LETTERS FROM THE RESUSCITATIO. 175 



throughout Christendom, and engaged in it as much as I 

 was worth ; and being the instrument of drawing more vo 

 luntary men of their own charge than ever was seen these 

 many years : who (I say) would not have been so affected ? 

 But far be it from me, in any action of this importance to 

 weigh myself or my particular fortunes. I must beseech 

 your lordships to remember that I was from time to time 

 warranted by all your opinions delivered both amongst 

 yourselves and to her majesty : which tieth you all to allow 

 the counsel. And that being granted your lordships will call 

 that zeal, which maketh a man constant in a good counsel 

 that would be passion in an evil, or a doubtful. I confess, 

 her majesty offered us recompence for all our charges and 

 losses. But (my lords) I pray your lordships consider how 

 many things I should have sold at once for money ? I will 

 leave mine own reputation as too small a matter to be men 

 tioned. But I should have sold the honour of her majesty, 

 the safety of the state, the contentment of her confederates, 

 the fortune and hope of many of my poor countrymen, and 

 the possibility of giving a blow to that enemy that ought 

 ever to be hateful to all true English hearts. I should have 

 sold all this for private profit ; therefore, though I ask par 

 don of her majesty, and pray your lordships to mediate it 

 for me, that I was carried by this zeal so fast that I forgot 

 those reverend forms which I should have used, yet I had 

 rather have my heart out of my body than his zeal out of my 

 heart. And now, as I have laid before your lordships my 

 past carriage, and entering into this action, so I beseech 

 your lordships give me leave to prepare you to a favourable 

 construction of that which I shall do hereafter ; in which 

 suit I am resolved neither to plead the hazarding of life, 

 nor spending of my substance in a public service; to the 

 end that I might find your lordships (who are public per 

 sons) more favourable judges: but will confess, that I re 

 ceive so much favour and honour by this trust and employ- 



