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LETTER CCXCII.

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5    I am commaunded by his Majestie for the shortening
6of his labour, to signifie unto your Grace that his
7Highnes may soe be informed of the great streyght
8and distress his Majestie was in upon the receipt and
9consideracon of the Articles brought by M^r. Killigrey,
10upon three poynts:
11    1. The perpetuitie of time for the abrogation of all
12Lawes concerning the Roman Catholiques, in noe time
13to bee renewed against them, nor any other to bee
14raised in their place upon any occasion.
15    2. His Majestie must do his best that the Articles
16in favour of the Roman Catholiques must bee confirmed
17by Parliament within three yeares infallibly, and
18sooner, if the constitution of affairs would permit it.

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19    3. The Councells oath.
20    In the first, his Majestie foresawe an infinite liberty,
21a perpetuall emunity graunted to the Roman Catholiques;
22which if it should bring them to daungerous
23encrease, or incourage them to the acting of insolencies,
24his conscience opposeth his wisedome of Gouerment,
25and his Soueraignity runs a daunger.
26    Touching the Parliament, his Majestie sawe it impossible
27for him to effect, neither did his affection and
28reason incline to exercise his power that way if it were
29in his hand.
30    And for the Councells oath, as his actes had not
31need of theire fortification; soe might his honor and
32the cause recieve prejudice by their refusall.
33    But that which pinch't and perplex't most, was, that
34this was not now a free and entire cause. But his Majesties
35power was given to the Prince: according to
36which power, his Highness had concluded theise Articles:
37soe as now it went upon the honor of his Majestie
38and the Prince, and perhaps upon the liberty and
39power of his Highness returne and safety of his person.
40    These tender considerations of honor, suerty of his
41estate, fatherly loue, and conscience, his Majestie debated
42some dayes, with as much wisedome, naturall
43affection, courage, and piety, as became a greate, wise,
44religious Kinge, and tender louing Father.
45    And in conclusion having often honored Secretary
46Calvert, Cottington, and myself with the hearing of

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47his wise apprehensions and deliberations, in and about
48his greate perplexity, his Majesty resolved to call to
49him some of the most eminent of his Councell (whose
50names are here inclosed) that hee might open himself
51to them, recieve advice or confirmacion, or at least
52take, by those leading voyces, a measure of the iudgments
53and affections of the rest. Without flattery I
54speak the truthe before God, those Councellors assembled
55on Sunday at Wanstid; His Majestie made the
56most serious, (I may say) the most sadd, fatherly, kinde,
57kingly, wise, and pious, manly, stout speech that ever
58I heard, which noe man can repeate or relate (without
59blemishing) but himself. But this effect it wrought,
60all the Lords were of opinion that his Highness wordes
61and Articles must bee made good; that the oath by the
62Councell must bee taken; and with one voyce gave
63counsell (as without which nothing could bee well) that
64the Prince must marry and bringe his Lady away with
65him this yeare; this old yeare; or ells, the Prince
66presently to returne without marriage or contract;
67leaving both those to bee accomplished by the usuall
68formes. My Maister having honored mee with his commaundements
69in the trayne and shadow of that, I presume
70to convey by your Grace, to his Highnes, as
71humble thankfulnes as my poore heart is capable of,
72for the signe of his Highnes memory of me and favour
73to me received by M^r Killigrey. And I beseech your
74Grace to promise to his Highnes for mee that I will

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75not onely fill my pocketts with papers to attend his
76service, but bleeding, emptie my vaynes for it.
77    It is your free goodnes and favour to mee which
78open's the way, and hath ledd mee to that condition of
79favour I have. Preserve your creature, as farr as you
80iudge my faith and thankfulnes will warrant you, which
81I dare not discribe; knoweing my thoughts exceede my
82words, and may outgoe the opinion of others, and fall
83short of my owne knowledge, a part of which is that I
84will live and dye
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