llayed, as they are raised: Some
men are more afraid to retreat from violent Engagements, then to
Engage: what is wanting in Equity, must be made up in Pertinacie. Such
as had little to enjoy in Peace, or to lose in War, studied to render
the very name of _Peace_ odious and suspected.

In Church-affairs, where I had least libertie of prudence, having
so many strict ties of Conscience upon me, yet I was willing to
condescend so farr to the setling of them, as might have given fair
satisfaction to all men, whom Faction, Covetousness, or Superstition
had not engaged, more then any true zeal, charity, or love of
Reformation.

I was content to yeeld to all that might seem to advance true piety;
I onely sought to continue what was necessary in point of Order,
Maintenance, and Authority to the Churches Government; and what I am
perswaded (as I have else-where set down my thoughts more fully) is
most agreeable to the true principles of all Government, raised to
its full stature and perfection, as also to the primitive Apostolicall
patterne, and the practice of the Universall Church conform therunto.

From which wholly to recede, without any probable reason urged or
answered, only to satisfie some mens wills and fantasies (which yet
agree not among themselves in any point, but that of extirpating
Episcopacy, and fighting against Me) must needs argue such a
softnesse, and infirmity of mind in Me, as will rather part with Gods
Truth, then mans Peace, and rather lose the Churches honour, then
crosse some mens factious humours.

God knows, and time will discover, who were most to blame for the
un-successfulnesse of that Treaty, and who must bear the guilt of
after-calamities. I beleeve, I am very excusable both before God, and
all unpassionate men, who have seriously weighed those transactions,
wherein I endeavoured no lesse the restauration of peace to my people,
then the preservation of my own Crowns to my posterity.

Some men have that height, as to interpret all faire condescendings as
arguments of feeblenesse, and glory most in an unflexible stifnesse,
when they see others most supple and inclinable to them.

A grand Maxime with them was alwayes to ask something, which in Reason
and Honour must be denied, that they might have some colour to refuse
all that was in other things granted; setting Peace at as high a rate,
as the worst effects of Warr; endevouring first to make Me destroy My
self by dishonourable Concessions,