NARRATIVE.

I COULD not be ignorant that when all His Majestie's endeavours to have composed the unhappy differences betweene Him, Parliament, and Armie, proved unsuccessfull, the Persons who had the honour to be neare Him in those transactions, would be looked upon as verie obnoxious in the judgement of those who only consider'd things in the event.

And amongst such as were attending the King in that dismall conjuncture, I was not so partiall in my owne thoughts, but that I expected (as well as manie others) some portion of scandall; and therefore did (instantly) whilst things were fresh in my memorie, prepare a Narrative (for I very much scorne to call it a Vindication) touching my waiting on his Majestie to the Scottish Armie before Newarke, and His goeing from Hampton Court into the Isle of Wight: being (as I supposed) in regard of their want of success the Two things which would bring mee under the Censure of

Commis

sioners.

and Ireton.

mine Enemies. But because those very men, who

were concerned in the Treaty which begat the The Scotts first of those Expeditions, were so industriously labouring to redeeme themselves by restoreing His Majestie and those verie Persons to whom I was employ'd by His Majestie's especiall Command Cromwell (whose unfaithfulness was the cause of the latter) haveing engrossed the entire power of the Nation, it seemed but ill discretion to let anie thing pass in publick from mee, that might interrupt the one; or loosely to deliver up myself to the cruelty of the other: especially since I was not of so great an age, but that I might (by GOD'S favour) live to see a time that this truth might be (inoffensively) brought to light without anie prejudice to His Majestie's affaires; or anie probable danger to my self. And if I misjudge not, this is that proper season, and suites well with the necessity of saying something upon those subjects. Haveing (since my comeing out of Prison) mett with some friends of mine, who tell mee of a discourse (written by the Lord John Berkley) upon His Majestie's goeing to the Isle of Wight, wherein, though hee layes no stress upon my integrity, yet hee spares not to lay faults of other natures upon mee, which after Examination may perhaps prove to be his owne.

In earnest it were to be desired, that when the

actions of men are to be delivered over to posterity, that there may be that tenderness had to Honour and esteeme, as to be exactly curious in setting downe the Truth in everie Assertion; least whilst wee endeavour to gaine Reputation from after ages, they be not (casting unmerited blemishes on others) loosers themselves, and this Caution I doe not only give, but shall carefully make use of it myself, or if the least scruple shall pass from mee, which shall not be of the same wariness I propose to others, I shall hasten all that may bee to obtaine their absolution; and when those who are in greate Arreares to mee in that kinde, shall take that Course, my armes shall be open to receive them with Embraces suitable to their Ingenuities, no condition being more delightful to mee, nor valuable, then to be at peace with all men.

I cannot (since it is so pertinent to my purpose) but make use of what (though upon a more divine subject) was said by a grave and most juditious Author,* That hee that goes about to perswade Hooker. multitudes that they are not soe well informed as they ought to be in things generallie received and deepely rooted in them, shall never want impatient hearers. Because mens naturall inclinations

are more prone to rest upon what they have allreadie embraced, and what for a long time hath had no opposition, than to be curious in the search after the Truth thereof; though it be the truth. Notwithstanding it too often cometh to pass that confident and severe Reprovers of Errors and defects (especiallie when they aime at the personall prejudices of those who in the services of Princes are honoured with neareness of Trust) are understood to be persons of singular freedome of minde, and therefore under that faire and plausible Colour, what Censure soever passeth from them, seemes to be so sound, and of so good Reputation, as what is wanting in the weight of their Aspersions, is supplyed by the aptness of mens ill disposed mindes to accept and beleeve them.

It is certainly greate vanitie in anie man to thinke himself exempted from Reproaches by his fellow Subjects, when by too late, and too miserable, experience wee have knowne the best of Kings, so traduc'd, as former Ages have left nothing to us of more injustice; and for succeeding times, His Example, and the Judgements which will inevitably follow his murderers, may perhaps be sufficient warning for those who shall be then liveing to avoid the like impieties. And that it may be knowne what sense His late Majestie had

of those Evells charged upon Him, I suppose it may not bee amiss, that I insert heere what with greate anxietie of minde I have heard fall from Him; That the ouglie formes and shapes in which His Two Houses of Parliament had rendered Him to His people were so mischievous, that hee beleeved it altogether impossible for Him (though the success of His affaires were to be what were to be wished) to regaine their good affections, or recover His owne just Character; so verie deepely Hee thought the Calumnies raised against Him were setled in their hearts; insomuch, as through that despaire, Hee was often busied in Contemplation of proposing to the Parliament the surrendring His present possession of the Crowne to his Sonne, whose innocency was yet Protection enough against the like effects of their malice; a strange operation (certainly) those apprehensions must have, to produce a Resolution of deserting Soveraigntie; rather than to be the Object of His Subjects Hatred, though the grounds which made him so, were never so falsly,-never so inhumanely suggested.

And I hope it is no unpardonable presumption, for private men to make resemblance of their sufferings, in the unjust staines and blemishes of their Credits, with Persons of the most eminent dignity; for though it must be granted that their