peace. Show the greatness of your mine, rather to
conquer your enemies by pardoning than by punishing. If you saw
how unmanly and unchristian the implacable disposition is in our
ill-wishers, you would avoid that spirit. Censure me not for having
parted with so much of our right. The price was great, but the commodity
was security to us, peace to my people. And I am confident, that another
parliament would remember how useful a king's power is to a people's
liberty; of how much power I divested myself, that I and they might
meet once again in a parliamentary way, in order to agree the bounds of
prince and people. Give belief to my experience, never to affect more
greatness or prerogative than what is really and intrinsically for the
good of the subjects, not the satisfaction of favorites If you thus use
it, you will never want means to be a father to all, and a bountiful
prince to any whom you incline to be extraordinarily gracious to. You
may perceive, that all men intrust their treasure where it returns them
interest; and if a prince, like the sea, receive and repay all the fresh
streams which the rivers intrust with him, they will not grudge, but
pride themselves to make him up an ocean. These considerations may make
you as great a prince as your father if a low one; and your state may be
so much the more established, as mine hath been shaken. For our subjects
have learned, I dare say, that victories over their princes are but
triumphs over themselves, and so will more unwillingly hearken to
changes hereafter. The English nation are a sober people, however at
present infatuated. I know not but this may be the last time I may speak
to you or the world publicly. I am sensible into what hands I am fallen;
and yet, I bless God, I have those inward refreshments which the malice
of my enemies cannot perturb. I have learned to be busy myself, by
retiring into myself; and therefore can the better digest whatever
befalls me, not doubting but God's providence will restrain our enemies'
power, and turn their fierceness into his praise. To conclude, if God
give you success, use it humbly, and be ever far from revenge. If he
restore you to your right on hard conditions, whatever you promise, keep
These men who have violated laws which they were bound to preserve, will
find their triumphs full of trouble. But do not you think any thing in
the world worth attaining by foul and unjust means."]

[Footnote 20: NOTE T, p. 380. The imp