him to wait upon you, as he was wont, until I shall send for him, if your mother and you be together; if not, he must wait on her. Antrim, Charles I. to the Marquis of Antrim.1 Upon a rumour of your being landed in Scotland, I wrote to you upon Monday last. But now, having more perfect intelligence thereof, I have thought fit to send you this honest, trusty bearer, Sir James Lesley, to show you what direction I have given to Montrose, commanding you to follow the same: which is, to lay down arms; assuring you that your obedience in this is absolutely necessary for my service. For I shall esteem it as much as I have done your readiness to take them up, which I shall always remember to your advantage. Nor have I been unmindful to secure those honest, gallant men, who have ventured themselves for me, not meaning that any should be ruined for their obedience to me, as this bearer will at large declare unto you; as also, how these my commands are best for you (all things considered) and those who are with you, as well as me, whom you shall always find to be Your most assured, constant, real friend, CHARLES R. Newcastle, 19th June, 1636. 1 Clarendon State Papers, Bodley MSS. Charles I. to the Lords Jermyn and Culpeper, and Sirs, Newcastle, Wednesday, 22nd July, [1646.] Since you three, 385, 386, and 383,2 have joined yourselves in a letter to me, I will not sever you in my answer. Then know, what severally, what jointly, I received upon Saturday last, six letters from you (and four from the queen), whereof I shall only answer to that of the 19th July, which will serve for all, as to public business. It is no small comfort for me to find that I have some friends yet, that neither have forsaken me, nor are doubtful of me; for of late I have found many demases, and I cannot but say, that if opportunity could have ruined my constancy, I had not at this time deserved your confidence. Indeed, it is almost incredible (it had been altogether to me, if I had not seen it) with what impudence I have been assaulted to yield unto these London propositions, no man dissenting. In a word, what Ashburnham saw concerning the Covenant was but slight insinuations to what I have found since (incivilities only excepted, which, to say the truth, are left off'); for now I am faced down, that this is all for my service; and, if I will be ruled by them, I cannot miss to be a great and glorious king, it being upon debate the result of all my faithful 1 Clarendon State Papers. Bodley MSS. 2 These are the ciphers for the names of the three noblemen to whom this letter is addressed. servants in London. I only mention this, to show you that it is likely I shall still deserve your confidence. But now let me warn you all (I include my wife and son) truly to deserve that praise of constancy which you command in me. For I am deceived if you be not homer put to it than yet I have been. Wherefore I conjure you, by your unspotted faithfulness, by all that you love, by all that is good, that no threatenings, no apprehensions of danger to my person, make you stir one jot from any foundation in relation to that authority which the prince of Wales is born to. I have already cast up what I am like to suffer, which I shall meet (by the grace of God) with that constancy that befits me. Only I desire that consolation, that assurance from you, as I may justly hope that my cause shall not end with my misfortunes, by assuring me that misplaced pity to me do not prejudice my son's right. And, mistake me not, for I am in this so far from abandoning myself, that I believe this resolution is the best way for my preservation; however, that no man's person ought to be put in balance with this cause. Now, as for your advice to me, you speak my very soul in everything but one; that is, the church. Remember your own rule, not to expect to redeem that which is given away by Act of Parliament. Shall I then give away the church? And excuse me to tell you that I believe you do not understand what this is that you are content (I confess not upon very easy terms) I should give away. I will begin to show you, first, what it is in point of policy; and first, negatively. It is not the change of church government which is chiefly aimed at (though that were too much); but it is by that pretext to take away the dependancy of the church from the crown, which, let me tell you, I hold to be of equal consequence to that of the militia; for people are governed by the pulpit more than the sword in times of peace. Nor will the Scots be content with the alteration of government, except the Covenant be likewise established, the which does not only make good all their former rebellions, but likewise lays a firm and fruitful foundation for such pastimes in all times to come. Now, for the theological part: I assure you the change would be no less and worse than if Popery were brought in; for we should have neither lawful priests nor sacraments duly administered, nor God publicly served, but according to the foolish fancy of every idle person; but we should have the doctrine against kings fiercer set up than amongst the Jesuits. In a word, set your hearts at rest; I will less yield to this than the militia, my conscience being irreconcilably engaged against it. Wherefore, I conjure you as Christians to assist me particularly in this also. Yet I say not the Scots are to be shaken off; but to be sought with all possible industry usque ad aras; nor do I mislike your fancy concerning the prince of Wales treating with the independents, wherein I give you full liberty (according to your own cautions) to try your fortunes, though I believe it will not hit. Charles I. to the Lords Jermyn and Culpeper, and Mr. John Ashburnham.1 Newcastle, Wednesday, 19th August, 1646. Yours of the 17th I received upon Monday last, which gave me much contentment, finding that the answer that I have given to the proposition doth concur fully with your judgments. And now you must not take ill, that I preach constancy to you as much as you have done to me. For, as you had reason to do so, because of the company I am in, I believe to have no less, considering how your judgments have been abused by a fallacious treaty concerning church government, which the Scots have thought to make use of as a shoeing-horn to draw on all their ends. For which there is not so infallible way under heaven as the establishing of Presbyterial government, with the extirpation of episcopacy (they scorn the motion to settle the one, except the other be totally abolished); for thereby the doctrine of rebellion is made canonical, their former acts approved, and mine condemned. Besides, how can I keep that innocency which you (with so much reason) oft and earnestly persuade me to preserve, if I should abandon the Church? Believe it, religion is the only firm foundation of all power; that cast loose, or depraved, no government can be stable. For where was there ever obedience where religion did not teach it? But which is most of all, 1 Clarendon State Papers, Bodley MSS. The king argued with a Presbyterian concerning Episcopacy, and no contemptible talent was displayed on either side. The present letter affords an interesting example of the king's strong opinions on the subject. |