so
unworthily appalled: for truly your advice and
approbation is of singular comfort and encouragement to
me. And now I pray tell me what is that '_Charitas
Patriae_' which all moral and divine authors have so
much magnified. That I must not concur in the acts of
impiety and injustice of my country, though never so
generally practised, or do a thing in itself wicked to
save or preserve my country from any suffering, is I
doubt not very clear. But is that Charitas Patriae
utterly to be abolished and extinguished, for its
practise of that impiety and injustice? Should I wish
their irreligion destroyed by an army of Turks, or their
licence subdued by a power that would make them slaves?
Was it well said of Alcibiades, that he is truly a lover
of his country, not that refuseth to invade the country
he hath wrongfully lost but desires so much to be in it,
as by any means he can he will attempt to recover it?
Was not Jocasta more Christian to her Son Polynices;
_Petendo patriam perdis; ut fiat tua, vis esse nullam_.

"I pray, say somewhat to me of this argument; that I may
really know how far I may comply with passion and
provocation; and whether as no infirmity or impiety in
my prince can warrant or excuse my declension of
allegiance towards him, there be not some candour and
kindness to remain towards a man's country, though
infected with the most raging rebellion."

God preserve you!

8th of January 1646.
A rough Draught, corrected, and endorsed by himself.

SIR EDWARD HYDE TO DR. JOHN EARLES.

"SIR,

"I told you long since that when I came to speak of that
unhappy battle of Newbury, I would enlarge upon the
memory of our dear friend that perished there: to which
I concieve myself obliged, not more by the rights of
friendship than of history, which ought to transmit the
virtue of excellent persons to posterity: and therefore
I am careful to do justice to every man that hath fallen
in the quarrel, on which side soever, as you will find
by what I have said of Mr. Hambden himself.

"I am now past that point, and being quickened by your
most elegant and ([EO]political) commemoration of him
and from hints there, thinking it necessary to say
somewhat for his vindication in such particulars as may
possibly have made impression in good men