ictions, and some remorse in their
Consciences: where they cannot but see the proportions of their evil
dealings against Me in the measure of Gods retaliations upon them,
who cannot hope long to enjoy their own thumbs and toes, having under
pretence of paring others nails bin so cruel as to cut off their
cheifest strength.

The punishment of the more insolent and obstinate, may be like that
of _Korah_ and his complices (at once mutining against both Prince and
Priest) in such a method of divine justice, as is not ordinary,
the earth of the lowest and meanest people opening upon them, and
swallowing them up in a just disdain of their ill-gotten, and worse
used Authority: upon whose support and strength they chiefly depended
for their building and establishing their designes against Me, the
Church and State.

My chiefest comfort in death consists in my peace, which I trust,
is made with GOD; before whose exact Tribunall I shall not fear to
appear, as to the Cause so long disputed by the Sword, between me and
my causelese Enemies, where I doubt not but his righteous Judgment
will confute their fallacy, who from worldly success (rather like
Sophisters, then sound Christians) draw those popular conclusions for
Gods approbation of their actions; whose wise providence (we know) oft
permits many events which his revealed word (the only clear, safe, and
fixed rule of good actions and good consciences) in no sort approves.

I am confident, the justice of my Cause, and clearness of my
Conscience before God, and toward my people, wil carry me as much
above them in Gods decision, as their Successes have lifted them above
me in the Vulgar opinion: who consider not, that many times those
undertakings of men are lifted up to heaven in the prosperity
and applause of the world, whose rise is from hell, as to the
injuriousness and oppression of the design. The prosperous winds
which oft fil the sails of Pirats, doth not justifie their piracy and
rapine.

I look upon it with infinite more content and quiet of Soul, to have
been worsted in my enforced contestation for, and vindication of the
Laws of the Land, the Freedom and Honour of Parliaments, the Rights
of my Crown, the just Liberty of my Subjects, and the true Christian
Religion in its Doctrine, Government, and due Encouragements, then if
I had, with the greatest advantages of success over-born them all;
as some men have now evidently done, whatever designes they at first
preten