le good estate, I confess, but, God's-fish, I
have a great charge upon't. Here's my lord treasurer
can tell, that all the money designed for next
summer's guards must, of necessity, be applyed to
the next year's cradles and swadling-cloths. What
shall we do for ships then? I hint this only to you,
it being your business, not mine. I know, by experience,
I can live without ships. I lived ten years
abroad without, and never had my health better in
my life; but how you will be without, I leave to
yourselves to judge, and therefore hint this only by
the by: I do not insist upon it. There's another
thing I must press more earnestly, and that is this:
It seems, a good part of my revenue will expire in
two or three years, except you will be pleased to
continue it. I have to say for't; pray why did you
give me so much as you have done, unless you resolve
to give as fast as I call for it? The nation
hates you already for giving so much, and I'll hate
you too, if you do not give me more. So that if
you stick not to me, you must not have a friend in
England. On the other hand, if you will give me
the revenue I desire, I shall be able to do those
things for your religion and liberty, that I have had
long in my thoughts, but cannot effect them without
a little more money to carry me through.
Therefore look to't, and take notice, that if you
do not make me rich enough to undo you, it shall
lie at your doors. For my part, I wash my hands
on't. But that I may gain your good opinion, the
best way is to acquaint you what I have done to deserve
it, out of my royal care for your religion and
your property. For the first, my proclamation is a
true picture of my mind. He that cannot, as in a
glass, see my zeal for the church of England, does
not deserve any farther satisfaction, for I declare
him willful, abominable, and not good. Some
may, perhaps, be startled, and cry, how comes
this sudden change? To which I answer, I am a
changling, and that's sufficient, I think. But to
convince men farther, that I mean what I say, there
are these arguments.

First, I tell you so, and you know I never break
my word.

Secondly, my lord treasurer says so, and he never
told a lye in his life.

Thirdly, my lord Lauderdale will undertake it
for me; and I should be loath, by any art of mine,
he should forfeit the credit he has with you.

If you de