164 LIFE, TIMES, AND SCIENTIFIC LABOURS [1646-7. 



&quot; Considerations and conclusions concerning the 

 present state of my affairs, 29 March, 1646. 



&quot; 1. As the King has published such a Declaration, I 

 think myself at present incapable of serving him. Yet 

 I am persuaded, that he has done this unwillingly, and 

 through the violent impulse of others, and on account 

 of the bad situation of his affairs. For which purpose, 

 I am desirous to send express to him a person of rank, 

 and my relation ; by whose means I shall propose to 

 his Majesty a method, by which he may enable me, 

 under the authority of the Great Seal, to proceed further, 

 both in promoting the interest of this nation, and his 

 Majesty s own, in such a manner, that his forced renun 

 ciation shall not be openly touched upon, and yet my 

 justification, as far as it shall conduce to the good of this 

 kingdom, so sincerely desired by me, may attain its 

 wished-for effect. The safety even of the lowest person 

 of this nation, is so truly at my heart, that I would not 

 expose the life of one man to danger on my own account, 

 nor press the transportation of the soldiers, till the return 

 of the messenger to be sent to the King. 



&quot; 2. As T have received such instructions from the King 

 as these, viz. If by any unfortunate accident we should 

 be involved in any counsels, in appearance contrary to 

 the powers given by us to you, you shall make no other 

 account of them, but by putting yourself in a condition 

 to help us, and set us free ; I do not find any more ex 

 peditious way of relieving his Majesty from his distress, 

 than by taking no notice of anything which he has 

 done through compulsion, and by supporting this nation. 

 But if the Supreme Council will engage to adhere firmly 

 to me, I will likewise oblige myself to employ the ships 

 and money, which I had before designed for England, 

 to the assistance of this nation, and devote my labours 

 and endeavours to the service of this kingdom, till we 



