t as snares, that by My granting or denying them, I might be more
entangled in those difficulties, wherewith they lie in wait to afflict
me._

_O Lord, make thy way plain before Me._

_Let not my own sinful passions cloud, or divert thy sacred
suggestions._

_Let thy Glory be my end, thy Word my rule, and then thy will be
done._

_I cannot please all, I care not to please some men; if I may be
happie to please thee, I need not fear whom I displease._

_Thou that makest the wisdome of the world foolishnesse, and takest
in their own devices, such as are wise in their own conceits, make Me
wise by thy Truth, for thy honor, my Kingdoms generall good, and my
own souls salvation, and I shall not much regard the worlds opinion or
diminution of Me._

_The lesse of wisdome they are willing to impute to Me, the more they
shall be convinced of thy Wisdom directing Me, while I deny nothing
fit to be granted, out of crosnesse or humour; nor grant any thing
which is to be denied, out of any fear or flatterie of men._

_Suffer me not to be guiltie or unhappie, by willing or inconsiderate
advancing any mens designes, which are injurious to the publique good,
while I confirm them by My consent._

_Nor let Me be any occasion to hinder or defraud the Publick of what
is best, by any morose or perverse dissentings._

_Make Me so humbly charitable, as to follow their advice, when it
appears to be for the publick good; of whose affections to me, I have
yet but few evidencies to assure Me._

_Thou canst as well blesse honest errours, as blast fraudulent
counsels._

_Since we must give an account of every evill and idle word in
private, at thy Tribunall; Lord make me carefull of those solemne
Declarations of mine which are like to have the greatest influence
upon the Publique, either for woe, or weale._

_The lesse others consider what they aske, make me the more solicitous
what I answer._

_Though Mine own, and My Peoples pressures are grievous, and peace
would be very pleasing; yet Lord, never suffer Me to avoid the one, or
purchase the other, with the least expense or wast of my Conscience;
whereof thou, O Lord, onely art deservedly more Master then my self._

* * * * *

12. _Upon the Rebellion, and troubles in_ Ireland.

The Commotions in _Ireland_ were so sudden, and so violent, that it
was hard at first either to discern the rise, or apply a remedie to
that precipitant Rebellion