in the opinion of the wisest meere man, then that they see a sar off, not the plague of
the body onely, though that, bat judgements, somtimes for evill doing, somtimes for
acting indiscreetly in matters that may be done. That which may lawfully be done, it
may be absurd to doe at some time; The taking away life, which is that prized above
all, by him that all account wise, is not just (say some) at any time, unlesse there be a
Law that makes the thing done death, and death to him that doth it: The supream
power of England that forbids any to judge of treason in a constructive way, but themselves,
have retain' d in themselves a power to judge such and such practices and endeavours
to amount to treason or death: Whether there may not be reason often to forbear or
suspend such actions, as may not seem, but are, just, there's no question, yea, in putting
to death: As when the Sons of Zervia are too strong, when the party executed is like
to prove an Hydra, or when greater miseries are like to fall upon a Nation, or the immediate
instruments thereby. In particular, Suppose there were Law, or it were in the power
of Lords and Commons 10 take away the life of the present King, yet if England,
Scotland and Ireland shall be made more miserable thereby in reason, and the Wars renewed,
to the probable ruin of the Nations, and chiefly of those who pretend most to piety
and justice therein, it were better not. That it's dangerous this may be said: If you cut off,
you must set up, vacuities of that nature sodainly introduce confusion: If you set up, it must
either be a new King; or a new Government, if a new King, then the next of kinne,
and If him, then let his complyance be what it will, his fathers death cannot be forgot,
no, the danger of his mothers influence, who will remain in banishment, be easily got
over, refuse he to come in, as it's most like, he hath the aforenamed written upon his
brest, besides his hereditary claime, his marriage, which no man that hath a purse, but
will endowry with a daughter, raise an Army of 20000 to restore a sonne in Law,
and make his daughter Queen of three Kingdoms, which by reason of scituation and
inherent accommodations may (well managed) be the ballancing power of Christendom,
what a snow ball they have made in former time is cleer to all that have read any thing.
If any other, or a new Government, the objections are the same, and all the line, and
that successively, are made enemies to boot, besides, hath the Parliament or Army yet
got so much love are they so deepe in the hearts of the people, or like to be, that they
can assure themselves, the newteralls, or those who have gone far with them will quiesce?
But the Answer is ready, we have an Army that can not be overcome, neither by what
can rise here, or come from abroad.
Let it be granted, so had Alexander, but Alexander proved no God in point of life, he
died, nay was poysoned, say some, before he bad attained 40 yeares, and what then became
of his Army? Some will boast they fear no colours, nor danger, for they have the
swiftest horse in the Kingdom, but what is that that se stumble and throw his rider:
Where's the man, the horse wandering up and down as the fed hauke for food, comes to
the hand of a childe?
Settle the Kingdom so, as whatever is grievous may be taken off, what will inrich
taken on, put in trust, is there be sound, men of piety, Wisdome, Justice, and
generosity, however, not Peasants nor Boors, terminate the Government by Parliament
As to forreign affaires, and giving life to lawes, appoint 7 or 8 of most singular wisdom,
10 is too many, continue this way for 20, or 30 years, live the King: and aster see
you ground, you may set up a Talkin, which, will make the people give down their milke
Sufficiently, & if it be said the King impeads, there being no King, would do it; its answered
its so now, as to Government, and Power, he that lives [unr]sbuta man, as to power, and
therefore to make England happy must be some other work, to which the life of a
meere man seemes no impediment.