62 OF THE PACIFICATION OF THE CHURCH. 



It is very true, that these ecclesiastical matters 

 are things not properly appertaining to my profes 

 sion ; which I was not so inconsiderate but to object 

 to myself: but finding that it is many times seen 

 that a man that standeth off, and somewhat removed 

 from a plot of ground, doth better survey it and 

 discover it than those which are upon it, I thought 

 it not impossible, but that I, as a looker on, might 

 cast mine eyes upon some things which the actors 

 themselves, especially some being interested, some 

 led and addicted, some declared and engaged, did 

 not or would not see. And that knowing in my 

 conscience, whereto God beareth witness, that the 

 things which I shall speak, spring out of no vein of 

 popularity, ostentation, desire of novelty, partiality 

 to either side, disposition to intermeddle, or any the 

 like leaven ; I may conceive hope, that what I want 

 in depth of judgment may be countervailed in sim 

 plicity and sincerity of affection. But of all things 

 this did most animate me ; that I found in these 

 opinions of mine, which I have long held and em 

 braced, as may appear by that which I have many 

 years since written of them, according to the pro 

 portion nevertheless of my weakness, a consent and 

 conformity with that which your Majesty hath pub 

 lished of your own most Christian, most wise, and 

 moderate sense, in these causes ; wherein you have 

 well expressed to the world, that there is infused in 

 your sacred breast, from God, that high principle and 

 position of government, That you ever hold the 

 whole more dear than any part. 



