of how much we have divested ourself, 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 intrinsically for the good of our 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 to. 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 English 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 publicly. We are sensible into what hands we are fallen; and yet we bless God we have those inward refreshments, that the malice of our enemies cannot disturb. We have learnt to own ourself by retiring into ourself, 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 recommended 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 fanatic humour: and that all our subjects (to whom we are a political 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 interpretation according to the known practices, may once again be a 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 order again: which that He may do, is the prayer of Newport, November 29, 1648. C. R. Finis. VOLUME I. PAGE 5 4. Henry VIII. to James IV. of Scotland 5. Henry VIII to the Estates of Scotland 22 26 28 7. The Love Letters of Henry VIII. to Anne 8. Sir T. More to Thomas Cromwell (1534), 55 9. Henry VIII to the Judges, (1535), 69 |