AN ANSWER TO A LETTER Concerning the KING'S Going from HOLDENBY to the ARMY.   Royal coat of arms HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE 
C R  
Printed in the Year 1647.   

AN ANSWER To A LETTER CONCERNING The KING'S going from Holdenby to the ARMY.  
SIR,  
YOu desire my opinion concerning this late great business, the Kings going into the Army: My judgement is shortly and clearly thus; That His Majesty went thither neither against His own will, nor the desire of the Army. I believe His Majesty had no reason to be very fond of the place where he was before, or of the great respects he received there, being (without doubt) at the top of his preferment, and in all likelihood not to have continued so well so long, had not some stronger bridle, then that of allegiance to him, or religion to God, made them forbear any further attempt. For that which you pleased, or rather your fears, to suggest, viz. That His Majesty is leapt out of the frying-pan into the fire, left ill company, to adhere to worse; because you are pleased to say (and you do but say it) that this Army consists of Independents, who are worse principled for Magistracy, than those of the other party. I answer; that indeed it cannot be denied, that out of divers of their Books we may gather such Conclusions, which for part I cannot allow of. But that the Fears and Jealousies of both Houses may not forsake their old Masters, in such a busy time as this, and wholly take up and possess your breast, I pray Sir reasonably weigh all circumstances, and you shall find, that His Majesty hath fallen into much better company, then either his Countrymen were to him, or commended him to, (not to say, sold and betrayed him.)  
Of these men (call them Independents, or what you will) I have had a great deal of experience. I find them in their way very devout, very just in their dealing; and of all the Armies employed by the Parliament in this unnatural war, I will be bold to say, none behaved themselves more civilly, more christianly against the adverse party than they: and considering their different judgements and opinions, none were more in charity, and more at unity among themselves. In all my discourse I had with them (and I talked with many of them) I find a great deal of humility and lowliness amongst them: But as they desire to exercise no severe jurisdiction over other men's consciences, so they seem to desire in like manner that none may over theirs. I do not truly perceive that they have a mind to give Law to any other, but only to procure their own liberty and quiet: this liberty they cannot have under the Presbytery, who have both in Pulpit and Press declared so bitterly (I had almost said so unchristianly) against them. How then, or by whom can they hope to enjoy this privilege more freely, more fully, then by receiving it from Him, who hath the sole power in these Dominions, under Christ Jesus, to grant it? And therefore make no doubt, but that there will be a very right understanding begotten between the King and the Army: And that as they are raised by GOD at this time to reinvest him with his just, lawful Rights and Prerogatives, to the eternal shame of his own Nation, (the first Nation that ever I read of who sold their King) so I doubt not but His Majesty will so well resent this seasonable kindness of theirs, that as they preserve his Person, Honour, and Conscience, so he will be as tender of theirs. And truly, I think him fit to be brought to condign punishment, as an evil Counsellor, that shall even go about to alienate the King's heart from them, or make him to forget this handsome loyalty of theirs, that hath so gallantly showed itself in the midst of so much cruelty, neglect, and contempt, and when his Majesties other friends had so little power or opportunity to do him good. And this I deliver the more clearly, because you know I am no party at all in this business; but (according to your desire) I have given my sense: And what you have more to say, I pray communicate as freely to  
Sir, Your affectionate Friend, to serve you.