Sir John Hotham was (I think) a man of another temper, and so most liable to those downright temptations of ambition, which have no cloake or cheat of religion to impose upon themselves or others.

That which makes Me more pity him is, that after he began to have some inclinations towards a repentance for his sinne, and reparation of his duty to Me, he should be so unhappy as to fall into the hands of their justice, and not My mercy, who could as willingly have forgiven him, as he could have asked that favour of Me.

For I think clemency a debt, which we ought to pay to those that crave it, when we have cause to believe they would not after abuse it, since God himself suffers us not to pay any thing for his mercy but onely prayers and praises.

Poor gentleman, he is now become a noteable monument of unprosperous disloyalty, teaching the world by so sad and unfortunate a spectacle, that the rude carriage of a subject towards his soveraigne carries alwaies its owne vengeance, as an unseparable shadow with it, and those oft prove the most fatall, and implacable executioners of it, who were the first imployers in the service.

After-times will dispute it, whether Hotham were more infamous at Hull, or at Tower-hill; tho 'tis certain that no punishment so staines a mans honour, as wilful preparations of unworthy actions; which besides the conscience of the sinne, brands with most indelible characters of infamy, the name and memory to posterity, who not engaged in the factions of the times, have the most impartiall reflections on the actions.

But thou, O Lord, who hast in so remarkable a way avenged thy servant, suffer Me not to take any secret pleasure in it, as his death hath satisfied the injury he did to Me, so let Me not by it gratifie any passion in Me, lest I make thy vengeance to be Mine, and consider the affront against Me, more then the sinne against thee.

Thou indeed, without any desire or endeavor of Mine, hast made his mischief to returne on his owne head, and his violent dealing to come downe on his owne pate.

Thou hast pleaded My cause, even before the sons of men, and taken the matter into thine owne hands; that men may know it was thy work, and see that thou, Lord, hast done it.

I do not, I dare not say, so let Mine enemies perish O Lord! yea Lord, rather give them repentance, pardon, and impunity, if it be thy blessed will.

Let not thy justice prevent the objects and opportunities of My mercy; yea, let them live and amend who have most offended me in so high a nature; that I may have those to forgive, who beare most proportion in their offences to those trespasses against thy majesty, which I hope thy mercy hath forgiven Me.

Lord lay not their sinnes (who yet live) to their charge for condemnation, but to their consciences for amendment: let the lightning of this thunderbolt, which hath been so severe a punishment to one, be a terrour to all.

Discover to them their sinne, who know not they have done amisse, and scare them from their sinne, that sinne of malicious wickednesse.

That preventing thy judgements by their true repentance, they may escape the strokes of thine eternall vengeance.

And doe thou, O Lord, establish the throne of thy servant in mercy and truth meeting together; let My crowne ever flourish in righteousnesse and peace, kissing each other.

Heare My prayer, O Lord, who hast taught us to pray for, to doe good to, and to love our enemies, for thy sake; who hast prevented us with offertures

of thy love, even when we were thine enemies, and hast sent thy Sonne Jesus Christ to die for us, when we were disposed to crucifie him.

IX. UPON THE LISTING, AND RAISING ARMIES AGAINST THE KING.

I FIND that I am at the same point and posture I was, when they forced Me to leave Whitehall: what tumults could not doe, an army must; which is but tumults listed and enrolled to a better order, but as bad an end: My recesse hath given them confidence that I may be conquered.

And so I easily may as to any outward strength, which, God knows, is little or none at all: but I have a soule invincible through Gods grace enabling Me; here I am sure to be conqueror, if God will give Me such a measure of constancy, as to feare him more then man: and to love the inward peace of My conscience, before any outward tranquillity.

And must I be opposed with force, because they have not reason wherewith to convince Me? O My soule! be of good courage, they confesse their knowne weaknesse, as to truth, and justice, who chose rather to contend by armies, then by arguments.

Is this the reward and thanks that I am to receive for those many acts of grace I have lately