170 CHARGE AGAINST THE LORD SANQUHAR. 



curers, and so nothing should have been against you 

 but presumption. But then also God, to take away 

 all obstruction of justice, gave you the grace, which 

 ought indeed to be more true comfort to you, than 

 any device whereby you might have escaped, to 

 make a clear and plain confession. 



Other impediments there were, not a few, which 

 might have been an interruption to this day s justice, 

 had not God in his providence removed them. 



But, now that I have given God the honour, let 

 me give it likewise where it is next due, which is, to 

 the king our sovereign. 



This murder was no sooner committed, and 

 brought to his majesty s ears, but his just indig 

 nation, wherewith he first was moved, cast itself 

 into a great deal of care and providence to have jus 

 tice done. First came forth his proclamation, some 

 what of a rare form, and devised, and in effect dic 

 tated by his majesty himself; and by that he did 

 prosecute the offenders, as it were with the breath 

 and blast of his mouth. Then did his majesty 

 stretch forth his long arms, for kings have long arms 

 when they will extend them, one of them to the sea, 

 where he took hold of Grey shipped for Sweden, 

 who gave the first light of testimony ; the other arm 

 to Scotland, and took hold of Carlile, ere he was 

 warm in his house, and brought him the length of 

 his kingdom under such safe watch and custody, as 

 he could have no means to escape, no nor to mischief 

 himself, no nor learn any lessons to stand mute ; in 

 which cases, perhaps, this day s justice might have 



